Group effort
The Lakers, despite some profound advances in the quality of the players around him, are still fundamentally Kobe Bryant's team, so when he took the floor with a very balky back for Game 5 of L.A.'s Western Conference semifinal against Utah with the series tied at two, there was certainly reason to worry. Or maybe not. Despite a quality effort from the Jazz, L.A. walked away with a critical 111-104 win Wednesday night at Staples. Kobe was, despite his team high/extremely impressive 26 points, clearly limited and had to pick his spots, which meant the guys around him had to pick it up. Rare are the close games in which Kobe doesn't attempt a field goal in the fourth, but that's what we saw last night, as his teammates, generally another member of the starting five, stepped in to fill the void.
The box shows Pau Gasol had a huge second quarter, then finished strong late in the fourth (not without a little controversy). Lamar Odom (22/11, two blocks) was a force on both ends, while Derek Fisher contributed key buckets and four steals and Vlad Radmanovic broke out of his playoff slump with 15 points.
Coming so soon after Sunday's OT controversy - did Kobe abandon his teammates, or did they bail on him? - on Wednesday it was clear Kobe's mates came prepared to chip in, and did in support of their hobbled (but still pretty damn effective) leader.
So that was one theme of the night. The team. But it wasn't the only one. From Utah's end of things, it was a night of missed opportunities, as its best chance to steal a win in L.A. went up in smoke. No surprise, given the trouble they have here against the Lakers. Both teams turned the ball over too much, 
but the giveaways were particularly rough on the visitors, who had enough things to overcome without shooting themselves in the foot. Still, the Jazz had plenty of chances to get ahead, but didn't.
That L.A. bugaboo is something Utah will now have to overcome if it is to win the series.
Yet another? Officiating. The Lakers, as the home team has throughout, dominated the free-throw count, which was noticed not just by Jerry Sloan but others sitting courtside. Of course, fouling is often in the eye of the beholder.
Fun little story on former Laker turned long-time Jazz announcer Rod Hundley.
Not that Kobe was faking it, but did PJ take advantage of an opportunity to change the subject from this weekend's losses?
Danny Ainge squeaked past Mitch Kupchak for Executive of the Year honors.
I CARRIED THE TEAM ALRIGHT. AND I CARRIED SHAQ RIGHT OUT OF LA.
KOBE GETS BLAMED BUT I KNOWS I CARRIED SHAQ OUTTA TOWN.....WITH MY BAD BACK....ON ONE KNEE....AND I AIN'T NEVER WON NO TROPHIES FOR DAT!!
I BROKED THE LAKERS WITH MY BROKED KNEE AND BACK!!!
Posted by: KARL MALONE | May 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
#4, agreed! If you were Dennis Rodman, I could be Charles Oakley!
Amazing Happens, I love that pic, its making the rounds today.
There was a series of 3 plays in the 4th where the Jazz kept flopping. (I think it was Harpring, then D-Will, and D-Will tripping) which probably made the refs unsympathetic to their play.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
AK/BK, could you ask Sasha what he said to Korver? thanks!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
*___________________________________*
"Jeff Aho and GUNNER should get together in
a room and kick each other in the balls for 20
minutes and then try to decide how it is Kobe's
fault that their balls hurt" bandwagon.
*___________________________________*
(01) Exhelodrvr - Owner
(02) PslakerFan - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - ROFLMAO!
(04) StrangerInTheNight – do be do be doo
(05) BocaLakerGurl – made both of them honorary Laker Girls
(06) MarkyTheArky – Locked the door
(07) MagicMan – Turned them both into rabid wombats
(08) KobesBad – Laughed so hard he strained his back
(09) SimiLakerGirl – Sprayed water on them to separate them
Posted by: | May 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Benjamin
"When they call a foul on him, you don't see him whining about it."
with the possible exception of the whine about the Luke Walton call and the couple others he was called for against Kobe.
I understand your point. Harpring wasn't blaming refs which is refreshing. Still, ref playing is rampant on all sides. Every drive to the basket comes with a yell to get the refs attention. Magic was one of the first I remember doing it.
Jerry Sloan played hard, and fouled hard as you described, and so does his team. But that means the little bumps that throw you off enough to miss, don't get called as often 'cause a tougher tone has been set. The refs do their level best, but they don't want whistle every play, especially against the home team.
The Lakers have more size, speed and talent than the Jazz. The only way they can compete, is to bang their way to wins.
Posted by: Vman | May 15, 2008 at 12:08 PM
TO Mel and Charles:
Thank you sirs for the info and observations, all of it correct sirs. I always welcome and appreciate when you get persons on a blog that are accurate and honest and helpful with info. I'll continue to peak in on J.A.'s stuff if you tell me he's not so much a hater. I love my Lakers above and beyond and always have, but I welcome opposing views and read them and respect them if they are not blatantly biased or meritless. I guess being a Laker fan for nearly 3 decades now I should be used to all this hate, jealousy, etc.... but it still stings me a bit when when praise is earned and deserved by the Lakers when making a good playoff run and respected media figures dismiss it or downplay it. I remember the crushing sweep by Detroit iin 1989 and the 4-1 Beatdown in 04. I worked with 2 Piston fans during the 2004 disappointment. However, I shook their hands and congratulated them on having the better team and winning it the title. They were both amazed that I didn't make excuses and rationalize or complain about our injuries or Shaq's pregnancy during that series.. I still stay in touch with them and we watch Detroit/LA games on TV every year. My point is I sure wish more NBA fans would follow that example. I understand trashtalking among fans is just part of the game. But not when it gets to the point of malisciousness like the ass who thought it funny to make light of Derek's daughter's cancer. And when I read or hear Laker fans behaving that way I chastise them as well in case you were wondering. Okay, sorry, YET ANOTHER overly long blog by me.. I"m jumping off my soapbox now.. Great to be here LakerNation Faithful... type to you later.
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 15, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Hey Mamba please put me on that ball kicking bandwagon as well. I'd like to be in charge of bringing the steel toe boots! :-0
Yeahhhhh mannnnnn
Posted by: magicman | May 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Re: The Barkley 400K gambling debt lawsuit.
I don't really care what happens to Barkley one way or the other, but when he makes statements such as:
"I've gambled away at least 10 million over the years"
and then says
"I don't have a gambling problem because I can afford to"
Well NEWS FLASH CHuck!!! IF you 're being sued for failure of payment on a 400,000 gambling dollar debt maybe, and call me crazy, maybe you can NO LONGER AFFORD it!!!"
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 15, 2008 at 12:26 PM
*___________________________________*
"Jeff Aho and GUNNER should get together in
a room and kick each other in the balls for 20
minutes and then try to decide how it is Kobe's
fault that their balls hurt" bandwagon.
*___________________________________*
(01) Exhelodrvr - Owner
(02) PslakerFan - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - ROFLMAO!
(04) Jon K. - Providing the steel toed boots.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Harpring should get in his teammates' and coaches' ears and say "Pssst. If we complain about the refs not calling fouls on pushes in the back, they might call those fouls on us too. So ix-nay on the rying-cay"
Posted by: lakers_sth | May 15, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Lamar= Finals MVP
OH YEA
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 15, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Faith,
You think the photo looks hiel Hitler? That's weird.
I think it looks more like a Greek god signalling victory.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 12:31 PM
*___________________________________*
"Jeff Aho and GUNNER should get together in
a room and kick each other in the balls for 20
minutes and then try to decide how it is Kobe's
fault that their balls hurt" bandwagon.
*___________________________________*
(01) Exhelodrvr - Owner
(02) PslakerFan - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - ROFLMAO!
(04) StrangerInTheNight – do be do be doo
(05) BocaLakerGurl – made both of them honorary Laker Girls
(06) MarkyTheArky – Locked the door
(07) MagicMan – Turned them both into rabid wombats
(08) KobesBad – Laughed so hard he strained his back
(09) SimiLakerGirl – Sprayed water on them to separate them
(10) Jon K. - Provided the steel-toed boots.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Fairweather Fatty,
Truth be told. Every game won in this series has been by the team which had the most foul shots, and most games had an imbalanced number of fouls called.
I think it's a bunch of crap.
There's been too many fouls called in this series. Period.
Let the players play. Call the obvious fouls. And the Lakers win this series 4-1.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Yo Laker fam....
What's going on today? I finally have some time to post. Been so busy lately. What's the main topic right now? Someone fill me in....
Posted by: wondahbap | May 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Mel,
Thanks for the link. Okur flopped.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
To illiterate 12 year old using the name Karl Malone:
Why are you here? I mean judging by your terrible spelling and sentence structure and idiotic content on your post I think you need to find the NBA'S BLOG FOR KIDS 12 AND UNDER. Ohh! Oops! I need to apologize for that------I just insulted 12 year olds by putting you at their educational and maturity level!! Sorry Pre teen NBA fans!!!!
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
jhnlannery,
I don't know if you ever read the open letter I wrote to JA Adande. I'll be happy to forward it to you without clogging the posting space here.
Amazing Happens,
Great gif image...
Lakers-STH,
"So ix-nay on the rying-cay" Very nice...
Best to ALLwho blog here,
Posted by: Charles | May 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
IT'S A WRAP
They say it’s not over till the Fat Lady Sings.
But Charles Barkley is to busy with Legal things
Therefore I’m going to say it and I’ll take the Blame
If the Freakin La Lakers are off their game.
But that’s not going to happen and I’ll tell you why.
This is a team who “Never says Die”
This Series is over this series is thru
But yet and still Utah Jazz we salute you.
You gave us a struggle and helped us to grow
So that we will be ready when to the WCF we go.
Boozer you are truly a star in the making
Deron, if I was CP3 my knees would be shaking
I’m sorry to say that there can only be one
Do I have to say it, Utah Jazz you are done
So Laker Nation salute your team of warriors, all of them
Yes even Luke and Farmer and don’t forget Minhm.
And don’t forget the Beast who helped to get us here
This one’s for you Bynum and you’ll get another next year.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW
Posted by: MAMBA24 | May 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I think every game has been called PRo-Jazz early (1st 3 quarters), keeping them in games in L.A, and spotting them leads at home, and PRO-Lakers in the 4th. I think it's been like that no matter where the game is. I'd like to see more objective officiating, but I'll take calls late anyday.
Posted by: wondahbap | May 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Lakers Legacy,
This what Sasha Said to Korver.
http://tinyurl.com/2ougeh
TNT's Wired Version.
Posted by: Charles | May 15, 2008 at 12:45 PM
BocaLakerGurl and Mamba24,
All the credit for the idea goes to pslakerfan; I was just the messenger. (With visions of Eric Cartman "rochambeau-ing" in my head.)
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 15, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Charles Barkley should be able to sell his Championship to pay of the debt. Oh that's right he never won one...oops, my bad.
One thing to say about lastnight's game. L.O., I read several headlines today, none gave LO his props.
Posted by: lakerfaze | May 15, 2008 at 12:49 PM
HEY SOMEONE IS SPEAKIN FOR ME!! I'M THE REAL MALONE!! THE MAILMAN YOU KNOW AND LOVE!!
WHICH ONE OF YOU IS THE IMPOSTER?
Posted by: KARL MALONE | May 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 15, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Thanks for the .gif. That really shows what happened. Pau had his forearm on Okur's back and lifted it off to secure the rebound with both hands. Obvious flop if you watch a few times.
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 15, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Many on here are such flakes and flip floppers, when Kobe takes those "difficult" shots and makes them. Many bloggers on here are raving how marvelous he is, this, that and a third, the minute he shoots those same kinds of baskets and they don't fall, you are practically calling for his head and saying he's a ballhog and selfish! Never satisfied!
Go Lakers.
Posted by: | May 15, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Mamba,
"They say it’s not over till the Fat Lady Sings.
But Charles Barkley is to busy with Legal things"
Genius. Freakin' genius I tell you!!!!
ROFLMAO
Posted by: magicman | May 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER :
This blog forum is not a church, sports is not a religious activity so chill and yes do pray in privacy and silence..but don't make this into some religious venture..
May Allaha be with you
Posted by: Muhammed | May 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Yeah I do. Very weird hand placement. I prefer this myself...shows flopping:
http://tinyurl.com/4twrnl
I don't think there were enough calls in this series. That's saying a lot considering. But when we go to Utah, it seems as if the large percentage of their pushoffs aren't called. Everyone knows they do it, but the ones that are supposed to be watching tape.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM
The Karl Malone post with the poor grammar and spelling was written in jest I'm fairly sure. That's how Malone talks + the things he said, like carrying shaq out of town shows that he's not a Malone fan.
It's funny stuff though.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 15, 2008 at 12:58 PM
SHAMAN and WITCH WORSHIPPERS BANDWAGON:
KARL MALONE - blood sucker
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - religious NUT
Mamba24 - Banner Holder's right hand man
Stranger in the Night - Leech
Please join me tomorrow before game time to put the vodoo on.. game face devil's brigade!!
Devil
Posted by: Devil | May 15, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Memo to Okur: FLOPPER!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 15, 2008 at 01:06 PM
One thing I really liked about last nite's game:
Jordan Farmar is having a tough time in the playoffs, but when he made that quick move to the rim for the and-1 and completed the play, Kobe got more excited and gave him more props than anyone else on the team. It's good to see Kobe still behind his teammates even when they play bad especially after him yelling at Luke in crunch time.
Posted by: Justin N | May 15, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Mamba24 - poet laureate of the blog strikes again! Good one - don't know how you keep that up on a regular basis....!
Off topic - I hope Kobe donates his body to science when he's dead - I'd like to know what it is about his brain that makes him so indifferent to levels of pain that would have us mere mortals groaning in agony & asking for the "knock me out" drugs - not playing NBA playoff basketball like a machine.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 15, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I think Rambis would be an awesome fit for Phoenix, they need someone with a sense of humor to deal with Shaq. I also don't think Phoenix has a chance in hell with their current roster so they can study us as much as they want but Nash, Grant Hill and Shaq will be another year older next year so... hey, tick tock...
###
No Permission for Interviews
There will come a time when Mitch Kupchak grants permission to the other general managers who have called asking about his team's assistants.
But because the Lakers are still playing, Kupchak said everyone's focus is on the playoffs.
Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw have been contacted by the Suns, who are looking for a head coach, and Jim Cleamons has been mentioned for the same job with the Bulls.
Posted by: TaosHum | May 15, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Did anyone else hear that kurt Rambis is the leading candidate for the Suns job?
Mixed emotions if that's true. Kurt deserves another shot with some talent and that's a good situation. Plus he knows the Daddy's game.
But, man, did it have to be THAT team? Memo to Steve Kerr: Marc Jackson's a better fit.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 15, 2008 at 01:14 PM
SEVEN DOWN, NINE MORE TO GO!
it's kinda ironic that "tough guy" matt harpring is talking about wanting it more and backhandedly calling out his teammate for flopping...when he in fact flops against luke walton
at any rate, hope the over-the-back fouls don't kill us friday cuz you know millsap, okur and boozer are NOT going to be called for that at home
Say No To Flopping
(that mean you too, sasha)
p.s. has fish taken one charge all series?
Posted by: CBuck | May 15, 2008 at 01:17 PM
KARL MALONE = pslakerfan
Posted by: FRAUD | May 15, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Some folks who thought Pau fouled (say that three times fast!) Okur changed their minds after some careful rewind and review.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-195/Something-Foul.html
Posted by: SoCalGal | May 15, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Oops, me no read other comments before post. My bad!
Posted by: SoCalGal | May 15, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Charles, fist pound!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 15, 2008 at 01:40 PM
The more times you watch that play, the easier it is to see how much of a flop it really was. He may have gotten a call had he not pulled the BS act of throwing his arms out and kicking out his feet. I actually think Okur jumped in the air on the play.
One more game and on to the next victim!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 15, 2008 at 01:47 PM
WONDAHBAP.............................. THE MAIN TOPIC SEEMS TO BE INJURIES..................... EXCUSES...............MORE INJURIES......................MORE EXCUSES ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Posted by: KARL MALONE | May 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM
K Brothers,
To get off the subject matter a bit...
Beloved ex-Laker and ex-Bruin, Jelani McCoy has put up pretty good numbers with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. (I just received an email from the D-Fenders.) I always liked the guy and originally wanted him brought up from the D-Fenders to take The Banger Mbenga's role.
Jelani's a bit older. Is there a realistic possibility of him picking up an NBA job next year or is he playing with the D-Fenders purely for the love of the game?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 15, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Jesterguru,
Yeah, it'd be tough to see Rambis coaching the Suns. He's a lifelong Laker. And I definitely don't want to see him getting creamed by Shaq, once he starts complaining about touches and shows up out of shape.
Posted by: Xodus | May 15, 2008 at 02:00 PM
KARL MALONE = pslakerfan
Posted by: FRAUD | May 15, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Huh????? Here's a hint, if it has bad grammar, mis-spelling, or just doesn't make sense, IT ISN'T ME!!! Just ask Edwin, apparently I am the blog grammar police.....
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 15, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Who is Allaha? The god of mispelled words & phrases?
Player-haters & PRAYER haters. God loves you all and so do I.
Please don't respond without using spell-check software first.
:o)
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 15, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I TELL YOU WHAT, I MADE 'SCUSES BOUT INJURIES AND I DID COSTED US THE FINALS.....LAS' NIGHT THAT KOBE PLAYED THROUGH HIS INJURIES AND THE LAKERS WON, SO HE'S 'READY BETTER THAN I AM.
I BE MAKIN TO MANY 'SCUSES FOR MY POOR PLAY AGAINST THE PISTONS. ESPESHELLY MAKIN POOR KOBE INTO ONE!!!
SORRY, KOBE SORRY. I IS JEST TRYIN TO BE RELEVANT AGAINS.
Posted by: KARL MALONE | May 15, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Morning all....It was a good win for the team and our confidence level.
Vlad may have found a little as well as Famar.It would have been nice to see Farmar make that 3 at the end of the 3rd.
The most pleasing thing to see was Boozer not being able to stop Odom driving to the rim. If Odom keeps that up for game 6 and can stay out of foul trouble its a win for us...Fisher played well but......but that 3 that Williams hit in the 4th made my heart skip a couple of beats.In the 3rd Williams also hit a 3 from the bottom right corner with no one in his face..NOT HAPPY JAN..NOT HAPPY..>>ITS AN AUSTRALIAN TERM...
I look forward to game 6 and the same defensive pressure we played with in the 1st half...
GO LAKERS.........Unleash ARIZA....
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 15, 2008 at 02:09 PM
kurt rambis is and should always remain a laker
i want him to take over once PJ retires...i really hope he doesn't take that phoenix
i know that's very selfish but then again...i'm happy for him to be considered for a head job. and i do hope he gets one... just why can't it be milwaukee?
Posted by: CBuck | May 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM