Accentuate the positive
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Given the circumstances, you'll have to forgive the Lakers for not worrying about style points after their roadkill ugly 87-81 victory over the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night at Staples. Facing a must-win against a squad that had beaten them four consecutive times over the course of the season, all that mattered was the final score. Some sort of grand message (announcing their presence with authority, if you will) would have been nice, but beggars can't be choosers. For every positive development, there's a worrisome one to go along with it. Kobe's 36 points and 18 free-throw attempts, meet 13 points and 5-18 shooting from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. 20 points from Sasha Vujacic, who drilled seven of the 10 shots he took, meet three points, four personals from Vlad Radmanovic. Overall, L.A.'s new Big Two logged 56 of L.A.'s 87 points, while the rest of the gang was a scary 11-39, good for 31.
But while the Lakers didn't exactly flow smooth and swift like the Amazon (for the purposes of this writing, we'll all assume the Amazon flows smooth and swift - no emails, please) with the ball, they came up big where it mattered most, on the defensive side of things. The Lakers limited Boston to 35% shooting, bottled up Paul Pierce (six points on 2-14 from the floor), and held KG to a 6-21 night. Only Ray Allen, with 25 points (only three in the fourth) did any real damage.
The grimy nature of the affair, one both teams seemed reluctant to control, Doc Rivers was asked if he felt his Celtics missed an opportunity to steal one from the Lakers. "Either that, or they should have blown us out. One of the two."
Exactly. So maybe it's tough to draw a lot of lessons. The most important thing, though, is that the Lakers finally broke through against the Celtics. They finally have tangible proof they can beat the green. Tonight's performance, if repeated, won't be enough to sustain them the rest of the series, but it could be the starting point they need to move on to better things. However you slice it, the NBA Finals are officially a series again.
AK with the breakdown, below.
BK
THE GOOD
- Kobe Bryant: Thankfully, the nights where Kobe has needed to put his team's scoring squarely slack on his back have been fewer and far between this season. That preserves considerably more energy for a night like tonight: 36 points off a very economical 20 shots (12 downed) and 18 trips to the line. The Mamba's free throw fortunes weren't all that prosperous (maybe he was just trying to blend in), but he more than made up for those gaffes. The highlight reel basket may have been a gorgeous up and under slither to the rack, but what personally made me the happiest was how the overwhelming number of shots were from 19 feet or closer. Mid-range game for days, the lane driven even more and only two treys attempted. Ironically, even on a night where the situation may have been difficult, I thought Kobe did a nice job of making life (relatively speaking) easier on himself. His defense on Paul Pierce also stood out.
- Sasha Vujacic: Sasha began the night with a 22-foot air ball and a rare miss at the stripe, prompting a "This ain't good" remark under my breath. From there, he quickly sank a pair of freebies, then just about every shot he took. 7-10 from the field for a playoff career-high 20 points, the only Laker to hit double digits not named "Kobe," " Bean," or "Bryant." The three ball he canned with just under 120 seconds to go (on the heels of a very rushed brick to boot) was nothing short of ginormous. Vujacic's spark off the bench wasn't just vital. It was literally life saving for a team that couldn't get much going at all.
In addition to adding some good D to the mix, The Machine also provided the game's single funniest and weirdest moment. As the third quarter's final seconds ticked away, Sasha found himself on the wrong end of an Eddie House forearm while pressuring his way towards the ball. Vujacic hit the deck, then immediately jumped up, got in House's face for a brief second, then just as he looked like he was about to head butt Mike Bibby's brother-in-law (trivia alert!), he jetted off to guard his man. Very bizarre. I couldn't tell exactly what was happening from our nose bleed perch, but it read like, "Eddie House, you're lucky I have a defensive assignment to attend to, because otherwise, we'd have words, sir!!!" Classic Sasha. He also deserves props for recovering from a KG screen that left him absolutely leveled. For a few seconds, The Face wandered the court like he was punch drunk. - The Defense: The Lakers' offense may have been ugly, but it was Giselle-smokin'-hot compared to the 35% shooting Boston scrounged up. Credit the Lakers for not allowing their woes on one end of the court to translate into continual defensive lapses. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce combined to sink a scant 8-35 of their attempts, which obviously went a long way in securing the Laker win. Credit Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Ronny Turiaf for The Big Ticket often operating from mid-range and beyond, while Kobe, as mentioned earlier, played a big role in checking Pierce. Ray Allen may have been hot (8-13 for 25 points), but if future nights feature The Big Three as a solo operation, the Lakers will always be in the ball game.
- The Bench: Tonight, "the mob" finally represented like they were part of the five families (a "Godfather" reference, for those unschooled in their "Barzini"). Outside of Sasha, they didn't paint the scoring column much, but everyone brought something to the table while on the court. Jordan Farmar had four boards, five dimes, a high wire block, a handful of nice defensive moments and fired up the crowd by going nose to neck with P.J. Brown (since that's as high as he reaches on the guy) after a loose ball scrum. A couple of the Taft alum's boards came courtesy of taps from Ronny Turiaf, who added a couple of swats and forced KG into some difficult (and missed) shots. Trevor Ariza got more minutes, drilled his first jumper, and looked a little more in the swing of things (although the rust is hardly gone). And while Luke Walton still isn't coming through offensively (dude needs to start making those layups pronto), he set up Farmar beautifully on a very patient pick and roll and held his own defensively, forcing traveling called on Brown and Leon Powe. Most importantly, they played like a unit, which we haven't seen this series.
THE BAD
- The starting front court: When your Lawrence Tanter-introduced small and power forwards combine for more fouls (9) than points (7), that generally ain't a good thing. Any hopes that home cooking would immediately 180 the struggles experienced by Vlad Radmanovic and Lamar Odom since the series inception were anything but realized. Vlad one upped Game 2's quick pair of fouls by racking a trio before taking a first-quarter seat. Three minutes into the second half, he picked up a fourth foul after basically leaning on Kendrick Perkins, providing absolutely no resistance against a converted layup. From there, he grabbed some wood and didn't reenter the game. LO made an even quicker first-quarter exit, with two whistles coming in less than five minutes of play. His second quarter became a cameo after a third foul came in a mind boggling 23 seconds. After kicking off the second half with precisely zero points, Lamar proceeded to miss six of his eight attempts and turn the ball over a startling four times. Yes, there were nine rebounds and four dimes to ease his pain, but similar to treating a broken foot with Aspirin, it's only going to feel so good.
- Free throws: 21-34 for an inspiring 62% (rounded up). Kobe Bryant was uncharacteristically off, hitting only 11 of his 18 tries. If this was how the Lakers would have shot the ball had Game 2's reffing crew been a little more kind to them, we can all stop complaining. Farmar noted after the game how, despite their muddy production, had they been better at the stripe, Boston would have been blown out. I can't decide if that makes me feel more relieved or disappointed.
THE MIXED BAG
- Pau Gasol: On one hand, he grabbed a dozen boards and converted a couple of huge putbacks as the game wound down. On the other, he was 3-8 from the line, 3-9 from the field, missed some undeniable bunnies around the rim and didn't block a shot. Gasol did enough to make his presence matter, but not nearly enough to make it truly felt.
AUDIO
- Trevor Ariza: Download trevor_ariza_postgame_boston_3.mp3
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_postgame_boson_3.mp3
- Jordan Farmar (who perhaps reads the blog, since he busts the "GHE/GHF" lingo): Download jordan_farmar_postgame_boston_3.mp3
- Ronny Turiaf (with some good stuff about the bench's improved cohesiveness at home and the defensive chatter between him and Walton): Download ronny_turiaf_postgame_3.mp3
AK
YES , GO LAKERS , WE CAN DO IT IN 6. BEAT THOSE CELTICS, WHERE WAS PIERCE? PROBABLY SUPPORTING HIS FELLOW THESPIANS IN THE SAG STRIKE OR SOMETHING. GO LAKERS
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Don't be so happy people. We're still down 2-1.
Posted by: never | June 10, 2008 at 11:24 PM
(Re-post)
After Kobe Bryant and Sash Vujacic, the Laker whose future looks brightest because of this Championship run will be one who won't have played a minute, or even donned a Laker uniform. Yes, it's the player Kobe wanted shipped out last summer, Andrew Bynum.
If AB17 can return to the form he was playing prior to his injury, Bynum will provide the answer up front that Gasol and Odom couldn't measure up to without him during the Playoffs.
Even if the Lakers attain the coveted Championship trophy, is Odom really the $13 Million man? Is Gasol more valuable next season as trade bait to shore up the Lakers' future? Lamar and Pau have only two to five games left to answer these questions, one way or another.
In a post-game interview with Stephen A. Smith, Kobe was very generous towards Lamar and Pau. Kobe allowed that as neither had ever been this deep into the post-season, they were still trying to figure it all out.
But neither is naturally aggressive. And as we've seen, to the aggressor go the spoils.
Personally, I hope that both Lamar and Pau find their mojo and find it fast. The chemistry of this entire Laker group is a major reason that this season has been such a joy. But in the NBA (as in football), winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Gasol, you need to step up.
Odom, you need to STAND UP, because you've been performing real low.
Posted by: never | June 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM
as i posted earlier:
Is it just me or does PJ need to bench Radman for the rest of the series?
He should know that his role on this team is not taking running jumpers in the paint but taking threes (which he sucks at). He thinks playing defense is fouling. He doesn't box out. He can't chase down loose balls. He can't dribble.
He CAN'T be a laker next year!
Ship the space cadet out!
Posted by: miker | June 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Lol, these so called professional NBA "anal"yst amuse me. Before this series started all these fools said that the Lakers would steam roll the Boston Celtics. Now the Celtics win two and they're talking about how bad Garnett/Pierce played and how they should feel good since they're big 2 played bad and they still pulled out a victory on the road. Hello Einsteins, how about the other Laker's starters not named Kobe Bryant going for a combined 7 of 28. That's 25% "anal"yst. God these guys are morons. Always doing everything they can to keep themselves look like complete jackasses. All of a sudden it's Boston this Boston that. If the series gets tied or if the Lakers go up 3 and 2 they will be singing a different tune. Typical media, they flip sides more then a Mc Donalds chef do. I can't stand these idiots from ESPN. Can Charles, Kenny, and Ernie please cover these Finals.. They've done an excellent job the whole playoffs. THIS SUCKS!!! Also Jon Barry and that other idiot bald guy are just plain annoying. They said that Pierce and Garnett are guaranteed to play better next game and Lakers will not get away with playing like crap. Well duh.... no one ever mentions how bad the Lakers starters played just how bad Boston played and how they will play better next game. Well when the Lakers pull even and go up 3 to 2 they're going to start talking crap about Boston. Same ole same ole. These guys are just idiots. The bald dude was saying that the Lakers won because they shot more free throws. We shot like 10 more then they did? If you're making that comparison why don't you bring up game 2 where the Lakers shot 18 less. So what are you saying about the Boston game in game 2? Wow... these guys are just morons.
Posted by: BallDontLie | June 10, 2008 at 11:38 PM
People need to get off Lamar's back. He's struggled through three games but come on, people: Without LO, we ain't even in the Finals.
All you haters who keep jumping on and off the bandwagon stay the f--- off so I can rub it in your face when No. 7 brings it. Dude is working his ass off on D against a former NBA MVP, even when he picks up fouls he still gives it all he's got when he's on the court. LO will come up big in Game 4 and all of sudden y'all will be riding his jock again, lame posers that you are.
Coming back strong.
Posted by: BigGameJames | June 10, 2008 at 11:42 PM
When Sasha came into the NBA, i always felt that he will become a really good player! I never lost faith in him throughout the years!! Thanks for proving me right Machine! Keep in up! Go Lakers! Go Pau and Lamar! Show them what you got! Lakers for life!
Posted by: hyns/hyacinth | June 10, 2008 at 11:46 PM
i hope at 2-2, doc will understand that they were blow out and blow off.
this young team maybe is still in a little shock to be in a final. the fairy tail is a reality. this win and sasha's play together with the 2 stand up from Farmar (the technical and the pierce offensive) will wake up the rest of them.
i hope lamar can recollect himself and relax. from the last san antonio games he is kinda out of control.
i hope the game is the final lesson so they can apply it for 3 more wins. no room for lessons anymore, especially at home in the next 2 games.
looks like the spurs, the celts r a little old and running out of steam. the NBA were age still matters.
oh, and one more advantage: celts r playing each second half past their bed time. that matters too.
Posted by: Zin Master | June 10, 2008 at 11:46 PM
I was hoping we would have a game where the offense flowed, everyone got involved and we would get a double digit win. Playing the way we did makes me a little nervous about winning 3 of the next 4. I never felt we had control of the game, and if the Celtics would have had any decent run, we would be down 3-0. We have to control the game, put them on their heels. I anticipate this will happen when LO breaks out of his funk, Pau plays with more agression and Luke and Vlad get it toghether. This was a hard fought win, and we'll take it, but the Lakers look like they are swimming upstream so far.
Thank god for Kobe and I just love Sasha....what heart!! Anyway, if we can pull out another win Thursday, ugly or not, seeds of doubt will be planted in the Celtics heads.
Lastly, some of the posters on this blog are absolutely awesome. I rarely read the articles anymore....I go right to the blog. We have posters on this blog who clearly know basketball better than most all the sportwriters. Keep up the good work everybody.
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | June 10, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Team defense, driving the lane, and toughness was much improved this evening. Looking forward to Lakers having much better focus, execution, continuing their up-tempo rhythm and pushes, and enhancing their precision ball movement from here on out.
Posted by: Matt the Laker Junkie | June 10, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I've heard enough bull about Pau and Lamar's struggles. They played well enough to win the f-ing game! Bigger numbers are nice, but for me, right now, 87 is plenty sweet enough, given the effort on D.
Game four will be totally different than this one, I'll bet the farm on that. But we just won a game of gritty, heart-stopping jungle-ball - something the pundits said would probably never happen.
Damn Celtics should've shut the barn door when they had the chance, 'cause now the ponies are loose.
Let's tie this thing up on Thursday. One game at a time, people!!
Posted by: karyanr | June 10, 2008 at 11:57 PM
I don't know who the Lakers are in the series and I hope what I've seen will not define them.
Our D and aggression were good. There were so many other problems it made for an unenjoyable game and didn't exactly put the Celtics where I wanted to put them.
Still, I guess it's something upon which to build and it's nice to get a win, even one as weird and unsatisfying as this one.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 11, 2008 at 12:03 AM
AK/BK
i really think is Ronny's new hair style
please tell him to go back to the classic.
no afros
i know is the finals and maybe he need a look for that, but the energy is wrong. starting with his. if it's not broken, don't fix it.
thanks
Posted by: Zin Master | June 11, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Defense doesn't just win championships...they win games.
But tonight's game isn't really won on the defensive end so much as the offensive end. Without Sasha in there, I think you have to think hard about whether we win or not. With Pau struggling, LO being non-existent, and Kobe being Kobe...you knew the Celts were going to lock down on Kobe and make everyone else beat them. Well Sasha did.
To go with that though, we played our best defense of the series. Sure we missed some rotations (most of which was by Vlad, come on Vlad)...but for the most part we gave nothing easy. Sure they shot badly, and some of those were just them shooting badly...but the fact that we pushed them off their favorite spots, the fact that we got PP into foul trouble...thereby legitimately getting him off his game...brilliant!
Putting Kobe on Rondo and Pierce on Allen...not that great. It's certainly not the greatest adjustment in all of the playoffs, but it just works. Why? Because outside of PP, Rondo has been the biggest difference maker in this playoffs. He's been able to roam and create wherever he wants, and on the offensive end, it creates a disadvantage in that the refs respect Allen. But here's the greatest thing about this adjustment...offensively Kobe can do more, because Rondo's just too tired offensively lol.
Rebounds are PURE effort. It's about wanting it more than the other guy. Well we didn't win the rebounding part much...but won it we did. LO and Pau did not have good games...but check out their rebounding numbers, check out when they got those rebounds. That matters. The game is played on many levels, and we were more into it than we have been in the past. I counted at least 2 possessions when Kobe, Kobe of all players, simply would not take no for an answer, that that ball will go in, that we will get that rebound. That's what's been missing in all this.
We didn't play our best. We have yet to do that. But here's the thing. In the history books, when the wins and losses are counted, they aren't hypenated by easy-ness. Winning gritty games shows so much about our team. It means we're stubborn, it means we have the heart of the champion, it means we're close, it means we're ready.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | June 11, 2008 at 12:21 AM
GO LAKERS!!!
Kobe was phenomenal. MVP!!! Put the team on his back and never looked back.
But Sasha, man, I can not say it enough, "THE MACHINE!!!" He was fantastic off the bench, couldn't have won without his 20 points and great defense.
As for the freethrows, there wasn't that big of a discrepancy between the Celtics and the Laker's freethrows in Game 3 compared to Game 2 and a lot of uncalled Celtics fouls (PJ Brown's hook on Gasol's arm, KG's numerous illegal screens) that kept the Celtics in the game. I don't know how anyone can argue that the Lakers get help from the referees, but it's been clear as day in the these last two series that the refs clearly are biased against the Lakers. GAME 3 should have been a blowout win for the Lakers.
The Lakers won purely and simply because they've got KOBE, the MVP, the best player on the planet right now and because Sasha stepped up offensively.
Posted by: Peanut Butter Spread | June 11, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Lakers need to adapt their offense; strictly relying on the triangle isn't going to work as that leads to jump shots.
Kobe going into attack mode worked well tonight. But that doesn't mean he should make it a 1-on-1 game, nor should the rest of the team stand around.
Posted by: steve | June 11, 2008 at 12:25 AM
SGV back in the house. Watched the game just like you all did. And I tell you what...That was Laker ball in 07-08. We struggle we go down get back up and win. Boston, your in trouble Lakers have no fear... tonight proves it.
Posted by: Laker Bandit | June 11, 2008 at 12:32 AM
I actually feel kind of good about the game. Other then Kobe and Sasha, basically no one played up to par. If everyone ups their games just slightly, and makes 75% of their free throws, I think we win fairly easily.
Posted by: DavyJonze | June 11, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Nobody has mentioned how the cameras caught a bit of hijinx during a timeout in the fourth. If you looked closely, you saw Joey Crawford coming to the Lakers huddle to tell them something. Unsolicited, Trevor Ariza took his towel and used it to mop the sweat off of Joey's bald head. Good stuff.
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 11, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Yup, i totally agree. From a psychological standpoint, the Lakers have now taken the monkey off their collective backs -- they know that this year's version of the Celtics can be beaten, even when they don't play their best.
I expect them to 'hold serve' in their homecourt. I won't say it lest i jinx them, though. :P
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Raymond42n | June 11, 2008 at 01:24 AM
Sasha earned his nickname tonight.
Posted by: the other Tom | June 11, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Things are looking up - a wins a win and series is back on again - Currently sitting at Heathrow waiting for flight to LA for games 4 & 5 !!! BRING IT ON !!!!!!!
Posted by: UK Laker | June 11, 2008 at 02:08 AM
the lakers small ball seems to be throwing a wrench in the boston defense. since we can't really out-muscle perkins and brown... might as well take them out of the equation. maybe get LO to take up the ball up court more often for quick strikes early in the shot clock to get him going.
it seems like a tall order but our bigs need to really stop fouling. it just ruins the substitutions and it kills the bench mob's rhythm.
here's to a cleaner game 4 for us resulting in a blowout!
GO LAKES!
Posted by: sixonezero | June 11, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Some things to be happy about:
1) "The Machine" getting major facetime on ESPN.
2) Kobe bricking FTs, Lamar and Pau stinking up the joint, Fisher not hitting a three and we STILL win????
3) Turning KG into a jumpshooter. Did Phil hire on David Copperfield as a "special assistant"?
4) Which would you rather win - the first two or the last two?
5) By far the best line of the night were the fans behind the broadcast table who said when Rondo went down with his ankle injury, "get him a wheelchair!" CLASSIC.
6) Getting to watch a game without KG doing his macho-intense "look at me, I'm so hard" stalking around the court routine. Is anyone fooled by the act? Doesn't everyone know that the most insecure people talk the loudest about how secure they are?
7) When it's all said and done, whether we raise another championship banner or not, we will still live in L.A., and they will still live in Boston. It's really like winning every single day, when you think about it.
Posted by: SBPimp | June 11, 2008 at 02:44 AM
This is a strange series. Between wheelchairs, blind officials, a giant 4th quarter lead nearly surrendered, free throw jitters and the low shooting percentages in last night's game (for all but three: Sasha, Kobe and Allen), it all looks messy and inconclusive. It looks like two utterly undominant teams unsure of themselves, with a single guy on the floor who knows what he wants and is sometimes able to go for it all alone.
If the Celtics appear to be more of a team, they also appear to be less able to control a game, more dependent on the errors of their opponent (to say nothing of the calls of the officials). That isn't what characterizes a championship team.
The Lakers look like a team that believes they can do it - especially in fourth quarters - but at the same time are only too ready and willing to accomodate Boston's expectations by committing series of ridiculous errors.
Something weird is going on here. Might the Donaghy story have something to do with it? Or is it just the youth and lack of finals experience of both teams? Fisher, who has the experience, has been way off target all series long, but manages to have impact in money time.
The difference maker from here on out should therefore be the mutual experience of Kobe and Fish as the stress rises for all the youngsters (Cassell won't do much for Boston with his own finals experience). It isn't surprising that Ray Allen, who has the most experience and the fewest mental problems on the Celtics, is their best performer. I expect Pierce and Garnett to remain erratic and to have little impact on fourth quarters in the next four games (in case the Lakers don't close it out in three).
I believe that in all three games the Lakers have shown better ability to influence and control a game at critical moments, though the officials clearly outdo them on that. If that pattern holds up the Figueroa parade needs to be planned. But there are so many odd things going on, I'm not sure there are any patterns. And if the series goes to seven, thanks to or in spite of the strange officiating, the last game will be a true test of both teams.
Perhaps in that final dramatic 7th game a real champion rather than just a statistical winner will emerge. But in all cases, the experience of the stratospheric climate of the Finals will prepare our guys for next year's walkover, when Bynum will supply the one missing ingredient that has made this series a slog for the Lakers.
Posted by: Tsphere | June 11, 2008 at 02:44 AM
I wouldn't mind the officiating if it weren't so obvious that it was one-sided at times...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nbafix11-2008jun11,0,4603447.story
The comments following the article are sort of cute.
Guess which comments following the article are from Kings fans.
Hint: The crybabies want the title taken from the Lakers...
Admittedly, they got screwed if Donaghy's claims (not the best source...) are true.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 11, 2008 at 03:00 AM
*_________________________________*
Sasha The Machine is the Next
Big Thing BandWagon
*_________________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner
(02) Magic Man - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic
(04) JesterGuru – Has secret jet fuel for The machine
(05) Edwin Gueco – Director of Sasha’s shot selection
(06) JustAnotherMambafan – Help Sasha come up with the name The Machine
*_______________________________*
"Punch KG "The Big Ticket" bandwagon.
*_______________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – CEO – TKO’d KG twice
(02) Mel - Driver
(03) Bozz - Owner
(04) Complex_Brotha - Sparring Partner, Knocked him out
(05) Mamba24 - referee
(06) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(07) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(08) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(09) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(10) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(11) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(12) Edwin Gueco – Made a citizens arrest of KG
(13) Keifo – Beat KG at Horse.
(14) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(15) Jon K. Taught all Lakers the deadly throat puncjh
(16) Happy Camper - Made Daany Ainge unhappy
(17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself….twice!
(18) JustAnotherLakerFan – Will pull the alarms when they come to LA.
(19) JustALakerFan – Stole KG.s shaving kit
(20) JesterGuru – Put a For Sale sign on KG’s. house
*_______________________________*
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
(26) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(27) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(28) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(29) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(30) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(31) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(32) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(33) (17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself.
(34) LakerNorth – Put itching powder in KG’s shorts.
(35) JustAnotherLakerFan – Will pull the alarms when they come to LA
(36) JustALakerFan – Stole KG.s shaving kit
(37) JesterGuru – Put a For Sale sign on KG’s. house
Posted by: | June 11, 2008 at 04:58 AM
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning Morning Crew: Bozz, Toad, HmrHed, "Pig" Miller, Edwin Gueco
Laker Tom, Vman, Exhelodrvr, SimiLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, LakerGirl
EastCoastJessie The Latina Princess, JustAnotherLakerfan, The Outlaw
Laker Nation. YOU REPRESENTED YESTERDAY! Your faith, love and energy
kept Kobe beiing the Mamba and turned Sasha into The Machine. Well Folks
this crap is over. Lakers in 6 4 The Hard Way @ Charles & The Outlaw
Specila Roll Call as soon as new Thread opens.
LAKER NATION I AM DAMN PROUD TO BE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING
Posted by: mAMBA24 | June 11, 2008 at 05:09 AM
GO LAKERS!
Kobe!
Kobe!
Kobe!
Lamar is due!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 11, 2008 at 05:53 AM
I hope Pierces' mom cook the same meal for him on Thursday and Sunday....
I hope they see that good things happen w/ you drive to the basket....Pau and LO need to focus on playing GREAT defense...The score will come if they play GREAT D.....As long as we have to take the ball out the net we will have issues....We have to defend and push it...
GO LAKERS !!!!
Posted by: Laker4Life | June 11, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Great win. I am as big a Laker fan as anyone here, and I cannot stand the celtics as much as anyone here, but I also am a realist. We are paddling up stream. I totally agree with Spokanlakerfan - I just do not see our Lakes winning 3 out of 4.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | June 11, 2008 at 06:08 AM
1 down. 3 to go.
Go Lakers!
Go Kobe!
Posted by: hobbitmage | June 11, 2008 at 06:13 AM
When the series was in Utah, I commented to my office mate that LO would be the finals MVP, if the Lakers won it all. It now seems that if LO is not the finals MVP, the Lakers may not win it.
LO, tomorrow is a workday - time to show up. Tough calls and tough assignments need to be matched with a tough inside presence. The Laker nation is rooting for you!
Posted by: Ski Dad | June 11, 2008 at 06:24 AM
AK
How the heck does Luke Walton not get on the Bad, for game breakdown.
Stop covering for this clown! Your Phil like fetish for this guy is getting a bit weird!
Posted by: chuck23 | June 11, 2008 at 06:29 AM
My dislike for the Celtics and their fans grows daily as this series unfolds. They were unbearable during the 80's and much worse now. I don't care how we win, as long as we do, and finally shut up that obnious and biased city once and for all. I loved it when the cheating Patriots lost the Superbowl.
Let's go Lakers...3 more!
Posted by: ubuntukilla | June 11, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Why do u call yourselves Laker fans,I scanned last nights game thread and these names need to be added to the L.,A. Times Laker Blog Hall of SHAME.FOR their visceral and shameful comments.
1.Rick Friedman
2.Troy
3.Phunk
List is incomplete,more names to be added.Laker haters for-warned
Posted by: Detective Dave | June 11, 2008 at 06:53 AM
I TOLD YOU
That’s right we won, like you knew we would
But that Celtics team is pretty d@mn good
And KG Big Ticket, I take it all back
You’re a hell of a player, and that’s a fact
And Doc, Oh Doc, I have to say
You’re a pretty good coach, in the NBA
The Truth no lie, The TRUTH be told
One day Paul Pierce, may wear Purple & Gold
Now that the Celtics, have been given their props
Some praise on the Lakers, it is time to drop.
There’s Kobe Bryant, Now let me see
He Is What He Is, What He Is, Is MVP
9Rings Jackson, the coach who uses zen
9Rings does nothing, NOTHING BUT WIN
Last night a star was born, just ask Kobe Bean
He’s more than just human, he’s Sasha the Machine
Kobe and Sasha are the new dynamic duo
Gone fishing I guess, were Vlad, Pau & LO.
But thank god for the Bench, Way to go Bench Mob
What did they do? They did a hell of a job
As Jon K. predicted, The Lakers got their flow
The Celtics tried a run, the Bench Mob said no, no
Game 3 is over, Game 4 will be a joke
This time, the entire Celtics lineup will choke
Then comes the biggie, The pivotal game 5
Hide the women & kids, Lakers skin Celtics alive
Back to the Garden for Game 6 we will go
Where Lakers win the Title, Didn’t yo mama tell you so!
Since they can’t stop the Lakers, from a new dynasty
They try to tarnish the Legend, with some B.S. news story
A felon referee, must have talked to Sonny Belfast
Saying a Laker Title was fixed, Hey Ref kiss my @ss
We won all our Titles, the old fashion way
Kicking everyone’s @ss, in the NBA
If David Stern fixed things for the Lakers, then tell me
Why the hell does Kobe, have only one MVP?
If you really think, that this BS is true
Let your team step up, we’ll kick their @ss too.
Now sit down and shut up and accept the fact
THE LAKERS ARE BAD, AND THE LAKERS ARE BACK
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 11, 2008 at 07:02 AM
BallDon'tlie I couldn't agree with you more. The whole commentating thing sickens me. Always has.
What do you guys think about the articles where they're talking about how we can't feel great even though the Lakers won the game? They're making a big deal of how Boston isn't going to shoot so bad next time, and that we'd better watch out kind of thing.
I think for us, Boston is perhaps the toughest match up we've had, but I'm not sure why. Are they that good? Do they play that great of defense? Are they a great shooting team? What makes Boston so great?
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | June 11, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Lamar Odom and Luke Walton are back!!!!!!!
Back in their listless plays. Trade this guys!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Botsoy | June 11, 2008 at 07:14 AM
I am sick of David Stern fixing the game.
Boycott NBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boycott NBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Death to David Stern
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 11, 2008 at 07:17 AM
damn it was good to see the lakers grind out a win last night. i was starting to worry that perhaps my finals fashion countdown (see signature url) had cursed them for good.
main things that stood out to my head:
--rebounding and ball-pursuit effort was very noticeable. even though gasol and odom had terrible scoring nights, they got rebounds.
--they made their fouls count; no easy baskets for the celts
--kobe remembered how hard it is to win a title. he was breathing hard in the 1st half which hasn't been the norm for him. i love it when he plays like that (except for the missed FT's!)... MAD AND HUNGRY!!
--Ariza, Farmar and Walton won the Pac-10 bench showdown with House and Powe (boston also storing Scalabrine and Pruitt, both from u$¢, on the bench). Farmar's speed and Ariza's nose for the ball kept them in the game when Boston threatened to pull away. it also proved the following theorem:
(11 minutes of Walton + 9 minutes of Ariza) > 20 minutes of Walton
Posted by: East Nyboer | June 11, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Good Morning, Laker Nation!
Expect more of the same for the rest of the series, an ugly grueling series of Bataan death march victories by the Lakers.
That's the way to beat the Celtics. That's the way it's got to be.
If we can teach Gasol and Odom to play with some determination, we should do rather well in the next several games.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 11, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Good Morning Lakerbloggers,
Not a pretty game but a win is a win. Nice to see MVP set the tone and props to zee Slovene machine to pick up the slack for LO and weenie boy. Conversely, wheelchair Pierce and Kevin Gar "not" were no-shows as a product of our team's underrated stellar D.
Our team finally got the green monkey off their backs which calls for a bit of a celebration; but I have a strange feeling that, as usual, the significance of this win will be overshadowed by the whole Tim Donaghy scandal.
Well, some trends are still imminent this post season; Lakers are still undefeated at home and Boston still has road woes. KG still can't hit or won't take the big shots, Rondo looks confused away from home but at the same time Pau and Lamar need to shake off some nerves too. Sam-I-Am is still phoning home. And lastly, I'd like to know where the hell did Leon Powe shrink to last night?
At least the trolls can STFU today. What I find funny is that come Summertime, all these loser haters who constantly barb at Kobe with ignorant comments will be rooting for our beloved superstar in the Olympic games.
...and hey Boston, Wall-E is a Laker Fan and he's more popular than you Curt Schilling!
peas,
Posted by: eevee | June 11, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, LAKER NATION!
It was ugly but I'll take it.
It was hard fought, but a W is a W.
We will get more out of the rest of the team tomorrow. They are back home & the crowd will have them amped even more.
GET OFF LO'S BACK. GET OFF PAU'S BACK. They are balling their hearts out - don't discount that.
Onward to tomorrow night!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!
3 to O'Brien........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 11, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Chuck23,
"AK How the heck does Luke Walton not get on the Bad, for game breakdown. Stop covering for this clown! Your Phil like fetish for this guy is getting a bit weird!"
No offense, the way you obsess over Walton, even on a night where he actually did some good things defensively (as mentioned in the breakdown), it's fairly easy to accuse you of a "fetish" of sorts.
I'm just saying...
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 11, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Kobe missign free throws - he must be part of the Stern conspiracy, too! It's the only possible explanation!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM
You know what I loved? I loved that Sunday and Monday they were touting Leon Powe as the Cinderella man... because I knew come last night that he was going to get rocked. Seriously. The dude gets touted as King of the World for 9/13 FTs and come Tuesday night, you discover he's not all that great. Awesome. In your face. And I loved, -loved-, Sasha being the star in last night's game with dropping and drilling those 3s, especially when they mattered and even more so after having botched one that he didn't let it affect the next one. So good...
Posted by: kobebumbaye | June 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM
3 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | June 11, 2008 at 08:13 AM
AK,
Way to speak the truth to CBuck!
Regarding Luke's game.... He played well defensively and did some nice little things on offense, however, his ability to aggressively go to the hoop sucked.
A great thing about last night's game was it was the game the 2004 Lakers couldn't play in the Finals, and thus we lost.
There's definite cause for hope in this series.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 11, 2008 at 08:17 AM