Probably Most Watched REgular Season Game

[LavaLamp2]

This Wednesday's game, Lakers @ Suns, will probably be the most-watched regular season game this year.

NAB fans will want to know how Shaq affects the Suns...lots of players, GM's and coaches as well.

 

[SunsTzu]

Rockets vs Bucks will still be the most watched games.

 

[Kody Rumin]

Lakers/Suns might be the most watched if you exclude China. Not even the Superbowl had as many viewers as either Yao/Yi game, so Suns/Lakers sure isn't.

 

[Darth Llama]

It's going to be a very watched game, that much is for sure.

Good luck to you guys, and here's hoping no one gets injured. Should be a fun game.

 

[az1965]

Exclude China as they should be excluded in the all star voting as well otherwise Yao and McGrady will be starting next 10 years.

 

[D-Dogg]

This Wednesday's game, Lakers @ Suns, will probably be the most-watched regular season game this year.

NAB fans will want to know how Shaq affects the Suns...lots of players, GM's and coaches as well.

Doubtful.

Teams aren't even at full strength.

Congrats on the win.

 

[BeeBeard]

Doubtful.

Teams aren't even at full strength.

Congrats on the win.

The excuse-making has already begun! Where's your faith, Donald?

At the very least, we'll get to see Shaq trash Gasol's defense. But yes, Kobe's pinky problems and a still-missing Bynum tends to cheapen any win over the Lakeshow right now.

 

[D-Dogg]

The excuse-making has already begun! Where's your faith, Donald?

At the very least, we'll get to see Shaq trash Gasol's defense. But yes, Kobe's pinky problems and a still-missing Bynum tends to cheapen any win over the Lakeshow right now.

I already called this a Laker loss a few days ago.

They may surprise me, but I doubt it. As I mention in that post, I have no worries about Gasol guarding Shaq.

However, matching up with Amare without Bynum on the floor is going to kill us. Amare will go nuts. Odom on him? Ronny? Vlad? LOL. He is going to go ballistic.

Throw in the Lakers on the ass end of the back to back, and the game in Phoenix and we are looking at a split this season.

 

[arwillan]

Gasol is an even worse man on man defender than amare. he is 10000x slower and less athletic too. he will have trouble on shaq, i can almost guarantee it.

 

[BeeBeard]

However, matching up with Amare without Bynum on the floor is going to kill us. Amare will go nuts. Odom on him? Ronny? Vlad? LOL. He is going to go ballistic.

Fair enough. I like that you're realistic about these things. But let's rewind for a second. I've highlighted something you posted that caught my eye. I don't think Bynum's presence on the floor has much effect on Stoudamire's game one way or the other. When Bynum is out on the floor, the Lakers are a better team--I mean that's indisputable. But an Amare-stopper he ain't. Check out the box scores:


Game 1: Here we have a paltry 7 point performance by Amare. Why? It's way too early in the season for any team to be all that good (including the Lakers, in the early going).

Game 2: Amare gets a respectable 19 points on 6-11 shooting despite Bynum's presence. This was also one of Bynum's best games of the season. Why? Because he's a natural 5, and facing the Suns, of course! I saw this game and thought Bynum did OK, but just so we're clear, even mediocre centers (like Brendan Haywood in the Wizards game) can put up big numbers against the Phoenix Suns. Put Shaq out there and Bynum doesn't get 28.

Game 3: At this point, Bynum was injured and out of the lineup. Stoudamire should have had a huge game, right? Nope, just 16 points, guarded mostly by...Kwame Brown. It just doesn't look like Bynum has any effect on Stoudamire's game one way or the other.

Also, if you look at the rebounding totals for each of the games, you'll see right away how huge it is for the Suns to get not only a genuine center, but a solid defensive rebounder as well. In the game Phoenix won, the rebounding wasn't quite as lopsided.

 

[D-Dogg]

Gasol is an even worse man on man defender than amare. he is 10000x slower and less athletic too. he will have trouble on shaq, i can almost guarantee it.

He has trouble with fast, athletic PFs and centers. Bigger, stronger ones he holds his own with. He put Dwight Howard in foul trouble early in the game, and made him work hard for all his shots. Him on Shaq I really am not all that concerned with. It's when he has to leave Shaq that problems will start.

 

[D-Dogg]

Fair enough. I like that you're realistic about these things. But let's rewind for a second. I've highlighted something you posted that caught my eye. I don't think Bynum's presence on the floor has much effect on Stoudamire's game one way or the other. When Bynum is out on the floor, the Lakers are a better team--I mean that's indisputable. But an Amare-stopper he ain't. Check out the box scores:


Game 1: Here we have a paltry 7 point performance by Amare. Why? It's way too early in the season for any team to be all that good (including the Lakers, in the early going).

Game 2: Amare gets a respectable 19 points on 6-11 shooting despite Bynum's presence. This was also one of Bynum's best games of the season. Why? Because he's a natural 5, and facing the Suns, of course! I saw this game and thought Bynum did OK, but just so we're clear, even mediocre centers (like Brendan Haywood in the Wizards game) can put up big numbers against the Phoenix Suns. Put Shaq out there and Bynum doesn't get 28.

Game 3: At this point, Bynum was injured and out of the lineup. Stoudamire should have had a huge game, right? Nope, just 16 points, guarded mostly by...Kwame Brown. It just doesn't look like Bynum has any effect on Stoudamire's game one way or the other.

Also, if you look at the rebounding totals for each of the games, you'll see right away how huge it is for the Suns to get not only a genuine center, but a solid defensive rebounder as well. In the game Phoenix won, the rebounding wasn't quite as lopsided.

Amare doesn't have monster games in general when there are bigs camped out in the lanes.

I wouldn't call Bynum an Amare stopper, either. Just a "don't let amare go off" kind of guy.

Big game coming up for Amare...he's going to murder my guys.

BTW, Shaq and Bynum is something I am SO looking forward to. Shaq can't guard him...anymore than Bynum can't guard Shaq. Should be awesome.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I so can't wait for this game seems like forever , I am just so anxious to see how well shaq,amare, and nash work togather as a core should be fun.

 

[arwillan]

Amare doesn't have monster games in general when there are bigs camped out in the lanes.

I wouldn't call Bynum an Amare stopper, either. Just a "don't let amare go off" kind of guy.

Big game coming up for Amare...he's going to murder my guys.

BTW, Shaq and Bynum is something I am SO looking forward to. Shaq can't guard him...anymore than Bynum can't guard Shaq. Should be awesome.

i should have refrained from posting about gasol's defense on bigger guys like shaq as i only ever see him playing amare. sorry about that. anyway i think bynum v. shaq would be even more interesting because it's the lakers old franchise big v. their new one.....the real shaq v. the "future shaq"

 

[BeeBeard]

Amare doesn't have monster games in general when there are bigs camped out in the lanes.

I wouldn't call Bynum an Amare stopper, either. Just a "don't let amare go off" kind of guy.

Big game coming up for Amare...he's going to murder my guys.

BTW, Shaq and Bynum is something I am SO looking forward to. Shaq can't guard him...anymore than Bynum can't guard Shaq. Should be awesome.

If I were a Lakers fan, I would be more in love with Bynum's rebounding skills than his defense against good centers.

For instance, here's Yao Ming lighting up the Brown / Bynum combo early in the season. (Incidentally, Kwame Brown with the killer 2 point, 5 rebound game in almost 30 minutes. How happy are you guys now that he's gone, seriously...? )

And here's Bynum going off again against another team with no legitimate big: http://www.nba.com/games/20071209/GSWLAL/boxscore.html

Here's Howard and Foyle teaming up for nice production from the center position, against Bynum:
http://www.nba.com/games/20071202/ORLLAL/boxscore.html

 

[D-Dogg]

If I were a Lakers fan, I would be more in love with Bynum's rebounding skills than his defense against good centers.

For instance, here's Yao Ming lighting up the Brown / Bynum combo early in the season. (Incidentally, Kwame Brown with the killer 2 point, 5 rebound game in almost 30 minutes. How happy are you guys now that he's gone, seriously...? )

And here's Bynum going off again against another team with no legitimate big: http://www.nba.com/games/20071209/GSWLAL/boxscore.html

Here's Howard and Foyle teaming up for nice production from the center position, against Bynum:
http://www.nba.com/games/20071202/ORLLAL/boxscore.html

Re: Houston...I hate that team. They matchup the Lakers too well. Luther Head always gets hot as hell against us. Those games are nightmares. I want nothing to do with them in the playoffs...not because they are good but they are to the Lakers as GS is to Dallas.

On the Orlando game...those are good numbers, but they are below the averages for Howard and Co. And Bynum only got 28 minutes in that game. IIRC, a lot of the damage was done against Ronny playing the 5 and then Mr. Glass Ankle Chris Mihm. I seem to recall being happy with the way bynum played Howard, and I think he made him miss his first 3 or 4 shots. I've seen a lot of games since then though...the memory fades fast.


What I'm happy about Bynum with is that he is playing with emotion and passion...that was my biggest worry about him. Also, he's young. He does a lot of things Shaq didn't do (defend pick and roll well, take the high post in the Tri), a lot of things Shaq did do (dunk a lot, great passing from the low post) and misses out on things Shaq did (dominated games and drew consistent doubles). Overall though, I'm very happy with Bynum but that's because we had Shaq in his prime.

 

[Darth Llama]

The way Kobe looks, the Lakers might be playing this game without him. Everything, and I mean everything in this game is in the Suns favor.

Suns are at Home
Bynum and Ariza are out for the Lakers
Lakers are coming off the 2nd game of a Back to Back
Kobe's hurt and won't be himself.

You guys can say what you want about excuses, but the fact remains, that if you have Shaq in this game, and the Suns don't win, then they are in serious trouble. Give it a rest guys, this one should be easy for Phoenix. Gasol can't beat you alone, and you know it.

This will make the season series 2-2, I can live with that. Hopefully in the playoffs, everyone will be healthy, Kobe will be able to play with the injury, and we'll see who's best when it matters. In the mean time, enjoy your win. The fact of the matter is that LA is in the better position here. If they lose, they had every reason to expect to lose, if the Suns lose, they are going to be the whipping post of ESPN for a week.

Is that fair? No, but it's reality.

 

[AceP]

Interesting, u guys use Orlando and Rockets as reference for Bynum. IMO, beside a few good looking stats, Bynum hasn't done anything to prove himself as a legitimate big yet.

It's rather amazing for me when people talk about Shaq's defence. Did u actually watch some of the Heat games? Shaq is lazy for early season, and lack of motivation from time to time. But when he faces another top center? ...

YAO http://www.nba.com/games/20071123/HOUMIA/boxscore.html
Dwright http://www.nba.com/games/20071124/MIAORL/boxscore.html
Duncan http://www.nba.com/games/20071107/MIASAS/boxscore.html
Ben http://www.nba.com/games/20080116/CHIMIA/boxscore.html

If u Lakers consider Shaq is over and done, it's indeed a good thing for us. I hope u guys don't double him at all, let Gasol face him alone, we'll see what happen in Wednesday.

 

[AceP]

The way Kobe looks, the Lakers might be playing this game without him. Everything, and I mean everything in this game is in the Suns favor.

Suns are at Home
Bynum and Ariza are out for the Lakers
Lakers are coming off the 2nd game of a Back to Back
Kobe's hurt and won't be himself.

You guys can say what you want about excuses, but the fact remains, that if you have Shaq in this game, and the Suns don't win, then they are in serious trouble. Give it a rest guys, this one should be easy for Phoenix. Gasol can't beat you alone, and you know it.

This will make the season series 2-2, I can live with that. Hopefully in the playoffs, everyone will be healthy, Kobe will be able to play with the injury, and we'll see who's best when it matters. In the mean time, enjoy your win. The fact of the matter is that LA is in the better position here. If they lose, they had every reason to expect to lose, if the Suns lose, they are going to be the whipping post of ESPN for a week.

Is that fair? No, but it's reality.

Consider the Shaq bashing from all the medias and experts, any loss with Shaq played would draw heavy fire. A matter of fact, lose to the Lakers with Gasol, plus Shaq's debut, probably draw the least.


It doesn't really matter, favor or not, the Suns need to fight hard and win this one to beging an intensive schedule. There r some of tough games ahead in next few weeks. Finish the season as a top 3 seed is still an important mission. Any loss is inexcusable.

 

[nowagimp]

Amare doesn't have monster games in general when there are bigs camped out in the lanes.

I wouldn't call Bynum an Amare stopper, either. Just a "don't let amare go off" kind of guy.

Big game coming up for Amare...he's going to murder my guys.

BTW, Shaq and Bynum is something I am SO looking forward to. Shaq can't guard him...anymore than Bynum can't guard Shaq. Should be awesome.

bynums defense isnt what holds amare down, its his offense. When amare has to guard bynum, he uses alot of energy on the blocks fighting bynum for position. That situation has now changed, bynum will see amare on defense, but as a help defender. Shaq/skinner will spend more time on bynum. I suspect amare will play gasol or odom on defense, not bynum.

I am interested to see how the lakers front line of odom, bynum and gasol defends in transition. I suspect that is their weakness, and if the suns rebound better with shaq, there will be plenty of opportunity to observe the lakers transition defense.

 

[nowagimp]

The way Kobe looks, the Lakers might be playing this game without him. Everything, and I mean everything in this game is in the Suns favor.

Suns are at Home
Bynum and Ariza are out for the Lakers
Lakers are coming off the 2nd game of a Back to Back
Kobe's hurt and won't be himself.

You guys can say what you want about excuses, but the fact remains, that if you have Shaq in this game, and the Suns don't win, then they are in serious trouble. Give it a rest guys, this one should be easy for Phoenix. Gasol can't beat you alone, and you know it.

This will make the season series 2-2, I can live with that. Hopefully in the playoffs, everyone will be healthy, Kobe will be able to play with the injury, and we'll see who's best when it matters. In the mean time, enjoy your win. The fact of the matter is that LA is in the better position here. If they lose, they had every reason to expect to lose, if the Suns lose, they are going to be the whipping post of ESPN for a week.

Is that fair? No, but it's reality.

1) suns are at home: in the playoffs that didnt seem to matter much
2) Bynum and ariza are out: suns tend to play way down to teams missing pieces, like losing to the lakers without kobe.
3) second game of a back to back: yeah, but after a week off, no biggie.
4) kobes hurt, wont be himself: his injury will not heal on its own, get used to it this year. Also see #2.


shaqs first game after a 7-8 week layoff wont be an indicator of how it will be in april. When KT came to the suns it took a while for him to fit in and be productive, nothing new here.



So really this game means squat to what a playoff matchup will be like, not much at all. All the players know it, fans who think it means so much are just getting swept up in the media hype. This game is significant only in the playoff seedings.

 

[D-Dogg]

So really this game means squat to what a playoff matchup will be like, not much at all. All the players know it, fans who think it means so much are just getting swept up in the media hype. This game is significant only in the playoff seedings.

Yep.

 

[DeAnna]

I so can't wait for this game seems like forever , I am just so anxious to see how well shaq,amare, and nash work togather as a core should be fun.

Me too! Don't worry, I'll be representing. I wanna get there early to see if Kobe and Shaq say hello.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

i agree that this game is meaningless for purposes of learning anything.

1. shaq's first game. who knows how long transition will take.
2. injuries happen, deal with it. lakers have had a while to not only acclimate to bynum and ariza's loss, but also into integrate gasol.
3. kobe's injury ain't healing itself, so using that as an excuse is silly b/c it's going to be the same for the rest of the season and playoffs unless he decides to go under the knife, so it's no excuse at present.
4. both teams will be well-rested following all-star weekend, back-to-back or not. kobe didn't play but three mins yesterday and no other laker played ANY mins whereas nash and amare played some.
5. hype will be overbearing.

i'm excited to watch just b/c i have no idea what to expect outta shaq and i can't wait to see him in a suns uni. it's gonna be so strange.

 

[mojorizen7]

i'm excited to watch just b/c i have no idea what to expect outta shaq and i can't wait to see him in a suns uni. it's gonna be so strange.

Thats the juice for me too.
Looking forward to it.