| 04 February 2009
The struggling Toronto Raptors (19-31) face the LA Lakers (38-9) tonight in Toronto. Kobe just recently put up another milestone performance, scoring 61 on the Knicks in New York on Monday. And in case you forgot, Kobe dropped 81 on the Toronto Raptorsjust alittle over 3 years ago. I can only imagine what he has in store for the Raps this time around.The Lakers have also lost their young centre, Andrew Bynum to injury for most likely the regular season and possibly the start of the playoffs. This comes as a serious blow to the Lakers as Bynum was averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds for the team. This moves Lamar Odom off of the bench and back into the starting lineup.
With Malice, is an NBA blog covering the Lakers and Don of With Malice was able to answer a few questions about tonights game.
HHN: Andrew Bynum was having a great season for the Lakers. With the recent injury to Bynum, how do you think this will affect the Lakers down the stretch?
Don: Quite a bit. Bynum was just starting to come into his own as one of the better centers in the league. He brought to the table the one thing that LA was criticized as lacking last Finals - hard, intense defense. If he's better on the sooner end of the scale - around 8 weeks, I think LA still has enough to get to #1 (or close to) in the West, LA will be stronger for having had time without him. If it's the longer side - 12+ weeks, then it's going to be very tough to get to the Finals.
Still, better off than where we were last season - Trevor Ariza is highly underrated...
HHN: Who do you see as the Lakers' biggest threat in the Western Conference playoffs this year?
Don: The Spurs. They have a heap of detractors, but this is an odd numbered year. Past few of those the Spurs have been Champs. Would you bet against Timmy & co. if they made the Finals?
HHN: If you were the coach of the Toronto Raptors, what would be your strategy to beat the Lakers on Wednesday?
Don: Kobe's going to get his, so defend him as best as you can. But protect the paint like it was your daughter - LOCK IT UP. Don't let Gasol/Odom/Kobe in - force the Lakers jump-shooters to get the points. They can be incredibly streaky. Zone D over man-to-man... it'll take an incredible amount of discipline not to always run out to the open jumper, but defend the paint. Gasol will get points anyway - he has a jumper... Odom might struggle tho'.
Look, the above could get you absolutely blown out, but I think it's a better strategy than letting the open man attack from within 6 feet.
HHN: Who has been the biggest surprise on this year's Lakers roster?
Don: Well... I'm not surprised Ariza's having a very good year, so I'll go with the impact that Luke Walton's been having of late. He's actually doing a very, very good job.
HHN: The Lakers-Raptors have a Spanish connection in Jose Calderon/Pau Gasol. Which Spaniard will play better on Wednesday? Calderon or Gasol?
Don: That, is a hard one. Calderon's one of my favourite point-men in the entire league... but going to go with Gasol. I think that the Rap-pack just have too many things to worry about, even with Bynum out. Gasol'll have a big one...
Check out my Q&A with Don at his blog, .html">With Malice
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