At The Buzzer: November 26, 2009

nba_logoBy Matt Schuler

Fantasy league players are tuned in to their television sets like bobble heads, the once empty black-top playgrounds are filling up with five-on-five pick up games, and kids everywhere are wearing their purple and gold jerseys laced with the number 24. yup, you guessed it; Its Laker Season!

 

Even with a renovated roster, the defending champion Lakers are currently 11-3 and hold a share of the best record in the NBA after defeating the New York Knicks,100-90, Tuesday at Staples Center in front of 18,997 fans.

 

Did you see how the Lakers celebrated Chick Hearn night against Oklahoma City on Sunday?

 

Kobe Bryant hit a shot from behind the backboard, converted a Jordan-Esq hang time reverse, and beat the first quarter buzzer with a left handed bank shot on his way to picking up 26 points and leading the Lakers to their 11th consecutive win over the Thunder.

 

The occasion also marked the second game Pau Gasol has payed since sitting out because of a pre-season hamstring injury. But it, apparently, had no effect on his game as the All-Star forward finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. In Gasol’s debut, a 108-93 win over Chicago, the Spaniard led all scorers with 24 points and racked up 13 boards to shake off the dust from his 11-game absence.

 

The other tower in the middle, Andrew Bynum, who is also coming off an injury interrupted season, is back and looking healthy. This sounds like deja vu because of a similar knee injury year previous to last, but Bynum scored 25 against the Thunder and is averaging a double double with 19.9 PPG and 11.2 RPG. Keep in mind the majority of his points come off lobs, dunks and post moves in the paint.

 

Bryant, last year’s finals MVP, is averaging 30.1 PPG and playing on another level. Kobe is hitting uncanny shots and making them seem routine. While playing non-selfish basketball and looking for new teammate Ron Artest to get him acclimated to the offense, his 30.1 PPG average is second to only Carmelo Anthony (30.2 PPG), who leads the league.

 

Artest, who was acquired in a free agent deal over the off-season, is picking up right where Trevor Ariza left off averaging 11 points and playing tough D for the Lakers. Sweet tooth sixth man Lamar Odom is nearly averaging a double double with 9 points and 8 boards, but more importantly L.O provides the glue to Phil Jackson’s “bench Mob” of a second unit.

 

The only three losses for Los Angeles have come in games against Western Conference foes Dallas, Houston, and Denver, but Gasol was not active in any of those losses. get the hint?

 

When the Lakers are in full rotation, they are in full force. Creating an environment where Everybody understands their roles: Artest plays defense and hits wide open threes. Kobe draws attention and gets easy shots for his teammates, as well as score 30 himself. Lamar comes off the bench and commands the second unit, while DJ Mbenga comes off the bench to swat balls into the third row. Gasol gets the rebounds and feeds Bynum for easy buckets. Fish hits the shot when it counts and the human pogo stick Shannon Brown electrifies the crowd with a high flying dunk once a night, sometimes twice. Just like the old assembly line, everybody knows their role.

 

And if you have not heard, Phil Jackson has never won an isolated Championship. All the rings that Jackson has stored away in his safe deposit box have all came in spurts of consecutive titles and three peats alike. Remember the Bulls Era with Jordan? The 3 peat with Shaq and Kobe? You better believe the Zen Master is plotting another Championship run with his modern day Jordan and company.

 

I am also noticing close comparisons between the Lakers of today and the “Show time” Lakers of the 80s, who won 5 Championships in 9 years. Comparisons between the two can only mean good things for Coach Phil and his squad. If you think about it, Gasol provides the finesse around the rim like Kareem did with his hook shot. Kobe has the knowledge of the game just like Magic. Odom reminds me of the athleticism James Worthy had on the court and Artest is a lock down defender like Michael Cooper. I don’t know about you, but i say its time for “Show time”.

 

BONIFIED ROOKIE:

 

You thought Andrew Bogut was the Savior of the Milwaukee Bucks when they drafted him #1 overall in the 2005 draft? Meet Brandon Jennings, a rookie who put up 55 points on the Warriors and is averaging 24.2 points per game. Yes… 55 points! Jennings in the process broke Kareem’s rookie record of 51 points in a game and came up just 3 points shy of Chamberlain’s rookie record for points in a game. And he’s a point guard (6’1” 169lbs). Jenning’s 24.2 average is the best among rookies and 9th among all players. The rookie has the Milwaukee Bucks to their best start in quite some time at 8-4 and is reviving the city of Milwaukee to the days when Abdul-Jabbar was a Buck.

 

FORCED TO RETIRE:

 

After no teams have expressed interest in acquiring point guard Allen Iverson following his release by Memphis, The 10-time All Star is making statements about stepping away from the game. Even after coming off a season with Denver/Detroit averaging 23 PPG and admitting to still having an ambition to play the game, the stud of a basketball player spoke the words of retirement with ESPN analyst reporters. Iverson was being traded around after not working out in Denver and Detroit. After Memphis, the word is that his persona will be a locker room disturbance, because his skills can surely be used by the 0-14 Nets? Or the lowly Knicks? If Iverson does retire it would be without a NBA title and on a sour note. “The Answer” has won 4 scoring titles in his career and helped the Philidelphia 76ers reach the NBA Finals in 2001 only to lose in 5 games to the Lakers, who won their second consecutive of three straight titles that year. Someone give Iverson a chance!

 

 

FAST BREAK FACTS:

 

New Jersey Nets are 0-15, which is 2 shy of tying NBA record of 17 losses for most losses to start season.

 

Don Nelson is out and has been diagnosed with pneumonia

 

Washington Wizards Owner Abe Pollin dies at 85

 

 

SCHULER’S ROOKIE STANDOUTS:

 

(Drafted)

 

(7th) Stephen Curry (Warriors)- Averaging 10 PPG plus 1.5 SPG and shooting almost 50%

 

(10th) Brandon Jennings (Bucks)- is averaging 24 PPG and 4 RPG. Also 34 MPG

 

(4th) Tyreke Evans (Kings)- Averaging 19 Points and 35 Mins

 

(6th) Jonny Flynn- (Timber wolves)Averaging 13 PPG

 

(11th) Terrance Williams (Nets)-Averaging 6 RPG

 

 

 

INJURY REPORT:

 

(Golden State) Corey Maggette-Hamstring-day-to-day

 

(Cleavland) Shaquille O’Neal-Shoulder-day-to-day

 

(Charlotte) Tyson Chandler-Back-day-to-day

 

(Los Angeles Clippers) Eric Gordon- Groin- Out Indefinitely

 

(Los Angeles Clippers) Blake Griffin- Knee- Out until mid December

 

 

 

 

NBA HISTORY:

 

<>Kobe Bryant reached his 100th 40-point game in a 106-93 win over the pistons and is now 3rd all time in 40 point games, behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

 

1) Wilt Chamberlain 271

2) Michael Jordan 173

3) Kobe Bryant 100

 

<> Kobe also made history by surpassing Laker Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored in Lakers franchise history after beating the bulls on 11-19-2009. Kobe is now only second to Jerry west, who he will likely pass up this season.

(As of 11-19-2009):

1) Jerry West- 25,192 points
2) Kobe Bryant- 24,182 points
3) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- 24,176 points

 

*Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in more serious news has been diagnosed with a rare form of Luekemia, but doctors said he should not have any trouble living out a full normal life if the disease is properly treated.  

 

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