Here’s a video of Ron Artest manifest his respect for Kobe. It’s nice to hear true defensive artists like Ron (and Bowen) to not claim they can stop Kobe… unlike Ruben Patterson.

The Lakers recover from a 20 point deficit to win by 4, 89-85.

Using bullet points seem to be an easy way of organizing random thoughts so I’ll use them starting today. I got this idea from Forum Blue & Gold - a highly informative blog site about the Lakers. I’m sure a lot of sporting sites/blogs use this lazy format but there’s something about Kurt’s post that made me think I should be using bullet points too - something about the real world keeping us busy. » read more

Forget about positional breakdown!  I just realized they are useless because a team never wins depending on the teams’ top players in their respective positions.  Team wins based on matchups regardless of positions. For example, a center can guard a forward for the most part of the game.

Lakers Offensive/Spurs Defensive Strategy

The Laker offense is an open secret.  Los Angeles will run the triangle most of the time.  In the second quarter, the bench mob will run, run and run.  If they can’t run, they will set the triangle.  In the fourth quarter’s final minutes, Kobe will create scoring opportunities and will run the triangle from time to time.  If they lead by two digits in the fourth, the triangle will be a staple.  Otherwise, Kobe will mostly be isolated - look for Odom or Pau to dive while Kobe penetrates though. » read more

Alright Laker fans, shout “All hail Andrei Kirilenko!”

With the biggest game of the Jazz this year looming, AK decided to skip practice because he had to arrange his travel papers for a vacation to France. His unsorted priorities must have hastened the fall of the Utah Jazz.

Honestly, I didn’t think Utah would win game 6. My prediction for this series was 4-2 in favor of the Lakers, after all. However, AK-47’s dumb decision just made their defeat more probable. It demoralized the young Jazz. While coach Jerry Sloan admitted the mistake - apparently, there was a miscommunication regarding practice schedule, the Jazz players were peeved that Kirilenko brushed off practice right before an elimination game. I don’t care if it was a miscommunication. You get paid to win the championship, not to play basketball.

Boy, Kirilenko really wanted to be traded. I just didn’t know he wants to get traded this badly. » read more

Lakers never trailed and outlasted Jazz 111-104.

Maybe Kobe’s injured back is a blessing in disguise for the Los Angeles Lakers. Playing injured forced Kobe to pick his spots and ended up being Mr. Efficient. He scored 26 points on 10 attempts (1 of 2 from long distance) and 13 freethrows (missing 4).

In the fourth quarter, he didn’t even shoot! Kobe later said that his back stiffened up in the 4th quarter. This time, however, his teammates were there to bail him out. An Odom here and a Gasol there made it work for this Los Angeles Lakers. » read more