| 19 February 2009
February 18th - LA Lakers (43-10) at Golden State Warriors (19-35)
Golden State, huh? I had the opportunity to ask some questions of Daniel Turman and Guthrie Dolan, two great guys from Fear The Beard - an excellent blog that covers the Dubs... with a slightly different take on things. Before we get into my preview, here's what they had to say:
Behind Enemy Lines
With Malice (Don): The Golden State Warriors have fallen on somewhat hard times recently, what single factor would you blame?
Fear The Beard (Daniel/Guthrie): While some blame Don Nelson's coaching, and others blame the egomaniacal decision making of Robert Rowell, I still point the finger squarely at the majority owner. Chris Cohan. Shit rolls down downhill.
WM: Given the frenetic style of play that the Warriors run, who would be on a realistic wish-list for Golden State to acquire?FTB: Let's see, big man that can run the floor, score, rebound and lock down on defense. I'm going to say Kevin Garnett. Or more realistically, perhaps Amar'e Stoudemire. The bigger question is what you have to give up to get a player like that? And, does that make you better or worse overall.
WM: Is Jessica Alba really that hot?
FTB: Um, hell yes.
WM: Baron Davis had become synonymous with GSW. Now a Clipper, and 50 games on... how much does it hurt?
FTB: I think that in a basketball sense it might be hurting him more then it hurts us. Don't get me wrong, Baron's leaving hurt us too though. The Dubs have already lost more games than they did all last season. But Baron's dealing with The Cryptkeeper (Dunleavy Sr.) as his coach, and playing a style that doesn't suit his game. Just the same, he got a big contract and he's home in LA. I'm living in my hometown, but I sure don't make Boom Dizzle's scrilla.
WM: What do the Lakers have to do to beat the Golden State Warriors in The Oracle?
FTB: Play Kobe 48 minutes. That always helps. But seriously. For the Lakers to win, I would suggest running Pau Gasol at a dinged up Biedrins (if he plays) and/or Turiaf relentlessly. Jack and others can frustrate Kobe for 
stretches, but I don't see much to stop Gasol and Odom from running the double big-man look on us for long minutes with significant success.
stretches, but I don't see much to stop Gasol and Odom from running the double big-man look on us for long minutes with significant success.WM: Best beard in the NBA now?
FTB: Ronny Turiaf's beard beard is looking pretty robust these days. He also has been rocking rough and tough with the afro puff for the last couple of games. Good combo. Rip Hamilton was flirting with greatness when he took his media-day picture this year, but has since regressed.
*****
Phenomenal stuff, and a good reason to have a Jessica Alba picture up! Anyway, The Oracle's an awesome arena, and the Dubs' crowd is one of the best in basketball... but I don't see the Warriors getting away with a win today. LA are 18-6 on the road, Golden State are 14-12 at home. Currently holding the best record in the league - the home-stretch has been entered: Phil Jackson & the Lakers will be salivating over every away win opportunity.
LA are too big, and as Daniel mentioned, Biedrins is injured, and ex-Laker (one of my favourite players) Ronny Turiaf is not quite big enough. Gasol & Odom will impact hugely on this game. Especially Odom, man's running on a PURPLE patch at the moment. And Gasol? On the back of his third ever triple-double, his confidence is going to be very good indeed.Kobe'll get his - Kobe invariably does. But expect Phil Jackson to run a big line-up against the Dubs, and get the bump 'n' grind happening in the paint.
Still - the Golden State Warriors are one of those teams that can get very, very hot. They're not afraid of putting up shots from pretty much anywhere on the court. And when they're dropping, heaven help their opponent.
It's not like it happens often - thus their record. But when it does... ouch.
Anyway, Cap'n Jack & crew aren't likely to get it going too much against LA. The defensive intensity that LA currently are applying's just too great (there's a sentence I never thought I'd type).
LA by double digits.
You can also head over to Fear The Beard, and see what they have to say about the game... Oh! And read the questions they asked of me...
