The Lakerhead

The Debate Is Finally Over: Lakers Are Better Than the Wizards

I feel so bad for the state of basketball in the nation’s capital, I am giving the Washington Wizards a piece of advice:  When you get a top 3 pick in this year’s draft, please, please, please, draft a big guy.  The Lakers beat the Wizards in what quickly became a laugher, 117-97 (which was the final score after the Wizards outscored the sleepy Laker subs by 9 points in the 4th quarter).

When Mike Fratello has to announce that the reason Bynum and Gasol are scoring on your players like they strolled into a YMCA pickup game and decided to own is because you’re missing Brendan Haywood (10 points, 7 rebounds a game last year, at least he’s a big body that can block shots), you’ve got big man issues.

Do I worry about Kobe’s finger?  Yes.  He had 11 points in 28 minutes.  I know it was a team victory, but when does that ever happen?  He also shot 4-11 from the field (36%).  Combine that with 5-15 shooting against the Clippers, and it’s clear to see that the dislocated ring finger is bothering him.  There was a play in this game where he deflected a ball out of bounds he would normally steal.  He quickly began rubbing his hand in pain.  Gulp.

The Lakers picked the short-handed Wizards team apart.  Kobe sat out the entire 4th quarter along with Derek Fisher.  The best part about the dominant Laker win (the lead was over 30 points before the entire 4th quarter became garbage time and Chris Mihm and Sun Yue were sent in for the Lakers) was that they beat the Wizards as a team, which is always more devastating than beating them on individual talent.  They are getting real comfortable with spacing on the triangle and passing that ball around.  Tex Winter must be happy.  At least less cranky.

When the Wizards get Gilbert Arenas, DeShawn Stevenson, and Brendan Haywood back, they have a decent core with Butler and Jamison on the wings.  But they need some talent down low, or they will only become the poor man’s Chicago Bulls (who are now 18-25, and still looking for some low-post scoring).  I’ve got sad news for them:  Tim Duncan (or anything resembling him) is not doing to be in the draft.  But I guarantee them a big better than Brendan Haywood will.