T-Minus 48 hours and counting
The showdown commences on Sunday, but for now, all these flag bearin', horn honkin', Kobe cheerin' fans can do is wait for the Lakers and Nuggets to finally square off. And read a boatload of articles about the series, of course.
The upside of, as Carly Simon would warble, anticipation? Your Purple and Gold got to catch up indulge in some seriously needed down time (although in Kobe's case, there's less stress over a recent playoff monkey). From there, it's all about prepping for the serious octane that fuels Denver's potent O. It's kinda like playing the '06 and '07 nemesis Phoenix Suns, minus one large difference. There ain't no bad blood between these two squads (yet, at least). Of course, good will on the court doesn't guarantee hospitality away from it, which is why George Karl has opted to take his squad back to the Rockies in between games, a decision Marcus Camby... well... kinda hates.
But despite the most favored status of the Lakers over Denver- even without an all growns up Andrew Bynum- according to Yahoo!'s Kenny Smith, SI's Marty Burns, or the four letter network folk, it would be a mistake to expect an cakewalk. Going purely by crunched numbers, the Lakers aren't necessarily the safest of bets for the gold. But assuming they are in the finals and you're looking for a low risk, high reward wager, put a fivksi on LO or Pau for finals MVP.
Those will be watching the playoffs while updating their resumes? Milwaukee's former "Coach K" and "What's his face that took over for Scott Skiles." Those who will be watching the news in between playoff game commercials to find out if they need to update their resumes? PJ Carlesimo and Zeke Thomas. Those who will be watching the playoffs with zero worries (for now, at least): Randy Wittman.
toad,
"I'm meeting the Muggets plane at the airport in a beer truck to give 'Melo a ride to the hotel."
Let him dirve.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 18, 2008 at 11:11 AM
This guy Turiaf cracks me up:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=granderson/080417&sportCat=nba
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Hey Ronnie, you gotta come to my place next time we have folks over. You'll be the life of the party.
And Sasha, stay away from my sister.
HAHAHAAAAA!!!!
Posted by: HeWhoHoops | April 18, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Xodus,
It would be interesting to see (but not worth my time to do the work myself) what the home vs. road record is for "good" teams playing against "good" teams.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM
If the Lakers win it all this year I hope they don't give Gary Vitti a ring. The Lakers must have the most incompetent medical staff in the NBA. I'm not speaking just this year either. Look back at our recent history: last year the Lakers were looking good had decent momentum for the first 30 games then all of a sudden players started gettting injured. Brian Cook was injured for a number of games, Kobe was injured for a handful. Of course there was Chris Mihm, remember he went out with a sprained anke all of a sudden he's getting surgery and has only played in 20 games for the last 2 years. Trever Ariza was suppose to return by now and he's still not practicing. How about Andrew "the slowest healer in the world" Bynum (Admit it, you have no intentions on returning this year) Why would he, he already looked good at the beginning of the year. He'll get a contract extension and f the Lakers. Gary Vitti, it's 2008, take the leaches off Bynum's leg and send him to a real Doctor.
Posted by: Chris Edwards | April 18, 2008 at 11:24 AM
LakerTom,
Since you mentioned point differential, guess which match-up has the most lopsided season series point differential??
Yep, the Lakers.
The Lakers have a differential over the Nuggets this year of 16+
The Celtics have a differential over the Hawks this year of 14+
The rest of them are fairly tight, except the Suns have a 7+ on the Spurs.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 18, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Jon K. - maybe not money under the table - they are probably the biggest buyers of his blue goo.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 18, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Just wanted to give props to some of the pic posters on "Your Scene" (link on the right) Lakersteve, great pics! and Hugo Boss's Mbenga jersey!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 18, 2008 at 11:29 AM
LakerTom,
"We saved you a space right over the rear wheels of the bandwagon where you can be comfortable."
You mean by the door that doesn't quite latch properly?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 18, 2008 at 11:30 AM
A really really scary thought just occurred to me.
What if the Lakers manage to win a championship this season...
WITHOUT Bynum or Ariza.
The rest of the league will wet themselves thinking about the next few years
of getting their butts kicked by the Lakers.
Yeah. I think that's a good idea. Let's go do it.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 18, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Xodus,
Utah would have to go through the Spurs or Suns before they could meet us. My pick would be the Spurs and they sure as hell won't beat an experienced 4-time champion team in a 7 game series.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 18, 2008 at 11:39 AM
EastcoastJessie,
Thanks for that article. It was an inspiring recap of the season.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 18, 2008 at 11:40 AM
GARY VITTI for LVL least valuable laker
Posted by: Chris Edwards | April 18, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Everything's coming up Weatherman!
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 18, 2008 at 11:48 AM
LAKERS VERSUS NUGGETS IS BIG MISMATCH…
I find it ironic that all of the experts are all already warning the Lakers not to expect a cakewalk in their first round match-up with the Nuggets and reminding everyone of how tough the Western Conference is with every team winning over 50 games. And yet, only one brave prognosticator has come out and predicted that the Nuggets would win the series. All the rest of the media are unanimous that the Lakers will easily take out the Nuggets.
And while the #1 Lakers versus the #8 Nuggets is not your usual first round matchup, it is still a big mismatch, which the Lakers will sweep in four games. Playoff basketball is all about matchups and the Nuggets basically do not match up well against the Lakers, as seen in the Lakers sweep of the season series 3-0. The reasons for the Lakers advantage are that the Nuggets do not play defense and do not have the 3-point firepower the Lakers have.
What we are seeing right now is the Lakers reaping the benefits of winning the #1 seed and getting a bracket with the 3 weakest possible Western Conference opponents – Denver, Houston, and Utah. The other more competitive teams in the West – San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas, and Phoenix – will fight it out in the lower bracket for the right to meet the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Until then, the Lakers will dominate the bracket even though they will be missing their ace in hole Andrew Bynum.
It has become vogue for every team to praise their opponents for being tough and capable of beating them. And to an extent, it is true that on a given night any NBA team can beat any other NBA team. In a 7-game series, however, it is very hard for a clearly outclassed team to upset a stronger team that matches up well with them. In the Lakers case, they should be able to sweep any of three teams in their bracket in my opinion. The real wars won’t begin until we play the Suns and Celtics in the conference and NBA Finals. And by then, the Lakers will probably be at full strength with center Andrew Bynum back.
Nor am I at all worried about the Lakers becoming complacent or over-confident. Kobe’s will is going to keep this team focused on the task ahead as they mow down the competition game-by-game. Phil Jackson knows how to coach and motivate a team in the playoffs. Bottom line, the Lakers are going to play their best basketball of the year over the next two months as they win the franchise’s 15th NBA championship and start another dynasty.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 11:55 AM
EastCoastJessie,
No, we're going to be playing Utah in the second round. We're No. 1 and they're No. 4. And I think they'd beat San Antonio, anyway. The only thing San Antonio has over Utah is reputation. The Spurs aren't nearly as good as they were in the past, and people forget that Utah received their playoff baptism last year when they made it to the conference finals. The Jazz aren't playoff noobs.
Posted by: Xodus | April 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM
"Don't look past the first round or you might not get past the first round."
It's the easiest mistake in sports. Succuming to the scrutiny and popular opinion of armchair analysts.
DENVER IS A TOUGH TEAM.
Listen. Let it simmer. Let it marinate.
DENVER IT A TOUGH TEAM.
Don't get sloppy. The real season just started.
1. Allen Iverson has a bone to pick with Kobe pre-dating back to the Philly-L.A Finals. AI is fierce. AI needs only motivation to turn from an offensive threat to a defensive passing-lane wrecking animal. The motivation is there. The ISO's on FISH & FARM will provide him ample oppurtunity to turn the tide.
2. Lamar's historically proven inability to guard Carmelo anywhere from the free-throw line extended down. Carmelo is big. He's strong. He just got embarrassed with a DUI charge that he needs his fans and sponsors to forget about. L.A is the place he stays in the summer. He has a comfort zone at Staples. He has the motivation. This is not going to be an easy task.
3. Kenyon Martin can still get physical and score of the natural mismatches this series is bound to create for him. Too big for L.O, Turf or Rad, too physical for Pau -- really going to be a pain for the coaching staff in terms of point limitation.
4. Camby can rebound and plug the lane. This is all that needs to be said.
5. Kleiza and J.R Smith can spread the floor, attack, and do it with no remorse. They are dangerous. They are underdogs and feel no pressure. They can hurt you in more ways than you've been told.
6. Coaching familiarity. Karl knows Phil's game. He battled Phil in the Finals. There is a crooked smile on Karl's face everytime he previews this match-up. Careful. Cuidado. Cuidado.
---
The Lakers will take it. But to suggest in 4 is a task they're going to need an astranomical focus for. Denver has failed to advance only because they've drawn San Antonio the last 2 years.
The coaching staff will have them ready.
And I'll leave you with the words ot Kobe Bean Bryant:
"We're ready. We're ready now. It's a whole different ball game now. I got guns' now. Ain't going to a shoot-out with butter-knives no more. Yeah. We're gonna see whussup' now."
Let the games begin.
Tony Rambis
Operations Manager
The International Committee for Basketball Brilliance (ICBB)
Posted by: Tony Rambis | April 18, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Tim,
Thanks for your observations about point differential. It is probably the single most telling stat to use comparing playoff opponents except for their win-loss record against each other. Combine the two and I think we are talking sweep. I think that Kobe and the Lakers are going to crush Denver all four games to make a series statement to the rest of the league.
I think point spread differential just adds more evidence to show that this is really still just a #1 versus #8 first round matchup that is in reality as big a mismatch as previous years when the conference was not as competitive. Yes, the Nuggets won 50 games, just 7 less than the Lakers, but the Nuggets are surely the easiest playoff matchup for the Lakers in the West.
I love how all the other “tough” teams in the West worked their way into the other bracket so that they could avoid the Lakers as long as possible. It is as if they were more worried about losing to the Lakers in the first or second round than in winning the championship. Fear will make you do things like that. LMAO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I listened to Mitch on the radio on Wednesday. He said that he likes to see Bynum to wear purple and yellow, same as Kobe, so i guess Lakers will protect Bynum, he will play when he is 100%. Last year, Dallas lost Dampier, they don't have enough big guys to score inside. I hope Lakers will play well in game 1, last season, Denver won game in San Antonio, and Lakers usually did not play well at home.
Posted by: bluesky | April 18, 2008 at 12:15 PM
aaaachooo!!!!
Posted by: Charles | April 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Fatty:
Wow, dude! A Warren Zevon reference!
Posted by: toad | April 18, 2008 at 12:27 PM
bluesky,
Is anyone ever 100% after a season of basketball? Is it so much to ask for Bynum to come back when he's 90%? 95%?
I'm fine if Bynum comes back in the second round after some decent practice time, but later than that is enough to drive a Dit Da Jow wrangler absolutely nuts.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 18, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Charles:
Take care of yourself, man, we need you on top of your game for Sunday!
Posted by: toad | April 18, 2008 at 12:44 PM
LakerTom,
There are some mitigating factors, however, to consider:
None of the three games featured KMart
The emergence of JR Smith
None of the games featured Pau Gasol
Bynum played in all 3 games (was ill in one of them)
All in all, I wouldn't be surprised with a sweep (I'll be sitting courtside at game 4), but am giving "enver" the benefit of the doubt for one game. I base that mostly on how they were able to steal one against the Spurs last year & how Iverson was able to steal one on us in the finals (16-1).
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Tony Rambis,
I don't expect the Lakers to get sloppy, just confident. Remember that there's this guy named Kobe Bryant on our team. Maybe you've heard of him?
Well, Mr. Bryant is an obsessively competitive lunatic. He's basically Batman with a basketball sans the cape. So, Batman, I mean Bryant, has been basically suffering multiple sleepless nights over the last four years obsessing on winning another ring without The Big Baby jealously chiding him throughout a season.
He wants this fourth ring more than anything else he's ever wanted in his life.
There will be no "cruise control" in the playoffs.
There will be no coasting to victory.
Instead we are going to see the REAL MVP for the last five years unleashed in a frenzy. Nothing in the Western Conference is going to be able to stop him. Period. Including his own team.
When we hit Finals, it's going to be interesting, because Kevin Garnett wants that ring almost as badly as Mr. Bryant does.
Talk about a Clash of the Titans over securing their role in the history of the game. It's going to be something to behold.
RELEASE THE KRAKEN!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
toad,
Weak Clenched Fist in the air.... *Cough*
Posted by: Charles | April 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
LakerTom,
One other "stat" to throw at you... how many quarters a team won against the other.
The most lopsided is the Celtics. Boston won 8 quarters, and the Hawks won 4. That's the most lopsided of all first round match-ups.
The second? The Lakers... won 7 while Denver won 4. The other quarter was a tie.
If you look at it statistically, this is about as even as the Boston/Hawks series, where a sweep is pretty much the expectation on the street.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Jon K.,
C'mon with the Lakers training staff stuff. Didn't you see the post in which one member of the training staff came on to defend them?
It's gone too far.
I have something else though. I want to ask you a question.
Do you really want to believe that the Lakers training staff sucks? In what possible way is that better than believing that they're competent?
Think about it. Please. You're starting to feel like Mike T. That's obsessed and eccentric and like a blog pet. At best.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 18, 2008 at 12:52 PM
ex,
Hey, that's where the emergency exit is. We thought you would feel better if you could jump off at the first sign of bad news. You know, like when you're flying a helicoptor. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Benjamin,
I don't like your insults. Remember. I have a temper.
Yes, I do not think that the training staff is as good as we have been lead to believe.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 18, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Jon,
"There will be no "cruise control" in the playoffs."
Damn straight. Pedal to the metal every quarter of every game.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Benjamin,
And no, I don't want to believe that our training staff is underqualified. Not at all. I want us to have the best staff in basketball. It's just that when every player seems to come back later than expected, it raises questions. The longer they're out; the more questions it raises. I think that is fairly obvious.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 18, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Tim,
Interesting quarter stats. There definitely is a relationship between winning games and winning quarters. Thanks.
The Lakers are going to be a tough team for a lot of playoff opponents to prepare for just because they have had so many different lineups in the front court due to injuries. While Pau did not play in the last game, neither did Andrew. If you remember, the third victory came after Drew went down and before we got Pau. The game was won by Sasha and Farmar and the Bench Mob playing sensational.
Overall, my sense is we are looking at a statement-making sweep by the Lakers that is going to scare the hell out of the rest of the league – and not only for this year.
As I posted earlier, Lakers’ championship windows are wider and taller than those of other teams and are measured in dynasties not seasons.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I REALLY REALLY think this is the year for the Lakers,
whether Bynum is in or not.
1st round: Denver
We could sweep this team.
Who knows what would George Karl do
once we go up 3-0.
He'll see that Denver wouldn't win anyway, then
he might as well let his son get some PT in a playoff game,
get that valuable experience and stay in the league.
(Which means, blow out win for the LA in game 4)
2nd round: Utah(probably) or Houston(not likely)
We whupped Utah's a$$ even without Pau.
And everyone here knows that Kobe & Fish will
be more than ready and pumped up to make Utah fans
regret whatever they did to us. No more throwing beer/
If we meet the Rockets, no comment needed.
WCF: Spurs, Suns, Mavs, Hornets
They are old, fatigued or not experienced.
Final: Boston
Now, this is where people say Boston beat LA 2:0
during the season, (so LA got no chance)
What they don't realize is that in the first game,
we didn't have Pau, Bynum & Sasha hadn't
blossomed yet. Our best center at that time, Kwame
was missing as well.
Furthermore, LO was our 2nd option.
The second game was just stupid with all those
short-shorts. (Pau wasn't there either)
Our team couldn't concentrate or think and the game
was basically given to Boston during the 1st half.
(One time all the Suns wore head bands, and they
were losing badly to the Sonics in that first quarter.
Lakers' short-shorts were way more worse that that.
This psychology thing really affect the game.)
Plus, Cavs were 2-0 vs Spurs last season and look
what happend.
LAKERS 2008~10, 12 NBA CHAMPIONS!!
Posted by: coolhair | April 18, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Hi Tim-4-Show,
"Bynum played in all 3 games (was ill in one of them)"
Usually you are correct 99.999999% of the time. But this one time, you made a little mistake. Bynum was down with the injury and the Lakers were adjusting to him missing.
http://www.nba.com/games/20080121/DENLAL/boxscore.html
Best regards.
Fatty
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 18, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I'm a regular reader of this blog, I enjoy the banter between the regulars posters, and have been a Laker fan since they drafted Magic. Thought I would let all of you know of a Laker team unity dinner they had last night. I got together with my co-workers to celebrate one of their birthdays at Fleming's Steakhouse in El Segundo. I arrived there around 7pm and my coworker who got there early said he saw a very tall guy walk thru the door while he was waiting (turned out to be DJ Mbenga), and he mentioned to me that he knew the face but did'nt know from where. So, later on during dinner I had'nt thought about it, I look up and see DJ, and Lamar standing by the bar. After I alert the rest of my table, my coworker looks and says that was the guy he had seen. I look over to my right and I see a line of them walking from a private room in the back. Mihm, Farmar, Ariza, Bynum, Luke, VladRad, was told by our waiter that Kobe had left a little earlier out a back door. Then I see Fisher and other people in the restaurant see him and the whole place starts clapping and hootin and hollerin, A waiter comes up to Fish, I see him sign the bill. Vet pickin up the check. Good to see that they are focused and unified for there chase for the title.
Posted by: Jeff B. | April 18, 2008 at 01:26 PM
My bad Xodus...I screwed up the bracket...but either way, we'll get past Utah just fine.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 18, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Jeff B: awesome story. That's what it's all about everyone.
I don't see that happening in Denver. AI is too concerned about the negative chip on his shoulder and he's bringing Camby, Martin and now Melo with him. It's the negative energy.
And I love D. Fish - class act!
LET's GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 18, 2008 at 01:37 PM
LakerTom,
"There definitely is a relationship between winning games and winning quarters."
If the Lakers win 15 of the first 16 quarters, they are guaranteed to win at least three games.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 18, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Fatty, LakerTom,
Thanks for the correction. Foggy memory. :-)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 18, 2008 at 02:23 PM
ex,
Very good! We're even going to give you the key to the emergency door in case we are outscored in that 16th quarter. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 03:18 PM
ECJ,
Thanks for the improbable dream. I remember watching that Dodgers game and thinking that Eckersley better be careful with Gibson even though he can barelly walk. This year is the Laker's perfect storm season. You are right that the story is perfect for the Lakers this year:
“In a year that has been so improbable… the impossible has happened!. The Lakers have won the 2008 NBA Championship."
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Jamie Sweet,
“Craig Sager, bust out a Purple and Gold suit!””
You know what, I think he actually owns such a suit. I would have loved to have seen a photo of the suit that Lamar wore to the last game. Maybe he would lend it to Craig. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM
rayray,
Hey, glad to see you back, man. Soon we’ll have the entire old gang back. I’m with you on Denver playing zero defense and having zero discipline. Smells like sweep to me. We also have averaged 10 made 3-pointers per game versus their 4, which is a 15 point swing. On top of it all, I think the Lakers are going to come out loaded with bear to make a real statement to the rest of the NBA. Phil will have had a lot of time to work on devious ways to score on and defend the Nuggets. By the way, what a stupid name for a team unless you are owned by Colonel Sanders or Popeye’s. I mean, who wants to be a Nugget?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Peeps! It really does seem as if were looking past Denver..now wait a second! Before anyone say the obvious or question my confidence in my Lakes..to think Denver will just lay down or go quietly in the night is mistaking! Now that's not saying that we still won't win..but anything can happen. Yes we have the mismatches our way! Yes we have Kobe! Yes we have Pau! Yes we have the Machine..you know come to think of it....awww hell naw...we guna spank that azz and beat the Mustard out them sum-a-guns!!
Sweep!
Sweep!
Break out the broom (household or industrial size) I don't give a Flux (Core) *alil wielding humor* I predict Melo to choke the jelly out of Sasha by game 3 though..lol
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 18, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Johhny,
No alternate plans, no handicaps, no quarter, no mercy! This is about the Championship. The goal is to go 16-0 over the next 16 games. Leave ‘em tattered and in tears, knowing that we own them all for the next decade. That’s how we need to play.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 18, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Charles,
Dit Da Wan.
I've heard bloodletting works pretty good too!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 18, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Tcountdown continues! T-minus 40 hours!
Posted by: Laker Bandit | April 18, 2008 at 04:52 PM