Size, Substitutes Storylines from Staples

The New York Knicks dropped the opener of a three-game West Coast swing Tuesday night at the Staples Center. The defending champion LA Lakers cruised past New York 100-90 for their fourth straight win. Ron Artest scored 17 points, and the Lakers scored likewise in the third quarter alone to avoid the shaky play of their reserve players. LA’s substitues played sloppy and the Knicks trimmed the lead to respectability by outscoring the Lakers in the fourth quarter. LA exploited a major size advantage and returned their starters to take command of the game. The 6’10” Lamar Odom grabbed 12 rebounds against the second worst defensive team in the NBA. Kobe Bryant finished with 34 points, five rebounds and four assists. Pau Gasol, playing in his third game, produced a double-double for the NBA champs.
Wilson Chandler and Nate Robinson tried to carry the Knicks. They both netted 15 points as the Knicks struggled and strained to get in the paint. The visitors folded in the third quarter when LA broke the game open. Following a ten point halftime lead, the Lakers went on to tally 17 unanswered points. The Knicks bucketed just 12 free throws and couldn’t get to the charity stripe as often as they wanted. New York was also grim from the outside, hitting only 11 of their 33 3-point attempts. Eddy Curry re-injured his knee when he bumped with Andrew Bynum in the first half. The seven foot center sat out the second half, and the 3-11 Knicks could be without him for their meeting with the Sacramento Kings tonight. The 26 year old eight year veteran missed all of last season with the same left knee ailment.
The Lakers’ outburst in the third quarter was a good sign for Phil Jackson’s team. LA is starting to hit their stride, with all five starters scoring in double digits. Bryant’s supporting cast has the size and talent to top every team in the league. Even when the Knicks clung to a one-point advantage early in the game, the Lakers answered with a 9-0 run. LA extended their lead by hitting threes and jumpers in an all-out domination of the Knicks. Winning is nothing new for Jackson and the Lakers. There will be challengers trying to knock Kobe and company from the NBA’s top spot. But with Gasol back in gear, the Lakers are fully ready to defend their title and take the west. Last night’s matchup between small forward Chandler and Gasol was completely in LA’s favor. Gasol and Bynum together add a new dimension for Jackson. The Lakers did not play very well offensively, but still edged the Knicks by ten points when the buzzer sounded. LA plays great, straight-forward basketball. It is not surprising they trounce opponents. They did their work against a weak Knicks team by pouring in points when New York sought to make it a respectable game. The lowly Knicks and polished Lakers are headed in opposite directions. While LA is busy schooling teams at the Staples Center, New York is trying to put together a legitimate team. Former Seminole, Toney Douglas, and Italian standout, Danilo Gallnari, chipped in a combined 31 points last night. The two young shooters are promising Knickerboxers, but aren’t enough to culminate a losing program into a championship-caliber club. The Knicks are playing better defense this season, and have executed effectively on offense. This team just doesn’t know how to counter a stronger club, especially one as established as the reigning champions.

Parting Points: Thanksgiving Eve song- “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam

I wonder what the NJ Nets have to be thankful for this year...