Time to remove the "like" from "playoff like atmosphere"
Because the Western Conference has been more crowded than a New York subway at rush hour, the Lakers have been forced to endure playoff-esque games for the last month or so. Today, though, the simulation ends and the real postseason begins. And given where they were only a few months ago and the improbable path they took to get here, to enter the playoffs as a real, live #1 seed is quite an accomplishment, one the Lakers feel they're well equipped to handle going forward. LA knows they have a challenge facing the fast paced Nuggets, and Denver knows they have a challenge facing Kobe Bryant, who is itchin' to win in the postseason again. Of course, the Lakers go deeper than 24, whether it's Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, playing for things far bigger than himself, or Sasha Vujacic, who played well enough this year to earn a nickname... or at least one that didn't poke fun.
The Lakers hope to limit the Nuggets attack to Melo and AI, keeping guys like JR Smith and Linus Kleiza from heating up.
Brian Shaw talks about nearly getting the head coaching gig in Sacramento that eventually went to Reggie Theus.
As a reminder, Nene isn't expected to play for Denver.
Good Morning Mamba, Charles, Jon K, Tom, Justa, Faith,Tim, LakerMan and All Of Laker Nation!!!!!
I see we're all ready and raring to go on this fine morning!
Whoever put the pota(o in the tailpipe of the Muggets bus and got that thing lit up....great job!
REAL SEASON GAME DAY #1!!!!!
LETS GO LAKERS!!!!!
DEEEEEEEEEEEFENSE!!!!!
16 TO 15!!!!!
FO! FO! FO! FO!
And once again for good measure.....
DEEEEEEEEEEEEFENSE!!!!!
16 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | April 20, 2008 at 11:54 AM
anybody has the link to today's game ?
Posted by: JusmanX | April 20, 2008 at 11:55 AM
OH NO! We have to have Van Gundy for this broadcast???
CURSE YOU NBA!!!
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 20, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Lakers4Realz,
My apologies bro... I put your name wrong.
If we get together for a game, I'd suggest game 2 on Wed.
Game 3 tix I purchased nose bleed section off stub hub and still cost me a tiny fortune.
Game 4 tx I purchased the BEFORE this series was for sure (I gambled) and got row AA behind the Laker's side basket.
Game 6, not sure how Hugo got those (from a season ticket holder?)...
Dude, check craigslist, stubhub, and eBay... we can have a little LakersBlog get together.
Hugo, Lakers4Realz, let me know if you'd like to visit my humble pad on Wed night here in Denver. Hugo already knows, my place is humble, but my Laker games rock the house. :-)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Hey SHEKOBE, I'm from South Florida, too. I grew up in Miami (I go to school up at UF now though.)
Posted by: Xodus | April 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM
any links to the game?
Posted by: daniel Delgado | April 20, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I'm not surprised at the almost unmentioned matchup of Martin/Camby vs. Odom/Gasol.
Martin has been injury AWOL and a malingerer for so long that many have forgotten his once-dominant postseson play for the Nets while Camby travels with a body/fender guy just to keep the parts together.
However, the Lakers can ill afford to overlook Martin's "physicality" or Camby's still-good hops. Anything close to the KMart of 2002-04 could wreak havoc. Camby has averaged consistent double-doubles and 3 blocks per at 51% vs. Gasol.
Melo/AI v. Kobe may be the sizzle but Gasol/Odom v. Camby/Martin could decide the beef.
Posted by: rocksalt | April 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM
If you are lazy on defnse, it will be exposed Kobe!! Kobe needs to step it up right now....
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Its important that Kobe gets himself going first, and then get his teammates involved. You have to make an adjustment from the regular season where it was ok for Kobe to go long periods without scoring. In the playoffs you can't afford to have a bad game.
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 01:02 PM
You don't want to wake Kobe from his nap Anthony Carter...It could be dangerous...
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Kobe is having an off game today so he should do more play making and take an easy shot to get himself going. If he's not careful, he might shoot Denver right back into this game.
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Dumb foul Kobe!! You will get called anytime you reach in...
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | April 20, 2008 at 02:29 PM
1 down. :)
Posted by: Benjamin | April 20, 2008 at 03:49 PM