Like any contentious relationship...
LiLo and SamRo... Itchy and Scratchy... Nixon and everyone on his list, and on down the line... there comes a point when reconciliation is a lost cause, and it's best to simply part ways.
Considering the Lakers and Jazz won't likely discover common ground anytime soon, they probably fit this bill as well. And their interests being anything but mutual, the sooner the break up, the better. Thankfully, the Lakers have a chance this evening to make the cord-cutting a decree set in stone. And judging by their talk from yesterday's practice, everyone is keen on busting out the mallets and chisels.
Unfortunately for the purple and gold, their Staples Center guests are looking to string out this drama a little longer, poor track record with last ditch efforts be damned! But despite the general consensus that resistance is ultimately futile, the Lakers would prefer not to allow the Jazz additional opportunities to buck the odds. Thus, all the stops will be pulled out.
Kobe Bryant plans on sticking to the Game 4 script that begins and ends with aggressive play. That tone, along with some scrapping from Sasha Vujacic and Adam Morrison, inspired the bench mob to turn in their best collective effort of the postseason. Morrison may even get a chance this evening to serve as more than a scrimmage instigator, since the sore ankles of Luke Walton (a game time decision) and Trevor Ariza (somewhere between "G.T.D." and "probable") could open up the chance for some rare run. That PT would come off the pine, where I'm guessing Andrew Bynum will be sitting when the opening tip commences. Just one of many reasons this series has been a source of frustration for Drew.
Should the Lakers come out on top- in the exact manner predicted by ESPN's David Thorpe or otherwise- it's looking like a date with the Houston Rockets is in the works. A comeback win last night put them up 3-1 on a young Trail Blazers team pegged by many analysts as both young upstarts and the Lakers' greatest obstacle in winning the West. But as ESPN's Henry Abbott (a Blazer fan, incidentally) notes, talent will sometimes take a backseat to playoff experience, and Portland has considerably more of the former than the latter. But hey, could be worse. At least the Blazers didn't screw up their stockpiling of youth by drafting Darko Milicic.
OTHER NOTES
- Sasha and Hoopshype talk playoffs.
- Spike Lee and Kobe weren't battling over creative control of their upcoming documentary, according to Lee's reps.
We're going to win. They're not dropping this one. It's already done, man. Utah might as well just go home.
I think we're in for the Rockets, and then Dallas or Denver, obviously. No way NO gets to the next round. It's just not looking good for them.
Love that Chitown tied the series with Boston. It's a good day anytime Boston loses.
Gameday! Yeah, baby!
GO LAKERS!
I LOVE LA!!!!!!!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | April 27, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Repost (dang new threads hahah):
Good morning Charles. Good morning Lakers Blog. Larry, let's get that rollcall kickin'!
Lakers_sth,
Dude. Regarding Goldstein and good seats, I have a story for you. Two summers ago I traveled from Portland to Vegas for summer league and bought courtside seats so I could get a good look at Oden and watch the Lakers in the game that followed.
After getting up briefly between games to go get Oden's Hancock on a jersey, I returned to find a strange little greyhaired man and a hot blonde half his age in the seats belonging to me and my moderately attractive girlfriend. Not acceptable.
So despite glares and protestations, I kicked their asses out. That's when the guy sitting next to me told me I'd just displaced Phil Spector and I'd better be ready for payback. Uh oh.
Well, clearly I have survived and with a good story to roll with to boot....
Only now I see your photographic link and I realize it wasn't Spector at all (I'll admit I kind of knew this the whole time but I didn't want my tale of kicking an accused murderer out of courtside seats to be ruined).
So who was it? It was Goldstein. Had I only known I might have let him keep the seats in exchange for some party time at his casa with that hot blonde.
And speaking of Portland, mrbarneydangles, I can tell you exactly how the Blazers fans reacted to the Ariza foul. It wasn't pretty. The building was suddenly dangerous for those in Lakers gear. I don't leave games early but I did that night.
Ah, memories.
Time to bury the past and write a new chapter this post-season. Let's close out the Azz convincingly tonight and get some rest before Houston or Portland comes to town.
BTW, that series isn't over. I've been watching and the Blazers have figured some things out. It's going six at the very least and I wouldn't at all be surprised if we see Blazers in seven. It wouldn't, after all, be the first time a team with Tracy McGrady let a 3-1 first round lead slip away. Though the Rockettes DO, at least, have the benefit of having that loser in street clothes.
Posted by: Jesterguru | April 27, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Game day Monday. I know the Lakers will take care of business tonight. Bring on Houston.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 27, 2009 at 10:27 AM
LAKERS
Phil Jacjson needs to get Jordan Farmar back in the game.
He is quick and can turn the game around, when we are down. He should not be sitting, he has a lot of talent, and should be contributing to the Lakers. Thats not right, Phil is acting like the guy is not good at all. He forgets that Jordan Farmar help them get where they are at, and I am not saying that it is all because of him, I am saying he help even after his injury. "GIVE THE GUY A BREAK PHIL".
Posted by: R. T | April 27, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Love the theme of this blog!
Posted by: dominic | April 27, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I must admit, I'm abit disapointed with the Utah series to the point of feeling a little jaded.
I had high expectations of some real combatant fans and haven't really seen any obnoxious fan stuff from the citizens of Salt Lake City. (Maybe they got the Church directive to be on their best behavior)
From what I can tell, the Lakers play has taken the Utah fans out of the series. Having their coach say it was a bleak situation, was probably not a ruse afterall and the fans knew it. So, little enthusiasm.
So, here's to the people of Utah.
Enjoy your early vacation from the NBA Playoffs. Have fun watching the Mormon Crickets march through Utah, eating up whatever the Lakers missed while they burned and pillaged in our very short stay in the capital.
Fatty - Who did enjoy immensely Saturday, the emptying of the NO Energy, Couldn't find a Solution to the Lakers, Arena.
Posted by: Fatty | April 27, 2009 at 10:41 AM
LTLF,
Just read the previous thread prodding yourself on the trade made of VladRad as if you know the outcome of Shannon Brown. You are not only a stat man but also a good revisionist. When the trade was made, your only contention was salary cap savings in the long run and AM was the center of the trade. You were saying then that Shannon will be cut off at the end of the season, now you are changing the whole dynamics w/ " I told you so" post and know everything. Don't mean to audit your post but just pointing out that you preferred Luke Walton than VladRad, in all your posts, now it shifted suddenly to "I told you so about Shannon Brown".
Other than that, we are all in the same side for the Lakers going for the 5th game victory as we move on.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Pau Gasol has to settle a score against Carlos Boozer. The latter has been abusing him in the post, tho Pau made some good pivot moves but also lot of ball due to steal, pushed, shoved by the Booze'. Of course, Pau will not be able to outmaneuver him in terms of strenght but Pau has to make a stand and send a message to other Centers in the future playoff games that he is not soft. He has to apply a little "Hollywood" when get fouled, show it to the refs. and punish the Jazz double teaming to instant fouls or instant assist to the open man. Pau Gasol is the second best scorer in the Lakers lineup, he needs to be feared by future teams not disrespected.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Jon K
Most rabidly awful fans in the NBA:
1. Trailblazers (Led by the worst antongonistic announcers in the NBA)
2. Celtics (Out of the picture for over 20 years and now feel it is their birth right to be Champions again)
3. Jazz (Most morally corrupt fans in the NBA)
4. Pistons (Where gansters control the crowd)
5. Suns (Certainly the most delusional. "The Best Team to Never Win a Title")
6. Kings (There's something about the Tule Fog that deranges the mind)
7. Cavs (You would act that way too, if you had to live in Cleveland, America's most depressing City)
8. Mavericks (I was just in Dallas for business all of last week and saw more people wearing Lakers stuff, than Mavs stuff???)
Tim-For-Show
Read your post and was thinking, there must be some REALLY DEEP meaning in your words, but not sure what. lol Promise to read again tonight after my pre-game Scotch, which has a way to always open my mind to the deeper things in life.
Fatty - Who's ADHD can only be cured with a Lakers Championship run.
Posted by: Fatty | April 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Its 11:20 and Mamba24 is KNOWHERE to be found.
"A day without Mamba is like a day without sunshine!"
- An Original Fatty quote
Posted by: Fatty | April 27, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Fatty is, as usual, on point this morning. Have no fear, Fatty, the Mamba will be here. Roll call... I can feel it coming. Just like Utah can feel it leaving.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 27, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I would like relay to the blog what happened at UCLA Book Festival, Zo Mourning was there at the Target Center and discussed his book, his NBA life and his medical battles with the kidney transplants and his faith in God. He was promoting his book, "Resilence" written by Zo himself with Dan Wetzel. I bought one for 25 bucks which is worthwhile because its proceeds will go to the Kidney Foundation. It is a win-win situation because I have weak kidneys, got his autograph and spoke to him for a minute about Kidney ailments. Zo is a great speaker, good family man with Tracy, his wife and two kids Trey and Myka and spending his retirement as speaker for the foundation and giving back to the community by visiting ailing kids with kidney transplants or about to get one. He thinks that God gave him a second chance to live for this purpose, to uplift and motivate the spirits of kidney patients. At the end of his talk during the Q & A portion, he begged not to answer any basketball question but revealed to the delight of the crowd that he picks the Lakers this year to win it all.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Wrong Spelling on the name of the book of ZO, it should read RESILIENCE. Sorry again (:(
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Fatty,
He is probably buying a new thong. He wore the old one out trying it on everyday and dancing in front of the mirror.
With the bedroom shades open, much to the dismay of the neighbors.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 27, 2009 at 11:45 AM
GO LAKERS!
End the series tonight!
Bring on the next victims.
Posted by: Lakers Fan 24 | April 27, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Hmmm...
Edwin I don't see anywhere in LTLF's post that said:
"I told you so about Shannon Brown"."
"Hey, remember after the Radmanovic trade when there were several people here getting all weepy over the space cadet?
His last 5 games of the season, Rad shot 28% (23% on his 3 pointers)
and averaged over 2 turnovers a game in 18 minutes.
Personally, I was happy with the cap reduction, since Rad
wasn't really playing much for the Lakers anyway. Considering how Shannon Brown has worked out, is there anyone left who still believes that was a bad trade?"
Go Mitch!
Go Lakers!"
Personally almost no one here believed that Shannon Brown would be this good (Mitch did say Brown would contribute quicker than Morrison but with quality like this? Heck this is a steal). Heck almost everyone here is loving it anyways save perhaps Farmar who while is certainly supportive of his teammate probably isn't happy that he isn't getting on the court.
LTLF,
I would like to add salt to the Radmanovich crybabies who missed his crappy defense, bad reads, underachieving rebounding and bad passing. 40.1% overall from the field which tied his career worst compared to 45% and 44% when he managed to get some adjustment to the Lakers offense, 35.7% from 3 point land and shot 4 3 pointers per game, career worst in turnovers (1.6) and all these in about 21 minutes which are all worst than back in 07-08 when he played roughly the same minutes.
Not good for role players the Lakers offense is? Doesn't seem that way. At least not to Shannon.
Dice8up,
LOL! You said that and that Sun STAN comes in barging thanks for letting the dog in.
R.T.
"LAKERS
Phil Jacjson needs to get Jordan Farmar back in the game.
He is quick and can turn the game around, when we are down. He should not be sitting, he has a lot of talent, and should be contributing to the Lakers. Thats not right, Phil is acting like the guy is not good at all. He forgets that Jordan Farmar help them get where they are at, and I am not saying that it is all because of him, I am saying he help even after his injury."
When Jordan "no defense" Farmar begins to play actual defense besides trying to steal the ball, begins to play as a true role player instead of trying to play selfish basketball and disrupt the normal ball movement for the sake of getting points/assists, has a better shot selection, stop whining to his coach because he can't play the pick and roll style basketball that he wants so much and creating more flashy plays with less substance then of course Jackson would play him more and the fans wouldn't be hard on him. And he's fast not quick laterally hence one of the reasons why he is horrible on defense. And this is crying over spilled milk but just for the heck of it give us back Game 4 of the Finals and his choke job of playing horrific defense and missing all but one of his shots and maybe we'll forgive him.
Reverse ALL those things about Jordan Farmar and you get Shannon Brown :).
Posted by: Kobeblitz | April 27, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Gameday! I hope Bynum has a monster game so whoever we face in the next round won't sag off him.
Posted by: grail | April 27, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Its gameday, not only that, its a chance to put the final nail in the coffin and be done with our first playoff victim, next customer, same prescription,13 more to glory. PS. Mamba for the 100th time please put me on rollcall, RIZZO not Frank Rizzo, there are 2< I am RIZZO!
Posted by: RIZZO | April 27, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Kobe, Gasol and LO are the main courses of the Lakers this year but we need something big from the appetizers and desserts to excel as well. I am referring to Farmar, Morrison, Powell and Mbenga. We need a complete arsenal to fight future battles and each player will contribute something for the good of the team. This is not merely a Kobe Show, that is too predictable and many teams could overcome such advantage, however if it is Kobe plus Pau and LO plus the Laker advantage, then it will be difficult to comprehend that LA will not win it all this year. Farmar needs to play together with Shannon, perhaps Farmar becomes an SG. Luke and Trevor will play despite their mild injuries. Note: Lakers are not wimpy or drama queens like the Celtics. Did you see the end of Game 3 of the Celtics/Bulls last Thursday wherein Rondo was carried by two players on the way to the locker room. He or Doc Rivers was sending a message to the Bulls that he was injured and may not play on Sunday. Sunday comes, he was running like a lost cayote. Abe Lincoln said: " You can't fool all the people, all of the time". It may have worked last year's Finals with Paula Pierce but this time they lost the game in two overtime because of a missed f/t by Paula.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Here is another stat man who knows everything and his name is Kobeblitz who is expert on crappy defense of Vlad, Farmar, Ariza et al who else?
C'mon guy, we are all speculating in this blog. Every game, the dynamics of every player changes. You can't foresee what will happen, mistakes that will be committed and heroics that may transpire. The best thing you can do is live with the moment, stick with your historical data of numbers and forget the fortune telling or dissing Laker players. Every blogger here have a little wisdom of the game that Kobeblitz has not covered. If you know everything that will happen, then we do not have to watch the game but just read your post before the game. Keep it cool blitz.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 27, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Ohhh Maaaaambaaaaa twenty foooouuuuurrrrrr.
Calling Maaaambbaaaaa twenty ffooouuuurrrr.....
WHERE ARE YOU???
Enough with the being all mysterious and not coming on the blog on a VERY IMPORTANT game day. Stop with the new thong dress rehearsal or whatever and get the ROLL CALL going!!!!
The blog needs you. The new thong try-outs will have to wait.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 27, 2009 at 12:29 PM
GAME ON!
Happiness is:
3 weeks off for Paternity Leave!
Getting 7 loads of laundry done before 1:00 PM!
The Lakers closing out tonight's series!
LET US PRAY...
Dear Lord, thank You for guiding our Lakers to the point of closing out this first round series. Thank You for silencing the Utah crowd with a Statement-Making win on Saturday night. Thank You for the fire and energy exhibited by The Bench Mob. And thank You for being a Healer.
We ask You to mainifest Yourself again as Healer on behalf of our Assistant Coach Tex Winter. You have guided him through the game of basketball for so many years and You have rewarded him with great success. Heal his body, restore his ability to walk, talk and function properly, and may he celebrate this - his last year on the sidelines - with a Lakers Championship. And afterwards, allow him to rest, fully healed and able to celebrate the life that You blessed him to have.
Be a Healer also for Luke & Trevor. Heal their ankles and allow them to return to the court fully healed & healthy and ready to contribute. Should PJ go with Adam Morrison instead of Luke tonight, may he have the NBA game of his life. Restore his confidence and may his shot be as sweet as it was during his Gonzaga days.
Now Lord, let tonight's game be a convincing win. Let Kobe, Pau, LO, Drew & the gang close out this series and get the rest they need to get ready for round 2. Let them continue to run as marathon runners and not sprinters. While we will celebrate tonight's win, we keep our eyes on the big prize: Championship #15. Let Your will be done...and let our guys play 48 minutes of consistent and focused basketball tonight!
We thank You in advance for answered prayer...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | April 27, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I'd like to send well wishes and love to the Winter clan, Tex in particular. Get well and stay healthy.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 27, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Luke Walton's out for a week...I bet pfunk's happy...!
Posted by: Korey | April 27, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Just read that Walton is out "indefinitely." Kobe and Lamar will play more at SF, according to Phil. That means more SG minutes for Sasha (and Shannon) and more minutes for Bynum.
And maybe the beginning of the Adam Morrison Era?
Posted by: Tom Daniels | April 27, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Edwin Gueco,
>>>Don't mean to audit your post but just pointing out that
>>>you preferred Luke Walton than VladRad
which I still do...
>>>blah blah blah "I told you so"
It's nothing of the kind. Or at least that wasn't my intention.
Personally, I was fully happy with the trade as just a salary
dump.
The point of the post was, "HEY! LOOK! We got much more
than a salary dump! Any of you Vlade lovers care to change
your opinion about whether the Vlade trade was a good deal?"
It wasn't an I told you so at all.
But if they end up trading AmMo for someone productive
at the trade deadline next season, THEN I will bust out the
I told you so.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 27, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Machine give interviewee on hoopiehype.
Machine tell them all about my BFF Kobe.
Machine.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 27, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Luke is out indefinitely.
Posted by: billy in slo | April 27, 2009 at 01:01 PM
KB Blitz
I looked up the lyrics to the song "STAN". by EMENIM. That's a crazy song, i like it. And it's a good reference.
GAME DAY!!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: ChicNstu | April 27, 2009 at 01:01 PM
>>> He has to apply a little "Hollywood" when get fouled,
>>>show it to the refs.
Forget the holly - he just needs to lay some wood on Boozer.
The refs let Utah (specifically Boozer, Millsap, and Harpring)
get away with a lot more pushing and shoving in Utah than
they do on the road. They call incidental contact fouls on Bynum
while those three guys mentioned are shoving someone in
the back on virtually every rebound. But that doesn't fly in
opposing arenas.
So if the Jazz start shoving, Pau and company just need to
shove right back. In the confines of Staples, the calls will go
the Lakers' way.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 27, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Bad news y'all. As reported just now by the LA Times, Luke is out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his ankle.
The Walton gene strikes again. It's too bad that family has such big feet problems.
This means more time for Sasha at the 2 (when Kobe slides over to play the 3), possibly more time with Brown and Fisher on the court at the same time, and possibly a Farmar sighting tonight.
I really don't expect to see Adam Morrison. I think he needs to play in the summer league and then get a good camp and pre-season into his system so he can get his mojo back.
Although PJ could make a big liar out of me and start Morrison saying, "We needed some new blood, etc.". There I'd be, hat in hand.
In my mind, it really means that Kobe'll play more 3. Which means more Machine, which means he'll get his first 8 minutes in the 1st half in and settle into his role quicker. Hopefully.
I hope Luke can come back for the playoffs, but it doesn't look good. Which is too bad because he's got the body to bang with Houston's front line. This might loom larger than it seems in the next series (provided, of course we win this one...which we will or I'm a monkey's uncle).
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 27, 2009 at 01:03 PM
utzworld,
Amen.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 27, 2009 at 01:05 PM
I am not happy that Luke will be out. His role as a facilitator improves The Bench Mob significantly.
Time for Adam Morrison to show he can shine.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 27, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Luke out. Be careful what you wish for Luke Haters!
here is link.
http://tinyurl.com/cmrdp8
Posted by: billy in slo | April 27, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Here is wishing Tex Winter a quick recovery.
Sorry to hear that TA and LW are also on the injured list. TA should play it smart and not aggravate his injury by playing if he's not 100%. We would end up losing more for less in the long run.
The rest of the team needs to step up and get a W without these guys. Does this mean that if TA is not starting will Shannon be starting for him?
Regardless of who starts, LA needs to shoot the lights out and put the Jazz on a boat for a fishing trip!!!
GOOOOOOOLAKERS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Carlos DeeP | April 27, 2009 at 01:31 PM