Movin' on
I'll give Denver credit. They managed to do something that honestly I didn't think they had in them -- play 48 minutes of hard (though not necessarily smart) basketball, and even come from behind to close the game in the second half. They were spirited (though not necessarily smart), spunky (see previous), and showed some fortitude (though not necessarily brains).
Not that it mattered.
Despite the best push they saw in four tries from Denver and a game that frequently devolved into something that would have made Dr. James Naismith cry, the Lakers again showed they were too good for the Nuggets. Final score, 107-101. LA breaks out the brooms and becomes the first Western Conference team to advance to the semifinals. Early, it was a combination of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Late, it was a whole lot of Kobe, as No. 24 poured in 15 over the final eight minutes.
The final lines show solid nights the big three -- Kobe: 31/7/6, plus three steals and two blocks. Pau: 21/7/4, and four blocks. Lamar Odom: 14/12/4, despite playing most of the night in foul trouble. Success, though, wasn't simply a matter of LA's triple-headed monster. Everyone who hit the floor had something to contribute, even if individually and collectively they weren't razor sharp. DJ Mbenga played solid minutes in the first half. Sasha Vujacic made a clutch three-point basket in the fourth to help keep the Nuggets at (short) arms length. Vlad Radmanovic overcame some terrible early shooting to notch eight points in the third. Luke Walton overcame early foul trouble -- his first run didn't last three minutes before he picked up his third foul -- to make a big shot at the end of the third, then make a clutch three late in the fourth.
The point? After cruising to three easy wins, the Lakers played ugly and still left the building with the win. They worked through a lot of ness-es: sloppiness, ineffectiveness, unfocused ... ness, etc. Don't forget, too, that Denver finally played like a team that won 50 games. That obviously makes a difference. Things only get harder from here, and it's nice to see the Lakers perform when the other team does too.
However you slice it, LA is through to the next round, awaiting the winner of the Utah/Houston series. One round down, three to go.
BK
CONGRATS TO BYRON SCOTT (former Laker--future coach(?)) FOR COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | April 29, 2008 at 08:17 AM
People can say I'm crazy, but after watching all the sports networks coverage of the NBA playoffs and listening to the media, analysts and so-called experts and different programs such as ESPNFirsttake, NBATV Game Night, etc., the Lakers may be the most lightly regarded #1 seed ever even though they won the top seed in the toughest conference race ever!!! Does anyone else on here get this vibe?!!! Sure, there are more compelling stories right now in the playoffs like the Hawks/Celtics, Spurs/Suns, Sixers/Pistons and the Hornets/Mavs, but the Lakers sweep shouldn't just be a footnote or minimized because of the Lakers thorough domination of the Nuggets. I don't think any of the other teams in the West would've swept the Nuggets. None of these fools(analysts, so-called experts, media and sportswriters)had the Lakers winning the West or getting out of the first round if they made the playoffs(Charles Barkley early in the season predicted the Lakers would be no higher than a 7 seed and would be one and done. Kenny Smith gave the Lakers a little love and said the Lakers would be at least a 5 seed). For the Lakers to be where they are after all they've been through, they should be getting more love from the sportsmedia, the LA times included. If this keeps the Lakers under the radar, so be it, but I'm glad that this blog is giving the Lakers mad love for what they're accomplishing because our team deserves it even if they don't win the title(I believe they will). Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 29, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Thank you Mamba24, I really don't deserve that honor. There are more bloggers here who contribute more insights, more passion, more information that is good for all. I just contribute on the side whatever I can think of.
Good Morning to all, and what a beautiful morning to win the playoffs unscatched and unmatched so far. Time to hone more skills from those guys that Lakers would rely in future competitions from Vlad Radmanovic, Jordan Farmar, Lamar Odom. They missed a lot of cheapy shots tho' overall they contribute timely steal, rebounds and a little defense. We were balancing on a cliff at 3rd and 4th Qtrs., it was the great one that saved us again. He has been relegated to bad column on Game 1, a malingerer last summer, today the mainstream media have nothing to say but all praises. They are attracted to Mamba's maturity and Kobe is also attracted to the Media's maturity. Finally, they are understanding the insight of Kobe. However, no team in the NBA can do what Lakers are doing that is passing the ball and finishing at the highest field goal percentage. They could raise it to another level and improve furthermore as we march to the next series. It is scary what they can accomplish. Perhaps, Mbenga and Turiaf could teach others where their defensive energies come from, yes it is rusty but it is juat another weapon at PJ's disposal.
Much credit to Phil Jackson, he is the best plumber in town, he knows how to unclog the Nuggets defensive debris and knew how to operate on his rusty tools with a small space to operate.
Much credit to Mitch Kupchak who has been maligned by me and many of us from the Showtime Era for several times with the way Shaq departure was handled and with those scrubs of past summers, well after several years he finally was able to right the ship, the scrubs contributed beauty to the landscape. If he can only influence the Supreme Being to eradicate injuries, he could have done it too as well.
Much credit to the Asst. Coaches, the Lakers staff who did the dirty work, yeoman's job but get little credit but more blames when team losses. They are the unsung heroes.
Much credit to all passionate fans in the blog who spend their time to express their love with the team, their anger when there are shortcomings, their happiness in times like this. As I said, winning cures all including the bruised patella of Bynum and mended foot of Ariza. I guess we are all in EUPHORIA today because we have never passed the 1st round since 2004. Unfortunately, The future never takes care of itself, Lakers should practice more, scout or spy more and more suggestions from the Laker fans. PJ get his coaching ideas from you guys. LOL!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 29, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Where can i get Skip Bayless phone number? I think he did'nt sleep the whole night last night. ESPN is going to fire this guy anyway.
Posted by: Botsoy | April 29, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Tim-4-Show,
I'm glad you had a good time and I'm sorry that some guy knocked over your drink and was a jerk about it.
That much said, if you were at Staples and wearing a Nuggets jersey and chanting "MVP" for Iverson and we were down 3-0, I'd throw things at you too.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 29, 2008 at 08:22 AM
MichiganLaker,
Must Live In LA probably isn't even from L.A. I wouldn't worry about it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 29, 2008 at 08:23 AM
____________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(02) Milo Rambaldi--Team Prophet.
(03) Mamba24 – East Coast Jessie’s BodyGuard
(04) LakerFaze – Taught KG how to Dunk
(05) TOAD – Once beat Larry Bird in a game of horse
(06) LakerMan420 – Told Red Auerbach where to put his cigar
(07) HmrHed – Blocked KG’s hook twice
(08) SIimLakerGirl – Reports directly to Jeannie Buss
(09) LakerLegacy – Made Red Auerbach bow down to 9Rings
(10) PigMiller– sent LARRY Bird back to French lick IND.
(11) JEFF - Was born hating the Celtics.
(12) #4 Not only born hating Celtics but will bequeath the hate to his heirs
(13) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(14) JustAnotherMambaFan – Hates them
(15) THE_D – Thinks Celtics fans should go to AA meetings
(16) JON K. - Put the chokehold in the Celtics choking
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 29, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Good morning LAL friends and SWEEP compatriots!
What a great overall team effort! It seemed like whenever the tide seemed to be turning to the Thugs, somebody would come up with a shot or stop. It was beautiful!
PJ needs to have them all shoot (and make) 100 FT's in a row or they can't go home. And transition D. It's all about the D baby!!! It's going to get a lot tougher from here on out and we can't have the lane wide open like the Panama Canal for those constant and all too easy layups.
LET's GO LAKERS!!! And for Rockets to win tonight.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 29, 2008 at 08:28 AM
THIS IS LAKER BASKETBALL. THANK GOD IT'S BACK!!!
Posted by: KILLA KENNY | April 29, 2008 at 08:28 AM
NO ONE (except Jerry West possibly) hates the Celtics more than I do.
GO HAWKS !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | April 29, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Tim-4-Show,
Great post. It's nice to hear some insight from our own Laker Blog sideline reporter.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 29, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I might feel a little empty if the Celts lose in round one.
Did I just say that? I want Lakers v. Hawks in the Finals. We will claim ownership of them.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 29, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I'd like to dedicate the following song to our Lakers and their path to the championship:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=43K8EZ3Trtc
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 29, 2008 at 08:37 AM
#4,
True. We'll get Ariza back soon.
We'll get Bynum back soon if he decides he'd rather stay up rehabbing his knee instead of getting drunk at frat parties during the playoffs.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 29, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I wonder what David Stern is going to do with Kevin Garnett's throwing an elbow at Eddie Rush during last night's Celtics-Hawks game? Is there going to be a double standard? I know if that were Kobe, it would have been an automatic suspension of at least one game or 2.
What do you guys think?
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/
mediahub/01/60/22/orignal_522601_PNSUSG0_fight.jpg
Posted by: Robyn | April 29, 2008 at 08:39 AM
mamba24,
Please include me in the ROLL CALL. Thankyou.
Tim-4-show
good job. somehow, you risked your life out there. :P
Posted by: isang | April 29, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Floyd,
I guarantee I can give you a run for your money on hatin' the Celtics and I have to live with them in my hometown.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 29, 2008 at 08:54 AM
I loved the offense with 6 minutes left in the 4 quarter.
Kobe Ball was tremendous.
Kobe Ball closes out games.
There's a time and a place for Kobe Ball, and last night with 6 minutes left was it. Denver's season vs Kobe Ball. And Kobe Ball won.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 29, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Tim-4-4-4-Show,
Thanks for the update. Seems like the rabid fans are now outnumbering the game appreciators with in the last 10 plus years. The fab 4 of Colorado deserves a lot of Kudos for representing us to the fullest. According to blog last name lol. Hugo Boss, Mr.BarneyDangles, Laker4realz and Tim-4-Show.
Edwin Gueco,
Congrats on the Honor. Remember Lapu Lapu?
Mamba24,
Thanks for the sub mention on Mr. Gueco's day. I honestly don't remember what my honor is about. But it is a great honor to have you here.
Posted by: Charles | April 29, 2008 at 09:00 AM
I agree Robyn... I thought of that myself last night while watching the game. I couldn't believe that KG would do that right in front of the commissioner. He had that "what the hell" look on his face.
But there's definitely a double standard in the league. Had that been Kobe or Rasheed, they would've been ejected right there and then. Let's hope for suspensions of KG, and Kendrick Perkins for coming onto the court. Bunch of idiots!
Give props to Pachulia for not being intimidated by KG...I loved the "in your face" move.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 29, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Thanks Jon K
Take care bro.
MichiganLaker....holding the Midwest front down pat with purple and gold love.
Posted by: MichiganLaker | April 29, 2008 at 09:05 AM
____________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(02) Milo Rambaldi--Team Prophet.
(03) Mamba24 – East Coast Jessie’s BodyGuard
(04) LakerFaze – Taught KG how to Dunk
(05) TOAD – Once beat Larry Bird in a game of horse
(06) LakerMan420 – Told Red Auerbach where to put his cigar
(07) HmrHed – Blocked KG’s hook twice
(08) SIimLakerGirl – Reports directly to Jeannie Buss
(09) LakerLegacy – Made Red Auerbach bow down to 9Rings
(10) PigMiller– sent LARRY Bird back to French lick IND.
(11) JEFF - Was born hating the Celtics.
(12) #4 Not only born hating Celtics but will bequeath the hate to his heirs
(13) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(14) JustAnotherMambaFan – Hates them
(15) THE_D – Thinks Celtics fans should go to AA meetings
(16) JON K. - Put the chokehold in the Celtics choking
(17) FLOYD – Fought with Jerry west over who hated Boston most
Posted by: mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Robyn
I believe it is only fair to either Suspend him / Flagrant 2.
Posted by: Charles | April 29, 2008 at 09:08 AM
******
NBA RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
AGAINST LAKERS BANDWAGON
*****
(01) BK - Driver
(02) AK - Owner
(3) LAKERTOM – LUCUTUSTOM
(04) MAMBA24 – Not completely assimilated
(05) KOBESBAD – Turned Borg Bad
Posted by: mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Happy days r here again for fans in Lakerdoom.
Mamba24, please add me to the Sweep Bandwagon. Thanks Director of win #8.
Posted by: lakergirl1980 | April 29, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Tim-4-Show
That Nuggets fan is definitely a jerk. But I've heard of worse. When the Raiders were still in LA, a friend of mine, who happened to be a Broncos fan, went to a Broncos-Raiders game in LA. I told him to be careful, but I was just teasing him. However, come Monday morning he came to work with a broken arm. Turns out two Raider fans had thrown him down the stairs.
Now that's rude.
Posted by: giantsquid | April 29, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Tim4-show - awesome commentary. Sorry to hear about the jerk fans throwing stuff and spilling what I am sure wasn't a cheap bevvy. But all for the purple and gold!!!
Congrats Edwin.
Game 1, round 2 is either Sunday or next Tuesday.
PSLakerfan - I got my tix to the Funs/thugs game in October too. 8 of them - my crazy family will all be rooting for the Lakers even though they will be nowhere in sight.
LET's GO LAKERS!!
BTW - heading to East coast for work trip......I am stopping by the NBA store in NYC to get some purple/gold gear before I head to beantown!!! Hoping to crash the Celts game Sunday - I will be sure to put the hex on them. It will be fun to wear my Lakers t-shirt all over Boston.
I will miss you guys for a good chunk of the next 10 days.......
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 29, 2008 at 09:15 AM
As I posted a while back, the Celtics might fall as the Patriots did in the SuperBowl. Awesome regular season and then get upset in the postseason. It could happen because the playoffs are a different animal and these Celtics as great as they were in the regular season have yet to face adversity until now in the pressure packed playoffs. KG, Pierce and Allen have collapsed under the pressure as the star for their former teams(excluding Pierce of course who has always been a Celtic)in the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it together. The Hawks also feel disrespected and are dangerous because no one expected them to win a game so all the pressure is on the heavily favored Celtics.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 29, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I think I may be the only person on the planet who doesn't think that the Nuggets didn't put in much effort. They led the playoff teams in offensive rebounds (of course, they shot atrociously) and even though the Lakers shot very well the Nuggets are sixth in defensive rebounds.
Personally, I think that the Lakers swept the series (which I thought they would anyway) because they played great defense, with the possible exception of lapses in Gasol's help defense, and Denver shot the ball extremely poorly. Clearly, Denver was very frustrated, as demonstrated by their cheap shots, but that's not the same as giving up.
Posted by: giantsquid | April 29, 2008 at 09:22 AM
hey K Bros. I miss the breakdowns. Are those more of a regular season thang?
Posted by: eddie brock | April 29, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Nice to get out the broom. Kobe was killer in the 4th. It was a little disappointing to see so many layups by the Thuggets. Where are the hard fouls? Someone needs to step up and send a message that you can't just waltz to the rim and not pay. Pau was Gasoft. We missed Rony. It would sure be sweet to have Ariza and AB in there on the second unit for some D and rebounding. I still believe the second unit of AB, Ariza, Rony, Farmar and Sasha is a lock down D unit. Now that Luke seems to have a game back and DJ making a contribution we go 12 deep when healthy. The bench mob can just come in and play their ass off...hustle intensity and D. Boston all of a sudden doesn't look so intimidating against a sub .500 team. The Spurs concern me more. Go Lakers!
Posted by: HawaiiD | April 29, 2008 at 09:26 AM
How about that Benga dunk!! He was like Shaq for like 30 seconds.
Posted by: zen | April 29, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I have an answer to a question that many have posed.
People want to know when the Lakers series will start if the Jazz-Rockets series closes up soon.
I don't know exactly what will happen, but if it's anything like the past few years, the series will start within days of both teams becoming available. They don't start 2nd round series all at once.
So, Lakers get less rest if Jazz win right away, at least in the first round. A fast result in the second round could mean a great deal of rest before the third round.
In the past, I would have had some concerns about momentum and loss of focus with long breaks between games.
Not with this team. This is a whole other animal.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 29, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I never would have thought that the Lakers would sweep Denver, I thought it would go 6 games and hoped we would win in 5 but not a sweep, because Iverson is a handful.
But when the game started last night, you could see it was there, the Lakers as a team looked like sharks circling a San Diego beach last night, blood was in the water and they could smell it.
The Lakers looked sharp, the passes were crisp and tight, the cuts were quick and decisive, the only grey area was in the reboundng, but it ended up not being an issue. I remember looking at my wife in the middle of the first half and saying "I know I picked denver to win this tonight, but if they Lakers keep this up, get the broom and the dust pan".
Her response, "Dont jinx it, theres still a ton of time left."
Posted by: BrandonC | April 29, 2008 at 09:39 AM
*________________________________*
*.Lakers Sweep 2nd Round - Bandwagon
*________________________________*
01 Mamba24 - Driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 09:43 AM
How about that Benga dunk!! He was like Shaq for like 30 seconds.
Posted by: zen | April 29, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Lol!!!! Chuckle of the day.
Posted by: Charles | April 29, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Next!!!
Great game by Kobe, Pau, Lamar, Mbenga, and Luke.
Sasha, Jordan and Vlad all made some good contributions.
Now they can all get some well deserved rest!
Definitely agree with above posters about double standard technical. If Kobe pulled that Jason Kidd foul, he probably would have been suspended, if he pulled the KG elbow, he probably would have been suspended.
Great job by Joe Johnson and the Hawks yesterday, their youth/athleticism is giving the Celtics a run for their money. I love to see the Celts lose!!
Have a great one Laker fans! SWEEEEPPP!!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 29, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Eddie Brock,
"hey K Bros. I miss the breakdowns. Are those more of a regular season thang?"
No, we've been doing them during the playoffs, but just for games that we attend. We haven't been on the road this series.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 29, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Good morning, Charles, KBros and the rest of this wonderful and diverse Lakers blog family.
It's a fun time to be here.
Congrats, Edwin. I enjoy your language!
I want on the Hate the Celtics bandwagon. I think I peed myself when Magic hit the game six baby sky hook.
Posted by: Jesterguru | April 29, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Tim-4-Show,
Thanks for sharing your experience at the Lakers-Nougats game.
What a passive aggressive little (female dog) to knock over your drink and then be lame about it. He didn't have the huevos to confront you about your team directly.
It's that sort of attitude that carries over a little from the Enver team. They don't deal directly with their team issues (and probably don't listen to their coach enough) instead preferring to go on autopilot to confront any issues. It worked for 50 games, but doesn't work in the playoffs. Enver could have made this a much tougher series by playing every game a lot more like game 4. They didn't and now they get an early vacation, the one they're used to.
I'm really disappointed with the Enver fans throwing things at you when you tried to be respectful and subdued in your (completely justified) fandom. Misguided anger if I ever saw it. AI, Melo, an overly simple offense, underutilization of Kenyon Martin and JR Smith on offense, and a nonexistent efense are the main issues.
I thought the Lakers handled themselves very well at the end (as did Enver). It was good to see. It's only business.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 29, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Zen and other Mbenga supporters - he was awesome last night! I think he got facialed (??) enough by Shaq to finally have a chance to give something to the poor Thugs.
Ronny seemed very active jumping off the bench and cheering but I think PJ still felt he was "diseased". I am sure we will see a LOT of both of them in Rd 2.
LET's GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 29, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Tim,
So an Enver fan kicke over your soa?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 29, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Nemaia,
"The Hawks also feel disrespected and are dangerous because no one expected them to win a game "
The Lakers saw earlier this season what the Hawks are capable of.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 29, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Michigan Laker,
What part of the state are you from?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 29, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Tim,
You know I empathize with that on-the-road-Lakers-fan experience. Bastards!
Still, way to represent! At least you got to see a winning performance....
Posted by: Jesterguru | April 29, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I waited for all the fans to clear before I walked through the tunnel and out through the front doors.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 29, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Wow Tim, that was indeed risky of you to do in a night where a sweep was possible/inevitable. I can understand your fervor but putting yourself in obvious harmsway is admirable but unnecessary.
I watched a pre-season game of Lakers vs. Bobcats at staples and next to me was a loud Bobcat fan. I wanted to scratch his face but I held my compusure. To think that it was just a pre-season game.
Anyway, as a co-Laker fan, I'm glad you got home safe and sound.
Go Lakers! 2008 Champions fo sho!
Posted by: Lakergurl | April 29, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Mamba24 -- Thanks for the wake-up call –
T-4-S: Great to hear about the animals in Denver – At least you can skip the zoo.
MichiganLaker: you are always welcome here. Don’t confuse us with Troll Kind.
It's been quite a wait my brothers and sisters --- er -- not in the Texas Polygamy Ranch sense --- but in the Laker Nation sense.
It's been 4 years of sweat and tears, and that's just me on the couch. But we are here again -- like Kobe said yesterday -- "we are home again." The second round baby. Fear us Utah!
And although I think he is generally a toolbox, you can add Collin Cowheard to the Laker Dynasty BW. He predicted it on his show this morning. It's good to be a Laker fan.
I will enjoy my Shaqapocalypse tonight.
Carry on fanatics.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 29, 2008 at 10:10 AM
exhelodrvr,
East Lansing
"So an Enver fan kicke over your soa?"
That, my friend, is classic!!! Very funny.
MichiganLaker
Posted by: MichiganLaker | April 29, 2008 at 10:20 AM
TIM-4-SHOW:"I waited for all the fans to clear before I walked through the tunnel and out through the front doors."
THE BAST@RDS! AS I TYPE I AM RAISING A ZOMBIE ARMY TO PREPARE TO ASSAULT ROCKIES. LOL!
Tim, Tim, Tim, brave is brave, but man you got to be
careful out there. You may not believe it but everyone
is not as kind, gentle and considerate as Laker fans.
Seriously Thank God you were not hurt.
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Exhelodrvr:"So an Enver fan kicke over your soa?"
LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 10:24 AM