I, LakersForDeuce, hereby officially change my name to LakersForTrey.

Accordingly, Lakers/Phil/Kobe will run the score to 17-12-6.

Can't wait...

for Artest to have another training camp to learn the Triangle...

for Bynum to heal and give us two legs in the post...

for the Kobe to have a full right hand to shoot with...

for us to have a speedy PG and be able to bring Fish off the bench for D and clutch shooting...

for the Lakers to have a stronger bench...

for Phil to go after the fourth threepeat...

for Kobe to catch MJ...

for the 17th banner...

for the season to get underway...

LakersForDeuce signing off...

LakersForTrey coming soon.

It was brought up in an article (I'm sure many of them), that the Lakers can be swimming along, do well, and then completely go away from what works. It's maddening.

Kobe was electric in game four, sinking everything, and the game was even after the third quarter. Yet, in the fourth, he hardly touched the ball and the threes began being launched again.

Why?

Why do they seem to lose their path so often?

Why do the Lakers stop doing what is obviously working?

Why does Phil just sit there and let it happen?

After watching this happen all year, and part of last year, I'm at a loss to explain it. I know it's the true Lakers identity and that's bothersome. I also know it's unlikely to change with the roster as it sits now That's worse.

What adds to this gurgling in my stomach is that the Lakers's finances are such that they're unlikely to pick up anybody who can come in and change the culture, the locker room. We need a fast and nasty PG who can play D and hit a shot or two. We need 2-3 decent reserves, decent (great isn't necessary) shooters who move the ball and defend.

Think we're going to get them?

Think we're going to be able to trade any of our bench players for who I've described?

Like all Lakers' fans, I hope they'll snap out of it, enough so that they'll grab another ring, but it's increasingly frustrating.

What's your take?

http://yhoo.it/9Go7GU

The media criticized his D and Stoudamire ended up calling Odom's game lucky.

Should add to the fodder for tomorrow.

Even Gentry called his statement "ridiculous."

Just read about his mother getting arrested...again. Wonder if that contributed to his minor media meltdown.

Crummy time to have his mother's issues surface again.

I don't know anything about Stoudamire, other than what I read and see on TV. Maybe he's a good guy.

In any case, it sure adds to the buzz.

A little of that goes a long way.

Just saw the call for the most recent "Kobe vs. Lebron" post to be taken down. I had one last night, "Preview: Lakers vs. Magic," that a couple of guys asked to have removed, citing karma, etc. It was a joke/diversion post, and I had guys thinking that this could lead to an evil outcome on the court, or that trolls would find SS&R.

So I chimed in and said to take it down, Heaven forbid being the cause of a Lakers' loss in this series. To the immense relief of all who call this place home, the rogue post is gone and it's safe for women and children again.

In real life I'm a small market journalist (magazine and Web). It's a bit disturbing when you see calls to take down a post.

The larger issue is that censorship starts small, a single voice, then spreads. Someone gives what seems to be a logical argument for removal and then another, and it becomes easy to purge things that you don't like. Not to lightly compare historical events to a hoops site, but book burnings started like that.

Additional thoughts:

1. Censoring chills the poster. The writer now has to worry about conforming to the masses. Maybe this post wasn't so great but what about the next one? Maybe that post never happens because the person leaves. Or he/she plays it safer from then on.

2. So what if it's another Kobe-Lebron post and you're tired of them? It may be the first one of those that the individual put up and seemed like a good idea or something people could have fun with. What were your first posts like? If media outlets made employment decisions based on the first works of writers, there would be very few in existence.

3. There are a limited number of fanpost positions on the first page. They move down the list pretty quickly as new ones are added. Why get worked up over something that will disappear from view in a few days?

4. If it's lewd or smacks of libel or slander, then by all means take appropriate action on it. But jokes and other light content?

5. If this trend is allowed to continue, then some day every post may eventually be challenged. How many votes will it take to knock off a good content piece that I just disagree with? Three? five? If you knock out one of mine then I'll come after yours?

6. The free flow of information is best. Posters get an idea of the popularity of their work based on feedback. You can gently advise someone on your opinion of the general acceptability of the content with a few words — or by abstaining altogether. Silence is deafening, no? If there's nobody answering your post, it would make you wonder if that particular content or style works in this setting, and you adjust.

No offense meant to anyone here. That said...

Censorship is a slippery slope, folks. Careful where you step.

I'm writing this as the third quarter of today's game vs. Boston has ended. Lebron has done little today to impress that he is one of the greats, a transcendant talent that should be mentioned in the same breath as Russell, Jordan, and even Bryant. Maybe he'll have a big fourth quarter and lead the Cavs to a win and eventually a series win. Doesn't matter.

James is more concerned with the trappings of celebrity and the business side of all this. He wants to be a mogul and hang with not just the sports elite and entertainment elite — but the global business elite .. the true powers that be.

Being a winner on the court is not his priority. It would be nice and I'm sure he has a desire to win — it's just that other things are more important. This is why he'll never eclipse Kobe as the greatest in the game today. Kobe is about rings and nothing else.

Until James jettisons the entourage, stops hanging around with the "beautiful people," shutters the sports marketing company, and decides that championships are what he wants ... he's just another talented player who never achieved his potential in basketball.

Maybe this is the lesson he needed, to see that he can't just turn it on at any time he wants and win it all. From what we see now, it wasn't about Cleveland surrounding him with the right people, it was about Lebron getting his head straight and being the right person. They have the talent, just not the right leader.

Doesn't matter if he plays in Cleveland or someplace else next year, until he can control his ego and get his priorities on basketball, he's just another guy who didn't go all the way.

...that the Suns are one team that worries me a little, simply because your guys can be streaky. If they get hot over a short series — and I've seen that happen — they can beat anybody. That said, I figure that was more likely with the Suns of a few years ago.

The Lakers actually caught a break and played OKC in the first round. I thought they might drop that series but showed their experience and did what was needed to win. I figured the Thunder would be their toughest West matchup. To be truthful, I can't see this series going much past five games, though that streakiness mentioned could push it out longer.

The problem for the Suns is that the Lakers' starters are just better, and they have nobody to deal with either Bryant, or the combo of Gasol and Bynum. If Andrew brings his game (not guaranteed every night), especially defense, then Gasol becomes a monster.

If Kobe can penetrate, then both Gasol and Bynum become monsters. I don't think Grant Hill can stay with Kobe, who, right now, has found a way to make adjustments to play with his injuries. He looks renewed and re-energized, and has re-discovered his shot.

Even Fisher is shooting better, something I honestly didn't think would happen this year. Yes, Fish is a liability on D, but he will take an important charge, and make a couple of decent defensive plays during the series. Mostly, he's there because he knows the offense and will calm people down. He's also strong enough to deny Kobe the ball and get away with it, which makes us better — and that's one reason I think Phil gives him so many minutes. If he can deliver 8-12 points a game, especially late threes, he's done his job. Nash will win the matchup, but Fish will contribute.

Artest may make a few or miss a lot, but he's not there because he's going to drain shots all day. He's there to shut somebody down. He'll be a factor.

Our bench, other than Odom, will either be adequate or tragic. They have improved against Utah, but we're always nervous when they come into the game. If Odom is engaged, he helps a lot. That said, it's seemingly always a topic of conversation with every series, so we don't know when he'll bring it. If he shows up game one and stays "on," the Phoenix chances are dim.

Can Stoudamire get the Lakers' bigs in foul trouble? He'll certainly be a strong factor and score a lot, but I don't think he'll rule the paint. I think the Lakers will make him work for shots and make him play defense. Your bigs will have to hit medium and long range shots to loosen up the L.A. defense. That's one of your keys.

All in all, the Lakers are a more confident and healthier bunch than a couple of weeks ago, and if they stay healthy, I can't see the Suns winning.

Should be an entertaining series with lots of highlights.

Have a good one.

Let's end this Utah series today and then let's get to it!

Yeah, we're a long way from that, but Boston has outplayed Cleveland twice. They're healthy now and Rondo is gouging the Lebrons but good. Imagine the calls he's going to get at home.

Nobody knows the extent of James' elbow injury, so this series is absolutely up for grabs.

I expect the Cavs to come out in game three with massive energy to try to overwhelm the Celtics. If Boston wins, then you have to start thinking seriously about Boston vs. Orlando.

With all of our injuries I don't know who I'd rather see in the finals. Shutting up the Cavs would be good; a rematch with the Magic would be intriguing; but beating Boston — is there anything better than that?

Yeah, he's a slow healer.

Okay, maybe we won't get him back until the finals.

Got it, maybe we don't make the finals if Bynum can't play against the Suns or Spurs.

I think that's a risk we should take.

Championship teams are in it to win championships. Anything less is a wasted year.

There's no way we can beat either Cleveland or Orlando with a compromised Bynum. Both are a lot better than last year and we have to face that.

No Bynum, no 16th title.

If we have half a Bynum, we still lose.

He says he can't elevate. How is he going to deter James or Jamison; or Howard?

Half a Bynum + Gasol + Odom = Boston in 2008. Nobody wants to see a repeat of that horror show.

Get the operation done and get back for the finals. It's our ONLY chance to win it all.

If you don't get back and we lose, OKAY...at least the right move was made.

Just like many of us suggested:

-- we shot more free throws (refs played it straight)

-- we didn't hoist a lot of threes

-- we challenged shots

-- we actually got back on defense

-- we fought for the ball

-- WE resembled a hungry basketball team.

Kobe got extra rest tonight and if the Lakers don't forget who they are and what they can do in the next 3 days, Friday's game should give us a chance to close it out.

They're faster, quicker, beating us to the loose balls, pounding the boards with all five guys because there's nobody to make them pay with fastbreak potential, and they're hitting shots we can't.

They've knocked us off our inside game. They are the aggressors and we're a clear step behind all the way.

Like I said, we'll be very fortunate to make it to game 7.

Sorry if you feel this is negative, but find me something positive that makes you think this is going to turn around.

This isn't like trying to outmuscle Denver.

These guys have a gear the Lakers don't.

The Lakers can try new strategies, but nothing will make them younger and faster by the next game.

With a 20+ point deficit in the fourth, why is Bynum still on the floor?

Go ahead, flame me or ridicule the post. Have fun.

Translation: After an 82-game season you are what you are.

The Lakers are what they are, and they ARE in trouble because of it.

Undeniable facts:

1. The Lakers have no plan to use their height to their advantage. If they had one tonight, they abandoned it very early and went to the outside shot — with predictable results. This is on Phil.

2. Bynum is getting abused by a guy (or guys) two to three inches shorter and 50 lbs. lighter. He's as tentative as usual, the same as when he's at 100% health. Let's face it, Andrew "plays small" and may never change.

3. OKC now knows that they can put Durant on Kobe and force him to throw up bad shots, make turnovers, or give up the ball, and there is nobody on the Lakers who can make them pay enough to abandon the strategy.

4. Odom is afraid to go into the paint. They call Gasol soft and Lamar is the one who won't mix it up. In this series he's not the "X-Factor," he's the "minus sign."

5. Durant knows how to beat Artest badly and has done it twice now.

If the Lakers would just relentlessly pound the ball inside, they would get the OKC bigs in foul trouble, plus open it up for Kobe. Why on Earth hoist up threes and long twos, only to see long rebounds which jumpstart the OKC fast break?

Give Artest a rest and let Odom start game four. Tell Lamar that he sits the first time he shoots from beyond 10 feet. Odom, Gasol, and Bynum on the floor together, and the ball just keeps going inside.

Tell you what, we had this one and let OKC off the hook. if we come home 2-2 against these guys, and I expect that we will, I'm not sure we can beat them two of three. They are making us look sick on the boards and old in every other respect.

Just my .02.

and could play every game against Sacramento, he'd be the point guard solution. Alas, he's not.

Farmar is probably gone and Shannon is going to be somebody's backup until he can run the offense and play defense.

Too bad, because he has the size and strength to be a good option for us. If he was faster and quicker, he'd be the whole package.

I know Tex has diminished capacity due to the stroke, but maybe there's a way to hammer the Triangle in somehow.

Just sayin'...

Assumption # 1:  You're not hurt worse than you've told anyone — including Phil and the trainers.

Assumption # 2:  Despite the injuries and tired legs, you really believe that you can still dominate at the highest level.

You're Kobe and it's just five days until the playoffs start.

You've seen this team struggle all year and not live up to its potential.

You look around the locker room and you wonder if there's anyone you can still count on when the game is on the line.

You look at Phil and you're not completely sure about him anymore. Is he still at the top of his game? Will he make the right call at the critical time?

Do you:

1. Facilitate as best you can from the outset and hope people make shots?

2. Grab game one from the outset and try to dominate?

3. Give your teammates two quarters to prove themselves and, if they don't, the second half is all you?

Who knows what's going on in his head right now. He has a cool outer demeanor much of the time and then rips people privately, but how long can he go on like that?

Who knows how much he has left himself?

Who knows how confident he is that he can shoot well enough in the playoffs to carry the team by himself if that's needed?

If you're Kobe, there has to be some serious turmoil going on.

Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports just posted a piece that tells the true value of Lamar Odom, and why:

1. The Lakers absolutely MUST sign him if they hope to repeat.

2. Why the best teams in the West and East are praying Odom goes to Miami.

3. And the name of the ONLY player in the NBA who has better plus-minus numbers than Odom. That's right, there's only ONE.

You want to know what the Lakers lose and why they'll be so vulnerable without Odom? You better read this. Spears is right on point and HE GETS IT. I haven't seen anybody lay it out so well, and in such a clear fashion.

If you're an Odom hater, or you think he can be replaced, that the Lakers bench is good enough without him, or you just don't think he's worth the extra million a year that Jerry Buss refuses to pay him — this may give you something to think about.

Odom keeps Lakers hanging in the balance