| 29 December 2008
Golden State Warriors (9-22) at Los Angeles Lakers (24-5)
Terrible as it may seem to paint the Warriors of being irrelevant, but this game is all going to come down to which LA shows up at the Staples Center: the team that lost to the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers... or the team that beat Boston and New Orleans. Earlier this month, the Lakers struggled to maintain the defensive intensity that they had on display at the start of the season. Often listless on defense, they struggled against teams they should have put away early, and lost games early on in the month that they clearly should have won.
They appeared to turn a corner when they went into the New Orleans Arena. Amazing to think that a "held Chris Paul" amounts to a 17 point, 10 assist, 6 steals performance... but it's largely true. That lead into a heady 9 point win over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.
The New Orleans/Boston-defeating LA Lakers looked formidable. "Defensive integrity" was something that could be listed once more in the positive column. Pau Gasol in particular took big steps over the last two games. He played very well on David West, and was instrumental in the Boston victory. Often labeled as soft, Gasol came at the Celtics - and KG in particular - with a vengeance at the close of the game, playing hard and physical.
What of the opponent today? The Golden State Warriors... Coming off their own win over Boston (in oh-so-rare back-to-back losses), Golden State head into this game with their heads held up high... and this will be despite their 9-22 record (which includes a 4-15 record on the road). Stephen Jackson back in the line-up certainly makes them more formidable, and it will be interesting to see the fan-favourite Ronny Turiaf at the Staples Center for the first time in a different uniform.
Nellie loves small-ball, and historically Phil Jackson's loved playing teams who love small-ball. LA comes into this game with a huge height advantage. Andris Biedrins has been playing some very good basketball this season, but he has his work cut out for him with the different looks Gasol/Bynum/Odom present.
Golden State are a team every team worries about playing. Yes, they're very beatable... but if they are not afraid to hoist the ball up from anywhere on the court, and if they start hitting - look out.
Still, with Corey Maggette and Jamal Crawford sidelined still, this is a team without a lot of their firepower.
Add all of this to the fact that LA are 15-1 at home, and this should all equal a win to LA.
