What's Spanish for "monkey shed from one's back?"
Give this much to Pau Gasol. When he finds himself in prime position to end a fruitless streak of playoff games, dude don't eff around. Carrying an 0-12 clip into yesterday's brouhaha against Denver, El Spaniard brought his A-est of A-games to help manufacture a 128-114 victory. 36 points on 14-20 shooting, 100% at the stripe (8-8), 16 boards, 8 dimes, 3 swats, an outcome reminiscent of the big man assistance Kobe Bryant used to receive back in the day. Gasol's ability to take over the paint came in large part due to George Karl's decision to have power forward Kenyon Martin guard Kobe, a tactic that made life tough on the Mamba, but sacrificed a vulnerable paint to Gasol's talents.
Lamar Odom found oodles of opportunities offered inside en route to his 17/14 tally. Even small forwards were able to capitalize on the mismatches K-Mart's assignment created, as Luke Walton poured in 16 off the bench, often posting up smaller Denverians now forced to guard him on the blocks. Throw in a fantastic display of team-wide ball movement and the Nugs spent much of the game on their heels.
As one might guess, both a catalyst and recipient of the crisp passes was Gasol, who often made snapping his tough history a seemingly sweat-free affair (even if the mission was one of King Kong-sized weight). Especially when compared to the Nuggets' collective conscious, which was mostly hot and bothered,
complete with technicals, flagrants and early showers, perfectly mirroring the temperature of their team bus. If Pau's ability to handle pressure was being questioned due to the Memphis fizzles, consider that debate closed. For that matter, any worries of a Laker letdown appear unprompted, at least for the time being.
The winning box score was the first step along the road to what the NBA hopes (whether they admit it or not) will be a Lakers-Celtics finals.
It's obviously too early to start making "Beat Boston" signs, but the fans' hopes were certainly buoyed after a victory so one-sided that even the town's resident cynic couldn't find much to mock. While emphasizing again that work in need of finishing still remains, Staples hasn't felt so "2000-2002" since, well, 2000-2002.
Justin N,
"Looks like Kobe won the mvp and it's official?
http://www.nba.com/awards2008/
Check out the column on the right hand side."
No, that's just Rob Peterson of NBA.com's pick. If you look, the "official" column is blank. They won't officially announce the MVP for probably a week, I'm guessing.
Manu, however, was just officially named the 6th Man of the Year, in a vote that should surprise roughly nobody.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 21, 2008 at 10:41 AM
That's Phil and Lamar on a Six Flags ride. O face?
Posted by: Charles | April 21, 2008 at 10:43 AM
What a great morning and weekend that was Laker Nation. MAMBA24 -- please throw me on the bandwagon -- But I don't know if you have enough room for my baggage.
Quick Notes:
1. Lay off Kobayashi -- if there is anything I know, is that the man's a Killa.
2. Like I posted before the playoffs -- Don't worry Suns fans, your record against the Spurs in the regular season means everything, and the Spurs don't know how to win big games or defend Shaq.
3. Pau is much better offensively than I though he was. But we are going to need D in the conf. finals v. SA. AB if you can play -- Laker Nation needs you in about 4 weeks.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 21, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Gueco,
agreed man...
These cats in Ann Arbor swear Boston is the sickest team ever...
But playing a tough game every nite is a different reality...
I would love for the Lakers to take out the Celtics in 5 games...
Posted by: Korey | April 21, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Lamar may just be disappointed to discover that is not Phil's leg he's sitting on.
Or maybe phil has three legs?
Wes
Posted by: | April 21, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Justin N
You the man!
Posted by: Charles | April 21, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Even the Denver papers notice Kobe's impact on last night's game. The game is NOT only about shooting percentages, a stat the haters will stress to discredit Kobe's game.
For those of you who think Kobe should've penetrated more, Denver was playing one on one with Kobe on the perimeter, and zoning him with two players behind KMart at all times. Denver's main defensive strategy was to stop Kobe's penetration while giving him the outside shot. This strategy kept KMart out of the paint and freed up Gasol and Lamar. Sure, Kobe had a subpar shooting game by Kobe standards, but to say he did more damage than good is just being clueless and ignorant about the game.
He had 28 points and 1 turnover in the second half people, get a clue.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/
20/krieger-nuggets-weaknesses-get-exploited/
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 21, 2008 at 10:57 AM
"Even small forwards were able to capitalize on the mismatches K-Mart's assignment created".
If that's true, then however he performed, Kobe contributed massively to the win. We need to think of Kobe as a force similar to Shaq. It has often been said that however poorly he may play on any given night or at any point in his career, having Shaq in the middle is going to create serious problems for the other team. Kobe's the opposite but with the same effect. Having him on the floor, even when his shot is off, is going to mess with the other team's system and strategy.
The Suns picked up Shaq for that very reason. They don't expect him to produce the way he did early in his career, but they know that his just being there has value for the way it forces the other team to adjust.
Is it too much to suppose that having the kind of force Kobe represents on our team is something to be grateful for? And is it too demanding on some people's intelligence to consider why he has that effect on other teams? Instead we hear bloggers saying that Kobe is over-rated, that he contributes little, that the team plays better when he isn't on the floor. The reality is that NBA players overwhelming voted Kobe the player who scares them the most. Even on a bad shooting night!
The luxury of having a Kobe on your team is that if he's good and the others are having a bad night, we might still win. If he's bad he's still a positive factor in preparing a win.
There are days when Bill Gates makes less money than other days. But he still makes money! And the guy ain't in any immediate danger of getting poorer. That's what Kobe is for the Lakers.
Thelonious Sphere
Posted by: Tsphere | April 21, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Can't wait till game day.
I hope that I was wrong in the Predictathon. I picked the Lakers in 5. They just might sweep.
Sometimes being wrong is just wonderful.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 21, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Anyone who thought Kobe had a bad game last night then you don't know Basketball! The presence of Kobe on the floor created all those opportunities for everyone else
Posted by: zen | April 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Hi All:
A couple things stand out to me from the game and our comments this a.m.
1. I am worried as this series goes on about the fouls (not just T's or flagrants). Denver makes things chippy and brings the ability for our players to get into foul trouble. We had a lot of guys hitting the 4 foul mark too early in this game that it might hinder us later in the series or in a close/OT game when emotions, intensity and chippiness are high. I think we'd all agree we'd rather have at least 3 of our starters available in a tight game especially the MVP and the other 3-ring winner vs. the deepest end of our bench.
2. DEFENSE (go Faith). If we go 4 or 5 games playing little defense - I am afraid our players will think they can get away with the same attitude in the next round (not trying to think ahead). We need to clamp down and clamp down on D hard in the next game to send a message to Nugs and rest of league that we can play that game and we are serious contenders for the title.
I think if SA or NO see little D - they will be licking their chops......
3. I think KB24 was truly drawing out the defense and double teams. I think the plan was to get Pau a signature game to break through. We all know KB24 will have his day whenever he wants it. Making Pau the go to guy in game 1 is great strategy. And I LOVE that LO is under the radar. I think that was completely intentional as well. LO is becoming my rock/foundation player on this team. So goes LO, so goes the team....
LET's GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
"el mono está apagado mi espalda!"
literal translation: the monkey is turned off my back
Posted by: darock | April 21, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Skip Bayless is just interested in continuing his shtick. The Lakers literally run the Nuggets off the floor yesterday and he says the Nuggets are going to win 4 games.
He has no explanation for this other than saying the Nuggets are going to get hot...in 4 different games. Ignoring that the Lakers don't have to get hot because the Nuggets are going to let them score.
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Xodus,
Skip Bayless sucks!!! You're right Xodus because watching ESPNFirsttake this morning and listening to that idiot's explanantion as to why the Nuggets will win is the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my entire life when it comes to winning in the playoffs. He then agrees with Scoop Jackson when Scoop points out that both the Suns and the Nuggets have the same problems defensively which is why they won't win a title much less advance in the playoffs. Skip just proved again with his stupid, idiotic comments how much he loathes the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. He calls the Lakers show of emotions as "false bravado" when the Celtics especially KG have probably been the most demonstrative team this entire season!!! Even "his" Spurs as Skip the lip likes to call them were pumping their fists(Tim Duncan after his three pointer), jumping into eachother's arms after they beat the Suns in game 1. Skip the Stupid will continue to hate Kobe and the Lakers and will no doubt choose against them in every round. He'll dismiss that the Lakers have best road record in the West and say something like the Jazz have the best home record and can win the series if they steal a game in LA despite the Jazz having a terrible road record. Skip Payless Shoes is a douche.
Quick question. I pick Skip Hayless as the biggest Laker and Kobe hater out there among writers and the one that I hate the most. Who are other writers or analysts that you guys think fit the bill and that you dislike the most???
Thanks guys for your inputs. Good morning Charles, LakerTom, PsychedLakerGirl, Faith, Pig, JonK and the rest of the family. I salute Mamba24 as the Dean of this blog and the All-Seeing KBros. Go Lakers!!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 21, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Repost
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 21, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a poll for the MVP of the year. Let's make Kobe Bryant the one.
http://www.latimes.com/kareem
Posted by: Stephanie | April 21, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Purple Heart---thanks man--the kids and pets know don't they?
Charles---funny you should mention the corn row thing--I think somewhere Mike T. is indeed putting together a study that he will post in about three months--seriously though, I have indeed wondered which team has the most corn-rows per square inch of scalp and which player would win the coveted Corn Row King Award---an award that may turn out to be more valuable and relative than the MVP...
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | April 21, 2008 at 11:22 AM
AK/BK,
I asked you guys this yesterday, but I guess you missed it. Do you guys know if Drew is still doing one-on-one workouts or has he pulled back. And why doesn't he ever sit with the team during games.
It's OK if you guys aren't sure. I'm sure the team is keeping things pretty mum.
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Psyched Laker Girl,
"We had a lot of guys hitting the 4 foul mark too early in this game that it might hinder us later "
I don't think that is a problem in this series; this is where the team's depth and the coaching staff's flexibility would come into play. Unless two of the Lamar/Kobe/Gasol trio are in foul trouble at the same time, it shouldn't be an issue. Turiaf can sub for Odom or Gasol, it just changes the style of play somewhat. Odom and Kobe can play multiple positions; there is the option three-guard lineup, Fisher and Farmar are basically interchangeable.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM
When you talk of Lakers, they always refer to Kobe but not give any credit at all to Kobe. Here's what Mark Kriegel said about Kobe:
"The New Orleans Hornets, unlike the Lakers, can't afford to have Chris Paul take a half off. Chris Paul can't play decoy. He's not surrounded with the kind of talent Kobe Bryant has. It's not even close.
Forgive the digression. I now beg a pardon from each of you irate Laker fans. Though I may hate, don't hate me back. Rather, consider me a herald of your good fortune. This is great news for all of you who desperately need Bryant to get a ring without having to thank Shaquille O'Neal"
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8055992/Kobe-doesn't-need-to-go-it-alone-with-these-guys
I wish you all continue sending email on this Mamba hater, he's a rattler spinning for bad takes on Mamba. How about a bandwagon on Mamba hunters like sports columnists of LA Times, ESPN and Mark Kriegel...if they don't like Kobe, so why write an article about Kobe? Well, negativity attracts readership, it's all about ratings.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hoopshype Awards:
http://hoopshype.com/hoopshype_awards2008.htm
Posted by: Charles | April 21, 2008 at 11:27 AM
zen,
"Anyone who thought Kobe had a bad game last night then you don't know Basketball! The presence of Kobe on the floor created all those opportunities for everyone else"
Those are two unrelated items.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Nemaia Faletogo,
Morning! I believe Skip B is up there. I am hit or miss with Jim Rome.
Posted by: Charles | April 21, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Nemaia,
Skip is definitely the most annoying media personality. The guy never believes he's wrong and continues to say the same thing over and over again no matter how wrong he clearly is. I picked the Lakers in 5, but I'm hoping for a sweep so he'll look like more of an idiot.
I'm also rooting for the Suns to win because I picked them to win in 6 and because Skip slurping of the Spurs is disgusting. So really, I want them to shut the hell up. LOL
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I was talking to my brother-in-law yesterday about the Celtics. (My brother-in-law is a huge Cavilliars fan. I pity him for that.)
Anyway, I was saying to him that there's no way that anyone is going to be able to compete with the Celtics in the East and how I thought they'd be formidable against the Lakers in the Finals.
(Now, he's watched a LOT more Eastern Conference games than me.) He just shook his head and said knowingly to me, "No. Jon, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce just aren't winners. When it comes down to it. They're going to choke."
This kind of surprised me, especially since I've lobbied aggressively for Kevin Garnett to don the Purple and Gold, but he was quite adamant about his position. "Ray Allen, now HE'S a winner, but Garnett and Pierce aren't."
I said, "So, you think they've got a bit of the Chris Webber gene in them?"
He replied, "No, they're not THAT bad, but, yeah, when it comes down to it, last second shots, they defer. They're going to choke, just you wait and see. And, by the way, Doc Rivers? Most over-rated coach in the NBA."
Now, I have only seen a few Celtics games this year, so I don't think I'm qualified to make a solid assessment on this. Could I get some feedback from Laker Nation on this? Do you think my brother-in-law is off base here or not?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Who are other writers or analysts that you guys think fit the bill and that you dislike the most???
1. Michael Ventre
2. Tie for all LA Times writers
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 21, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Nemaia Faletogo,
Good morning! Yep, I think we all can agree Skip Bayless is a tool. Let's face it, the entertainment the sports media tries to convey is controversy and debate. SOMEBODY has to say something outrageous/stupid so other people can argue with them about it. It becomes tedious at times.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Xodus/Nemaia,
I don't even think it's as much about Bayliss "disliking the Lakers and Kobe" as it is maintaining his shtick, which is being the know-it-all contrarian. I saw his "First Take" segment and his "explanation" for sticking with Denver basically boiled down to "I took Denver before the series began because everyone else is saying Lakers, and I'll keep saying it because that's how I roll." It's pretty much that simple. Everything else about Denver "catching fire" and their D not mattering was just babble that he even barely seemed to buy.
Look, I don't think for a second that Denver "will" win the series, but I also don't think it's impossible. You don't win 50 games in the West without being good. They're a quality team and stranger things have happened (although not often). That being said, to actually PREDICT Denver to win is doing it simply to go against the grain (and maintain a "persona"). Period. There's absolutely no reason to think that would be the case and anybody claiming otherwise is either a diehard Nuggets fan or mugging for the camera.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 21, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Korey,
We play like we played against Denver on Sunday AND Kobe has good games (as opposed to ugly ones) AND Andrew Bynum is back healthy and jiving with the team...
Then we beat the Celtics in five games.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Nemaia: I don't think its so much hate as it is no conviction. JA Adande - something happened to him on his way out of LA. LA brought him the big time and he just doesn't look back - except of course to join the bandwagon which he is fully on right now. And I am not liking Jon Barry right now either. I think they are total flip/floppers.
Love the TNT guys - at least they seem to be fair and honest and tell you when they called something wrong.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 21, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I love conspiracy theories when we're on the winning side of the conspiracy...
So, we all know that David Stern is an evil man who worships money as his God...
That much said, what would be the MOST BENEFICIAL matchup in the NBA Finals? Which matchup would produce the most hype and offer the best advertisement opportunities for the broadcast?
I think the answer is clear.... CELTICS VERSUS LAKERS.
That's the matchup we all want. That's the matchup David Stern wants. That's the matchup the league wnats. That's the matchup the networks want. You know it. I know it.
So... I'm sure that of those people in power with all that money involved... no one would try to get that to happen, right?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Ex,
"Those are two unrelated items."
But you hate Kobe. Anything you say is null and void.
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 11:49 AM
GREAT GAME LAKER NATION!
I had a blast, a very entertaining game, I won't go into too much about it. One thing however...
LUKE WALTON, BABY! Hell yeah, he played great. The way he played last year prior to ankle misery. Posted up, hit open looks and played solid defense.
Let's get ready for Wednesday.
Go see Point Break Live...it's hilarious and if you do a good Keanu you might get to be in the show. I was.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 21, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Jon K,
With all due respect, in a perfect world, the Wizards would find a way past Cleveland, and then dethrown the Celtics. I would rather the Celtics go down before the finals than for us to lose to them once again...
If you're telling me it's a guaranteed win by LA, then okay, there's no one I'd rather beat, but not even I have that much confidence right now (get me Bynum and maybe I change my mind).
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 21, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Xodus,
"Do you guys know if Drew is still doing one-on-one workouts or has he pulled back. And why doesn't he ever sit with the team during games."
I haven't heard anything about Bynum pulling back his workouts, just his timetable. To the best of my knowledge, his workouts were only within the scope of what he could handle, so I'm not sure why anything would change. Mind you, I also haven't asked specifically about this, so I can't say for sure.
As for why Drew doesn't sit with them, I don't know for sure, but it's not uncommon for players to get treatment during games. Maybe that's what he's doing. At any rate, I wouldn't read anything into it.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 21, 2008 at 11:57 AM
AK,
I agree, he smirked a couple times during that segment like even he didn't believe what he was saying. I'm not looking to take money away from people in these tough economic times, but how the hell does someone get paid to just say the opposite of what logic dictates. I can predict what he's going to say before he says it. I only watch the show now to see what his opposition that day says.
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Jon K,
I think the same things once in a while when I watch the Celtics, but they're so good defensively and so deep it may not matter unless we get Bynum back and performing at 85% of where he was when he got hurt.
With Bynum and Ariza at full strength we'll be as good offensively as they are defensively, but we'll also be an underrated defensive team. It'd be an incredible dogfight. One of the greatest Finals matchups EVER.
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 12:01 PM
exhelodrvr,
I wouldn't say those are two unrelated items. Great play is not just about making your shots. Derek Fisher had a good game, but had a lot shot percentage and his stats weren't particularly impressive.
I think it's safe to say that Kobe played beneath his potential in the first half and then had a great fourth quarter.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 12:04 PM
AK/BK,
Walton's game has picked up recently (even before yesterday). Have you heard anything about how his ankle is doing?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Tim-4-Show,
I feel your pain.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
On Saturday's practice video, you could see AB in the background shooting with the other Lakers centers.
I was encouraged by that, but when PJ gave his, AB was at 6 and regressed to 2.5 report, I then became discouraged.
Argh!!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Fatty,
Is that the practice video on Lakers.com?
Posted by: Xodus | April 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Xodus,
Yeah, the idea of Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant in Celtics/Lakers uniforms fighting over a ring that might define their legacy... You can't write a better script.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Does Skip Bayless also think the Hawks will win their series, or does his contrarian viewpoints conveniently take a vacation when it doesn't deal with the Lakers or with Kobe?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Fairweather Fatty,
Hold on. This is news to me. Where did you hear that Andrew Bynum had regressed from a 6 to a 2.5 (on a 10 point scale I assume)?
What's this? How could this happen?
I need answers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Robyn,
Regarding Sasha/Jordie feud:
Just watched the Tivo replay of the late 3rd Farmar buzzer beater.
Farmar was at the top of key. Sasha was in the corner waiting for a pass. He wasn't quite open, besides it was too early to take the shot.
Farmar passes to LO, LO fakes the drive and dishes to a wide open Farmar. Sasha was wide open but no time to pass.
I could see several Lakers on the floor not reacting, but the bench did.
As to tension between the two, I haven't noticed it. Have you seen any reports on it from other writers?
Maybe AK/BK have some insight to share?
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 21, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Xodus,
I believe it was. I linked from another site to it.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 21, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Fairweather Fatty,
Do you think Sasha and Farmar's mutual urge to huck up a three at a moment's notice might stem from a drive to out-do each other?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 21, 2008 at 12:19 PM
It could be a 15 game series, and I don't think the Nuggets would win 4 games.
Go Lakers!
Lakers are coasting, and the Suns/Spurs have to battle it out. This is GREAT!!!!
Posted by: frank1rizzo | April 21, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Exhelo - I'm just saying - as the series goes on and we get drawn into stupid fouls, I don't want the game on the line or going into OT with Turiaf, Newble, Mihm, Walton and Farmar being the alternatives on the floor. And all of this was taking place on our home court!! In DEN, we won't get the calls.
Nugs will probably pull Martin off KB24 Wed. and put him back in the post where he can be far more physical and thug-like. That means Pau and LO will be more susceptible to the ticky/tak fouls. KB24 will start penetrating and he could get a couple of bad foul calls.
I am changing my nickname from Nugs to Thugs and sticking with this theory. It's going to be a lot more physical and it will be interesting to watch the Laker's composure with each game.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 21, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Jon K,
I respectively disagree with your BIL. All players are "chokers" (a word I really detest) until they win it, and all players who win it the first time start somewhere. The same lable was hung on Shaq and Kobe from 1996 to 2000.
The Celtics have zero competition in the east for the conf. title. The Lakers will need everything they have to beat them. The Spurs have no chance against them.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 21, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Jon K,
I read that part on a pre-game article as a quote from PJ. Can not remember from which of the hundreds I read, which one it was.
Somebody here will surely remember.
I know I read it. I'll start looking.
Jon K - Was at a business meeting in Orlando last week. Our rep from Cleveland was their, A Big Lakers Fan. He said concerning Cleveland people, there are two types. Those who have left and those who want to leave.
He can't wait for a transfer. Sorry Cleveland people.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM