Purple & Gold Post Game: Fugly Win

Yep, the second half definitely went a lot better for our Lakers. The first half nearly had me dosing off, but the second half woke me back up and had me out of my chair a couple of times. Gotta love when a fugly victory still ends up being an18-point margin. My post-game thoughts…

If Andrew Bynum continues to play like this (nine points, 17 rebounds, four blocks) or even improves over the course of the rest of the season, the other 29 NBA teams are screwed. Diaper Drew (that’s what I call him) was awesome tonight. What impressed me the most was what didn’t show up in the stat sheet; A.) All the shots he altered without blocking; and B.) Standing up for Derek Fisher when that neanderthal lookin’ goon Chris Kaman Caveman tried to start static. The Lake Show will need Bynum to be its enforcer if they meet the Celtics in the Finals once again.

Lamar Odom didn’t even really play well and still had 15 points and eight boards. Really digging him as the Zen Master’s sixth man extraordinaire. Could have done without that Chernobyl-style meltdown after an obvious bonehead foul on Captain Caveman, though. It was nice after the fact, however, to see Kobe immediately come over, put his arm around Odom and have a talk with him during the next break. KB24 has come a long way as a leader, and that’s just another example of how.

You gotta love Sasha Vujacic and how he refuses to lose confidence in his stroke. The guy is the Slovenian John Starks. Love the Machine’s fire, too.

Al Thornton. Going. To. Be. A. Player.

I still can’t believe Baron’s on Jenny Craig. Just can’t get over it.

Kobe Bryant had some unbelievable plays…

1. The dunk at the end of the first half when he drove around the entire Clips’ squad like an arrangement of orange cones and rammed down a flush.
2. That sick over-the-shoulder no-look pass to Vlad in the corner (he sank the three) that would have had even Magic himself smiling.
3. That steal that was tipped to Odom, which led to Kobe getting the ball back and putting one of the best dribble drop-step moves I’ve ever seen on the defender. He missed the bucket, but his aggressiveness allowed the Lakers to force a turnover and eventually convert via an Odom tip back.

Kate Hudson looked more like this than like this. What happened to you, girl? David Beckham looked prettier than you did. Hell, a scruffy Will Ferrell did.

Jordan Farmar made some mistakes, but overall he gave the Lakers a huge lift off the bench. The 22-year-old ex-Bruin really looks solid. That play where he followed his own three, snagged the rebound and somehow put in a circus lay-up was impressive.

Was Jack Black sitting next to the valet dude from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?

That 22-0 run was a thing of beauty. This team is so long, athletic and relentless…um, am I describing a basketball team here? What exactly am I trying to say? That when the Lakers turn it on it’s truly scary? Yes. I think 70 wins is still a possibility if everybody stays healthy. Not probable, but possible.

Trevor Ariza has so much potential. That reverse slam that he caught and threw down off the Kobe miss was just disgusting. He’s quickly becoming my favorite Laker not named Kobe.

Pau Gasol really wasn’t even needed tonight.

Why were we interviewing Cole Hamels again?

Even in a sloppy game, everybody save Luke Walton really contributed. I think we all have to be satisfied considering how long the Lakers have been idle. Plus, I’m guessing some of the players probably had a little too much fun last night.