John Denver is rolling over in his grave right now
I have no idea whether the folk icon was an NBA hoops fan, much less a supporter of 
that squad the Lakers beat down 102-84. But anyone affiliated with Colorado on some level would be embarrassed by the horrific effort put forth by the hosting squad. Not to downplay the excellence of the purple and gold, who played an extremely disciplined and efficient game on both sides of the ball. After weathering a tight first half of Kobe Bryant foul trouble -- Pau Gasol's 13 points were key-- the Lakers blew the doors off in no time flat, quickly turning a must-win game for Denver into a laugher along the lines of Must-See TV. The box score shows five Lakers in double figures, often the result of crisp ball movement that created 26 assists. The Lakers also contested any and every ball put up by Denver, often forcing their opponent to take bad shots from a sizable distance. They even limited Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to a combined 10-38 from the field.
-- Image courtesy of Rolling Stone
Even more striking, however, was the complete lack of corazon scraped together by Denver with their backs against the wall. Once things started going bad (and even when fairly well), the Nuggets were lifeless and lacking passion, playing like guys with a hankering from some early May Cancun. I predicted this would be the one game Denver pulled out, which I was clearly -- and thankfully -- wrong about (although I did get the part about upped physicality right). But I'm still willing to stand by my other take on the series. One more game and the series is done. Call me crazy, but these Nuggets ain't the kind of team that will pull themselves up by the bootstraps and go out tough with the chips down. If they had any pride, they'd have played with it today. I expect more of the unfocused same from Denver, with the biggest threat being a Laker getting injured by with an overzealous hard foul (assuming Denver will even bother at this point). Hopefully, everyone will get out in one piece to prep for Utah or Houston.
AK
Xodus,
I see your point. I suppose after SO much vitriolic criticism of Kobe for so long (someone whom I and much of Laker Nation believes is easily a Top Five of All-Time NBA player), we (I) can become reactionarily defensive of him. It's become something of a habit after combatting Trolls and Haters for years.
Kobe, like everyone, should be open to objective and/or constructive criticism.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
hobbitimage,
It's not the shots that Kobe missed, it's the shots that he took. Quite a bit of his shot selection in Game 1 was outside the flow of the offense. The Lakers won't have nearly as much margin for error in subsequent series, and can't afford that from Kobe if they want to be successful then.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 27, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Ex,
"My position is that none of us are in a position to accurately judge whiether or not the treatment of Ariza, Bynum, etc."
Maybe so, but what's wrong with judging based on results or lack thereof?
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 27, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Xodus,
Precisely, that is the point, all our speculations are baseless because it needs further clarity from the Lakers office. Why are people saying different things? Because we don't know the TRUTH. Your assumption that they are really injured that they could not play. Eric Pincus in his article said that they need two weeks more, and yet the news today, Ariza can practice starting Monday. That's why hearsay and speculations are not accepted as legal evidences, we sincerely don't know who is telling the truth. We can debate all day, you saying that they are injured and cannot play. I will say, they are slightly injured and can play if they want to and, still another opinion will air, they can play now but they are being reserved for future games, still another opinion would come out, they refused to play so as to preserve their body for long term.
I hope Xodus you got my point, I enumerated 4 alternatives out of a situation because there is no clarity in commnication from Jan 13th to April 27th. Once the 8th week deadline passed, we are all speculating of what comes next. All of our assumptions are possible. At the end of the day, which hearsay are we going to accept: from Times, PJ, Pincus, bloggers, ESPN, TNT broadcasters, AK/BK etc. I prefer AK/BK they're multi awardees. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2008 at 11:12 AM
exhelodrvr,
Though I disagree with you on the Gary Vitti thing (based upon past precedence with Karl Malone and Chris Mihm's injuries AND the fact that many of the Lakers have chosen to take on a separate personal trainer and look for second opinions on injuries--which conveys an implication of lack of confidence, to me), it would probably help us out if journalists would seek out interviews with the training staff. It seems like all we get is an occasional clip on Lakers.com or a picture of the "space age treadmill" on LATimes.com. Insufficient, methinks.
I'm hoping they're doing more than physical therapy and spreading hot/cold Blue Goo on the injured areas.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 27, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Laker Truth,
Whether a result is better or worse than it "should" have been can't be determined unless you have an accurate idea of the context. We don't know the context, because we don't know the severity of the injuries, the relative healing "powers" of the individuals in question, the physical therapy/treatments being used, and whether or not those are the most appropriate. If we knew all those things, then we could more accurately judge the Lakers' staff and their treatment.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I will take the hit and for an unpopular stand but my opinion will stay as is.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2008 at 12:27 AM
On target Mr. Gueco. That is why I have always been your admirer.
I like Andrew Bynum. If he is really being held back as a "secret" weapon for the next series, I'm okay with it. But if he is just being withheld by his manager/group for the incoming contract, I'll feel bad about it. Afterall, he is still under contract for one year. I do think he will be a great help during the championship round. Come back soon AB.
Goooooooooooooo Lakersssssss!!!
Posted by: Lakergurl | April 27, 2008 at 10:14 AM
To jump in I think all of you have good points but I think the one not mentioned is the Medical staff not training staff. The Lakers and AB's own Dr say don't play because of chance of PERMENANT damage to the knee.
AB has the choice to suck it up and risk his career and livelyhood. Also to become one of the best centers ever if he improves as he has so far.
So say he comes back and gets reinjured and his career is lost. What would all the suck it up and get out there fans say?
I think something like, man was he selfish to get hurt and risk his career and the Laker organization for a few games of possible fame.
Or he robbed the Lakers of possible dynasty. Like Kobe whatever he does he is in a lose lose situation. Unlike Kobe, he is AB and should not be compared to him. Like Kobe plays hurt or injured (Kobe has a contract) ab does not and shouldn't play if he can't.
Just my opinion and I stick by it.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 27, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Bad Kobe, bad Kobe debate. (game one)
Kobe had an off game shooting and redeemed himself with a stellar 4th quarter finish.
To say he had a bad game is just plain nuts.
BK was entitled to his opinion, but had to fully know putting Kobe into having a 'bad game' 'Don't be fooled stuff', would do on the blog.
Lakers fans were having a good time celebrating and that statement changed the whole mood of the blog. It became negative, with many derogatory comments going back and forth.
BK as moderator new exactly what he was doing. Its his job to keep things flowing and spur different thoughts for lively debate. Nothing wrong with what he did, even if it was purposely inflammatory.
I had 3 areas of concern for Kobe in that game.
1. 4th quarter shot selection out of team rhythm.
2. Kobe committing silly reach fouls putting him on the bench
3. Kobe's trash talking was embarrassing and not a good example for the team
Like EX said, if Kobe plays like he did in games 2,3 the Lakers could win it all. Coming from a GHE guy, that's quite a statement. lol
Since game one, Kobe is trying harder to keep things flowing with better shot selection.
He's is making less fouls, but interestingly, his silly trash talking has gotten into the heads of the Nuggets. Are they that stupid? Apparently so.
Maybe I was wrong to characterize it as silly. It worked.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 27, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Fairweather Fatty-
Believe what you'd like, but I can assure you that I'm not going to misrepresent my own opinions just to try and rile people up. If I think Kobe played poorly- and I think he did- I'll say so. I wasn't the only one, both on the blog (go back and read the comments during the game) or among the writers watching the game. Disagree if you like, but honestly, we're doing just fine on the site without having to engineer traffic like that. Personally, I don't consider pointing out when Kobe has a tough game inflammatory. Certainly not purposefully so.
Edwin-
I can assure you that both of those guys would like to be playing. Again, that's why Drew went to see his old doctor- he wanted to get cleared and be let back on the floor. His guy said no, too. Same with Ariza. He wants to play, and I guarantee for as much as you're venting about how you'd like to see him on the court, he'd like to be out there more.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 27, 2008 at 06:43 PM
BK
Its pretty obvious to most people here you did that to rile up the blog.
If you read all my comment you would see that I questioned some of Kobe's play as well.
But to classify he had a "Bad Game", especially "Don't be Fooled" was an obvious attempt to cause discussion on the blog by using 'contrived inflammatory verbage'.
You do this on a regular basis. Its just your job, I have NO PROBLEM with that as I said.
As I said at the time you wrote it, I said I agreed with most of what you said, just not your characterization of Kobe. Do you really think he had a bad game, so bad, you had to single him out for that in the way you did it?
It lead to a lively debate. I don't know why you are taking that so personal. You got the desired results.
Cool down Bk, its not that big of a deal.
You guys do a great job here. And I commend you on a regular basis.
I do find it odd, that many. many times I ask you questions, ask for your opinion, etc.. and this is probably only the 2nd time you've responded. My comment was more directed to the debate that was currently going on.
If you are offended what many others see as an obvious truth in how you carry yourself, then I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings and in the future I will just make up insincere dishonest comments that will bother you less.
Yours truly,
Fatty
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 27, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Fairweather-
I appreciate the praise, and am sorry if you feel like you've been ignored. When I see questions or comments addressed to me, I try to answer them. Obviously I don't see all of them, or get to everything specifically. But to your other point, generally speaking, I don't like the characterization that I write things I don't believe simply to generate traffic. Yes, I believe that in Game 1, Kobe played poorly based on the standards by which he should be judged. I wasn't the only one, either. Did he struggle like Vlad? Obviously not. But for Kobe, he had a bad game. It's not a big deal. The "don't be fooled" line was there in reference to people who might just look at the box, see he scored 32, and wonder what I was thinking.
I don't care if you write honest comments (and would certainly prefer them over insincere ones just to make me feel good). I don't mean this in a dismissive way, so I hope you (and others) don't read it as such, but I don't write to try and make friends (or enemies, for that matter). I feel my job is to be as honest as possible and express my opinion, report what I can, deliver good information, and the like. If people think I'm right, great. If they disagree, great.
One thing I don't want, though, is for people to believe that I write simply to try and rile people up. Debate comes naturally enough. There's no need to goose it by tying on a Skip Bayless type attitude.
I write what I believe. Disagree with me if you'd like, but always assume that the opinions expressed are indeed genuine.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 27, 2008 at 09:45 PM
I am an Allen Iverson fan and was pulling for the nuggs mainly becuase I want to see A.I. win a championship. Carmelo is the problem he is not anything close to being a leader, he's a cry baby and he lacks the poise and character of a Lebron James or Kobe. Melo' s game is tired--he shuffles his feet around like a slug and he's highly overratted in my opinion.
Posted by: | April 28, 2008 at 04:58 PM