Hello, Denver
April 16, 2008 | 7:38
pm
Dallas beats New Orleans 111-98, meaning the Lakers will draw the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Over/under on the number of times Denver fans point to this clip for inspiration over the next week or so: nine million. Over/under on the amount it should matter: zero.
I expect all of you to be breaking down game film starting...
...now.
BK
Hello all - just want to post a quickie before bedtime, but adding it here instead of the previous thread....
I need to get this off my chest, so here goes:
I was wrong about thinking PJ needed to actually do a little coaching during the games.
I was wrong about thinking Sonny was a troll - he's actually a wanna-be laker in troll's clothing.
I was right about Sasha & LO picking it up and playing great when we needed it.
I was wrong about thinking Cupcake needed a real job - he did an awesome job in getting us a piece we needed, and keeping pieces we didn't think we needed but did....!
I was right about Kobe being a warrier and giving his best from the beginning of the season - that man never has and never will throw a game or phone it in.
I was right about this blog being the best site for Laker fans to have their say - and also about the bloggers being the greatest. Thanks AK/BK! Thanks Mamba24, Charles, JonK, Laker Tom, Pig, Faith, etc etc (I don't want to do a whole roll call..........but really everyone is listed here in my heart).
It's been a great season, we are #1 in the West, and the real fun starts this week-end! BRING IT ON!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP and FINALS MVP or NO PEACE!!!!
.....night night.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 16, 2008 at 10:30 PM
LAKERS WILL WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP…
The playoffs are now set. As the #1 seed, the Lakers are in the upper bracket along with the #4 Jazz, #5 Rockets, and #8 Nuggets, the weakest possible opponents for the Lakers to face in the first and second rounds, teams they should still be able to beat without AB17, which means that Andrew will have a total of five weeks to get healthy before the Lakers face their opponent for the NBA Western Conference Finals, who will be the winner of the lower bracket between the #2 Hornets, #3 Spurs, #6 Suns, and #7 Mavs.
It is easy to see that the Lakers have the easiest path to the NBA Finals of any team in the West. I predict right now that we will defeat the #8 Nuggets 4-0 then the #4 Jazz 4-0 to get to the conference finals, where I predict that we will meet the #6 Suns, who will have beaten the #3 Spurs 4-3 in the first round and the #7 Mavs 4-2 in the second round, to set up the most titanic possible Western Conference Finals, where the Lakers will sweep the Suns 4-0, inspired by the return in force of Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza.
When you combine the easiest path with home court advantage through the conference finals, it is easy to see how the Lakers have a golden opportunity to win the championship. I still believe that they will need Andrew Bynum’s defense and rebounding, however, to do it. To win it all this year, we will need Andrew to return no later than the start of the conference finals against the Suns. While I think we could still defeat the Suns with just Pau, we will need Andrew to be fully healthy and ready to go to defeat the Celtics 4-1 in the NBA Finals, with regular season MVP Kobe closely edging Drew for the Finals MVP.
The 16-1 record will match the greatest record in the Lakers 14-championship years and signal the start of the greatest dynasty in the legendary history of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bring it on, NBA. The Lakers are ready to dominate.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 16, 2008 at 10:41 PM
When do we find out the playoff schedule?
Posted by: Gabe | April 16, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Lake Show,
Excellent post. We both predict the Lakers to go through the Nuggets, Jazz, Suns, and Celtics to win the Championship. I have a hunch we may be right!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 16, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Since part of our celebration the past 24 hours has been laughing at all the wrong predictions, I'll weigh in with mine, knowing that the odds makers will all laugh at me. I think the Western Conference Finals will be David Stern's fondest dream. The Suns vs the Lakers, Shaq vs Kobe. That's as far as I'll go, as I don't want to jinx anything.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 16, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Pimp's Playoff Predictions:
Round One:
Lakers over Nuggets 4-1
Mavericks over Hornets 4-3
Suns over Spurs 4-3
Jazz over Rockets 4-2
Celtics over Hawks 4-0
Pistons over 76ers 4-2
Magic over Raptors 4-1
Wizards over Cavaliers 4-3
Second Round:
Lakers over Jazz 4-2
Suns over Mavericks 4-3
Celtics over Wizards 4-3
Pistons over Magic 4-2
Confernce Finals:
Lakers over Suns 4-2
Celtics over Pistons 4-3
NBA Finals:
Lakers over Celtics 4-3
Finals MVP - Kobe Bryant
Regular Season Awards:
ROY - Durant
COY -Scott
EOY - Ainge
DPOY - Garnett
MIPOY - Alderidge
MVP - Bryant
Posted by: SBPimp | April 16, 2008 at 11:00 PM
NBA.COM: ONE-ON-ONE WITH KAREEM
http://www.nba.com/features/kareem_080416.html
This is a great Birthday interview with the cap, including lots of comments on AB17. I especially loved the “how quickly he figured out how to play the game well.” Get well, Drew, we will need you no later than 5 weeks when we play the Suns in the conference finals.
Here are the Bynum quotes:
NBA.com: Did you think at the beginning of the season that the No. 1 seed was an attainable goal for the Lakers?
Abdul-Jabbar: No, it’s been a surprise. We had a lot of ups and downs. Then Andrew Bynum -- it was kind of startling how quickly he figured out how to play the game well --- started contributing in a major way and that changed everything for us.
NBA.com: Regarding Bynum’s development, what has stood out?
Abdul-Jabbar: It really had to do with the fact that all of a sudden he had confidence in what he could do. He had the ability to do the things he was doing probably as much as a year earlier, but he didn’t have confidence. He didn’t want to embarrass himself. That kind of set him back. He was kind of reticent to go out there and play the way he can play. But all of a sudden he saw that things were working for him, he got a little bit more aggressive and kept getting better and better results.
NBA.com: What is his status? When can we expect his return?
Abdul-Jabbar: He is still doing rehab. I don’t know when he is coming back. The Lakers want to give him as much time as he needs.
NBA.com: Can this team win it all without Bynum?
Abdul-Jabbar: If he gets to play on the same court as Pau Gasol, they’re going to be a really difficult combination to contend with. Pau has the team -- without Andrew --very good. They win consistently and they’re able to be competitive.
NBA.com: How difficult is it for a player trying to come back during the playoffs after having been inactive for so long?
Abdul-Jabbar: It takes a while for you to get back your timing and your response to game conditions. It takes a while to create that readiness that you have when you’re playing everyday. I expect there to be a time of transition from the time he starts playing to when he starts playing very well. It takes a while to get to be really sharp and have everything going for you to go out there and make a major contribution. But we know that he has that potential because he proved it. We’re just hoping he can get back to that point, the sooner the better for the Lakers.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 16, 2008 at 11:03 PM
End of Season Awards from Lakers.com
http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2008/04/16/end-of-season-awards/
Most Improved: Andrew Bynum
Most Surprising: Sasha Vujacic
Most Disappointing: Luke Walton
Best Overall Play: Trevor Ariza, Lakers vs. Suns, 12/25/2007 (I was at that game)
Best Overall Performance in a Single Game: Kobe Bryant, Lakers vs. Mavericks, 3/2/2008
Best Overall Performance: Kobe Bryant
Posted by: lotecq | April 16, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Considering that there is only 7 games seperating seeds 1-8 this year in the West, I think all these match ups are going to be interresting and its not going to be easy for anyone. There is no 1 dominate team in the West this year, they are sort of all bunched up together with few games seperating them. All the teams from 1-8 have weaknesses, its just about who is going to capitalize on them and exploit them.
The thing about Denver is they have the tendency to turn their defense up depending on who they play. No offense against the Lakers fans, but the Lakers defense isn't exactly like the Spurs or Pistons themselves, so lets not get to ahead of ourselves. That Laker team has the tendency to play as stupid as anyone else in the league. If Denver gets defensive production from Kenyon Martin and they get Nene back healthy in the front court, that will make a very interresting series. And if the Lakers get out the first round, I don't see them getting anywhere else without Bynum...hell even with Bynum it is going to be very hard for anyone this year in the West. Either way, I just don't see any of these first round series going 4-1 the way some fans are trying to make it. The Western playoffs are going to be crazy.
Posted by: J | April 16, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Considering that there is only 7 games seperating seeds 1-8 this year in the West, I think all these match ups are going to be interresting and its not going to be easy for anyone. There is no 1 dominate team in the West this year, they are sort of all bunched up together with few games seperating them. All the teams from 1-8 have weaknesses, its just about who is going to capitalize on them and exploit them.
The thing about Denver is they have the tendency to turn their defense up depending on who they play. No offense against the Lakers fans, but the Lakers defense isn't exactly like the Spurs or Pistons themselves, so lets not get to ahead of ourselves. That Laker team has the tendency to play as stupid as anyone else in the league. If Denver gets defensive production from Kenyon Martin and they get Nene back healthy in the front court, that will make a very interresting series. And if the Lakers get out the first round, I don't see them getting anywhere else without Bynum...hell even with Bynum it is going to be very hard for anyone this year in the West. Either way, I just don't see any of these first round series going 4-1 the way some fans are trying to make it. The Western playoffs are going to be crazy.
Posted by: J | April 16, 2008 at 11:32 PM
And when Melo is on the line, LA Fans should be shouting D-U-I, D-U-I, D-U-I
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 16, 2008 at 08:54 PM
NOT COOL..............but DAMN funny.....lol
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 16, 2008 at 11:44 PM
WOO-HOO!!!
We get to glide through Denver and the Rockets-Jazz winner while the Suns, Spurs, Hornets, and Mavs kick the sh*t out of each other. We should beat whoever makes it through that gauntlet cause they won't have much left in the tank. (especially if its the older Suns or Spurs).
The finals will, in my opinion, be determined by how quickly Baby Drew returns and how quickly we can integrate him into our game plan. We can probably take the Pistons without him, but Kobe/LO/Pau vs KG/Pierce/Ray Allen is a pretty even matchup and Bynum vs Perkins should be the difference maker IF he's in shape and in sync.
I can't wait til Sunday.....
Posted by: Jay Jay | April 16, 2008 at 11:48 PM
I just bought 4 tickets for game 5 in Denver. If the Lakers sweep in 4, that would be great. I doubt it will be over in 4.
COLORADO LOVES THE LAKERS!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | April 16, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Hugo,
Game 5 would be in LA. Only finals go 2-3-2. First round goes 2-2-1-1-1. Check those tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08playoffcentral.html
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 16, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Game 1: Sunday, April 20: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 12 p.m. (abc)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 23: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m. (fsn/tnt)
Game 3: Saturday, April 26: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 2:30 p.m. (kcal9/tnt)
Game: 4 Monday, April 28: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 7:30 p.m. (kcal9/tnt)
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30: Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBA, if necessary
Game 6:Friday, May 2: L.A. Lakers at Denver, TBA, if necessary
Game 7: Sunday, May 4: Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBA, if necessary
Posted by: lakofan | April 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Charles,
Sorry man, game 2 is Wednesday, not Tuesday, I won't be in town.
pslakerfan
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 17, 2008 at 12:07 AM
"This was definitely a win we wanted to get. The Lakers are probably the hottest team in the West. We definitely didn't want to face them in the first round. [New Orleans] had a great year, but I think we match up pretty well."
-- Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki on playing the Hornets in the playoffs.
Da da da da da, I'm lovin it.....
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 17, 2008 at 12:08 AM
The whole MVP thing makes me mad. Last week i read the chris paul should get for leading the hornets to #1 in the best conference but once Kobe get s there with lakers its a sifferent story. There i so many kobe haters its not even funny. I have been a kobe fan since he came in the league and it jut amzes me how many hate him. He is the greatest player in the league. I never watched jordan play so i wont say he's the greatest ever but he has to be up on the list
Posted by: KIDWELL4 | April 17, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Lakers have to make sure they don't get sucked into playing the game of the other team. Lakers did that in the recent series with the Warriors.
Lakers will win over Denver if they are more organized and disciplined. Denver is like a pickup team. Individual play over team play. They don't listen to their coaches. Coby's Dad has one of the most difficult coaching jobs in the NBA. But NBA players have a habit of suddenly listening to their coaches come playoff time (see old Kobe). Fortunately, bad habits are hard to break and Denver has a lot of bad habits to break.
Kobe and DFish have to exercise their veteran leadership by insisting that their teammates play the patient Laker passing game.
It's all about execution. PJ is a master at preparing for playoff series. The game's best in history. It's up to the players to execute.
Kobe has to make sure he doesn't get sucked into a one-on-one scoring battle with Iverson. Sometimes, Kobe's pride takes over his responsibility to the team.
The whole Lakers passing game has gone up a notch with Gasol's addition. At this point in their careers, Gasol is a better passer than Bynum. Andrew physically dominated the Nuggets. Gasol has to use his brains to make the best decisions on when to pass and when to shoot over Camby. Thankfully, Gasol's defense won;t be tested because Camby doesn't focus on offense but he has to be ready to sep out and block shots when Iverson comes driving into the lane.
The major individual matchup in the series will be Odom versus Melo. I think Odom's experience and length will win out over Melo's scoring ability. Radmanovic will have to score more consistently over Kenyon Martin, and play bigger in defense. He's 6'10" and s/d be able to defend Kenyon inside so LO can defend Melo.
DFish has to play within his game. See Laker's 3rd quarter versus Spurs in last game. DFish at his best. Just continue playing like that and we'll be fine. Hope his foot his healed.
The bench s/d be a big advantage for Lakers over Nuggets. Farmar, Sasha, Turiaf, Walton have to increase the lead when they face Nugget's second unit. Mihm or Mbenga can be a surprise. Mbenga has shown much improvement and I can see that he is coachable.
I think it will be Lakers over Nuggs 4-1. I don't see this Lakers team this year being able to maintain enough mental focus and discipline to win 4-0 yet.
Hopefully we get Houston in round 2 since they will be a weaker opponent than Utah but they just lost Alston for first 2 games so we'll probably see Utah. We'll beat Utah 4-1 too. One of the most impressive Laker victories of the season was the win over Jazz in SLC w/out Gasol or Bynum. Once you lose your fesr of playing Utah in SLC, you basically have their number.
I think we'll see Phoenix in WC Finals as I see them beating SA and then Dallas. But they will be pretty beat up by the time we get them. Beat up and old. I see us getting Bynum and Ariza back by the WC Finals. They won't have a big role but Lakers will still beat Suns 4-2. Steve Nash is too good and this is his last swan song.Shaq will be a factor but not the deciding factor. TV execs and David Stern will love the ratings.
And they better love the Lakers-Suns ratings bec. I don't think we'll see Boston-LA this year. Wait til next year.
It will be Lakers versus Pistons in the Finals.
Not a Lakers-Celtics dream match up but good enough for second best Finals rivalry. Pistons win just because I don't think this Lakers team had had enough character building experiences yet. Especially bec. Bynum won't be the force this playoffs that he will be for the next 15 years.
Next year, watch for Lakers to make a run at the all-time regular season record of the Bulls and the all-time win streak of the Wilt-West Lakers. And finally, the Lakers-Celtics dream Finals.
Posted by: LakerinBC | April 17, 2008 at 01:29 AM
GOOD MORNING!!!!!
Hello, it's great that we face Denver but why has nobody mentioned that KOBE has the 2008 MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess that blog will wait for later in the morning!
Yo! Lakerman420- did you notice that the first game the Lakers play in the playoffs is on 4/20? What kind of conspiracy is this? LOL
WE ARE THE LAKERS>>> THE MIGHTY MIGHTY LAKERS....
Thats the end of my cheer
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Simi Laker Girl | April 17, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Man, I can't wait for sunday... SWEEP!
Posted by: Tsiry | April 17, 2008 at 02:38 AM
kobe aint gonna win the mvp, so many media KOBE HATERS out there...!
f**k the mvp, i want the Chanpionship....
LAKERS WILL SWEEP EVERY SERIES!!!
PURPLE & GOLD BABY!!!
Posted by: juanman888 | April 17, 2008 at 03:46 AM
The emphasis for the Lakers has to be playing smart, patient offense. We have great spacing and threats all over the court. Denver does not have the will to play defense for an extended period.
I expect to see Denver's best defensive effort in the first half of Sunday's game. But, if we keep grinding possessions for 16, 18, 20 seconds, they will get tired of playing D by the second half.
Denver's a lot like the Warriors. They want to run up and down and turn the game into something emotional. We can't let them turn the game into a three-point shooting contest with a whole bunch of run-outs either way.
Posted by: Jman449 | April 17, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Looking at the matchups, it sure looks good for the Lakers. After beating Denver, they get the Houston Utah winner. Utah is a good matchup for LA and they have the home court advantage over Houston. Houston is the only team I worry about in the West because of their defense.
And after the Lakers beat the winner of Utah and Houston, they can only face one of the teams from Dallas, NO, San Antonio or Phoenix. To me, those are the most playoff tough teams in the west (minus NO) and the Lakers only have to play one of them to get to the finals. Boy, the one seed ended up making a big difference in matchups for the Lakers. San Antonio at three and NO at two have a much tougher set of games. Although NO had to avoid Utah at all costs because they have Chris Paul Kryptonite in Deron Williams.
I predict:
Lakers over Denver 4-1
Lakers over Utah 4-2
Lakers over Pheonix 4-1
And on to the finals.
I don't want to predict that yet. I want to see how the whole playoffs works out and who is playing. The current Lakers team can make the finals with no additional help. Besides, their injuries are only on paper.
Mark
Posted by: MarkytheArky | April 17, 2008 at 05:39 AM
pslakerfan
Good catch. I meant game six if it goes that far.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | April 17, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Good Morning: Charles, Boz, Toad, Pig Miller, PsychedLakerGirl, VMan, JustAnotherMambaFan,
Faith, utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, Angry Laker & Laker Nation. D@MMMMMMMMNNNNNN!
IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A LAKER FAN!!!! That's all, go back to sleep.
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 17, 2008 at 06:00 AM
BLOG AWARDS POST
Did you vote at least 4 times within the last 24 hours? If not... LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
An online poll where you can vote for the K-Bros blog. Let's put them on the map.
(Any pay raises they get from this are all theirs.)
Once you get to the West, you'll notice the very last box has "other" add in LA Times Laker Blog on all categories that are applicable.
****This poll is only open until April 20, so get voting. Vote early and vote often.****
One more word..........."COOKIES" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: complex brotha | April 17, 2008 at 06:21 AM
"Thirty-nine.
That is the average number of wins predicted this fall by Lakers fans, and don't lie, don't even try."
--Bill Plaschke
Does anyone want to drive the 50 and 55 win bandwaggons to Bill's house?
Posted by: HmrHed | April 17, 2008 at 06:54 AM
LakerTom,
I love your analysis and posts. My only regret is that you always give the ROSIEST picture on a game that has not been played. You can't hide your identity on who you favored from the well structured post because the conclusion is so predictable.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 17, 2008 at 06:57 AM
*________________________________________*
65 WINS FOR 2008 - 2009 SEASON BANDWAGON
*________________________________________*
(01) JON K. Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Director of Win # 1
(03) TOAD – Director of all wins.
(04) JUSTANOTHER MAMBAFAN – Director of win 65.
(05) LAKERFAN – Director of Win # 2
(06) PK-IN-THE-MESSA – Director of Tennis
(07) LAKERTOM Minister Of GHF & Injury Monitoring
(08) NEMAIA FALETOGO – Director 2008 Championship Banner Raising
*________________________________________*
72 WINS FOR 2008 - 2009 SEASON BANDWAGON
*________________________________________*
(01) XODUS. Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Director of Win # 1
*________________________________________*
73 WINS IN 2008 – 2009 SEASON BANDWAGON
*________________________________________*
(01) AMAZING HAPPENS - Owner & Driver
(02) MAMBA24 – Along for thew ride
(03) TSPHERE – SuperDelegate – Have no fear Tsphere is here
(04) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(05) MILO RAMBALDI- --Team Prophet & Jennifer Garners Ex.
*_____________________________________*
THE LAKERS 2008 CHAMPIONSHIP AND
16 WINS TO CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON
AKA “FO”, “FO”, “FO”, ‘FO” BANDWAGON
*_____________________________________*
01 LakerTom – CEO_______________(34)JesterGuru – Assignment Director
02 Andrew Z - Owner______________(35)Nik Kannan – Blog Team Trainer
03 RICK FRIEDMAN – Driver________(36) BZAR – Director of Win Countdown
04 VMAN – Co Driver______________(37 )Doc4DaLakeShow – Blog Dr.
05 JAY JAY Director of Bandwagons __(38) Happy Gilmore – Golf Director
06 Jeff – Security Chief_____________(39) TRIO – 3 Laker Fans in 1
07 Xodus – Enforcer_______________(40) Laker North– Director of North Cal.
08 utzworld – The Banner Holder_____(41) JUNNO – Director Win # 5
09 The Outlaw – Director of Fines_____(42) JustAnotherMambaFan– Director of Mambas
10 KobesBad – And that’s good.______(43) BrownMamba– Asst. Director of Mambas
11 WhiteMamba24 - Ride Director_____(44) DK - Reports directly to Jerry Buss
12 TSIRY – Director________________(45) LakersRydeOrDie – Enforcer
13 AB – Crowd control director________(46) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors
14 LakerTruth – Judge & Jury_________(47) Milo Rambaldi – Team Prophet & Jennifer Garners Ex.
15 HappyDaze - Morale Director_______(48) SimiLakerGirl – Rpts. directly to Jeannie Buss
16 LAL-Fan - Freakin La Laker Fan_____(49) PsychedLakerGirl - Director of Motivation
17 TSPHERE – SuperDelegate________(50) HMRHED – Director of Good Times
18 Staples24 - Helped Kwame pack____(51) LakerFan - Backup
19 JustALakerFan – Enforcer__________(52) KOBESBAD – Director of win 7
20 LakersLegacy - Keeper of Flame_____(53) LAKERGIRL1980 – Director of win 8
21 Tha SHOW – Keeping it Real________(54) ALLAN – BRAZIL Director win 6
22 ANDO – Director of Superstars_______(55) TIM-4-SHOW Director of win 2
23 RDLEE - Directorof Win1____________(56) NEMAIA FALETOGO director of win 10
24 SAMLL Director of win3 ____________(57) ROKY Director of win 11
25CBUCK Director of win 13___________(58) HUBBIT Director of win 4
(26) JON K. Director of win 9___________(59) GREEK DUDE Director of win 14
(27) Mr.BarneyDangles Director of wins___(60) LAKER TOM – Producer, Director & Enforcer
(28) CHUCK23 – Director of win 12_______(61) TOAD – Director of the Win Directors
(29) EastCoastJessie__CFO____________(62) THE LAKE SHOW – Supreme Escort.
(30) The Original J.J. – Ring Master_______(63) DC – Director of Strategic Wins
(31) DICE8UP – Consigliore of 9Rings_____(64) KEIFO – Heir in waiting
(32) LAKERBANDIT – Countdown Director__(65) PK-IN-THE-MESA – Tennis Director
(33) TWOODY – Taught Kobe the Crossover_(66) FearlessWhackJob – Kobe’s Advisor
*___________________________________*
DAVID STERN IF KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT
WIN THE MVP THEN SOMEONE ‘S GOING
TO JAIL BANDWAGON NO MVP NO PEACE
*___________________________________*
(1) NIK KANNAN –Owner & Driver__(22) EASTCOASTJESSIE
(2) CBUCK____________________(23) BROWNMAMBA24
(3) VIOLATER_________________(24) WHITEMAMBA24
(4) OUTSIDERGUA_____________(25) BLACKMAMBA24
(5) LAKERTRUTH ______________(26) TIM-4-SHOW
(6) ALEXINH017________________(27) CHUCK.L.OHNIO
(7) DREREK___________________(28) TSIRY
(8) SHAQFAN__________________(29) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN
(9) JANAYA____________________(30) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL
(10) JON K_____________________(31) SBPIMP
(11) IVI8KRS____________________(32) JEFF
(12) JOE DUBB__________________(33) JESTER GURU
(13) FEARLESS WHACK JOB______(34) DOC4daLakeShow
(14) TSPHERE__________________(35) HMRHED
(15) ANDO_____________________(36) RICK FRIEDMAN
(16) HAPPY GILMORE____________(37) KEIFO
(17) CHRIS H.___________________(38) MILO RAMBALDI- --Team Prophet.(47)
(18) DREW PAU KOBE____________(39) SIMI_LAKER_GIRL
(19) LAKERLARRY_______________(40) TSPHERE
(20) MAMBA24 __________________(41) JOHNNY P.
(21) MARKY THE ARKY___________(42)
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 17, 2008 at 07:16 AM
I say there is a decent chance that Houston beats Utah, because they have home court adv and the Jazz play so poorly on the road.
Also there is a good chance that PHX beat the Spurs.
I'd would not be sad at all to see UTH and SAS fall in the first round before we have to face them.
Finally, it is not crazy to think that the Mavs could beat the Hornets and then PHX later.
I'd love to face Denver, Houston and Dallas in our path to the NBA Finals.
Those are the best matchups for us, and it may very well happen (although it is not probable)
It's going to be a heck of a playoff month.
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | April 17, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Man, what season. When you look back at it...
Anyone who said last October that by the end of the regular season Lakers and Hornets would be 1-2 seeds in the West and Suns ans Mavs would be 6-7 seeds would be called crazy.
Again. What a season...
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | April 17, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Carmelo Anthony arrested for DUI? Fortunately for the Lakers, that's as close as 'Melo comes to playing "D."
Posted by: The D | April 17, 2008 at 07:40 AM
HELLO LAL friends!
AK/BK - good morning. Thanks for trying to coax me into calling.... one of these days.
Bring on the Nuggets. Hugo Boss and friends should be very happy. I think its a great opening round for us - good to get us in the mindset. Competitive but we should win. I know Dallas was saying same thing last year - but I think this is a good start for us.
Countdown to Sunday!!!
LET's GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 17, 2008 at 07:42 AM
What's the over/under on me referring to Enver's (No D) NBA Franchise as "the Rich, Creamy Nougat"?
I'm going with 27
Posted by: The D | April 17, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Iverson : "Let's go. This is what it's all about for me. You can't draw it up any better," Iverson said. "People say he's the best basketball player on the planet, so I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge. Especially with me believing that about myself, so let's go.
"This is what it's about. If you're scared, get a dog."
Kobe got some work to do , look like Iverson was waiting for that moment
:Let's go lakers
Posted by: MO money | April 17, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles & a GREAT BIG GOOD MORNING to this unbelievable Laker Nation!!
Look out Denver - here we come!!!
I am so sick & tired of the Kobe haters. It's funny how their criteria for choosing MVP changes every year depending on what Kobe's doing. If he's scoring, then it's about making your teammates better. If he's passing, then his stats aren't good enough. OMG - GET A CLUE - GET A REAL JOB - GET A LIFE - GET LAID - SOMETHING - ANYTHING - JUST BE FAIR!
What am I doing wasting my breath....ummmm....fingers....
Whatever happens next, we just need to focus on winning 16 games the fastest, bring home O'Brien and parade down Figueroa & Chick Hearn Court!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP and FINALS MVP or NO PEACE!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 17, 2008 at 08:08 AM
SBPimp
Love your picks. In fact, I just made my first round picks at ESPN and the only difference between my predictions and yours is that I have Toronto winning 2 games and the Lakers sweeping the Nuggets. I also agree with all of your other predictions and choices except for MIP where I have Turkoglu.
You must be brilliant.
Posted by: giantsquid | April 17, 2008 at 08:11 AM
i think the lakers can win this game in 6, there's no reason to lose this....
Posted by: darkhangelsk | April 17, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Good Morning Fam!
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 08:24 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HI GUYS,
WHY THOSE WRITERS DON'T LIKE MY MAN:
1- HE HAS A STRONG WINNING PERSONALITY
2- HE IS SO PERSUAVIVE TO CONVINCE YOU TO
DO THE RIGHT THING FOR WINNING
3-THEY ARE JEALOUS OF HIM BY SAYING WHY HIM NOT THEM.
4- HE HAS GIVEN HIS HEART AND SOUL FOR THE
GAME AND THE LAKERS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP.
5- HE IS A CHARMING LOVABLE MAN
6- ONE WORD: HE IS A SUCCESSFUL WINNER MAN.
HATE HIM/ LOVE HIM= MVP 2007-2008 PERIOD
THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFF WILL BE THE PREMIERE OF THE KOBE AMAZING SEASON FILMING BY SPIKE LEE FOLLOWING THE AWARD BY DAVIS STERN.
AND I WILL BE THERE FOR SURE...
POSITIVE ENERGY, POSITIVE ENERGY, POSITIVE ENERGY, WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH OF OUR DESTINY.
LOVE TO ALL
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | April 17, 2008 at 08:24 AM
pslakerfan,
Thanks for the update. Are they still up for grabs?
Charles
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning Laker Nation!
So, AI says this is what it's all about for him? Let's give him all he can handle!
Bring on the Muggets! I say we win and five and sit back while everybody else battles it out, giving us some extra time to get Drew up and running for the second round.
All is well in LAker Nation! I can't wait for Sunday!
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | April 17, 2008 at 08:34 AM
im so glad that PHX and SANAN has to play each other in the 1st round -- and that we won't meet either of them until the Confernece Finals -- which means a healthy Bynum locked and loaded to go...
we so got this..
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: David Whang | April 17, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Dropping by to say good morning to all the great Laker fans everywhere!!!
I salute Mamba 24, the Dean of this blog and the All-seeing KBros. Good morning Charles, PsychedLakerGirl, Edwin Gueco and the rest of the early birds.
Allen Iverson is already trying to bait Kobe into a one on one shootout. I don't think Kobe will bite although he'll be tempted. It's all about the team now. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 17, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Mamba, put me on the 72 Win Bandwagon. KGB & Company in 08-09!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | April 17, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Everyone thinks Kobe has a Jordan complex, but I've long believed that he also has an Iverson complex...
AI has street cred, love from KB's hometown, and was the first star to really turn the page on Jordan rather than simply trying to be him. He turned his inconsistent temperment and streetball style into honed NBA MVP-grade weapons. With his style and incidents on and off the court, he soon became emblematic of either what was right or what was wrong with the modern game. For this reason is a truer "symbol" of the post-Jordan backcourt player than Kobe is.
Kobe, more cognizant of legacy than most superstars, is aware that as a result, he could forever be trapped b/w Jordan and Iverson. He first tried to bridge this divide with the tats and the "jail muscles" and the video-game stats of '04-'07. It is only lately that he has figured out how to transcend them, and I think he believes the key is embracing his "globalness." Globe trotting childhood. Multi-racial children. Getting lean again. Speaking multiple languages. Embracing foreign-born players. Kobe' s realized his lodestar is neither Jordan nor Iverson, but Tiger Woods.
I also predict that none of this psychobabble will matter in the upcoming series, and that the Lakers will impose their will in 4 or 5 games.
Posted by: The D | April 17, 2008 at 08:47 AM
So what's the over/under on when the first Denver fan invades the blog with crazy talk?
Posted by: Korey | April 17, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Mamba -- sign me up -- u know im down for any bandwagon that is a positive Lakers bandwagon.. go Lakers.. but before i look at next year, let's make a 2008 Champs bandwagon cuz im all over that one.
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: David Whang | April 17, 2008 at 08:50 AM
So what's the over/under on when the first Denver fan invades the blog with crazy talk?
Posted by: Korey | April 17, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Silly Korey,
Nuggets fans can't type..............
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 17, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Korey,
"So what's the over/under on when the first Denver fan invades the blog with crazy talk?"
When the multiple poster on our blog decide to pose as a denver fan. The only one I remember a few years back was Clipper Fan. Remeber him?
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 09:08 AM