Blog vs. Blog: X Factor guy
More blog-off action with our Boston Globe Celtics Blog compadres. The initial discussion centered around whether or not the Celtics can stop Kobe Bryant. Then came the question of which team should capture America's heart. Tonight, we examine the Lakers and Celtics rosters beyond Kobe and the Big Three to determine which of the "lesser" names could most affect the series. Ladies and gentlemen, join us for a rousing round of Pick your X Factor guy!!!
Gary Dzen: Boston Globe
Rajon Rondo. The end.
No, but seriously, as Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. Paul Pierce is going to score. Kevin Garnett is going to score. Ray Allen might score. Maybe. But Rondo is the engine that makes the Celtics go. There are two reasons for this.
The first is that Rondo by himself is an impact player. He has only one speed: frantic. Rondo will pressure Derek Fisher and make it difficult for the Lakers to get into their offense. He's the only Celtics perimeter player who can even hope to disrupt the Lakers in the backcourt. On offense, the 22-year-old Rondo is inconsistent. And this has nothing to do with his outside shooting, which has been blown way out of proportion. Rondo will hit the midrange shot. He won't hit threes. It's that simple. This is NOT a storyline. But the way Rondo runs the offense IS a storyline for Boston. When Rondo is aggressive and takes it to the basket, the Celtics are much better off. When he's tentative, watch out.
A couple of examples:
Celtics need Rondo to be successful is because the alternatives are scary. Sam Cassell is way past his prime. He's a liability on defense because he can't stay with anybody, and he's a liability on offense because he is a black hole. He doesn't know the plays. And he shoots every time down. Eddie House is the other PG option for the C's, and he's the much preferred option in my opinion. He's deadly from three, and although he's undersized, he gets into the passing lanes and gives a solid effort on defense. But Rondo he is not. Rondo is the X factor. Is that a lot of pressure to put on the scrawny shoulders of a 22-year-old? Sure. But so was handing him the keys to the Bentley that is the 66-win Celtics. Pressure's on you, young fella.
GD
Andrew Kamenetzky: LA Times
Picking a Laker "X Factor" for this series isn't the easiest task, since this team's enviable depth has created a scenario where everyone's two cents make a mark. You could offer a solid "X" argument for anyone in the rotation garnering at least 15 minutes of consistent PT. But a man's gotta make a choice, and with that, I'm selecting Sasha Vujacic.
He's not the most important guy on the roster, nor is he the most talented. But the sharp shooter's production affects the Lakers in a variety of ways. He's been the playoffs' most consistent Bench Mobber, which plays into a potentially big element against the Celts. The Lakers bench has been considerably better than Boston's during the postseason. As the purple and gold standout reserve, Sasha could be a big part of either burying Boston when their starters rest or simply allowing Kobe a rest without his own squad getting a dirt nap. On nights when he's clanged Spalding (like the 1-11 Game 5 against Utah), he's offset that lousy aim with relentless and effective defense. And while he may be a reserve, when it comes to the fourth quarter, Sasha's got starter's clout. Odds favor him on the court down the stretch, often saddled with a difficult assignment. Save perhaps Lamar Odom (who often joins the mob at the top of the second/fourth frames as Kobe catches a breather), no Laker may play as big a role with the first and second units as Vujacic.
There's also another wrinkle with Sasha pushing him over the top. We've seen him act the fool a few times during the playoffs. Getting a dumb tech jawing at Kyle Korver during Game 5's final (and tight) minute. Canning a wholly unnecessary three as the Lakers and Spurs were ready to shake hands upon the series' conclusion. Michael Finley looked like he was about to kick the crap out of him. And as much as I like Sasha, that shot was nothing short of "bush" (his own teammates weren't even thrilled) and a pop to the chops would have been justified. Both scenarios, however, underscore The Face's ability to annoy foes, which is why I'm genuinely curious to see which Celtic ends up hating him the most.
Bugging the hell out of opponents has always been a Vujacician talent, but an ability to spark reactions doesn't mean much if you're getting used by the player in question. In the past, Sasha would irritate whomever he guarded on a possession or two, then get lit up on the rest. Not so much anymore. Throw in the fact that he's not one to back down and this could get interesting. And by "interesting," I mean, "entertaining." I can easily picture Sasha residing inside the skin of a few green soldiers. Eddie House is nothing if not easily excitable. Rajon Rondo might be down for an epic "skinny dude battle." Sam Cassell may cut to the chase and initiate the smack (if that happens, be happy, because it means Sam-I-Am is playing, which can only help the Lakers). But the best bet could very well be one Kevin Garnett, who's wound waaaaaaaayyyyyy too tightly to find Sasha anything less than nails on the chalkboard. If Vegas offers a prop bet for "first Laker elbowed" (and I have to imagine some casino must), the safe money is on Slovenia's Favorite Son.
Of course, this all goes out the window if Phil finally comes to his senses and begins running the offense through DJ Mbenga. That, my friends, will put the "X" in "X Factor." But until that day arrives, I'm sticking with Sasha.
AK
What's standing between the Lakers and grabbing this series by the throat?
Another 22 hours.
Posted by: Jman449 | June 04, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Well said AK...I too am waiting for the day when Phil runs the offense thru DJ...
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | June 04, 2008 at 08:25 PM
The Machine?? Hmmm...not in love with that pick. X-Factor seems to be a little less predictable than that...OK, OK, I know he's not actually a "machine." But, he's still pretty consistent. He's annoying on D and shoots and flops:) Go Sasha!
Anywho, I'd go with Fish's shooting as a possibility. Of course, he's quite consistent as well in therms of attitude, effort, etc. but his shooting is streaky. If he gets it going (and we know he can REALLY get it going) the Celtics are in big, big trouble.
Vlad has similar traits, but is less consistent when not shooting and has less upside (I think Fish can and will really bother Rajon, whereas Vlad's scale on defense on Pierce is from "terrible" to "surprisingly not terrible").
Ronny is also a possibility. I think Simmons said in a chat that he's our week link. Piffle. He could really play great and make the sports guy eat crow.
But the point of having a really deep team is that someone can step up and be the X-Factor not only game by game but half by half and even quarter by quarter. Kobe's the only know quantity on this team. Everyone else has huge X-Factor potential.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Cameron | June 04, 2008 at 08:25 PM
"Of course, this all goes out the window if Phil finally comes to his senses and begins running the offense through DJ Mbenga. That, my friends, will put the "X" in "X Factor." But until that day arrives, I'm sticking with Sasha."
HAHAHAHA. I would prefer that to running the offense through Kwame Brown. At least DJ Mbenga has a sweet midrange touch.
This is an SI article from 1998 about Kobe: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012689/7/index.htm . Interesting to see how much has happened since then.
Posted by: laker hopeful | June 04, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Lamar needs to have a huge series and have near triple double performances. STAY OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE. I don't know if I would call Lamar and X factor but if he has a really bad series it could be hard for the Lakers to win. With that being said...
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | June 04, 2008 at 08:36 PM
This is sort of a risky pick for X-factor, considering he might not get many minutes, but still it's interesting to think about: Trevor Ariza. If he could guard Pierce aor even Allen, he could be really important to the success of the team. On offense, his athleticism getting to the basket could also be helpful. If I was Phil, what I would is let Ariza take Walton's or Radmanovic's minutes if either of them is ineffective. Just a thought.
I think Vujajic is a pretty good pick for X-factor though, btw, for all the reasons mentioned by AK.
Posted by: laker hopeful | June 04, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Sasha better be the X factor since, as you said, he'll undoubtedly be on the floor in the tight end games.
Thank god we're finally going to stop scribbling and play the game. When presidential politics pops up on the blog, you know it's time to jump it up.
Posted by: Vman | June 04, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I agree with this AK. Before I read your post, I decided that my XFactor would be Sasha, and was pleasantly surprised to see you agree. I think Sasha's growth as a player has been really tremendous. He used to be sort of a fun guy to see late in games and running joke of sorts. He was never someone I saw as a possible serious contributer. But this year has been a revelation for me. We always knew he could shoot, but he has stepped up his consistency this year. His biggest improvement has really been defense though. And I agree, he does always seem to get in the heads of opposition players. Who knows, he could get KG or Paul Pierce tossed from a game, he has done it with Melo.
Posted by: Gabe | June 04, 2008 at 08:47 PM
What's the over/under on how long tomorrow' s work day will seem like? I've got 22 hours.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 04, 2008 at 08:52 PM
If Rhondo is the key for the Celtics, that makes me feel at ease. Fish and Sasha will eat up that young boy. I like the Sasha X factor also. Sasha will have a great defensive series and a few key treys.
Go Lakers...Smack the ubuntu out of the green fairies.
Lakers in 5.
Posted by: MambaMVP08 | June 04, 2008 at 08:52 PM
No more time for talk! Lets get it on!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: RIZZO | June 04, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I don't know about this series. The Lakers have beaten a Utah team that I happen to think was tougher than the Spurs, and of course they beat the former world champs. Boston has struggled against Atalanta of all teams, Cleveland, and Detroit, but they've proven they can play under pressure, having won two game 7's.
The Celts have home court advantage, but they've also proven they could be beaten on the road and the Lakers have been a good road team.
The Celts have the best defense in the playoffs, but the Lakers have the best offense.
The Lakers have played quality games solidly, but they tend to lose big leads and have been lucky in a few of their victories. The Celts haven't won against any true competitors like the Jazz and the Spurs, but...they have been wining.
On paper, the Celtics have better players, but the Lakers seem to have a better system.
The Lakers have one player than can beat you, the Celts have 2, possibly 3. But yet the Lakers are deeper overall.
The 2-3-2 format definetly favors the Lakers; win one in Boston and they can rap it up at home, where they've been deadly. But the Celts killed the Lakers twice this season.
Ray Allen has sucked all playoffs, but he always gets up for Kobe. Pau has played like a sissy since the Utah series, but he still seems to get a lot of rebounds, key blocks, and scores at least 15 points.
Pierce on any given night can score 45, but Kobe can score 50.
The Celts had the better record, but none of their players have finals experience. There's more pressure on the Celts because they're an old team and this may be it for them, while the Lakers are only going to get better next year with Bynum. But the Celts have those darned 3 all-stars...
In mind, this is the epitome of a toss up series. I have no idea who will win it.
In my heart, it's the Lakers in 5 games.
Posted by: troy | June 04, 2008 at 08:54 PM
My choice is caramba Monumento de Catalan - Pau Gasol
He is the pride of Catalunya, the decendant of King Philip and Queen Isabela, Antoni Gaudi, Joan Miro The eyes of every Spaniard is on Pau Gasol. He is the X factor that the Celtics have not gauged with his latest stints as a Laker. He is the secret weapon at the post, in every pick and roll plays with Kobe or with Odom or with Fish or with Vlad any combinations will do, Pau will put in whatever they will provide. He is the towering Monument a Colom, a replica of the huge tall statue of Columbus at Port Vell in modern Barcelona. As a monument of the Lakers, he will lord on KG and deprive him from getting any ring, frustrate Perkins as a vengeance to what he did to Socks in last meeting, retire permanently P J Brown. Pau will score no less than 25 points, 15 rebounds in Game #1. Viva Pau, Viva Espanya, Viva Lakers.
Let the games begin and chart our destiny.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 09:01 PM
just wanted to ask the guys on here: which celtic player do you hate the most?
I'll give my answer: Hermann Munster - clotheslined Rambis, there's a few clips of him bumping and trying to initimidate magic (who pointed a finger in his face after dunking on him), and he's still a jerk for trading Garnett to the celtics instead of the lakers when the lakers had a better offer (again, that turned out ok, but his intentions were rotten).
Posted by: sean | June 04, 2008 at 09:03 PM
i may be one of the few people who was amused with sasha's last trey, so i'm kinda surprised that he's been getting a lot of flak for it, to this day. if the lakers were on the other end of the stick and manu shot the trey, i wouldn't have given a rat's heinie. of course, that's just me.
i watched game 5 again on tv and noticed that, in the lakers' final possession, the spurs were still trapping and hustling. heck, parker just shot a trey in the preceding play. so they weren't really conciliatory until the final 3 or 4 seconds. the spurs only have themselves to blame by not laying down and dying in the final 10 seconds.
if sasha shot the ball for the hell of it, he did the right thing by sinking it. if he did it for the tacos, his heart was in the right place. if he did it to build shooter's momentum going into the boston series, then why would laker fans be against that?
Posted by: the don | June 04, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Here is accompanying video of Barcelona. This will be the inspiration of Pau Gasol, 10 minutes show. I hope it works, enjoy.
http://gospain.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.
htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gospain&cdn=travel&tm=1
5&gps=64_565_796_464&f=00&su=p531.31.
150.ip_p284.8.150.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&zu=
http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DQLNLFStyvAI
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 09:28 PM
AK/BK,
I hate Boston Globe guy, Dan whatever. Please get him to read this post.
This guy is UTTERLY delusional.
I mean, why are all his comments soooo biased like the Celtics are the ultimate team.
Did he really just say this:
"Rondo will hit the midrange shot. He won't hit threes. It's that simple. This is NOT a storyline. "
How the hell is that NOT a storyline. Oh, because Mr. Dan Boston Globe guy say it's not a storyline.
To say, that Rondo's midrange shot ISN'T the storyline for BOSTON especially when he'll shoot 5-6 uncontested shots every game is dumb. ESPECIALLY when more than likely in a close game Rondo will be the one to make/miss and decide Boston's fate is dumb.
You Know, He knows, and I know at the end of the game we are rotating off of Rondo and he'll have to beat us. If he wants to drive in to the land of Pau Gasol and Odom after turning down an open jumper that is just dumb.
Mr. Boston Globe then says:
"But the way Rondo runs the offense IS a storyline for Boston. When Rondo is aggressive and takes it to the basket, the Celtics are much better off."
That's not true. If this guy is going to turn down every open jumper like he did in Detroit the Celtics are going to lose. It's not about him being "aggressive", it's about him shooting open shots and making good decisions.
So yea, Boston guy is talkin out his arse.
If Rondo is hitting his mid-range shot CONSISTENTLY, this is a different series.
But we know he wont, which is a main reason Derek Fisher will play great help D and use timely doubles to annoy K.G. on the block.
Where's that analysis Mr. Boston Globe guy?
It's not there... what a terrible mis-informed blog they have over there...
Posted by: Korey | June 04, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Insanity Plus.. Let it begin... (In this case it works...)
Here's the thing...
According to Bio-Chrono rhythms...
Here are the X-Factors, at least for the first two games
Sasha Vuljacic
Jordan Farmar
Luke Walton
Bench Mob.
Bench Mob.
Bench Mob.
Yep. Watch the Bench Mob.
By the way, my lucky bar is closed on Sunday--Game Two. I bribed the bartender to let me into the bar on Sunday to watch the game at my lucky barstool.
Let''s be positive.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I look at Sasha as the role player that will complement with Mr. MVP and PG Farmar or Fisher. Celtics will try to put off the machine, kill the annoying bug but the man from Slovenia is on a mission. His mission in the past:
Round One - AI
Round Two - Deron Williams
Round Three - Manu Ginobli
His mission in the Finals - Why not Ray Allen?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Edwin Gueco,
Can you make the link in your post shorter please.
Anyone know how to setup firefox to display the page normally that has a long link ?
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I will give the Boston guy the thumbs up on his pick. And AK, I am okay with yours but disagree. I would have gone with D-Fish. He will be a difference maker - it just won't be points. It will be all the intangibles the Lakers need to beat the C's and win the championship.
4 to 15!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I'm glad Sasha hit that 3 at the end of game 5.
YOU PLAY UNTIL THE BUZZER SOUNDS.
Posted by: socalife | June 04, 2008 at 10:29 PM
You guys better bring it tomorrow! March to Game 1victory, no doubters and bleed the Purple and Gold!!!
Posted by: Charles | June 04, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I hate long links like the one posted in Ed Gueco's post. It causes errors in my browser. The whole center blog column with all the posts gets pushed too
wide. And part of the paragraphs disappear way off to the right into limbo and I can't read them.
Posted by: other Tom | June 04, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Mr. Blank Poster,
Sorry for the inconvenience, did you like the Barcelona sights and sounds? I just cut and paste. I did not set it on a firefox. Wish you can teach me how?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 11:10 PM
for long links, use
www.tinyurl.com
just paste your link into the box and it will make a new, shorter link!
easy!
Posted by: ajax | June 04, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I think Sasha and Rondo are interesting X-factors. Though I think Sasha has gotten much more dependable so you can guess what he will do in each game. But Lamar and Gasol tend to be more variable than Sasha. So I think they are the Laker's X-factors.
But I do think Sasha is the Laker's secret weapon. The league seems unaware that this kid, who can be annoying and can do the dumbest noobie moves (like a layup in the final seconds when you are THREE points behind), is also a hidden defensive force for the Lakers. This is the kid that spends year after year guarding KOBE BRYANT in practice all season long!! And he's picked up a few tricks.
Sharp shooters Ginobli and Kyle Korver learned that the hard way and were kept fairly unproductive during their games with the Lakers. And I suspect Ray Allen is going to have problems too from Slovenia.
Rondo on the other hand is the guy that helps keep the Celtic's offense running smoothly. He finds the holes in the opposing defense when they double KG and/or Pierce. However, he's not a great three point shooter. He's mostly a layup guy with a medium range shot. So that will play well to Derek Fisher who may not be as fast, but is STRONG and can deny Rondo from shooter where he want to shoot. Fisher will probably UTAH this kid. Push him around, block him out of his sweet spots, put him out of his game. Rondo will have problems penetrating into the post. Rondo may be faster, but Fisher did well against Tony Parker who was a much more difficult assignment. And anything Rondo can do Parker does better.
I think the game will depend upon who matches up with KG on defense. If KG requires a doubleteam, then there will be a whole somewhere that the Celtics can expoit. And they are a good passing team. And KG is like Gasol- tall, long, with a good shot. But KG can shoot a three, and is much better at being physical in the post than Gasol. But technically, he's not a center. So Gasol may not be matched up against him. Technically, I think Radmanovic is the matchup by position, but that would be a disaster. I like Vlady, but this is KG!!!
Wither way, they got nobody who can stop Kobe. So we'll see how it goes.
:D
Posted by: the other Tom that likes the Lakers | June 04, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Ed Gueco, just use the direct youtube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNLFStyvAI
It's the same video.
btw, with youtube links you can delete everything after and including the ampersand(&).
Posted by: other Tom | June 04, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Here's a shorter link for Edwin's Barcelona video:
http://tinyurl.com/5qp4ua
Posted by: Zoilesque | June 04, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Ed Gueco,
If Gasol peaks those numbers, then it,s all over, Lakers in 4.
Go Lakers.
Posted by: lakerlandspain | June 04, 2008 at 11:57 PM
GD, I don't think so. I agree that if Rondo does play well, the Celtics are in good shape. But I just don't think he will. I think the young guard will crumble under the pressure of the Finals. The X-factor is Pierce. I know he will get his points, but for the Celtics to win, Pierce must be brilliant, neutralizing Kobe's offense and scoring 32+ points in each of the Celtics victories. He's surely capable (Game 7 vs. Cleveland), but I doubt he has the focus to do it 4 times.
AK, agreed, agreed and agreed. Sasha's confidence is sky high, especially after his last shot, earning tacos for the Staples crowd and wrecking the spread, What the heck was he thinking? LOVED IT. Though he did deserve to get punched. HaHaHaHa. He should play an important role in PJ's defensive strategies, get some extra minutes, taking his turn defending, bothering and otherwise annoying Pierce. And in 4th quarter crunch time, when Kobe locks in on Pierce, Sasha slides over to shut down Allen. All the while, spacing the floor and knocking down some meaningful 3s once the Celtics realize they need to double Kobe. Should be fun. Pierce might even teach Sasha the "Blood, Sweat & Tears" mudra.
Posted by: lakerboddhi | June 05, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I don't know why the Lakers are picked as the favorites. If I'm not mistaken, the Celtics are the ones with a better record and home court advantage.
Win or lose, it's been a great season for the Lakers.
Posted by: never | June 05, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Lakers 3-15 when they fail to score at least 100 points...they`ll be lucky to crack 90 even once against Celts!
Garnett vs. Pau?
Get serious, KG will have Pau "Gasshole" in major foul trouble within six minutes!
Posted by: Red`s Love Child | June 05, 2008 at 12:19 AM
You can also go to - view - page style - no page style in the top of your Firefox browser. It looks funky, but at least you can read it.
Posted by: pslakerfan | June 05, 2008 at 12:42 AM
The X factor is easily Lamar Odum
Lamar has the most to lose if he doesn't have an exceptional series.
LO's inconsistency throughout his career has labeled him an underachiever. This label will either be confirmed or disspelled in the Finals. Simple as that.
A Laker victory and a great performance by LO will ensure he remains a Laker for life. A disappearing act will guarantee his exile.
I expect Lamar to rise to the occasion, his personal trajedies have been well documented, and I hope a victory would, to some small degree, ease his pain.
Here's to you Lamar, I am rooting for you as much, if not more than Kobe.
Posted by: YOU EVER NOTICE | June 05, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Great interview with Bill Walton on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080605
He thinks the Celtic size, Pierce's offense/Garnett's D, and home court will get them the Championship. He doesn't think the Lakers will be able to run with the paint being clogged with Celtic big men and he advises the Celtics to go at Kobe to get him tired playing D.
He makes a lot of good points.
Suddenly I'm not so upset that I have to work and wont be able to watch the game live; it's gonna be a doozy.
Wes
Posted by: | June 05, 2008 at 01:52 AM
Good Morning, Lakersville.
Happy Game Day to all!
I just woke up from the most vivid dream - my missus TiVo's a bunch of shows, and then stays up to watch 'em after I fall asleep. One of her "girlie" shows must have snuck into my dream. Weird...
What Not to Wear, N.B.A. Finals Special Edition:
(Ray Allen steps into the 360 degree mirror. He looks old, fat, and out of shape.) "Man, oh, man! Ray-Ray still gots it. Uhhh-huhhh! Still gots it. Yeah!" (he pivots repeatedly, checking himself out, smiling.)
(The door opens, and Clinton & Stacey step into the 360 mirror.)
Clinton: "Ray-Ray? What are you, like twelve?"
Stacey: "A twelve year old death-row inmate in the deep south? Seriously, Ray. One 'Ray' is plenty. But this does bring up something important that we need to talk about."
Allen: "What's wrong with Ray-Ray?"
Clinton: "Because it's not age-appropriate. Because...CLEARLY...you're not twelve anymore."
Stacey: "So, Ray, why don't you tell us...and America...just what in the hell is that you're wearing?"
Allen: "It's called a 'Slovenian,' I think."
Clinton (to Stacey): "This man needs help."
Stacey: "Okay, Ray, the theme of our show could be called 'I've fallen and I can't get up,' but more to the point, it's about age-appropriateness."
Clinton: "You see yourself wearing a Slovenian like a cheap suit, and while you may think ridiculous things like 'I still got it,' what America sees is a washed-up ball player who is not aging gracefully. It makes you look old, and slow, like you couldn't get this Slovenian off of you, no matter how many screens you run it through."
Stacey: "Here. We'll help scrape the Slovenian off of you, so that you can try on something that is a little better suited to a man of your age..."
(Cut to studio shot, Allen standing in front of dressing mirror, wearing Celtics warmups.)
Clinton: "Now, Mr. Allen, doesn't that feel better?"
Stacey: "And, much more importantly, doesn't that LOOK better?"
Allen: "Yeah! With these warmups back on, it's like, I can move easier, and breathe better!"
Stacey: "Because that Slovenian was on you way too tight! Tell me I'm right, Ray! And now, back on the bench where you belong..."
Allen: "I see what you're saying. I AM too old to be wearing that kind of stuff. But once you get a Slovenian on you, you just kind of lose your head, and then it's not so easy to get it off you again. Thanks, Stacey, and thanks, Clinton. You guys are real life savers!"
Stacey: "Another fashion faux paux set strait! Our job here is done."
Posted by: karyanr | June 05, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Great Morning Charles
Great Morning, Morning Maniacs JohnnyP. Bozz, Toad, Pig Miller, Fearless
JustAnotherMambaFan, Edward Gueco, EastCoastJessie, PsychedLakerGirl
Today seems like a lovely day to kick the crap out of a Celtic.
BOSTON CELTICS YOU CHANTED "BEATLA, BEAT LA", WELL
MOFO's HERE WE ARE LET'S GET IT ON.
Roll call in 2 hours. DISMISSED!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | June 05, 2008 at 05:30 AM
The X-Factor for the Celtics has to be Kendrick Perkins. If he can throw Gasol and/or Odom off their game with his energy and size and mean streak, the Lakers may be in for a long series and the C's can win the title. None of the Big 3 scare me because they'll all have their moments and all get theirs. But if Perkins gets off, the C's will win this in 6 or 7.
Our esteemed Edwin Gueco is right. Pau is the X-Factor in this series, as he has been since he donned a Lakers jersey. I'm no roundball expert, but it seems to me that, with his length and passing ability, the offense tends to glide. Guys are moving and cutting instead of waiting on 24 to run the offense. Garnett and/or Perkins are going to try to woof, bang, and posterize him to take him out of his game. But if he plays his average, the Lakers will make a run at a split of the 1st 2 games. If he plays an above-average series, the Lakers will win this in 5 or 6. If he plays a great series, this thing could be over in 4 or 5.
The C's camp puts too much stock in what they did during the regular season. We Lakers fans, well, we're a tad overconfident because of the team's postseason run. But with a week off, and 4 months since the teams have last played, Game 1 is up in the air. It could decide the series.
I'll be on a plane while it's going on.
Final prediction: yes, I'm a little overconfident, but the Lakers will win 2 in Boston. The C's will get lifts from unlikely sources throughout this series. KG and Pierce will alternate as the Man. But Kobe, having absorbed the lessons of his only Finals loss, and having hungered for this moment all his life, will play an effective, smart series. There will be one loss in Boston and one loss in LA. Collectively, the team will stay focused and together, and the coaching staff will make the correct adjustments.
Lakers in 6.
Go Lakers.
Posted by: Peace | June 05, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Finally! Today begins the home stretch on the path to
redemption for Kobe & the Lakers after losing to
the Pistons.
I've re-watched the final game with the Spurs about
3 times so far. Jonesing for the Lakers.
Go Lakers!
Go Kobe!
Posted by: hobbitmage | June 05, 2008 at 06:26 AM
BTW,
On NBA TV last night at a Lakers shoot around, I saw Bynum on the court. Any news on that front?
Posted by: hobbitmage | June 05, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Good morning LAL friends!
And to make the day even longer - the LAT has a clock counting down to tip-off. TORTURE.
But it's finally game day!!! The blog team has gotten through these past few days fairly unscathed although you could tell we were all nearing the end yesterday - tensions so high politics finally got the best of us.
It's GAME DAY! That means we muster up every bit of energy to trounce out all trolls and their final words of discouragement and disdain. We have taken down three sets of trolls already and the newest ones won't be able to hange here much longer either.
It's GAME DAY! I am ready to roll Mamba. Hello everyone - gather round the circle to cheer our team and let them steal a game in the fake Garden.
It's GAME DAY and we have AK/BK to lead us through and get us ready for G1.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 05, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Good morning Laker family around the Globe,
GAME DAY, at last. No more analysis. No more predictions. (Stephen A. Smith may still pop a vein, though.) The countdown is on. I'm ready. This is our team. This is our year. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 05, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Good Morning Lakers Nation!
What an awesome day it is to be a Lakers Fan!
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 05, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Game Day.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 05, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Thank you Zoilesque and Pslakerfan for the rescue, I was about to ask AK to just delete the link. Sorry to others who were harmed by the huge file, this oldie here is low-tech.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 05, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Machine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1ewIkVRdEo&eurl=http://lakers-fan.com/?page_id=3
http://lakers-fan.com
Posted by: Ruben SB | June 05, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Rick, Psyched, Edwin, Fatty and the rest of the MORNING CRUE & GREAT LAKER NATION!!!!!!!
FINALLY - IT'S GAME DAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEEEEEEE FRICKEN HAAWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
I didn't think some of us would make it - it's been a very rough few days! But it's finally here - our opportunity to kick some Greenie Weenie butt & take names! Let's go Lakers - show these suckers what it means to have the heart of a champion!
Stomp these guys - smother 'em - pumch 'em in the throat - kick 'em in the weenies - crush them....(I hate the Celtics - can you tell?) ARRRGGHHH!!!!!
Mamba24 - I am sooooo ready for ROLL CALL!
ALREADY DONE!
4 to O'Brien.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 05, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Laker Nation!
Is there something going on tonight? I wasn’t aware…
Rondo as their X Factor? Pshaw, Fish could bench press that little punk. I do have to agree with Sasha as our X Factor. The dude brings energy, hustle, determination and attitude, and I believe it’s contagious. Just watch when he starts to crank it up, the rest of the team follows him. He has that leadership quality which has steadily grown over the course of the year and I think these Finals could be his coming out party.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 05, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I guess Gunner and I performed some Navy Seal dangerous mission by posting on Boston Globe C's blog. However, I would post hereunder what Gunner said to them.
YOU GUYS ARE LUCKY TO BE IN THE FINALS!!! IF YOU WERE IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE, YOU WOULD BE OUT ALREADY. LAKERS DON'T NEED KOBE TO SCORE ALOT OF POINTS. WE HAVE A MORE TALENTED BENCH THAN YOU GUYS AND YOU CAN TRY TO SAG ON DEFENSE BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE LINEUPS CAN SHOOT FROM THE OUTSIDE!
THE GREEN WEENIES ARE GOING DOWN! YOU'RE LOSING 1 OF THE 2 FIRST GAMES AND THEN GOODBYE BOSTON! YOU'LL NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO COME BACK BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL BE OVER!
LAKERS IN 5!
Posted by Gunner June 5, 08 02:08 AM
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So for all the impressions and harsh depiction of Gunner, when the rough gets going, Gunner is indeed a true laker fan.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 05, 2008 at 08:18 AM