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.
Charles,
Where the hell IS Toad?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 10:51 AM
i hope the staples center crowd gets into it...and boo those celtics
Posted by: Maple | June 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Curt Schilling's comments are the truth - kobee is a bad sport, a poor teammate, and definitely not a leader.
Who would want to play for this infant? PJ certainly admitted he didn't want to coach Mr. All About ME!
Look at KG, on the other hand - a class act who also happens to be a terminator on the court.
Bottom line: kobee is a flawed athlete. Skill is only part of the game - the important part is in your head. And kobee just ain't got it!
SHACK, on the other hand, does have "it."
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
One more Bio-Chrono note...
Remember Game Two's near unbelievable Lakers comeback? The reason that was possible was because of the creative cycle we're in. The Lakers created flow and the flow was greatly enhanced by the cycle we're in, thus producing more results than would happen at another time.
Remember the huge deficit the Lakers fell into before the near comeback? That happen for two reason the referees and Celtics defense upset the Lakers' ability to create flow. As a result, in this cycle, it produced even more detrimental effects than would normally happen. That's why we fell so far behind.
Remember how the Lakers were playing and winning in the first half against the Celtics, and then Paul Pierce got hurt dramatically and then came back dramatically and the Lakers game went to crap? The infamous "Paul Pierce Incident" upset the Lakers flow and enhanced the Celtics flow and we now know the results of that.
Creating and disrupting flow is the key to tonight's game.
Flow.
Flow.
Flow.
FLOW LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
WE IN LAKER NATION WELCOME HOME PAUL PIERCE!
Paul Pierce, the local boy wonder, now returns to Inglewood to show his many friends and family just who is the best playa in this series.
kobee cannot stop Pierce! No one on the lakers can stop this superstar, as a matter of fact. He is too strong, too heady, too dang good.
Pierce threw down 41 pts on LeBrawn, so one expects that he is capable of a 55 pt game vs. kobee. It would be his masterpiece, the game of his career. Do you think he ain't pumped for tonite?
WELCOME HOME PAUL PIERCE!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Xodus,
Curt Schilling is boston celtic fan. That is a leprechaun talk we've heard since time immemorial.
Let's focus on the Lakers on today.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Growing up has to start with the team's best player. Bryant has been in the league for 12 seasons, yet from how he's played the first 2 games, particularly early in games, he appears to have regressed and is gunning more. It should be obvious to the Lakers and most importantly to Bryant that the Celts are forcing him to be a jumpshooter... and he's OBLIGING them! Kobe, you're the league MVP and of this team. The team will win or lose with you leading it, but for crying out loud please do not play into the hands of the Celtics!!! If the lanes aren't open for you to drive, don't just shoot fadeaway jumbers!!! Either act as a decoy so your teammates can try to make plays or give up the ball altogether (but not when you've dribbled down the clock and there's two ticks left). The team was successful when the ball was passed around, right?
Phil should play Ariza more instead of Walton and should coach the team especially his only big man off the bench - Turiaf- to not be overly aggressive and pick up cheap fouls. I mean this guy plays 2 minutes and he's already in foul trouble. The Lakers were not able to make sustained runs because they found themselves in the penalty early in quarters.
Other than that, the Lakers are good and will win the next three home games and one in Boston. Yeah, I wish!
Posted by: ecat124 | June 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM
BUTLER,
Speak for yourself, you are NOT part of Laker Nation. Now go play in the traffic or something.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 10, 2008 at 11:10 AM
GAME ON!
Ecclesiastes 9:11
"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."
Paul Pierce SWIFTLY ran back onto the court after hurting (???) his knee to take Game 1.
The Celtics towered over us with their STRENGTH in Game 2.
But the race ain't over.
The entire sports world is marvelling over their SWIFTNESS AND STRENGTH.
But Denver was swift.
Utah was strong.
San Antonio was both.
But the race ain't over.
The oddsmakers say that it's almost impossible for a team to overcome a 2-0 defecit. Dwayne Wade & Shaq have something to say to the oddsmakers.
Last year, those same oddsmakers had Kobe clearing out his locker and skipping out on practice waiting to hear that he had been traded. 3 letters silenced their mockery: M V P.
They said we wouldn't be here, but here we are.
They said we'd be 8th seed at best in the Playoffs, but here we are.
They say so many things about us - AGAINST US. The oddsmakers predict. Sports writers analyze. Trolls mock.
But here we are. 3 games to play at Staples Center.
The question isn't CAN we win 3 in a row.
The question is, WHY WON'T WE?
The answer? I can't find one.
We've spent all year overcoming the odds. We've faced adversity before. The naysayers, playa-haters and trolls have had their say.
IT'S OUR TURN.
IT'S OUR TIME.
IT'S OUR CHANCE!
LET US PRAY...
Dear Lord, we come to You, admittedly, with fear in our hearts. We have seen the results of Games 1 & 2 and some of us have concluded that there's NO WAY we can overcome this. But others of us - in our own individual lives - have seen You work on our behalf to make a WAY OUT OF NO WAY! So we praise You NOW - for You will indeed MAKE A WAY OUT OF NO WAY!
We praise You, for You will tilt the scales which are out of balance. We praise You, for You will level the plains. We praise You, for You will even the score. We praise You, for the same voices who have mocked and scorned us will visit us on Friday morning confused and confounded, wondering how a 2-0 series became a 2-2 series with ALL THE MOMENTUM SHIFTING INTO LA'S FAVOR.
Lord, there are several weapons set against our Los Angeles Lakers. Boston's defense, our lack of high-powered offense, referees who are not fairly calling games, and, yes, even a slight hint of behind the scenes manipulation by the NBA powers that be. But You delcared that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We stand on that today. We trust You to call the game correctly!
We trust You to enable Phil and the coaching staff to accurately and precisely find the key to unravelling Boston's defense.
We trust You to awaken the sleeping giant that is Kobe Bryant to post MVP caliber skill, numbers and gamesmanship for the next 4 games. We trust You to lead and guide him. We trust You to give him the insight to discern this game as he has done against our previous opponents in the Playoffs. We trust You to let him find that missing key, that equalizer, that thing that will enable Kobe to take over games as he's done game after game all year long.
We trust that You will speak to LO's spirit to remind him of what he declared last month: that THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BASKETBALL GAMES OF HIS LIFE!
We trust that You will emblazen Pau Gasol's spirit that he will TAKE HIS GAME! We trust that You will remind him that, just as Utah and SA didn't give him anything, neither will Boston...and neither will the NBA referees. Just as the Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent have been called to take it by force, we trust that Gasol will know that he - along with the entire team - must take these games and THEIR RIGHTFUL NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BY FORCE!
We trust You to keep D-Fish out of unjust and unwarranted foul trouble. He has made You his rock, his shield and he has called You his healer on behalf of his little girl. We trust that You will reward his faith and trust in You with 4 games of shots falling like rain from the Heavens, free throws that gracefully swish, and defensive prowess that will stifle the best efforts of Rondo & Cassell.
We trust You to RESTORE THE GLORY of The Bench Mob. We thank You for Sasha's FEARLESSNESS. May his FEARLESS game be contagious and spread completely to his teammates. We trust that, just as You revived Ronny Turiaf's heart, life and spirit all those years ago, You will show the world why we have blessed Ronny with the nickname BRAVEHEART! We trust that You will restore Vlad Rad & Luke's confidence. We trust that You will give Jordan Farmar the insight to know when to slash and when to hit the open 3. And we trust that You will RESTORE the power of Trevor Ariza's offense and REAWAKEN to power of his defense.
We trust You to comfort Boston and their fans as they recover from tonight's loss. We trust You to expose Tom Thibodeau's unjust defensive tactics and that fouls WILL BE CALLED WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CALLED AT ALL TIMES! We trust You to enable them to play fairly and with sportsmanship on the court.
And, finally, we TRUST YOU TO GRANT LAKER NATION - specifically LA TIMES LAKERS BLOG - a spirit of UNITY AND ONE ACCORD today and at every game hereafter. Convict the hearts of those who walk in fear. Challenge those who criticize our brothers while on the court. Strengthen our faith. Enable us to boldy identify, wound and starve every troll who taunts us and mocks us. We even pray Your mercy upon Butler, for he knows not what he does - that You declare that every word spoken against us in judgement, YOU WILL CONDEMN!
We have been here before. We have overcome the adversity before - we shall do it again! Thank You always for being God of our lives and for answered prayers. Do Your work one more time - prove to the world that the Los Angeles Lakers belong on THIS STAGE, AT THIS MOMENT, AT THIS TIME. OUR SEASON - OUR VICTORY - OUR CHAMPIONSHIP - GUIDED BY YOUR GREAT AND SKILLFUL HAND!
AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
One final Bio-Chrono note for tonight's game...
If the crowd is really into it and continuously gives their support for the Lakers, showing a sense of TRUST in the Lakers with their energy and excitement, it will give the Lakers a significant emotional boost.
Since the physical cycle is emotionally orientated at the moment, that emotional boost will result in the boost of physical energy as well.
Since the creative cycle is physically orientated at the moment that secondary physical boost will also result in a boost of creative energy as well.
Since the mental cycle is creatively orientated at the moment that terieary (sp?) creative boost will also result in a boost of mental energy as well.
So...
In short, the crowd better get into it tonight and stay into it tonight because tonight's Bio-Chrono cycle means that it will have a BIG impact upon the game and the quality of the Lakers play.
Show TRUST with enthusiasm.
It's a big deal.
GO LAKER NATION!
FLOW, LAKERS! FLOW!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Edwin,
Yeah, you're right. Can't let old bloody sock get in our way.
Posted by: Xodus | June 10, 2008 at 11:15 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
BONSOIR GUYS,
I STILL BELIEVE OUR TEAM CAN MAKE IT. THE PLAYERS NEED TO SHOW THEY ARE MORE HUNGRY THAN THOSE CELTICS BY ATTACKING THEM FROM START TO FINISH. WE CANNOT PLAY SOFT WITH THEM, IT'S TIME TO APPLY THE REASON WE ARE AT THE FINAL SINCE THE TRAINING CAMP. WE CAN DO IT.
ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK= AGGRESSIVENESS AND DEFENSE= WIN#1
NO TIME TO WASTE, IT'S CRAZY TIME TO DRIVE US TO THE O'BRIEN TROPHY
ATTACK, DEFENSE, ATTACK, DEFENSE, ATTACK, DEFENSE=4MORE WINS PERIOD.
BISOUS A TODOS
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | June 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM
BUTLER:
#1 Shilling was on the juice and his socks were not bloody.
#2 Yes, Pierce is having a better series than Kobe. Nice of you to point out the obvious.
#3 Gasol as a great gift. But the better steals - err, i mean gift - came courtesy of your pal in Minnessota. Your argument that Al Jefferson was a good trade is as flawed as arguing that giving up Javaris was a fair trade. Face it - the Celts are as guilty as you claim the Lakers are. Oh, and don't forget about Cassel. Sure, he's been a bust up to the previous round, but it's strangely convenient how he started to have problems with the Clips just at the same time that the Celts needed a backup PG.
#4 The reigning MVP does not belong in the same court as Allen? Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha! Two bad games don't erase a whole year. Dude, you make some good points but they get lost in the rest of the bull you throw up here.
#5 Two games have been played and up to five more remain to be played. Don't forget that.
#6 The Suns do match up better with the Celtics in the paint. No surpise there. But they got eliminated by the Spurs. You may have been asleep during that series (I don't blame you, watching TD play can put you to sleep). Oh, and the Lakers beat the Spurs by the way.
#7 As you have previously stated, the officiating has played a part in the whole playoffs. Sometimes the Lakers have benefited, other times they have not. Still, this should not be the case. These guys need to be consistant and fair.
#8 I admit it. I don't like the Laker's chances. However, I am still a Laker fan and will always support them. This is called "loyalty". Look it up in a dictionary.
Posted by: MannyP | June 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM
One more thing...
A reinterpretation of one of my favorite movie scenes EVER - the 1989 baseball classic "Major League".
PJ: Gentlemen, it has been revealed that the NBA powers that be intentionally lured us into the NBA Finals by enabling us to sweep past Denver, fight past Utah, and shock San Antonio. Their real intention, was to lead us into a series against the Celtics. They have been instructed to call fouls every time we touch them, to ignore the constant slaps when we go into the paint, and to grant the Celtics as many free throws as they wish. They're doing this to get top TV ratings and to make the Eastern Conference look like the dominant conference in the league. At any cost. By any means necessary. Then, once Boston wins the championship, you will be dismissed as flukes, flunkies, has beens and never weres and eventually traded to lesser teams.
Kobe: I guess there's only one thing for us to do then
LO; What's that?
Kobe: Win the Whole. ****ing. Thing.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Let's see if our Lakers can turn this around like the Heat did in 2006. If you look at the 2006 finals it is oddly similar to this one. The Heat were swept by the Mavericks in the regular season. Lost by ten in the first game and got blown out in the second. They barely eeked out a win in Game 3 (which is what I see happening tonight, a very close game to the end with a Lakers win and thus gaining momentum). Then the Heat just took that momentum and took off to win the champioship. Kobe will have to break out and be a little bit selfish like Wade was...just dissect the defense apart. Any Laker fans who want hope just youtube the 2006 nba finals and see how similar this series is to that one. Hopefully, Phil is showing some highlights from that finals to the players. Our Lakers are facing a difficult challenge but it is not impossible....I have hope.
Peace,
MichiganLaker
Posted by: MichiganLaker | June 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Good column at Forum Blue and Gold analyzing some of the defensive techniques and game plans being used by the Celtics. The author consistently does very good analysis. Unfortunately for some of you, this takes away from the incredibly valid conspiracy theories you want to use to explain the losses.
http://tinyurl.com/5nu83f
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 10, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hey Staples, boo that freaking actor everytime he gets the ball! Don't stop until we lead the series 3-2.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Tsiry | June 10, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Jon K:"Okay, quick Bio-Chrono reading. I've got to get back to work."
Thank you my brother. Very informative.
EASTCOASTJESSIE"We need to get into a nice flow and show these &*%4#@ who their messing with."
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT MY LATINA PRINCESS!
LAKER TOM Great post!!
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
LOL, HAVE NO FEAR RICK, LO MAY BE A LIL SCATTERBRAIN BUT TONIGHT LO WILL KICK @SS.
Posted by: mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Boston is tough at home.
But LA is the only undefeated team at home in the playoffs!
May the streak continue!
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 10, 2008 at 11:27 AM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
Trust.
Amen.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 10, 2008 at 11:27 AM
AMEN We have been here before. We have overcome the adversity before - we shall do it again!!!!!
MAGNIFICENT!!! LET IT BE SAID, LET IT BE WRITTEN, LET IT BE ALREADY DONE!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM
i like how the boston fans recognize the calls were really unfair for the lakers...
"early in the 2nd game Kobe, not my favorite rapist, was being mauled by the C's and got nary a call. Leon was at the line all night. We know that will be reversed in LA, Pierce will get mauled and not a call his way."
"I hate the Lakers a lot. It looked like the refs did also that last game. Good bye Lakers. I don't care how you go. The NBA has chosen Boston to be kings this year. It has been decided."
Posted by: peter | June 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM
utzworld:
"The Lord shalt not reward the ill-tempered man (#24) with a title when he does not deserveth. The talented man must first learn the error of his ways. Only when he treats his mates with kindness, understanding, love and respect will his day come."
"Until then, the titles shalt go to the just and strong-willed. To those who hold their teammates in high regard and learn to work from within the team, not from above it."
BUTLER 2:40
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Turn it up!
http://tinyurl.com/yzo3qc
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 11:34 AM
There is no way we are going to win the next four straight games after losing the last 4 against this team, i might sound like i am losing hope and thats because i have. I have read nothing about these finals, and will return next year when we have Bynum back in the paint, it was a great season and i thank the team for giving us the chance to hope again, but i dont believe we have a chance to come back. See you all next season!!!!!!!!! I hope they prove me wrong.
Posted by: RIZZO | June 10, 2008 at 11:34 AM
The thing I found funny about Curt Schilling's post (other
than the obvious homerism) is that I haven't heard 1
other person/pro athlete saying those same things about
Kobe during games this whole season. Curt most
certainly isn't the only person that has sat next to the
Lakers bench during a game but is the 1st one I've heard
question Kobe's leadership tactics or abilities. I can't
stand Curt Schilling so I'm probably just trying to find a
negative, but I just thought it was funny coming from his
1st perspective at courtside when there's people evey
game next tot he Lakers huddle and not once all year
have I hear those allegations against Kobe.
Posted by: rob | June 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
We better come out strong tonight right from the start !!!!!
Last game we had to win was Game 5 of the San Antonio series and went down 17.
We can not afford to do it today.
GO LAKERS !!!!
Posted by: novolakers | June 10, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Mamba24 - I must credit that speech to the writers of "Any Given Sunday". Al Pacino played the coach. I just substituted basketball for football, and got rid of some expletives. Still, a stirring speech.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 10, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Can't wait to see the faces of the Celtics when they lose.
Posted by: ajax | June 10, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Great roll call Mamba24, glad to see all the Laker fans representing!
Its good to be back at home!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | June 10, 2008 at 11:48 AM
We win ONE game and you will see , the series will turn around !
How many of us believed Miami would win after they lost first two by double digits and were by 10 with 4 min to go in Game 3 ?
Go Lakers !!!
Posted by: novolakers | June 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Tonight:
No complaining about the refs.
No complaining TO the refs.
No weak finishes around the rim.
No scrambling to shoot before the clock expires.
No one-on-one basketball.
Take the ball at the Massholes.
Get back on D, no matter what.
Dunk the ball with ferocity.
Run the offense.
Move the ball.
Win the game.
Lakers in six. Four the hard way.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 10, 2008 at 11:50 AM
AMAZING HAPPENS STILL ONE HELL OF A SPEECH!
RIZZON"See you all next season!!!!!!!!! I hope they prove me wrong."
OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH, IF YOU HAD BUT THE FAITH OF
A MUSTARD SEED YOU COULD PERFORM MIRACLES.
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED. I GO TO
PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LAKER VICTORY PARADE.
IF IT WERE NOT SO DO YOU NOT THINK I WOULD TELL
YOU.
Posted by: mAMBA24 | June 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM
utzworld,
"Gentlemen, it has been revealed that the NBA powers that be intentionally lured us into the NBA Finals by enabling us to sweep past Denver, fight past Utah, and shock San Antonio."
The theory seems to be that the first two games were fixed because Stern wanted the Celtics to win. Of course, the corollary to that is that the previous three series for the Lakers were fixed, too, so that they could meet the Celtics in the finals.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Lakers in six. Four the hard way. clap clap, clap clap clap
Posted by: mAMBA24 | June 10, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Butler: You are so fearful and incompetent, you don't even have the courage to use REAL SCRIPTURE to fire back at me. Go back home, youngling. You've missed too many days of school. Hate to see you stuck spending another year in kindergarten.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 10, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Amazing,
Yeah, the Pacino speech. PJ should play that one for the crew pre-game. Nothing beats it.
Nice call.
Posted by: Jesterguru | June 10, 2008 at 11:58 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 12:00 PM
The Lakers lacked a sense of urgency in Boston....We need to get that back starting tonight and take 1 game at a time....Don't worry about winning 3 games......Just worry about being very agressive, attacking, playing great defense, rebounding and taking 1 game at a time.....
It' our time now....
GO LAKERS !!!!!
Posted by: Laker4Life | June 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
"You didn't watch those games now did you J Dawg? Its not about the free throw discrepancy, its about the context of play. Shaq was an automatic score, so people fouled him. He's in the lane and people intentionally held his arms. I'm sure half the fouls weren't called. The Kings were a perimeter team with jumpshooters and the Princeton offense, with its focus on high post passing big men, and flares or back doors. Not exactly physical, foul worthy basketball....."
I'm oversimplifying things? I'm not the one shouting "38 to 10" over and over without looking at context.
We're playing Gasol and Odom at the 4 and 5 right now. How is that not a finesse team? Of course they're not going to get calls - neither of those guys has ever been a big drawer of fouls. The other team is playing bangers at 4 and 5, crashing the boards, and Powe was hitting the key like a bowling ball with no one moving to stop him until he was too far in every. single. time. Yes, the officiating was unfair. But the Celtics were going to get more calls regardless because of how they played.
And I was watching intently back in that Sacramento series. Try watching that fourth quarter and honestly defending those 24 free throws IN A SINGLE QUARTER. If it was just a result of how the lakers played, then the lakers would be averaging 100 free throws a game! Sorry that I have to admit it, but the Kings looked poised to win the whole time, the Lakers looked like they just couldn't mount the comeback they needed, and once the officials started bailing them out they had to keep doing it over and over and over again until it was enough for the Lakers to win. Seriously, watch Shaq miss hook shots without ANY contact and get free trips to the line as a result, or Kobe clang a jump shot 2 feet from the nearest King and then get two free throws afterwards.
The Celtics got home cooking on Saturday. But no one has benefitted from that more the Lakers the past 10 years (watch the Portland wins in the first championship run, the King wins in the second run, the Timberwolves wins in the third run, or any number of Spurs wins), so ya'all need to get over yourselves and start rooting for the team to just play some real basketball.
Posted by: J-dawg | June 10, 2008 at 12:01 PM
exhelodrvr:"The theory seems to be that the first two games were fixed because Stern
wanted the Celtics to win. Of course, the corollary to that is that the previous three series
for the Lakers were fixed, too, so that they could meet the Celtics in the finals."
No fair using that logic stuff EX! LOL! Thanks we needed
that.
Posted by: mamaba24 | June 10, 2008 at 12:01 PM
H'bout 1 the hard way before thinking of 4.
Posted by: Fire32 | June 10, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Ok, can we just drop the Curt Schilling conversation already. Reading his blog is like reading the National Enquirer. This guy's an idiot people. He's a has-been who's only claim to fame is that he played with a bloody ankle...so what.
The man criticizes anything and everything...mostly things he knows nothing about. So please let's just ignore this loser.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 10, 2008 at 12:03 PM
"The Lord shalt not reward the ill-tempered man (#24) with a title when he does not deserveth. The talented man must first learn the error of his ways. Only when he treats his mates with kindness, understanding, love and respect will his day come."
"Until then, the titles shalt go to the just and strong-willed. To those who hold their teammates in high regard and learn to work from within the team, not from above it."
BUTLER 2:40"
Dead on! Thanks for proving how this is Kobe's year with such a succinct observation on his fantastic teamwork and camaraderie this year! But I thought you hated the Lakers? Why give Kobe all the props all of a sudden... did you have a change of heart?
Posted by: Absolute Truth | June 10, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Mamba, Outlaw,
"That's the roll call I was looking for, Mamba24! Hell yeah!"
Couldn't say that any better....
Let's do this!!!
Lakers!!!!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | June 10, 2008 at 12:08 PM
novolakers sez:
"How many of us believed Miami would win after they lost first two by double digits and were by 10 with 4 min to go in Game 3 ?"
Very few, but one notable person who DID believe was SHACK!
And, let's not forget the most important part of this comparison you make: Dallas was no Boston when it comes to defense!
Without SHACK, the lakers must rely on kobee's leadership, and thanks to the honesty of Curt Schilling (himself a champion), we all know well enough why kobee is a terrible team leader.
Steve GNASH will be the next guard that SHACK helps win a title!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 10, 2008 at 12:08 PM
The Celtics have outplayed the Lakers in many respects, their bench has contributed in unexpected ways, and they have clearly enjoyed the benefits of home court. Lamar has disappeared, our bench has played like rookies, and our MVP has been good but not stellar. Yet despite all of the above, the Celtics's margin of victory in both Games 1 and 2 was slight. Had the Lakers been just a little bit better or had the Celtics faltered just a little bit, the results would have been different.
The Celtics are playing at their best, but there is not much they can do to elevate their game. If they can keep it up for the entire series -- well then props to them. But the Lakers have underperformed. We need to play better to win, but it's not as if the hurdle is high.
Most of us thought that the series would go six or seven games. In other words, most of us thought that the Lakers would lose at least two or three times. In this case, the Lakers have lost the two games that they were most likely to lose. No surprise; no big deal. We should learn for the losses, but we can't let them mess with our minds. We don't need a miracle; we don't need desperation;we don't need favors from referees; we don't need a Celtics meltdown (though that would be fun to see). We just need 48 minutes of solid basketball, and we'll be fine.
Posted by: In the Zen Master We Trust | June 10, 2008 at 12:08 PM
It's a new day Laker fans. I guess it's tough to swallow that a team might go to the line more than you. I know that Laker fans are used to getting every call their way. It goes all the way back to the 80's. Do you actually think those teams were better than the Celtics? I know that Dr. Phil was used to seeing the Bulls get to the line whenever their offense broke down (they even changed the rules for MJ, the poster boy for the luggage industry, Mr. travel and carry). I did't see Dr. Phill get upset when Vlad Rad ran the Boston marathon to the basket late in the 4th or when a perfect steal from Powe was called a foul. Maybe the Lakers should move their feet on D instead of reaching and leaning. Whatever. I'm sure the Lakers will get the calls tonight. They may even win.
Posted by: Bear75233 | June 10, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Curt Schilling's comments are right-on. You can see Kobe screaming at people going into timeouts. That doesn't help anybody... Schilling is also dead-on about Gasol, all he does is complain to the refs lately. Is he getting fouled? Sure, but dude... c'mon... don't stand there to make your point with the ref while everybody else is running down the court...
Radmanovic had a series of about 8 plays in a row on offense and defense where he cost the Lakers each and every time. When that dude goes into a freefall... there ain't no bottom. Hey, I'm glad he picked it up at the end of the game but his earlier freefall cost the Lakers about 8-12 points in a matter of minutes.
Odom looks completely lost. What else is new? along with the obligatory, head down, charging fouls he likes to pick up every game... I home he can pick it back up, here at home...
Fisher also looks... what? tired? or ??? PG looks like a need for the offseason. Maybe a taller, vet guard that would play 15-20 minutes a game? I like Farmar but he's just too small for some situations.
Luke Walton has been a disaster. His vaunted passing skills... have been nonexistent... dude needs to pick it up or go play for some crappy team like Cleveland...
Posted by: TaosHum | June 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM
"H'bout 1 the hard way before thinking of 4."
Fire32,
It would really remove the context where it was derived from. One of the most revered movies in the blaxploitation era "3 the hard way."
I was referencing in Winning the whole thing, GAME per GAME in an uphill battle anyways.
Peace
Posted by: Charles | June 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM