Really, it's not supposed to look this easy
The Lakers entered Wednesday night's Game 2 against Utah having never lost on a night where Kobe Bryant was presented with an MVP trophy. For that matter, the Lakers had yet to suffer a blemish during their playoff run, going a perfect 5-0. Both records stayed pure after a 120-110 win over the Jazz. The Lakers held the Jazz to 45% shooting and had plenty of practice defending them, what with the Jazz putting up 101 attempts (which dwarfed the Lakers' 68, although the home team's connected at 57%). Along with racking up FGA's, the Jazz also seemed hell bent on picking up as many fouls as possible. Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur each fouled out and Carlos Boozer spent most of the game in foul trouble, which helps explain LA's 43-16 advantage in FT's attempted. Deron Williams came through with a monster second half (22/5, 4-4 from behind the arc), but his bad opening 24 minutes mirrored his teammates, who weren't able to put together a good rhythm before the break.
For their part, the Lakers occasionally suffered lapses on both sides of the ball (or simply competed against a quality playoff squad, depending on how realistic your POV), but were never in anything remotely resembling danger when it came to holding the stick's short end. When they needed stops, they came. When big shots were required, they fell. Sasha Vujacic led the bench with a dozen points. Lamar Odom had sixteen boards and a pair of blocks to complement his 19 points, barely falling short of the scoring pace set by fellow starters Pau Gasol (20) and Derek Fisher (22). And Kobe Bryant performed in a manner that confirmed his hardware worthiness, a 34/8/6 stat line on 11-18 shooting and a near perfect 11-12 at the line.
Finally, a factoid that occurred to me on this momentous day in Laker history. Kobe Bryant has never won MVP without playing a full season with Coby Karl. Chew on that one for a while.
The breakdown is below, courtesy of BK.
AK
The Good:
- Kobe Bryant: On the odd chance anyone was wondering why The Commish handed him that big ol' trophy before the game, Kobe went out and put on a clinic. 11-18 from the floor, plus 11-12 from the line, good for 34 points, plus eight boards and six helpers. He was never out of control, never pushed more than the situation needed, and was able to dictate play in all sorts of ways while on the floor. Utah threw everything they could at him- Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring (that one worked relatively well, actually), hard doubles, rabid dogs, star struck groupies, and more. Didn't matter. He had just about everything working tonight. At one point in the third, with the shot clock winding down, Kobe hit a fall away jumper high off the glass against a totally defenseless Brewer for two of his 15 points in the quarter. With 2:40 left in the fourth, when Sloan started throwing bodies at him, Kobe still found his way into the lane for an incredible dish around AK47 to Pau Gasol that gave LA a 10-point lead and seemed to suck any remaining momentum away from Utah. Like Game 1, they simply didn't have an answer for him. Not that anyone really does, hence the big ol' trophy The Commish handed him at the top of the show.
- Lamar Odom: The moment the ball went up for the opening tip, LO was so aggressive there were moments I thought he might actually be a little too geeked up. He attacked Utah all night, and they couldn't do much to stop him. Everything was at the rack. I don't think he took a jumper all night, actually. The result? 7-10 from the floor, 5-7 from the line, 19 points in all. Defensively, he was all over the boards (16 boards) and was extremely active. Two blocks, a steal, and Odom played a role in both putting Carlos Boozer on the bench with foul trouble and limiting his effectiveness when he managed to stay on the court. An outstanding effort for LO.
- Derek Fisher: Before the game I wondered before who would be that "other guy" to step up for either team and supplement the stars. The answer? Derek Fisher. 22 points on 7-10 from the floor, including 4-5 from beyond the arc. He set the tone for a big night by draining the first points of the game 12 ticks in, and only improved from there, making a wave of critical buckets. Two consecutive triples late in the first helped push the Laker lead from seven to 13. In the third, he drove the lane hard to draw Boozer's fourth foul, then stuck a clutch three with 9.4 remaining. In the fourth, a big three helped squash the momentum Utah was trying to generate. Plus, he did a nice job on Deron Williams, at least in the first half, holding him to a very quiet 1-6 from the floor.
- The First Quarter: Utah needed to come out and make a statement. Instead, the Lakers did all the talking. A 13-13 ballgame at the 7:11 mark, the Lakers outscored Utah 20-5 the rest of the way, building a 15- point lead and totally changing the complexion of the game. From that point on, the Jazz was always working uphill. At times they made some progress, but whenever they pushed, the Lakers pushed back. The Jazz worked plenty hard, but was never able to gain control of the game back from LA. Momentum, occasionally. Control, never.
- Sasha Vujacic: 12 points on 3-5 from the floor, 5-6 from the line. He was confident, but most of all played in control. The former is never an issue with him these days, but the latter is. No surprise to see PJ finish the game with him on the floor, pushing Kobe to the three. He was active on both ends, and of all the bench players the Lakers used tonight, Sasha was the most effective.
- Bookend D: In the first quarter, Utah shot 33.3% and turned the ball over six times. In the fourth, they shot 32%. Those are good figures. Things occasionally got squishy- it's important to remember that Utah won 54 games this year, and are a very good team... they're going to look good sometimes- but when the Lakers needed stops they got them.
The Bad: Overall, I thought the team played very well. They didn't run Utah out of the building after getting out to the early lead, but they were never threatened, either. The reserves didn't put up huge numbers, but I thought all, from Ronny Turiaf to Luke Walton and to a lesser extent, Jordan Farmar, made important contributions at important times. They weren't collectively brilliant, but they didn't hurt anything, either. Each had his moments.
At this point in the season, you guys know how I generally look at things on nights like tonight, where they controlled the game throughout against a quality opponent. I'm not one to nitpick. Thus, a pretty brief category.
- Vlad Radmanovic: His playoff slump continues. On the night, he was 1-3 with a dime, two personals, and a pair of TOs. He struggled against Kirilenko on the defensive end, and generally seemed out of sorts. On a night that belonged to the starters, he was the only one that didn't join the party. It's not simply a matter of scoring. In Game 4 of the Denver series, Vlad wasn't shooting the lights out, but still found ways to stay active. Tonight, he wouldn't have looked out of place wearing one of those yellow shirts they handed out to fans on the way in, aside from the fact it probably wouldn't have fit him.
- Offensive Execution as the Game Went On: I thought, especially in the third, that there were too many instances where the Lakers stopped running the offense, as ball and player movement turned a little stagnant. It wasn't a major problem, as evidenced by LA's 57.4% mark from the floor, and 43 FTs attempted shows the Lakers were aggressive attacking the rim. But it was an occasional issue, and worth noting if for no other reason than to avoid leaving Vlad totally without cover in this category.
The "Wow, It's Really a Luxury to Have a Guy Who Puts Up These Numbers Even When Things Seem a Little Off!":
- Pau Gasol: 20/5/5, and again, it wasn't a night where everyone left the building thinking that Pau went off. Many probably thought he didn't play all that well, and certainly until Utah's starting frontcourt hit the bench with foul trouble, he struggled. In the second quarter, though, while Boozer watched and the middle opened up, Gasol had a field day. 12 points on 4-5 from the floor, plus four makes at the stripe. Yes, it's disappointing to see Pau finish a game with only five boards, but at the same time he blocked five shots and was a presence defensively. At the end of the night, to look up and see that sort of production even when he wasn't the star of the show indicates a) how good a player Gasol is and b) how dynamic the Lakers can be on both ends.
QUOTES:
Jerry Sloan, on Carlos Boozer's tough series and pressing in general
"I think every player goes through stages when things don't go especially well for them. I think, knowing Carlos, he was trying to fight out of it. I thought he had a much better run in the second half obviously than he did in the first half and seemed to be a bit more alive. Sometimes, that's the only way you get over it. Get rebounds, play defense and play yourself back into it. If you try to do it the other way, then you don't have much to rely on, don't have much to fall back on. I think that probably hurt him a little bit."
Derek Fisher, on not panicking when the lead was cut to five.
"I think you just have to keep it in its proper perspective. if at whatever point a team makes a run and you were up 18 and now you're up six or seven with however many minutes to go, I think you have to able to really stop in that moment and ask yourself, if somebody called you this morning and said you'd be up 7 points at this point in the game, would you take it? Most times, you'd say, yeah. Realizing that you're still ahead is the most important thing. And recognizing this is the playoffs and you're playing against the best teams in basketball. There aren't many teams that are going to lie down for you.
AUDIO:
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_5.7 Game 2.mp3
- Jerry Sloan: Download jerry_sloan_5.7 Game 2.mp3
- Derek Fisher: Download derek_fisher_utah_postgame_game_2.mp3
- Sasha Vujacic: Download sasha_vujacic_utah_postgame_game_2.mp3
- Luke Walton: Download luke_walton_utah_postgame_game_2.mp3
- Sasha Vujacic (at the end, you can hear him actually take AK's advice and knock some wood):Download sasha_vujacic_utah_postgame_game_2.mp3
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Lakers are 28-4 when Pau Gasol plays the whole game.
To put it into perspective ... that's 72 and 10 across an entire season....
Posted by: FatSam | May 08, 2008 at 12:29 AM
The disparity in the Laker FGA can be attributed to the multiple shooting fouls.
I was shocked to see the number of FTA for the Lakers because it didn't seem the Jazz were being as thuglike as in Game 1. The high basketball IQ and late game intentional fouls added to the totals.
It was nice to see Okur & AK be somewhat non-factors as Deron & Boozer found their games.
Rad was Lost in Space.
That Kobe pass around the defenders' outreached arms was slick.
Posted by: mel | May 08, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Matt Harpring is a walking foul.
Kobe Bryant said that he hopes the Utah fans are nasty to Derek again, so that the Lakers can feed of it.
Mark my words here, if the Lakers face the Hornets, Chris Paul will do something borderline dirty in a heated gam (as evidence by his propensity to punch other players in their privates, once Bruce Bowen this regular season, and once Julius Hodges in college). The guy is a fiery competitor, but that's below the belt. LIterally.
16...15...14...13...12...11...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 08, 2008 at 12:38 AM
"the Jazz also seemed hell bent on picking up as many fouls as possible. "
that's funny -- is that what you say when the lakers pick up a lot of imaginary fouls??? the refs in this game were bought and payed for.. it was so obvious.. in both games. the jazz can't touch a lakers player, but the lakers can mug jazz players anytime they want. im done with the nba.
Posted by: ellis | May 08, 2008 at 12:42 AM
KOBE BRYANT CONTINUES MVP-LEVEL PLAY…
It was a truly proud and fulfilling moment for Laker fans to see Kobe Bryant finally receive his due for the marvelous job he has done this past season inspiring and making his teammates better. This most unexpected season of miracles and surprises is shaping up to be the greatest in the storied history of the Lakers. You can see in the eyes of every player on the team that they believe they are the best team and cannot be beaten when they play their game. You could also see it in the fear in the eyes of the Utah players as they futilely tried to stop Kobe from getting to the rim or the free throw line. Once again, please appreciate how very hard it is to take the ball to the rim over and over like Kobe is doing. There is no other player in the league, including LeBron James, who can impose his will on the game of basketball like Kobe Bryant. That is why he is the MVP.
ATTACKING THE RIM & PROTECTING THE PAINT…
That was the name of the Lakers game tonight as they again relentlessly attacked the rim, once again putting the Jazz in foul trouble and outscoring them by 22 points from the line to take a 2-0 series lead with a dominating 120-110 victory. Led by Kobe Bryant, who scored at will by posting up Brewer, the Lakers were in full attack mode all night long,
They made 35 of 43 free throws tonight on top of the 38 makes on 46 attempts on Sunday as the Jazz were helpless in stopping Lakers from penetrating the lane by dribble or pass. The Lakers also improved their rebounding and shot blocking, rejecting 9 Jazz shots and intimidating and frustrating the Boozer and the Jazz in the paint. Gasol was especially active defensively tonight with 5 blocks and Lamar Odom posted another double-double. Look for more of the same in Utah on Friday night.
LOOK FOR KOBE’S KILLER INSTINCT ON FRIDAY…
Make no mistake about it. Game 3 will bring out Kobe Bryant’s killer instinct like the Jazz have never seen it. It will be a playoff level reprise of his payback game for the Jazz booing Derek Fisher the last time the Lakers played in Utah, when they trounced the Jazz and broke the team’s 19-game home winning streak. It will be reminiscent of the game Kobe had in Utah 2 years ago when the Jazz were touting AK47 as their Kobe stopper and Kobe went off single-handedly and shot the Lakers to a huge blowout. No way that KB24 is going to let this opportunity for a perfect storybook ending slip away. Lakers go for the throat on Friday to set up the sweep on Sunday. Bring on the Hornets!
THE LAKERS WILL DOMINATE NEXT FIVE YEARS…
That’s what Doug Collins, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley all seemed to think as they pondered how good this Lakers team will be next year with a healthy Andrew Bynum. Barkley made a special point of saying how Bynum already knows his role and how to play when he comes back unlike most young players. Doug and Kenny marveled at the Lakers’ height, length, speed, and athleticism compared to Utah. The Inside the NBA team also reiterate the point I have been beating to death the past week that the Lakers have an unusually high number of players who have really upped the level of their play. You could see that tonight with Fisher having a great shooting night and Sasha burying key shots off the bench. You almost got the feeling that the TNT guys almost felt sorry for the rest of the NBA with the Lakers the favorite now to win it all without Bynum.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Heylo Laker Nation
I am a follower of this blog from India. AK/BK Thanks for bringing all the action to me, who is not privy to watching this live (NO TELECAST IN MY COUNTRY). AND CHEERS TO MAMBA ON HIS MVP.
GO LAKERS....
Posted by: IndianLaker | May 08, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Great win!!
But I think it's time to start Walton at 3. Let Radman come off the bench.
Posted by: LakerfanCanada | May 08, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Anyone who says that the Lakers are getting calls in this series doesn't know what their talking about or are blind. In other words a UTAH fan.
The Lakers are absorbing the physical play of the Jazz. Jazz is cool, but the Lake is cooler. They're not getting upset when fouls are blatantly ignored. The Lakers are not playing with unnecessary roughness, just playing within themselves. They can not be shaken.
Also, anyone see KG push LeBron in the chest in yesterday's highlights? I predict that King Kong will stick it up the Big 3's ....
Posted by: mel | May 08, 2008 at 01:43 AM
the Jazz also seemed hell bent on picking up as many fouls as possible. "
that's funny -- is that what you say when the lakers pick up a lot of imaginary fouls??? the refs in this game were bought and payed for.. it was so obvious.. in both games. the jazz can't touch a lakers player, but the lakers can mug jazz players anytime they want. im done with the nba.
Posted by: ellis | May 08, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Bye. Have a nice life.
Posted by: Jman449 | May 08, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Sasha knocking cracked me up. Goodstuff AK
Posted by: Gabe | May 08, 2008 at 02:08 AM
On to UTAH!
Go Lakers!
Go KOBE... MVP... MVP...
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2008 at 02:09 AM
IndianLaker:
There are sites (mainly from europe) that live-stream NBA games on the internet. However, I don't want to get in trouble so I can't really tell you where, but they're easy enough to find.
Posted by: Golakersgo | May 08, 2008 at 02:11 AM
But I think it's time to start Walton at 3. Let Radman come off the bench.
Posted by: LakerfanCanada | May 08, 2008 at 01:05 AM
============================================
Now let's not be carried away by how Vlad played this playoff... Swaping Luke in would mean less bench production.... a disaster Lakers can't afford to have...
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2008 at 02:22 AM
One more in our pockets...GO LAKERS
Posted by: LakerAngolaN | May 08, 2008 at 02:51 AM
What a hell of a rewiev was the "Referees will do anything to make David Stern smile" in LA times. Excuse me, but I couldn’t see the game on TV (it was 4am in the morning in my country). Now what? After reading this text I should think that we won because of the referees. Don’t tell me that…I don’t believe having the MVP, Pau, Lamar in the team this game was gift from referees…Really???? And what is the purpose of this text??? To make readers to believe that without referees we are not capable to win Western Conference???
Posted by: Bogoljub | May 08, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Kobe almost cried, didn't he? Anyway I'm really happy for him. I can't tell how proud I am. Actually I thought he'll never be able to win an MVP. And I love that he called out Fisher and the others, what a great moment.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/lal/photos?pg=8&cap=0
GO KOBE! GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Tsiry | May 08, 2008 at 03:47 AM
my grandma's birthday. sure way of celebrating with a win.
we are going to win. it is not true that UTAH can't touch the lakers. Lamar only raises his hands to defend, he gets a foul.
be observant.
Posted by: isang | May 08, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Pau is really making the difference, and he plays so much more relaxed now that he does not have the pressure on him to be the star every night. I guess Memphis fans regret a little all the awful things said to him now.
We have Jordan on Kobe, but he needed a Pippen, a best man, that LO couldn´t provide. Now we have Kobe-MJ, Gasol-Pippen (although he is now playing the post), and Odom-Horace Grant (a far better version of him, to speak the truth). And wait to get Bynum back...
Posted by: Hyde | May 08, 2008 at 04:33 AM
Good morning Laker Nation!!!!
It's nice to be 2-0 against a very good team like Utah.
Hopefully we can steal game 3 on Friday because it will be broadcasted live here in Brazil.
For the first time in these playoffs I won't have to watch the lakers using a link in the internet, and it would be wonderful to enjoy another victory.
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | May 08, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Ellis said " the refs for this game were bought and payed for,? I guess you mean PAID for?
Now that's some funniest SCHIT I read on the blog this morning...If thats the case I am glad we bought they azz. lol
Hope we can buy TWO more in UTAH!
Stop being a sore loser and suck it up that the Lakers pretty much beat the Jazz azz
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 08, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Good Morning, Laker Nation.
Some may remember about my discussion of the Lakers' intangible strength of team unity.
Well, one of the things about team unity is that it makes a player more protective of their fellow players against abuse and disrespect.
Utah's disrespect of Derek Fisher (booing him for choosing the health and love of his daughter over loyalty to polygamist loving Utahonians) has not (nor will it be) forgotten.
Kobe is going to twist the dagger in Game Three. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol will have a bit more of a sneer when they dunk the ball over a befuddled Jazz player.
Expect a firery Game Three.
Can you believe that we scored 120 points on the Jazz last night? (A team that normally holds opponents to what, 88 points?) Wow.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 06:33 AM
LAKER TOM:"KOBE BRYANT CONTINUES MVP-LEVEL PLAY"
Brilliant piece Laker Tom. I suggest you apply for a sports
editor job right now! No wonder they call you a LEGEND! lol
KUDOS! Well I better stop now before I'm accused of being
in "DR.PHIL " mode. LOL! Kudos again!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 08, 2008 at 06:37 AM
The Lakers are playing great basketball, especially on the offensive side.
Since March 26th, the Lakers have posted 16 consecutive games of scoring 100 points or more, going 14-2.
Their average in this streak is 112 points scored and 101 of the opponent.If you count only the playoffs, it´s 114 to 102.
Phil has built the best offensive basketball the Lakers have played since the 80's, and no one seem capable of stopping it.We can run, pass and shoot and of course play good defense when it counts.*It is beatiful to see the Lakers play and win!!!Let´s go Lakers!!!
By the way we are on a 10 game winning streak, if anyone have noticed
Posted by: bcb | May 08, 2008 at 06:48 AM
K Bros,
Lamar Odom had sixteen boards and a pair of blocks to compliment his 19 barely points, barely falling short of the scoring pace set by fellow starters Pau Gasol (20) and Derek Fisher (22).
I think there's a typo in this sentence from the second paragraph. "barely points"
Not trying to be picky and I always appreciate what you do.
Feel free to delete this post
Posted by: lakersmr | May 08, 2008 at 06:54 AM
CLASSIC Statement:
He is so long," said Korver of the 7-foot-tall, 250-pound Gasol, "that all they have to do is throw the ball up and he is going to catch it. He has the longest arms in the world. And if you commit everyone to stopping him, that is going to free everybody else up."
BTW, NOBODY READ SIMERS ARTICLE today! From the heading, it would be apparent it would PISS off most Lakers fans, so don't bother going there unless you are just that good. I didn't read it..Refuse to give him a hit count..
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 08, 2008 at 06:56 AM
So, hold on... let me get this right. Are you saying that if you have a team with two Kobe/Cobys on the team that one will get an MVP award?
Wow. Methinks Coby Karl just guaranteed a spot on next year's squad.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 07:01 AM
When do the playoffs begin?
You know, both PJ and Pat Riley have both said that a series doesn't even begin until your team looses at home.
Hmmm...
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 08, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Did anyone happen to see Vlad Rad?
He wasn't listed as inactive before the game. But, I can't find evidence of him anywhere in the box score. Did he play?
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 08, 2008 at 07:26 AM
T.J. Simers is an embarassment to the L.A. Times.
He completely sucks.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Is Kyle Korver and Ashton Kusher the same person? How many of you think Kyle Korver has his belly-button pierced and a tramp stamp tattoo on his lower back?
That guy totally annoys me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Here's a post from the Jazz Blog
"racist comment, racist comment, expletive, expletive LA, religious fervent, insult, polygamous cheer, racist comment."
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 03:55 PM
This morning too? Lol!
Posted by: NoththeOriginalKen | May 08, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Since Gasol had his knee lesion it seems he can not jump as normally did, I don't see him very well physically, but the good new for Lakers is that even not having the best Gasol, this guy is averaging 21 points , 9 rebounds per game, plus, attention, 5 assit!, plus blocks... a 7 foof guy (almost 7'1" , 215 cm, with a wingspan of 7'4"). Pay attention in his arms, the X factor for Lakers.
Posted by: Peter | May 08, 2008 at 07:37 AM
When did Michael Jordan come out of retirement, sign with the Lakers? Sometimes news travls slowly to the islands.
Posted by: Lifetime Laker | May 08, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning A L L of Laker Nation!
Mamba.........please do not censure yourself........be your usual wonderful inspiring self..........we all support you here! Today is a day to celebrate!
Another win, one more step of the journey complete. Now, off to SLC where Kobe and the guys make the Ja$$ pay. Jon K is exactly correct..........Kobe and all the Lakers will make them regret the way they have treated D-Fish this season..........a big win is coming in SLC!!!!!
I originally though this might go 5, but I'm already eying the broom!
10 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 08, 2008 at 08:13 AM
PS
NOBODY READ SIMERS TODAY.........THIS GUY IS A LUNATIC!
Posted by: toad | May 08, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Open Letter to Mamba24
Hello sir i am nominating you to a Pulitzer prise for your award winning outstanding witty journals on revving up the fan base.And for standing up to the relentless attacks towards my good name last year;thanks again and good luck sir.
Posted by: Smush Parker | May 08, 2008 at 08:15 AM
I noticed that Stock is nowhere to be seen... hmmmm....
Isn't that the usual pattern? These hick fans come on this blog and try to rattle us, then our team goes out and whoops up on them, then they scatter like roaches.
Don't feed the roaches. Let them scatter when the gold light of truth gets turned on in their faces by los Amigos Cincos.
Viva los Lakers!
Posted by: SBPimp | May 08, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles, LakerTom, JonK, etc etc etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are 6-0 in the playoffs this year!!!!!!!!! Did anyone think this would be the case when the season started out? C'mon - be honest!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is an exciting time to be a Laker fan and I cannot WAIT for the next game!!!! We've got today & tomorrow to wound some trolls, debate the merits (or lack thereof) of trading AB, and ask AK/BK to update us on Trevor's foot. All in all - good times!! LOL!
I am sick of the East coast bias in the commenting, the commercials, the write-ups............seriously!!!!!!!! There are so many Kobe/Laker haters out there it's ridiculous! What gives? Their lives are so pitiful they can only feel good about themselves or get attention if they're bagging on someone? Yikes - how pathetic..........
LakerTom - not kidding - you should be writing for the LATImes or something like that. Your posts are awesome (and to the President of the Brown Nose Club, I really don't care what you think about that.) Truth be told! LakerTom is an A-1 analyst & connossieur (sp?) of the game.
MAMBA24 - do we get a roll call today, or do we need to wait until tomorrow??!!!!! C'mon man - we're all buggin'....
GO LAKERS!
THE BEAN FOR FINALS MVP OR NO PEACE!
NO CHAMPIONSHIP - NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 08, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Jon K
Iam a Hollywood star with a beautiful face and a glamorous personality never again compare me to a common man like Kyle Korver.
Posted by: Ashton Kusher | May 08, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Good Morning Mamba, Jon K, Fearless, Tom and the rest of Laker Nation.
Another good night of sleep after another ho-hum beatdown. Not a whupping, just like a big brother who holds his little brother off at arms distance with his hand in the little one's face (while junior swings wildly). Very Enjoyable.
Kobe is so unbelievable. Those two glass shots of the wrong feet blindfolded with one arm tied behind his back were too much. JK Other than Pau and Rad, all were very efficient. I was happy with Pau's numbers, but he definitely had large lapses and seemed out of sorts and seemed to be shying away a bit. Though his 5 blocks might indicate otherwise.
In any case, another day of smiling.
Kobesbaaaaad(and he is)
Posted by: Kobesbad | May 08, 2008 at 08:26 AM
A lot of people are down on Vlad, he played D in the 1st half, I don't know why you are saying he didn't. In the 3rd yeah he was lost, but in the 1st half he was just a good as anyone else out there. Vlad cannot create shots for himself, he has to be set up for a shot. Kirelenko was not playing off him to help out on Kobe so they couldnt get him a shot and Kobe had a nice night, I keep telling you this that he creates openings for other players just by him being on the floor. His stat lines may not show it but you can see when he's in the game vs. Luke or Sasha, the other players can get to the rim easier because he pulls a shot blocker away from the rim, he's 6'10" they have to respect his size. Where as with Luke or Sasha your going to have Korver or Harpring guarding them niether are shot blockers, and in Harprings case he can sneak off Luke because of the lack of threat from outside. Yeah he had a bad 3rd, but Phil makes it harder than it needs to be down the stretch, he really should give Rad a chance to be out there to close the game, the offense would be more efficient and he was better on Kirilenko than Luke was defesively.
Posted by: Ken | May 08, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I think Elle is a laker fan. I am.
I must say, I found some of those calls against the Jazz a litlte suspect myself. I hate the Lakers conspiracy theories that we as fans have had to deal with over the years. This team is good enough to do it by themselves. We ain't trying to make no Dwyane Wade Championship run...
I want to beat the Jazz with Boozer on the floor.
Jon K. That Korver comment is the funniest thing ever..because somehow..yes..i can imagine that he does have a tramp stamp. But only when you said it. Nothing against the guy
Posted by: S.Tan | May 08, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Last argument today for Vlad, look at when the Lakers usually make their runs, 1st and 3rd quarters, when the offense and defense have been at their best. It's crap to think that he doesnt have anything what so ever to do with that and that the other players are just covering him. If they were then why would it be more difficult in other quarters to score or defend. The key with Vlad is his size vs. Walton or Sasha, he can switch well with Odom and sometimes Pau and he has the footspeed to step out with Kobe's guy so he's a valuable interchangle piece that creates match up problems by keeping his man occupied offesively and being able to switch defensively. Yeah he has lapses, but just because he doesnt have stats doesnt mean he's not creating problems for the other team.
Posted by: Ken | May 08, 2008 at 08:48 AM
On a diff topic: I guess this is how LeBron plans on becoming the next Warren Buffett..
Go to this link: CleveScene.com
Talk about a dis! Dayum BronBron, didn't yo mama tell you karma is a mofo??
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 08, 2008 at 08:49 AM
WTF was Vanessa thinking?
On the night when the whole world and a global press corps is watching her husband receive a once-in-a-lifetime award, she comes to Staples in a purple tutu?
Posted by: hava98 | May 08, 2008 at 08:51 AM
*__________________________*
Lakers Sweep Jazz - Bandwagon
*__________________________*
(01) MAMBA24 - Driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 08, 2008 at 08:51 AM
AK/BK and to all Lakers Fans,
I must admit that there was tears in my eyes while watching Kobe received the MVP Trophy and cried when his 2 daughters gave him bouquet of flowers. I followed this guy since the Lakers acquired him via trade with Charlotte. Viva Los Angeles!! Philippines is very proud of you Kobe.
Botsoy
Posted by: Botsoy | May 08, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Mamba24.............I got my broom out!
Posted by: toad | May 08, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Jon K, Kyle Korver is a wannabe Ashton Kutcher...He should grow a mustache or beard or something -- why ride the man's jockstrap like that???
I saw on TV this week I believe it was they were interviewing Ashton and whats her face about their new movie and the TV host mentioned Kyle Korver and he just kindly brushed the comparisons aside and moved on to more meaningful things like his new movie! lol
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 08, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Why not fire this guy TJ Simers???? He is a disgrace. He means that the Lakers won with the help from the referees.
Posted by: Botsoy | May 08, 2008 at 09:06 AM