Everything coming up Lakers?
April 13, 2008 | 10:25
am
After seeing the Hornets take a dive against the Kings last night, it sure seems like the Lakers' quest for tops in the West is getting a well needed goosing. The spot's hardly wrapped up, but a win this afternoon against the Spurs would make it a hell of a lot more realistic. Quite the ambitious goal for a squad not even expected to make any noise last October, but here we are. Of couse, the ambition become swollen in part because everyone knows these Spurs don't give anyone much in the way of easy rides. Lot of collective miles under their belts, but the jalopy ain't ready to get put up on blocks quite yet. Especially not when they feature so many players on John Hollinger's All-D team (which also gives props to Kobe and LO).
This my first posting here but I loove this blog and have been lurking here for years.
My question is: Since the division winners have to be determined before any other ties, wouldn't NO win their division because they have a better division record than Houston. (that is the second tie break after head-to-head) That would drop Houston to #4.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings
In this senario, the Lakers would be #1 seed in WC because they are guaranteed a top three spot and they own the conference record tie breaker against NO.
Posted by: BamaLakerGurl | April 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I've been trying to make sense of all the tie-breakers and such and am now thoroughly confused, despite of (or perhaps because of the info posted here on the blog.) How come the real media is only talking about the Lakers and the Hornets as being in the chase?
I went through the remaining schedule and discovered that it is actually possible (however unlikely it may be) for 6 teams to finish with identical records (Lakers, Hornets, Rockets, Spurs, Jazz and Suns.) All six teams could actually finish with 55-27 records. That isn't going to happen, but it is unbelievable that with 2 or 3 games left in the season such a thing is even possible.
If anybody out there is really good at the tie-breaker magic, maybe you can figure out how many of the 6 teams could actually take the #1 seed. I'm sure it isn't all of them; maybe it's only 3. Does anybody know?
Posted by: 40-year fan | April 13, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hollinger is a dolt. Leaving CP3 and Kobe off 1st team all-defense proves it. Heck, rating Raja Bell's defense above Kobe's should be enough for him to lost any credibility, that is, if he had any left (which he didn't).
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 13, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I can't wait for this game. The summer heat is in ful effect in Los Angeles.... One love to my fam!
Posted by: Charles | April 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Go LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Maybe first to post??!!! Woooohooo!!
Good morning Mamba24 (if you're out there), good morning Charles (if you're out there) and a big good morning to the unbelievable LAKER NATION!
Anyhoo - it's GAME DAY BABY and Lakers are FIRST IN THE WEST!!!! At least for now....let's keep it going!!! AK/BK are right about not even thinking this would be the case when the season started, but as they say - here we are! I sure hope BShaw talks defense to the guys again. They sure have picked it up lately, but haven't yet understood the whole "consistency" concept!
It's going to be quite the game. Staples will be rocking - wish I was going!
LET'S GO LAKERS! Kick some San Antonio butt! I know that there's nothing better than some Texas BBQ, so fire up the barby - I smell some trolls gettin' cooked up with some BBQ sauce and a little side of tacos! Smells good...!
The "57 win" bandwagon - also known as the "WIN OUT" bandwagon - is rolling along quite nicely - all aboard!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP and FINALS MVP or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
We have the tiebraker against the Hornets right? We have a better conference and division record. So if we win out we get the first seed? I think the Lakers will take care of business tonight and come out with a win.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM
If you think the NOR game was a thriller, today's game should be multi-screen mayhem.
Cheers.
Posted by: Gman | April 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Having some breakfast with my close friends from Chicago Pauly aka Animal, Nicky aka The beast and my paisan Charlie Gambino and my trusted right hand man Luca Brazi. Lakers better win today otherwise someone is going get a good will visit from Luca .. so pray hard for Lakers win..
kapish...
The Mob Boss
Posted by: The Mob Boss | April 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
lamar has really impressed me on D this year, finally hollinger got something right!
Posted by: greek dude | April 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Good morning Laker Nation,
How big is this game! I am totally amped up for this one. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 13, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Game day!
X-factors for this match-up:
Lamar going nuts on the glass.
Lakers have to contain Finley (he's been shooting the lights out lately).
Gasol cancels out Duncan in points and rebounds, and Kobe has another MVP-worthy performance.
Lakers end up in sole possession of 1st place, and all is right in the world.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM
http://82games.com/SCSORT11.HTM
look who scores 39.4 points per 48 minutes in crunch time! I remember about a year ago i was having an argument with someone whether or not sasha is clutch or not. Well, his numbers are REDICULOUS. No wonder sasha has played in the final minutes a lot latey
Posted by: greek dude | April 13, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I did not expect a hornets lost last night, but low and behold the Lakers still got a shot at #1. And if the Lakers take care of business then their possible road to the finals goes something like this:
1st round: VS Golden State or Denver
2nd round: VS Winner of Utah/Houston Series
3rd round: VS New Orleans/San Antonio or Pheonix
This means the Lakers don't see the toughest possible matchup until the conference final if they advance.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Gerson Bravo | April 13, 2008 at 11:09 AM
With Manu out with an injury, it can be a little easier for the Lakers to get a win and keep being on top of the conference.. GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: RD | April 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM
buenos dias laker nation!!
Posted by: | April 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
For one night (last night) everybody at the bar I was at was rooting for the Kings... Thank you Kings for taking care of the pesky Bees.
Huge, Huge game, #1 seed, #1 seed, #1 seed, now don't lose it.
Oh yeah, if you haven't seen it, here's the REAL, unedited video of Kobe jumping the Aston Martin...
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1811089
Posted by: Bynumite | April 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM
If the Warriors win out and Denver loses at least once, do we really want the #1? I'm having flashbacks of the 45-three-pointer game against Memphis.
Posted by: cjms | April 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Good morning everyone!
It feels good to be at the top. Now we have to own it.
I'm a firm believer that the championship goes through the actual champions (not the Hornets, or whatever...the Spurs). So today's as big a test as there is.
I'm looking for effort, intensity. Championship mentality.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | April 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
what is up with j.a. adande on espn acting like kobe didn't totally DESTROY the hornets??? of course everybody's like "this game will decide the mvp" andthen when kobe dominates and lakers win they all backpedaling!!!
respect kobe breaks down kobe's amazing game agaimst the hornets and why its another reason kobe is mvp...
http://www.respectkobe.com/?p=29
MVP!
MVP!
MVP!
MVP!
Posted by: WWKBD? | April 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Today would be a great day to put it into high gear right from the tip-off... and to keep in mind that the 3rd quarter is part of those 48 minutes that needs to be played!
Let's go Lakers!
¡A por la Conferencia Oeste!
Pau, right to the kisser!
- David
Posted by: David in Spain | April 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM
old man Hubie Brown's MVP is Chris Paul. Maybe, he forgot everything about Kobe's career. He is an aging guy. So sorry
Posted by: Botsoy | April 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM
AK/BK,
Can you guys break down the convuluted three-way tie breaker scenarios in the event Houston, LA and NO all win out. We've been trying to figure it out and everyone is coming out with different scenarios.
All of this will probably be a moot point anyway though, since the Rockets are unlikely to win road games against both Denver and Utah.
Posted by: Xodus | April 13, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Interesting!
On that last discussion, I was criticizing everyone on the Laker team but Lamar, Pau and B.Shaw and what I got back was a couple of mad fans coming at me just to defend Kobe Bryant like they were defending their girlfriends or even their wives after knowing that they (GF or wives) were cheating on them.
I always give to were its due and Kobe Bryant, Turiaf, Farmar, Sasha, Walton and PJ were never different to me. However, lately all these guys but Bryant seem not to give their 110% out there on the court which lead me to say that when they screw games, everyone will be blamed for it.
PJ chokes when the lakers are on the verge to lose a game. Yes Kobe Bryant does to save the team but why not attacking the rim when the opponent is up and in the penalty? Probable answer: Because the refs are no longer call the fouls in favor of this laker team.
Bla!!
I was not surprise to see y'all defending Bryant because he's the guy who can screw games like everyone else on this team and still for some of us its ok, its normal
Probably argument: He did all he could, his teammates did not step up.
I would be surprised if y'all were defending the team (Turiaf, Sasha, Farmar, Walton etc), but that was not the case because to someof you, those guys don't matter.
Probably argument: When they screw its like we already know what to expect
Bla!
Play defense, play defense, play defense! and stop shooting 3's like you are practicing and everything will be fine!
I have already voted for Kobe Bryant on that MVP battle! and I guarantee you guys that he'll win this year the MVP award.
Take a look at the WC standings: No team has an easy series out there! However, the team most likely to survive is the San Antonio Spurs because of their 49 minutes of strong defense.
Yes I said 49 minutes because their defense starts in their mind a minute before the game in on.
Celebration about the first seed will not last long if this team don't stop making a game a 3 point competition among themselves ( Hey Sasha..look at me I'll make 5 3's what about you? can you make 6?) and of course, play defense and not rest in any single offensive posession like they did on the 2nd and 3rd quarter against N.O.
Overall: This is a team to win it all if they solve all those mistakes that they nowadays feel its normal to commit in a regular basis.
Lets go Lakers!
Posted by: COY (Critic of the year) | April 13, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Video with Bynum answering every possible question about when he returns...
http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080411bynum.html
Posted by: ajax | April 13, 2008 at 12:01 PM
AK/BK-
The Lakers gameday report says that Manu G. is out for tonight. Is that true? Cause that'll make it a lot easier
Posted by: ajax | April 13, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Hollinger is a dolt. Leaving CP3 and Kobe off 1st team all-defense proves it. Heck, rating Raja Bell's defense above Kobe's should be enough for him to lost any credibility, that is, if he had any left (which he didn't).
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 13, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Exactly. Also, if three Celtics are among the best at their positions, as well as three Pistons, all he is telling us is that those teams slow it down and play good TEAM defense.
Mark
Posted by: markythearky | April 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Tie breakers are for losers. Lakers are going to win. They are presently #1 and if they don't lose, well then the tie breakers are irrelevant.
Mamba 24, we need an I don't need no stinking tie breakers bandwagon.
Mark
Posted by: markythearky | April 13, 2008 at 12:11 PM
GUYS, i am stuck at work...
i helplessly need a game link...
LAKERS SPURS GAME LINK PLS>...
anyone??
I know it is broadcasted live thru ABC, but,
No TV in the Office...
Thanks...
Posted by: lakersgameboi | April 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
CP3 has had a good year, last time I checked the MVP was an award for the season not a lifetime achievement award?
Posted by: Jon | April 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
My unpopular thought . . . Perhaps Bynum is being a wimp. In his interview he didn't say anything specific about reinjury possibilities. He said he was uncomfortable landing evenly. So?
Kobe said, even if you are hurt, if you can give something to the team, you owe it to them to get out there and play. I have a feeling that if Kobe had what Bynum has, he'd be out there.
If we beat SA without Big Baby Bynum, (ooooh those are fighting words) it will be a statement for the ages. The powerhouse saber will have changed hands. If not, perhaps we can establish ourselves when Bynum feels really one hundred and ten percent.
GO LAKERS!!! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 13, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Botsoy,
Hubie is off his rocker.
Unfortunately, I think the lakers will lose today.
It's a Sunday, PLUS it's an early game, PLUS it's on National TV. Any one of those is enough for the Lakers to lose based on the past few seasons, all 3 together is pretty much a death sentence.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM