Casual Friday
There once was a great bit on "Friends" in which we learn that Phoebe, because her parents never let her see the end of "Old Yeller," thought it was a fun, happy movie about a nice yellow dog, not realizing they have to shoot him in the end. That's basically what Phil Jackson did on Friday, canceling practice and keeping an abbreviated film session focused on the very successful first half of action. Unfortunately, the Lakers know that, like Old Yeller, they were put down in the end, and Phil Jackson knows that's a tough thing for them to shake. It's tough enough to come back from a 3-1 deficit. To do it after what was quite literally a historic collapse makes it that much harder.
(The Celtics, by the way, also chose not to practice, in large part to let their injured players get a chance to heal.)
It does, however, give everyone a little more time to try and figure out what the hell happened. Fans have their idea, and BIll Plaschke believes it's important not to forget Phil Jackson's role in the whole affair. Pau Gasol didn't distinguish himself down the stretch, either. Moving beyond requires a psychological salvage operation.
There were ghosts from the past rearing their heads on Thursday night. But was it the worst disaster in LA sports history?
Scoop Jackson thinks it might be time for L.A. to craft a concession speech. He won't get much argument from Jim Alexander of the Press-Enterprise, who predicts a Boston win Sunday evening. Closing out the Lakers on Father's Day would have special meaning for Rivers.
The comeback had a lot of writers hurriedly changing their stories.
Maybe this Donaghy thing provides just the distraction the Lakers need? (Talking about crooked officiating means no talking about Thursday? It's a theory.) It's certainly sucking up much of the oxygen around the Finals.
More on Kobe's post-Game 4 reaction. Doc thinks the flak Bryant takes is unfair.
So we lost the first 2 games on the road. That was tough.
And so we lost the 4th game in an historic heartbreaking collapse. And that was as tough as it gets.
Why on earth wouldn't we win the 5th game at our place?
And with confidence restored why wouldn't we win game 6 in Boston, giving us that one road win we knew we had to win?
And with Boston banged up and tired why wouldn't we win that game 7 in Boston?
I believe.
The oddsmakers have favored the Lakers from the start. I think Boston was favored by 2.5 in Game 1, but down to 1.5 in Game 2.
Then the Lakers were favored by 8.5 in Game 3, and 7.5 in Game 4. I see we are favored by 6.5 in Game 5.
There is a good reason the oddsmakers have favored the Lakers. There is a good reason the pundits overwhelmingly picked the Lakers at the start.
Even with that pitiful collapse the last game at home, Vegas still has us a 6.5 point favorite to win game 5.
The Lakers have played much better in the playoffs than the Celtics.
Sure we're in a hole. But if the oddsmakers haven't given up on us, how can we give up on ourselves?
Lakers in 7!
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 14, 2008 at 10:59 AM
If the Lakers lose this series, the following players must go:
Pau
Lamar
Vladimir
Luke
Ronny
The above players do not deserve to play with Andrew.
They are soft.
I will not watch another Lakers game if the above players continue to wear the Purple & Gold.
Magic-like Jordan and Kobe-would have had a field day wth the above softies in practice; he would have called them so many different girlie names that they would have broke down in tears and quit the team from being teased by The Show Time leader.
Never have I seen-in all of my Lakers years-such soft ass players who are also emotionally weak.
I agree with Steve Hartman of the Lose Cannons:
Lamar is a mental midget.
If the Lakers win this series, it will be as a result of Kobe and Sasha and D-Fish and Trevor.
The above 4 players play with passion.
Pathetic.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | June 14, 2008 at 11:19 AM
In a 7 series playoff, ones got to win 4 times. Last time I checked, Celtics are up 3-1. NEVER GIVE UP. Lakers fans, NEVER GIVE UP. Look at it that way: How great would it be to be the first team to comeback from 3-1. We're the Los Angeles Lakers baby, that's what we do: We make history. Mark my words. Phil is my Sheppard I have no evil...
Lakers for life!
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | June 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I'd bet the under on the Sunday ratings but at least the air has come out of the conspiracy balloon.
Losing happens.
Epic losses must be avenged.
Posted by: Vman | June 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Phil is my Sheppard I have no evil...
Lakers for life!
Mamba from the east coast
"I fear no evil I meant"
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | June 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM
The Lakers are intelligent, young, healthy, and talented.
Take this OPPORTUNITY to distinguish this teams from all others.
Begin a new winning tradition,
Sunday, June 15, 2008 is day 1 of the renewed Lakers winning ways.
I always believe.
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Never give up.
Never surrender.
We are the better team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 14, 2008 at 11:47 AM
passionate Lakers fan,
Lamar is a big reason we've gotten this far. Sure, he doesn't have the reliability of a Karl Malone, but he is a remarkably skill and well-rounded player and I'm glad he's a Laker.
ODOM SPELLS "DOOM" FOR THE BOSTON CELTICS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 14, 2008 at 11:50 AM
"The NBA FINALS Where Bandwagon Fans Happen"
After we win tomorrow the pressure shifts to Boston !
History in the making !
Posted by: LALAKERLOVER | June 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM
7 the hard way. It could have been harder! We could have been down 0-3! And sooner or later somebody will come back in Basketball down 0-3. We all know it will.
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 14, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Keep the faith
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | June 14, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I just watched the perfect movie for Phil to get the Lakers and their fans ready to do battle for the rest of the series: 300. The movie is about being prepared to fight to the death to achieve ultimate victory.
If you haven’t seen it , the movie depicts the Greeks defending their home against the overwhelming force and numbers of the Celtics, (I mean Persians) at the Battle of Thermopylae. Its going to take that much blood and the willingness to go down fighting to win the series. The Lakers will have to have the mental toughness to fight to the death.
Long live King Kobe! LAKERS to VICTORY on Sunday. LAKERS fight for every one of the next of your next 144 minutes as if it were your last!
Posted by: Ben | June 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM
We will win tomorrow. We cannot let the C's party on our floor. I still believe!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Laker Phil | June 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
OH, NO!
NOW THEY'RE SAYING IT'S ALL KOBE'S FAULT!
SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!
Posted by: Luigi999 | June 14, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Vman,
Oh no! The conspiracy is still very much ALIVE. Because of the conspiracy everyone thinks the league wants L.A to win..No. In reality they just wanted 3 L.A home games and they got their wish..The ratings have been higher when they play in L.A and the league knew it would happen.
On another note, the league now wants Boston to win so people will forget about the whole conspiracy. In the end, the league got what they could out of the series.
Posted by: zen | June 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
I know how you feel. I would think that Pau and Lamar would be playing like their lives depended on it. Their Laker careers should. Don't be shocked to see a sign and trade involving Shawn Marion for LO this summer.
Lengthening the format of this series to a best of 9 or best of 11 series might give us enough time to erode the Celtics bench down to a manageable number from injury attrition.
Posted by: Laker Kev | June 14, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Got to get to Game Seven. Got to.
Anyone know anything about fire alarms and the Celtics' hotel in Los Angeles? Anyone.
Got to get to Game Seven. Got to.
We can win three in a row against the Celtics. We can. We just have to start clicking.
Unity will win these next two games.
Playing in the moment will win Game Seven.
Let's go.
Time to make history.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 14, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Hello Laker fans. If the Celtics go deep ito their bench due to ijuries and still beat the Lakers at home tomorrow will you then admit the Celtics are the much better team?
Posted by: Bear75233 | June 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Kobe is about Kobe. Is there anyone out here who doesn't think the Lakers would be better if we could magically swap Kobe for LeBron ?
The Lakers won't beat Boston in their own building back to back even if they are lucky enough to win game 5 at home.
I see Boston losing their point guard and starting center to injuries, then Pierce was in foul trouble, then Garnett was in foul trouble, then Posey was in foul trouble, then the Lakers had a 24 point lead and yet Boston won fair and square ( if anything the Lakers have been getting all the calls at home).
Boston is 5 wins and 1 loss against the Lakers this year. They have won in the Staples twice this season.
I'm a 45 year NBA fan and I am telling you Boston IS the better team this year. If these teams played 40 times the Beantowners would win 30+ of the games.
Quite frankly if the Lakers were to come back to win I would be very suspicious. It hurts to say it but it's the truth. If the Lakers win it all I want them to earn it and not be gifted because Kobe is the face of the NBA. I hope the zebras keep out of it.
Posted by: oh please | June 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
passionate laker fan...
That was a joke... right??????????
Posted by: Keifo | June 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Think of the NBA historical impact if the Lakers come back and win...
1. The Lakers win a 15th ring, only one less than the Leprechauns.
2. The Lakers win a 7th game in the Garden. Red will roll over in his grave.
3. PJax surpasses Red and he can light up his cigar in Boston.
4. The Lakers make the biggest comeback in NBA history, especially considering Game 4s collapse.
5. Kobe > Jordan
Funnier things have happened. Don't lose faith.
Posted by: usedtobemagic=goat | June 14, 2008 at 12:51 PM
All I know is that with the season on the line Ray Allen walked by Sasha and went to the basket while Gasol stood there looking like a llama.
Posted by: William | June 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM
No matter whether you win or lose by one or thirty -- no matter whether the winning team led from the opening tip or clawed out from a deep hole -- no matter how inspiring or painful a win or loss is -- the score at the beginning of the next game is zero-zero. Each new game is a new battle. The other team still needs to beat you in order to win. You still need to beat the other team if you want to win.
You carry over to the next game only that which you choose to carry. Kobe once compared a bad game to taking a dump. When you are done, you don't let the results sit around to continue to stink up the place. You flush the toilet.
Friday was our day of mourning. Today we flush, forget the past and renew our focus. Tomorrow we play a new game.
Posted by: In the Zen Master We Trust | June 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM
It's a new day...
A new focus.
A new drive.
A brand new championship.
Let's go!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | June 14, 2008 at 01:03 PM
usedtobemagic=goat,
AWESOME!!!!
It's MIRACULOUS to have you BACK!
The day is truly ours. One of the original bloggers has returned, and with him, the Lakers dynasty!
Yes!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 14, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I still believe. If we win this 5th game the whole pressure will be on the Celtics. a) because game 6 is in Boston b) you do not want to give Kobe the chance to make history in game 7 c) it will be the biggest choke performance of all time.
Posted by: kobeee | June 14, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Hey mamba24
where's the bandwagon?
I think i'm still in time to be included
Lakers in 7!!!
Posted by: MrNano | June 14, 2008 at 01:33 PM
All Celtics Bandwagons:
How many of you Celtics fans on this blog are from Boston? You talk about "Fakers," what about the fact that you were the ones chanting "MVP" for Kobe in the Garden last year? What a short memory we have. You'll never hear that s*** in LA. You are the bandwagon/fairweather fans, not us. Up until this year, the Celtics had been off the radar for over 20 years. Your last championship was in 1986. I don't know how old you all are, but can you honestly say you have been wearing Celtics gear for the past 20 years? Have you been supporting the Celtics on blogs such as this or toherwise prior to this year? The Celtics have been completely irrelevant since the 80s. Gimme a break!!! And they still haven't won anything yet. It takes 4 wins to capture the ring, not 3.
Posted by: | June 14, 2008 at 01:33 PM
In the Zen Master We Trust,
Preach, brother (or sister), PREACH!!!
I remember in 2006, when we beat the Suns in overtime in game 4 to go up 3-1, Mike D'Antoni in his post game press conference said something like "We're gonna pretend that this never happened." And that's what they did. As painful as that loss was for them, they just forgot all about it,went back to work and ended up beating us in 7.
That's what this team needs to do. I think they've learned their lesson that they have to execute and play for all 48 minutes. They need to take this lesson and apply it to every game from here on out. Everything else from game 4, they just need to forget. Forget the second half, forget the disappointment, forget that we're no longer undefeated at Staples, forget the fact that we let them make history on our home court, forget that we are down 3-1, forget the feeling of what the HELL just happened?! Forget all of that, and come Sunday, just go out there and play like you know you are capable of playing.
And if I could give one piece of advice to them, it would be RUN! RUN LIKE YOUR LIVES DEPENDED ON IT! Every time the Celtics miss a shot, rebound the ball and run like hell to try and score in transition before they have a chance to set up their defense. That's what worked in the first half. I forced myself to watch the game again, and in the first half, even if the Celtics scored, someone would immediately grab the ball, throw it inbounds and we were off running again. In the second half, when they scored by the time someone threw the ball inbounds, the Celts had already set up their defense, and we would casually walk the ball up the court. We can't be doing that. Their defense is just too good. Most of our points need to come in transition if we want to beat them. And I believe we can do it. I believe in Phil. I believe in every guy on our team, from Kobe Bryant to Coby Karl. I believe in this team and I know we can beat the Celtics. We've beaten the odds a thousand times this season. We're not about to stop now.
We have three games left in this season, let's make 'em count!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: gokobego | June 14, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Passionate Laker Fan
trade Pau? Thats crazy. He is a forward playing center. Ya he is not a banger but thats not his game. He out played Boozer and held his own against a future hall of famer in Duncan. And his defense on KG another hall of famer has been great. Garnnet is averaging 17 on 39% shooting. Not bad D. Throw in his 10 boards he is getting against him and I would say he is contributing. Ya he is only averaging 14 but its against the defensive player of the year. And aren't Boozer, Duncan and KG the best 3 power forwards in the NBA? Who exactly would you trade him for?
Gasol will thrive next year with Andrew inside,doing the dirty work and Pau at his natural position.
MH
Posted by: michael h | June 14, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Passionate Laker Fan
trade Pau? Thats crazy. He is a forward playing center. Ya he is not a banger but thats not his game. He out played Boozer and held his own against a future hall of famer in Duncan. And his defense on KG another hall of famer has been great. Garnnet is averaging 17 on 39% shooting. Not bad D. Throw in his 10 boards he is getting against him and I would say he is contributing. Ya he is only averaging 14 but its against the defensive player of the year. And aren't Boozer, Duncan and KG the best 3 power forwards in the NBA? Who exactly would you trade him for?
Gasol will thrive next year with Andrew inside,doing the dirty work and Pau at his natural position.
MH
Posted by: michael h | June 14, 2008 at 02:00 PM
After the last loss i was depressed for 2 days i didn't open my computer until today...
All we need to think is this if we win on Sunday all the presure will be on Boston to win game 6, but if they don't and if the lakers can steal it than the choke artists from Boston with all the pressure on them might not play that well in game 7.
All Kobe needs to think is that if I play 3 games of my best ball and win it in game 7 i will forever be remembered as a legend
Posted by: shneurson | June 14, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Game 6...Game 6...Game 6...who doesn't want to see Game 6?
Lakers want Game 6...another playoff game-check, another shot at keeping their season alive, another shot at redemption. They ARE a pretty good team, capable of winning against anyone, anywhere, on any given night.
C's want Game 6, too...another playoff game-check, another frenzied introduction, another Jumbotron montage, more cheers, another chance to perform in front of their own fans.
ABC wants Game 6 REAL BAD. So does Stern.
Celtic fans SHOULD want Game 6, too. If you love your team, and you're passionate about the sport and the competition, WHY start the long, boring off-season so soon? Do you really want to win because a young team got rattled and coughed up a close game? Or have the title wear an asterisk because of the horrendous officiating bias in game 2? Absolutely not! To win an epic battle is sooo much sweeter - any real fan knows this. And if this series goes 7, then nobody on Earth will remember the Gift Of Game Two.
So, the whole world wants the Lakers to win tomorrow!
Come on, people...let's make it happen!
Posted by: karyanr | June 14, 2008 at 02:02 PM
All of the sniping is absolutely ridiculous - all the way from the "fans" to the media (akia Plaschke). No one, and I mean NO ONE thought we would be in the Finals last October - or wait a minute, maybe Plaschke the Oracle did - No? You mean he was wrong? Get out of here. Look people, this team is a year ahead of schedule. If not for Gasol, we would have been first round road kill - at best. Bynum, Gasol and Odom on the front line - that is title material. Let's get back in the moment - I believe in my heart of hearts that we can win 3 in a row. Anyone watching this series knows that we can play with these guys. I still Kobe will find a way - it's his destiny.
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | June 14, 2008 at 02:07 PM
nobody's trading Gasol, he's playing out of position. Odom is the one who should be getting ready to play in a new city. Either that or he suddenly becomes a great 3 point shooter... we can... depend on... yeah, right... otherwise, next year with Bynum at C and Gasol at PF, teams will simply pack the middle and dare us to beat them with 3 pointers.
I did like what I saw from Ariza, I don't know if the Lakers are projecting him as the starter next year or not, either way, he should definitely work on an outside jumpshot during the summer. We should also re-sign Sasha at all costs, yeah, he had a bad game but losing him in the offseason would be devastating... we can move Odom and/or Walton to offset the salary cap costs...
Posted by: TaosHum | June 14, 2008 at 02:13 PM
LAKERS IN SEVEN!!!!!!!!!
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 14, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Pau does look like a Llama doesn't he? Maybe that could be his nickname, The Llama!
With all the soft talk and all the pounding on Pau, you would think everyone would remember that without Pau we're not here.
I remember when Bynum started to catch fire. He was averaging 18 and 10 I think his last stretch of games. Then all of a sudden he went down. Back then we didn't know how serious it was. At first everyone thought he would be back in a month or so.
And then our play started to get worse. We started to lose games. It was obvious we were in big trouble. I don't think there is any doubt we were headed for another 7th or 8th seed and a first round exit from the playoffs, if we even made it to the playoffs.
And bamn! It happened. We had traded for Gasol without anyone getting wind of it. All of a sudden he was headed to LA and started playing within 2 or 3 games. Kobe won a couple of games single handedly he was so happy. And when Gasol started playing it was magic. We started to win, and win, and win. And here we are.
We instantly became the favorites to come out of the west. And we did.
So let's not forget where we were, what happened, and how we got here.
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 14, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Phil,
Please make some adjustments. You lost this last game for us. Don't make the same mistake you made in 2004. It is time for you to grow as a coach.
Bench anyone who takes a three. Start Ariza. Everyone drive to the hole or bench them. Bench Walton. Give Mbenga and Newble some minutes just hack some bodies. Make Gasol dunk. Farmar should be in on the last possession at the end of the first, second and third quarter only. Keep the chronic away from Odom at halftime.
Go Lakers.
Tiki
Posted by: Tiki | June 14, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Here's an odd question?
If the Boston Celtics win the 2008 NBA Championship, doesn't that make it a Lifetime Achievement award for Garnett, Allen and Pierce? Please, that'll be the biggest joke of this season.
If the NBA want to revive a rivalry that has been NON-EXISTENT for 20 YEARS! So be it.
I say give it to them now, 'coz they'll never have that chance again!
And for all Laker fans...
Stop the trade talk! This season IS NOT over yet!
We root for the Lakers ('til the end)! WIN or LOSE!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Happy Gilmore | June 14, 2008 at 02:37 PM
I just finished watching the media access interviews of PJ, Derek, and Kobe (I skipped whatever the Celts had to say)... and the team's sentiments sound and feel a lot like the blogs.
The only game the Lakers can play, and the only game the Lakers can control is game 5.
Kobe said if you came to him in pre-season and gave him three cracks at the title, he'd take that all day.
Kobe then went on to say this is just like in college when you're at the final 8. Just win three more games and the trophy is yours.
There is no quit in this team, and I love that.
Just show up and do what you can to win game 5. We'll worry about the rest later.
Magic=goat.... welcome back!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 14, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Losing your dignity is worse than losing a ring. So go out there and fight, never say die. As my father used to say "Quitters never win and winners never quit!" (I'm sure he didn't make that up but it fits here.)
If I even sense QUIT in the Lakers on Sunday I will turn off the TV because I can't bare to watch the team I love quit on this thing.
Forget about history...3-1 is irrelevant. Only the moment matters and you have to sieze it. Mamba, you said your new number was a reminder to sieze the moment, to live each day and focus on each day. Well, now is your chance to apply that philosophy and lead your team.
Phil, I have to admit I am a bit stunned that you have been outcoached by Rivers (only slightly in my estimation) but still, show us why you have nine rings. Make the right adjustments, focus on your rotations, don't be afraid to burn a timeout when you see Luke blow another layup.
Laker fans (especially those fortunate enough to be at Staples on Sunday) get behind the Lakers and use your energy and emotion to lift them up...chant "DEFENSE" every time Boston has the ball whether we are up by 20 or down by 20...cheer every Laker posession "Let's go Lakers, Let's go!!!"
I smell a Laker win on Sunday and my nose is usually not wrong!
Go Lakers!
I Believe.
Posted by: thedropper | June 14, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Lets face it with Andrew coming back next year, this is the last chance for the Kobe era Lakers to be the underdogs (and we had to go down 3-1 to get to that status), until Lebron is on at team with a good supporting cast. Boston may have put a great team together for this year, but the Lakers assembled a dynasty. We've got to make the most of this one.
Every minute of every game is all fight. Rotate to keep everyone fresh with 100% fight. It will take the whole team to take this. And Never, never, I mean Never give up on yourself, your team, your city for a second of any game and we'll never give up on you. You want direction, you get discouraged, you need to get fired up, you look at Kobe. You don't need any more motivation than that. You fight to the death for every second of 144 and then when its over, and its all over, then and only then, do you take a look at that scoreboard and see what happened. Now Lakers, let's get going.
Posted by: Ben | June 14, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Even Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and the Three Blind Mice can see that the Celtics are the better team. I'm not trying to be rude but you guys are delusional if you think you're taking the next three in a row.
You're 1-6 so far this year against the best defense in the league and don't forget...Garnett was given serious consideration for MVP and he is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. There's nothing wrong with supporting the team you love but please people...open your eyes.
Posted by: banner17 | June 14, 2008 at 03:05 PM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
I CONSIDER THAT LOST TODAY A WAKE UP CALL BECAUSE WE ARE TOO MUCH CONFIDENTS AND ALSO WE ARE PLAYING WITH THE TIME. NO MORE TIME LEFT AND EVERY SIINGLE SECOND OF THE 48 MINUTES IS PRECIOUS FOR OUR TEAM.
IF BOSTON STOLE GAME#4, WE CAN DO BETTER THAN BY WINNING ALL . WE DON'T NEED A REPEAT OF 2004, WE STILL CAN DO IT, WE JUST NEED A HARD MANAGEMENT OF THE GAME.
KOBE, MI VIDA, YOUR MOMENT IS SUNDAY AND I COUNT ON YOU TO SHOW THE WORLD HOW MUCH YOU WANT THAT CHAMPIONSHIP.
PHIL, PLEASE PUT ARIZA EARLY, HE'IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER.
I FORESEE SUNDAY A WNNER DAY FOR US.
LETS THE GOOD VIBE FLOWS IN OUR BLOG AND WE WILL HAVE A GREAT FATHER'S DAY!!
UN BESO PARA LOS PAPAS
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | June 14, 2008 at 03:06 PM
I still believe.
I still believe.
I still believe.
I still believe.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Read my lips... Lakers in 7.
Posted by: Robyn | June 14, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Perkins is most likely out for Game 5, Rondo is hurting, same for Pierce. If they play House, we need to pressure his ass from the moment he gets the ball in the back court - he can't handle the ball. That will totally disrupt their flow. This is like the proverbial stone cutter that Popavich talks about - I'm tellin you folks, eventually that Celtic rock is going to crack into a million pieces. It's coming - BELIEVE IT.
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | June 14, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Funny how most coaches go after players in foul trouble
Funny how most coaches go with their veterans when the going gets tough
Funny how most coaches call time-outs when momentum switches
Funny how most coaches will leave a "hot hand" in the game
Funny how most coaches will take out a player who is not producing
Funny how most coaches counter mismatches in a game
Funny how most coaches (0) don't lose a 24 point lead
Funny how most coaches try to motivate their players
Funny how most coaches play to their strengths
Funny how most coaches don't teach the Triangle Offense
Funny how most coaches coach
Funny how PHIL JACKSON keeps his job
PHIL JACKSON IS NOT A FUNNY GUY
Posted by: Do You See What I See | June 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Do You See What I See
Funny how most coaches don't win 9 world championships.
Scoreboard you Jackass
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | June 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM
"Psychological salvage operation" is a good way to put it. Coming back after a confidence-shattering loss ranges from tough to impossible. IF the players can: 1) focus on the successes they've had, 2) talk to themselves about what they WANT, not what they want to AVOID, and 3) look at game 4 as a learning experience and not as a personal self-fulfilling prophecy of coming attractions, then they have a chance.
Posted by: David Kenward | June 14, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Lincoln Laker
That's original, and the same tired excuse.
Posted by: Do You See What I See | June 14, 2008 at 04:21 PM