The Closer?
Utah is not a friendly place for visiting teams, and as recent (Games 3 and 4) history and a longer view bears out, that would include the Lakers. But the good news is that there's only one team in the building for tonight's Game 6 of the Western Conference semis that has to win to keep the series alive, and it ain't L.A. If the purple and gold do not do, they will not die. The same can't be said for the Jazz, which is up against the wall and still stinging from what they see as a missed opportunity to steal Game 5 at Staples. The Lakers, of course, would just as soon polish them off. To do that, they understand it'll take a better effort than the one put forth in Wednesday's victory, a task all the more difficult given Kobe's lingering back problems. Of course, the back has been about the only thing Utah has come up with to slow him down (and really, that wasn't what they drew up on the white board) and if they don't figure out how- and fast- the Jazz might not have another game until next season. Kobe has hurt Utah in all sorts of ways through the first five games, showing enough game to make friends of potential enemies.
If the Jazz want to contain Bryant, a better defensive effort from Ronnie Brewer is likely required. He is doing good work on the other end, though.
Trevor Ariza is getting closer to PT. He says he's ready to go, but given the short amount of true, full contact practice time he's had, Phil Jackson isn't quite committed to the idea of throwing him back in the mix. Should the Lakers reach the conference finals, though, it's a different story.
The respect Kobe and Deron Williams have for each other runs deep. Given how he exploded since Pau arrived, the respect others have for Lamar Odom has certainly grown, too. His performance in Game 5 certainly opened a lot of eyes.
It's time, writes Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune, for Jazz fans to stop crying conspiracy.
Gasol has been a hit with the Spanish speaking media since his arrival in LA.
Sometimes you just gotta take care of summer plans.
The champs are still alive, and there will be a Game 7 Monday night in New Orleans. And not without a little controversy, after Robert Horry took a shot at David West's back.
Rick Carlisle has a lot of things on his plate in Dallas, including questions of Josh Howard.
Rumors about Phoenix's coaching search are flying. Even rumors about the rumors. Where Kurt Rambis fits in is an interesting question. Could he be the heir to PJ's job in L.A.? The Suns look like they'll take their time and wait until more teams (and coaches) have been eliminated from the playoffs. Like all situations such as these, take everything with a grain of salt until real action begins.
Yeah, Larry, way to get my boy thehammer into the roll call. That dude is an asset to the blog, a crazy good drummer and an even better friend.
Now I have a poem for you:
Friday night will be a good one for the Lake show
Blowing by the Jazzers still playing in slow-mo
To the sounds of boos, Kobe drilling his free-throws
Yo with Fish on the court, we didn't even need those
Tonight let the sound of the next round be heard
The silence of the Jazz fans having no words
What can you say when Luke Walton just schooled you?
You better make peace like Desmond Tutu
Today the roll call happened and the blog vibes say
Utah's gonna have to find another way to play
And find free agents for next year and try to sign 'em
Cause guess what bitches, we'll have Andrew Bynum
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 16, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Oh... one more important Bio-Chrono for today's game....
LUKE WALTON.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 16, 2008 at 01:39 PM
http://alunaticraving.wordpress.com/
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 16, 2008 at 01:45 PM
LKRS1FN,
I don't know, man. The Hornets got their butts kicked last night and now West is hurt. I think San Antonio may have figured the Hornets out.
Anyhow, I'd rather play the Spurs.
Chris Paul is too unpredictable and the way they're such a good second half team unnerves me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 16, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Lakers War Cry!!!
"all your base are belong to us!!!!"
GO LAKERS
Posted by: Joninjapan(incanada) | May 16, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Watching Robert Horry headbutt the back of David West last night caused me to break out into wild hysterical laughter at my local bar.
I love Big Shot Rob and who can forget his game winning three point shots over Sacramento and Portland in the playoffs?
I've met him personally and he was extremely polite and gracious.
However, dude, Big Shot Rob has become something of a dirty player in San Antonio. He's dirty in a way that I appreciate, but, man, he was trying to hurt David West last night and succeeded.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 16, 2008 at 02:04 PM
The sooner Trevor Ariza is back on the floor. We traded two quality players--Brian Cook and Mighty Mo Evans--whom I liked for Ariza... and it was a great trade.
Trevor's one of our best bench players, and we've got a very strong bench.
I hope he's back soon.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 16, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Much love to all the Laker fans out there and especially the ones in the 805!
the hammer
--------------------------------------------------------------------
thehammer,
That's enough to take me out of my posting hybernation. Much Laker Love in da 805!
Note to Phil: Please let Trevor Ariza defend Deron Williams! I hope Trevor has been going to D-fish University working through course # 200 "Minimizing Deron Williams Effectiveness". TA's length and foot speed seem like they should be huge on defense. His slashing on offense should help too.
Posted by: 805 Laker Love | May 16, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Tonight is the night guys. We need to CLOSE them (Utah Azz's, o'ops did i forget the J, my bad) OUT. Sure, Energy Solutions Arena will be loud actually very loud but we have an opurtunity to knock 'em out with a KO punch (Pau). NO FEAR !!!!!!!!!!! Lakers, grab ahold of this moment and seize it. Do not give them a chance to breath. Play this game like it were a game 7.
********* To all Lakers fans please repost this **********
Yea, though we walk through the valley of the the Jazz,
We will fear no threat: For we are the Los Angels Lakers and shall be victorious.
Posted by: Johnny_laker | May 16, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Too bad nobody was around to post today.
Posted by: WWJWWD | May 16, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Jon,
I think those posts can be fun. I label them not trolls. Merely Dwarves.
"Dwarves: The lighter side of internet Trolling."
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 16, 2008 at 02:55 PM
make those foul shots. move the ball. play physical and stay in front of williams - he'll be possessed tonight.
Lakers in 6!!!! Go LAKERS!!!
let's go lakers clapclap clapclapclap
lets go lakers clapclap clapclapclap
Posted by: flip | May 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
JonK,
I think your reading is a bit too hippie. Personally, I think the Lakers best shot is conservative stoicism in the face of hysteria.
Physically: Creativity, trying new plays, playing with passion.
OUR CREATIVITY COST US 14 TURNOVERS. NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR NEW PLAYS!
Emotionally: Appreciating the potential of the team and how good the Lakers can be.
Mentally: Respecting your personal potential and the importance of your role on the team.
I THINK THE PRIOR TWO ARE CONTRADICTORY more than COMPLIMENTARY. We need to emphasize team more than individualism.
Creatively: Playing the game one possession at a time, being in the moment, and making choices for the pure motivation of acheiving results.
My reply,
I like being one play at a time and in the moment. But I don't know that this equates with creativity. Rather a bit of memory of game plan will go a long ways.
GOOOoooOOOO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 16, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Cause guess what bitches, we'll have Andrew Bynum
-Jesterguru
LOL!!!! Very nicely done! Tell 'em! Tell 'em!
Posted by: magicman | May 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Mamba,
Thank you for once again getting me in the frame of mind for Lakers game time!
Time to whack them U-Tards right in their shrinky little Jazztickles.
Posted by: The D | May 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Mamba24 - please don't forget to add me to the current rolling bandwagons!
Jesterguru - excellent poem/rap - do we have a contender for Mamba24 as Blog Poet Laureate in the making??!!
T minus 4 hours (or so) and counting until GAME TIME!!
LET'S GO LAKERS!
Do you think we may have an Ariza sighting in the uni tonight? Maybe PJ playing a little mindgame on the Jizz? I hope so - we could use some D even for a couple minutes at a time, just to mess with their offensive strategy. I guess we'll have to wait & see!
I hope all the Laker fans in Bootah will be wearing their colors loud & proud! I would LOVE to hear some MVP chants when the Jizz fans are all quiet at the end of 4 cuz their season came to an end.....that would be SWEET!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 16, 2008 at 03:10 PM
UTZBANNERHOLDER;
I for one don’t mind prayer intertwined with basketball. I remember before High School Basketball games we always used to pray, and although we had people from several denominations on our team, it was never specific and excluding of anyone. On that same note, it always allowed me to focus mentally on the task. One thing is for certain, everyone should pray for all the players to remain healthy, and that God give the strength for our players to play the best and hardest the possibly can. Keep on preaching.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | May 16, 2008 at 03:11 PM
hey great story I'm a Lakers Fan and am really excited about this team this year and in the future.Kobe is outstanding and I think when we get in the finals, I have complete faith in Kobe and the Zenmeister bringing another championship to this great city. Just started up A blog www.theworldofsportsandentertainment.blogspot.com still working on it exscuse some of the grammar gotta make corrections
Posted by: | May 16, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Mamba24 is to Chuck D as Jesterguru is to Flavor Flav.
The Lakers are to Led Zeppelin as the Jazz are to Spinal Tap.
SHEKOBE'S CAPS KICK ASS.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 16, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Banner Holder:
What an invigorating prayer...I come in agreement with you AMEN!
I too believe in the power of prayer and I am continuously stretching my hands toward my television during games and during real desperate times..i just lay my hands on the television (think I may just touch Vlad & Farmar tonite).
But it was so amazing that you mentioned the vindication for Fisher...because the scripture in Psalms came to my mind about Fisher today...how the Lord prepares your table in the presence of your enemies and all I could think about was how God's gonna get the glory out of this. Because all Fisher does by his actions and words is give honor to God...so I just thought I would let you know how ontime (and in the spirit your prayer was) and like you said whomever gets offended they know just where to find the scroll bar and can just roll on by...
I am expecting great things tonite...
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: BocaLakerGurl | May 16, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Game time BLOG CRUE
Charles, Tim-4-Show, Lakers4Realz, Mrbarneydangles, Caliphilosopher--Are you ready?
Apply the pressure tonight in Salt LAKER City!
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | May 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Kwame's key to the game:
-A dominating Pau (since I can't be there)
-Kobe the facilitator
-Sasha the "well oiled" machine not the contraption we witnessed nin game 5
-Drive Lamar, Drive!
-Clogg the lane
-a celebration cake after the win
"Let me eat cake" (or at least throw it)
Kwame
Posted by: Kwame Brown from Kwame Town | May 16, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Good Hot afternoon Laker fanatics!
May the refs not be blinded by the noise that will surely intimidate them tonight.
Mamba I would appreciate being added to the Let's close it out tonight bandwagon.
Let's get this party started!
Posted by: Laker Bandit | May 16, 2008 at 03:55 PM
JohnnyP,
I'm just interpretting the Bio-Chrono, bro. I'm not creating the rules.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 16, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Good Evening LAKER NATION and The Brothers K! Been away from blog all day (gosh, you mean we're supposed work on Laker Game Days??? lol) Wanted to read up on the blog and didn't see too many trolls on this one but I guess when L.A. wins and Kobe helps greatly by staying within the game play of facilitator.
Oh, and a special nod to MAMBA for throwing this rookie on the Roll Call and his poem which really was creative and enjoyed..
To: Banner Holder: Amen!!! Keep it up. Nice blog to regarding the prayers. I like that you do them. And I like that you pray for everyone whether friend or foe, real or percieved. I'm appreciative and hope you keep them up. And, like you wrote, it wouldn't bother me if other fans from different religions than Christianity wrote prayers in this blog, as long as they're not hateful, demeaning,, etc....
Also big ups to all the poet makers on this blog... some creative and entertaining stuff!
TO LAKER NATION:
WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS ONE TONIGHT!!! So in an unusual and plagaristic move on my part I am going to re-write the Ramones lyrics to their classic punk song "Beat on the Brat."
BEAT ON THE JAZZ, BEAT ON THE JAZZ,
BEAT ON THE JAZZ WITH SOME HARD FOUL HACKS,
OH YEAH!!!
OH YEAH!!
OH-UH-OHHH!!!
OH YEAH!!!
OH YEAH!!
OH-OHHHH!!
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?!
WITH GOONS LIKE THE JAZZ ALWAYS ON YOUR BACK
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?!
WITH GOONS LIKE THE JAZZ ALWAYS ON YOUR BACK
WHAT CAN YOU LOO-OSE???!?!!?LOO-OOSE!!!!
BEAT ON THE JAZZ, BEAT ON THE JAZZ,
BEAT ON THE JAZZ WITH SOME HARD FOUL HACKS, OH YEAH!!! OH YEAH!! OH--OHHH!!!
BEAT ON THE JAZZ, BEAT ON THE JAZZ,
BEAT ON THE JAZZ WITH SOME HARD FOUL HACKS, OH YEAH!!! OH YEAH!! OH--OHHH!!!
YEAH!!! OH YEAH!! OH--OHHH!!!
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?!
WITH GOONS LIKE THE JAZZ ALWAYS ON YOUR BACK
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?
WHAT CAN YOU DO=HOO???!?!!?!
WITH GOONS LIKE THE JAZZ ALWAYS ON YOUR BACK
WHAT CAN YOU LOOO-SE???!?!!?LOOO-SE????!!
Alright Laker Nation and the Brothers K, let's get this thing going!!!! LAKER LAKER WINNING TIMe!!!!!
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 16, 2008 at 07:45 PM
SWEET VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BY THE WAY UTAH JAZZ FANS THE MVP CAME READY TO DO WHAT HE'S SUPPOSED TO DO. KEEP ALL YOU CRAZY JAZZ FANS ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEATS. OH MY GOSH IT'S MICHAEL JORDAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO IT'S KOBE "THE ASSASSIN" BRYANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW IRONIC THAT IN GAME 6 M.J. 'S AMAZING GAME WINNING SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL GUESS WHAT JAZZ FANS? THIS TIME IT WAS K.B. AND HE IS THE REIGNING MVP. BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR .
Posted by: A. DA. | May 16, 2008 at 11:27 PM