| Today's Game
Sunday, 6:30PM
vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
TV: FS West
Coming Up
Tuesday Nov 24 7:30PM
vs. New York Knicks
TV: FS West
Lakers Standings
Lakers Record: 9-3, ½ Games Back In Division. Playoff Seed #3 In Conference. |
|
|
|
 |
| Author |
Message |
SPQR
|
|
Post subject: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
 Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 01:52 AM PST
|
|
Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 2057
Location: Pennsylvania
  
votes: 90
Status: Offline
|
|
Just want to say the win over the Griz tonight was a very nice game. There was concern because of the absence of Pau and Drew, but a couple things we all know is that they play the game for a reason and that any time Kobe Bryant is your oppenent, you better be worried.
One had the feeling that Kobe would rise to the occasion tonight. The Lakers were at home, someone would have to pick up the slack and guess who volunteered to do it? No surprise there. We have only seem The Great Man pull this feat off about ohh....what a million times now?
I got to catch the Griz announcers on Direct TV and I can tell you that although they did not come out and predict a victory, they spent a looong time in the pre game show talking about the big edge Memphis would have down low. They had the gleam in their eyes and smiles on their faces as they talked about what Memphis would do to a hampered Laker team. You could tell what they were thinking. What they forgot was the edge we had named Kobe Bryant. He can make up for a lot of missing players and then some.
This was one of those games where you just sat back and enjoyed the show. Kobe was so hot, so spectacular that you just never really had a feeling Memphis could over come him or the Lakers. Kobe cast his pyrotechnic spell as only he can and the Grizzlies were just as transfixed as we were at home. The only difference is they got to see it close up live, and they get a loss on the record books while we just got to marvel once again at the best in the biz do what he does so well.
I want to give a shout out to DJ here. You know, this guy will never be a star, will never be feared on the offensive end, but through hard work, determination and maximizing the things he does do well, he has turned himself into a very servicable back up center. He is not some guy you pray does not screw up. He actually brings things with him on the court that help a team win. You really have to admire a guy who has come as far as he has. I am happy he wears the Laker colors. I also don't shudder when he enters a game. I can't say that about all the players on this team.
As I watched The Great Man lay another beating on another team, as he once again made the supremely arduous look sublimly easy, I thought of another player on the floor: Sam Young.
I followed the rookies career at Pitt. I live there. He impressed me as a very versitile, complete player. So good in fact, I hoped the Lakers would get him. He fell further in the draft than predicted and he said he would make teams regret passing him. I believe him. I also love that kind of attitude. He had a great pre season and Memphis has high hopes for him. As Kobe painted his masterpiece, splattering the wood canvas he paints so poetically with a rubber ball, I had to wonder what Young was thinking. No doubt he had seen Kobe many times on tv. Marvelled at his exploits, shook his head at what he saw, just as we all do. But I wonder, what did this talented rookie think, seeing the man in the flesh. Watching his moves in 3D, seeing someone take this game as far as it can go and then...take it even another step further. Seeing the here to for pixels of his telivision set being translated to a living, breathing man and realizing what he saw all those years was true. Not some fiction or mirage. That Kobe Bryant does those things whether you are watching him far removed, or whether you are on the opposing team and he is right in your face. Do you think he was excited as a little kid on Christmas Eve? Do you think chills ran up his spine?
What do you think Sam Young was thinking? What do you think he is saying right now, on his cell phone, talking to his friends and former college teamates who are scattered accross the country? Do you think he is talking about Kobe Bryant as he holds that cell phone to his ear?
Do you think he will ever forget?
Do you think we will? |
_________________
"The more innocent they are, the more they deserve to die." - Bertolt Brecht
Last edited by SPQR on Nov 07, 2009 - 02:43 AM PST; edited 2 times in total
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
clutchkb24
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:32 AM PST
|
|
Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Oct 18, 2007
Posts: 980
votes: 7
Status: Offline
|
|
SPQR- I feel the same way about DJ. I respect people like him. I see DJ and I see a good human being who works hard, respects his job and knows what is expected of him. Numbers don't matter when it comes to DJ. You mentioned you are at ease when he enters the game. Same here. I feel he is all about helping the team.
I can't say anything about Young. I had never heard of him but I will take your word. I can imagine though a young kid in the NBA talking to his friends about being on the same floor against Kobe Bryant. Talk about an experience. |
_________________
"Ron Artest has a look in his eye that is very scary right now"
Mike Breen
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
SPQR
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:41 AM PST
|
|
Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 2057
Location: Pennsylvania
votes: 90
Status: Offline
|
|
Clutchkb24,
DJ is just a guy you have to love. He was a joke when he came into the league. He has earned his respect the hard way. He must have worked aweful hard to get to the point he is at now. This is the kind of guy who helps his team. I look forward to seeing more of him. When Drew goes out in the future, I won't be thinking, "Man, now what is going to happen?" I hope Phil is not scared to use him in the future as he would any good player off the bench. DJ has earned the right. He did more tonight than any of the bench players have all year. |
_________________
"The more innocent they are, the more they deserve to die." - Bertolt Brecht
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
VegasLakeShow
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 05:01 AM PST
|
|
Topbuzz Newbie
Joined: Apr 17, 2009
Posts: 45
Status: Offline
|
|
| Frankly, on the defensive end, he is much more active than Andrew, and fights a hell of a lot harder. We need Andrew to play that kind of D more than we need him scoring 20 points/game. He is more than capable but he is playing with a timidness right now on D that screams: "I DONT WANNA GET HURT AGAIN". Drew..you have to actually JUMP to grab rebounds in the NBA. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
kb24_4life
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 10:36 AM PST
|
|
Laker GM
Joined: Nov 28, 2007 Age: 19
Posts: 4750
votes: 27
Status: Offline
|
|
Very nice post, as usual, SPQR.
But one thing I want to point out that's good is the assists for the Lakers. I didn't get a chance to watch the game or anything, but just looking at the boxscore I see 35 assists on 48 made field goals. That's not usually the case when Kobe has one of these games where he demolishes anybody and everybody who tries to stop him. |
_________________
“We don’t really know the identity of the team right now,” Artest said. “We’re driving without a license—no identity. We’re like ‘The Bourne Ultimatum.”’
24,027 #16
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
ReliveThe3PEAT
|
|
|
Post subject: Re: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 07:01 PM PST
|
|
Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
Posts: 12663
votes: 58
Status: Offline
|
|
|
SPQR wrote:
I want to give a shout out to DJ here. You know, this guy will never be a star, will never be feared on the offensive end, but through hard work, determination and maximizing the things he does do well, he has turned himself into a very servicable back up center. He is not some guy you pray does not screw up. He actually brings things with him on the court that help a team win. You really have to admire a guy who has come as far as he has. I am happy he wears the Laker colors. I also don't shudder when he enters a game. I can't say that about all the players on this team.
I agree wholeheartedly. Great blog once again SP.
What I love about DJ is that he knows he isnt gifted offensively as the other Centers in th NBA are, but recognizes that he is a big dude and makes up for it by strictly commiting himself to defense. Offensively, he isnt useless at all by any means. His face up game is good, and he'll knock down his open midranger.
He's the type of player that has no problem listening to the coach and Im gonna make an educated guess and say that PJ asked Mbenga to protect the rim, and rebound that game. Thats exactly what DJ did and I loved how he challenged every shot. Yes he got dunked on twice, but that was a result of challenging EVERY shot. I love that about him... that he isnt afraid to go up and challenge a shot.
As for Kobe's game, it was beautiful poetry. Apparently he's a quick learner... his post-game has been very efficient as of late and that definitely contributed to him getting three 41 point games already. |
_________________
"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
SPQR
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Re: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 09:48 PM PST
|
|
Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 2057
Location: Pennsylvania
votes: 90
Status: Offline
|
|
Vegas,
You are right. DJ does play better D than Drew. But remember, Drew is a pup with two wasted years behind him. I don't know if Drew will ever fight as hard on defense as DJ, but he has had many games where he played good D and blocked lots of shots. I think one thing that is noticable about Drew is that when he has gotten a good run of games without injury, he has gotten progressively better in every aspect of his game. I expect the same to happen this year.
As for his rebounding, he is averaging 10 and a half per game so far and had 17 his last game, more than DJ did the other night when he started. That aint chopped liver. I hope it is the start of a rebounding trend for both of them. I am also so glad both play for us.
3peat,
I want to thank you for the kind words you expressed. It means so much coming from a legendary main stay and LTB member like yourself. As with K24, I am so very glad you enjoyed it.
I think you are correct in what you said about DJ's offense. He is no Wilt Chamberlain, or even Drew for that matter, but you can't just ignore him and let him alone when he is on the offensive end. He can and will score if you give that type of disrespect. We really got a nice find with that guy. We can win any one game with him starting and the team plays well. Not so many teams have the luxory of a backup center like DJ, do they?
Kobe is indeed a fast learner as you say. Lol, 3Peat, like you I did think about Kobes summer excursion with Hakeem during this game. He really is just something else, isn't he? I wonder how many years it will be before the Lakers get another guy who lives for hoops like Kobe? The last was Magic, and that was a long, long time ago. It will be very weird when he is gone. I suffered for years from a post Magic hangover. I see a similar malaise in the future, lol.
KB24,
Thanks so much for the kind words. You are one of the best posters on here and when you say what you did, it is high praise indeed. I am so glad you found the post enjoyable. It means a lot to me.
Yeah, the assists were very good. The team played fairly clean. Actually one of the better efforts this year. It was very asthetically pleasing game to watch. I really wish you could have seen that game. It was enjoyable right from the get go and they had energy all night long. You would have really just laid back and soaked it in like I did. You could see they were ready to play right off, Kobe was a monster and it didn't take long to know we were gonna win it pretty convincingly. Best game to watch so far this year in my book.
I |
_________________
"The more innocent they are, the more they deserve to die." - Bertolt Brecht
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Axle
|
|
|
Post subject: RE: Re: Lakers beat Griz: A legend shines, a rookie watches
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 10:47 PM PST
|
|
Laker GM
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 3456
votes: 7
Status: Offline
|
|
WOW! Your post is really nice and touching. Kobe has improved his inside game for sure. I am glad he is not firing all those long low percentage shots. I do believe that his trip to see Hakeem had something to do with his foot work.
I really like Mbenga because he gives it 100% and what I don't like about Stu Nantz and his side kick is that they sorta make fun of Mbenga. I don't think Mbenga deserves that. I could be wrong, but it seems like they always laugh or make some kind of critic when Mbenga gets the ball.
And finally we saw the bench wake up and gave some effort into winning this game. Before last nights game, I had not seen any effort from the bench, just a lot of confused players.
I also think Ron Artest is starting to feel more confortable playing with Kobe and the rest of the Lakers. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Sub-Category
