- It wasn’t a playoff atmosphere Sunday night at Staples, but there was an added buzz in the arena in anticipation of a new gauge for the Lakers’ improvement — before Boston romped. For his part, Phil Jackson fears and perhaps even expects some shakiness from his younger players come spring and postseason pressure – and what Jackson described as a “self-conscious” start Sunday night was a demonstration of what might be in store at times if the Lakers reach the second round or beyond.
- As great as the Celtics have looked most of this season, Detroit will win the East.
- Remember how I mentioned opposing teams adjusting to Andrew Bynum and forcing him out of his comfort zone as the season rolls on? Boston did just that by packing the paint against him; he only took two shots in a foul-burdened eight-point game.
- If you are Javaris Crittenton or one of his youthful fans, this was a demonstration of why he’s not playing: The game is faster than the ACC or a Lakers practice, which is why Crittenton was out there trying to go even faster than his usual fast and doing all sorts of things wrong.
- Jackson said the team had some things set up from Saturday practice and didn’t execute them “at all” in the game. Why? Said Bynum: “We just came out flat. We didn’t have energy out there. It started in shootaround; guys didn’t really take it too seriously.” This young, oft-emotional team has to have more poise in every way if it is to threaten seriously in the postseason.
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 Talking points on losing LakersDecember 31st, 2007, 12:01 am · 4 Comments · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM4 Comments4 Comments |
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Read your report on the Lakers/Boston game. Does Jackson ever admit gettin beat? It always seems to be the refs.High priced imports for Boston? Their salary is $74 million compared to Lakers $68 million, not to mention the big edge they have in coach salaries.
Can’t you just admit that they got beat by a better TEAM!! They share the ball and play much better defense. Lakers rely on a star and that is it.
Mike Esperon….dude the lakers rely on a star??? Why dont you watch a few of THIS YEARS team, before you make comments like that…..and Phil knows what he is doing…..i like Doc Rivers, but you make it sound like you would rather have him than Phil…..dude tame down a bit!
Michael
I vehemently disagree with that Mike Esperon’s assessment on the Lakers and on Phil. The Lakers is a young developing team and it is still not in their prime, wait til most of the young players get some experience, attain their maximum potential and their focus for the game, then the true Lakers team will shine. This young team still not adapted to a very phisical game like that of the Celtics but given more time to develop and understand the game i am sure they will be great. With respect to Phil, he deserved that kind of money since no othr coach in the league today can match the 9 rings that Phil possess.
Don’t make too much out of the Boston game. The Lakers including Kobe had a bad shooting night. True, Boston’s D had something to do with that but the shots were there. We just weren’t hitting them. On the other side of the coin Boston was hot. Right or wrong they were getting calls the Lakers were not getting. That’s NBA basketball. You have to play through those nights when the other team is the dog and your the hydrant. I look for an exciting season from this Laker team.