Oakland Raiders: The Definitive 2010 Mock Draft

We're well into the off-season; the Oakland Raiders were surprisingly on the sidelines for the majority of the un-restricted free agency signing period, which is abstruse. The team could simply be working through salary cap constraints; the restricted free agent market hasn't begun yet.

The Raiders did test the waters and recently traded one of their two third round picks (#85 overall acquired from New England in the Derrick Burgess trade) to the Cleveland Browns for Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley. This is a good move by the Raiders one that is a low risk high reward choice.

He is also the only linebacker on the roster penciled in as a starter right now. It appears that some changes will be made and that the linebacker group is quietly being blamed for the team ranking near the bottom of the league in the run stopping category.

The Raiders linebacker group is filled with un-certainty. Starting linebackers Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison are restricted free agents that could be had by any team for a second and third round draft choice, respectively. The Raiders may or may not bring back starting MLB Kirk Morrison.

However, Oakland hasn’t had a leader at the MLB position since Greg Biekert. Trevor Scott made a nice transition to linebacker from Defensive End and even replaced Thomas Howard at one point last season. Jon Alston has signed with the Buccaneers. Ricky Brown, Slade Norris, David Nixon and Isaiah Ekejiuba will return and battle for roster spots.

Oakland has several holes to fill and only 8 draft choices to accomplish the task. The one thing that has to change in Oakland is that this team needs to re-build through the draft and develop their own players. The most glaring needs are Quarterback, Defensive Tackle, Offensive Tackle, Middle Linebacker, Cornerback and Defensive End.

JaMarcus Russell is a bust and the QB position is the biggest need however, Oakland can’t afford to draft a QB in round one with the money owed to Russell. The Raiders will look at veteran options such as trading for Sage Rosenfels as an example.

Although the team is in the process of putting a full-court press on Donovan McNabb.
I would love to see him in silver and black; just concerned about what it will take to land him, I don’t want to see Al give the Eagles a 1st round pick for McNabb.
Another thought has to be will he sign a contract extension to remain in Oakland longer than 2010? It should not come as a surprise that the Raiders are seeking quarterback help.

All true Raiders fans know that Al Davis wants athletes (that have an impressive size & speed, physically imposing players and enjoys acquiring 1st round picks that have washed out with other teams.

This has been a Raiders practice for years with mixed results. The Raiders need to start drafting productive players. A team is really saying this is what we’re all about with a first round pick that has a high level of physical & mental toughness.
The Raiders are in need of playmaker's on both sides of the ball.

This mock draft is my plan to address the teams needs now and building toward a better future. I will also include potential un-drafted free agents that would provide competition and depth on the defensive and offensive lines.

Round 1: MLB Rolando McClain – Alabama 6’4” 255 lbs.

McClain has a unique combination of traits that a team wants in a MLB, size, athletic ability, playmaking ability, physicality; McClain would be an excellent replacement for Morrison and would make an immediate impact. The Raider linebackers make several tackles but far too many are made on the second level of the defense McClain would change that.

The Dick Butkus Award winner is the best inside linebacker in the draft, a productive three-down linebacker that has outstanding football intelligence, instinctive with great diagnostic skills. He is the type of run stopper that the Oakland has been lacking.

He is a hard hitter, one that hits running backs and wide receivers like he wants his money back. He is a big film room guy that is well versed on the history of the game, has spent the last two years as the defensive captain on one of the nation’s top defenses and on the field doesn’t take any false steps. He projects to be a Pro Bowl level player.

The choice should be between ILB Rolando McClain or OT Trent Williams. There are four elite Left Tackles in this draft, more than likely two will be off the board prior to the eighth pick in the draft. A tackle can be selected more than likely moving Mario Henderson to right tackle.

The Raiders have options including moving Gallery back to Left Tackle as well as drafting a tackle after the first round. My reasoning for selecting McClain is based on his immediate impact on the defense that has to stop the run in 2010. I gave you my choice, but I honestly feel that Al Davis wants WR Dez Bryant or FS Taylor Mays.

Round 2: NT Cam Thomas – North Carolina 6” 4” 331 lbs.

The defensive tackle position is the deepest position in the draft. DT is a position that the Raiders haven’t addressed in the draft since Chris Cooper in 2001 & Antaaj Hawthorne in 2005. The optimum size a team wants a DT in the (4-3 front) 6’ 4” 305 lbs.; in a (3-4 front) 6’ 4” 345 lbs.

Cam Thomas fills a need that the Raiders have had for years. A prototypical DT will possess toughness, core strength and quickness. Thomas doesn’t get knocked off the ball and is an incredibly strong bull rusher. He can handle and split double teams.
He is more athletic than N.E. 2009 2nd round pick Ron Brace. Thomas does an excellent job of plugging the middle and freeing the linebackers to make plays. He has played in both front’s giving the team scheme flexibility. The choice should be between Thomas, DT Jared Odrick – Penn State, OT Charles Brown – USC and Jerry Hughes - TCU.

Round 3: OT Jared Veldheer – Hillsdale (Mich) 6’ 7” 321 lbs.

Jared Veldheer has the main four traits that a team looks for in an offensive tackle balance, awareness, recovery speed and pride. The optimum size you want in a tackle is 6’6” 315 lbs. He has excellent size, huge frame, extremely strong and carries his weight well. He is an excellent competitor who works hard and plays past the whistle.

He has excellent strength and is a solid positional blocker. He is very smart and doesn’t miss assignments he also has a habit of finishing his blocks. He as able to dominate and out-muscle competition in Division II however, he started 46 games and didn’t allow a sack.

He was very solid and didn’t shy away from contact in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game week showing the he can hang with the big boys. He is rising on several teams draft boards. The choice should be between Veldheer, OG Mike Johnson – Alabama, OT Jason Fox - Miami.

Round 4: QB Dan LeFevour – Central Michigan 6’ 3” 229 lbs.

The team is seeking QB help and it has to be done and we all know why. Perhaps Hue Jackson can create a miracle who knows Hue is a solid QB coach, but Jackson can’t be tied to Russell’s failure. Even if the Raiders land Donovan McNabb the team still has to acquire and develop a QB of the future and Dan LeFevour would be a solid prospect to develop as the QB of the future. Oakland has also had a private workout for Sean Canfield.

The spread offense has made finding an NFL QB difficult, but not impossible. LeFevour is an experienced four-year starter that has the “it” factor that a leader at the QB position has to have. He is competitive, has excellent size, mobility and the ability to make plays with his legs.

He has a high completion percentage and threw for over 3,000 yards three of his four years in college. He started 51 of 53 college games throwing for 12, 905 yards and 102 TD’s against 36 Int’s. The choice should be between LeFevour, DT Arthur Jones or WR Taylor Price – Ohio.

Round 5: NT/DE Nate Collins – Virginia 6’ 2” 279 lbs.

Nate Collins is a productive NT in college and solid football player, an undersized NT, but would be an excellent DE. He has a thick build, above –average initial quickness and good lateral range to slip through gaps and create havoc. He uses his hands well and has active feet to counter a blocker’s attempts. He has the strength to slide off blocks and make the tackle. The choice needs to be between Collins, Torrell Troup – UCF, OLB Rennie Curran.

Round 5: OG Marshall Newhouse – TCU 6’ 3” 326 lbs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz_n0bvGLk
Newhouse started at left tackle for three years in Fort Worth; he is the nephew of former Dallas Cowboy fullback Robert. Despite having a lot of sheer mass he has surprising foot quickness to shuffle and slide, projects to be a strong, athletic starter at guard and an excellent drive blocker. The choice should be between Newhouse, DT Linval Joseph.

Round 7: FB John Connor – Kentucky 5’ 11” 240 lbs.

John Connor has a solid, compact, muscular build. He consistently plays with a low pad level, sinks his hips and drives for yards after contact when running the ball. He can be effective in short yardage situations as a runner as well as a blocker. He is a literally a man-moving lead blocker. He is excellent in pass protection and does a good job of sealing running lanes. The choice should be between Connor, OLB Larry Hart – Central Arkansas.

Round 7: OLB Arthur Moats – James Madison 6’ 0” 246 lbs.

Arthur Moats is a Short, Speedy and very productive Buchanan Award Winner as the Division I-AA defensive player of the year. He led the I-AA in tackles for loss and captured the award by the largest margin of votes in the award’s 15-year history. He is seeking to follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as DE Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis and Dexter Coakley.

The following are players that the Raiders could bring in as un-drafted free agents to provide depth and competition on both lines: OT Nick Richmond-TCU, OT Mike Tepper-Cal, C Sean Allen-East Carolina, G Shelly Smith-Colorado State, G Alex Parsons-USC, G Reggie Stephens-Iowa State, DT Abe Koroma-Western Illinois,FB Jack Corcoran-Rutgers and OT Chris Scott-Tenn.

Oakland Raiders – It’s time for a Bold Move

It's playoff time in the NFL, which means that the conversation about the Raiders moves on to the next year; will the Head Coach be fired or retained, which prized free agent will the team pursue in search of a quick fix, what will be the latest Al Davis draft mistake, etc. etc. etc.

The fact of the matter is that another year has passed and the organization remains in the same position irrelevant, down and out. The players and several card-carrying members of the Raider Nation have spoken of consistency in regard to Tom Cable remaining the Head Coach.

So-called inside sources/sources close to the team/un-named sources/ people who feel like they know - have stated that Cable went rogue benching JaMarcus Russell. Has it come down to Al choosing between Tom Cable & JaMarcus Russell? Does that make any sense?

Oakland needs stability in the front office, head coach, a coach that can teach the game of football, recognize weaknesses to exploit, devise solid game plans, motivate and lead the team to victory. Regardless of what you or I think those questions and that issue will be decided by Al Davis in a meeting on 1/10/10.

However, the reaction of the players and especially the fan base should provide a stubborn owner more signs that Raider fans have had it. I think that Al Davis needs to break out the Overhead projector and fire himself as the team's General Manager.
Drastic times call for drastic measures and for this team now is the time.

Beyond the obvious of someone else handling the draft for the team, Al Davis needs to make a bold move such as offering a package deal to the Rams for the number one pick in the draft.

He should offer RB Darren McFadden, QB JaMarcus Russell and SS Michael Huff in an attempt to land DT Ndamukong Suh. He should also be on the alert just in case the Rams decide to use that pick on QB Sam Bradford who will more than likely be the highest rated QB in the draft if he checks out medically and proves to be healthy.

If the Rams aren't buying it he could then offer a similar package to the Lions, minus Russell who are in search on offensive help. Here is some of the reasoning behind such a bold move:

1. These are overpriced non-productive players who have either exceeded their 3-5 year window to make an impact or have missed games due to injury but still have trade value.
2. Al Davis can’t be in anyway ready to scratch a series of checks to these players in excess of $28 million for 2010.
3. The team hasn’t gotten any significant return on investment with either player considering where each player was drafted.
4. Freeing up the team from the investment in each player to allow the team to restock more productive talent.
5. The Raiders need to develop their own drafted players, but the guys mentioned were guys the team missed on that a change in scenery could still be beneficial for both parties.
6. The Raiders need to make their money spent work for them on a more tangible level and produce some kind of value.

The goal would be to secure the 1st overall pick in the draft or the second as well as retain the original first choice so the team possess' two first round picks. If successful the team could land DT Ndamukong Suh & MLB Rolando McClain. The bold moves would fill two huge needs on this team replacing 10-year veteran Gerard Warren & Kirk Morrison currently a free agent.

The move would vastly improve the defense at two key positions, provide the Raiders with two solid young impact players that understand that losing is unacceptable, are instinctive, familiar with stopping the run and getting after a quarterback. We are all aware of the fat that the economy is bad, but for those who aren't seeing the entire picture the value of money is decreasing.

This statement is relevant on several levels. The Raiders have literally thrown away way too much money on guys that should have been drafted later than selected.

When you consider that Oakland in the last 23 seasons has had single digit wins in 18 of them, has lost 11 games a year for the last seven years, had top ten first round draft picks for seven years and missed on all of them, had two first round picks in 2002 & 2003 and only have Nnamdi Asomugha to show for those four picks, have thrown too much money at several veteran free agents, the team has also hired and fired several coaches without giving them the latitude to do their job without influence.

I hate to say it, but something has to be done at this high level of perpetual sucktitude! The league is currently re-working the Collective Bargaining Agreement and I want to propose a few changes myself. The Raiders are one of several franchises in the league that have been horrible for a while and are in need of an overhaul. It has resulted in several blowouts, non-competitive games and several local blackouts. These teams are causing the league to lose money.

Isn't it time that a clause is written into the CBA that states a team has five years to make the necessary moves to become competitive or the league office will take over to put that franchise on the right track? That's a total of 85 games, more than enough time to make progressive moves.

Call it punishment or legislation for not being competitive. If the players can be fined, suspended or released for not performing is it right that there is no way to show a team owner that this is unacceptable? Some may have to be forced into a position to be competitive.

The goal has to be a competitive brand of football by all 32 teams. The way it is constructed every team earns revenue, but with more competitive teams the league would make more money and us fans would be able to watch a better product on the field.

Oakland Raiders – Was 2009, a repeat performance or a variation of a ‘bad’ theme?

On the last Monday of 2009 the Oakland Raiders find themselves with double-digit losses for the seventh year in a row. Another difficult year for a Raider's fan to have to deal with or should I say suffer through.

The 2009 draft was one that brought two athletes to the team as 1st (Darrius Heyword-Bey) & 2nd round (Mike Mitchell) picks, but it is unclear if or when these athletes can develop into productive football players. The teams draft produced a promising DE selected in the 3rd round (Matt Shaughnessy).

A promising WR selected in the 4th round (Louis Murphy). Another promising DE/DT was signed as an undrafted free agent (Desmond Bryant). Once again the Raiders look better drafting in reverse and this trend needs to stop.

A team's 1st & 2nd round picks should be solid and make an immediate impact on the team. Whereas a team's picks in rounds three - seven should build the team. However, what should happen always boils down to whom Al Davis wants.

I have a lot of respect for Al Davis and for what he has been able to accomplish over the years. I'm also in agreement with www.messagetoal.com and believe that it is time for him to give way to someone else running the football operations and have stated the same things for years.

Another year of surprisingly beating teams that the Raiders had no business beating and losing to teams that the silver and black should beat. A change was finally made at quarterback, but as much as I agreed with the decision it makes me wonder if things could have been different if the decision was made in week seven as opposed to week 11.

Going into 2010 it is clear to me that Oakland needs to change JaMarcus Russell's position or cut him because they have their quarterback in Bruce Gradkowski. Russell needs to out-work everyone, do a complete 180° turnaround and come back looking like a completely different player for me to consider him a potential member of the 2010 53-man roster.

Another thought has me wondering how dramatically different the win-loss record would change if the Raiders could stop the run. The team is allowing 150 rushing yards and 24 points per game for the seventh straight year. This has the silver and black ranked 29th in the league at stopping the run. Is it a coincidence that six of the teams that rank in the top ten against the run use a 3-4 front as their base defense?

I know what several people will attempt to inform me that the Raiders don't run a 3-4 defense nor have the personnel to effectively run the scheme. However, what every Raider fan knows that it is time for a change. Dramatic changes such as a new scheme on both sides of the ball, new personnel, better play calling and a completely different focus.

A switch back to the 3-4 defense, the same defense the Raiders used and while winning Super Bowl XVIII in 1983, will probably never happen. However, switching to a multiple front defense one that uses a base 4-3 front, but depending on the opposition and down and distance switching out of the 4-3 front and into either a 3-4 versus the pass or a Bear 46 to finally stop the run.

This will also ensure that the silver and black defense won't be so predictable.
Change is very slow for the Oakland Raiders, but the Raiders blitzed more as well as had more success with it in 2009 than in previous years. It might not be the massive changes I want to see, but it is a start.

Hopefully there is more change to come in 2010; I’m talking about change for the better. I can't tell you today if Tom Cable keeps his job as the head coach or not. My feeling is that he remains in place despite all of the top tier coaching talent available.

If Al Davis spoke with some of the talent available, relinquished control and told them it was their show to run and that he wouldn't interfere. Put it in the contract and provide them three years to clean up his mess that might suffice.

If some of these changes were put in place instead of discussing how great Janikowski’s 61 yard field goal was or how the officials did the Raiders again (Not Surprising or worth discussing) with some changes we could be discussing the best season the Raiders have had in a decade. The ball is always in Al Davis court and it is up to him to do the right thing for the future of the franchise.

Lakers vs. Hawks Preview

The Lakers are back on the hard wood tonight against a talented Atlanta Hawks team. Hopefully the Lakers will bring and employ their defense tonight at the Staples Center. The Lakers took one on the chin and were beaten by the Mavericks on Friday because of poor shooting and not being able to stop a familiar tactic; the pick and roll play.

The loss was their worse at home in two years. Los Angeles needs to shake off the rust and put on a bounce back performance. Being stunned at home by an opponent that you had beaten six times in a row could be the type of wake up call this team needs.
The Lakers have a favorable schedule to start the season that could easily vault them in the Western Conference Standing but they’ll have to play night and day better than what we saw against Dallas.

Los Angeles is still playing without All-Star Power Forward Pau Gasol who has yet to make his 2009-2010 season debut, it is doubtful that it will be tonight. The team doesn’t look the same without him. The ironic thing is that Gasol was the third pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies on draft day. However it must be said that I have no idea how Kwame Brown & Tyson Chandler were selected ahead of him.

His absence is no excuse for how lethargic the team was defensively. The coaching staff will have watching film of the game as use it as a teaching tool. It is necessary because the Atlanta Hawks are averaging 110 points per game.

All-Star Shooting Guard Joe Johnson is averaging 21 points per game and has shot 50 percent or better against the Lakers in six of his last seven games in Los Angeles. Josh Smith is averaging 19 points per game. Running the offense for the Hawks is veteran Point Guard Mike Bibby who has played well against the Lakers on more than one occasion.

Andrew Bynum has been solid this season, averaging 20 points and 11.5 rebounds but he will need help against Atlanta’s talented young front court of Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. Horford is averaging 17 points 14 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.

The Lakers have to shot better and play defense without fouling. Los Angeles was outscored 25-9 from the free throw line against Dallas. The Lakers need to get back to using excellent ball movement and excellent player movement to be effective. The front line of Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum will be put to the test but have to step up to the challenge.

The Lakers need to focus on defense limit the Hawks to one shot per possession, stop the dribble penetration, control the boards, rotate out to three point shooters, close down the lane and make it a point to stop the pick an roll play because they’ll have to face it and defend against it all year.

Tip-off: 6:30 PM PST

Television -
• Los Angeles: Fox Sports West (Joel Myers & Stu Lantz)
• Atlanta: Fox Sports South (Bob Rathbun & Dominique Wilkins)

Radio -

• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
• Atlanta: 790 AM (Steve Holman)

Injuries -

Lakers:
• Pau Gasol (Hamstring)

Hawks:
None Reported


Photo Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Lakers vs. Mavericks Preview

The Lakers raised another banner, got their rings in a star studded ring ceremony as Lakers legends honored the reigning champions. The team officially put the 2008-2009 season behind them then it was just like that Jay Z track “On To The Next One” and began their title defense by dispatching the Clippers.

Pau Gasol sat out with a hamstring injury that will keep him out of tonight’s contest as well. Ron Artest fit in well in his Lakers debut as expected. Kobe led the Lakers with a game high 33 points; Andrew Bynum celebrated his 22nd birthday with a 26 point 13 rebound effort putting aside any doubts about his health.

Despite Bynum’s game and a few nice Kobe Bryant reverse lay ups there wasn’t a lot for the sold out crowd to cheer about as the Clippers kept the game close. The Lakers bench contributed a full nine points collectively and remains a concern. The Lakers defense has to improve and get back to a championship level it’s early in the season and not there yet.

Los Angeles faces the Dallas Mavericks tonight a team that is coming off of a terrible loss at home to the Wizards. The team is still led by Jason Kidd, who is a year older and a step slower but still effective. Dirk Nowitski was provided front court help with the additions of Shawn Marion & Drew Gooden.

The above mentioned additions will really help Nowitski by defending and crashing the boards. Whenever he is asked to rebound he appears to wear down.

Last year’s solid five–man nucleus of Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitski and Brandon Bass is no longer intact for various reasons. The Mavericks can’t match the versatility of the Lakers roster even with the absence of Pau Gasol and their ability to cause match up problems.

Dallas needs someone to take the pressure off of Dirk Nowitski. The Mavericks need Jason Terry’s points off of the bench to be effective. He didn’t give them much in the first game nor did the new additions.

One would think that this game has the makings of a shootout. However the Lakers will start their offense from the inside out by getting the ball to Andrew Bynum early and often and allowing him to go to work.

You should also see Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom spend some time in the post as well. The Lakers have to shoot better and their bench has to step up and contribute. Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic and Shannon Brown have to knock down open shots and the second unit has to come in and change the pace of the game.

Defensively the Lakers have to control the tempo of the game and play at their pace, own the boards, stop the dribble penetration, limit Dallas to one shot per possession and challenge every shot. I want to see the Lakers play defense without fouling and make it a point to rotate out to three point shooters.

Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST

Television -
• Los Angeles: ESPN & FSW (Joel Myers & Stu Lantz)
• Dallas: ESPN & TXA 21 (Mark Followill & Brad Davis)

Radio -
• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
• Dallas: ESPN 103.3 KTXA FWB 980 (Bob Ortegal & Chuck Cooperstein)
Injuries -

Lakers:
• Pau Gasol (Hamstring)
Mavericks:
• SF Josh Howard (Ankle)



Photo Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Lakers vs. Kings Preview

The Lakers are in Las Vegas, NV for a pre-season run against the Kings at the Thomas and Mack Center. In the previous game the Lakers returned to The Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, CA only to have the nostalgic run end in defeat to the Warriors who shot better than Los Angeles in the second of back to back games.

The Kings have made several additions to the squad in the off-season such as 1st round picks PG/SG Tyreke Evans & F Omri Casspi, SG/SF Desmond Mason, SF Andres Nocioni and PF Sean May. Their new Head Coach Paul Wesphal is big on versatility in his players and he will employ a three guard lineup against the Lakers tonight.

It appears to me that the move is more of a gimmick than a solution to what ails the team. Don’t get me wrong versatility is good for any team and will benefit a team in the long run.

Beno Udrih is an effective Point Guard; Tyreke Evans can be a very effective combo guard as well but losing Francisco Garcia for a while on the second high profile weight lifting accident causes a need to attempt to replace his point production which will cause a team to make adjustments.

No disrespect but the Kings are a team that will be lucky to sniff 30 wins this season. In my opinion it is not really about positions but more about putting the best five guys on the floor.
The theory has worked for the Warriors, Suns & Mavericks when the goal was to score a ton of points and concern themselves with the classic low post match ups at the four and five spots. The Kings also have more depth at the Guard positions and at Small Forward.
The Lakers have one of the most versatile rosters in the league; it will be on full display tonight. Los Angeles will use defense as their calling card tonight as well as the entire season. The Lakers could match the Kings Three Guard line up with Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest & Shannon Brown.

Derek Fisher is the starter at Point Guard but matched up against a 6’6” Tyreke Evans in the post could cause double team which will force the defense to rotate. The Kings will have to adjust to the Lakers regardless of what line up is on the floor. Los Angeles will focus on player movement and ball movement as well as executing their offense.

The fact that Luke Walton hasn’t played a lot of minutes is due to the fact that more time was given to Ron Artest an Adam Morrison. The coaching staff has big plans on how they’ll deploy both players. Morrison will come off of the bench but Coach Jackson wants the opponents to figure out how Artest will be utilized.

Look for the Lakers to play inside out and allow Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to go to work. You might see Kobe Bryant in the post as well. I want to see Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic & Adam Morrison consistently knock down open shots.

Tip-off: 7:00 PM PST
Television -
• Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (HD)
• Sacramento: KXTV News10 (HD)
Radio -
• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
• Sacramento: KHTK 1140 (Gary Gerould)
Injuries -
Lakers:
• PF/C Pau Gasol (Hamstring Strain)
• C DJ Mbenga (Malalignment of his hips/ hip flexors)
• SF Luke Walton (Minor Back Pain)
Kings:
• SG Francisco Garcia (Forearm)

Lakers vs. Warriors Game 2 Preview

I’ve got goose bumps by simply hearing the phrase “the Lakers will face the Warriors at the Forum in Inglewood, CA on tonight”. Call it a blast from the past but great to hear. The Lakers started the 2009-2010 Pre-Season right where they ended last season convincingly beating their opponent.

The exhibition run gave everyone a look at what this team is capable of doing.
Ron Artest had a nice debut for Los Angeles with a 12 point, 9 rebound and 7 assist night. Andrew Bynum lead the Lakers is scoring with 24 points showing a lot of athleticism finishing at the rim early and often.

He also showed that he is fully recovered from the knee injury that plagued him in the playoffs and prepared to be a presence in the paint. Hopefully for the Lakers on both ends of the court.

Kobe Bryant put up 22 points and grabbed 9 boards as the defending NBA champions used a balanced scoring effort to win their pre-season opener big in Anaheim.

The same two teams will match up again this evening under a different roof. Always great to see the start of another basketball season but and even better sight on Wednesday night was to see the Lakers reserves put up 47 points. The bench production in 2009 wasn’t as solid or consistent as it was in 2008.

Earlier indications are that this area was addressed by the coaching staff and will improve with Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar & Adam Morrison consistently knocking down open shots. The Lakers won it all last year by playing solid defense and that needs to be their calling card this season. The addition of Ron Artest works toward accomplishing that goal.

Just as in the first game you’ll see Coach Phil Jackson stick to traditional rotations with Lamar Odom the first player off the bench as well as Jordan Farmar the first guard off the bench. Josh Powell might get extended minutes in the interest of resting Pau Gasol. Look for Adam Morrison to get a longer look with the regulars to help in his development.

It is still early and the Lakers have room for improvement like every other team in the league. The Lakers have to move their feet and play defense without fouling and limit the Warriors to one shot per possession.

Tony Gaffney has to be showing flashes defensively on film but he hasn’t made the roster as of yet. The Lakers will continue to work on getting their timing and chemistry together. I’m looking forward to seeing the Lakers play solid defense and display excellent player movement and excellent ball movement.

*The thoughts and prayers of the Lakers Nation go out to the Ratliff family for their loss and ours; John Ratcliff, the Lakers official scorer for the last 48 years passed away recently and will be missed.

Tip-off: 7:00 PM PST
Television -
• Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (HD)
• Golden State: CSN (HD)
Radio -
• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
• Golden State: KNBR 1050 (Tim Roye & Jim Barnett)
Injuries -
Lakers:
• None to report.
Warriors:
• PF Brandon Wright (Shoulder)
• PG C.J. Watson