Lake Show @ DC - 12pm - 2/3/08

[miller31time]

I'm tired, nobody made a gamethread, and the game is tomorrow (well, today technically), 12pm bright and early. Anyway, this isn't going to be a very informative thread...

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers @ Washington Wizards
Date: February 3rd, 2008
Time: 12:00pm (EST)
Place: Verizon Center, Washington (DC)
Television: CSN, NBALP
Radio: WTEM 980 AM
Internet: http://www.sportstalk980.com/main.html
In-game Chat: Click here to chat

Wizards Starting 5

pg: Antonio Daniels
sg: DeShawn Stevenson
sf: Caron Butler
pf: Antawn Jamison
c : Brendan Haywood

Lakers Starting 5

pg: Derek Fisher
sg: Kobe Bryant
sf: Luke Walton
pf: Lamar Odom
c : Ronny Turiaf (?)

Injury Report (WAS)

Caron Butler - probable
Gilbert Arenas - out
Etan Thomas - out

Injury Report (LAL)

Andrew Bynum - out
Pau Gasol - not playing (no injury)
Trevor Ariza - out
Chris Mihm - out

[newslowsad]

I'm thinking Caron is going to miss this one. Ivan's latest blog didn't sound too promising. Then again, I'm also thinking that Gasol won't be playing either.

[Triangle Theory]

Looks good to me Miller. Every game needs a thread. Good Luck!

[Griever24]

Yeah word out of L.A Gasol wont suit up for this one .. should be an intresting game though .. i wonder if Kobe and caron will be guarding each other during parts of this game

[newslowsad]

Posted at 6:19 PM ET, 02/ 2/2008
Saturday update
It looks as though the Wiz will play a fourth straight game without Caron Butler tomorrow when Kobe and the Lakes are at the VC for a rare noon tip. Butler did not practice today but did go through some shooting drills afterward. He didn't say that he was in our out, only said that he's feeling better today than yesterday and will have to see how it is tomorrow.

Coach Eddie Jordan sounded like a guy who wants Butler to miss at least one more. "He didn't do anything that was high impact and physical. He didn't get into a four or five or six minute scrimmage and that's why I'm very hesitant. I have not seen him get contact and I haven't seen him change direction in competition. As a coach, you always like to see a guy get through practice."

[RMJ]

loss, but if butler plays this could be a win

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think Washington will win if Gasol doesn't suit up, even if Caron can't go.

It's one of only two games in the entire NBA and the Lakers, despite Kobe going off for 46 the other night have only won 3 of their last 8.

Washington's big front line with Blatche and Haywood will be tall enough to control the paint and I expect Jamison will have a big game. I also think Darius Songaila is due to bounce back.

The Lakers will hit a ton of threes, especially if Daniels plays huge minutes. Fisher, Vujacic, Radmanovic, and Farmar will get theirs. Kobe hit 46 the other night and probably will approach or exceed that Sunday.

The reason I think Washington will survive the Laker threes is that Mason, Stevenson, and Young will get theirs, too.

Look for a gutsy Wizards win and the bigs playing big today.

PS IF Gasol plays the Wizards will probably lose big. I'm counting on Odom being down about the Gasol deal and the Wizards getting the win on the boards and with Jamison going nuts.

[omarvelous]

If Caron doesn't play:
AJ will probably have another huge game (he took over against utah) because he knows what he has to do and take control. if AJ takes over = win.

If Caron does play:
takes a lot of pressure off AJ. Caron has been playing amazingly well lately and should be pumped up due to his all star selection. Caron plays = win.

I think the only way we lose is if Kobe has another huge scoring night. besides Caron, I can't think of anyone on the wiz who can stop him. So if he doesn't play, this game could be harder than I'm giving it credit for.

[closg00]

Hope Pau doesn't suit-up, we've got our hands full already.

[Tiago]

I think the only way we lose is if Kobe has another huge scoring night. besides Caron, I can't think of anyone on the wiz who can stop him. So if he doesn't play, this game could be harder than I'm giving it credit for.

Stevenson?

[Deuce33]

-= original quote snipped =-



Stevenson?

lmao no..

[ZonkertheBrainless]

loss

[newslowsad]

Let's hope the Lakers are tired because of the weird time of this game.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just like with the two wins over Boston and the win over Toronto the key will be REBOUNDS.

With Jamison, Blatche, and Haywoood out there and not in foul trouble the Wizards will win an ugly, physical, game due to their rebounding.

This will come down to coaching philosophy, too. Darius over Andray will really be a mistake today.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Uh oh ...

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... -shocking/

Gasol took a physical Saturday and could make his debut today when the Lakers visit Washington.

Forget what I said earlier, Gasol will suit up and the Wizards will lose.

[nate33]

The Lakers are soft as butter up front with Bynum, Kwame, and Gasol out. If Gasol plays, it'll be a tight game. If he doesn't, then the Wizards will win at home at noon.

[Griever24]

Uh oh ...

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... -shocking/

Gasol took a physical Saturday and could make his debut today when the Lakers visit Washington.

Forget what I said earlier, Gasol will suit up and the Wizards will lose.

Appearently not

Quote:
Gasol won't play against Wizards
By Elliott Teaford elliott.teaford@dailybreeze.com Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 02/03/2008 04:56:52 AM PST

WASHINGTON - Pau Gasol said he would not make his Lakers' debut today against the Washington Wizards.

A whirlwind day in which he traveled from Memphis to LosAngeles to Washington meant he couldn't practice Saturday.

On the day after he was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Lakers, Gasol traveled from Memphis to L.A. to undergo a physical exam by the Lakers' team doctors.

After meeting excited fans who recognized him and wished him well at LAX and also at a nearby fast-food restaurant, he boarded another airplane bound for Washington. He didn't arrive at the team's hotel until after 11:30 p.m. EST.

Gasol, who was sidelined for several games last week, hopes to play Tuesday night against the New Jersey Nets.

"I was shocked when I got the news after practice, I think it was (Friday), right?" he said during a late-night meeting with beat reporters.

"I'm surprised, but at the same time I'm thankful, grateful and I'm ready to put my best into this opportunity and this team. I'm happy to be a Laker."

Gasol said it was difficult to leave Memphis because of the many friends he made there in seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

Professionally, it was a different story. The Grizzlies are not a contending team this season.

Many have suggested the Lakers are now a legitimate contender for the NBA championship after dealing Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton to get Gasol.

"It's a huge improvement
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and a huge step for me." Gasol said. "I had a taste of people's reaction (Saturday) in L.A. We went to In-N-Out Burger next to the airport. People were really crazy. They were excited. They were pulling for me and for the team.

"Expectations are really high, and that's also really exciting."

Gasol said he would be comfortable playing either center or power forward, although he's likely to be slotted for the center position until Andrew Bynum returns from his left kneecap injury.

i still predict a close one none the less

[Rafael122]

Gasol won't play, doesn't look like.

I've never been so down on this team. It's Kobe and everyone else, but Kobe's so good he can score 35 and the Lakers will find a way to win.

EPIC LOSS.

[newslowsad]

8:46 AM

[Rafael122]

So are we on Butler watch?

Edit: Butler will start. Thank you Lord.