Laker Nation

7:30 PM Lakers Standard Time

Television: Fox Sports Net; NBA Pass

‘Does anybody remember Sweetwater Jones?’

On a scale of 1-10, ten being best, the T-Wolves come in at a minus 2. The Wolves are that bad.

And we sometimes complain that our Front Office is bad? Rebuilding means they have become an expansion franchise all over again. There only hope is a little known ballplayer, Sweetwater Jones. At 3’2″ he may be small, but he has a big mouth, and even a bigger afro.

The injuries for the Lakers? After last years run of bad luck. A couple of injuries to Kwame and Mo have all of us wondering. Is it going to be Lakers Injuries: Part 2 ? Kwame flip flopping in practice, shooting his free throws, actually makes Fatty and maybe Steve, feel a little better. But Lamar playing full contact makes me really feel better.

So tonight’s story is L.O. is back. But as Odom said, its only been 4 games? True, but excitement reigns in Lakersland. Perhaps because we almost lost Lamar to this team we are playing tonight?

Or is it Odom moves back to the 3, or small forward position. Which means Ronny plays the power forward or 4. And Luke heads to the 3 on the 2nd unit. This 2nd unit is looking good, which was a weakness last season and becoming a strength this year.

How does Phil’s experiment work out? Starting with Mihm, Ronny, Odom, Kobe, and Fish, very interesting. We can’t wait to see them tonight.

The second unit looks to be Bynum, Vladimir or Cookie, Luke, Sasha, and Farmar. Bynum watchers will love to see him pair up with Farmar and Luke. My take is when Kobe sits down to rest, we keep sitting to watch. Luke and Farmar feeding to Bynum and Vladimir swishing threes… will be sweet.

Key Match Ups:

Jefferson vs. Ronny: Jefferson may play more center than forward with Ratliff coming back with the flu. No matter where Al plays, he will give the Lakers problems.

Game Strategy: T-Wolves are hit with some key injuries and sickness. It will be a rag tag line up. That means with ‘Muphy’s Lakers Law’ we will struggle against Minnie’s C team. P.J. will be experimenting with Odom. He will also be practicing for the Texas trip. May be a few wrinkles in this game we haven’t seen so far. A defensive trap by the second unit? Who knows with Phil?

From Kevin McHale’s Book of ‘How To Be A G.M.’: “First you release your vets and pay them off. Second, you trade off your best assets for expiring contracts. That gives you nothing. No players, no contracts, and of course no fans. I call it my ‘Rebuilding for your grand children plan.”

Game Cheer for Tonight:

Lakers, Lakers play real hard…

Give us a winnie…

Over the Minnie.

The Fear Factor: Brought to you by Mr. 47.

This game is rated Green. Green meaning, should be an easy win for the Lakers.

Inspirational Game Song: Sesame Street (‘Sunny day’ makes you feel good doesn’t it?).

Fatty’s Game Prediction: Laker’s will have a lot of fun puttin a whooppin’ on Kevin McHale’s T-Wolf puppies.

Game Preview Questions for Discussion: What do you think Lamar’s move to the three will do for the Lakers ? On defense and on offense?

GAME PREDICTION CONTEST: As Mr. Miyagi said to the The Karate Kid, on Okinawa, before the big fight. “This not practice, Daniel-san, is real thing” Its race for the Hoodie time. 15 games of a grueling competition. As we learned in the movie Highlander, “There can be only one.” If you think you are good enough to wear the ‘Hoodie’, and be The One, don’t miss a game.

Will Brillus hold on to his narrow lead? Or will osmOnd, with his Agent Zero like prediction over take him? Or will LD2K’s new found radio fame go to his head and cause him to fall back?

The game is heating up. There can be ONLY One. Are you the one?

Tonight’s Challenge
(Just copy and paste. Put your answer in the preview thread):

1. Game Winner (5pts):

2. Lakers High Scorer (5pts):

3. Lakers Top Rebounder (5pts):

4. Lakers Assist Leader (5pts) :

5. Trivia Challenge (5pts): Team that holds the record for highest attendance in a regular season and the year?

6. Margin of victory bonus (10pts):