Lakers in Need of a Blood Transfusion

Lakers in Need of a Blood Transfusion

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for blood donors. Can you help? They need as many devoted fans as possible to donate their pints of purple and gold blood. It seems that there are still remnants of the D’Antoni’s “orange-and-white-play-like-we-did-in-Phoenix” blood coursing through their veins.

Yes volunteers are needed. A way must be found to eradicate the D’Antoni Dark Ages. Those years must be cast away to the nether regions, and never mentioned again aloud. It is possible you know. Who among you mentions your fondest memories of the teams of the mid 70’s (after Jerry & Wilt, and before Magic joined Kareem). Whom among you ever mentions the original “Lake Show” of the early 90’s (post Magic’s 1^st retirement, and pre-Phil taking over Kobe & Shaq)? The past two seasons must sink into a bottomless abyss of forgotten horrid seasons.

But is this season doomed to join them?

The Lakers just lost to the Grizzlies, which puts them at (1-6) for the season. I must say that this year’s losses are more entertaining than last year’s. The Lakers made a few serious runs in some of these games before flailing, and failing in the waning seconds of the contest. Last year the losses were usually cemented by halftime.

How horrible for a fan to have to talk that way, but you have to go with the material given you. I attended my first game of the season last week (a loss, go figure). It was pretty much the same script: play lazy defense, play without confidence, take ill-advised shots, etc. etc. It gets so that even when I DVR a (even a diehard fan like me can miss a game or two on the tube), I find myself skipping through portions of the contest. It’s depressing.

Our spirits were toyed with on Sunday when the Lakers, after playing another below average first half, blew the Charlotte Hornets off the floor and erased the goose egg in the win column. That first win felt like it had the potential to be a turning point. They played like a team, turned up the heat on defense, and generally stopped with the stupid mistakes.

Would this one win against an average team usher in the new era for fans who have been chewing their nails down to the nubs? Weeeeelllllll…..no. On the heels of that victory, the Lakers marched into Memphis, played somewhat decent defense, played catch up in the fourth quarter, and finally lost in the end. Oh and the stupid factor returned. SIGH. The story continues.

Okay reality check: they are still learning Scott’s system, they still have injuries and missing players (my condolences to Wayne Ellington who lost his father over the weekend) and the season is still young. We’ll just have to lower our expectations……..…..once again.

I’m re-adjusting my prediction of 41 wins that I made in my previous post. I usually don’t renege so soon, but before this team can have a renaissance, they still need to shed more of the D’Antoni influence. My new prediction is 32 wins. A large drop to be sure, but I had made my previous prediction based on the availability of Mash Unit, I mean, Steve Nash,  the Julius Randle. I still see the potential to compete in this group. I hope Byron Scott and Kobe can help them reach that potential…soon!

Observations of a couch-potato blogger:

*Kobe is shooting the ball too much, but in reality, when hasn’t he? I can’t say I blame him. Those first few games, the guys shot the ball with indecisiveness, and with no confidence. Sure, at times, the offense flows a little better with Kobe on the bench, but does anybody really believe this team would be better with him on the sidelines? Kobe has amassed over 5000 assists in his career. If these guys shoot better, he’ll get a few more.

*There are lots of factors contributing to the team’s win/loss record. One is those is their passing, or should I say lack thereof. When they lose, they don’t move the ball, and their assist total is typically low. I think Jeremy Lin is doing a decent job of running the point. With Steve “I can golf when I want to, and leave my fellow Lakers behind” (some of you may get that song reference) Nash out for yet another year, Lin is basically are only true point. He’s slashing and passing, but whom, other than Kobe, can he really pass to?

*Kobe and Lin play well together in the back court. Kobe trusts him, and he’s been actively prodding Lin to take control during games and in the press. On the flip side, it seems Kobe doesn’t trust Ronnie Price at the point. Kobe, unless coming off screens when he’s in a shooting frenzy, tries to run the point, and the offense bogs down like a turtle race.

*Everyone on the team needs to play with more confidence, authority, and with a little more focus. This may not be the best assembled team in the world, but there have been too many blown layups, dunk attempts, free-throws, telegraphed passes, etc. etc.

*I would like to see Ellington play more. The guy can shoot, and he plays decent defense. That’s basically his role as Kobe’s backup, so I say give him more of a green light. Jodie Meeks jumped ship to Detroit, and I don’t see another gunner on the roster (that is until Swaggy P returns).

*Carlos Boozer has been playing a little better lately, but I’d seriously consider staring Ed Davis over him. Boozer brings the offense, but Davis is a much better defender, and he brings length and shot-blocking to the front court. Boozer will never be remembered for his defense (he’s fouled out of several games already), and Jordan Hill needs more help down there.

*I think Kobe still hasn’t reached his swan song ceiling. Okay that sentence is confusing, I know, but what I meant to say is that he’s still not 100%. The old Kobe is gone, but I think he’s still not in complete game shape, and I’ve seen enough to think that he’s still one of the top 20 players in the league.

Tonight they take on the New Orleans Pigeons, or Pheasants, or whatever their state bird is. If they can stop uni-brow (Anthony Davis), they’ve got a decent shot at victory number 2.

Till the muse takes over the typing fingers again, see y’all soon!