#73: 3/29 - LA Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks. 12:30pm.

[DubaLakers]

The problem is that we can't guard the fn' PG's I'm tired of it. D Fish busts his butt, but Farmar is pathetic, put Shannon Brown out there to guard the other teams PG in the fourth.

[b shaw20]

It's now decision time for Phillip:

Rest KB, LO and Gas and risk going into the post season rested yet rusty without a winning streak or rhythm going in. Avoid possible injuries.

Play normal rotations, yet limit starters minutes. Keep them somewhat game ready in terms of shape.

Sit KB for 3-5 games, ensure he gets second wind going in.

What will he do....

[Sedale Threatt]

We can't start resting people, not just yet. We've put in a lot of hard work this season to be where we're at, especially in regards to staying up high in the standings without Bynum, and it would be a shame to spoil that over the last few weeks.

At the same time, a high seed might not matter if we go into the playoffs on fumes. I concur with what Don noticed -- Kobe is looking really worn down the past few weeks. He's not getting by anybody, and as a result is just settling for difficult jumpers. Plus, I still have to wonder if all these minutes are going to catch up to Pau at some point.

Barring a miracle collapse by Cleveland, the best scenario would be to clinch the No. 2 spot overall with enough time left to sit guys for the last three or four games. That might not be enough to recharge the batteries completely, but it's about as good as we're going to get.

[Sedale Threatt]

why is minhee suspended?

Probably because one of the mods finally had enough of her ridiculous temper tantrums. Everybody deserves a good rant, but I have a 2 1/2 year old niece with more self control.

[EiRON]

Lakers are pathetic

[aroba]

Anderson Varejao Shuting down Gasol??? Are you kidding? He never defended Gasol, well, since Gasol is faster, taller and smarter. And that comes from their Barcelona Team days, both.

Come on, guys. This is just another road loss vs a decent team. Nothing to be scared about.
Remember the 90's Bulls? It doesn't matter if we don't have HCA, if we're the best team and we get Bynum back, it's all going to be gold.
BELIEVE

[KobeFan]

We have two of the best players in the league, a legendary coach, and a whole lot of depth. The only thing we should be feeling right now, is an overwhelming amount of optimism.

This team has prevailed in every big game this season, indicating that they have a second gear when it matters the most. We'll see that second gear, more often, I'm sure, when we get to the playoffs.

[b shaw20]

We can't start resting people, not just yet. We've put in a lot of hard work this season to be where we're at, especially in regards to staying up high in the standings without Bynum, and it would be a shame to spoil that over the last few weeks.

At the same time, a high seed might not matter if we go into the playoffs on fumes. I concur with what Don noticed -- Kobe is looking really worn down the past few weeks. He's not getting by anybody, and as a result is just settling for difficult jumpers. Plus, I still have to wonder if all these minutes are going to catch up to Pau at some point.

Barring a miracle collapse by Cleveland, the best scenario would be to clinch the No. 2 spot overall with enough time left to sit guys for the last three or four games. That might not be enough to recharge the batteries completely, but it's about as good as we're going to get.

Didn't we clinch HCA up to the Finals already? What difference is there if we do it 64 wins vs 60?

Kobe more than anyone should get some rest and come back reenergized just before the playoffs.

[hermes]

Come on, guys. This is just another road loss vs a decent team. Nothing to be scared about.
Remember the 90's Bulls? It doesn't matter if we don't have HCA, if we're the best team and we get Bynum back, it's all going to be gold.
BELIEVE

that's the spirit, this long trip was going to catch up with the team

[Dr Aki]

we're just down, we've basically given up HCA

but the cavs don't make me as nervous as boston

[Sedale Threatt]

Didn't we clinch HCA up to the Finals already? What difference is there if we do it 64 wins vs 60?

Kobe more than anyone should get some rest and come back reenergized just before the playoffs.

In the Western Conference, yes, but we can still get homecourt against Boston and Orlando, too. Get that in the bag and then I'm all for resting people. Not before then, though.

[TylersLakers]

Totally agree with you, ST. Once we have it clinched over Boston and Orlando, then I'm all for resting guys. Maybe play Kobe and the first unit in the first quarter and let them have the rest of the game off. Maybe that could develop some confidence for Sasha, Farmar, Luke playing critical minutes. Also allow Bynum to have big minutes if he comes back by then.

[lakersdynasty]

and the season for the lakers ends on a tuersday 14, the playoffs begin on 18 and the lakers may play only on 19, thats almost a week to rest and prepare for the playoffs, remember we still the best road team in nba, we can win 1 on the road vs cavs or bostan but we can´t allow lose like the 76ers and the finals game vs bostan in LA

[rand0m]

HCA until finals is not far off. Just need to win about half the games left? Hopefully we can start now and rest the last half.

[b shaw20]

Didn't we clinch HCA up to the Finals already? What difference is there if we do it 64 wins vs 60?

Kobe more than anyone should get some rest and come back reenergized just before the playoffs.

In the Western Conference, yes, but we can still get homecourt against Boston and Orlando, too. Get that in the bag and then I'm all for resting people. Not before then, though.

Who is the optimist now? I personally don't see the Cavs dropping 2... Chance vs Orlando on the road but the second it's hard for me to believe. Additionally we have to run the table ourselves and the way we are playing now, I doubt we have it in us. The Cavs will have to lose one quick for us to consider HCA throughout.

I think the most important thing is to be in somekind of good rhythm going into the post season.

[dockingsched]

at this point all i want is that andrew bynum gets to play in the regular season in games that don't mean too much so the team can just leave him out there.

[Sedale Threatt]

Who is the optimist now? I personally don't see the Cavs dropping 2... Chance vs Orlando on the road but the second it's hard for me to believe. Additionally we have to run the table ourselves and the way we are playing now, I doubt we have it in us. The Cavs will have to lose one quick for us to consider HCA throughout.

I think the most important thing is to be in somekind of good rhythm going into the post season.

Absolutely; no way we're catching Cleveland now. All I'm saying is, don't call off the dogs until after we've clinched homecourt over Boston and Orlando. At that point we can rest anybody we want. But not a game before.

[Verbal]

^Good point, ST.


However, I think Kobe could use a breather.

There's no reason for him to toughen it out in the regular season against non-contenders when we've proven that we can win on the road.

A healthy Kobe/Gasol/Odom is something I'd rather have over home court in the NBA Finals.

Champions win on the road.