Digging in
The Lakers have played a lot of big games, important games, man-it-would-be-super-nice-to-win games this season (the late-season game against the Hornets, Game 5 vs. Utah, and more, for example), but they haven't faced a genuine "must win," the type of game where the season hangs in the balance. Tonight, as the circus that is the NBA Finals opens up at Staples Center, that's exactly what the Lakers are looking at. Given that only three teams in Finals history have climbed out of the same 2-0 hole in which L.A. currently lives, the numbers are already grim. Go down 3-0, and it's time to start penning obits on the season. There is, realistically speaking, officially no margin for error remaining. So on Monday's travel day, the Lakers had to fire up the DVD machines, break down the, um, what's DVD for tape?, and try to figure out what's going wrong. The issues go a lot deeper than questionable Game 2 officiating. There's shot selection, for one. Matching Boston's determination for another. Even noted homer Gail Goodrich detects problems beyond the whistles (bench play, defense, and the need for Lamar Odom to be an impact player, just to name a few).
The Lakers went in the right direction on the boards and with Pau Gasol in Game 2, and the expectation among many is that they, and Kobe, will bounce back strong for the home folk in Game 3. But to make it happen, they'll have to grow up. Fast.
Meanwhile, it's not just the Lakers coming home, but Boston's Paul Pierce, who grew up in Inglewood. He has a good track record playing in front of the "home" crowd, and would love to see that continue.
If you're worried about such things, here are tonight's officials.
While you can complain about the refs not letting the players play, the same can't be said for Staples Center security.
Curt Schilling has questions about Kobe's style, and an interesting post from Bill Bridges at Forum Blue and Gold about Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau.
****
Tuesday June 10, 2008 - The Force is in the House & will make sure the refs. are balanced
Laker Nation make noise tonight so loud that you wake the dead refs. and get us some calls.
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning, Morning Maniacs JohnnyP. Bozz, Toad, Pig Miller, Fearless
JustAnotherMambaFan, Edward Gueco, EastCoastJessie, PsychedLakerGirl, WaterBoy
Edwin Gueco, SemiLakerGirl, LakerTom, Tha_Show, Tim-4-Show, LakeHolic ,Karynar
Welcome: Emmos, StocktonShowtime, Doctor D.
****
I. IT IS WHAT IT IS
What it is , is the Lakers are down 2 games to none. What it also is, is a repeat of how
we beat the Spurs during our dynasty years when we were down 2 games to none
and came back to win the Next 4 in a row. Yeah we got those Celtics right where we
Want them. That is if David Stern will let our team play. If David Stern thinks he will
get away with this crap using his crooked referees He has another thought coming.
Ever heard of the word Subpoena David? You do know there Is a congressional
investigation into sports going on, don’t you David? Un Huh I thought You did.
So I guess we can anticipate not having a freaking Leon Poe having more
free throw Attempts than the entire Laker Team. Right? Yeah.
EVERY GOODBY AINT GONE, EVERY BIG MAN AINT STRONG
EVERY 2 GAME LOSS AINT BAD, WHEN 3 GAMES AT HOME CAN BE HAD
LAKERS IN 6, 4 THE HARD WAY @ The Outlaw
GOT YOU WHERE WE WANT
Two games have passed, what ‘s there to say
The Celtics held serve, they came to play
It’s not as if, this is something brand new
To the Spurs, we also once lost the first two.
But then what happened, we reached real deep
And won four in a row and yes we did sweep.
The Refs. let the Celts, get away with anything
Cause the Celtis are the East Media darlings
Why go to the hole and have to pay the price
When you get no calls from the 3 blind mice.
Now we’re back at home and Celts we say to you
Your @ss is in trouble if that’s the best you can do
You had us down by over 20 points or more
Yet in only 6 minutes we almost tied the score.
You hacked and slapped, yet no fouls were called on you
If we even breathed on your @ss the Refs. Gave you 2.
A Freakin Leon Pow, can get to the line 13 times
Yet the entire Laker team, only get’s there for a dime.
Well this crap is over and this crap is through
If we’re gonna get a foul, your @ss will feel it too.
No more Mr. Nice Guy, you freaking green slime
It is now officially Arizza and Black Mamba time.
You got a punk called the Truth who likes wheelchairs
Well you lying lil creep, when we finish you’ll need medicare
You got a bald headed stringbean called the Big Ticket
At the end of this series his yell won’t be so wicked.
And Doc, Oh Doc your substitutions still stink
When 9Rings finishes with your mind, you’ll need a shrink
Your have a bald headed slime, who dares be call Jesus
God don’t like ugly, that’s why he is with us
This Dynasty can not be stopped nor can it be derailed
At the end of this game you will think you were in Hell
So the “TRUTH” of the matter is your man is a punk
On his @ss all night, the Black Mamba will dunk
Be careful what you ask for TRUTH, I would take care
Or you really might end up needing that freaking wheelchair
And after these 3 games are over and through
Use that Big Ticket to fan, your @ss that’s black & blue
Then the real Jesus will say, Boston Celtics to thee
The way the Lakers whipped your @ss is blasphemy
And one last thing, to show we aint mad at you
You can pick up the @ss we kicked, when the series is through
LOS ANGELES LAKERS, LAKER NATION HEAR MY PLEA!!
HISTORY AWAITS YOU, GOD CONSECRATES YOU.
GO FORTH AND CLAIM WHAT IS ALREADY YOURS.
WHY? BECAUSE WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS
AND ..... IT’S ALREADY DONE!!
LET BE SAID - LET IT BE WRITTEN - LET IT BE ALREADY DONE
Game 3 Next:
ROLLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLL:
AND NOW YOUR STARTING WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION LINEUP:
At small forward # 7 Lamar Odom
At strong forward # 10 Vlad Radmanovic
At center # 16 Pau Gasol
At guard # 2 Derick Fisher
AND AT GUARD THE 2008 MVP , KOBE BRYYYYYYYANNNNNNNNT
(1) Faith, Bob, Keifo, Vman. Jay Jay, CHARLES, Edwin Gueco, TSIRY, Fatty, AngryLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, LakerTruth
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AMAZING HAPPENS, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real,
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You Ever Notice? MARKYTHEARKY, Justin Leonard, Linda Pineda, Kidwell, Mel, AJAX
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
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AA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff Grotke
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EDDIE BROCK, PAUL LEE, Mitchell, DAVID IN SPAIN, J_Doubter, Guy,AFROJOE
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MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, Andy B, HUBBIT, Jamie SWEET, LAKER_LARRY
THE HAMMER Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMAN, TP
Linda Pineda, CaliKing, Thirty2, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08, Mel, J.D. Hastings
Laker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DAXMDD
JHLANNERY, BOCALakerGIRL, Cameron, EMMA, Thomas, LAKAFOO, PurpleMagic
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40YearFan, KillerEight, LOTEC9, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz, LakaLover, Bynumite,
CS, LakerHopeful, Bobie, MARCO64, Drew, PURPLE&GOLD_4EVA, Tajluck, Waterboy
B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, GUGY, Laker4Life, MARTY,
Pince Akrasian, EAGLEBOY, JR., BLKTHGHT06, SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness,
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Hariyahu, Alexinh017, NESTROS BISTRO, LiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, phred, Swettual,
KIKOS DAD, RicoTico, SocalSpider , BigGameJames, LAKERSNZ , Karynanr*
BlingBling, Rob_D, MELOS, Lakers_Heart, SevenFacesOfDrLau Janet, LakerBodhi
JHNLannery, Adrian Palomar, SUPERSA, BH, SAGA, FrancesW, Onaoman, Lent
CHERIE JOHNSON, LAKER_1959, LAKER_HOPEFUL, Dalton, JV, Glenn, T-ROCK
ALL TOGETHER NOW
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES. THE TEAM
WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY. THE ONLY TEAM
WITH 3 HOF COACHES. THE ONLY TEAM TO APPEAR IN THE NBA FINALS IN
EVERY DECADE OF THE NBA'S EXISTENCE. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(8). THE HOME
OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP KOBE BRYANT. THE HOME OF WILT
KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST),
SHAQ, PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY"
GAIL GOODRICH THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN COACHED
BY 9 TIME – SOON TO BE 10 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON &
OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS AND THE
ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Repost:
Big win tonight.
I can smell it, taste it, hear it, see it, feel it, think it, breathe it,
eat it, imagine it, believe it...guarantee it.
Wes
Posted by: | June 10, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Fan: ORIGIN late 19th cent. (originally U.S.): abbreviation of fanatic .
What's been written here in the last few days is sad even to friends of mine in Boston. We've talked about that city's segregation, it's separation of old and new money, the Ivy league clubs and the politics. THe teams are a force that breaks that barrier. You could understand how some could get desperate enough to go postal on a Laker blog. It's a moment in their life they feel important, not invisible in their Celtic jersey.
Sports arguments have reached epic proportions in the last few years. Shouting matches are a daily event on ESPN. No one ever wins and yet we watch.
Umpires, refs, judges are taking an historical beating in this sports age. Their flawed and we all know it. An offensive foul on the road is a charge at home, just ask Shaq. You could call holding on any NFL play. What's a strike? The best double axle? The American Idol?
If Boston wins tonight, all the conspiracy theories are debunked and the ref issue is chalked up to good old fashioned ineptitude. Hard to support a financial conspiracy if it's a sweep. If the Lakers win the next 2, Boston fans will say the same things we've been saying.
Either way, this is a new experience for all of us. We've never been through a Laker championship run on a blog. It's a sad view into the minds of some, but after years on this BLOG, it's heartening to note that eventually, humor, decency and intelligence wins out.
Posted by: Vman | June 10, 2008 at 09:40 AM
No more losses, Lakers. It's time to finish out an amazing season with four straight wins. It's not going to be easy. It might not always be pretty. But it's got to happen. As long as the Lakers win the last game they play this season, I'm going to be a happy, happy man.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 10, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I am not worried at all. 2-0 or even 3-0 isn't insurmountable. Only 4 wins count.
LA will demolish the Keltics tonight in Game 3 at Staples. The hometown reffing will be gone, and that's the only reason the Keltix wonGame 2.
The Lakers showed that when Kobe is allowed to be on the court for morethan 2 minutes, they can easily dominate the Keltics. Expect a hugeLaker blowout tonight and 3 straight Staples wins to take it back toBoston, where LA closes it out.
Posted by: Lakers_Unstoppable | June 10, 2008 at 09:42 AM
That's the roll call I was looking for, Mamba24! Hell yeah!
Lakers in six. Four the hard way!
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 10, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I am not worried at all. The Lakers will show up tonight and win the next three at home and will end it in game six at Boston.
Posted by: vincent | June 10, 2008 at 09:45 AM
From ESPN's Daily Dime:
Courtside Curt's Kobe Watching
Here's a selection of the courtside observations of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who was seated front and center for Game 2 wearing a Larry Bird jersey. An excerpt from his blog:
"This one stunned me a little bit. Who doesn't know Kobe Bryant right? I only know what I have heard, starting awhile back with the entire Shaq debacle. I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on or about him other than to know that people feel he might be one of the 4-5 greatest players to ever lace it up. What I do know is what I got to see up close and hear, was unexpected. From the first tip until about 4 minutes left in the game I saw and heard this guy bitch at his teammates. Every TO he came to the bench pissed, and a few of them he went to other guys and yelled about something they weren't doing, or something they did wrong. No dialog about "hey let's go, let's get after it" or whatever. He spent the better part of 3.5 quarters pissed off and ranting at the non-execution or lack of, of his team.
"...as a fan I was watching the whole thing, Kobe, his teammates and then the after-effects of conversations. He'd yell at someone, make a point, or send a message, turn and walk away, and more than once the person on the other end would roll eyes or give a 'whatever dude' look."
=====
This, if true, is the truly sad part of these Finals so far - that the Kobe we knew through this amazing turnaround season has reverted form to the Kobe that demoralizes teammates and disrupts team unity. We can't expect to win a single game unless Kobe can bring this team together.
Posted by: cs | June 10, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Sure does feel good to be home tonight.
Has anyone besides me and the Lakers felt "out of sorts" starting on the right coast?
I mean for 2 games straight I haven't been able to find the sweet spot on my sofa, think about what the guys are feeling.
Tonight's the night we find our groove.
Posted by: Chick4Ever | June 10, 2008 at 09:47 AM
The key to Laker victory is simple: Physical Ball. I think we need to take a page out of the Celtic playbook of yesteryear and put some of our expendable bigs (Mihn, Mbenga) in the game when the Celts are ralying and have them commit some hard - but clean - fouls. I'm not talking about a Flagrant 2's or expulsion fouls, but borderline flagrant 1's. The Celts are walking all over this team and a message has to be sent.
As a fan I am tired of watching our Lakers get out-muscled. It's do or die time, if we are going to go down, its better to go down swinging than crying.
Posted by: MannyP | June 10, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Wes:"Big win tonight. I can smell it, taste it, hear it, see it, feel it, think it, breathe it, eat it, imagine it,
believe it...guarantee it. "
WHAT THE HEART CAN BELIEVE AND THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE AND THE LAKERS CAN ACHEIVE!!
I SMELL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!
VMAN:"t's a sad view into the minds of some, but after years on this BLOG, it's heartening to note that
eventually, humor, decency and intelligence wins out."
Don't forget TRUTH JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY!
Posted by: | June 10, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Vman,
Excellent post.
Mamba24,
Love it.
4 the hard way!
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Salvatore. Hmmm....
Sounds a little too "Godfather II" for my comfort zone.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 09:58 AM
interesting entry at fb&g:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/06/09/the-dark-lord/
Posted by: mel | June 10, 2008 at 09:58 AM
We're screwed. Crawford is working the game tonight.
Posted by: Absolute Truth | June 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Nice to see a roll call to start out today's blog...cheers to you mamba24! Beats Troll 8 days a week.
Today, i'm looking for Lamar to channel BIG GAME JAMES and explode on the Celt's frontcourt. I'm talking triple double numbers and a strong assertion of MANHOOD in the paint.
Never been more pumped for a game...Coming home to LA in a do or die. Full volume, drinks poured, steak grilled, big screen, ready to yell. At 6pm PST we will show the pundits that LA is for real and still in this series. Shut up the trolls, shut up Shilling, shut up the eastern seaboard, shut up the media, shut up colorado, shut up sacramento, SHUT UP THE HATERS.
The time is now. SHOWTIME BABY!!!
cheers,
Chick Penberthy
Posted by: chick penberthy | June 10, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Welcome to the blog Doctor D of Galicia, Spain
Doctor D,
"Nuff said, sorry for my english it isn´t my first languaje :D"
Doctor D, you have a beautiful country too, with your Plaza Mayor, huge Cathedrals, Costa del Sol and modern Barcelona. You are always welcome in California and you don't have to know perfect english to go around California, because California is the world itself. All nationalities on earth are fully represented in California.
Thank you for being a Laker fan, we need the prayers of Spain & Portugal to give Gasol the inspiration to have that Catalan grit, courage and endurance to strike back at these Celtics. He has been mocked, denigraded for too long, branded as soft and tardy, it's time for him to defend the pride of Catalan, from your royal blood of ancestry, Fernando and Isabela, famous Catalan people from Gaudi to Daly, to Picasso, to Montaner, to Miro. What is at stake in the next three games are not the NBA Finals alone but the pride of every Euros playing on these team: from Gasol, Turiaf, Vujacic, Radmanovic and Mbenga (adopted by Belgians), this is the time for all the Euros to rise up and show these East Coast arrogant press and rude Celtics the brand of Euro basketball. Gasol is not a soft Matador, he is just on the level, a professional just like the song:
"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
Once again, where does it rain?
Kobe on the plain!
Fisher on the plain!
Vlady on the plain!
Sasha on the plain!
And where is that blasted plain?
That plain will be the Celtic pain."
Today, Matador Gasol will be the Celtics pain.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 10, 2008 at 10:02 AM
It's time to kick some Celtic A$$!
Posted by: ajax | June 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
JON K, WE WANT THE BIO-CHRONO'S AND WE WANT THEM NOW!!!
BIOCHRONO, BIOCHRONO CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 10, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I need to jump in for a little gameday Lakerblog karma.
I'm with those who think we've been jobbed by the officiating in this series, and I don't think it has been an accident.
This is a must win situation tonight. I will be at the edge of my seat with a beer and bad intentions for anything Celtic. I sincerely hate the Celtics, just like the good old days.
Go Lakers!
F the Celtics!
MF the Referee's!
And for good measure;
F the Patriots!
F all of New England for that matter!
Let's do this Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | June 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Go to hell, David Stern, the most shrud businessman ever
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
*_______________________________*
Coop for Defensive Coach Bandwagon
*_______________________________*
(01) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Boycott NBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boycott NBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Death to David Stern!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Pfunk36 is so right.
Why in the world is Mr. supposedly HIGH BASKETBALL IQ, I guess because there is nothing else complementary you can say about Luke Walton on the court so much??
He can't take Vlad Rad's job which is pathetic.
He turns the ball over with risky passes over and over again and it don't matter how critical the time in the game is.
He just does his "really cool dude" thing.
How come Chris Mihm can be begged to sign with us and not play the PJ Brown role when he is healthy?
What a waste?
No trust in the bigs we have then why have them.
The Lakers never stockpile REAL BIGS with manly qualities like REBOUNDING, SHOT BLOCKING, STRONG PRESENCE IN THE POST.
We get these flakes or projects like
DJ Mbenga and Chris Mihm.
Posted by: Lakerbake | June 10, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I don't know what to say really.
8 hours to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen believe me
and we can stay here and get the sh*t kicked out of us
or we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch at a time.
Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is basketball.
Because in either game, life or basketball
The margin for error is so small.
One half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because I am still willing to fight and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.
Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.
That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's basketball guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 10, 2008 at 10:10 AM
The only way for this season.
4 the hard way!
Posted by: Charles | June 06, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
No need to watch first 4 games. They are 100% fixed by go-to-hell David Stern
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
We all spent a whole summer 2007 bitchin about this team. Kobe bitched too.
It's time to seize the moment.
There is no TOMORROW!!
Damn how bright the future looks, get this thing NOW. We have more than enough resources. The best player on the planet and much more but we/he gotta back up that notion.
Ronny Turiaf needs to play more like Paul Milsap and get near the basket to finish with those YOUNG LEGS.
It's time to MAN UP TONIGHT, everybody!
No more of this soft ass EURO friendly ball.
LAMAR ODOM you are from NYC, show your grit!!
KOBE YOU ARE AN AMERICAN from PHILLY not a EURO from ITALY. We play strong here in the states, we don't just fire jump shots from everywhere and anywhere on the perimeter.
LET's BALL and go the rack.
There are RINGS for the LAKERNATION sitting on those RIMS.
If we go to that RIM and take that good ole 1980s pounding as we claim what's ours.
We gone win the SHIP!!
You heard it hear first.
Posted by: Lakerbake | June 10, 2008 at 10:12 AM
If you take away the free throws from game 2, the Lakers win by 17 points.
I say Lakers win the next three games by 20 points.
Go Lakers!
Tiki
Posted by: Tiki | June 10, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Hell yeah, tonight the Lake Show returns!
Lakers have too much pride and game to roll over. Especially after getting hated on by all the media.
My prediction:
Lakers will get back to that crisp ball movement, Tri-A offense along with a steady diet of Pick & rolls.
Gasol will again attack their bigs and feed Odom for some dunks.
Kobe will score 35 along with 10 assists. He's gonna be aggressive from the get go, while setting up teammates.
We finally get a good game from the Bench Mob.
Final Score: LA 105 - Bos 96
Posted by: Ice | June 10, 2008 at 10:17 AM
gotta have it
must win
we believe
i'm ready
(abbreviated sentences for dramatic effect...effective, eh?)
Posted by: CBuck | June 10, 2008 at 10:17 AM
All season tickets holders, let us boycott the NBA games!!!!!!!!
Go to hell of the stupid, moron, shrewd David Stern
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:20 AM
If you take away the free throws from game 2, the Lakers win by 17 points.
I say Lakers win the next three games by 20 points.
Go Lakers!
Tiki
Posted by: Tiki | June 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
AMAZING HAPPENS:"That's a team, gentlemen and either we heal now, as a team, or we will
die as individuals. That's basketball guys. That's all it is. Now, whattaya gonna do?
D@MMMMNNNNNN!!! OUT FREAKING STANDING!!!! POST OF THE WEEK!!! CHARGEEEEEEEE!!!!
THAT WAS FREAKING INSPIRING!!!! OOOH WEEEEE!!!! I'M PUMPED NOW!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Believe it or not, even sending all the subs in tonight's game, Lakers will still win. It is fixed by moron David Stern.
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:29 AM
All Lakers game attendents, get your tickets refunded. No need to waste your money there. The game is fixed.
Posted by: Jack Nickolson | June 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Curt Schilling's blog post was definitely a bit disappointing. Understandable, but disappointing. Kobe is on the brink of winning his first title without Shaq and his fourth overall, cementing his legacy and capping an unbelievable season. Knowing that this may be slipping away from him could make even the most greatest of individuals give in to their more primal urges.
Let's hope he realizes that he shouldn't undo the great leadership he's shown this year. The guys need Kobe to bring them together more than ever.
Posted by: Xodus | June 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
OK, so what we have here is a lakers team that cannot beat the Celtics with either byenumb or Ga-Shawl. At least, that's what the 0-4 record proves this season.
And now, the lakers need to suddenly turn things all the way around and go no worse than 4-1 in the next 5 games?
Ok.....
It bears repeating: the lakers should not be rewarded for their gimme from Memphis by cruising to a title. The lakers team needs to get there like the rest, by EARNING it.
The Celts were also given a nice gift, but let's remember, they actually gave up something in return, AL Jefferson, one of the best post-up bigs in the league.
Justice is sweet.
The SUNS and Celts sure would have made for a competitive Finals...
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Where the hell is Toad?
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I´m a believer... go lakers!!!
Posted by: DC | June 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
The best playa in this series so far?
Paul Pierce, then KG, then Ray Allen, then Leon Powe, then maybe kobee.
Ray Allen will have the last laugh if the Celts manage to go 2-3 the rest of the way! kobee doesn't belong on the same court with him, methinks.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Quote of the Day from Lamar Odom: "These guys drive the ball to the hole pretty hard, and they get the whistle. Maybe we have to attack the basket with the same aggressiveness."
Gee, Lamar. Are you sure about that? Is that really a "maybe."
All the resoluteness expressed here on the blog is for nought if that's the best we can get from one of our "Big 3."
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 10, 2008 at 10:39 AM
It's now or never time. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Jesterguru | June 10, 2008 at 10:43 AM
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 10, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Yesssss....game day!
No offense but I'm so glad the Lakers are back in L.A. We need to get into a nice flow and show these &*%4#@ who their messing with.
On a totally unrelated note...I had the pleasure of seeing what seemed like a very familiar face outside my office. This guy looked just like Pau Gasol. Turns out, it was his brother Marc leaving the hotel with a lady who liked like their mother. Let me tell you, this man is MASSIVE.
I won't lie, I'm about 5'3" on a good day but I was seriously looking at the guys middle area. He seemed very wide and husky too...not like Pau who's way too skinny. Any way we can get Pau to convince Marc to come back to the Lakers? This guy was impressive and he just led his team to a championship. Heck, I've seen KG in person and Marc could seriously whoop his a*&.
No more losses from here on out. Lakers in 6!!!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 10, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Amazing_Happens - LakerBake
Do that!!!
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Just think...a laker loss tonite and LA goes down 0-3.
One thing about the lakers relying on their offense to win games, their offense can be stopped.
One thing about the Celtics relying on D and rebounding to win games, they can always play good D and rebound.
Defense wins titles!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM
People, People! You gone believe a quote by a
Curt Freaking Shilling of the BOSTON Red Sox. Can't you
recognize a psyche job when you see one! Damn!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM
MAMBA24,
Okay, quick Bio-Chrono reading. I've got to get back to work.
The Bio-Chrono Reading for Game Three of the NBA Playoffs:
These processes are most affected, positively and negatively.
Physical: The emotional experience of the physical experience. Thus, the best way to positively stimulate the physical is to play with joy, pleasure and a sense of fun. The best way to negatively impead the physical is to instill pain and hurt into the way one plays.
Emotional: The mental experience of the emotional. Thus, the best way to positively stimulate the emotional is the play with a feeling of trust and relaxation, especially with taking risks with one's own abilities and the abilities of one's teammates. The best way to negatively impead the emotional is to instill a feeling of distrust, tension, suspicion, and hesitation between teammates and regarding one's own decision-making.
Mental: The spiritual/creative experience of the mental. Thus, the best way to positively stimulate the mental is to instill a sense of team unity, togetherness, shared creative potential, teamwork, and creativity. The best way to negatively impead the mental is to instill group conflict, separation of ideals, gossip, and selfishness within a group.
Spiritual/Creative: The physical experience of the spiritual/creative. Thus, the best pay to simulate creativity can be summed up by the phrase "Just Do It." Commit. Produce. Create on a play-by-play basis. Keep one's focus on the actions of the moment. Focus on acheiving real-world results; nothing else. The best way to negatively impead the creative is to promote multi-tasking, a focus on something other than what is happening in the moment, be distracting, and upset the natural flow of the game in the moment. In short, if we want to upset the creative ability of the Celtics, we need to play defense.
Note: We have been in this creative cycle for the whole Finals so far and the Celtics have used it to their advantage. Upset the flow of the game when on defense and it will create extra difficulties for the opposing offense. Create a natural flow to the game within a possession by possession focus, and it will create additional opportunities (than if we weren't in this cycle) for that offense and greater difficulties for the defense. That's what's happening right now.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Tsphere,
Great post, Thelonious. I generally agree with your version of the “conspiracy” theory although I do believe that certain individual referee’s biases against Kobe also contribute to the disparity in calls that the Lakers got in the first two games. That’s why we see the phenomenon of the Lakers often not receiving the same level of home court edge that other teams receive. I am hoping dearly that that will not be the case the next 3 games.
What really pisses me off, though, is that Kobe is definitely not getting the respect he should from the zebras as a veteran superstar and reigning MVP. I watched every game of Michael Jordan’s six championships and there was never a situation where MJ was disrespected to the extent that Kobe has by the refs in this and the San Antonio series. Hell, Kobe doesn’t even garner the same respect that Leon Powe, who shot twice as many free throws as Kobe and 3 more than the entire Lakers team.
I still have not seen a single source to refute my assertion that the 19 to 2 first half and 38 to 10 game disparity in foul shots was the most lopsided in the history of the NBA Finals. Even the Celtic fans digging out comparisons from the ShowTime era or the Russell era cannot find a greater discrepancy in the number of free throws awarded two teams. What really adds insult to the situation is Stern sitting in the stands smiling at all the attention the Lakers-Celtics Finals are receiving and gloating at the prospect of a long series.
I have only seen one writer raise the question of whether the Celtics are more motivated than the Lakers because their players are older and know that they have fewer shots at winning a championship and may even be consciously aware that, with Bynum returning next year, this year may be their best and last opportunity to grab a ring, which is what the Celtics Big3 desperately need to salvage their championship-lacking careers.
The season is on the cusp of great accomplishment and the first two games have raised serious concern whether the Lakers without Andrew Bynum have enough size and physicality to handle Boston’s front line. For sure, the Lakers without Bynum cannot hold their own if the refs continue to give the Celtics every break. The challenge is there, however, and Kobe needs to step it up big in the next 3 games or Paul Pierce is going to steal his Finals MVP award and the Lakers will have to wait until next year.
Look for the Lakers to crush the Celtics tonight to restore order in the universe and for Kobe to post 40 points and a triple-double. Time to put these clowns down.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 10, 2008 at 10:51 AM