The morning after
Yes, it happened.
There are certain types of history to which teams want their names attached, and types to which they don't. For the Lakers, Thursday night's 97-91 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals put them squarely in the latter category. It was, quite literally, the biggest collapse in Finals history (or as much history as the NBA has records to confirm). At one point in the second quarter, the purple and gold were up by 24 points. At halftime, they had an 18 point advantage. By the end of the third, it was all but gone, as Boston closed out the quarter with a 21-3 run. In the fourth, Boston took control, grabbing the lead on an Eddie House jumper from the wing. From there, it was all Celtics down the stretch.
What looked like a 2-2 series with LA holding home court for Sunday's Game 5 became a 3-1 Celtics lead, and some very discouraging math for the Lakers. 28 times a team has fallen behind 3-1 in the Finals, and not one of the 28 was able to overcome the deficit to win the Larry O. Of course, no team had ever blown a 24 point lead, either, so technically anything is possible, right?
Only if the Lakers get a more consistent effort from Kobe and his supporting cast. After a red-hot start from Lamar Odom helped push LA to a 21 point lead to end the first, the Lakers offense began to dry up. Kobe finished the first half without a field goal (but with six dimes and four pilfers), and never really got going, as Paul Pierce stepped up in the third quarter to mark 24. The Celtics started hitting shots while the Lakers began overdribbling, made some questionable decisions, and generally fell apart.
The storylines emerging from the game are plentiful, and none really favor LA. How the Celtics defense is proving again that it's that side of the ball that wins titles. Pierce out-MVPing the MVP. What can be learned from comparing Pau Gasol to Kevin Garnett. How Doc Rivers is pushing all the right buttons- going small by inserting Eddie House and James Posey, sticking Pierce on Kobe, once again setting up his squad to dominate the third quarter- while PJ is coming up short (and lacking in enough buttons to push). A devastating dribble drive from Ray Allen late in the fourth against Sasha Vujacic, with Pau Gasol late to rotate. The Celtics bench continuing to thrive.
It was a tough pill for Sasha to swallow.
Grandchildren will hear about Thursday's game, but it won't be ones in LA. Rather the game will become a staple of Celtics lore. The impossible proved otherwise. Just don't call it a choke, says Bill Plaschke. It can't be a choke when the better team wins. (TJ Simers might disagree.) For some, it was just a bad flashback to bad results against the C's back in the days of yore.
Kendrick Perkins is a question mark for Sunday.
If the Lakers are indeed cooked- and again, history (along with the results of the first four games) says they are- fans have a lot to be thankful for in what has been a remarkable season.
True Hoop takes a look at last night's game.
I called in sick today. Yeah, I did because it would be pointless for me to go to work while my head is still reeling from that painful loss. Painful. Full of pain. Painful. I keep seeing Sasha almost in tears as if he was thinking that their season is over for them. Well, Saha....
NO! There is still a game to be played on Sunday. If we win on Sunday, we play again on Tuesday, which means travel time on Monday with little rest in between games. Remember game 3? Who won that game?
It is literally not over. If we win on Sunday, anything can happen.
As for Kobe, it's time to walk the talk. These are your brothers, remember? Keep the brotherhood going in these difficult times and lead them out of this hole.
I still believe. I will believe until the last game necessary has been played.
Go, Lakers!
Posted by: hoping | June 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
What a bad taste yesterday left. I was a Laker fan before the game and am a Laker game after. Be strong Laker Nation the series will go 7. Mamba please add me to the "I still believe" bandwagon. Count down to Bloody Sunday.... boston will bleed.
Posted by: LakerBandit | June 13, 2008 at 12:22 PM
So this is the finals consisting of the teams that the NBA nation told us we "had to have"? That David Stern and his minions disguised has officials set up for our consumption? Boy, I would have liked to have seen a couple of other teams. I am not a Laker hater by any means, but I do detest athletes that are coddled aka Kobe, and I don't like the whining of PJ, so this is sweet. Laker role guys are learning it's more difficult making shots at crunch time than when up 20 points. Vuichich earned my ire when he showed his lack of class by launching a 3-pointer instead of dribbling out the last few seconds of the close-out against the Spurs--supposedly for the sake of a taco. So seeing him wallowing and striking out in his frustration on the bench at some team member (also classless) after Ray Allen went by him like he wasn't even there is poetic justice if you ask me.
Posted by: D-man | June 13, 2008 at 12:23 PM
REPOST
no defense in the second half-zero-nada-zitlch- the lakers left the lane so damn open they should have painted a diamond in the middle so ray allen and the other celtics could carpool together through it
I love the lakers. Always have always will - but the only way they live this down is to win the whole thing in boston
They better win or I'm going to be so pissed off i'm going to kick a basket of kittens over a cliff (I hate cats anyways)
Posted by: RICHTOWN | June 13, 2008 at 12:23 PM
We were knocked down and bloodied... nothing to do but rise off the mat.
Adrian: There is something I want you to do for me.
Rocky Balboa: What is it?
Adrian: Win. WIN!
3 to 15!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamLL | June 13, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Feeling half full, half empty, and angry; it is time to take an emotional exhale.
I love my team and love this blog. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT ALONE. I WILL
FOREVER BELIEVE! Posted by: Charles | June 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
WELL SAID CHARLES, WELL SAID
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 13, 2008 at 12:28 PM
L.A. fans and the city of L.A. will never forget this loss. We tasted a victory. We thought we were 24 minutes away from tying the series, returning to our greatness, and closer to another championship.
If there is one thing I learned from this loss it is that European players are soft. lol. No disrespect to the Atlantic side, but European players (Vladi, Gasol, Sasha) are very soft. Where was the tenacity? Where was the will? The drive that you may never make it to another Finals game, so you play with all you got? They played as if it was just another game. There was no scrapiness, no hard fouls, no big defensive plays. I hope Kobe realizes that they are all still young and inexperienced and that he stays another year.
I'm sorry LakerNation, as a proud Laker fan for 23 years, growing up in a family of Laker fans, it is unbelievably sad that we are completely owned by a Boston team, that in all actuality, was one loss away from being kicked out the first round. If their is a Father's Day loss it is going to sting Kobe, especially if his daughter's are at the game. I really hope Kobe gets the win for Father's Day.
I'm still in shock and in mourning over the loss, I can't imagine how the players feel.
Hope for the best Lakernation...but prepare for the end..
Posted by: L.A. MENTAL | June 13, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Dear Kobe,
Karma is an awful thing. I remember being in the finals with my friends Gary, Malone and few other and we were favorites to win. We wanted to get that championship for Karl and Gary. It was a goal for me and this is why I brought them on. Those were the good days. We were all Lakers and we were ready to get a championship and the only thing standing in the way was some pesky Pistons. As the series began I was on fire 60+ percent shooting and having an MVP type playoffs. Now I know we had our problems Kobster, but why would you ruin the chance for Karl and Gary. You stop passing me the ball and you started taking awful shots. If I was doing so well and our chances were so high why would you throw those finals. Then I realized that had we of won the championship you never would have gotten the entire franchise for yourself. I accepted this and left. Still Karma was a little upset because you took an opportunity from two HOF players. Luckily I took Gary with me and we handled our business in Miami. He got his ring and he retired. You called me lazy, fat and thought I was in the way of your glory. Enjoy the franchise, the money and the Karma. Karl if you are reading this and decide to comeback to the game, we have a place for you in Phoenix.
With lots of love,
Shaq ( the big aristotle,shaqtus and MDE)
4 rings to 3.... could have been more for you.
Posted by: Shaqster | June 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I hope Kobe takes this in stride and realize that he is just as much at fault as the rest of his team for this loss. It's one thing to be hard on your teammates when they're not giving it their all or focusing, but to come down on a teammate every time they miss a shot in crunch time is pitiful, especially if its a shot they were open and should have taken (separate issue if it was a bad shot).
This shouldn't be considered a lost opportunity, it should be considered an extra opportunity that we weren't able to fully capitalize on. Let's all remember that the Lakers didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting to the finals this year.
Posted by: Justin N | June 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
*__________________________*
I STILL BELIEVE - BANDWAGON
*__________________________*
(01) CHARLES - I WILL FOREVER BELIEVE!!
(02) LAKER_TRUTH - "In a season of the improbable, the impossible WILL happen"
Keep hope alive.
(03) LAKERTOM - WILL FIGHT TO THE END
(04) EASTCOASTJESSIE - JUST MADE HER STRONGER. LAKERS DON’T GIVE UP!!
(05) LAKERFAN24 - Just will make victory sweeter - I STILL BELIEVE
(06) JOHNNY - LAKERS FOREVERr!
(07) KOBE_BEST - YES HE IIS!.
(08) MAMBA – GO OUT WITH YOUR GUNS BLAZZING KOBE!!!
(09) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN - NEVER GIVE UP!
(10) MAGICMAN - NEVER SAY DIE!
(11) JANAYA - NOTHING & NO ONE CAN BREAK MY BELIEF
(12) TOAD – I STILL BELIEVE, DO YOU?
(13) TIM-4-SHOW - We have 1 weapon, they have 3. IT'S TIME FOR 81!
(14) AMAZING HAPPENS - LETS ROLL!
(15) EMMOS – I’LL NEVER GIVE UP
(16) JOHN_IN_HOUSTON – NEVER! EVER GIVE UP!
(17) HOPE – HOPE & FAITH!!
(18) DPK – BELIEVE!!!! ONE GAME A T A TIME
(19) BOZZ - No way I, nor our Lakers and their TRUE fans, will roll over, no matter what.!!!!
(20) MAMBA24FAN4LIFE – LAKER FOR LIFE!!!
(21) #4 - WE’RE STILL STANDING, I ALWAYS BELIEVED
(22) DO_YOU_SEE_WHAT_I_SEE – YOU MUST HATE IN ORDER TO WIN, CLASS MY @SS!!
(23) BOCALAKERGIRL – HARD PILL TO SWALLOW BUT I STILL BELIEVE!
(24) LARRY OF LA - GREAT SEASON NO MATTER WHAT
(25) FEARLESS - GO DOWN WITH BEST WEAPON
(26) ETERNAL_OPTIMIST - LAKERS WILL STAGE EVEN GREATER COMEBACK
(27) JON K - LET THE DYNASTY BEGIN - DON'T FEED THE TROLLS
(28) FIRE32 - WE MUST GO ON Laker colors STILL -FLYING HIGH OUTSIDE MY HOUSE.
I don't know, but for some strange reason I still feel like it's going to 7 games.
(29) KOREY - until that final curtain call, I wont give up on my team. It's really just time
to unleash Kobe.
(29) BAYWOOD - It's hard to do but we all know that these are Our Lakers. We love them
and they do bring us a lot of joy and life lessons (good and bad as always)
(30) RICHTOWN - I love the lakers. Always have always will - but the only way they live this
down is to win the whole thing in boston
(31) HMRHED - I don't know if they can pull it out -- likely the answer is no, but if they lose it will
hurt like '84. It won't hurt like '04. In '84 you knew the Lakers were just starting. But in '04 you
knew it was ending. This is just starting --- enjoy the precess of the making of a dynasty.
(32) CBUCK - RALLY THE POSSE AND GET READY FOR A FIGHT
(33) ZEN - No matter what happens, it's been a successful year for the Lakers.
(34) THE OUTLAW - I HAVE BEEN BELIEVING ALL SEASON
(35) LAKERS UNSTOPPABLE - Come on, we can make a difference! Celtics just got lucky man!
IT AINT OVER
(36) BILLY IN SLO - I FEEL BETTER ALREADY
(37) SOUNDWAVE - PROUD CITIZEN OF LAKER NATION
(38) LAKERFA ZE - Ready to give it our all on Sunday.
(39) MRBARNEYDANGLES - LAKERS YESERDAY, LAKERS TODAY, LAKERS TOMORROW,
LAKERS ALWAYS
(40) LAKER_SMR - Lakers, we can do this! It is possible and we have the pieces to do it.
The first quarter showed it with defense and offense. All together now!
(41) TRULY_BELIEVE - Have faith in PJ and his pupils.. The series is not over yet so
STOP feeling that it is... MARK MY WORD: Lakers will create NEW HISTORY by winning this
series. We have to win on Sunday, one game at a time. LAKER WILL MAKE YET ANOTHER
HISTORY AND IT WILL READ: THE BIGGEST COMEBACK EVER: i truly believe..
(42) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - We thank You for answered prayer and we thank
You for all of Your blessings. For we know You turn GREAT FAILURES into GREAT WINNERS
in the end...
(43) LAKERBANDIT - Count down to Bloody Sunday.... boston will bleed.
(44) HOPING - It is literally not over. If we win on Sunday, anything can happen. As for Kobe,
it's time to walk the talk. These are your brothers, remember? Keep the brotherhood going in
these difficult times and lead them out of this hole. I still believe. I will believe until the last game
necessary has been played.
(45) SHEKOBE - I STILL BELIEVE IF WE LEARNT FROM THOSE MISTAKES OF THE LAST 4 GAMES,
WE STILL CAN DO IT. SUNDAY GAME IS THE LAST GAME, THE LAST BATTLE: WIN OR STAY HOME!
ONLY PHIL WILL HAVE THE ANSWER. I STILL BELIEVE BECAUSE OF MY MAN.
(46) SAMLL - It's a downer for sure but there is still hope. As sure as the sun rises in the East and sets
in the West, there is always hope. The series is not over. There are still 3 games left to play. Who's to say
the Lakers won't be the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the title? As I always say,
the ball is round... it can bounce wherever you want it to go. Remember 4 the hard way?
Well, this is it, folks! It's now down to 3 and we have to win all of them. How's that for a hard way, huh?
(47)
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Phil Jackson's got some serious soul-searching to do.
Phil's the greatest. Don't get me wrong. But he could have averted "The Collapse".
I know he hates to call timeouts, but, dude, if there was ever a time to call timeouts in the history of the NBA, it was last night's second half.
Several times during The Collapse I screamed at the television things akin to "WHY THE HELL ISN'T DEREK FISHER IN? WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE!!??!?"
What sucks is I don't feel that the Celtics beat us.
Nor do I feel like we beat ourselves.
I just feel like total crazymaking occurred last night.
It could have been avoid with a few timeouts, some discussion, and proper substitutions. That simple.
Anyhow, Sunday's coming up. My money's on the Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Just to bring some support to my previous post, I did some digging on databaseBasketball.com and during the 80s the Cs were consistently the better defensive team than the Lakers. Point differential was the key--the Cs had a slight advantage in '84, while the Lakers had it in '85 and '87. During this season, I believe the Cs had a 10 pt differential while the Lakers had somewhere around 6. Lesson is the Lakers don't have to become better defensively than the Cs (because I don't think they can--style of play is too different), they just have to toughen up to have the point differential advantage next time. Again I think the fact that having a dominant center has been crucial for the Lakers winning Titles without being the best defensively.
And I forgot how relatively poorly the '00-'02 Lakers ranked in defense. Regardless of how people here feel about Shaq now, you've got to give him his due.
Posted by: Scott | June 13, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Hey everybody,
I've been saying it all day...KEEP THE FAITH...one game at a time.
Crazy things are starting to happen already...R.Kelly was just ACQUITTED.
I say he sings the National Anthem at Staples on Sunday and we win the next three...there must be something in that.
Ahhhh...gotta find something to laugh at today.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | June 13, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I still believe!
I blame PJ for this loss. Every game this season when we were up 20 at the half. We lost the lead in the second half.
I am not saying we should get rid of Phil. However he need to learn how to make adjustments.
Go Lakers,
Tiki
Posted by: Tiki | June 13, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Laker Nation I will be with you in spirit Sunday. But I
won't be blogging again till monday. I leave you with:
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 – GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Posted by: mamba24 | June 13, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I'm a Celtics fan,I've lived in Boston for 60 years. You are down 1-3. Not a good situation no doubt. But I watched a Red Sox Team go down 0-3 and come back to win. Don't lose your faith.
Posted by: Leo Anderson | June 13, 2008 at 12:50 PM
i think phil may have hotboxed the locker room at halftime. the zenmaster's crew seemed a little too relaxed in the second.
the defence needs a lot of work. the offence is crap too, but that comes with good D. I cringe every time I watch Eddie House shoot a wide open three from the corner. He and James Posey should not be the ones killing us.
Posted by: kareem4prez | June 13, 2008 at 12:51 PM
We can win three in a row.
We're the better team.
We just have to be who we are.
We can do it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 13, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Why wasn't Ariza in there during the melt down. I like Turiuf, but Ariza brought it. We had the Celtics by the porverbial throat.
Lakers tomorrow, next year, whatever. Celtics are today, and there is no guarantee for tomorrow.
The lakers could win game 5, and its a whole new ball game.
Just practice what works and go from there.
Posted by: bk | June 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM
It seems like the Lakers just aren't as hungry as the Celtics. Lakers don't want it as much, they're not playing with the fire. I don't think San Antonio or Utah would be embarrassing themselves as the Lakers just did because those teams at root have an aspect of toughness to them that won't allow them to beat themselves so horrendously.
All the talk of the Western Conference being tougher, but is that really the case? Yes, we have more high scoring run and gunning but the East does play better defense it seems, like Detroit and Boston. And the best defense wins championships. So, maybe looking at the East as weaker from a regular season perspective makes sense but no matter how good the West seems, it seems like the playoffs are another story and the east generally does not seem outmatched.
It just seems like the Lakers have been their own worst enemy since I've started watching them in the early 90s when I first came to LA--Ceballos, Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Cambell, Vlade--all those guys and ever since. Like they just don't play the fundamentals as a team and maybe emphasize those fundamentals as an organization like Utah or San Antonio and as a result end up beating themselves.
Other teams make you beat them. Lakers have more than enough talent and at the top of their game they win consistently but they're beating themselves in this series.
Of course it all has a lot to do with opponents but it does seem the Lakers just don't have that toughness, that focus on fundamentals that makes sure they play their game consistently.
This last game is symptomatic of what I've felt from the Lakers over the years.
Also, I'll say this as a fan. I'm not as hungry for a championship as in past years. This title run came out of nowhere, we rose to preeminence so fast and it almost feels like we haven't earned it like in those first building years with Kobe and Shaq. And I do feel a little complacent and just happy to be in the finals, knowing Bynum's going to come back next year, and then we'll see if Boston can compete with us. I really don't care if we lose these finals. And the way Kobe and everyone's talking they don't care enough, either, to prevent it from happening. Is it something in the Lakerdom ether? Is it because the players themselves are setting a tone of not caring enough. If they really cared they could have at least made the Celtics beat them last night.
The Lakers just haven't seemed worried from the start of this series. San Antonio worried them. Would they have been joking around before game 2, shooting half courters before game 2 of the San Antonio series? Would they sit in the press conferences afterwards, overconfident it seems like Kobe, saying, oh, we're down 2-0, we're not worried, we just have to do abc. Even now, after that disgusting, disillusioning loss, Kobe still seems self-satisfied: har har he'll have a few drinks, get drunk and yeah whatever. But again, yeah as a fan I kind of feel the same way, have a few drinks, relax in to summer and wait till Bynum's back, gun for the championship next year. It's all come too easily and suddenly to really appreciate this time around.
Recently Kobe Bryant admitted in a press conference that he doesn't fly a Lakers flag on his car. Pretty much. No, we fans do, but the Lakers star player, he just demands a trade when things don't go too well. For fans, it's Lakers for life, for Laker stars it's which team will pay me the most, it's where can I go to get what I want. Team loyalty? Fans have it, but not players. Paul Pierce? A Laker fan since childhood? I don't think so. If he was a true Laker fan he could have never turncoated with Boston.
Posted by: Jeffrey | June 13, 2008 at 12:55 PM
JA Andande's article is required reading for this blog. It's as I said before, there's a 100 ton white elephant in the room, and no one on this blog accept me will acknowledge it.
Pau Gasol's inept play cost us this series.
Everything Andanda mentioned was on target. Pau doesn't have the intensity, heart, or conviction to mix things up when things get rough. In a way, Pau is the European version of Lamar Odom; tons of talent, some flashes of brilliance, but inept when you need him.
What Kobe needs is proven talent and men who aren't afraid to take chances. This is why I like Sasha. And to an extent, maybe even Luke. Sure, they screw up alot, but they're out there with Kobe on the front lines, getting dirty and taking chances.
If this were a street fight, I'd imagine Kobe, Fish, Farmar, Roni, and Sasha leading the team into the punches, with Pau cowering in the background.
Pau is the worse kind of "problem" player. He's like the 3 pointer. He's Fool's Gold.
You see, I don't mind a Luke Walton screwing up, or a Roni not doing much, or even a Sasha (this year) going 1-9, because they are bench/role players that aren't expected to lead the Lakers to victory. But Pau was suppose to be our #2 guy. This guy was suppose to be the missing part of the puzzle. This guy was suppose to be Kobe's wingman.
But what do we get from him? Missed shots, poor defense, poor desire. Period.
GUYS, LISTEN TO AM 570 LOOSE CANNONS. Those are the fans I admire. They're are angry as hell. Yelling, screaming, mad. They have passion about this, and they're trashing the players and coaches as necessary This blog needs a serious reality check, and I'm going to represent the REALIST fans all summer. Let the cheerleaders bloggers do their thing, I'm doing mine.
Posted by: troy | June 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM
"If there is one thing I learned from this loss it is that European players are soft. lol. No disrespect to the Atlantic side, but European players (Vladi, Gasol, Sasha) are very soft. Where was the tenacity? Where was the will?"
That's a litlte unfair. The Spurs win championships because a tiny Frenchman can take it to the hole over and over again. Tony Parker has led the league in points-in-the-paint two years in a row.
Mehmet Okur and AK47 are pretty tough as well. Beidrins could become a monster if he keeps developing. Turiaf is not soft. And the great Arvydas Sabonis (if only the NBA could have had him in his heyday) was a monster. I don't think Marciulionis, Kukoc, Smits, or Petrovic were soft either.
What you should say is, the Lakers right now are soft. That goes for some of the non-Euros as well.
Posted by: Lakers sK | June 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Yeah that's right, Celtics lead 3-1, A big FU goes out to Kobe"the Rapist"Bryant! And Phil "Mr.Arrogant SOB"Jackson. Bryant is the most disrespectful player I've ever seen towards his teamates. He's also a pathetic baby who cries more than he scores! And his name should not be metioned in the same sentence as Michael Jordan! Absolutely not!!! Go BIG TICKET and Psquared, RAYray, Pow!Powe, Rondo, Mr.38yr.old PJ Brown, in the House-Eddie House, Perk, etc. That's right all you pussy LAKER fans, the Celtics are gonna be CHAMPIONS!!!!!
Posted by: urb | June 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Dang... What a horrible day... I feel like this wouldn't hurt so much, if we weren't killing them the whole game... Damn it. And I'm trying, trying real hard... to make it not feel like last night was the defacto end of the season... ugh, what a terrible day... not cool
Posted by: kubinator | June 13, 2008 at 01:01 PM
AM 570 is killing Phil Jackson right now. Asking the kind of questions we need to talk about on this blog.
F*ck all this cheerleading, we just blew a 24 point lead!
Posted by: troy | June 13, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Totally Depressed by the biggest collapse of all time. I've been a fan for 48 years going back to West and Baylor days. Again the Friggin Celtics and that leprechaun jinx did us in, but I have never seen a team give one away like last night. The first quarter was amazing, finally the Lakers played like a team and like they are capable of blowing the C's off the court. Pau, Rad, & LO were awesome. Then I don't know what happened. I don't know if it was PJ, Kobe or just a nervous virus that hit them but it became apparent that Boston just wanted it more. The Lakers were out hustled and outplayed for the rest of the game right up to the finish when Sasha did an ole defense and nobody was there to help. Hats off to the C's they earned it. I think we can all dispense with the Kobe - MJ comparisons now. I love KB, he's the man, but no way MJ let's his team lose this game. The Kobe haters will forever remember this game (along with the PHX game 7 no shot debacle) as the championship he let get away. Pierce out dueled him one on one. Walking off the court with time on the clock is not acceptable no matter how disappointed you are. Not the heart of a champion. More fuel for his detractors. It was an embarrassment. I can't believe that Doc R is actually out coaching 9Rings. Allen played the whole game. Why are scrubs like Walton in there, this was a must win game, shorten the rotation Phil. We got 2 off days to rest. I guess our only hope is that Stern wants it to go 7 and we get a little help from the zebras, but honestly it looks like the C's are the better team taking 5 out of 6 from us this season. We need Bynum and revenge will be ours next season. Man I hate losing to those guys.
Posted by: HawaiiD | June 13, 2008 at 01:02 PM
When I woke up this morning, I wasn't feeling very well, so I called my doctor for an appointment.
When I arrived a few hours later, the waiting room was filled with men and women wearing Laker jerseys. All had their heads bowed. No one was talking.
When I saw the doctor, he asked me to describe my symptoms. I told him:
-Severe depression
-High anxiety
-Sadness
-Headache
-Upset stomach
-Inability to focus or concentrate
-Feeling like I needed a drink
He nodded his head like he understood, patted me on the shoulder, and handed me a prescription:
-A decisive Laker win in Game 5 on Sunday at Staples Center
-A decisive Laker win in Game 6 in Boston
-A decisive Laker win in Game 7 in Boston, followed by a ceremony handing out the O'Brien trophy to Jerry Buss and the series MVP trophy to Kobe Bryant.
The doctor instructed me to get the prescription filled and to follow his instructions to the letter. I'm on my way to the Purple & Gold Pharmacy. I'll see you there.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Kobe will see that trades are made. Don't get too set on this current team. Some guys will play their last game as a Laker this Sunday. I hope, and pray, that Kobe advocates the trading of Pau Gasol and Luke Walton.
Posted by: troy | June 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Two indelible pictures from this series:
Leon Powe driving the length of the court for a slam dunk, and:
Ray Allen blowing by Vujacic.
Pictures of the Lakers playing defense are not available at this time.
Posted by: KG! | June 13, 2008 at 01:06 PM
People!
I would love to say that were done and it over We all felt the samething after the loss. I don't share everyones passion for silly bandwagons..Laker prayers and what-not..but after last night loss..we all hurt the same way..I felt the same You! Some have reopened the trade machine..already veiwing possibilities of who we can get for X player..But I won't go there. Im not going to analyze the game..im not going to say what's been said 1000x's over the course of 16hrs..I still hope for a Laker championship. We lost..I accepted it
Posted by: lakeraholic | June 13, 2008 at 01:07 PM
In light of recent events, I'd like to take a moment of silence for what appears to be the end of the Lakers season. Mathematically, it isn't over. But emotionally, it is.
But, I'm not here to comment about the collapse yesterday or how this team can pick themselves up. I'm actually here to provide a sidebar topic for you Lakerbloggers.
Kobe Bryant is not Michael Jordan. He will never be Michael Jordan. But I'll tell you who he might be - he's more a kin to Jerry West.
I was watching some of the games on ESPN Classic during the days leading up to Game 1 of the Finals. A few of the games showcased some of the most heartbreaking losses that Jerry West had to endure during his early career against the Celtics. He was labeled as Mr Clutch for displaying some of the most improbable moments and performances in that era and for future generations to marvel at - but was unable to win the Championship until later on in his career. He was a scoring phenom - averaging 31.2 ppg during the '68-'69 season - and was regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of his era. With all that said, he never won the MVP - finishing as close as 2nd four years in a row.
Remind you of someone?
Don't get it twisted - there's nothing wrong with being compared to Jerry West. He's one of the top 50 NBA athletes of all time. But when people start comparing Kobe to MJ, I'll have to draw the line there. I was listening to Dan Patrick this morning and he said something that really struck a chord with me. If Jordan was playing last night, do you think he would have let his team lose after being up by more than 20 points late in the third? I thought long and hard about this and the only answer I can come up with is - No. No way in hell Jordan loses after being up by 24 points. Now, I'm not a statistician by any means - but I'm 99.9% sure that if we were to look at the annals of Jordan's games, it would be pretty safe to assume that he has never had a team meltdown quite like what the Lakers experienced yesterday.
With that said, I think Kobe is a lot more like his mentor - Jerry West. Has anyone asked themselves how he got the label "Mr. Clutch" when he's only won one championship? In Kobe's case, how can people say that he's the "Best Closer" when Paul Pierce out "closed" the "best closer" in the game? The truth hurts some times - but it is, none of the less, the truth (pardon the pun).
But the similarities don't end there - Jerry West never got over the hump until he had a big dominant center in Wilt. Same goes with Kobe. Jerry West's career numbers are very similar to Kobe's numbers as well. (West - 27 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 6.7 apg / Bryant - 25.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg. But the biggest reason why the Kobe's more like West than Jordan was on full display last night. Jordan would have never let that happen.
Just food for thought.
Ahlayn
Posted by: ahlayn | June 13, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Dear Laker Fans,
Chicken Soup for the Basketball Soul
1. Kobe is good. Not God. There is an 'o' that is missing. There is only so much he can mess up.
2. Sasha and co. are teenage kids on the block, compared to the veterans like the Big 3. Like fine wine it will take time to mature. They have to pay their dues. They should also quit acting like hollywood heroes. Maybe its the town culture.
3. The smugness on Phil's face is slowly disappering.
4. Taking team mates for dinner, does not build a team. ReferTeam Building 101.
5. Celebs are like cheer girls, a distraction at best. 'Can you handle the truth?'
6. Fans and Players should stick to the end of the game. Not rush to take out the car from the lot and head to the next nightclub.
7. Micheal Jordan is the greatest Laker. No debate.
8. If you let a 24 point lead fizzle. You should play in WNBA.
10. 9 times out of 10, its better to lose on home turf than have your ass whipped in bean town. The so-called-celebs, sorry fans will understand.
Humbly Your's
A Celtic
Posted by: George | June 13, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Steve Hartman has lost his mind.
Posted by: troy | June 13, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Morning all....................Charles,fantastic post.
For a team that has been off the map for 20 years it must feel like a camel searching the desert for water and then finally finding a lake to drink from.Some NBA teams get to drink more often than others.Let the haters hate because the 3 camels are old and cant keep searching for that much longer....
Go Lakers
Posted by: Thirty2 | June 13, 2008 at 01:12 PM
hairpiece hartman still predicts lakers in 7 and just gave his top 10 why. LOL.
2004
2006
2007
how is 2008 any different?
Posted by: tim | June 13, 2008 at 01:16 PM
In light of recent events, I'd like to take a moment of silence for what appears to be the end of the Lakers season. Mathematically, it isn't over. But emotionally, it is.
But, I'm not here to comment about the collapse yesterday or how this team can pick themselves up. I'm actually here to provide a sidebar topic for you Lakerbloggers.
Kobe Bryant is not Michael Jordan. He will never be Michael Jordan. But I'll tell you who he might be - he's more a kin to Jerry West.
I was watching some of the games on ESPN Classic during the days leading up to Game 1 of the Finals. A few of the games showcased some of the most heartbreaking losses that Jerry West had to endure during his early career against the Celtics. He was labeled as Mr Clutch for displaying some of the most improbable moments and performances in that era and for future generations to marvel at - but was unable to win the Championship until later on in his career. He was a scoring phenom - averaging 31.2 ppg during the '68-'69 season - and was regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of his era. With all that said, he never won the MVP - finishing as close as 2nd four years in a row.
Remind you of someone?
Don't get it twisted - there's nothing wrong with being compared to Jerry West. He's one of the top 50 NBA athletes of all time. But when people start comparing Kobe to MJ, I'll have to draw the line there. I was listening to Dan Patrick this morning and he said something that really struck a chord with me. If Jordan was playing last night, do you think he would have let his team lose after being up by more than 20 points late in the third? I thought long and hard about this and the only answer I can come up with is - No. No way in hell Jordan loses after being up by 24 points. Now, I'm not a statistician by any means - but I'm 99.9% sure that if we were to look at the annals of Jordan's games, it would be pretty safe to assume that he has never had a team meltdown quite like what the Lakers experienced yesterday.
With that said, I think Kobe is a lot more like his mentor - Jerry West. Has anyone asked themselves how he got the label "Mr. Clutch" when he's only won one championship? In Kobe's case, how can people say that he's the "Best Closer" when Paul Pierce out "closed" the "best closer" in the game? The truth hurts some times - but it is, none of the less, the truth (pardon the pun).
But the similarities don't end there - Jerry West never got over the hump until he had a big dominant center in Wilt. Same goes with Kobe. Jerry West's career numbers are very similar to Kobe's numbers as well. (West - 27 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 6.7 apg / Bryant - 25.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg. But the biggest reason why the Kobe's more like West than Jordan was on full display last night. Jordan would have never let that happen.
Just food for thought.
Ahlayn
Posted by: ahlayn | June 13, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Thanks Utzworld for the props but others deserved more praises and proven loyalty like Jandro and others.
Mamba24, you excluded me from the I believe bandwagon when I have been saying post after post that I believe we can make it 3 in a row. I know, I know you want to put my name in the last coach of the last trip. lol!
Whatever arguments comes out from the meltdown in the 2nd quarter, I can summariz it with four words and if the Lakers coaching staff or front office don't do something with this malingering disease throughout the season, it will always revisit the team season after season. It showed up in games against Bobcats, Blazers, Kings and Celtics. Quoting the timely description Rdlee last night that our players are young and the defeat is part of growing pains. (This like your A student juvenile comes home crying after being swindled by a fast glibbed Salesman Lane over Laker tickets.)
LAKERS GAMES LACKED HUSTLE*.
*Colloquial definition: To work or act rapidly on a person or a job with full energy and aggressive tactics.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 13, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Troy,
"It's as I said before, there's a 100 ton white elephant in the room"
We are color blind, sometimes we need a lame Elephant to complete the animals in the Zoo.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 13, 2008 at 01:24 PM
All of the monday morning quarterbacking and the should've, woul'd've, could've talk is bullshit. The lakers problem all year has been cheating on defense and playing sagging help defense and always leaving 3 point shooters open and it has finally bit them in the ass. The win had nothing to do with the so called Boston big three, it was all about the big 2 for Boston who was Posey and House who won the game down the stretch for Boston with 6 wide open shots with 4 of them being 3 point shots. You can give up 2 point baskets in the last 3 minutes of a game because it remains a one or 2 point game but when you give up 3 point baskets the lead grows to 6 to 7 points which was the difference in the game. If the Lakers continue this on Sunday they have no chance to win. Boston players stay with the lakers all over the court and don't leave 3 point shooters.
Posted by: 70'slakerfan | June 13, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Mamba...put me on the I still believe bandwagon.
WE ALL BELIEVE!!!
Posted by: spokanlakerfan | June 13, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Several times during The Collapse I screamed at the television things akin to "WHY THE HELL ISN'T DEREK FISHER IN? WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE!!??!?"
What sucks is I don't feel that the Celtics beat us.
Nor do I feel like we beat ourselves.
I just feel like total crazymaking occurred last night.
It could have been avoid with a few timeouts, some discussion, and proper substitutions. That simple.
Anyhow, Sunday's coming up. My money's on the Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM
JON K,
ONCE AGAIN, YOU HAVE THE SAME FEELING AS ME. WE BEAT OURSELVES TIMEOUT WAS THE ANSWER TO AVOID YESTERDAY COLLAPSE. ANYWAY, LIKE I SAID, ONLY PHIL HAS THE ANSWER FOR SUNDAY.
WE ARE THE SUPERIOR TEAM BUT TIMES IS RUNNING OUT AND WE HAVE TO PASS IT.
SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE! WE WILL PASS THE TEST ON SUNDAY.
LOVE TO OUR TEAM AND TO ALL
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | June 13, 2008 at 01:29 PM
The Lakers will not win the 2008 NBA title.
Boston was the better team all year. 66 wins and only injuries prevented a 70 win season.
Boston started the year 27 wins 3 losses.
So far Boston is 5+ 1 against the Lakers this year.
Kobe has had one good game against Boston's defense.
Boston allowed the fewest points per game this year.
Boston allowed the lowest shooting percentage.
Boston allowed the lowest percentage on 3pt shots this season.
Boston had games that included 20 steals and 20 blocks.
Boston never lost three in a row,
Boston didn't lose to a west coast team the entire first half of the season.
Boston won in every arena they played in.
Boston led in 5 games by 50 points this year.
In 28 games Boston led their opponent by 25+ points.
Boston sat down all five starters to rest prior to the playoffs and went 4-0.
Boston never got blown out this year losing only twice by 10 or more points.
The Lakers couldn't beat the Celtics who were unable to play Garnett, Rondo and Perkins for much of the game.
This series is effectively over.
Posted by: Too many silly posts | June 13, 2008 at 01:55 PM
George:
"7. Micheal Jordan is the greatest Laker. No debate."
sorry, i'm assuming you mean magic johnson, but we all know what assuming does.
Posted by: eddie brock | June 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
How in the world do you lose a 24 point lead to eventually lose the game by 6??? The Lakers deserve to lose. I mean lets face it they're a bunch of losers. They can't close the deal. They're an absolute embarrassment and joke to the city of LA. I am now rooting for Boston to whip their ass in Boston so they can come back crying like little babies. LA Lakers you're a bunch of losers and deserve to lose.
Posted by: Jay Cee | June 13, 2008 at 02:00 PM
This certainly lays to rest the Kobe-MJ debate. Kobe had such a long-shot of ever meeting Jordan's greatness, let alone passing it. Now, it is clear that he will never even remotely achieve Jordan's greatness. MJ would have never let his team collapse like that, or score a mere 17 points in a Finals game. Even with the flu he scored in the 40's. Unreal!
Posted by: DodgerBlue | June 13, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Plaschke looks llike Homer Simpson.
When the chance of it still being a down to the wire ballgame was taken away by the flop acting job of Pierce in the closing minutes, one can only sense the frustration in Kobe's psyche that absolutely nothing was going their way. Yes, he may have walked out prematurely, but I will not condemn him for the failure of the team's collective meltdown. I don't think that particular moment was aired on television, so nobody paid attention to or cared about it (and nobody should) until somebody the likes you had a boner then graciously announced it. Another chance for you to contaminate the greatness of Kobe's legacy. Hater
I must admit, the moment I seen Javie (when he teed Doc), I thought to myself 'something crazy is going to happen in the game.' Sadly, the other team were the ones who came out on top.
AK - good call on the series being rigged if it goes to 7. I think all this recent mumbo jumbo of conspiracy theories hovering around the media has disrupted the flow of the Lakers offense, and perhaps maybe even affected our guys mentally. I'm still not over game two, but if the Lakers do pull off what many non-believers would call a miracle, you can bet that many will point at this being one of the most controversial championships in sports history.
Does anyone else besides me get annoyed with the sideline interviews between period breaks? Leave the coaches and players alone ABC, it should allow them to stay focused within the collective team's mindset and game plan.
My buzz kill has worn off already and there's no point in feeling too down about what happened. It really isn't over. Perkins and Rondo aren't at full strength (at least we are believed to think they aren't sans wheelchair rides) and the adjustments to contain the others will be worked out in time before Sunday's game. Boston was able to combat elimination games twice in these playoffs thus far, I can't see how the Lakers shouldn't be able to do so once.
I hope that Zohan flick will be therapeutic for this letdown. Has anyone who has already seen it that may suggest otherwise?
Posted by: eevee | June 13, 2008 at 02:04 PM
This certainly lays to rest the Kobe-MJ debate. Kobe had such a long-shot of ever meeting Jordan's greatness, let alone passing it. Now, it is clear that he will never even remotely achieve Jordan's greatness. MJ would have never let his team collapse like that, or score a mere 17 points in a Finals game. Even with the flu he scored in the 40's. Unreal!
Posted by: DodgerBlue | June 13, 2008 at 02:16 PM
In regards to the Kobe = Mj debate, this is the non hand checking era also. Can't compare the two, and besides MJ is MJ. Shall we compare for the next Magic Johnson? You Laker blog roaches like to stomp hard while we are down and be read on this blog and thats fine, but that Mj comparison is moot.
We have the Kobe of this era.
In the end, I care more for the ring than the next MJ accolade.
I look forward to the next trophy.
And Celtic fans, I hope we meet you again in the finals. I love the competitive history.
Posted by: Charles | June 13, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Utzworld,
Your post was beyond inspiring. You brought tears to my eyes as I read it. You outlined many truths and gave us something to hold on to even after this season is over....whether we win or lose. Thank you for another perspective on the matter.
That being said.....GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: HoustonLakerGirl | June 13, 2008 at 02:33 PM
they deserved to lose last night.
Posted by: DK | June 13, 2008 at 02:36 PM