"We didn't win the game, but I saw what I wanted to see" - Kobe Bryant

[Double-Up]

Hey IDIOT. Look at your ing post. Are those numbers you listed from the GAME or from the ing SEASON? Yah, . STFU.

"Kobe is a great player, the best offensive player out there ... but at the same time, we need to find some balance with our interior game, develop it a little more, moving the ball and changing sides,'' Gasol said gingerly, knowing he was treading on sacred territory by questioning Bryant and the offense of coach Phil Jackson. "We need to get focused on that a little more, to find balance, to find some flow.''

[cobbler]

LOL at all the posters calling Pau the MVP of the Lakers only to waffle the other direction when he called for touches a month ago followed by a stretch of games where he has played the worse he has as a Laker. Then we heard all about the soft Pau, the vagina Pau, the 2008 Pau. Now he es again when his teamates suck (everyone but Kobe) and the haters waffle again and now he's not getting his touches because of the ballhog Bryant. A Pau who went 4 for 11 and 5 for 14 his last 2 games. Reality however says, the other players on the team should have given up their shots as they went a combined 13 for 45.

[cobbler]

Like calling your ma a is a step up for her.

My mother has long passed, God bless.

Regardless, it doesn't change that fact the you are still an idiot.

[JamStone]

Gasol was 8-13 for 20 points and Bynum could have done better but only attempted 5 shots, hard to get in a rhythm when you only touch the ball once every 5-10 mins.

Because it's well established that Gasol is a pussy who despite his great skill set gets pushed around when teams play him physically. Gasol complains about touches but won't demand the ball during the games. Kobe often has a tendency to dominate shot attempts, but players who play with Kobe have to take it upon themselves to be more aggressive when opportunities arise for them. Unlike teams with Lebron or Wade, Kobe doesn't dominate the ball on offense. He dominates shot attempts. But in the triangle, there are ample opportunities for other players to get touches, to make plays, to score the ball. Look at Shannon Brown. He'll play less than 20 minutes and still put up 7-8 shots in a game. Odom spoke on this a couple seasons ago. He said something to the effect that he knows Kobe will get his shots. You don't have to worry about Kobe. So when you play with him, you have to be aggressive and look for your opportunities. It's funny because guys like Bynum and Gasol will scream about getting more touches but when it comes down it they still want Kobe to save them. By now, they know how Kobe plays. Especially when his teammates become tentative, Kobe will say it and look for his. Why isn't Gasol demanding the ball more? Because he's a pussy. Don't blame that on Kobe.

[cobbler]

Because it's well established that Gasol is a pussy who despite his great skill set gets pushed around when teams play him physically. Gasol complains about touches but won't demand the ball during the games. Kobe often has a tendency to dominate shot attempts, but players who play with Kobe have to take it upon themselves to be more aggressive when opportunities arise for them. Unlike teams with Lebron or Wade, Kobe doesn't dominate the ball on offense. He dominates shot attempts. But in the triangle, there are ample opportunities for other players to get touches, to make plays, to score the ball. Look at Shannon Brown. He'll play less than 20 minutes and still put up 7-8 shots in a game. Odom spoke on this a couple seasons ago. He said something to the effect that he knows Kobe will get his shots. You don't have to worry about Kobe. So when you play with him, you have to be aggressive and look for your opportunities. It's funny because guys like Bynum and Gasol will scream about getting more touches but when it comes down it they still want Kobe to save them. By now, they know how Kobe plays. Especially when his teammates become tentative, Kobe will say it and look for his. Why isn't Gasol demanding the ball more? Because he's a pussy. Don't blame that on Kobe.

Well said Jam. Shannon is the perfect example. I have yet to see a player cut to the basket wide open an Kobe refuse to pass him the ball. With that said, if you toss it to Kobe and just stand around and forget to continue to run the offense. You wont get it back. Shannon looks to be agressive and that is why he gets his. The haters don't see the whole court...

[mogrovejo]

Kobe had 7 assists despite Fisher, Artest, Bynum, and Farmar going 7-for-31 from the field. Kobe haters love to hate. Kobe didn't play great, especially in the third quarter. But people are so blinded by Kobe hate to acknowledge it's not always Kobe's fault. Even when Kobe's teammates play horribly, it's still Kobe's fault. When Kobe has a bad game, Kobe haters pile on. When Kobe has a decent game, Kobe haters hate. When Kobe has a great game, Kobe haters will find a way to bash on him. Kobe didn't play all that great but in the fourth quarter, he carried the Lakers and put them in a position to win the game. His teammates were once again playing poorly on offense and it wasn't because he was hogging the ball.

In the last 4 minutes of the game, Kobe shot 3-9; his teammates shot 3-4.

More importantly, I think people don't actually understand the full effects of a high usage player in a good team or the relationship between usage and efficiency. I strongly recommend you to read a paper called "The Price of Anarchy in Basketball", especially the part about Braess's Paradox :

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1801

[DAF86]

Because it's well established that Gasol is a pussy who despite his great skill set gets pushed around when teams play him physically. Gasol complains about touches but won't demand the ball during the games. Kobe often has a tendency to dominate shot attempts, but players who play with Kobe have to take it upon themselves to be more aggressive when opportunities arise for them. Unlike teams with Lebron or Wade, Kobe doesn't dominate the ball on offense. He dominates shot attempts. But in the triangle, there are ample opportunities for other players to get touches, to make plays, to score the ball. Look at Shannon Brown. He'll play less than 20 minutes and still put up 7-8 shots in a game. Odom spoke on this a couple seasons ago. He said something to the effect that he knows Kobe will get his shots. You don't have to worry about Kobe. So when you play with him, you have to be aggressive and look for your opportunities. It's funny because guys like Bynum and Gasol will scream about getting more touches but when it comes down it they still want Kobe to save them. By now, they know how Kobe plays. Especially when his teammates become tentative, Kobe will say it and look for his. Why isn't Gasol demanding the ball more? Because he's a pussy. Don't blame that on Kobe.

Guards or guys that dominate the ball have more chances to be agressive. The post guys if their guards don't pass them the ball don't have much of a choice. Also you can't put up shots just for the sake of it, if you're double or in a bad position you have to pass the ball.

[TheMACHINE]

Guards or guys that dominate the ball have more chances to be agressive. The post guys if their guards don't pass them the ball don't have much of a choice. Also you can't put up shots just for the sake of it, if you're double or in a bad position you have to pass the ball.

Shots attempts is a decision Pau has to make. He gets the touches, whether he shoots or not is his decision.

[DAF86]

Shots attempts is a decision Pau has to make. He gets the touches, whether he shoots or not is his decision.

So you're all for him putting up shots over two or three guys even when there's a low chance they get in?

[urunobili]

naaaa... Lakers will be there in the WCF Im not even worried...

[RsxPiimp]

Kobe's winning his 5th le anytime soon, and he's going to get his second Finals MVP. Man, its going to be another long summer for his critics.

[Cane]

Yesterday's game did look like an example of what Gasol and Phil Jackson have commented on Kobe this season; that he's got a tendency to disrupt chemistry and play 1-on-5 (and Phil Jackson said that these are issues he's had ever since coaching Kobe which is no surprise to most NBA fans). However Kobe's injuries, athleticism, and his shooting touch seem to have declined so it doesn't seem like he warrants as many attempts as he used to. Not to mention LA's strength revolves around their combination of talent, size, and length mainly in their frontcourt advantages.

With Howard in foul trouble you'd think the opposing team would've tried to exploit that rather than rely on contested jumpshots.

Kobe: 12-30 (40 percent), 30 points - Overall he's been declining - also shooting 6 percent worse around the basket this season in addition to the field in general:



Gasol: 8-13 (61 percent), 20 points:

[Double-Up]

Because it's well established that Gasol is a pussy who despite his great skill set gets pushed around when teams play him physically. Gasol complains about touches but won't demand the ball during the games. Kobe often has a tendency to dominate shot attempts, but players who play with Kobe have to take it upon themselves to be more aggressive when opportunities arise for them. Unlike teams with Lebron or Wade, Kobe doesn't dominate the ball on offense. He dominates shot attempts. But in the triangle, there are ample opportunities for other players to get touches, to make plays, to score the ball. Look at Shannon Brown. He'll play less than 20 minutes and still put up 7-8 shots in a game. Odom spoke on this a couple seasons ago. He said something to the effect that he knows Kobe will get his shots. You don't have to worry about Kobe. So when you play with him, you have to be aggressive and look for your opportunities. It's funny because guys like Bynum and Gasol will scream about getting more touches but when it comes down it they still want Kobe to save them. By now, they know how Kobe plays. Especially when his teammates become tentative, Kobe will say it and look for his. Why isn't Gasol demanding the ball more? Because he's a pussy. Don't blame that on Kobe.

[nkdlunch]

LMAO Fakers

[mogrovejo]

WC fans... the game to them is about shots, scoring and stuff like clutchness, chocking, soft, tough and such...

Gasol isn't complaining about shots. His usage rate is similar to last season one. He's complaining about balance (like Phil Jackson) and that's something you won't figure out looking at a box-score.

Whoever believes that the way the Lakers played down the stretch yesterday was the one that gave them the best chances to win the game has no clue about basketball.

[j-money24]

Gasol was 8-13 for 20 points and Bynum could have done better but only attempted 5 shots, hard to get in a rhythm when you only touch the ball once every 5-10 mins.

If you watched the game, you could tell Gasol was nonexistent the whole game, Howard and Gortat were pushing him off like a little girl. Most of his points, i mean majority of his points came off Kobe's double teams and triple teams, which is how Kobe had 7 assists.. Also Kobe could have had more than that if his teammates made their shots.. In the second and third quater, Kobe was passing most of the time but none of them were getting it done. So dont go look at the boxscore, and see that Gasol shooting 8-13 from the field means he had a good game when all of his points where because of Kobe, ask any other Laker fan who watched the game and they'll tell you he was playing soft.

[RsxPiimp]

Well people who also blames that loss on Kobe has to be guilty of the same thing. Jackson needs to break this Gasol/Bynum expirement. Its just not working. The Lakers also miss consistency from their three point shooters very much. Fisher, Artest are mainly responsible for this. Vujacic was starting to hit his stride before his injury. The Lakers will continue to "struggle" offensively since the floor spacing is non existent.




All in all, their compounding issues appears to be minor at this point. Its not alarming because because the Lakers are known for overcoming lapses.

[Cane]

ask any other Laker fan who watched the game and they'll tell you he was playing soft.

Kobe played soft as well. With Howard in foul trouble you should exploit that rather than rely on contested jumpshots.

In reality both Kobe and Gasol are to be blamed for the loss...however going to have to side thats it more Kobe's fault since Kobe had as many attempts as Odom, Gasol, and Artest combined; and fivemore shots if you replace Artest with Bynum . Not to mention that he's already been called out by Phil Jackson and Gasol for hogging the ball and ting on chemistry building. LA isn't going to get very far with these issues especially since Kobe's on the decline.

[Double-Up]

Well people who also blames that loss on Kobe has to be guilty of the same thing. Jackson needs to break this Gasol/Bynum expirement. Its just not working. The Lakers also miss consistency from their three point shooters very much. Fisher, Artest are mainly responsible for this. Vujacic was starting to hit his stride before his injury. The Lakers will continue to "struggle" offensively since the floor spacing is non existent.




All in all, their compounding issues appears to be minor at this point. Its not alarming because because the Lakers are known for overcoming lapses.

You must be paid by the word to spit that out...

[mogrovejo]

Well people who also blames that loss on Kobe has to be guilty of the same thing. Jackson needs to break this Gasol/Bynum expirement. Its just not working. The Lakers also miss consistency from their three point shooters very much. Fisher, Artest are mainly responsible for this. Vujacic was starting to hit his stride before his injury. The Lakers will continue to "struggle" offensively since the floor spacing is non existent.




All in all, their compounding issues appears to be minor at this point. Its not alarming because because the Lakers are known for overcoming lapses.

That's ridiculous. Artest is shooting 38% from 3s (and his career average is only 34%). If the Lakers got Artest expecting him to be a light outs shooter, they screwed up because he was never one, but he's actually shooting extremely well. Fisher is shooting poorly for his standards, but he's still at 36%. Kobe is shooting 31% from downtown... while leading the team in 3PA! And you blame Fisher and.... Artest?!!?!?

Honestly, are you guys paid by Kobe's agent or something? He's still an All-Star, there's no need to be that overprotective, the crazy stuff people invent to make excuses for him is flat out nutty.

[RsxPiimp]

That's ridiculous. Artest is shooting 38% from 3s (and his career average is only 34%). If the Lakers got Artest expecting him to be a light outs shooter, they screwed up because he was never one, but he's actually shooting extremely well. Fisher is shooting poorly for his standards, but he's still at 36%. Kobe is shooting 31% from downtown... while leading the team in 3PA! And you blame Fisher and.... Artest?!!?!?

Its just basic math.


Artest is 2/13 (15%) beyond the arc in the Lakers 3 straight losses.


Artest is 11/39 the last 10 games (28%) during LA's 5-5 stretch.


And lets not start with Fisher because you're not going to make a case for him and win. People need to start wtaching games and stop relying on box scores to prove their agenda. The Lakers are missing their reliable three point shooters this season to help space the floor. That's not rocket science.

[RsxPiimp]

You must be paid by the word to spit that out...

The Lakers winning their le this year made me spit that out. Until that changes, its not going to change my opinion on them or any defending champions. They will get a benefit of a doubt until someone knocks them out.

[mogrovejo]

Its just basic math.


Artest is 2/13 (15%) beyond the arc in the Lakers 3 straight losses.


Artest is 11/39 the last 10 games (28%) during LA's 5-5 stretch.

What's that supposed to mean? Obviously the Lakers have more chances to win when Artest is shooting well. Kobe shoots 41% in losses and 48% in wins. He's 34% from dowtown in wins and 28% in losses. Now what?

Again, if you thought Artest was a reliable outside shooter (or even jump-shooter), you simply didn't know Artest very well before he signed with the Lakers.

And lets not start with Fisher because you're not going to make a case for him and win.

The case for Fisher is that he didn't decline as much as Kobe, is still a more or less respectable shooter and, most importantly, at least doesn't jack up so many shots.

People need to start wtaching games and stop relying on box scores to prove their agenda. The Lakers are missing their reliable three point shooters this season to help space the floor. That's not rocket science.

The "you don't watch games" argument is so childish it's laughable.

I'm saying that the Lakers lack outside shooting since the start of the season.

The question is: why would you exclude Kobe when he's the primary reason why the Lakers are shooting so poorly from the outside?

[ChrisRichards]

Its just basic math.


Artest is 2/13 (15%) beyond the arc in the Lakers 3 straight losses.


Artest is 11/39 the last 10 games (28%) during LA's 5-5 stretch.


And lets not start with Fisher because you're not going to make a case for him and win. People need to start wtaching games and stop relying on box scores to prove their agenda. The Lakers are missing their reliable three point shooters this season to help space the floor. That's not rocket science.

Hafta agree with this. Thats why I think Ariza has always been a better fit for the Lakers. He was a better slasher than Ron too.

[mavs>spurs2]

It's too bad Barnes didn't whip Kobe's ass and humble him a bit