Plaschke’s Points Are Lost on Discerning Laker Faithful

In this reader’s poll, Bill Plaschke is way ahead in his election bid for village idiot. He tries to cite statistics in claiming Eddie Jones didn’t show up for the Lakers’ first playoff game against the Trail Blazers, a game he couldn’t have watched. The only stats that Plaschke finds important are that Rider beat Jones in scoring, 25-14, and assists, 3-0. He claims that Rider “outhustled Jones for position.” Eddie outrebounded Rider, 7-2.

“Jones played like a man haunted.” Really? Was that a ghost who blocked six shots to Rider’s zero? Rider did post a six in the box score: turnovers. Eddie had only two. Eddie was a clutch 10 for 10 from the free-throw line, many coming at the end of a close game.

Rider is a good player, he just happens to play on a team that needs him to score 25 just to stay close. Eddie plays on a team with an abundance of scorers, and the contributions he made in this game were enormous.

BRENT BORCHERT

Los Angeles

*

After reading Bill Plaschke’s column of April 25, I can only wonder 1) if he wrote the story at halftime or 2) if he understands anything about basketball or 3) if he carries a grudge against Eddie Jones or 4) he just loves to “stir the pot.”

There is more to basketball than points scored. Eddie blocked six shots (a career high), had seven rebounds (to two for J.R.), made 10 of 10 free throws (most of them during clutch time). I hardly feel that he had his rear kicked by J.R.

Bill, when you write a column, look at something more than point totals and remember what your buddy Jim Rome says: “Scoreboard.”

JACK FRISCH

Manhattan Beach

*

So what if Rider scored a lot of points? Eddie played a superior game. Ultimately, the only playoff stat that really matters is wins vs. losses. Even Bill Plaschke should have been able to see that Jones dropped a shutout on Rider, 1-0.

GLENN BALDWIN

Westchester