Game Thread: The Mikan Cup
by Stop-n-Pop on Jan 30, 2009 7:00 PM CST
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PrintLos Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves, Jan 30, 2009 7:00 PM CST
It will be an interesting night at the Target Center. Minnesota's original lost squad returns with one of the top 5 players on the planet and the best record in the NBA. I'm not really sure a win will be an indicator of success tonight; if the Wolves can keep it close with a pace near 93, an OE of 110 or above, ft/fg neutrality, and an OReb% above 30, it would be a tremendous development, as they will have taken McHale ball up against the best in the league without sacrificing key indicators of what has brought them success thus far in the new year. Sometimes other teams are simply better than the good guys. There's not much you can do about that except maintain your style of play and go hard on every possession.
I gave a quick Q&A to LABallTalk. You can read the results here. For more Laker takes you can check out the The Kamenetzky Brothers and The Lakers Nation.
Here's hoping for a victory and no collapsed lungs.
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awesome...
..this is one of the few games where league pass broadband comes in handy
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Prediction:
This will not be a Rhino game. This is one of those where you really have to wonder why he’s starting. It will also be interesting to see how Jefferson goes up against a guy who took his spot on the All Star team: Gasol.
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Craig Smith should not be starting against a 7 footer Like Gasol and Bynum
Love or even Jason Collins who is a 7 footer himself should be playing over the Rhino
nah, sarcasm
on these 2 fouls called on Foye
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions
i think he grazed a hair on kobe's elbow
they showed the replay and…well, not much there
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oh sorry to hear man
I had that back when I was your age. Went away fairly quick though, just make sure you lay low for as long as you need to.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
If they can just hang within 8-10 without too much more foul trouble..
….here in the 1st, I think they’ll be ok. The fouls are problematic.
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Solid play from Bassy...
…they’re doubling off him and he’s dribbling into his shot. Solid stuff.
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it pisses me off
that so many people are cheering for the Lakers. I mean stand up for you f***ing team.
At least show some taste if you’re going to cheer for the road team. How can you cheer Bynum’s team?
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 7:25 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not really sure how anyone can root for the Lakers
What a punk ass squad.
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I like Gasol too...
…and that’s it for me.
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Childs beat the crap out of me once
just cause I called an offensive foul on him in a pickup game, what a dick
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
well I had also called him for a carry ball earlier
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions
more childs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GxPwf_dSQw
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Bassy is the MVP in this game so far
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Along with his rebounding video...
….Love needs to make a “how to pick” video.
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Bynum and Gasol...
Gotta feel like kids in a candy store on the offensive end with Al, Smith, and Love. Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!
gasol was behind the bucket and not shooting
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then the moving screen call? how are you supposed to stay still when Jordan Farmar rams into your body at full tilt
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
exactly...
….he took a hit and moved.
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More crap ass
on the cardinal pick
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well
slight exaggeration I guess, I don’t mean to whine…but come on
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:45 PM CST up reply actions
Miller was fouled on that make...
….and nothing.
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yeah this is getting pretty tiresome
I’m always suspicious of complaints against the refs but this is insane
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
Laker's crew
Very objective…Isn’t the play-by-play guy the same one that does NBA Summer League games? And the Tour de France on VS? He’s really good, forget his name….
I think the problem is talent...
…not length.
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Well...
Both in the case of the Lakers. But let’s face it, they’re consistently able to go over the top.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions
i don't know..
…they’re making outside shots. The Wolves are right there on the boards and free throw line. They just don’t have the perimeter players to keep up with the Lakers.
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Carney with the blown dunk of the year!!!
My god he can run.
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yep...
…..it’s amazing how he can pull away
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well put...
….with past squads this is a blow out.
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Bynum finally commits a foul
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the guy has been hacking anyone near the hoop
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looked pretty good on that turnaround
going to his weak side though…I’m impressed, I thought he was more raw (rawer?) than this
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
me too..
…especially on the offensive end. He’s very skilled.
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Is there any doubt....
That we need a true Center? Bynum, Oden, and D-How aren’t going anywhere for a long, long time.
I see your point,
but let’s not forget, those guys put up numbers on everyone. I wouldn’t mind getting a skilled 5 either, but I’m pretty happy with the pieces we have in place too.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions
everybody does..
….and here’s the catch: the guys you mention aren’t dime-a-dozen players. They’re superior players and their skill has little to do with their position. It’s like running off Kobe, D-Wade, and Pierce and saying the Wolves need a shooting guard.
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Bynum isn’t going to score 42 points on them.
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
bryant is so f***ing dumb sometimes…I know he’s great, but come on
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
Wow
Best defensive work I’ve seen all year by Gomes.
you serious?
Gomes is a pretty good defender
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
I'll run the chart in the game wrap..
….but Basketball Prospectus just ran some new numbers and Gomes comes out as…well, it’s weird. He has a PS rating on d (which is good) but the guys he guards average about 4% better than what they do against other performers. He has a -4.9 rating / 40 minutes. Most of his downfall is on offense.
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that is interesting
maybe I overestimate his defensive ability. Do those stats include when he’s guarding 4s?
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
strange, he doesn’t seem that bad on offense, granted his game is pretty much made up of mid range jumpers and three point shots, as well as some crisp passing.
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 8:16 PM CST up reply actions
Gomes
Is a guy I can’t get my arms around in general. Rarely makes the stupid play, but so often seems to be a total wallflower. I suppose he’s the type of guy whose value increases as the talent around him does, as he clearly plays more off of others vs. being the protagonist.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions
yeah
I think that’s probably a pretty good description. I wonder how many above-average teams around the league would like to get him…
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions
Gomes would look really great on a contender. Imagine if the celtics still had him. He’d be great for them, could come of the bench to defend Lebron James, Joe Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Rashard Lewis, Hedo turkoglu. Might make them forget about losing Posey.
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know if I'd go that far
but then again I love Posey. I agree though, he’d be a great fit there.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
yeah, he probably isn’t quite as good as Posey
by oblivionspocket on Jan 30, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions
he's a backup forward who is starting
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Not meant
as a slap at Gomes’ D in general, I just thought Kobe smelled blood and came up empty. You’re right though, Gomes is very solid on D.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
It's OK
McHale to occasionally play situational substitutions. Madsen, Collins anyone?
Jefferson
Not hustling back on D…..I swear that happens once or twice every game. Where his guy beats him down the floor.
What do we have to do...
to make Big Al push Bynum out of the lane?
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
He has been getting...
position on him all night. I love AL, but he’s been mailing in te D tonight…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Can't believe...
we’re getting killed on the D boards like this. That’s the difference in the game.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
well put..
…the lakers are rebounding 44% of their misses. It’s hard to win when that happens.
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Length, length, length
Even Francisco Elson got to us…..
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 8:51 PM CST up reply actions
they need more talent
….another guard and a real, honest-to-pete 3.
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That won't stop
Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard from having their way with us.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
but they have their way with everyone..
….that’s not going to stop with Hasheem Thabeet.
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But I agree
of course we need more talent: Dynamic backcourt guard, athletic 3, and a true Center. The real-time impulse watching a game like this is to prioritize the Center position.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 9:00 PM CST up reply actions
but who?
with the center? It would be very nice to see them draft the BPA as a center, but who is that guy? They can prioritize it all they want; another Howard or Bynum isn’t going to show up.
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I think they're fine with Al and Jefferson..
….if they can get a real lead guard + a real 3.
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I don't know if I'd say "fine" with those guys -
I’d still like to see them get someone a big taller to complete that 3-man rotation
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
agreed...
…they need an athletic 4/5 or a banger at the 5 for a backup. Smith is horse shit.
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heh
come on, tell us what you really think!
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions
I can't believe they re-signed him
what on earth do they see in him? no clue.
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well
in his defence he does have some pretty impressive offensive skills. He’s a good passer and I think he has the best touch inside of anyone on the team. I agree with you though on the whole, I don’t know if he can be in the regular rotation of a good team.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
No...
…no, he can’t. ;) He’s an oddity. The world’s greatest rec-league player.
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7 days later
just wanted to pop in and say that however bad Smith is by your standards, when he’s on and has a good matchup I go crazy watching the dude. They should just limit his minutes when he doesn’t match up.
he is fun to watch..
….when he has a good matchup. Just like the guy who played for Marquette in my Y men’s league. ;)
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yeah I think
everyone would like a 7’2 guy with a huge wingspan…but the question is, do you go out and get that guy just for the sake of having a 7-footer? They already have that guy – his name’s Jason Collins. Like I said before, it’s true that they need more pieces, but I’m pretty happy with the pieces they have.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:03 PM CST up reply actions
Not disagreeing
They need to take BPA with their first pick…It’s not a matter of finding someone that can totally stop Bynum/Howard, it’s a matter of finding someone that can keep them at their typical averages or make them work a bit harder, whilst also freeing up Jefferson/Love to play the “smaller” defender (OK, Gasol isn’t exactly small either….). So there is a domino effect when you get a big man in there….As far as ideas, hell I don’t know. Varejao, Haywood could potentially be had, Miller for Dalembert, Jerome Jordan with the Miami or Celtic pick. Whatever sticks!
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
Key Stat
Mike Miller used to average over 10 shots a game. This season, he’s averaging only 7. I’m shocked it’s even that high, as I never seem to recall him taking more than 4-5 a night when watching these games. It KILLS me to see Bassy taking away Millers shot’s. I’d rather a cold Miller shoot his way out a slump than a normal Telfair try to shoot himself into one.
Pull-up
No, not the toddler and young child’s diaper, but it’s a concept in basketball where a player dribble drives, then pulls up to shoot the orange orb. Mike Miller needs to be introduced to this revolutionary play…..
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
well put
:)
Maybe they didn’t learn that in SoDak
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I know what we need
Like everyone was saying: a big who can guard other bigs. Athletic would be good, good enough and strong/big enough to defend the post. Would allow us to rotate Al or Love to other guys for ‘mismatches’.
Love hustles back....
Gee, it would be nice to see Jefferson hustle back on D like Love just did. It’s the little things that matter too Big Al!
I guess that’s not very nice, I just really don’t like that dude.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:12 PM CST up reply actions
The word "douche"...
…comes to mind when watching him play.
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lol
there’s a word that needs to be used more often
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions
Love
My goodness, he plays nice stout post defense. Can’t wait until he’s not a rookie anymore and he doesn’t get these lame calls!
yep...
…the thing I like most about him is that he seems genuinely pissed to lose. We haven’t seen that since KG. And no, I’m not comparing the two. The guy is a winner.
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Love fouls out
Even Gasol was shaking his head on Love’s 5th foul, did you see that? Never seen the player on the opposite team tell the refs it was a bad call…
he plays hard..
…and i think that is building his rep.
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I don't know..
…it would be interesting to see if he played in Magic’s summer pick up league.
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CARDNIAL!!!
…getting blocked.
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Carney...
…with the d, but nothing you can do with that shot.
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I'll tell you what...
I think that, far more than length, the interior defensive problems tonight have to do with positioning. I could be dead wrong…but Ariza just cut across the lane right in front of Jefferson and Jefferson didn’t even move. I think that if these spacing issues were addressed – if they would just close out, fill up these spaces – the interior D would be a lot less soft.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to get a 3rd big in the rotation with Al and Love…but I don’t think the problem of “length” is as huge as it appears from tonight’s game.
e.g. that last rebound by Odom -
he got it not because he’s tall but because there was no body on him – i.e. no one closed out the space between his body and Odom’s.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
In most games...
That is the case that Jefferson and Love have enough length or makeup for their deficiencies in other ways. But not against the tandems we have to worry about in the future: Oden-Aldridge (with a little Pryz thrown in) and Bynum-Gasol. These guys can get over the top of Jeff-Love at any point in time. Bynum time and again simply flipped it over the top. No problemo.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
I don't totally disagree -
and hey, if Tyson Chandler comes available, sure, let’s sign him. But I’m saying that a. there are very few guys in the league whom Bynum can’t turn and shoot over, b. especially for the rebounding, the problem is more spacing than height in my opinion.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
just to clarify:
I don’t mean to be trite with the Chandler comment, I agree that they need another (taller) big, I just think that if/when they get one, they will be able to run a 3-man rotation effectively with Al and Love.
by plinytheelder on Jan 30, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
We need a 25 minute per game guy, and even that isn’t easy to find. Again, not saying we pass up a potential star with our Top 10 pick this summer just to get length (unless indeed it’s the BPA), but someway, somehow, we need a competent 7-footer. Not that DeAndre Jordan would have been the answer, but…….
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 30, 2009 9:40 PM CST up reply actions
It's frustrating
watching a player as good as Kobe just being able to answer to everything we throw at them. Least we’re matching him
If theres One thing that Plagued us in this Game
Its Mike Miller and his Terrible Shooting…he only shot the ball 3 times….3 FRICKEN TIMES!
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