Worthy of Your Attention
Lakers vs Hornets
As a Laker supporter, I’m mildly obsessed with checking out the team’s schedule, always on the lookout for statement matchups and the always heart-wrenching “trap game”. Though it’s off to a promising start, the month of January is going to be tough for these guys, with land mines littering the way.
Tonight is the first true test of the new year for the Purple & Gold, as the Lakers complete a mini two-game road swing in New Orleans. The Hornets are of course on fire of late, and Chris Paul is playing like an absolute force of nature. There’s nothing anyone can do to stop the guy; he is arguably the League’s greatest point guard. Needless to say, I’m afraid of what he’ll do to Derek Fisher and company tonight.
With seven games against Playoff-bound teams this month, Kobe Bryant’s supporting cast - Andrew Bynum in particular - needs to continue to play at a high level. Taking into account that they’re playing the second of a back-to-back, to say nothing of their past struggles on the Hornets’ home floor, KB24 embarking on one of his insane scoring sprees right about now certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Prediction: Lakers (105) - Hornets (111)
55 Responses to “Worthy of Your Attention”
Jan.9 at 4:04 pm
Myles Brown says:
97-91 Lakeshow.
Jan.9 at 4:07 pm
Phil B says:
101-94 hornets
Jan.9 at 4:10 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
ohhh Mutoni…I can’t even tell you how excited/nervous I am about this game. Excited because I love watching both teams, nervous because I remember how freaking angry I was after the huge blowout by NO early this season! Lets go Lakeshowwww.
Jan.9 at 4:11 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
I’ll take CP3 over J-Kidd OR Steve Nash right now
Jan.9 at 4:12 pm
Captain America says:
CP3 is all you have to say. Horns by 8
Jan.9 at 4:15 pm
Kadavour says:
anyone thinking Crit and Farmer are gonna get some serious “distract (cuz that’s all they can do) Chris Paul minutes”? I’m looking for Kobe to score big this game. He put up 50 on them effortlessly last season when determined to stop his streak, so Kobe would be wise to beast tonight
Jan.9 at 4:17 pm
Kadavour says:
when they were**
Jan.9 at 4:18 pm
jbn74sb says:
The Hornets are a tough matchup for the Lakers. “We” can’t contain CP, and don’t really have anyone to guard West. Kobe likes to roam, which leaves Peja wide open. And Chandler is a great defensive player, who will neutralize Bynum. Kobe is the x-factor, but isn’t taking over games offensively this year. I am afraid this won’t be much of a game.
Jan.9 at 4:19 pm
Myles Brown says:
Peja had ten threes in that last game. I doubt that’ll happen again. I agree with Mutoni, the key to this game should be the Bynum/Chandler matchup. Points in the paint, controlling the boards and a defensive presence to deter penetration. Who’s gonna deliver?
Jan.9 at 4:19 pm
TADOne says:
Mutoni, your predicting your boys to lose?? Tsk tsk.
Jan.9 at 4:20 pm
TADOne says:
But if the Lakers run all night, can the Hornets keep up? That seems to be their M.O. lately.
Jan.9 at 4:23 pm
jbn74sb says:
Vanessa deters penetration.
Jan.9 at 4:25 pm
Jay Davis says:
If L.A. works through Bynum early, that could take Chandler out of the game quickly and I don’t see Hilton Armstrong doing much against young Andrew. Peja won’t go off like last game, either, but I think the benches will be key. Statistically, L.A. has the best bench in the league, I think. L.A.-103
N.O.- 98
Jan.9 at 4:25 pm
Myles Brown says:
I just stopped myself from typing something completely inappropriate.
Jan.9 at 4:26 pm
jbn74sb says:
Don’t be a tease, Myles.
Jan.9 at 4:28 pm
Myles Brown says:
Think Princeton…
Jan.9 at 4:33 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Great. Inappropriate thoughts linked to Pete Carril are now in my head. Thanks, guys.
Jan.9 at 4:34 pm
The Second Coming says:
Okay if Phil is smart, he’d put Ariza on CP3. I watched a couple games live when I was home for break, and that man is a monster defender. Completely nullified Grant Hill. After that, who else can lead NOK?
Jan.9 at 4:34 pm
jbn74sb says:
A favorite move of mine.
Jan.9 at 4:36 pm
jbn74sb says:
What do you mean, Holly? Please explain.
Jan.9 at 4:38 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
It will be interesting to see how Andrew plays tonight. He seemed to struggle a little on the offensive end last night, missing some easy lay ins that he usually makes. I’d love to see some Farmar/Critt/Kobe all thrown at Paul to shake things up. If Ariza can get in the passing lanes early it may change NO’s game before Paul really gets his passing game going, but I doubt anyone’s ability to stop this kid right now. I still don’t get why Kobe was playing 40 minutes in the game last night when LA was up big and they knew we had a big game tonight. Lets hope the running game is in effect.
Jan.9 at 4:38 pm
Kadavour says:
I had the same Ariza on Paul theory, but i figured it was a bit farfetched. guess we’ll see
Jan.9 at 4:40 pm
TADOne says:
I’m sure they’ll start with Fisher guarding CP3, but if he starts to get off, look for Kobe to take over.
Jan.9 at 4:44 pm
bouncyman says:
If we put Ariza on CP3, does our point guard go to guard Peja?
This game is so scary…. can’t get the 21 assits from CP3 and 11 threes from peja outta my mind… feels weird typing those kind of numbers and know I’m not talking about a video game.
Jan.9 at 5:01 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Is David West still out? He’s the new “most underrated” as far as I’m concerned.
Jan.9 at 5:05 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
I don’t know, Russ. I was wondering the same thing. He has been huge for NO and he doesn’t get much press.
Jan.9 at 5:18 pm
Phil B says:
ariza on cp3? i like the sound of that if i’m cp3. not saying anything negative about ariza, but there’s no way he can guard cp3.
Jan.9 at 5:23 pm
Toney Blare says:
I’m going to this one. Tyson vs. Bynum oughta be good. I think they’ll put Kobe on CP3 in the 4th. Chris has been tearing up every defender, so I think they’ll give him a bunch of different looks.
Jan.9 at 5:31 pm
tt says:
Can’t wait for this game. I have Kobe and Peja on my fantasy league (hope they both do well–with the Lakers winning at the end of course)
Jan.9 at 5:56 pm
Mike C says:
That last game they played was an anomaly.
Paul’s not getting 21 dimes and Peja ain’t hitting 11 treys tonight.
With that being said, I think the Lakers need a good shooting night from Kobe.
If he shoots below 40% like he did for the past few games, I say NO comes out on top.
Jan.9 at 6:09 pm
Nate says:
Lakeshow lost last time because they simply weren’t as good as they are now. It was the fourth game of the season: Trevor Ariza wasn’t with the team and Lamar Odom didn’t play. They hadn’t adjusted to what they wanted to do defensively. I’d be shocked if the Lakers didn’t win by at least 5.
Jan.9 at 6:10 pm
ak47 says:
LA 120 NOK 117 Kobe gets 38,10,9 CP3 gets 25,12,10
Jan.9 at 6:10 pm
Nguni says:
Kobe hasn’t been shooting well. Should he do so, they have a better chance. But with Chandler maning the paint, and with CP3 being, well, CP3, the NO takes this one. 99-94.
Jan.9 at 6:11 pm
Nguni says:
@ak47: 12 dimes and 10 steals?
Jan.9 at 6:39 pm
ak47 says:
Nguni, No 12 dimes and 10 rebounds! CP3’s not that good!
Jan.9 at 6:39 pm
hursty says:
hornets by 5. Kobes gonna get 40, while Lamar Odom gets 22, 7 and 5. CP3 comes very close to a triple double and west has a field day.
Jan.9 at 7:02 pm
Reggie Evans says:
267 - 68, Lakers
Jan.9 at 7:27 pm
its just alex says:
Gonna be a good game. I like the Portland/GS match up though too.
Jan.9 at 9:17 pm
DD says:
124-118(OT), Lakers
Jan.9 at 10:27 pm
hursty says:
clutch city vs. the Scmucks, round 2 of Aaron Brooks ( one of the lightest dudes in the league) vs. Nate Robinson (one of the shortest)
Jan.9 at 11:10 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Alex, I am pumped up for this GS/Por game. And it is only now that I feel it is safe to comment on how freaking exciting these Lakers are!! whooo, Mutoni, I know you are loving this as much as I am!!
Jan.9 at 11:34 pm
Jay Davis says:
Never thought L.A. would drub the Hornets like that. 109-80!!! I don’t wanna jinx it, but if they stay healthy…
Jan.9 at 11:49 pm
Reggie Evans says:
This game was Andrew Bynum’s graudation ceremony. He worked Tyson Chandler on the boards, and made his valedictorian speech when he hit a sweet, under control left hook shot over Chandler. He then threw his cap in the air with a dime to Luke Walton for a two-handed jam. Unstoppable.
Jan.10 at 12:47 am
Logan says:
LAKERS BABY!!!!!!!!
Jan.10 at 1:38 am
Joey E. says:
true test my @ss.
29 point victory, and 3rd straight blowout is excellent.
NO is soooo overrated. or at least very deceptive when looking at their record
i laugh at you people who called New Orleans winning this game. We picked their @sses apart!
Jan.10 at 2:19 am
Myles Brown says:
If I werent so against them, Id use like thirteen emoticons right now…
Jan.10 at 2:21 am
ak47 says:
We were all wrong. Hey, but the Lakers still won!
Jan.10 at 2:23 am
ak47 says:
Marcel, you should have a little more faith in your team!!!
Jan.10 at 2:25 am
DLo says:
Incredible prediction…
Jan.10 at 2:38 am
ChrisPaul4All-Star says:
109-80!
Jan.10 at 3:06 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I’ll use them for you, Myles!! That was a GREAT game. :)
Jan.10 at 10:20 am
Jay Davis says:
Joey: The Hornets aren’t overrated. Everybody knows they would have made the playoff the last two seasons if they were able to stay close to healthy for a full season.
Jan.11 at 1:25 am
ming yao says:
(kid off the simpson’s voice) HA-HA!!!
Jan.11 at 1:35 am
Joey E. says:
Jay: your right. i was just pumped after the game lol but seriously, they have the worst bench in the League. Chris Paul scored 30+ and they still lost. Kobe had 19 points!and we still won by 29! i guess they arent overrated, but their record is deceptive to how good they really are. or the Lakers are just beasts B)
Jan.11 at 2:13 pm
TMT says:
All you people… hate all year… now you want back on our Shaqless wagon… hate on haters.