Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

by sungo on Nov 29, 2005 3:15 PM CST in Spurs News

[Update 1: I added a relevant link in the paragraph about Kobe. Thanks to massive boisson for the heads up.]

[Update 2: ForumBlueAndGold.com is a great Laker blog. Check it out.]

Starting lineups:

LA (5-7, 2-3 away)
PG Smush Parker
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Lamar Odom
PF Kwame Brown
C Chris Mihm

SA (10-3, 5-1 home)
PG Tony Parker
SG Manu Ginobili
SF Bruce Bowen
PF Tim Duncan
C Rasho Nesterovic

The effing Lakers come to town tonight. As you probably know, Kobe is hoisting 29.1 FGA per game which accounts for 36% of the team's total. That's outrageous. But, then again, who the hell else is going to shoot the ball? In fact, take a look at their roster... how many of those guys would even get into the Spurs rotation? Kobe and Odom. That's the list.

Phil Jackson, apparently choosing money over the preservation of his partially-deserved legacy, is back coaching the Lakers. I hate that Zen-talking sunuvabitch. You may have noticed I tend to dislike players who I deem overrated; well the same goes for coaches. I'm an equal-opportunity hater. I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said countless times, but DAMN, a loosely coagulated lump of whale sperm could have led those Bulls teams to titles.

Loosely Coagulated Lump of Whale Sperm: "Alright Mike. Here's what I need you to do. Wait a second... You're the most skilled player of all time and also one of the most motivated. Just do what you do."

Jordan: "You're nothing without me. I made you."

Loosely Coagulated Lump of Whale Sperm: "Actually Mike a large whale penis made me, but I get your point. Scottie, I need you to stay out of Mike's way, play killer defense, run the break and grab some boards. And slap some people around with those amazing hands of yours."

Pippen: "They are a sight to behold, aren't they? You know what they say about a man wi-"

Loosely Coagulated Lump of Whale Sperm: "Pip. I CAME FROM A WHALE. It was, like, bigger than your whole body. Rodman: show up, rebound and don't kill anybody on our off days. Well, maybe off the occasional crack whore, but that's IT. Everybody else: play defense and make the open shots and layups that MJ and Pip create for you. And visualize success or something. Zen. Buddha. Nepal. I chi. Whatever. Now somebody get me a moist towelette."

Phil Jackson's career record is 832-316, a 72.5% winning percentage. Pop's is 396-210, a 65.3% WP. Let's assume SA wins 60 games this year; that leaves Pop at 66.3%. The Lakers are currently 5-7. So if the Lakers lose 104 consecutive games Pop will have a better WP% than Phil! Damn. I thought it would be closer than that.

Here's what Matty da Blade has to say about tonight's matchup:

I was going to send an e-mail saying that I'll take the Spurs -(anything less than 10.5)....then I looked at the line...it is the Spurs -13 and the total is 186.

This is a tough call. By all means, the Spurs should win this game by 30. They played poorly last time out. They have had plenty of rest. They are playing against a weak LA team with a 2-3 record on the road. Plus, LA is coming off a 5 game homestand spread over two weeks (talk about favorable). I believe they are susceptible to mailing in their first road game in a fortnight.

However, having said that, 13 points is a lot. An awful lot in an NBA game.

So, I am torn...logic and reason says Spurs...risk aversion says Lakers...emotion says Spurs...

....therefore, da blade does not recommend a play on this game....but for entertainment value I'll take the Spurs and the under.

Tonight's line: SA -13
Tonight's total: 186
My pick: SA
Matty da Blade's plays: SA | Under
The Spurs are 6-7 ATS this year. I am a 3-10. Da Blade is 8-4-1 ATS | 2-3 TOT.

This is an open thread. Commenters will receive a free spoon. Wait! There's more. If you promise to tell a friend about my blog I will send you another spoon free of charge. Two spoons people! One for each hand!

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Comments

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

Dear Matt, i am slightly confused by your strong marketing campaign. what is going on?

anyway i also strongly disagree with your take on phil. i actually buy all the managaing players/egos stuff, playing triangle (i somehow think this is nice trick to get players to think of something else(other then win)), i also think he has created winners of few playrs. It is 2 way street (:)) but it is the fact that he was coach to some of the best players in last decade. I think he had a lot to do with making them what they are. I think he has a talent to make players play at the top of their game.
Given is that he had great teams, but this too is to his credit.
BTW I think POP is a amazing coach as well.

Finally you ought to link to this 'article' when you are talking about it: http://www.courtsidetimes.net/articles/228/

All in all, I am returning from your site little unsatisfied, apart from the whale thing. that was great.

massive boisson aka chicken

by massive boisson on Nov 29, 2005 4:26 PM CST reply actions

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

With regards to marketing...That top ad is uniform across all of SB Nation and the revenues go to paying for the blogs (server space, software development, etc.). The stuff below "Advertising" are ads I've added for two reasons:

It's fun to track. I've always been curious as to how the internet advertising business works. (And it's something to check during my lunch break.)
It would be nice to make a little somethin' off the large amount of time I spend on this blog. It's a hobby I enjoy, but who are we kidding? Money is nice.

With regards to your lack of satisfaction, what don't you like? What's missing? I'm genuinely curious.

Thanks for the link. I'll add it to the post.

by sungo on Nov 29, 2005 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

"what don't you like?"

As you know I like your site.
But what I miss is an odd post not structured arroung a game (and perhaps not structured arround a joke). A 'feature article/post'.
And what I don't like are starting lineups? Why? :)

(maybe I am talking about something you this site is not suppose to give)

massive boisson aka chicken

by massive boisson on Nov 29, 2005 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

staying true to one of my nicknames i want to add that i am probobly asking too much perhaps not of your talent but of your time.

massive boisson aka chicken

by massive boisson on Nov 29, 2005 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

i know i am obsessive....
and i don't mean stats feature.

massive boisson aka chicken

by massive boisson on Nov 29, 2005 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Game 14 Open Thread: Los Angeles Lakers @ SA

Oh. About Phil. I think he's a good coach, but all this talk about "managing egos" and "getting the most out of players" is worthless with out quality players. And Phil has had more than his fair share. (And the triangle was Tex Winter's creation.)