glass half empty/half full?

[lakerevel]

So here are the numbers:

Last 6 games we're 5-1
Of those 6 games we've held double digit leads in 5 of them
Of those 5 games, we're 4-1, having blown double digit leads in 4 of the 5 games

My question is, are you more encouraged that we're getting these leads on a consistent basis now, or are you concerned that we're blowing them on a consistent basis? Personally, I am encouraged because I feel it's much earier to adjust and learn how to hold a lead rather than constantly trying to climb out of a hole. This is one of our best stretches of the year, and if you remember, the last time we had this type of win streak, we had to come back from double digit deficits in a couple games (i.e. Nash's first game back againt the Warriors) rather than holding our big leads.

What are your thoughts?

[KillaInstinct24]

wins are better than losses. so thats a good thing

[Pluvious]

So here are the numbers:

Last 6 games we're 5-1
Of those 6 games we've held double digit leads in 5 of them
Of those 5 games, we're 4-1, having blown double digit leads in 4 of the 5 games

My question is, are you more encouraged that we're getting these leads on a consistent basis now, or are you concerned that we're blowing them on a consistent basis? Personally, I am encouraged because I feel it's much earier to adjust and learn how to hold a lead rather than constantly trying to climb out of a hole. This is one of our best stretches of the year, and if you remember, the last time we had this type of win streak, we had to come back from double digit deficits in a couple games (i.e. Nash's first game back againt the Warriors) rather than holding our big leads.

What are your thoughts?

I always look at what a team is doing and what it needs to do personally rather then simply say "the team sucked".

I do agree that its better to start off well and falter. That is more a sign of being better then the other team and simply letting up.

As far as the team itself...team defense is better overall. More energy and more team help. And 2 wins in a row without the best defender on the team in Dwight is promising.

The offense has a better pace and Gasol and Kobe are getting the ball in better positions then in the past. The team is really starting to move the ball well. Obviously Kobe is the main reason. And now they are trying to mix it up more with Gasol getting the ball a lot, Kobe getting it in a position he can make plays in, and Nash also getting opportunities to make plays.

Also Clark & Jamision are playing well and fitting into their roles. The team really just looks "better" offensively then every team they have played.

What are the problems?

- The team cannot match the energy of younger teams for long. Everyone is realizing this but a hard run by an athletic team causes problems.

- The team is just not a great outside shooting team. That will be something they will continue to deal with.

- Still need to work in Howard.

- Kobe still needs to be able to get his shot going and be aggressive at the "drop of a hat" when needed...as he is not getting the shots he normally does.

- Nash needs to go back to his Dallas days a little and be ready to shoot quickly and often to open up the lane for the bigs and Kobe. He is the best shooter and needs to realize this will help the team more than anything.

- Coaching, chemistry, etc may be improving but it is hard to say how much of a problem it will be. Coaching is obviously not nearly the issue people on here people are making it out to be but the "respect" factor may very well be a huge issue.

I see way more positives then negatives. The team just needs to see some success and not get complacent. They need to take and make big shots and develop as a team. They may or may not so we'll see. Everything has kind of gone wrong so far...and the pressure has clearly gotten to the team at times.

[Vinylman]

Here is reality... in 2010/2011 we won 17 of 18 games from the end of February to the first of April...

17-1

What happened

We played like **** in the first round and got swept in the second round...

What would make anyone think this team is better or will have a better result?

[Iron24th]

I'll try to be positive, yes they blew big leads and it's getting on my nerves, but they battled to still get these wins.

Better than nothing.

[duane v]

In the spirit of staying in the moment..... I don't think we can talk about "half" anything until our record reaches the .500 mark

[midwestlaker75]

A win is a win, But it is disheartening to see this happen Against good teams those are losses. Our bench must play better in holding leads.

[mOrphosis]

Obviously the Lakers are playing much better since Kobe assumed player/coach duties from d'Antoni. Since he has been facilitating on offense, the team plays with balance and at a tempo that is under control. The defense as a consequence has improved greatly because of it.

The Lakers should have had that win in Phoenix. They would have then been 7-0 since d'Antoni's "system" was benched and the forum conversation would be much different around here. Still alot of chemistry issues to sort out, but I do think there is a chance for the team to improve considerably over the rest of the season and make the playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs...I think it would be interesting for the Lakers to get in at a seed where they would play the Clippers in the first round. That would make for an interesting seeding as it COULD be seen indirectly as a Laker home series, in a sense. Los Angeles is still a Laker town until the Clippers win a title...it will remain that way. The Clippers would be a much better playoff matchup than facing the Spurs or OKC on the road in the first round. Just something to consider as the Lakers try to find their way into the playoffs.

[troyler21hxc]

3.5 games back

[Avenged24]

I'll take the wins because we're desperate for them but that does not mean I'm happy about how they've been winning. Any letdowns against good teams are losses for sure, and for this team who's supposed to be competing for a title, just squeezing in the playoffs is not enough.

We are Lakers fans, screw mediocrity.

[Pearljammer II]

The thing is .. we really should be 6-0 .. should have not lost that first road trip game to Phx... it's refreshing to see dbl digit leads... sustaining that will be the next thing to work on.... but it's definitely encouraging.

[leftymo]

The team sucks. It's a good thing that they are actually leading these games now, b/c they couldn't lead anyone!

But now they are having the classic D'antoni system, no defense equals blown leads.


That might work against Detroit, but won't against anyone good especially on the road. They aren't making the playoffs.