I'm stuck at DFW
My stellar luck in Big D continues.
Long of the short of my situation, more issues conspired to doom me while heading to the airport, which prevented the catching of my flight. I got another one that takes off four hours later, but as you might imagine after getting up at around 4:40 am and catching maybe two and a half hours of sleep, AK ain't the happiest of campers right now. But rather than pull a "William Henry P." and sulk, I decided to use the downtime in productive fashion. Thus, I transcribed copy from last night's game. The same copy that I couldn't work into last night's post-game report because of Internet issues at the AAC. And then my hotel. Wow, I'm starting to get again annoyed just thinking about the whole fiasco. It goes without saying, but I will be seriously happy to get my butt out of this town.
Anyhoo, your purple and gold thoughts...
PHIL JACKSON
On whether he thinks last night's win was one of their best of the season
"It's one of them, but I think we have 45 other ones that were good, too."
On what went wrong during the second half
"They were playing at the far end of the court, so I couldn't tell them how to run their offense most of the time. (smiles) They got wild and started taking shots that were out of the context of our offense. Some little things that I thought they did that really weren't well done. Vladdy (Radmanovic) picked us up and gave us a lift when he came in for Luke (in the fourth)."
On it reaching a point in the West where it's not even about how you win, but just winning
"You have to win ball games and this is about winning ballgames. Not watching what other people are doing in the conference or relying on somebody else to lose."
VLAD RADMANOVIC
On winning a tough game
"It's tough on the road. A lot of good teams out there. I'm not expecting to lose, but sometimes things happen. I'm just happy we stopped that (losing) streak. We can go into Utah and play a little looser."
On whether the current circumstances (losing Pau Gasol on the road while already missing Andrew Bynum) make a game like last night's valuable, in that the Lakers proved both capable of getting a big lead on an elite team and coming back when they lose it
"There are very few teams in the NBA you're gonna lead by 20 points at halftime and just keep building. When you come back (for the second half), somehow they find a way to get back into the game. They're a good team, an experienced team. They have a lot of players that are capable of playing close games. It's just good for us to get up the "W."
On whether he thinks this was one of their best wins of the season
"I don't think so. It's a big win, in the fact that we lost two in a row and we needed it. But I don't think it's the biggest win of the season. I think there's been some great games that we played this season that got us through a slump that we had. Those are big games. Tonight, after leading by 20 points into halftime, those guys just got back and showed us how tough it's going to be later this season."
On what it feels like when his jumper is falling
"You know, as a shooter, you never really think you're going to miss the shot. I never get into a game and think, it's not my night tonight. I'm not gonna shoot it.' I always think that shot is going to go and unfortunately, some nights, that shot is not going in. But obviously, tonight wasn't the night and too bad for those guys."
On the difference between the first half and the second half
"I think our defense got a little sloppy in the second half. We let them run their stuff and get some easy points at the beginning of the second half. They got in the penalty really early and got us on our heels. We weren't as aggressive as much as we were in the first half and that resulted in a different game."
On whether he thinks this was one of his best overall games as a Laker
"Definitely. My last couple of years that I've been with the Lakers, I haven't been the player that I was. I'm trying to find my way in each and every game and those games are ones that are really helping me build my confidence."
LAMAR ODOM
On it being a big win
"The win was big and a tribute to our defense. We got stops when we needed to, even though Dirk (Nowitzki) and Jason Terry hit some big-time shots. Dirk hit two threes in a row. He's a special player. Jason Terry is just clutch as well. The win is really big, especially going up to Utah and trying to finish this trip off the right way."
On hitting two very big free throws in the last minute of the game
"In practice (yesterday), I took about 100. I don't how many I made, but I got two that counted tonight."
On how this win ranks among their other wins this season
"We needed this. We'd lost two in a row. In the West, losing three in a row can really hurt you, so we really needed this one. Especially going into a place like Utah, where it's tough to win."
On what makes Utah a tough arena to visit
"I don't know. You can name 12, 14, maybe 15 NBA teams that have tough times going in there. They got the best home record, right? It's just tough. It reminds me of high school gyms. The crowd really gets involved."
KOBE BRYANT
On how he hurt his hip late in the game
"I just jammed it on the floor. Jammed my hip into the socket, so it hurt for about a good minute. It's okay. I'm A-okay. I'll be fine."
On the quality of this win
"It's a big win for us. We had to stop the bleeding, and coming in here short handed, we got a big lead, something that helps our confidence. Losing it the way that we lost it isn't how we wanted to close out the game. But we still managed to hold onto it, which says a lot about our character."
On whether the current circumstances (losing Pau Gasol on the road while already missing Andrew Bynum) make a game like last night's valuable, in that the Lakers proved both capable of getting a big lead on an elite team and coming back when they lose it
"Yeah. I mean, we know what we're capable of doing. We're a pretty confident bunch. I think it just helps. It helps the energy of our team, of our ball club when you have a big win on the road."
On whether Monday's late night shooting practice helped
"I think so. It gave me a better focus on spots I wanted to get to on the floor. In the first half, I was able to capitalize a lot. A lot of shots I took in the first half where the shots I was working on."
On the big games from Vlad Radmanovic and other teammates
"I was happy for him. I was a little concerned about him. He's very emotional. Very hard on himself, but he just stuck with it and had a break out game tonight. He just played awesome. Ronny (Turiaf) played awesome, too. Defensively, in the first half, he was unbelievable. I'm happy for Lamar (after hitting two clutch free throws). For him to be put in that situation, teams are going to make somebody else beat them down the stretch. For him to step up in a crucial situation and knock down those two free throws is big for his confidence."
DEREK FISHER
On what makes Utah so difficult a place to win
"I think it's tough, in particular during the regular season, when you don't have much of an opportunity to prepare yourself for their style of play. You don't have much of an opportunity to adjust to the altitude and what comes with that part of it, physically. There are some disadvantages in that regard. They play well at home. This always has been a team that plays well at home. Their style of play and the energy that they bring to the game, if they're consistent with it, they'll be able to wear you down. They're a physical team. They play hard on both ends and that's tough to keep up with when you're the opponent going into that building.
On whether he was surprised to see Dallas get back into the game after falling so far behind
"I'm not surprised as much so disappointed. Our coaching staff always tries to remind us of how fragile momentum is, particularly in professional. All it takes is one possession for things to turn around. One bad shot. One bad call. One bad play. The whole game changes. Tonight was an example of how much you combine momentum changing with a team that plays well at home already and has talent and guys that can make shots. Things get even more difficult down the stretch."
On what Phil Jackson told them during that period when the lead was dwindling
"Just to stay composed and just to recognize that throughout the entire situation, we still maintained the lead. It wasn't a situation where we got behind in the game. He was just trying to help us remember the fact that even though all this was going on, (we) are still ahead. Stay composed. Go out and execute the things you need to execute and then just find a way to win the game."
AK
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AK-
Matt Money Smith was ranting about how much DFW sucked as an airport last night. Don't think you're alone in your asessment of it.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2008 at 07:49 AM
*__________________________________*
NO AK IN MAVS LOCKER ROOM THEN
NO CUBAN IN PLAYOFFS & SOMEBODIES
GOING TO COURT BANDWAGON
*__________________________________*
(01) MAMBA24 - Driver & Owner
*______________________________________________*
Wed. March 19, 2008 The Force is standing tall in balance
The Lakers are in 1st Place and…..
ALL HAIL THE FREAKIN LA. LAKERS WEST KINGS!!!!
*______________________________________________*
Good Morning CHARLES - Good Morning EAST_COAST_JESSIE
Good Morning FAITH Good Morning TIM-4-SHOW
Good Morning THA_SHOW Good Morning EDWIN_GUECO
GOOD MORNING LAKER NATION!!
WE’RE NUMBER 1! WE’RE NUMBER 1! WE’RE NUMBER 1!
*
GAME GRADES:
KOBE A-, VLAD/RAD A-, LAMAR A+, RONNY B+
LUKE D, DFISH D+, FARMAR D+
*
And Now Introducing THE BENCHMOB :
(03) Trevor Ariza (05) Jordan Farmar (01) Coby Karl
(10) Vladamir Radmanovic , (28) Didier Ilunga-Mbenga
(21) Ronny Turiaf (08) SashaVujacic (4) Luke Walton
*
Now The PLAYOFF Lineup for the 14 Time WORLD CHAMPION LA LAKERS:
At center number 17 ANDREW BYNUMMMMMMMMM
At forward number 16 PAU GASOLLLLLLLLL
At forward number 7 LAMAR ODOMMMMMMMMMM
At guard number 2 DEREK FISHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
At guard number 24 KOOOBEEEEE BRYYYANTTTTTT}
*
ROLL CALL LAKER NATION : ( ********* DELILAH ************)
*
(1) FAITH, KEIFO, VMAN. JJ., CHARLES, BOB, EDWIN GUECO, TSIRY, TOAD
THA_SHOW, TIM-4-SHOW, THE LAKE_SHOW, DOC4daLakeShow, PIG MILLER
TALIQ, WESJOENIXON, MIKE T, ZAKEE, CLEON, SBPIMP, THE_D, TAOSHUM,
LAKERLEGACY, LAKER_TOM EXHELODRVR, #4, HMRHED, THE_OUTLAW
NEMIA FALETOGO, David Whang, COMPTONS_FINEST, EAST_COAST_JESSIE
RICK FRIEDMAN, KIWI, FLAGRANT FOWL, JON KAVULIC, BOZZ, WEAVEMAN,
SIXOneZERO, FearlessWHACKJOB, DrewPauKOBE, MrBarneyDangles, CBUCK
TSPHERE, JANAYA, RDLEE, ELLE utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER DICE8UP
JESTERGURU, ANGRYLAKER, LAKERTRUTH, TRIO, LAKERSRYDEORDIE, JC
PETE MAGUIRE, , ANDREW Z, JMAN, PSYCHED LAKER GIRL, LAKERGURL
TODD, WIZO, ANDO, JCOOL, FKILLAH, NIK KANNAN, LAKERFAZE, HOBBITMAGE
HugoBOSS, COMPLEX_BROTHA, GENERICONE, WondahBap, Houston_LAKER
FIRE32, GIANTSQUID, BOTSOY, JOON , FIRE32, LAKERFAN, NEVER, BZAR
Mamba24Fan4Life, FanofMamba, WhiteMamba24, BlackMamba24, BrownMamba24
Just-AnotherMambaFan, JustALakerFan VI LakerFan, LALFAN, ,DEREK, MAMBA#5
YOU EVER NOTICE ? AKR68, PW, TellITLikeItIs PSLAKERLOVER, LAKERMAN420,
AFGHAN LAKER, KOREY, CAESER, MAXXIMO, WOLF, LAKERLASS, CHUCK23
10MILLION DOLLAR ZEN AFROJOE, SMOOTH D, LAKER NORTH, HAPPY DAZE
KOBES_BAD KOBE_ROCKS KOBES T. LAKER/KOBE FAN CYRUS(Ventrilquist),
JeffGROTKE,LAKERS4REALZ, GINO, GABE, DARICK, PASSIONATE_LAKER_FAN,
DAVID_IN_SPAIN, PEANUT_BUTTER_SPREAD, HAPPY_CAMPER, LAKERS4LYFE
PAUL LEE, BUTLER, JOEY NUMBERS, FRANKY_J., DARYL, AMAZING_HAPPENS
IDIOT, LAKERDAWG, DK, MOB_WAGONEER, DOC, PK-IN-THE-MESA , JANDRO
GREENPAZ, KELLY TEEJ, JEFF, Andy B. SwanWorld, , Benny Blanca, MEL, DC
AdamKiley, LAKERS_STH, THE_CAT, DARKANGELSK, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, WOW,
CaliKing, THIIRTY2, AIME WILLIAMS, CHUCKY.L.OHNIO, CALIPHILOSOPHER
GDChild, ZEN, DION, Centralk, FATTY, GREEK DUDE, Staples24, TEJ, TWOODY
LOOK LONELY, BRYLLE, TRUELAKERFAN, , DARKANGELSK, THE DROPPER
AJAX, MITCHELL,PJ_DOUBTER, HAPPY GILMORE, GUY, XTRO, KYLE, ANDO,
LakaLover, Bynumite, LakerDogerDieHardInUpStateNY, TROY, CS, BAYWOOD
CAMERON, NEVITT, LAKERHOPEFUL, ASM, LakerSMR, GILLY, MARCO64
BENJAMIN, LEBRON_LOVER, DREW, Han_Soul_Food, PURPLE&GOLD_4EVA,
LOOK_LONELY,HAN_SOUL_FOOD, HMMMM, DAXMDD, 40YEAR_FAN, TP
SEAD94, JOREMA, XTRO, MCGarnagle, Gugy, Laker4Life, KEN, LAKERFAZE,
Pince Akrasian, TexasLaker, EagleBoy, JR., BLKTHGHT06, SIGH, LAKERinBC
ANTHONY JOHNSON, MOKO, LOTEC9, RICHARD, VINCENT, TULLY_MOXNESS
Purple & Gold, t_Sensei, Brandon C. LakerHolic, SEAN74, SEAD94, LAKERBAKE
Kinglakernidas, HUBBIT, BronxLakerFan, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, ASM
Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., ALEXINH017, VIOLATER, KIKOS_DAD, Marty,
LEELO, CriticalBeatDown, BLAZE1BX, SIMONE, BOBIE, , PHRED, SWETTUAL
Tajluck, , BerkleyLaker,CRAIG, RYAN, Rico Tico, NESTROSBISTRO, SLO_GAL
JR, Dascilla, Sean P. HollywoodJack, B4Hoops, HeWhoHOOPS, WIZO, Linda Pineda
JAMIE SWEET, HAWAIID, ECAT124, SocalSpider,AA LOS, LAKOBER, Jay Jay
SAMLL, ALLANSY8, ChiTownLaker, RealityCheckTime, CORNER J.,MagicShaq
RealityBites, LakerLarry, LakerLifer, Mainor, Tripgame3, Todd Battles, East Nyboer
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), LT Laker Fan, Long Live Chick, PHIL JACKSON
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14
SOON TO BE 15 NBA TITLES. THE TEAM WITH THE BEST
WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY. THE HOME OF WILT
KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE, ELGIN BAYLOR,
THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARNS .
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 19, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Great job, AK!
Sometimes when you think your situation sucks, it's the little things you do that come out superb.
I'm not sure I made sense there, I haven't had a shot of joe yet this morning.
Hope you make it out of the big D without any more hassles. Have a safe flight, mate.
Well, how 'bout them Lakers, eh?
For all those who worry, just a reminder... it's a long season folks. The team will come out victorious in the end. Just wait and see.
So let's hope the Lakers and "elevate life" in Utah.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Happy Glmore | March 19, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Hello and Good morning!
Posted by: Charles | March 19, 2008 at 08:18 AM
AK,
Screw Texas, anyways. It'll be better for everyone once you get hell out of that trash heap.
Thanks a lot for the write-up, though.
When you and BK put together these interviews and extensive analyses, it makes all other Lakers coverage in the L.A. Times superfluous.
If you want to know what's going on, go to the blog. If you just want know the final score and an uninspired summary, go to L.A. Times columnists.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 19, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Thanks for the airport posting, AK. You're a good man. I love getting to read the players' insights about the game (and about upcoming games). That's good stuff.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | March 19, 2008 at 08:22 AM
*____________________________________*
ANDREW BYNUM WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS
"THE BEAST" BANDWAGON
*____________________________________*
(01) "PIG" MILLER - Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 - Director of NickNmaes
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 19, 2008 at 08:26 AM
It was a good quality win, Vlad Rad finally came to play... now only if Walton would do the same...
Sasha may not be hitting his shots all the time, but he does play annoying defense against the other team, you have to like that. good win, against a so-so dallas team... but ill take it!
Posted by: Aman | March 19, 2008 at 08:30 AM
AK
I am so feeling you on this town (Dallas). I got suckered into coming to Texas on a business project last summer, and I'm STILL. HERE. Everything has pretty much gone wrong, and I have to drive by AAC all the time now instead of Staples. Sucks.
If not for frequent trips back home and the success the Lakers are having, things would be a lot bleaker. Praise the Lord for League Pass. And the K Bros.
Thanks for all you do to keep us informed and plugged in!
Posted by: HappyCamper | March 19, 2008 at 08:31 AM
You heard it here first Lakerville:
Friday, March 28
Lakers claim #1 in the West once again with a 51-22 record. Although a somewhat easy schedule after their tough road trip, the Lakers have fared well and seem to have adjusted to life without Gasol going 6-2 without him excluding the game he went out injured. The Lakers report Gasol is practicing with the team and will be available for Sunday's game with the Wizards...
GHF
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | March 19, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Well it was a great win last night, good to see lakes not cave in when refs were killpng us in forth. As to walton didn't really watch game so don't know about his failures but i hope this guy comes around soon. Lamar lights were on and he was home so i am glad he stepped up, now lets see if he can do this for the next 30 games. As for Phil not being on the right side of the court when offense was running call a timeout, you can find this in the NBA rule book phil the 12million dollar man.
NICE GAME DUDES
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | March 19, 2008 at 08:44 AM
AK,
Just wanted to say, on behalf of the entire Laker Blog family,
THANKS for putting up with all your travel/Cuban/technology issues.
All of us Laker junkies appreciate you feeding our fix.
Posted by: Bzar | March 19, 2008 at 08:45 AM
This game was the most excruciating game I've watched in weeks. To see the Lakers dominate the first half and to watch the lead diminish the last 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter with Kobe resting was unbelievable. In games like last night where the lead dwindled with some of the guys from the 2nd squad coming in, I realize how much the Lakers are in need of more solid role players. Jordan Farmar has not been playing well since the All-Star break and I've been surprised when Phil stays with him late in games. I rather see D-Fish on the floor, than see J-Farm manning the offense. I'm glad the Lakers were able to pull through for the W. One last thing....How about that Rony Turiaf? He was terrific on defense.
Posted by: SFLakerGirl | March 19, 2008 at 08:47 AM
GOOOOOOOD Mornin' Blaaaaaahhhhgers
Nothin" better than waking up to a Laker win and a Mark Cuban headache.
Posted by: Vman | March 19, 2008 at 08:55 AM
This team really needs to step up its defense. The bench is not as hot as it was the past couple of months. Sasha and Jordan are struggling right now. Hell even Fish is having some issues.
The season is coming down to the wire and the schedule is not any easier another 2 or 3 losses can hurt our standings big time.
Sasha should have fouled Terry on that inbounds pass in the 4th. The one right before he hit that 3. You can see Kobe get pissed at him because of that play.
Posted by: STEVEN | March 19, 2008 at 08:55 AM
That game was like a ten dollar hooker. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done.
Is anyone else struck with the irony of Sonnybelfast, a King's fan, chiding us about not whining about what could have been and accepting the fact that good teams find a way to win? Wasn't that all Sacramento fans did when we pimp slapped them out of the playoffs? "Man, those calls were terrible!" "Yeah, but Webber's knee! If it wasn't for Webber's knee, we'd have a chip!" Please, Sonny - heckle us when your team has won a SINGLE meaningful playoff series. Until then, just go get your *%&$ing shinebox.
I'm glad we got that losing skid over with, I don't care how it happened. There's something gratifying in knowing that we can handle a full Dallas squad at home with three strings' worth of centers in suits.
All we need to do is get through this Utah game without getting blown out - even if we lose, if we play well we can carry some sort of momentum into our final stretch run against some bottom-feeding teams. Then we take care of some business, get our guys healthy, and prepare to storm the castle come April.
Posted by: SBPimp | March 19, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Good Morning Jon K! Good Morning Charles! Good Morning Mamba24! Morning Hugo (and colorado as well)!
It's a fantastic day in laker land - we really showed why we belong last night. Even without Pau and Socks, we still ran the offense to perfection (Kobe in the mid post, sensibly timed isolation plays out of the triangle, and big time aggressiveness by LO and Ronny) and played D well enough to build a 25 point lead. Sloppy at the end? Yes - but not all victories can be like that home game against Atlanta. Hope they get some rest before they get to Utah.
Happy Camper - Sorry you've been stuck in Dallas for almost a year now. If it makes you feel any better, I'll be stuck in Lubbock for another 2 years getting my M.A. I definitely feel your pain.
AK - thanks again for getting this stuff up. I left for home (The Wood) on Monday, and I had to get up at 4am as well. I sure hope you don't have a flight like I did (Lubbock-Dallas-San Antonio-LAX). I wholeheartedly agree with Jon K. - this is probably the best Lakers coverage in the nation. Have a safe flight back!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | March 19, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning Laker Nation!
A win, thanks to "D"a nd intensity in the first half. I'd like to see that for 48 minutes each game.
Mamba..........please let me hop on the NO CUBAN IN PLAYOFFS bandwagon.
Next victim, UTAH!
Posted by: toad | March 19, 2008 at 09:03 AM
*__________________________________*
NO AK IN MAVS LOCKER ROOM THEN
NO CUBAN IN PLAYOFFS & SOMEBODIES
GOING TO COURT BANDWAGON
*__________________________________*
(01) MAMBA24 - Driver & Owner
(02) TOAD – Director of Cuban Enforcement
Posted by: MAMBA24 | March 19, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles & the rest of the Laker Nation! What a great day - what a great game (even if it was too close for comfort) - what a great time to be a LAKER FAN!
Mamba24 - please don't forget to add me to the "Andrew will now be known as the Beast" bandwagon. I posted yesterday, but guess you didn't see it. I said I'd bring the liquid sea minerals & dit da jow in case of any future mishaps (with LO's foot or otherwise)!! LOL!
ALSO - SO GLAD TO SEE THE ROLL CALL make it's pre-playoff appearance!! Smells good.....
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM
AK/BK
First off, big win for the boys last night, just think about it now that the game is over....no gasol, bynum, ariza, and we went into Dallas (at full strength) and beat them!
Lastly, AK/BK thanks for your efforts, the one thing I like about your blog is that you two report facts and are or at least come off as unbiased to any players, coaches etc. which is hard to do. I live in vancouver, and we get force fed Suns news b/c of Nash being from here, so it is nice to pop on here every morning to get my Lakers fix.
burnabylaker
Posted by: burnabylaker | March 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Hey, just a question: didn't Cuban kick out the bloggers from the AAC? I thought the DMN's K brothers equivalent (in principle, not in quality) had been 86'ed and that the policy was: no dirty bloggers? Care to comment?
Posted by: cedichou | March 19, 2008 at 09:15 AM
AK/BK - I would also like to chime in with a HUGE thank you for doing such a remarkable job in spite of having to put up with "the tool" and what passes for a cheap, technologically-challenged version of Staples. We're all glad you're there & doing such a good job for us.
BTW - were you guys the bloggers who security had to keep out of the locker rooms after the game?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 19, 2008 at 09:16 AM
How about those Rocket fans? I agree with Money in that they showed absolute classlessness, not stickign around to give the second longest streak a standing ovation. freaking hell.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I was reading some of last night’s comments about Derek and I just have to say a few things about how harsh people are being towards him. First off I’m stunned at how ungrateful some people can be, after all he has done for this team how can anyone in their right mind criticize him? This is the man that spent years with the Lakers and who put his body thru so much abuse each and every night he got on the floor, am I the only one who remembers who he used to dive after every ball? How quickly we forget how instrumental he has been in the past and more importantly what a great addition he was to the team this year. His arrival seemed be a signal that better times were on the way and god what a change between last season and this one! Sure he’s had some off nights but he is older and it’s late in the season, give the man a break. If we win a championship this year how many off you will still complain about the off games he has had?
Posted by: Elle | March 19, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I am so happy with our team... truly, the guys have developed a close personal relationship... it is evident in the way they give out comments about each other... there is this air of confidence in the other individuals in the team...
Actually, this is the first time I heard Kobe says this kind of things to his teammates... it's just awesome to hear, especially from the team's best player...there is closeness... and that's a very big factor playing deep into the playoffs...
Go Lakers... Western conference Champion 2008!
Lakers VS Celtics in the Finals... Game 7 -- Boston.
La Lakers == 2009 NBA champions
La Lakers == 2010 Nba Champions
La Lkaers == 2010 NBA champions
I love this game....
Posted by: dice8up | March 19, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Cuban was staring at Avery last night deep in his thoughts... I wouldn't be surprised if Avery gets fired this summer... The system he runs doesn't fit well with the talent that the team has... If the Mavs is Coach by say, Pat Riley or Phil Jaxs... they're going to win it all... but Avery has no idea how to run a system that uses his team's strength to a maximum... pity...
Go Lakers....
Posted by: dice8up | March 19, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Houston Lost tonight to NOH... big loss...
a start of a new streak? perhaps...a losing streak...
I still say that spurs, SUns, Lakers, and Jazz, are the elite team in the West...
Posted by: dice8up | March 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM
How about those Rocket fans? I agree with Money in that they showed absolute classlessness, not stickign around to give the second longest streak a standing ovation. freaking hell.
Posted by: Jeff | March 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM
===============================================
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU BROTHER...
These Houston Fans are classless... they have just seen History unfold before them and they can't give their team some love at this low moments...
class less totally class less...
This is what separates Lakers fan...
Go lakers... Win or lose... we are behind you...
Posted by: dice8up | March 19, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I agree with Money, too. I have seen Lakers fans stick around and give credit where credit it due. People stayed when Kobe's streak(s) have come to an end. Very many games this very season have seen Lakers fans stay to the end, traffic be damned!
Rockets fans just don't get it.
Shameless.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | March 19, 2008 at 08:34 PM
BTW,
You know that if the Rockets' streak had come to and end at Staples, we would have stayed and cheered them ourselves. Would pro'lly given them a standing O.
Laker's fans have always been appreciative of good basketball. That is the mark of a true fan.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | March 19, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Going into Utah for the Lakers is like the long walk to the death chamber..if Lakers can just keep the game within 15 points in the fourth Q they could possibly have KB24 take over, but again it is Utah..nobody gets out with a Victory. Lets quit daydreaming Laker nation.
Posted by: RJ | March 20, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I'm a 78 yr. old g'ma, retired LAUSD who"s been a Laker fan since way before Showtime. I read the two LA sports pages daily and then I discovered you guys. Let"s face it...you can never get enuf Laker News Keep it up. I'm your newest fan!
Posted by: sheila Rode | March 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM