The "L" Word
The Lakers arrived in Salt Lake City sporting a perfect 6-0 playoff record. But conventional wisdom states that a playoff series becomes a brand new can of worms upon changing venues for the first time. Even when the now-home team has been thoroughly outplayed in the opening pair of contests, as was the case for the Jazz when they played the Lakers at Staples. Put the basketball in EnergySolutions Arena and Utah became a considerably more effective squad, as evidenced by their 104-99 win. In particular, a previously floundering Carlos Boozer seemed to benefit from a change of scenery. Those struggles in Los Angeles felt about 10 years removed as he put up a 27/20 effort and controlled much of the action whenever he was on the court. His control of the paint was a reflection of Utah's typical physicality that received more whistle-free leeway while in SLC, a style of play that often seemed to irritate the Lakers. In particular, Pau Gasol was thrown for a loop by the lack of referee love and was often reduced to a turnover in waiting. For some, the reaction could be read as a measure of Gasol's "tough get going" nature (or lack thereof). Or perhaps Gasol's subpar play was simply an extension of the tough sledding endured by other mates like Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar (who in particular seemed rhythm-free from the moment he stepped on the court).
But despite having put forward their worst foot, the Lakers can't be accused of not making a game of things. They may have come up short in the box score, but they often kept Utah on its collective heels. Shaking off some first-half cobwebs, Kobe Bryant asserted his presence, racking 26 second half points and helping his squad rediscover some mettle. If nothing else, Mamba-to-Mamba backboard assisted pass reminded even the triumphant squad who's the NBA top dog. The hopeful comeback charge was done in by costly turnovers and errant shots down the stretch, leaving the Lakers a mite short of a victory. But there was no reason to enter the locker room thinking SLC's atmosphere couldn't be overcome.
Utah's fans may not be able to forgive Derek Fisher for leaving, but Utah's players think there's nothing to forgive at all.
Rick Carlisle is the officially confirmed new coach of the Mavs. Mike D'Antoni? The unofficially non-confirmed new coach of the Knicks.
Hopefully the Jazz will continue to play this way, the Lakers will end up a better and tougher team.
Posted by: Tsiry | May 11, 2008 at 04:28 AM
All of you so called fans are sounding alot like the Rockets fan blog. The reason Fish gets boo'd in Utah is when he wanted out of his contract he was talking doctors and hospitals in New York, than as soon as he is out, tah dah, he's a Laker. The two favorite teams in Utah are the Jazz and whom ever the Lakers are playing.
Kobe gets someone to breath on him and the whistle blows/Boozer pushes in the lane, that's a tie. The rest is up to the players.
The Lakers were still in Game 3 and Utah got a win. In LA the Jazz would get closer toward the end and,and what do you know, the whistle blows and Kobe goes to the line. Home cooking on both sides.
Game 4 today and looking forward to it. Phil Jackson has been wearing ear plugs in Utah since the Jordon/Bulls years. Nothing new. Two good teams, two good coaches. Should be great .
Posted by: randy | May 11, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Utah is playing a rare Sunday game, though the Jazz is expecting a full house despite the religious connotation of the day, as well as the fact that it's Mother's Day. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to avoid non-religious activities on Sundays.
One notable fan won't be in his courtside seat. Jazz owner Larry Miller told the Salt Lake Tribune that he wouldn't be at the game because it was on a Sunday.
- LA Times
Posted by: Stop the Censoring | May 11, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Farmar, continuing a shaky postseason, missed all six shots he took Friday night and had two turnovers, the second coming when he dribbled the ball off his foot and out of bounds early in the fourth quarter.
In the opening three fourth-quarter minutes with Farmar and without Fisher, Utah's lead grew from seven points to 12.
Farmar's skill set is different from Fisher's, which is why Coach Phil Jackson is now is advising the youngster to relax and stick with his active game rather than attempt to play Fisher's stable one.
"Be instinctively the player that he is, not try to be safe or try to be too safe," Jackson said of Farmar. "Stay as reactive as he can."
Farmar and Fisher will be intent on organizing the triangle-offense spacing better Sunday, which should give center Pau Gasol more time for better decisions with the ball when Utah double-teams him.
"It's about him understanding what's happening, picking the ball up and hitting the open guy," Jackson said of Farmar.
"They're leaving guys wide open. He's just got to get the basketball and put it in other people's hands, and they're going to score. That's his responsibility."
- OC Register
Posted by: Stop the Censoring | May 11, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I don't blame the Lakes for the mood on this blog. I mentioned a few days ago that after every loss it becomes a doom and gloom fest. I could understand if we played exceptionaly well and still loss. We stunk up the court..Utah hit everything but the kitchen sink..Pau was bum rushed..weak..and useless..but doesn't mean he will be. I hope Pau is embarrased and comes back with fire and passion like what he showed playing against PHX
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 11, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Mothers Day Expectations
1. All Mothers to be spoiled by all their children and husbands
2. Mothers to get more than flowers, give her game 5 tickets to see Lakers.
3. Watch Jerry Sloan get ejected from game before halftime.
4.Enjoy Lakers bouncing back from game 3 loss and playing with the poise of a very good team
5.Watch Gasol, Vlad,Lamar, Sasha, JF, Luke step up and make solid contributions in the game.
6.Kobe playing MVP Basketball game getting everyone involved and remaining aggresive at both ends of the floor.
7. A Lakers Mother Day victory 105-92!
8. Happy Mothers Day to all our sweet Mothers!!!!
Posted by: chuck23 | May 11, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Fairweather Fatty,
You are correct, sir!
D'Antoni has jumped ship for the Knicks, obviously believing that Knicks are greener pastures than the Suns.
If the Knicks are greener pastures than the Suns, good times are not ahead for the Suns. The Big Mistake has single-handedly destroyed that franchise. Misery awaits.
I will laugh uncontrollably watching Andrew Bynum school a lumbering, panicked Shaquille O'Neal next year.
Next year, the Suns aren't making the playoffs. I can't wait.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Why are so many L.A. Times writers so dour today about the Lakers?
With the exception of the Kamentsky Brothers, the whole lot should be fired. The L.A. Times has the worst sports coverage in Southern California. Pathetic.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Plaschke's title "Lakers Finally At A Loss For Answers" is a fricken joke.
It's pretty simple. Lakers didn't play all that well and had too many turnovers. The Jazz played very well, and we lost by five points.
It's correctible. What's this "Lakers Finally At A Loss For Answers" nonsense?
They're talking like we're down 3-0 and playing away from Staples for Game Four.
Aren't journalists supposed to be intelligent and objective? Very annoying.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Shag, did you even watch the game? If you are fortunate enough to go back and watch it again, do so, and check out the end of the game when Luke got hacked on the wrist on the in-bounds pass that became a turnover. Kobe was yelling at the ref for the no-call - not at Luke. If you are not fortunate enough, sorry about your bad luck. And you actually bashing on Kobe? Seriously? Kobe Bryant is the most driven athlete in any sport, ever. His work ethic is second to none, he is relentless to be the absolute best in every facet of the game. His mental toughness and pursuit of perfection is impeccable. THAT is who I want on my team. A person with these qualities may come around once or twice in your lifetime. You are witnessing a legend - enjoy.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | May 11, 2008 at 08:38 AM
The Jazz played ugly but inspired basketball. The supporting cast didn't play so well until late but let's remember a stat courtesy of ESPN:
Coach Jackson's teams are something like 39-0 when the team has won Game 1
The Jazz problem is simple: they don't score enough points.
The Lakers deficiencies in Game 3 point to poor play, turnovers and a lack of being able to clog the middle (Bynam, the team and fans miss you).
Last thing: The Jazz have to beat L.A. three more times, which will be a very difficult task especially with the series shifting to Staples Center after Game 4...
Oh and Jazz fans: If you have to boo Derek Fisher, then do it because he's a Laker. Don't do it because he made the decision to take care of his family.
Posted by: Lakers4Life | May 11, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Maybe it's just Pau's personality and style, but in the TV sound bites from Saturday, he really didn't come forward and talk about how he's going to counter being a "marked man" by Utah. I liked how Sasha owned-up to letting his injured foot bother him on Friday, and how he was determined to play through it in Game 4.
The Jazz aren't going to roll over and play dead today, just because the Lakers wish they would. This will certainly be another hard fought contest.
The good news is, the Lakers weren't out of it until the final two minutes of Game 3, even though it was the team's worst performance in a month. Today with better focus and execution, the Lakers have a chance to head back to Staples Center with a split in Utah. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 11, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Will Ariza play again this year or are they saving him for the next series?
Posted by: Laker4Life | May 11, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Wow. Utah got Ashton Kutcher and Drago from Rocky 4
Posted by: coolhair | May 11, 2008 at 10:21 AM
ESPN's David Thorpe's prediction...Jazz win
Let's see David...Go Lakers
Posted by: Botsoy | May 11, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Everyone is talking so much smack, look how we played and we still brought it within reach and it could have just as easily ended up with a different result
Posted by: T | May 11, 2008 at 11:07 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HI GUYS,
NO PANNIC!!! WIN#3 GARANTEE
SEE U LATER
LOVE TO ALL
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | May 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
AK/BK
do you have any update on Ariza?
Posted by: bryan | May 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
"Maybe it's just Pau's personality and style, but in the TV sound bites from Saturday, he really didn't come forward and talk about how he's going to counter being a "marked man" by Utah."
Posted by: Rick Friedman
Well, he has now...
http://www.dailynews.com/lakers/ci_9220745
Gasol latest tactic for today - Make sure the referees see the contact.
Wow! This guy still doesn't get it. These are the NBA Playoffs, and he's playing for the Lakers now not the Grizzlies, which is what his performance was on Friday, real grizzly. When is he going to get over the fouls and just play.
If Lamar doen't take over and become the #2 and The Machine doesn't charge up his batteries, then my prediction - Jazz by more than five.
Posted by: lotecq | May 11, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Bryan,
Yeah, his cat scan showed that the bone still isn't healed enough yet, so this series should be out of the question. They'll look again in a couple weeks, but to be honest, we've reached a point where Ariza is basically a non-factor. From whatever point that he's cleared, it's gonna take him at least a week or so to get into game shape, since he hasn't played since January. He could get some spot work at times, but unless somebody gets hurt or just starts playing horribly, an actual spot in the rotation is a long shot.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 11, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Yes we are getting Butchered and NO foul calls yet again. Sure looks like the NBA wants this to go 7 games. Pathetic. That being said If the Lakers truly are a contender for the championship they should win this game just as Detroit did in a hostile environment( without Billups I may add...) in game 4. When the going gets tough the tough get going!
I wil lbe disappointed if they don't win this game and they will open the door to an upset in the series. Lets see how good they REALLY are.
Posted by: spike | May 11, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I totally second that...
Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | May 11, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Like I said the NBA wants a 7 game series.The officiating was the worst I have ever seen in all my years the last 2 games in Utah I am not whining at all. Thi is a fact. I am disgusted and feel the Lakers should protest to the league. I guarantee Phil Jackson is going to get fined because he is sick and tired of this and willl say something in the post game press conference.
I am disgusted with the NBA...and not just because I am a Laker Fan
Posted by: spike | May 11, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Yeah…
I wasn’t exactly high on the officiating either. Particular the breaks Deron Williams got down the stretch. Clearly a charge late in the game on one play and a travel he got away with on the other. But that’s still no excuse for the Lakers missed free throws in the first half. And while I appreciate Kobe’s gutty performance with the bad back and all. In the OT he completely went away from what got the Lakers back in the game in the first place. And tried to do it all himself like in the previous post Shaq years. Which even with a good back, he should never have attempted much less with a bad one.
I'm truly disappointed as I really wanted to see this team do really well and hoped it would show some sign of a championship mettle here. But I’m sorry to say it hasn’t. And we are not careful it’s going to be another early summer of discontent I'm afraid. With a lot of the ugly fallout that happened last year.
Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | May 11, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Here's what's happening folks ... the Association has playoffs set as a best of 3 series. This is the "real" series. After 2 games are won by one team, the rest of the games in the series are played purely for financial gain. So considering we have already "won" this series, you watch, this will go 7 games and we will win it in LA on Sunday May 18th. The refs are controlling the series, and will continue to do so - they are in this conspiracy just as much as the Association is. Each additional game adds 10's of millions of dollars into the Association's pockets.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | May 11, 2008 at 04:56 PM
RANDOM THOUGHTS AS I DIGEST THIS PAINFUL LOSS
* I posted something about this a few days ago. All of this talk of sweeping the Jazz and taking on the Celts was utter nonsense. I know you guys want to be optimistic and everything, but some of you bloggers need to keep your head out of the clouds.
* Vlad Rad is useless and needs to be traded
* We need Bynum. Pau is as soft as a baby duckling.
* Lamar Odom and Luke Walton have improved their games
* Either Jordan Farmar improves over the summer, or his days playing in LA are numbered
* Injured or not, Kobe hurt us in this game. With Kobe, you either win with him, or you lose with him. Either way, Kobe's in the middle of it
* A few more made freethrows would have made a difference
* As I said last game, we need to re-sign Sasha. No doubt.
* I still think the Lakers win this series.
Posted by: troy | May 11, 2008 at 05:20 PM
thanks for the update, AK.
I agree that it will take a while for him to get back into the game shape after he gets the clearance. I don't think we need him for this series, even if he was ready, but I think the lakers could use his quickness and length on the defensive end.
Posted by: bryan | May 11, 2008 at 08:50 PM