One down, three (or, if you prefer to think big, 15) to go
UPDATE, 9:40 pm): Woohoo! After some technical struggles, we finally have video. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the new sights and sounds.
One thing we all knew when the draw was finally set? However many games the top seeded Lakers would have to play against #8 Denver, none of them would be boring. Sunday afternoon's 128-114 win for the purple and gold was certainly no exception. Nearly 200 shots from the floor, five technical fouls, a flagrant, and an ejection (the bulk tagged to Denver, not exactly a surprise since they're hardly the Lords of (Self) Discipline). Still, when the final horn sounded, the Lakers were well in control, thanks to a punishing inside game led by Pau Gasol (36 points) and Lamar Odom (17).
LA established control early, building up as much as a 10 point lead in the first before giving six of those points back in the final 40 seconds of the quarter. In the second, Denver made a push against an overmatched second unit, erasing the Laker lead and putting them down by as much as eight. But over the final six minutes before the break, LA methodically chipped away at the Denver lead behind strong work from Gasol and (gasp!) some stops and forced turnovers on the other end. In the third, LA blew the doors off the game, going up by 19 and allowing them to glide to a 1-0 series lead.
Was it art? Not really. Was it pretty good? Yep. A 14 point victory against a 50 win team isn't the worst thing in the world.
Click below for the breakdown.
The Good:
- Pau Gasol: The best player on the floor for LA throughout the game, without question. After dominating the low block in the first half with an 18/7/5 showing on 8-11 from the floor, Gasol came out in third and nearly equaled his point total over the first 24. 16 points on 5-6 from the field and 6-6 from the line. Plus another four boards, just for giggles. He finished the game with 36/16/8, with three blocks. Heck of a way to get his first NBA playoff win.
- Lamar Odom: Another of the sort of complete, stat sheet fillers for which Odom has become well known these days. He was involved early, as the Lakers established dominance in the low post and beat up the Nuggets hard. By the end of the first half, he had a very solid 9/9/3. He did some good work defensively, and always seemed to pop up when the Lakers needed a lift. Final line: 17/14/6, with two steals.
- Offensive Discipline (more or less): For the game, the Lakers shot the ball at a 50% clip, and managed to make it to the line 32 times. Gasol went off, Odom was successful at the basket, and both Luke Walton and Vlad Radmanovic (see below) were effective in the post, either shooting or passing. When the Lakers remembered to stick the ball inside, even before eventually shooting a jumper, they were pretty good. When they had the patience to work the ball around when Denver went zone, getting the ball into the high post and working from there, they were pretty good. Obviously there were stretches where they got away from it (often from Kobe, see below), but overall I think if they continue to stay as committed to getting the ball inside as they did on Sunday, they'll be find. After all, Kobe isn't generally going to stick with the perimeter game to the extent he did tonight.
- Small Forwards- Walton in the first half, Radmanovic in the second: Walton was actually effective throughout the game, but particularly in the first half when Radmanovic was saddled with foul trouble. In 18:32 of run before the break, Walton had 12 points on 5-7 from the floor, including a triple. Four dimes and two boards helped round out the effort. Walton was very effective getting the ball inside, in part because for a few possessions the Lakers were able to exploit his mismatch against Allen Iverson. But no matter who was on him, Walton made good decisions with the ball and helped the Lakers offense work with excellent efficiency. He'd finish with 16/4/5. In the third quarter, Radmanovic returned with a strong effort, making two big threes, but more importantly distributing the ball extremely well, racking up four assists, many from close proximity to the basket, as Rad found himself as part of a post up game that isn't necessarily his strength. Both, too, did a decent job on Melo when presented the challenge. When the Lakers get the sort of combined effort from those two that they got today, they'll be tough to beat.
- The Third Quarter: 39-22 LAL, turning a two point lead into a 19 point margin. 59.1%- 33.3% LAL. 7-3 in assists, LAL. 16-12 points in the paint, LAL. Three triples- one triple, LAL. 16 for Pau, 10 for Kobe, six for Vlad. Three for Melo, five for AI. You get the point.
The Bad:
- Kobe Bryant: He almost pulled himself out of this category with a decent-ish second half, but don't let the 32 points fool you. Overall, it was not a stellar effort from 24, who seemed to struggle with Kenyon Martin's length on the perimeter, and wasn't able to get the ball to the hole until late, either. No free throws in the first half. When Kobe gets jumper happy, it limits his game in a big way, and hurts LA on the other end, too. First half, 2-10, with two boards and a dime. Second half, 7-16, without any assists. Add it all up, that's a one dime night and a 9-26 shooting performance. The ball movement often stopped when it got to Bryant along the perimeter, as Kobe seemed to be trying to shoot himself back into the game. Later, when he had a few mismatches against Anthony Carter, Kobe took advantage and moved his game to the post. In the fourth, he had 18 points, 12 of which came in the final 4:30, much of the damage coming from the stripe. But it wasn't simply a matter of poor shooting. Bryant seemed out of sorts for most of the afternoon, suffering some defensive lapses (perhaps brought on by foul trouble), and generally not looking like the MVP he's been all year. The good news? Kobe is highly unlikely to play any worse than he did today for the rest of the series- arguably for the rest of the playoffs- and the Lakers still won by 14.
It's worth noting, though, that George Karl paid a price by sticking Martin on Kobe, which was shown by incredible space the Lakers had to roam around the Denver paint, and by the mismatches that had to happen whenever Carter and AI were on the floor together. Somebody was always left for an easy post up, whether Vlad, Walton, Kobe, or _______.
- Defensive Discipline: I think by now it's pretty clear that, especially against a team like the Nuggets, shot selection and ball control on the other end makes a big difference in th sort of defensive numbers a team will post. Tonight, the Lakers held the Nuggets to 44.8% from the floor, juiced in part by the superlative third quarter in which LA limited Denver to 8-24 and forced four turnovers. Generally speaking, when the Lakers did what they needed to do offensively, namely force the ball down low, get easy looks and demand Denver not cheat with early releases upcourt, the Lakers were very effective. When they didn't they weren't. Still, there were aspects of the defense that weren't very good, independent of what they were doing offensively. A lot of bad fouls, leading to easy and-ones for the Nuggets. Confusion on rotations, especially on the high screen, that allowed Denver unfettered access to the hoop.
- Derek Fisher: Defensively, he was more effective in containing the Denver backcourt than Jordan Farmar (not necessarily a major accomplishment, since JF had a rough night on that end), but overall, it wasn't the strongest game you'll see from D-Fish. 1-5 from the floor, three points, four dimes in 29:15 of PT.
FYI, Ronny Turiaf, who struggled in his three+ minutes of burn, was a little under the weather. That probably helps explain his poor performance (and, at least in part, its very short length).
BK
POSTGAME AUDIO
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_postgame_denver_1.mp3
- Luke Walton: Download luke_walton_postgame_denver_1.mp3
- Sasha Vujacic: Download sasha_vujacic_postgame_denver_1.mp3
- Derek Fisher: Download derek_fisher_postgame_denver_1.mp3
- Kenyon Martin (for those hoping to hear more K-Mart, blame me. After a couple questions from the other writers, I asked about the double T's with Kobe. He responded in short fashion, then concluded the session. Guess he didn't like the question): Download kenyon_martin_postgame_denver_1.mp3
AK
Kobe didn't measure the game today as well as he usually does. He tried to keep the defense honest so the inside would remain open, but he was cold. Its ok to admit he had a bad game because it won't happen next time.
I wouldn't be afraid of pissing off the Nuggets with Kobe talking, because one thing no opponent's fan wants is a pissed off Kobe, ask the Kings. I welcome all the trash talking its the playoffs, you better not back down, you have to be cocky to a certain extent. After all you are the #1 seed, the team thats the favorite, you better stand your ground on your home court.
Bring it ON Nuggets, talk trash to the best player on the face of the planet, the most lethal offensive player in the game, one of the few players that when mad doesn't means he plays bad, grab his attention I dare you. Kobe will step up and his team mates will see his passion and be there with him. Kobe's competitive hormone kick into high gear when another player tries to poke holes in his game, as mine do when I play and say " Watch his !@#$$%^&*"
Posted by: Tej | April 20, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Today was a funny game because I felt Kobe played like he thought he needed to go off for 50 to win.It was like he thought Kwame and Smush were on the floor with him when he taking some of those contested jump shots.With the players he has around him you would think he could get a few assists on accident.I would say this was his worst game with Pau in the lineup by far.Kobe is going to win MVP this year which is fine with me since the Lakers won the west but I just hope Kobe realizes with Pau he doesn't have to try to win these games all by himself.
Posted by: jf | April 20, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Corner J,
Kobe had a sub par game by Kobe standards but he does not belong in the "Bad" category. That's ridiculous. The man had 18 points in the fourth quarter, and was the biggest factor behind Gasol in the crucial third quarter run.
The reason he was "dribbling for 5-6 seconds" was because he was waiting for the double team to come, so he could pass out of it. In the last few weeks of the regular season, this strategy has become one of the main weapons for this Laker offense, as his teammates have excelled in making teams pay for doubling Kobe. He seemed to be surprised when the double did not come.
Although he was being single teamed on the perimeter, Denver's strategy was to stop Kobe's penetration by having two big men watching and waiting behind Kobe's defender at all times, ready to step out, if Kobe decided to penetrate. KMart also gave Kobe some serious space on the perimeter, almost daring him to shoot. Kobe seemed intent on getting his teammates involved from the get-go, and as a result, Kobe seemed hesitant to shoot the jumper that the Denver defense was GIVING him. Sure he was ice-cold in the first half, and if he wasn't, this team may have won by 30, instead of 14. No big deal.
When BK states "don't let the 32 points fool you", he should also be objective and state "don't let the zero assists in the second half fool you" as well, as many of Kobe's passes led to the assist, as Angry Laker mentioned. A hater cannot have it both ways. One of the reasons Gasol seemed wide open in the paint the entire game was because the Denver defense's main priority was to stop Kobe's penetration.
Anyway, it was a good team win, and if Denver plays Kobe the same way in game 2, I have no doubt he will be ready.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 20, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Are you nuts?
32 pts and 18 in the 4th when the Lakers were starting to faulter.
That's a pretty good game.
Watched the game again on the Tivo.
Originally thought Kobe had a sub-par game, but the Tivo don't lie.
Lamar was awesome.
Pau was the beneficiary of some great Lakers team play. Most of his lay ups and dunks were on the receiving end of an assist.
Kobe was the set up king. His early 4th quarter stuff was ugly to watch, but the rest of his game was pretty sweet.
The foul troubles lead him to hold off of being aggressive. Denver was getting touch fouls called, he had to be careful.
The facts: Lakers shot 50% because of all the lay ups, not hot outside shooting. I counted four occasions late 2nd where Kobe dished to wide open guys who bricked in a span of 1:30.
Stat wise, not a good game for Kobe. But upon a further Tivo review, he had a very good game.
Too say he had a bad game is to grade Kobe on the Kobe Perfection Curve. 29 other teams wish they had someone play a game as bad as Kobe.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 20, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I agree with the comments on Kobe. As much as I love his games, I think he forced it too much when he tried to shoot himself into the game,disreupting the flow of the game when Pau and Lamar were doing so well.
He needs to understand he no longer has to carry each and every game alone any more,especially when it is an off night for him
Posted by: henry | April 20, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Boston is playing with that ferocity I was talking about. They could be coasting but they're looking to kill Atlanta. It's a different mindset - usually the best PJ coached teams end up being more of the cold-assassin type vs someone walking out into the middle of the street taking on all comers. Unfortunately, this year's squad is closer to the bad guy who gets the superhero trapped in the machine of death but then leaves them to face their death which, of course, opens the door for them to get away.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 20, 2008 at 08:03 PM
LAKERS DEFENSE WAS NOT THAT BAD…
It is important to remember that defense with the Lakers begins with their running their
Triangle Offense efficiently, which means lots of ball and player movement and attempts to penetrate the paint and play smart inside-outside basketball. When the offense is run efficiently, shots are taken in rhythm and players positioned to play transition defense.
Today, the Lakers ran their offense with brutal efficiency, making 33 assists on 46 baskets, just 3 assists shy of their season high. They attacked the rim aggressively and controlled the paint, shredding the Denver defense and scored at will in the paint. Other than a brief period in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers shut down the Nuggets in transition, which left the Nuggets with only the option of Iverson and/or Antony playing 1-on-1.
Defensively, the Lakers did allow more penetration and easy layups than desired, but that is a problem that you can expect the Lakers to pay special attention to in the next game and that will ultimately disappear once Drew returns to protect the rim. In the meantime, the Lakers did hold the Nuggets to 45% shooting and just 5 made 3-point shots, which is pretty much the same story as their 3 wins against the Nuggets in the regular season.
Come on, Laker fans. Chill! Stop worrying about ridiculous things such as whether or not Kobe will come back and have a great second game. Or whether Kobe will end up being suspended for too many technical fouls. Or whether the Nuggets will be motivated to beat us because Kenyon Martin and Kobe exchanged a few taunts. Relax. We showed we could easily beat this team by JUST executing our offense and playing smart. Lakers will sweep the Nuggets and no single game will be closer than 10 points.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 20, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Did Kobe have an off night? Sure. But I'm not even sure he hurt the team. Even though he kept taking shots so he could find some sort of rhythm, they all sorta seemed like shots that I would consider "good" shots for him. Just none of them were dropping. He still moved the ball when he had to. I guess he sorta hurt them by giving the Nuggets easier opportunities. But really, they need to get back and defend no matter how Kobe shoots.
I just think he was too excited about the playoffs. He was over dribbling at times and seemed like he wanted to make a big play for the sake of it being the playoffs. I think he got it out of his system. He'll be fine.
But I agree with BK's choice to put him under the "Bad" section.
That's my opinion at least.
Posted by: the_cool | April 20, 2008 at 08:12 PM
AK,
If Kobe seemed to over-shoot or over-isolate, how do you account for him only taking 22 shots in a game over over 200 shots?
Plus, if you actually look at the game, he facilitated the offense even when his shot was dropping. He set up so many plays but didn't get the benefit of the assist because either a) the 3's were falling or b) a better shot opened up and the player he hit then hit someone else. That someone else was usually Pau.
You are being way too one-sided. It wasn't his shooting percentage that was important. It was his leadership.
Did you see how he kept both Farmar and Sacha in the game (mentally) even when he was benched?
The ball was in his hands a LOT during this game. What did he do with all those other possessions besides the 22 shots he took? Well, he passed the ball, that is.
He D was generally good, except for those sequences when he was obviously putting his hands in his pockets. The problem was that Karl didn't think to attack Kobe and foul him out. That was Denver's mistake. They should have made PJ regret leaving Kobe in, TWICE in the same game.
Did you not see him being the number one cheerleader from the bench?
What game did you see? Points are certainly not the only way to judge a dude's game. Especially when the team is scoring 128 points. Otherwise, Denver would be a threat to win the Championship, because they already know how to score a bunch of points.
Watch it again and you'll see that Angry_Laker and I are correct. You are too biased in you assessment of his game.
Leadership often trumps points and shooting percentage in the playoffs.
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | April 20, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Who needs Kobe anyway when BYNUM, GASOL AND ODOM are your frontline. What can we get for Kobe?
The whole Lakers team are playing much better when Kobe goes out. You can't say you did not notice it.
Posted by: Staples 24 | April 20, 2008 at 08:30 PM
I completely agree with BK assessment about Kobe, he definitely didnt have a good game. Too much forced shots, and, INMHO, the ball movement was much better without Kobe on the floor tonite. It seems particularly obivous at the beginning of 4th quarter, where he started after sitting down at the end of 3rd.
But again, yes he did make all those FTs that helped Lakers to win. I just hope he didnt try to make sure that people know that Lakers is HIS team..hence, forcing all the shots trying to make his statement.
Posted by: moko | April 20, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Cocky?
I'm not sure. Most seem a bit tentative because they don't truly believe yet. Kobe and FIsh have the belief of having been there. It's not Horry and R Harper out there it's Pau and LO who don't wear CHip rings.
With each win, comes belief and the taste of the kill.
15 games to go
3.. FO' FO FO'
Posted by: Vman | April 20, 2008 at 08:47 PM
The team behind Lamar Odom rallied because they have PAU GASOL, without Pau this same Laker team would have loss their energy to play well the way KOBE played like the year's past. Gasol is making them believe this team is not just about Kobe Bryant, it's about all of them and that is why they continue to win.
Kobe on the other hand just wants personal glory. He does not care about his teammates success, unless it benefits his.
Again, what can we get for a Kobe Bryant? For a Laker team that already has Bynum, Gasol and Odom!
Posted by: Staples 24 | April 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I'm reading the post-game comments here and I'm wondering if some of you were watching the same game I did.
First, Kobe. There've been lots of games when Kobe didn't get it gong till the 4th quarter. There've been lots of games when Kobe had trouble finding his shot. Did he make some poor choices? Yes indeed. So did others at various points in the game. Yes, it was a sub-par playoff performance. But BAD? I don't think so.
Fish. Definitely far from his best game. But he is very streaky. The guy's still playing with a bum foot, remember. When Fish gets it going, great. But he's not a consistent scoring threat. Still, way better than Smush.
Defense. With the Lakers, it seems to come and go. Today, it was there when they needed it. The best part of restoring order was when Farmar's defense broke down against A.I. I loved how Kobe showed his leadership, by schooling Jordan on what he should be doing out there. Another example of KB24 MVP.
The key today was PASSING, and feeding the ball to Gasol on a consistent basis. Gasol and LO were monsters.
If everyone can stay healthy, our three headed monster of Kobe, Pau, and Lamar will face down Boston's three headed monster for the Championship. I like our chances. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 20, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Anyone
Have'nt read the blog since last wed. , anynews about Bynum coming back this playoff? tnx
Posted by: manslayer | April 20, 2008 at 08:57 PM
A win is a win. This win is as expected--nothing to get excited about.
I do not want to over analyzed this game. I thought the all the Lakers did pretty good. However, there is one instance that really bothered me, and I want to see if others in this blog had made the same observation. I am referring to the last shot that Jordam Farmar took at the end of the 3rd period. Sasha was wide open at the left corner and Farmer would not pass him the ball. Sure, Jordan made the shot, but Sasha was wide open and could have had an even better look. I noticed that Sasha was not celebrating when Jordan's 3 point shot went in before the buzzer--I sensed a bit of disappointment on Sasha's part that Farmar refused to give up the ball! I really did not care about Jordan's attitude in that play, and I believe there is an on-going competition between those 2 guards which may create a tension which will cost us a critical game. I hope I will not see that again!
Posted by: Robyn | April 20, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Gotta pile on on this one ...
Look at Chris Paul gaudy assist stats ... and then look at the number of team assists. Sure he averages 11.6 assists, but the team average 21.76.
Take a look at the Laker's average assists - 24.43. Better yet, let's look at the league average per team - 21.76!
So what does Chris Paul do for his team, but allocate more assists to himself? I doubt the team would have 12 less assists without him, unless you mean that for all his assisting he only brought them up to the average level of the league.
What does this have to do with anything? I'm not sure. I was going to say something about how Kobe adds value to the teams overall assist level by his presence, but I haven't completely thought that one out.
I guess my point is that gaudy stats don't count for much if they don't add up to better team stats.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 20, 2008 at 09:13 PM
I'm not sure there's a need to find some sort of deeper meaning behind Kobe's game tonight- he just didn't play that well. His shot, and shot selection, were off, and defensively it wasn't there for him, either. It happens, even for superstars. And as I mentioned in the post and others have in the comments, he's unlikely to have another game like this one... and the Lakers still won by 14.
pfunk-
I certainly wouldn't agree with you that Kobe's performance was like the Dallas game, which I felt was one of the best he played all year. And as a point of clarification (just in case others don't have the numbers in front of them), Kleiza was indeed red hot all day, but to pin that on Luke isn't exactly fair. Of the 23 points Kleiza had on the day, at least 15 came when Walton on the bench.
Again, not to dispute your evaluation of Luke's play (I wouldn't have expected anything different) but as a point of clarification, to say Kleiza did "most" of his damage against Luke isn't really accurate. For 15 of Kleiza's 23, Walton wasn't even on the floor, including all nine Kleiza had in the third.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 20, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Decide for your self!!!
Look at the flow of the actual game and see for yourself if Kobe took 3 or 5 bad shots in the row as depicted by some!!!
He had bad shooting night but his defense and ft were ok!!!!
"The Lakers shot 50%. That's not missing their shots, my friend. I love the passion for Kobe, but please lets not be blinded by his usual brilliance. If you ask him I'm sure he'd tell you he had a bad game for his standards."
You are right Lake Show, that means they missed half their shots, right!!! LoL
Quarter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 4th Quarter
Time Team Player Play Score
0:00 - - Game Over LAL 128-114
0:00 - - Period Over LAL 128-114
0:14 Den A Carter 3 Point Miss LAL 128-114
0:27 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 128-114
0:45 Den E Najera 3 Point Field Goal LAL 126-114
0:54 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 126-111
1:10 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 124-111
1:32 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 122-111
1:33 Den E Najera 2 Point Miss LAL 122-109
1:34 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 122-109
1:44 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 122-109
1:58 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 122-109
2:10 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 122-107
2:10 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 121-107
2:10 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 120-107
2:10 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 119-107
2:10 Den - Time Out LAL 118-107
2:10 Den A Carter Foul LAL 118-107
2:24 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 118-107
2:37 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 118-107
2:58 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 116-107
3:14 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 116-105
3:14 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 115-105
3:14 Den J Smith Foul LAL 114-105
3:27 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw LAL 114-105
3:27 LAL V Radmanovic Foul LAL 114-104
3:27 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 114-104
3:50 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 114-102
4:03 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 114-100
4:17 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 112-100
4:30 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 112-98
4:30 LAL K Bryant Missed Free Throw LAL 111-98
4:30 Den J Smith Foul LAL 111-98
4:46 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 111-98
4:59 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 111-98
5:11 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 111-98
5:21 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 111-98
5:29 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 111-96
5:29 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 110-96
5:29 Den J Smith Foul LAL 109-96
5:42 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 109-96
5:42 Den C Anthony Missed Free Throw LAL 109-95
5:42 LAL P Gasol Foul LAL 109-95
5:43 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 109-95
5:57 LAL L Odom Missed Free Throw LAL 109-95
5:57 LAL L Odom Missed Free Throw LAL 109-95
5:57 Den C Anthony Foul LAL 109-95
6:14 Den J Smith Missed Free Throw LAL 109-95
6:14 Den J Smith Missed Free Throw LAL 109-95
6:14 LAL S Vujacic Foul LAL 109-95
6:20 LAL - Time Out LAL 109-95
6:33 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 109-95
6:44 LAL S Vujacic 3 Point Field Goal LAL 109-95
7:03 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 106-95
7:03 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 106-94
7:03 LAL K Bryant Foul LAL 106-93
7:04 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Miss LAL 106-93
7:16 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 106-93
7:35 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 104-93
7:56 LAL K Bryant 3 Point Field Goal LAL 104-91
8:06 Den E Najera Foul LAL 101-91
8:17 Den J Smith 1 Point Free Throw LAL 101-91
8:17 LAL J Farmar Foul LAL 101-90
8:17 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal LAL 101-90
8:22 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss LAL 101-88
8:31 Den E Najera Foul LAL 101-88
8:40 - - Time Out LAL 101-88
8:40 Den A Iverson Foul LAL 101-88
8:44 LAL S Vujacic 3 Point Miss LAL 101-88
8:53 Den E Najera 3 Point Miss LAL 101-88
9:04 LAL P Gasol Foul LAL 101-88
9:11 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 101-88
9:28 LAL L Walton 2 Point Field Goal LAL 101-86
9:34 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 99-86
9:39 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 99-86
9:58 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 99-86
9:58 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 99-85
9:58 LAL L Walton Foul LAL 99-84
10:05 LAL S Vujacic Foul LAL 99-84
10:11 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss LAL 99-84
10:14 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 99-84
10:26 Den E Najera Foul LAL 99-84
10:46 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal LAL 99-84
10:54 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 99-82
11:11 Den L Kleiza 1 Point Free Throw LAL 99-82
11:11 Den L Kleiza 1 Point Free Throw LAL 99-81
11:11 LAL L Walton Foul LAL 99-80
11:24 LAL L Walton 1 Point Free Throw LAL 99-80
11:24 LAL L Walton 1 Point Free Throw LAL 98-80
11:24 Den J Smith Foul LAL 97-80
11:31 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal LAL 97-80
11:36 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 97-78
11:48 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 97-78
12:00 - - Start Period LAL 97-78
Quarter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 3rd Quarter
Time Team Player Play Score
0:00 - - Period Over LAL 97-78
0:01 LAL J Farmar 3 Point Field Goal LAL 97-78
0:09 Den L Kleiza 3 Point Field Goal LAL 94-78
0:30 LAL V Radmanovic 3 Point Field Goal LAL 94-75
0:44 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 91-75
0:55 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 91-75
1:09 Den L Kleiza Missed Free Throw LAL 89-75
1:09 LAL S Vujacic Foul LAL 89-75
1:09 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal LAL 89-75
1:31 Den J Smith 3 Point Miss LAL 89-73
2:05 Den A Iverson 3 Point Miss LAL 89-73
2:23 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 89-73
2:44 LAL - Time Out LAL 87-73
2:44 Den - Time Out LAL 87-73
2:48 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 87-73
2:54 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 85-73
3:17 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 85-73
3:43 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal LAL 83-73
3:54 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 83-71
4:16 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 83-71
4:26 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 83-69
4:26 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 82-69
4:26 Den K Martin Foul LAL 81-69
4:42 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 81-69
4:53 LAL V Radmanovic 3 Point Field Goal LAL 81-67
4:57 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss LAL 78-67
5:11 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw LAL 78-67
5:11 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw LAL 78-66
5:11 LAL D Fisher Foul LAL 78-66
5:18 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 78-66
5:33 Den K Martin 1 Point Free Throw LAL 76-66
5:33 Den K Martin 1 Point Free Throw LAL 76-65
5:33 LAL D Fisher Foul LAL 76-64
5:34 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
5:39 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
5:49 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
6:06 LAL D Fisher 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
6:19 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
6:26 LAL L Odom Foul LAL 76-64
6:27 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss LAL 76-64
6:45 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 76-64
6:45 Den K Martin Foul LAL 75-64
6:45 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 75-64
7:03 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal LAL 73-64
7:19 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 73-62
7:19 Den C Anthony Missed Free Throw LAL 73-61
7:19 LAL K Bryant Foul LAL 73-61
7:29 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 73-61
7:42 Den K Martin 1 Point Free Throw LAL 73-61
7:42 Den K Martin Missed Free Throw LAL 73-60
7:42 LAL P Gasol Foul LAL 73-60
7:56 Den - Time Out LAL 73-60
7:58 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 73-60
8:09 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 71-60
8:12 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 71-60
8:26 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 71-60
8:40 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 69-60
8:46 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 69-60
9:03 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 69-60
9:03 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 68-60
9:03 Den M Camby Foul LAL 67-60
9:14 Den M Camby Foul LAL 67-60
9:32 Den A Carter 2 Point Field Goal LAL 67-60
9:50 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 67-58
9:50 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 66-58
9:50 Den - Time Out LAL 65-58
9:50 LAL K Bryant 1 Point Free Throw LAL 65-58
9:50 Den A Carter Foul LAL 64-58
10:05 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 64-58
10:06 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 62-58
10:10 LAL V Radmanovic 2 Point Miss LAL 62-58
10:26 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 62-58
10:38 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 62-58
10:41 LAL V Radmanovic 2 Point Miss LAL 60-58
10:57 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 60-58
11:02 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 60-56
11:14 Den C Anthony Foul LAL 60-56
11:16 Den A Carter 2 Point Miss LAL 60-56
11:21 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 60-56
11:33 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss LAL 60-56
11:45 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 60-56
11:45 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw LAL 59-56
11:45 Den M Camby Foul LAL 58-56
12:00 - - Start Period LAL 58-56
Quarter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 2nd Quarter
Time Team Player Play Score
0:00 - - Period Over LAL 58-56
0:02 Den L Kleiza 3 Point Miss LAL 58-56
0:22 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 58-56
0:25 LAL S Vujacic 3 Point Miss Den 56-56
0:35 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw Den 56-56
0:35 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw Den 56-56
0:35 LAL D Fisher Foul LAL 56-55
0:44 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 56-55
0:57 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal Den 55-54
0:58 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss LAL 54-53
0:59 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 54-53
1:12 LAL D Fisher 2 Point Miss LAL 54-53
1:20 Den A Iverson 3 Point Field Goal LAL 54-53
1:41 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 54-50
2:02 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 52-50
2:06 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss Den 50-50
2:16 Den C Anthony 3 Point Miss Den 50-50
2:36 LAL L Walton 2 Point Field Goal Den 50-50
2:51 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw Den 50-48
2:51 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw Den 49-48
2:51 Den - Time Out Den 49-48
2:51 LAL K Bryant Foul Den 49-48
3:07 LAL L Odom 1 Point Free Throw Den 49-48
3:07 LAL L Odom Missed Free Throw Den 49-47
3:07 Den C Anthony Foul Den 49-47
3:11 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss Den 49-47
3:21 LAL D Fisher 3 Point Miss Den 49-47
3:33 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss Den 49-47
3:49 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal Den 49-47
4:02 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal Den 49-45
4:17 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal Den 47-45
4:31 Den J Smith 2 Point Miss Den 47-43
4:48 LAL L Walton 2 Point Field Goal Den 47-43
4:51 LAL L Walton Missed Free Throw Den 47-41
4:51 LAL L Walton 1 Point Free Throw Den 47-41
4:51 - - Time Out Den 47-40
4:51 Den K Martin Foul Den 47-40
5:01 Den A Carter 2 Point Field Goal Den 47-40
5:09 LAL S Vujacic 3 Point Miss Den 45-40
5:29 LAL L Walton 3 Point Field Goal Den 45-40
5:54 Den K Martin 2 Point Field Goal Den 45-37
6:00 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal Den 43-37
6:20 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal Den 43-35
6:27 LAL L Walton 2 Point Miss Den 41-35
6:36 Den L Kleiza 3 Point Miss Den 41-35
6:43 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss Den 41-35
6:44 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss Den 41-35
7:01 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw Den 41-35
7:01 LAL P Gasol 1 Point Free Throw Den 41-34
7:01 Den J Smith Foul Den 41-33
7:16 Den J Smith 1 Point Free Throw Den 41-33
7:16 LAL K Bryant Foul Den 40-33
7:16 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal Den 40-33
7:22 LAL K Bryant 3 Point Miss Den 38-33
7:44 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal Den 38-33
8:00 LAL S Vujacic 3 Point Field Goal Den 36-33
8:19 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Field Goal Den 36-30
8:29 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss Den 34-30
8:40 LAL - Time Out Den 34-30
8:47 Den L Kleiza 3 Point Field Goal Den 34-30
9:00 LAL R Turiaf 2 Point Miss Den 31-30
9:12 Den L Kleiza 3 Point Field Goal Den 31-30
9:22 LAL R Turiaf 2 Point Miss LAL 30-28
9:28 Den L Kleiza Foul LAL 30-28
9:29 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 30-28
9:43 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw LAL 30-28
9:43 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw LAL 30-27
9:43 LAL V Radmanovic Foul LAL 30-27
10:00 LAL V Radmanovic 3 Point Miss LAL 30-27
10:28 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal LAL 30-27
10:36 LAL R Turiaf 1 Point Free Throw LAL 30-25
10:36 LAL R Turiaf 1 Point Free Throw LAL 29-25
10:36 Den J Smith Foul LAL 28-25
10:52 LAL S Vujacic 2 Point Field Goal LAL 28-25
11:08 Den E Najera 2 Point Miss LAL 26-25
11:10 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 26-25
11:40 Den J Smith 1 Point Free Throw LAL 26-25
11:40 LAL S Vujacic Foul LAL 26-24
11:40 Den J Smith 2 Point Field Goal LAL 26-24
12:00 - - Start Period LAL 26-22
Quarter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 1st Quarter
Time Team Player Play Score
0:00 - - Period Over LAL 26-22
0:01 LAL K Bryant 3 Point Miss LAL 26-22
0:03 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 26-22
0:07 LAL J Farmar 3 Point Miss LAL 26-20
0:28 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 26-20
0:31 Den L Kleiza 2 Point Miss LAL 26-18
0:35 LAL K Bryant 3 Point Miss LAL 26-18
0:42 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 26-18
0:43 Den E Najera 2 Point Miss LAL 26-16
0:54 LAL J Farmar 3 Point Field Goal LAL 26-16
1:03 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 23-16
1:14 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 23-16
1:30 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw LAL 23-16
1:30 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw LAL 23-15
1:30 LAL J Farmar Foul LAL 23-15
1:35 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Miss LAL 23-15
1:51 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 23-15
2:02 LAL J Farmar 2 Point Miss LAL 23-15
2:08 LAL J Farmar 3 Point Miss LAL 23-15
2:28 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 23-15
2:28 Den C Anthony 1 Point Free Throw LAL 23-14
2:28 LAL L Walton Foul LAL 23-13
2:47 Den M Camby Missed Free Throw LAL 23-13
2:47 Den M Camby Missed Free Throw LAL 23-13
2:47 LAL - Time Out LAL 23-13
2:47 LAL L Walton Foul LAL 23-13
3:02 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 23-13
3:10 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 21-13
3:23 Den M Camby 2 Point Field Goal LAL 21-13
3:40 LAL K Bryant 3 Point Miss LAL 21-11
3:57 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 21-11
4:18 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 21-11
4:40 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 19-11
4:44 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 19-11
4:58 LAL L Walton 2 Point Field Goal LAL 19-11
5:10 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 17-11
5:20 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 17-11
5:39 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 15-11
5:47 Den - Time Out LAL 15-9
5:53 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 15-9
6:07 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss LAL 13-9
6:32 LAL L Odom 2 Point Field Goal LAL 13-9
6:45 Den A Iverson 2 Point Field Goal LAL 11-9
6:59 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 11-7
7:35 Den A Iverson 1 Point Free Throw LAL 11-7
7:35 Den A Iverson Missed Free Throw LAL 11-6
7:35 LAL D Fisher Foul LAL 11-6
7:56 LAL P Gasol 2 Point Field Goal LAL 11-6
8:06 Den C Anthony 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:13 LAL L Odom 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:16 LAL D Fisher 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:33 Den M Camby 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:44 LAL K Bryant Foul LAL 9-6
8:45 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:47 Den A Iverson 2 Point Miss LAL 9-6
8:58 LAL L Walton 2 Point Field Goal LAL 9-6
9:15 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal LAL 7-6
9:29 LAL L Walton 2 Point Miss LAL 7-4
9:40 Den K Martin 2 Point Miss LAL 7-4
9:52 LAL V Radmanovic Foul LAL 7-4
9:57 Den C Anthony Foul LAL 7-4
10:12 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Field Goal LAL 7-4
10:21 Den M Camby 2 Point Field Goal LAL 5-4
10:34 LAL D Fisher 3 Point Field Goal LAL 5-2
10:49 Den C Anthony 2 Point Field Goal Den 2-2
11:00 LAL V Radmanovic 2 Point Field Goal LAL 2-0
11:13 Den K Martin Foul Den 0-0
11:17 LAL L Odom Foul Den 0-0
11:19 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss Den 0-0
11:28 LAL K Bryant 2 Point Miss Den 0-0
11:39 LAL V Radmanovic Foul Den 0-0
12:00 - - Start Period Den 0-0
Peace!!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | April 20, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Quote of the day.
"I don't know if it was Gasol," Denver coach George Karl said. "I think the film will show it was the Los Angeles Lakers who tore us up. I think even Coby Karl could have made the shots Gasol made."
Except for Kobe and Fisher missing shots, the Lakers offense was hitting on all cylinders.
What adjustments can Denver make? Very little, they are way overmatched.
Defense: Holding the Nuggets to 100-106 would be desirable. They are a good scoring team that plays uptempo. They will score, that's inevitable.
Lakers will average at least 120 per game.
Denver is a dysfunctional mess.
AK/BK - What's your take in the Nuggets locker room? Is it as bad as it looked on TV?
Cheer up people, we won the game decisively.
We've only just begun.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
BK,
Come on, man. Kobe Bryant doesn't belong in "The Bad" he belongs in "The Ugly". That's how his game was.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Staples 24,
So you've hopped off the sinking trade Odom ship, but you're mounting the trade Kobe ship.
LOL! Let us know how that one works out for you.
This blog can be so ridiculous at times. You've got half the blog trying to say Kobe played a great game and others saying he needs to be traded. This is why we have bad reputations as Laker fans, too many of us think in absolutes. It's either Kobe's the sole reason for our wins or Kobe is killing the team.
PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE!
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Like Fairweather Fatty, I just reviewed the game on Tivo. I have to say,
I agree with Fatty and not BK. To me there were only a couple of Kobe's shots
early in the 4th quarter that were "ill-advised" as they were taken early in the
shot clock before the offense was set up thereby leading to easy
transition buckets for the Nuggets.
As to the other missed shots, almost all of them came within the offense
and were shots that Kobe normally makes. Today, his shots were all flat.
I'm sure he'll make the adjustment, just like he did for the Dallas game.
And OMG, what a difference Pau makes this year compared to Kwame last year.
Can you imagine all those passes going into Kwame and how he would fumble
away 90% of them?
I just might have to revise my 4-1 prediction to a sweep!
Mamba24, I'm reporting in for my official duty to mark off Win Number 1!!!
Posted by: Bzar | April 20, 2008 at 09:27 PM
LakerTom,
Laker defense was not that bad... at all.
Denver is a fricking good team offensively. Especially in the third quarter (from henceforth known as "The Sacred Lakers Quarter") we befuddled them at every opportunity.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 20, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Rick Friedman,
The key to the victory was superior passing. I completely agree.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 20, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Luke Walton played exceedingly well. If you don't agree, I think you're a Hater.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 20, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Staples24 what can we get for you!!!
A whole lot of nothing!!!!
Oh the same Gasol who teams before were 0-12 before he played with Kobe.
Guess what, we did not se what this team could do without Kobe during season because he refused to have the op. Would you have preferred for him to miss 3 months and during season!!
Stop your hate already; we know you hate him Gunner24!!!LOL
Peace!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | April 20, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Angry_Laker,
"You are right Lake Show, that means they missed half their shots, right!!! LoL"
You act as if Kobe's missed shots don't count toward the missed shot total. If you remove Kobe's shot attempts the Lakers shot 37-for-66. That's 56%!!!
I love Kobe, too but stop acting like he played a good game. The best argument you can make is that he played average. His shot was off and he bogged down the offense at times. Kobe has enough good to great games that you don't need to defend his bad ones.
Jeez.
If I didn't love the Lakers and this blog I might have to take a break from it. You've got Staples 24 trying to trade Kobe and Angry_Laker trying to add this game to his Kobe scrapbook.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Nice win for LAKERS..
wednesdey will show the true stories of this series.. if we won by 10+ pts than i think it's going to be LAKERS 4 NUGGETS 0.. complete sweep..
about the game.. i think almost all gasol pts came from team mates assists..EASY LAY UPS and DUNKS.. that's why he's so efficient. and with Martin on Kobe all the times it make the other FREE to do anything.. next game you will see the difference.. they won't put martin on kobe again with box one.. you will see more zone defense and double team on gasol and Kobe.. so i expect lower pts from gasol and better % from Kobe and the others...
GO LAKERS
15 more games to go.......
Posted by: kobe24 | April 20, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Melo was 11-26 fg for 30pts
Iverson was 11-24fg for 30pts
Kobe was 9-26 fg for 32pts
But listening to all of you, Kobe was the only one them that a bad game. Give a rest folks!! He did what he had to do and his team got the win....Take him away from this team and the lakers don't get those open looks in the lane. He was doubled and triple teamed and his teammates benefited from it..
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 09:43 PM
We all saw it today, the new Lakers played much better without Kobe in the game. The Triangle offense was being played to perfection, then Kobe comes in at the begining of the fourth quarter and does his one-on-one crap and nearly gives the Nuggets an out.
Mr. Buss has it all worked out, Kobe will opt out and Buss will say don't let the door hit you on your way out, we have a team that doesn't need your ball hog mentality.
Kobe and his followers just don't get it. When your shot isn't falling you do other things, like passing, rebounding, defense, you don't try to get your shot back at the expense of losing a game. The Lakers were playing just fine and Kobe did not need to disrupt the flow of the game by stalling the offense with ball hogging.
Just be thankful that Kobe won't be around, Mr. Buss never forgets or forgives. He understands that you don't need a Kobe when you have Gasol, Bynum, Odum, and a lot of role players who understand the concept of team basketball. Kobe is just about the dumbest greatest player to ever play. Look for him in either a Knick or Mav uniform when it's all said and done.
Posted by: Mr. Opposite | April 20, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Xodus you are missing my point!!!!
He had a bad shooting game but still shot crucial FT and made some defensive plays and blocks!!
Passed the ball a lot during the flow of the offense, just because his pass did directly lead to an assist all of sudden he is a ball hog again!!!!
Put it this way LO was 1/4 FT would you like LO to have taken those 14 FT!!!! LOL
Peace!!!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | April 20, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Kobe did everthing he should have done in this game. He came through in key moments in the end and he also let Kenyon Martin know he 's wasn't going to get away with talking smack in the Laker's house and Kobe didn't take any of his Sh#t. The best in the game "Bird and Jordan" have always let it be known that they weren't taking any stuff in the playoffs and talked with the best of them. Oh! that's right, some of you probably follow the NBA back then. The league is much softer now days.
Posted by: | April 20, 2008 at 09:49 PM
"Sasha was wide open at the left corner and Farmer would not pass him the ball. Sure, Jordan made the shot, but Sasha was wide open and could have had an even better look. I noticed that Sasha was not celebrating when Jordan's 3 point shot went in before the buzzer--I sensed a bit of disappointment on Sasha's part that Farmar refused to give up the ball! - Robyn"
Robyn, I think a lot of us would agree with your observation. In fact, this issue has already been discussed in this blog. The thing between Jordan and Sasha has been kinda festering just below the surface for a while now.
It wouldn't surprise me if the coaching staff has already discussed this issue with both of those guys, but this is something that NEEDS to be nipped in the bud like...RIGHT NOW before it blows up to hurt the team.
I place the bigger responsibility on Farmar because as the back-up Point Guard, he is supposed to pass the ball without any kind of personal agenda. I really hope Coach Shaw takes both guys aside and reminds them that nothing supersedes TEAM goals, and ultimately TEAM glory.
On a brighter note, it was encouraging to see Trevor Ariza sitting there on the end of the bench, soaking up the playoff atmosphere and camaraderie with his teammates. I get the feeling we'll be seeing him back on the court in the near future.
So, Chris Mihm has returned to bolster the front line. It would seem that Ariza will be the next one back (pending the outcome of his next medical exam). When Bynum returns, this team will be an absolute juggernaut!
P&GR
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | April 20, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Staple 24,
With regards to Kobe....
He is indispensable to this team. Perhaps, he missed a lot of shots today but being a reliable superstar, he got his points in some other ways. Great shooting on the FT's and his assists in the 1st and 4th Q's. There are also intangibles that he made, Barkley just commented that Nuggets made a tactical error in letting K-Mart guard Kobe, thereby leaving Gasol and LO in the middle. In other words, Kobe was a decoy, always in the minds of every Nuggets defense to focus on Kobe i.e. take away the game from Kobe.
Without Kobe during the season i.e. if he was traded with those 3 clowns with Bulls, even if Lakers have Gasol, Bynum and LO, add here Luol Deng and Henrick, they won't be on the 1st seed and chances are, they could be in the place of the Warriors or Portland. Remember Gasol got injured and absent for two weeks, Bynum for almost three months now, LO was present during the first two months but absent in terms of actual game, this whole blog was trading him, only Troy stucked with him through thick or thin.
What I don't like with Kobe today was his attitude. Always complaining on every call, trash-talking with a former bully like K-Mart, and he was competing w/ J R Smith and Anthony Carter as though he's a little kid playing gotcha' in the park. Well, he has been in this league for 12 years now, got three championship, he should show a little class and lead the way for his younger teammates without displaying belligerence on the officiayting at all times. or trash- talking to role players who are guarding him. He needs to consider "value analysis" of himself and elevate his abilities to the level of competition, choose some battles and dominate the game without being arrogant.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 20, 2008 at 09:52 PM
AK/BK,
Wow, video. This blog has officially hit the big-time.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Favorite moment- Kobe getting a T - just shut up and play! NAH just kidding it was the breakaway with Lamar and Luke- Beautiful stuff. Phil must be making these guys watch the old 1970 NY Knick’s tapes.
How does this guy do it, Kobe is the MVP almost for sure, he totally has changed his game to make those around him better. This game could have been a nightmare is his trust factor had not developed throughout the season. Lets hope the defense doesn't start to emulate the Nuggets and also lets pray that Hustle is the keyword in every break of a huddle. VRad needs to be more in sync on defense-such a liability at times.
The good news is Fish and Kobe really didn't play good so there is a lot of room for improvement. Go Lakers 15 more!
Posted by: Pete Maguire | April 20, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Interesting to see that the team went on nice runs when Kobe went off the court with foul trouble.
There were way too many instances that the Lakers momentum was stymied by Kobe's shot selection. Long jumpers led to easy transition basket for Denver.
Kobe shot way too many ill-advised jumpers that let Denver back in the game after the 19 point lead 3rd quarter.
After 12 years, and supposed best player in the league, you would expect that player to make adjustments during the game.
But no. Low basketball IQ. Gets baited into jumpshot mode by Kenyon Martin's taunts. "Those are money shots, they're not going down..." Really? 9-25 to figure that out? Took that backboard brick to realize that after 20 some odd shots that the jumper isn't working and maybe you should either take the ball to the hole or pass to teammates instead of stalling the offense? Really?
Maybe Kobe didnt' realize that whenever the ball went inside first, great things happened when players cut or set backdoor picks for wide open looks. Maybe Kobe didn't realize that the Lakers were up 19, despite his poor shooting effort and despite not having the need for him to score. Maybe Kobe didn't realize that the team didn't need him to ballhog and jack up ill advised, poor shot selection jumpers.
Maybe that's too much to ask for from the MVP, the supposed best player in the league, a 12 year veteran. Maybe 9-25, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, is the best this high bball IQ, 12 year veteran can offer.
Too much uncertainty to be shouldered by somebody that's obviously irresponsible (on and off the court).
Decision making is king. When the supposed leader makes poor choices, where do the troops go?
It's yet to be played out but if the past is any indicator of future behavior, expect a few more 9-25, 3 rbd, 1 ast performances. Because as history has shown over and over again, decision making is Kobe's worst trait.
But it's also the trait that's essential for individual and team success.
-Jeffs Aho
Posted by: Jeffs Aho | April 20, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Not a bad win. First game is a feeler game. Now that we saw what the plays are, the coaching staff makes adjustments and take it up another notch. Kobe can't play any worse so nothing to worry. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Laker Phil | April 20, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Bus fire report turned out to be false.
It was later learned that the bus filled with Marijuana smoke from the players pre-game light up.
The driver confused and dizzy pulled over on the Freeway.
It is true, Phil Jackson stopped his car, not to help, but to enjoy the aroma.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 20, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Angry_Laker,
I didn't say that we would have won without Kobe. I'm not Staples 24. I'm just saying it's OK to admit he had a bad game. Did he do some good things? Yes. But, that doesn't change the fact that he didn't play well by his standards.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 09:59 PM
We need to get off this Kobe thing. Whether Kobe played badly or not doesn't matter because it was just one game and the LAKERS got the win.
If we can win with Kobe playing his shakiest game of the year, we're in great shape.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 10:01 PM
P&GR,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my observation! I also appreciate your comment about Farmar's responsibility playing the point to which I agree with you. Hopefully we would not see this kind of incident in the future.
Posted by: Robyn | April 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Staples 24
Dude, you're an idiot. I understand that with Bynum, L.O. and Pau in the lineup, the Lakers are great. But you saying that they do just fine without KB24? Are you smoking pot or something?
Posted by: Jr. | April 20, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Edwin,
There's no reason to try and reason with Staples 24. He was trying to trade LO two months ago and has been silent for the past 2 months as LO played out of his mind. Now he's back to try and lead the trade Kobe charge.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 10:10 PM
LMAO, Fatty.
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 10:11 PM
AK/BK,
Do you guys know why Drew never sits with the team during games?
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 10:16 PM
The GOOD about Kobe today, despite an off shooting and sometimes very bad shot selections, was that he is able to draw the double team that enabled Gasol and Odom to play beautifully. Even though he was shooting poorly, Kobe's presence was direly needed on the court to enable mobility and freedom for Gasol and Odom to make those easy layups and dunks.
Posted by: Peanut Butter Spread | April 20, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I'm outta here.
Good nite Jon K, where ever you are.
Sweet Lakers dreams everyone.
We are the best, because we are.......
Team America Lakers. F*** Yeah!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 20, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Hmmm. Phil didn't have too much to say.
Posted by: mel | April 20, 2008 at 10:25 PM