RECORD YTD 55-37 (.597)
SIDES 36-26 (.580)
TOTALS 19-11 (.633)
Cant post new topic so I edited this one. record updated to show spurs win last night here.
Laker totals have fattened in the last 5 as they have played bottom ten defenses.
FROM L.A. paper
In the past six games, O'Neal has averaged 16.8 rebounds and four blocks -- well over his season averages of 11.4 and 2.48. And though he's scored at a modest, steady pace of 21.7 points per game, O'Neal's emphasis has clearly been at the defensive end.
He is chasing rebounds and chasing guards on pick-and-rolls. He is changing as many shots as he is blocking and -- in a concession he's always been hesitant to make -- has allowed that his defense may be the most critical asset for his team.
"I'm feeling better, I'm doing what Tex (Winter) and Phil (Jackson) want me to do," O'Neal said. "Phil wants me to focus on getting boards and getting some more blocked shots. We've got a lot of scorers on this team, and whenever I can get a high-percentage look at the basket, I'm going to take it. I'm not going to force too many shots, take too many ill-advised shots. I'm going to just rebound, play defense and try to keep everybody else involved."
Four times in the past five games -- including Wednesday's rout of Sacramento -- O'Neal has finished with more rebounds than field-goal attempts. Meanwhile, Bryant has been the leading scorer in five of the past six victories.
"It's all about winning," O'Neal said. "If we're winning playing a certain way, then I'm fine with it. But if we're losing playing a certain way, then I'm not fine with it. But right now, it seems to be OK, everyone seems to be enjoying it, so I'll just keep it doing it."
There is little danger of the Lakers losing with a defensive-minded Shaq. They are 18-2 when he gets at least 14 rebounds and 14-0 when he gets at least 15. They are 15-1 when he blocks at least four shots.
When it was mentioned that O'Neal had embraced a defense-first philosophy, Jackson nearly fainted.
"Would you repeat that question again? Because I can't believe someone actually said that," Jackson said. "He believes the idea that he can be a defensive force and a rebounding force first and foremost? Every time I've ever said that to Shaquille, he's always said, 'I'm a scorer, I'm not a rebounder and a defensive player.'
"That's an idea I've tried to sell Shaquille for the last three years. That makes a huge difference to our team."
Lakers are 3-19-2 OU in their last 24 at home
UNDER 195'
Utah tied here last night.
Posted earlier last month about the Western Conference dominance over the East. Will go that route and take the Defending World Champs at home in a revenge situation vs the East's Pistons.
Overnights at 4 mostly. Pinny has it at 3' but you got to lay 113.
SANANTONIO-3'
Home Cooking TexMex, Spicy
Can never figure which way overnights are going to go. My Power ratings have the Spurs better by 4.
[This message was edited by OccamsRazor on March 26, 2004 at 07:50 PM.]
SIDES 36-26 (.580)
TOTALS 19-11 (.633)
Cant post new topic so I edited this one. record updated to show spurs win last night here.
Laker totals have fattened in the last 5 as they have played bottom ten defenses.
FROM L.A. paper
In the past six games, O'Neal has averaged 16.8 rebounds and four blocks -- well over his season averages of 11.4 and 2.48. And though he's scored at a modest, steady pace of 21.7 points per game, O'Neal's emphasis has clearly been at the defensive end.
He is chasing rebounds and chasing guards on pick-and-rolls. He is changing as many shots as he is blocking and -- in a concession he's always been hesitant to make -- has allowed that his defense may be the most critical asset for his team.
"I'm feeling better, I'm doing what Tex (Winter) and Phil (Jackson) want me to do," O'Neal said. "Phil wants me to focus on getting boards and getting some more blocked shots. We've got a lot of scorers on this team, and whenever I can get a high-percentage look at the basket, I'm going to take it. I'm not going to force too many shots, take too many ill-advised shots. I'm going to just rebound, play defense and try to keep everybody else involved."
Four times in the past five games -- including Wednesday's rout of Sacramento -- O'Neal has finished with more rebounds than field-goal attempts. Meanwhile, Bryant has been the leading scorer in five of the past six victories.
"It's all about winning," O'Neal said. "If we're winning playing a certain way, then I'm fine with it. But if we're losing playing a certain way, then I'm not fine with it. But right now, it seems to be OK, everyone seems to be enjoying it, so I'll just keep it doing it."
There is little danger of the Lakers losing with a defensive-minded Shaq. They are 18-2 when he gets at least 14 rebounds and 14-0 when he gets at least 15. They are 15-1 when he blocks at least four shots.
When it was mentioned that O'Neal had embraced a defense-first philosophy, Jackson nearly fainted.
"Would you repeat that question again? Because I can't believe someone actually said that," Jackson said. "He believes the idea that he can be a defensive force and a rebounding force first and foremost? Every time I've ever said that to Shaquille, he's always said, 'I'm a scorer, I'm not a rebounder and a defensive player.'
"That's an idea I've tried to sell Shaquille for the last three years. That makes a huge difference to our team."
Lakers are 3-19-2 OU in their last 24 at home
UNDER 195'
Utah tied here last night.
Posted earlier last month about the Western Conference dominance over the East. Will go that route and take the Defending World Champs at home in a revenge situation vs the East's Pistons.
Overnights at 4 mostly. Pinny has it at 3' but you got to lay 113.
SANANTONIO-3'
Can never figure which way overnights are going to go. My Power ratings have the Spurs better by 4.
[This message was edited by OccamsRazor on March 26, 2004 at 07:50 PM.]
