As we wait for the tip...
Instead of slogging through every and all Laker-centric article floating around cyberspace, I thought I'd link a particularly interesting few and focus more on some topics I consider of importance for today's Game 4 against Utah. Hopefully, that'll do for the Lakers Blog community.
- The purple and gold mind-set after the first obstacle: The streak was fun and, in my opinion, established the Lakers as the team to beat during this playoffs. But that assessment only holds true if these Lakers are as adept at overcoming adversity as they are rolling over opponents. And "adversity" might be a little strong, because even squads that snag an O'Brien get tagged with an "L" along the postseason way. But that's sort of my point. If the Lakers treat the loss as the cost of doing business and go back to handling theirs, it's all Kool and the Gang. As I wholeheartedly stressed after the loss, the Jazz played at the top of their game, with the Lakers at the bottom of theirs, and it was still a tight contest. In some ways, Utah should be hit wth more doubts than L.A. But if the Lakers make the fall into something bigger than it is and overthink what's been working, that's where problems begin. Personally, I'm not expecting a panic- or doubt-stricken mode, because there's no logical reason for such a vibe. But it's still worth keeping an eye on.
- Pau Gasol: Much was made, deservedly, about the issues Gasol encountered when the series shifted to the confines of a Utah court where the Jazz's physical play is more likely to pass with a whistle in a referee's throat. Truth be told, dude had it handed to him. But as Fleetwood Mac famously sang, "yesterday's gone." The guy didn't gain acclaim an All-Star caliber player through random darts flung about. If Gasol can let the poor showing go and get all Anton Chigurh on the Jazz -- He watched "No Country for Old Men" after the loss -- with some matched intensity, all will be forgotten.
- Jordan Farmar: A solid argument can be made that no Laker is suffering a tougher playoffs than Derek Fisher's backup. In particular, his shot has been brutal. Two "0-fer" games in this current series and no three-ball made since Game 1 against Denver. Obviously, Farmar needs to get himself back on track. What I'm hoping, however, is that his approach doesn't equal firing early and often from outside in an attempt to "get it going," which is what I thought could be happening at times over the last few games. Game 3 saw Farmar launch one trey early as all get out in the shot clock and from about five feet behind the arc. Not exactly a high percentage shot likely to kick start a groove. Aside from trying to rediscover that touch with attacks of the rack, I'd like to see Jordan taking Jerry Sloan's advice to a then-struggling Carlos Boozer. When the baskets don't come, instead of desperately seeking that offense, find your game by doing everything else needed of you. In Jordan's case, that would be setting the table for his hotter teammates and concentrating even harder on his D (and not just because Deron Williams' schooled him when Fish's foul trouble forced him into increased minutes against the top flight point guard).
- Lamar Odom: Odom's caught some heat over "taking only three shots" against Utah. It's actually a little misleading, since he also attempted eight freebies, meaning four other goes at the basket that neither fell nor counted in the "FGA" column. But the general consensus that he needs to look to shoot more often holds true. It's not that LO was entirely unaggressive during Game 3. Just not quite as aggressive as need be. There's a difference.
- Turnovers: I could go for fewer than Friday's 18, but I'm funny like that. When this Lakers squad doesn't get all butterfingery, they're oft deadly.
My prediction? The Lakers regroup, Sasha Vujacic doesn't throw up another donut and the Purple and Gold come out of a hard-fought battle with a tight win. But that's just one man's opinion.
A few looks at the game
- David Thorpe (Scouts Inc./ESPN) is predicting a repeat of Game 3's outcome.
- HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus sees this contest as potentially pivotal for both sides.
- Sportshubla.com further examines some of what I brought up, plus a little more.
- And finally, ESPN's Chris Palmer has a very touching piece on reinstated Hornet Chris Anderson. As you can see, the Birdman's life (and the life of his family) is hardly peaches and cream since coming back to the NBA.
Subscribe to this Blog What is RSS?
OK LAKER NATION------- we gave them the last one, we ain't gonna give them any more....... LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED !!!!!!!! We gonna be playing in JUNE
Posted by: JAIMSYY | May 11, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Well, if it doesn't work out for unselfish Kobe this year I have an idea. There's a center in AZ that might play well with him. That's because we all know Kobe is ALL about winning (cough).
Posted by: frank | May 11, 2008 at 12:25 PM
anyone have a link...my city is in a state of emergency and all the channels are working except abc and pbs
Posted by: ankit | May 11, 2008 at 12:25 PM
That'll do pig, that'll do.
lol.
Posted by: Faith | May 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
link:
http://xssports.lhosting.info/
Posted by: Clobber | May 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
DFish w/early fouls again. Please Phil, put Sasha on Deron - not Farmar again!
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Deron is going to kill Jordan again and the Jazz will again have the momentum as Willans going amok.
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Doesn't look good. Kobe hurt. Fisher with 2 fouls. Farmar letting Williams do whatever he wants. Jeez.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Get Radmanovich and Farmar out of there! Ronny and Sasha would be huge improvements!
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I cannot stand Jordan Farmar's D.
It's like Smush Parker all over again!
Posted by: Faith | May 11, 2008 at 12:42 PM
PJ can be so stubborn. Why does he insist on using Farmar versus Williams when he knows Farmar is going to fail miserably? Put Kobe on Williams then but we need Kobe's energy on the offensive end.
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Looks like Phil is sticking with his "letting the guys play themselves out of this on their own" routine. The problem is, by the time they wake up, they're going to be down by 30. This smells like a butt-kicking blowout.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Farmar is showing ZERO energy on both defense and offense. He's just loafing along at less than half speed. What's the deal? If he at least hustled aggressively on offense, that might put pressure on Williams and wear him down for later in the game. If he doesn't get it in gear soon, he's going to be trade bait for sure next year.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Kobe, Ronny, and Walton are the only warriors on this team. Everyone else disappears when the going gets tough. Gasol, Odom, etc. just fade into the background. This does not bode well for this series. We had them by the throat and doubting if they could even play with us. Now they've got their mojo going and it's our guys who are hanging their heads, whining to the refs, and going quietly into the afternoon.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I don't like any player being hurt, even a Jazz. Feel bad for the kid but Turiaf was making a clean play and didn't deserve to be thrown out.
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Bum call on Ronny. The replay clearly shows him going for the block, but running into his body as he swung down. This doesn't help at all.
Also, Sasha in, Farmar out. Sasha hits a pair of threes within a minute or two. Add Sasha to the warrior list.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Odom 0 for 4 on free throws. Dang! Fisher gets 3rd foul on another ticky tack foul.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 01:19 PM
What the heck is going on?! Kobe misses 2 free throws. Lakers 4 for 13 on free throws already! Looks like one of those days.
But, hey...if we can come back somehow and take this game, it's the dagger for sure. Think positive, Laker Nation!
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 01:28 PM
It's a 24 minute game.
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2008 at 01:46 PM
I heard that in Utah's stadium, they really distract the opposing team. They even wave a big freakin flag while you're shooting freethrow. I don't know why they have to resort to dirty tactics, oh well its their court.
Posted by: LakerWillWin | May 11, 2008 at 01:59 PM
"I don't know why they have to resort to dirty tactics,"
because we're evil. Bwahahaha
Posted by: stock | May 11, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Wow. Looks like most of Laker Nation is AWOL today. I guess it's up to us, the Light Brigade to hold down the blogfort today.
Half a league, half a league, half a league onward...
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Is there anybody besides Kobe who can knock down a shot? Lamar has picked up his energy level. But there's not much energy in the rest of the team.
Three really crappy quarters over and we're only 4 points down. OK, who wants to win this thing?!
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Farmar blows coverage on Price. Basket and one. Farmar loses the ball at the other end. He's totally killing us.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Our Bench Mob has become the Bench Pussycats. Jazz bench is taking us apart, mainly with much higher energy level. With Kobe out, nobody on our team wants to take a shot.
Down 10 now. This game was winnable.
Posted by: CornerJ | May 11, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Holy s&*$. What a lackluster effort in Game 4. Lakes were a step slow and not nearly as aggressive as the Jizz. I fully expect the Lakers to be pissed for Game 5 and come out with serious authority.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | May 11, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Boy, you talk about blowing an opportunity. The Lakers did just that. This game was being given to them but, they refused to snatch it. Think about it...if Walton simply dunks the wide open pass he gets when all alone, The Lakers win it. If they make only one more foul shot they missed during regulation, they win it. If the refs see D Williams go over & back in the 4th qtr and call it, they win. If Kobe realizes Lamar was unstoppable and defers to him in OT, they win it. If Jordan Farmar could make an uncontested layup, they win. So many ifs, so many buts remain unanswered due to them. Guys, this isn't brain surgery you're doing here, just go out there and play. But, remember to have fun doing it and it'll all work out for you.
Posted by: Tony | May 11, 2008 at 11:55 PM
That pedophilia infested state cannot beat the Lakers, can it??
Posted by: Che | May 12, 2008 at 08:52 AM
too bad Ronny got ejected but Im glad he brings the physical game against those ogres in Utah.
Posted by: winston | May 12, 2008 at 10:34 AM