Why games are played at night on TV, not on the radio at 1:58 pm PST
I was on with Steve Mason today, who asked for my prediction about Tuesday night's Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Having guessed Lakers in seven before the series started, I figured this would be a hard fought, knock down, knuckle dragger, very tight at the end, but eventually won by the Spurs. Two of three ain't bad, and fortunately for the Lakers, the one I got wrong was the most important- the final score. 93-91 Los Angeles, who now own a commanding 3-1 lead in the series heading back to Staples for Game 5 Thursday night.
There are no bad wins at this point of the season, especially when they come on the home floor of the defending champs... but that doesn't mean the thing was a work of art. The Lakers raced out an early lead, as big as 22-8 with 4:33 left to play in the first, and from there struggled through foul trouble, turnovers, and a determined (if ragged) effort from San Antonio.
The Spurs have made a point of not sending the Lakers, and particularly Kobe, to the line, and tonight was no exception. Kobe was in the paint, but wasn't given many free opportunities from the Spurs. No free throws for 24, a rarity for sure, but still, he played a strong game. 28 points, 10 boards, on 14-29 from the floor. Lamar Odom, disappointed in his performance during Game 3 was burdened with personals all night but was large down the stretch, scoring eight of his 16 over the final 4:31, and posting nine boards as well. Pau Gasol, challenged by Phil Jackson to step up after a weenie-laden Sunday effort, went for 10/10/6, and while he wasn't outstanding, put up a better effort against Tim Duncan (10-26 from the floor).
Like most fans, I'm sure Gasol is happy the two free throws he missed down the stretch didn't come back to haunt the Lakers.
As for the ending, which I'm sure will be controversial, here's how I see it (and I write this under the assumption you've seen a replay or twelve...): Yes, it was a foul, no, it didn't cost San Antonio the game. Had Barry shot as soon as Fish hit him with the contact, it would be a different story, but by putting the ball on the floor, Barry eliminated the opportunity to be put on the line. Had the refs called that a shooting foul, it would have been a far more egregious whistle than the non-call on Fish.
And, as many have pointed out, the same refs missed a call on the other end that would have reset the shot clock in favor of the Lakers. There were missed calls on both ends of the floor throughout (there always are). In the end, San Antonio was sent to the line more often than LA (as you'd expect for a game in their building) and had opportunities throughout to take the lead, but didn't take advantage. As both teams pointed out after it was over, one play never decides a game.
Either team could have taken control of the game. The Lakers- barely- kept it, responding with a big shot or a big stop when they needed it. Pretty it wasn't, but LA got the job done, and will now get three cracks at closing out the Spurs.
Huge victory.
BK
from the spurs blog pounding the rock - they're pretty classy - surprising he came off bad on the radio show:
The Bell Tolls for We
by Matthew Powell on May 27, 2008 11:54 PM CDT
(I had this post already mentally written with about two minutes to go in the game and then the Spurs came back. And now I'm all discombobulated. And what's incredibly fitting is that I'm moving tomorrow, so I have to disconnect my cable, t.v. and stereo system tonight.)
Please don't Spurs fans. Just don't. Yes, it was an obvious foul on Derek Fisher. Yes, it should have been two free throws. But, but, but:
1. Derek Fisher's shot with 5 seconds left, the one that hit the Corpse of Robert Horry's knee and went out of bounds, grazed the rim. The shot clock should have been reset, forcing the Spurs to foul. This would have changed everything.
2. The goal tend call on Lamar Odom with under a minute left was incorrect. It looked correct at game speed, but the replace clearly showed he got the ball before it hit the rim. This would have changed everything.
3. Kobe Bryant shot the ball 29 times. He took 0 free throws.
Complaining about free throws is just grasping at straws, like a vanquished foe begging for their life. It's unbecoming.
The story of this game is the really the same as the story for the season: Old and Slow. The announcers repeatedly talked about how the Lakers were "quicker to the ball." Well, yeah. They're quicker to everything. They're quicker answering the door. They're quicker taking a dump. They're quicker.
I mean Robert Horry played 16 minutes. A guy that passed up a wide-open 4 footer played 16 minutes. A guy that has LITERALLY done NOTHING all year to earn a SINGLE minute of playing time plays 16 minutes in the biggest game of the year. Shouldn't this automatically disqualify the Spurs?
Ahh Brent Barry. His play tonight makes me want to find Popovich and force him to give an adequate explanation for his continued infatuation with Michael Finley, who, by the way, was -18 in just under 9 minutes. Pop, long lauded as the master of adjustments, has taken too long to make them this whole playoffs. He waited until game 3 before putting Bowen on Peja, and West didn't even know Tim Duncan was on the defensive end of the court until game 6. Those gaffes almost cost the Spurs the series against the Hornets. Now Pop took too long to figure out Brent Barry should be getting Finley's (and / or Udoka's) minutes. It's inexcusable, really. Against the Hornets he could use the excuse that Barry couldn't defend any of their guards. But against the Lakers? Vujacic and Radmanovic are exactly the type of players Barry can be adequate against.
I didn't mean to turn this into a throw Pop under the bus rant... this is more an exhausted ramble than anything else. And I'm avoiding the obvious topic that has to be addressed. I just don't want to talk about him, you know? It's too soon. The wound is too fresh, and I just want to remember the good times we had.
Sorry this isn't eloquent. Sorry it's not fiery or vehement. I don't even think I managed a curse word in this whole thing. I'm tired, folks. This has been a long season for me, for you, for the Spurs. It's not over. But it's time to say goodbye.
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | May 27, 2008 at 10:32 PM
BK -
Lakers were over the limit. Barry is a 92% FT shooter. His two freebies would have tied the game and it is likely that it would have gone into overtime.
This being said, the Lakers played a better game and the Spurs got the benefit of the doubt on most calls throughout the night. The better team won and whether or not there was a missed call here or there, that's the way it should be.
Posted by: Nate | May 27, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Not as giddy as I should be after a Laker win.
The no-call is not making it as fun as it should be.
Dangit, Kobe (for not running out the clock), Dangit Pau (for not making free throws) , it would have been a "cleaner" win.
But I'll take it.
And Lamar, thank you for practicing free throws. For that, you are a role model.
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM
A young Lakers team is going to learn how to close out games on the biggest stage in basketball..the Playoffs . I am amazed that with this collection of relative neophytes other than Fish, Kobe and Odom) that they are now one win away from going to The Finals. Amazing for a team with the likes of Farmar, Vujacic, Walton, Turiaf, Ariza playing key roles.
Tonight, they were pushed to the limit by the Spurs who took advantage of some dumb mental mistakes by Fish and Kobe to make the game a nail biter at the end. I also felt the home foul advantage was out of kilter in the Spurs favour but that's the way the cookie crumbles in the NBA. I would hope the Kobe will live at the free throw line next game and that their young legs finally put this valiant and championship level team away. Nothing but respect for the Spurs who are professional in every respect. But the better team won tonight.
Nothing is guaranteed, least of all an easy win against San Antonio. And if they get to the finals, either Boston or Detroit will be every bit as tough defensively as they have seen in the WCF. If they do win the title this year, a healthy Bynum would seem to assure them of many years of contention and perhaps titles. All this youth WILL be served, eventually. Laker fans hope it starts this offseason.
Posted by: Rob D | May 27, 2008 at 10:44 PM
(REPOST)
This is for Lamar,
The following is a quote from one of my favorite movies. I'm sure most of you will know the origin.
"Just when I thought you possibly couldn't be any dumber, you go out and do something like this....and totally redeem yourself!"
Lamar you played like Lamar ODAMN especially in crunch time.
For all you San Antonio fans, please click on the link that shows that Fisher clearly fouled Barry.
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=8zipuwPRcEw&feature=related
Yeah that's right.....muahhahahahahah.
Derek Fisher, remember his name.
Posted by: never | May 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Did anyone check espn.com tonight? The east coast bias is absolutely ridiculous. The headline wasn't about Lakers beating the Spurs on their home floor to take a 3-1 lead, but about their "last stand' and how they went down fighting. Uhhhhhhhh, going down 3-1 is a last stand? The whole main story was about how their on the brink of elimination, how the Spurs couldnt win game 4......and zero props for the Lakers. Despite a semi-controversial last play, the Lakers simply outplayed and outhustled the Spurs.
AK/BK-Do you ever notice and/or are infuriated by stories like these?
Posted by: bob o | May 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM
This was Kobe's speech in the team huddle before facing the Suns in Shaq's first game at Phoenix. He may as well have been talking about the Spurs:
"Hey, this is our turn now, fellas, our turn. They had their run, they had their chance. This is our time now. We’re the best. Let’s go out here and make a statement. This is our turn now, our turn to beat them, dammit!”
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 27, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Imagine if they did call a foul on Fisher and Barry hit both free throws? The Lakers still would have called timeout and had one final shot with a little more than .4 of a second. What an ending that might have been. Whatever the case, it non-call didn't decide the game.
Posted by: FisherKing | May 27, 2008 at 11:05 PM
We should drop the "foul or no foul" dialogue. The coaches and players are over it, it didn't decide the game, and calls can be disputed during the entire contest. The fact is, refs are human and they miss calls and often make mistakes. All part of the game. You just gotta keep playing through it, no matter which side you're on.
This was a great Laker victory in a very hostile environment, and this team is just plain awesome!! What they have done this year is extaordinary. They haven't advanced yet, but I see a mindset with these guys that just might get it done on Friday. If you are a Laker fan, this is heaven. I enjoy this team as much as the Showtime Lakers of the 80's. The great thing is we get to enjoy this group for many years to come. But for now, let's put the Spurs away and rest up for the Eastern champs.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 27, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Hey fellas...I've been reading this blog for quite some time and after all this time, felt the need to write my first post...
I share similar sentiments with Amazing_Happens in that I too am not as giddy in a Lakers win that I normally would (ask the wife). I know the evil four letter network, sports radio and blogs will be all over the no-call on DFish. Let's face it, we know there was a foul, if it would have been called, it should have been a two shot foul since Barry put the ball on the floor, but if he wanted to force the ref's whistle to call the foul, SELL IT! He shouldn't have taken a dribble, rather the refs were not going to decide the game with a foul, especially since the Spurs were dominated for the majority of the game.
I read a few blogs and articles already written, one particularly by Henry Abbott at the evil four letter network and of course he's talking about the no-call and of course now, the talks of NBA conspiracy is coming back. With everyone and their moms wanting a Lakers/Celtics final, everyone thinks the NBA will do whatever it takes to fix games...like the refs not resetting the shot clock after DFish's missed shot that CLEARLY hit the rim...like the goal tending call on Lamar that after reply suggest that it was a clean block...like the no-call on Duncan's Texas three step dunk from the 3 point line...like the way the Lakers were favored by getting to the line way more than the Spurs...fixing the game in the Lakers favor? Come on...I think we can drop that subject.
One call doesn't determine the game...Sure it was a foul...but get over it...the Spurs were dominated and it shouldn't have even gotten to a point where the Spurs had a chance to tie or even win, so I say good no-call. It was definitely a gutsy win for the Lakers in the end...Special props to Vladimir for his contributions, DFish with his timely shooting, Lamar bouncing back and carrying us in the end, and of course Kobe being Kobe...
Great win...I knew Mychal Thompson''s prediction of Lakers in 5 was very possible...Spurs were great, boring, but great and all the reporters are giving them respect (rightfully so)...but as Matthew Powell writes on the Spurs blog, "...It's time to say goodbye."
GO LAKERS!!! We'll be rockin Figueroa in a few weeks at the victory parade!!!
Posted by: GK_Not BK or AK | May 27, 2008 at 11:07 PM
LAKERS WILL CLOSE OUT SPURS THURSDAY…
The irony about the end of tonight’s game, aside from the fact that the Lakers should never have gotten in that situation in the first place, was that Brent Barry, son of one of the smartest men to ever play the game, literally blew a chance to win the game by NOT jumping into Fisher while taking a 3-point shot. The refs would have been forced to call the foul and Barry could have been the hero. Instead, Barry put the ball on the floor and the refs decided not to blow the whistle for the contact, leaving Barry to miss his hurried attempt at a game-winning 3-pointer.
Too bad that ESPN was not doing the game so we could hear Brent’s brother Jon try to explain how Brent didn’t blow the play that might have kept the San Antonio pseudo-dynasty alive and kicking. Because make no mistake, the Spurs are done, kaput, finished, through, dead meat, road kill – that the Lakers will put down for good in a romp in LA on Thursday night. Tonight, the Lakers beat the Spurs AND the refs. Fisher’s shot definitely hit the rim and the Lakers should have been given a fresh 24 seconds instead of just 2. In addition, replay clearly showed that Lamar Odom made a clean block on Tony Parker’s layup to bring the Spurs within 2 points. There was no goal tending. Not to mention the fact that Kobe Bryant did not shoot a single free throw despite being hacked all night long. So please excuse me if I have no sympathy for the Spurs and their fans who claim they were robbed. Cry all you want that was the last game in San Antonio this year.
The Lakers did not finish this game with intelligence, starting with Pau Gasol bricking 2 critical free throws followed by a what-the-hell-was-he-thinking missed layup by Kobe rather than running the clock down. With a little more help from the zebras, the Spurs almost made them pay for their lackadaisical play. Had that been a player with the savvy of Kobe Bryant instead of Brent Barry, the Lakers would have lost the game. I hope this scare gives the Lakers more motivation next game to make sure to close out the Spurs and not leave that sliver of hope that could come back to haunt you. We were lucky that Barry didn’t take advantage of Fish to get a shooting foul to steal back the game.
I have to say that the quality of refereeing in this game was the worst in the playoffs so far. I just couldn’t believe how much contact the refs allowed Bowen on Kobe without ever calling a foul. Same with Pau, although he again threw up a lot of weenie shots. Meanwhile at the other end, the slightest bump on Parker or Duncan led to free throws for the Spurs. I thought when Kobe won the MVP he would start getting more respect from the refs. What a joke thinking that. The refs obviously were showing their respect for San Antonio, sort of the NBA version of boxing’s rule about having to beat the champ badly to dethrone him. Well, that is exactly what the Lakers are going to do on Thursday.
So shut the heck up, Pop. Manu is no longer Manu. Duncan is going down crying. Parker can go away with Eva. The Spurs suck. The pseudo-dynasty dies Thursday.
Lakers win 3-1 and get to rest up for the Finals. BAM! San Antonio championship window just slammed shut. Time to rebuild. Bynum ends parity in the NBA in 2009.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 27, 2008 at 11:09 PM
BYNUM IS THE KEY TO THE DYNASTY…
No disrespect to Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, or Lamar Odom, but Andrew Bynum is the key to the Lakers launching and sustaining another dynasty. I hope that the Lakers struggles against the Spurs and earlier against the Jazz have finally ended any question about how valuable and inimitable Drew is to the Lakers aspirations to build their 4th NBA dynasty. Andrew Bynum will be the beast that will destroy all parity in the NBA in 2009.
What most Lakers fans still don’t realize is that Andrew Bynum’s presence in the lineup will have the same domino effect on Pau’s game as Pau’s presence had on Lamar’s game. It will take the pressure off Pau from having to battle the other teams’ bulkier and more physical centers and allow him to play power forward, where he will not have to play as physically on defense and will be able to utilize his great mid-range game offensively.
The great interior passing that we have seen over and over between Pau and Lamar will grow exponentially once Drew is added to the equation and the three trees learn how to play with each other. It is not just hopeful hyperbole that Bynum, Gasol, and Odom may potentially be the best front court in the NBA since Parrish, McHale, and Bird. Bynum is the key because of the fact that he has the power game to complement Pau’s finesse game and Lamar’s speed and length game. He will make the Lakers a true powerhouse.
That the Lakers are on the verge of winning the Western Conference and returning to the NBA Finals without Andrew Bynum is a great credit to Kobe Bryant and his teammates. They showed the heart of a champion and continued to get better and better each game. In the Jazz series, it took the Lakers three tries before they figured out how to beat the Jazz in SLC. In this series, it only took the Lakers two tries to figure out the Spurs.
Knock Pau Gasol all you want for being soft and throwing up weenie shots but the guy still fought hard all night long and did an excellent job on defense against Duncan with a double-double (10/10) and 6 assists. I’m all for free speech but the fan who made the “Trade Pau” post should justifiably be ridiculed from the blog. Next year, Pau Gasol is going to get his first chance to play power forward for a championship team. Before his career is over, Pau Gasol is going to own multiple championship rings and be considered to be one of the great power forwards to play the game.
Lamar Odom also deserves to be a Laker for Life with his fabulous performance and clutch free-throw shooting. (I sure hope we hear that Pau is practicing his foul shots before the next game.) Despite several terrible calls that put him in foul trouble all night, Lamar fought through the frustration to have a superb and clutch 4th quarter and helping the Lakers battle the Spurs and the refs. Lamar’s drives to the hoops were exactly what the Lakers needed to hold off the Spurs. Great to see the extra work from the line shine.
And Kobe Bryant again was the MVP, the force that held the Spurs at bay time after time as the Lakers clung to their hard-fought lead right down to the last play of the game. The Spurs had three separate shots at taking the lead but could not hit the big shot. Ginobli was again the shell of the great player he used to be in this game. It was a miracle for the Spurs that Brent Barry played so well and the refs helped so much or the game would not have been close. The Lakers were clearly the better team who played better basketball.
Taking down the Spurs on Thursday will be a top priority for the Lakers. They know they do not have home court against the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals but they also know that the format in the finals 2-3-2 so if the Lakers can steal one of the first 2 games in Detroit or Boston, they have an opportunity to go to LA and close the series out in 5 games. The 2-3-2 format clearly weakens the east’s home court advantage, which is fair since their better record can against weaker competition. The Lakers want to have that extra time to practice and get ready to steal 1 of the first 2 games of the NBA Finals and that means putting the Spurs down for good on Thursday.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 27, 2008 at 11:11 PM
It sounded to me like Doug Collins was really disapponted the Spurs lost tonight. I know they are the defending champs, but good announcers should not let their personal feelings come through on the air. I give him credit for really knowing the game though.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | May 27, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Wow - Zero trips to the charity stripe tonight and only 5-6 in the series. Sager then asks MVP post-game of his opinion about the non-call on Barry, you could tell by the look on his face he wanted to swear LOL... it's okay Kobe, I did that for you in front of my TV.
Downtown LA will be rocking this Thursday. Sorry Spurs,
One and Done!
Posted by: eevee | May 27, 2008 at 11:18 PM
The Spurs do not die. The Lakers need to finish them off Thursday or this series is going seven games.
Posted by: never | May 27, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Kobe and Fish ARE Champions, too!
Go ahead and try to rip their hearts out.
NOT going to happen!
Posted by: Brent in OC | May 27, 2008 at 11:24 PM
"Big victory" is an understatement. :)
Posted by: Alena | May 27, 2008 at 11:25 PM
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/
magazine/MAG1012689/index.htm
An SI article about Kobe from April 27th, 1998. Very interesting read knowing everything we know about Kobe now. I'll make sure to read it again once Kobe retires.
Posted by: DavyJonze | May 27, 2008 at 11:35 PM
The Spurs are a class organization.
The Spurs are a class organization.
It bears repeating.
Posted by: Vman | May 28, 2008 at 12:26 AM
I haven't read all 700 plus game posts just yet but I bet "how did Kobe Bryant not shoot a single free throw?" might have been at least 600 of them.
Posted by: Vman | May 28, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I hope you guys write about Luke Walton in the breakdown. He really picked his game up after Kobe got in his ear.
Posted by: Justin N | May 28, 2008 at 01:08 AM
nice job Lakers... lucky w/ the no-call.... regardless we up 3-1.. lucky > skill many times... GO LAKERS!! btw i like the spurs not whining about the call... cuz we did have the derek fisher shot that grazed the rim not resetting the shot clock.... anyways sasha needs to find his shot back -- i did love that 4pt play tho.. very timely...
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: David "Sasha" Whang | May 28, 2008 at 01:15 AM
i personally thought brent barry traveled anyways to try and get his shot off...same time as fish hit him. too bad. we won.
Posted by: sixonezero | May 28, 2008 at 01:25 AM
I read Laker Tom's first post with an erstwhile nodding of the head. Too right about what this win means to the series. The Spurs are toast...no matter if you like it burned or barely brown. The boyz from SA are DONE. Another excellent LT post I said to myself.
Then after seeing his follow-on post I started to think that Sir Tom was getting a little too carried away with his unwavering uber Laker enthusiasm. BUT I was dead wrong. The more I thought about it the more I realized he was on to something really big. The domino effect of a healthy Bynum and the analogy of Gasol's arrival and the ensuing impact on Odom's game CANNOT be denied.
Aplogise in advance for the CAPS but I am royally pumped at both the win and the anticipated elevated level we can achieve next year with socks holding down the paint. Oh yeah!
Shout out to that most complex of brothers!! Get out of the damn CAVE and party.
Posted by: AZ LakerFan | May 28, 2008 at 01:34 AM
So, between game 3 & 4, Kobe has already attempted 52 shots, and earned himself ONE trip to the charity line??? What a load of crock!!!
Posted by: GameFaceOn | May 28, 2008 at 01:43 AM
I'm totally hyped by the third win by the Lakers tonight.
A lot to be said of their collective effort. They really put their hearts into this one. They hustled, and fought. And pulled out a win against a pretty strong Spurs team.
But I have to really applaud the Spurs. Not only did they fight the uphill fight all night. After that controversial call, they aren't going to blame the refs. They are taking responsibility for their loss. I wouldn't blame them if they did blame the game and the loss on the no-foul on Fisher and Barry. That was a foul. But it takes the heart of a champion to no seek others for blame, and even when you can blame someone else, you instead put the responsibility on your own shoulders.
The Spurs may have lost tonight, but they showed they have championship character.
Posted by: that other Tom | May 28, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Last post for the night....Note to self. Never read NEVER's posts. It must be a truly miserable existence to have the eternally half empty Weltanschung that Never is burdened with. And he/she could not have chosen a more apt screen name...NEVER.
It could hardly be more perfect.
By the way Never-This series will NEVER extend to 7 games. Lakers win it in 6 or less. Book it.
And I know you aren't a Laker's fan but I don't think you are a fan of any team unless they NEVER win. NEVER say NEVER...NEVER You are truly the embodiment of the word downer. Out.
Posted by: AZ LakerFan | May 28, 2008 at 01:49 AM
Anyone remember what happened the last time the Lakers were up 3-1 in the Conference Finals? They almost blew it to Portland.
Posted by: never | May 28, 2008 at 02:04 AM
One of the lost stories of series is the great defense that Gasol and the Lakers are playing on Tim Duncan.
The common misconception is that Tim Duncan lights up Gasol, and that Gasol is not a good defender. I think this is because Duncan has at times scored up to three in a row against Gasol. But do you realize that Duncan has not shot over 50% from the field in any of the four games? This includes his latest 10-26 foray.
Gasol and the Lakers are doing a fine job defensively on Duncan so far.
If the Lakers can continue to keep Duncan under wraps, that will be very good news for Los Angeles.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 28, 2008 at 02:07 AM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8zipuwPRcEw
There's the link that Spurs fans should see if Fisher really fouled Brent. I hope the link works..muhahhaha.
Posted by: never | May 28, 2008 at 02:10 AM
Barry traveled BEFORE the foul!
i don't know how NO ONE is talking about that. Maybe tomorrow on PTI and the like someone will mention it. watch the replay. he lifts his left foot as fisher takes the air, then plants the left and lifts the right as he is about to start dribbling. the problem: he still had the ball in his hand when he lifted his right foot. travel. before the contact. so it WAS a no-call, and the no-call should have been a travel. I'm not saying they should have called it, but if we're gonna get technical and complain about a no-call then it seems reasonable to point out this no-call as well.
Posted by: van exel lives | May 28, 2008 at 02:13 AM
Quoted from Adande:
"Champions tend to get calls like that. The thing is, the Lakers are getting them before they've ascended the throne. The already got away with a Pau Gasol push off against Mehmet Okur in Game 5 of the Utah series, and now the Fisher non-foul."
My response
-That wasn't a push off. Collins even said Okur flopped and Truehoop even said it was a flop. Call the Fisher play whatever. It was a non-call. At least J.A. did mention the shot clock issue.
Posted by: never | May 28, 2008 at 02:20 AM
That wasn't a foul, haha!
Posted by: Tsiry | May 28, 2008 at 02:37 AM
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning Morning Crew: Bozz, Toad, "Pig" Miller, LakerTom
HmrHed, JohnnyB, SemiLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl,Vman
Edwin Gueco, JustAnotherMambaFan, JustAnotherLakerFan
Good Morning My Latina Queen and ace predictor EastCoastjessie
IT'S OVER I SWEAR I JUST HEARD THE FAT BARKLEY SING!
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
D@MNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!
16,15, 14,13,12,11,10,9,8,7,6........................
DEREK FISHER .02 SECONDS AND NOW THIS!
*__________________________*
DEREK FISHER LAKER FOR LIFE
BANDWAGON
*__________________________*
(01) Mamba24 - Driver
*________________________________
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 28, 2008 at 04:52 AM
*________________________________*
Ronny Turiaf Laker for Life BandWagon
*________________________________*
(01) Jon K. - Owner & Driver
(02) Mamba24 - Ronny's Valet
*________________________________*
Lamar Odom designated FreeThrow
Shooter BandWagon
*________________________________*
(01) Mamba24 - Driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 28, 2008 at 04:55 AM
Concerning free throws, my feeling is that until Pau has that ring on his finger, he will still have some of the dust of Memphis on his boots. Pau is a pretty good free throw shooter, but in this instance he choked, Grizzly style.
Perhaps Lamar can coach him. Lamar inexplicably choked in every department in game 3, but found a way of getting his concentration back for game 4. On FTs alone he went from 3 for 8 to 8 for 9.
None of us bloggers can imagine what the psyche of a player goes through in a tense playoff game against the reigning champs, and especially for a player who had never won a single playoff game till this year.
Of the three errors in the final 60 seconds I rate Fisher's as the most potentially disastrous, Kobe's dash to the hoop next and Pau's missed free throws third. Fish and Kobe showed an utterly uncharacteristic lapse of BB IQ, Pau an understandable failure of concentration. On the other hand, Fish may have been trying to foul on the dribble to give 2 FTs and avoid a deadly Barry 3-pointer. So it could have been a good calculation. Better to go into overtime than watch the Spurs win by a point.
All three errors were understandable (Kobe thinking the 2 sure points would put the game in the can, since we were up by 5). The fact is, in spite of that last minute comedy of errors, we won and have practically clinched the date with the Eastern survivor. And we deserved to win. And it was on the road in an arena where no road team had won in the previous rounds.
52 seconds of anguish preceded the seizing of the key to the NBA Finals and the birth of a New Dynasty. And the nice thing is that it was both a learning and Winning experience.
The final irony was that, one way or another, Derek is the guy who rips the Spurs heart out in the most critical game of WC Finals for the second time in a row (after visiting the rosters of two other western division teams)!
Posted by: Tsphere | May 28, 2008 at 05:15 AM
Congrats to Lakers team for a very important win and demonstration of championship like character! If Fish non-call is going to be analyzed it has to be put in the right context, i.e. 3 more controversial calls/non-calls in the last minute. Non call on KB24 (Spurs defensive foul), goal-tending of LO (clear block), and Fish shot (new 24 sec's should have been awarded to Lakers).
Posted by: sead94 | May 28, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Hey SimiLakerGirl I just saw your post you can contact me at:
neomamba24@live.com
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 28, 2008 at 05:44 AM
'interesting' game to say the least. rightfully a no-call on dfish, and lots of bad calls (and bad no-calls) throughout the game, but the refs did what the refs always do in end-game situations: let the players decide unless it's flagrant.
no more brain farts next game! take them out and take them out EARLY. decide the game before halftime and start their summer early!
and where are all those spur trolls now? *crickets*
Posted by: d | May 28, 2008 at 05:50 AM
Wow... I'll watch the game when I get home today but I gotta admit.. This doesnt feel good at all. I caught the TNT post game, so I understand whats going on, but I'm also upset the not many Spurs "fans" are recognizing a "blown call" put them in position to tie or win the game. Derek's jumper RARELY goes all AIR so when TNT showed that play, I felt better but still.. I hate Controversial endings and dont want this series decided on BS. These 2 teams deserve better. The NBA deserves better and the Fans deserve better. Hats Off to the Spurs and Popovich for keepin it classy. They have my utmost respect. No more Spurs bashing from me. I hope my fellow Laker Brothers and Sisters follow suit and chill with the bashing on their blogs. Normally, I'd be out of my mind right now.. heck. might even burn a personal day watch the game and play on the blog.. This feels dirty.. Im taking a shower and going to work
Posted by: complex brotha | May 28, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Glad we got out of San Antonio with a W, but was disappointed the Lakers let the lead slip. It always happens to us. We relax, someone gets a 3 or multiple 3's and then we have to battle back. I hate that. I think I had a heart attack, an aneurysm, and developed a bleeding ulcer. This has got to stop! The non-call thing did take the wind out of us Laker fans. It made it seem like our win was only because Fish didn't get called. I guess that's available to be spun any number of ways. Bottom line - it happened, it's over, and there's nothing we can change. Of course, it was good for us. Still, you like to have a controversy free ending.
Lakers in 5.
Chimpy might be right about that after all.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: LongtimeLakerLover | May 28, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Foul no foul, I think I'm tired of the discussion already. The last call of the game completly overshadowed the poor incredibly pro-Spurs officiating for most of the game. Most representative of such poor calling wasn't the Fish-rim, or the "wow the Lakers have an incredibly huge lead now let's make the game interesting by calling light brushes between players and send the Lakers into the penalty early in EVERY quarter," nope, none of those aggreviances highlight the worst calling of a game in the entire playoffs. Nope.
Clearly it was Tim Duncan taking approximately FIVE complete steps to get from outside 15 feet to the basket, to the lane, then to the hoop, for a Duncan. The man didn't even dribble while also adding a shuffle at the beginning of the drive that included so many steps that you can't even count.
Posted by: DClakerfan | May 28, 2008 at 06:30 AM
For the most part, that was a great game by a very determined Laker team. I loved what seemed like an adjustment by Phil to have the guards crash the boards -- lots of second chance points and balls kept alive.
Of course, the last minute was almost a disaster, but again, lots of folks stepped up at key points. In general, I don't believe in karma, but with this team, it sure feels like last summer finally cleared out a lot of stuff and now things are clicking. I'm really happy for this group of guys -- they seem to get it and enjoy playing as a team. Obviously, I want this team to win the championship, but so much of this feels like gravy, especially without Bynum, that it's hard to get upset with anything (at least for me).
Posted by: teamn | May 28, 2008 at 06:49 AM
Good morning Laker Nation
The Lakers truly deserved that win last night. After getting NO calls throughout the game, they had to battle to keep the lead while SA lived at the foul line. We played 5 on 8 all night but we stayed the course and pulled it out.
It's time to close out on Thursday baby! NBA Finals here we come! We've waited too long for this moment.
5 MORE WINS BABY! WE GOT THIS! Wooooooooooooo!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | May 28, 2008 at 06:53 AM
THE POWER OF THE LUCKY BAR SEAT IN THE LUCKY BAR IS UNSTOPPABLE!
TREMBLE AND QUAKE BEFORE MY SUPERSTICIOUS AUTHORITY!
Yes.
Here's the thing....
No freethrows for Kobe.
Lamar's goaltend wasn't a goal tend. It was a fine block.
Derek Fisher's shot hit the rim.
Barry leaned into Fisher.
Please stop talking about the "non-call" on the last shot. It's really annoying.
We didn't just win. We beat the Spurs. And we will win this series.
Onwards to the Championship.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 28, 2008 at 07:01 AM
The Definition of 5 against 8!
You saw it! I saw it! Lakers were aggressive all game. How is possible to play D on Duncan if your bailing him out all game? How could Kobe shoot 29 shots and not get to the freethrow line all game? Im understanding of the homecourt gets the calls thing..but geezz..The Spurs were so use to getting the call they played as if they would get the call. Duncan flipping up weak shots then swinging his arm in disbelief he didn't get a call. Horry flopping on Walton waaayyy before the contact. The whole game was suspect and we still won.
INTESTINAL FORTITUDE
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 28, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Good morning LAL friends!
Mamba: Present and accounted.
WCF#3 - WIN - check, check!!
That was definitely a knock, down drag out. I loved that every time the Spurs tied us, we got another bucket right away and never let them get over the hump. That was totally key to this win. The crowd could never go crazy.
WCF#4?? A fast LAL start to do the same.....end this series tomorrow night and don't let it go back to SA.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 28, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Finally a guy understand the game (Laketom), of course Bynum will the factor X in this team, because as you commented (very accuretly), Pau is not a center, and he started his days as a basketball player as small forward..the "problem" of this guy is that he has a length of 7'4"...but in any case this is one of the most intelligent players (big guy) I have ever seen in this game, and he cover pretty well all the aspect of the game, pass, blocks and score is his speciality but also rebound and move in the field with the intelligence that it is hard to find in this league into big guys. The problem with some Lakers fan (there also Kobe haters) is that they want only warriors for certain positions, and it is true that Bynum can be one of them, but not only warriors win the games, we need people with the class, elegance and skills of Pau Gasol. Sometimes some comments against Gasol it seem very unappropiate and unfair, a normal game in this guy is huge game for 90% of NBA players.
Posted by: jörk-sweeden | May 28, 2008 at 07:12 AM
i am happy for this win. can' wait fro friday.
anyway, guys check out this site:
http://lakers-fan.com/
look for the machine video. this funnier than kobe's jumping over the pool of snakes.
see u friday.
Posted by: isang | May 28, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Kobe hit some key shots that allowed the lakers to never let the Spurs take the lead, as well as his defense on Manu was key.. but, man, what a dumb play by Kobe at the end.. almost erased away the game. What was alarming was that I've never seen Kobe with such a dumb mistake.. 99.9% of the time Kobe pulls it back.. he knows it was a mistake.. but for once, instead of saying he should have "probably" pulled it back, just completely admit the mistake, Kobe. But, by the way he looked at the end of the game, at least he was "humbled".
Odom was our best clutch player last night.. wow! Good for him. It's nice to have a team where players have each others' back.
It's just too bad they made the night about the controversial non-call rather than about the toughness, the offensive rebounds, the defense all game long and just fighting through tough calls against them, especially in the first half. It never should have come to this.
Please, just win Game 5 convincingly, and let's move on. Easier said than done, of course.
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 28, 2008 at 07:19 AM