Daily rants and opinions...because we're THAT bored.
by Spaen - Wednesday, March 1
In January: 5-8
Best Streak: +2 Worst Streak: -4
Current Streak: +1
Best Wins: vs Portland, 99-82
Worst Losses: vs Atlanta, 110-114
February MVP: Kobe Byrant
February BALP (Bitch-Ass Loser Player): Kwame Brown
Hmmm...heading into the All-Star break certainly wasn't the Lakers' shining point now was it? It's pathetic to see this one-man dominated team. Kobe only scores 13 points in the game against Atlanta (at home mind you) and they can't even win with that. Kobe shouldn't have to score anything and the Lakers have enough talent to be the Hawks. They apparently just choose not to show it. With more losses against Charlotte and New Orleans, it's hard to believe this team is still in the playoff race.
It seems that everybody has had their pretty good game, and had some really cruddy games. Devean Geroge lit it up against the Krunks last week during Rivalry Week. Even Kwame Brown had things to say breaking out into the double digits for the very first time...until he got dominated by Darko. That's right...Darko to the Milicic.
One guy that seems to have fallen off completely is Smush Parker. Hopefully he can get out of the funk and play a very good March and into the playoffs. Someone that won't get out of that funk is Kwame Brown. Probably one of the biggest failures as first pick in the NBA, he needs to do a lot of growing up before he can even consider himself average. He has good inside game when it comes to defense, but it can't back up his awful, pathetic, pitiful offense...or whatever he wants to call...whatever that is he does on the offensive end. His defense is also too erratic, and he needs to become a good all-around post player to actually do something in this league. Being Ben Wallace is something he'll never be.
I love how Kobe Bryant is now pacing himself until he needs to show up and win the game for the Lakers. This shows true MVP quality, and he should be nothing but the front-runner for that title. But instead of having him do his part to win the games, it should be to help out in brilliant wins from this team. Bryant is doing his part in giving the ball up to everyone, but the others aren't stepping up. Again, Smush seems to be on a downtrend, Odom has is usual good two games a month, Mimh continues to foul himself out of the first quarter, and I've already said enough about Kwame. It's nice to see George have one of those good games, as well as Odom. It can't be this hard to continue good games. I'll cut some slack on back-to-back games, since the Lakers are probably the worst in the league on that (example: vs Sacramento, then vs LA Clippers), but it's time to step up.
One thing that might help is Ronny Turiaf. He excites the Lakers each time he comes in the game, and makes the play well. Sasha Vujachic does the same thing as well, with his very good perimeter shooting. Unfortunately, he does foul a lot since he has much inexperience on the defensive end. Brian Cook may turn into the Lakers' next-best shooter as well. I believe we're going to be seeing some role players develop from the young players in the near future, and I hope to see them with a strong finish if the 1st string can't get it done. They haven't been getting it done all season to date.
The rest of the season looks a little simple for the Lakers opponent-wise, especially having the most home games of any other team. It's time to raise that record stock, and get ready to surprise teams in the playoffs.