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
Muchas Gracias Todos Amigos:
Jesterguru - that's now the Laker's new language
Charles - Yes I remember LapuLapu. For the sake of others who are wondering what is this private joke of ours? Well, LapuLapu is a Filipino native whose name never appeared in the World History except in the Philippine history. He killed the Spanish-Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan who circumnavigated the globe and discovered again the Philippines. His death occured in the Battle of Mactan in 1521, as a sign of native courage in protecting one's turf. There were unverified accounts recently, (we can consider them as anecdotal fiction because prior to the battle the natives welcomed the spaniards and celebrated mass with them at the island after a long voyage), in the aftermath, the native ruler of Mactan killed Magellan as a revenge for raping his wife. The name LapuLapu supposedly connotes an act of bravery of minorities, funny but true, that courage was memorialized by naming a smelly popular native fish referred as LapuLapu. (Grouper or Rock Cod).
Psychedlakergirl - thanks for your lavish praise, as I said to Mamba I hope what he said rings true. Because of his post, I could no longer steal praises and ideas because I'm supposed to be old guy with integrity. The baby boomer is not really that old to steal again. huh!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 29, 2008 at 10:48 AM
mamba,
OK. You've lured me in again. I "HAVE" to be on the Hate Celtics bandwagon. Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 29, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Mamba,
Superb time to give a shout out to Edwin, the senior statesman of the Lakers Blog and the blogger who talked me out of my one moment of weakness when I wanted to trade Lamar. A well deserved honor, Edwin. One of my true friends on the blog. Congrats.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 29, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Hobbit,
Great quote from Luke. I just love the way the other Lakers players are still staying active even when Kobe takes over the game out of necessity as he did last night. Rather than just watching, the Lakers players made themselves available as open targets and then hit critical shots when Kobe passed the ball. The 3 by Luke from a pass from Lamar from Kobe and the dunk by Pau also on a pass from Lamar from Kobe were perfect examples of how not to just stand around and watch when KB24 takes over. Man, you have to love this Lakers team, the only undefeated team left in the playoffs.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM
MichiganLaker,
Thanks.
My wife is from near Flint. Between listening to her winter horror stories, and those of my mother (who grew up on a farm in North Dakota), I am very grateful to be a SoCal resident!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 29, 2008 at 11:13 AM
exhelodrvr,
I hear ya, I miss my days in Loma Linda.
Later,
MichiganLaker
Posted by: MichiganLaker | April 29, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Hmrhed,
Thanks for the Laker love, brother.
MichiganLaker
Posted by: MichiganLaker | April 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Tim,
Way to represent the Lakers team and the blog at the Pepsi Center. Got to be special shaking hands with Tex Winter, who truly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Maybe if a team wins the 10th NBA championship using Tex’s Triple Post Offense, he will finally get the recognition that he deserves. It is always a pleasure to me to see Tex on the bench behind Phil. I am totally jealous and envious of you for getting to meet him but thanks for sharing the wonderful moment with us. I know you enough to know you appreciated it.
I kept looking for you when they showed the Lakers bench or interviewed Craig to no avail. Next year, you need a bigger sign. Actually, a broom might have helped when you had to clean up your seat due to a unfriendly Denver fan. Not a bad weapon also if you can channel your best Jackie Chan. LOL. Too bad that the Denver fans are such poor sports although you are lucky that their team at least showed up and played Game 4 or it might have gotten really ugly. It’s going to be very tough on a lot of franchises as the Lakers again become the dominant team in the NBA. Denver really didn’t even have a championship window. Wait until the Lakers start slamming a few of those windows shut in San Antonio and Boston. Then watch the fans go berserk.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM
The thing about the Boston losses...
I don't think they'll lose the series to the Hawks. They're better
than that.
But what it shows me is that if you play them several games
in a row, then you can figure out their defense. And against
a better team (Orlando? Detroit? The Lakers?), they should be
very beatable.
I still think they're the favorite in any series in this playoffs,
but let's just say nobody should be shaking in their boots over
playing them in a series. Just man up and play hard and you
can beat them.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 29, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Not only are both Detroit and Boston not playing (and loosing) to winning teams, they are not playing against teams that are #2 in offense. So, what's the deal?
I thought Boston had this great defense? They can't defend a bunch of losers? I thought Detroit was this defensive iron curtain. They can't defend a bunch of losers either?
The only team playing like they have a destiny is the Lakers. The rest of these playoffs are going to be very interesting.
BTW, if Ainge is such a great GM, why isn't his acumen being displayed in these playoffs? Isn't it the playoffs that his moves were made for in the first place? Not exactly paying off, yet, are they?
Mitch should be your executive of the year. I agree with Scott being COY, though my heart says PJ should have at least placed second.
F the Celtics!
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | April 29, 2008 at 05:07 PM
WE DON'T WANT ANYONE FROM MID WEST ESPECIALLY FROM MICHIGAN TO BE ON THE BANDWAGON:
Please quit begging as you are bringin us bad luck, dang now I need to get the witch doctors and shamans to bless this blog as it has been infused by mid westerners!!
hehehehe!
Posted by: Must Live in LA
Dude, don't question my love for the Lakers. I have been a fan since 1986 and lived in SoCal for 18yrs. So, please a little respect. Every neighbor heard me screaming last night at 1:30am after the game. I am holding down the Midwest Laker Front for my fellow Laker brothers and sisters.
Later,
MichiganLaker
Posted by: MichiganLaker | April 29, 2008 at 05:34 AM
MichiganLaker
I think you don't deserve this negativity. We Lakers are global and welcome fans from everywhere.
Mamba24 no doubt has probably missed your request as he is busy so much. He even missed one of mine.
Just ask again and I am sure he will accomodate you.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 30, 2008 at 03:37 PM
____________________________*
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
Whoever owns this bandwagon please add me to it.
Celtic hater for life
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 30, 2008 at 04:21 PM
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
Definetly a double standard.
They commit fouls which are flagrant and don't get called but Kobe gets flagrant for unnatural basketball motion????????????
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 30, 2008 at 04:37 PM