The NBA: Where hella fouls happens
Certainly was the case during last night's 108-102 loss to the Celtics. What began (and ended, to some degree) as a reasonably tight game unraveled down the first quarter's stretch, when Kobe Bryant joined Vlad Radmanovic and Lamar Odom on the pine with early foul trouble. The second unit continued their starters' fate as whistle magnets (and just as importantly, repellents), a foundation laid for a 38-10 discrepancy at the stripe. Phil Jackson questioned later how reserve Leon Powe- who undoubtedly played well- can live at the line more in fourteen minutes than his entire team did in 48. That margin wasn't entirely without explanation (even a miffed PJ conceded his opponent was more willing to take a charge or attack the rim with showy aggression), but certainly not to the degree that it played out, which undoubtedly affected the game in a way that made adjustments difficult for the Lakers.
But lest anyone think this blog is pinning a loss squarely on the refs, think again. Even when the Lakers return to Staples on Tuesday for some theoretical home cooking, if some issues aren't ironed out, friendlier officiating ain't about to guarantee a happier box score.
Too many instances where the Lakers become content not to execute their offense, particularly in terms of the spacing required to make it hum. Whether Vlad Rad, Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza (whose first foray into meaningful playoff PT yielded no stops and gummy offense), Kobe Bryant, or a newly activated 2X4, somebody needs to come up with a stop against Paul Pierce. Lamar Odom and the game plan are anything but simpatico at the moment. The Mamba struggling to find his shot until deeper into games isn't helping matters (although his speech making prowess is aces). And even if you're upset about the difference in physicality displayed (or allowed), it can still underscore a toughness exhibited mostly by those donning green. The almost-comeback staged by the Lakers can provide some optimism hopefully carried back to their turf, but it still begs the $64,000,000 question. Can the Lakers compete like the team that cut a 24 point lead down to a bucket in eight minutes play that way for an entire game against these Celtics? Because right now, even if your belief in the Lakers remains, they're still getting outplayed.
If for whatever reason you've been losing sleep over what Curt Schilling thinks about Kobe Bryant, read this, then grab a pillow.
Like you people needed another reason to dislike Red Auerbach.
Summer school could be required for this here report card.
The Celtics did what they had to do. Now it's our turn.
4 The Hard Way!
Posted by: Charles | June 09, 2008 at 09:23 AM
OH, NO!
THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS THE END FOR THE POOR, POOR LAKERS!
SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!
Posted by: Luigi999 | June 09, 2008 at 09:30 AM
DVR don't lie.
Posted by: Vman | June 09, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Repost
I am worried, but not discouraged. Take a look at the playoff series record of the Eastern Champs. This is the job that they were supposed to do. The C’s played a full 20 games.
Now it’s our time to hold court.
Enough about of the calls. Off to Game 3!
Posted by: Charles | June 09, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Posted by: Charles | June 09, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Haha... finally the media (OC Register) is catching up to my assessment that the Celtics are the better team.
Posted by: GtownJJ | June 09, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Glad to see that you're back, Charles. I agree: time for the Lakers to earn it the hard way. Take care of home court, then try to steal one in Boston. It's a long uphill battle, but one that I honestly believe this team is capable of winning.
Lakers in six.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 09, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Now we get to play our game.
Starting off on the road is tough. It just is. The great thing is that all the game has boiled down to is hustle and questionable reffing. When the Lakers find their groove, they are unstoppable.
When they go back to Boston, they will be up 3-2. There is no way the Celtics get away with their game under the bright lights of Staples with the home crowd helping the officials see things. And when the NBA has a taste of how the Lakers would like the game called, game 6 will be where the refs call it fairly at Boston for our side. We will win the championship on their court, just like '87.
Posted by: #4 | June 09, 2008 at 09:36 AM
==== IF I WAS OBJECTIVE .... ====
Be objective for a second.
I'll give you guys the numbers and you tell me:
The Lakers took 30 shots within 5 feet. THIRTY!!! and they
got 10 FTs. Boston took 18.
dont believe me?, check:
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/shotchart/NBA_20080608_LAL@BOS
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=280608002
So all this "they didnt drive, they didnt try", is BULL. I repeat BULL.
Somebody, please explain that to me.
I am resigned to the fact that this will be a long series NOT because
the teams are evenly matched, but because how the NBA is manipulated
by refs for the homecourt team.
In the NBA, you might as well spot the home team 15 points.
Finally,
If it is 2 evenly matched teams, dropping buckets doesnt work. This is
why Game 7 should be on a neutral site for the Finals. Boston gets the
best record playing in a dramatically wacker Eastern conference.
Cleveland doesnt even make the playoffs in the West.
Posted by: Korey | June 09, 2008 at 09:43 AM
We're gonna win in 6 or 7. Have faith!
Posted by: Tsiry | June 09, 2008 at 09:43 AM
REPOST:
my observations:
1. pau gasol improved his aggressiveness in game 2 on the offensive end, he still needs to turn it up one more notch or two. gasol needs to be attacking the basket and getting to the line. i have no problem with him attacking and occasionally drawing iron. much better than the million jump shot clankers that we've seen in the first two games.
2. lamar odom's finishing has been horrendous. the guy attacks and just lofts the ball up hoping it will go in. lamar needs to improve of the defensive end first, and then let everything else take care of itself.
3. luke walton does not belong on the floor.
4. we have vlad rad, luke, and turiaf...and the celtics have posey, pj brown and powe...and to me - this is a significant difference between these two teams. their reserves are simply better players.
5. turiaf's pony tail is annoying.
6. the refs were horrible in game 2. delayed whistles, make up calls, phantom foul calls. i am not asking for every call to go the lakers way...but call the game as straight as you can...ticky tack calls when we're on defense and "let em play" no calls when we have the ball...sick to my stomach...
7. the celtics moving screens...called twice yesterday...but not again...kg is the king of the moving screen.
8. put kobe on paul pierce and take your chances on ray allen and kg beating you.
9. paul pierce is the difference in this series thus far.
10. i was clamoring for trevor ariza to get more playing time, and now i see why he's on the bench...the guy is not 100% back from his ankle/foot injury. sucks for us.
11. kobe needs to be a playmaker for us to win. i'd like to see him bringing the ball up more and setting up the offense. attack the rim when it's there, find the open man when you can, and settle for the jumper when there's nothing else available.
12. vlad rad is a liability...too bad he's all we got...we have to make due (leaving paul pierce alone at the 3 point line is INEXCUSABLE!)
13. gasol is defending kg pretty well, i think his series versus duncan helped out.
14. and many of the lakers issues are a result of the celtics excellent defense which makes the lakers work for every shot.
15. and the celtics have been shooting the ball well from the perimeter...when you are expecting every jumper from pierce, allen and even posey to go in...that means they are playing well.
gonna miss game 3, will be at a erykah badu/roots concert instead...as i have always said, i'd much rather miss the game and the lakers win...then watch the whole thing and see them lose...
c'mon lake show! we still believe...let's win 3 in a row at staples!!!
Posted by: tha show | June 09, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Lakers just have to fully concentrate on playing their game. The refs are going to do what they do and we HAVE to adjust accordingly.
I still have faith - they held home court. If we take one game at a time and win tmrw nite - it's a whole new series. I am feeling okay about all this. PJ and MVP will make the adjustments accordingly and off we go.
It might be tough but I am feeling good about this. Our chance, our time, our season..........
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 09, 2008 at 09:49 AM
As much as i hope that we can sweep all 3 games in LA, realistically I think it would be pretty good if we can go back to Boston down 3-2. Yes, the ref didn't give us the call, and yes, the way they called fouls on us took us out of the rhythm.
However, it looks pretty clear that we are being out-hustled, the players' body language showed that they are frustrated. Even Kobe (as nice as he speaks during post game) took out some of his frustration to his teammates. You win as a team and you lose as a team. Yes, the teammates made some boneheaded plays, but there is no need to yell at them in public. That's a big no-no for a leader. Calling them out is one thing, yelling and screaming at them is another.
I'm not by any mean blaming Kobe for the loss in last two games. As I said, we lost as a team and and we win as one. You'll never see Tim Duncan yelling at TP or Manu. Really, Spurs is the example of how a team should work.
We might not win it this year, it's not a failure by any means. We are Lakers, we don't settle for anything less than championship, but we have made a huge progress.
I still believe in the Lakers, and I say(hope) they'll win it in 7. For that to happen, Kobe has to start trusting his teammates and live with the result. It's a team game.
Like MJ said before "I can accept failures, but I can't accept not trying"
Posted by: moko | June 09, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Good morning Laker Nation.
I'm still mad enough to spit, but I need to get over it - I guess just like we all do. There's nothing we can do about games 1 & 2 now except realize that the C's held court (albeit with help from the zebras) but now it's our turn to do the same.
I have to believe that our boys did not come all this way to give it up easily. I'm sure that now they are pi$$ed off and will come out with something to prove - because they DO have something to prove and they know it. The home court "advantage" will once again prove to be a truism, and the energy from the crowd will give our bench what they need to play the way we know they can.
That being said, it's absolutely ridiculous that even the announcers were talking about how at Staples the Lakers should get the benefit of more calls. WHAT THE ???? IS THAT????
AK/BK/anyone - are there stats to show that NBA ref'ing is the worst? That the home team gets more calls in their favor in an NBA game as opposed to any other major league team? Inquiring minds want to know if it's our "homer" perceptions or not....sigh.....
Growing up in Canada (northern Ontario hockey country), by dad & brothers & I watched NHL hockey all the time. I NEVER remember complaints about how the ref'ing cost the home team the game or anything along those lines. Was I just too young??? Or - more likely - is it a non-issue except for the NBA???
Ok - 'nuff said for now I guess.....Let's just get our game face on and go into Staples tomorrow like the warriers we need to be.
I want some @$$ kicking going on. I want a foray into the paint by someone in green to end up a bloody heap on the floor. (OK - maybe not bloody, but at least a hard foul to make the fool think twice about trying THAT again). I want passion! I want determination! I want the proverbial "eye of the tiger" in EVERYONE! I want the green weeners to CRY out in anguish. I want FEAR in their eyes.
Most of all - I want a fairly called game.
4 to O'Brien........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 09, 2008 at 09:52 AM
(repost)
My fellow bloggians,
HOW SOON WE FORGET!
Have we forgotten the hard work it took for the Lakers to get this far?
Have we forgotten how we almost lost our franchised player?
Have we forgotten a major part of our team went down with a major injury?
Have we forgotten how we had the best darn road record in the NBA for a stretch?
Have we forgotten our front office pulled one of the best trades the NBA has seen?
Have we forgotten after 12 years or so Kobe has gotten an MVP?
Have we forgotten we took the best record in a tough Western Conference?
Have we forgotten that we are the Western Conference Champions?
Have we forgotten this is the most home friendly post season run the NBA has ever seen? Just look at the trend this post season, Boston did what they were suppose to do… win at home.
Until we lose at home we are good shape!
I will not forget; I will not stop believing!
Never forget this incredible season, I am a proud Laker Fan; you should be too!
My pep rally for free!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: JBizzo | June 09, 2008 at 09:53 AM
The first two fouls against Kobe were ticky-tack fouls. The refs called so many fouls on the Lakers it kept us from gaining any momentum, and kept us out of rhythm. Kobe is going to have to come out in Game 3 and take it TO the basket, something he didn't do a lot of in Games 1 and 2. Pao showed signs of life (and muscle) in Game 2, something he was lacking in the first two games. If there is one thing to stress more than anything else, PLAY some D! Damn! If there is ANYTHING that opens up a game offensively, it's DEFENSE! The Lakers are capable of beating both the Celts and the Refs if they have to.
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: wijg | June 09, 2008 at 09:54 AM
The Lakers need to take it to the hole. They need to do it over and over again until the refs have to give them something.
If they don't, we will lose. We did that throughout the playoffs. I don't know why we are taking so many jumpers. Get mad guys. Let's get back in this.
janaya
Posted by: janaya | June 09, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Actually, this series should put to rest the notion that the West is the superior conference. The Celtics have been toughened by playing Cleveland and Detroit, two very physical teams, by comparison, the Lakers are more of a finesse team.
Anyway, the Celts have won in LA this year, as well as in the Texas triangle. Give the Lakers a win at some point, maybe. If Leon lets em.
Posted by: Cageylefty | June 09, 2008 at 09:56 AM
It's disappointing to come back down 0-2. And it feels strange being behind in a series. It feels strange as well playing from behind the whole game. This series seems to have a feel different from the rest of the post season for the lakers.
I'm not giving up on the team though. If they just hold home court they'll have 2 more shots to win a game in Boston, and if they can't win one out of 4 on the road they don't deserve the title.
I won't even give up if we lose tomorrow night and go down 0-3. Some day some team will come back and win from down 0-3 in basketball.
Let's hope it doesnt come to that though.
Go Lakers.
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 09, 2008 at 09:56 AM
and one more thing:
damn proud of the lakers 4th quarter effort...some might say they were spinning their wheels (myself included last night)...yet it shows some light at the end of this tunnel.
i was yelling at the tv...telling phil to cut his losses, put kobe, odom & gasol on the bench and rest them for game 3.
yet the laker players still believed they could steal the game, and they almost did...
i realize it's good for fans to believe in their teams...but it doesn't mean anything if the players don't. and it's obvious the laker players believe in themselves...
they coulda mailed it in last night, good thing i'm not their coach...
never happy with a lakers loss...but i must say i am damn proud to be a laker fan...
c'mon lake show!!!
Posted by: tha show | June 09, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Wonder why David Stern and the NBA have this set up to go to a seven game series? Wonder no more:
The opening game of the NBA Finals in which the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on ABC last night (June 5) drew 9.5 million viewers and earned a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating, the best showing for an opening game of the NBA Finals since 2004, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
Total viewers were up 54 percent over last year’s Game 1 and the 18-49 demo rating was up 28 percent.
(From MediaWeek.com)
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 09, 2008 at 10:01 AM
The OutLaw: Thanks my brother.
Vman: Nice one.
Korey: Keep it real!
Posted by: Charles | June 09, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I would like to see KG and how he reacts to his team when they are down 20 points in the finals, and the refs are making calls against them.
Like I always say its easy to beat up on someone when they are down. It's not like if Schilling does not cuss when he his playing bad. I really get tired of him trying to be the moral voice.
When the Celtics played bad, KG and Ray Allen weren't buddies. When everything thing is good people are jubliant, but when everything is bad it brings out the worst. Thats why 50 percent of marriage fails.
That just totally BS from Curt, he always wants to put other people on blast. Kobe and his teammates are fine, leave it alone Curt. You come to one Boston game, and you become the voice of reason.
Posted by: wow | June 09, 2008 at 10:05 AM
due to the fact NBA try to manipulate the result of the game for having a long series. I will quit watch on tv. I want to send a message to Stern that the way they running this business is NOT working!!
Posted by: wk | June 09, 2008 at 10:08 AM
If the Celtics had lost while shooting 10 free throws to the Lakers 38, they'd scream for a Senate investigation.
No fan wants it to be about referees.
Take the loss, try to do better, if we don't win next,
it's over.
Personally, I'm just thankful digital weapons have yet to be invented. Some of these lonely Bostonian trolls sound like they'd do anything for a headline.
Posted by: Vman | June 09, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I think most of us agree the officiating has favored the Celtics. Too bad, the Lakers need to deal with the crap officiating.
Second: The Lakers have played poorly. Some of that is due to the Celtics but a large part to me appears to be self-inflicted.
Third: The Celtics have out-hustled the Lakers - getting to lose balls, and selling calls that may or may not be there as opposed to the passive Lakers.
The Lakers need to get back to the crisp ball movement and good defensive rotations they made earlier in the playoffs. There has been too much standing around and too much complaining. There has also been too many times the Lakers players have over passed - trying to make the hero pass rather than taking the open shot - typically resulting in a turnover. You just can't have that against a very good Celtic team. If you have a wide open shot that is in your "wheelhouse" TAKE IT! I am very disappointed with the way this team has played vs. the Celtics. The last half of the fourth quarter it looked like the light finally went on - that it dawned on these guys that the Celtics while vulnerable are a good club and will need precise execution to beat Boston. I hope that mentality carries over to LA on Tuesday. That the Lakers realize they are playing for keeps, that there is no more time to dawdle. It is here, it is now, and if Kobe and the gang don't want to relive that embarrassment to the Pistons in 2004 they better get in gear.
Peace,
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | June 09, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Bummer to read what Schilling had to say about Kobe. However, turn the tables on the Celtics, put them on the road in a totally frustrating environment and let's see how KG reacts. IMO, Kobe is the best on the planet, all time. His passion to win is above all. I get tired of everyone dumping all their crap on him all the time. Even our own fans do it. Truth is, without him we'd be on vacation since April.
Anyway, it is a 7 game series for a reason. I think our young players,seeing this level of basketball for the first time in their lives, (certainly not their last) had to be a little taken back by it all. When we are back at staples, we will see a turnaround, refs included.
Let's get in on Tuesday night!!!
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | June 09, 2008 at 10:11 AM
This is what the great Curt has to say about Pau. And he doesn't think his team just bought NBA superstars with Pierce, Garnett and Allen. Total hypocrisy from Curt. If you don't know that much about something, why write like you are the king of the court.
"I don’t know much about the NBA beyond some of the star players and the famous teams. I heard that the Lakers got Gasol in a horrible steal of a deal and that the league should have investigated the trade for some sort of punishable crime I saw a 7 footer last night who grabbed like 4 rebounds and spent the entire game whining about getting fouled"
Posted by: wow | June 09, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Just a thought for all the Celtic bloggers who are talking a lot
of smack here.
7 to 3.
Not enough information for you?
February 3, 2008. University of Phoenix Stadium. Glendale, Arizona.
The Patriots were the best team during the regular season
and they led the Giants by 7 to 3 at halftime. Their
defense was pretty stifling. I bet all you folks in Boston
were talking a lot of smack during that half time show.
Talking about how you were the best team and how great
your defense was.
But you know what? A Super Bowl is 4 quarters, not two.
And an NBA Finals is 7 games, not 2.
So keep talking all the smack you want. It'll just make
you look the more pitiful when the Lakers take the next
4 games.
Lakers in 6.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 09, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Somebody get PJ and kobee some warm milk in bottles!
Crybabies have no place in a Finals. It's about imposing your will on a team, which Boston has done consistently vs. the lakers all season long.
The SUNS took one from Boston this year, and would make a preferable WC representative to the lakers.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:18 AM
There's precedent for the lakers:
The lakers need to take inspiration from SHACK - his Miami team is the only NBA team in the last 30 years to win a title after going down 0-2 in a FInals.
Of course, Boston plays a little tougher than Dallas did.
Bottom line, SHACK is a leader who is responsible for lakers and miami titles. And now, a SUNS title is on its way.
kobee on the other hand, is best as a 2nd banana who might compliment a great player, kind of like Sam Cassell when he played with Hakeem.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Leon Powe - the best 6th man in this series!
Sasha - the playa who Boston wants taking an important shot.
Doc Rivers - outclassing Phil Jackson with ease
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Need more comments on Ariza.. he seems to be the only one who can put a body on fouling fierce (i mean paul pierce).. without getting Kobe in foul trouble. Space Cadet needs more pine time ;0
Posted by: DS | June 09, 2008 at 10:23 AM
AK/BK
Well you started the opening blog message truthful..but ended with the whole "Even when the Lakers return to Staples on Tuesday for some theoretical home cooking, if some issues aren't ironed out, friendlier officiating ain't about to guarantee a happier box score" routine. Let be honest for a second. Let assume in the NBA that bad calls will happen..this we all know. But while you guys were watchin the game didn't you notice our aggresiveness being punished with whistles and bogus calls. Eaits easy to say "Lakers need to be more aggressive blah blah"..no team can play against 5 players and 3 refs. Personall I saw nothing wrong with how we played. We plaed according to how the refs let us play. 30 shots in the paint against Bostons 18 and yet somehow we didn't run the offense the right way? Not sure what game u saw..but I say BS.
Posted by: lakeraholic | June 09, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I think it's great our bench has been embarrassed. I think they got too cocky by reading all the hype and it went to their heads.
Now they have to get back to basics and reach deep into their souls as to why and how they did what they did this year. I am glad for the long plane ride back sulking to make them think about this.
I expect greatness at Staples! And for once I expect one of our "role" players to have a career night - hello any of the bench mob! GET IT GOING!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 09, 2008 at 10:26 AM
"FIXED" game. Just talked to my Sports Bookie he told me too much "MONEY" goes to Lakers. Lakers must lose to cover all the bookie and Vegas ass. I now understand why Mr. Donahue get caught by fixed game. They have to fix game cuz there is too much money involved
Posted by: Pe | June 09, 2008 at 10:26 AM
tha show, JBizzo,
Great post's!
Posted by: Charles | June 09, 2008 at 10:27 AM
By the way when Kobe got on his knees to tell his teammates lets go, it was in the third quarter when they had cut the lead to nine, and it went up to 20. And Curt is the same guy that was really watching the game.
Curt should just say he loves the celtics and hates the lakers, rather than trying to be mister know it all. Im highly frustered in this series, espicially with Pierce (faking a injury and I hate his stupid swagger that he doesn't even have) and the Boston fans. They've been acting like ignorant fools, and here comes Mr. Schilling. This is the last time I post something on this issue. Its pratically stupid.
Posted by: wow | June 09, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I think Doc Rivers studied MIKE D'ANTONI and used his approach on how to strangle Phil Jackson in the playoffs.
You take a great PG, like GNASH, and then put the pressure on the lakers spongy swiss cheese D.
And then, the mentally flawed lakers - lamar odumb, kobee "I ain't got no game without SHACK" bryant, Luke walton - will self destruct.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Much Love to Laker Nation
All is good. We will win the next two and see where it goes from there. I still feel good about our chances and feel as though there is at least a 50 or 60% chance that we win this series.
Kobesbaaaad
Posted by: Kobesbad | June 09, 2008 at 10:29 AM
We might as well give it up and hand over the trophy to Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: LakerBoy | June 09, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Hello everyone.
I'm disgusted on so many levels.
I'm glad to see (and hear) that I was not the only one who thought the officiating was horrible. Listen, I RARELY bitch about the refs, but I had it last night.
I did not even watch the come back because I had turned off the TV. I would have dropped dead had I allowed myself to watch.
From what I saw, the Lakers (again) missed a lot of lay-ups. I thought the energy and effort was there. I was disappointed that the Lakers went away from what was working, and they did this at the worst possible time. I was happy seeing that the players (well, at least Kobe) was getting angry.
We all know the game is one of match-ups, and the Celtics are the only team in the NBA that the Lakers looked like they could not beat in the regular season. I'm not exactly sure why this is, but when it's 5 on 8, there's no way.
It's time for Phil to work some magic. I'm not sure if he's ever been down 0-2 in the finals... but I know the Lakers have been down 0-2 and have come back before in the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
I'm finding that I have a deep hatred of these Celtics and the City of Boston.
Who are these A-holes that have taken over the site? It's dispicable.
One last thing about the refs... I don't mind calling a legit foul, but when you call questionable fouls, it magnifies those questionable ones. Kobe got one bad one, and the second was marginable... then that monster screen w/flop (it was an honest foul) sent him to the bench and the game was over.
Phil cannot afford to take Kobe out in game 3. I don't care if he gets 4 fouls in the first 4 minutes. No Kobe, no victory. Make the refs take him out so that perhaps ESPN will go crazy like they did with that BS after game 4 in San Antonio.
Why did PJ blame Ariza for the momentum swing? Things only got WORSE once Walton was put in there...
ugh.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 09, 2008 at 10:31 AM
"REFS: 2 LA: 0"
"I WILL NEVER WATCH ANOTHER GAME" -agartaw
The refs beat you up throughout the series (you argue); I mean really pound on you, but the Lakers are good, really good, and still manage to make it a series.
At the buzzer in game 7, Nocal Powecat puts one up; it miraculously falls, and the Celts own the trophy. Of course, gloating by the East Coast (National) media makes you throw up in your mouth, and every Celtic fan, to the man/woman, swears the game was won fair and square in game 7.
Like a stroll down memory lane.
If you were playing any other team but the Darling Celtics, the issue would not exist for you. Whether you win or lose this series, you're starting to sound like Kings fans. If you lose this series, the stench of Bad Boston Tacos will remain on your palate for a long time. Get the picture?
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | June 09, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Face it, bandwaggoneers....your guys just aren't tough enough or good enough. Kobe can't do it by himself, and Doc has outcoached Phillip by using team defense to shut him down. Time to put the flags away until the next time it looks like "your" team might win it all.
Posted by: whyme???? | June 09, 2008 at 10:33 AM
The reason why every sports fan (outside LA) relishes this incredible humiliation is this:
There are no free lunches. A swindle took place when the league made sure to get the lakers their 7-foot Ga-Shawl. It was all working according to plan and the title seemed like a foregone conclusion.
Is it right or even sporting to hand the lakers such an easy path to the promised land? No.
Karma and justice have a way of working themselves out, and karma is called BOSTON CELTICS. If the lakers had the misfortune to have faced the SUNS in the playoffs, it would be called PHOENIX SUNS.
There are no free lunches.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:36 AM
curt schilling is a self-righteous blowhard.
Posted by: tha show | June 09, 2008 at 10:36 AM
The one thing that I liked is that every time we rebounded and made quick outlet passes - we scored. Can we try to do more of that?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 09, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I suppose the refs were to blame for the thunderous LEON POWE dunks that went completely undefended?
Man, don't bring even more shame to the Pacific Division by complaining and making excuses!
Ok, so Doc Rivers is outcoaching PJ and Paul Pierce overwhelms kobee - do something about it. I mean, everyone outside LA knew that kobee could not contend with the superior Pierce. kobee can't defend bigger playas like LeBron and Paul Pierce.
The SUNS should be in there representing the PD and WC with some fight and pride!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 10:44 AM
It's amazing how Celtics fans act like they've won the series. All this talk about how great the are when in reality all they've done is hold home court for 2 games. When the Lakers do the same, we'll go back to Boston up 3-2 and have 2 opportunities to steal 1 game in Boston.
After watching game in and the 4th quarter of last night's game, we're more than capable of taking it.
Lakers in 6!!!! Still!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 09, 2008 at 10:45 AM
thanks Charles, your takes on the lakers?
you still think the lakers can turn this around...the fourth quarter was pretty promising...
Posted by: tha show | June 09, 2008 at 10:46 AM
The Lakers outplayed the Celtics in 3 out of 8 quarters in Boston, and the Celts outplayed-outhustled the Lakers in 5 out of 8 quarters. Just what you would expect from home court advantage with 2 very closely matched teams.
And the refereeing w/d have tilted the table just enough for this series to have been 1-1 if the refs were not so determined to make Boston win game 2.
So, no way that those first 2 games indicate that Boston is a better team than the Lakers.
We'll have to see how different the Lakers play in LA to see which team is really better.
The refs gave one game to the Celts in Boston but it's a 7 game series. We can only hope that we get that one game back in Staples w/some favorable calls on our side in at least one game out of 3.
One stat stands out to me: The assist to FG ratio of the Celtics in game 2. It indicates that the Celtics were getting open space on the way to the basket. Was that due to poor defense by the Lakers or by the Lakers being afraid to be called for fouls since the refs were calling them for touch fouls?
The Lakers actually need to play defense exactly the way Boston has been doing it. Sure, the aggressiveness and hustle, and the physical play has to be matched.
But also, the Lakers need to play Pierce the way Boston plays Kobe. Send 2 or 3 guys at Pierce whenever he leaves the perimeter. Let the rest of the Celtics beat the Lakers. So far, Pierce has been the only money player the Celts have had in offense (aside from that freaky one off by Powe in game 2). Garnett will fade after the 1st quarter, he's not going to be the one who's going to be beating the Lakers. As Rosen suggested, defend Garnett with Radman. Switch Odom on Pierce.
Whenever the Celtics overplay Kobe with 3 guys, that means the rest of the floor has 4 Lakers being covered by 2 Celtics. At some point in this series, the Lakers offense will have to make the Celtics pay for that gambit.
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 09, 2008 at 10:48 AM