We look so awful tonight

[Zhengi]

We were able to hang with the Spurs in the 1st quarter, and in the 2nd, they are blowing us away.

Lakers need to refocus on defense and stop them. This is getting ugly.

[rotary]

We were able to hang with the Spurs in the 1st quarter, and in the 2nd, they are blowing us away.

Lakers need to refocus on defense and stop them. This is getting ugly.
Hey ya, Zhengi. How's it out in L.A.? Lakers are on sort of a mini roll. Need to keep it close going into the half.

[Zhengi]

It's good in LA. Nice and cool :)

I agree. The Lakers need to play better defense and exploit their mismatches.

I saw Odom in the low post against a smaller player and he came back out to receive the ball. His teammates need to get him the ball down low so he can do something.

This team will come along. They're playing poorly and I get upset cause I'm a fan, but I understand that they're still learning :) Hopefully, they can keep it close till the 4th. Then you know Kobe will try to get the win for us :)

[Zhengi]

Btw, rotary66, are you a Hobbit? Your location reminds me of the opening of Tolkien's The Hobbit :)

[rotary]

Btw, rotary66, are you a Hobbit? Your location reminds me of the opening of Tolkien's The Hobbit :)
No, Zhengi, I am not. :p I just like the sound of it. I read The Hobbit many years ago in high school, maybe it just popped up on the "hard drive" when I was typing that in.

[rotary]

It's good in LA. Nice and cool :)

I agree. The Lakers need to play better defense and exploit their mismatches.

I saw Odom in the low post against a smaller player and he came back out to receive the ball. His teammates need to get him the ball down low so he can do something.

This team will come along. They're playing poorly and I get upset cause I'm a fan, but I understand that they're still learning :) Hopefully, they can keep it close till the 4th. Then you know Kobe will try to get the win for us :)
There is going to be a "transition" time before the team gets up to speed. Knowing where Kobe likes the ball, where Butler likes the ball, etc. all takes time. Pre-season really doesn't accomplish that, at least not like when the real bullets start flying.

[Zhengi]

Yeah, I agree.

I'm a little mad, but I realize they're playing a great team in the Spurs. I have the Spurs winning the championship this year. I just hope the Lakers can cut the learning curve a little faster. They're just turning the ball over too much. Like you said, it's all about familiarity between the players. They'll learn :)

[rotary]

Yeah, I agree.

I'm a little mad, but I realize they're playing a great team in the Spurs. I have the Spurs winning the championship this year. I just hope the Lakers can cut the learning curve a little faster. They're just turning the ball over too much. Like you said, it's all about familiarity between the players. They'll learn :)
Zhengi, I do not know if you ever commented on this, but who do you think the Lakers should have kept? Shaq or Kobe. I know, I know that Bryant is still young and Shaq has a lot of miles on his rather large frame. Just wondering.

[Zhengi]

Lakers down by 6!! Come on guys!!!

[Zhengi]

I think the Lakers should have kept Kobe. Not only is his work ethic better than Shaq's, but Shaq has too many miles on his frame. His contract demands were outrageous and it would have saddled our team for many years. There was the real possibility of losing Kobe for nothing.

Imagine this lineup:

PG: Payton
SG: Rush
SF: George
PF: Cook
C: Shaq

Doesn't look as our current team. Shaq gets us into the playoffs, but once he's gone, we won't have much to rebuild upon. At least with the current team we are rebuilding and only need to add pieces to become contenders. Also, it's easier to move players now because their contracts aren't as big.

All in all, Lakers chose the right guy.

[Zhengi]

Looks like the Lakers are going to give the ball away. They couldn't grab the rebounds and the Spurs got 2 extra possessions.

[rotary]

I think the Lakers should have kept Kobe. Not only is his work ethic better than Shaq's, but Shaq has too many miles on his frame. His contract demands were outrageous and it would have saddled our team for many years. There was the real possibility of losing Kobe for nothing.

Imagine this lineup:

PG: Payton
SG: Rush
SF: George
PF: Cook
C: Shaq

Doesn't look as our current team. Shaq gets us into the playoffs, but once he's gone, we won't have much to rebuild upon. At least with the current team we are rebuilding and only need to add pieces to become contenders. Also, it's easier to move players now because their contracts aren't as big.

All in all, Lakers chose the right guy.
Very perceptive, Zhengi. And I agree. I do wonder sometimes about Kobe's "compatability" with his new team mates and coach. It'll be interesting to watch how the team comes together . . . and how long it will take.

[Zhengi]

It'll be interesting. I think Kobe will grow into his role as a leader. There will be moments when he will forget, but he'll learn. When he is in control, the Lakers are the more better for it.

If tonight's game is any indicator, the team seems to be heading in the right direction. I give them 25-30 games for them to finally gel together. You have to remember that we still have guys on the IR list who will get a chance to come back to playing, ie. Vlade, George, and Slava. Also, if Malone comes back, that's another guy who will have to be integrated into the game plan. All in all, it's going to be fun as I first expected :)

[rotary]

Well, Zhengi, its nearing 1 a.m. back here in WI, so I'll talk to ya later.

G'nite.

[Zhengi]

Night rotary66.