Yikes! My bad
Sorry LakersBloggites, but I won't be able to post a full extra today (fortunately, most of what went on in Friday night's 112-108 win over the Mavs is in the postgame breakdown). But I do have time for a quick story that'll likely make at least some of you smile.
AK and I have a buddy in the media who is from Dallas and remains a huge Mavs fan. So we're back in the media room at halftime, Dallas up by ten and outplaying LAL, and we're joking with him, expecting him to start talking some trash. Instead, he's all somber. "I've seen this game before. The Lakers will be close in the fourth quarter, Kobe will take over, and we'll lose." How's that for fatalism! Except he was right. The Mavs couldn't hold the lead, and while it wasn't Kobe piling up points that did it (in the fourth, he only took one shot, but made Dallas pay for overplaying him as LO, Pau Gasol, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic scored all the points), our friend got the rest of the script correct.
With the win, the Lakers clinch a playoff berth. Playoff tix are on sale at Ticketmaster.
Go UCLA, and not just because a Bruins win clinches a win in my pool... but a lot because of that.
BK
got my nba finals tickets today. This is the third year in a row I've bought tickets for nba finals. Hopefully i can finally use them this year...
Posted by: Gabe | April 05, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Observations....
The defensive sequence of the game was Jordan Farmar blocking Jason Terry's shot attempt and then he came right back a knocked the ball out of bounds on the attempted inbounds pass!!
I still can't believe the Lakers paid $60 mil for Luke Walton & "Vlad Rad" Wow?!?!
I like the lineup that closed the game last night;
1 spot -- Farmar
2 spot -- Sasha
3 spot -- Kobe
4 spot -- LO
5 spot -- Pau
I doubt we'll win the ring this year, although, the LakeShow is the most talented team (when healthy), but talent alone won't win a championship. I expect them to reach the Western Conf. finals this year, but look out NBA because barring any major injuries they look strong for the next 5-7 years!!
If Luke & Vlade are worth $60 mill, what's LO worth??
GO LAKERS!!
GO DODGERS!!
Posted by: Laker Dodger Die Hard Fan In Upstate NY | April 05, 2008 at 11:25 AM
That is funny BK. I am winning my pool as well and a win by UCLA will clinch for me too. GO Bruins.
For all you who wanted to trade lamar odom, I hope this game appeased you. Lamar Odom is the perfect 3rd or 4th option. The guy who is willing to do all the little things and score when he has too. He plays great with Pau because when he drives now the other team big man is not coming over to help. They are staying with Pau which allows him to abuse the smaller sf/pfs.
For the love god what happened to radmonvic. He is so slow on defense. We really need some athletcism at that SF position. Luke is smart but barely athletic. Radmonvic needs to only be used when he hot. Give him 3 shots and take him out if he doesnt make 2/3. Ariza really can't get back soon enough.
Posted by: Shan | April 05, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Lamar Odamn was he good!
Also, what's this news I hear about Bynum missing the rest of the regular season?
Posted by: never | April 05, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I am very nervous about Memphis, but I still have faith in my Bruins.
Someone needs to kidnap Andrew Bynum and take him to a different trainer. I'm sure Faith would do a fine job.
GO BRUINS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 05, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I believe that Bynum will get some minutes against NOH and SAS. Even if it's 5 to 10 minutes, it may pay off later in the playoffs.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 05, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Bynum has to be careful of Bruce Bowen as Bruce will probably try to undercut Bynum.
Posted by: never | April 05, 2008 at 12:44 PM
This is season they will call "THE MOTHER OF ALL SEASONS". It is a proverbial Clash of the Titans. Celtics ( three headed monster Garnett trio), Pistons (the machines), Dallas (fallen warriors, brings an old comrade full circle-Kidd), Spurs (wise and crafty, inability to win back to back), Phoenix (o'neal in sunset trying to sunrise the team/ team inability to advance to finals), Lakers (kobe trade demands, kupcheck on the hot seat, buss called out, jackson orchestrating to keep kobe instead of wanting to trade him, bynum waking up to his potential, fisher back, and trade for pau...all wrapped in kobe stating at initial team gathering he explained ""i am kobe bryant and i want to win the title"".
And here we are. Assured of the playoffs, in the "MOTHER OF ALL SEASONS"
Posted by: laker prophet | April 05, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Great, exciting game last night. Some thoughts....
Lamar Odom has channeled his inner warrior and has truly become a better and different player in the past few months. For a long time I've thought that the Lakers didn't have enough toughness. Lamar is putting those fears to rest for me. LO is our tough guy. He is in the middle of the rebounding scrums, battling and clawing...doing all the dirty work. Props, Lamar!!! If he plays like this throughout the playoffs, the Lakers will be a very tough opponent for any team they face.
Kobe was masterful last night. He showed great poise and leadership down the stretch. He got several "hockey" assists down the stretch and allowed his teammates to shine in bringing the game home. After Sasha turned the ball over with that bad pass to Kobe late in the fourth, Kobe went over to him and helped him up off the floor and gave him some words of encouragement rather than chew his azz out. Moments like that go a long way towards team unity.
Pau certainly elevates this team to a different plane. Can't wait to see what a healthy Bynum will bring to the table to complete the Laker feast!
The energy that Sasha and Jordan brought down the stretch was invaluable. Both of these guys are earning their stripes in pressure situations. This isn't the first time that Sasha has helped close the game with clutch free throws. They both have earned Phil's trust.
Of concern, however, was the poor defensive showing in the first half. The Lakers have a habit of waiting until they are in a big hole to turn up the defensive intensity. It is almost as if defeat has to be staring them in the face before they get serious. They need to approach games with purpose and aggression on defense from the opening tip.
Jon Barry needs to get over the fact that the Lakers had no need for him once Kobe Bryant arrived. His vitriol towards Kobe makes him seem petty and small-minded. He and that other referee apologist, Mike Breen were practically lobbying for a technical against KB24. Jon obviously has an axe to grind concerning Kobe and it's definitely slanting his analysis.
Sorry for the long post, but I needed to vent after such an exciting game!!
MY TEAM WIN OR LOSE!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 05, 2008 at 01:07 PM
I gotta admit...I love watching the Mavs implode along the sidelines. Josh Howard throws a headband and the Little General is all over his case on front street for all the world to see! I just can't see the marriage of Avery and Billion Dollar Baby (Cuban) lasting past this season, unless the Mavs miraculously right the ship.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 05, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Schedule favors the Lakers for tomorrow's game in SacTown....Sac plays Denver tonight and will have to travel home for the second game of a back to back.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 05, 2008 at 01:47 PM
What happened to us Suns fans?
no posting after a Laker win??
I guess we are a bunch of Trolls...
Posted by: Fire69 | April 05, 2008 at 02:12 PM
all this concern about "chemistry" when AB gets back is much ado about nothing. the Lakers run a SYSTEM. AB knows the system, as do the rest of the team. it's just like Pau being able to immediately step in and be productive, he knows how to play the game and is about winning so he can step right in. it will be the same for AB. the adjustment period will be short, he'll help the team immediately. it's just a matter of players willing to play a role and then plugging themselves into the role.
Posted by: man | April 05, 2008 at 02:39 PM
At Cleveland.
Orlando 101 Cleveland 86 (42-35) Final
Race to the MVP stat line.
James 6-22 17 pts
7 rebs 9 assists 5 TO’s
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 05, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Guy knows his stuff.
The Mamba is the ace in the hole.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | April 05, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Toni here in Memphis. Good win for the Lakers. I guess today I'm on different sides from all you Bruins fans. Tommorrow I wil be back to the Lakers. Hope you are enjoying the game. Go Lakers Go Tigers
Posted by: TONI | April 05, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Hey 'BronxLakerFan"
Glad to see I'm not the only NY Laker Fan bloggin' from the empire state!!
Much NY love to the LakeShow!!
GO LAKERS!!
GO DODGERS!!
Posted by: Laker Dodger Die Hard Fan In Upstate NY | April 05, 2008 at 05:59 PM
When the Lakers win it automatically opens a can of TrollbeGone spray. Works every time.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 05, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Well, lookie at that, Denver lost to Sacramento.
Maybe we should take that team a wee bit seriously, eh?
Posted by: Teej | April 05, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Will Ron Artest and B. Miller play tomorrow???
Posted by: Jac | April 05, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Shan,
Lamar's game last night didn't appease me.
His consistent very strong play and tendency to play better near the end of the season and in the playoffs sure does though.
I feel okay about doubting him earlier in the season (because I felt it was the right analysis at the time given his history), but I'm sure happy to have been proven wrong by the people that thought his inconsistency would fade.
Helluva game last night.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 06, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Laker Dodger Die Hard Fan In Upstate New York....
Thanks for the shout out!!! I'm a long time Laker fan who always reads this blog, and will occasionally comment when time allows. We Laker fans are all over and are very serious about our team.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 06, 2008 at 06:55 AM