Fortunately, it's not a Best of One...
Those inhabitants of the Laker Nation with a natural inclination for worry will not sleep well after the Lakers hit the famous parquet floor in Boston with a thud, dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Celtics, 98-88. It was a night with few highlights for the purple and gold. They ran out to a very early four-point lead, and used a 16-6 run at the end of the second quarter to take a five-point lead into the half. Unfortunately, the rest of the night clearly belonged to the home team, which otherwise tended to dictate the flow of the game. Boston was able to erase L.A.'s lead only 45 seconds into the third quarter, engaged the Lakers in a dog fight, then slowly took control of the game. The iconic moment of the night? Paul Pierce put the Celtics ahead for good with two huge three-pointers after a dramatic return to the court less than two minutes after being rolled off the floor in a wheelchair because of a knee injury. Call it a Willis Reed moment for the Gen X folk.
On the other hand, optimists will look at Thursday's loss and believe that the Lakers probably won't get another 9-26 shooting night from Kobe, only six boards from Lamar Odom, or 15 points combined between Vlad Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar. The Lakers didn't look all that good in Game 1, but still were in the game until the final four minutes or so. A little more execution down the stretch, and they might have stolen a game they didn't deserve.
Click below for the breakdown.
The Good:
- Derek Fisher: He was as close to a consistent influence as the Lakers had over the course of the game. Nearly 41 minutes of run, 4-9 from the floor for 15 points, plus six assists. He was particularly effective in the second quarter, when he scored 11 points and helped keep the Lakers close, then pull ahead before the half. He had some issues with Sam Cassell in that quarter, but while Sam-I-Am couldn't keep me out of the paint at this point in his career, he can still get hot offensively and drill some turnaround J's on just about anyone. Overall, Fish was one of the few Lakers who managed to find his way to the basket and stay aggressive.
The Bad: Wow. Lots to choose from.
- Sasha Vujacic: Overall, he had a tough night. 2-7 from the floor, four personals and some undisciplined play offensively. On the other end, he had a tough time keeping up with Allen, who ran him pretty ragged over the course of the game. If you had asked me before the game what player might be a little too amped up for his first Finals game, I would have thought long and hard about Sasha.
- Offensive Discipline: Too often the Lakers became content to be a jumpshooting team, and spent long stretches of time outside the paint. The patience and ball movement characteristic of the team weren't there for nearly enough of the game, and practically disappeared in the second half. "We had 14 assists in the first half and seven in the second. That was the difference. We did a lot of things off the dribble we didn't do in the first half," Phil Jackson said. Still, PJ didn't seem to think they, whether Kobe or the rest of the gang, were taking a lot of bad shots. "Our guys had good looks. A lot of in-and-out shots for us tonight," Jackson said of the team. Similar reaction to Kobe. "I think he thought he was shooting the ball pretty well, they just didn't stay in. A lot of them rattled out. I said to him, check it out, he had some guys open in other parts of the offense, but he said he had some good looks. You live on that. That's going to happen." To some extent I think he's protecting his guys. The shot selection wasn't all that good, and the patience wasn't there. Some of that can be chalked up to the Celtics, who are a very strong defensive team, but some of it goes to the Lakers as well.
- Rebounding: Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. So bad it should be mentioned at least that many times. The final margin was 46-33 Boston, including 10 offensive boards for the Celtics that helped explain their 98 points despite 42% shooting. The extra chances often put the Celtics on the line, where they were 28-35, and led to an eight-point advantage in second-chance points that seemed a lot bigger. A lack of attention led to what was likely the dagger score for Boston, a ferocious dunk put back off a James Posey three with 92 seconds to go. Gasol, in the same ZIP code but a decidedly different neighborhood, never put a body on him. A six-point deficit became eight, and that was the end of that.
The Occasionally Good, but Not Nearly Good Enough:
- Defense: In the halfcourt, it wasn't bad. As I mentioned, L.A. held Boston to 42% shooting, and limited them to under 25 points in three of four quarters. But because the rebounding (did I mention the rebounding) was so awful, it's hard to give them high marks. Moreover, the Lakers struggled to defend without fouling, part of the reason the Celtics were able to make some hay at the stripe. Too many ticky-tack fouls, or ill-timed shooting fouls (a Vlad hack on Pierce for a three+1 and an awkward Allen jumper late in the shot clock where Sasha bailed him out with a pop to the arm come to mind). The groundwork is there, but if the Lakers are going to come back strong on Sunday, they'll need to shore up those weak spots.
- L.A.'s Big Three: It wasn't an MVP performance from Kobe by any stretch. He forced jumpers, forced passes and forced plays (explaining the four TOs). It's not that he was awful - Kobe also made some excellent decisions with the ball, was able to set up his teammates, and hit some big shots - but he clearly wasn't sharp, and wasn't able to find any sort of flow in the game save the last six minutes of the second quarter, when the whole team was on fire, going from five down to five up into halftime. There are nights where he is able to exert influence on a game in all sorts of ways, controlling the flow. Tonight, he couldn't do it, and seemed to get stuck trying to figure out how. Lamar Odom had some nice moments and was 6-11 from the floor, but like Kobe, they were quiet points, and his 2-5 showing from the line took some of the fun away from the numbers, too. LO wasn't dominant on the boards, didn't distribute, and overall couldn't make an impression on the game in the way we've seen over the second half of the season. So inconsistent was his play that PJ had him on the bench for critical minutes in the fourth.
Pau Gasol was also 6-11 and had four assists, generally coming from his work at the top of the post, but was also limited in his effect on the glass, and had a ton of trouble with KG on the other end (in fairness, Garnett can play a little). His performance tonight reminded me of some of his lesser efforts against San Antonio.
If you want to pit Big Three vs. Big Three, Boston's was the clear winner. 65 points to 53 for L.A.'s trio. Rebounds- 25 vs. 17. Big moments? Too many vs. way too few.
Audio to come ASAP.
BK
Paul Pierce is SOFT. He needed to be carried off and put in a wheel chair for a stupid sprain. Only to come back 3 minutes later...What a SOFT ***** that guy is
Posted by: zen | June 06, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I will take this lost as a reminder for the Lakers team not to get caught in ths kind of moment. Just keep playing Laker Ball!! From what I saw their offense was very effective at the first half. lakers were down by 8, but end up with a 5 point lead.
On the positive note, Celtics won the game because they played inspired game on Pierce overacting job, and successfully disrupted the lakers momentum. Game 2 will be different as the Mamba is now feeling threatened.
Posted by: GameFaceOn | June 06, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Doc Rivers is a rookie coach..Expect him to crack under the pressure of Phil Jackson..Phil will have a good adjustment plan.
Posted by: zen | June 06, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Guys can someone tell me why Pau is not scoring in the 20's anymore. Whats happened to him. He use to score in the mid to upper 20's. He is our second scorer and he hardly is doing anything.
For the whole game I thought the Lakers were just feeling things out and poacing themselves. I never really thought Boston looked that good. I'm relly shocked we lost.
That Paul Pierce thing was wierd. I hope this is not a sign of something.
And Kobe, Are the C's palying that good of defense? Can we post him up and get him closer to the rim. He was unstopable in the San Antonio series.
Another thing that bugs the hell out opf me. Kobe said during the regular seasdon that the Celtics were an elite team and the Lakers need to get to that level. I hope he beleives there there. Thye Lakers have not beaten Boston Once this year. hope when we get our first win things will roll from there.
Last: Why has Ariza not played? He has to be in playing shape by now. I hope PJ does'nt screw this up. They ttraded for him for this reason. And if the C's are pushing us around, maybe we should put Ira in to shove them back. I don't know I'm just really frustrated today.
CrzyFan
Posted by: CrzyFan | June 06, 2008 at 10:21 AM
W/R/T coaching: I think Doc et al spent ALL of their time and energy focused on Game 1. I think that took a lot out of all the C's.
Did anyone else notice at the end of the game, when Doc was heading into their locker room that he did the major fist pump underneath the screen after high-fiving all the fans on the way out?
I agree with Lakers_sth that the C's are emotional. This was a huge sigh of relief for Doc on a lot of fronts - the monkey off the back-type thing.
I am expecting a C's letdown emotionally, energy, everything Sunday. I think that's our game to steal. We let you have that one Boston.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I think the Lakers should pull the same shenanigan when this series shift in LA... I think they should whack Luke's knee and send him home, then Lakers will play inspired BBall. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: GameFaceON | June 06, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Hey - PLAY ON PLUTO,
"Lakers suck".
Well, we will NEVER have a 19 win season like your team in 99. Or how about that 33 win total from last year, ya that has to suck.
So if YOU say the LAKERS SUCK, I will take your word for it BECAUSE YOU SURE KNOW WHAT SUCKS looking at your team past record.
BTW - Who ever said that Paul Pierce is the next Jordan,
LOL.....A JORDAN TEAM WOULD NEVER BE BELOW 500 so MUCH!!! Whaaahahahahahah!!!
Jordan....Hahahahahahahahaha
Lakers Suck.....HAHAHAHAHA
Don't be so blind.
janaya
Posted by: janaya | June 06, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Ignore the buckethead trolls.
We've done the injuring. Move on to starving.
Do not give in to the desparate need for attention.
Ignore the buckethead trolls!!!
Posted by: magicman | June 06, 2008 at 10:44 AM
let them have a win its no problem. LAKER NATION will be here cheering even twice as loud on sunday. Gives me time to go out and buy yet another MVP Jersey. GO MAMBA!
Posted by: LakerBandit | June 06, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Good post Ed Gueco
Playoff basketball finals, that,s what it is, winning and losing games. Always key point, what you learn from your defeats. Study carefully that Celts D against the triangle. Maybe you find you just have to move and move the ball, do those p & r again and again. And play as intense and agressive as you can your hardest D on the big three.
Go Lakers.
Posted by: | June 06, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Last night's game proved that the Lakers were good enough to get here but not enough to match up even with the Celtics' B game.
Without Bynum, this front line is too soft, we've known this, no big news, even P.J. at 38 is too strong for any Laker to match up. Ronny is probably the only one, and that doesn't say much. And that's P.J.!! Who is matching up to Garnett and Perkins. Gasoft? Odom??
I think what Kobe meant to say was that this butt-kicking experience will teach them the lesson needed for next season's run with Bynum, with possibly adding a quicker tougher point guard and a bruiser rebounder.
Kobe already knows that whatever he can score, he'll be matched by either Allen or Pierce, and KG should take care of what ever the rest of the Lakers contribute offensively and defensively. And if we look at this year's games against the Celtics, Kobe's shots just seem to rim out (30% shooting) unable to handle their defensive zone pressure, shooting mostly jumpers, a trend that continued last night.
It is sorry to see Luke play so te-rri-ble as his dad would say. He was worthless, Jackson is giving him a chance but he just can't play tough defense and he's too slow. Obviously Jackson doesn't see much in Ariza, yet, playing Luke and Sasha ahead of Ariza only adds to the weakness shown last night.
The Lakers maybe get game 3 out of desperation. But a Celtic sweep seems ominous. It should not be seen as a bad for the Lakers. Being in the finals this year was never in the plans anyway, no sour grapes, just reality. So we'll have to wait till next year to see what a real championship team looks like. I can't wait to see next year's team.
Posted by: zopi | June 06, 2008 at 11:02 AM
9 for 26 for 24 points goes exactly in Boston's favor. Unless the Lakers make adjustments and rein in Bryant's gunning ways, they'll be in for a very tough series. As a Lakers fan, I believe the Laker offense is much more potent and harder to defend when Bryant is facilitating rather than when he is gunning.
Less is more, KB24! We know you're the MVP, and since you're the MVP, do us Lakers fans a favor by not biting at what the Boston defense gives you. You're playing into Boston's hands by jacking up fadeaway jumpers. It would be nice to see you facilitate the offense and let's see what happens.
Posted by: ecat124 | June 06, 2008 at 11:24 AM
We can play better but as Pat Rielly once said, "no rebounds, no rings". That was the difference.
Posted by: HawaiiD | June 06, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Do you guys know where I can find a video clip of KG's backcourt save on last night's game? I really thought it was a violation.
Posted by: GameFaceON | June 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
You know, I guess I'm the only one that sees this, but I'm not letting up on it, because it needs to be revealed.
Pau Gasol is worthless, and I'll explain why.
* Role. He is supposed to be a 20/10 player who fulfills the #2 role. Now this is very important, because it takes the I-need-to-score-to-carry-my-team mentality away from Kobe, and it puts the mentally fragile Lamar Odom in a more comfortable role as the #4 (after Fisher). But since Pau is not doing what he should be doing, Kobe is forced to having to play Kobe ball, and Lamar is back to hiding in his happy place. This blog, for whatever reason, fails to recognize this, and this will be our downfall
[Now loook at this from another perspective. Pau was acquired as a stop gap measure to fill in as Bynums' replacement until AB got well then switch to his natural position at PF. The problem is AB never got better and PAu had to use his skill set which was not better suitedfor Center but PF. This although he played very well was not his best spot and is now been scouted enough to see other teams adjusting a bit more causing the trickle down effect you are referring to.]
* Effort. Tivo the game. I promise you, you will find AT LEAST 4 different times where Gasol, at 7ft tall, literally stands flat footed, hands NOT in the ready position, and makes no effort to get the rebound. Now, if you're playing the 4/5 spot, your main goal is to rebound. Since Pau's shot isn't going in, he can at least rebound like a mad man. But he doesn't. We're getting killed on the boards and I blame that squarely on Gasol. And don't give me this "he doesn't have the build for that", BS. Garnet is every bit as skinny as Gasol, but he has heart, something Gasol doesn't have.
{ well yes he is skiny and does not have the build for it and Garnett is skinny too. That is like saving insert name here.................... sg is built like Kobe and should play like an allstar MVP.]
* The Triangle. When Pau loses confidence, he tries to be invisible out there. I remember when I was playing ball, I fell into this trap myself. I didn't want to be trashed because my shots weren't falling, so whenever I got the ball, I passed. Now, for a 17 year old, that's okay, but for a starting center for the LA Lakers, you have to come with more confidence than that. All Pau does when he's struggling is catch the ball and pass it. He doesn't even try to make a move, usually. If he does, it's abbreviated and without conviction. This allows the Celt bigmen to key in on rebound positions and clog the lane, frustrating Kobe, and we know that when Kobe gets frustrated, he starts shooting too much.
{ I don't see lack of confidence but lack of movement away from ball. He holds ball because no one is cutting or moving. ]
* Defense. Now, the only credit you can give Pau is average defense. He did a decent job, but not a great job, on D. Problem is, you're in the Finals. You can't survive on doing decent.
[ Yes he has decent D and yes he should try to be more assertive on both sides of the ball but he still is playing out of position. When AB gets back he can go back to playing pf away from basket at times and use the midrange jumper and drives he is not using as much because he is posting up almost exclusively.]
* Turnovers. Now, I don't know about Pau's personal life, and I'm not homophobic, nor am I saying that Pau is gay. I'm just saying that he's not the most masculine player out there, and what happens is that his limp wrists and weak hands don't secure the ball, so it's easy for the ball to either get stolen from him, or for him to just fumble it. In a way, dare I say it, he's similar to the infamous Kwame "Butterfingers" Brown.
[More of PJ's negativity to his players in media. No one challenged Pau's manhood until PJ started up with the weenie shots. So all the shooters who snap their wrists down and hold it are gay because they swish the wrists? Get real.]
* Offense. Not very much to say here. Pau tends to miss wide open shots, so his midrange game is ineffective. His left hand shot is horrible. He's abandoned his back to the basket moves, and he either gets his layups blocked, or he sissies the ball up and misses. Many times last night, I recognized opportunities from which he could have driven the ball hard to the hoop, thus drawing a foul on Garnett. But, he literally stopped short, seemingly afraid to hit Garnett, and limp wristed the ball up, missing it. Now, the coaching staff has already warned him about not doing this, but Pau hasn't changed his game.
[Again playing out of postion as he has to play post and not use mid range game a smuch so it is getting rusty.]
* Attitude. Which brings me to attitude. Although Kobe will have his bad nights, and Lamar will hide at times, at least they have heart and will adjust their games. Pau does the same BS every night, night in night out. He hasn't become more aggressive, he's not holding the ball higher, he's still hesitant, he hasn't improved. Now you can trash Luke Walton all you want; but fact is, he's a bench player and not expected to do much. Pau is OUR NUMBER 2 GUY! He needs to improve and bring it, and since the Utah series, where he was exposed for being the bust that he is, he hasn't changes or improved his game.
{ Bust you say? No way. He gives us more than what he was expected of him but he is not AB. He will fit nicely as AB will dominate the post and Pau the mid range with both great passing skills.]
Before you try to dump him try to see how it will work as originally intended.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 06, 2008 at 02:37 PM
* Trade. Which brings me to my conclusion. Some of you trash me because you say we wouldn't be here without Pau. But I say this, as Kobe says, WE ARE THE LA LAKERS, WE ONLY PLAY FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. I don't give a damn what Pau does during the regular season; if you can't perform when it counts, you don't need to be on this Laker team. Pau has proven in his years at Memphis and now with the Lakers that he cannot perform in the playoffs. Ask yourselves, honestly, what has Pau truly contributed this playoff series that has been influential in the Lakers winning? We need impact players, not posers. Next year, we should have a starting line up of Fish, Kobe, Ariza, Lamar, and Bynum. That is a tough minded, physical line up wtih scorers. Where does Pau fit in there? Think about it.
Either he's a bench player, or lets take advantage of his trade value. I don't know who's on the Free Agent Market, but there must be a quality PF out there that we can trade Pau and Luke for. With that new PF, we'd have the perfect lineup.
Pau Gasol is a good man, but he's not the player the Lakers need, as we try to build the dynasty we all cherish.
Posted by: troy | June 06, 2008 at 07:01 AM
[No way Pau has shown he can't play as if he was still in Memphis. He is in LA and has gotten as far as you can go without winning and I still think we can win this. ]
OK now you want trade scenario for off season, trade J Farmar and Luke for Parker and Eva Longoria. Ha ha
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 06, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Good morning LAL friends:
Rick F. - good points. I am going to replay the game tonight (can't get enough torture). Some of PJ's subs were really interesting to me - he played Ronny with Pau and we haven't seen that. He was being conservative by keeping the starters PT high. But he was also making substitutions we haven't seen to gauge the C's reaction.
If Luke and Rad play poor defense or LO & Pau get too many fouls collectively - he might sacrifice them to just put big bodies out there to defend. I think we might see Ariza if only to come in to raise defensive energy (late 2nd/3rd Q) and because we need his length. I don't believe PJ wanted to show all his cards in G1.
My bigger worry is offensively. Our team has always said we can get our offense from anywhere but that wasn't the case last night. It looked like we had good shots and I felt a LOT of them rimmed out. But I didn't see a lot of "gimmes" from LO and Pau. And that's where we have been successful - in the paint - they shut us down there. Fish was our savior who I said would be our X-factor. I hope it continues for as long as this thing lasts.
Overall, I am not downtrodden - I really feel like we could have stolen that game and we wouldn't have deserved it. As PJ said it was a tale of 2 halves. I really liked what I saw in the 1st half and if that can be extended for 48 minutes - we will have another banner.
GO LAKERS!!!
But I also felt we were really tentative - I felt Pau and LO were holding back a little on both sides because they didn't get a grasp on how the game was going to be called by the refs. And when the refs don't make the calls, the stronger defensive team is going to win. Thankfully, that will change with each game but LO and Pau have to adjust a lot quicker to that
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 06, 2008 at 07:38 AM
[I have a lot to say on this but for now will only comment on the showing of all our cards thing.
The adjustments need to be made now and not held back. You have to think ahead like in chess and anticipate moves. So if J makes a substitution and it works, stick with it until their team figures it out. The adjust again. so on and so on. No need to hide or show all just be ready to throw new wrinkles every now and then.]
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 06, 2008 at 02:46 PM
=== CONGRATS FAKE LAKER FANS ===
Yea, you... You know it's you.
You are the guy/gal who says trade Pau Gasol. The guy that doesnt see we have the best record in the league since we got Pau.
[ just someones opinion whether right or wrong. I say wrong but hey that my opinion.]
You are the guy/gal who blames Kobe for everything. Kobe misses a shot, daaamn he's shooting us out the game! Kobe makes a shot, daaaaamn he's dominating.
He needs to pass more, no no, he needs to shoot more.
{ no arguments but reserve to give credit when credit is due and criticise when that is due. No free pass to anyone as we/they are all human. I agree Kobe gets the bad end of stick no matter what he does but that is how it is fair or not]
You are the guy/gal who blames PJ for rotations as if you've ever coached even a high school b-ball team.
[ Aw my favorite, yes he also gets credit when due and blame when also due. ]
Why isnt Ariza playing? Why is Luke out there?! But when the reserves get us back in the game in the 4th, you give PJ no credit.
[ Valid points and questions, why wasn't Ariza used and why was Walton used? I also ask why? So yes he derserves credit for bench getting lead cut down and playing well but then blows it by taking those same players out that helped out and change momentum. He definitly gets blame there]
You gave him no credit when we got to 3-1 over the suns with Luke & Smush starting and all you will do is blame.
[ yup again he gets credit there but thank you for making my point for me. I am tired of hearing We lost because we did not have a good team around Kobe with Kwame, Smush, Cook etc. but we were up 3-1. Then what happened? PJ struck again. We lost the next game, no adjustments poor coaching. Ooops then lost again but nothing but zen calm and all will be ok. Then the 3rd game and ou of the playoffs! No not PJ's fault had to be those lousy players he got to win 3 and go up 3-1. Yup those same lousy players.]
Congrats Congrats Congrats.
Today is your freakin day!!!
But just so you know, I have been keeping names from the live blog game thread. I've been reading ALL the comments.
Troy says we cant win with Pau at C. Let me jot that down.
[Jot away]
JustaLakerFan finest thinks PJ cant coach. Scribble Scribble Scribble.
[ No say it is not so! Please Korey don't put me on the dreaded list! I beg you!! I will kiss PJ's arse and even buy fresh new knee pads. Anything but the list. Please especially if it is written in a sharpened RED crayon...oh no the dread. LOL. Oh since your list is so powerful please use your influence to remove me from G Bush's list if I not with him I am unpatriotic and against him. Please please.]
When the Lakers win this chip, not only will it be sweet redemption, but I will be unleashing the full list of FAKE LAKER FANS who hate on their own team but will act as if it was all good when the parade starts.
You know who you are and you WILL be on the list.
Posted by: Korey | June 06, 2008 at 08:54 AM
[As a true Laker fans it will be more the likely when we win, it is because we win in spite of him not because of him.]
Thanks Big Brother for forewarning me of my impending doom by being on the LIST.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 06, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Allow me, to critique our performance as laker fans in this blog.
[ it is your every right to do so!]
We often exceed our expectation in discussing the future by dreaming dynasty when we haven't tested the championship caliber of this team.
We are fast in shortchanging our players on their first loss in the Finals, talk of trades after the game, micro manage their performance as if there no more second chances.
{ Not really but just giving im my case my opinion of what was wrong.]
We display impatience on our venting Laker fans who felt very bad of the loss so they laid the blame on the coach, [ justifiably so imo JLF] the superstar [ some deserved many not], the other players that they perceived as weak [ weak yes and imo not suited for these machups. We should use the team to match up better as that is why we are deep but is not being done IMO]. We have zero tolerance on fans who are just whining, venting as if they were mourning the loss of a loved one. Actually, no life was lost just opportunities of winning the first game.
[ Yes but as fans we want to win even if knowing it is not over yet but hope to see te changes implemented before we lose another game]
We entertain posts of immature visitors/troll as if we have the power to remove them in this blog, however if you reply only on names that you know, you systematically weed out the irresponsible ones that populate our blog. Why don't you just ignore a crazy poster? [ toy with my meal like cat with mouse and give K bros more hits on their blog-win win I say]
Lastly, criticize if you will but back up those criticisms with sound recommendations that can be implemented on Sunday or in future games. [ agreed but we all know that is not going to happen Sunday or anytime during the playoffs. But it is for off season as the same criticisms are still being done and no change is taking place. Yes fustration fills a lot of that but also remember that the word fan derives from the word fanatic. Just times being fanactical is part of releasingthe frustration like venting] Example, If you say: trade a player, can we do that on Sunday? Fire a coach, can we do that on the first game playing on the road? Lose faith on the team, what will be the good effects or message are we coveying our players?
[ Venting, but what does that have to do with head coach criticisng players in press getting them called space cadet or weenie and questioning manhood? What does that say to players confidence?]
Thank goodness, our team is playing in the Finals, is that not a blessing? [ Yes it is but we all want the expectation of winning the finals not just playing in them]
Yes, they lost the first game but still, they achieved a lot to reach this stage in comparison to their performance in the past. In a nutshell, let's temper our expectations and contribute more quality to our posts.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 06, 2008 at 09:49 AM
[Edwin you have every right to temper your opinions a s have every right not to temper mine and vent. I will not temper my expectations as I really want to win finals especially against the hated Boston franchise.
As I have noted from your previous posts you are a long time fan and very familiar with Boston tactics. This is nothing new to us but like the PP antics last night the newer LA fans are getting taste of bostons cheap style of play. ( adjusting hoops, playing with air conditioning turned off, denying use of facilities etc. That is why I want to win against them and not let any antics distract us or make us miss opportunity. We have seven chance s to win 4 and now one opportunity is gone. Yes one game but time to step up and play for real and and use every tool in your tool box to get job done]
Thanks for hearing me vent.
JLF
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 06, 2008 at 03:31 PM
JustaLakerFan,
you are FAKE LAKER FAN #1.
did you really write "Pau Gasol is worthless"?
hahahahaha....
Ok, let's trade Pau Gasol BACK for Kwame Brown and see where we are.
No player is perfect, yet you act like all Pau does is wrong.
I'm happy that we have a guy that can do what Pau does, yet you complain that he doesnt do enuff ... ever.
RIDICULOUS.
You dont like PJ. Well damn, WTF other coach do you want for our team? ...we're all waiting...
JustaLakerFan - JustaFAKELakerFan.
We all know your routine by now after every Laker game win/lose:
- Pau Gasol sucks. Trade him.
- PJ sucks. we win in spit of his bad coaching. We lose because of his bad coaching.
When we win the title it will be because Pau played well, so what will you say then?
I know.. you'll act like you were right the whole time like a big .
fake fake fake fake fake.....
Posted by: Korey | June 06, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Hey, everyone had taken the Celtics for granted, although they are a high energy team, who just whooped the Pistons into submission... I think the Lakers will need a lot more than fan strutting to win a ring this year. San Antonio was old and with Manu Ginobilli at 50%. Maybe having come to the finals without adversity has a price... Boston has faced a lot of adversity and turned around. For real, Kobe and crew better get their act together, at least to justify LA fanbase excessive displays of arrogance...
BTW, Jerry West handing over Gasol to LA has to be the biggest BS of the history of NBA trades...
Posted by: Ram | June 06, 2008 at 09:28 PM
JustaLakerFan,
you are FAKE LAKER FAN #1.
did you really write "Pau Gasol is worthless"?
hahahahaha....
Ok, let's trade Pau Gasol BACK for Kwame Brown and see where we are.
No player is perfect, yet you act like all Pau does is wrong.
I'm happy that we have a guy that can do what Pau does, yet you complain that he doesnt do enuff ... ever.
RIDICULOUS.
You dont like PJ. Well damn, WTF other coach do you want for our team? ...we're all waiting...
JustaLakerFan - JustaFAKELakerFan.
We all know your routine by now after every Laker game win/lose:
- Pau Gasol sucks. Trade him.
- PJ sucks. we win in spit of his bad coaching. We lose because of his bad coaching.
When we win the title it will be because Pau played well, so what will you say then?
I know.. you'll act like you were right the whole time like a big .
fake fake fake fake fake.....
Posted by: Korey | June 06, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Korey,
You are extremely confused and it shows in your posts. I have NEVER said Pau is worthless and defy you to find any post where I have said that. I have taken the opposite position and supported Pau and criticised PJ for starting the weenie thing and now a lot of PJ followers are now challenging Pau's manhood.
So supporting Pau and crticisg PJ makes me into a Fake Laker Fan. I suggest you go back and read my posts regarding Pau. But like all those people that think thier opinion is the only right one, then resorting to lies and misinformation is the best way to attack.
Please do add me to your highly touted list and use extra thick crayon with a little glitter sprinkled on.
Is it that you have attention deficit syndrome? Or do you post your dislike of me because I do not worship your idol PJ? I have stated numerous times my choice but you ignore that I have already stated who I think would be better. Try reading my previous posts. but since your memory span is very short I will tell you again...listen up now....Byron Scott! go back and see my previous statements...not hard to do just use google!
Now that I have answered your question how about answering mine I gave to you! Go ahead and as a test to your attention span and memory problem this will be a test of what you learned. Hint GOOGLE if you forgot the questions.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 07, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Lakers fans do not dispair. I predict the Celtics will blow out the Lakers in the final game. It will be humiliating. We will lick our wounds and toughen up. We will beat the Orlando Magic in 5 games the next year. Champs again!
My prediictions never fail to happen. Believe this.
Posted by: Minorkle | August 03, 2009 at 03:09 PM