The waiting is the hardest part
Generally speaking, we consider Tom Petty a sage. But in this case, waiting is actually pretty easy. A perk, even. Having polished off the Denver Nuggets in four games after last night's 107-101 win at Pepsi Center, the Lakers can kick back and wait for the conclusion of the Jazz/Rockets series, which continues tonight back in Houston, with the Rockets down 3-1. In the meantime (which might not be that long, if Utah closes things out) the Lakers can bask in the glow of their first playoff series win in four seasons. The fork-sticking win didn't come easy, unlike the first three, because Denver finally showed up to play all 48 minutes. They made LA's 10-point halftime lead disappear, took a lead in the third, and kept things tight in the fourth, but it wasn't enough to overcome a huge fourth quarter for Kobe Bryant, who had 31 points as Carmelo Anthony continued to struggle for Denver. But it wasn't just Bryant -- Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Vlad Radmanovic, and Luke Walton all played a role in the win and the box score shows once again that the Lakers used some solid ball movement to score points.
If there was a central theme of the series -- beyond Denver's inability to cope with stress -- it was LA's ability to share the ball. They finished the four games with a 66.2% assist rate. When the Lakers move the ball that well, they're very difficult to beat. It's that teamwork that separated them from the Nuggets, who undoubtedly have plenty of talent.
The Lakers managed to do what no other team could in the playoffs -- sweep an opponent. Still, they'll have to improve throughout the postseason if they want to advance, especially since they can't count on seeing a team as undisciplined as Denver -- who will not be missed -- the rest of the way.
The Nuggets have a decision to make about George Karl. Currently, though, his job is considered safe.
When you look at how the dominoes fell in the Western Conference arms race, it's pretty clear that the best one landed in LA. Needless to say, Gasol is happy to be on the right end of a sweep.
On Ariza, from the Daily News:
Trevor Ariza is scheduled to undergo another CT scan on his broken right foot in a little less than two weeks, which the Lakers hope will show that there is sufficient healing to allow him to play. He has been sidelined since January.
"He's cleared to do all sorts of activity levels up to dunking the ball," Jackson said. "He can't play contact basketball yet, but he can do all the basketball drills and shoot baskets - all that kind of stuff. We know there's a still another two weeks before he can be cleared to play."
Hornets coach and former Laker Byron Scott was selected the NBA's coach of the year. Certainly he's a worthy choice. In other coaching news, Pat Riley is done working the bench in Miami, and Larry Brown will return to the sidelines in Charlotte.
Tio
Except for the Finals, all series happen this way.
First two at home, then two away, then one at home, one away, one at home
Source: NBA.com
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Rick,
Don't forget the ultra-lame Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the made up conspiracy document to justify anti-Semitism in Russia. Interestingly, it's a thorougly disproven fiction, quite rare among conspiracy theories. The Jewish people are not secretly out to rule the world, at least a fake document based on bigotry provides zero evidence that is the case.
I hate the soil the good name of the title Elder, but there it is.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 30, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Kiwi,
Over the last few years, I've been underwelmed by 'Sheed too.
I've watched him more this year and paid more attention than I have in the past. I had him on my 9-cat fantasy team the entire season.
I've seen something that I missed before. It's really not about stats with this guy. He is emotional, sometimes lazy (usually when it doesn't really matter), sometimes inconsistent. That's all the bad though.
He's also consistently praised as the best teammate that anyone's ever had. He is an excellent two-way player with strong on ball and help defensive abilities. He's the only guy that gets 100 blocks and 100 3s in a season. He easily changed from a power forward to a center this season. He's a great shooter (yes, inconsistent) and he can be THE go-to guy on a team.
He's a singular talent. From all I've seen, I no longer regard him as overrated. And he's rated quite highly by most sportswriters.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 30, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Congrats Edwin! You deserve it baby!
Posted by: Benjamin | April 30, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Forgive Guys what is probably an obvious question to some of you-. Is Coby Karl on the team or off. He is in uniform in the 2nd game and
not around for the third- then in Street clothes for the 4th in Denver? I can find no press release on his activation again? If the Lakers win it all and he is NOT activated does he get a ring?
Posted by: Old Laker Fan | April 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I don't know if anyone answered this but any player can be activated for a playoff spot prior to game. Only 12 can be active and 3 inelligible.
Since Rony was sick, Coby was activated and Rony sat. Prior to the next game Rony was activated and Coby sat.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 30, 2008 at 05:52 PM
____________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(03) LAKER TOM – CEO – Made an offer they couldn’t refuse
(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
(18) NEMAIA FALETOGO - Fan of the Purple Hulk - No not K.G.
(19) KEIFO - Riding ShotGun
(20) CBuck - Played Horse with McHale and made him retire
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Please add me to this bandwagon.
Celtic hater for life
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 30, 2008 at 06:23 PM