The Simple Life
Amar'e Stoudemire (photo. King Lawrence)
Sometimes it’s simple and plain, and last night the Lakers simply got a plain ol’ meat-slapping from the Suns. After Robo-Kobe cut a double-digit lead in the second quarter to six by halftime, the Suns came out shooting like a bunch of Steve Alford clones, quickly pushing it back to double digits on jumpers by Channing Frye, Amar’e (26 pts), Grant Hill and Steve Nash (16 pts, 13 asts). The Lakers never really challenged them after that, and midway through the fourth, Phil Jackson officially waved the white flag by taking Kobe out … One of the Suns who did struggle was Jason Richardson. In between not being able to hit the side of Yao Ming’s dome on offense, J-Rich (4 pts, 1-6 FG) had his hands full with Kobe (34 pts, 14-26 FG) on the other end. “When he has to guard the best player on the other team,” one Phoenix announcers said, “somehow his offense goes down.” Somehow? Shouldn’t that be pretty easy to figure out? … Equally frustrating night for Derek Fisher, who shot 1-for-7, had to chase Nash around, and got called for a tech when he tried to shove a stumbling Nash into the floor. After Fish got called for another hard foul on Jared Dudley, one of the announcers said, “This is not Monday Night Football.” … Apparently this week’s theme for the Celtics is underachievement. The night after being upset by the Clippers, Boston went into the Warriors’ gym and caught another L. And just as Baron Davis got the best of Rajon Rondo in L.A., Monta Ellis (37 pts) was serving Rondo buckets in this one. The Celtics were up by as much as 18 in the first half before G-State came back and took control in the fourth quarter … The Warriors were up three with one minute left before Monta, Ray Allen and Corey Maggette each missed good looks at three-pointers that could have either been the dagger or changed the complexion of the game. On that last possession Boston gambled by not fouling and hoping for a miss, which they got when Anthony Morrow passed up an open shot and Maggette’s trey spun out. (“You tell me why Anthony Morrow didn’t shoot!” one GS announcer kept repeating.) Celtics ball with five seconds left, and Don Nelson had his guys foul Ray before he could get off a three. Ray (24 pts) made the first free throw, and tried to miss the second on purpose but didn’t hit the rim. On G-State’s possession, Doc Rivers had Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins stand in front of inbounding Vlad Radmanovic and jump up and down, which nearly worked when Vlad threw a bad pass, but Monta gained control and hit the free throws to ice it … Just like against Baron, it’s not like Rondo got dominated. He put up 30 points and 15 assists of his own, but down the stretch Monta was just better. On defense, Monta was giving Rondo a good 10 feet of open space, daring him to shoot jumpers … Even those waiting for the Blazers to run out of gas with their lineup stretched thin by injuries wouldn’t have predicted they’d fall to the Sixers at home. After knocking off Dallas, San Antonio and Denver with a little more than half a roster and no center, Portland was getting worked over in the paint by Elton Brand (25 pts, 9 rebs), and even Sam Dalembert (14 pts, 3 blks) looked like he had a few post moves … Allen Iverson scored 19 in his return to the lineup, and while he guarded Martell Webster most of the night, for some reason Nate McMillan never tried to get the 6-7 Webster any post-up opportunities. It’s been standard fare for Philly’s opponents to take advantage of Iverson’s matchup; McMillan dropped the ball on this one … Other stat lines from Monday: Gerald Wallace posted 21 points and 14 boards in Charlotte’s win over Milwaukee; Zach Randolph put up 23 and 19 to beat the Wizards in overtime, while Gilbert Arenas scored 30 in the loss; Carmelo scored 34 but the Nuggets lost to the Tyreke-less Kings; and Kevin Durant dropped 40 points (15-22 FG) as OKC got past the Nets … Hopefully Andray Blatche got what he wanted for Christmas, because it’s been all bad for him ever since. The other night he got Tom Chambers-ed by Ryan Hollins, then on Monday he was coming over to trap Jamaal Tinsley when “The Abuser” skipped the ball between Blatche’s legs and went in for a layup. Next up on the Wizards’ schedule is Oklahoma City: We’re seeing a nasty Jeff Green dunk or a Russell Westbrook ankle-breaker in Blatche’s future … We’re out like Chambers …
December 29th, 2009 at 5:31 am
BRUCE says:
Lakers need to start playing!
December 29th, 2009 at 5:40 am
gregory says:
Perkins and Garnett using nearly 15 feet of jumping jacking wingspan to eclipse the view of CJ Watson was hilarious. It nearly worked too but Golden State had timeouts remaining. It’s a strategy that could take hold (well if you have two big men who are that long) and the passer is short. At the very least it forces the in bound passer to be a big.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:41 am
That's what's up says:
love to see the lakers losing
it brings joy to my heart
keep it up Kobe and the Kobettes
December 29th, 2009 at 6:45 am
That's what's up says:
will new jersey get an extra draft pick by sucking this bad?
they should draft 1 and 1A
December 29th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Josh Tha roc says:
Z Bo for president.
OKC the real deal.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:35 am
ponky alolor says:
durant balling now. He might be the skinniest scorer ever.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:49 am
calvin brodus says:
the suns slapped LAs meat, huh?
the nuggs are KILLING me.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:28 am
no j mayo says:
@ 6…ever heard of George Gervin? Iceman led the league in scoring multiple times, and brotha was 6′7 160. Made Tayshaun Prince look like one of the dudes on 300.
Gotta vent on the Wizards. Ever seen a stacked AAU team where everybody on the squad is that dude on their high school team and so they’re all just gunning for stats, even the supposed role players? That’s the Wiz. Arenas, Butler and Jamison each look like they don’t want the other to score…throw in dudes like Nick Young, Randy Foye, Andray Blatche, Earl Boykins, shit even Brendan Haywood even looks like he’s tryin’ to get good enuf numbers that a contender will try to deal for him. Miller’s hurt and Oberto saw zero clock last night (dunno what the deal is there) but that’s like the only two non-gunners on the squad.
Also, I hate to say it, but if Kobe has been “Unbreakable” this year in the clutch, fucking Gilbert has been “Mr. Glass.”
Shwww…glad to get that off my chest.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:42 am
luckylester says:
the iceman’s nuts weighed more than Durrant does…
December 29th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
You had an article on Harden’s improving game yesterday and right on cue he goes 0-10 in last nights game. You may have spoke too soon.
I couldn’t believe the Celtics lost that lead to the Warriors. I’m glad they did but you just don’t expect that from a top tier team like Boston.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:19 am
K Dizzle says:
McGrady, Rockets agree to part ways; trade still being worked on
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/12/28/mcgrady.rockets/index.html#ixzz0b5iq0iYl
December 29th, 2009 at 10:21 am
The other Aj says:
agree with #7…what are the nuggets doing right now? I can understand losing to dallas…but Portland with no real big men, and now sacto without tyreke…they just want to give away that #2 seed in the west!
Oh yeah and by the way ernie grunfeld isn’t as good as advertised…the wizards stink! 5 more years of gilbert…**sigh**
December 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Bill says:
G state only team celts haven’t beaten on the road since Ray and kg came to town so not that big of surprise they lost
December 29th, 2009 at 10:54 am
eyes says:
The Nuggets are lost w/o Chauncey Billups. The Kings aren’t that bad & Paul Westphal is doing a great job. GREAT HIRE. Omar Caspi is going to be a steal a few yrs from now. Anthony Randolph would fit in nicely in this system. The Wizards stunk last yr w/o Gilbert. They stink this yr & his healthy with a few new acquisitions. Could it be Flip. Even if the Wiz get rid of Gilbert which I hope they do. I’d like to see him play with LB23. How ironic would that be? Gilbert & Lebron & Mo Mo Butter would be a hell of a 3 man assault.
The Lakers only lost because Artest was out. LOL. They still need time to gel. Pau Gasol & D.Howard aren’t getting enough touches. I wonder why? Steve Nash is unbelievable. The Lakers could use Sean Singletary. Is there a candy out there that could drive Lamar Odom to be a basketball player again. He seems to get worse every yr.
If Rajon Rondo ever gets a jumpshot he will be a nightmare to guard & even more valuable. Why do the Warriors fans hate to see Maggette shoot. That is so funny to me. He rimmed out a shot & Morrow made the right pass & they were like anybody but him. The crowd actually yells NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Whenever he lines up one. I think secretly he tries to prove them wrong. Bad Porn Maggette has to be the funniest nickname of late. A polite way of saying your really bad & useless. DUKE. LOL. Funny how similar he & Dahntay Jones play. He’s so talented though a shame he can’t put it together.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Phileus says:
Chairman Yi scored 29 on 11-20 last night. Maybe one day he’ll be a good player?!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am
got beef? says:
Young, athletic, high scoring teams always give the celtics trouble, except rondo who always comes big for those
December 29th, 2009 at 11:24 am
LakeShow84 says:
WAKE UP LAKERS..
Shit we in the coast mode.. We could be building that lead up.. oh well aint nothing like a game against the Warriors to remedy the situation lol..
Unless ur the Celtics.. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..
December 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Soopa says:
“Zach Randolph had 23 points and 13 rebounds on Monday, and over his last five games he’s scored 141 points and collected 91 rebounds. The last NBA player with as many points and rebounds in a five-game span was Shaquille O’Neal in February 1993, his rookie season.”
Doesnt he finally deserve to be an All Star???
December 29th, 2009 at 11:43 am
control says:
Soopa,
No, he doesn’t.
Damn, I missed me some Rondo hating yesterday…fucking holidays.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Claw says:
@Lakeshow – Trying to deflect the fact that the Lakers almost lost 3 in a row? I thought their frontline would kill the Suns but Gasol didn’t do jack, what is up with not giving Gasol the rock?
December 29th, 2009 at 11:59 am
LakeShow84 says:
@ Claw
Deflect what?? if we lose tonight then ill be soured but im still in the same mood as when the season started.. We lost on Christmas which is a toss up half the time and we lost to a division rival we SMASHED the previous 2 games this year.. If the Suns are any good they shouldnt have been swept and they didnt let us do it.. so Kudos to them lol
and i dont know, tell Pau to DEMAND it.. im tired of hearing Pau WOULD LIKE the ball.. DEMAND IT.. Get in the post and sit there with your hand waving in the hair, YELLING and if they swing the ball follow it and demand from that side.. We’ll catch on.. Dude always says he “would like” more touches but usually passes after his first entry pass.. I would kill to see some aggression..
I want YOUNG Pau Gasol back.. dude who had a scowl and dunked on people.. This Pau is too easily intimidated.. by his own teammates at that..
December 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
wifey says:
Monta Ellis is the fattest ballhog in the association. & big ups to Zach Randolph putting up some crazy fucking numbers.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMAO@ #22’s Monta ellis statement. The Mississippi bullet he calls himself. Wonder what role he’d play on the Spurs or Jazz…would he play?
@Lakeshow,
I loved the OKC/Laker game last week when the announcers were speaking about how Gasol isn’t soft. Then shortly after that statement, Serge Ibaka threw an elbow to his face and all Ichabod Crane could do was stare at him like he was about to cry. Ibaka then spent the rest of his minutes pushing, slapping, and throwing Gasol around. Then you said he would match up well with Rodman….ahahahahaha
@Control,
Aw man, I was wondering where you were when Rondo was missing those game winning freethrows. It’s the same thing you were posting about when he was shooting 37% from the FT line.
Should Z-Bo be an all-star? If the Grizz are in the playoff race come all-star selection time, then yes. If not, then no cause he still gets abused on the defensive end of the court.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
control says:
Chicagorilla
Yeah man, I would have been throwing the hate nice and tight all day. Was too busy with it being holidays and shit though. Rondo has to be the only non-center player in the league…almost in the HISTORY of the league who is a good to implement the Hack-A-Shaq strategy with. The kid can post a triple double, but until he fixes his under 50% free throw shooting and forces defenders to play within 10 feet of him outside the paint…he’s going to lose more games for his team than win.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Claw says:
@Lakeshow – Going into the playoffs and if either Gasol or Bynum are injured and can’t play which one would you want to have for the playoffs?
Gasol goes off then throws up duds like this last week and Bynum can dominate the defensive end but his offense can be lacking. Who is more essential in the Lakers run for a repeat?
December 29th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@control
Imagine the celts having to put Eddie House in the game at crunch time because Rondo can’t hit FT’s! I wish the Bulls scout would have taken notice of that during the playoffs last year. Of course he was hitting 3’s against the bulls though.
I know a lot of people say “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” when it comes to shooting form. But clearly Rondo’s form is the reason he can’t shoot. Some people don’t have a shooters touch and almost need to be perfect with their form to be a decent shooter… Rondo is that person. His left elbow should not be at a 90 degree angle from his right while shooting. I mean come on, that’s common knowledge. And when you notice you are missing every f^king shot, then it’s time to change that $h!t. It would take 2-3months total to change it, but Rondo must be busy rollerskating in the off-season.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
control says:
Chicagorilla
Rondo could have hired that 6 year old basketball prodigy that Dime profiled a few months ago to train him how to shoot free throws. The guy has been in the league a few years now, he’s obviously not going to work on his game in that regard now or anytime soon. Why bother working on your own game when you have 3 HoFers carrying your ass to championships and you were just overpaid because your agent whined you into a good contract?
From what that KCDubs or wtf his name was who coached him in highschool and posts here sometimes, Rondo’s shooting skills peaked back in highschool before he had hair on his nuts, if the current trends remain true, in a few years he’s going to be knocking on 20-30% from the line.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Claw..
I dont even know.. Gasol is inconistent but Bynum is young AND inconsistent..
Ill take Gasol because id expect his ass to pull himself out the muck and be a veteran at the end of the day.. cant put a championship on Bynum unless we HAVE TO.. plus we got the Finals with just Gasol..
@ ChiTown
Yes i retract my Gasol/Rodman statement lol u got me on that one..
December 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
srb says:
control you don’t have to get cranky when the lakers don’t win.