Laker Nation

6:30 PM Lakers Standard Time

Television: Fox Sports Net, NBA League Pass

‘Pinch Me, I must be dreaming’

Lakers win by 21 and ruin Suns opener.

Amare out rebounded 22 – 1.

Nash, only 3 assists and 5 Turnovers.

Dantoni’s blow up, “Priceless!”

“Kobe, your team just dismantled and humiliated the Phoenix Suns at their Arena, a team many are predicting to win it all. What are you going to do now? Go to Disneyland?”

“We don’t have to get too ahead of ourselves,” he said. “We just have to stay in the minute. We have to get out of here, get some rest and get ready to practice (Saturday) because that’s really when you become a better team.”

“Disneyland? Oh yeah, after practice I’ll pick up my girls, and head over to Disneyland to get some of those candy apples. Those things are really good.”

Okay, the game is not even over 5 minutes and Kobe is trying to get his team to focus on practice. “Did you say practice? We talking about practice?! Practice?!”

Last night at my annual Halloween Party, Fatty dressed up as a Laker (How original?! But bold considering that I live in Arizona). My Laker buddy and neighbor said, “that was one of the best Laker games he’d seen in years. Because it lifted his spirits (no pun intended) so much.”

No doubt, the Lakers made a statement with the win, but especially with how they accomplished it. Kobe, my wife observed (thanks Milo) had an off shooting game, and still the Lakers blew out the Suns lights. My optimism is riding high for a successful season, and not just because of a statement game. It’s the statement made after the game by Kobe concerning the importance of practice.

‘…because that’s really when you become a better team.”

Kobe is focused. Its catchy. The Lakers are focused. Phil Jackson is focused. We the fans are becoming more focused. Maybe, what this team needed was some major distractions, to force and help them focus on the task at hand.

Now on to the game preview…

Utah Jazz – According to Phil, Utah is one of the ‘Elite Four’ we want to join. This will be a good test for the Lakers.

Fatty’s Take: We got them on a back to back. They scored 133 pts last night against the run and gun Warriors. They may be a little tired from all that scoring.

Lakers – Against the Suns, not only did the Lakers share the scoring, but they shared the passing. 24 assists and the leader was Kobe with 4.

Fatty’s Take: Them are the type of stats that put a smile on Tex Winter’s face.

Key Match Ups:

Boozer vs. Ronny: Does this guy Boozer ever have a bad game? Has Ronny matured enough to slow him down a little and not foul out?

Deron Williams vs. our version of Deron Williams, Jordan Farmar: Is Farmar having a breakout season like Williams did last year? Not in scoring, but in team leadership?

Who’s Hot?

Jazz – Deron Williams was 13-17 for 30 pts; Okur was 9-12 for 28 pts.

Who’s Not?

Jazz – Nobody is cold. The Jazz shot 63% last night against the Warriors.

Fatty’s Take: And ESPN is picking the Warriors to contend? Right.

From Bill Walton’s book of Amazing and Fun Facts: Did you know Utah’s Arena name is the Energy Solutions Arena? Which is a nuclear waste dumping company.

Tonights Game Cheer:

Lakers here we go.

Let’s put on a show.

Kobe and his crew.

Make the Jazz sing the Blues.

Game Prediction: Lakers will Jazzercise Utah into a hometown weight loss. Jazzercism – Definition: A Laker form of exorcism that results in a Jazz loss and expulsion from the Staples Center.

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

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): Last Laker to have 15 or more assists in a game?

6. Margin of victory bonus (10pts):