More chance for Kobe to shoot 40 times and chase that scoring record

Small ball may help their run and gun offence. Their D couldn't get much worse!

Perhaps it's time to bring back Kwame!!

More excuses for lakers to drop lower on the table

I really wouldn't start Meeks. Who will guard Harden then? Kobe is literally the only guy tonight, so you don't want him getting worn out by Harden. I'd start Darius Morris at PG to guard Harden.

I reckon Morris is the guy to start in the postseason as well, guarding the Westbrook's, Parker's, Paul's. Btw, I forgot Nash is still playing, so start Morris at 2.

Kobe is still an amazing scorer, but he is returning to his old ways of not trusting his team mates....which is probably fair with Pau/Howard out. They won't be making the playoffs in the West if they can't figure it all out in the next 10 games or so.

Harden doesn't really play near the post, so Metta won't really be able to enforce his strength on him. Then again, Harden likes to put his body on you when he's on the move. Tough to say, but I think it will be Morris, with his foot speed. They might still want Metta off the bench, because he's the only one who can make plays in that bench team. They will probably take turns.

Ebanks (if he plays) should be used on Parsons because of length I reckon.

The only positive here is that Jamison will finally get back in the rotation with the minutes he deserves.

Having Pau on my Fantasy team has been a nightmare this year. Hoping he gets cleared of the concussion sooner rather than later and finally goes back to the post where he belongs. Playing outside is ruining his game.

Jamison gives up as many points as he gets, and that's on a god shooting night.

Asik will dominate, I don't know who the Lakers have that will keep him off the boards.

Jamison should def be in the rotation. Don't know why he has been anchored to the bench really. The game a few weeks ago against Denver when he dropped about 30 shows he should be the main scorer off the bench with Meeks in my opinion.
But that was Bickerstaff coaching, and he actually knows about coaching unlike the Pringle man.

Haha pringle man, I like it. Btw, do we want to guess how many shots and points Kobe will put up tonight?

I'm gonna say 45 points and 40 shots approx

40 points on 30 shots.

42 points on 37 shots an lose by 20 because The best shooting guard in the league (JAMES HARDEN) will tear a new hole in the lakers defense

sigh 20 days until school goes back..

You really know how to make people not like you, don't you Ingles

> people asked for predictions
> I gave my predictions
> spursfan gets buthurt because of my prediction
> takes it personal
> lol

Don't see how I'm an idiot when giving my prediction.

The Lakers looking ALOT better when Kobe doesn't shoot much and lets the POINT GUARD, Steve Nash handle the ball and make plays. No surprise here

Sacre and Clark both playing decent ball.

Yeah Sacre has impressed. He's definitely worthy of a few minutes here and there but nothing major. Looks to have a decent mid jumper/floater like a lot of Euro bigs have.

MWP has been great - 3 pfs though.

Then OKC on Saturday.

In my mind, Jeremy Lin is actually an underrated player, believe it or not.

Best shooting guard in the league: 11-19 FG, 8-8 FT, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 31 points in a win

Kobe Bryant: 8-22 FG, 2-2FT, -15 plus/minus, 7 assists, 5 reabounds, 20 points, 5 Turnovers in a loss.

In case you already didn't get the memo, James Harden is the best shooting guard in the league.

Ingles you do know Kobe is the 5th all time leading scorer EVER and has 5 rings don't you. As well as leading the league in scoring this year at 30+ years of age?

I don't want facts to get in the way of your hating Kobe but wtf has James Harden done to overtake that?

If a good 30 odd games this season betters that then I guess I shouldn't follow basketball any more. Next you will say that Asik is the best centre in the game.

Honestly, I would just give up on replying to Ingles' posts. He just keeps coming back at you with statistics that everyone is aware of and he proceeds to repeat himself day in day out. His debates are just superficial and worthless. I found that out the other day.

I agree Spursfan, Lin has been good this year and is being underrated by all those who are still caught up in the Linsanity saga. He is playing a different role for the Rockets than he did for the Knicks and is growing into it as the season wears on. (He has no business being as close as he is to an all star spot though!)

Harden turned in what has become a pretty normal performance by his standards. Every time he plays I just expect he is going for 25+ points to go with at least 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

This was always going to be a tough one for the Lakers irrespective of the injuries. The Rockets fast paced game is a bad matchup for them.

Lol @ you living in the past. I don't care about Shaq carrying kobe to rings 10+ years ago. James Harden is CLEARLY the best shooting guard in the league and it become so evident in todays game, that if you think otherwise then I'm just gonna take it as you trolling.

My FACTS > your fanboy opinions

Okay, I'm going against what I said (re:replying to Ingles), but just once. Ingles, this is the perfect chance to use your -- and I'm quoting you here -- KNOWLEDGE to good use and tell us why Harden is better than Kobe.

Please incorporate the following:

-Real facts/statistics (go in depth)
-Analysis of the facts
-A neutral tone. A neutral tone is what works in a rational debate. If you want people to believe what you say, you need to say it in a totally neutral way (not demeaning others or big-noting yourself).

Without disrespecting you kid, I'm actually teaching you a bit about how to conduct yourself as a decent and likeable person (on a site like this at least). Seeing as you are on here all day, I'm pretty sure you would have time to put together a rational argument for us.

fanboy? Sorry I am a Bulls supporter so I would think that would make me the opposite.

Shaq carrying kobe to rings 10+ years ago

Harden also has less talent around him and more possessions in a game, which is a chance to bulk both his offensive and defensive stats.

Kobe has taken more than 150 more shots this season than Harden and averages like 2 points better? LOL

Harden averages more assists and has a much much lower usage rate than the great one.
Harden makes his teammates better. Harden doesn't freeze his teammates out for 20 seconds before passing to Duhon who is forced to chuck up a contested shot like Kobe does.

Harden doesn't have 2 separate defensive player of the year players on his team in Howard and Metta. he also doesn't have one of the greatest Europeans of all time anchoring the middle. Oh and lets not mention the guy who made the Lakers look REALLY GOOD today running the point, a 2 time MVP: Steve Nash.

With all of this said, Kobe Bryant is leading this team to an absolutely shocking record of 15-19 when most EXPERTS and FANS predicted them to be the #1 seed in the West and romp in the playoffs. It's amazing.

Harden is CARRYING a team predicted to be a bottom 3 seed before the trade, a bottom 5 seed after the trade, by just about everyone to a very very respectable record at 21-14. Not one other rockets starter besides MAYBE Parson could start on the Lakers.

And lol @ the dude that said Asik had a big impact today. I watched every second and his impact wasn't really that big. Delfino had a good game but nowhere near as good as Nash or Metta's first half.


With all that being said, I still don't see how you guys are arguing that Kobe is STILL a BETTER PLAYER than James Harden.

Also, Spursfan, weren't you the dude that homophobically slurred a user on here when they replied to one of your threads. LOL @ thinking you can someone to a be a decent and likeable person.

Ingles, you just keep repeating yourself, don't you...
What you say is worthless. Also, the least you could've done is use a neutral tone...
Your kind are the reason why Gen Y gets a bad rap. I wouldn't even double take if you were actually a Gen Z kid, your writing is just lifeless. You actually come across as one of those people who just aren't cluey/bright/quick-witted.

If I were to guess, you'd probably look a bit like this kid, but a little younger:

http://www.chicagonow.com/chicagos-real-law-blog/files/2012/07/teenagers-624x461.jpg

Build up some stats, look at some game tape and get back to us when you're mature enough to debate with people on this site.

lol, You know I'm right about this so you resort to more (false) personal attacks. I don't think I'll ever be able to educate the Kobetards on this planet

ONE of the greates. But he is hysterically overrated right now. Especially this season. Harden is the top dog at SG right now.

If you look at the top 15 scorers right now in the league, only 2 are not currently in the playoff picture. Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving. Now we all know how bad Kyrie's team is. As for Kobe....?
15-19 just does not cut it

The Lakers' problems atm are not with Kobe. You could make the argument that, as the leader, they are partly his responsibility to fix, but he has been brilliant.

34 games into an 82 game season. Why don't you wait until the season is up before you make crazy comments?

1. get a username so I can identify you instead of skimming an anon post

2. come back to me when the lakers have a record as good as the rockets, heck i'll be impressed with a .500 record

3. kobe shoots a higher FG%, but Harden shoots a higher 3PT % and FT%. He also has a higher EFG% and TS% due to him getting to the line at a high rate and converting. Kobe also has a much higher Usage rare leading to a skewed PPG.

The lakers looked great today when Nash was running the show. Were terrible when he was out. Guess that's the effect of a pass-first offensive threat that gets his teammates open.

The previous game the Lakers played @ Houston

Harden 3-19 FG @ 15% 15 points <-- Best SG?!
Kobe 14-31 FG @ 45% 39 points

Kobe this year 30.5 ppg @ .481%
Harden this year 26.4 ppg @ .449%


Kobe career :
1194 games 36.6 min/gm 25.5 ppg @ .454 %

Harden career :
253 games 28.2 min/gm 14.5 ppg @ .445 %


Whilst Harden is having a break out year THIS year, he is still scoring less, and at a worse percentage than Kobe THIS year, and for his CAREER.

kobe shoots a higher FG%, but Harden shoots a higher 3PT % and FT%.

Ok there's my username.

You still didn't mention all the awesome defenders Kobe had when he won his earlier all defensive spots?

Hahaha 15% wow that's efficient!

Lakers healthy will get to the playoffs. I tell you what, no team would want them first round either.

Ok there's my username.

You still didn't mention all the awesome defenders Kobe had when he won his earlier all defensive spots?

Hahaha 15% wow that's efficient!

Lakers healthy will get to the playoffs. I tell you what, no team would want them first round either.

lol @ all these lakers fan getting so defensive of their god. I'll bump this in April at the end of the season. I can guarantee you guys that Kobe will have a very inefficient slump while losing more games for the lakers.

Will the lakers even make the playoffs?

Ingles I go for Chicago and really dislike the Lakers, but I love hoops and respect great players.

Everytime someone states facts, you come back with "all the Kobetards, or all the Laker fans".

Some of us come onto this site to actually debate certain topics, not just bag people for having a different opinion.

People that love hoops (like me and you) will respect the greatness that is emerging from James Harden game in and game out. I've never seen a player that makes the eurostep look so easy and effective than James Harden.

Manu Ginobli??

Ingles you just take this too far. Don't group me in with you, I can have a level headed discussion, and even be wrong!

Yeah but to compare him to Kobe is crazy. He needs the eurostep cause he can't get at the rim over people. Check early footage of Kobe getting the rim. Some crazy moves.

This is what you don't get ingles. How many people are on here saying negative things about harden. Saying hes sht and his fans are hartards? None. You bring the debates down.

Debates are great about the teams and sport we love. It's great to hear others opinions and although disagree, respect them for that. You do it the wrong way, being negative, smug and you come across as a bit of w@nker to be honest.

No one will respect you on here until you lift your game.

Yeah but to compare him to Kobe is crazy. He needs the eurostep cause he can't get at the rim over people. Check early footage of Kobe getting the rim. Some crazy moves.

This is what you don't get ingles. How many people are on here saying negative things about harden. Saying hes sht and his fans are hartards? None. You bring the debates down.

Debates are great about the teams and sport we love. It's great to hear others opinions and although disagree, respect them for that. You do it the wrong way, being negative, smug and you come across as a bit of w@nker to be honest.

No one will respect you on here until you lift your game.

Ginobili does it good but Harden is more effective IMO.

I'll bring this debate up at the end of the season. We'll see what happens.

Easy to sit there and say lakers won't win it this year. Such a predictable statement from a person who has no clue.

Not really considering the lakers and heat were both heavy favourites but the bookies forgot just how much of a chemistry killer kb24 is

Hahaha chemistry killer that's won how many championships?

Bet you didn't say it from season start cause your boys skip, smith and Broussard didn't.

I wait for the day that you actually add some value. Ive read your other posts and you seriously are a w@nker. Do u actually have friends? I mean real living friends. Couldn't imagine anyone that would want to hang out with you.

Wow lakers paying $8 tomorrow. Don't think I've ever seen that!

Because the spurs are a better team with more chemistry and unselfish leaders

Um cause the lakers have three out, on the road and back to back. That's why it's $8 douche.

You really don't have friends do you

They were $11.50 last night/this morning. Spurs 11+ is paying nicely though.

Yeah logic says lakers will get beaten by 11+

I do have two spurs in my fantasy team though!

Hey what do you reckon guys, I think the reason Ingles can't provide us with any meritable information is because he actually doesn't know that much.

FACT: James Harden helps his team win more games than kobe bryant

Did you read on another post he actually said he loves educating people about basketball hahahaha

I'm actually starting to think he's quite smart and just trying to get under peoples skin. Either that or he's special cause his comments are that retarded.

I'm hoping like hell the lakers get into the playoffs and first round match up against the clips. Won't be as easy as ingles thinks.

If you want facts, here's one...
Boost your attitude and communication skills, because no one in their right mind would want to employ you. Honest question, what are your employment prospects do you think? Another question, what do you want to do for a living, Ingles?

I agree, if the Lakers make the playoffs from here, that means they will have figured something out. And when that happens, won't be great for their opposition.

Surely he wants to work for espn. Could you not picture him up there with skip bay less?

In his early days at least, Skip Bayless had journalistic merit.

Can you see Ingles having journalistic merit?

Yeah true I just bought two guys, stupid comments

That's my point if the lakers make the playoffs (I actually think they will scrape in) no top 4 team would want go play them first round. As you said they'd prob have their sht together then. Gonna be interesting. Still thinking thunder but spurs are hanging around. Miami can't be denied either.

As bad as it sounds, pringle man Mike needs to go. He clearly does not have the defensive capability to get the job done. Quite simply, the best shots are those closer to the rim (apart from open three pointers, statistically) they need to lock down that area. Last season, OKC almost went all the way by predominantly being a jumpshooting team, but it's pretty rare. Goodluck jumpshooting your way to a championship, Lakers.

Offense is their problem. They scores over 110 today without Howard, Gasol and hill. It's defense. They really need a defensive wingman than can score at the rim. They need to trade Gasol for that type player.

Offense is their problem. They scores over 110 today without Howard, Gasol and hill. It's defense. They really need a defensive wingman than can score at the rim. They need to trade Gasol for that type player.

I disagree. They have the floor spread with guys like kobe, nash, gasol in the starting lineup; then world peace, meeks, Blake (to some extent) and duhon (to some extent) in the other lineups. Jordan Hill is also not shy to fire from 18 feet. They have pick and roll play in nash and everyone else on the team, they have a guy who can run off picks and score in kobe, high low play with gasol - a skillful and willing passer, a couple of skilled dump it down and clear the floor kind of guys in gasol and Howard (metta and kobe can play on the block as well), spot up shooters (providing they knock down - at least they are better in that regard than last season), They have interior and perimeter passing in gasol, nash and kobe, and last of all, they have a guy in kobe who can get his own shot, late in the clock. They also have individuals with a high basketball IQ (apparently, hard to quantify that term). And that's an offense really. Paraphrasing from a commentator, forget which one: They are a team built for offense.

They need a point guard who can defend, first and foremost. Possessions start with the PG and nash just lets the opposing PG do whatever he likes. There is never any real pressure applied to nash's man. A whole offense can be shot if the PG can't get to the right place on the floor to start the possession. Just look at the Wildcats for instance. difficult to execute a whole play under that kind of pressure.

Disrupting the pick and roll is if absolute highest priority for the good defensive teams in the NBA.

*of absolute highest priority

Don't get me wrong though, another Metta (without the occasional brain explosion) would be a godsend for that team.

I was thinking more a iggy or Josh smith.

I lke a line up of

PG Nash
SG Bryant
SF Iggy or Smith
PF Hill
C Howard

Chances of getting either are not good. Maybe Gasol for Gay?

Both Iggy and Smith have massive backing of their respective teams. I Wouldn't go with Gay because they give up a big when they just can't. Other than Howard, Pau and Hill, they have nothing up front. Gay is too small, they need a big guy in the Pau trade. It would be nice to have another defensive wingman, but you're asking too much for another guy alongside Metta and Kobe.

What would be really cool is say:

Gasol, Duhon, Jamison shitloads of money/picks

for

Smith, Ivan Johnson, Korver

This is ridiculous and wouldn't at all happen, but still cool.

Yeah plus they're talking gay to the suns

Birdman to heat

Kenyon Martin to lakers

lol @ an anon getting butthurt over someone voicing their opinions on a basketball forum.

In terms of the lakers, Gasol ain't gonna net much after his poor start. I highly doubt Denver part way with Iggy as he fits them well, even though his start there has been a bit shaky at times. Smith from Hawks maybe, but I still think you need more than Gasol to get him.

The offense looked great in Steve's hands. It really is a joy watching him make players better. He made Jamison look like a good pick n roll big man. For years he made Channing f**king Frye and Robin Fropez a threat, both are very very average players. Give Nash, Howard and Gasol a few games together and I'm pretty scared of what those 3 can do.

As much as Kobe wants to dominate the ball, he has to learn to play off ball, where he can be super effective. The commentators from today's game (or maybe it was the clippers game) were talking about his teen years in Italy where he learnt to play off the ball and how happy he was playing with Nash. Kobe and Meeks off ball can be pretty effective as Nash is really good at driving and drawing a second defender, giving either an easy look to the big man going to the hoop, or a shooter on the opposite wing.

Metta has to improve his shot selection. He's had some good games recently, but his shot selection is UGLY.

Gay would suit the lakers, but another Gasol to Memphis would create a logjam in the bigs and I can't see them using Pau off the bench.

Raptors are interested in Gay as well.

Ingles, don't use the word buthurt, you don't even use it in the right context.

Anyway, what do you think is the Lakers biggest problem/what trade should they make if they want to get dramatically better?

Biggest problem is chemistry. They have all the pieces. Good guards. Good big men. Bunch of shooters/role players off bench (Meeks/Jamison/Morris/Hill is an OK bench considering how stacked their starting 5 is). They need to play a bit more Ebanks, as he is a pretty decent slasher and. When Pau gets healthy and his confidence back, they'll be good. If pau can't, and Dwight continues to be immature/not playing to his best, then it won't be a long postseason for the lakeshow.

Don't necessarily think a trade is in order. Apparently Memphis are looking at Randolph trades but he doesn't suit the lakers at all. If they can steal gay for Gasol straight up then I'd do it, but I still don't think they can win under D'antoni. What is the average PPG they are giving up? It's gotta be > 105.

PPG under D'antoni*

Don't know, look it up. Thank you for your placidity, Ingles from 12 hours ago would bite on my statement above and be a jerk. Maybe you're tired.
So you think there is no problem with point guard defense? What about guys named Westbrook, Parker, Curry, Paul.

Also, what happens to the Lakers frontcourt if they get Gay for Pau?

Yeah but in the right team Gasol can still be really effective. I know not for iggy as he does fit denvers style. Nor do I think hawks will do a trade. What about a deal that involves Wallace for Gasol although nets are thin at small forward.

When Nash has been back the offense has gone through him. Offense isn't the issue, it's defense. They score 112 and lose. Not good enough. They are lazy and make basic rotation errors.

Nah Memphis wouldn't use him off the bench.

Maybe keep Gasol in case Howard leaves,

Yeah but they knew the west was full of great offensive PG's before they picked up Nash, so they must of had the intent to play either Morris or Kobe on them in big games. I'm not sure if trading Nash is an option. probably not.

If I was the lakers, I'd keep Pau. I know a shitload of lakers fans want him gone because of his poor start but this guy can be real threat when he's 100% and confident. Not only that, but he's a good chemistry guy and has played with kobe for 5 years. They trust each other. Just gotta wait and build that chemistry

No they definitely keep Nash. They have to put emphasis on the definition of PG and SG though. Kobe plays off-ball for the most part and Nash runs the show. That's how it has to be. I would probably keep Pau as well. As much as trading guys is exciting, the amount of close range shots you can get with Howard and Gasol playing together is incredible. If they were to trade Pau for G Wallace, same deal as the Gay trade (although Wallace plays bigger and stronger than Gay). Apart from Howard and Hill (whose contributions are questionable going up against opponent's starting lineups), they have a small/soft frontcourt. Won't win you championships.

The best thing that can happen to the Lakers apart from the chemistry and effort is for Morris to develop his outside shot. This won't make him such an offensive liability if he starts. Because damn, they badly need to lock down on the perimeter.

Btw, there is no way a good coach will put his best scorer on the opposition star. If Kobe's on either one of those aforementioned PG's, then he's too tired to produce on the other end... He's old don't forget.

I like Morris he's an ok defender and he can shoot, just needs to find some consistency with it.

I like Gasol for sure but if he going to be on the perimeter he's being wasted. Get him on the blocks where he can use those skills, including passing, and be a real threat.

As I said he's also insurance in case Howard doesn't sign. If Howard doesn't, what do you think the lakers chance of getting Love will be. I'm sure he'd love to be a Laker!

They will have money to spend in couple years. Lebron?