GAME#23 LAKERS @ BULLS 12/15 5PM KCAL9

[DEEP3CL]

LAKERS STARTING 5


BULLS STARTING 5


ARENA: UNITED CENTER CHICAGO,ILL.
TIME:5:00PM PST/ 7:00PM CST
DATE: DECEMBER 15TH, 2009


SERIES HISTORY
The Lakers and Bulls will meet for the 137th time in this match up in Chicago, the Lakers lead the series 82-54. Since 99'-00' season the Lakers have played in the United Center 10 times, winning 6 and losing 4. The Lakers have also won 7 of the last 8 games against the Bulls.

TEAM NEWS
The Lakers had their 11 game winning streak snapped by the Utah Jazz on Saturday losing 102-94. Kobe Bryant is dealing with another finger injury, which caused him to shoot 7-24 in the loss to the Jazz. Lamar Odom has yet to find a consistent rhythm, he has struggled for weeks.

The Bulls on the other hand have spiraled into a funk and have lost 10 of it's last 12 games, a slide that started with a loss to the Lakers on November 19th. The Bulls are struggling big time shooting the ball. Also coach Vinney Del Negro has lashed out at his critics, RealGM's wiretap had it rumored that the Bulls may be looking at former Nets coach Lawrence Frank........why? I don't have a clue.

KEYS TO WINNING GAME
OK the Jazz game should've shown Kobe he needs to back off and let Pau and Drew carry the load for a few weeks while his finger heals. Pau needs to be the first option the offense is ran through, pound the ball in the middle as much as possible. Bynum needs to make sure he matches Joakim Noah's energy and keep him off the boards on both ends of the floor. The Bulls are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in he league shooting at a 29.5% clip on the season. Pack the paint and dare them to beat you from deep.

Time to get right, like Magic use to say.........."It's Winning Time"

[Slava]

Sometimes you need to feel bad for the Bulls. The last time we took a pounding we played them and now here we go again.

[Optms]

Agreed. Bryant needs to step off the gas pedal here and look for Pau and Bynum down low. I feel for Chicago - Oops. Not really. I want blood. This should be a double digit win even with Kobe busted fingers Bryant. Keep Chicago close and you're asking for an upset even without a go-to-guy there. Derrick Rose cannot be defended by anyone on this team if he gets into a rhythm.

Also, seriously? Lawrence Frank, huh. If that rumor is true, hard for anyone to pitty this team. Lakers need to put them out of their current coaching misery this next game. The race for Frank if you will, Chicago. No mercy.

[dockingsched]

great GT.

must win.

[bobobolas1]

Did anybody see Gasol's words in LA times? he looks angry with the teammates. he says if he dont get 20 boards he would just shots 5shots. and this with kobe injured...

[dockingsched]

he sounds frustrated, i would be too. gasol/bynum/artest shot 17 for 31 combined. kobe shot 7 for 24. i'm shocked he shot so much considering the circumstances, but to be fair that number ballooned as he launched shots in the last 3-4 minutes of the game. this is where kobe's resilience hurts the team. he can't tone down his game.

[iamworthy]

If Gasols lack of touches enables him to get 20 rebounds per game then I say dont give him the ball . No, but seriously, he's right, he needs more touches. Phil should also bench Kobe.

[Anklebreaker702]

Great GT DEEP! Also I want to add, this is the Laker board that I know & love. After everyone cools off the next GT is truthful & right on the money from all posters.

[Anklebreaker702]

Did anybody see Gasol's words in LA times? he looks angry with the teammates. he says if he dont get 20 boards he would just shots 5shots. and this with kobe injured...

He should be frustrated. Utah's front line can't match ours no way, no how, & him & Drew get a combined 20 shots while Kobe takes 24 with a bad finger & couldn't hit an elephant's arse with an ironing board! Must do better. Pound the ball inside & the rest will take care of itself.

[umfan83]

The Bulls have been blown out by 14+ points in 8 of their last 12 games (a streak started by you guys). I would have no worries. Kobe and Gasol could sit for most of the 2nd half and you'd still win by 30.

Think about it this way...what are the chances we hold you under 100 points? Well the Bulls have scored more than 100 points in only 2 games this year. We couldn't even get to 100 points WITH OVERTIME against the Warriors at home the other day.

[iamworthy]

Game Thread is off the hook Deep! Also, I was pretty upset about the L last night. My bad if I came off raw on anyone.

[DEEP3CL]

OK just read Pau's comments, all I can say is here we go.......again. This is code speak for "Kobe shoot's too much". This is why I'm not a big favorite of using a double 7 footer front line, it always ends up bad or either not working long term. Because I can guarantee you that Drew will be next to speak if the ball some how finds it's way to Pau a little more in the coming weeks.

With one primary post threat everybody will make a more assertive effort to get that man the ball. I've seen too many teams try the two 7 footer at the 4 and 5 spots.........history is on the side of it not really being all that successful. Especially when both are post men who want the ball a lot.

Truth be told we got lucky last year winning a title with both, but the reason was simple.....Drew was playing on one leg and finally realized after that Denver series he wasn't going to be a major offensive force. This left Pau as option number 1 and he was happy with it.

Now this season is a different story because both want the ball but 24 is jack'in most of the shots.

The reason I'm mentioning Drew is because they can't forget about him either, it's Kobe that's causing the friction because of his over aggressive shooting and it's causing Pau to bitch about it, which will lead to him "getting his", which will lead to Drew becoming pissed. One hell'va snowball.

Phil...............you have a problem.

[iamworthy]

OK just read Pau's comments, all I can say is here we go.......again. This is code speak for "Kobe shoot's too much". This is why I'm not a big favorite of using a double 7 footer front line, it always ends up bad or either not working long term. Because I can guarantee you that Drew will be next to speak if the ball some how finds it's way to Pau a little more in the coming weeks.

With one primary post threat everybody will make a more assertive effort to get that man the ball. I've seen too many teams try the two 7 footer at the 4 and 5 spots.........history is on the side of it not really being all that successful. Especially when both are post men who want the ball a lot.

Truth be told we got lucky last year winning a title with both, but the reason was simple.....Drew was playing on one leg and finally realized after that Denver series he wasn't going to be a major offensive force. This left Pau as option number 1 and he was happy with it.

Now this season is a different story because both want the ball but 24 is jack'in most of the shots.

Phil...............you have a problem.

Nice post Deep. I really dont see Gasol's recent grumblings as a shot a kobe. He knows kobe is going to take his average 20-25 shots per game. I think he is letting everone else know whats up. I think he is just reminding everyone that is is the 2nd option and should get the touches that comes with theat roll. IMO he should always shoot somewhere between 14-19 shots.

[96 Til Infiniti]

Great game thread.

Man I miss the days when Bulls/Lakers was a marquee match-up.

[DEEP3CL]

OK just read Pau's comments, all I can say is here we go.......again. This is code speak for "Kobe shoot's too much". This is why I'm not a big favorite of using a double 7 footer front line, it always ends up bad or either not working long term. Because I can guarantee you that Drew will be next to speak if the ball some how finds it's way to Pau a little more in the coming weeks.

With one primary post threat everybody will make a more assertive effort to get that man the ball. I've seen too many teams try the two 7 footer at the 4 and 5 spots.........history is on the side of it not really being all that successful. Especially when both are post men who want the ball a lot.

Truth be told we got lucky last year winning a title with both, but the reason was simple.....Drew was playing on one leg and finally realized after that Denver series he wasn't going to be a major offensive force. This left Pau as option number 1 and he was happy with it.

Now this season is a different story because both want the ball but 24 is jack'in most of the shots.

The reason I'm mentioning Drew is because they can't forget about him either, it's Kobe that's causing the friction because of his over aggressive shooting and it's causing Pau to bitch about it, which will lead to him "getting his", which will lead to Drew becoming pissed. One hell'va snowball.

Phil...............you have a problem.

Nice post Deep. I really dont see Gasol's recent grumblings as a shot a kobe. He knows kobe is going to take his average 20-25 shots per game. I think he is letting everone else know whats up. I think he is just reminding everyone that is is the 2nd option and should get the touches that comes with theat roll. IMO he should always shoot somewhere between 14-19 shots.

That may be the case Big Game.........but then if he gets his when does Drew speak up for his. I agree he should get more than 11 funky shots, but that's on Kobe to realize when he don't have to just back off. This team is built to weather the adversity if Kobe is off for a few games. Kobe could struggle for 10-12 games and this team could still win, we ain't playing with Smush Parker, Brian Cook, Chris Mihm and "I don't wanna score 20" LO no more.

[Anklebreaker702]

Game Thread is off the hook Deep! Also, I was pretty upset about the L last night. My bad if I came off raw on anyone.

Man you know you're always good in my book. Didn't think it was raw at all, just thought it was venting

[iamworthy]

Game Thread is off the hook Deep! Also, I was pretty upset about the L last night. My bad if I came off raw on anyone.

Man you know you're always good in my book. Didn't think it was raw at all, just thought it was venting

pretty much

[Anklebreaker702]

OK just read Pau's comments, all I can say is here we go.......again. This is code speak for "Kobe shoot's too much". This is why I'm not a big favorite of using a double 7 footer front line, it always ends up bad or either not working long term. Because I can guarantee you that Drew will be next to speak if the ball some how finds it's way to Pau a little more in the coming weeks.

With one primary post threat everybody will make a more assertive effort to get that man the ball. I've seen too many teams try the two 7 footer at the 4 and 5 spots.........history is on the side of it not really being all that successful. Especially when both are post men who want the ball a lot.

Truth be told we got lucky last year winning a title with both, but the reason was simple.....Drew was playing on one leg and finally realized after that Denver series he wasn't going to be a major offensive force. This left Pau as option number 1 and he was happy with it.

Now this season is a different story because both want the ball but 24 is jack'in most of the shots.

Phil...............you have a problem.

Nice post Deep. I really dont see Gasol's recent grumblings as a shot a kobe. He knows kobe is going to take his average 20-25 shots per game. I think he is letting everone else know whats up. I think he is just reminding everyone that is is the 2nd option and should get the touches that comes with theat roll. IMO he should always shoot somewhere between 14-19 shots.

You guys do realize that it's time to start looking down the line right? Kobe can't play forever. Our front line dominates just about every game, how is it not working? I don't think Pau was taking a shot at a healthy Kobe, but an injured Kobe yes. DEEP you said in your post after this that Kobe needs to realize that he's injured & needs to defer, so it wouldn't apply to a healthy Kobe. Also If he can defer & we get it rolling he would also need to understand when he is healthy & it's rolling along just fine with him taking say 15 shots, let it be.

[Anklebreaker702]

Game Thread is off the hook Deep! Also, I was pretty upset about the L last night. My bad if I came off raw on anyone.

Man you know you're always good in my book. Didn't think it was raw at all, just thought it was venting

pretty much

But if you still wanna fight, we can!!!!

[DEEP3CL]

Great now the Pau story has been posted on WireTap.......which will feed the maggots on the GB. Oh well let me strap up the key board ! I got work to do!