The first meeting of Ichiro and Michael Jordan (1995)

I guess I thought that having Nash would mean the Lakers would figure things out

Haven't they sort of figured things out a little though? They've won 13 of 18 before tonight and of the 5 losses, only losing to Phoenix and getting blown out by the Celtics would count as bad losses in my mind. Hell they still might be able to pull it out tonight. (Actually it looks like OKC's slammed the door while I was writing this. Anyway losing at OKC, even losing by double digits at OKC is not really that big of a mark of shame.)

I honestly don't think the Lakers are that inexplicable any more. What was bizarre about them was not that they weren't as good as they were expected to be, but that they were actively terrible for long stretches of the season. Now they've won some more and will probably finish a bit above .500 and somewhere in the 7-8-9 slot, most likely 8 or 9. While that is a significant underachievement, I don't think it's really that weird given the facts that they are:
1) Old, slow, and not very deep
2) Sort of a weird fitting team
and most importantly 3) Dwight is clearly not right.

I can buy a top-tier talent team being a fringy playoff-type team given the fact that their theoretical best player is basically a shell of his former self and they had a lot of injuries. I know Dwight's box score numbers are still pretty good, but watching him and looking at his Orating/Drating type stats, I think that's a fair enough description.

What was weird is that they were a definite lottery team for a while. Although even then, their point differential was always like 7th in the West and even at their low point I think they had a better winning percentage than basically all of the Eastern Conference non-playoff teams do right now. So the West being a pretty deep and tough conference also played a role in this.

It's still a trainwreck of a season, but it doesn't strike me as being an "I've never seen this before" sort of season like it did earlier. Maybe that's a pretty revisionist view though.

Their season is really going to depend on the Warriors and Jazz crashing though, even if they play .700 for the rest of the way if the Jazz and Warriors just play like .500 they're still screwed.

It is trending that way, but it is really not any less inconceivable to see Jazz play at least a little better than .500 ball Lakers go .700 the rest of the way.

I have reached a point where I think the Lakers will catch Utah. It is not a fait accompli, but I think it is more likely than not based on how they have played for the last couple of months.

me too

As I said about a week ago, the Lakers' improvement is largely just a statistical market correction; they had a + PDiff when they were 17-25, and they are 5-0 in their last 5 close games.

The fit stuff is somewhat of an issue; I still think that the two-star platoon system was the way to go (can't really do that with Pau out) with a Kobe/Pau team and a Nash/Howard team.

But the real issue is the D. OKC turns the ball over a bit; last night, they had only 2 TOs, total, and of course scored 71 points in the first half. The Lakers put up 55 points of their own in the first half, and even with all the problems, are comfortably Top 10 in offense. But they are simply too slow on the perimeter on D, and Howard in his current iteration can't cover for enough of it to make up the difference.

I wouldn't bet on their catching Utah, but it can happen, especially since Utah is not a very good defensive team, either.

It has been a meme to point out that D'Antoni's PHX teams were actually pretty good/OK on D, but having watched this team, I think a lot of that was having a prime Shawn Marion and some other jocks. Howard has complained about the Lakers never working on D in practice; Nash made a comment about a lack of a defensive philosophy. They don't seem to make many adjustments on D, and make the same mistakes all the time. A lot of that is not on MDA; Tom Thibodeau could not make this a really good defensive team. But I have not seen many indications that D'Antoni is doing things to try to improve the situation.

Mike Mulligan: Derrick Rose talked to David Aldridge last Thursday, and Rose said he's "not quite able to go to his right without feeling a pinch in his knee", and thus would have trouble defending someone going to his left. "I'm not afraid to fail", according to Derrick, but he reiterates he won't be back until he's 100%.

KC Johnson: That's consistent to what he told us in Boston, in that his knee isn't totally right. It wasn't as specific in terms of a specific ‘cut', but it's consistent. He's making these comments [to Aldridge] a couple weeks after, and that means it's still an issue. If you're asking me for my prediction, I originally predicted mid-march (10 months), but given his comments to USA Today, to the beat writers, and now to David Aldridge, I'm predicting that he's not going to play this season. I hope I'm wrong and I know Bulls fans hope I'm wrong , and I've been wrong many times before, but it just seems like this is a guy who is kind of preparing himself to have another offseason of work, and come back next season.

From an interview this morning. As a reminder, KC works for the Trib and is kind of a mouthpiece for the org, specifically regarding bad news. So.........

Moses, bad news for Bulls fans but I really think it's probably the best move for him to continue to sit until next season if things aren't 100%. The Bulls aren't winning anything important this year (maybe a series or two at best) even with Rose, so why not wait, reload the rest of the roster in anticipation, and play it safe. Sucks not to see him play this year, but I think any Bulls fan would be fine with punting 2013 in the best interest of 2014-23, right?

I have reached a point where I think the Lakers will catch Utah.

The Jazz are definitely leaving the door wide open, that's for sure. Even with all the tough (k, unwinnable) games coming up this month, I think they'd still be in pretty good shape if they took all the winnable ones, but that isn't happening. 2 of their last 3 losses have come in overtime. They desperately needed those.

So Derrick Rose and the team found the right way to spin the fact that he's not going to come back this year? Which I think is the right call, if there's any question about not being 100%.

Sucks not to see him play this year, but I think any Bulls fan would be fine with punting 2013 in the best interest of 2014-23, right?

If that's truly the case, yes. It's just terrible if it's coming out like this 2 days after Rose sits on the bench for the first time and one day after Thibs calls him "day to day". They've done a poor job of managing expectations if this is true - even giving them some benefit for saying he could miss the year from the start.

Lakers catching Utah is sort of a coin flip at this point, it is trending that way but again, making up 3 games in a little more than 20 isn't that easy, if Utah goes 11-11 the rest of the way the Lakers need to go 14-7, which means they need to play like a top 3 Western conference team the rest of the way.

I suppose it is possible for Utah to just outright collapse, but it's not something you should bet on.

Also, interseting today, all the Hou / GSW / UTH / LAL plays tonight. given the the former 3 team's seperation is 1 game, we could see a some spot changes tonight.

Also, if Hou win tonight Dallas is essentially completely eliminated.

Also, interseting today, all the Hou / GSW / UTH / LAL plays tonight. given the the former 3 team's seperation is 1 game, we could see a some spot changes tonight.

I'll be scoreboard watching for sure, but with all 4 teams playing against losers (DAL/SAC/CLE/NOH), I'm not expecting any changes in the standings tonight.

Jazz offense looks so much better with Mo Williams back. Not that he's great, but he's taking away minutes mostly from two guys that should be benchwarmers at best (Tinsley and Watson). Kanter is having another great game, too. There's really no excuse for Corbin if Kanter doesn't get at least 20MPG once Jefferson is back.

Lakers catching Utah is sort of a coin flip at this point, it is trending that way but again, making up 3 games in a little more than 20 isn't that easy, if Utah goes 11-11 the rest of the way the Lakers need to go 14-7, which means they need to play like a top 3 Western conference team the rest of the way.

I suppose it is possible for Utah to just outright collapse, but it's not something you should bet on.

I'm certainly not. I think I called this season over for the Lakers back in January, and nothing has happened to change my mind. Yes, the Lakers are playing better, but they need to play great ball while others fall back. Neither of those things have happened and, like you say, it's not something you should bet on. Tonight, they're taking it the teeth in New Orleans. If Utah holds on in Cleveland, that's just more real estate to cover.

ZOMG Irving!

Wow, looks like the Jazz is gonna fall, Irving nearly had a triple double! (and he scored like 8 points in the last 2:30 min)

Also, lakers are getting demolished in New Orleans o_O

Houston and Mavs are close at this point.

ZOMG Irving!

Which feed are you watching? The Jazz feed showed Millsap clearly had position, but didn't show whether his feet were outside of the restricted area.

Can't believe Jazz are going to blow this one. On the plus side if they miss the playoffs they get a lottery pick, and maybe it makes it more likely Corbin gets canned.

Really, Utah? Seriously?

Celtics beat Indiana 83-81 on a last second Jeff Green layup. Second night of a back to back, in Indiana, trailed by 14 in 3rd and 9 with 4:30 to play - finished up 11-0 over that stretch. Probably the win of the season for them.

Lin made a buzzer beater at the half and Houston trails the Mavs by 1 going into half time. both team are on their way to score about 120 points. of course.

Houston is struggling inside the paint this game but the Mavs are doing them a lot of favors by keep sending them to the line. and they only missed 1 of 15 FT so far. Though Asik does have 3 PF which is a big risk for Houston.

Austin River is starting to look a lot less of a disaster nowadays then earlier in the season... hmmmm

I think it is fairly safe to say that the Lakers are unlikely to make up a 20 point deficit in 12 min.

Also, why is Orlando leading Miami by 1 in the 4th? (look at stats line)

HOLY #### Vucevic ..

LeBron!

I'll be scoreboard watching for sure, but with all 4 teams playing against losers (DAL/SAC/CLE/NOH), I'm not expecting any changes in the standings tonight.

Best. Post. Ever.

Aaaaand Lebron with the layup, 3 seconds left, to beat the Magic.

[121] I love that Rivers is a G who is shooting less than 60% at the line.

God the Spurs offense is explosive.

I'll be scoreboard watching for sure, but with all 4 teams playing against losers (DAL/SAC/CLE/NOH), I'm not expecting any changes in the standings tonight.

Best. Post. Ever.

To be fair, if all four of them lose, that doesn't change the standings.

Austin Rivers has the worst PER (4.9) of any guard I've ever seen that's getting that kind of playing time.

Even Derek Fisher is at 8.7 this year (and 8 last year).

I only saw the last 6 minutes of the half, but it was pretty wild between the Spurs and Bulls.

I think it is fairly safe to say that the Lakers are unlikely to make up a 20 point deficit in 12 min.

Really killing it with the predictions tonight. 2 point game with 2 minutes to play.

Lakers and Hornets now tied with under a minute to go.

true , thus I'm predicting that the Mavs will destroy Houston

Utah is in big trouble.

gotta hand it to the Lakers for coming back from that, but then again if they lost to their Hornets they're really screwed

2 GB from Utah now, let's see how the HOU/ GSW games go.

Chandler Parsons 6 strait game over 20 points.

Harden is having a pretty bad shooting night though. 4-14 , but he did hit 9 free throws and have 8 ass

Look at Utah's next 8 games: @CHI, @NYK, DET, @OKC, MEM, NYK, @HOU, @SAS. How many of those games are they going to be favored in? 1? Maybe in the MEM/NYK games at home. For all that everyone wants to say LAL's got to play great to catch them, the Lakers could go 4-4 and be up a 1/2 game in 2 weeks.

2 GB from Utah now,

It's just a game and a half. It is two in the loss column though.

did Dirk just foul himself out with a technical?

Even as bad as the season has been, I gotta give the Lakers some credit for doing that in the 4th Q of a back-to-back, regardless of opponent.

wooooooooooo... Thomas Robinson suddenly looks good, Block Marian (Dirk got Reb) then grabbed Dirks missed throw, then passed it out for Harden to take the lead.

Also, Houston's playing the ultimate small lineup right now, Parsons / Robinson / Harden / Beverly / Delfino ?

Holy frickin crap, Jazz. Seems they want to hand the Lakers that playoff spot on a silver platter. I'm pretty sure any 12 of us selected at random could beat the Jazz on the road at this point. The Lakers could win 41 games and still get the 8th seed by 2 games the way Utah has been playing. If we can't even hold a lead vs the damn Cavs, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jazz lost out on the road the rest of the season. Their only hope would be to win every home game, but with homies against the Thunder, Grizz, Knicks, Nets, and Nuggs, that ain't happening.

I hate to say it, but I think it's not only possible but actually quite likely now that LAL will make the playoffs while the Jazz stay home. A team that blows an 8 point lead with like 2 minutes to go against Cleveland is going in a very different direction than one that comes back from 20 down in the 4th to win on the road (even against the Pelicans).

WTF ARE YOU DOING KEVIN MCHALE, WHY IS OMER ASIK AND JEREMY LIN ON THE BENCH FOR THE WHOLE QUARTER WHEN NEITHER IS IN FOUL TROUBLE OR PLAYING POORLY

Harden's ability to get into the lane and pick up a whistle is almost Magic-like.

Manu Ginobili is basically a better, guard version of Larry Sanders. Something exciting is always going to happen when he's involved.

Oh goodie, they take away Lin's buzzer beater 3 at the half and now the Rockets are about to lose by 2.

#### the refs

Thank you, Dallas. This upgrades tonight's events from a kick in the groin to a mere punch in the gut.

it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jazz lost out on the road the rest of the season.

That's kind of what made me decide that they were probably screwed. I was looking at the schedule and noticed that essentially every road game they have left is against either a playoff team or one of the semi-respectable lottery teams. Given that the Jazz are basically terrible on the road, it is not a pretty picture.

I'm rooting for SAC now. Let's turn the bottom of the West into a free-for-all.

#148 - Well I expected them to lose almost all the road games, but I figured they'd still be okay as long as they won the few roadies against awful teams (Cleveland, Minnesota), and then took care of the homies against everyone but the elites (OKC, MEM, DEN). But apparently neither of those things are gonna happen. They're losing on the road to Cleveland and at home to the Celts and Hawks. Yeah, they're probably toast. This better be a very busy offseason.