TLN's Pre-Game: Lakers vs. Bobcats

Game Preview: Bobcats vs Lakers

Saturday, 7:30 Lakers Standard Time

Television: Fox Sports West

‘All’s quiet on the Lakers Front’

The Big news from the Lakers practice facilty. “Bynum loses bet to Kobe.”

Most telling was Bryant noting that he had challenged Bynum to back up his big talk about how his Abdul-Jabbar-taught skyhook was coming along by shooting it in the game. But Bynum didn’t. “I won a nice little bet off of him,” Bryant said, smiling. Said Bynum: “Yeah, he challenged me to do that. … I’ve got to bring one of ‘em out.”

Fatty’s Take: Well Bynum, when will we see that ‘Sky Hook’?

The other news. Kobe goes off. Off on the Lakers Players this time. “He took a personal challenge and he pretty much destroyed all the teams we put out there (against him),” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. My question: Does this mean we have no players left for tonight’s game? I get the impression from PJ, Kobe left them all lying on the floor needing medical attention.

If this is the Big News, Does this mean Kobe is back and ready to lead the Lakers on?

“When it’s time to play, I’m ready to play,” Bryant

Fatty’s Take: Kobe destroys team in practice?! Yeah, sounds like Kobe’s back to me.

Now on to the game preview.

Tonights Key Match Up: Lakers vs. Lakers

Only preseason, it’s the Lakers we are watching.

Kobe – How is he embracing his new role as facilitator in the offense? PJ knows how to motivate Kobe. “….there are situations where he’s placed in the scoring position, and he embraces that wholeheartedly.” Just let Kobe be Kobe once and awhile and he will be happy.

Mihm vs Kwame – Kwame gives Mihm a fat lip in Friday’s practice requiring stitches.

Fatty’s Take: This is heating up. If Stu Jackson hears about the altercation. Kobe could be facing another suspension.

Crittenton vs Farmar Round Four – Farmar gets a heap of praise from Coach PJ on the last game. How will Critt respond? And Sasha is left saying “What about me?” Do you think Fish is worried about his minutes? Nah!

Luke Walton vs Vladimir – Just when I praised Vladimir, Vlad became ‘Bad Rad’ again. PJ said he played 19 minutes and was invisible on the court. Oh great, now the ‘Space Cadet’ has become the ‘Invisible Man’!

Tonight’s LakersNation Game Assignment:

Grade the players and post your results on the Lakers Nation Post Game Thread.

Kobe grades players why can’t we?

“I was proud of the way Ronny played,” he said of Ronny Turiaf, who had 13 points. “Andrew (Bynum, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds,) had a great game. Chris Mihm had a great game. I’m very excited, particularly for Chris (11 points on 5-for-5 shooting) because he’s had a long journey back (from ankle surgery).” Sounds like 3 A’s to me.

Game Question:

Will Andrew Bynum do the ‘Sky Hook’ thingy tonight? The Lakers Nation eagerly awaits. Should we start a pool and try to win some money guessing when this event actually will happen?

From the “That Makes Me Sick” Department:

Lakers let the PHX Suns borrow the El Segundo facility to practice on Friday. #$%$%^!!! You’ve got to be kidding me. Raja, Nash, and D’Antoni on our court. I hope they became depressed looking at all our trophies? And I hope the Lakers hid their possessions.

Tonight’s Laker Game Cheer:

Lakers, Lakers, Tame those Cats

Turn them into Welcome Mats

Go Lakers!

From “its only Preseason, it doesn’t count.”

Game Prediction:

Fatty predicts ‘Die Hard’ Laker Fans that have no life, will skip dinner and the movies out, to watch a meaningless preseason game. Kobe’s new energy breathes life into his teammates and they tame the Charlotte ‘Kitties’. Lakers by a ‘Kitty litter box’.