More things people said today
And the verbiage continues...
PAU GASOL
Q. What are the easy parts of the triangle offense and what are the difficult parts of picking up that offense?
PAU GASOL: The easy parts, well, you've got to know your spots. You've got to know your spacing. You've got to know your options, your wrinkles. You've got to know how to respect spacing on the floor. It's a system that kind of encourages that, for you to space out and really have room to operate and cut, and if they take away something, there's a next option. You know, it's a system that you're supposed to make a lot of reads, which is a good thing, but it's also difficult because everybody has to know the reads and make them right.
But once you get used to it, it's pretty good. It's very effective, and if you dominate the system, it's really productive.
Q. Has it been frustrating for you, it seems like in Europe people in basketball accept you for who you are and your qualities, whereas in the NBA since you've been in the league, everyone wants you to be less soft, more physical and some other type of player? Has that been something you've had to deal with over your career?
PAU GASOL: At times, at times, yes. I think I've become more physical since I got in the NBA. My game was very different when I got to the NBA. I was more of an outside player. I played a lot of small forward before I came to the NBA and it was much more finesse and facing up the basket.
Now my game, because I've always been the tallest on my teams pretty much, has been more to a center position instead of a power forward, which I felt more comfortable. I don't know how it feels anymore to play a power forward and be able to be more comfortable and fluent out there.
But I just try to adjust to what the team needs. Most of the time we need somebody that rebounds, plays defense now and hustles and bangs up. Even though my body is not fit for that most of the time, I still try to have a lot of hard, and I'm a competitor, and I'm going to go out there and do what it takes.
Q. Are you a better player now since coming over from Memphis, or just are we noticing more? Is it motivation that could make you a better player?
PAU GASOL: I think there's a lot to it, all the aspects that you touched. Motivation obviously is a big factor. It makes you play harder, I think, and you're playing for a purpose and with a purpose, and that helps.
Obviously being in L.A., the exposure is 1,000 times bigger than being in Memphis, so people probably didn't notice me much when I was in Memphis because probably had one or two nationally televised games and probably when the games came on, people really didn't want to watch our game.
What else? What else did you touch? That was pretty much it, right?
Q. Are you having fun now?
PAU GASOL: Yeah, I'm having a lot of fun. Winning to me is fun. Having an opportunity to win a championship is fun. That's what I'm about and that's how I have fun, and that's something that I've been lacking a lot lately in my NBA career. So definitely enjoying it, definitely having a lot of fun, and very fortunate to have this amazing opportunity to be in the NBA Final with the Lakers and still very well alive. So we're good to go.
Q. What do you think of the shots that Kevin Garnett is taking? Do you think these are shots that he usually makes or do you think you guys are a factor in pushing him away from the basket a little bit more than he's used to?
PAU GASOL: Well, I think his game this year has moved out a little bit more in the perimeter than it has in the past. I think I noticed in the playoffs he's been shooting a lot from the outside and knocking them down for the most part. I think he's been pretty effective during the playoffs, and maybe the last couple games he hasn't been as effective shooting the ball from the outside. But I've been trying to do a pretty good job of contesting and getting a hand in his face and making it hard. But you know, he had a couple games off, very capable of bouncing back and having a very good shooting night the next couple games. Hopefully that won't happen, but he's capable of it because he's such a good player.
We're trying to play him physical and play him hard and make sure we contest every single shot and make sure we make him fade as much as possible, fade away from the basket instead of getting in the lane which is harder to guard. He had a couple good hoops in the fourth quarter, I think, earlier on going to the basket, and he's effective doing that. But I think last night it was a tough game.
I think most of the players out there struggled physically. You could tell that the travel and the Game 2 and 3 being so tight together, going across the country pretty much is an overseas trip. Me going from Boston to L.A., refueling in the middle, it was like going back to Spain. It was pretty much the same time in hours.
Anyway, I think that was a factor. But you know, I'm always going to play him tough and make him take those shots, and hopefully he'll miss them.
Q. Does the fact that you mentioned it was a tough game and the fact that you guys won ugly, does that help set maybe a platform for you guys to continue your success and perhaps put a little bit more of your style, your game, into the next-- obviously the rest of the series?
PAU GASOL: I think it should give us a lot of confidence that we were able to get a win last night playing, I think, as bad as we did offensively. We definitely battled and hustled and played hard defensively and did a good job on them, but we struggled offensively. We weren't fluent, we weren't confident, we weren't being ourselves out there. And it's encouraging. It's encouraging because we have so much room for improvement for Game 4 team wise that we should be encouraged and confident going into Game 4 and being able to control the tempo, play more moving the ball, sharing the ball and finding guys, and it should be fun. So hopefully that will happen.
DEREK FISHER
DEREK FISHER: I don't know if relief is the term, but I definitely think we feel that we've taken a step in the right direction in terms of giving ourselves a chance to win a championship. I mean, if we don't win the game last night, the reality of being able to win a championship becomes very small. So we've gotten closer to having the opportunity. But until we win another game, then we're still in a tough spot.
Q. The win last night was an ugly win; you'll have to admit that. And you seem to be in a scoring slump yourself.
DEREK FISHER: Well, scoring for me has always kind of come and gone. It's not the primary role that I play for the team. So at times it's frustrating that the opportunities are not there as much, but in terms of my confidence in knowing I'm capable of making plays and making shots for our team, that won't ever go away.
Things always kind of come around for me if I just continue to play hard and make a contribution defensively, do some things that I can do, the shots will come. So I'm fine in that regard.
Q. A lot is being made of how poorly KG and Paul shot, but you and Lamar and Pau didn't actually distinguish yourselves in shooting percentages last night, either.
DEREK FISHER: Well, there's a difference between 1 for 6 and 6 for 21, so you can count how many times I've taken 21 shots in a game.
No, I just think that both teams at times have found it difficult to do what it is they like to do on the offensive end. Obviously the Celtics are very highly regarded in terms of their ability to play defense. And so for us, it's just a matter of continuing to work through that and finding ways to consistently score the ball. But we can't rely on Kobe scoring 36 points and maybe having one other guy be effective offensively.
I think what makes Boston good is that they have three guys who consistently are going to score 20 points for the most part, and that's something that our team has continued to try to do. It can't just be Kobe, it has to be Kobe and Pau and Lamar and myself at times or Radmanovic at times or Farmar or Vujacic off the bench at times. That's the only way you can be successful at this level.
Q. Did you notice any difference of play in Rondo when he came back from his ankle injury there in the fourth quarter?
DEREK FISHER: Nothing jumps out at me. I think he's always played pretty smart and stays within himself, doesn't try and do too much. So I can't say that it was surprising that he wasn't trying to make a lot of stuff happen out there. I think he does a good job of staying under control, not forcing plays, but obviously he didn't play as many minutes as he would have had he not been injured. So I think that's obvious. But how it affected him when he came back out there, I'm not really sure. Coach Rivers decided to go with Eddie House down the stretch, so that probably says a lot right there about how he felt.
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Gasol and odom need to play well if we are going to win this game. I say the final score will be lakers 106 celtics 97. We want tacos!
Posted by: Lakerfaninphx | June 11, 2008 at 11:11 PM
KOBE INTRODUCES A NEW WORD TO THE DICTIONARY: http://thesportsculture.com/2008/06/12/kobe-speaks-in-microphone-contributes-to-merriem-webster/
Posted by: KOBE | June 11, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Something's up, fellow Laker fans. I read, watch, and listen to all the player interviews. All the players seem strangely at peace with the wheels coming off the wagon. Fish, Odom, and Gasol all talk about their lack of production like it's no big deal.
How did it come to this? How did a team that got to the finals with five or six players in double figures in almost every win suddenly go ice cold? I watched the Celtics play Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit. Boston is chock full of vulnerabilities.
Yes, we've heard the excuses. Game 1, the Lakers were just figuring out how Boston plays. Game 2, the referees. Game 3, jet lag. Are you buying it? Everywhere I go, people want to talk about the Lakers. But the conversation quickly dissolves into head scratching.
Here we are, hours from Game 4, and no one knows what to expect. How can this be? The Lakers only need three more victories to win the Championship. But the sense of destiny seems to be slipping away. Now it is the Celtics who believe that destiny is on their side.
I refuse to accept this. I've logged too many hours in front of the television, and a few at Staples Center, to be in any way be prepared for a let-down. I'm waiting for a clarion call from the team that says, "Now we get it." Let's hear it. Let's see it. This is our team. This is our year. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 11, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Peanut Butter Spread
One love and I appreciate your reply. Cool link and you are the man for finding that brother from anotha motha!!!!
Best
Posted by: Charles | June 11, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Hey Rick,
I agree with you, but in reading about the series all day from so many sources on line, I can see that everyone is in the same "WTF" predicament -- no one can explain it, no one understands it. This isn't how anyone imagined the series after seeing Boston struggle in the EC and the Lakers dice up the WC.
The LA players are at peace because that is their only option. The ball is getting into spots where they should score, but they aren't putting it in. Some of it may be nerves, some of it C intimidation, some of it may be mental/physical fatigue. They just have to keep going at it. On the defensive end, no way are the Big 3 going to keep bricking; We have to assume they will average their 60 and we have to deal with that. No way around it.
This series is going to be a grind to the bitter (or happy) end, and it doesn't look like any 2 games will duplicate themselves. So, tomorrow we'll see.
I would expect LA to get the ball into Lamar on a dive right away to see if they can get him going to the hoop. They should also run a little P&R with Kobe and Pau -- which we haven't been seeing this series. I wouldn't mind seeing P&R with Fish -- which we never see -- as a variation.
Shuld be an epic struggle tomorrow...
Posted by: t_sensei | June 12, 2008 at 12:09 AM
I refuse to accept this. I've logged too many hours in front of the television, and a few at Staples Center, to be in any way be prepared for a let-down. I'm waiting for a clarion call from the team that says, "Now we get it." Let's hear it. Let's see it. This is our team. This is our year. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 11, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Right there with you Rick. I think when you combine this with the miserable Finals against Detroit in 2004, I am getting a little damn sick and tired of our offense bogging down in these games. When are the players and coaches going to have that breakout performance? We are running out of time.
Posted by: Jman449 | June 12, 2008 at 12:09 AM
I agree with rick. We've come way to far to let the championship just slip away. I know the celtics play great defense, but so do the spurs and we knocked them out in 5 games. Come on lakers! The time is now! Carpe diem!
Posted by: Lakerfaninphx | June 12, 2008 at 12:21 AM
No problem Charles. glad to help. GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Peanut Butter Spread | June 12, 2008 at 12:23 AM
If you looks closely Gasol's offensive game has regressed right after the first couple of games in the Nuggets series,
something happened but he just stoped looking comfortable. Also i am the bigest Kobe Bryant fan but it seems to me he is intimidating his own players, it looks like he is so affraid of failure that he is putting way to much pressure on everybody else.
Posted by: shneurson | June 12, 2008 at 12:38 AM
I think Pau and Lamar will play definitely better tomorrow. They looked tired and with a lack of confidence as time went by, sure they had a night off but so did Garnett (worst shooter in the game) and Pierce. Gasol did have a mediocre game offensively, the worst in the play-offs, since he typically scores 15-25 points. But actually he didn’t have a bad game defensively, he kept Garnett far from the rim and rebounded as much as him (both top game rebounders).
Part of Gasol’s issues come from the fact that he’s playing as a Center while he always was a Power Forward, simply because he’s the tallest. In that position and with the additional weight they made him gain he can’t move as fast as he used too in the first years in Memphis…
Let’s relax a bit before the big 4th game with some Gasol commercials (with Rafael Nadal):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAU8He6v4U8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejszTF7kJec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvpS-5jko7A
Let’s be positive tomorrow and cheer loud and clear!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Ray | June 12, 2008 at 01:08 AM
Lamar Odom and Gasol are going to break out today i can feel it!!!
Odom
24 points 14 rebounds 6 assists 2 stls and 5 blocks
7-11 from the field
8-10 foul line
Gasol
19 points 8 rebounds 7 assists 4 blocks
6-9 from the field
7-8 from the foul line
Kobe Bryant 37 points 6 rebounds 8 assists 3 stls
13-19 from the field
8-8 foul line
3-4 from the three point line
Derick Fisher
9 points 3 rebounds 4 assists and 2stls
4-6 from the filed
1-1 3 point line
Radmanovich 6 points 8 rebounds 2 assists and 1 stl
2-6 from the field
2-3 three point line
Vujacich 13 points 2 rebounds and 1 assist
4-7 from the field
2-2 foul line
3-5 3 point line
Farmar 8 points 3 rebounds 4 assists
4-8 from the field
1-3 foul line
1-2 3 point line
Walton 0 points 6 rebounds 5 assists
0-5 from the field
0-2 foul line
1-1 3 point line
Ariza 6 points 3 rebounds 1 block
3-3from the field
Turiaf 4points 6 rebounds 3 blocks
2-3 from the field
The final Score Lakers 126 Celtics 99
Posted by: shneurson | June 12, 2008 at 02:30 AM
The next two games would be a must-win for the LAKERS...
Judging on how the last 3 games are played, the C's are still the better team...
I do hope the LAKE Show will reverse this order..
Posted by: shaggy | June 12, 2008 at 02:42 AM
t_sensei,
Nice reply to my cuz Rick.
I'm disturbed that the Lakers are in a position to explain horrendous performances in this series.
There are a number of ways people can adjust to horrible performances. It's very individual. Hopefully, the response people (and more importantly, the team as a whole) make is a helpful one.
All these interviews are just words, even from a candid and thoughtful interviewee like Derek Fisher.
Kobe can get mad and it works for him. He hates to lose and he'd practically kill one of his own dogs to prevent it.
The rest of the team adjusts differently. I think they need to accept their poor performances so that they can live with them. They don't have the great body of playoff work that Kobe does. They don't have championships (except Fish). They don't have the dominating alpha male confidence that Kobe has (except maybe Farmar). Vujacic is in a whole other category. He's cold-blooded, or oblivious. Regardless, he's been one of the most unflappable players in pressure situations that I've seen.
I would prefer that players didn't accept how they played, particularly Lamar. How he played was not okay given we pay him 13M a year. I don't like rationalizations. I don't like excuses. I don't like quitters. I don't like the weak-minded.
I thought we purged all of that stuff with Smush, Cookie, and Kwame. I hope I thought correctly.
As long as our team plays smartly, puts in a maximum effort, and continues to focus strongly on defense, I'll be proud of them. Thus far I haven't really seen that. I don't really care what anyone says or what is their apparent attitude. They have to play better. I believe that they will.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 12, 2008 at 03:25 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
BONJOUR GUYS,
NO DOUBT, WE WILL WIN TONIGHT.
CONCENTRATE OUR POSITIVE ENERGY IN OUR TEAM AND THE STAPLES CENTER WILL BE ON FIRE!!!
A PLUS TARD
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | June 12, 2008 at 03:50 AM
*_________________________________*
Sasha The Machine is the Next
Big Thing BandWagon
*_________________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner
(02) Magic Man - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic
(04) JesterGuru – Has secret jet fuel for The machine
(05) Edwin Gueco – Director of Sasha’s shot selection
(06) JustAnotherMambafan – Help Sasha come up with the name The Machine
*_______________________________*
Jordan Farmar Is a Bad Mofo and He's
Gonna Show You So BANDWAGON
*_______________________________*
(01) MAGICMAN - Owner and Driver
(02) Mamba24 - Riding Shotgun
(03) KEIFO – Taught JF the crossover
(04) Caliphilosopher – Taught Jordan to calm down
(05) JustAnotherMambafan – Told JF the secret is make Mamba happy
(06) Fearless – had him watch 8 hours of t5he Wire
(07) JesterGuru - Director of Directors
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 05:49 AM
*___________________________*
CELTICS Resistance is FUTILE
against the Lakers BANDWAGON
*___________________________*
(01) BK - Driver
(02) AK - Owner
(03) LAKERTOM – Turned the Borg into Laker Fans
(04) MAMBA24 – Not completely assimilated
(05) KOBESBAD – Turned the Borg Bad
(06) , JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Made Lebron vote Kobe MVP
(07) Jamie Sweet – Made David Stern Cry Uncle
(08) Edwin Gueco – Character of Picard based upon him
(09) Janaya – Beat Worf in arm wrestling.
(10) Pig Miller – Turned the Borg into trolls
(11) Fearless – Even the Borg fear him
(12) Nemaia Faletogo – Real Inventor of the Warp drive
(13) Milo Rambaldi – Team Prophet and starship captain
(14) TWoody – Defeated Borg in Hand-to-Hand combat
(15) JustAnotherMambaFan – Gave Worf a home with the Mamba family
(16) Jon K. -- In Charge of the Tractor Beam
(17) MagicMan – that is what Dr. Crusher calls him.
(18) Htj - Created the Warp Drive
(19) JesterGuru - He is the Borq Queens hero.
(20) JohnnyP - Created the first Starship
*_______________________________*
"Punch KG "The Big Ticket" bandwagon.
*_______________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – CEO – TKO’d KG twice
(02) Mel - Driver
(03) Bozz - Owner
(04) Complex_Brotha - Sparring Partner, Knocked him out
(05) Mamba24 - referee
(06) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(07) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(08) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(09) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(10) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(11) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(12) Edwin Gueco – Made a citizens arrest of KG
(13) Keifo – Beat KG at Horse.
(14) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(15) Jon K. Taught all Lakers the deadly throat puncjh
(16) Happy Camper - Made Daany Ainge unhappy
(17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself….twice!
(18) JustAnotherLakerFan – Will pull the alarms when they come to LA.
(19) JustALakerFan – Stole KG.s shaving kit
(20) JesterGuru – Put a For Sale sign on KG’s. house
*_______________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(03) LAKER TOM – CEO – Made an offer they couldn’t refuse
(02) Milo Rambaldi--Team Prophet.
(03) Mamba24 – East Coast Jessie’s BodyGuard
(04) LakerFaze – Taught KG how to Dunk
(05) TOAD – Once beat Larry Bird in a game of horse
(06) LakerMan420 – Told Red Auerbach where to put his cigar
(07) HmrHed – Blocked KG’s hook twice
(08) SIimLakerGirl – Reports directly to Jeannie Buss
(09) LakerLegacy – Made Red Auerbach bow down to 9Rings
(10) PigMiller– sent LARRY Bird back to French lick IND.
(11) JEFF - Was born hating the Celtics.
(12) #4 Not only born hating Celtics but will bequeath the hate to his heirs
(13) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(14) JustAnotherMambaFan – Hates them
(15) THE_D – Thinks Celtics fans should go to AA meetings
(16) JON K. - Put the chokehold in the Celtics choking
(17) FLOYD – Fought with Jerry west over who hated Boston most
(18) NEMAIA FALETOGO - Fan of the Purple Hulk - No not K.G.
(19) KEIFO - Riding ShotGun
(20) CBuck - Played Horse with McHale and made him retire
(21) BZAR - Painted the Parquet floor Purple and Gold
(22) KOBESBAD - Put exploding cigars in Red Auebachs Humidor
(23) EDWIN GUECO – Shaved Danny Ainges hair while he was asleep
(24) JAMIE SWEET - Is not so sweet when it comes to Celtics
(26) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(27) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(28) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(29) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(30) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(31) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(32) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(33) (17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself.
(34) LakerNorth – Put itching powder in KG’s shorts.
(35) JustAnotherLakerFan – Will pull the alarms when they come to LA
(36) JustALakerFan – Stole KG.s shaving kit
(37) JesterGuru – Put a For Sale sign on KG’s. house
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 05:52 AM
“No, they’re used to it, and we all have thick skin around here on the team. That’s just how we ‑‑ we’re brutally honest with each other. Our team is built for that. We all love it.” - Kobe Bryant
Oh Kobe, can you be more myopic? Please?
Wonder if Kobe expects or would enjoy the same type of treatment.
Rolling your eyes when somebody is speaking to you is a sign of disrespect. It means you do not care for what the person is saying.
Kobe would definitely enjoy it if his teammates treated him the same way that he treats them.
No reported incidents of his teammates treating Kobe the way he treats them.
So obviously Kobe dishes it out. But can he take it when they are “brutally honest” with him?
It was quite hilarious Kobe screaming at Pau to make his FT’s. Ironic too. Since Kobe missed more than Pau. See anybody yelling at Kobe?
As written before, this is why Kobe will never truly garner genuine respect from his teammates. They just nod in agreement to deflect anymore unwarranted criticism. Like the petulant child crying for a lollipop, even when you think it’s wrong to give the child too much sugar, you just give in sometimes. Because you just don’t want to deal with it.
Kobe needs to understand this. At a very basic human level, everyone wants respect. If you give it, then you will receive it.
This is the difference between Kobe and Jordan.
Jordan did what he preached. Jordan was even a bigger jerk to his teammates. But you know what? He earned their respect. Because he did what he preached. He led them to the promised land. They had true respect for him dragging them to the mountain top.
Notice how Kobe’s teammates patronize him already?
When Kobe starts barking, they respond, “Yeah, yeah, ok”. Nod Nod. But you know what they’re thinking.
“My god, is it that time of the month again? I wonder if he uses pads or tampons.”
-Jeffs Aho
Posted by: Jeffs Aho | June 12, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER – We look forward to prayer
Good Morning, Morning Maniacs JohnnyP. Bozz, Toad, Pig Miller, Fearless
JustAnotherMambaFan, Edward Gueco, EastCoastJessie, PsychedLakerGirl, WaterBoy
Edwin Gueco, SemiLakerGirl, LakerTom, Tha_Show, Tim-4-Show, LakeHolic ,Karynar
YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS. TODAY IS THE DAY THE LAKERS GET EVEN
BRING SEVERAL WHEELCHAIRS PLEASE!
GAME DAY!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | June 12, 2008 at 06:06 AM
The New York Times has a pretty good take on the latest Donaghy allegations:
http://tinyurl.com/5mfgqx
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 12, 2008 at 06:18 AM
*________________________________*
EXIT SASHA – ENTER THE MACHINE
BANDWAGON
*________________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner – That’s figuratively Faith
(02) Magic Man - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic
(04) JesterGuru – Has secret jet fuel for The machine
(05) Edwin Gueco – Director of Sasha’s shot selection
(06) JustAnotherMambafan – Help Sasha come up with the name The Machine
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 06:25 AM
*__________________________*
START SASHA & FARMAR NOW
BANDWAGON
*_________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner Of Sasha
(02) Magic Man - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic formerly with IRONMAN
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 06:31 AM
****
Thursday June 12, 2008 - The Force will be in balance when the series gets even tonight
Laker Nation make noise tonight so loud that even the dead awake and join in.
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER – We look forward to prayer
Good Morning, Morning Crew: JohnnyP. Bozz, Toad, Pig Miller, Fearless, Karynar
JustAnotherMambaFan, Edward Gueco, EastCoastJessie, PsychedLakerGirl, WaterBoy
Edwin Gueco, SemiLakerGirl, LakerTom, Tha_Show, Tim-4-Show, LakerMan420
Welcome: VA.LAKER GIRL, Jermaine_KobeFan, NovoLaker, The_Psychologist
*
ODDS: Lakers by 71/2 Points.......SERIES: LAKERS 1 – 2
****
@AMAZING HAPPENS
I don't know what to say really. 8 hours to the biggest battle of our
professional lives all comes down to today. Either we play as a team
or we are going to crumble. Inch by inch play by play till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen believe me and we can stay here and
get the sh*t kicked out of us or we can fight our way back into the light.
We can climb out of hell. One inch at a time. Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old. I look around and I see these young faces and I think I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make. I uh....I pissed
away all my money believe it or not. I chased off anyone who has ever
loved me. And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror. You
know when you get old in life things get taken from you. That's, that's
part of life. But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff. You find
out that life is just a game of inches. So is basketball. Because in either
game, life or basketball The margin for error is so small. One half step
too late or to early you don't quite make it. One half second too slow
or too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are
everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game every minute,
every second. On this team, we fight for that inch On this team, we tear
ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with
our finger nails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the difference between WINNING and LOSING between
LIVING and DYING. I'll tell you this in any fight it is the guy who IS WILLING
TO DIE who is going to win that inch. And I know if I am going to have any life
Anymore it is because I am still willing to fight and die for that inch because that
is what LIVING is. The six inches in front of your face. Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you. Look into his eyes. Now I think you are
going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down
to it, you are gonna do the same thing for him. That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team, or we will die as individuals.
That's basketball guys. That's all it is. Now, whattaya gonna do?
GAME 4 NEXT:
ROLLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLL:
AND NOW YOUR STARTING WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION LINEUP:
At small forward # 7 Lamar Odom
At strong forward # 10 Vlad Radmanovic
At center # 16 Pau Gasol
At guard # 2 Derick Fisher
AND AT GUARD THE 2008 MVP , KOBE BRYYYYYYYANNNNNNNNT
(1) Faith, Bob, Keifo, Vman. Jay Jay, CHARLES, Edwin Gueco, TSIRY, FATTY, AngryLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, LakerTruth
WesJoeNixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, Elle, HmrHed
ComptonsFinest, FlagrantFowl LakerLegacy, EXHELODRVR, Laker Tom, Rick Friedman ,
RDLEE, PurpleHeart, Allan-Brazil, Andrew Z. HugoBoss, CORNER J. BayWood, NEVER
The OUTLAW, Tsphere, Jon Kavulic, WeaveMan, SixOneZero, FEARLESS, CBuck, MAN
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, JANAYA, EASTCOASTJessie, JMAN, HTJ
BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, Mamba#5, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, LALFan, KOBE24
Greek Dude, KB8THWONDER, Original Ken, Original J J, LAKERMAN_420, SAMLL
Purple&Gold_REIN, ZEN, Ando, Brylle, MOKO, JOHNNY P., DAVE ROSENZWEIG
LakerGurl, SFLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerGirl1980, VALakerGirl
HoustonLakerGirl, BocaLakerGirl, LAKERLASS, SheKOBE, LakersRydeOrDie, SloGal,
DrewPauKobe, GoKobeGo, KobesBad, KobeRocks, Laker/KobeFan, NIK KANNAN
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KIWI, Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, LakersMR, LakersSTH, HobbitMage, KOREY
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MagicMan, SALTLAKER, Todd, WWKBD, Puddle, Sambosola, GREENPAZ, SEAN P.
L.A. Watcher, Fuego32, EHomp, KCHW, MichiganLaker, XTRO,LAKERFAZE, WOW
Complex Brotha, WondahBap, Derek, BENJAMIN, Cyrus(Ventrilquist), S.TAN, CHE
HappyCamper, HappyDaze, HappyGilmore, CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, BZAR,
AMAZING HAPPENS, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real,
CooLHAIR, The_COOL BOBIE, SpokanLakerFan, Duma, Shum, ManSlayer, EEVEE
LAKERFAN BMAC, FRANK FRIZZO, LakerZeigeist, Playa, FatSam, Anthony Johnson
AKR68, GIANTSQUID, BotSoy, CALIPHILOSOPHER, JLuv, CDUB0512, LAKERBODHI
LAKERFAN, IndianLaker, LakerAngolaN, LakerFanCanada, ValleyLaker, DOCTOR D.
Bruzer, Peanut_Butter_Spread, LAKERKEV, Lakers_Sparks_Fan, Trio, Reality_Check
DANCAT, LakerBandit, TwoForOne7, HAWAIID,Chick4Ever, MIKE DILLS, LAURIA
You Ever Notice? MARKYTHEARKY, Justin Leonard, Linda Pineda, Kidwell, Mel, AJAX
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
LakerNorth, LakerinBC, ROMY R, Earth_Wind_&_Fire, FKIllah, TEEJ, VIOLATER
AA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff Grotke
Lakers4Realz, Gino, Gabe, Floyd, Vincent, ROBYN, Khang, Old Scholol, JANDRO
EDDIE BROCK, PAUL LEE, Mitchell, DAVID IN SPAIN, J_Doubter, Guy,AFROJOE
Playa, Franky_J., Daryl, LakerDawg, DK,JC, The Dropper, Afro Joe, STAN DARSH
MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, Andy B, HUBBIT, Jamie SWEET, LAKER_LARRY
THE HAMMER Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMAN, TP
Linda Pineda, CaliKing, Thirty2, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08, Mel, J.D. Hastings
Laker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DAXMDD
JHLANNERY, BOCALakerGIRL, Cameron, EMMA, Thomas, LAKAFOO, PurpleMagic
Lakerfan24, SeanDouglas, StocktonShowtime, JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), Revmaxxx
40YearFan, KillerEight, LOTEC9, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz, LakaLover, Bynumite,
CS, LakerHopeful, Bobie, MARCO64, Drew, PURPLE&GOLD_4EVA, Tajluck, Waterboy
B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, GUGY, Laker4Life, MARTY,
Pince Akrasian, EAGLEBOY, JR., BLKTHGHT06, SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness,
LakerBake, Sean74, Sead94, LongLiveChick , Kinglakernidas, RespectMyAuthorith,
Hariyahu, Alexinh017, NESTROS BISTRO, LiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, phred, Swettual,
KIKOS DAD, RicoTico, SocalSpider , BigGameJames, LAKERSNZ , Karynanr*
BlingBling, Rob_D, MELOS, Lakers_Heart, SevenFacesOfDrLau Janet, LakerBodhi
JHNLannery, Adrian Palomar, SUPERSA, BH, SAGA, FrancesW, Onaoman, Lent
CHERIE JOHNSON, LAKER_1959, LAKER_HOPEFUL, Dalton, JV, Glenn, T-ROCK
VA_LAKERGIRL, JERMAINE_KOBEFAN, NOVO_LAKER, THE PSYCHOLOGIST
ALL TOGETHER NOW
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES. THE TEAM
WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY. THE ONLY TEAM
WITH 3 HOF COACHES. THE ONLY TEAM TO APPEAR IN THE NBA FINALS IN
EVERY DECADE OF THE NBA'S EXISTENCE. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(8). THE HOME
OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP KOBE BRYANT. THE HOME OF WILT
KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST),
SHAQ, PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY"
GAIL GOODRICH THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN COACHED
BY 9 TIME – SOON TO BE 10 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON &
OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS AND THE
ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 12, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Up and at 'em Laker Nation! Get the game faces on folks.........
IT'S GAAAAME DAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | June 12, 2008 at 07:37 AM
This is a game of adjustments, as we all know. PJ can't give away all of his secrets to the media or to the Laker Nation. I expect to see a team with a ferocious energy, with better spacing, with a lot more movement off the ball, and with a stifling defensive intensity.
If Lamar can stay on the floor for more than four minutes in the first quarter, he'll be able to do some of the intangibles that make him so dangerous. Look for that to happen tonight.
This is our year. Our team. I believe in them 100% percent.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 12, 2008 at 07:41 AM
*_________________________________*
"Jeff Aho and GUNNER should get together in
a room and kick each other in the balls for 20
minutes and then try to decide how it is Kobe's
fault that their balls hurt" BANDWAGON
*___________________________________*
(01) Exhelodrvr - Owner
(02) PslakerFan - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - ROFLMAO!
(04) StrangerInTheNight – do be do be doo
(05) BocaLakerGurl – made both of them honorary Laker Girls
(06) MarkyTheArky – Locked the door
(07) MagicMan – Turned them both into rabid wombats
(08) KobesBad – Laughed so hard he strained his back
(09) SimiLakerGirl – Sprayed water on them to separate them
(10) Jon K. - Provided the steel-toed boots.
(11) JustALakerFan – Submitted their names to MMA.
(12) Phred – Somebodies gonna pay for letting him miss all the fun
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Good Morning Family!
Rick - I totally agree! My biggest worry about Boston going into this series is that they have heart and determination; what doesn't eliminate you in the playoffs only makes you stronger. Remember those Shaq heart shirts that he brought out for people during the playoffs a few years ago? We should be playing with so much more - even if the offensive game doesn't come, we gotta keep them off the boards, stop the second chance points, and start dictating the tempo of the game.
Charles - How's it going yo? You feeling better? Glad to see you posting again!
Sensei - I think that you're absolutely correct - we saw a lot of that P&R with Kobe and Pau in the series against Utah, but not so much here. I think they should run that with The Machine in the corner, Fish/VladRad on the opposite wing, and L.O. ready to dive in if they send a high trap to keep Kobe from getting to the rack.
A little change offensively shouldn't hurt.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 12, 2008 at 07:47 AM
MAMBA24 - Good Morning! Thanks for putting me on the roll call (I thought I could smell that cookin' way out here in Texas!). I hope you are having a great morning so far.
I have one request for you - will you please put me on The Machine's bandwagon please? If this man keeps coming up big, we could see a lot of him playing the 2 while Kobe plays the 3 next year.
Let's Go Lake Show! Show the world how much heart you have (Just like Atlanta and Cleveland did this playoffs when at home!)
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 12, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Go LAKERS!
Defeat the celtics!
Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 12, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, morning CRUE and good morning to the rest of the FABULOUS LAKER NATION!!!!!!!!!!
Mamba24 - rousing ROLL CALL - now THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S GAME DAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yah - that's right - bring it on - let's go - take it to the ugly weiners!!! We want them to BLEED - we want them to CHOKE - we want them to CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Break out the wheelchairs folks, cuz it's going to get UGLY up in here (yah - that's right - the C's are in town and they are the ugliest bunch on god's green earth).
AARRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF AND GET IT DONE!!!!!!!!!!!
3 to O'Brien...........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 12, 2008 at 08:06 AM
According to Pau, the triangle has nuances wherein he has to do a lot of reading as the play goes, there is a need for spacing and standing at the right spots. Is that the reason what makes him confused during ball games? In the case of Celtics, they just clogged the middle concentrate on Kobe and when he passes or does the P & R with Pau, they either foul Pau hard and bingo! the triangle collapses. Is this also the reason why Luke Walton plays more minutes than Trevor because he knows his spots? What is the use of those spots if you can't shoot? Whatever tactics available in the books, it redounds to fundamentals like shooting developed during formative years, rebounding power gained from experience and blocking spaces to get that advantage, its plain common sense, don't let Garnett be free at the post or for Sasha and Vlad to leave Allen and Pierce unguarded in the perimeter. In the last game, I cringed when I saw Allen got the ball and Luke was there to block him out but one crossover move Luke got lost. that's unforgivable - fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. How many "shame on me's" on Walton's game who is proficient on the triangle but could not shoot straight?
So Pau, don't get lost on the intricacies of the triangle, it's back to common sense, whatever that works and if you have to use your ingenuity the way that coach from Team Spain taught you, then used it. America loves a winner, you may have perfected the triangle but lost in transition to Garnett and Perkins, then America will always find faults on failure. When you are at the post, do some faking or body english moves to avoid the long arms of Garnett. Perhaps, borrow the hook shots of Kareem which you often used. Make the board as your ally to nullify those cheapy shots and last but not the least those freebies on the foul line they're opportunities not to be wasted with plain mental block or undisciplined nerves. This is the ultimate dream of every basketball player to win it all in the NBA Finals. Must you waste these rare opportunities?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Mamba24,
That is the perfect Roll Call for today. "In any fight it is the guy who IS WILLING TO DIE who is going to win that inch." We all know that Kobe is willing to die to win that inch; Sasha and Farmar, too. But the rest of the squad needs to declare themselves. We need to know, as does Kobe, that Fish, Odom, Gasol, VladRad, Ronny, Walton, and Ariza are all ready to sacrifice themselves in any way needed to bring the trophy home at the end of the Finals.
The lyrics of the new Offspring song, "Hammerhead," are appropriate for tonight:
I am the one
Camouflage and guns
Risk my life
To keep my people from harm
Authority
Vested in me
I sacrifice
With my brothers in arms
Through this doorway
What's on the other side
Never knowing
Exactly what I'll find
Locked and loaded
Voices screaming
Let's go!
Come on do it!
Here we go
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 12, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Good morning Mamba and the rest of Laker Nation,
I'm traveling today so this will be my only post but I have to ask ALL Lakers fans going to Staples tonight...please, please, please be loud and back up our players. Much was said here in Boston about the crowd not being loud and we can't have that.
I know we have an arena full of stars over there but it's time to stop acting cute and be a real fan. I don't want the Celtics to be able to hear any plays called...I don't wanna hear KG swearing up a storm and I want full support for our players the entire game, wether they're up or down.
The crowd in Boston is defeaning, and although I'll admit most of them are drunk Irish idiots, we've got to come out and be loud tonight. The players need to know that we're behind them. This is a must win game for us as well as Sunday's game.
I'll celebrate with you all tomorrow. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 12, 2008 at 08:15 AM
*__________________________*
START SASHA & FARMAR NOW
BANDWAGON
*_________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner Of Sasha
(02) John In Houston – C0/Owner
(03) Magic Man - Driver
(04) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic formerly with IRONMAN
(05) Korey – Is giving Sasha new contract
(06) Charles – believes both are Kobe clones
(07) Caliphilosopher – Personally told 9Rings to start him
*________________________________*
EXIT SASHA – ENTER THE MACHINE
BANDWAGON
*________________________________*
(01) Faith – Owner – That’s figuratively Faith
(02) Magic Man - Driver
(03) Mamba24 - Chief Mechanic formerly with IRONMAN
(04) JesterGuru – Has secret jet fuel for The machine
(05) Edwin Gueco – Director of Sasha’s shot selection
(06) JustAnotherMambafan – Created the name The Machine
(07) Korey – Is giving him new contract
(08) Charles – constantly gives him pep talks
(09) Caliphilosopher – Personally told 9Rings to start him
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 12, 2008 at 08:16 AM
justanothermambafan,
"the C's are in town and they are the ugliest bunch on god's green earth"
This Celtic's roster doesn't hold a candle to the 80's Celtics team, in more ways than one. That was arguably the ugliest team ever, in any sport.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 12, 2008 at 08:17 AM
JustAnotherMambaFan D@MNNNNNN! Save some of that
energy for the game. Or better yet, send some to the team. LOL!
Either way...THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!
I have a feeling that this game will be the closest thing to hell
The Celtics & Lakers have ever seen
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 12, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Nice observations Rick F, sensei and Benjamin,
Only Kobe and Sasha are consistent in these playoffs, the rest are lost in transition. They make one good acts and waste it with poor turnovers or missed opportunities. Gasol statements show that he gets lost with the nuances of the triangle where to stand, the spacing and so forth....Is this the reason why Luke Walton gets a lot of p/t than Trevor because of his proficiency on the triangle? What is the use of the good of the triangle if you don't know how to shoot straight? If you don't know how to make a decent lay up or can't slam dunk that rock? I cringed in the last game when I saw Allen got the ball and Luke was there to block him but one cross over move, Allen sped to the hoop unguarded. That's unforgivable. Fool me once shame on you but fool me twice shame on me. How many "shame on me's" in Luke's game who is a great player in the triangle.
So Pau, don't let the triangle deceived you, if you have to use the techniques taught by your coach from Team Spain, then use it. America loves the winner and finds fault on the loser. One glaring failure in the last game, you are beaten by KG in the post. Well, you know your basketball, the body english to avoid being blocked, the faking to fish for fouls or mix it with your hook shots. Last but not the least, those freebies on the F/T line should not wasted, they are opportunities not practice shots.
This is a great moment in your life, the dream of every ball player that is to win it all in the NBA Finals. Must you let this rare opportunities pass you by?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Yeah boooiiieee! It's gameday, wake up Morning Crue!
I spy with my little eye, the birth of a star in Sasha. I say he continues his hot streak and inspires our bigs to take a page out of his book and whoops some green azz!
Prediction: Lakers 94 Cs 88. Booyah!
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 12, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning ALL of Laker Nation!
Mamba, toad is present and accounted for!
Okay, we have to win this one tonight. No excuses. Come out with the focus and intensity that only desperation can bring. Win the first five minutes of the game, get ahead, put yor feet on their throats and never let them up. Lead from the opening tip to the final horn, as we did in so many of the playoff games leading to this showdown. Control the pace and flow of the game. Take the hope out of the leprechauns for this game and all the rest of the series. Run the offense with precision. Hit the boards. Drive hard to the hoop. Let the leprechauns know they cannot prevail, our will is stronger. Three wins is all we need. Get them down and they will press too hard as they know this is their only shot at a ring for the next five years.
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | June 12, 2008 at 08:34 AM
I agree with what everyone is saying about tonight's game; that both teams will be settled down from the finals jitters, that they will be rested from the travel day, and they will both be playing their best basketball.
And at home I see the Lakers winning against anyone playing at their best. 15 in a row and every playoff game. Plus Boston's weak road play in the first two series, losing every road game. Everything to me points to a big Lakers win tonight.
Course you still have to go out and play the game.
Lamar has to bounce back tonight. I think if he just quits fouling, especially those charges, and stays in the game, he'll get into his rhythm and get a double double tonight.
And Gasol has been off offensively, but like someone pointed out on the blog recently every power forward or center he's played against in the playoffs shooting percentage has gone down by 5% or so, including Duncan and Garnett. That's impressive, and something I wasn't aware of. You don't think of him as a big time defender but maybe he is.
I hope we see a lot of Farmar and Sasha tonight. I was just reading an article that said the Boston frontcourt has been vulnerable to ball-pressure all year, and they couldnt believe Phil waited till Game 3 to start exploiting it. I think Farmar, Sasha, Kobe, Lamar and Pau is the lineup that will win the series for us. I think that lineup matches up better with Boston. I don't think we match up well against Boston, our normal starters against theirs. I think that's why we lost the regular season games, and I think that's why we lost the first 2 games in Boston. I think our team is better, but I think Boston is a bad match up for us. But with a small high pressure lineup I think we neutralize that.
I am praying we can take this back to Boston up 3-2. I can't wait to see them squirm playing an elimination game.
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | June 12, 2008 at 08:38 AM
ITS TIME FOR LAKER BASKETBALL.....
1, 2 THE LAKERS COMING FOR YOU.....
3,4 THERE GONNA SHUT THE DOOR...
5,6 THEY GONNA PICK UP THE CELTICS BRICKS...
7,8 THIS CHAMPIONCHIP IS OUR FATE...
9,10 WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT TO THEM....
HAHAHAHA....LETS GO LAKER NATION... GOOD MORNING YA'LL
Posted by: sisco | June 12, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Jeff Aho,
"As written before, this is why Kobe will never truly garner genuine respect from his teammates. They just nod in agreement to deflect anymore unwarranted criticism"
That was before, the time is different today. You were a Kobe hater before, a Kobe hater today and a Kobe hater forever. Why don't you join Curt Schilling in cross dressing and help the Celtics guard Kobe? What kind response do you expect from this blog? Right now, Kobe is the brain, the heart and the pumping blood of the Lakers, without him, they are done in this series. In your case, if you don't post your unusual ideas, we will be in the right state of mind.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Hello you all Laker Nation
Today i will not go to bed again but who cares?
Today my favourite team have the chance to tie this final, let´s go for it.
Laker yesterday, Laker right now, Laker forever.
GO LAKERS GO LAKERS GO LAKERS
Posted by: DOCTOR D | June 12, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Faith & Sasha Hook up Bandwagon
(1) Laker blog big brothers - owner / operators
(2) K bros - executive facilitators, or love doctors (if you prefer)
(3) Vman - e harmony casualty
Posted by: Vman | June 12, 2008 at 09:07 AM
The pick and roll we used to see in the Western Conference are not happening in the Finals, b/c Celtics are clogging the post, fouling hard Gasol and moving Odom out of his favorite spot. Did you see that pass of Fisher to Pau that went out of bounds? Why? a little shove from Garnett or Perkins put Gasol out of position. I was toying the idea what if Pau becomes a power forward and LO as the Center then we have more tall men in the post. Well, LO still carries the ball as if he is the fascilitator, he does those jump shooting which not his forte. At 2nd Q, PJ shoud use Mbenga and Gasol or LO and Turiaf, then there is a staying power in the post. LO or Pau alone would not be enough to get rebounding advantage from Brown and Posey or garnett and Perkins.
I also noticed that Celtics use a lot of screening on their plays that frees Allen or Pierce unattended while the Lakers get into passing the ball around until someone gets a free look. Supposing those Sasha shots are bricking, Lakers players are too far from getting the offensive rebounds. I believe two bigs cannot leave the post while the other three are ready in long rebounds or transition defense.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Lakerfaninphx,
We don't need to pass 100, just get over the Celtics, I prefer the Tacos at the parade.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Do you know the significance of Thursday?
It is Game 4, a pivotal game for the Lakers tie the series of lose it.
If we win the next three games, then the parade will be next Thursday.
This is the game that Kobe has been ranting over all summer, that's why he was so animated with his teammates to perform beyond their ablities. So far, Lamar is still too far and Pau has no wow. Without their participation, this is an uphill battle on the road to Championship.
We have only one aspiration in the blog to have unity in giving the much needed inspiration to our Laker players. I find some bloggers tearing one another on conflicting ideas, remember it is not us, it is the players so whatever that works will prevail. Bury your egos and get back to the position of being a member in the roll call.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 09:23 AM
What about a "Farmar Punks PJ Brown" bandwagon?
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | June 12, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I hope the Laker players are not paying any attention to what's being said by the so-called expert gurus.
Before the play-offs started, nobody gave the Lakers any chance of coming out on top of the Western Conference, much less beating the Celtics. And when the Lakers surprise everyone by getting to the Finals, these same people are suddenly calling the Lakers the favored team to win it all.
Now that we are 3 games into the Finals, with every game so far that could have gone either way, suddenly all the pundits are saying that the Lakers do not have a chance.
As far as I am concern, Celtics with their 3 super star
players are the heavy favorite--the Lakers are the underdogs. If anything, after the first 3 games of this Finals, the Lakers should feel more confident than ever that they can win it all!!
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Robyn | June 12, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Mob Wagoneer,
I rather see Farmar punks at Garnett than an old retarded PJ Brown.
On the contrary, we need Farmar, Sasha and Kobe to run the Lakers Express. We need to implement the speed limit than go with half slow offense at the tempo of Celtics. Consider the Celtics handicaps, their feet are aching with Rondo, Pierce and Perkins so if Lakers go on full speed, this team is no match. The Lakers lost games through thuggery and intimidation, while if they're speeding at frenzy pace then Celtics cannot slug our with their usual cheats of shoving and pulling whatever they can reach.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 12, 2008 at 09:49 AM
*_______________________________*
"Farmar Punks PJ Brown" Bandwagon?
*_______________________________*
(01) Mob Wagoneer - Driver & Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Witness
Posted by: | June 12, 2008 at 09:51 AM