gotemcoach:

Blake got the dunks.  Pau (and the Lakers) got the win.

@gotem_coach

Comparing Lakers fans and Clippers fans -- on the analyst's couch

A psychologist analyzes fans of both teams, and comes up with some interesting finds. I’m not one for generalizing a whole fanbase, but for the most part these seem to ring true for my friends and I who are Laker fans. I’ve actually yet to meet a Clipper fan. Well, one before they obtained Chris Paul. (shots fired!)

“Lakers fans have an internal locus of control. This means they feel responsible for their own destiny. They attribute success to hard work and perseverance.

Clippers fans have a higher external locus of control. So they believe that fate, chance or luck determine events.”

Lakers fans thrive on power, prestige and predictability. Clippers fans value ideals and they cope better with ambiguity, spontaneity and misfortune.

Admittedly, the Lakers-Clippers relationship is a rivalry in progress, and seems to change almost hourly as the Clippers build success and respect. As the franchises’ fortunes turn, so might their fan bases, Lee notes.

If this success is sustained over the long haul, it would be expected to see some Lakers fans defect to [the Clippers’] side, particularly those who need to psychologically identify with the victors.”

Click the link to read the article.

Photos from the Lakers 96 - 91 win over the Clippers.

Lakers v. Clippers highlights

Clippers were able to win 102 - 94 despite another 40+ point game from Kobe Bryant. CP3 was virtually unguardable, especially off the pick and roll, and finished the game with 33 points and 6 assists.

Rapid Reaction from Lakers 114 - 95 Loss to Clippers

2. The Lakers look like a team learning a new system. 

The starters, particularly in the first half, were fine. But generally speaking, even with the high-end talent on the floor the Lakers appeared indecisive in their offense. (Things were even worse with the reserves.) They often got up the floor quickly, but when limited to the half court took a while to make choices on and off the ball. Very little looked automatic. Of course, all of this should be understood. The Lakers are a team learning a new system while integrating new pieces almost daily, something that has gone a little underdiscussed given all the action surrounding the roster. It is going to take time, and some regular season games, for this to work itself out. 

Not saying there aren’t going to be problems or shortcomings down the road, but it would have been more surprising if the Lakers looked efficient offensively. 

Tonight. Game 1 of 2 (preseason) against the Clippers.

7:30pm PT on FS West HD, NBATV and 710ESPN.

Bynum will be starting. Derek Fisher more than likely won’t be.

Sources — Los Angeles Lakers eye blockbuster trades

Yeah, yeah, yeah … wishful thinking. Especially considering that there isn’t even a collective bargaining agreement yet. And apparently, the Clippers are looking to acquire Paul and Howard also, willing to trade everyone except Blake Griffin.

(Source: ESPN)

Lakers - 112, Clippers - 104

So let’s count the amazing parts of tonight’s win:

1. The Lakers won their sixth in a row, and 14th out of 15th since the All-Star break, solidifying their position as the best team in the L right now.
2. Pau Gasol put up 26 points. Great effort, especially considering the fact that he pledged to donate $1,000 to Japan for each point scored. Magic Johnson offered to match his contributions, which totals to a $52,000 donation.
3. Kobe put up another efficient night after a string of bad shooting performances on the heel of an ankle injury (no pun intended). 11-21 for 37 points and a +20.
4. Ron Artest put up another impressive dunk, and Bynum recorded a double-double in his first game back from a two-game suspension.
5. The Spurs lost tonight against the Blazers. While it’s still a pretty big longshot for the Lakers to catch them (now 5 games back, it never hurts for us to move a game up on them.

Next game is Sunday versus the New Orleans Hornets.

Lakers - 108, Clippers - 95

3 in a row, 3 in a row!

Lakers won their 3rd game in four days tonight against the Clippers. There was a little scary moment at the end of the 2nd quarter when Kobe went to the locker room after hurting his hand, but besides that, the Lakers looked pretty good.

Kobe came back out and scored 18 points in the third quarter, and he and Pau were both able to sit for the entire fourth. Pau ended the game with 22 points. Kobe had 24 on the night, along with 5 assists.

Andrew Bynum played pretty well too, putting up a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards. Shannon Brown was in double-digits as well contributing 10 off the bench.

Our next game is Sunday versus the Thunder, who lost to the Magic tonight.

Lakers - 92, Clippers - 99

I honestly can’t tell you what happened in this game. I thought we had it. Kobe was going off in the 3rd quarter and we were leading by 12, and then I look up and Kobe’s on the bench and our lead is down to like 3. The fourth quarter was just disastrous as Blake Griffin picked up steam and led with the Clippers, along with Eric Gordon, to victory.

Kobe Bryant had 27 points and nine rebounds, and Andrew Bynum added 18 points and 13 rebounds. Pau Gasol fouled out, only getting 13 points and 8 rebounds.  No one else on the team had a particularly good game, Odom only having 10 points and 6 rebounds, and Shannon contributing 8 points on 3-9 shooting.