Game 3 Musings
T-Minus four hours and counting until game time. Thought I'd toss out a few factors I think could affect the Lakers, positive and negatively.
- The Crowd: As in, how much will it either help the Jazz or hurt the Lakers? As a writer that covers a team but doesn't travel on a regular basis, I can't say with iron clad certainty which NBA casa is truly the loudest, rowdiest and most distracting for a guest. But I will say this much. Of the destinations where I watched a game this season (Dallas, Houston, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Portland and obviously Los Angeles), Utah's EnergySolutions Arena definitely hurt my ear drums the most. Damn near deafening at times, with the fans right on top of the action going several rows back. Like Lamar Odom said yesterday at practice, there's no reason to be "intimidated," especially since the Lakers have pulled out a "W" in Sodium Country. But there's also a reason the phrase "home court advantage" caught on more than "home court albatross" (unless you're the New York Giants). I'm not saying the Lakers have to get up early in order to beat this squad that went 37-4 in their backyard. I'm just agreeing with Phil Jackson's dry observation that playing possum until the fourth quarter and launching a surprise attack is a strategy worth avoiding.
- Continuing to contain Carlos Boozer: Much ink has been devoted to the All-Star shooting 9-24 from the field for 25 points over games 1 and 2. And in case it wasn't clear, that's 25 combined points, not per game. But what isn't getting talked about as much is that Boozer is growing progressively worse after a series against Houston where he put up more respectable points, but still produced below his season averages. We often judge superstar-ish players by their ability to step it up in the playoffs. Thus far, Boozer hasn't. Some credit obviously goes to Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf, Pau Gasol and whomever else has matched up against him, but to be honest, Booz is also just missing shots. If home cooking doesn't help, I'm not sure what will. Thus, if the Lakers can prevent Boozer from going off tonight, I think Utah may end up losing him for the series, regardless of who actually wins the game.
- The Battle of the Boards: Game 1 was a disaster (a 17-rebound discrepancy, both for total rebounds and the offensive glass) that was offset by the Lakers outplaying Utah in every other facet. Game 2 saw Utah continuing to snag offensive rebounds (16), which helped create 21 second-chance points, but some of that was realistically due to the Jazz putting up an absurd number of shots (101) and not nearly as high a number of makes (45). That ratio is almost guaranteed to offer Utah chances to snag their own misses. In the meantime, they collected only four more boards on the night than L.A. I'm not saying the Lakers shouldn't look to better prevent Utah from gaining new possessions after a brick. But I do think if they can keep the overall numbers close, they'll be in good shape.
- Who's gonna guard Kobe? Not that trying to contain The New Jack Bauer is a particularly unique quandary, but Utah seems to be struggling to find a formula to stop him that doesn't involve immediate triple teams that leave Kobe's capable supporting cast with too much operating room. Instead, the proverbial "kitchen sink" has come in the variety of defenders assigned to shadow Bryant. Ronnie Brewer (who's been willing, if not necessarily able) typically kicks off the festivities, but Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring have also taken a flyer. In my opinion, Harpring's been the most (relatively speaking) effective due to his uber-physical play, but he also comes off the bench. How would using him in heavier minutes affect Jerry Sloan's rotation? Moreover, Harpring may bring a junkyard dog's mentality, but his scoring so far has been a dog of whatever breed. Would his extended PT lead to decreased points, and can Utah afford that?
- Vlad Rad: After showing some signs of life during game 1 with a pair of triples, Vlad reverted back to the form he showed against Denver. Which isn't much. Obviously, this hasn't been hurting the Lakers (not like 6-0 can really be improved upon), which is why I wouldn't flip flop him and Luke Walton in the starting lineup (as some of our readers have suggested). As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, put down the tool set. But the sooner Vlad can heat up, the better for him and the Lakers. And the longer he goes without getting on a roll, similar to what I said earlier about Boozer, the less confident I become that he will during the playoffs at all.
- Jordan Farmar: Speaking of guys who could use some improvement in the shooting department, Farmar is a combined 1-8 from the field during this series. For that matter, he really didn't fill it up against the Nuggets, either. I think Farmar's lack of touch has flown under the radar a little more than Vlad's in part because the former hasn't taken as many shots and the latter's lack of points becomes even more pronounced when compared to the prolific numbers of his fellow starters. But it wouldn't kill the bench PG to catch fire, either.
Some takes from a few other sources
ESPN/Scouts Inc.'s David Thorpe, ESPN/Scouts Inc., who lays out the difficulty in choosing between making Kobe or his teammates beat you.
Hoopsworld's Eric Pincus, who crunches a boatload of numbers.
Forum Blue & Gold.com's Kurt, with a warning for the Lakers to expect Utah's physicality to draw fewer whistles at home (and a sweet "Brady Bunch" reference).
Sportshubla.com offers five items worth a close eye.
Also, it's got nothing specifically to do with game 3, but ESPN's J.A. Adande wrote a nice piece about the biggest shot of Derek Fisher's career. Hint? It ain't ".4." MyUtahJazz.blogspot.com takes a look at the controversy involving Fish.
And finally, my prediction. Unfortunately, I'm thinking Utah gets reenergized by their return to familar surroundings, play their best game of the series and pull out the win. Game 3's have a funny way of doing that, especially for teams who've killed at home and can't afford to go down a trio to zilch. But as always the case in situations like this, I'd happily eat a crow sandwich (hold the mayo) when the smoke clears.
AK
T-minus 2 hours??? are you sure???
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 09, 2008 at 02:13 PM
I hope the Jazz play their best ball of the season as a whole, yet still loose the game by at least 10 points.
This is the best way to tear their atill beating hearts right out of their chests.
That will send Utah a message about game four, and the rest of the league a message about what is to come for them.
I not only want the Jazz vanquished, I want them destroyed.
--Fearless
F the Celtics
Posted by: Fearless | May 09, 2008 at 02:16 PM
AK,
For shame, nonbeliever! J/k. Truly, I'm a little worried myself.
What is the origin of calling Kobe the New Jack Bauer? (I mean, aside from them both starring in "24".) Did you make it up? Please to enlighten.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 09, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Enjoy it while it lasts...
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8121598/NBA-is-the-best-it's-ever-been
Posted by: mel | May 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Punks must pay.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Wow, how strong arm of you...
Posted by: Charles | May 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Great summary, but I'd put one point above all these:
How the game is called. Maybe the biggest effect the rowdy home crowd can have is to intimidate the refs. So far this series has been defined by Utah being called on its aggressive play. Without the benfit of those calls, or a lot of extra calls being made on the Lakers, this will be a tough game to win. If the physicality doesn't benefit the lakers by sending them to the line, it will get in our heads (particularly Pau) and affect our ability to execute on both ends of the floor.
Posted by: J.D. Hastings | May 09, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Two hours? Isn't the game at 6 PST?
Posted by: HmrHed | May 09, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Let's go Lakers! Win tonight and the Jazz fold. I cannot stand that franchise, to include Karl Malone. Sorry if I offend anyone, but it was a dark day for this Laker fan when he came to LA. A series victory would cleanse that memory for me.
Posted by: teamn | May 09, 2008 at 02:34 PM
How could Fisher's biggest shot not be .4? That was iconic. They run it on NBA TV all the time.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I'm not too worried. Know why?
The Lakers are a solid road team this year and one of the only teams to beat Utah at home.
I'm hoping for a split, not so that my prediction of 5 games is correct, but because it feels unreasonable to go for a sweep. That said, I'd like to take game 3.
Kobe couldn't care less about pressure, noise, enemy territory, physicality or whatever. He'll be fine and just needs some of his teammates to step up, not all of them.
I'm hoping for a huge game from Boozer because of the Race to the Finals nba.com game, but I don't want that to occur at the expense of the Lakers losing.
Go Lakes!
Is it 6 p.m. yet?
Posted by: Benjamin | May 09, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Caliphilosofer,
A question for you along the lines of "if a tree falls in the forest?"
If the Jazz fall to the Lakers on Sunday, lose the series in Game 4, and Larry Miller is not their to watch.
Will anybody care?
This deep thought is brought to you by Fatty
---------------------------------------------------------------------
First of all - Good Afternoon Laker Family!
Good Afternoon to Charles, Fatty, Jon K., Faith, Charles, Toad, Pig and every laker fan out there!
So, Fatty, to answer your question - Yes, a great number of people will care. We'll care that our team is going to the conference finals; Utah fans will care because they'll get dropped, and all the trolls will care because Pig will fricassee them if they try to say anything after that!
Jon K. - we should have a conversation sometime. Hope you're doing well. I never found out, but I hope your dog pulled through as well.
Let's Go Lake Show!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | May 09, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Benjamin,
Because Adande is .6 above the hater level for the Lakers.
Posted by: Charles | May 09, 2008 at 03:03 PM
AK
Instead, the proverbial "kitchen sink"
What else is there to throw at him? From what I've been seeing 4 players have had there chance wit him. He's a matchup nightmare. like u said..double or tripling him will cause Gasol and LO to BOOM CHIKA WOW WOW all over the Jazz
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 09, 2008 at 03:04 PM
What is the origin of calling Kobe the New Jack Bauer? (I mean, aside from them both starring in "24".) Did you make it up? Please to enlighten.
Posted by: Jesterguru
You know what? Please take this as a compliment but from my upbringings you can tell a genius or very smart person that can ask a question then answer the very question asked in the same sentence knowingly unknowingly knowing the unknown unknown Lol
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 09, 2008 at 03:09 PM
This may not be a popular sentiment, but lets not get too much ahead of ourselves with this Laker team. Yes, I truly, truly want the Lakers to win it all. But no team, not even the Celtics, are a shoe-in to win the championship.
The Lakers still have problems with their defense, and they show a tendency to lose big leads. Our bench is not producing very much, and Utah is at home for the next two games, where they tend to play much better. And we have seen the best of Boozer or Williams yet.
This is not the 2001-2002 Laker team that was pretty much expected to steam roll everyone. This year's Laker team is still a work in progress, missing our starting center, and with Gasol new on the team and essentially playing out of position.
Yes, I hope the Lakers win tonight, but I'd rather go into these games with a realistic conception of the Lakers chances, as opposed to this pie in the sky attitude many of the bloggers here tend to assume.
There shouldn't be so much focus on a potential matchup with the Celts. We still very much have our hands full with the Jazz.
Posted by: troy | May 09, 2008 at 03:11 PM
OK, I read the nice article by J.A. Adande. Fisher gets to say what shot mattered the most to him. I'll say .4 was not the most important, but rather the sweetest.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 09, 2008 at 03:15 PM
We're gonna boo that revolting liar Dfish every time he touches the ball, and then laugh as his "mentally tough" game falls apart before your eyes. Then we're gonna kick your pansy team to the curb faster than Malone disowned his son.
Jazz 116 Lakers 92
Posted by: stock | May 09, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Man Stock,
That's cold blooded!
Posted by: johnny | May 09, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Wow, Jazz fans showing up on the Lakers Blog!
Awesome!
Good luck Jazz! You are going to need it!
Matt Harpring is a walking foul.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 09, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I love the blatant hypocrisy of Jazz fans being in an uproar about D-Fish when what Boozer did to the Cavs was infinitely worse.
Posted by: lakers_sth | May 09, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I too am frightened that this will be one of those "homecoming" games for the Jazz and we'll get beat. Not that I think it will turn the tide in the series if we do lose, but...I actually get to watch all of this game (a luxury of time I can rarely afford). We must win! I will be inconsolably depressed all day tomorrow if I sit through a blowout Lakers loss. We MUST win! Win, damn it, WIN!!!!
That is all.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Cameron | May 09, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Hmrhead,
Sorry, typo. You are right about the 6 pm PST tip off.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 09, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Benjamin - I think you have to put 0.4 in perspective...I dont think Adande was trying to take anything away from that shot at all in his article, merely pointing out the context in which he made that shot.
Posted by: Caesar | May 09, 2008 at 04:01 PM
stock
"revolting" Not if your team owner is the guy who lets him off his contract.
"mentally tough" is correct. Your coach who is very tough used him as a 2 guard and a backup point guard. Thanks.
"Then we're gonna kick your pansy team to the curb faster than Malone disowned his son." The same way Malone kicked your team to the curb when he played his last season with us.
Nice shorts.
Posted by: Charles | May 09, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Good Afternoon Charles, Good Afternoon Laker Nation..
I got a funny feeling in my stomach and like AK, I'm not expecting a W tonight. Just like last night with the Spurs, when a quality team gets the home town rockin behind them.. it does provide that "it" factor. IMHO If the Jazz were ever gonna show up and go for blood, tonights the night.
I feel we'll be able to match them from an intensity standpoint but in the end, I see the Refs and calls playing a big role in this game. The Die-Hard Laker in me is wishing for one of those CRAZY Purple n Gold 1st qtrs were we wind up with 36 after one on 13-15 shooting and Kobe only has 4 points.. but I dunno.. this smells like a trap game and I dont have us sweeping this series, I have it going 6 besides, my head would explode if we began the playoffs 7-0 lol
But then again, the closet Kobe lover in me knows how at any moment, at anytime, he can do things to change the outcome of games.. he can do things.. bad.. bad things.. it will be very tense in the man cave in a couple of hours..thank god for girls night blah blah.. tonight, its me n jack daniels n stress because despite agreeing with AK and my humble expectations.. I can be a moron when it comes to the Lakers so I place a C-note on the game tonight and now I feel guilty cuz I could've got my Mom a better gift for Mothers Day.... ack
Posted by: complex brotha | May 09, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Allow me to clarify my question about The New Jack Bauer. Who made up the name?
Apparently Stu gets the credit for "The Machine."
Who gets credit for "The New Jack Bauer"?
I don't write good.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 09, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Good Afternoon, Everybody.
I will make this prediction. If the Lakers shoot below 40% from the field, Ute-ah will win. Otherwise, 3-0. The jaZz just look too confused for too much of the game. All the homecourt advantage in the world won't help them if the Purple keeps dropping their shotz.
GO LAKERS ! ! ! ! !
Posted by: Stockton_Showtime | May 09, 2008 at 04:14 PM
AK,
You can switch up your 1st comment and it still rings true. You said: Continuing to contain Carlos Boozer: Much ink has been devoted to the All-Star.
I saw it as: Carlos Boozer Continue(s) to contain Much (of the) ink that has been devoted to the All-Star.
: )
TWoody
Posted by: | May 09, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Team huddle y'all!
What time is it???
Posted by: Charles | May 09, 2008 at 04:16 PM
another good link, Larry Bird fires a fastball at LAIMbeer's head:
http://tinyurl.com/6l9fmv
Posted by: TaosHum | May 09, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Complex,
Did you bet the Lakers to win or did you take the points -- It may not matter, but I'd be more comfortable with the points. I actually think the Jazz are a value bet at -3.
Anywho, this series is over one way or another in the Lakers’ favor. Enjoy this game tonight for what it is (win or lose)-- necessary to get to the promised land. Because the Jazz are not winning 4 of the remaining 6 games.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 09, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Amazing_Happens
Howdy boss? I think it might be our regular multi poster than a real jazz fan.
Posted by: Charles | May 09, 2008 at 04:21 PM
"I'm coming to Philly to rip their hearts out."
Anybody else remember that? The best player in the NBA. The best coach in the NBA. The best bench in the NBA.
I'll take the Lakers tonight.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 09, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Thanks Charles, in that case, whoever "Stock" is, would you mind betting me on the game and giving me ten points since you were so precise in your prediction?
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 09, 2008 at 04:41 PM
HmrHEd,
Do you mean four of the remaining five games?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 09, 2008 at 04:44 PM
I'm sorry but I gotta ask all my Laker Brothers and Sisters, I was watching I wanna say game 2 against the nuggets. It was basically garbage time at the end of the game. Anyway Joel says "This one is...done." And I really thought he was gonna pull out the "it's in the Fridge!" So the question I have is would it be OK with you guys if Joel used the Fridge? I think it would be OK. But I would ask Marge first for her blessing. I miss and I think its a Laker tradition that I believe should live on as a tribute to Chick.
Posted by: JTea | May 09, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Pig,
Yep, 4 out of 5.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 09, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Another test for the Lakers.
Whether we win or lose, how will the Lakers match up to the intensity of the game?
We need at least one up in Utah, why not tonight?
For the last 4 weeks, the Lakers have met and past every test they faced. I'm no longer getting surprised by what they do anymore.
Game three Denver was put to us as impossible to win and the Lakers dominated.
Sure, Complex Brother, we have to lose sometime, but I'm not ready for that yet. This winning stuff is mucho habit forming.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 09, 2008 at 04:55 PM
If you look at all 8 quarters as a continuous progression, utah is getting better. i think williams will play better, as will boozer. but the lakers have not even played close to a perfect game. so if the lakers match that intensity, we should be fine. but we do need vlad or farmar to step up to make some shots and spread the floor. gasol is getting killed underneath, and i think the banging is tiring him out. good outside shooting will obviously force the defense out.
go lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: flip | May 09, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Charles,
Agree. Real Jazz fans are questioning themselves. They are worried. They are hoping they can right the ship with some home cooking.
One thing they are not doing is boasting. No one but a fool would boast with his team down two, and facing elimination tonight.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 09, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Good afternoon Caliphilospher!
Yes Charles...strong arm but fair. They were punk-like to our very own...the best guy in the league, some would say. No class. They MUST pay. To do that we need to shut them up by playing stifling D, and "showtime!" O.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2008 at 05:01 PM
JTea,
No. If Coop were to do it...or Rick Fox, I think I would be more inclined. Joel is our broadcaster yes...but I don't consider him a laker-laker. Chickisms are reserved only for those with laker purple and gold in their veins.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2008 at 05:03 PM
JTea, I don't think it's okay for Joel to use Chick's "Refrigerator" line. I've been surprised--pleasantly--by how rarely Joel or Stu uses any of his lines. I think Stu and Joel have used the term "frozen rope" before, but that's about it. I like it that way. Chick's death was the end of an era. No sense holding onto it now, no matter how much we miss Golden Throat.
Posted by: greenpaz | May 09, 2008 at 05:04 PM
JTea,
It's interesting that you ask that. I was thinking about the non-use of Chickisms in the Laker broadcasts and if that was good to his memory. The answer that Stu Lantz always gave, when he was asked if the Chickisms would be used, was "no" and he reasoned that it is out of deference to Chick's memory that no one should use them because it would cheapen them somehow.
I completely disagree – I'm of the opinion that the only way to keep someone's memory "alive" is to talk about them and tell their stories. Therefore, I believe that all the Chickisms should be used -- that's the only way to introduce Chick to a the future Laker generations. I’ll go a step further and say that the Lakers should use the refrigerator routine on the PA speakers after each home win at Staples.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 09, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Jester,
I'm not sure who it was, but the 24 nickname DID come from this blog when his new number was leaked to the press.
In his first game with the number, Stu even used the nickname (and has used it since)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 09, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Man, I am so supposed to be working on homework right now. K Bros, thanks for the excuse to start my "I'm going to take a break to watch the game tonight" an hour early
I thought the really interesting thing about the 'new Jack Bauer" nickname is that Kobe was around a long time before "24" and will probably be around a long time after people forget that "24" even existed.
On the other hand, I think that fact that after all this time, "Mamba" is the best we can do, especially considering that Kobe had to make it up himself, is a little sad. Has there ever been a better player with so few nicknames? But I guess the real reason players have nicknames is to fit better in the headlines, and "Kobe" fits just fine.
Anyway, there's a game tonight. Personally, I think we'll win, but frankly I just hope nobody gets hurt. Since Bruce Bowen, Jameer Nelson and DeShawn Stevenson don't play for the Jazz, we should do ok.
Finally, why is that Jazz fan idiot who said the Lakers were going to lose the first two games still here? Of course, I still don't really care.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: phred | May 09, 2008 at 05:07 PM
LA TIMES LAKERS BLOG LINKED TO GAMBLERS…
An unofficial report came out of Los Angeles this afternoon that federal authorities are investigating a purported link between the LA Times Lakers Blog and unspecified major underworld figures involved in illegal gambling. Apparently, mobbed up bloggers have been using inside information and expert advice from the Lakers Blog to put themselves in position to win millions of dollars from Las Vegas and online gambling sites. if the Lakers win the 2007/08 NBA Championship.
The mobbed up bloggers used the blog’s inside information and intelligence to determine that the Lakers were going to evolve into an elite team this with a chance to win the title. They then took illegal advantage of Vegas and online gambling sites to lock up huge bets on the Lakers to win the NBA championship during last summer when the legal gamblers were offering 30 to 1 odds on the Lakers to win it all. Faced with losing millions if the Lakers prevail, Las Vegas gamblers and the online casinos are crying foul.
Commissioner David Stern has denied involvement by recent NBA MVP winner Kobe Bryant but reserves the right to change his mind when all of the evidence comes in. Even though he won an MVP, this could still be Kobe’s fault. Bloggers Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky, allegedly secret members of a Russian mafia family, have refused to return reporters phone calls and are said to be hiding incognito in cyberspace. LA Times public relations spokesperson says that the Times is hard at work trying to control the damage and regain the trust of the gambling industry. Initial rumors are that a grand jury will shortly be convened to investigate the situation. Will keep you posted as we hear more.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 09, 2008 at 05:10 PM
HmrHed,
I took them to Win against a co-worker thats a Spurs fan and HATES The Lakers lol No Points, I couldnt resist... he was talking so much smack.. I kinda got mad on the inside and made the C-Note bet in hopes of him STFU but he called my bluff and took it so its ON tonight.. now excuse me Fam.. I must retire to the Man Cave and hope we win so I can give the 100 to my mom and lift the guilt hanging over my head heh
Posted by: complex brotha | May 09, 2008 at 05:11 PM
JTea-
Chick wasn't great because he said "It's in the refrigerator et al" IITRTBGHATJJ was great because Chick said it. Joel can say whatever he wants, Chick never got mad that the whole world starting saying 'Slam Dunk,' but everytime he says it it will just remind everybody of all the ways Joel is not Chick. So frankly, he could probably skip it.
Man, I'm pedantic today.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: phred | May 09, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Hey JTea
Good question. I wouldn't want him to use it very often and not without giving the term's originator credit for it. Something like, to quote Chicky-babe, this game's in the refrigerator. Otherwise, some post-Chick fans would think is was Joel's.
Posted by: Stockton_Showtime | May 09, 2008 at 05:12 PM