After one game with Pau Gasol, we can say this much: The Lakers are going to be VERY good moving forward and into the playoffs. When was the last time Kobe played with a big man who could get a pass inside and just go score? When was the last time L.A. had a post player who could pass out of a double-team to the correct guy? Having Gasol on the floor makes the Lakers so much more difficult to deal with .. Against the Nets, it looked like he’d been playing in Phil’s system for years. Multiple times Gasol (24 pts, 10 rebs) was being fronted by his man and got an entry pass in a place where he could simply turn and drop it in the basket. One time he took an entry pass from Derek Fisher and surprised a lazily-cutting Fisher by dumping it over his head to get Fish an open layup. Needless to say Kwame Brown probably doesn’t make that pass … And how often do you see Kobe Bryant, having scored only SIX points in a game (3-for-13 FGs) and dealing with an injury (finger), still all smiles and saying stuff like “There is a God” in the post-game interview? … At one point the Nets lineup consisted of Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright, Boki Nachbar, Malik Allen and Sean Williams. When the Lakers went to a full-court press, Kidd broke it and got the ball ahead to Wright, who then collaborated with Williams on a turnover. And you wonder why Kidd would want to get out of there … Vince Carter (27 pts) was getting buckets, and to those who get on him for taking jumpers, he was in attack mode — driving, taking contact and finishing, and he broke out a nasty dunk on DJ Mbenga. Trailing on the break, VC caught it right as poor DJ was turning around to see himself make YouTube … But there’s always something with Vince that makes people question him. With 1:20 left and the Lakers well in control, Lamar Odom was at the free throw line. The cameras showed Kobe and Vince standing near half-court, with Kobe laughing and joking about something. Vince was covering his mouth with his jersey because he didn’t want to be seen laughing or smiling when his team was losing, but it didn’t work because it was obvious from his eyes that he was entertained by whatever Kobe was saying … Defensive play of the game: Kidd was the 1 during a 2-on-1 Lakers break. Fisher passed to Kobe, and when Kobe made a touch pass back to Fish, Kidd jumped in and intercepted … Nets analyst Mark Jackson went on a rant about the way Bobby Knight left Texas Tech. Jackson said that for a coach who stresses doing things the right way, he walked out on four seniors and the rest of a team whom he’d asked to trust him. Jackson said he would never let his son play for that kind of coach, and that Knight’s shady departure would be a bigger story if Knight’s “buddies” in the media weren’t constantly covering for him. After Jackson dropped the “You’re better than that” punchline, Marv Albert waited a beat and asked, “Are you through?” … A graphic during the Nets broadcast advertised a ticket package for games against Cleveland, Denver and Phoenix. According to the Nets, that means you can see “LeBron, ‘Mello & Nash” in action … T-shirt in the crowd: “Kobe is my homeboy.” … So about these Shaq-for-Shawn Marion trade rumors: Why would Phoenix make that deal? Marion is a vital part of what makes that team go. Shaq can’t replace what Marion does, and he takes away all the versatility you have with different lineups. If there’s any truth to the rumors, is it because Marion’s locker-room behavior is causing serious problems? Otherwise, it sounds like the Suns are panicking about how to handle Tim Duncan come playoff time … Speaking of Duncan, he put up 19 points, 16 boards and 6 assists against the Pacers. The Spurs won in a rout, but they still got caught sleeping early on, trailing at the end of the first quarter. Damon Stoudamire started and scored 11 points in his debut … Between Stoudamire and Gasol, did anyone think the Grizzlies would have such a big impact on the 2008 postseason picture? … Twice the Cavs have played the Celtics with LeBron in the lineup, and twice they’ve picked up W’s. So would it be completely crazy to bet on Cleveland if the two teams met in the postseason? Well, first consider that for last night’s game the C’s didn’t have Kevin Garnett, and the Cavs still had to struggle to beat them. LeBron went for 33 points, 12 dimes, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 7 turnovers and had a soul-crushing block on Rajon Rondo … It’s looking like KG will sit out when Boston plays at Minnesota. Will he still show up to soak up the love from the Wolves’ crowd? … In Kwame’s first game with the Grizzlies, he had 4 points, 4 boards and 3 turnovers in 15 minutes off the bench in a loss to the Bucks … Yesterday Dime launched our collaboration with Undrcrwn to drop exclusive co-branded t-shirts; the first one we’re hoping to see all over All-Star in a couple of weeks … How far did Mike Beasley and the K-State Wildcats jump up in the Dime U Top-25 ranking after knocking off undefeated Kansas? And how far did the Jayhawks drop? Check it out HERE … We’re out like KG …
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February 6th, 2008 at 5:54 am
jz_smoove says:
interesting start for gasol in LA LA land…u think lakers are gonna beat spurs, mavs or suns in a 7 game series though? doubt it…
February 6th, 2008 at 5:59 am
??? says:
if Shaq goes to the Suns, I still see the lakers being better.
…Stoudemire helps the spurs A LOT, but I think L.A. is the team to beat once Bynum comes back
February 6th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Fish says:
Anyone else blame MJ for the leagues flu pandemic? Dude plays one heroic series battling the flu and then it becomes trendy for players to play through and sneeze on the opposition. Take a break, help my fantasy season.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:02 am
YOUNGFED says:
The lakers will win the west hands down. Also like I said the Celtics aren’t some super team I’m predicting they’ll be done by the second round.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:03 am
K-Dizzle says:
1nce again, Lakers don’t need JKidd. I know it’s only one game but it was with an injured Kobe, no Bynum or Ariza and the Nets got their lunch took. That, Net fans, is why Raptor fans didn’t mind losin Vince Carter. Sure, once a year, he throws down a vicious dunk on a big man then spends the last 5 minutes clownin with the opposition. Kobe can break out the jokes…cuz he winnin.
Dime, I like Shaq in Phoenix. IF…..IF…IF he’s rejuvenated, then teams gotta plan for him, Amare gets to go to his power four spot and Nash, Barbosa, Bell, GHill get open looks all day and the Suns can slow it down in the playoffs. Big trades in the pacific in the last 48 hours.Rest of the the west betta get caught up or get rolled on. Good luck to Matrix out east, grass ain’t always greener over on the other side
Peace till UNC-Duke
February 6th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Str8baller says:
J Kidd was showing that he still has hops when he tried to dunk on that break, but MAMBA had other plans. One question, why did DJ Mbenga jump on like that? DON’T YOU KNOW HE’S LOCO?
VINCE IS BACK…
Daria, te quiero amor
February 6th, 2008 at 6:10 am
??? says:
…and the Suns weren’t going to do shit in the playoffs anyway. Playoffs=half court games. Shaq can still beast any front line for 20 a game (when he’s healthy and ain’t thinking about his personal life).
They might as well get the Diesel, see if he can manhandle the Spurs front line for a few games and then get to play the Pistons in the Finals.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Big Aaron says:
I love how everyone just writes off these losses the Celtics seem to hemorrhaging lately because KG isn’t there. I forgot the league has 3 columns: Wins, Losses, Losses for the Celtics without KG. Even a team with Allen and Pierce, coupled with role-playing guys with so much confidence like Rondo, Posey and Powe, is good enough to knock off Cleveland. Cleveland is the epitome of a one-man team.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Kevin says:
Vince still can jump!
http://www.jumplikevince.com/
February 6th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Vignesh says:
i think VC got pissed once josh childress slammed over him last game…i think that aggravated him and he started playing like he used to…good for him…hes quietly avging 21 pts 5 rebs 5 assts…no one seems to be realising that…jkidd was hardly doing anything other than few stops here and there..nothing reaallly significant…cant believe there wud be no VC and tmac this all star!!!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Sam Boobie says:
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Just like last year, you guys will do anything to minimize the Cavs accomplishments. So don’t come with all the “LEBRON IS NASTY SICK” in the playoffs when the Cavs make another run to the Finals.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Amar says:
lakers fans all over the internet are ‘becumming spent’ at the thoughts of another chapionship, this one partly due to this new arrival of a soft euro who gets killed in the playoffs, and even gets worked over in a euro tournament on his home court. let’s hold off on getting the rings made until you guys beat someone other than the 8th seed in the east.
(hubie brown voice) what do we learn from last night? first of all we understand that Pau Gasol, a player I coached in Memphis, can dominate Josh Boone. secondly, we learn that lakers fan are annoying homers who think their team is better than it is.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Celts Fan says:
ROUGH few days for Boston sports. We know David Ortiz and Josh Beckett are alive and well and somewhere safe right?
You can write off the losses for the Celtics because we were without our best player and still only lost by 1. In the Playoffs, assumably, all 3 are healthy, so you can’t really use that L as a way to measure who wins anymore than you could if you played the Suns and Nash or Marion was out. They’re still a good team, but without their full team, they’re not at full strength (and the C’s have a pretty weak bench, so it’s not like they can just absorb KG’s minutes easily.) An L is an L, and we lost, but let’s not make a bigger deal than it is out of it. The Cavs beat us last night without KG. We should have KG in the Playoffs, so we can’t really take much from it other than the Cavs were the better team for 48 min. last night.
I’m one of the bigger Vince haters, so I’ll give him credit, he came to play last night, though it’s games like that that just make it that much more infuriating when he refuses to drive next time he feels like being Wince instead of Vinsanity.
No huge surprise, but last night just confirms that the Lake Show, assuming Bynum and Pau can share the block, are a team to be reckoned with and should be put up there with SA and Dallas (if not ahead of them) for favorites to come out of the west.
I wonder if Dwyane Wade’s stopped smiling yet. What the hell are the Suns thinking??? Unless they really think Shaq’s got more in the tank than he’s shown this year, they’re getting fleeced, for what? Better “chemistry?” This team’s been cheap as hell for the better part of a decade, giving away draft picks like candy on Halloween, and now they’re going to give up their best all-around player IMO (Nash is amazing, but he only plays one end, Marion will fill up the stat sheet for you and make you EXTREMELY versatile) for a guy with $40M left on a bad deal, that can’t really run the floor with them, so they have to almost completely change their offense. Shaq in Phoenix makes CWebb in Golden State seem like a perfect fit… I don’t like this move at all. If you’re that determined to trade Shawn, why not make a run at KG before we did? This is a sad way to turn the page on the title hopes of a once-promising team. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, that ownership group should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for the last 5 years.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:48 am
ian says:
Amar
i just read your post from yesterday
and u mentioned why some kids mention that cp doesnt have anyone around him???? thats answering my post that said deron had a better team
apparently u just twisted the post around and came up with that stupid answer of cp doesnt have anybody
lets break it down for u
deron has a better team around yes or no
(if yes then wtf are u talking about if no just stop reading this)
deron has booz memo ak
paul has chandler peja west
how many more assists can paul get if u traded any hornet for booz
didnt the hornets miss the playoffs last season
paul comes back healthy and what happens top three record
better than the jazz
u can say what u want but derons team is a lot better
(its not a knock on deron)
but like i said paul can do more with less
February 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am
bigdre says:
yo last time the cavs and the c’s hooked up, KG was there, and the C’s were still on a roll then. i’m betting on the cavs in a 7 game series
February 6th, 2008 at 8:53 am
ian says:
shawn marion
must be stupid
February 6th, 2008 at 8:58 am
GEE...I sacked Tom Brady too! says:
Make no mistake Shaq is mainly being brought in for defense. Provided he goes along with that, still seeing his points (prolly round 14-20) that can work really well.
The Suns now can continue to run against a team that has trouble running or go half-court and They have an awesome front line in Shaq and Stat.
Excellent trade. I think this will, and even hope it will revitalize Shaq, and if that happens look out.
You know Shaq would love to say he was the missing piece to them getting a ring if they got 1. Plus this is Shaq back in the West, where he most def. wants to be known as the best center in the West. So the motivation is there.
Now Miami also gets new life cause they don’t have to worry about Shaq having to have touches and they got an all around player who is going to give you a little bit of everything.
Marion wants out and him with Wade is a good look, specially considering they can get a good pick coming out the draft.
What big trade is next. Lebron still needs help and the Rockets need to be slapped for not making a trade yet. Got to love Feb!
February 6th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Celts Fan says:
I will gladly take that bet Bigdre. The Cavs are a flawed team that got a fluke Finals appearance last year that some people think makes them a contender. They’re still behind Boston, Orlando, and Detroit (not in order) in the East’s pecking order. and by the way, Ray Allen missed 2 FTs at the end of that last game that would’ve won it, so let’s not act like you beasted us last time either. If Boston plays the Cavs in the Playoffs, it’s probably Boston in 6 (I was going to say 5, but you have to throw in one L for a Doc Rivers mistake like Leon Powe on Big Z so Big Z can dominate the offensive glass or something.)
Go read Paul Shirley’s book Ian. Shawn Marion is clearly retarded…
February 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Kobeef says:
While Kwame predictably didn’t show-up, Darko did again last night with a double double (11pts, 12reb) and 2 blocks for the 3rd time in his last 4 games.
This Shaq trade is a brilliant move for Riles. I doubt it happens but if Matrix opts out next season (he can) the Heat are more than $35million under the cap and have Wade to build around. If I am Miami I am not worried at all about Matrix opting out next year - it would in fact be a great opportunity if he did.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:16 am
FrmrHeat Fan says:
Anybody else think that once the Lakers trade went down, Shaq realized Kobe might get a ring so he pushed for a trade for one more shot a ring. You know he’s determined to have more rings than Kobe….
February 6th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Celts Fan says:
Imagine the Heat get a top 3 pick (and the freshmen come out) on top of Matrix and DWade. Talk about reloading…
February 6th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Damon says:
@ Amar
gasol soft? maybe.
he got worked over in the eurobasket? haaaahhhaaa
spain lost, he didnt’t have the greatest finals game, but he played well during the tournament AND he was the MVP of the World championships 2006, you seem to be a guy who knows nothing about international ball
gasol is no superstar, but he is at least a borderline allstar and makes the lakers a lot better on paper,i know they have to show it on the court
but dont act like he is a bad player or the lakers got worse
February 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
YOUNGFED says:
Kobeef Darko has never shown up, he’s a BUM. Best move Detroit ever did was dump him. Also Celts your boys are looking a lil soft w/o KG but I do like the Powe guy (That Is The Po Guys KG) (LOL. Guess He’ll have to do for now.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Bust Jlaze says:
This feels like an attempt to block Kobe from getting a ring. Lakers have been pieced together little by little, mistakes had to be corrected, etc. and FINALLY they have a contending team. Then Shaq suddenly “contender hops” AGAIN and goes to Phoenix?! I know it sounds silly, but tell me that wasn’t to try to stop Kobe.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am
one66soul says:
Who gave Ira Newble the blackeye?
February 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Celts Fan says:
ya Youngfed, I like Powe too, but at 6′8″ he’s a liability when he’s playing the 5 against real 5s in a small line-up (Doc’s new favorite head scratcher of the moment, along with Scal starting whenever KG’s out, which is the constant head-scratcher that proves he has no idea what he’s doing and should never be handed the keys to the car again. Let that idiot ride shotgun, but he should NEVER be driving.)
February 6th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Top Gun says:
That’s what happens when you let Bryan Colangelo go sign with the Raptors. Steve Kerr comes in gives up one of his best pieces for an aging vet.
I don’t know why no one mentioned this but Vince always plays his best against Kobe. Don’t be fooled…fools !
February 6th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Tom from Cleveland says:
The Cavs haven’t had Varejao for any of their games against Boston and he’s probably their 3rd most valuable player behind LeBron and Z. I like the Cavs chances against the Celtics in the playoffs, especially because LeBron hates losing to Pierce.
Z was the one who accidently elbowed Newble, who actually played a good game. He is in his contract year, so that probably explains why he’s played better this year.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:54 am
smity says:
I think i’m encouraged (as a regular fan of the game at its best) and lakers fans should be encouraged as well by the fact that Odom took only 4 shots and still scored 14. he seems like he WILL be a lot freer (as dime pointed out earlier in the week) to do whatever he wants and can do for the team to win. less pressure means greater preformances and contributions for lamar.
Gee must be foaming at the mouth right now as the trade rumors and actions are picking up steam. i know i would like to see shaq in pheonix. it would be an interesting experiment. i look at if from the standpoint that they arent gon win with the lineup they have now. i can’t see them beatin the spurs or the mavs and i think the lakers can be added to that group now. so theres really nothing to lose by getting a shaq…but i just saw something about “killing the deal” so it probably won’t happen and i’m about to go read why not.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
GEE...I sacked Tom Brady too! says:
Smity you know I am lol.
Dang I am like you on the killing the deal. I hope it goes through. LOL it was crazy watching t.v. last night. At one point reporters were talking about Shaq didn’t even know he was possibly being traded and all. Then they are like he is flying to Phoenix first thing to take a physical. I was all over every sports station I could find.
I am thinking this though. Mavs, Spurs, Lakers, Suns, Portland, N.O., G.S. and Denver are all straight. Why in the @%$# are the Rockets not trying to get some trade going with them fifty-leven guards they have on that squad. Come on Houston PLEASE?!?!?!
Anyway time to go read killing the deal and pray that the Shaq trade still goes through.
Smity I think Lamar is going to raise his game too, now that Gasol is there. Last night he seem to have more energy than I have seen.
The Cavs need to get LeBron some help quick!
Trades, Trades, Trades
February 6th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Celts Fan says:
GEE, you may be the only guy that didn’t sack Tom Brady…
and you’re right, Houston has too many parts to not do SOMETHING at the deadline. They should be making a run at JKidd…
February 6th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
cliche's says:
yeah… its funny how dime conveniently ignores the fact that varegao and “pav” didn’t play and drew pulled his groin in the 3rd quarter … plus unlike what the skipster said on espn… it wasn’t a last second shot the cavs had a 4 point lead b4 they hit a 3 at the buzzer… the score is deceiving
February 6th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
dagwaller says:
I am so friggin pumped right now. I don’t even know how I feel about this trade in particular, but over last 13 months, Allen Iverson, Shaq, Zach Randolph, Al Jefferson, Pau, Garnett, and Ray Allen have changed addresses, not to mention the second tier stars like Stephen Jackson, Andre Miller etc. that have gotten traded too. I love this league.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Celts
Why is JKidd the solution for every team’s problems but yo team lol? The Celtics could use that dude. Can’t afford him, but could use him, but I like Rondo and this team needs more time. For Houston, I don’t know why nobody talkin about Jermaine O’Neal. Team got 4 point guards and I ain’t seen Francis and James off the bench in games or at least heard about them. Indy gonna need point guards cuz Tinsley’s always hurt. Do whatever u gotta do, package up Luthur Head, Battier, Wells, whoever. I bet O’Neal’s doin the Shaq - My team ain’t goin nowhere so I’m hurt- “injury” thing. That lineup of Skip, Mac, Yoa, JO and Rudy……sorry, low blow, Battier would help em out West cuz they gonna get left outta the playoffs at the way the west is reshapin
LA, PHo, Dal, San, Uta, NO, Den, GS, Hou -one o’ you ain’t gettin in. Right now, it’s GS, dependin on the Webber experiment, or the rockets
February 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
GEE...I sacked Tom Brady too! says:
K-Dizz that was very low blow lol.
You possibly forgot to add Portland to that mix. As much as I love some Rockets. I will have to say it might very well be them and G.S. or Portland not getting in if the Rocktes don’t get a good trade in.
I am thinking Shaq and Wade might be the last official 1,2 punch to win a ring. The way things are going now you got to have at least 3 All-Stars or 2 All-Stars and a 1 potential to really get down.
J.O. to Houston…hmmmm that might not be to bad.
What about Andre I. to Houston?
They clearly need to do something. Celts I did too sack Tom Brady. As a matter of fact it was a long line of people just sacking and sacking him. LOL
February 6th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
94by50 says:
“So about these Shaq-for-Shawn Marion trade rumors: Why would Phoenix make that deal? Marion is a vital part of what makes that team go. Shaq can’t replace what Marion does, and he takes away all the versatility you have with different lineups. If there’s any truth to the rumors, is it because Marion’s locker-room behavior is causing serious problems? Otherwise, it sounds like the Suns are panicking about how to handle Tim Duncan come playoff time…”
My thoughts exactly.