We were told there wouldn't be any math
As we mentioned yesterday after L.A.'s 106-85 whup job on the Spurs Sunday afternoon at Staples, the playoff implications of the win were all good... but getting an exact bead on where it left them was no easy task. Well, thanks to Houston's 111-94 loss to the Nuggets in Denver, things are a lot less soupy. Win Tuesday night against the Kings and they're the #1 seed in the Western Conference. That simple. And why? Because the Lakers gave themselves that opportunity by playing one of their best games of what has been a very successful regular season. They were particularly good in the third quarter, using ten points from Derek Fisher (whose injured foot is showing some improvement), an impressive capper from downtown by Kobe, and some impressive defense to turn a tie game at halftime into a 12 point Lakers lead heading into the fourth. Very impressive D. The kind usually played by the Spurs, and an identity that could serve them well in the playoffs.
Occupying this sort of heady, high rent real estate on April 14 reminds everyone of where the team was over the summer- a trippy time in its own right, but for entirely different reasons, none good. But while pessimism was the order of the day, at least from Kobe Bryant, PJ says the brass knew they had something percolating.
Then, add a little Gasol and everything gets really peachy.
The task now, at least for some, is to try adn determine just how good the Lakers might be. Certainly the results have been impressive.
"...as the regular season draws to a close, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to match results to their ability, which would make them the team to beat...
...They're starting to think in those terms, too.Defense has been the biggest question mark for the Lakers. They've been burned by quick point guards (Tony Parker was at it again in the first half, when he scored 18 points). They have failed to rotate out to 3-point shooters. They haven't had a full-time presence in the middle since Andrew Bynum went down in January.
Things changed in the third quarter Sunday. The Lakers stayed in front of Parker, who scored only two more points. Pau Gasol blocked a Duncan hook shot, one of 13 misses by Duncan.
"I think we've found our defensive identity," Bryant said. "We're very aggressive. We have a tremendous amount of versatility in wings and bigs who are athletic and long. We can get after guys."
It won't be easy, notes Johnny Ludden of Yahoo! Sports, but the Lakers certainly have a solid shot:
For now, though, the Lakers look to be as good a favorite as any. In the span of three days, they rang up a 30-point lead on the Hornets then overwhelmed the defending champions by limiting them to just 32 points on 29.7 percent shooting in the second half.
Even with Andrew Bynum’s status iffy, at best, for the playoffs, the Lakers hope to enter the postseason with the one thing all contending teams hope to have.“We all know going into the playoffs it’s about momentum,” Bryant said. “It’s about who’s playing well. And we sure are playing good basketball now.”...
Here are the latest playoff scenarios, and a breakdown of one interesting possibility, via Henry Abbott at TrueHoop with an assist from Ross Siler at the Salt Lake Tribune.
Agent Zero is poking LeBron with a stick.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 09:21 AM
*------------------------------------------
Monday April 14, 2008 The Force is in Balance & alls well in Laker Nation
One more game and we are Best in the West MVP for Kobe is a given.
Today Our Honoree is “Pig Miller”
*
Good Morning Charles,
Good Morning Angry Laker
Good Morning Peanut Butter Spread, Happy Belated Birthday
Good Morning Future 15 Time World Champion LA Laker Nation
**
Past Honorees: Mike Teniente, Edwin Gueco, KLBeast, Generic_One, Fatty
A.K. B.K, J.J.,Laker Tom, Sonny Belfast, Jorema, Taliq, David whang, Faith
ThaShow, Bob, Rick Friedman, HobbitMage, Kobe Apologist, Andrew Z,
Angry Laker, Exhelodrvr, TWoody, WesJoeNixon Kwame Brown, Laker Gurl,
EastSideJessie, LongTimeLakerFan, Dice8Up, FearlessWhackJob, TaosHum,
Lakerman420
*
We thought the Trolls had been extinguished from the Blog and so let down our
Guard but gradually the varmints began to gradually creep back on the scene.
Many Of our great troll fighters of the past appeared to grow tired leaving those
like Angry Laker to continue the valiant fight short handed. Then suddenly with
a blazing double barrel Barbeque grill appeared “PIG” MILLER TROLL FIGHTER.
Don’t let the name “Pig” deceive you, it stands for the number of trolls he has
Barbequed and devoured in his time. Faster than a speeding bullet, before a
Troll has a chance to lob a salvo Pig Miller dashes in to slice and dice the trolls
down to size. Now don’t get me wrong, Piig Miller knows his BBall and can talk
strategy and trade scenarios as well as anyone. Mr. Miller also has a wicked
sense of humor which always helps on this Blog. His posts have been the
bright spot of many a day. Even when he flames the trolls it’s done with a certain
playfulness rather than bitterness. For this and a myriad of other reasons we honor
you this “Pig” Miller this Monday April 14, 2008 The Blog and the world are a better
place for your being and we thank you. Enjoy your day sir and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
**
ROLL CALL : The Original Ken, The Original JJ, KB8thwonder, Herb Stempel
(1) Faith, Bob, Keifo, Vman. Jay Jay, Charles, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, ANGRYLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, LakerTruth
WesJoeNixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, Elle, HmrHed
ComptonsFinest, FlagrantFowl LakerLegacy, Exhelodrvr, Laker Tom, Rick Friedman ,
RDLEE, Purple Heart, Allan-Brazil, J.D.Hastings, Moko, Puddle, Andrew Z. Hugo Boss
The Outlaw, Tsphere, Jon Kavulic, WeaveMan, SixOneZero, FearlessWhackJob, CBuck
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, Never, JANAYA, EastCoastJessie, Jman
LakerGurl, SFLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerLass, HoustonLakerGirl,
SheKOBE, LakersRydeOrDie, SloGal, DarkAngelSK, TROY, TWoody, LakerFaze,
DrewPauKobe, GoKobeGo, KobesBad, KobeRocks, Laker/KobeFan, LakerMan420
MrBarneryDangles, Todd, JesterGuru, SmoothD, JCool, Jeff, David Whang, WWKBD
KIWI, Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, LakersMR, LakersSTH, HobbitMage, Korey
Stars_R_Aligned, Cscoot, The_Dude_Abides, Johnny Laker, The HEAD-MBENGA
Complex Brotha, WondahBap, Derek, Benjamin, The HAMMER, Cyrus(Ventrilquist),
BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, Mamba#5, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, LALFan, Kobe24
HappyCamper, HappyDaze, HappyGilmore, CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, Bzar
Amazing Happens, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real, Wow,
AKR68, GiantSquid, BotSoy, LakerFan, LA_Mental, CaliPhilosopher, JLuv, CDub0512
Bruzer, Peanut_Butter_Spread, Laker_Kev, Lakers_Sparks_Fan, Trio, Reality_Check
You Ever Notice? MarkyTheArky, Justin Leonard, FIishEye, Linda Pineda, Kidwell,
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
LakerNorth, LakerinBC, ROMY R, NIK KANNAN, Earth_Wind_&_Fire, FKIllah, TEEJ
AA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff Grotke
Lakers4Realz, Gino, Gabe, Darick, Floyd, Vincent, Robyn Khang, Old Scholol, TP, Che
Eddie Brock, Jandro, Paul Lee, Ajax, Mitchell, David In Spain, J_Doubter, Guy, Xtro,
Playa, Butler, Franky_J., Daryl, LakerDawg, DK,JC, The Dropper, Afro Joe, ZEN, Jeff
Mob_Wagoneer, PK-IN-THE-MESA , Jandro, GreenPaz, Andy B, Lent, TIKI, Brylle
SwanWorld, , Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMAN
Linda Pineda, CaliKing, Thirty2, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, ,GreekDude, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08,
Laker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DaxMDD
40YearFan, KillerEight, Johnny P. LOTEC9, LakerLarry, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz
LakaLover, Bynumite, CS, Baywood, LakerHopeful, Bobie, Gilly, MARCO64, Drew
Purple&Gold_4Eva, B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Ando
Gugy, Laker4Life, ASM, SAMLL, Pince Akrasian, EagleBoy, JR., BLKTHGHT06,
SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness, LakerBake, Sean74, Sead94, LongLiveChick
Marty, Kinglakernidas, Hubbit, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, Alexinh017, Violater
Kikos Dad, LiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, Simone, Phred, Swettual, Tajluck, , BerkleyLaker,
Craig, RicoTico, Lauria, NestrosBistro, Sean P. Jamie Sweet, SocalSpider, t_Sensei
Sambosola Corner J., BigGameJames, Dascilla, JoninJAPAN(INCANADA),
*
Now The Playoff Lineup for the 14 Time WORLD CHAMPION LA LAKERS:
At Coach 9 time title winner PHIL 9RINGS JACKSONNNN
At center number 17 ANDREW BYNUMMMMMMMMMMM
At forward number 16 PAU GASOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
At forward number 7 LAMAR ODOMMMMMMMMMMMMM
At guard number 2 DEREK FISHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
At guard number 24 & the MVP KOBEE BRYANTTTTTTT
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF WILT KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY “PIG” MILLER BANDWAGON
*----------------------------------------------------------------*
(01) MAMBA24 – Driver & Owner
(02) TOAD – Rifing ShotGun
(03) MILO RAMBALDI – Team Prophet
(04) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections
Posted by: mamba24 | April 14, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Woa. Nice big Yahoo! travel ad in the middle of yer post there. Copy n' paste is not your cup o' tea apparently!
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 14, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Good morning bloggers,
I hope Lakers will bring it for the final game of the regular season tomorrow.
I've been googling about MVP candidates this morning, and so far there is at least 7 people(media) WITH actual votes that have Kobe "Bean/Mamba/Cape" Bryant as their MVP.
Some reporters from Boston actually have KG as their MVP, which is not suprising, at the same time they place KB24 as no 4...NUMBER FOUR on their list.. That is just HATE..ridiculous. I objectively think that ppl can argue to place Kobe from no 1 to 3 (even 3 is a bit stretching it, but I still think it's valid argument), but no 4???!!!
Let's hope that our writers from LA area who have vote will actually stand up for their guy (and deservingly so!)
Posted by: moko | April 14, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Group chest bump, bloggers!
Yesterday was a coronation... for now. 24 will get his trophy and we'll have 17? cameras worth of Mamba to check out from yesterday but...
D Fish was right, that was then. Got to get healthy and focused for the war. He was my MVP yesterday. When he hits shots like that, the Lake show is lethal.
Posted by: Vman | April 14, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Good morning
Am the first one to post?
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | April 14, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I don't think we should be praising the Lakers' D too highly now. The Lakers just had to play SOME defense, because the Spurs are struggling to score points anyway. The scoring paucity by San Antonio was 75% Spurs and 25% Lakers' D. I used an abacus to calculate that one.
Don't know if BK is going to toot his own horn, so here's a link to a nice Q&A with Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy:
http://www.sportshubla.com/2008/04/14/talking-with-clippers-head-coach-mike-dunleavy/
I liked the part where Dunleavy talks about how winning cures all, because, well ... it's true.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 14, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Mamba 24
It's comin' up on time to break out the
16 WIN BANDWAGON.
THE best bandwagon 'cause it ends in a parade.
Posted by: Vman | April 14, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Vman,
That's a lot of Chest's...
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 09:54 AM
AK/BK
I just read this article in in hoopshype (qouted from Newark-Star):
"Still, Jefferson is an asset, and would inspire significant interest in trade talks. Teams from Phoenix to Toronto would love to have him. He can be moved to Utah for Andrei Kirilenko (and perhaps Paul Millsap) with one phone call. He can probably be moved to L.A. for Lamar Odom if the Lakers conclude that a 6-10 small forward isn't necessary with two 7-footers in the starting lineup. "
They've got to be kidding. Would it really make any kind of sense this offseason to trade LO for Jefferson? Or where they just writing this because they had nothing else better to do and are trying to builld up Nets fans hopes for next season?
Posted by: richtown | April 14, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Morning Bloggers, great way to start off the week.
I hope Spike finishes that film soon so we can see it.
1 more game!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM
To the famed blogger, Mr. "Pig" Miller,
Happy birthday to you. I hope that you enjoy a double helping of troll meat on your birthday. I'm a vegetarian, but I'd gladly share a leg with you.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Go Lakers!
It's playoff time! Let's do this!
Kobe deserves the MVP this year!
Props to all the wackjobs out there who proved to be prophetic this year.
Posted by: Rocky | April 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
It's way too soon to say the Lakers have found their defensive identity. One thing for sure, they defended the pick and roll quite well yesterday against the Spurs, particularly the effort by Pau was impressive!
Posted by: Robyn | April 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Charles,
haha, yes, a lot of chests and some with some interesting bumps no doubt.
btw: All "chest bump" posts come with an implied nod to you, Mr. Dude, who might not have invented the move, but pioneered the blog concept.
Posted by: Vman | April 14, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Pig!!!
Happy Birthday Man!!!
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Good Morning All
The smile is still here. Wish we could get this thing over with today and figure out the seeds. That is definitely driving me nuts. Gotta be glad that the Kings have back to back w/travel when they play us. Please tell me that I can have the week off to bask in the Laker Glow.
Go Lakers
Kobesbaaaaaaaad (and he is)
Posted by: Kobesbad | April 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
*__________________________________*
16 WINS TO CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON
*__________________________________*
(01) VMAN - Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 - Scout
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY “PIG” MILLER BANDWAGON
*----------------------------------------------------------------*
(01) MAMBA24 – Driver & Owner
(02) TOAD – Rifing ShotGun
(03) MILO RAMBALDI – Team Prophet
(04) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(05) THE OUTLAW - Will give up vegetarianism for Troll Meat
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Great weekend. What a great season. From where we started to where we ended up....it truly has been great to be a Laker fan.
To go from having Smush and Kwame as starters, and Kobe being asked to be traded, to #1 in the conference with 1 game to go, is truly awesome.
I'm glad to finally see the team take responsiblity for stopping those pesky little guards like Parker and Paul. It was never just Jordan or Sasha's fault, especially with 2 or 3 picks being set on them every time. Pau did a great job on Timmy as well.
All in all, a great weekend, a great season, and great time to be a Laker fan!
Posted by: #4 | April 14, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Vman,
Thanks for your kind words. Especially coming from a senior from this blog.
Has Cap Kareem ever responded from any of your posts from his blog?
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
For those of you who are interested in the MVP debate,
there is a breakdown from SLAM online, i think it's pretty good read (esp since it favors Kobe, lol)
http://slamonline.com/online/2008/04/podoloffs-box-08/
moko
Posted by: moko | April 14, 2008 at 10:26 AM
So we really won't know anything until Wednesday night --and I don't want to do regression analysis to figure out playoff scenarios. Just win out and lets see what happens. I wonder if the Mavs will tank to assure facing the Lakers.
I believe SA really wants that 3 seed and Phx in the first round. Oh, don't worry Suns fans -- regular season records are very important against the Spurs. Also, the Spurs don't know how to win in the playoffs, and they have no clue how to defend Shaq. Good luck!
The words "knee" and "unstable" don't belong in the same sentence and make me cringe. I won’t be disappointed if AB does not get back this year. He is a franchise center and I can wait.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I like what i Saw in the Lakers yesterday. Very good defense in the second half. Now, if they can continue to play like that, then they sure have a really good shot at winning it all even without Andrew Bynum. But lets, remember, they're second best player aka 6th man wasnt there to play, so we shouldn't be over celebrative, but it sure feels good to beat a "REAL" rival unlike those suns.
But something else caught my eyes yesterday, and it bothered me. I don't hate the SPURS but i dislike them because they are our true western rivals. this decade the west either came through us or them, but what caught my attention was that they reminded me of our 04-05 Lakers team with the "FANTASTIC FOUR". which is that they're great but getting old. The younger teams (the pistons at that time, and basically celts and the 1-9 teams in the west this time) are getting to them. Hopefully they don't have to do a major rebuilding like the lakers did, because i sure do enjoy this rivalry more than those FUNS. hahah so i root for that organization but
LAKERS 08!!!
Posted by: afrojoe | April 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Robyn,
I agree - it's great to see them playing good defense. Now let's see them do it for an entire game. Then an entire series. Then we can talk about a "defensive identity."
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM
A wonderful day to be a Laker fan. I have been a pessimist all season long, particularly back in November when I lashed out at the 55 bandwagon blogger (Mamba 24) for his/her's, what I believed to be, unrealistic aspirations. However, I love the fact that I was wrong, and I hope we can continue playing this way into late June.
Let's avoid a let down in the upcoming trap game against the Queens.
Have a great day Laker nation. And Mamba 24, please put me on down on any bandwagon roll call.
Seacrest, out.
Posted by: Adam | April 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Good Morning Charles---Good Morning Everyone....
Well I had to travel this weekend--just before my return on Sunday eve some Laker fan told me we had won on Friday and blew out the Spurs yesterday---needless to say the 3 and a half hour drive home went by pretty fast....
Did get to watch the Hornets game on my DVR this morning--great game but hated to see the lead get wittled down---funny how I didn't get to upset as that happened knowing we won the game--took some of the excitemnt out in one way, but less stress was good coupled with a still overall very cool game ....
Just got to watch the highlights of the Spurs game---wish I could have savored the whole thing ....sounds like we actually used the ole pick and roll---way cool......
As I said before I left---this last weekend (and tomorrrow) was / is going to show us just what this Laker team is capable of.....
Now let's finish this thing--we can NOT take the Kings lightly---need intensity and focus from begining to end....
Manra time: DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE
PICK & ROLL PICK & ROLL PICK & ROLL
YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | April 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM
AK/BK,
Great b2b wins for the Lakers. These 2 victories speak volumes to where this team is headed. I think being the 1 seed in the W.C. is a bit premature though. They still need to close out Sac-Town. I hate to say it, but with Cow-Town beating up all the top seed's in the W.C. recently, I am a little worried that Lakers may lay over for them. This would kill all that momentum they have built up till this moment. What are you takes on Tuesday's game?
Also, will Bynum play again this season? We are all big boys and girls, but I think the F.O. is puting blinders over our eyes in the hopes to sheild the true problems with Bynum. Also, is Ariza going to be back for the 2nd round?
Thanks,
Posted by: JC | April 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM
what a great weekend for the lake show.
beating the hornets friday night, and the spurs yesterday...good stuff.
i just wanted the lakers to be healthy for the playoffs, their seed really did not concern me.
and now the number one seed is in their hands, they just need to beat the queens on tuesday.
i am glad to see that the lakers are not rushing bynum or ariza back. if these guys aren't ready, it is more than okay to put them on the shelf for next season.
a dynasty is brewing...
Posted by: tha show | April 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Hollinger really is an idiot (a word I don't use lightly). He has KOBE fourth on his MVP ballot.
Moron.
BTW, Adande has Kobe first.
Posted by: giantsquid | April 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Ira Newble sprinkled salt on the gaping wound by hitting a three-pointer!
Posted by: xtro | April 14, 2008 at 10:49 AM
richtown,
>>>They've got to be kidding. Would it really make any
>>>kind of sense this offseason to trade LO for Jefferson? Or
>>> where they just writing this because they had nothing
>>>else better to do and are trying to builld up Nets fans
>>>hopes for next season?
There actually is a little bit of precedent. The Lakers tried
to do a 3-way trade with Lamar going to New Jersey, Jefferson
going to Charlotte, and Gerald Wallace coming to the Lakers
last summer, but Charlotte backed out.
And you might recall that Mitch recently said in an interview
they'd try really hard to re-sign Sasha and Ronny this summer,
but when asked if they'd try to sign an extension for Lamar,
he was more vague, saying something like "We'll see how
we do in the playoffs first."
Jefferson just came off of a very good season, where he
averaged 22.6 on 46% shooting. He's a slashing scorer,
which would go well with the Lakers depth in post up
players (Bynum, Gasol, Kobe) and outside shooters
(Sasha, Rad, Fisher, Farmar, Kobe). He's also a pretty
good wing defender. And he's under contract for 3 more
seasons and he won't make as much as Lamar will make
next season until his last season.
On the other hand, since Pau came to town, Lamar's been
playing at a MUCH higher level. Lamar is a lot better
rebounder than Jefferson, and in a pinch Lamar could
defend anyone from a PG to a C. Jefferson is a little bit
better wing defender than Lamar, but at 6'7" he won't
be defending any PF's or C's any time soon.
So there you have it. Lamar would give Jersey more size
and talent in the front court, and Lamar is from New York
and lives there in the offseason, so he probably wouldn't
protest TOO hard.
And Jefferson would give the Lakers a starting quality
SF who's a big-time scorer and decent defender. But
their vaunted depth in the front court would be mostly
gone.
If the Lakers go far in the playoffs this season, I think they'll
keep Lamar for next season and see how things go. If they
win a championship, I'd pretty much guarantee that Buss
would be willing to spend the big bucks to keep as much of
the team together as possible.
But if the Lakers struggle in the playoffs and underachieve,
then I think Lamar is the most likely guy to be traded.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Good Morning Lakers Fans!!!
Kobe's the MVP on ESPN's Poll:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=MVP08
Posted by: Botsoy | April 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
ESPN MVP ballots
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=MVP08
Posted by: giantsquid | April 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
>>>Props to all the wackjobs out there who proved to be
>>>prophetic this year.
Thank you. I'm feeling pretty much like a prophetic wackjob
right now. :-)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Moko on the flo-mo,
Thanks for the link!
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Mamba24,
I would like to start «МITCH - EXECUITVE OF THE YEAR” bandwagon. I think Mitch is unsung hero of this season by going about his business, and quietly building this team into contender by doing all the right moves under the tough fire from Kobe and fans and everyone in between. Signing Fish, not trading Drew, starting “arm races” in the West by acquiring Pau for next to nothing, he is definitely to deserve this award Just looks how long it took Lakers to get this level vs. let say Bulls…..
Posted by: LAL_Fan | April 14, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Lakers should go out tomorrow night and treat the Queens
like Marie Antoinette...
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I am SO on that 16-win-and championship bandwagon!
As to the playoffs, figuring out who our second round opponent will be takes advanced calculus, but I see too many bloggers here assuming that our first round opponent will be the Nuggets.
Dudes (and dudettes), they are only ONE game behind Dallas and hold the tiebreaker with the Mavs.Their last opponent is the Kwame Grizz, while the Mavs must beat a Hornets squad playing for second rather than 5th or 6th seed. My money is on Byron's Boyz, which means the MAVS will be our first round opponent!
Posted by: Jay Jay | April 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
9 first place votes, 2 second place, 3 third place, 1 fourth place for Kobe in ESPN's MVP ballot
Who did'nt vote:
Tim Legler, Henry Abbot, Chad Ford, John Hollinger, Chris Palmer, Chris Sheridan
John Hollinger is d?mb!!!! Kobe's no. 4 in his ballot. remember this guy!! he is a Kobe hater
Posted by: Botsoy | April 14, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I don't see why Spike Lee doing a documentary on Kobe is a problem. Dude's a Knick fan, but he's also an NBA fan. I think more of us should realize that a lot of people are fans of the entire league, not just one team.
Posted by: Xodus | April 14, 2008 at 11:03 AM
What a game... what a game!!
We play like that for the entire playoffs... there's no stopping us!!!!
We will keep focus on tuesday and crush the Queens!!!
Mamba - Add me to the 16 WINS TO CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON
GO LAKE SHOW!!
LIGHTS OUT!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 14, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Mamba24 - please add me to the 16 ins to championship wagon - I am on it with a vengeance!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 14, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I think they should change the Sixth Man of the Year eligibility criteria.
It should be based on some maximum of minutes played per game, not on how many games a player didn't start. After all, what's the difference if you don't start, but still play 30 plus minutes a game?
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 14, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Pig Miller,
Happy Birthday, dude. Congrats on your enshrinement in Mamba24's blog hall of fame. It's a great day to be a Laker fan.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 14, 2008 at 11:11 AM
My man Floyd!
Posted by: Charles | April 14, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Xodus - yes, you are right - a lot of people are NBA fans.
Today, I am a fan of Seattle and Queens because they came through over the weekend. Tomorrow, I am all Lakers. And Wednesday I am a Clippers, Grizz and Blazer fan. After April 19, there is only the forum blue and gold, baby!!!
LET's GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 14, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Mamba,
Put me on both lists. This is a time for rejoicing (happy birthday Pig and happy two-fisted defeat of Hornets and Spurs)... and anticipating more rejoicing in June.
But even if we don't pull the O'Brian trophy out of the Buss-Kupchak-Kobe-Pau-Lamar hat, let's rejoice for the most fascinating playoffs in the history of the game and the fact that we'll be n° 1, leading the pack, centerpiece of glory, with this year's MVP to boot.
The boredom of the East will provide a good foil to the excitement of the West.
Posted by: Tsphere | April 14, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Hollinger isn't a Kobe hater. He's a statistic lover. And man is he faithful to his bride. You won't catch him in adultery!
Posted by: Tsphere | April 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM
AK/BK: Congrats to D-Fenders for their upcoming playoff run....
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/playoffs_2008.html
LET's GO LAKERS and all affiliates!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM
ThaShow where you been brother we been missing you
on the Blog.
*__________________________________*
16 WINS TO CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON
*__________________________________*
(01) VMAN - Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Scout
(03) ADAM – Director of Win 15
(04) KEIFO – Riding ShotGun
(05) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL – Will attend win 16.
(06) ADAM – Taught L.O. to shoot with Right hand.
_______________________________*
MITCH KUPCHAK EXECUTIVE OF
THE YEAR BANDWAGON
_______________________________*
(1) JANAYA - OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) JON K. – RIDING SHOT GUN
(3) MAMBA24 – Voted 5 times
(4) JOE DUBB
(5) LAL LAKERFAN –
(6) ADAM – Personal Rep. Of Mitch
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY “PIG” MILLER BANDWAGON
*----------------------------------------------------------------*
(01) MAMBA24 – Driver & Owner
(02) TOAD – Rifing ShotGun
(03) MILO RAMBALDI – Team Prophet
(04) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(05) THE OUTLAW – Will give up Vegetarianism for Troll meat.
(06) ADAM – Has a secret Troll BarBQue sauce
(7) RICK FRIEDMAN – Troll fighter Supreme
(8) ADAM – New volunteer to the Troll fight
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 14, 2008 at 11:22 AM