RealGM

Los Angeles Lakers (47-10) Vs.Phoenix Suns (32-24)


VS:

Game Information

Who: The Phoenix Suns
When: Thursday, Feb. 26th 2009
Time: 7:30 PM Pacific (9:30 CT)
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: FSN West, TNT
Radio: AM 570 KLAC


Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup


PG: Steve Nash
14.1 Points Per Game
9.7 Assists Per Game
3.1 Rebounds Per Game


SG: Leandro Barbosa
13.8 Points Per Game
2.1 Assists Per Game
2.6 Rebounds Per Game


SF: Jason Richardson
17.2 Points Per Game
4.3 Rebounds Per Game
2.2 Assists Per Game


PF: Grant Hill
10.8 Points Per Game
4.7 Rebounds Per Game
1.9 Assists Per Game


C: Shaquille O'Neal
17.4 Points Per Game
8.8 Rebounds Per Game
1.6 Blocks Per Game

Key Bench Players


SF: Matt Barnes
9.5 Points Per Game
5.3 Rebounds Per Game
2.3 Assists Per Game


SF: Jared Dudley
3.8 Points Per Game
2.4 Rebounds Per Game
0.7 Assists Per Game

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup


PG: Derek Fisher
10.9 Points Per Game
3.6 Assists Per Game
1.3 Steals Per Game


SG: Kobe Bryant
27.7 Points Per Game
5.1 Assists Per Game
5.5 Rebounds Per Game
1.3 Steals Per Game


SF: Luke Walton
4.8 Points Per Game
2.5 Rebounds Per Game
2.5 Assists Per Game


PF: Lamar Odom
10.9 Points Per Game
7.6 Rebounds Per Game
2.4 Assists Per Game


C: Pau Gasol
18.3 Points Per Game
9.4 Rebounds Per Game
3.7 Assists Per Game

Lakers "Bench Mob"


PG: Jordan Farmar
7.5 Points Per Game
2.1 Rebounds Per Game
2.4 Assists Per Game


SF: Trevor Ariza
8.8 Points Per Game
4.5 Rebounds Per Game
1.5 Steals Per Game

Key Matchup of the Game


Kobe Bryant vs Shaquille O'Neal

While not a position matchup, it's definitely the focus. From everything that went on in the past between the two to Shaq's love affair for Kobe at this years all star game, anytime that these two are on the court at the same time, they're always going to be the focus. If Kobe drives to the basket, the Big Idiot will most likely be standing there. Everytime they play against each other, I always hope for Kobe to dunk right on Shaq's big dumb head. ANYWAYS, it's going to get a lot of media attention and for that, I consider this the biggest matchup of the game.

Keys To A Lakers Win

Transition Defense: With Gentry taking over, they're transforming this team back into the run-and-gun team that it was with Mike D'Antoni. So far, they've had pretty good success, scoring 140 points a couple times. Against a top team like the Celtics, however, they were held to just over 100. If we put the effort in on the defensive end, we shouldn't have too much trouble. The Lakers have to realize this is a game where whoever gets the first stop.. wins.

Control Tempo: When playing the transition Suns, a key factor is not getting caught up in their style of ball. We have to play defense, get the rebound and walk the ball up the court. Pound the ball down low to Luke, Lamar and Pau Gasol. Besides Shaq and without Amare Stoudemire, this is a very small Suns team. Inside-out basketball.

GO LAKERS!!!!

GO LAKERS!

Let's do this. That speed and firepower still doesn't scare me anymore.

Any news on Nash? He injured his ankle last night and it looked serious enough to keep him out a couple of games. Without Nash, this should be a complete blowout. Heck, even with Nash we should be able to handle them with relative ease.

We play @Denver tomorrow, so we absolutely need to put this game away earlier so we can get Pau and Kobe some rest -- assuming our bench doesn't blow another large lead.

Not sure if Nash is going to play thursday night or not, It's going to be a game time decision.

Semi- sentient last game Suns played against the Lakers without Nash and Richardson it wasn't a blowout, pretty close game to the end.

Awesome thing about this: We can keep up with them now as opposed to a few years back, and we can hold them down as we beat them to a pulp. Shaq's presence doesn't matter much in such a style as the run-and-gun. Slow down? Yeah, but that's when we'll run'em.

GOOD JOB TY................
Lets add this to our Ws and keep the L Train rolling.
FTW and FTC..............

arizonaplaya85 wrote:Semi- sentient last game Suns played against the Lakers without Nash and Richardson it wasn't a blowout, pretty close game to the end.

True. I tend to forget that sometimes the Lakers underestimate their opponents, particularly those that like to run such as Phoenix.

Go lakers can't be more proud, send yet another message.

Go Lakers!

We should beat the suns pretty easy. Gasol cannot let shaq get him into foul trouble. Can't get into a run & gun game with them either. If we run the offense right, we should blow them out.

We should put up 140 on that defense.

arizonaplaya85 wrote:Not sure if Nash is going to play thursday night or not, It's going to be a game time decision.

Semi- sentient last game Suns played against the Lakers without Nash and Richardson it wasn't a blowout, pretty close game to the end.

He NEVER said the game was a blow out. He said without Nash it SHOULD be one, or be one even if Nash played.

GO LAKERS

This games on my birthday! Hopefully the Lakers get a win for me
I love this game thread. Those dunks are 2 of my favorite moments against the suns.

nastneemz81 wrote:This games on my birthday! Hopefully the Lakers get a win for me
I love this game thread. Those dunks are 2 of my favorite moments against the suns.

Mine too.

3 simple words GET IT DONE!! Whatever it takes, GET IT DONE!!!

Happy Birthday!

go Lakers

Iceburg Slim wrote:Let's do this. That speed and firepower still doesn't scare me anymore.

That doesn't make sense...

lakers win by 6 to 8 points