Around the blogosphere - Reaction to Game 1
Despite the fact that we, as a group, are dedicated to cruelty and journalistic dishonesty, it's always fun to check around the blogs for reaction to what's a-goin' on. So with that in mind, click below for a big ol' roundup.
BK
My Utah Jazz, CB Jack: "...I can't say that the Lakers really won this game, but more that the Jazz lost it. If Matt Harpring would have pulled himself out of the game we could be up 1-0. He played horrible. Between his play, Kyle Korvers inability to hit anything outside of a free throw, and CJ Miles committing the worst foul in NBA history, the Jazz were right in this game. I believe I counted 6 straight possessions where KK and Harp screwed the pooch and missed 15 foot jumpers and layups.
"The officiating crew was poor at best. Both teams have to agree that the calls were extremely inconsistent. Touch fouls, followed by no calls. I know it's the
playoffs and games need to be played out, but I just want to see
consistency ... on both ends of the floor ..."
Ball Don't Lie, Kelly Dwyer (Yahoo!): "...the Jazz have no answer for Kobe Bryant (who does?), but that won't stop this from being a competitive back-and-forth - even if the Lakers sweep.
And the Lakers could sweep. The team could win three more games by a combined total of three more points, and it shouldn't be a surprise. Los Angeles is so good, and while Utah may have had the league's most efficient offense during the regular season, I don't think I've ever witnessed a more satisfying half-court offensive team than these Lakers. Even Michael Jordan's Bulls had more clear-outs and isolation situations, whereas these Lakers are just a Triangle freak's dream. And I'm a Triangle freak. And I've had some weird, weird dreams.
The interior passing is so brilliant, so effortless, and the judicious application of transition play manages to tempt at satisfy all at once..."
Kurt at Forum Blue and Gold: "... Let’s not complain about the refs. I think Darius has said this well in the comments several times — Utah does what it does physically every time down the court, and over the course of a game or a series they move the bar for what gets called. Eventually, the refs call fewer and fewer fouls. Rather than complain about it, the Lakers have to play through it, to play through the contact. Kobe does that better than anyone.
• The fact that Gasol had four free throws in the game I think is a sign he did not like the physicality. He needs to accept it and score through the contact in game two.
• To Utah fans complaining about Phil complaining about the refs: Welcome to playoff basketball. You can influence the refs through the media, every coach knows this and does this..."
SportsHubLA.com, John Krolik: "... Ronnie Brewer looked like he just might be the guy to guard Kobe Bryant, or at least slow him down. He's quick as hell, has long arms to challenge shots, and has the energy to stay with Kobe through all of his pivoting, jabbing, pull-backs, and changes of pace. What happened? Kobe hits him with two quick fouls, on an up-fake and contact, then ripping his arm up through Brewer’s as he tried to swipe for the ball. You reach, I teach. Between that, a loose-ball foul on Kyle Korver when the Jazz were over the limit and a horrible end-of-quarter foul on C.J. Miles at half-court (the sort that could have Jerry Sloan bench you for about 750 years), Kobe got eight free points in the first half ..."
Ross Siler, Salt Lake Tribune Jazz Blog: "...There are a host of reasons why the Jazz lost Game 1 against the Lakers
on Sunday, but one of them is that they were outscored in the 8:04 Kobe
Bryant spent on the bench. It seems pretty simple to me: You'd better
make hay while the NBA MVP is out of the game.
The Jazz
failed to do so at the start of the second and fourth quarters and paid
the price. With Bryant on the bench in the second quarter, they watched
as Sasha Vujacic scored nine points in 4:07 - driving for a
three-point play and knocking down two three-pointers.
The
Jazz were outscored 9-4 as Bryant rested, committing three turnovers - bad passes by Ronnie Price and Matt Harpring and an offensive foul on
Paul Millsap. Deron Williams also was blocked by Ronny Turiaf, though
Harpring scored on the follow up.
The Lakers led 25-24 at
the start of the quarter and 34-28 when Bryant replaced Vujacic. It's
worth noting that Bryant scored on his first possession after returning
in the second and fourth quarters, crossing over Andrei Kirilenko for a
three-point play and hitting a 13-footer.
Bryant came out
with 43.5 seconds left in the third and didn't return until the 8:46
mark of the fourth. The Jazz went into the fourth trailing 79-72,
having battled back from 19 points down in the third. Again, they
couldn't take advantage with Bryant out.
The Jazz went
1-for-7 while Bryant was out at the start of the fourth. Kyle Korver
missed two jumpers (he went 2 of 7 in the game) and Harpring made just
1 of 5 shots. That included a layup smothered by Turiaf.
For the afternoon, the Jazz were outscored 15-11 when Bryant was out..."
Hardwood Paroxysm, Matt Moore: "...The matchups all fall into danger, danger territory for the Jazz in
this series. Mehmet Okur, who could bully and pester the Rockets'
kiddies, is going to have a little more trouble with Pau Gasol and
Lamar Odom. He can score as much as he wants. The Lakers aren't
concerned about him if they shut down Williams and Boozer. The Jazz
rely on killer rebounding to create second chance shots. The Lakers
don't care. Look at the game 1 differential. The Jazz had 17 more
offensive rebounds. 17. They had 17 more looks off the glass. And they
lost by 11.
The Jazz shot 38% from the field. Now, rest assured,
the Lakers are not a bad defensive team. They are a good defensive
team. But they have serious, serious lapses, especially against "good
teams." And instead, the Jazz got annihilated.
Here's the weird
thing. I tend to throw out hot and cold shooting streaks. And with the
Lakers shooting 50% from three point range and the Jazz shooting 21%,
you'd figure I'd be ready to bury the Lakers like everyone loves saying
I do.
Unh-uh..."
Send along a heads up for others that you find.
Sam,
COWBOY RIB EYE!
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Hilarious quote from Derek Fisher:
The 33-year-old veteran used his knowledge of the Jazz, and especially star point guard Deron Williams, to collect six steals.
Fisher preferred to offer self-deprecating humor to describe his successful day.
"What confused him was how old I am. When he fakes, I don't go for it because I can't react that fast," he said
Posted by: The Mob Boss | May 05, 2008 at 02:53 PM
SaltLaker:
Hey, you don't happen to have any extra tickets, do you? I tried getting them this morning at 10 and the only thing left were singles. And I promise, I won't mention even BYU. Besides, if you don't count the last couple of outings, you Utes have owned us for about 15 years.
I'm out in Eagle Mountain. If you get to Utah County, Yapona's in American Fork is probably the best sushi in the state.
And I love Crown Burgers. What better way to top a hamburger than with a load of pastrami!
Posted by: Marty | May 05, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Faze!
Chest pound! No experience with FL Studio. Most of my people are on Reason and Bounce recordings to Protools. Or hardware and live recordings.
Best Regards,
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Jay Jay,
Nice choice of instrument. I've been playing sax for nine plus years, jazz for the past six or so. Any type of sax, you name it, I've played it. Turns out we have quite a few musicians on this lovely blog of ours.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 05, 2008 at 02:55 PM
A Big shout out to our Salt Lakers! Definitely good to feel your presence on the blog.!
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Jay Jay:
Teams names:
Utah - scoundrels
Oklahoma - Hill Billy
Los Angles - Gangbangers
Posted by: New names | May 05, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Jay Jay,
Sorry, man. I love the name "The Lakers". It sounds great. (L.A. LAKERS!)
And we've got plenty of lakes, which I love!
Echo Park Laker
Silver Lake
Lake Hollywood
Toluca Lake
Balboa Lake
Castaic Laker
Lake Casitas
Lake Matthews
Lake Perris
Big Bear Lake
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Gregory
Silverwood Lake
Pyramid Lake
Westlake
Stone Canyon
Lake Chatsworth
Lake Pacoima
Hansen Lake
Big Tujunga Lake
Lake Morris
Lake San Gabriel
Lake Elsinore
Canyon Lake
Lake Mission Viejo
Whittier Narrows
Legg Lake
Baldwin Lake
Bouquet Reservoir
Lake Hemet
Lake Piru
Lake Hughes
Puddingstone Reservoir
San Antonio Reservoir
Just to name a few...
Let's face it, Minnesota's got nothing on us!
GO L.A. LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 05, 2008 at 03:10 PM
There's only one opinion I care about, and it's the one that belongs to Skip Bayless. Not because I respect him - it's just that I love high comedy!
What did he say this morning? I'm sure it had something to do with being outrebounded 58-41 and how the Jazz would win the series in 6 games. Or some variation of, "Wait until the Lakers play the Spurs". He practically swoons over the Spurs on every First Take episode; last week was hilarious. All he needed was a fan and a bad Southern accent to complete his tranformation into Blanche DuBois.
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM
The Mob Boss
I know you and I had our spat before, but nice post on Phil Jackson on the earlier thread. Gotta give props when props is due...
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Frankly, right now, there are only 2 teams that I'm afraid for the lakers: the blazers and the hornets. Especially the blazers with their shooters. We can sweep the jazz
Posted by: shaz1nba | May 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM
BK,
I think it was great for you to man up and admit that you are dedicated to "cruelty and journalistic dishonesty." So, now that you've honestly admitted to journalistic dishonesty, does that make you journalistically honest or does it not work like that?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 05, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Go Ache-ers !
Note:
1) No "L"
2) Our guys willingly take "aches" n pains from the thuggish but ultimately ineffective Jazz defense
Posted by: The D | May 05, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Pau Gasol had a very good game, but it could have been even better.
18pts [62%] 10 rebs [4 off - 6 def] 5 ast - 2 blks - 1 TO
Gasol -/+ stat. +17 [best in game]
With Pau Gasol playing the whole game the Lakers are an unbelievable:
27-4, that's an .870 winning percentage!
Translated to the regular season and that would be a record of 71-11. [2nd best in NBA history!]
Another nice stat to consider:
Avg. winning margin in playoffs: 12.8
4 weeks since last loss. I've forgotten what it is like to lose.
I can live with that.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 05, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Charles ~ thx!
Posted by: lakerfaze | May 05, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Jesterguru is a piano man.
Hey, Rodney King: Stop ripping off the blog posts in which I already quoted you. You wanna fight?
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 05, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Jon-
Just to clarify, Drew said he could do everything BUT basketball stuff like cutting, jumping, moving laterally, etc.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 05, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Bozz,,Jay Jay.......Im not a huge jazz fan but love music..
Im not sure if it qualifies as jazz but i love Ronny Jordan....
Good album...Ronny Jordan and the quiet revolution .......
Back to bball......what the Jazz fans and writers forgot to mention was Boozer had 7 turnovers.....Odom played well and for the rest of the Jazz/Lakers games the key will be Odom and how he deals with Boozer...
Go lakers
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 05, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Jesterguru:
Do Guru's fight or do they enlighten people :). By the way if you don't know or already know, GURU is a sanskrit word, 'gu' means darkness and 'ru' means light. So a Guru is really a verb meaning a person ho can take yuo from darkness to light.
Peace,
Rodney King
Posted by: Rodney King | May 05, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Charles:
Truce my paisan!! No MO fighting only Peace brother.
Enjoy and Luca and Pauley are both percelempt!!
Posted by: The Mob Boss | May 05, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Jon-
We're capable of handling a post that got through (that might have been posted, or simply could have been spam) without the public service message. We've posted things in other languages before, assuming we can get a translation. PC has nothing to do with it. Just about everything you post gets put through.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 05, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Jon K
Don't forget Spring Valley ALke, where I live (High Desert, half hour north of Silverwood Lake along the Mojave River)
Gotta be tha LAKERS!
Posted by: toad | May 05, 2008 at 03:51 PM
BK,
I remember it differently, but you would know better.
My apologies for stoking false fires.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Jon,
"Drew said he could do everything BUT basketball stuff"
That explains why he could do some dancing but not basketball stuff. His injury is as old as a Sequioa tree, so let it stand tall and live with it, that he will not be available in these playoffs.
Bring in DJ Mbenga and apply some sweeping kicks during rebounds on Boozer, whose elbows are as sharp as a razor blade. I heard Pau shouting: "Caramba".
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
toad "collects" guitars, both acoustic and electric, 'cause he really can't play very well but loves trying!
Posted by: toad | May 05, 2008 at 03:54 PM
No worries, Jon.
Thanks.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 05, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Is it me, or does Kobe Bryant have a problem with his tongue? Everytime I pick up the sports page there's a picture with Kobe's tongue hanging out. I think it is just freaky. He's lucky he hasn't bit it off yet. Why doesn't Bill P. or Mike B. do a story on Kobe's uncontrollable tongue. I would bet money that if he had to keep it in his orally fixated mouth, he wouldn't be able to do a thing with the basketball. It's just disgusting. Can we keep it off the news pages please, of course that would mean there would be no pictures of Kobe Bryant at all!
Posted by: rob | May 05, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I'm interested to see what's up with Drew's knee. He's so young, that I can't see the Lakers letting him go, no matter how bad it is. But if he wants a lucrative extension . . . good luck young man.
Interesting developments.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 05, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Before we go for Championship (that's how positive I am this time) the musicians in this blog should meet and practice some jazz number. We have a band in Charles, Rick F and bozz and now there is also jazz group together with Tsphere in France who mentioned that he plays in the band too. EX and I will join the group to carry the instruments. lol! During the parade, we can rent a top down double decker bus from England compliments of Kiwi while you perform. If you do a good job, we can have an autograph of Kobe, if not you will beg the signature of Gary Vitti. haha
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 05, 2008 at 04:03 PM
In regards to the news about Andrew's upcoming 2nd (or 3rd counting Gary Vitti & his crew) opinion.
DEAR GOD - Please send your healing touch to Andrew Bynum's knee. Yes, you can use doctors, healing herbs, vitamins and other things, but, ultimately YOU are the one true healer. Do not heal him solely for our glory as Laker Fans. Heal him for Your Glory - that this experience would cause Andrew to experience your power and love. Touch the doctor who will be examining his knee. Give him the insight needed to both accurately diagnose the injury to Andrew's knee and to guide our leaders on the best course of action. We just don't want Drew for this year's playoff campaign. We want Drew with us in the years to come! You have built our legacy on towering, dominating Centers and their equally dynamic counterparts. Do Your work again, Lord. Heal Andrew and get him back to us...In Your Time and In Your Season. We thank You in advance...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | May 05, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Rob,
"Everytime I pick up the sports page there's a picture with Kobe's tongue hanging out."
That's why he is called a MAMBA, a black deadly serpent.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 05, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I WOULD NOT MESS WITH DAVID WEST:
Besdies being a physical speciman, this kid used to box in college and KNOWS how to box and throw a punch. Luckily, most of the atheletes and especially in NBA do not know how to box nor throw a punch. Oh Kareem can kick Bruce Lee . Can you imagine a 6'10, 260 lb NBA player, if only knew how to throw a punch could spell disaster. On December 9, 1977, during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, Kermit Washington, PF for the lakers almost killed the Rudy Tomjanovich.
Maybe DJ Mbenga can take care of David West.
Posted by: The Mob Boss | May 05, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Mob,
All Love!
Edwin Gueco,
As long as Bynum doesn't try to dance like the 2:31 mark of this video, I'm cool...
http://tinyurl.com/6kfhrr
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Jay Jay,
My understanding is that when the Jazz left New Orleans, the owner still had a warehouse of Jazz merchandise that he wanted to be able to sell. So they kept the same team name.
Posted by: akrasian | May 05, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Amen Banner Holder . . . Amen.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 05, 2008 at 04:24 PM
My biggest problem with the mainstream media is that they pretend to not have any biases, and allegedly report the news in an objective fashion, but anyone with half a brain knows that's not the truth. The mainstream media is run by people, and is full of the same biases that pervade through each and everyone of us. With a blogger, at least I know his/her biases. The MSM tries to trick me into thinking it is objective, when it's really trying to push it's own agenda.
MSM is pissed at bloggers because it affords the consumers another method by which information may be consumed. I can't blame them for getting pissed, but the anger exhibited by many of those in MSM is simply misplaced. Bloggers are not the reason why newspapers and other print media is dying. For better or for worse, we live in a society where instant gratification is a necessity. Society is not "dumbing" down because of bloggers, society is dumbing down because no one takes responsibility for anything anymore. People blame their shortcomings on society, and society is all too willing to accept these excuses.
Posted by: Peter | May 05, 2008 at 04:27 PM
My biggest problem with the mainstream media is that they pretend to not have any biases, and allegedly report the news in an objective fashion, but anyone with half a brain knows that's not the truth. The mainstream media is run by people, and is full of the same biases that pervade through each and everyone of us. With a blogger, at least I know his/her biases. The MSM tries to trick me into thinking it is objective, when it's really trying to push it's own agenda.
MSM is pissed at bloggers because it affords the consumers another method by which information may be consumed. I can't blame them for getting pissed, but the anger exhibited by many of those in MSM is simply misplaced. Bloggers are not the reason why newspapers and other print media is dying. For better or for worse, we live in a society where instant gratification is a necessity. Society is not "dumbing" down because of bloggers, society is dumbing down because no one takes responsibility for anything anymore. People blame their shortcomings on society, and society is all too willing to accept these excuses.
Posted by: Peter | May 05, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Seems like the doc that Drew's gonna see is perty well edumucated.
http://www.princetonorthopaedic.com/staff-gecha.htm
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 05, 2008 at 04:30 PM
The laker med staff have not done their job with Bynum and Ariza. They BOTH should have been ready for the playoffs
I have three words, Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy, pure oxygen at two times atmosphere pressure for 1 hour once a week should have been scheduled as soon as they were injured. IT WAS FOR Dirk Nowitski and he came back in three games from an injury that was a lot like Gasol's and he was out 10 games. It would have shortened the recovery by 1/3 and they would be playing right now.
I SAY FIRE TRAINER GARY VITTI
Posted by: tomK | May 05, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Edwin,
What up bro, actually the mamba snake is not black. the only part of the mamba that's black is it's mouth and tongue.
Posted by: Fire32 | May 05, 2008 at 04:31 PM
BK:
"Just to clarify, Drew said he could do everything BUT basketball stuff like cutting, jumping, moving laterally, etc."
So basically ... he's Kwame Brown! Ba-dum-chhh ... Thank you, I will be here all week ...
16...15...14...13...12...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 05, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Jon, you forgot to include Vail Lake... used to love that place as a Kid
Toad, funny you mentioned the High Desert, In a few weeks I gotta go to the Barstow-Daggett Airfield and do some work... Man I really hate going there.. nothing but Dust, Vinegaroons and lonely Ft Irwin wives lol You know its bad when you have to go to Victorville to hang out.... geesh I just bummed myself out
Posted by: complex brotha | May 05, 2008 at 04:37 PM
DJ's the key to the championship.
You can count on it.
Defense, hussle, you name it, he's got it.
Posted by: Mbenga Fan | May 05, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Mbenga Fan
Do you know which discipline Didier trained in?
Posted by: Charles | May 05, 2008 at 04:50 PM
So I hear Kobe is going to receive his very 1st MVP trophy before Wednesday's tip off?? Here's alil advice from me to you..be prepared to record the game cuz I have a feeling its going to be one worthy of remembrance.
Could someone explain what's up with Pau?? I love Pau and all but he never fights for deep positioning in the post!..Yea..yea..i know..hes a PF..but let's assume he understands the mechanics of being a 7ft Center. His wingspan is crazy (like Tashauwn Prince)..theres no reason why he can't get deep lobs in the post and atleast make Boozer respect his game. Getting passes from 15ft out and setting high pick n rolls is fine and I love it..but it won't work all the time against Utah. He use to abuse around the rim..now he seems alil unsure and is looking to pass than shoot. I cnt complain to much..the triangle is predicated on ball movement..cutting and slashing..and since were undefeated so far in the playoff..if it aint broke..well..why fix it!!
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 05, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I think Rob has a rather strange fascination with Kobe's tongue...
Posted by: sue | May 05, 2008 at 04:52 PM
rob:
Kobe's tongue antics is a learned behavior that he picked up during his informative years while wanting to be like Mike (MJ).
So STOP looking at his tongue, you pervert! eeew!
Posted by: eeeeeeeeeeew | May 05, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Fire 32,
Thanks for the correction, you are right they are not really black. Here is a picture from National Geographic:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/enlarge/black-mamba_image.html
~~He looks like Sasha. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 05, 2008 at 05:02 PM
complex brotha,
You could always go to Baker and look at the thermometer.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 05, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Vlad Rad is the real ZOHAN! DO NOT MESS WITH HIM!!!
Posted by: Adam Sandler | May 05, 2008 at 05:57 PM