All kidding aside, it really is about how you finish
Because tonight's 100-92 win over the Spurs, a victory that vaulted the Lakers into the NBA Finals, was hardly secured by what they did over most of the opening half. In fact, the first 20 minutes or so came pretty close to guaranteeing a Game 6 on Saturday. Lamar Odom suspected his team came out amped to knock out their opponents in a style more suitable for a diamond than the triangle. "We came out batting like a DH," smiled Lamar. "Trying to hit the home run, trying to get them right out of the game really early." But instead of long balls, the Lakers were putting up long jumpers, most of which clanged rim and all of which eschewed the ball movement (especially inside) that's become a 2008 Laker staple. Down 17 at one point in the second quarter, the Lakers concluded the first half on an 11-2 run, with points mostly coming off layups. Perhaps inspired (or simply slapped into reality), the Lakers spent the second half knuckling down on both sides of the ball. Chipping away at San Antonio's lead, slowly but surely putting their foes back enough in the rear view mirror.
Kobe Bryant's 26 second-half points were obviously huge (making the 39 total even bigger), but contributions came fittingly from every Laker who stepped on the court. Pau Gasol's 5-15 shooting was offset and then some by 19 boards (10 offensive) and a quartet of blocks. Vlad Radmanovic led his teammates in the first quarter with five points. Jordan Farmar provided a big spark of energy off the bench, with his fellow mobsters following suit in their quest to make a mark or two while on the court. In the end, the team that's talked happily about its all-important bond found success through a group effort, creating a box score that accentuates a truly remarkable season.
The breakdown is below, courtesy of BK.
AK
The Good:
- Kobe Bryant: 39 points on 16-30 from the floor, and the dude flat out owned the fourth quarter. 17 points on 6-11 from the floor, and 4-4 from the stripe. It was a particularly effective brand of "Kobe Takeover," one that suited the team well. While there were a couple miraculous shots - my particular favorite being the step back J from just beyond the free throw line, over the outstretched arm of Tim Duncan (he's tall) with 2:22 left in the fourth - if there's such a thing as a team effort in a one-man show, this was it. The Lakers consistently freed Bryant off of screens, running him baseline, getting him loose on pick and rolls, and giving 24 the space to operate effectively. He was able to see the floor and attack it, and create high-percentage looks (by his standards, at least). Very little of the isolation that occasionally will plague the team. He was huge in the fourth, lifting his team and sinking the Spurs in the process. Lakers getting him the ball in space late - takeover mode, but a good version of it.
- Jordan Farmar: He finished the night with eight points on 4-8 from the floor, and added three dimes as well, in only 16:39 of burn. Most importantly, only one of those shots was from downtown. That means Farmar was doing more of what he does best - attacking the rack. He was able to get inside and give the team a lift, both in the second quarter when he contributed six points to a strong effort from the second unit, and in the fourth with a kick to a wide open Luke Walton in the right corner for a three, followed by a nifty driving layup to help the Lakers go from down one to up four. He needed a measure of redemption coming into the series, and after the last couple games, it's fair to say he's found it.
- The Second Unit: They didn't necessarily blow up for big numbers - Farmar had his eight points, Sasha had nine (three coming on a pure-Sasha three as the game ended, ticking off a ton of people in Vegas, I'm sure), and Walton logged five - but as a group they were a big factor in L.A.'s ability to both hang early (a nice 6-0 run in Q2 cut the Spurs' lead from 17 to 11), and force the issue late. All three of those guys had clutch moments. Farmar I mentioned, along with Walton's monster triple. Sasha's three with 7:16 to play was a huge moment for L.A., and as it's been throughout the series, the effort was there on defense.
- Defense: There were long stretches of tonight's game where the team
seemed content not to run the offense, developed a crush on the jumper worse than the one I had on Belinda Carlisle in the mid-eighties, and as a result had trouble putting the ball in the hole. The reason, then, they were able to come back from a 17-point second quarter deficit was their work on the other end. The Lakers gave up 28 points in the first quarter, again due in large part to inefficient work on offense, but then put the clamps down. 20 points in the second, then 15 in the third. Over the first four minutes of the fourth, the Lakers kept the pressure up and were able to build a lead. Overall, the Spurs shot 48.6% from the floor, but that mark fell to 38% in the middle two quarters. Tim Duncan was 7-19, Manu Ginobili 3-9. Only Tony Parker (11-22, 23 points) was able to do damage efficiently. (It should be noted that, with 19/15/10 plus a blocked shot, that Duncan hardly stunk Thursday night...) Popovich credited the Lakers D, not any issues they had offensively. Once the Lakers really got going in the second quarter, the rotations and switches were strong. Six blocked shots helped defend their basket. There will always be breakdowns, but the Lakers didn't give away a lot of points.
The Bad:
- Offensive Discipline: As I mentioned, they were jumper happy, especially in the early going, and didn't seem to have the patience required to run the offense. On the night, L.A. finished with only 16 assists on 38 field goals, a very low figure for them, especially at home. Obviously things improved as the night went on, but footage of Game 5 will not be sealed in the time capsule so that Future Man might learn to effectively run the triangle. As has been the trend through the season, in moments where the Lakers aren't effective offensively, they tend to break down on the other end.
The Mixed:
- Eh...: Not the best of games from Derek Fisher (2-7, 5 points), who both struggled offensively with his jump shot and had trouble tracking Parker. The latter is certainly understandable. Lamar Odom did some good things, including a great coast-to-coast layup+1 near the end of the second quarter that helped cut San Antonio's lead heading into the half and another strong driving hoop in the fourth. Overall, though, it was a mixed bag for Odom. Not quite as pronounced as Games 1 and 3, but LO had trouble finding his groove. But as it's been with Gasol, even on those nights where Odom isn't a force, he's still a contributor, which indicates where his game has gone.
The Commendable:
- Pau Gasol: He wasn't dominant offensively, but as it was in Game 4, he did some good work on Duncan, and was a powerful force on the glass. 19 overall, including 10 offensive rebounds. The five assists and four blocks also give an idea of how involved he was, despite a poor shooting night (5-15 plus 2-2 from the line, good for 12 points). There were other contributions that didn't show up in the, or at least my, scorebook (intangibles, people!). He was very active on the screen and roll down the stretch, helping pave the way for Kobe's fourth quarter Festival of Scoring. Gasol still shortarmed some shots and struggled with contact inside, but I think he answered PJ's challenge to play (literally) stronger. "He played well," Jackson said. I would agree.
The Classy:
- Gregg Popovich, with this assessment of the game and the series: "I'm proud of the work our guys did. I thought they busted their butts. That doesn't mean you wholesale change things. It means they're pretty damn solid. They just played a team that was better. That's why the Lakers won... The better team won. You get a seven-game series, you win four games, you're the better team."
VIDEO:
BK
AUDIO
My favorite quote of night. Vlad Rad was asked what it felt like when the clock finally counted down to zero. "Well, it felt like zero." Big laughs, but I knew right away what he meant. You're happy, but mostly just relieved the "W" was actually cemented before something bad happens. "You want that game to finish," admitted Radmanovic. "It was a really tough game. A lot of ups and down. Our team showed character again."
AK
*_________________________________*
The King is Dead Long Live The King Who's
The King of The Jungle Now BANDWAGON
*_________________________________*
(01) Mamba24 - The Kings Valet
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 06:51 AM
MITCH I APOLOGIZE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! Mitch @ Jerry West together!
D@mnnnnnnnnnnn! Now tell me you didn't get a lil misty eyed. I DID. GOD I LOVE THE LAKERS!
WHOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Larry(Mamba24)
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 07:05 AM
What I'm surprised about is how some of us are actually surprised that the Lakers are this good, this quick (I still think they lack a certain killer instinct).
What do I mean by that? Do you guys remember anything about the summer of 2004? Yes, Shaq was traded Kobe was bashed in a book, he was accussed of running Shaq outta town etc. etc....Does anyone remember that this was Kupchak's vision? Do anybody here remember the article entitled something like "Lakers hope to be Great in '08?"
If not, allow me to remind you that the Lakers had a plan laid out that had them going under the salary cap in 2008, giving them enough cash to lure a big time superstar to add to the pieces they'ld build through the draft and pair with Kobe...of course that went out the window when the lakers tied themselves up with Vlady and Luke...but still, the front office of this team openly expected a turn around of this team in 2008. Well here they are, I feel bad for bashing Kupchak too, because for a guy that was damn near crucified, he was the one who predicted the Lakers being title contenders in 08....google the article I'm pretty sure you'll find it.
Although the job's not done yet, I'm stoked that we are back in the finals, the last time he were, I was a senior in High School and when we lost I skipped school for two days because my whole class knew I was a HUGE Laker fan (even though I live in Connecticut/Massachusetts).
I've met people who said Kobe would never sniff the finals without Shaq, and I argued right back, some heated arguments...I still believe Kobe is in striking distance to leave the game with more rings than Shaq. Make no mistake about it, these Lakers are here for the next 6 or seven years, and if this team improves even more, look for Kobe to get more rest as the seasons go along and his career might even just be beyond 37 years old....four of those I think will be championship years.
I still think Gasol needs to be aggressive on offense, I prefer the Lakers facing the Pistons...I'm not so fired up about facing the Celtics.
And guys, isn't this the way the Lakers started the Dynasty in 2000? They started the season through controversy and it ended in glory.
Posted by: rhon.salmon | May 30, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Laker Tom:"FOUR WINS FROM THE START OF THE 4TH DYNASTY…"
Laker Tom are you sure you are not a Sports Writer in
Disguise? I kid you not your stuff is better than 95%
of the crap published. KUDO's to you man you are
good.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Great win against a classy and tough opponent.
I thought Farmar did a good job of staying in front of Tony Parker.
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | May 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Way 2 Go Lakers, I love you! Still NOT DONE -- STAY HUNGRY, stay on your GRIND -- 4 more to Go!
Love you Kobe, you the Best --- That grin of yours while standing with your teammates said it all!!!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 30, 2008 at 07:13 AM
HaterHEAD Skip Bayless -- Give PROPs but you know he won't!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 30, 2008 at 07:13 AM
NBA FINALS 2008!!!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh! How great that sounds. What a game last night. Even when we were down 17, I knew we would pull it out. Kobe had the look!!
4 more wins baby!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | May 30, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I have to admit I was wrong. I had the Lakers in 6. I accept my punishment!
:)
--Fearless
F the Celtics!
Posted by: Fearless | May 30, 2008 at 07:23 AM
TO CELLO_THE SPURS FAN AND THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS. Do not hang your heads
and do not feel ashamed. You have been a great and Classy Champion. What happened
is just the natural order of things. It is now the Lakers time but one day they too will be
in the position you are in today. Pop, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobeli, Robert Horry
and all the Spurs Nation you are all class people and we salute you and hope that it does not
take to long for your team to retool. From The Laker Nation to The Spurs Nation
God Bless You. Hold your heads high. You went out like the classy champions you are.
My respect for your team just went up another 100%,
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Good morning LAL friends!
And what an awesome day it is.
YESSSSSSSSS - the Lakers closed it out in fine fashion.
MVP was amazing, truly amazing. And the composure was exceptional!
Bring on the East - don't care whoever - this is a championship team - this year - our team!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 30, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Good Morning Family!
Fantastic game last night. I just got back from Vegas, and since I have to go to work in about 15, I'll have more to say later.
I hope that everyone has a fantastic day today!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | May 30, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Another late night in the Midwest, but what a phenomenal game! It's so exciting having Kobe Bryant on your team because no matter how many points you find yourself trailing by, there's always the "Black Mamba" who can bail you out. But what's so good about this edition of the Lakers is Kobe has monster help! Everybody played well; the offense was crisp, and the defense was stifling.
The only thing that bothered me about last night's win was the excessive celebration of the WCF championship. The Lakers have never really put too much emphasis on winning the WCF. The hats, t-shirts, etc., was over the top for a franchise that's been to the NBA Finals 29 times and won 14 titles.
Posted by: Fort Wayne Lakers Fan | May 30, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Laker Tom
"Lakers in 4 or 5 games over the Boston Celtics to claim their 15th NBA Championship."
I'd love to think so, and I hope so, but Boston handled us too easily with Andrew in the lineup. We're a lot better now and Boston is looking vulnerable but even with the
2 3 2, Boston will be a tough out.
A sweep would be the shock heard round the world.
Posted by: Vman | May 30, 2008 at 07:29 AM
GOOD MORNING, LAKER NATION!
Mamba24 and utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER, thanks again for yesterday's roll call and group prayer.
Already done!
I've got so much to write, but not enough time right now.
Let me just say that I am very happy and I'm glad that Vanessa Bryant screams at T.J. Simers (though it's not so cool for her to swear in front of her children--definite lack of class.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 07:33 AM
GOOD MORNING, LAKER NATION!
Mamba24 and utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER, thanks again for yesterday's roll call and group prayer.
Already done!
I've got so much to write, but not enough time right now.
Let me just say that I am very happy and I'm glad that Vanessa Bryant screams at T.J. Simers (though it's not so cool for her to swear in front of her children--definite lack of class.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 07:34 AM
We have 4-0 Denver, 4-1 San Antonio, 4-2 Utah and how about 4-3 with Boston or Detroit and Kobe scoring last points at the buzzer...
Posted by: Bogoljub | May 30, 2008 at 07:37 AM
*________________________*
LAKERS FOR LIFE THE ENTIRE
TEAM - BANDWAGON
*________________________*
(01) LakerTom - Owner & Driver
(02) MagicMan - Director of balancing The Force
(03) Janaya - Director of BandWagon assignments
(04) Mamba24 - Riding ShotGun
(05) Jon K. - Buying the whole team a drink from my lucky bar seat
(06) Keifo - Director of Scheduling
(07) htj - Director of crowd control
(08) EastCoastJessie - Will give The team game speech before Game 5
(09) Korey - Director of Laker Quality Control
(10) CDUB0512 – Banished Smush from the Lakers
(11) LakerLegacy – Director of Laker Dynasties
(12) JustALakerFan – Gave away 2 season tickets to deserving Bloggers
(13) JustAnotherMambaFan - Gave Kobe the name BlackMamba
*________________________*
The Dawn of The 4th Dynasty
Begins Tonight BandWagon
*________________________*
01 HmrHed – Driver & Owner
02 Mamba24 – There For Dynasties 2 & 3
03 Toad– Director of Dynasty Banner Hanging
04 Keifo – Willed the Lakers to Dynasty 3
05 Benjamin – Willed the Lakers to Dynasty 4.
06 SamLL – Director of Dynasty # 5
07 LongTimeLakerFan – Dynasty Historian
08 Jon K. - Troll Exterminator
09 VMAN - The Isaac Newton of Dynasty Calculators
10 SHEKOBE – As good as the He Kobe
11 DC – Stands for Dynasty Captain
12 TWOODY – Was at all 14 Laker victory celebrations
13 Mamba24Fan4Life – Made Kobe change # from 8 to 24.
14 JustAnotherMambaFan – Discovered Kobe Bryant
15 Jamie Sweet – Fond Forum Memories Historian
16 KobesBad – Put the swerve in Kobes game
17 Dave M. – Helped Lakers steal Kareem from the Bucks
18 Xodus – Traveled 2000 miles to see a game.
19 LakerTom – Willed the 72 Lakers to 33 wins in a row.
20. FLOYD - Rode shotgun with Jerry West, James Worthy,
21 JesterGuru – Devised the strategy for the Sweep of Denver
22 Tsphere – Super Delegate Voted for Kobe for MVP 100 times
23 Edwin Gueco – Blocked Wilts hook shot 3 times
24 JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Director of Tacos
25 JustALakerFan – Gave away 2 season tickets to deserving Bloggers
*_______________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(03) LAKER TOM – CEO – Made an offer they couldn’t refuse
(02) Milo Rambaldi--Team Prophet.
(03) Mamba24 – East Coast Jessie’s BodyGuard
(04) LakerFaze – Taught KG how to Dunk
(05) TOAD – Once beat Larry Bird in a game of horse
(06) LakerMan420 – Told Red Auerbach where to put his cigar
(07) HmrHed – Blocked KG’s hook twice
(08) SIimLakerGirl – Reports directly to Jeannie Buss
(09) LakerLegacy – Made Red Auerbach bow down to 9Rings
(10) PigMiller– sent LARRY Bird back to French lick IND.
(11) JEFF - Was born hating the Celtics.
(12) #4 Not only born hating Celtics but will bequeath the hate to his heirs
(13) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(14) JustAnotherMambaFan – Hates them
(15) THE_D – Thinks Celtics fans should go to AA meetings
(16) JON K. - Put the chokehold in the Celtics choking
(17) FLOYD – Fought with Jerry west over who hated Boston most
(18) NEMAIA FALETOGO - Fan of the Purple Hulk - No not K.G.
(19) KEIFO - Riding ShotGun
(20) CBuck - Played Horse with McHale and made him retire
(21) BZAR - Painted the Parquet floor Purple and Gold
(22) KOBESBAD - Put exploding cigars in Red Auebachs Humidor
(23) EDWIN GUECO – Shaved Danny Ainges hair while he was asleep
(24) JAMIE SWEET - Is not so sweet when it comes to Celtics
Posted by: | May 30, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I'm still giddy. I still have a smile on my face. I'm still in awe of what Kobe did, last night.
Good morning Laker family around the Globe,
The job isn't finished yet. Four more wins to go. But if I'm feeling this awesome, imagine how the Lakers must feel, this morning.
Too early for any critiques. I made most of them in the game thread, anyway. I'm just going to spend some time feeling great about what this team has accomplished. And it ain't over yet!
This is our team. This is our year. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 30, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Belinda Carlisle, huh? For me in the '80s, it was Martha Quinn.
Posted by: Marty | May 30, 2008 at 07:52 AM
WOW!
--Fearless
F the Celtics!
Posted by: Fearless | May 30, 2008 at 07:53 AM
I told y'all...
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 30, 2008 at 08:07 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Laker Empire!
Umm, what am I supposed to do until Game 1? Seriously. I have no f-ing idea.
Mad props go out to Cello_the Spurs fan for the always classy posts.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 30, 2008 at 08:11 AM
PJ's genius last night.
Knowing that Kobe was feeling it, he "risked" the 4th by leaving Kobe in.... EXCELLENT MOVE. Why rest 4 minutes when you can rest 7 full days?
Then, with about 4-5 minutes left and the Spurs putting up the fight for their lives, PJ takes Lamar out of the game!
For the first second or two I wondered "what is he doing?"... then I knew...
"this means Kobe will take it to the hoop every single time" and I was correct.
What PJ did was to run the screen roll with Pau, thereby nullifying Duncan's inside presence. But that's only the half of it.
By having Fish, Machine, and Vlad out there during the pick and roll, the defense could NOT help off any of these three guys or they'd risk the three point BOMB. That meant the defense had to stay honest and stay on all three of those guys.
That made it a 2 on 2 game, and with Kobe running the pick and roll, it was really like 1 on 0.
As much as I've hated some of PJ's substitutions (or lack of), last night's 4th quarter was a work of genius by Phil and a work of art by Kobe.
It was also the first night a major media pundit actually said Kobe is more effective offensively than MJ.
I have to agree. Kobe is more skilled than MJ, but MJ was the better the athlete and thus could do things Kobe could not.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 30, 2008 at 08:24 AM
AN ODE TO A LUCKY BAR SEAT AS TOLD THROUGH THE INSANE RAMBLINGS OF A PSYCHOTIC LAKERS FANATIC NAMED JON K.
So there I am, 5:45PM PST, stepping into my car, flush with excitement for tonight's game, happy to do my part by driving to my lucky bar seat at my lucky bar.
Close the door. Put on my seatbelt. Turn the key.
Nothing.
Not a click. Nothing.
I turn the key panicky seven or eight times. Nothing.
"What's going to happen if I can't get to my lucky bar seat? We need to close out the Spurs!"
I sceam/yell/growl in rage and frustration at the top of my lungs. I then turn the key once more.
The car starts up immediately.
My surprise turns to excitement and relief.
"I've got to got get to my lucky bar seat!" I think to myself as I drive out from my driveway, but I notice that my gas indicator light is on and I'm far below empty.
Being a complete mechanical moron when it comes to cars, I begin to suspect that maybe that had something to do with my car problem (though deep down I know it didn't) and I drive to the gas station first.
After putting in ten gallons of repulsively expensive $4.00 a gallon gas, I jump in my car and flush with excitement of the game to begin in a few short minutes.
Turn the key. Nothing.
Turn the key again. Nothing.
Turn the key ten times. Nothing. Not a thing.
Turn the key twenty times. Nothing. Not a thing.
Turn the key thirty times. Nothing. Not a thing.
The game is beginning. And I'm not in my lucky bar seat.
Panic begins to well up in my gut.
I'm about a half mile from the bar and I consider just putting the car in neutral, pushing it into a parking space, and jogging off to the bar.
Unfortunately, I can't get the car out of "Park". It's stuck.
I go inside, literally beginning to sweat, and speak to the gas station attendant, whom I know. He can't offer me any advice, just says it's not the battery and is concerned that I can't push it away from the pump.
I ask someone if he has jumper cables and if he'll give me a jump. He agrees. After a few minutes of charging the battery, I get in again and turn the key.
Nothing. Nothing at all.
I turn the key another twenty times.
Nothing. Nothing at all.
I open up the hood and, like a moron, begin hitting various parts of the car, hoping to jar something that's stuck.
It makes no difference.
I speak to the attendant again and he suggests getting it towed.
I go back to the car, turn the key ten more times without response.
I lean my head against the steering wheel in frustration and emotional exhaustion. All I can think about is the game. I grit my teeth in anger and hit the steering wheel.
"Just one more time," I think to myself.
Turn the key.
The car starts up without issue.
A broad, foolish, childlike smile forms across my face as I quickly put the car in gear and speed off to my local bar.
I hurriedly find a parking space and turn off the car. I turn the key to check it. Doesn't click at all.
"I guess I'm walking home," I think, "It doesn't matter. I've got to get to my lucky bar seat."
So, I enter my welcoming bar near with a few minutes left in the first quarter. I see we're down and I also see that my lucky bar seat is taken.
I find myself a seat and continue to watch the Lakers put up ill-chosen jump shots and our deficit climb. I nervously eye my lucky seat, waiting patiently for it to open up.
It doesn't.
I watch the Spurs lead climb.
Eventually, in manic frustration, I go up to the guy in my lucky seat and explain to him the depths of my madness regarding the lucky seat, and I ask if I could switch seats with him and offer to buy his next drink. He's surprisingly courteous and thanks me for the drink.
I literally sit down in the lucky seat as the Spurs lead hits 17 points.
The guy next to me says, "This game is over! David Stern wants the series to go to seven anyways."
I yell at him, "THIS GAME IS NOT OVER! WE ARE WINNING THIS GAME!"
The man looks at me like I'm a werewolf from Mars as do many of the people in the bar. There is only one Laker Fanatic in the Cleveland area, and his name is Jon K.
I with each Laker basket, I make a point of bringing my bar neighbor's attention to it, which he takes with surprising grace.
Several times the normally Lakers-indifferent bar, lights up with gasps of amazement at the offensive fireworks of Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter. I shout my approval and pound the bar with glee.
Eventually, victory. Sweet victory.
Surprisingly the whole bar seemed happy with the results and I could not stop grinning.
Watching Mitch Kupchak receive the Western Conference Finals trophy from Jerry West and Kobe so happy. My whole chest felt this warm glow within it.
I paid my bill and left the bar with a skip in my step. It was cold and I had a couple miles to walk home, but it was okay. We'd just won the Western Conference Finals.
Still, I thought I'd check.
I stepped in my car. Turned the key.
It started up no problem with a warm, fuctional mechanical growl.
I shifted into gear and happily rode home.
Onwards to the Finals...
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 30, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Good Morning Charles, Tim-4-Show, Caliphilo, mrbarneydangles, mamba24, Lakers4reals, AK/BK and all BLOG CRUE
What a great morning. I'm off work, having coffee and gonna spend time enjoying our victory last night.
I hope Detroit wins tonight to extend their series.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | May 30, 2008 at 08:40 AM
What-up with Finley, Parker shot a uncontested 3 just before that, Benga should of came over to finley and rejected his butt out of there.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | May 30, 2008 at 08:44 AM
YET ANOTHER LAKER DYNASTY!
We are the home of the greatest players -- West, Baylor, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq, Kobe, Pau.
We are the home of the greatest coaches - Riley, Jackson
We are the home of the greatest fans - us!
We are the MOST SUCCESSFUL franchise in professional sports; only the Yankees can compare but what we have done has been accomplished in a lot less time.
The Lakers are the most dominant franchise in the history of sports. We will demolish the pathetic Pistons or creaky Celtics in 4 games, easily, with scores of the following:
If Boston:
Game 1: 117-100
Game 2: 114-91
Game 3: 116-87
Game 4: 121-76
If Detroit:
G1: 119-109
G2: 123-101
G3: 118-97
G4: 130-114
Kupchak has built a team of incredible talent and youth that will win the next 3-4 NBA titles, minimum. Then he will build yet another dynasty. We used Shaq for what he was worth, then dumped him when he was used up and rode the K-Train. Can you honestly say any other player in history, aside from Magic, is better? Kobe is WAAAY better than Jordan -- compare scoring, championships, etc.
GO LAKERS.
I think within the next 5 years we will have added 4-5 titles at the minimum. Meanwhile Spurs, Boston, Pistons, Mavs, etc. will not even be able to win one.
Posted by: Lakers_Unstoppable | May 30, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I thought if you root for a western team and they get eliminated..that during the finals you still want the trophy to stay in the West? That's not the case for a majority of Spurs fans!. Tehere actually rooting for the Celtics of Pistons to win it all. UNBELIEVABLE!
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 30, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I can't wait to hear what the skip bayles's and the jon barry's or the greg anthony's of the nba world have to say. I wonder if they'll still hate on the Lakers? Will they still talk stuff like a turn over here, a missed call there and this series could of easily went 4-1 spurs? Or will they finally just admit that the Lakers are legit?
Posted by: Fire32 | May 30, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Jon K.,
That was epic. We need to start a new bandwagon: Lakers win 2008 Championship and Heisler buys Jon K. a new car.
Haha.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | May 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM
The Dude’s goofy and plays for the Spurs, but Brent Barry has had some quotes lately.
On the NBA’s admission of a blown call (amongst several) at the end of Game 4:
"That's awesome," Barry said, "because Doc Brown is waiting for me outside, and we're going to get in the DeLorean and fire up the flux capacitor and we're going to go back and shoot a couple of free throws."
On news that the NBA will soon start issuing fines for egregious flops.
"There goes half of Manu's contract."
Posted by: The D | May 30, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Jon K.,
hahahahaa... now that was grade A blogging.
Posted by: Korey | May 30, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Jon K
Your story was touching how your car somehow was in tune to the way the Lakers were playing and only after we win your car miraculously started without a hitch!
Part of me wants to say "Shut that BS up..but then again..I had a similar situation my self last night lol
Darn Fords!.lol
Posted by: LAKERAHOLIC | May 30, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Hugo Boss:"What a great morning. I'm off work, having coffee and gonna spend time enjoying our
victory last night."
All right Hugo Boss I'm not having it. This is the second time you have been off work enjoying coffee
and a Lakers win .... AW what the hell even when I'm at work I'm off work. Enjoy your coffee and
your day off sir sorry. LOL!
Posted by: Mamab24 | May 30, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Jon K. me lad I think you have the gift son. Seriously I'd shopped that around to various magazines
that publish short articles. It is very good. Kudo's my bro. Kudo's
Posted by: mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 08:59 AM
A little commentary on real fair weather Bandwagoners, let's strike the iron while it's hot.
When Lakers lose, you're not posting but when Lakers win you claim all the glory. Have a little conviction and be consistent at times.
The same criticism with the fair weather LA Times columnists starting from Bill Plaschke whose first sentence on his article: "From Finished to Finals"
In the first place, who said that the Lakers are finished, it is YOU with biased jaundiced eye on Kobe. You torched him several times: when he had the infamous Colorado case, the several low points with Shaq debacle in 2004, the Summer rants last year asking for better [;ayers, now you are gloating with success and make us believe that you are a Laker fan. You are the all-knowing Bill Plashche, a pretender, a fake Jim Murray!! Professionalism stems from being consistent with truth and honesty, not with opportunism or hitch-hiking on other people's achievements. We don't need a Bill Plaschke in this reputable LA Times, you are just too honorable in your own world of self admiration.
Then here comes the man of intrigue, T. J. Simers, here is what he said about the K-Bros and Vanessa Bryant:
"Last year Vanessa went to the four-letter words, screaming at one of the Kamenetzky brothers, who blogs about the Lakers for The Times, because he looked at one of her kids while waiting for the Lakers' locker room to be opened after a game. At the time I just took it for granted she was frustrated like everyone else -- and couldn't tell the difference between the Kamenetzky brothers."
I think AK/BK should explain us more of this incident, never heard that before from a sane individual, only insane writers could dig some rubbish in the midst of the celebration. T. J. Simers, you are just a pure garbage that Los Angeles do not need. We already have 'smog' in the city and all your articles are too revulsive. Please go away and move to other places that will adore your misplaced thoughts.
And in this blog, when the Lakers lost in Game 3 or Utah Jazz tied the series in Game 4, read the posts of our fairweather bloggers ready to jump off the bandwagon. My gosh! where is conviction in your Laker blood?, criticize if you will, but to jettison the Lakers after one loss, WOW hard to be your buddy in times of war because you could just abandon us and sell us to the enemy. Now it's Finals, it is either you are with us or against us, can't be a fence sitter.
I have said my piece, I want to let it out at the height of this euphoria.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 30, 2008 at 09:02 AM
LoL @ Jon K... Helluva story.. but it still sounded FUN .. Depending on what type of car you have, it sounds like a short in your ignition switch since the problem is intermittant. If its a newer model car, you might look into the starter solenoid( If it was just the starter, you would here "clicking" while you have the key engaged). My money is on the ignition switch. I think in Ohio you guys have a chain called Autozone that can run some tests to pinpoint the problem area. Good Luck Man
Posted by: complex brotha | May 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Lakerholic: Win or lose, 1st seed, 8th seed or no seed at all. There is one thing that 29 teams in the NBA agree upon:
THEY HATE THE LAKERS.
Ain't nobody rooting for us but US! They'd cheer for the Spurs, Suns, Kings, even the friggin Golden State Warriors. But NEVER for us. It's been that way - at least for me - since the day my Mama's Nissan Sentra parked in a South Central LA driveway for good in February 1985. And it ain't never gonna change.
Haven't you been paying attention to the Trolling Cast of Characters who have come and gone since DAY 1 of this Blog? They LOOOOOVE IT when we lose, and are beside themselves when we win. They will not bow down and face facts: WE ARE THE HEART & SOUL OF THE NBA - the LEGACY that everybody wants to imitate and duplicate.
We don't need their love. We don't need their support. We got our own love and support right here with Mamba24, LakerTom, Faith, Fatty, Edwin Gueco, Jon K., the K-Bros, myself, the entire Blog family (even SonnyBelfast!), and (most of) the entire city!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
*________________________________*
Lakers win 2008 Championship and
KOBE Heisler buys Jon K. a new car.
*_______________________________*
(01) Bozz - Owner & Driver
(02) LakeraHolic - covets Jon K's car
(03) Mamba24 - Thinks car is alive
(04) Korey - Took car for joyride
Posted by: mamba24 | May 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
What a fantastic season unfolding before us. It is poetic justice that the Lakers are 4 games away from another banner. The special season just keeps falling into place and I can't see the final goal not comming to attritution.
Go Lakers!!!!!
Posted by: MambaMVP08 | May 30, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Jesterguru,
>>>Ok, I'll stop. really. Our lips are sealed.
Nice. The only thing you forgot to ask is "How much more?"
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | May 30, 2008 at 09:06 AM
THEY AINT PLAYING (BLEEPIN) BASKETBALL..THAT (BLEEP) IS FOR SHOW..(BLEEP) FLOPPIN AROUND EVERYTIME WE GET (BLEEP) PHYSICAL. GET THE (BLEEP) OUT MY WAY..(BLEEP) MOVE PUNK..I M GOING TO MY (BLEEP) LOCKER!
-Rasheed Wallace-
I cudnt have said it better
Posted by: Lakeraholic | May 30, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Need it say it? Good morning family!
Relish the day! Because we have a long wait till Thursday.
Posted by: Charles | May 30, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I SUGGEST THAT:
I read the game blog from yesterday and it was hilarious to hear the fans rant and rave when the Lakers were down. I was busting out loud and I suggest that Korey, Ric Friedman re vist the blog and take a loot at your emotions at DISPLAY.. very funny guys.
I for one had to for good luck charm watched 3 quaters without the audio as I was afraid that the audio would bring bad luck .. GO FIGURE..
Hey AK/BK or is it BK/AK.. haha .. A movie based on the game blog would be VERY FUNNY.
BLACK MAMBA STINGS THE ROMAN GLADIATOR MANU and proved the gladiator is no match.
No contest between SPURS’s best versus Kobe. Kobe truly was the King for the night holding his court for his subjects.
Seven Faces of Dr. Lau
Posted by: Seven Faces of Dr. Lau | May 30, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Jon K: yell at him, "THIS GAME IS NOT OVER! WE ARE WINNING THIS GAME!" - POETIC.
I was saying the same thing all night as I was sitting in a stupid play here in SF checking the score at every chance. I had text messages from haters (stupid celtics fans) telling me we were way down, no chance, etc.
Our collective positive energy, loyalty and sometimes just plain old prayer can do wonders.
Hugo, Complex with your days off and sipping coffee - cheers to you guys!! I am going to get a nice Laker Latte right now.
Mamba: you are the best - thanks for your roll calls - they really start our game days off right. Can't wait for the big game 1 words of wisdom - you have some time to put it to paper.
AK/BK: way to go - this is a great community and you guys are the masters!!!
Laker Tom: dude - you are good.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 30, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Jon K,
The great Laker fan in Cleveland. I love the story of your car, it will be a memorable one that the laker fanatic was jump starting while the carriage prefered to be mechanical and show no emotions.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 30, 2008 at 09:13 AM
MAMBA24
ISN'T THERE A COMMANDMENT THAT SAYS THOU SHALL NOT COVET A FELLOW FANS CAR WHO LIVE IN OHIO? oopss sorry for the caps...
Posted by: LAKERAHOLIC | May 30, 2008 at 09:16 AM
The Last person to get a season MVP, an Olympic Gold, Win a Championship and finals MVP was Michael Jordan...
Posted by: Charles | May 30, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Jon K,
>>>I yell at him, "THIS GAME IS NOT OVER! WE ARE
>>>WINNING THIS GAME!"
I think all of us bloggers should thank Jon K for his dedication
of getting to his lucky bar stool in time to save the game for the
Lakers. It was an MVB (most valuable barstool)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | May 30, 2008 at 09:22 AM