They really have all the forces coming against them, they can't catch a break

 

He's gonna play!

Friday will be just the 3rd game with Nash, Bryant, Gasol, Howard & Blake

 

Their playing the wizards right?

 

So basically playing a college team.. Haha

 

yeah LOL

 

Kobe should just sit this one out, so we don't have to worry in playoffs

 

I've come to the realization he won't do that. I've only seen him do it once, and that was last year when we had the 3 spot secured. With so much at stake right now, I can't see him doing it unless he really can't play at all.

 

They have like 3 games for the next week,

All against teams they should win against. Well hope they should win

I

 

That must've been a really good college team ... considering they won ... in LA ... despite being down by 16 at the half ...

And I thought this was gonna be a bad day since Serbia lost to Croatia in soccer ... luckily, Lakers have always been there to cheer me up this season.

 

Is it the playoffs yet?

 

I'm just wowed!!!

Like wow!!! Lakers couldn't even show up and play against the wizards. Maybe Washington is better than I thought they were,
Bryant had a double double tonight, but Blake and Gasol didn't show up tonight. MWP or Nash didn't partake either. Can't be Dwight and Kobe,

Looking hear your report tomorrow to see what you say Mr.Laker!

 

Okay I was trying to be optimistic..hahaha

 

Well that was unexpected. After an emotional boost from the return of Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers collapsed in the second half to fall to the Wizards 100-103.

The Lakers were firing on all cylinders to start the game. They led by as much as 18 and were up by 16 at the break. Although Gasol was clearly out of rhythm the offense was clicking. It was working beautifully with Bryant, Nash, and Blake all being distributors and Dwight, Meeks, and Jamison being finishers. The Lakers were finally able to stagger Bryant/Nash and Howard/Gasol to constantly maintain that inside/out presence. How did they lose then you ask? The 2nd half tells the tale...

Even in the 1st half the Lakers struggled with turnovers, but in 3rd quarter it really came back to bite them. The Wizards chipped away at the lead by converting turnovers into easy scores. Pau Gasol was one of the main culprits as he clearly did not have the timing or chemistry with his teammates in his first game back. To matters worse the Lakers failed to contest Washington's shooters. Kobe left Ariza wide open on several possessions. At other times players rotated to help protect the paint but left a shooter open behind the line. MWP committed a crucial offensive foul with the Lakers down by 2 in the waning moments of the fourth. From there it would've taken a couple miracle 3's to force overtime. Kobe got one, but not the other. Coach D'Antoni was not happy with the team's effort after attaining the lead.

Some turnovers are expected when new lineups are played, but sheesh. And there was no excuse for the D.

Notables

The Good:
- Offense in the 1st half was superb
- Defense in the half court was good most of the 1st half

The Bad:
- Terrible perimeter defense/awareness
- Too many turnovers
- No killer instinct when up big
- Pau looked terrible (I believe he'll get back to form though)
- Jamison injured his right wrist (shooting hand)

Bottom line is the Lakers should have won this game. They can't afford performances like this with such a tight race for a playoff spot. Hopefully Pau gets back into it sooner rather than later.

I'm not sold on Pau being in the starting lineup just yet. Not because he isn't starter quality because he definitely is. But the Lakers had a rhythm with Clark starting. He fits better with the starters because of his athleticism, and bringing Pau off the bench allows him to play in the post. We'll see how Coach D'Antoni sets the rotations in the coming games. However, there aren't many more games left.

 

I put it up tonight. Had to wash the bad taste out of my mouth. That was unacceptable

 

Yea I had to kept taking a double take at the score, I can't believe it.
You made a lot of good points.

If they could just get into rhythm, like last years bulls. The "bench mod" came in worked as a team.
The hardest thing for lakers is I think running the floor working together.
At the end of season I think trades will be made with gasol, I know there's the new tax law, but this whole season, he hasn't been same player as he used to be in like years when they went to the finals.
I'm looking forward seeing the next few games how the team work is going to be

 

Don't think I've ever seen a coach look as frustrated as D'Antoni did in the post game interviews.

 

I still think age is the main factor.

How many times have Lakers lost the big lead in the 4th quarter this season? That happens either to teams with no experience (and Lakers have plenty of experience) or to teams that are too old to run the show for the full 48 minutes.

Lakers better hope they don't play Oklahoma City in the playoffs; otherwise, its gonna be a sweep ...

 

Yes I agree, a different team has to do the dirty work to beat OKC

 

To be honest with you, I don't think Lakers can keep up for the full 48 minutes with any playoff teams ...

 

Actually not that much. Not any more so in years than when we won championships.

The key for the Lakers is minimizing turnovers. If they can keep them around 12 or less per game they can beat anybody. Even OKC.

It's going to be hard for them to do because they haven't shared the floor that much, but they can do it.