Preparing for the champs
Everyone is well fed (courtesy of a team dinner last night), everyone knows what time it is (courtesy of Kobe). All that's left now is to kick off the Western Conference Finals, which the Lakers will do tomorrow night at Staples against the Spurs. Nobody in purple and gold seemed to harbor any illusions about what's in front of them. Forget any talk of the Spurs being tired, or too old to win. The Lakers aren't buying it. Said Lamar Odom:
"They're always right in the mix. They're a machine. People forget this is a man's game. You never hear, "Oh, the youngest team in the NBA won the championship." If you go back to 1988, 1992, the best players in the league were always 31, 32, 34 year olds. They get it. They execute. They make up for speed with their IQ as a basketball team. They're all smart, heady players out there. Duncan, Thomas, Oberto and how he passes. Parker, Finley, Bowen, Ginobili. All these guys have high IQs. Of course, so does their coach."
And that's basically what it is. The Spurs may not be the most
dynamic team athletically (though it's hardly like they're all limping
around, run 7.5 40's and have six inch verticals), but they're smart,
very talented, well coached, and extremely disciplined. San Antonio is
generally a team that requires the opposition to beat them, since
they're not going to beat themselves. On the other hand, when LA is
going strong, they don't do a lot of favors for the other team,
either. Odom believes they have more than enough skill and experience
to match up with the Spurs.
"When you look at our team, we have guys who have played in Game 7s before. My stomach is definitely a little bit different when I go out there now than it was in that first Phoenix series, or the first time I was in the playoffs with Miami. You understand what it's like to be on the road. Even be home. I don't know if you saw the game last night, but the crowd never seemed (to get into it). They were, "Oh man, we're in a Game 7! We're just gonna watch!" We've got Derek Fisher. We have Kobe Bryant. And our coaching staff, they have rings. Their poise and knowledge rubs off on us, especially Kobe's and Derek's."
Odom believes that the experience that most of these guys have
together, not just winning this year but failing to close out the Suns
two seasons back, then getting waxed in last year's playoffs, will come
in handy for the WCF. Some of the players haven't experienced a
parade, but for the principal players, it's not anyone's first day at
the rodeo. I tend to agree. Between Kobe, Fish, PJ, and a very
experienced coaching staff, and the lessons of previous seasons, the
Lakers have more than enough to fall back on. If they don't win, I
don't see lack of experience being the primary reason. Nor do I expect
either team to lose this series.
One is going to have to win it.
Other notes:
- Phil Jackson said after practice today that it was certainly possible that Trevor Ariza could play in Games 1 or 2. He didn't commit to a specific course of action, but certainly left the door open.
- The media Katamari ball is growing again, in a big way. The circus is definitely here, and only going to get bigger.
- Along those lines, Craig Sager was at practice, wearing a very nice TNT polo shirt and a fashionable pair of jeans. Frankly, seeing him in civilian clothes was a little disconcerting.
- The team was scrimmaging in the half court, with the starters (plus Walton) up against the reserves. Lots of crisp passing and ball movement from both sides. Ariza didn't look limited in any way.
- Line of the day goes to PJ, when asked if, given all the history between the two teams in both the regular season and playoffs, the Spurs are LA's biggest and best rival- "You mean after the Clippers?"
- There was a big time consensus, both among players and media types, that a San Antonio/LA series is an incredibly appropriate way to determine who wins the W.C. The Lakers are certainly shaping up to be the next big dynasty, while the Spurs aren't quite ready to be shown the door. Not to get all Ric Flair on everyone, but to be the man, you gotta beat the man (so to speak).
- PJ said he hoped the Lakers could single cover Tim Duncan as much as possible. As a team, they've generally tried to avoid doubling The Big Fundamental as much as possible, and the responsibility will fall primarily to Pau Gasol. Jackson also said he expects the Spurs to go right at Pau, trying to get him in foul trouble, and that they'll likely do the same on the other end with Duncan.
- Audio from LO (some of which is quoted above), talking about what makes the Spurs so good, where the Lakers have been and how they've grown, and other topics of interest: Download lamar_odom_5.20.mp3
BK
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Two Amens is enough...
A Kindergarten teacher tells her class she's a BIG Spurs fan.
She's really excited about it and asks the kids if they're Spurs fans too.
Everyone wants to impress the teacher and says they're Spurs fans too, except ONE kid, ...named Josh.
The teacher looks at Josh and says, "Josh, you're not a Spurs fan?"
He says, "Nope, I’m a Los Angeles Lakers fan!" She says, "Well why are you a Los Angeles Lakers fan and not a Spurs fan?"
Josh says, "Well, my mom is a Lakers fan, and my dad is a Lakers fan, so I'm a Lakers fan."
The teacher's not real happy. She's a little hot under the collar. She says, "Well, if your moms an idiot, and your dads a moron, then what would you be?!"
Josh says, "Then I'd be a Spurs fan!"
Posted by: Charles | May 20, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Yeah, laugh now, because you won't be soon. We are the champs and to be the champ you have to beat the champ -- not happening. Wait untill Horry hip checks Kobe into the front row. Spurs in 6, Spurs in 6, Spurs in 6. Are you going to show your faces here when it happens? Cause I'll be here.
Posted by: Spurs4Life | May 20, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Fire32,
It's all LOVE baby!
Go Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Charles | May 20, 2008 at 04:29 PM
I for one am just glad that Barkley didn't welch on his hotel bet and has it paid now.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 20, 2008 at 04:29 PM
hahaha, good one Charles!!
and good one PJ!! Clippers lol.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 20, 2008 at 04:30 PM
LOL DUDE I LIKE IT
Posted by: | May 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I'M GOING TO A LAKERS GAME.
THE ONE ON FRIDAY.
I'M GOING.
I LIVE IN CANADA.
LAKERS GAMES ARE RARE.
I'M GOING.
AH.
Posted by: Grady | May 20, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Charles-
HAHAHA!
AMEN!
ARIZZZZZAAAAAAAA is coming.
Posted by: ajax | May 20, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Fire32, are you a cylon agent?
More power to you if you a real Laker fan. But man, you really gave PHX fans a bad name, but the sad part is, it was absolutely believable. Sucks to be a Suns fan.
#4
Posted by: #4 | May 20, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Spurs4Life,
Spurs in how many? Is that your method of Three peat? 3 6's equals the Dev!^...
Be here all you want homie. Roaches do make it to 47 and Lexington by the Waldorf Astoria too!
Posted by: Charles | May 20, 2008 at 05:01 PM
spurs4life -
Just like the Jazz fans before you, you'll quietly slink away after your venerable (OLD as hell) squad quietly goes home for the summer. It was a nice run, but your window's officially closed.
PJ owns Pop. Face it. You're done.
Posted by: htj | May 20, 2008 at 05:03 PM
lol at craig sager in "civilian clothes"! nice one. haha.
Posted by: Gabe | May 20, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Spurs4Life-
Were you saying the same thing when the Lakers won three titles in a row?
Come back when you when a back-to-back title.
How will the Spurs possibly win in 6 when they beat the Hornets on the road just once? The Hornets weren't and aren't as good as the Lakers.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 20, 2008 at 05:06 PM
So I'm assuming last night's team dinner went like this...
Television in Background
TNT: Pargo, another 3-pointer! He cuts the lead to 3 points!
Sasha: Hey guys, I think that the Hornets might really pull this off. That Pargo guy can shoot. I wish I could jack up 15 shots even though Im not one of the best 4 players on the team
Fisher: Dude, you went 1-11...thats good enough.
Kobe: Trust me, dont think that Hornets are going to win this...David Stern will make sure that the Spurs win
Turiaf: Why do you say that Kobez??
Kobe: (interjecting) because its the Spurs against us...it just makes sense that Stern wants to see a 7 game series that gets a lot of ratings. Face it, if we play the Hornets we win in 5 or 6 games, but only 1 one of those is a close game. Plus theres no Eva Longoria on the Hornets
Luke: But they're so boring, all they do is play with high "IQ"
Lamar: Isnt that all you do? But people still chant your name over mine, and I average 15 and 10 and am the NBA's biggest mismatch.
Luke: I'm just saying...
Fisher: You're just saying that you dont want to get destroyed by Bruce Bowen again right?
Luke: Hey at least my name is not Kobe...and I dont get destroyed by Manu.
Kobe: Hey I dont get destroyed by Manu....he just gets away with a bunch of calls all the time.
Jordan: Hey I remember in high school watching you get shut down by Bowen. 03 wasnt it? Actually I remember you guys getting blown in out 99 when Kurt was coaching...that was ugly..how did you let Jeff Kersey dominate your butt Kobe??
Kobe: You know what, you guys want to play the Spurs by yourself?
Television: Parker with the crossover...yes! Five point game.
Kobe: See.
Fisher: Yawn. Just let them get a one point lead with .4 seconds and I'll take care of it.
EVERYBODY LAUGHS.
Gasol: Dont worry I can guard Duncan half way decent. We're just as tall. If Lamar can do something about Horry, we're ok.
Sasha: Horry??? that old guy can read me a story. Hes nothing anymore.
Farmar and Ariza give him long faces.
Farmar: Are you kidding? Horry is a god
Ariza: Yeah, a GOD. We love him in L.A. I almost want to root for him...but we're playing him.
Phone Rings: Kobe picks up, puts it on speaker
Hey guys its coach. I just want to let you know that I have already been studying tapes of the Spurs, since you had to be dumb to think that we would play somebody else other than them. I've just been holding out on you this whole time. Practice tomorrow at same time. Rest up...especially you Kobe. No hitting Manu this time.
Kobe: yeah, yeah.
Fisher: I told you... .4...
Posted by: The Lake Show | May 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Back to normalacy, whateve that means.
I actually like the Spurs matchup better than the Hornets. It works much better going back and forth with the Spurs on Championship banners than letting someone else in the club.
I think our battletested youngsters will give the Spurs a run for their collective millions of money. Congrats to Trevor for healing up and Luke for maybe making the starting 5.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Spurs4life, hahaha. Look its an internet tough guy!! Run for the hills!!
When you discuss how and why the Spurs are gonna beat the Lakers, then let's go. Otherwise, bring your meaningless homerific banter to the Yahoo message boards.
You aren't giving your fellow Spurs fan a good name. I thought that bushleague banter was reserved for fans that haven't won it all. Maybe you are a newbie spurs fan? I'm just guessing.
Oh, and we'll all be here when the Lakers win. We've been here when the Lakers have lost. That isn't gonna happen this year. What are you gonna do, e-beat us up? Ya, we're so e-scared.
Whatever, eff off until you grow a pair and discuss basketball, or keep trying to talk tough, like that matters.
Where's cello_the Spurs fan, he sounded reasonable.
#4
Posted by: #4 | May 20, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I'm not sure if anyone heard Jason Terry on Dan Patrick this morning, but you can add him to another in the long line of opponents who've paid homage to Kobe Bryant. After debating whether MJ or KB was better (he gave MJ a slight edge), he said that you never want to get KB24 mad at you. After Terry lit Kobe up for something like 37 points in one of their earlier games, they met again at a later date. Kobe walked up to him, slapped his leg and then said, "I never forget". Terry was confused, "Forget what?" (he'd already forgotten that game). Kobe then went on to decimate him, completely and utterly, posting 40+ on him. Terry said that nobody in the NBA can stop the Mamba when he makes up his mind to destroy them. It was a great interview, and I think you can find it on today's podcast.
What does Jason Terry's story mean in terms of this series? If I'm Bruce Bowen, I might buy a welder's mask, because I'm about to get torched, badly!
Lakers in 5!!! Take it to Vegas, like me this weekend. Unlike Charles, I'll pay my markers off immediately (yeah, like the Wynn's gonna give me a marker!).
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Charles,
"A Kindergarten teacher tells her class she's a BIG Spurs fan.
She's really excited about it and asks the kids if they're Spurs fans too.
Everyone wants to impress the teacher and says they're Spurs fans too, except ONE kid, ...named Josh."
Of course, Josh was the only five year old. The rest were three- or four-peats.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 20, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I thought Spurs4Life was an anti-abortion charity started by several evangelical SA Spurs players.
I guess I was confused, because it's actually another idiotic troll who'll disappear as quickly as the Jazz fans I've already forgotten once the Lakers dispatch their sorry butts.
WARNING: PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!!!!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 20, 2008 at 05:33 PM
The City of Los Angeles should be prepared for the first in a series of parades to come...The Los Angeles Lakers have succeeded with a wounded team... Just imagine when a healthy Trevor Ariza and a stronger Andrew Bynum are thrown into the equation... This Los Angeles Lakers squadron= the next trepeat and beyond... California Love...
It was due since 2004, and now it's here..........
Posted by: Short-Fuse | May 20, 2008 at 05:33 PM
How the hell did the bulls win the lottery? ...1.7percent chance and they win it....
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 20, 2008 at 05:36 PM
BK,
"Along those lines, Craig Sager was at practice, wearing a very nice TNT polo shirt and a fashionable pair of jeans. Frankly, seeing him in civilian clothes was a little disconcerting."
Funny stuff.
Back to the Lakers, I think that the Lakers will win, and series is gonna play out sort of like the Spurs series against Phoenix, in the fact that although the games will mostly be close, the Lakers will close it out pretty early, in five games. I think Lakers win in LA twice, then lose game 3, get no. 4 and close it out in LA. Hopefully I'm right.
Oh, and how in the world did Chicago get the Number 1 Overall pick? They could have a pretty good team come next season.
Posted by: laker hopeful | May 20, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Yeah, laugh now, because you won't be soon. We are the champs and to be the champ you have to beat the champ -- not happening. Wait untill Horry hip checks Kobe into the front row. Spurs in 6, Spurs in 6, Spurs in 6. Are you going to show your faces here when it happens? Cause I'll be here.
Posted by: Spurs4Life | May 20, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Kobe's no Steve Nash. He'd play with half his face torn off and still hurt the other team.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 20, 2008 at 06:09 PM
out of topic:
not sure if anyone notice..
Remember when we used the "Requiem for a Dream" theme intro for our lightsout introduction during the start of the season...yup... they copied it.
here's a link in divx for those who missed it:
http://cid-0d02d33b077fba7e.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Videos/BostonRequiemIntro.divx
Posted by: KiKosDad | May 20, 2008 at 06:20 PM
If I'm Bruce Bowen, I might buy a welder's mask, because I'm about to get torched, badly!
Lakers in 5!!! Take it to Vegas, like me this weekend. Unlike Charles, I'll pay my markers off immediately (yeah, like the Wynn's gonna give me a marker!).
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Well...Technically...those who "Burn" (a term used by craftsmen who use a torch) don't wear a weilders shield! The Lense is to dark.and since you don't run the risk of burning your eyes from the torch flames, burners goggles are suffice!!...lol..im kiddin dude ..im just funnin'.
Go Lakers
Posted by: | May 20, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Fire32, are you a cylon agent?
More power to you if you a real Laker fan. But man, you really gave PHX fans a bad name, but the sad part is, it was absolutely believable. Sucks to be a Suns fan.
#4
You know in the beginning I did feel gross acting like a suns fan. As time went on I actually started feeling sorry for the buggers though , I mean nash and shaq don't mix.
Nash had to be hating that trade the whole time, but what could he do about it.
Charles,
All love.
btw do you know who I was posting as before?
Jon. K,
All the way man, all the way.
even you RIZZO,
all love man.
LAKER HATERS SUCK!!!
Posted by: Fire32 | May 20, 2008 at 06:25 PM
CHICAGO number 1 pick??? Rose Deng and Thomas?? thats one athletic trio...
Posted by: Caesar | May 20, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Brian,
"Nor do I expect either team to lose this series.
One is going to have to win it."
Well said.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 20, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Thirty2,
Two words: David Stern
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 20, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Neither Detroit nor Boston looks particularly good.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 20, 2008 at 06:51 PM
The Lakers will WIN and I don't think they need game 7 either. The Spurs is old and slow. The Lakers plays better against slow teams than fast teams. From the first 2 series, I didn't see Tim Duncan is a big threat anymore. His free throw was as good as Shaq now. Bowen didn't shoot 3-points as good as before. The Spurs had to use hack-a-Shaq in the first series that I didn't see them use it before when Shaq was in Lakers. That's a sign of desperation in their game plan nowadays. Phil should know the Spurs inside out since they didn't change much over years. The Lakers on the other side has made many changes in their line up. I like the way the Lakers improves their 3-point shooters. The ref needs to pay attention to Bowen on his dirty plays. But from history, both teams respect each others so there was no hard fouls.
Posted by: HieuP | May 20, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I read an article that the Spurs had to sleep on the plane last night for 11 hours at the NO airport. HAHAHAHA.
Can you imagine a bunch of 7ft. guys trying to sleep on an airplane for 11 hours?
No jacuzi...no rub downs...no sleep...jet lag...Sore legs...Stiff backs...
Posted by: Eric M. | May 20, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I believe Craig Sager does his shopping at Goodwill stores or Salvation Army. Those checkered coats cost $5 plus tie of 10 cents and hankies of 10 cents. That was men's fashion in the fifties.
BTW, watch Bruise Bowen's foot, he'll intentionally place between the feet of his opponent where he will be landing, that's a potential injury. That's an old trick of dirty players.
When Manu Ginobli goes for a layup, whatever crossover he does, he will always go to the left like a car with a bad alignment that goes to the left. I guess the scouting have known that for a long time.
Oberto and Thomas will be sacrificed in fouls to take out Pau effectiveness in the post. Those two are expendable as the shield of King Duncan. There is no match up for LO among the Spurs so Duncan will be tempted to block his swagger. If Duncan gets 3 fouls and sits down before half, then tallest Spurs guarding post will be 6'10". That's like taking candies from babies for Pau and LO, take advantage of small centers and power forwards.
This series will be different from the first two, because Popovich loves D. Lakers should also apply swarming D like what they did to Utah because the Spurs love to go for a quick lay up and then kick it out on the perimeter players like Horry, Finley and Barry and most of the time Bowen on the corner because he is usually left alone. Again the running game of the Lakers will tire SA may accummulate a lot of fouls before 4th Q.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 20, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Jon K,
You are right with regards to the East Coast teams. All we need to do now, just be humble appear meek and underdog. Once the game starts, it's all business and seize the opportunity.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 20, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Colorado is ready for Lakers WCC basketball! I've called my L.A. CRUE and told them to have a cold one for me at the Staples Center. Laker Nation around the WORLD it's time to take it to the next level.
I'll be watching the game tomorrow @ Lakers4Realz!
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | May 20, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Nice work, Lake Show!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 20, 2008 at 08:03 PM
I hate the Celtics.
Somehow Garnett in a Celtics uniform makes him look like an idiot. I wonder if wearing a Celtics uniform lowers one's IQ by 10 points.
I hate the Eastern Conference as a whole. They play ugly basketball.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 20, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Charles,
Do you come up with these jokes yourself? Because, if so, they are fricken AWESOME!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 20, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Jon K,
If it were David Stern rigging it the Knicks would have won.
Posted by: Xodus | May 20, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Xodus,
"If it were David Stern rigging it the Knicks would have won."
Or...
Stern realized that the Knicks are way too screwed up right now for a #1 pick to fix ASAP. Maybe even over the next few years. Thus, he went to the next biggest Eastern market, which happens to be Chicago and isn't even a horribly untalented team. They just got off to a screwy start with all the trade talk, extensions going unsigned, Ben Wallace moping, everyone hating Skiles and that sketchy trade. But on paper, they're still solid enough, especially in the East. Let an offseason (and the bad feelings) pass, bring in Derrick Rose and all of a sudden, we're paying attention to four teams in the East (Bos, Det, Cle and Chi).
Of course, that's if I believed in shadowy stuff like this. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 20, 2008 at 08:50 PM
hey lake show, i've posted your cool dinner story at one of my fave local forum sites. it totally rocks and will definitely anger laker haters. hahaha. nice job, dude. yo the man. \m/
Posted by: erick_truelakerfan | May 20, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Now this is a warning.....Crazy talk is about to begin....
a while ago i mentioned that i had seen a player at a local game over here by the name of NATHAN JAWAI.....At first he was projected to go in the second round.After landing in the states this week he had his first workout and Chad Ford happened to be at that workout and was impressed with what he saw..Nathan Jawai is around 6-10 270 pounds..Ford recently compared him to Elton Brand...This guy is good ....Only 6 teams came out to Australia this year to scout players and all of them came to see Nathan play....The Lakers sent scouts out to see him play as well...We need to get a draft pick for this guy....I stress,need to get a pick some how....I warned you about crazy talk ..Didnt i....I know im dreaming but i would love this guy to play for the Lakers
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 20, 2008 at 09:11 PM
LOL AK. I suppose that's always possible.
Posted by: Xodus | May 20, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Man I thought we were homers. The Spurs bloggers are just lost. According to them they have the advantage at every position. Yeah I said every position. They talk about Kobe from 2003, like that means anything. They talk about Lamar like he is still a baked Clipper. They talk about Parker absolutely destroying Fisher like he is Smush. They talk about Bowen shutting down Kobe. They talk about their bench like they are and All Star team. And they disrespect Pau like nobody's business. Ginobili is like a god over there, and whoever he is guarded by will be barbecued. According to them they just beat the second coming of MJ's Bulls (Hornets), and the Jazz were weak. Never mind the 1 game difference in the standings.
The Jazz fans were asses, but the Spurs fans are just delusional.
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 20, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Lakers will slaughter the Spurs in the fourth qtr.
Just heard on the news that Spurs wanted to come to LA immediately after the Hornets game. Unfortunately, there was an airplane mechanical problem and the plane sat there for ELEVEN HOURS.
Spurs just played an intense game 7 game series, then instead of sleeping, or flying, they spend the night on an airport tarmac in a grounded airplane. The next morning they fly two thirds across country. So now they land with a little over 30 hours till game tip off.
Note:San Antonio uses the charter company Champion Air, which has announced it is ceasing all operations at the end of May.
DOH
Posted by: that other Tom | May 20, 2008 at 09:32 PM
BK - I'm with you on the "lessons" front. I've felt that way every time I revisit the past 2 years' Lakers playoff games on my DVR (yes, I saved them). All the mistakes, all the losses, the players all gained "experience points" with those. The sting of losing when up 3-1 pays off now, when they are actually contenders for the title. The chaos of the first post-Shaq year serves as a contrast to how organized the team is now. And even some regular season gaffes, like Luke Walton and Kobe's last second miscommunication in New York, I feel they've all learned valuable lessons from those. They've been baptized in fire for the past four years, and we're going to find out very soon if that fire has hardened them enough to call them "champions".
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 20, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Why Hollinger has pissed off all the Spurs fans
http://tinyurl.com/4ebjv9
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 20, 2008 at 09:37 PM
“Not a lot has changed,” said Horry, a veteran of seven seasons with the Lakers from 1997 to 2003. “Good thing about that is, I know a little bit of their offense and what they’re trying to do. It will be fun.”
Posted by: BD | May 20, 2008 at 09:42 PM
“As we all know, Kobe is the best player on the planet,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Not because he is the MVP, but because he just is.”
Posted by: BD | May 20, 2008 at 09:44 PM
It wasn’t until Feb. 1 of this year, however, that the Lakers finally appeared prepared to regain their place as a thorn in the Spurs’ side.
That’s when general manager Mitch Kupchak pulled off the deal of the decade, acquiring All-Star Pau Gasol from Memphis for a collection of spare parts.
Posted by: BD | May 20, 2008 at 09:46 PM