About as positive a loss as they come
Realistically speaking, the undefeated ride would come to an end at some point. And tonight's game 3, which took Utah back to its turf for the first time in the series, struck me as logical a time as any for the Lakers to get hung with an "L." The dust settling on a 104-99 Jazz victory proved that instinct unfortunately correct. But like the title suggests, this loss doesn't bug me much as a Laker fan. Yes, there were negatives. Pau Gasol, save about the final three or so minutes of action, spent the game getting pushed around in the paint on both ends (which often led to some turnovers). The backup backcourt of Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar (often torched by Deron Williams) went a combined 0-9 from the field for a combined goose egg in the scoring column. The Lakers turned the ball over 18 times and hit only five of their 23 attempts from downtown.
But despite these issues, despite the Lakers playing often at their worst and Utah vice versa, the Jazz could never put away the Lakers for good. The purple and gold execution was often hinky, but the energy and spirit was always there. Kobe Bryant, overcoming a slow first half, set the final 24 minutes' tone with a killer performance that featured the majority of his 34 points and a few SportsCenter worthy buckets. His teammates eventually followed suit and put some legit screws to their opponents. It turned out to be a little too little, a little too late, but more "late" than "little." The Lakers' worst effort, and the Jazz couldn't pounce all over it. If I'm the Lakers, I'm neither thrilled nor satisfied with the box score, but I'm not be losing sleep over it, either.
AK
Good Morning Lakers Nation
We lost, 'gulp' to the Neanderthals* last night, and guess what?
Its still a good day to be a Lakers Fan.
* Sorry if I have offended any Neanderthals with that comparison. Of course there is nothing wrong with being a Neanderthal.
PS. Mamba24 - I suspect the Nation might need an extra dose of some special Mamba24 treatment today. Use your healing, massage like powers to ease away any hurt we might have.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 10, 2008 at 07:26 AM
AA Los:
It's the matter of how we lost the game last night that bother me. Lack of interior defense killed us last night. The Lakers rode Kobe & Walton to keep the game close toward the end but couldn't control the board and allows Boozer to get two key offensive rebounds in which he score. That late basket off his miss free throw is a killer. Lack of production from Pau & the Machine did bother me. It should be their time, but no one answers the bell last night. They play soft and careless with the balls. Jordan Farmar played like he's still with the UCLA in the playoff.
I'm sure PJ would make needed adjustments. Turiaf provides toughness off the bench and deserves more time on the floor. I don't know how we can resolve the problem at the point. Lakers needs a more reliable point guard off the bench when Derek got in foul trouble or resting. Jordan is a big bust in the playoff thus far.
To Jazzers, I hope your team is ready for the payback tomorrow. Kobe will not allow the team to go back with the 2-2 records.
Posted by: Wallace | May 10, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Faith,
>>> The crowd didn't bother us, we bothered us.
While I agree with you that there are no moral victories, only wins and losses, I do think the crowd figured into the game on Friday night. Rarely have we ever seen this Laker team lose its poise, the way they did. I actually find myself hating the Utah fans more than the guys on the floor, who were literally doing a "bang-up" job.
In his column today, Plaschke calls out Gasol in a manner that can only be described as eloquent. I've been posting about this danger zone for days. Even in the Laker victories, Gasol was getting "owned." Jerry Sloan saw it, too, and had his guys step up the pressure on Big Bird. It payed off for them. Ronny, for all his physical limitations, outplayed Gasol every minute he was on the floor in both Game 2 and Game 3. Too bad Ronny can't stay out of foul trouble or he'd likely see more minutes.
How will Gasol respond? He's no more tested in playoff intensity than everyone on the team except Kobe and Fish. The even bigger problem is that as goes Gasol, so goes Lamar. Lamar's effectiveness to a large part depends on how Pau is playing. So this is a double whammy.
PJ's challenge between now and Sunday is to prepare this squad mentally. We fans have to believe that after a regular season of consistency and excellence, that one bad game won't throw the Lakers off their mark. We have to come home from Salt Lake City with a split. Anything less would be a bad omen for the playoffs future. Any bets? Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 10, 2008 at 07:39 AM
The last 2 games showed that Farmar is not our future PG. He is more about himself and plays out of control with no defense. Sasha has much more potential but he needs to better finish around the basket. The Lakers should have sent Jordan to Memphis.
Also, Gasol needs to set closer to the basket for his post moves in Game 4.
Posted by: SassPro | May 10, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Its time for Mr. Fatty's Neighborhood.
Good morning Lakers boys and girls.
Mr Fatty's word for the day is not really a word but numbers. Numbers are real important. We need to understand them especially when Mr. Police Man pulls you over for going 75 in a 55 zone. Can we say fine?
Todays numbers are 14 and 18. Can you say that?
Lakers had only a measly 14 assists and a terrible 18 turnovers. Do the math Lakers boys and girls.
14 assists + 18 TO's = One lousy Lakers loss
Mr. Fatty and his friend Mr. Complex Brother don't like those numbers. It means Mr. Fatty didn't sleep well and Mr. Complex Brother lost some money to some bad people on a bet.
Mr. Fatty says, we need to change those numbers and beat those Utah 'Muthas' on Sunday.
"Its a beautiful day in the Lakers Neighborhood, will you be, will you be mine?"
Mr. Fatty
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 10, 2008 at 08:02 AM
AK, that summary you gave of this game was absofrickinlutely perfect. It really puts the LA Times writers to shame. Seriously.
As for the game, Laker Nation just got reminded...it's NBA PLAYOFF TIME, BABY!!! Game on!
There's nothing like a loss in a playoff game to whack everyone's attention. Now we find out who's in it to win it, and who's just along for the ride. And the JAZZ are going to find out real soon (Jazzers, you should stay away from handling any sharp objects during the next game, dude).
Posted by: CornerJ | May 10, 2008 at 08:04 AM
It's time to see what we are made of, especially Gasol, Farmar, Radman and Vujacic. Who's going to step up?
Kobe, Fish, Lamar, Luke, Rony are representing. Let's go Euro's! Let's go Farmar! I say more minutes for Rony if Gasol and Radman don't learn to play physical play-off style ball.
Posted by: rdlee | May 10, 2008 at 08:35 AM
From the Salt Lake City Review Journal
The 'Answer Me This' Column
Dear Answer Me,
Watching the game last night, I noticed that some of the Jazz players (Harpring and Korver) looked and played like Neanderthals.
My question to you 'Answer Me' is, I thought Neanderthals were extinct, yet Utah seems to have several of them on their team. How is this possible?
Signed,
Tim - Fo - Show
Colorado
__________________________________________
Answer Me:
Dear Tim - Fo - Show,
While most NBA teams search the world for international talent. The Utah Jazz search the world for different and unique 'species'.
The Jazz strongly feel that they are the 'missing links' to a NBA Title. Plus they go along way to keeping the Jazz under the Salary Cap, seeing as they only work for bananas.
Korver, Neanderthal? I believe he his Cro-Magnan, but Harpring is definitely Neanderthal. (source: Jazz Media guide)
Signed,
Answer Me
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 10, 2008 at 08:36 AM
If Farmar continues to struggle on both the offensive and defensive end, Phil should consider having Lamar bring up the ball and run the offense when Fisher needs a breather. Lamar is a very capable defender and I think his length will bother Williams if he indeed guards him. You would have Turiaf and Gasol to defend Bozeer and Okur. (not too comfortable with Gasol on Okur). When a player guards Brewer, don't try to jump the passing lanes, his shooting is average at best and he is a finisher at the rim.
Most importantly someone needs to knock Harping to the floor.
Posted by: Tom | May 10, 2008 at 08:41 AM
thehammer - watching the game on your laptop while playing in a show?! that's a true fan!! flea take note! (is there such a thing as video-feed goggles?)
Posted by: dave m | May 10, 2008 at 08:42 AM
AK/BK -
Can you guys disallow re-posts? And posts that correct a previous post's grammatical errors? It's like a kindergarten classroom in here sometimes.
Cheers.
Posted by: the guy who never sticks with one name, and then comes up with one so long you can't really address | May 10, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Taking my lead from thehammer, and as we catch our collective breath after last night's activities, I'd like to introduce myself to this board.
I was born, raised and lived for 40 years in LA. Spent the last 10 up here in the central valley amongst warrior/queens fans. This blog, the comments and especially the video links have been very much appreciated. The Bros ABK do an excellent job describing the Laker games and surrounding scene. Thanks!
The relationships that develop on a board like this aren't too important to me. I mostly like the one-liner exhortations to our team to D-up or score, stomp, rip, whatever it takes...It's like being in the stands at Staples.
That's it. Carry on kids and as always
GO LAKERS ! ! !
Posted by: Stockton_Showtime | May 10, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Lets do it to them like they did it to us last year. We won an emotional game 3 at home after losing games one and two on the road.
The emotion being spent in game 3, the Suns beat us in game 4.
I think we get better games from Fisher and Pau and we get the game 4 win in Utah.
Wes
Posted by: | May 10, 2008 at 09:34 AM
If Jazz fan were I, very worried would I be.
Posted by: Master Yoda | May 10, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Yoda thinks, thank goodness Lakers not trade for Boozer. Boozer most overrated forward in league after Melo? Yoda thinks so. Boozer, unable to make any play without fouling, most just are not called. Boozer very lucky in that regard.
Posted by: Master Yoda | May 10, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Fatty,
Thanks! Excellent post. I think I understand now, but I still think Utah might be missing a few links.
Either way, I'm sure they'll be extinct very soon.
Oh yeah, don't worry about offending the neanderthals. It happens all the time.
It's so easy, even a caveman can do it.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 10, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Why not change the starting line up?
PG- Fisher
SG- Kobe
SF- Odom
PF- Turiaf
C- Gasol
or
PG- Fisher
SG- Kobe
SF- Walton
PF- Odom
C- Gasol
utilize Mihm ,Mbenga or Newble for some toughness inside. i mean hard fouls
Posted by: Botsoy | May 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Good Morning Guys,
Ak that was a great thread post! Off to the next game! If that's all Utah has, I am not worried. The 16 win march will take a different road.
Posted by: Charles | May 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Fatty,
I've also noticed that the Jazz are comprised of many men who could be described as "forward in the brow." I'm surprised that they can all speak so clearly. I'm sure that on the court it must feel like playing ball with a small clan of cavemen.
In other new, Andre Kirilenko may currently be the ugliest man living.
Give it to the Jazz. They beat us, and were the better team last night. Lakers gotta get the turnover straight, and get Pau involved more. I'm sure both will happen.
Snort
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 10, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Last night kobe showed his true colors once again as an arrogant, self-centered prima donna who simply cannot mesh his talent with a level-headed mentality because of hubris. Because he is better than his teammates, he thinks he is a superior human being as well. I never saw D-Wade expressing disgust with his team on the floor - if you have to do it, go behind closed doors.
It's for this reason that I don't see kobe leading a team very far. He has such talent but is flawed by being too self-centered to help lift his team to greatness. In this way, he is much closer to Pippen than he ever will be to Magic or Jordan.
You have to hand it to Boozer - he outscored and outrebounded gasal and odum all by himself.
Posted by: BUTLER | May 10, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I don't think we can win a title since we didn't sweep the Jazz! The Jazz Suck!!!! We should have beaten them by at least 15!!
Posted by: KB24 | May 10, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Fairweather Fatty, is it true that Harpring and Korver just signed a deal to do the Geico Caveman commercials?
Posted by: CornerJ | May 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
After watvhing the first half I felt the lakers were in trouble Gasol getting hacked and striped and complaining way to much. Gee if he could have put as much effort in his game I think they would have pulled it off. And Farmar wasn't ready to come into the game, and never got going same as the machine wasn't pluged in. Besides all this I feel they will rebound in game four.
Go Lakes
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | May 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
"But despite these issues, despite the Lakers playing often at their worst and Utah vice versa, the Jazz could never put away the Lakers for good. The purple and gold execution was often hinky,*** but the energy and spirit was always there***..."
Was it? Kobe had it, obviously. However, there were too many tips, strips, keepalives and putbacks by Jazz bigs over Laker bigs to convince me that LAs frontcourt matched the "energy and spirit" of Utah counterparts. And it *wasn't* just Gasol who appeared lacking.
LO snagged a dozen boards but were they in traffic? Against Boozer who, on his end, hauled 20? How many uncontested 3s did Okur get off? DItto Rad, another frontcourt non-presence.
The entire frontcourt played soft and the Lakers did *not* -- as a team -- match Utah's energy.
Slippery words on slippery slopes: "Oh well, everyone's entitled to 1 off night."
True; and any team who feels "entitled" to lose is just as entitled to an early offseason.
The Jazz will be even hungrier in Game 4. Sloan is a predator.
Et tu Lakers?
Posted by: rocksalt | May 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM
corner j, Tim-Fo, Pig
Did you notice all the 'sections' the Jazz had in the stands?
The "Boozers Boppers!" section. His gift to underpriviledged children. Very nice.
Sloans section - "Jerry's Kids" right behind the Jazz bench.
They used to have banners that said, "Its so easy, a caveman can do it" but Korver, Harpring, and AK led a protest to tear it down.
And did you see the Utah Cheerleaders perform at halftime?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2AN7kBQOsw
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 10, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I'm with Botsoy...but now at the beginning of the game. DWill seems to lead big runs during his return from rest in both the 1st and 2nd halves. II think we'll see a high energy line-up of:
Kobe on DWill
Sasha on Brewer or Korver
Luke on AK47 or Harpring
LO on MeMeat
and
Rony on the Booze-man
This high energy line-up can play half court D, rebound, run, and run the triangle. DWill gets them going on their runs. Why not let you best defender shut him down for 5 minutes during each half to get things back under control.
I'm just sayin...
Posted by: bruzer | May 10, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Guess I should proofread these things. Now should be not in the first sentence and you should be your in the last. I've never seen two letters change the meaning of a post so much.
Posted by: bruzer | May 10, 2008 at 04:07 PM
How would the NBA make any money if the Lakers sweep every team. We have to make it look interesting and give the fans of the other team hope. Looking at the team from outside the box the Lakers just have too much talent to loose this series. Even though, I still believe this game is just another business. As a fan, I hope they can match their leader, Kobe Bryant's energy then they will win game 4 and finish this in 5. But then again this is still another business about making money.
Posted by: Vegas Baby!!! | May 10, 2008 at 10:26 PM
My question to you 'Answer Me' is, I thought Neanderthals were extinct, yet Utah seems to have several of them on their team. How is this possible?
Signed,
Tim - Fo - Show
Colorado
Did you see Jurasic Park?
Found remains of Neanerthals and cloned them!!! Ha HA
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 11, 2008 at 01:28 AM
Kobe-MVP-Now Then-18yr old- Now-give the guy a break-
Well he played through pain,this is nothing Lakers in Seven.
Posted by: Ullysses | May 13, 2008 at 04:23 PM
I think PAU GAYSOFT needs to be a bench player next do walton. Geez, Can Phil Jackson put some steroids in his morning strawberry shake. Not only his afraid of taking mid range shots, but I am sure that my 87 yr old grandma has more strength than this gaysoft.
Posted by: Lakers Lova | June 11, 2008 at 09:13 AM