It's not easy playing (the) green
Even the most optimistic of Lakers fans had to have figured their squad was in for some contested roundball during these finals. Thus, it may have been a letdown, but entering tonight's game 2 against the Celtics (6:00 pm PST, ABC) with a little adversity attached shouldn't necessarily be shocking. The Lakers are behind for the first time in these playoffs, but an unfamiliar position does not anxiety breed. Instead of flipping out, the Lakers have opted to embrace obvious notions. Going down by a pair ain't an appealing option. Should any additional inspiration for a win be needed, the Lakers need only look to their history for a source. Similar to how a certain crew of greasers won their rumble for Johnny, the Lakers should do it for Chick.
Thus, all eyes will be on the adjustments made (or not). It starts with the Gail Goodrich-endorsed opinion that a recognition of Boston's D is in order. A step up effort from Pau Gasol will be crucial (and if you need a second opinion on that, check out your own thoughts on the topic). And of course, much of what happens will be dictated by the play of Kobe Bryant, who suffered through a 9-26 night on Thursday. Whether you considered the majority of his shots to unconverted bunnies, forced, or just successfully Thibodeau-ed, the bottom line is that they weren't falling. A hight stakes bounce back game is exactly what the Lakers need and Kobe lives for. If you're one of them odds following types, comfort can be found in the idea that Kobe rarely strings together a pair of clunkers.
Paul Pierce will be on the court for tonight's action, although Kendrick Perkins remains up in the air. Lamar Odom is a given, as is some pain while he plays.
Interesting angle to these finals. The racial script has been flipped to a positive effect. For that matter, a lot of old animosities seem to be missing in Lakers-Celtics 3.0.
Andrew Bynum not being able to help the Lakers now, but provides them one hell of a future.
A congrats to Lakersblog readers. As angry as y'all have occasionally gotten with a K Brother post, rarely, if ever, has the reaction included threats of violence or death. Lakersblog readers, 1. Bostonians, 0.
It's hard to think of the Celts without thinking of Dennis Johnson.
Dinner is on either team's big three.
Terry Porter picks up where D'Antoni leaves off.
Good Morning Laker Community!
For this game, we must do everything to help. Trinkets, chants, prayers, roll calls and battle cries!!!
It has been hard for me to be couped at home barely recovering yesterday and I feel this burst of energy for the team.
I will say this, ignoring the bad post's from the Laker doubters has also been challenging. I guess thats just how it is when people are envious and insecure about their team and themselves.
I dedicate this recovering energy and throw it right back at the blog. Strength in numbers. We shall win game 2, and let the series favor the Lakers after this game.
A shout for the Purple and Gold while we huddle before the crowd!
http://tinyurl.com/47uozh
Posted by: Charles | June 08, 2008 at 10:51 AM
What are the chances Boston has removed that horrendous 'Trophy" graphic from center court? You know, the one that made the refs get that backcourt violation wrong since there is now no half-court line to use as a reference?
Posted by: Captain Obvious | June 08, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Morning, Laker Nation!
So far, this is the best day yet to be a Laker fan. We win tonight and come home to begin a best of five.
I'm only sorry the game doesn't start until 7:00 in my time zone. It's not fair having to wait longer than fans on the West Coast!! haha.
One team. One love. Four wins.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Happy Camper | June 08, 2008 at 11:02 AM
GAME DAY!!!!!!
Looking for all the Lakers to have way better games. I sure hope Ariza gets some burn too. He NEEDS to play some D tonight.
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | June 08, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I hope we win this game so we can get over the mental hump of not beating them all season!!
Posted by: RIZZO | June 08, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Fatty's speech to motivate the Lakers Blogging Faithful to rise up, and battle the evil hoards of Boston.
http://tinyurl.com/3jcwdl
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 08, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Good Morning Weoples and Peoples. today we shall be the Victor (And I don't mean Dr. Frankenstein)
Let no joyful voice be heard..
Let no man in Boston look up in the sky with hope..
and let this day be curse by we who ready to wake..
THE LAKERS!!!
Posted by: lakeraholic | June 08, 2008 at 11:20 AM
It's Time
If Kobe wants to be KOBE, tonight is lift off.
If Pau and Lamar want to have their career judged by accomplishment rather than stats, tonight's the night.
It's on the vets. 0-2 is too many. Not hopeless but critical. 4 losses to one team in one season is not championship stuff.
Time to prove it, to DO what's been said.
Man up, D up, step up, in their place, in their face, and WIN.
GO Lakers.
Posted by: Vman | June 08, 2008 at 11:21 AM
If you're a Boston fan, this is the scariest game for you. The pressure is on the greenies to win out at home. The Lakers get to fly home after tonight for a three-game home stand. That must feel pretty good. It's going to feel even better after the Lakers win tonight, too. Gotta take it right at Pierce! Make him move laterally. Do the same to Perkins. Tonight's the night to attack the basket with ferocity and conviction.
Lakers in five.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 08, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Hey AK/BK,
When I log onto the Lakers blog I'm taken to this older thread:
Blog vs. Blog: X Factor guy
Any way to fix this? I don't have the page saved--I go thru the regular procedures. Latimes.com, then Sports, then Lakers blog and it takes me there.
Strange.
Almost...ghostly...
Wes
Posted by: | June 08, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I feel much better about this game than the last, though I still think it's gonna take two victories in Boston to get this banner hung up.
Can Elton Brand play small forward? Just thinking out loud.
Of that list of available 2008 free agent big men, there's nary a one that I'd like more than Odom except maybe Brand.
Any lucky foods being cooked right now? I need Ideas people—what’s cooking?
Wes
Posted by: | June 08, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Go Lakers!
I am surprised this rarely gets mentioned, but the biggest advantage the Lakers may have over Boston is the coaching.
Doc Rivers may or may not be a great coach, but we know Phil Jackson has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His presence lets me know the team will have an answer. Let's just hope the execution is sharp today.
Posted by: Joey_Numbers | June 08, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Today on this holy day, we all send our most fervent and sincere prayers for the health of the great Paul Pierce and massive Kendrick Perkins.
Whether the lakers win or lose, we don't want to see any injuries out there on either side.
We know the lakers will be determined, but one must believe that the Celtics will not be complacent. The defensive intensity that Tom Thibodeau prefers and his rebounding philosophy counters the offensive emphasis that PJ employs.
The Celtics are hungrier than the lakers, too. KG is not about to let Ga-Shawl get good looks. And Ray Allen will continue to stymie kobee.
Paul Pierce, if he plays, will make the Celtic spirit more powerful than ever!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 08, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Hello LAL friends!
It's GAME DAY! And we are close. Feeling good today although to kill another 6 hours is going to be rough!
Charles and FWF - good stuff!
AK: I love Matt Dillon - but do it for Johnny??? I think I missed the joke.
BK - nice vid w/Heisler - it really was a slow news day. Can we hear what the team is doing with all their down time? There must be some snippets there. I heard they were afraid to go out for fear of Beantown fans. If you need a place for dinner - check out Olives in Charlestown. Good stuff - I went there a couple weeks ago.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 08, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I'm looking forward to the game. I predict a much better effort on our part to execute well and play stronger defense. A few tweaks without a lot of adjustment by Boston (which I don't expect because it's Doc and they think they have it figured out) and we win this thing.
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: Benjamin | June 08, 2008 at 12:05 PM
BK - are we having another live chat today? Time?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 08, 2008 at 12:05 PM
It's driving me nuts that the game is on at 6PM. It's Sunday. The game should be on in the day.
Urgh!
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 08, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Tonight, I feel a convincing win by the Lakers. Taking it back to L.A. tied 1-1, we won't have to worry about making a trip back to Boston.
Lakers in 5!
For tonight, all advantages point towards the Lakers. 1) A better bench performance, 2) A better feel for the game and the series, and 3) A Kobe Bryant who never has back-to-back mediocre games.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: DeuceFo4Sho | June 08, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I like the positive energy on the blog right now. Tonight's the night, folks. It's the most important game of the season. The Lakers have to leave it all on the floor tonight. Go to the rim, Lamar! Dunk the ball, Pau! I expect Kobe to give someone a serious facial tonight. I hope that it's KG.
Lakers in five.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 08, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Anyone know a good bar to see the game in Washington, DC? There must be a bunch of Laker fans here somewhere....
Posted by: thehammer | June 08, 2008 at 03:18 PM
BUTLER: Be not deceived...GOD IS NOT MOCKED. Whatever a. man sows, that shall he also reap. You have sowed mockeries and insults among us. Be prepared to reap the same when this series is done!
LET US PRAY...
Dear Lord, we bless You and praise You for all of Your mighty works. We give You the glory for blessing us individually and, as a whole, our Los Angeles Lakers!
Lord, we know what we must do. We have learned our lessons from Game 1. We have withstood the mockery of our enemies in Boston, in the sports press, and from Butler and the other trolls on this Blog. As the old saying goes, ain't nothing to it but to do it!
Grant our Lakers the power, strength and tenacity to overcome Game 1's loss and to take those lessons and apply them to tonight's game. We will let Boston celebrate the battle of Game 1...for we know we've prepared FOR WAR!
Grant Kobe the insight to read and interpret Boston's defensive schemes. Give him the wisdom to know when to switch from team facilitator to Black Mamba mode. Let him trust in his teammates. Let him shake off the memories of Detroit 2004 and play in confidence. Don't let him force his game, but, instead, let his game flow from Your spirit to his.
Bless D-Fish, LO and Pau to support Kobe's leadership on the court. May this game be a breakout game for each of them. May their defensive skills be heightened. May ther shots fall like rain from Heaven. May they grab every rebound with authority! May they play in perfect harmony to withstand and overcome Boston's attack.
Bless Vlad Rad that his game would be focused. Prepare him MENTALLY and spiritually for the battle which is to come.
Bless Trevor, Sasha, Ronny, Jordan, Luke and the BENCH MOB. Elevate their game to a higher level. May they play with confidence, skill, and authority. May they revisit the great success that they had during the regular season.
Bless Phil and the coaching staff with the wisdom and insight needed to overcome Doc Rivers and his staff. Lead Phil to coach us onward to victory.
We pray for the Celtics and their fans that they would honor the game by playing and cheering in a spirit of true sportsmanship at all times.
Lastly, I pray that you send a spirit of UNITY to the LA Times Lakers Blog family! May there not be any division or discord among us today. May we not berate our players as the game rolls on. May we stay faithful and committed to our guys despite dry spells and shooting slumps. May our bond and our brotherhood overcome every troll, naysayer and playa hater who infiltrates our Blog today.
We thank You in advance for answered prayer and we give You the praise for granting us victory in Game 2...and EVERY GAME THEREAFTER IN THIS SERIES. For we know that this is OUR TIME, OUR TEAM, OUR SEASON, OUR DESTINY! IT IS ALREADY DONE!
AMEN.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 08, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I don't care if Simers manages to divine the next winning numbers for the California Super Lottery and he puts them into print for everyone... K-Bros, can you PLEASE give us the heads up when you link a Simers article.
Luckily, I did not click on it because I moused over the link and looked at my browser... I see the word "Simers" in the link and did not click, but others who are boycotting the worst writer at the Times may not have figured out this little trick.
Thanks!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 08, 2008 at 03:40 PM
WELL LAKER FANS YOU ARE SOON TO JOIN THE RANK OF US SPURS FANS I ALWAYS KNEW THE CELTICS WERE THE BETTER TEAM AND OH MY IT IS REALLY SHOWING NOW THOSE CELTICS ARE ON A
MISSION AND YOU'LL NEED TO REALIZE IS THAT THE MISSION IS TO BE NBA CHAMPIONS BUT I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE RUDELY FOUND OUT. MR MVP WELL
GET HIS POINTS BUT THOSE CELTICS ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANYTHING ELSE AS YOUR HAVE SEEN
SO JOIN US SPURS FANS FOR YOUR TIME IS SOON COMING TO AN END GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: BAT | June 09, 2008 at 01:56 PM
the games are fixed no doubt about it,
Posted by: gary | June 09, 2008 at 02:32 PM
the nba is fixed
Posted by: gary | June 09, 2008 at 02:47 PM