Old school
Not the kind that involves your boy Blue (although that's pretty damn entertaining in its own right). Instead, we're talking about a pairing of squads that takes one back to the days of yore (and provides us with an opportunity to use the word "yore"). We're talking a time so long ago that the rings players DIDN'T get were worth more than their salaries, coached by a man not above maintaining a grudge whose legacy is now in jeopardy of going up in ... wait for it ... smoke. So much history involved, even those attempting to play down the matchup as a product of a bygone era will probably preach upon deaf ears.
Not that today's ballin' youth has entirely no sense of its history. Take, for example, Kobe Bryant. The Mamba may have been a kid calling Italy his playground, but he saw every play of those '80s Lakers-Celtics showdowns with a little help from his grandfather. Like everyone in audience, Kobe took a side. In his particular case, Kobe aligned with the good guys and cheered on the man now coaching Andrew Bynum. Ironically, so did a current Celt with a history of killing the team of his childhood team. Like the majority of his teammates, Paul Pierce needed to remain awfully patient for a Finals appearance to finally arrive. Boston has beaten the Lakers twice in two attempts this season, but they haven't exactly beaten "these" Lakers, if you follow our drift. This is a squad that overcame a ton o' drama to emerge as the most dominant force in the '08 playoffs.
Expect an Agent Zero opt out in exactly 28 days. No earlier. No later.
Changes afoot in Day-twah? If so, expect Rasheed Wallace to be at their center.
Falling in the Western Conference finals perhaps drove DerMarr Johnson to drink (or drank him to drive).
LakersBlog: #19 with a bullet in the Leasketbawl.com rankings.
Hi guys and ladies!
Since there's no Lakers game for a while I had the time to make a quick illustration of RONNY! If u wanna check it out.
http://andotsiry.deviantart.com/art/BraveHeart-87375924
Posted by: Tsiry | June 02, 2008 at 09:42 AM
We will win because...
BOSTON has no answer for KOBE BRYANT.
5 GAMES
Posted by: DEREK | June 02, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Haha, Blue, I love that crazy old coot! That's going to be the look those green punks have on their face when we take their homecourt and shove it right up their green a$$es.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 02, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Frank the Tank! You just took one in the jugular!
C(S)uck the Feltics! haha, felt. felt is soft.
Posted by: ajax | June 02, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Tsiry-
Good job on the Ronny illustration! Do you think he looks like Colin Farrell? In the eyes/brow?
Posted by: ajax | June 02, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I'm hoping for the Lakers in 5, but it's gonna be knockdown, drag-out competetive. KG's gonna BRING IT. Paul Pierce ALWAYS plays great at Staples. Ray Allen REALLY wants to show up Kobe. I just hope that the Celtics long road to the Finals wears on them as the series progresses (see the 76ers in 2002). I believe that 2-3-2 format favors LA and I think it'll take God himself to stop KB 24.
Good luck, God.
Phil's not exactly known for his nostalgia, but hopefully Ira Newble and Chris Mihm can get some run along with Trevor Ariza (great to have you back, man).
All in all, I'd say that if we can keep up with our defensive aggressiveness, we might not score as much as we did in Denver and Utah, but we will perservere and win in game 5 at Staples, the confetti will drop, Kobe and Fish will have four rings. A whole Mob of guys will get their first, and Red will look down at Phil and put out his last cigar. Sorry, Red, but I HATE BOSTON
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | June 02, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Good morning Laker Nation!
Let's start "Let's get the Big Espanol to .500 in the Playoffs Bandwagon!"
Lakers in 5.
Mr. Mamba24, make it happen please.
Posted by: htj | June 02, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Tsiry-
And I mean in general, not in your illustration.
Posted by: ajax | June 02, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Tsiry:"Since there's no Lakers game for a while I had the time to make a quick illustration of RONNY! If u wanna check it out."
I said it once and I'll say it again. YOU GOT SKILLS!!
AWESOME!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 02, 2008 at 10:13 AM
*_________________________________*
Let's get the Big Espanol Gasol to .500 in
the Playoffs Bandwagon!"
*_________________________________*
(01) HTJ - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 02, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Simmons says Ronny is a reason the Lakers will lose.
Ronny as backup center is the weak link?
Evidently ESPN has taken to hiring the mentally challenged to fill some sort of quota.
But while we're on the subject, anyone think Phil might run Ronny with Pau and LO at times? Ya don't change rotations in the finals but if we get stuck in a slugfest game, it's an option.
Posted by: Vman | June 02, 2008 at 10:18 AM
WE'RE NUMBER #19 YEAH!!!!!
Posted by: MAMBA | June 02, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Tsiry - Tight Picture yo!
Family - Good Morning!
Please remember to temper your enthusiasm for these "Lakers in 5" predictions. Boston is SO not rolling over. Neither are we, but they are a worthy opponent and have gained their place in the finals because they win.
Talk to everyone in a bit - time for me to go eat lunch here in Texas!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 02, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Vman
Simmons also thinks Jordan would average 45 if he played now. All the hand checking and rough play back then was hindering him. The fact that field goal averages and points scored by teams were significantly higher back then means nothing to him. MJ was great no denying it. But 45 pts per game. Funny guy.
MJ was so great that the Bulls won 57 games with him the year before he retired (the first time) and 55 games without him the next. Really, really great.
Posted by: giantsquid | June 02, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Mamba24, put me on bandwagon on Gasol at .500, he will teach Garnett & Perkins to speak Spanish while giving them..... a soft turn around dunk, a medium back of the hoop dunk and a pick and roll painful dunk...."Si puede mojar, regalo de Catalan"
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 02, 2008 at 10:44 AM
The "Pray for a Healthy Roster" Bandwagon
I'll drive.
16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6...5...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 02, 2008 at 10:44 AM
GiantSquid:"MJ was so great that the Bulls won 57 games with him the year before he retired
(the first time) and 55 games without him the next. Really, really great."
STOP GIANTSQUID! YOU SPEAK HERESY. I fear the
gods of basketball will strike you down for saying
such things.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 02, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Ugh, is it Thursday yet?.....
.....How 'bout now?.......
Posted by: Lawrence Tanter's understudy | June 02, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Tsiry,
Nice work on the Ronny portrait. Thanks for sharing.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 02, 2008 at 10:52 AM
giantsqu
Yeah dude, I saw that little bit of blasphemy about MJ and 24. I responded saying if Kobe were guarded by the likes of Craig Ehlo and B Russell, he'd average whatever he wanted. Hand check or not, Mike lived at the line ala the Jordan Rules.
Posted by: Vman | June 02, 2008 at 10:54 AM
*______________________________*
"Pray for a Healthy Roster" Bandwagon
*______________________________*
(01) Amazing Happens - Driver & Owner
(02) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - CHAPLAIN
(03) Mamba24 - Prays twice a day.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 02, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I hate to say this, but I think the officiating will play an enormous role in this series. Boston is even more physical than Utah. The only way Boston stops this potent Laker offense is to foul, but will the fouls be called? If the refs allow Perkins to push off for rebounds (like they did in Salt Lake), or ignore KG’s elbows, or allow Kobe to get butchered without any free throws (like against Bowen and San Antonio), than this series can possibly go 6 or 7.
If the refs call the game fairly, than it’s a potential sweep.
I’m particularly concerned over how the refs and Pau will respond to Perkin’s physicality. During the regular season, Perkins physically man-handled Bynum (although it was early before Bynum really took off). This matchup is the biggest question mark for me. If Pau can handle Perkins, than the Celtics have no chance.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | June 02, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Wazzup Laker family!
Thursday? I gotta freakin wait until Thursday!?!? Mannnnn.
On the other hand... PJ can use the extra days to complete his plan on the complete and absolute mind ****ing Dick Rivers and the Celts are about to experience.
One other random thought. We haven't started off on the road during these 2008 playoffs. Our homecourt has staked us to huge 2-0 leads in every series this year. Now, on the biggest stage, we're going to be slight underdogs on the road and could possibly be digging out of a hole coming back to Staples. Just something to think about. Don't think it's going to cost me much sleep...
p.s. Toad/Pig, I ran into a troll named Shalomar on one of the other threads. I know, I know, no troll is a good troll. But this one presented himself with some decent opinions (mainly wrong, but decent nonetheless). His misguided blind faith for a team that's about witness the birth of Dynasty #4 withstanding, please hold off on the BBQ for while. I'd prefer to watch him eat his words game by game as we destroy the Greenies.
Posted by: magicman | June 02, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Xodus
It's like you've grown up right here on the Laker blog. Sniff.
Congrats, bro and remember the immortal words of Chris Rock:
(I paraphrase) Look yourself in the mirror each day and say 'F you! F you! Now go out and make that b#$[h happy!
Posted by: Vman | June 02, 2008 at 11:00 AM
GO LAKERS!
Down with the celtics.
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 02, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Amazing: "The "Pray for a Healthy Roster" Bandwagon
I'll drive."
Already Done. And I'm Already Driving. :o)
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | June 02, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Mamba,
Please add me to the Gasol bandwagon. It's been very satisfying watching my man grow in these playoffs.
Also, can I please get a seat on the I Hate the Celtics Wagon. Just saw the replay of the McHale clothesline this morning. Arrrrggghhhhhh. Gotta love how the ORIGINAL Superman didn't buckle. Okay, okay one more my main man. If it's not too much trouble, please get me on the Punch the Ticket wagon. Thanks homie!!!
Tsiry,
That pic really seems to capture the essense of Ronny. Very nicely done.
Posted by: magicman | June 02, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Is it Thursday yet?
Sucks the games on Thurs, though, I have tickets to see Parliament/Funkadelic!
Posted by: ajax | June 02, 2008 at 11:16 AM
wanted the celtics.
got the celtics.
gonna be an epic finals series.
i say lakers take it in six games.
hopefully, trevor ariza gets MORE playing time and luke spends some more time doing his best impersonation of dj mbenga on the pine...
a steady rotation of:
dfish
kobe
trevor ariza (for paul pierce)
lo
gasol
with:
turiaf
vlad rad
sasha
luke
farmar
coming off the bench of mixing in with the starters.
trevor ariza should start. we need a legit defender against pierce...luke and/or vlad rad will get eaten alive against pierce...
c'mon lake show!
Posted by: tha show | June 02, 2008 at 11:16 AM
*_________________________________*
Let's get the Big Espanol Gasol to .500 in
the Playoffs Bandwagon!"
*_________________________________*
(01) HTJ - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
(03) Edwin Gueco - Will make noise to keep Celtics up allnight
Posted by: | June 02, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Thought this was hilarious:
Ben(New Jersey): Sports Guy! I've been a fan for years but I've never written in before. I'm a senior in high school and my friends and I love to play a game called KG that. It's when you take something ordinary and go crazy over it. For example, we went out for Chinese last Friday and after one of my friends ordered his beef and broccoli i told him he should KG it when it comes. When the waiter brought out his beef, he got up on his chair and started pounding his chest screaming "THATS HOW YOU ORDER CHINESE" he then ran around high fiving random people while pounding his chest and screaming. We ended up getting kicked out, but I'd say it was worth it. Whats the funniest situation you could see where you could KG something?
Posted by: mel | June 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER:"Already Done. And I'm Already Driving. :o)"
I'ts amazing how that workd! LOL!
Posted by: | June 02, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Hey Nation -- What's been happening Mamba24 --
Going through some of the back posts, since I've been MIA -- If any of you missed FatSam’s tirade on the last thread -- I encourage you to read it -- nothing is safe or sacred, including the color green, mascots, legends and even dead people -- just classic.
I feel where FatSam is coming from –Parkay has never been and will never be a flooring option at the HmrHed casa.
Let's bring this sucker home with plenty of covered parking for those bandwagons.
Posted by: HmrHed | June 02, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Mamba... I'm in -
Let's get the Big Espanol Gasol to .500 in
the Playoffs Bandwagon!"
Posted by: keifo | June 02, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Mamba24,
Please add me to the Pray fora Healthy Roster band wagon.
Thanks.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 02, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I'd like to make a comment on Sam Cassell...
He just bitched at the Clippers organization in a big way, when in fact this team took him from Minnessota in exchange of Jaric to improve their standings. Most of the time, Sam had a sore back, never been a good leader to a team that were down by serious injuries on Elton and Livingston as well as Maggette, now that he is in heaven...he's acting like Big Daddy who would blame former employers for their ineptitude when he is part of that team. Here is what he said:
******************************************************
“I got traded to a losing franchise,” said Cassell, referring to the 2005 deal that sent him from Minnesota to the Clippers. “It’s the winning attitude and the winning atmosphere that I remember from being with Houston.
“They have it here, and it’s something that starts in training camp, September and October, with 15 or 20 guys saying, ‘This is our goal,’ and some teams don’t have that goal.”
Cassell was on some of those teams. He never wants to go back there.
“Minnesota was different from the Clippers,” he said. “They would play good for 44 minutes and then lose the game. One year they lost 23 games by four points or less. That just takes your confidence away."
*****************************************************************
While it may be true that the Clippers are not a premier organization, he was an aging player supposedly the matured fellow who would aid Coach Dunleavy to teach the young how to win games especially the close ones he mentioned. The Clippers paid their dues, gave him a better offer than w/ the Lakers in 06 off season, abided with his wishes of being cut early in order to play with the Celtics, now have the guile to utter unpalatable comments, it just shows that he is one of the punks who played the game without any debt of gratitude to former employers. Elgin Baylor is just a good fellow who would let these things go. I doubt if this guy will still be in Celtics uniform, next year.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 02, 2008 at 11:24 AM
ANDREW BYNUM FOR SALE?
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8917
Posted by: Mitch | June 02, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Isn't it ironic that the two guys who demanded trades last year (Kobe and Paul Pierce) are in the Finals?
The moral of the story is: if you want something really bad, don't just sit back hoping it will come to you, but go after it aggresively.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | June 02, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Wow...I'm on my first bandwagon! I feel special!
The 60" HD plasma set is on it's way.
This may be premature, but since I am so giddy about being on my first wagon, I want to reserve a spot as driver on the "Lakers win 70 games" bandwagon for next year.
So mamba24, whenever that wagon leaves the station, don't forget me.
Posted by: Eric M. | June 02, 2008 at 11:31 AM
mel,
Well done, hilarious. I can just picture a couple of high schoolers doing that. In fact, I can picture myself doing that as I type this.
"THAT'S HOW YOU BLOG BABY! THAT'S HOW YOU BLOG!"
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 02, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Edwin,
Sam I Am is not from this planet (nor any other in our galaxy). Dude is straight outta the bar in Star Wars. I think he was the busboy in the bar. He was still learning how to interact with earthlings during his time with the Clippers. It's doesn't excuse him for his actions. I get that.
But it might help to explain them.
Hey Sam, Nanu Nanu dude.
Posted by: magicman | June 02, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I'm sorry but #19?! Thats a slap in all of our faces (especially to you K bros)! While looking at #'s 1-18, I honestly don't believe those are better blogs than this one. Aside from freedarko.com the rest is BS. We all know who the real #1 is..........................LAKERSBLOG all the way just like the Lakers!
Posted by: Blaze1bx | June 02, 2008 at 11:37 AM
mel,
"Whats the funniest situation you could see where you could KG something? "
Ask mamba24 about the last time he got a traffic ticket.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 02, 2008 at 11:38 AM
"The moral of the story is: if you want something really bad, don't just sit back hoping it will come to you, but go after it aggresively." -Laker Truth
Hmmm...I WANT AN ORANGE MOCHA FRAPPUCCINO! I DEMAND IT! OR ELSE! GIMME ONE NOW! ARGH! grrrrrr...
Posted by: ajax | June 02, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Laker Truth:"The moral of the story is: if you want something really bad, don't
just sit back hoping it will come to you, but go after it aggresively."
Speak the Truth LAKER TRUTH! And The Truth shall set you free
Mitch:"ANDREW BYNUM FOR SALE?"
Ignore that guy Mitch, he was just released from
the Home of the Criminally Insane.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 02, 2008 at 11:42 AM
That Bynum article goes right down the crapper along with TJ Simers. What an idiot.
Posted by: BD | June 02, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I just KG'd it at work, simply b/c it was break time. So I grabbed a hand full of pencils with each hand, went up to the front office and clapped my hands at the same time throwing the #2s up in the air. Then I went back to the break table and AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH as I pounded my chest.
Yeah, I got sent home.
Thanx MEL.
So see ya in about 40 minutes to read more of the blog, I'm going home now.
Posted by: Fire32 | June 02, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Mitch,
Tell Jarrod Rudolf of Hoopsworld that they have to pass first at the dead body of LakerTom before Lakers trade Bynum. The only way Jimbo (who real name is LakerTom) would agree to that deal that if this Dr. Altcheck (becomes Dr. Altwrong) prescribes a Total Knee Anthroplasty and Synevectomy which means cut the leg, put a tourniquet wear a natural knee prosthetics. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 02, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Mitch,
The article by Jarrod Randolph is WAY off the mark. Your going to trade a top 5 center for a couple of roll players and draft picks? Somehow I don't think Orlando would let DHoward go for some roll players. It's dumb.
I think there may be salary pressure on the Lakers though. With Odom, Gasol, and Bynum all needing 12-15 million, and Kobe making 20 million, it's possible that SOMEONE may need to go.
Sasha's play is going to also get him in the 4-5 years @ 30-40 million contract range, so we may have some tough decisions to make in the off season.
Posted by: Eric M. | June 02, 2008 at 11:51 AM
So this past weekend I was visiting the Boston area and decided I would check out the local sports bar. Upon walking in I noticed that many of the customers were up by the bar watching a Special News Report about Celtics fans. The crowd was listening attentively. I just happened to catch the ending of the Report and the crowds reaction to it and it went a little something like this:
Reporter: Scientists say that Celtics Fans are also less attractive physically, and while Laker Fans speak in a well-educated manner, Celtics fans tend to use lowbrow expressions like, "Oh, yeah?" and "Come here a minute."
When the crowd heard this report I heard a couple of Celtics Fans speak amongs each other.
Celtic Fan #1: Oh yeah? They think they're better than us, huh?
-Angus, come here a minute.
Celtic Fan #2: You come here a minute.
Celtic Fan #1:[shakes fist] Oh yeah?
Posted by: darock | June 02, 2008 at 12:01 PM