So far, then so close, then so far
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Lakers were generally outplayed for the bulk of the action, save a six minute stretch at the end of the first half where they turned a five point deficit into a five point lead. Sunday night in Game 2, they opened the game strong, taking a seven point advantage on a tip in from Lamar Odom with 6:15 to play in the first. From there, things turned Boston's way. Decisively. Washington Generals vs. Harlem Globetrotters, Shaq vs. free throws, Oliver Miller vs. the training table decisively. The Celtics locked down on a foul-plagued Lakers squad- more on that later- and opened a 12 point lead at the half, a cushion they pushed to 22 closing the third, and 24 with 7:55 remaining in the fourth.
At that point, the Celtics became complacent defensively, careful not to foul a desperate Lakers bunch and content to trade hoops, bleed the clock down, and send the fans out to the pubs with a big collective smile. Except a funny thing happened- they stopped trading. The Lakers shaved 10 points off the deficit over the next 2:40, and another 10 in the next four minutes. After two free throws from Kobe with 38.4 to go, the Lakers were down only two, needing a stop.
Didn't happen. Derek Fisher was called for a reach on a penetrating Paul Pierce, who went to the line and sank two freebies. Then Pierce blocked a Sasha Vujacic triple on the next possession, and that was that. A heartbreaking, frustrating, angrifying (new word alert!) 108-102 loss. Lakers down 2-0.
Honestly, the game was too weird to fit neatly into our traditional (and well loved) breakdown, so I'm going to hit on what I saw as some of the game's biggest themes. Click below for that.
Issue 1: The Lakers Offense
- For the vast majority of the game, it just wasn't very good. The Celtics once again were quicker to the ball and frustrated the Lakers, particularly when they tried to get Kobe going. While almost by definition Kobe believes any shot he takes is one that can/should go in, I don't think even he would classify anything he saw during the first three quarters as a bunny, like he did in Game 1. Virtually every shot he had over the first 24 minutes was fading away from the hoop, rather than going towards it. The Celtics continued to place players in between him and the basket, and cut off avenues for penetration. His frustration was evident, particularly in the second and third quarters when he started to force shots and push for open space on the floor. His percentage wasn't a problem, but as he and the Lakers had trouble running the O, the shots became more awkward and the Celtics were able to pressure LA on the other end.
Pau Gasol was effective, especially early, as the Lakers were able to establish a solid low post game (13/3/2 in the first half). Lamar Odom was strong crashing the boards, notching eight points overall, four coming on putbacks off the offensive glass. But for most of the game, the Lakers again got very little production from the bench, forced to play a some very critical minutes because of early Lakers foul trouble. (Did I mention I'd be talking about that?) Through three, the LA bench had contributed a total of seven points. That's it. Derek Fisher wasn't effective, taking and missing both open and contested shots and struggling to stick Rajon Rondo, who didn't score much but finished with 16 assists.
In the fourth, Boston went into their prevent D, trying not to foul and grant the Lakers easy points at the line. That let them gain some momentum, and by the time the Celtics realized that they were in a game, it was hard for them to turn it back on. Credit the Lakers for making a comeback, but I tend to think that if the Lakers had started the fourth down 12 instead of 22, the Celtics wouldn't have given them the space to make the run to begin with. Overall, the Lakers offense didn't look like the one we've seen all year, and they're running out of time to figure it out.
Speaking of running, the Celtics have taken that aspect of LA's game away, both with smart transition D and excellent offensive execution. The Lakers only had 10 fast break points tonight, eight of which came in the final quarter. Tonight particularly they were deep in LA territory with guys like Leon Powe, or taking threes in rhythm, many of which were dropping.
Issue 2: The Lakers Defense
- The Lakers cleaned up the rebounding disparity from Game 1, but that was about the only bright spot. In short, the D was not good. Boston, and particularly Rondo, was able to break them down repeatedly and with relative ease. Part of the reason LA was put into foul trouble (getting there, I swear) was the fact that overall, Boston was the faster, more physical, more aggressive team. That, in combination with home court, will always result in a disparity at the line. Maybe not the one we saw tonight, but that principle holds. The Lakers ran up their personals with too many silly reach in fouls. They might be ticky tack, but as a team they have to resist trying to make plays when they're not in position to do it. Move the feet, not the hands.
Even more disappointing for LA was that Boston essentially controlled the pace of play. The Eastern Conference, slug it out, punch 'em in the mouth Boston Celtics had a 10-0 advantage in fast break points in the second and third quarters, got into space, and created clean looks. Their ball movement was very crisp, explaining their 31 dimes on 36 makes, including the aforementioned 16 from Rondo and eight from Pierce.
Issue 3: The Officiating
- I am not one to point to officiating as a reason a team wins or loses. Generally speaking, I believe that the better team gets the calls, which creates the disparity that ticks everyone off. And no question the Celtics were, for most of the game, the better team. So with that in mind... there's no question the officiating helped put the Lakers behind the eight ball early, and made it tough for them to climb out. Did the Celtics deserve an advantage at the stripe in the first half? Absolutely. Like I said, they were the faster, stronger, more aggressive team, and the Lakers, particularly Kobe, were forced into and/or settled for too many jumpers. But 19-2? And with one of the two for LA coming after a KG technical? No, that's just too wide. And it's hard to separate the calls from what came later. Why was Powe (21 points, including 13 free throws, or three more than the Lakers had as a team) able to find so much space down low? In part because the Lakers were saddled with foul trouble in the front court, and lacked bodies to throw at him (and in part because as a team, they don't a lot of muscle to begin with- the Lakers were often pushed around (literally, on occasion) through the course of the evening). It was not a well officiated game by any stretch, and the Lakers were generally on the wrong side of it.
Put it together, and the Lakers had to absorb some tough calls on a night where they were being outplayed, against a team beating them to the loose balls, and facing a tough challenge on a hostile court. That only added obstacles to the path, and until the fourth quarter rally, LA didn't respond well on either end. Did the Lakers lose because of the officials? No, I don't think they played well enough to make that claim, but they certainly weren't helped by them, either.
There will be plenty more to come on this and other issues, I'm sure.
BK
REFS:2 LA:0
I WILL NEVER WATCH ANOTHER NBA GAME
Posted by: agartaw | June 08, 2008 at 11:15 PM
agartaw
CRYBABY!
Wah wah. I've got a pacifier for you.
Geez louise, you Laker fans are the biggest bunch of SORE LOSERS.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 08, 2008 at 11:22 PM
What! the Lakers were doing pretty damn good in the first quarter and were leading. Then the weak fouls Kobe got forced him to the bench therefore causing the Lakers lead to dwindle.
Those ticky tacky, unnecessary, non playoff calls took the lakers out of their game allowing them not to be assertive. If Kobe could have finished the first Lakers would have had a bigger lead. Face the facts AK & BK 10 to 40. Lead at halftime 12 points, FT deficit 2 to 14 made FT. FG wise we had the same amount. I can understand giving 3 or 4 benefit of the doubt no calls to the aggressor, but come on a guy is holding Kobe's dominant hand in the 4th quarter while he is driving and no foul call.
FACT:
Refs poor officiating, constantly calling fouls on consecutive Celtic possessions caused Laker's key players to be on the bench and hindered the development of any rhythm while the Celtics gained points from the line.
Posted by: Tej | June 08, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Something just occured to me.
My superstar aka The Truth is the polar opposite of your superstar aka The Mamba.
Both were on bad teams last year and wanted out. The Mamba acted like a fool blubbering and blasting his team, teammate, GM and owner. The Truth acted professionally and Ainge and company got Allen and KG.
It seems fitting that The Truth and The Crybaby are playing for a championship.
How sweet it'll be when The Truth wins Finals MVP honors.
Let's go C's!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 08, 2008 at 11:24 PM
We're not done.
Posted by: Tsiry | June 08, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Phil Jackson has the Celtics exactly where he wants them to be. Of course, I bet his plan was to win game 2 but the zebras kinda ruined the plan tonight.
But look at that comeback by the Lakers. Is there any other NBA team that has been so good at consistently coming back from huge deficits as the Lakers? None.
And that's due to PJ's coaching style. Read Adande's article on PJ on espn's site. PJ's style of "non-coaching" the Zen way - letting players figure it out themselves, staying cool as a cucumber no matter the deficit and how badly refs are calling it - that's the PJ style.
And that is exactly why the Lakers never say die no matter how much they're behind. So right now, the Lakers are in an 0-2 hole behind the Celts. But you can bet the players are mad as hell about the officiating. They will come out for game 3 in LA with a ferocity and aggression that we've never seen from this team before.
And that's something that Odom and Gasol need. They're nice guys at heart and they need a reason to fight. The bench will be more confident in LA remembering how the Lakers won the 4th quarter in Boston by 16 points.
At the same time, the Celts just crumbled in front of their home fans and they know they won a close one just bec. of the officiating. Now, all the doubts about them are coming back to haunt them. Kevin Garnett - the anti-clutch player. Rivers not knowing what to do under pressure. Allen disappearing. Rondo showing his inexperience.
The Lakers are behind 0-2 in a seven game series and its going back to LA. Phil Jackson has the Celtics exactly where he wants them.
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 08, 2008 at 11:26 PM
From the first minute of game 1, maybe 4 5ths of the calls have gone the Celtics way. Has Stern fixed it for the home team to extend to 7 games? Celtics-style dirty tricks to buy off the refs? Mobsters bet against the spread? Refs just drunk off TD Banknorth delirium? Leprechaun miracle along the lines of Willis Pierce's I-was-paralyzed-but-I-can-walk-again recovery? Speculate away! It's the only storyline left that matters. Certainly the so-called competition on the court doesn't.
Posted by: McGarnagle | June 08, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Take this into account, we actually outscored them 40-34 in the paint (we had 41fgs in the paint compared to their 23), yet still only got 10 freethrows compared to their 38. We were the aggressor. Unbelievable.
Charlie Rosen pretty much sums it up:
“A pair of phantom fouls on Kobe ruined the Lakers’ first-half rotation, and at the intermission Boston had attempted 19 free throws to L.A.’s two (one of these being a technical foul on KG). After three quarters the margin was 26-to-4, and the final total was 38-to-10.
This disparity was even more puzzling since the Lakers’ game-plan called for them to constantly drive the ball to the hole. And several replays showed exactly how biased and inconsistent the refs’ decisions truly were.
No surprise, then, that the Lakers were distracted, annoyed, and even outraged all game long. And rightly so.
Posted by: two0one7 | June 08, 2008 at 11:27 PM
bad calls or not. the lakers are soft. the cetics were the aggressors and the lakers basically ran off with their tails between their legs. i'm not gonna make excuses for that garbage they put out there tonight. it's as if they got punched in the mouth and just sort of teared up and looked away. does it really take 2 games for them to figure out that they have to take the title? wake up, sissies! boston came out with pride and heart and you thought they would just lay down because you're the big bad lakers. well you're effin wrong and if you don't figure that out during your flight home, your sorry a$$es will get swept and the hated celtics will have another title over our proud franchise.
Posted by: sixonezero | June 08, 2008 at 11:28 PM
This was a stupid recap. The Lakers were most certainly robbed by the horrible officiating...particularly during the 2nd and 3rd Q's. I can't even count how many times I heard the announcers even comment on blown calls during the game. The flow the Lakers developed in the 1st Q was trashed by the refs in the 2nd Q. Hence, the gross disparity in free throws that people are talking about.
It's hard to win a game when you're being called for ticky tack fouls on your end, while getting hammered by the other team on the other end.
Posted by: Janet | June 08, 2008 at 11:29 PM
@ "Let's Go C's
"
agartaw
CRYBABY!
Wah wah. I've got a pacifier for you.
Geez louise, you Laker fans are the biggest bunch of SORE LOSERS.
"
------------------------------
Of course we're sore losers. This is the finals. You're gonna be sore as hell too after the Celtics blow a 2-0 lead to lose the series.
The refs won this game for the Celtics. Look at the replay on the foul call against fisher when pierce drove to stop the Lakers comeback. It was a bailout call. This stopped the Lakers run and sealed the game for the Celtics.
That call is just one bad example. Could the Lakers have played better? Damn right they could have. Would you say the Lakers were significantly less aggressive than they were in game 1? Hell no I wouldn't. In fact, I would say Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for example were much more aggressive. I think any sport analyst would agree with me.
How many free throws did the Lakers get in game 1? 28. Aggression is not the only issue here.
Posted by: Justin N | June 08, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Thankyou, U are my man !
http://cbs2.com/johnireland
lots of ppls say we do not attack the rim enough to get calls. think about this, if you continue get hit with NO calls given. Therefore NO basket and Waste a possession, what u gonna do? still keep attacking the rim or see if any luck the official give u call?
Posted by: vlyumc | June 08, 2008 at 11:31 PM
sixonezero
A voice of reason. Congrats! The first Laker fan to be somewhat realistic about Game 2. Kudos.
I would like to see the Lakers punch back.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 08, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Prediction for the most commercially appealing script for the 7 game series:
Boston goes up 2-0. Lakers rally in LA and the series is tied 2-2.
Boston wins game 5 in LA.
Now, Lakers are in do or die desperado situation in game 6.
Lakers pull it off and win game 6.
Game 7 and TV ratings are off the charts.
Everyone is rubbing their money grubbing hands.
Celtics win game 7 against the Vegas odds.
Now we're onto the 08-09 season.
The theme of the new season is can the Lakers with Bynum as challengers unseat the defending champs - the older Celtics?
Of course, 09 Finals is a Lakers-Celtics rematch.
TV ratings off the charts again.
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 08, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Celtic Fan's predictions:
Lakers win Game 3
Lakers Win Game 4
Celtics Win Game 5 and 6.
The Truth is awared Finals MVP.
KG and Allen, great players in the NBA, finally get a well deserved title.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 08, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Well, that was disappointing. Who are these players masquerading as Lakers? Where are the Western Conference champs? I'm so mad at the officiating but at some point we have to stop blaming the refs and turn a critical eye on the Lakers' play. In 2 games, I haven't seen the offensive fluiditiy and aggressiveness they've shown to clinch the WC crown. Their defense is always a step behind. The rally in the 4th qtr was nice but those seldom win games... not when you sleepwalk through 3 quarters. C'mon... the Celtics are good but they're not that good. At least, I don't think that they're 20 points better than the Lakers so there's no reason to be down early by that much. There are still 5 games to be played so the time to start winning is on Tuesday. Play the way I know they can play and they'll come out on top.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamLL | June 08, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Fact: Tonight, the Lakers learned to pronounce the name.......POWE. They will be made to remember it again.
SWEEP,SWEEEP, SWEEEEP.
Posted by: Just The Facts | June 08, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Kobe's first two *ahem* "fouls" ....
Enough said.
Posted by: Absolute Truth | June 08, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Why were the Celtics the better "team" for much of the game?
Because the refs took Kobe Bryant out of the game. There may be no "i" in "team", but there's no "team" in "Lakers" if Kobe Bryant is sitting on the bench.
Thos had to be 2 of the most absolutely haenous, biased, ticky-tack "rooks don't even got those calls" kind of fouls. Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, who are noted Kobe haters, couldn't even wrap their heads around it.
Posted by: Absolute Truth | June 08, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Nasty, nasty game.
Only Kobe was good throughout. Gasol was only good on offense. His defense was poor with many, many slow closeouts on KG.
I don't see how the officiating didn't necessarily cost the game. The Lakers got the game within 2 points with less than a minute left and only lost by 6.
These are people, not basketball robots. When they are saddled with fouls, foul trouble, and uneven officiating, it breaks their spirit and their ability to play as well as they can (even under slightly adverse conditions they can play better than in officiating hell).
I will not say the refs cost us the game. I will say they very well may have cost us the game. Only a do-over (impossible, obviously) would determine just how much the refs cost us.
On a more positive note, it was nice to see Ariza in there even though he wasn't particularly effective.
Let's be the Heat and let the Celtics be the Mavs.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 08, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Without a doubt, the WORST officiated game I've ever seen.
Celtics are gonna get pasted in games 3-5.
Posted by: Captain Obvious | June 08, 2008 at 11:43 PM
I hate to bring the issue and I do respect call for keeping a class act by the LA fans, but the truth of the matter is that this game was decided by the refs, they totally ruined the game starting from the Q1, and it snowballed from there onward. Otherwise, Boston plays much stronger and Lakers need to find the answer for that, especially Odom and Gasol.
Posted by: sead94 | June 08, 2008 at 11:45 PM
We've played through adversity all season long: Kobe's uncertainty, Bynum's injury, Kobe's pinkie, etc, etc. Great teams can overcome adversity and this team will too.
All C's did was defend what they were supposed to defend. No way Kobe lets them lose in the Finals.
Lakers: 4-2 (4 straight)
BELIEVE LAKER NATION!
Posted by: JhK1 | June 08, 2008 at 11:46 PM
When Kobe was asked about the disparity of the fouls? His answer was: "I didn't notice."
When Vlad was asked whther the first two fouls took the game away from him? No Comment. All I can say that if you give a team 39 times in the foul line vs. 10, we will never win ball games.
I believe there are three forces that took Game 2 aways from the Lakers:
1. The Referees
2. Laker Defense
3. Boston Intimidation & Thuggery
I don not have to belabor the shortcoming of the Zebras many ticky-tacs on Fisher, Kobe and Vlad but they did not call holding fouls on Gasol about 4 or 5 times from Rondo, Posey, Perkins and Powe right under the basket. The poor Spaniard is just meek to complain. This is ABUSE OF POWER and NBA just allow it to happen. In order to fairness is to get COMPETERIZED ROBOTS AS REFEREES aided by multiple cameras. Someday, that will be the officiating of the NBA. You just can trust humans!
PS. One of their glaring mistakes that favored the Lakers was the traveling foul on Vlady which was let go.
2. Boston Intimidation - This is the reason why longtimed Laker fans hate Celtics and their fans, this has been going on now for decades, they will do anything to win. Did you see Perkins how he abuse his guard, Odom? How about Pierce, the wimp on Game 1 and the flopper on Game 2. He blocked Kobe's passage way in trying to chase RA, then he was bump a little he got down. From our TV set, you can hear the Celtic yell everytime a Laker shoot that rock. This is like playing b'ball at the park, no sense of professionalism. Well, whatever cheating available that refs. won't play aleprechaun will always abuse the process to his own advantage. If you point it out, they will say Laker fans are whiner. Well, we whine because you cheat and abuse your opponents to just to achieve your end.
3. Lakers defense. We suck for 3 and 1/2 quarters, we came back to life at the last 7 minutes that brought the score down from 24 to 2 pts. That call on Pierce was really UNFAIR call, they should just let the players play the game without the aid of referee's partiality. Now going back to Lakers, again lackadaisical ways of just standing around, touch fouls which do not alter shots, no switching defense on Ray Allen so he was able to escape from his defenders, lack of transition defense, our bench mob were totally out of sync, no offense and no defense so the lead mushroomed when they were playing. It's totally unacceptable in a championship game. If we want to win Games 3, 4 and 5, Kobe and Pau should play 40 minutes.
At the end of the game, we have the momentum, so that was the ray of sunshine out of these two games. The message Celtics can lose the lead of 24 in a flick of time of 7 minutes. That's the ending of Game 2 which will be the beginning of Game 3.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 08, 2008 at 11:46 PM
"Did the Lakers lose because of the officials? No, I don't think they played well enough to make that claim, but they certainly weren't helped by them, either."
Ya think? A 28-ft advantage in a game where the Lakers were within 2 points down the stretch? I know you're supposed to say what you're saying or the other journalists will sneer at you, but if you can't speak the truth, you're better off saying nothing.
Posted by: FatSam | June 08, 2008 at 11:50 PM
THE REFS WERE BAD....DAMN, VLAD RAD TOOK FIVE FULL STEPS WITHOUT GETTING CALLED FOR TRAVELING IN THE FINAL MINUTE!!!
PAUL PIERCE IS GOD!
WE THANK YOU, INGLEWOOD...FOR GIVING US PAUL, HE`S A WONDERFUL TREASURE, AND SOON TO BE THE PLAYOFF`S MVP.
PLEASE BOOKIES....CONTINUE TO MAKE THE LAKERS FAVORITES. IT ONLY SERVES TO MOTIVATE THE CELTICS.
LAKERS.....RIP!
LAKER FANS....ENJOY YOUR MISERABLE MONDAY MORNING COMMUTE ON THE CLOGGED 101, 405, 10, AND 110, AS YOU TRAVEL TO A JOB YOU DESPISE!
Posted by: Red`s Love Child | June 08, 2008 at 11:50 PM
One last thing, to those who wil see the game on Tuesday, everytime the name Pierce is called, just cheer
P A U L A P A U L A P A U L A
That sound's like Darryl. Darryl, DArryl
Note: This kid is a congenital liar with his faked injuries.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 08, 2008 at 11:51 PM
" agartaw "
Yes agree, I m NOT watching the coming game either !
If Stern think he can increase the TV rating of this year, i will tell u NO..
The biggest reason laker are looking SOFT and outplayed is because the momentum was taken by those bad call. we climbed up close in 1st Q and beginning of 2 Q, and got beaten again and again by those consecutive bad calls. Our moment suddenly shifted. We bother by foul trouble, ie shorten the rotation and we quit attack the rim (because we found out the damn xxx dosent blow whistle), ie, we settle for jumpers. so we become very very bad looking team.
I shoudlnt call our tean is a bad looking team, because there is NO GOOD LOOKING TEAN in history can overcome this kind of situation...
Posted by: | June 08, 2008 at 11:52 PM
" agartaw "
Yes agree, I m NOT watching the coming game either !
If Stern think he can increase the TV rating of this year, i will tell u NO..
The biggest reason laker are looking SOFT and outplayed is because the momentum was taken by those bad call. we climbed up close in 1st Q and beginning of 2 Q, and got beaten again and again by those consecutive bad calls. Our moment suddenly shifted. We bother by foul trouble, ie shorten the rotation and we quit attack the rim (because we found out the damn xxx dosent blow whistle), ie, we settle for jumpers. so we become very very bad looking team.
I shoudlnt call our tean is a bad looking team, because there is NO GOOD LOOKING TEAN in history can overcome this kind of situation...
Posted by: vlyumc | June 08, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Weird how Leon Powe had a short feature about his life ready to go at halftime, on a day when he has a breakout game. So that means there must be short features on all the players right?
Posted by: ajax | June 08, 2008 at 11:54 PM
bad calls or not. the lakers are soft. the cetics were the aggressors and the lakers basically ran off with their tails between their legs. i'm not gonna make excuses for that garbage they put out there tonight. it's as if they got punched in the mouth and just sort of teared up and looked away. does it really take 2 games for them to figure out that they have to take the title? wake up, sissies! boston came out with pride and heart and you thought they would just lay down because you're the big bad lakers. well you're effin wrong and if you don't figure that out during your flight home, your sorry a$$es will get swept and the hated celtics will have another title over our proud franchise.
Posted by: sixonezero
-----
You're an fake. A Celtic fan pretending to be a Laker fan. Good try though.
Posted by: Captain Obvious | June 08, 2008 at 11:56 PM
i am so glad that the celtics won! at first i was like "its over" but then the lakers came back. woo my heart was pounding, but they still came out with the win. all the celtics players were great and the made great plays, especially the one when rondo dunked. another great play was at the defensive end when rajon rondo(who i liked to call roadrunner) blocked a shot from a 6' 10'' player. it was great and suspenseful
Posted by: shakira j | June 08, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Maybe it's easier to just lose by 20+ than to comeback from 20+ down in the final 7 minutes only to fall just short....
Need to win all 3 at home now?
Lane
http://LosAngelesSource.com
Posted by: Lane | June 08, 2008 at 11:59 PM
What was that ESPN article saying about how unstoppable Phil Jackson is in Game 2s in the Finals?
Well, history does have its place.
Nowadays, Doc Rivers is simply mastering the so-called master. Just like MIKE D'ANTONI has done for years.
If the SUNS were playing in these Finals, we'd have some competition going, but as it is, the lakers are making a mockery of representing the WC.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 08, 2008 at 11:59 PM
"Jon Barry simply states that the Lakers would get more free throws if they were more aggressive taking the ball to the hoop"
How? Barry teach us how? We got call against us when we play tough, We got NO CALL everytime attack the rim.
Any idea Barry? I am sure Jerry buss love to hire you as our new coach !!
Posted by: vlyumc | June 09, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Taking a break from lurking to post. If the officiating was bad on Thursday (and it was) it was truly awful tonight. Did you guys see the second foul on Kobe? That was an embarrassment to the referees. He did *nothing* and got called for an offensive foul.
The Celtics generally got plenty of sympathy from the refs while we got none. The free throw differential was outrageous. This was eight-on-five if ever I've seen it.
As for the Celtic people, I'm polite enough to stay off of your blogs. Now get the hell off of mine.
Boston Sucks.
Posted by: LB | June 09, 2008 at 12:03 AM
So are the refs getting Boston championship rings, or just the Tim Donaghy special?
Posted by: Larry B. | June 09, 2008 at 12:07 AM
We were outplayed, outhustled, and outhearted. We made Powe look like a superstar. Bring it back Lakers.
Posted by: never | June 09, 2008 at 12:07 AM
ak/bk i think you're overly trying to be fair in favor of the other team.. when the officials take the lakers out of their offense by making really horrendous calls.. how are they supposed to come back.. you really need to watch the reel again i believe.. this was a grossly poor officiated game..
even rob fugazaki saw it that way.. the guys i watch with don't make a lot of complaints about officiating. but that was an obvious game where poor officiating occured.. the lakers looked like the better team i honestly thought.. it's just the officials took them out of their offense.. what can they do.. even rasheed wallace complained about the officiating.. it was a circus..
the non-suspension on KG (like your other post said).. kinda gave the celtics the series.. there's something wrong here..and according to your posts.. it definitely suggests the nba are favoring the celtics for some odd reason that the feds need to take a look into..
Posted by: peter | June 09, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Not to worry, Laker Faithful. When the refs let the Lakers play, they are clearly the better team. I'm over complaining about the foul disparity. The Lakers just have to play through the lack of whistles (or glut of whistles on the defensive end). The Lakers can, and will, beat the Celtics AND the refs.
Lakers in six. This is the team of destiny. It'll make these first two games doubly sweet when we hoist the trophy in Boston.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 09, 2008 at 12:10 AM
You really have to take your hat off to Paul Pierce. He is the best player in the Finals and is showing why he should get FInals MVP..
kobee wouldn't even take a shot on the last possession that meant anything - sasha took it. That is wimping out at the worst time.
But back to Paul Pierce. The man is a killer. He wrung the last bit of life from the lakers tonite by sinking two FTs in crunch time (what guts!) and then, made the defensive block on the aforementioned sasha 3.
Paul Pierce has won two games nearly single handedly vs. the lakers.
You really have to take your hat off to Paul Pierce, the closest man we have to Michael Jordan.
How bout that comedy bit to open Jimmy Kimmel's show?! FUNNY! Making fun of the pretentious kobe is almost too easy..
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Absolute Truth
ahem CRYBABY.
Wah wah, where's mommy?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 09, 2008 at 12:21 AM
sead94
Crybaby!
I'm going to Costco and buying a box of pacifiers for all of the baby's crying about the refs.
Did the refs force the "best player on the planet" to take fadaway shot after fadaway shot?
NOT!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 09, 2008 at 12:23 AM
LAKER FANS IN THIS BLOG
DON'T LOSE HOPE
THIS IS NOT THE END
IN FACT, IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING
OF CELTIC CARNAGE ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY
LET'S FIGHT TO THE LAST HURRAH, DON'T LET LEPRECHAUNS DICTATE THE BALL GAME OR INTIMIDATE THIS BLOG.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 09, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Captain Obvious
YOU'RE A FOOL for blasting the only reasonalbe Laker fan.
Shame on you!
Did I mention that we can back a gazillion boxes of whine with all of the sour grapes being produced by this blog?
hahahahaahha!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 09, 2008 at 12:25 AM
shakira
you da bomb!
Go Celtics!
Celtic Fan signing out. I WILL be back after Game 3.
My prediction: Lakers win.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 09, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Why does people suddenly change their perspective on this series after Lakers getting down 0-2??? Is in it the C's suppose to hold their home court and Lakers suppose to steal atleast one? Ok, the latter did not happen, so what? This is how I predicted the series is going- Lakers will lose 2 on the road, and win the next 3 at home... then close out on six. Just keep believing people!!! keep believing!!!
Lakers did not sweep Denver by accident, Lakers did not close-out on a very tough Jazz team in Utah by accident, Lakers did not finished the ex-champion Spurs by accident! This team have come along and grown together through adversity all this time... and they're not about to give that up just because of 2 tough loses on the road! NEVER!!! BELIEVE PEOPLE!! BELIEVE!!!
Posted by: GamefaceON | June 09, 2008 at 12:29 AM
phils sick obsession with luke is indeed totally exposing him and is gonna cost us the series.. ariza checked in with what seemed like a brilliant move and was great defensively in his short stint and then SUDDENLY AND FOR NO EXPLAINED REASON LUKE CHECKS IN?!?!? why because ariza missed a jumper?? well its no suprise but celts gain momentum like at the drop of a dime after that and start building onto their lead.... by the time kobe checks in they're down huge and its almost game over.
third quarter we're almost back in it and then LUKE CHECK IN AGAIN TO GUARD POWE!?!?! WOW PHIL! i've seen you make some boneheaded move but this was BY FAR ONE OF YOUR WORST STRATEGIC MOVES OF YOUR CAREER!!
I'M NOT DONE YET. U WANNA HEAR THE FUNNY PART?? Well with LUKE PLAYING ALMOST HALF THE 3RD QTR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE 4TH QTR CELTS JUST TOTALLY DOMINATE US AND PUT THE GAME AWAY OUT OF REACH OVER A 26 PT LEAD.. BUT HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS, HERES THE FUNNY PART: AS SOON AS LUKE CHECKS OUT LAKERS JUST GO ON THAT LAST BIG RUN TO CUT IT TO 2 AND OUTSCORE THE CELTS LIKE 30-10.. well we know what happened next...
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD PHILS LOVE FOR LUKE. YES HE UNDERSTANDS THE TRIANGLE AND AT TIMES HE CAN BE AN ASSET WITH HIS SO CALLED GREAT PASSING (ALBEIT 2 HUGE PASSING TOs TONITE) BUT MOST OF THE TIME YOU MATCH HIM UP AGAINST A PHYSICAL OR MORE ATHLETIC TEAM AND THERE TRULY IS NO BIGGER LIABILITY ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH.. OPPOSING TEAMS LITERALLY SALIVATE AT HIS PRESENCE ON THE FLOOR AND DOC RIVERS ALMOST AT A MOMENTS NOTICE WASTES NO TIME IN NOT HIDING HIS GUSTO BY GOING STRAIGHT AT HIM PLAY AFTER PLAY... PHIL THEN COUNTERS BY MAKNG ABSOLUTELY NO ADJUSTMENTS. PHIL YOU CAN BE ONE PATHETIC STUBBORN MOTHER FXXXXX. IT DOESNT TAKE A BBALL MASTERMIND TO FIGURE IF SOMEONE IS A MUCH BIGGER LIABILITY THAN AN ASSET. I JUST DONT KNOW WHY PHIL DOESNT GET IT.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING TO WATCH. WATCHING LUKE IS LIKE WATCHING A HORROR MOVIE WITH A REALLY BAD ULCER. I WANT THIS TITLE AS BAD AS ANY LAKER FAN BUT I REALLY DONT KNOW IF I CAN ENDURE ANOTHER DAY WITH LUKE.
Posted by: I HATE LUKE WALTON | June 09, 2008 at 12:29 AM
You have to love this line from the main article about the lakers loss:
"Lamar Odom looked "confused," according to Lakers Coach Phil Jackson...:"
In other words, odumb is the last man you laker fans should be pinning title hopes on. He's a liabitlity and crumples under mental stress. And is dumber than a bag of hammers.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 12:29 AM
The lakers need to take inspiration from SHACK - his Miami team is the only NBA team in the last 30 years to win a title after going down 0-2 in a FInals.
Of course, Boston plays a little tougher than Dallas did.
Bottom line, SHACK is a leader who is responsible for lakers and miami titles.
kobee is best as a 2nd banana who might compliment a great player, just like scottie pippen used to do for Jordan.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 09, 2008 at 12:34 AM