Tim's Two Cents-February 10

Kobe Bryant Questionable for All Star Game.  The Laker guard said yesterday that he would play in the All Star game if he's healthy.  My advice is to skip the game, healthy or not, and rest his tender left ankle.  A few days off would do some good.  To his credit, he has sat out the last two games, both of which the Lakers won and is a game time decision for tonight's game at Utah.  Let's not forget that Andrew Bynum also missed Monday's game against the Spurs with a hip injury.  I say let them sit out at this point of the season.  As long as the Lakers are winning, I see nothing wrong with it. 

It is more important to have a healthy Kobe Bryant down the stretch for the playoffs.  For the Lakers to make a deep run in the playoffs, a healthy Kobe Bryant is essential.  Anyone who says otherwise is living in a fantasy.

Photo courtesy:
Wikimedia Commons and michael248 under CC-SA 2.0 License

Lakers End Two Game Skid

Laker fans can stop panicking for the moment thanks to a 95 to 77 win over the Milwaukee Bucks last night, ending a two game losing streak after losses to the Clippers and the Trail Blazers.  So the world is not going to end.  Even though Kobe had a poor shooting effort, the Lakers found a way to win.  I will say that if you told me Kobe Bryant would go 4 for 21 in field goals and the Lakers would still win, I would say you're crazy.  Funny thing is that's exactly what happened!

For the Lakers, Andrew Bynum had himself quite a game.  Bynum had 17 points and 18 rebounds while Bryant had only 12 points and 5 rebounds.  This game was not a masterpiece on offense though.  Both teams struggled to knock down wide open shots, so I don't know how much of it was good defense or bad luck.

At least today sports radio in Los Angeles can talk about a Lakers win instead of a three game losing streak.  The Lakers will head out on the road to face the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow. 

As for the Clippers, they continue to win.  Their latest victim was the Miami Heat yesterday afternoon with a 104 to 94 victory.  They are getting more confident as the season goes on following victories against both the Lakers and the Celtics.     

Photo courtesy:
Wikimedia Commons and michael248 under CC-SA 2.0 License