Western Conference Champions
At this point, the T-shirts will be printed. "Los Angeles Lakers: 2008 NBA Champions." Whether they end up sold locally or on the backs of poor and suffering children in far-flung places around the globe depends on what happens in the next round, but as it is the Lakers will be heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2004. A few months back this sort of thing might have seemed utterly impossible, what with all the controversy surrounding the purple and gold, but a 100-92 win over San Antonio Thursday night at Staples closed out the Western Conference finals. It wasn't necessarily easy, though. The Lakers came out slow and found themselves down by 17 early in the second quarter, but used an 11-2 run to close the gap to six by halftime. In the third, L.A. held San Antonio to 35% shooting and finished the frame with a one-point lead. From there, it was all about Kobe Bryant. 24 went off for 17 in the final period, running off an endless parade of screens and picks to crush any lingering hopes the Spurs had of a comeback. Overall, 26 of his 39 points came after the break, as Kobe continued to put his stamp on the 2007-2008 season.
Kobe is back in the Finals, this time as the unquestioned leader of a team. All that's needed now for a cap to the incredible Lakers turnaround year are four more wins. Pleased as they are, the Lakers should, and do, have their eyes on a bigger prize.
But as it's been all year, Kobe wasn't the only factor in a big Lakers win. The box score shows a very solid game from Jordan Farmar. Sasha Vujacic hit a couple big shots (including one at the buzzer that
threw Vegas into chaos) and played some solid defense on Manu Ginobili, who was again limited physically, and for the fourth time in five games, not a factor for the Spurs. Generally speaking, the second unit came up big in the second and fourth quarters.
Pau Gasol didn't light up the scoreboard, but he was all Windex on the glass, wiping up 19 rebounds and showing some of the fire and toughness Phil Jackson had been looking for from him. Four blocked shots was also a nice touch.
The Spurs were able to find a little humor, gallows or otherwise, regarding the NBA's statement on NoCallGate, but Mark Heisler writes that the results of Game 5 put that debate to bed. As Pop said, the Spurs ran into a better team (and now will have to retool). Still, why bother issuing a ruling at all if there's nothing the league can do about it?
The Internet, as it always does, has an opinion. Lots of them, actually. 48 Minutes of Hell, Pounding the Rock, SportsHubLA (with a Lakers retrospective), 20 Second Timeout, Ball Don't Lie, the always thoughtful Henry Abbott at True Hoop.
More fun from the BDL folk. Caption Mitch and The Logo!
Looking for pics? Here's the link to the LAT photo gallery from last night.
Rolling down.... Imperial Highway...
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 30, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I have been having a discussion with my friends about who is better, or at least who will be better when it's all said and done, Larry Bird or Kobe? What do you guys think?
Posted by: laker hopeful | May 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The Lakers seem to have a mini-tradition of having dinner before the next series. Maybe we should have a similar type of gathering with the K brothers picking up the tab? In all seriousness, we can try to meet up at some joint preferably with the game showing.
Posted by: never | May 30, 2008 at 10:42 AM
feelin good to be a laker die hard these days...
last night's win was totally worth putting up with kwame brown, brian cook, smush parker and chucky atkins (just to name a few) for the past 3+ years.
lakers back in the finals.
beautiful and unbelievable - all at the same time...
c'mon lake show!!!
Posted by: tha show | May 30, 2008 at 10:43 AM
12 DOWN, 4 MO' TO GO!
We gotta give it to King Pau... as soft and gooey as he plays early, there have been several times where he's recovered to be nothing short of solid and dare i say... tough.
19 rebounds, a couple tip ins and slams, then stand-up defense against Timmy in the fourth quarter.
i think we know what we're going to get from pau...but thank God we found out he's not just some pushover.
soft and gooey on the outside, tough as titanium steel on the inside... that's Pau!
LET'S GO LAKE SHOW
Posted by: CBuck | May 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Also, I'd rather see the Pistons than the Celtics. The Lakers are 1-8 when they have faced the Pistons in the Finals.
This isn't revenge, this is punishment.
Posted by: never | May 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
and oh yeah...
Jerry West = Laker for Life
as if we needed another reminder.
thanks for Pau, Jerry
Posted by: CBuck | May 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
What dpes it all mean?
Seriously.
WCF Champs. Shiny ball worshipper. Eliminated the champions. God of all basketball in the west (lol). What does it all mean?
Going 12-3 thus far. Playing D like we know we can. Showing poise, a killer instinct and emphasizing night after night, game after game that we have the best player in the league (our ace in the hole). And that his buddies aren’t bad either (Pau-WOW, LO, the bench mob). What does that mean?
It means “[we're] close, it means [we're] ready.” It means “THIS IS OUR TIME, OUR YEAR.” Or if you prefer, “Our team, our time, our MVP.” It means we’re finally back to where the Lakers belong. It means the season is finally starting.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 30, 2008 at 10:48 AM
p.s. Can anyone please post a link showing last night's game?
Posted by: never | May 30, 2008 at 10:48 AM
4 more wins.
Posted by: E Homp | May 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM
That photo looks like they just found the Holy Grail.
Posted by: ajax | May 30, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I'm proud of this Lakers team. What a ride this season!
Four more wins to glory and the most raging parade EVER.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | May 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Just fantastic.
Just fantastic.
So, I forget. If we play Boston do they get home court advantage, but if we play Detroit, we get home court advantage... is that how it goes?
There are things I don't like about either Detroit or the Celtics game. It's ugly ball, but sometimes ugly ball is kind of hard to decode.
Time for Phil Jackson to work his magic. Get these boys ready to play!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Great day to be a member of Laker nation.
Hey guys, not to get ahead ourselves, but I noticed on the telecast that both Turiaf and Vujacic will be restricted fre agents this summer. What are the chances that we can keep both.
And if we cant hold onto to both, who should we prioritize? I say Sasha but a strong argument could be made for Ronny as the heart and soul of our team.
Posted by: Adam | May 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
LOL. You know how many Buffalo Bills fans there are in the Third World?
Forum Blue and Gold has a youtube video of Kobe's highlights from last night. There's a shot or two of Farmar in there. He really stepped up last night. I've loved him since he was the last one standing in the NCAA title game.
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Well done Lakers!
World Championship around the corner!!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | May 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Anyone else glad that Kobe pulled another NDW (not Dwayne Wade)? Jeez, if he played like D Wade instead of someone like MJ, we'd be heading back to San An.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.... (burp)
Pig, thanks for the BBQ'd troll, it was quite a meal.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Hugo Boss-
What's up? GO LAKERS
-------------------------------------
Jon K.-
Cool story, better save that seat for every Finals game and you know the deal with Lamar.
-------------------------------------
Everyone-
This feels so good. We've been rooting and cheering all season and getting back to the Finals couldn't be better. We haven't won the chip yet but I have a feeling we can get the ball in the basket a little better then either Eastern Conference team. We just have to stay focused and keep the drive. Can't wait for June 5th.
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Nice
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Jon K,
Both Detroit and Boston would have home court advantage since they both had better records than us in the regular season. That worries me a little. Opening a series on the road and potentially falling behind is the only thing this team hasn't had to deal with yet. My blood pressure can't take anymore of this team dealing with new territory.
Adam,
I think the Lakers sign both or match any offer either gets unless it's something completely ludicrous.
AK/BK,
I don't know who made the point about how Sasha's shot went over in Vegas, but it's amazing how big of a bucket that was.
My buddy made $500 on that shot last night!! Go Machine!!!!
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM
High Fiving in the middle of a play?!
http://tinyurl.com/5u7xrv
how very toe-jam and earl of them.
Posted by: eddie brock | May 30, 2008 at 11:17 AM
How much will Pop regret the parting of the sea defense employed against Bryant? You give a guaranteed two rather than a possible two?
I hope that Kobe realizes that the East is a different beast. Kobe used his brains to beat the Spurs, now he'll have to sacrifice his body and sink his FTs.
Big ups to Farmar for a bounceback series.
Posted by: mel | May 30, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The 2-3-2 format CAN be beneficial to the road team if they split the opening pair.
I expect rust and deer in the headlight for the Lakers in Game 1. Killer Kobe takes Game 2. Then home to Staples.
If it's Boston, I expect the experts to be all over their jock straps.
Stein, Sheridan, Rose, and Thorpe all took the Spurs even though they beat the flawed Spurs and the inexperienced Hornets.
I think the Pistons win tonight. Who knows what will happen if it goes 7.
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Andrew Z,
I hate playing in Detroit.
That "DEEEEE-TROIT BASKET--BALLLLL!" drives me nuts.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Can anyone tell me what the route for the parade will be?
Posted by: bonzi | May 30, 2008 at 11:34 AM
By the way, I've got to give it to the Spurs.
They really handled the loss of this series with class. They're really a model for the rest of the NBA in that regards.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
-What a great day for Laker Nation! Are you not entertained? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
-Jerry West’s speech was a thing of beauty. What a special moment for all Laker fans. I always felt Jerry West’s proudest accomplishment from his non-playing career was trading Vlade Divac for Kobe - the deal of the century. Unlike Magic, you could see how proud and happy West is for Kobe. All of the championships and special memories the Lakers have provided in my lifetime are because of this great man. All hail the Logo!
-Tim-4-Show, You are absolutely right. That was a great adjustment by Phil to go exclusively to the pic&roll, after replacing Lamar with Vlad to spread the floor. San Antonio’s strategy has been to give Lamar the outside shot, and use his man to double Kobe or guard the paint. This has been a pretty effective strategy that I’m sure Boston or Detroit will duplicate. If they do, the Lakers need to pic&roll them to death.
-Lamar looked pretty bummed out after being benched in the last four minutes. He will have to work on his outside shot this summer to prevent teams from employing this strategy next year.
-If Kobe missed a few more shots in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers lost, all we would be hearing today from the media and their Kobe-hating clones is how he played selfishly, didn’t pass to his teammates, blah, blah, blah. AK would’ve stated something about how Kobe went away from team ball to the detriment of the team. Fortunately, Kobe made those clutch shots and the Lakers won, so I guess Kobe took over “in a good way” this time.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | May 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
On the contrary, Mel. When we win the championship, it will be on account of Kobe's (and Phil's) brain. Look back at the first half of Game 1. We couldn't see it, but now it's in plainview. The reason why Kobe only took 3 shots was because he was SIZING THE SPURS UP. He let them run their systems, read their defensive schemes, figured out their hustle and lowered the boom on 'em. Like the saying goes, 1/2 of this game is 90% mental (I think that's what it says).
Yeah, Boston & Detroit will body you up. But NEITHER TEAM has a cerebral X-Factor - or 2 - like we do. Watch Game 1. They'll get all hot and swaggery and jump to a 10-15 point lead and the crowd will go wild.
And then...
BOOM! The hammer will fall. Black Mamba will start biting and breaking ankles. LO will slash. D-Fish will drain rainbows.
And the crowd will just sit there. Confused. And muttering "F-ing Pau Gasol" underneath their collective breaths.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | May 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Here's Amico's followup. I'm sure 1 or 2 (or 100) of the guys mentioned in article post here.
http://probasketballnews.com/amico_053008.html
Check out his tidbits at the bottom. Especially the part about the Lakers playing like college kids.
Posted by: mel | May 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
bozz/Korey/complex brotha/charles/Edwin Gurco/mamba24/mrbarneydangles/long time lakers fan/psychedlakersgirl/et al...
I'm glad you liked the story.
I'm a bit concerned about my car and it was DEFINITELY no fun up to the moment that I got into my lucky bar seat, but alls well that ends well.
I'm sure glad we won.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
Yep, we have a huge coaching advantage over Boston or Detroit.
Doc Rivers is one of the most over-rated coaches in the game.
However, Phil's going to have to anticipate that Boston and Detroit's style is going to muck up our offense a bit. He who scores the most points wins.
Some closing thoughts...
"F-ing Pau Gasol!"
Lamar Odom = Finals MVP
Four more to go.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Good Morning Charles---Good Morning Everybody.....
Western Conference Champs---what a ride ! This is almost sureal....it's almost hard to really grasp....
Can we actually win 4 more games?--whatever happens now is just pure gravy---next year and the following 5 years this will be expected, but this year is a bonus indeed...
The coolest thing from last night?....wait for it.....The Logo, Mr. Clutch himself presenting the trophy with a very cool speech...
Another bit of good news from last night--Doug Collins is hopefully going to coach the Bulls so we won't have to suffer with his "announcing" any more--there is a god apparently...
Boston or Detroit?--can we beat either? I do know it would be extremely painfull to lose to Boston, but on the other hand extremely gratifying to beat their frickin' asses AND RUB IT IN HERMAN MUNSTERS FRICKIN' FACE....same with Detroit but only about a tenth of the degree...
The Laker players and staff seem to know their job is far from over and indeed are not even close to being satisfied with winning the West--yee frickin' haw!
4 MORE WINS !!!
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | May 30, 2008 at 11:45 AM
It's weird how MBenga in this pic looks like Shaq:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?addata=2008_NBAES_XXX_XXX_XXX_DDX
Posted by: Wasabi | May 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
utzworld,
I used to have the utmost respect for the stoic Warrior that goes by the name KG or Big Ticket.
But after what he said about our front office and the cockiness he's displaying now that he has two big guys to back him up in a fight, I HATE him.
I want the Lakers to beat, make that crush him. Punch his Big Ticket to a summer of misery. A summer of regretting that they didn't take advantage of a Bynumless Lakers.
Didn't you love Magic talking about how Kobe visualizes the last 5 minutes of the game.
I used to cringe when Kobe would stand there dribbling at the top of the key. But now you sit up and pay attention because you know that Amazing's about to Happen.
Posted by: mel | May 30, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Jerry West on Dan Patrick today. Here's the link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/streamingaudio/
He doesn't think Bynum and Gasol can play together; something about not getting back on defense fast enough.
Mr. Banner Holder--I may not agree with your mixing religion with Lakers basketball but make no mistake about the fact that I respect you as a blogger and respect your right to blog however you choose.
Go Lakers!
Wes
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
yahooooooooo.....am i dreaming?
Posted by: Botsoy | May 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Jon K,
I can't stand that announcer from Detroit either. To be honest, nothing makes me more angry than any artificial noise pumped into arenas. Let the squeeks of the shoes and pounding of the ball on the hardwood be heard. Follow that with a strong dose of fans going crazy and it is just about the perfect setting for a ball game.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Wouldn't it be awesome if Coby Karl got a ring before Kevin Garnett?
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Cringe with Kobe bouncing the ball at the top of the key??? Never that..
I can't even see that...Hell no, never that.....Kobe?? Nah, never that..
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
more....
Yes it's true we don't have home court against either Boston or Detroit, but the finals is in the dreaded ("because that's how baseball does it") 2-3-2 format that actually favors the lower seeded team---if the Lakers can win one of the first two games--then it's three in a row at home....
It is CRUCIAL---I say CRUCIAL (say it again !) that the Lakers sign both Sasha and Ronny---both of them will be key to our New Dynasty....
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | May 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I have been having a discussion with my friends about who is better, or at least who will be better when it's all said and done, Larry Bird or Kobe? What do you guys think?
Posted by: laker hopeful | May 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM
That's like asking who is more important to rock n roll, Elvis or Bob Dylan. Tough call. Though Dylan and Kobe brought an unbelievable poetry and an immense body of work to their disciplines, Elvis and Bird were the engineers of their respective trains; the founding fathers who laid down their tracks on the fly:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SlowTrain.jpg
You gotta give it to Bird.
Wes
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 12:02 PM
The Lakers are in the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is by far the funniest lakers .gif...gotta love the expressions on Pau and Phil...ha..ha..ha
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p252/kneedragger714/lakers.gif
Posted by: Sean714 | May 30, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Mel,
I have to agree with you on the KG point. While he was in Minny he used to be my #2 player, after Kobe of course, but ever he went over to those green mofo leprechauns my admiration fro him has tailed off. The second he got some decent players behind him (and no, Cassell and Spree don't count) he turned into a howling lunatic. I can't stand it. It makes me want to throw stuff at the tv. I'd be torn if we played the Celtics because while I wish good things for KG and I don't want him to be one of those rare players without a ring, but nothing will ever be more important than my love for the Lakers and my hate for the Celtics. So I guess I agree with you, I hope we stomp his azz into the ground.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 30, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Andrew Z,
It will be awesome when Coby Karl gets his ring before Kevin Garnett.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Andrew Z
I posed the question a few threads back about who would you rather face in the finals.
Now I am thinking that Boston might be better. Why?
Barring our experience against Utah,
1. We have problems against Big Point Guards (Unless Billups is going to be injured.) Rhondo and House would be a much easier match up. Cassell is playing irrelevant right now. (Defensively and Health wise that is)
2. Rebounds from the 2nd unit. Milsap = Maxiel. We had problems with our 2nd unit rebounding. Adding Theo Ratliff, I believe our chances with Ronny and Luke (Pau and Lamar will be playing with them too adding fatigue for 1st unit rebounding) I'll take my chances with a slower PJ Brown and Scala-weenie...
3. The element of surprise. The Celtics have not faced us with Pau. Pau has elevated Lamars game which was not prevalent when Bynum was in the lineup. We have been criticized for being everything in the book; yet we are now in the finals. This is a different Laker team.
If we face Detroit, we should be fine. I just feel PG & Center battles are more critical for the two teams.
C's = Rhondo, House, Cassell, Perkins, Scala, Brown.
The D = Billups, Hunter, Stuckey (2 ish), Sheed, A-Mac, Ratliff, Maxiel.
Were not even mentioning the lengthy discussions about the rest of the team members from LA, Detroit, and Boston...
Posted by: Charles | May 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM
i want to see the celtics in the finals. As a graphics artist, that purple-gold-green-white color scheme really does something for me.
Posted by: eddie brock | May 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM
" used to have the utmost respect for the stoic Warrior that goes by the name KG or Big Ticket.
But after what he said about our front office and the cockiness he's displaying now that he has two big guys to back him up in a fight, I HATE him.
I want the Lakers to beat, make that crush him. Punch his Big Ticket to a summer of misery. A summer of regretting that they didn't take advantage of a Bynumless Lakers." posted by mel
I'm with Mel on this. I USED to be a fan of K.G but now, in the dark places of my heart, I want nothing more to meet and BEAT the Shamrocks in the finals. One - They beat us twice so payback is due. 2- I hate KG now and 3 If I have to hear Pistons announcer Mason during team intro's.. I'll snap and go postal.. I cant stand that pompous SOB .. STFU and say the names dude...and finally 4 I really dont wanna see "Sheed" in a cricle jerk acting like a kid thats had way too many Twinkies doin that spastic dance thing he does.... geesh
Posted by: complex brotha | May 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Hellooo Laker Nation,
I got stuck at work and didn't have the chance to catch up with the comments in the last posts so forgive me if somebody (or many) have said it before but....
WHAT I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT THIS LAKER TEAM HAS CLOSED OUT THE SERIES IN THE FIRST GAME THEY HAD THE CHANCE IN EVERY ROUND.
That killer instinct makes me feel very confortable that we can matchup very well with either Celtics or Pistons.
It is going to be a great NBA Final series.
Looking forward to it.
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | May 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
This Laker team has shown a lot; they have shown they can come from behind, they can blow people out, they can play fast or slow, the close out series at the first crack, they can win on the road and at home. In short they are looking good if not always pretty. I was of the mind that if they won it this year it would be a bonus but now if they don't win it all I will be rather disappointed. I think the Spurs and Jazz are better than either the Pistons or the Celtics. But the games are played on the floor and not on paper. I am not quite at the 100% - no chance they lose barring some catastrophe but close....
On a side note. I really like Popovich. He is classic. I love his contempt for stupid questions by reporters. I also like the no-excuse persona. Even if he does it just publicly but is privately pissed about the non-call. I just like the way the whole team carries itself.
Go Lakers. Get the Chip this year and many many more to come.
Peace, Love and Hapiness!!!!
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | May 30, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Charles,
I completely agree, the Celtics would be a much better match-up for us.
Even though we won't have home court advantage, I think we definitely are playing better ball than both East teams, and Boston has yet to show that they have anyone capable of winning at a championship level.
I say bring on the Celtics and let's get the parade started!!!
Also, we should get a Lakers Blog get together happening for the Finals. I bet somewhere central to SoCal would work for everyone.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 30, 2008 at 12:39 PM