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Five thoughts about Lakers-Kings in Vegas
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AP Photo/Eric Jamison
Ok, so the Dodgers blowing out the Phillies made it easier for me to watch the Lakers. Is it wrong that I was watching preseason basketball instead of the Dodgers' first LCS in 20 years? Nah.
Anyway, here are my five thoughts about the Lakers 94-89 victory against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas Sunday night.
Odom has his best game of the preseason...off the bench. Lamar Odom's preseason has been more dramatic than an episode of Gossip Girl, but without Blake Lively to make it appealing. The" will he start-won't he start" question may have gotten its answer Sunday night, as Odom looked much more productive and confident off the bench. It's going to be interesting to see Phil's reaction to Odom's night. He'll probably praise Odom's play as a reserve before announcing he will be the team's starting point guard. Oh, Phil and his wonderful mind games.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You didn't think I could watch a game in Las Vegas and not use their oh-so-catchy slogan, did you? Despite picking up their first W of the preseason, the Lakers have to remember that it's just the preseason. Let's not break out the champagne just yet. Phil's clearly been experimenting with different lineups and roles, trying to find out what the best fit will be. My guess is that the first couple weeks of the regular season will be more of the same, so don't hit the panic button if the Lakers go 5-5 in their first ten games.
Coby Karl needs to get his resume ready. You have to like the kid, but you also can't dispute the fact that he brings nothing to the team on the court. In the locker room I'm sure he's a stand-up guy, but when you watch him you just want him to be better than he is...and he's not. His shot looks great, but it doesn't go in. He's a step too slow to defend NBA guards. Coby, I hate to say it, but you're cut.
Sasha is ready for his close-up. Near the end of the third quarter, the KCAL crew was kind enough to show Sasha Vujacic on the bench. I'll tell you one thing, if his ankle never heals, he has a full-time career as an Armani model waiting for him. Well, maybe not, but I've never seen the greasy long hair/five o'clock shadow combination work so well.
Trevor Ariza should be the Lakers' starting small forward. More on this later, but Ariza provides two things that they can't get from Radmanovic or Odom: energy and defense.
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