Los Angeles Lakers - What Gives?

The Los Angeles Lakers after winning 9 in a row have since lost two in a row; they have not lost to quality teams either.

So what gives?

I could easily point out the lack of effort by several key players, just as easily as I could knock Kobe Bryant for not handling the ball well. Pointing fingers is the easiest road to take; however, it’s not productive and doesn’t really quantify the issues, mainly because it singles out people who are part of a bigger puzzle.


Make sense?


Any who, at this point, I see one way Phil Jackson can turn this recent lack of effort by the team into a positive one heading into the playoffs. Simply put, Phil must rest as many starters as possible as often as possible. Unfortunately, Phil Jackson earlier today when asked about sitting the starters said (and I paraphrase):

 “No I will not be resting the starters, because they rested during the game.” 

Those that know Phil know he often drops humorous quips filled with sarcasm and truth. As a fan though, I am hoping his statement was filled with much more jest than truth, because I would much rather see the likes of Derek Fisher, Bynum, Kobe, Odom, and Gasol well rested for the title push. I don’t expect them to actually miss games parse, but at least for quarters within a game, now that would suffice.

Either way, I’m not panicking, and I guess I should trust Phil Jackson’s judgment – and I will. To be honest, I just hope the Lakers draw New Orleans in the first round. They’d be a great warm up.

                            

That’s my $0.02 on a team that’s had more up’s and down’s this season than Colossus at Magic Mountain.

(Image found at lakersblog.latimes.com)

Read more »

Posted in: Los Angeles Lakers,NBA,Sports

Coach K to the Lakers: I said NO!

Now that we are near the end of NBA season the rumor wire is starting to talk. As we know this the last season for Phil Jackson so the search for a new coach is coming soon. The one rumor that doesn't seem to go away is Coach Krzyzewski leaving Duke to coach the Lakers. The Lakers made a strong push for Coach K's services back in 2004 when Phil decided to retire for a few months.


Coach K said yesterday that his stand has not changed since 2004. He would decline any offer to coach the Lakers. Even though he has a strong connection with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom from coaching them on the Team USA, his love for Duke is much stronger.

In 2004 when he turned down the offer to coach the Lakers, he said "your heart has to be in whatever you lead. It became apparent that this decision was somewhat easier to make because you have to follow your heart and lead with it and Duke has always taken up my whole heart." That love is still as strong as ever as Coach K again has Duke as one of the top teams to win the National Championship this year. The chances of Coach K coming to Los Angeles are extremely slim but it doesn't mean that we can't wish for it.

Check out a quick peek at what Coach K had to say.

Read more »

Posted in: Coach K,Duke Blue Devils,Los Angeles Lakers,Mike Krzyzewski,NBA,Phil jackson,sports

Daily Zap: March 22nd

Read more »

Posted in: HIGHLIGHTS,Los Angeles Lakers,NBA,Phoenix Suns,sports,triple Overtime,Video

Daily Zap: March 14th

Read more »

Posted in: HIGHLIGHTS,Los Angeles Lakers,Miami Heat,NBA,Orlando Magic,San Antonio Spurs

Daily Zap: March 10th

Read more »

Posted in: HIGHLIGHTS,Kobe Bryant,LeBron James,Los Angeles Lakers,Miami Heat,NBA

Lakers Lose, But Heat Need To Cool Off

 

Tonight, the Heat complete the season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers by beating them in Miami (94-88). For a team coming off of 5 straight losses, the Heat surely showed it afterward; moreover, you would think they won the NBA Championship. Then again, I shouldn't be so surprised - this is the same Heat team who held what looked like a Championship Celebration upon their acquisitions of Lebron James and Chris Bosh prior to the season beginning. It's pretty obvious that along with a young coach, the Miami Heat are also very immature and despite sweeping the defending Champs, the Heat have a long way to go still. 

I had the opportunity to read many posts on Twitter by Heat fans and it is amazing what one victory will do, let alone a victory against the Lakers. I get the fact that they are rejoicing that their team not only won, but that it came against a team like the Lakers - trust me, I do get this fact. However, Lebron's team also swept the Lakers last season also, as did the Boston Celtics. 

Umm...how did that affect the Lakers last season?

 

All I'm saying is, it's okay to enjoy a win - but if you're going to do so, don't post everywhere boasting about your victories over the Lakers. Last I chceked, owning the Lakers in the regular season does not get Lebron, Dwayne, or Bosh a ring; conversely, it did not get Pierce, Garnett or Rondo one last year either. A little perspective is all I'm asking for - that's all.

After all, Heat fans need not worry about the Lakers, they've got bigger fish to fry out there in the "Beast" - I mean East. I still don't see the Miami Heat getting to the Finals.

You can take that to the bank!

(Image found at extratv)

Read more »

Posted in: Los Angeles Lakers,Miami Heat

Daily Zap: March 8th

Read more »

Posted in: HIGHLIGHTS,Los Angeles Lakers,Miami Heat,NBA

A Little TOO "Cavalier" For My Taste

What up sports fans!

Your boy Husky Downs is feeling dejected and quiet frankly confused by the Los Angeles Lakers' play this season. I guess what bothers me most is the fact that this team was supposed to be an improved team with subtle acquisitions in the off season; with players like Matt Barnes and Steve Blake.

This team otherwise is in tact - so what gives?

I can psychoanalyze them till the cows come home, and believe you-me, I have done so; however, I'm tired of doing so. At this point, I just want something to change. This team is slow, old, and not motivated. Whether it be trading for Carmelo Anthony or somebody else, I just want a change to happen before the 2/24/11 trade deadline.

Is anybody else with me on this, or am I out of my mind?

(Image found at smh.com)

Read more »

Posted in: Los Angeles Lakers,Trade

Make The Deal Damn It!

When the Carmelo Anthony ('Melo) to New Jersey talks began months ago, I thought it would get done. After all, the Russian billionaire whose voice sounds like he jumped right out of 'Grand Theft Auto' usually gets what he wants; he is a billionaire for a reason.

"No Soup For You!" - Soup Nazi (Seinfeld)

That's what 'Melo thought about being traded to the "Jersey Shore".  I don't even think J-Wow could have lured him to New Jersey. Everybody who follows basketball knows where Carmelo and his wife "La-La" want to go:

New York!


Unfortunately for both 'Melo and his wife, New York just does not have the pieces that the Denver Nuggets want. At least, they didn't. In recent weeks, the Nuggets have discussed a trade scenario (3-team deal) which they'd consider; however, that's where things got really interesting. The Lakers, who have been struggling all season, decided to jump into the discussions. Reported today, the Lakers began preliminary talks to acquire the All-Star Forward.

So where Carmelo was once looking at going to New York and teaming up with Amare Stoudamire, and that is pretty much it; Carmelo is now being given the option to go to Los Angeles.


We all know that nothing worth attaining in life is free, so what exactly does Denver want?

Andrew Bynum

I was in favor of them getting rid of him years ago for Jason Kidd and I am even more in favor of them shipping him out for an All-Star like Carmelo Anthony now. Andrew just cannot stay healthy, and I personally am tired of hearing:

"Just wait till Bynum gets back! The Lakers are going to be unstoppable!"

He's too injury prone for my taste and if the Lakers can get someone as valuable as Carmelo (just dropped 50 points last night), they NEED to make this trade. It's a no brainer. Bynum's averaged around 11 points a game; whereas, Carmelo has averaged 28 points. Carmelo is instant offense, awesome post up game, alleviates the pressure from Kobe having to do it all, etc. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out Mr. Buss. Oh, and by Mr. Buss, I mean Jerry, not the stupid son of yours who is the reason this deal has not happened yet; and the reason it may not happen at all. By lunch time, Jerry Buss' son - Jim Buss - who is the VP of player personnel, said they will NOT trade Bynum.

Really? Are you friggin' kidding me? 

So as it stands folks, the Lakers may lose out on Carmelo Anthony, and in a move that would not only have helped them this season, it would have also helped their future out - big time! After all, Kobe Bryant will not be around forever and as it stands, the successor to Bryant currently is NOT on their roster.  In my opinion, he's in Denver. Not in Orlando; but in Denver wearing #15.

It's times like this that I miss Jerry West. Ugh.

Make The Deal Damn It!

(Image found at bleachereport)

Read more »

Posted in: Andrew Bynum,Carmelo Anthony,Denver Nuggets,Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers vs. Boston - 2010 NBA Finals - Remixed

Read more »

Posted in: Boston Celtics,Los Angeles Lakers,NBA Finals 2010

Game Of The Weekend: Lakers vs. Celtics

If you're a sports fan, specifically a basketball fan, I really don't need to school you on the history between these two teams. I also know I don't need to school you on how the two teams have fared this season thus far. What I do want to talk about is how important this game is for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sure, the Celtics would love to get a win against the team who beat them in the Finals. This is their motivation every time they match-up with the Lakers. The thing is, whether Boston wins or loses this game, it won't matter to them as it pertains to the rest of their season. After all, they've got to focus on battling all the beasts in the east (i.e. Miami, Orlando, Chicago, etc.), they don't have time to worry about Los Angeles - yet. The last thing Boston wants to happen is they focus too much on beating the Lakers, and ultimately lose sight of who is in front of them, and gets bounced from the playoffs by a team like the Miami Heat. The Celtics have too much experience to let this happen; however, that team over there in Miami is pretty damn good. So we shall see.



As for the Los Angeles Lakers, the reason this game is so important to them is really due to the fact that they have not been playing championship caliber basketball, and this game against Boston will truly test their heart. As the saying goes, "never underestimate the heart of a champion", so for many who are writing off the Lakers due to their inconsistent play this season, today's game will truly test their hearts. You see, the Lakers have been tested already and they have failed miserably. It's frustrating as a fan to see them lose to the good teams (i.e San Antonio Spurs, Miami, etc.), and then the teams that are not considered good teams, they lose to them as well. The Clippers are not considered an elite team; however, the Clippers were hot, and beating them would have been just what a champion would have done - they did not. Sure they are still the defending champions, but the murmurs of the team being too old, too slow, and out of sync echoes through the air waves, and the sports world loudly.

Suffice it to say, such murmurs have carried their way to the locker room as well, which conversely - in my opinion - has affected the teams confidence.

So I strongly feel that today is the biggest game of the year for the Lakers. They must go out and prove to themselves - nobody else - that they are as good as Lamar Odom keeps saying they are. This "switch" people talk about, you know, the one people can turn on and off when they go from playing so-so to playing at an elite level, yeah that one; they need to turn it on and leave it on for the remainder of the season. After all, for those of you who can remember, the Celtics began the second half of the season last year in terrible fashion and they limped into the playoffs. That said, they also went on a tear and cruised to the NBA Finals.

Lakers fans, let's hope the Lakers follow a similar diagram in getting to the Finals once again. After all, I feel confident that should the Lakers make it to the Finals once again - they WILL win their 3rd consecutive NBA Championship Title.

I stand firm in believing that the only opponent keeping the Los Angeles Lakers from completing the three-peat is themselves. You can take that to the bank in Charlestown and cash it. Not even Ben Aflec can rob them from obtaining another 'Title' this season.

(Image found at juicedsportsblog)

Read more »

Posted in: Boston Celtics,Los Angeles Lakers