The L.A. Lakers took on the Orlando Magic tonight but it was Kobe and Pau Gasol who stole the show. The new one-two punch combined to score 66 points and lead their team to victory. In just his third game with the Lakers Gasol has shown that his versitility has made it easy for him as well as his teamates to adapt to each other. Both he and Bryant ran the pick and roll with perfection and kept the Magic's star player Dwight Howard in foul trouble most of the game.
Adding Gasol has made the Lakers a very strong team and it will be interesting to watch them as the season continues. Bryant drove inside a number of occasions to slam home the high percentage bucket. Finishing the night with pretty impressive numbers 36 pts. 10 reb. 6 asst and a block. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Gasol was the difference maker. "He did it all scoring, passing and keeping our big man in foul trouble. We couldn't contain him at all."
Howard had 19 pts and 11 boards however it wasn't enough as he had to play timid with all the fouls he acumulated throughout the game. Turkoglu also was in foul trouble during this game. Which was no doubt what hurt their chances of winning. Vet. PG Derrick Fisher also put up some solid numbers 14 pts. 7 asst. and Lamar Odom chipped in with 12 pts as the Lakers have now won four out of the last five games.
With the Pheonix Suns adding Shaq to their roster the Pacific division rivalry has just gotten more interesting. I have to give the nod to L.A. though as I feel Gasol will expose Shaq if Bynum isn't healthy enough to be in the lineup. However if he is and can help the Lakers by continuing were he left of there just might not be a better team in the West.
While D. Howard was the recipient of a couple of ticky-tack fouls, Gasol shot 80% from the floor (12-15), Odom 100% (5-5). Their hot shooting enabled the Lakers to withstand a 44 point 1st quarter and fifteen 3 pointers from the Magic.
Kobe played with more energy than we've seen this season, hurt finger nonwithstanding. The Magic are a funny team, by far the worst home record of the teams with winning records.
This road trip is looking pretty good at this point!
Anyone see that the Cavs, missing 4 starters (Gooden, Pavlovic, Varajao, Gibson) beat Atlanta on the road by 5?
I guess the Lakers softened them up - lol
Incredible what LeBron consistently brings...
Last edited by nba is the worst on February 9th at 5:28 AM.
alaskanballer,
With the Hornets cooling off lately (who seem to have the Lakers number the past few years) I see no serious threat to the Lakers in the West.
NBA,
Yeah even with the foul trouble for Howard Gasol was still on fire. Kobe did play very well lastnight also. Once the finger is fully healed it will be interesting to see these two guys work together. As for Lebron he's playing real good ball at this point. While he may be a very good player and the front runner for MVP without some real help I can't see them getting anywhere out of the second round of the playoffs and that's if they make it there.
I read the recap this morning and this quote stood out for me:
"With all (Gasol's) skills, it's going to be a seamless transition for us," Bryant said. "He has the ability to do everything on the floor, whether it's pass, shoot, rebound or defend. Adding him makes us a very strong team."
I've always loved Gasol's game. I actually wanted to see him traded to the Bulls as I felt that would make them contenders. But having him on my Lakers is even better. :)
Pau's game is rich in fudamentals and when you have a solid fundamental base you can "transition" to any team "seemlessly."
Regardless of what kind of shape Bynum comes back in, all he needs to do is rebound and block shots this season.
Pau is capable of being the go to guy on the block offensively.
hoffman, you make a very valid point theree about Bynum. Just a little D and some rebounds and we'll be ok. I can't wait either for this game or any Laker game for that matter.
With the constant threat of a lob to Bynum plus his positioning on the post feed will enhance Gasol even more so since the post becomes a screen in essence. The threat of Bryant diving from anywhere on right half of offensive court to what should become a fiendish baseline pick and roll or feed the post and let him follow your baseline dive? You would like to be excuted how?
well when bynum do return it will make the lakers bench thirsty because of the newfound rotation where a least 2 starters now becomes more valuable
odom and walton now are interchangeable with pau and bynum and turiaf thats five post spots with a lot of versatility and makes the wings take a lot of pessure off the guards maybe limiting a guard from the bench . kobe,derek and farmar should now staple the guard spots occasional appeareance by trevor ariza
I certainly can't wait to see the Heat yet again today! They haven't been on the tube enough this year...
I think most Cavs fans agree they will have to be very fortunate to go anywhere in the playoffs this year with their current roster. It's interesting/disturbing that Cavs management appears to be the lone dissenting point of view.
Gasol must feel like he has died and gone to heaven. The "integration time wrt the triangle offense issue" looks to be a non-factor, due to Gasol's high basketball IQ, great hands, and multi-dimensional shooting skills. This trade will be looked back upon as simply the key to the resurrection of the Lakers as contenders.
It's a GREAT time to be a Lakers fan!
Last edited by nba is the worst on February 10th at 9:45 AM.
nba,
While I am no Heat fan (although I have plenty respect for both Wade and Pat Riley) their demise this season is sad.
Cav's front office are a collective group of morons. You have one of the best players in the NBA today and nothing to help him and it seems that they aren't even thinking about getting any help. Besides Lebron has to play about 40 min. a game for them to win. Do they not think this will hurt them down the stretch?
Gasol is fitting in perfectly. You are right his skill level and High B-ball I.Q. has made the transition easy. It's a wonderful time to be a Laker fan. Even if they do not make the finals this season within the next two seasons Lakers will once again be champs.
Heat game was more competitive and fun to watch than I expected. Marion showed that Miami got the better end of the trade, actually got some points off the dribble, and had 14 boards.
Kobe and Lamar continued to show how much Gasol's presence has improved things for the Lakers, particularly Lamar who had 18 rebounds while getting 15 points on 54% shooting. Kobe had 33 points on 66% shooting, and his first game without a miss from the free throw line since the Raptors win, going 11-11. I guess the finger is feeling better...
NBA, I agree that was a good game to watch. I almost thought the Lakers would give the game away like they against Atlanta a few nights ago. Your right Gasol makes things easier for both Kobe and Lamar. Thing is now the Lakers do not have to rely on them to do it all. Just Gasols presence whether he has a good game or not allows atleast two players to have good nights. With Sasha playing good of the bench and occasionaly Farmer also we are looking good for the long haul.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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