Lockdown
Over the course of what has become an extremely successful season a whole lot of attention has been given to the Lakers offense. Makes sense. Between frontliners like Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and then Pau Gasol (plus Andrew Bynum, when healthy), offensive-minded supporting players - Sasha Vujacic, Vlad Radmanovic and Jordan Farmar come to mind - and a dime-happy scheme, L.A. can fill up the basketball hoop like a fat man can a hula. So you'd think on a night where the Lakers were shooting nearly 60% at the end of the third, the O would once again dominate the headlines.
You'd be wrong.
The Lakers took a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference finals matchup against the Spurs on the strength of some suffocating defense that limited San Antonio to 34.5% from the floor and never let them score more than 21 points in a quarter. That, not offensive production, explains L.A.'s 101-71 blowout win. They'll head to Texas confident, but well aware of what the Spurs did one round ago, when, just as they did in L.A., San Antonio lost the first two games on the road before eventually winning the series. Still, this is a confident group, and deservedly so after what was probably, given the timing, their best defensive game of the season.
AK has the breakdown below.
BK
The Good
- Lamar Odom: After a pretty nondescript Game 1, it was important for the Lakers that Lamar bounce back with a quality effort. His work tonight would qualify as some seriously elevated spring-boarding. Seventeen seconds elapsed before LO racked the Lakers' first two points. From there, he never looked back. Twenty points off seven-for-10 shooting, and save one swished 19-footer, all of his attempts came from inside of the key. Odom was relentless around the rim, getting buckets off one-handed alley-oop dunks, hand-switching layups, or just some good old-fashioned post-ups. Defensively, he was also a beast, grabbing a dozen boards or notching four swats, a pair of which came within a minute of each other during the third quarter. His energy from start to finish was visibly contagious. Save a defensive three-second violation, it's hard to cite much of anything the dude did wrong.
- Derek Fisher: If Odom's Wednesday game was "nondescript," Fish's qualified as flat-out poor (one-for-nine shooting, five personals outweighing four points), making him even in more need of a Bizarro-game. And like LO, Fisher found it tonight. Four for five from the floor and three for three from the line for 11 points. And like Lamar, Fish got his game back through aggressive play at the cup, highlighted by a couple of sweet, twisting layups. Often regarded as a spot-up shooter, Fisher followed #7's suit with only one jumper taken (and canned). He also spent a fair amount of time guarding Tony Parker, who wrapped up the night with a ho-hum 14 points, plus four turnovers to complement four assists. You can do the math from here.
- Jordan Farmar: Odom and Fisher may have shown up tonight seeking redemption, but they had nothing on the Lakers' backup point guard. The previous two series have been brutal for Farmar, the hope being that San Antonio could provide something of a fresh start to spark Farmar. After showing some signs of life during Game 1, Farmar finally broke through with a game where he looked like "himself." Fourteen points off five-for-seven shooting, the shots a nice mix of distance makes (two for four from behind the arc) and drives inside the paint. He also arguably made the game's uber-highlight play, flying in from behind to block Ime Udoka's layup, a killer display of hops and effort that predictably brought the house to its feet. We won't know for sure until the next couple of games whether tonight served as Farmar's true "slump breaker." But if anyone's willing to at least be optimistic, I'd hardly blame them.
When it comes to both these difficulties and hopefully having conquered them, Farmar has taken a pragmatic outlook. "It is what is. I see guys like Ray Allen, who's maybe the best shooter in the game right now, go through struggles. If a guy like that, who can shoot the ball as well he does, can go through something like that, then I know I have nothing to worry about. Just continue to play, continue to work. Find a way to work your way through it."
- Trevor Ariza: Nice to just see the guy in anything other than a suit, much less on the court. Predictably, the crowd went nuts when he took (and made) his first jumper from 17 feet out. The small forward was just happy that everyone remembered who he was. "I definitely felt it," smiled Ariza of the buzz permeating as he prepared to let fly. "It was a great feeling. I appreciate them all. I love them all."
- Kobe Bryant: So after all the chatter and analysis, "which" Kobe showed up for Game 2? How about the one that was just really good?
The Bad
- Truth be told, not a whole heckuva lot. Yeah, Pau Gasol's first half was kinda weak, one where he not only struggled to hit hardwood paydirt (two for six for four points), but did little on the glass (four boards). But then his third frame was more promising, with six points and matching Tim Duncan rebound for rebound at three each, a display of momentum that might have been carried through the final quarter, were Gasol's services even required by then. Plus, he does deserve some credit for helping keep TD contained. And yeah, Luke Walton's shot was mostly off and occasionally way off, but he also collected five boards, four dimes and a pair of steals. Bottom line, everyone playing significant minutes brought a significant something to the table. And really, how much could really have gone wrong when you beat the defending champs by 30?
AUDIO
- Trevor Ariza: Download trevor_ariza_sa_game_2_postgame.mp3
- Jordan Farmar: Download jordan_farmar_sa_postgame_2.mp3
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_post_game_2.mp3
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_post_game_2.mp3
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_post_game_2.mp3
- Ronny Turiaf (talks about LO, and being mic'd up for the game): Download ronny_turiaf_post_game_2_on_lo.mp3
- Trevor Ariza: Download trevor_ariza_post_game_2.mp3
AK
All I can say is "We Love It" gotta bring extra intensity sunday cause they will
Posted by: B Nice | May 23, 2008 at 10:33 PM
thank God.
Posted by: man | May 23, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Lamar has always been a stud on defense. I love his help defense, even if it results in a few 3-second defensive calls a game - it's worth it.
But I have to say that on offense, I've never been his biggest fan. There were times he was either way too passive, or bowling guys over.
Watching him now, I have to believe - Lamar Odom gets it. He has the balance now between letting the game come to him too much, and forcing the game. He's being aggressive in all the right ways.
And did I see him hit an outside jumper? Is that Lamar Odom hitting free throws with consistency, even clutch free throws?
Keep it up, L.O., and that Star you had on your head might be a star on your uniform next year about halfway through the season.
Lakers just gotta keep putting their nose to the grindstone, don't let up, don't look up, don't look back, all those cliches.
The Black Moses is taking us there, Lakers Tribe.
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 23, 2008 at 10:36 PM
One thing bad is that Lakers are going to San Antonio. Don't underestimate the spirit of Alamo, the Riverwalk people, the heart of the Champions. Lakers have to prepare well for it will be a dogfight in Texas.
If the Spurs compete in Game 3, it can be dubbed as the revenge of AARP.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 23, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Also, Kobe is up to again with the viral videos, this time with the boys from MTV's "Jackass".
Check it out at http://kb24.com/
And if you think the last dunk is real, I have some real estate to sell you.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 23, 2008 at 10:44 PM
lol, great picture ... we should have another right beside it of kimbo slice beating down one of his opponents ... lets go lakers!!!
Posted by: kene_slow | May 23, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Two more to go.
San Antonio here we come!!!! It's nice to be back in familiar, totally-could-happen, championship territory!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: LongtimeLakerLover | May 23, 2008 at 10:49 PM
man, I love it. I'm happier than a pig in a puddle of mud. Laker are the pig, Spurs are the mud. And I'm goosed. grey goosed.
Posted by: JCY | May 23, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Great win tonight. We will see how good this team is on Sunday. So far the Spurs don't look like they can even win one game the way the Lakers are dominating. This team is something special. Not only are they a confident team, but they are focused as well. They are not taking anything lightly and know that up to now, they have not accomplished their mission. I think the 2 losses in Utah will serve the Lakers well as we head to San Antonio. They will be ready on sunday. I expect them to win game 3. The Spurs will put up a fight, but they look way too slow, tired and and not deep enpugh to keep up with the Lakers.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 23, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Nobody listened to AI when he said that the Lakers have a lot lethal players and all of them are poisons. If San Antonio cannot rise up from its ashes, then the Finals will be within the reach by next week.
At this given hour, The frenchman is in bad mood, no playing footsies with Eva tonight, he could not sleep until Sunday, he wants to get back to SA and bury the Lakers.
In Game One, Manu was quoted the lyrics of Don't Cry for Me Argentina......this time it was the turn of Robert Horry as he talked to Fish and Kobe at the locker room:
"We've gone to far too long
too far appart
the lovin was easy
it's the living that's hard
for there's no need to stay to see
the way that it ends
it's over, nobody wins" (against these Lakers)
The song "It's Over" by Frank Sinatra
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 23, 2008 at 10:55 PM
What I saw on the Spurs faces after the game is the knowledge that there is no way they are beating this Laker team 4 out of 5 games to win this series. I wouldn't bet my house but I really, really like the Lakers' chances of reaching the NBA Finals.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 23, 2008 at 10:58 PM
That hula guys was funny.
I wonder if there is anybody in the blog who weighs more than 400 lbs?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 23, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Your wish is my command Lakertom lol.
The key to a good defensive game is effort. It's effort, intensity, it's the desire. The desire to be better, to play better, to win.
If there was one play that showed how good our D was...no, not the Farmar one (though that was rocking)...it was one in which Lamar Odom got 3 blocks in like 2 plays. Everything inside was swatted, every pick and roll, picked up on to perfection (lol), it was one in which we showed we have no quit.
Defense when played well is played in levels. In that one play you had the guards fighting over picks, you had helpers helping when needed and you had the man in the paint. The man in the paint was Pau Gasol, but always always there needs to be a help to the helper...that was Lamar Odom.
A 37-37 game didn't turn into a 30 point victory. To do that you need to get stops...and when you do, run young man run.
One thing I noticed is that we're making it an effort to clog the paint. For every guard that penetrates there is a trap there waiting to happen. But we're also using our brain. Time was such a strategy will lead to a Kleiza or somebody shooting lights out...but now, we're playing smarter. We may be leaving that guy open for a moment (sometimes that's all it takes) but he won't be open for long. There isn't a shot that is left unchallenged eventually. And so they know that when they shoot someone is running for them, someone has a hand in their face. If anything I think our biggest adjustment in this front is choosing who to let shoot.
To add to that and this is what I loved the most....No one was trying to swat the ball, no one was trying to go for the suicide steal. The object of the game was to stay in front, to challenge the shot...that's what we did. I'm not against steals, but you have to pick your spots, sometimes that's not the smartest thing to do. You ever see fast breaks in which Fish is alone by himself? No panic, he could very well run to the guy and swat the ball (he does that every once in a while)...but 9 times out of ten, you see him in a defensive stance ready to meet the player...ready to protect the paint, or the 3 point line. That's defense.
The playoffs is about dominating in your own right and taking away the dominance of the other team. Our defense is not our greatest strength but it is our most valuable weapon.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 23, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Anyone think we played the best game we could have played?
yeah me neither lol.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 23, 2008 at 11:11 PM
And still people don't believe!
TNT's Ernie Johnson bid Magic goodbye for the rest of the series saying it's his last time on the show 'til the Finals...
Magic looked surprised, but got wind of it quickly.
LAKERS IN FOUR!!!
The Spurs are gonna come hard on Game 3, so the Lakers have to find that "other" difference make... Manu saw Sasha for 2 games now... guess he'll see more of Trevor for Game 3.
Lakers in FOUR!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Happy Gilmore | May 23, 2008 at 11:19 PM
THIS SERIES IS OVER.
After an exhausting 7 games in New Orleans, then an unplanned stay in the airplane motel, the Spurs didn't have the energy to finish game 1. Now, still on the road, they still haven't gotten it together.
And they won't. Not with only one day's rest between games. Especially when they have to travel overnight for all but one game. And Game 4 is the only game they'll have slept two consecutive nights in their own beds.
Spurs climbing an insurmountable mountain, and being rushed to boot.
They may not be coming back to LA.
Lakers in 5 is my bet.
Posted by: another Laker Tom | May 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM
What a game!
I've been less aroused in strip clubs..
O-Dogg and Fresh Fish bring the pain along with the Farmar...who desperately requires a cool nickname by the way.
Even though G-Soul could not be considered a force in this game, nor could Duncan.
Kobe keeps it 100. Never seen him play this efficiently. He really is playing the most dominating basketball of career. Thats saying something!
Ariza shaking off the rust was a bonus. Cant wait till that G is oiled up and ready for some real court time.
-Australia's number 1 laker fan
Posted by: R-Type | May 23, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I love that LO has taken on the role of wanting every rebound and feeling like that is always a way he can contribute. The interviews show that PJ is really managing the mentality of the players and that they're also managing each other really well. This is the product of all that long-term teaching within games that PJ often gets criticized for.
Posted by: lakers_sth | May 24, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Had to listen to the radio tonight.
WOW!!!!!
Whodathunk?
I heard that for any Laker fans travelling to the SA area for the next 2 games, Alamo is having a special for those who need ground transportation.
While Alamo stated they will not upgrade any Laker fans to a more comfortable ride, if you use the special discount code "RENTED MULE" you will have in effect 'beaten them down' as much as is humanly (or humanely as the case may be) possible.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 24, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Tim Duncan said that their mission is to win 4 games and it doesn't matter how they do it. That's what they need to focus on. Sadly, for them the Spurs look absolutely flat. The kind of flat that says 'how can we match their energy?' They may have the heart of a champion but their tired legs and bodies are taking over and dragging them down. Game 1 stayed in their heads despite what the pundits and Spurs fans say.
Bruce Bowen had a hard time sleeping after game 1:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/
spurs/stories/MYSA052308_SpursNotes.en.37bc46a.html
That being said, the Laker hunger seems to grow with each win. With each win comes added experience. With each experience the Lakers just get tougher, smarter, and become better killers. Will the Spurs come out with their trademark mental toughness and scrappiness in game 3 and will it be enough to get a win against this highly motivated bunch of assassins that are the Lakers? Probably not. The answer will come soon enough on Sunday.
Go Lakers!!
Posted by: PurpleMagic | May 24, 2008 at 12:49 AM
The following story is about Ron Harper (who finished up with the lakers if you didnt know!). I found it really interesting as there are stories about him with the cavs, bulls and lakers which feature phil, jordan and kobe.
Great read:
http://www.cavsnews.com/20080523-1162.php
Posted by: R-Type | May 24, 2008 at 01:23 AM
internet link for game one and two pls,i want to watch how the lakers crush the old boring ass spurs!!!Go Lakers 2008 NBA Champsss!!!
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | May 24, 2008 at 01:41 AM
R-Type......Really sorry mate but i have to take you to task on who is Australia's number 1 laker fan.....30 years my friend..
lol....good to have another Aussie on board....What part you from..?
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 24, 2008 at 02:32 AM
wow its just unbelievable how we went from kobe almost getting traded to most likely taking a ring in 6 months. just imagine how good this team will be next year-i cant wait! ok so we started the season off 9-9 and that was before bynum emerged and odom and the bench mob became good during the time period that everyone was talking about kobe was going to get traded. then, once bynum became a beast, he got injured. he was averaging 19 11 and 3 that last month before the injury, if you dont remember how good he was check out his last few games b4 the injury on youtube. the next 7 games w/o him we struggled and went 2-5 and then we got gasol. we were doing great and then he got injured for 9 games where we went 4-5. after that we finished da season strong and here we are today making a championship run. Open your eyes people! NO ONE can handle us even without bynum, so imagine adding bynum as well! look at the nba as a whole. who can stop us? spurs are too old, this is their last hurrah, new orleans is good but they couldnt handle us with bynum before we haad gasol or with gasol w.o bynum so with both of them they can't even challenge us. phoenix is done, their coach left and nash and shaq wont work, houston is too injury prone and even when healthy cant do anything, the jizz are dirty and not talented enough, thuggets are a joke golden state please, portland with oden- still wont be enough. in the east only boston and detroit can compete with us. if detroit doesnt win it all this year they will trade everyone and start from scratch, boston has no heart and the rest of the east is terrible. right know, excluding the games gasol was injured in, we are on pace to win 70 games. so think about i, we only had bynum 1/2 the season, gasol1/4 of the season, ariza 15-20 games, and the new LO for the last 2-3 months.So an offseason w.o the trade kobe drama, more time for gasol and bynum and the rest of the team to get used to each other and i believe that next years lakers will win 70 games. imagine how much better next years offense will be!!!! remember the kobe and bynum alley oop? ok so bynum sets a pick for the mamba, kobe can now a.) alley oop to bynum b.) shoot an open jumpshot c.) pass to an open gasol under the basket since the guy gaurding bynum will have to come out to gaurd the pick and roll or d.) pass to a cutting lamar and/or pass it out to one of our three point shooters.gasol's only weakness is that he gets pushed around a little bit since he is undersized at the center position, but once he moves back to pf, its all but over.Basically, Kobe, Lamar, Pau, and Bynum all demand double teams, except teams cant afford to double because then it will be dunks or layups all day. in conclusion, the nba as we know it is over. look for a lakers 5 peat and 10 years of being favorites for the title. barring significant injuries, the lakers will own the league and kobe is going to become the G.O.A.T. better than jordan with at least 8 rings. remember, mj won his first ring at 28. kobe is 29 with a 3 ring head start. i can hardly wait as history is being made.ARE YOU READY??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: ben | May 24, 2008 at 02:42 AM
4-0 all the way!!!
PURPLE & GOLD BABY!!!
Posted by: juanman888 | May 24, 2008 at 02:45 AM
The true test for this team will be how well it can learn from its past playoff experiences and apply those lessons to their current situation. As long as they remember what they went through in the Utah series away from home and avoid the complacency that can creep into their psyches with a blowout victpory, they should be able to get at least a split in San Antonio. The Spurs certainly can't be expected to continue to shoot poorly at home. The Lakers will have to display a killer instinct since this team truly is a "cockaroach". They won't die unless you step on them again and a again.
Posted by: jax onus | May 24, 2008 at 02:53 AM
oops... I meant to say the Spurs will only sleep two FULL consecutive nights before game 4.
Most every other night they will spend on an airplane. So no real solid pair of nights of rest for the Spurs.
That's going to wear a tired team farther down.
Posted by: another L Tom | May 24, 2008 at 03:13 AM
can i just get a w00t w00t....
god i love these lakers
Posted by: David Whang | May 24, 2008 at 03:18 AM
dude btw this was a good game because my heart had a much needed rest
Posted by: David "Sasha" Whang | May 24, 2008 at 03:23 AM
LakerTom,
As usual we both agree. Here's what I wrote on the blog after the Spurs win on Monday.
______
The Spurs were tired... I mean exhausted during the fourth quarter. Had they been playing against the Jazz as their lead was dwindling, they would have lost. They tried to keep their legs alive for defense, and pretty much failed, and they clearly had no legs at all on offense. They were used up from a long season and two rough playoff series.
Does anyone really think they'll be fresh on Wednesday? Or that they'll be able to fight for more than two quarters?
Lakers take game 1 on a platter. Game 2 follows the same pattern, with an element of mild desperation on the Spurs' side because they don't want to be down 2-0 again. But of course they lose and say to themselves we'll repeat what we did with the Hornets. Problem is the Lakers will unquestionably steal a game in SA and be back home to close leading 3-1. And of course they will close.
I agree with Hollinger: Lakers in 5.
Posted by: Tsphere | May 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
_______
I was wrong about game 1 in that I failed to predict the negative effect of the layoff on the Lakers' concentration, which left them in a 20 point hole in the third quarter. But the rest is obvious (or rather the lack of rest). The Spurs stayed fresh and in rhythm for all of 30 minutes in Game 1 and then signed a blank check to the Lakers for the last 18 minutes. In game 2 they were only even in the score at 37-37 because of some Lakers mistakes; otherwise, they were already clearly outclassed throughout the first half, but give them credit for hanging in for 22 minutes.
My fear (or rather hope, but more about that later) is that they will lose another 8 minutes in game 3, which may nevertheless be compensated by home court energizing, meaning that by the start of the second quarter they won't be able to keep up or match up with the Lakers.
I revise my prediction. This looks like a sweep.
So why do I say "fear"? I love seeing the Lakers win and dominate and they absolutely have to go to the finals and show the Eastern pretenders who's boss. (The Western kingdom is the capital of the empire). But basketball is a sport of high drama, sometimes worthy of Shakespeare, and the Champion Spurs are now reduced to the role of the King's fool. They no longer have what it takes to pull out a win even at home... and we can thank Phoenix and especially NOH for turning what should have been a thrilling Laker victory in 6 or 7 games into a sweep.
I didn't particularly enjoy either of the first two games of the series. The first was just plain bizarre and unrepresentative of the talents of the Lakers for 2.5 quarters and the Spurs for the remainder. But at least it was exciting. Game 2 was like watching a beautiful sand castle discovered on the beach, with spires and turrets (but not twin towers) and then brusquely transform into a nondescript wet mound with the first wave of a mounting tide. It was dramatic too early and the drama was too quick and decisive.
So instead of a potentially seven game series with at least two or three moments of high drama marked by exceptional effort (as in game 1 of the Spurs-Suns series), we're left with one emotion only: the glee of winning and going on to the next series. And whether it's Boston or Detroit, who will probably play for four or five days longer than we do, the pattern of the Finals is likely to be the same. The reward will be sweet, but some of the fun will be gone (like when we swept the NJ Nets). If it's Boston, there will be some folklore and nostalgia to spice things up, but I don't expect much drama... although the fact that we have to dominate on the road adds a challenge and a dramatic twist.
But that isn't the worst of it. What about next year when Andrew is back? The Lakers will be a thing of beauty but won't we ultimately get bored when we realize there's no one to challenge them? Maybe Portland will emerge. New Orleans will be fun, but not a real threat. I'd also like to see the Clippers come together and may our guys sweat for the inevitable victories and maybe start the playoffs next year with the first Hallway Series.
I'm looking forward to the new dynasty, but I'd also like to see something like Ali-Frazier after the eclipse of the current aging Sonny Listons (SA, Phoenix, Boston, Detroit, Dallas). Mitch has been too skillful and the basketball gods may have been too kind to us. Let's hope they rain their blessings on a couple of other teams to raise the tension and guarantee the drama.
Posted by: Tsphere | May 24, 2008 at 05:29 AM
Who is the woman talking to Ronny in the soundclip?
she sounds familiar kinda like Elizabeth Espinoza from KTLA.
Posted by: Bryan | May 24, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Bronx,
Go ahead and bet your house that the Lakes reach the Finals. Matter of fact, bet your house, your car, your job, your dog ...... it is written.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | May 24, 2008 at 06:09 AM
EVERYBODY!! REMEMBER WITH ME!
Remember after the 04' season..after the The dynasty fell apart. Remember the summer of confusion..the unknown unknown! Remember the Rudy T experiment that went rye with no explanation. Remember Tim Duncan comment after facing a depleted and rebuilding team!.."haha I definitely don't miss Shaq..this isnt the Lakers im use to seeing" says Tim Duncan after abusing a newly aquired Chris Mihm. Yes people..remember his smiles..as if to say..this Western Conferense is mines..and he cashed in once. Now fast forward to this season..Mr Duncan..I love your game also..very dominate..but your not the quite..emotionaless person you come off as. Lets review Mr Duncanc
1. The average age for your starters is 31..the average age for you bench is 31-32.
2. Again..after watching LA run roughshod on you..Where's the discipline associated with Spurs basketball.
3. Being down 0-2 to this Laker team is not the same as being down 0-2 to the Hornets.
Tim..you know it..and I know! Shall I exlain!
ok..listen..The Hornets starters love to catch and shoot..CP isn't a game changer..though very talented..but can be shut down. He pads his stats cuz of his penetrations and kick outs..wether or not the man is wide open or not they will shoot to provide CP an assist so the whole world can slobber over how CP is such an assist machine. Tyson Chandler can't create his own shot to save his life..West was the real threat..oh and Peja and shutting them down as you can see got you a plane ride to LA. But it just isn't the same is it Mr Duncan! You know Kobe can't be stopped..you know doubling him will kill any chance of your team winning! You know leaving Bruce Bowen on Kobe all alone will get him early fouls. Do I even have to bring up Udoka?? Mr Duncan..explain something to me? Who do you game plan for on sunday? You have noone on your team who can guard LO..Parker is to small to guard Fish..Bowen can't do anything to Bryant..you put finley on Radman? MISTAKE!! The Only mismatch is you Mr Duncan against Pau..and you though we would doublt team you! You waited for it..that was yalls plan all along..Post and Pop huh? Oohhhh Mr Jackson sure did throw a monkey wrench in yall plan by not doubling you huh Mr Duncan!..Well don't worry Mr Duncan..you be at hoem watchn the final wondering were the time went
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 24, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Wow. That was a fantastic game. The team is really playing well. Kobe seems to have grown so much. I can't really ask for anything more, never could, for his effort. And now he really seems to have matured. I still am a bit sore on how he treated the city and team after the love and everything Dr. Buss has done for him, but I guess that is the dark side of Black Mamba, he was frustrated. I will take his thankfullness on Inside the NBA after the game as an apology.
The team is having fun, everyone contributed last night. But Pau still bugs me a bit since the Utah series. He has turned into winny Pau. EVERY TIME he complains about the refs. And here is the deal, he is playing worse, it is not helping his game. Kobe can get mad and still play, apparently Pau can not. He has to stop complaining and just play. He is a good guy just needs to chill with the refs since all he is hurting is himself and the Lakers.
If Trevor can play some D, Pau can just chill, and everyone has fun, looks like a championship back in the Southland.
Posted by: Larry of LA | May 24, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Faith,
Great analysis. We have been playing much smarter defense. I'm sure you've also noticed that the steals we've been getting lately are not of the suicide variety (though we've gotten a few of those, too). Now, we are pouncing on the sloppiness of the opposing player and getting those opportunistic steals. You know, when a guy gets too fancy with the dribble, or if he's not paying attention to his handle and Fish just snatches the ball from him. Stuff like that.
We have been pursuing the "safe" steal and not the dangerous one.
I've noticed that Kobe and Farmar (who are our most suicide steal prone players) stop themselves and think better of it and get back to their man. I know that definitely means it is something the coaching staff has been drilling into their heads.
Sometimes that juicy-looking break-away steal (and obligatory highlight dunk or layup) is just fools gold.
How would you like to be the Spurs and see that you can hold the Lakers to an average of 21 points below their scoring average and you still can't win?
Faith. Just as you've pointed out, that is what the Lakers' defense means to them.
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 24, 2008 at 07:24 AM
LakerTom,
"While I would prefer to play the Celtics just for tradition, I just cannot bring myself to root for them over Detroit. Maybe some of you out there can do that for me but I just hate the Celtics too much."
That brings up an interesting question. Would you rather have had the Celtics have the embarrassment of losing to Atlanta, or make it to the Finals and have the Lakers beat them?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 24, 2008 at 07:26 AM
BK is right. There are quarters, and usually only quarters, where the lakers completely suffocate their opponents. That was the case in game two against the Jazz. The Lakers forced a lot of turnovers in that quarter and built up a fourteen point lead. We basically sat on that for the rest of the game. Our D did it!!
The key to this defense seems to be switching. I have seen sequences where Kobe is guarding nearly every one who touches the ball. There is a lot of double teaming everyone. This occassionally leaves a wide open three. And if one person slumps on energy, the doubling can create a lot of open looks for the opponent. But when it works it is smothering!!
I watched the first quarter and a half from the airport and only caught the last 2 minutes in a bar last night. So I'm stilll kinda stuck on game one. I have a huge urge to chide those who were down on the Lakers (predicting a 4 - 0 loss) when we were down by 20 by name. I'll let it pass, people panic. But you should always believe in the Lakers and keep hope while there is hope.
GOOOOoooOOOOOO LLLLLAAAAAKKKKKKEEEERRS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 24, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Here is my take on game two and why the Lakers should look forward to even more success coming up:
Kobe's free throws. In game two Kobe took ONE free throw. What does this mean? In this game it was never necessary for him to be agressive going to the basket to draw contact. Limited contact is like a free game for Kobe, leaving him more fresh. The Spurs can look forward to that in the next game.
Pau Gasol played a mediocre game at best. He will play better in game three.
Three point shooting. The Lakers shot just five of eighteen, much worse than average for them.
Why did the Lakers win? Defense. And superior play from LO, Fisher and Farmar. (Kobe is a given. Can the Spurs say that about anyone?)
The Lakers shot 55% and over 60% before garbage time. Spurs defense is demoralized.
Now, for the main reason this series is teetering on a sweep and a lock to go no more than five games: Lakers defense right now is better than the Spurs. Lakers will take that defense on the road and the Spurs will have to face the ruin of their run in front of their own fans.
Good night Spurs, we respected but hated your boring brand of basketball. The Lakers next dynasty is here.
MarkytheArky
Posted by: MarkytheArky | May 24, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Gasol, LO, and Vlad are playing great defense on Duncan. Game one he had a monster game, but this game he was totally shut down offensively and the only player on their team with any boards. Gasol can not be criticized for not blowing up the box score because he has to guard Duncan and get defended by him on the other end. Gasol must be loving whats happening.
Posted by: richard | May 24, 2008 at 07:50 AM
if you come to think of it... saying that the spurs are tired after playing game 7 in NO... remember that before playing game 7, they had 3 days of rest... meaning, they only had 2 games in a six day span, that is including game 1 of WCF... so saying that they are tired is not an excuse at all.
Posted by: allansy8 | May 24, 2008 at 08:07 AM
My poor poor team. I love my spurs and I still feel they can put up a fight at home, but man they looked TIRED last night. At the beggining thier defense was doing ok but thier offense all night was not there at all! I will give credit where it is due and you Lakers have a very very damn good team here. Kobe is just a monster. And i have much more respect for the suppourting cast on your team. I know the Spurs have been here before down 0-2, but they look much more fatiuged than ever before. This is the first time i have seen them this out of it. I still think they can do it, but if they lose this next one, they are OUT! I STILL LOVE MY SPURS!!!
SPURS IN 7
GO SPURS GO!
Posted by: cello_the Spurs fan | May 24, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I think that good defense is more about anticipation than effort. Certainly individual effort is important; that results in plays like Farmar's block. But effort without anticipation usually results in fouls. Or missed steals, leading to easy baskets by the other team. Putting yourself in position to make the plays is the more important part. That comes from experience, good coaching, studying tendencies of the other teams, playing with your teammates long enough that you can anticipate what they will do (it's not just anticipating the opponent), and trusting your teammates to do what they are supposed to do.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 24, 2008 at 08:14 AM
The lakers have the quickness and versatility to make this one damn tough series for the Spurs.
I don't think the Spurs can take 4 of 5 from the Lakers.
But make no mistake, San Antone will be tougher at home. The role players will look better, the shots will fall, the stars will be energized. They will get back to the rock solid execution. Game 3 should be very tough.
In the offseason, Pau has to strengthen his base. He simply is not strong enough at the base for playoff ball. He has looked simply overmatched at times and has finished weakly. Even in this rout, he struggled badly.
Also for next year, with Andrew in the paint, he needs to become stronger on that 15 foot jumper. He will get open ones all day long and needs better footwork, neeeds to align himself to the hoop better and make those automatic. He looks awkward, and teh results have been mixed.
Lakers will win this, Spurs will fight back.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | May 24, 2008 at 08:32 AM
This series is starting to remind me of the Lakers' 2004 series against the Detroit Pistons or the 1991 series against the Bulls, an older, injured championship team getting beaten by a hungrier, athletic team on the rise.
I know Bowen is a dirty player, but I've always respected the Spurs and never hated them like I did the Suns or Sacramento. For the most part, the Spurs have always been a class act.
I've also enjoyed watching the younger Laker players growing into the part of champions, and seeing players who haven't been successful in the playoffs (Gasol, Odom) learning how to be winners as well. It's like they have to look foolish and be embarrassed (and get over it) in front of a national tv audience in order to become a winner. Like the samurais who cheated death by assuming that they were dead already.
Posted by: jef | May 24, 2008 at 08:42 AM
GOOD MORNING LAKER NATION!
Holy cow! I'm almost a little surprised we could play so well (or anyone could in this day and age.)
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.
What was I most impressed by? The way we seamlessly switched off on defense. The Borg-like group think, instantaneously switched coverage to not allow gaps in coverage and to resist the urge to unnecessarily double-team simply shut down the Spurs. They were helpless. It was beautiful.
I'd sure love to see a Spurs Troll wander into Laker Nation today. Public disembowelment and Toad managed barbarqueing would not even approach the appropriate savagery he/she would receive.
Other points in the game that brought me great joy?
1. Derek Fisher's defense and elegantly controlled aggression towards the basket. Derek just played great. People say he's gotten older and slower, but he sure didn't look that way last night. Impressive.
2. Lamar Odom's energy, rebounds and confidence. Remember all those years of bemoaning how Lamar constantly played below his potential and would commit to knucklehead moves under pressure? Those dark days are GONE! Lamar has become the player we all knew he could be and he showed that last night. He was fantastic. How do you stop him when he's playing on this level? Answer: You can't. Lamar Odom, Finals MVP.
3. I really should have jumped on the "Jordan Farmar Is A Bad Mofo And He's Going To Show You" Bandwagon because he was one bad mofo last night. I'm wondering if next year he'll be able to play like that most/all of the time. If so, dude, with Andrew Bynum back and Farmar playing like that, I'm thinking 75 win season.
4. Pau Gasol in the second half. Let's face it. In Game One, Tim Duncan dominated Pau Gasol. A few times that "soft" label he had been cursed with in Memphis came to mind. Well, that certainly wasn't the case in the second half of Game Two. There was this one moment late in the third quarter where Pau Gasol was being guarded by Tim Duncan close to the basket, and Pau got this Kobesque evil-grin on his face that said, "I own this guy and he's about to be embarassed." And lo and behold, Pau slipped off him and laid up the ball as a stunned Tim Duncan looked upon helplessly.
Pau is developing MAJOR confidence from this playoffs. He's never won like this before. I think a certain degree of Pau's "softness" has come from a degree of inner conflict from losing so much. That is not Pau's future. Expect him to be more aggressive and tougher as the series (and the years) go on. Just fantastic.
5. Everyone contributed. Luke Walton, Rad Vlad, Ronny Turiaf, and Sasha Vuljacic all played well and help this team to victory. No one played poorly. We played like a team, as opposed to a group of players. Simply beautiful basketball.
6. After all the wait, Trevor Ariza is back! This is a big deal. Despite the criticisms people had of Brian Cook, I strongly believe that he and Mighty Mo Evans are very good players. That much said, we got the better of the trade. Trevor's return is going to unfold a who new dimension to this team which our opponents will not be able to stop. I can hardly imagine how good we're going to be with Andrew Bynum back and another year's experience of playing together under our belts.
GOD, I LOVE THIS TEAM!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
ONWARDS TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 24, 2008 at 08:44 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA,
HI GUYS,
READY FOR WIN #2= CHECK.
TONIGHT, THE TEAM WILL GO ON FIRE EARLY CUZ THEY CANNOT TAKE ANY CHANCES WITH THE SPURS AND KOBE KNOWS BEST.
KEEP THE ENERGY HIGH IN THE BLOGG AND OUR WIN IS GUARANTED. OUR TEAM WILL SHOW HEART OF A CHAMPION TONIGHT.
PAUL=LUCK
KOBE=GURU
SACHA=THE RAT
THIS YEAR IS ONLY FOR US AND SO FAR, WE ARE MANAGING IT VERY WELL.
THANK YOU, GOD FOR WIN#2
LOVE TO OUR TEAM AND TO ALL
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | May 23, 2008 at 01:20 PM
IT'S A LOVELY BEAUTIFUL DAY THIS MORNING AND I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT OUR TEAM DID ITS BEST TO SHOW ONCE AGAIN THAT I AM 99% RIGHT ABOUT ITS MENTALITY.
IT'S SEEMS LIKE BILL PLASCHKE READ OUR BLOG YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE WROTE: LAKERS QUICKLY FINDING THE KILLER INSTINCT OF A CHAMPION.
ANYWAY, WE ARE ROLLING AND ROCK= HUNGRY FOR THE NBA TITLE. ONCE AGAIN, KOBE KNOWS BEST.
LOVE TO OUR TEAM TO ALL
A DEMAIN
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | May 24, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Congratulations Los Angeles Lakers and Fans !
I'm NOT a Laker fan but I must give credit were its due. This years playoffs has made a believer out of me when it comes to Kobe Bryant. Personally, I think the guy is an arrogant, pompous SOB but I guess if I was the Best player to play since Jordan, and knew it, I might act a little smug as well.
As even your harshest critic, the Laker team currently on the floor, is playing perhaps, the best ball in the playoffs thusfar of any team, east or west. After last nights game, I got online and was catching up with all the Lakers/Spurs mumbo jumbo and it tickled me how witty and informed some of you LA folks are!! I just assumed you were all smug and plastic LOL I spent about 30mins at somebodys myspace page( http://www.myspace.com/toxic_semen) an obvious Laker fan, watching Laker and Kobe highlights and I must admit, the guy is worthy of the MVP this season and his recent commericals are hilarious!!!
Good Luck you guys. Prove all the Haters like Me wrong !!
Tyler in VA
Posted by: Tyler | May 24, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Listening to many of the analysts and experts and reading quite a few articles, not nearly enough credit is being given to the Lakers defense. Instead, much of the focus is on how bad the Spurs are shooting, Ginobili being injured and that the Spurs are tired. I'm sure that all those points are correct to some degree, but it should in no way diminish what the Lakers are doing on both ends of the floor. I doubt that any of that would've mattered had the Lakers not come back to win game 1 after being down by 20. The Lakers are playing solid defense and last night's blowout win was due in large part to that defense and bounce back games by LO, Fisher and Farmar. Pau didn't have a great game, which is scary if you're the Spurs because we won game one with both LO and Fish off and game 2 with Pau having a subpar game. Kobe has simply been the MVP.
Keep in mind that these are pretty much the same Spurs that swept LeBron and the Cavs out of the finals last year(yes they're a year older, but don't tell Chris Paul and the Hornets that), shackled the Big Cactus and the funs and turned back the charge of CP3 and the young Hornets(Peja returned to form by choking again in a big game 7). The Suns are old at two key positions, Center and PG and play no defense and the Hornets just didn't have enough big game experience. The Lakers have a perfect blend of youth and experience with veteran and championship leadership in PJ, Kobe and Fish(Pau too if you're talking international world championships).
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | May 24, 2008 at 09:07 AM
The MAMBA will strike on Sunday!
Posted by: Brent in OC | May 24, 2008 at 09:09 AM
WOW!! still savoring the win here, stayed up late into the night looking for all sports news on the game that I could watch.
WOW...afterall Barkley may just be right by saying that this Laker team is better than one with Shaq, becuase of the bench mob and Kobe's emergence as a MVP..
Going to gloat all day today again looking for any sports news that I can watch..
Posted by: Seven Faces of Dr. Lau | May 24, 2008 at 09:13 AM