Apparently, you really can't win 'em all
Not that it seemed that way for the Lakers, who entered their game Friday night in Portland on a ten game winning streak and 13-1 in February. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and they did so courtesy of a 119-111 loss to the Blazers at the Rose Garden. For the first time in a while, the Lakers weren't the better team when it mattered, as Portland pick and rolled, picked and popped, and generally picked apart the purple and gold once they recovered from an early ten point deficit. This is a team the Lakers have struggled with for a while, and it wasn't hard to see why on Friday. Brandon Roy (who missed Tuesday's game at Staples) returned to the Portland lineup with a bang, with 20 points, 12 dimes, and only two turnovers. Jarrett Jack had ten helps of his own, along with 21 points and only two TOs.
In fact, as a group, the Blazers took incredible care of the ball, giving it away only six times all night.
Among Portland's taller folk, L.A. had trouble containing LaMarcus Aldridge (22/8 on 10-18 from the floor) and Travis Outlaw (18 points on 9-15).
The Lakers had solid efforts from Lamar Odom (17/12/3), Luke Walton (a season high 17 points, along with seven boards and four assists), and, as usual Kobe Bryant, who played over 43 minutes and scored 33 points. Generally, anything the Lakers did inside the arc worked reasonably well. It was the long distance stuff that was off kilter. If you take 27 triples as a team, more than five need to go in (assuming victory is the goal).
It's not surprising to see them struggle here and there defensively, especially with pick and rolls against an athletic, talented team. Defense is about cohesion, and there were moments tonight where you could see the Lakers, and particularly Pau Gasol, struggled to work effectively as a group. Things have been going so well of late that it's easy to forget that no team can be perfect all the time, and that, talented as they are, the post-Pau Lakers are still learning some things about each other. Teams will throw different looks at them, and sometimes they'll work. Portland, especially with Roy, is a tough team. All in all, it's hard to get too worked up about the first loss in 11 games.
They'll likely get some rest on Saturday, in anticipation of what
should be a great game Sunday at Staples against the Mavs. More to
come tomorrow.
BK
All I can say is that this was a positive "lost" for us. Lets see if we learn from this in the coming games..
Give a lot of credit to the Blazers, they were compose til the very end. Obviously, our Lakers fought a good one w/c only fell short the last couple of mins...Tired...perhaps, due to b2b but again that can be anyones excuse. Nevertheless, I still like how our team played it through.
Glaring weakness that showed again was the lack of boxouts for defensive reb and of consistent help defense. I still like that we got this out of the way and hope the coaching staff will see this as a good indicator to tweak our defense. I can't fault the team for being short on this one. Just like Kobe said awhile back "...Offense is not our problem,...we'll hit our shots and miss some...but we should take pride more on defense."
Good win by the Blazers but a much better lesson for us. There's still a couple more left anyway to play them.
Go Lakers!!! We won't quit...
Posted by: KiKosDad | February 29, 2008 at 10:41 PM
ex,
I agree that Odom is better with Gasol than he was with Bynum, but I think the fact that we were the best rebounding team in the league with Bynum and one of the top teams in defensive efficiency more than makes up for that.
And I also agree that we're not the team to beat until we have both Bynum and Gasol.
Posted by: Xodus | February 29, 2008 at 10:54 PM
The Lakers were tired, pure and simple. It showed in their defense and the fact that the Blazers sliced through the middle of the lane for layups time and time again.
Hopefully they'll be well rested for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Posted by: Laker Seth | February 29, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I think this loss exposes why we are going to have to climb a mountain to get past San Antonio. Ginobili and Parker can easily get as hot as Roy and Jack, and do it all series long. Duncan can be as difficult to stop as Aldridge and Outlaw combined. San Anton takes care of the ball and minimizes TOs, and are even better organized than Portland
.
If Lakers settle for the 3s versus San Antonio, we're done.
The loss also shows the genius of Mitch Kupchack bec. we could really have used a healthy Ariza, not to mention Bynum in this game, and will certainly need them for San Antonio.
Posted by: LakerinBC | February 29, 2008 at 11:03 PM
And I agree w/BK, team defense will take some time to gel. Are we going to be able to do it, even with AB and TA having to be reworked inside the team late, not to mention Pau? That is the big question.
Posted by: LakerinBC | February 29, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Hate to say it, but Walton just looked out his league on defense tonight.
Also, Fish is slumping big time.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 29, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Jester Lives!
But barely. I literally had a guy starting to hop over the wall from his luxury suite to kick my a$$ in the third quarter. (Wondering if I'm gonna get away with that one or if my post will be Jon KO'd.)
Relax, man (I told the drunken Blazermaniac in so many words). "I'm just a short, fat, old guy. What are you trying to prove? Pick your battles, young one...."
I almost needed that protective gear after all!
And I was being mostly friendly to be perfectly honest.
So much for the victory but we did get some MVP chants going briefly (before they were drowned out by boos). Is there still any doubt how much this town hates the Lakers?
On another note, I've been complaining to my Blazers fan friends about their crummy announcers all year. Seriously, Those guys are horrible and it's only magnified when they play us.
So i was off in my optimistic prediction of a win (should I be taking a cue from Never?) but I have to say, I toldya so on several points.
The Blazers are good from three and the Lakers will need to stick their men and not leave the shooters in the future. Also, Walton -- who played wonderfully on offense -- can't guard Outlaw in his wildest dreams. I was wrong to think Odom could, though. He got burned too.
Bottom line is that we match up terribly with this team and we better hope they don't use this as an impetus to climb back into play-off contention. This would be the ABSOLUTE worst matchup for us come play-off time. Though, selfishly, I look forward to PDX-LA series for years to come so I can go to the games.
Just not this year.
Tomorrow is a new day, boys and girls. This WAS the playoffs for Portland and, for reasons discussed by others, it was likely to be a tough night for us.
I'm keeping the faith. ;-)
Posted by: Jesterguru | February 29, 2008 at 11:11 PM
The problem with the lakers, they are all finesse, methodical and creative. However, Lakers need also the blue collars for defensive stops. Ronnie Turiaf types who will bang with bodies. Some of our players like Luke has been fully scouted on weaknesses, so his guard try to penetrate on his lax in defense. I thought they got DJ MBenga for defensive purpose, but he was hardly used. Well, He is slow and somehow he spoils the triangle basically at this time, he is still learning the system.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 29, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Bynum is the key. Once we have that last line of defense back there we can stop helping so much and it will be far more difficult for effective penetrators such as Roy or Ginobili to break us down. As my buddy wrote me in a text during the fourth quarter, "Bynum come back."
Posted by: Jesterguru | February 29, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Looks like Portland forgot to drink that grape and orange koolaid.
Let's face it, post-trade lakers haven't played any good WC teams til tonite (I don't count phx because it was their 1st game with Shack). I don't think this is a good sign.
And what's up with Pryzbilla punking Kobe? They should have kicked him out.
Posted by: Nash for MV3 | February 29, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Funny how the lakers haven't won in portland the last four times up there..Portland owns the lakers.
Say, if the lakers get #1 seed and Portland gets #8 seed....HELLO DALLAS VS GS!
Posted by: Nash for MV3 | February 29, 2008 at 11:31 PM
this is what i'm talking about!!! lakers is just too soft for a physical team. lakers will never win a championship if they continue this. poor defense!!!
Posted by: staque | February 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM
even when bynum was still healthy... lakers' defense wasn't tight. this was always the case... poor defense!!!
Posted by: staque | February 29, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Couldn't fight through all the bad calls tonight. How long will the refs continue to punish Phil and Kobe for the "Junior" caper?
Posted by: J. Walter Weatherman | February 29, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Called this one on Wednesday. Hate being right.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this game was an L on their floor if Roy played. Fish has been slumpin', they played us tough for 3 quarters home and then just started brickin' shots. More of those shots were bound to fall in the ROse Garden especially on a back to back.
It's an OK loss. Hopefully, if will bring a new sense of urgency on Sunday.
If Houston falls out of the playoffs and somehow Portland sneaks in, we could get them in the first round. We best take their heart next game.
Posted by: Vman | February 29, 2008 at 11:46 PM
i think they lost cuz some blazers went one on one with kobe, and then kobe always has to redeem himself. so then they didn't move the ball as much and kobe didn't really try to get his teammates involved early on....... i think they do better when someone else besides kobe makes the first shot of the game. just like in the heat game, kobe made the first shot.. and the starters had to come back out in the fourth.... so yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted by: | February 29, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Can't win em all, and a back to back and all that stuff. Never the less... a couple of things to worry about for the home stretch.
Gasol has lost a little of his ju ju, or maybe he is tired or maybe he lost a little confidence after being outplayed by Aldridge in 2 of the last three games.
Gasol reminded me of Kevin McHale on offense in his first few games. Lately his toughness and defense have seemed a little lacking. Glad he's a Laker but Bynum will help tremendously on the boards and clogging the middle.
Turiaf continues to play well and deserves more time. I'd like to see Odom move over to three...at least in spurts.
Point guards can't keep anyone in front of them. I'm not sure if this is part of a defensive scheme to funnel the guards, but all I see is opposing guards breaking down the Laker defense.
Love this team, but I can't see them beating San Antonio or Boston (cringe) in a series because they can not consistently shut teams down. Boston plays tremendous defense, and the Spurs can slow teams down as well.
I know the return of Bynum and Ariza will help and if they can return to full form the Lakers would have a chance. Still, would like to see the current group focus more on stopping their individual man.
Posted by: Darryll White | February 29, 2008 at 11:51 PM
It was good game. Blazers seemed to have this date circled on their calender, so kudos to them for rising to the occasion. They obviously had to play out of their minds, but the Lakers seem to have been on cruise control for the past 4 or 5 games. Fish isn't on, Gasol isn't moving as well, etc. Kobe's had to shoulder the load for the starters lately, which is weird. Hopefully they regroup by sunday.
Oh well, the Blazers just wanted it more. This probably made their year, judging what was being said on their blogs.
Posted by: #4 | March 01, 2008 at 12:08 AM
sure, this game is a lesson learned and move on.
the refs were bad, the team was tired or off, and portland played very well, they're a good team.
i think the Lakers definitely went away from what works for them too many times, there were too many miscommunications on both ends of the floor. the guys have a reason to improve now.
it's no where near time to panic.
Posted by: man | March 01, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Lakernation
No lost is a good lost in the Western Conference. I agree with everyone, that says I think the team is getting tired with the short bench. Also our defense has not been that good overall all season. Bynum just helped a lot on the defensive end. I believe Pau is getting tired. Remember he came from Memphis, were he could take games off because they weren't winning. The Blazers are really gonna be good with Oden. I don't know if we are quite ready just yet for a NBA championship because of the defense. Too many 3 pointers for this game. i agree with the bloggers who said they should have drove to the basket. Now if we could just get rid of the Suns bloggers, they are pretty annoying. They better be ready fot the Mavericks. They are just a half game ahead of San Antonio. Laker fan since eaarly 80, really enjoying this season.
Posted by: Toni | March 01, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I am watching a Lakers - Miami replay game... December 2006
I can't believe that we have had a starting line up of:
Kwame
Cook
Walton
Smush
Kobe
I really appreciate all the more what Kobe has done during those time... HE LITERALLY CARRY THE WHOLE TEAM ON HIS SHOULDER....STRAIGHT TO THE PLAYOFFS...
Posted by: dice8up | March 01, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Blazers played a great game. Brandon Roy really is a great player. Not flashy but solid.
The Lakers need to get healthy. That is all they need. The look like they are starting to wear a little thin. Hopefully PJ whips up some Zen relaxation techniques, and gets the troops going again.
Incredible February for the Purple and Gold.
Posted by: joey numbers | March 01, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Tired game from the Lakers - they only had about 70% to give and that was almost enough. Hey the game was tied with 3 minutes to go and we didn't score again until the game was decided. Just ran out of gas and couldn't throw it in the ocean. It happens.
And those upset about Travis Outlaw, dude shot 60% and didn't step foot in the lane. He had a hand in his face and the ball never touched the rim...it was just one of those games.
We couldn't buy an outside shot, our guards were completely abused on defense...it happens people. No need to push any panic buttons.
My only complaint is they started double-teaming off the three point shooter one pass away. This was a bad habit at the beginning of the season (Brokeback anyone?) that they had solved lately, so I'm looking for them to get back to proper rotations next time out. It really is just about effort, so when they're tired, it's not a surprise.
It is not the loss but how the team RESPONDS to the loss that defines them. They fly home tonight and have a whole day to think about it, let the taste linger in their mouths, and then it's Dallas at home.
That's the NBA - redemption is only a day or two away.
Oh yeah, and somehow I'm sure this was Luke's fault, right? LOL
And everyone worried about how we match up with these guys, they'll be sitting on the couch when the playoffs start this year, so don't sweat it. Next year....well, that's a different story.
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 01, 2008 at 12:39 AM
3 positive things we can get from this lost:
1. we can learn from it
2. we will be able to re-evaluate our team, offense and defense
3. we will stay leveled to the ground.
learn from this lost and let's make another winning streak... starting from Dallas
STAY FOCUS GUYS!!!
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: allansy8 | March 01, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Portland team has a very bright future... they, including the jazz and hornets, will be our rivals in the future
Posted by: allansy8 | March 01, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I attended the game and was pleasantly surprised that so many Laker fans were present. PORTLAND IS JUST A DIFFERENT TEAM WHEN THEY HOST THE LAKERS. This loss cringes my stomach because I had to make a loooong commute to the Rose Garden. The trip home was a drive of shame and disappointment. When the Lakers visit Portland again, I want the Lakers just to pummell the Blazers and silence that big Blazer mouth known as Mike Rice. That Blazer commentator resonates anti-Laker sentiment. He is in the low class of professionalism belonging with Boston's Tommy whatever.
If you guys have league pass, you'll know that many commentators explicitly disrespect the Lakers and their fans. We've been called "spoiled", "unknowledgeable", "unthankful", "bandwagon jumpers" and any similar vermin. The editors of other stations purposefully show replays that favor their own teams and exclude replays that support calls made for us. After the game, Blazers fans were just ecstatic as if they won the title. They talked as if the Lakers were inferior and the Blazers were superior in every level. Please Lakers shut them up as well.
The Lakers need to defend our honor especially against teams they should know are going to bring a higher level of competition.
Also I know Sasha was fouled in that critical 3 pointer during the fourth quarter but Sasha, you need to quit complaining after every call or non-call. Seriously, you look like a whiny crybaby on the big screen with your frown and palms facing up. Just play on, you're too good.
I PREDICT THE LAKERS TO GO ON A LOSING STREAK. Meanwhile, I'm going to view the game on my DVR and try to find myself among the crowd.....
Posted by: never | March 01, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Well..the good news is that I saw myself on tv but the bad news is it came during a Laker loss....
Posted by: never | March 01, 2008 at 01:18 AM
they lost because they had to wake up for the shoot around.
BTW, the critter had an awesome game against the rockets, he scored 22 points!!!!!!! can't wait til they come to staples at the end of march.
Posted by: | March 01, 2008 at 02:29 AM
did they not play defense tonight? the blazers shot really really well..... the lakers usually never leave anyone open....... maybe they were just tired... they couldn't guard the paint either.... that's where andrew comes in.....
hey how about we call andrew "the answer" ?? unless someone already has that nickname... cuz everytime i want to type andrew, i start typing answer.
anyways..... why did phil jackson make them do the shootaround???? he usually let's them skip it. strange.
ain't it weird that both jordan and sasha didn't do well tonight?
Posted by: | March 01, 2008 at 02:37 AM
The Lakers could have used more minutes for Roni tonight:
He had the energy.
He plays solid defense, and rebounds really well.
He makes intelligent passes, and always seems to be in the "right place at the right time".
When he was in the game the Lakers outplayed the Blazers. (last game against the Blazers too).
One could see this loss coming when Phil played the tired looking guys too many minutes. Against the athletic Blazers I think Roni may have made the difference.
I agree with a previous comment that this loss will be a good learning experience.
Martin
Posted by: Martin | March 01, 2008 at 04:26 AM
come on suns fans...get a life! y cant u accept the ralityu that you are fallliiiiiiiiing dowwwwwwwn....soon, your team will undergo bankruptcy...SUNS? no future sa pader!
Posted by: pepe_libertadi | March 01, 2008 at 04:29 AM
The Lakers could have used more minutes for Roni tonight:
He had the energy.
He plays solid defense, and rebounds really well.
He makes intelligent passes, and always seems to be in the "right place at the right time".
When he was in the game the Lakers outplayed the Blazers. (last game against the Blazers too).
One could see this loss coming when Phil played the tired looking guys too many minutes. Against the athletic Blazers I think Roni may have made the difference.
I agree with a previous comment that this loss will be a good learning experience.
Martin
Posted by: Martin | March 01, 2008 at 04:30 AM
Chick Hearn (rest his soul) used to say, "it's all about match-ups."
The Lakers (without Andrew and Trevor) do not match up well against the Blazers.
The Blazers front line is long, athletic, and quick.
The Blazers front line plays physical.
The Blazers guards feed off the energy of their front court.
If the Blazers get healthy (and if Andrew and Trevor do not return), the Lakers will lose to Portland (see Dallas versus Golden State).
Pryzbilla set the tone for Portland: we will out physical you (and don't think for a moment that all Western Conference teams did not pay attention to how the Blazers played the Lakers physical).
Pryzbilla tried that same "NHL" bully tatic against the Celtics last Sunday; it blew up is face when Garnett would walk around in between plays and bump shoulder to shoulder with Pryzbilla, LaMarcus, Webster (dripping sweap and with a mean look on his face, you could read his lips that he was punking the Blazers' big men mentally with his mind games).
Boston's guards fed off Garnett, they became physical with Portland's guards, and the Celtic's entire team turned Pryzbilla's physical play against him and his team.
The Lakers are not physical; therefore, you can punk this team (the Celtics did it to them in the 80s and they did it to them during the "short shorts" game).
Mark my words: if the Lakers face this team in the first round, it will go 7.
Although the Lake Show won 10 in a row, there was always one thing missing: a defensive and physical presence.
The Spurs played a similar February schedule; yet, in spite of their injuries, they only have 17 loses to our 18.
Why?
In spite of Duncan and Parker going down, they have one constant that the current Laker team does not have: defense.
The current Lakers's team has only 2 players that can play defense (and I'm not talking help defense which is different) Kobe and Ronny.
Farmar, Sasha, Derek, Luke, Pau, Lamar, Vladimir do not play lock down, one on one defense; Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Bowen, Horry will play lock down, one on one defense.
Yes, we one 10 in a row.
However, where's the defense? (and Andrew being out is no excuse; afterall, defense-like rebounding-is a mind set).
Currently, Boston and San Antonio give up less than 100 points a game.
If the current Lakers do not turn it up defensively, all of Laker nation (which includes me) will be sad when we lose to the Spurs in 7 in the Western Conference Finals.
As a kid in the 80s, I will never forget that defining moment in the Lakers vs Celtics 84 finals: Kevin McCale's (spelling of last name?) head lock on Kurt Rambis as he went up for a lay-up.
Prior to his physical play against Kurt on that one play, the Lakers had out-played the Celtics with their run-up-and-down-the-court "Show Time" play.
The Celtics, knowing that could not play "West Coast" basketball, decided to play "East Coast" basketball (i.e.: get physical).
Rambis jumped up, he was angry, the forum crowd was angry, Magic, Worthy, et. all were angry.
Yet the Celtic players woke up on that one defining play.
Their message to the Lakers on that one play: our "Rough Time" game will beat you "Show Time" game.
And it did (even as a kid, i will never forget the look on their faces for the rest of the series: they look scared).
That's why they signed Michael Thompson: they knew from that one play that they needed a physical presence.
I'm concerned that we are depending on a 20 year old to provide us with that presence.
Laker fans: it is going to be very physical these last 20 plus games.
I hate the Celtics.
However, watching them play their 3rd game of a 4 game West Coast trip against Portland, I notice two things: defense and no lay-ups.
How many lay-ups did the Lakers give up last night? (and again, not having Andrew is not an excuse).
Doc Rivers and that assistant coach he stole from San Antionio understand it takes defense to win a championship.
The Celtics jumped out there with a 30-4 as a result of playing lock down defense (they play defense like our current UCLA Bruins team).
Man, I'm telling you, I scared of the Celtics because they (playing together less than one year) understand the need to be a defense machine.
Question: does this current Laker team understand this?
We shall see.
I pray that Kobe is talking to this team regarding defense; out scoring teams to win a championship (see Phx) will not get it done.
In closing:
Trevor just won himself a new contract as a result of the long, athletic and quick (and also young) Portland small forwards (man, Luke Walton is dead meat against the 3 postion on defense; both he and Vladimir will be trade for a long, athletic and quick 3 position player to play with Lamar and Trevor).
Our only hope (and I truly mean this): both Andrew and Trevor must return healthy (the focus seems to be on the return of Andrew; however, the Lakers will need a player that can guard the paint and they will need a player that can guard the elbow, the three, the baseline, the lanes, etc...)
Laker Nation: I'm afraid we will learn the hard way that defense wins championships.
I'm out.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fans | March 01, 2008 at 04:39 AM
@Darryl White
"Love this team, but I can't see them beating San Antonio or Boston (cringe) in a series because they can not consistently shut teams down. Boston plays tremendous defense, and the Spurs can slow teams down as well."
Have you noticed that prior to the loss we were on a 10 game shutting people down streak?
People forget that the Spurs and the Celtics also lose. So really are you gonna be one of the fans praising them when they win and taking them down because of a loss? A close one at that. Both the Spurs and Celtic (on the last west coast trip) have had numerous emberasing losses. When was the last time LA had one of those? Huh? When? Tell me.
Posted by: Gilly | March 01, 2008 at 05:18 AM
1. Horrible defense. The worst all year.
2. Kobe is complaining too much to both referees and opposing players.
3. Kobe is starting to act cocky, not in a good way, putting his MVP candidacy in jeopardy.
4. Pau was ineffective both on offense and defense
5. Fish is still in slump
6. Lakers need to play better under pressure
7. San Antonio, and probably Dallas, can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series
8. Sasha is one of the Lakers best players, for what he does
9. When will Houston lose.
10. Luke Walton played better, 2 games in row, however, he STILL SUCKS
Posted by: troy | March 01, 2008 at 05:42 AM
I think a lot of us saw this coming after playing them earlier in the week...plus one thing I have worried about after trading Kwame Scissorhands was being physical in the block with Kung Pau...defensively, this team has been pretty poor all season, so this should be something to complain about now. We just need to get healthy. Sunday's game (Monday for me in Afghanistan) will be an interesting test for us.
Posted by: 90sLakerFan | March 01, 2008 at 05:47 AM
SUNS are taking the Pacific Division this year once again, only 1 game behind after a laker 10-game streak. He he.
Posted by: Nash for MV3 | March 01, 2008 at 06:10 AM
LATEST ON REFEREE TIM DONAGHY - STILL BEING PAID BY NBA:
http://www.philly.com/inqui...
Battista, Martino plead not guilty in Donaghy scandal
By Frank Fitzpatrick
Inquirer Staff Writer
NEW YORK - Two Philadelphia-area men implicated in an NBA betting scheme with disgraced referee Tim Donaghy pleaded not guilty yesterday, while the lawyer for one continued to hint that Donaghy might not be the only NBA official involved.
"I'm just not sure if the concept of 'rogue referee' is appropriate," said Jack McMahon, the Philadelphia attorney representing James "Baba" Battista. "It seems odd that he [Donaghy] also was betting on games that he didn't referee. That sounds to me like it ought to be a red flag."
Battista, 42, of Phoenixville, and Thomas Martino, 42, of Marcus Hook, onetime classmates of Donaghy's at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, entered their pleas before Judge Carol Amon in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. They are free on $250,000 bond each. A trial date was set for April 28.
They were formally indicted on Feb. 8 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to transmit wagering information. Martino also is accused of perjuring himself twice before a federal grand jury.
After yesterday's session in a near-empty, 10th-floor courtroom, McMahon suggested that Donaghy, dismissed by the NBA on July 9 after allegations surfaced that he had bet on games he officiated, was collecting pension checks from the league and that the fired referee and the league had agreed on a severance package.
"I don't understand that at all," McMahon said.
An NBA official, contacted later, denied that Donaghy had a severance package and said that he not received even "one cent" of his pension. Donaghy would not be eligible for his pension for several years, the official said, and no decision has been made on whether he will receive it.
Commissioner David Stern has insisted that Donaghy, 42, a Havertown native, is the only referee involved in the scandal.
If, however, the league has been investigating the matter more deeply behind the scenes, it has apparently done so without talking to either Martino or Battista.
The attorneys for the two defendants said they had not been in contact with anyone from the NBA.
"I'm sure they don't want to hear anything further from us," said Vicki Herr, Martino's attorney.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Goldberg informed Amon that the government would be offering a written plea deal to Martino and Battista later this month. Both defense lawyers said they would review the offer closely.
Donaghy pleaded guilty in August to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and transmitting betting information, and is expected to testify against his two friends. He is to be sentenced April 18.
"Mr. Donaghy seems to have worked the system fairly well for himself," McMahon said. "He got a plea deal, and he's still getting paid by the NBA."
If the case comes to trial, McMahon promised he would question Donaghy extensively. "I haven't spoken to Mr. Donaghy," he said. "The next time we'll talk will be when he's on the witness stand. I look forward to him testifying for a very, very long time."
Should the case get that far, it's possible the trial could take place in Philadelphia.
McMahon informed Amon that he was considering a motion for a change of venue from federal court in Brooklyn since, to his knowledge, no wrongdoing is alleged to have taken place there.
The case against Martino and Battista now enters its discovery phase. While government attorneys said no wiretaps were used, they will seek the bank, telephone, and credt-card records of those involved.
According to the government, between Dec. 1, 2006, and April 30, 2007, Donaghy provided inside information to the two, who used it to place bets. The three allegedly communicated via telephone calls, often speaking in a code they had developed.
When Martino and Battista won, Donaghy was paid. If they lost, he got nothing.
One of those payments took place in Philadelphia on Dec. 14, the indictment said, another in Toronto on March 11.
Donaghy allegedly provided information on games he worked and other contests as well. Those details included the identities of the officials working a game; the relationships between referees, players and coaches; and the physical condition of certain players.
Battista, McMahon said, had not testified before a federal grand jury. Martino did so on May 30 and is charged with two counts of perjury for allegedly lying during his testimony.
According to the nine-page indictment, when Martino was asked why he had so many phone conversations with the referee, followed by talks with Battista, he said:
"I talk to everybody. It was coincidental."
Then, when prosecutors asked if Martino ever communicated information from Donaghy to Battista, he said he had not.
Contact staff writer Frank Fitzpatrick at 215-854-5068 or ffitzpatrick@phillynews.com.
Staff writer David Aldridge contributed to this story.
Strange how the Phoenix journalists have ignored this story lately...
Posted by: Nash for MV3 | March 01, 2008 at 06:43 AM
"ain't it weird that both jordan and sasha didn't do well tonight?"
No, because they both are mediocre and look funny.
Posted by: Nash for MV3 | March 01, 2008 at 06:54 AM
That was a bad effort last night.
Let me demonstrate. I'll put forth the same effort writing thi
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 01, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Looking way into the future with my binoculars, if we assume the Lakers and Celtics make the finals, this loss just might have given the Celtics home court for the finals.
Boston has 25 games left, and they own the tie breaker against the Lakers. If L.A. is able to run the table from here, Boston only needs to post a 19-6 record for the remainder of the regular season. As much as I despise that team, I'll admit that 19-6 should not be too difficult for the GreenieWeenies.
Here's hoping for a mini Boston slump in the near future.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | March 01, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Fisher was 3-11 and killed the Lakers in the fourth quarter. No more complicated than that.
Posted by: BigGameJames | March 01, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Drewpau,
"It is not the loss but how the team RESPONDS to the loss that defines them. They fly home tonight and have a whole day to think about it, let the taste linger in their mouths, and then it's Dallas at home."
Very good point - hopefully they learn from this and don't just blow it off with an attitude of "we were due for one of these."
Sometimes those long passes aren't there, so don't force the issue (three times in the first quarter last night) and the perimeter defense definitely still needs work.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 01, 2008 at 07:55 AM
So what does this mean?
Do we now have the green light to loose in Sacramento too?
Is this the new pattern? Get out hustled and give up on the second night of back to back away games?
Cause we got thoroughly out played and out hustled last night and I see no reason for this new trend to fade now, after coming on so strong...
Rebounding is also becoming a problem (which, luckily, we have a big answer to in Bynum).
Hmmm...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 01, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Jeez, they finally lose after winning 10 in a row and this board sounds like the season is a total loss. This was the Lakers' 5th game in 7 nights, which included a trip to Seattle and then one to Portland. They simply ran out of gas and it showed in their lack of energy on the defensive end.
The sky is not falling. Give it a rest or get off the bandwagon.
Posted by: Laker Seth | March 01, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Edwin,
>>>The problem with the lakers, they are all finesse,
>>>methodical and creative.
Funny, that's what people used to say about the Showtime
era Lakers, "They're all finesse, they'll never win against
the big bad teams of the East".
>>>However, Lakers need also the blue collars for
>>>defensive stops. Ronnie Turiaf types who will bang
>>>with bodies. Some of our players like Luke has been
>>> fully scouted on weaknesses, so his guard try to
>>>penetrate on his lax in defense.
Okay, if you have a PVR and you actually captured the
game, I'm going to try to dissuade you of your anti-Luke
bias.
Watch the start of the fourth quarter. About 5 plays in
a row, Portland did a pick and roll with Jarrett Jack and
Joel Przybilla. It was defended EACH TIME by Turiaf and
Jordan Farmar. And Portland scored on 5 of those 6
possessions because Turiaf and Farmar BOTH played
terrible defense on it.
Ronny didn't show on it at all, just poked a hand out,
and Jordan kept going over the top of the pick (or more
correctly, directly into the pick. So Jack consistently
drove right around Ronny and went straight down the
lane. Ronny needs to call that pick out so that Jordan
doesn't run into it. And either Jordan needs to go under
the pick or Ronny needs to show and force Jack further
out on the floor. Bynum does that really well, and is
usually able to recover to his man.
Luke was not the problem on penetration by Portland.
Travis Outlaw was able to shoot over Luke fairly easily,
but it wasn't Luke letting people stroll down the lane.
BTW, I'm not saying this to be hyper critical of Ronny,
but it just annoys me when you blame Luke and applaud
Ronny for exactly what Ronny was doing badly on
defense.
Posted by: | March 01, 2008 at 08:20 AM
>>even when bynum was still healthy... lakers' defense >>wasn't tight. this was always the case... poor defense!!!
Ah, but that's where you're wrong. Before Bynum went down,
the Lakers had the second lowest opponent shooting percentage
in the league. They're still pretty good, but they've slid down
to fourth lowest. Based on the number of games before and
after the Bynum injury, that probably means teams are
shooting somewhere between 45% and 46% against
the Lakers right now. With Bynum it was a little over
42%.
Posted by: | March 01, 2008 at 08:25 AM
>>>ain't it weird that both jordan and sasha didn't do well
>>>tonight?
Young players? On the road? Back to back?
Not that weird.
What's weird is that Fisher played so poorly. He'll break out
of his slump on Sunday, just watch.
Posted by: | March 01, 2008 at 08:30 AM
DEFENDING Jon K.
Once again the brothers are flexing their muscles.
The comments under scrutiny are an inside joke, and Jon was just using it as a means to tell the Lakers to get tougher. The Lakers ARE SOFT, they have no enforcer. Even Bynum does not have this mentality.
If anyone thinks we are going to win the championship with finesse the Portland game should give you a dose of reality.
The brothers have absolute power over this blog and we all know what absolute power means.
But when they start using as an excuse... "The legal ramifications. Please.
I am sure that the people at FOX, ESPN, et al, must spend countless sleepless nights over what gets through on their blogs. LMFAO.
Jon is probably one of the best bloggers here, but don't oppose the "corrupt absolutely" brothers. They'll put you in your place.
How wonderful it is to have this G rated blog and all the amenities that come with it.
Remember Big Brothers are watching. So watch what you say or else you shall feel the wrath of the Most Highs.
Gotta go now, I think I'm going to watch the JUNGLE BOOK in honor of our Brother Dictators.
Remember "two legs good, four legs better"
Mike P
Posted by: YOU EVER NOTICE | March 01, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Allansy8: "Portland team has a very bright future... they, including the jazz and hornets, will be our rivals in the future"
I agree, and possibly Houston, if they can ever get their injury situation figured out. San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, age is setting in in a big way.
Posted by: Marty | March 01, 2008 at 08:48 AM