#55: 2/20 - New Orleans 111 @ LA Lakers 115 (45-10)

[Dr Aki]

at least at the end, all kobe was doing was posting up with high percentage shots in the lane

it was also incredibly nice to finally see high screen and roll for kobe that actually came off and resulted in a 3-pt play

we dont do enough of that when the game is on the line

[TylersLakers]

Definitely upset that we gave up 30+ in the fourth quarter and gave up a great defensive effort for three quarters. With CP on the floor at the start of the fourth, Phil should have countered with leaving Kobe and Lamar out there. A 13 point lead in the NBA isn't very much especially with the way our bench was playing.

Props to Fisher.. he was having a tough game throughout but he came through when we needed him most. A great charge and a big time shot to tie the game.

Kobe did his thing in overtime.

We really need to try to cut down on the bonehead plays. Gasol fouling at the end so NO converts a three point play. I mean, at that point, just let them have a lay-up. Who cares. It doesn't hurt us at all.

I don't think you guys can complain about Luke getting the time in this one. He was having a really nice game up until his last stretch of playing time.

We won and got the season series over NO. That's the bottom line.

[TylersLakers]

@ Phil in the post game press conference.

On Kobe's shooting, finally getting it going in OT: "If you keep on throwing s**t to the wall, eventually it's going to stick."

[B_Y_N_U_M]

Some of you just absolutely kill me.............OMG.........we won the damn game.......be a little thankful and happy!!! Quit Knit Picking at every little thing....

Bottom Line - we won...............YIPPY

Should it of come to overtime.........NO

The Bench gave up the 13 point lead we had at start of 4th - Did Phil leave them in too long when they were stinking it up.............YES

Did We Win.......................YES

Can I get an AMEN?..........................YES

Thank You!!!!

I am out............LATER

[TylersLakers]

Some of you just absolutely kill me.............OMG.........we won the damn game.......be a little thankful and happy!!! Quit Knit Picking at every little thing....

Bottom Line - we won...............YIPPY

Should it of come to overtime.........NO

The Bench gave up the 13 point lead we had at start of 4th - Did Phil leave them in too long when they were stinking it up.............YES

Did We Win.......................YES

Can I get an AMEN?..........................YES

Thank You!!!!

I am out............LATER

Well said.

[semi-sentient]

What a crappy 4th quarter. Phil has to take the blame on this one. Did he really need to sit Kobe until the 7 minute mark? Why wait until a 13 point lead is shaved down to 3 until bringing him back?

Our bench is turning into a complete joke, particularly backup SG where we get absolutely no contribution. I'm wondering if we're going to play Bynum behind Pau when he comes back, especially if Odom keeps playing like this. Bynum could have a field day beating up reserve C's, and it would mean less touches for that long-haired sissy that we are overpaying.

Bleh.

[kobeaki]

look, a win is a win....and the hornets are a very dangerous team, while their offense is very limited, the plays they run are very very effective...against all opposition...

to the pick and roll defense, and just as all players who put that puke kelly green on, become irrational, angry d-bags, and psuedo thugs,the lakers have always struggled against pick and rolls....baylor/chamberlain and west struggled it, magic and kareem too...van exel and seldom as well...
and shaq/kobe had trouble with it as well...who knows why...perhaps the stayle of players we acquire?

the point is that it has been an issue going all the way back to the van bredikoff(sp?) era...

to the derek and luke haters...they are magical players, i dont necessarily mean that in a good way, but when they are on the floor, good things happen, and that their are undersized, underpowered, underskilled, and way slower than almost all of their competition...means that they are always playing catch up talent wise...

but ill tell ya what, they both bleed purple and gold, and they will find ways to make up for their deficiencies...they always have...just chill with those two...

the look on fish's face at the end of ot, when he was about to shoot a ft, the smile and sense of relief...

bottom line, nawleans needed this game more than we did...truly...and they did not get it...and like i said before they are very dangerous, and we played awfully dumb basketball.

as to kobe, the one overall negative to his game is his, at times ,his over-confidence, and what i think is burned into his psyche to always be the hero, i mean, if he dished it too pau and or even andrew, or even lamar...any of those three could average 40 a game, which in turn would open up the perimeter for guys like kobe to either attack or shoot to their hearts content...

only two reasons why i see this not being the case...kobe and his perception of how he is percieved, needing to be constantly redeemed, while also having a bad taste in his mouth for being such a great table setter in the past for snack, and where did that get him? still tons of criticism and lack of respect by the media and fans etc...

or...

the lakers know that they can ALWAYS go to the inside out game, i wonder if that is a card they want to hold close to the chest , until the playoffs when its really needed....