Get back
(That ought to solve any lingering "Hip to be Square" resentment...)
Not everyone has experienced turf toe, tennis elbow, or sports hernia, but most can identify with back pain. So in that, fans and scribes alike might finally have something in common with Kobe Bryant (we can assure you that before, aside from things like requiring oxygen and having 10 fingers and toes, you did not). Most of us, though, don't have to play in Wednesday's Game 5 with the season very much on the line, making the condition of Kobe's back the question of this Western Conference semifinal series. Kobe says he'll play, hoping to take advantage of the extra day between games to get his back right. That he'll suit up isn't really a shock - did anyone think he wouldn't? - but how mobile he'll be is another question. The Jazz is working under the assumption that he'll be his fine and dangerous self Wednesday night, and won't play him any differently than they did Sunday, when they treated him no differently than normal, despite the injury.
In other issues of personnel, Ronny Turiaf won't be suspended for the hard foul he put on Utah's Ronnie Price Sunday afternoon that was called a Flagrant Two violation and got him tossed from the game.
Utah's turnaround started not only by yanking up L.A.'s red carpet to the free- throw line, but by getting aggressive and making it there themselves. Finding more production from Carlos Boozer helped as well.
The LAT's Mark Heisler writes that those focused on Kobe's OT shot selection are missing the point, but the controversy is typical of what The Life of Kobe is like. Steve Dilbeck of the Daily News is looking for something from Phil Jackson, who said yesterday that there are players on the team who need to find old confidence and straighten out their games.
SI's Jack McCallum takes a look at the relationship between Kobe and the Bench Mob. The battle between the reserves, won by Utah in Games 3 and 4, will again be key in Game 5.
This is the right time to beat the Lakers, because down the road they'll only get better.
Mehmet Okur is struggling with an Achilles heel issue, but it certainly doesn't seem to be hurting his on-court performance.
Perhaps a little of this could help Kobe's back. Or, perhaps, this.
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Good Morning Guys,
That image scares me.
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Thank You, God, for sparing Ronny from an unecessary suspension. Continue to heal Kobe's back and continue to let Jordan & the Bench Mob reclaim their rightful groove.
We thank You in advance...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | May 13, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Can someone please remind Kobe how he won the MVP this year and his TEAM won the #1 seed?
T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K.
Posted by: Ballhog Kobe | May 13, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, Laker Nation.
One more day 'till gametime. Any news on Trevor?
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 13, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Once there team that played in New Orleans,
It called itself the Jazz with colors purple gold and green.
Though never number one, they had a lot of fun
With Pistol Pete and Goodrich packing style in their guns
But then came '79 and the Salt Lake City move
Their name was still the Jazz but you know it sounded smooth
Dantley, Blue and Bailey were cool, I must admit
But Stockton-to-Malone took a great big finals...
THANK YOU AND A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE "JAZZERS" (dude, if you're going to infiltrate a hostile blog, don't call yourself a "Jazzer") WHO I HOPE ARE ENJOYING THEIR 2 WINS BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THEY'RE GOING TO GET.
Posted by: East Nyboer | May 13, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Rub some dirt on it and get out there.
Posted by: STEVEN V. | May 13, 2008 at 09:51 AM
TOUGHNESS
Some of the people who come here on this blog lack it.
The Lakers will tough this series out and when they face other teams, it'll be like gravy.
So for those people who have been questioning the team... forget about riding any bandwagons for awhile. You know who you are.
Phil Jackson said "it becomes a SIX game series", so sit back and watch the team close it out in Salt Lake City on Friday.
Just relax and be fans of the game people.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Happy Gilmore | May 13, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Hi All:
Countdown time.....one more day.
AK/BK: liked all the interviews yesterday - the spirit of the team remains really good and appears they are all still confident.
Maybe we will hear something from LAL management today regarding Trevor and if they are going to start having him practice with team and contact scrimmages?? Maybe?
Thanks!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 13, 2008 at 09:56 AM
T-minus 33 hours until game action.
goes without saying, i can't wait. ...i'm actually replaying the game in my dreams (creepy, i know) but the good news is, we always win :)
oh yeah...good morning, ya bums!
Posted by: CBuck | May 13, 2008 at 09:56 AM
interesting stuff taken from ross siler's jazz blog
Written before Game 4 about the trio of refs:
http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/2008/05/no-delaney-no-javie-but-two-homers.htm
"...Actually, according to the site, Corbin and DeRosa are the two best "homer" refs in the NBA this season. Against the spread, home teams are 44-23-0 with Corbin and 47-26-2 with DeRosa. It's only 9:30 a.m., but the Jazz already have caught one break."
after watching the jazz take 20 more FTs, how many of us can agree with this line?
*raises hand*
Posted by: CBuck | May 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Just put some Tussin' on it Kobe!!! Work that Tussin into the bone!!!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM
"Jazz owner Larry H. Miller called (during a Sunday appearance on KSL-TV) for a suspension after watching a replay of the foul"
Are you kidding me?
I watched the replay and thought it was barely a foul, let alone a flagrant foul or let alone flagrant foul 2. There was body contact, so it was a foul, but the rest of it was just Price's out of control drive to the hoop.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Tully Moxness
Chris Rock Fan?
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Tussen? What about dit to jow? I heard that stuff cures everything.
Seriously, we're lucky Bryant doesn't have Bynum's mentality. I'm sure Bynum would take the rest of the year off with a similar complaint.
GGOOOOOOooooOOOO LAAAaaaAAAAKEEEEEEEEERSSSS!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 13, 2008 at 10:16 AM
AK/BK
lakers led comfortably at home. at utah, where the jazz are supposed to be by far the best home team, the lakers were only down by 3 with 15? seconds to go, and the other game went to OT with an injured kobe.
should anyone be worried at all?
Posted by: greek dude | May 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Good Morning Laker nation. One day til ....up 3-2
All is well in Lakerland as long as Kobe is 90%.
Kobesabadbackbadassss(and he is)
Posted by: Kobesbad | May 13, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Is anyone else getting sympathy back pains?
Posted by: phred | May 13, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Tully - Johnny
Dit Da Tussin?
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Reinsdorf is once again showing what a horrible negotiator and fool he is. Unbelievable! Mike D'Antoni falls into his lap, Chicago badly needed a high profile coach, D'Antoni was perfect for their personnel and the FOOL Reinsdorf... doesn't even make him an offer!!!??? instead, trying to lowball him and now COMPLAINING??? in the press that D'Antoni didn't sit around and wait for Chicago to even make an offer for him???
Ahahahhaa! Once again, we see that Jerry Buss is one of the greatest owners in all sports. When Buss wants something, he makes sure it happens, some of these other owners... you wonder why certain franchises flounder year after year after year? Well... behold exhibt A!
Posted by: TaosHum | May 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning A L L of Laker Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is no cause for concern or worries in Laker Nation. This will be a 6 game series. Considering we were in both games in Utah, and the Ja$$ played as well as they can, all we need to do is hit the frees!
Ref's will be better for us at home, and when we go back to SLC, we won't get ganked with "homer" refs like Sunday.
Sit back and enjoy, Laker Nation! It's going to be one heck of a fun run to the Trophy!
10 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 13, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Charles
Dit Da Tussin! Love it! Slather some of that on right now!
Posted by: toad | May 13, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I don't know if this has been posted or not...but good little interview with Pau Gasol....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HOr5K7vyMiM
Posted by: | May 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I don't know if this has been posted or not...but good little interview with Pau Gasol....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HOr5K7vyMiM
Posted by: Sean714 | May 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Calling Ronnie Price's block on Luke Walton clean, is like saying a Pig isn’t dirty. If you only pay attention to the ball in that instance, it may not have been a foul. But if you noticed his elbow to the back of Walton’s neck, his torso running directly into his back, and that fact that this isn’t UFC, any rational human being would say that it was a foul. To insinuate that this block even closely resembles Prince’s block on Miller is retarded. I am not sure what the score in the series is?? Is it 2 Lakers – 2 Jazz, or 2 Lakers – 2 to the guys in stripes? Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: nik kannan | May 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
JohnnyP,
Actually, I don't know how beneficial Dit Da Jow is for backs. It's primarily for bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and inflammation.
I'm not sure how well it works for pinched nerves and such.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 13, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Trolls,
Please see the people like Jeffs Ahso, neil, GUNNER, Forrest, et al for what they are and just don't respond to them. There isn't any merit to their opinions because they won't acknowledge the other side of the coin. I enjoyh dissenting opinions and spirited debate, but not with people who only come to pick a fight when they know that people are already upset.
Give us logins and spam filters so we can rid the blog of this scourge of nonsense.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller
Hey man, I didn't see my call name in this list. Does this mean.......
Posted by: Fire32 | May 13, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Just a little pole I'm taking here.
How many bloggers here think that David Stern directly or indirectly works to influence the outcomes of games to make the playoffs more "exciting" and "marketable"?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Pig,
Thanks for the heads up.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 13, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Whine whine whine.
We only have the MVP, the top record in the West, the GOAT coach, a killer frontline, a clutch leader PG, a terrific bench and a legacy of greatness. I know: let's complain and ask everyone to change their fundamental approach just because we dropped a couple tough roadies in the playoffs.
Fellow Lakers fans, C'MON!
It's championship time! Let's get back to rooting for the Lakers. If anyone's trying to prove that they have more insight than the coaches, players and management of this team, give it up!! Or at least wait until next year before the trading deadline. That's what the early part of the regular seasons in for. Not the playoffs. We're Lakers fans, dammit!! We're supposed to know the difference.
Posted by: The D | May 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Sean714
Thanks for the link.
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Ronny Turiaf's flagrant two is still annoying me.
Price was completely out of control heading for the basket. Ronny was just standing his ground.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 13, 2008 at 11:09 AM
CBuck-
Pretty interesting link there. My friends here on the East coast (who mostly hate the Lakers. and love it when they lose) were going on and on about how biased the officiating was.
Posted by: C.S. | May 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Jon K.,
I think he does, but only after having such terrible finals for the last few years. Spurs-Pistons? Terrible, no one wants to see that. Lakers-Celtics? Much more appealing, but maybe the refs in Utah didn't get the memo...
Posted by: bozz | May 13, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Home Away
Evidently, fans are supposed to accept that players go from getting fouled at home to fouling on the road at double the rate.
I'm not touting conspiracy, but, this year's home court is too advantageous, as if the ghost of Donaghy lurks in the back of official's minds.
It's not a Laker issue, it's league wide. The Shaq bump at home is a charge on the road. Now that he's a Sun, it should obviously be a foul in all locations. For the good of the game, the league has to do better evening out the home town ref effect.
Posted by: Vman | May 13, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Bloggers
It is these types of things that make me believe there is a conspiracy within the media to promote and protect certain players.
Did anyone see LeBron cuss his momma out last night?
He told his momma to "sit yo azz down"! Not one peep from the media........in fact ESPN blocked it out on replays this morning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpHeSNwuok
If this had been Kobe...............I can hear the hater Charles Barkley now............."Kobe is a selfish baby with no respect for his own momma..............How could he respect his teammates"?
Posted by: pfunk36 | May 13, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, JonK, Pig, Toad and the rest of the GREAT AND FABULOUS LAKER NATION!!!
Wow - still more finger pointing & trash talking? Aren't you done yet? Trolls - please - find somewhere else to vent your poison. We here at Laker Nation do not care about what you say or what you think or anything else.
Identify the troll. Wound the troll. Starve the troll.
That being said - I can't wait until game time tomorrow! It's going to be a crazy ride to 3-2 in Round 2!!!!!!!!! I'm glad Kobe has this extra time to rest up - he's going to need it. Back problems are killers - lot's of pain, can't move normally - yikes!
KOBE - put some Windex on it!! LOL! Or Tussin, or dit da jow or anything else you can think of!!!!!!! We need you man!!!!! HOWEVER - I would still take an 80-90% Kobe over anyone else in the league everyday & twice on Sundays! That dude is the definition of WARRIER!!!! He says he'll be good to go & I for one believe him.
I think Pau could use the extra time too - he needs to do a few more push-ups or something. I hope he strengthens up a bit this off-season. However - I love this guy! Without him, we wouldn't be in the position we are right now - that's for sure!
CHEER FOR YOU TEAM, LAKER NATION! TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE ONE HECK OF A GAME! BREAK OUT THE BBQ AND THE TAACCCOOO'SSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 13, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Jon K,
Regarding your poll question. I don't think Stern goes around deliberatey pushing his weight to make a series competitive, BUT I DO think it's likely the NBA office/NBA Officials are told frequently about the state of affairs.
If a series has been too rough, the league office may suggest to their officials that the games need to be called tighter, etc. In that respect, I think Stern does push his weight around.
The truth of this series is that the Jazz are a rough team. Like someone said, maybe there was a memo that said rough up the Lakers and you'll win. I don't know. But immediately in the first game, Boozer comitted like 14 fouls and was called for like 6 of them. Maybe they didn't foul as much in games 3 & 4, but the reffing has been horrendous throughout this series, and the fact that a fan actually held a sign in Utah that said "Bad Call" on it only made me want to puke.
I'm not one to blame the refs and I don't, but they have called a horrible series and have let the Jazz get away with a lot.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Jon K
If Stern were going to influence he might have done something about the last 4 years of ratings bottom feeding. He probably would have preferred the Suns over SAS last year since SA has never drawn an audience. But the calls went the Spurs way.
In the present climate, it's easier to buy "prejudice" at the referee level. DWade vs Dallas appeared to have undue influence, but hard to believe it would come from Stern's phone.
Posted by: Vman | May 13, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Jon K,
Price WAS out of control. I saw no contact that would have caused him to go horizontal like that. Actually, as Price took off he appeared to shift his weight back (the angle of his body was bowed) and when his body made contact with Turiaf, Price's feet went out from under him because of this. Price's feet were already moving forward before Ronnie's "arm came down".
Price was out of control, and his face, along with the entire Laker Nation, paid the price.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 13, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Lakers 2 - Refs 2
Posted by: Nik Kannan | May 13, 2008 at 11:27 AM
make your free throws and we should be just fine. It would help if the bench can produce - say 20 ish points or so -
Posted by: tomas | May 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I don't think that Stern actually influences a series so as to prolong it. But I do think that there are some double standards when it comes to officiating,whether it be intenional or not. But that is just the human element. I don't like it when refs affect the outcome of a game that should be settled by the players.
All in all, I look for the Lakers to win at home tomorrow, with the bench coming through and Kobe having a great game. This is a special unit, and we can go all the way, but the road will not be easy.
Posted by: SpokanLakerFan | May 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Dunk instead of layups and we should be fine.
Posted by: Fire32 | May 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Jon K,
My take on Ronnie is pretty close to Tim-4-Show. If you look and Ronnie's hand, it was still cupping the ball when Price was in the air. Turiaf also jumped straight up and Price's momentum brought him to hit Ronnie. Probably why he wasn't suspended for that grave call.
Intention was at the ball.
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Good Morning Charles---Good Morning Everyone.....
I was travelling all weekend and had to watch the games via tape delay....I could say a lot of things (most of which has already been stated)....
But I have but one thing to say really......wait for it........
PRACTICE FRICKIN' FREE THROWS !!!!
THEN PRACTICE SOME MORE.....
Missed free throws make me want to disembowel myself with an exceptionally dull butter knife....there is no excuse for any NBA player or team to shoot less than 80 % (and I am being generous indeed)--missed free throws (as well as bad weak passes) are my basketball pet peeve--
I agree with those who have said whoever wins Wednesday is going ot win the series---I have always thought this one was going at least 6 and most likely 7...it is crucial we win on Wednesday.....
Besides making our free throws, we have to obviously improve our defense (as usual) and PICK & ROLL these morons from Utah to death....hope the intensity and desire for the Lakers is evident from the tip off to the end....
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, STILL A GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | May 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Nik Kannan
How in the hell did you land Mariah?
Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Fire32 - I would like to again welcome you to Laker Nation! I think it's hysterical that you're now one of us....at least until next season, right? LOL!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM
The sad thing about Rony's foul was that the whistle had already blown, Sasha already had his hand up but Price still came at Rony with intent to dunk. Rony himself said he thought he heard the whistle, but since Price was still coming in, he was going to block. It's too bad the refs didn't use the instant replay to figure out what happened and see that it was NOT in any way, shape or form, deserving of a flagrant 2......wait a second.....
After the shot by Chauncey Billups that counted but shouldn't have in the Detroit series, didn't someone from the media interview Stern and talk about possibly allowing more instant replays to determine what call would be correct? Something about allowing coaches a couple of challenges a game or something? I think he answered that he would be looking into that.....Jeez - here in the 21st century, a LOT of sports are doing that.....wonder what's taking him so long to catch up?! What a tool.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 13, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Even though it's difficult to swallow two straight losses, I'm reminded that the most memorable moments from the past Lakers title runs have come when the team pulled it out with their backs against the wall.
Posted by: lakers_sth | May 13, 2008 at 12:35 PM
And this is why home court advantage is so nice in the playoffs. Both teams very good, with the home court advantage leading to all the wins.
Best of 3, two at Staples. Lakers advantage.
Don't worry. Lakers can't lose. David Stern will make sure of that.
Sorry, Jazz Fans.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM