To be fair, the western conference wasn't as stacked back then. And this year's team wouldn't be sub .500 either if they had the '05-'06 Kobe.
or 08-10 Pau.
But if you want optimism or positives here it is.
Nash is starting to look to score and attack more and playing off of Kobe more often getting him wide open threes.
Nash and Dwight's chemistry is improving as he's finding him much more often.
They are starting to run double screen sets like the one Gasol got the alley oop off of.
Dwight is starting to run the floor again
Dwight is starting to become a rebounding monster again
Dwight's stamina seems to be getting better
Kobe and Dwight's chemistry also seem to be improving
Hil's game is coming around nicely and he fits well with the lineup when he's in
Metta seems to be coming out of his slump somewhat
Meeks seems to be coming out of his slump somewhat
Overall team body language was good as in terms they played like they liked each other which seems to be how everyone was trying to talk about, well they played with a lot more unity today.
If this team didn't start the season 1-4 then we'd be 2 games above 500 and around the 7th or 8 seed. As it stands we are a game out of the 8th seed as of right now which could increase as other teams actually catch up to the amount of games. So my optimism will only grow if our defensive consistencies do. If we start quarters holding teams to 0-9 shooting the score should be 0 to 15 at the very least. I liked how we looked tonight when Dwight was in, hated our rebounding when he was out. Like how we clamped down on defense at tne end of the 2nd and into the 3rd to get our lead, but then everyone got lazy when we got a lead as if Denver was going away....
I love that the game was close in the 4th.. HATE that Kobe was the only Laker with a field goal or even scoring in the 4th, who along with Earl Clark were the only 4th quarter scorers.
Although all those positives mean nothing with the inconsistency on the defensive end or the lack of aggression for 48 minutes of Pau Gasol. The most discerning fact is that our defense was in the game early, and we held the Nuggets 0-9 at the start of the game but we didn't capitalize them.
So they are chipping away and getting better and more cohesive but the problem tonight was not being aggressive in the paint, NOT taking advantage of our defensive stops, and Gasol looking old school in the first half and disappearing in the 2nd half. A trend all too familiar. if Hill could hit his mid range shot with regularity I'd feel better about it. But in all honesty Hill SHOULD be starting and Pau SHOULD be coming off the bench where his half of effort may actually be deemed useful. The other downer is that Duhon is only effected for 2 minutes a game, before the defense realizes he's Chris Duhon and stops giving him any attention defensively so his assists disappear. Know why they do? They play him close early on after he comes in and he converts with his assists because he knows the system.
However when the other team figures out he is NO offensive threat to him whatsoever they start gambling on other players because they know Duhon isn't going to burn them with any shot to keep them honest. Something they can't do with someone like Steve Blake but he's injured. Duhon is a liability UNLESS he looks to score, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
It will take a "collective" effort by everyone on this team.
Steve Nash was correct when he said that we ARE getting better but not good enough to have anything to show for it.
So true as of right now.
As much I hate to say it. We suck but being optimistic. I think lakers will win 50 wins this year. Still disgusting.
Goes with what Kobe said just a few hours ago after the game.
Kobe Bryant @kobebryant
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will" Gandhi On to the next one. Keep focus.
A strength that come and goers refuse to have. No one endures what he is as he's the actual; one going through it on the inside and not on the outside looking in. Indomitable will is important, especially in times like this.
Edited by Majesty, January 07, 2013 - 01:25 AM.
