More pre-Game 1 reading: A few fun links
Posted by Ben Taylor -
Some would say the basic blueprint for taking down the purple and gold is employing LeBron James. NBA.com's Dave McMenamin, however, observes a more realistic approach: make Kobe Bryant shoot. LA went a Clipper-like 3-5 when Kobe jacked over 30 shots in a game, but finished a nearly unbeatable 33-3 when he launched fewer than 20. In fairness, the statistic is slightly inflated because during blowout victories Bryant rests at the end of games and fewer minutes on the court result in fewer field goal attempts. Nonetheless, the Lakers offense is firing like a Ferrari engine, and Kobe would be doing opposing teams a favor by growing shot-happy.
Sports Illustrated's Scott Howard-Cooper has become the Lakers de-facto national columnist, this time pontificating about the basketball machine that is Kobe Bean Bryant . For those unaware, Bryant is on a quest to win an NBA title. Who knew?
On the lighter side, I recommend checking out the NBA Dance Team Showdown on SI.com. It's arguably a more competitive Tournament than the Cavs-Lakers Invitational, er, NBA playoffs. It's certainly more drool-inducing. Show some love for the Lakers girls, and feel free to check out the Heat dancers if you're into that sort of thing.
BT
with all what kobe and pau have done since last season, the olympics and this season, they deserve a reward and that would be a championship.
GO Lakers!
Bring the championship back to LA!
Posted by: maeve08 | April 18, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Haha
Stewart Scott was setting up a question for his Lebron love fest during the halftime and Magic totally Pwned him by saying that Cleveland isn't the best team in th playoffs. Haha then he looked in the camera and said so what if Cleveland have homecourt if ur the best u dnt need it
Hahaha Ownage at it finest
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I HATE BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
Posted by: keifo | April 18, 2009 at 11:08 AM
BTW...
Why do the Laker girls have the ugliest outfits in the entire league????
I mean... we're LA!!
The sex capital of the world!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM
On another note...
SALT LAKE CITY, April 17, 2009 -- Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor announced today that the team has recalled rookie center Kosta Koufos from the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League. Koufos is expected to be in uniform when the Jazz travel to Los Angeles for Utah's first-round series against the Lakers which begins on Sunday, April 19.
PLEASE!!!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 18, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I agree that, with the interior threats of Gasol and Bynum, and FIsher's three-point shooting, Kobe should concentrate on defense and setting his teammates up. Between the way other teams focus on Kobe, and the capabilities of his teammates, he is NOT the best option on offense.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 18, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Wow. Derrick Rose is the real deal.
This guy is perhaps the most explosive guard in the game. He has the first step that every guard dreams of. He can finish at the rim. CP3 and D-Will should be looking over their shoulders very soon.
Posted by: EJK | April 18, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Love that Magic response...and the 2-3-2 format of the Finals series throws things outa whack...it just comes down to the first to win 4 games, every game is big, every court will be nerve wracking...don't look at the floor, look at the score...race to win four....BUT...there are many games to play before we should even be thinking of the Finals, no one gave the Lakes a bye straight to the finals yet...Utah first....
Posted by: humanomaly (aka "The Anti-Crust") | April 18, 2009 at 12:05 PM
EJK,
No kidding. Kid's got heart.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: gokobego | April 18, 2009 at 12:19 PM
What a choke job by Boston! lol.
Losing game 1 on their own home court to a rookie. Go Bulls. Ray Ray a non factor. Looks to me like Boston might not make it out of the first round. What a way to defend their title. When we were down one man last year, we made it all the way to the finals. It's becoming more evident that Boston was a one hit wonder...
Posted by: VALakersGirl | April 18, 2009 at 12:44 PM
""Stewart Scott was setting up a question for his Lebron love fest during the halftime and Magic totally Pwned him by saying that Cleveland isn't the best team in th playoffs. Haha then he looked in the camera and said so what if Cleveland have homecourt if ur the best u dnt need it
Hahaha Ownage at it finest""
....
You forgot when Stuart said, "And just a fact, if the Cavaliers lose all their road games, but win all their home games, they will be NBA Champs" and then Magic said, "Yes, but the Lakers were the only team to legitimately beat the Cavs on their home floor, and the best team always wins".......DOUBLE pwnage!
Posted by: IanFountains | April 18, 2009 at 03:39 PM
On another note...
SALT LAKE CITY, April 17, 2009 -- Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor announced today that the team has recalled rookie center Kosta Koufos from the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League. Koufos is expected to be in uniform when the Jazz travel to Los Angeles for Utah's first-round series against the Lakers which begins on Sunday, April 19.
PLEASE!!!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 18, 2009 at 11:33 AM
=======================
I don't care but can they do that? Are rosters supposed to be set for playoffs? Well either way I don't think this is much to worry about. If he was promoted to use his 6 fouls hard on Laker bigs then counter with MBega to diss a few hard fouls on Utah players.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 18, 2009 at 07:14 PM