24's Best Game

By Craig Kwasniewski

I see the Lakers winning 105-101 with about 10% Clipper fans in the crowd tonight... unlike the 50-50 split when it's a Clipper home game.

Posted by: Craig | November 21, 2006 at 10:08 AM

One of the great things about having your own blogsite (kicking back in the chair and putting arms behind the head) is enjoying when your prediction is absolutely correct.

(side note: I am NEVER right on these things, so let me enjoy the moment)

Kobe had his best game in the 24 jersey, dropping 40 in the Lakers 105-101 win over the Clippers. Here's a few notes from the game last night from my seat in Section 316:

-Given the prolonged recovery from knee-surgery and his grounded effort so far this season, it's easy to forget just how dominant Kobe Bryant could be as a player. There were two key stretches in the fourth quarter. With Kobe resting on the bench, the Lakers blew a comfortable 83-74 lead and trailed 85-83 after going scoreless for first 6 plus minutes. The Clipper faithful was loud and proud and the Lakers looked lost. In comes Kobe, who willed the Lakers to victory by taking on the entire Clipper defense in the process. There were a few possessions where everyone in the gym knew Kobe was going to shot, the Clippers doubled him with Q-Ross and Brand on the wing. All Kobe did was split the defense on a spin move and flip the ball in for a bucket. Both Brand and Ross are excellent defenders and Kobe simply waited for the right moment and attacked from the right angles.

Playoffs in November: This was as close to a playoff atmosphere as a November game will ever get. Magette and Brand always kick it up a notch against the Lakers and the Clipper fans felt this was their best shot at a "road" win. Lamar Odom looked like he was pressing against his former team, shooting 6-18 from the field and 4-10 from the freethrow line.

Too Hot: Shaun Livingston getting hot actually hurt the Clippers in the long run. He was able to score by out-quicking the slower Laker defenders, dropping 9 points and drawing the Clippers even in the 4th, but the success kept Sam Cassell on the bench too long. By the time Cassell returned, with less than 3 minutes left, it was too late to swing the momentum.

Gunning for 50: Kobe was going for 50 from the get-go, dropping 20 in the first quarter. At least that's what the people around me were saying. I got stuck in Thanksgiving getaway traffic and it took me 1 1/2 hours to get to Staples from Santa Monica. Did I mention that holiday travel sucks?

Shocking Development: There's a new shocking development with the Lakers... Vlad Radmanovic is sporting a yellow headband that makes him look like John Travolta from Staying Alive (BTW - a really gay movie, not gay as in dumb, I mean gay as in gay!). Bill Simmons was the first to say that Vlad borrowed John Travolta's hair from "Welcome Back Kotter", well the headband is taking it up a notch.

Funny Clipper fan moment: Tim Thomas hit his first three-pointer of the night with less than 30 seconds left from straight-away with three Laker defenders flying at him. "Playoff Flashback?!?" screamed the guy next to me. I had to laugh (and cry on the inside).

Comments

[nike]

wohoo . the lakers won . awesome .
radmanovic looks more like x man w/ his facial hair !

[Chris Tagawa]

Just to show I do not only come in when the Clippers win, I thought I would post my views of the Game.

1) How is it possible that the Clippers can go extended periods of a game without scoring? With Maggette and Cassell they should at least be able to get to the line.

2) I know the sentiment of the Clipper Nation is that Livingston is the next coming, but sitting Cassell for almost the entire 4th quarter did not make any sense. By the time Dunleavy put him back in (2:30 left in the game) it was too late.

3) Tim Thomas is overpaid.

4) My wife came up with a new description for Chris Kaman. He is "Can't Help But To Stare Ugly." She is absolutely right. At some points during the game, I lost track of the score because I could not pay attention. When he is averaging 15 pts and 12 rebs he is soooo pretty, but 8 and 6 he is CHBTSU.