Lakers cannot play defense

[The_Kid]

A lot of people are talking about the Lakers going to the Finals and a lot of people are saying they are the best in the West. Forget about it people. Lakers can't play defense worth their lives. They WILL NOT make it out of the 2nd round of the playoffs the way they play defense. I don't care if Kobe can bail them out with 50+ a night. He can't do it EVERY single night in a 7 game series, so unless the Lakers start playing defense against these teams, then no championship in Los Angeles this year.

Yes, I realize that Bynum and Gasol are out, but they're giving up 100+ points to the Grizzlies and the Bobcats? Right now, the Wizards have 120 without Arenas. That's just plain ridiculous.

This might seem like a rant, and it probably is because I'm a Laker fan, but I just can't stand it when people are talking about a Celtics/Lakers Finals matchup. Lakers can't play D and won't get there the way they let people walk all over their "defense."

[DrunkenLullaby]

Agree in general with the post, but don't forget Ariza & Bynum are probably 2 of their 3 best defensive players. If they come back healthy, then the defense will look a lot better.

Still wish they had a point guard that could guard anybody though. Farmar+the Fish make Stevie Nash look like a good defender.

[austintx05]

dude the lakers are all hype. Kome wanted to get rid of bynum and now magically people want to talk about bynum is the key to them winning it all...what a crock of shi t ...gasl makes them better no doubt, but this bynum talk is cra p

[Scorpion]

Lakers are not going to the finals, this a soft team, hasnt played defense in the last 6 years

Phil Jackson is soooooooooooo overrated! $10 mil for this old trash!

[thezbar]

Theory floating at work that Jackson is position his team for the proper draw in the playoffs. Doesn't care to face Golden State maybe? With these past few efforts it makes you wonder.

[DrunkenLullaby]

dude the lakers are all hype. Kome wanted to get rid of bynum and now magically people want to talk about bynum is the key to them winning it all...what a crock of shi t ...gasl makes them better no doubt, but this bynum talk is cra p

Seen Bynum play?

[austintx05]

Seen Bynum play?

yeah but very small sample to claim he is the key to the lakers success. Who is to say he plays at that level when he comes back?

[WestsidePete]

I just watched this game and have been a laker fan since moving to LA in 1980...and this is a lazy team on defense...pathetic really...they don't guard...Kobe guards but once the ball is off his man everyone else has a shot...Nick Young was open all night..even at the end stinking wide open I guess Ariza, Gasol and Bynum help to hide the fact that the rest of the guys don't play defense...now one thing to remember is Turiaf has to be more mellow and not foul out since he's playing large minutes with the other guys out...but this is total garbage....Stevenson hits 8-10 3's to start...at what point do you yell at the guy guarding him and tell him to not allow another f*cking 3 pointer leave his hands...I like Phil, but he needs to get in the faces of these guys more often...

[hoopster42]

too much defensive power missing rite now, theyll be fine if and when they get those guys back

[Scorpion]

I just watched this game and have been a laker fan since moving to LA in 1980...and this is a lazy team on defense...pathetic really...they don't guard...

BINGO!!!!!!
You can blame Phil Jackson for that, they have played like this for the last 5-6 years, this clown is sooooooo overrated, lazy coach = lazy players!

[WestsidePete]

no excuse for the guards and forwards to give up pts like they did...they hold the Wiz to 47 1st h pts then turn right around and give up 39 in the 3rd...

[hoopster42]

top teams have busted their nut trying to earn the records they have, now theyre tired, waiting to start the playoffs

[WestsidePete]

man just bring in Ben Howland for a day and show these guys how to press and guard a little more...ever heard of guarding off the pick and roll ?? a guy sets a screen..are they that damn confused on how to switch properly?? man you could just see the open shots coming...

[The_Kid]

man just bring in Ben Howland for a day and show these guys how to press and guard a little more...ever heard of guarding off the pick and roll ?? a guy sets a screen..are they that damn confused on how to switch properly?? man you could just see the open shots coming...

You're right on WSP. Couldn't the Lakers figure out that Nick Young and Stevenson were on fire?

[Dark Horse]

They were up by 17 pts or so in the 3Q tonight, and before the quarter was over the Wizards had tied the score. Then they went up by 9 with about 5 minutes left, and again let the Wizards tie it.

Agree that Lakers are overrated. Won't change a whole lot with Gasol back. Teams just had to get used to the new look. Gasol/Kobe is no miracle combo.

[Scorpion]

You're right on WSP. Couldn't the Lakers figure out that Nick Young and Stevenson were on fire?

No, they dont have a head coach!