I'm not even going to attempt to talk about last Friday's Laker game. I made the hour and a half drive home for my high school's homecoming football game this weekend. Coincidentally, the game coincided with the Laker game. Basically, all I know is that they won; which they should have, going up against one of the worst teams in the league in the T-Wolves. I know that Odom made his debut with a double-double, and I know that despite dropping two games this weekend, the Clippers are still winning the battle for Los Angeles.
The Clippers two losses do, however signify that this team is not unstoppable. While they did face two tough opponents this weekend (Pistons and Cavs), there's really no excuse for a 4-0 team to get beat by anyone by 24 points (Friday: Spurs 103, Clippers 79) . Though the Clipps did play solid ball en route to a 103-95 loss to Clevaland on Sunday, it looks as if they have lost some momentum.
Momentum is something that the Lakers certainly could use going into this feared two-game road trip that has been dubbed the Texas Two-Step by the local media... I know. Let me explain.
The Texas Two-Step
1. Tuesday | Lakers @ San Antonio - 5:30 pm PT
2. Wednesday | Lakers @ Houston - 6:00 pm PT
Who would have thought? Two games in Texas in two days = The Texas Two-Step.
All jokes aside, these two games will be a pivotal point in early part of the season. Two big wins over two 6-1 teams might bridge the gap between mediocrity and contention.
This early in the season coaches like to see how some bench players can fit into rotations. Don't worry about a blow-out here and there, they are going to happen. Tuff road trip for the Lakers, I wouldn't put too much to it no mater how it turns out. Season is way too young.
A win over the Spurs for the Lakers will mean more to LA than a win by the Spurs will for Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, et al.
I fully expect the Lakers to redeem themselves against the Rockets, especially with Odom playing.
The Lakers were 2-1 against the Spurs last year, with the only loss coming in OT during a game in which the Lakers led basically the entire game.
All bias and homerism aside, I expect the Lakers to sweep the trip now that we have a full squad and a rejuvinated Kobe Bryant.
Keep this mind: LA has the big men to get Duncan in foul trouble and make him play defense, and the guards to neutralize the effectiveness of Ginobili and Parker. These are the two main reasons why the Lakers continue to have success against the mighty World Champions.
As far as the Clippers go, they will be below .500 by Christmas because they are, after all, the Clippers.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on November 13th at 3:06 PM.
If the Lakers beat the Spurs in San Antonio, that means they beat the best team in basketball, making them the best team in basketball, so just go ahead and give 'em the title.
C'mon now REV, you know I won't crown the title to my Lakers just yet even if I'm wearing purple-n-gold jammies and boxers.
How 'bout this for an overstatement: if LA beats SA, they are 3-1 against the SPURS dating back to last season with all signs of momentum pointing towards the PACIFIC coast.
I will, however, crown the LAKERS right now as Pacific Division champs over the PHOENIX SMURFS as ludicrous as it sounds.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on November 13th at 4:55 PM.
I'm a realistic observer of the vast world that surrounds the Los Angeles Lakers. You can thank Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos, and Vlade Divac for making that possible. The greatest person of all time is Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn. There's no getting around that. Me? I'm eighteen years old and working my way to a journalism degree.
The Texas Two-Step
