Yeah. We did our MA together at Texas Tech, did our PhDs at FSU, I was in his wedding, and we've been texting today. He's a good friend. Went to Biola for his undergrad.
that's great to hear. Tough to watch that 2004 Finals and not be linked together for life given how hard that was to watch.
Whatever that was tonight, that was basketball. I liked Kobe's facilitating mindset early on but the effort and intensity on D - especially down the stretch - was the difference IMO. We're going to have nights when those shots don't fall. But we need to make sure the defense stays on point.
There are some things to be optimistic about even though it hasn't been the greatest season... 1. Kobe's last two games. 57 points, on 21-42 FGA (50% shooting), 17 rebounds, 17 assists, 5 steals, 15-23 FT's, and 4 TO's, 1 block. Interesting enough, he has only shot two 3-point attempts the last two games. Kobe's bread and butter is the free-throw line extended down, and he's shooting a very high percentage from mid-range. I forget the exact percentage; they were in the high 40's, though. So, we see he does his damage from the FT Line extended down, from the elbow, from the top of the key, etc...he's smart enough to know and adjust his game to where he will be most effective. 2. Jeremy Lin. Ben Rosales @brosales12 ยท 5h 5 hours ago For his faults this year, Lin has: (1) spaced the floor decently; (2) does well when able to work in the P&R; and (3) kills in transition. This is accurate. He's done these things well, and even if we're finding out he's a guard best utilized off the bench, it would still be advantageous to lock him on a friendly deal if the opportunity presents itself; with the right ingredients, floor spacers, slashers, and a more fast paced bench unit, he could provide the change of pace we need when he comes in off the bench provided we upgrade to a Rondo or Dragic. He'd be that perfect balance. 3. Nick Young. He's come in off the bench and provided that role that we all expected him too...he's the creator/scorer that we so desperately needed off the bench. He kept us in the Toronto game; he's a guy that Kobe trusts, and Nick has hit some big shots...the Atlanta game where he drew the foul to get 3 FT attempts, and he hit another big shot yesterday against the Raps; I think it was to extend our lead. He also gives Kobe a reliable floor spacer; Nick's man can't sag off of him to congest the paint, and if he does, Kobe will locate Nick... Other things; we're taking more 3's, there's been more man and ball movement within the offense, and we're 11th in offensive efficiency.
We're also 5th in offense if you adjust it for opposing team's defensive rating, which is mind-boggling.
From what I see, Byron is very slow to make adjustments, but he is making them on both ends of the floor...if we had better talent, we might notice them a lot more, but their happening, and I'm glad. As I mentioned in another thread, I wasn't expecting to win this game against Washington, but I believe we'll win this one against Boston and end the trip on a positive note. I'd be even more optimistic about signing Earl; we need another backup 4 that could play defense for extended periods of time.
The rotation has gotten really hinky because of Sacre's random excellent offensive production. The guy is producing and he's earned some minutes, but that pushes Ed Davis's minutes down OR moves him to PF. Davis has suffered a bit in that spot because it draws him further away from the rim. I like Sacre a lot, but I think we'd be better suited to Ed Davis getting the minutes down low and having more of a stretch PF or at least a mobile PF and letting Davis be the C. My optimism is that 1st of all it looks like Kobe will be okay. Hopefully. Knock on a bunch of wood ya'll. But also that we're playing good teams well. Both Memphis games were very close. Washington blew us out late, but we fought hard. We beat Toronto. The only teams that really truly destroy us are teams that are contenders and I appreciate that. In spite of this team's record I like them. I think some of these pieces could hold over into a winning team. My faith in Lin is shrinking, but I'm really liking what Davis and Young bring to the table. I'd still take Lin back in a bench role too. Hopefully this summer we get the big piece we want so we can sign some of these guys back to long-term deals to come off the bench.
This should definitely be a fun game to watch... good old fashioned rivalry game where records honestly do not matter. BOLD PREDICTIONS? Jeremy Lin has a strong game against Rondo is mine.
