Blog vs. Blog- Who should America root for?
Yesterday, we kicked off our blog-off with the folks over at the Boston Globe Celtics Blog, answering the question of whether or not the Celtics can stop Kobe Bryant. And a spirited debate it was. Today, we tackle another whopper. As the excitement of Lakers vs. Celtics washes over the nation, one thing is clear: L.A. is pulling for the purple and gold, while Boston is all about the green. But what about the rest of the country?
Who should be America's choice?
Gary Dzen: Boston Globe
It's inevitable.
During every sport's major championship, bandwagon fans come out of the woodwork to swear their allegiance to one side or the other. During the Super Bowl, it was everybody against the Patriots (the Super Bowl is the NFL's championship game, in case someone is reading this from Los Angeles). During the last World Series, people attached themselves to those lovable, huggable Red Sox.
And so it goes.
Putting our prognosticating glasses on, it's easy to see that the Celtics are going to win over a nation of wannabe basketball fans during the NBA Finals.
Start with KG, whose intensity has earned him a cult following around the world. It's impossible not to like Kevin Garnett if he's playing for your team. KG will draw people in, no doubt.
Besides Garnett, the Celtics have plenty of other guys who fans will want to root for. Ray Allen is a smooth-talking, smooth-shooting class act. Paul Pierce has never abandoned his home team and has never asked for a trade.
Rajon Rondo tries like heck on every play. Leon Powe and Glen Davis bring lunch pails into the paint. Eddie House alternates between nailing three-pointers and standing on the bench to cheer for his teammates on every possession.
There's also this little issue of what would be good for the NBA. The league needs the Celtics to be good. Boston has revitalized professional basketball on the East Coast this season, and lord knows the Knicks and Sixers aren't going to be of any help for a while. When the Celtics are good, the NBA is marketable to an entire region of the country.
And then there's this: Kobe can market the Lakers by himself. The league's most popular player doesn't need rings for people to watch him. But if he loses, it's just another reason for the country to cheer. People love seeing an MVP, but there's nothing people love more than seeing an MVP fail.
Brian Kamenetzky, LAT
Despite making my living on the Internet, I’m not a big believer in conspiracy theories.
Yes, these playoffs have seen some controversies favoring the Lakers and Celtics. No punishment for KG after his shove-in with Eddie Rush in the Atlanta series. (A good call by the NBA. Just because they freaked out during the Phoenix-San Antonio series doesn’t mean they have to compound the error by sticking to precedent.) No call on Brent Barry at the end of Game 4. (A bad call, but the refs botched the previous play and besides, at that point in a game players have to maul each other like hungry pumas to force a whistle. Had the famous McHale clothesline of Kurt Rambis happened in the last six seconds of the fourth, it probably wouldn’t have been called.) Whatever. The two best teams in the NBA made it to the Finals, as it should be.
Obviously, Bostonians are pulling for the green, while L.A. is all purple and gold. But the rest of America has a choice to make. Who should they want to see hoist the Larry O’Brien?
The answer, and I’m not just saying this to keep my apartment from getting egged, is the Lakers. Here are a few reasons why:
- A title for KG is a nice story, but would have nothing on the dramatic arc of Kobe and the Lakers winning it all this year. A year ago, the Lakers were a shambles. Their star player wanted out, the owner’s son was questioning the coach while the owner was getting pulled over for DUI while a 23-year-old woman rode shotgun. Andrew Bynum is shredded by said star in an Orange County parking lot, blows up on the NBA before blowing up his knee. A promising season is in doubt until Mitch Kupchak steals Pau Gasol from Memphis. Now they’re four games from an NBA title. You could make a movie out of this stuff, and this being L.A., someone probably will.
- Death, taxes, and no rain on parade day in LA. Those are the only guarantees in life.
- What’s good for Jack Nicholson is good for America.
- Derek Fisher. You should be ashamed of yourself for ever rooting against a team for which he plays. Don’t like him? Try Ronny Turiaf, a player so enthusiastic and exuberant that fans decided they’d rather watch him cheer from the bench via Yellowbook Cam than any of the dudes on the court during the Western Conference finals. Finally, there’s Lamar Odom, who has seen more tragedy and death in his family than anyone should, wears his heart on his sleeve, and is as solid a guy as you’ll find in the Association.
- The ninth-place team in the Western Conference won 48 games. The Lakers have defeated 50-, 54,- and 56-win teams just to make it this far. They finished atop the most brutal conference in recent memory. The Celtics could have lost every game they played after the All-Star break and still made the playoffs, then beat one good team to make the Finals. Justice demands the Lakers win in the end.
The Lakers winning is a Hollywood ending to a fairy tale season. 'Nuff said!
Posted by: Glenn | June 03, 2008 at 05:28 PM
You did not mention the magic of Boston sports...the Lakers have no answer for that.
http://www.fenwaywest.com
Posted by: Matt | June 03, 2008 at 05:33 PM
I am not sure when the league needed the celtics recently..but hey, if that makes the celtics fans happy...we will be happy to meet you in the finals often.
Posted by: unlikelee | June 03, 2008 at 05:41 PM
I am not sure when the league needed the celtics recently..but hey, if that makes the celtics fans happy...we will be happy to meet you in the finals often.
Posted by: unlikelee | June 03, 2008 at 05:48 PM
MARGE HEARN: CHICK IS BEST INSPIRATION FOR LAKERS
by Curtis Zupke for the OCRegister
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/chick-team-hearn-
2058501-lakers-ocr
“Orange County Register: What would Chick think of this team?”
“Marge Hearn: I would think that he would love this team because they're all young and they all have so many possibilities. He would like how they're working together. He would love what Kobe said, that they eat together, they live (with) each other. That grows and makes for a team. He would like this team a lot.”
“OCR: What do you think of this team? Does it remind you of any team in the past?”
“MH: I can't remember way back, but I've seen them all, of course. And I've seen all the championships. I have seen as many games as he's announced. He was very fond of Kobe. When Kobe first came in he was being criticized for shooting too much or all different things. I remember him saying, 'Why don't the fans let that young kid grow up? Because he is going to be good.' And he is. But he had a hard time getting there.”
This will be the first LA title that Chick didn’t call. Thank God we still have Stu.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 03, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Wow, BK I am impressed. Had I been unfortunate enough to live in a non-basketball town you would have won me over easily.
Posted by: J_Luv | June 03, 2008 at 05:50 PM
In my humble opinion:
Here are my thoughts on the matchups in these Finals, along with the team I think has the respective advantage, and a point score (Lakers:Celtics) assigned to that advantage in parenthesis. The scores are completely arbitrary.
PG - Fisher vs. Rondo - LAKERS (3:2)
SG - Bryant vs. Allen - LAKERS (4:1)
SF - Radmanovic vs. Pierce - CELTICS (0:5)
PF - Odom vs. Garnett - CELTICS (1:4)
C - Gasol vs. Perkins - LAKERS (5:0)
Bench - LAKERS (3:2)
Coach - LAKERS (4:1)
Home court - CELTICS (2:3)
Total score - LAKERS (22:18)
I think the Lakers will prevail in 5 games, primarily because I think they are playing better basketball right now, but also partly because of the 2-3-2 format for the series. I believe the Lakers will split the two games in Boston and then proceed to take games three, four, and five at Staples.
At least, this is what I hope will happen. :P
Posted by: cs | June 03, 2008 at 05:51 PM
BK~
A resounding Amen to everything you said. When you add in the human interest stories of DJ and Coby K, not to mention Mihm and what he has been through these past two years, it seems like rooting for this team's success would be a feel-good proposition for more than a few curious onlookers.
Or is it more fun just to keep hating on Kobe? Maybe. Doesn't matter, though. The story of this championship season was written so long ago that they nicknamed Boston BEAN-town. And this year the Bean is gonna own the place!!
ALREADY DONE!!
Posted by: Happy Camper | June 03, 2008 at 05:56 PM
is it just me or did paul pierce ask to be traded before the season?
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | June 03, 2008 at 05:58 PM
America's team? Try the world.
The Lakers are a PR dream.
Ronny, the man that wears his surgically mended heart on his sleeve, Sasha (from war torn beginnings), Vlad and Pau make up an international contingent that will have TVs glowin' all over th globe.
Fish and LO, family feel good stories 1 and 2, #1 box office leading man, Kobe, and Phil, the 9 ring wonder, totally eclipses that sorry group of ring chasing, moldy vets Boston has stashed in the locker room.
A title for KG? That's an after school special on a Wednesday.
Kobe's Kids is prime time, world wide.
Posted by: Vman | June 03, 2008 at 06:01 PM
if the Lakers aren't America's choice... well, dang, i believe the world should overrule America then. the Lakers have the most fans in the world compared to any other NBA team.
blessedone441
Posted by: blessedone441 | June 03, 2008 at 06:02 PM
The Celtics have all of New England (Except Fairfeild County in southwest CT) and that includes other good sized cities other than Boston such as Providence, Hartford, Springfield and a few others. There are alot of people around the country who have connecitons to Boston as well as those other cities that would lean toward the Celtics (not to mention that New England is sooooooo much nicer then So. Cal.).
Posted by: HartfordC'sfan | June 03, 2008 at 06:29 PM
The Lakers had a morning practice earlier today, which good old Bill Belichick was kind enough to "secretly" tape for us.
Thanks Bill, but LA plays in the weak Western Conference, where even crappy teams like Golden State & Denver can win 50 games...while giving up a ridiculous 108 points per game!
Posted by: Red`s Love Child | June 03, 2008 at 06:30 PM
BK totally won that argument. Period.
And then talk about the cities. Los Angeles vs. Boston? Please, LA wins hands down.
Posted by: ajax | June 03, 2008 at 06:35 PM
The Lakers must come out and strike fast and often winning games 1-2 and close them out in LA! It's possible to pull this off even if the league wants a longer series. It's possible! Go Lakers!
Posted by: chuck23 | June 03, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Red Saaawwwwwwkkksssss? (In my Wilbon Voice)
Please! They play in an illegal field. And you wonder why they won two titles in the last 4 years? It's the illegal field parameters and that they build their team to exploit it.
Anyone from Beantown wanna challenge a baseball historian/philosopher on this one?
I guarantee you'll lose!
Let's Go Lake Show!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 03, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Team America Lakers. F Yeah!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 03, 2008 at 06:51 PM
The Celtics have all of New England (Expect Fairfield County in southwest CT) and that includes some other good sized cities besides just Boston. This includes Providence, Hartford, Springfield and a few others. There are many people across America with ties to Boston and these other cities which I think will make the Celtics the more popular team. Besides, people like New Enlgand sooooooo much more then So. Cal. becuase New England is just a better place.
Posted by: HartfordC'sfan | June 03, 2008 at 06:52 PM
If the Finals matchup were Spurs-Celtics, the ratings would be slightly above average.
If the Finals matchup were Lakers-Pistons, the ratings would be well above average.
All the NBA really needs is the Lakers - America's Team.
Posted by: Jman449 | June 03, 2008 at 06:54 PM
On my favorite Yankee blog, lots of people (even if they hate the Lakers/and or Kobe) are cheering for the Lakers because...well because they're not Boston.
I like the Lakers because they're so diverse and young.
Haters hate. They hate winners, they hate life, and they hate for hate. They may cheer for Boston, but only because they're not the Lakers with the world's best player. And please, don't tell me these Celtics are blue collar or loveable.
People watch the NBA for flash. If they want to see good fundamentals they watch NCAA or WNBA (although that Candace Parker's pretty flashy herself).
Go, go Lakers!
Posted by: mel | June 03, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I cant help but agree, even though I' a laker fan and I try to stay objectional and i just think thaqt the lakers are the better team, they came out of a tougher conference and beat better quality apponents. not to mention the champs.
Posted by: rich | June 03, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Thanks Bill, but LA plays in the weak Western Conference, where even crappy teams like Golden State & Denver can win 50 games...while giving up a ridiculous 108 points per game! Posted by: Red`s Love Child
Can i have the number of your dealer? Whatever your doin is really strong!!!!
Posted by: RIZZO | June 03, 2008 at 07:10 PM
"Love me or hate me, it's one or the other. Always has been. Hate my game, my swagger. Hate my fadeaway, my hunger. Hate that I'm a veteran. A champion.[An MVP] Hate that. Hate it with all your heart. And hate that I'm loved, for the exact same thing" - Kobe Bryant
Posted by: SA | June 03, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Lakers>Celtics
Los Angeles>Boston
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | June 03, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Gary Dzen: Boston Globe
"Paul Pierce has never abandoned his home team and has never asked for a trade."
----------------------------------------
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/
05/31/pistons.celtics.game.6/?eref=sircrc
An exerp from this article regarding Paul Pierce a year ago and his 'never asking for a trade':
'One year ago today he was the injured star of the second-worst team in the league. He would tell me that he had been on the verge of demanding a trade out of Boston. "But you wouldn't have any control over where they might send you,'' I said.
"My career was at an alltime low,'' he said. "So I figured, how much worse could it get?'' '
That certainly does sound like he wanted out of Beantown. He just got lucky at the proberbial slot machine of the NBA with his last spin.
I'll take a player that's honest any day over one that very well might have just tanked this season if his jackpot hadn't come in, although it is nice when that so-called 'honest' player will admit to his being wrong.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | June 03, 2008 at 07:29 PM
BILL WALTON TO ROOT FOR LAKERS OVER CELTICS…
Props to Big Red for making the right call to root for his son and the Lakers rather than the Celtics for whom he once played. Way to show Luke your love and support. Now we expect a rash of over-the-top pro-Lakers statements from Bill to back up his decision.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 03, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Besides, people like New Enlgand sooooooo much more then So. Cal. becuase New England is just a better place.
Posted by: HartfordC'sfan
--------------------------------------------------
REALLY???
Where are your facts?
This New Englander will argue with you.
I'll give New England the edge in Historical Americana and gas prices.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | June 03, 2008 at 07:40 PM
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS
WILL STOMP ON
THE BOSTON CELTICS ..
THAT MUCH IS EVIDENT.
CALIFOOLYA VS. NEW FINLAND????? THERE'S NO QUESTION....
RATHER BE WHERE THE SUN SHINES 365/YR AND THE GIRLS ARE FFFFFFFFINE.
Posted by: vas | June 03, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I'm not sure if this (a Magic Johnson and Larry Bird teleconference interview from insidehoops.com) has been posted, but it's a great read:
http://tinyurl.com/4n3gmx
Posted by: BynumBeliever | June 03, 2008 at 07:44 PM
BK, good points but you put them out of order.
Its more like this:
1. Kobe ascendance to greatness: Most child stars fail because of extreme exposure to greatness, high expectations, and moreso, lonliness. The truth is that even during those championship teams, he was a lonley young kid among grown men. Kobe is somewhat of a loner who has used basketball to become his outlet like no other athlete has. But where Kobe conquers is not his points, or his MVP, but the way he has fought through all the detractors who want to see him fail just like LA sees many child actors fall. Kobe has perservered, taken his lumps, and literally grown in the public eye with his family struggles (his dad) his wife (colorado) his teammates (shaq and malone), and we even saw him split with his coach and great mentor (phil). But this year Kobe has completed a full circle as a man seeing that he is no longer the young child, but instead the person to lead other innocent kids to greatness. Kobe is compelling to me because he is a real life Truman Show. Except his Hollywood ending would be to break through everyone's expectations and succeed.
2. Derek Fisher. How do you not root for this guy who will now forever be associated for one game, his allegiance to his family. But even so, he has taken a leadership role, even changed the greatest player in the world to get better. Fisher has the respect of everyone in LA. Fisher could run for mayor. He is the ultimate professional
3. Lamar Odom: How do you not want to see him succeed? His life is too full of tragedy, and to see him have a great series could change his life. I mean that in the important way of it could just really help him heal his wounds. He thinks about his deceased family every day (writes their names on his shoes). Not too mention the way he has been shredded in the basketball world as not being dominant or being a go-to-player. We always love guys who play "team" ball, but somehow we dont revere the quality. Imagine Odom suceeding in the city that wanted him out.
4. Farmar, Sasha, Bynum: The young kids who have grown so much, innocent of the difficulties of the NBA, but who have been thrown such heavy expectations. I had the pleasure of meeting one of those guys, and let me tell you how young and normal 20 smoething they are. They are innocent guys in the sense of the way they see themselves. THis stage is almost to big for their personality. they have Kobe looking over their shoulders. But they are trying hard.
5. Turiaf. Braveheart. From open heart surgery, fearing his death, to the most energetic player. He got a new lease on his heart, and he gives it all to the Lakers. Sometimes I fear that he will get a heart attack due to his passion (dont tell me you dont still think that sometimes). Turiaf is the ultimate team player. Roots hard, waits for his turn to play even if its only 5 minutes. Think of how many times his role changed this year. From possible starter, to key bench man, to thrust in the starting role, to a bench player, back to starter, to now a guy taking a big backseat to Pau, Lamar, and an injured Bynum. He could tank and say he wants to leave.
6. Los Angeles: Who doesnt deserve a championship to unite the city than a city struggling with politics, race, relationships and hope. You know whats truly beautiful about the LA and the Lakers? Just drive on the freeway or the street and the Lakers flags are flying everywhere. Everybody is getting together to watch the games. Where else can you unite 17 million people.
Posted by: The Lake Show | June 03, 2008 at 07:48 PM
I could not care less how the rest of the country feels about the Lakers. However, I think you missed a key reason people should be rooting for the Lakers. They play a beautiful brand of basketball. Pretty much all of them can pass, half of them can bury the three. It is just fun to watch. They also seem to be a bunch of "intelligent idiots" too. How can you not like that?
Posted by: VoR | June 03, 2008 at 07:55 PM
HardfordC's,
NO, that is not true, there are so many Laker fans on your midst. My nephew is in Wordon, MA with a Laker flag on his car. My buddy is there in East Haven, CT, they are purple and gold followers. Go on to the Celtic Blogs, you'll read the comments of Laker fans whether it is ESPN, Fox, Sportsline, SI blogs, blog after blog there is a Laker fan as well as Celtic. I don't think you have surveyed your neighborhood well.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 03, 2008 at 07:58 PM
BOSTON’S DISTORTED VIEW OF THE SPORTS WORLD…
Have you noticed Boston fans are under the delusion that theirs is the city of champions? They think that 7 Red Sox World Series titles are somehow greater than 26 Yankee titles. They think that 3 Patriots Super Bowl rings are somehow greater than the 49er’s 5 rings. Just as they think that their no NBA titles since 1984 somehow beats the Lakers 5 titles.
Just as they think that their team of fantasy league all-stars will somehow win this series.
Just as they think that their window to win another championship lasts beyond this year.
LOL. LAKERS WIN 15TH NBA CHAMPIONSHIP. PHIL WINS 10TH RING.
BYNUM ENDS PARITY IN THE NBA IN 2009. LAKERS RULE NEXT 10 YEARS.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 03, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Celtics blog are boring.
Nothing interesting and Not much entry
I'd rather just zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
than read it.
Lakers Blog still the BEST.
Goooooooo Lakersssssssssssss!!!!
Posted by: lakersNZ | June 03, 2008 at 08:06 PM
[Repost]
Doc Rivers's Bio-Chrono Reading
(Yes, it can be used offensively.)
Physically - He is about confidence versus fear. Therefore, if you want to breakdown Doc Rivers's physical strength and ability to react, undermine his confidence. Be unpredictable in ways that is difficult for him to react to. Confuse him.
Emotionally - He is about expression versus emotional collapse. Therefore, if you want to undermine Doc Rivers emotions, first undermine him physically (his emotional process is physically orientated). Second, don't be overly emotional and expressive. Play and coach with a stern silent expression like terminators because being overly emtional (like KG's Zulu Berzerker) will just stimulate him emotionally. When you take a lead, just be completely focused. Don't overly celebrate. Be Machines.
Mentally: He is about understanding versus misunderstanding. So, if you want to undermine Doc Rivers mentally undermine his emotions (his process is emotionally influenced.) His type like details and clear information, so purposefully be vague and unclear. Communicate things that can be taken in multiple ways without giving any information as to which way it should be taken. Miscommunicate to him purposefully.
Spritually/Creatively: He is about faith versus lack of faith. So, if you want to undermine Doc Rivers creativity and his ability to adapt, undermine his mind (his process is mentally influenced.) If he states a direction or belief, offer contradictory information or experience. Present him with paradox. Confuse him. Mock his belief and then provide him with experience that contradicts his belief in a variety of ways.
In summary, Doc Rivers is a house of cards. Undermine his physical focus and it undermines his emotional focus which undermines his mental focus which undermines his creative decision making.
Phil Jackson should present himself as a confusing, emotionally void, enigma who communicates in vague generalities and paradoxes. He should occasionally commit to actions that make no sense (or appear to make no sense) but have positive outcomes for his intentions. The players should not be overly expressive, but machine-like in focus and communication. And win early. Don't let his confidence and faith build up. Undermine them.
Follow my suggestions and Doc Rivers will panic, and then shut down feeling utterly overwhelmed.
Yep. Doc Rivers will fall like a house of cards.
Bet on it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:18 PM
[Repost]
Paul Pierce's Bio-Chrono Reading:
Remarkably similar to Doc Rivers, thus that which unnerves Doc Rivers with unnerve Paul Pierce.
Paul Pierce is different from Doc Rivers only on a physical level.
Physically: Paul Pierce is about comfort/abundance versus stress/not having enough. So, if you want to undermine Paul Pierce physically (which, like Doc Rivers, will undermine him emotionally and thus undermine him mentally and thus undermine his creative decisions), you have to make him uncomfortable and stress him out.
While this might sound a bit odd, discomfort and stress is a big deal for Paul Pierce. So, while defending him, get right in his personal space. Make him uncomfortable. Be annoying. Shout out weird sounds when defending him at odd times. Things like that.
When he's defending, the player should be erratic and unpredictable. Stress him out.
If you do so, Paul Pierce will fall apart.
Get it done.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Rizzo,
For Red's Love Child to say that WC is weak haha! very funny, he must be listening to his late foster father talking to him in his dreams. How many in WC teams are above .500 10 teams vs. EC with only 6 teams that crossed that mark. Supposedly, a team that is not at par to be in the playoffs who have only 37 wins and 45 losses brought the legendary Boston Celtics to 7 games, that's Atlanta Hawks. All leprechauns are welcome to this blog but be ready with your data.
I grew up hearing Celtics as the symbol of NBA team, at that time no player living on earth is better than Bill Russell. That was before, which was 50 years ago. I don't see any Bill Russell-like on this Celtics team today, whether it's KG or Perkins - they can't dominate their opponents. This a hodge podge of franchise stars assembled in one team called Celtics.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 03, 2008 at 08:20 PM
[Repost]
Kevin Garnett's Bio-Chrono Reading:
I'm too tired to type out another tome on Kevin Garnett right now. Unfortunately, he's got some emotional and mental strengths that don't allow opponents to undermine him effeciently. It just makes him mad.
His weak points are his physical and creative/spiritual perspectives.
So, the way to throw him out of sorts is get him to play with pain (hurt him) and, more importantly, break up his ability to produce.
I know that may seem obvious, but, with Garnett, cutting his production can compound itself. Don't allow him to get started early. Get him to miss his shots. Take away rebounds EARLY. If he isn't able to produce early and consistently, he'll start making bad decisions in order to try to produce or he'll just give up trying to produce and will focus on defense instead.
Shutting him down in the first and third quarters (after the half when he's had a break to refocus) is most important.
Also, Garnett likes to play a game that's possession-by-possession get him to play in a continual "flow game" and his game won't flow.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:21 PM
[Repost]
Ray Allen's [Remarkably Short] Bio-Chrono Analysis:
Like Paul Pierce make him uncomfortable physically. Turn up the heat at Staples Center should work nicely. Or make sure he doesn't get any sleep the night before the game through repeated accidental fire alarms at his hotel.
Ray Allen is incredibly emotional. Play emotional games with him and he'll get undone. Essentially it is important to communicate to him that he's nothing special and that he's just like any other shooter. Get him angry, but make sure you get him REALLY angry. A little angry will just make him better. REALLY angry will cause him to lose all control and focus.
If you screw with him a bit, confusing mindgames and such, he'll also start to play very selfishly and not utilize the strength of his team. This is great when his game is all out of sorts and he overcome with anger.
It's important to make Ray Allen FEEL that he's not important and then he'll try to prove he's important, but in a way that is self-defeating.
So, there you go. I might write more later, but let it be clear: Ray Allen is (internally) a very emotional person. And that is his Achilles Heel.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:22 PM
The Celtics are the NBA's Sanjaya: A freakish three-headed monster without the talent. The Lakers are the true American Idol.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 03, 2008 at 08:24 PM
I love the Lakers.
God bless everyone who has struggled and rooted with us on this blog over the years.
You guys are great.
Let's get it done.
It starts Thursday.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Jon K.
Paul Pierce is a Laker fan. He learned his basketball at Inglewood high school. A fanatic Laker fan of the Showtime Lakers, you can't remove his first love NBA team out of respect of his basketball roots.
Therefore, Lakers has a mole within the Celtics team. He is playing for money but his heart is for the City of Los Angeles. So Celtics beware, we have six lakers playing against your four. I am not including KG who is a mercenary, working for the Celtics to pay the mortgage of his multi million dollar house in Malibu. LOL!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Being on the trading block is different than demanding a trade. Pierce's situation was closer to AI's than Kobe's.
The answer is that the nation is fascinated by Lakers v Celtics and not either team by itself. Kobe has fans everywhere - thus the MVP chant tour he's made across the nation these past couple of years - but that is due to his transcendance of the city and not the city itself.
The casual fan doesn't care who wins. They only want to know what happens.
Posted by: lakers_sth | June 03, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Who else should I do a Bio-Chrono reading on?
Man, I really want to win this and I hate the Celtics.
(Seriously, one could respect the 80's Celtics, but not this team.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 03, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Hi Family.
I have been out since last Friday with: Epiglottitis and Bronchiectasis. I know, the counter people on Rite Aid couldn't even read it.
Nice one BK...
Posted by: Charles | June 03, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Lets not make this a re-tread of the 1980's Lakers v. Celtics wars.
I was a teenager back then, and I remember what caused the friction between the West and East teams. Ronald Reagan had got into office, and the social fabric of America was changing from general assistance (the residual of the Great America ideology of the '70's post Civil Rights Era) to individualized empowerment (the conservative movement that defined the Reagan era).
Tax payer funded social assistance programs were being dismantled. Enabled black Americans were seeing hard times, and crack cocaine was the answer. A tremendous crime wave rocked Black America, and police, especially the Daryl Gates LAPD, NYPD, and the Miami Dade PD, responded with heavy hands.
Black men were being killed by aggressive police, and riots were breaking out in response. New York saw racial killings and protests between blacks and Italians and sometimes Jews. The Angry Black Male was the popular phrase during those times, and black gangs fueled a bloody black on black crime epidemic. The West Coast held true to black solidarity, and the east coast, with the Black v Italian issues in New York, became the hated symbol of black oppression.
The NBA came out of its dormant state at this time, thanks to the hip talking Magic Johnson and the white Indiana hick Larry Bird. The scene couldn't have been set better.
The LA Lakers, made up of almost entirely black players, became the default representative of black fortitude in trying times. The almost all white Boston Celtics, particularly with the whiny Danny Ainge, the sneaky Kevin McHale, and the golden boy Larry Bird, represented the white renaissance, empowerment, and privilege. The idea of how whites can take even basketball from blacks was the unspoken battle cry.
Lets face it, it was the 80's, and the Laker/Celtic rivalry was fueled significantly by a black versus white thing. Those of you who are old enough to remember cannot deny that.
Now a days, things are much different. In fact, there is no more rivalry, no more racial or class tension, nothing.
It's just the Lakers versus Celtics. Don't make it more than what it is.
Posted by: troy | June 03, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Rick Friedman--
While I whole heartedly agree with you on the Lakers, you just made me throw up a little onto my pizza with the idol (small I) reference.
IMHO, there is absolutely no redeeming quality with that show. That show alone is enough to make me not watch that network.
Mmmmmm........Pepperoni, Green Peppers and ......."OTHER". Oh well..........LOL!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | June 03, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Like I told the Nugget's fans, Jazz fans & Spur's fans, Kobe is a step ahead of everybody on the floor. He is in a league of legendary hall of famers. When he is in the zone, NO ONE can stop him. Lakers have the advantage because of Kobe.
Posted by: Philip Elizalde | June 03, 2008 at 09:04 PM
BK,
Great work as always. Two more:
1. Kobe gets the ring without Shaq - huge
2. PJ gets #10 passing Red by beating his old team
Love it....many alternate endings for the movie....
Posted by: Savant | June 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM
In terms of feel good stories, how about Fisher's daughter surviving cancer, Coby Karl surviving cancer, Ronny surviving heart surgery and Kobe surviving Vanessa?
Posted by: lakers_sth | June 03, 2008 at 09:20 PM