Rockets 99, Lakers 87: No postgame Capri Suns for Kobe and Co.
Why? Because that tasty, aluminum-encased nectar, a liquid tribute to athletic competition, is reserved for players earning a slug of what's often upwards of 100% pure juice. Capri Suns were a reward for going out and giving the proverbial "all," win or lose, not a crew of players who thoroughly disappoint. Besides, the Capri Suns are always handed out by the team mom, and as I noted in my game summary, this one felt like a matriarchal slap in the face. No mama worth a salt lick is gonna reward her child for bad behavior.
A scant fifteen seconds had elapsed during yesterday's 99-87 Game 4 wipe out before the Lakers had firmly established that a lack of collective sharpness had infiltrated the team. A lazy pass gets tossed by Trevor Ariza and picked off by Ron Artest. Chalk up an easy field goal for Bill Bill. Undoubtedly a bad start, and it proved a bad omen of the future awaiting the Lakers.
Ariza's gaffe was followed by a flurry of Laker turnovers, bad shots and execution gone out the window. Typically a team that can score in its sleep, the Lakers instead opted for sleepwalking. As a result, they not only struggled to make a dent in the scoreboard- 16 points ain't exactly an opening quarter windfall- but halfheartedly put the contest on a silver platter for Houston. And a bow-wrapped presentation wasn't even necessary, since the Rockets were clearly dead set on playing their asses off in any event.
Out of sorts on the offensive end, the Lakers compounded this issue with their lockdown lapses. Aaron Brooks benefited mightily from Derek Fisher's inability to stick him, plus the lack of rotations to offset that failure. The littlest guy on the court walked away with the biggest tally, 34 points entered into the box score on 12-20 shooting. Moreover, Shane Battier, best known for his ability to "face guard," chipped in another 23. Like his water bug lead guard, Battier profited from what ESPN's J.A. Adande rightly described as non-existent resistance.
Before Game 4, the Houston coaches emphasized using penetration to
set up outside shots instead of forcing shots or interior passes in the
lane. It helped that Kobe Bryant
strayed away from Battier (he usually leaves players he doesn't
respect) and Battier happily fired up 10 3-pointers and made five of
them. Those shots alone matched Bryant's 15 points, and after a rare
victory in this head-to-head matchup, Battier said, "This box score may
be framed in my house somewhere. He's going to come back with a
vengeance in Game 5. There's no question."
And down the line, no Rocket was met with the proper resistance while attempting to score (or grab a board, as the already height-challenged Rockets managed to sub Chuck Hayes for Yao Ming and still win the rebound battle 43-37). But while the Lakers may not have put the "D" in "defense," they still made sure the alphabet's fourth letter was properly represented.
Scanning the web for reactions, the sentiment largely consisted of "disappointment," "disgust," or both. It ain't often that Lakers Blog readers walk lockstep with Times columnists Bill Plaschke or T.J. Simers, but I doubt you people will take much exception with the former phoning in his column as "tribute" to the purple and gold, while the latter chides the Lakers for a reluctance to label the disaster an "embarrassment."
No question everything will probably be back in order Tuesday night in
Staples Center, but with two more series and two tougher opponents yet
to be played, a stinker like this shouldn't be so easily dismissed. Fisher would agree only that the Lakers got off to a slow start, and would not agree that it was an embarrassing performance. So much for accountability, the correct answer being the Lakers barely
went through the motions, but then Jackson's postgame comments maybe
explaining the team's lack of zeal.
"We've done what we wanted
to do in Houston, get home-court advantage back," Jackson said. "We
accomplished what we came to Houston to do."
The Lakers crush the Rockets in Game 3, Plaschke
announces the series is over and then Houston learns it will be without
Yao. How much flatter can a team be, dismissed by Plaschke and disarmed
without Yao? But then once again we are reminded about the
Lakers' most glaring deficiency -- a lack of killer instinct, which not
only makes them vulnerable, but frankly doesn't make them
championship-worthy right now.
More from the locals: Gregg Patton of the Press-Enterprise felt the Lakers were much too easily satisfied with a split on the road, and the O.C. Register's Jeff Miller sums up the loss as a case of being "out-everything'ed."
So the Lakers came out Sunday…and displayed the heart of a sixth-seed. They were outrebounded by a team with no center, a team that started 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes in the middle. They
were outhustled by a team that knows – absolutely knows now without Yao
Ming – it has no chance of winning anything of consequence this
postseason. They were outclassed by a team that features Ron Artest, a player whose behavior once helped initiate an in-game riot.
Sadly, the Lakers were the Fakers again, a team still just posing as a wannabe champion. Painful to watch, and for Lamar Odom, painful to live. Dude took a very hard foul while driving the cup, then had to leave the game with the back spasms. His availability for Game 5 remains in question.
As CBS Sports' Ken Berger notes, there are dangers that accompany providing life vests for a team treading dangerous waters but perfectly willing to swim furiously. And while we're broaching the subject, kudos are in order to a Rockets squad making the spirited best of a bad situation. Although if you ask the people who know them best, like Houston Chronicle scribe Richard Justice, such mettle is nothing short of the expectations for this crew. Sentiments shared by a proud Dream Shake blog.
Simply put, these Houston Rockets are the most resilient
professional sports team I have ever seen. They may not win the
championship, they may not even win this series, but no team faces and
responds to adversity better than this group. Every time something
negative happens, the team shrugs it off and just goes about winning
basketball games.
Battier hurt? No problem. McGrady struggling? Yup, we know how to
handle that. Artest messes up his ankle? We got ya covered, Crazy
Pills. Rafer Alston gets traded? Party time! Carl Landry gets shot
in the leg? Make room for more Chuck Hayes. Now they just move on
without Yao. Winning one for the Great Wall.
This is a credit to Daryl Morey, Les Alexander and the entire
Rockets' management. Without their collective foresight, the team
would not have had the resources to overcome the continuous string of
obstacles placed before them. And yet they do it without so much as a
complaint or a "why me?" (for complaining to a higher power is *my*
job! And I do it well.)
Wish the same could be said about my favorite roundball squad, but I do agree with Kurt Helin's thoughts over at the ol' Forum Gold and Blue. It ain't over for the Lakers. It's just unnecessarily more complicated. Yeah, they may win Game 5 as "expected," but it's probably about time to stop "expecting" any outcome. Instead, just make it happen.
AK
To anyone who might actually be worried.
I'll remind you that this same Lakers squad lost a game to Charlotte
about a week and a half before they swept Boston and Cleveland
on the road.
They are capable of playing down to a team they are better than,
and they are capable of playing up to their level.
Lakers in 6 over Houston
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Looks like Troll City is back in effect.
No true Lakers fan will be happy with a loss, but that's no reason to quit on the team. I think those that are quitting on the team aren't true Lakers fans (guys like KL).
I can deal with a laker loss, especially to good team like Houston, but laying an egg is completely unacceptable. The players deserved some boos yesterday, so perhaps it was good that they were on the road.
And all this talk about Bynum - people, you must understand that he was out for like 3 months and he's coming back weaker and a step slow against high intensity playoff basketball. My only hope is that he'll get it together in time to put the hammer down.
PJ can be stubborn with his line-ups. Do you remember Detroit? The players had to go to him and beg for him to adjust the line-up, but it was too little, too late. I don't anticipate Fisher taking one for the team and asking to come off the bench - even though nearly all of us see that needs to happen.
Bottom line, we'll get through the series, but the fact that the Lakers laid an egg calls into question their ability against the tougher teams out there such as the Nuggs, Cavs, or Magic (of those, the Magic are the scariest)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 11, 2009 at 10:38 AM
AK that was an outstanding piece of writting man. You got Skills!!!. Of course...That's why you are a two time award winner.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 10:39 AM
All of a sudden I see a return of the trolls...Where were you guys after game 3?
If you don't have love for the Lakers, let it be known!
Posted by: never | May 11, 2009 at 10:40 AM
AK/BK,
Again, I hate blaming coaches on a team's losses, but obviously they do have a role in what happens with a team.
Do you guys think this is the worst coaching Phil Jackson has ever done? An unfocused team, an inconsistent line-up, low motivation, mistakes repeated (losing leads, not getting the ball inside to Pau, etc)... aren't these things a coach should take some responsibility for?
If I was a coach I would take the responsibility for these issues. I would do all I can to fix them. If they do not respond then I would consider myself a failure.
Fine, if Phil relies solely on a team's commitment to the system and if they fail to follow it then it's out of his hands, but is it really? A coach needs to coach I think.
When will he start?
thanks
jq
Posted by: jq | May 11, 2009 at 10:42 AM
KOBE BRYANT IS OVERRATED.
The Shaq (substitute Magic or Kareem) Laker squad would not get blown out in the playoffs over and over again.
The Jordan Bulls squad would not allow his team to get embarassed.
So much for the Kobe v Jordan debate.
So much for Kobe being the real MVP during the Shaq-era Lakers. Let's not forget Kobe ran Shaq out of town so Kobe can be the "man". So far, I'm not impressed.
What say you?
Posted by: KL (fka KL_Beast) | May 11, 2009 at 10:44 AM
For today (and yesterday), a haiku:
Lakers phone it in
When success is expected
Opponents rejoice
What I hope to see tomorrow:
Hail purple and gold
Dominate in hearts and game
Always Be Closing
Posted by: kt | May 11, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Well said AK.
Posted by: Mase | May 11, 2009 at 10:48 AM
REPOST (now with more moderate language):
NBA action is crap-tastic!
That pretty much sums up my emotions for that "game". AK nailed it in his thread that they just plain didn't show up. It is a disservice to Mom's everywhere (except for Rocket Moms, I suppose).
I felt like this game started going down hill from the opening tip. When Ariza pretty much dropped the ball, saved it by creating a fast break for the Rockets, I thought nobody on the court looked ready to play. Nobody. Not even Kobe. He shot better than he did in Game 1, but he made much worse decisions. Yes he's getting fouled and there are no calls being made, yes it must be very frustrating dealing with a complete lack of respect and to have a Battier's rep as a "defensive-stopper" being cemented in this series because of it, but he's our mega-watt super-star. He needs to play smarter. He's playing at one speed, he's settling for fade-aways and multi-dribble pull-ups, and he's not playing defense like we know he can.
Where is Olympic Kobe? That's the one that takes us to the Finals and beyond. Where is Olympic Pau Gasol? That is the guy that makes us unbeatable. When these two are working together, helping each other, this team wins at an alarming rate (alarming to the rest of the NBA), but when Kobe goes solo and Pau has to work to even get the ball in the post, that's when were ordinary. No ball movement, no easy hoops, no cutters through the lane. Our offence was more stagnant than a New Jersey bog.
It doesn't look like Sasha or Farmar can be counted on at all this year. Maybe Sasha's ankle isn't fully healed, maybe Farmar's foot is worse than he lets on, if so, do us all a favor and sit your ass down. Ride the pine and get healthy because when you 'help the team' it's kind of like getting punched in the face. Luke had a bad game, he's been playing well until yesterday, so he gets a 'crap pass'. But Sasha and Farmar are thinking waaaaaay too much out there. No more celebrations if you make a basket, no more histrionics for touch fouls. Neither one of you has earned that right, especially considering how you have played the whole year. Man up, play hard, if thw whistle blows, it's time to adjust your aggression but not your intensity.
I know I might get massacred on this one (especially by Laker Tom, whom I respect), but sit Bynum down, tell him your going to play him for 5 minute stretches, regardless of fouls, and play him at the beginning of the 2nd quarter and the end of the third. 10 minutes of burn, the reason being that he may play himself into Playoff shape, but I don't expect him to be an impact player this year. I just don't see it happening. He looks like a rookie, his hands are like two lead balloons, his timing is off and most of all he doesn't have the intensity that made opposing guards fear to tread in the paint.
Of course, the problem with that is wether or not Lamar will play on Tuesday. If he doesn't and we're forced to play Bynum for extended minutes than we have to have a radical shift on both the offence and defensive ends. On defence we'll need to communicate and funnel. On offence we'll need to work through Gasol at the top of the key or out of the post (which we should be doing anyway, but it'll be even more important because he will command a double, thereby freeing up somebody) and we'll need to get Andrew started early, like the first three plays of the game early, the results of which should not be fifteen foot jump shots by our 7 footer. Play like a big and you'll be reffed like a big, play like a guard and watch those silly touch fouls pile up.
If Lamar is hurt, I think we get bounced in this round. he means that much to this team. He does everything nobody else does. Defends better than most, rebounds better than most, gets opposing bigs in foul trouble and has helped stretch the floor with his shooting. I really hope he's OK and that the staff is ordering extra Dit Jow.
But for me, the worst thing about yesterday was that we looked like we're entitled to win this thing. That somehow this team is owed a championship. That is bull crap. They have to TAKE the championship, it's not a special that you order at your favorite eatery. They have to kick butt to win it and they do not look like they believe that. They look like all they have to do is show up at some arena and play some funny game and it'll all work out. I wouldn't have believed that sort of attitude possible, given how we ended last year.
If I were to predict a championship team right now, it'd be Cleveland or Denver. Which I'd rather not see.
Weak.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
"THE LAKERS EMBARRASSED THEMSELVES, THEIR FANS, AND THE ORGANIZATION TODAY."
- Magic Johnson, the consensus #2 all-time best PG in the NBA behind 2xMVP Steve Nash
Posted by: BUTLER | May 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
I think I mentioned this in a post prior to the game... THE LAKERS PLAY DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THEIR OPPONENT... when they don't take their opponent seriously, this is what happens! I hope this gives them a good kick in the rear end!
http://tinyurl.com/cjyl46
Posted by: Showtime | May 11, 2009 at 10:55 AM
After yesterday's GREAT embarrassement, whether Phil or Fish wants to acknowledge it or not, the Lakers had already lost their swagger and the fans had already lost their total believing no matter they win the series or not unless, I say UNLESS, they trump the rockets by 30 points in the next 2 games.
Seriously, this game has caused too much damage in the fans' phyche and it will take a long time to recover. Just like this economy.....
Posted by: Staple Boy | May 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
AK
Another in a long line of great threads. As big of a bummer as this was, it's true that the ship is easily righted.
It's also a good idea not to expect anything.
Mainly, it's a good thing to eat your vitamins.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Was Kobe upset about coming at the end of the game. Did anyone else notice when Phil put him back in, he didn't take one shot. Hmmmm....very suspicious.
Posted by: Don Ricardo | May 11, 2009 at 10:58 AM
KL,
Dude, you're a bigger Troll than Butler. Butler at least loves his team. You love your team like an abusive husband "loves" his wife by slapping her.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 10:59 AM
IT'S ALL ABOUT KOBE. (ISN'T IT?) repost.
Great teams are defined by their leaders. A leader gets his team to perform at a level close to his own. Of course, they are not as talented as the leader, but it's his job to get them all playing at their highest level when it matters most.
Can Kobe play that role? Is he a true leader of men or the greatest solo act ever to lace them up? This will be determined in the next weeks.
We've gone as far as we can without a complete team concept. It's up to Kobe to get his teammates to play with him and for him.
I don't get the feeling that Kobe's teammates will take a bullet for him the way Magic and Bird and Michael and Isaah and Hakeem and Duncan and Shaq and Wade and KG and Lebron's teammates did and do. There still seems to be a disconnect on being all for one and one for all. Part of that is the way Kobe seems to carry himself.
Kobe has always been above the crowd. He never went to college, never seemed to be one of the guys. He's always been exceptional, gifted, arrogant and stubborn. Can he win the championship his way? Can he be a leader to take his team all the way? Does he possess that special gift? It's a gift that's more than just being the best basketball player on the planet. Wilt Chamberlain was arguably the greatest center ever, but he wasn't a great leader, thus he only won a few championships.
Is Kobe the equivalent of Chamberlain? I hope not, but I'm starting to wonder.
That being said, let's get after these Rockets manana.
Posted by: mikefloss | May 11, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Longtime sez:
"They are capable of playing down to a team they are better than, and they are capable of playing up to their level."
Yes, but HOU is the better team in two games this series.
A koby-led team is doomed when it counts. He simply doesn't have the leadership skills of a Shack or Duncan or D-Wade or LeBrawn or Nash...and therefore no amount of talent will disguise this fact.
Posted by: BUTLER | May 11, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Pig Miller sez:
"I can't stand it when the Lakers play this way! They can easily be better than Jordan's teams."
Dude! Where do you get your ideas from? This laker team lacks the heart and leadership that the Bulls had!
Posted by: BUTLER | May 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I'd like to see Kobe actually guard his own man and the Lakers "stay home" more on defense. They were all cheating off their men and doubling guards on the perimiter and helping where help wasn't needed. That was why Houston was able to pass to open shooters so regularly, the Lakers were just leaving their men too often.
Play your man, take away the easy pass and make the guy with the ball make a play. If Brooks can drive the lane all night and score over the bigs and gets 80 points, I'll take that risk over everyone chasing the ball and leaving men wide open.
In the last 2 fourth quarters Brown and Farmar were effective together. Phil should think of going to this much earlier if needed in game 5. I, like Phil, believe in beating a team with your strengths rather than going away from your strength and trying to match up. But if Houston is going to start a 6'6'' center and Gasol, Odom and Bynum don't just eat them alive, then you have to go with plan B.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | May 11, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Tim,
Lakers fan aren't quitting on the team. The Laker team is quitting on the team. Whazzup with the TOTAL LETDOWN?
Kobe's suppose to be the "greatest ever", the next Jordan (perhaps 24 is suppose to mean "next Jordan"?), but this talented Laker team under Kobe's leadership doesn't play like a championship team.
Time is running out folks: This is Kobe's last season to prove he can win WITHOUT SHAQ. Bron-Bron is the real deal Holyfield and the Cavs play with passion and respect for one another. Bron does what Kobe does scoring and gets almost 10 rebounds and 10 assists per game.
Kobe set the bar very high for Laker fans when he pushed Shaq out to be "the man", so Kobe has to deliver. Kobe "Doin work"? So far, I'm not impressed.
Jonny K: Luv you too ;-)
What say you?
Posted by: KL (fka KL_Beast) | May 11, 2009 at 11:09 AM
The way Phil taking no accountablity and offerring no apology for the Lakers' embarrasement in the postgame interview already says enough of his character and leadership. Furthermore, he brought up nothing of Lakers shortcomings and offered nothing for improvement; not that we couldn't see it, but we fans just want to grasp that faint hope and flickling flame that could have been possibly offered by the team's leadership. But NONE.
The way Phil Jackson's disregard media and fans respect and anxiety was just astonishing.
Posted by: Staple Boy | May 11, 2009 at 11:10 AM
KL,
Kobe is not overrated, in fact he can be the best basketball player, if he wants it. He is a spoiled brat who was born with silver spoon in his mouth. Mr & Mrs Bryant never enjoyed the glory of their son and that is really painful. Kobe never undergone hard work, he doesn't know what it really means and what his adoring fans expect from him. His education is only up to high school and most of it was spent on basketball court. He developed this me, and me too only and I don't care of you at all. Other than that, he is a great player that ever live in this planet. I just hope someone will give him a little education of what life is? On the other hand, I hope you stop hating Kobe but pity him for his shortcomings. Shaq is no saint either and not involve in this playoffs, hope you start forgetting the vanishing Shaq. He should start writing his memoirs.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 11, 2009 at 11:11 AM
repost
I AINT GOING NOWHERE
If you wanna leave there’s the door, So long, farewell to you
So What was the Lakers record like, last year, at this point in round two
They won game 1, and won game 2, against the Utah Jazz
But then came game 3, & then game 4 and Utah kicked their @ss.
So at this particular point in time just one short year ago
The Lakers had two, the Jazz had two, and then we won 2 mo
So quit your crying, stop your whinning, let’s just see this thing through
Who cares if you lose by 30 points, or if you lose by two.
Everyone said we need to be battle tested, before the Finals we go
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad for this, We need to struggle mo.
And don’t blame 9Rings for sitting there instead of calling time-out
Let them figure things in the 2nd round so the Finals won’t be a rout
An army must be battle tested before they go to war
I don’t think you get battle tested, by going “FO”, “FO”, “FO”
I’d rather go Five, Five, Five and find out who has Heart
Than sweep round 1, round 2 and 3 and in the Finals fall apart.
Games like this show you, just who you can depend on
So when you shorten the rotation, the weakilings will be gone
The boy King and his witness thinks winning is a breeze
In the Finals the first sign of weakness, will knock them to their knees
Call me crazy, call me stupid, You can call me any bad name
But I still confess, I feel no stress, That the Lakers lost that game.
Things are not always, the way they may appear to be
So hang in there, Fans show you care and you’ll have a Staples victory
But if the worst should happen & the quest for the Ring should fail
I will still support my Laker team & those that don’t can go to Hell
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW IN GAME 5 ROLL CALL……………………………
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I have to admire the optimisim of certain fans who are able to dismiss every pathetic performance of this team without losing confiedence that this will end with a championship. I'm a "real" Laker fan, but I am not among those who think this is going to end well.
A pattern has emerged with this team, and it starts from the head coach. This group lacks a killer instinct and is too easily satisifed. Losses to horrible teams like Charlotte are dismissed as "no big deal" since the Lakers still win so many games. Blowing 20+ point leads to Utah is ok, because "we still won 4-1" and now losing to Houston in one of the most uninspiring playoff efforts in memory is no cause for concern, because "we got what we came here for (a split)." Recall that this series started with loss (and another horrible effort) that was dismissed as the product of "rust". For Christ's sake, these guys (Phil, Fish, etc) can't even own up to being embarassed by yesterday's performance!
The sad fact is that if this Laker team played with half of the heart of the dreaded Celtics (a team I despise with every fiber of my being, except for the admiration I have for how HARD they play) this series would already be over. Instead, they face a 3 game series against a woefully undermanned, but highly confident bunch, and face the risk that additional games could result in things like, I don't know, INJURY?
Dismiss this all you want; in the end I am sorry to say that without a heart transplant, this team is destined for no better result than last year's team. We might have more talent (on paper), but there are a minimum of four teams in these playoffs who are playing harder than our Lakers, and effort can prevail over talent. Case in point: the first and last plays of the third quarter yesterday. After an atrocious first half, how do these guys respond? They let Brooks drive the lane for an uncontested layup. Then, instead of showing just a little effort for all of 0.7 seconds to end the quarter, they give up a 60 foot alley oop to the shortest player on the floor. These things had NOTHING to do with talent; they were merely the product of one team playing hard, and one team phoning it in (again).
Posted by: Andrew Bernard | May 11, 2009 at 11:17 AM
{Lakers Secret Agent Jon K. Reporting Deep Behind Enemy Lines In The Sullen Gray Wastes Of Northeast Ohio Surrounded On All Sides By Zombified LeBroniacs. Calling Out To Laker Nation!}
[Mission: Unleash The Bio-Chrono Weapon]
[TARGET: Aaron Brooks]
Okay. Here's Aaron Brooks' make up.
Physical: He's mentally orientated. This means that the tension between confidence and fear governs his physical potential.
Emotional: He's physically orientated. This means that the tension between enthusiasm and emotional void governs his emotional potential.
Mental: He's emotionally orientated. This means the tension between understanding and misunderstanding governs his mental potential.
Spiritual/Creative. He's spiritually orientated. This means the tension between love and hate govern his creative potential.
Here's how I'd mindgame him:
Physical: Do not let him get hot early in the game! If he gets hot early, he'll develop confidence which will bring his game to another level and he'll be hard to stop. So, if you stop him early in the game, he'll become insecure and you'll not need to put a lot of effort onto him later in the game because he'll start taking self-sabotoging risks later in the game that will lead to turnovers. So, in your defensive plan, the key should be stopping him early and then giving him room later to focus on other defensive priorities because he won't be hot late in the game if he's not hot early in the game. Get it?
Emotionally: The guy needs feedback to feel emotionally energized. He feeds off the enthusiasm of other people. So, if you keep the Rockets generally down, it'll diminish his emotional energy, which being physically orientated will also diminsh his physical output.
In short, when he does something, anything, positively or negatively, don't give him feedback about it. Nothing. Silence. Without that feedback loop, he just doesn't have a reference point emotionally and will eventually shut down.
Mentally: The guy needs to understand his social role and thrives off of details. So, when talking about things within his earshot (not to him, but just so that he can clearly hear it), be vague, be confusing, and speak as if the topic is common sense and something everyone "gets"/understands/knows. It will drive him nuts. His mind will cling to it trying to figure out what you are talking about. He may ask questions about it. Give him no feedback. A part of his mind will go into overdrive trying to understand these vague/confusing statements. As such, he will not be able to remain fully mentally focused on the task at hand.
Creatively: This one's a bit of a challenge for me. Self-love is very important to Aaron. What he wants more than anything in life is to love himself unconditionally. There are way to undermine that, but it may require too much feedback which would support his emotional and mental processes. My guess is that he plays basketball, in part, to prove that he's "good enough" to himself through his successes. This is actually a detriment to his true goals because he wants to be able to unconditionally love himself without need for "evidence" that he is worth loving. So point that out that he feel the need to "prove himself" will indirectly point out the fact that DEEP INSIDE he doesn't feel good enough and worthy of love. So that will bring out a hurt that would be distracting to say the least.
There you go.
It's not only a physical battle. It's a psychological war.
Win it.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Mainly, it's a good thing to eat your vitamins.
GO LAKERS!!!!! Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
You d@mn right it is! Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Wounded not broken
The Lakers will rise again
Welcome to our house
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Phil Jackson says: "It was a game in which nothing got going when Fisher was in the ball game, we had to go to the speed unit and start getting up and down the floor, looking to score." WOW, genious, isn't that what has been said in MSNBC Sports, LATIMES, and in fans blogg all alone after Jordan Farmar's 12 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebound's stellar performance in the game 3?
Instead, that straw head stubbornly insisted: "Obviously, Fish will come back and claim his spot -- that's the way it is." I have been puzzled and confused about what he meant by that "THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.". The way it can only be interpreted is this: "I AM THE BOSS AND WINNING GAMES IS NOT A PRIORITY."
Posted by: Staple Boy | May 11, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Professor Gueco,
Kobe is talented, very talented. I marvel at his individual abilities over the years. My grip with him has been consistent from Day One: The guy, as you described, is very spoiled.
Winning championships after championships UNDER SHAQ'S LEADERSHIP very early in his career, becoming arrogant and believing, erroneously, that winning a championship comes easy.
Time is simply running out for Mr. Jelly Bean Bryant. It's very sad actually. I don't think this Lakers can beat the Cavs at full strength this year.
Posted by: KL (fka KL_Beast) | May 11, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Good Morning Charles my brother. This two will pass.
Nothing is Big enough to stop the destiny of Dynasty #4.
Word up my man Mamba24!
Any news on LO?
Posted by: Charles | May 11, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Any news on LO????
I sure hope he's able to go tomorrow....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 11, 2009 at 11:26 AM
BUTLER,
"THE LAKERS EMBARRASSED THEMSELVES, THEIR FANS, AND THE ORGANIZATION TODAY."
True.
What did Batman's (Bruce Wayne) father say to him as a child when he fell down the well, "Why do we fall down? So we can learn how to get up again."
There are certain, very powerful lessons in life that can only be learned through failure, even shame, that CANNOT be learned through success alone. These are the lessons that bring maturity, enduring strength, and equanimity. The things that matter most in life.
We just made a mistake and we WILL learn from it.
That's why the Lakers are Champions.
They learn from their mistakes and return stronger, better, and more determined.
Who do you think feels fear about Tuesday night? The Rockets or the Lakers?
I know who.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Mamba24,
I expect a roll call for the ages tomorrow.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I have to post a couple of things...
1) When an entire team doesn't show up mentally for a playoff game, the main person that reflects on is the THE COACH. When your team isn't ready for a road playoff game, something is lacking in your coaching skills.
2) Does anyone else in this league play pick-n-roll defense like we do? Our PG's literally turn SIDEWAYS and move aside as the screener approaches. Heck, a few times I saw Fisher turn sideways and back into the screener, as if saying, "Yep, I'm gonna let you screen me...here let me help you out".
I realize the concept is to funnel the ball handler towards the baseline and help, but that only works if you actually trap along the baseline. If you don't, you're just going out of your way to allow penetration.
The Lakers have been a horrible pick-n-roll defensive team the entire Phil Jackson period. Even with a change of cast, the problem persists. Couple that with what I described above and I gotta pin our defensive problems on coaching more than anything else.
Posted by: Jason F. | May 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM
THE BIGGEST EMBARRASSEMENT WAS PHIL JACKSON STATING HE WASN'T EMBARRASSED.??WHAT????
I sure hope Phil gets to hear what Magic and James Worthy said. They sure were embarrassed as I was.
THIS IS ON PHIL JACKSON AND NOBODY ELSE.
I think Phil has got everybody playing about as bad as he can. They all look screwed up. This is amazing. No worries Phil isn't going to change now he has been doing this a long time and knows better and remember
he has 9 rings. Go ahead Phil and stick with D. Fish that matchup is working great. Good Luck Old Man!
BD
Posted by: BD | May 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Man, it was always hard to get those straws into the Capri-Suns w/o making a mess. After my clumsy attempts, the Capri-Suns would look much like the state of the Phoenix Suns.
Anyway, although it won't happen, I wouldn't mind all that much if this series did go 7 games. It would be interesting to see our guys be tested in a pressure-filled, must-win game environment, and see how they respond to that.
Posted by: EJK | May 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Each time I find myself, flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.
That's life, that's what all the people say.
You're riding high in April,
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June.
Posted by: Frank Sinatra | May 11, 2009 at 11:34 AM
OK, to me it looked like the Lakers spent Saturday night out celebrating.
Then Sunday they showed up like they were expecting brunch with grandma while the Rockets showed up ready for a fight.
Before we worry about championships or the next round let's just focus on the next game.
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: lazNirv | May 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM
To Those Who Would Scream For The Head Of Phil Jackson:
Don't be an idiot.
Listen, Phil Jackson often does things that make absolutely no sense to me and seemingly do not produce immediate results. I also find that he could lean on his Zen beliefs and diminish his ego a bit to provide a certain greater degree of flexibility when necessary.
THAT MUCH SAID...
I've watched the Jackson Bulls and the Jackson Lakers and NEVER have I witnessed teams which have been able to overcome insurmountable odds like his teams. Never have I witnessed teams which were able to pull victory out of defeat like teams coached by Phil Jackson.
Period.
The only other coach that can even be mentioned in the same conversation is Greg Popopovich. Nobody else.
The man understands basketball on a level that I AND YOU will never truly comprehend.
And his psychological and spiritual mastery of the game as a coach is apparent in his record.
And the intangibles that his record does not convey, but can only be understood by witnessing his legacy. It's not just about winning, but how his teams have won: Against great adversity and with beauty and genius.
Phil Jackson is the Greatest coach in the NBA.
We may not always agree with him, but we should always keep in mind who he is.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Repost: Because . . . just because.
"I love it...none of you LA fans, players, writers get it. This blog is a prime example."
Why do you care about what other fans think? You're getting yourself all worked up for no reason. A good thing for you to do, if you haven't already, would be to watch the basketball games and then comment on the basketball games. Stop worrying yourself so much with how we feel about the Lakers. You're wasting your breath. What do you think your comments will do? Make us suddenly see the light and change our minds?
Ahem – Holy crap! I can't believe I'm such a clueless basketball fan! I hereby rescind my Lakers fandom and am all aboard for whatever team other people believe is the most respectable, and whose coach makes the best peanut butter sandwiches. Also, if that team's fans are likable, I will like that team.
That last part was a joke, kind of like your post, Nathan.
Posted by: Pig | May 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Jon K:
How about writing an analysis on AB? What Phil could do to light the fire on AB?
Posted by: Wallace | May 11, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Dont have much to say,
waiting for the Lamar X-Ray,
If that comes back negative,
The Rockets will be put to sleep like sedative...
hey, that rhymes...at least one thing to be happy about!
ak.bk, I ASSUME you'll be on it like sonic when we get the word out on Lamar right?
Posted by: Korey | May 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Always enjoy the posturing posts but I'm surprised that LO's condition isn't worth more ink.
Back spasms don't tend to go away quickly and should we finally wake up and guard the Rockets, we're going to need LO healthy and draped all over Melo.
Posted by: VMan | May 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Who do you think feels fear about Tuesday night? The Rockets or the Lakers? I know who. Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM
JON K RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
"An unfocused team, an inconsistent line-up, low motivation, mistakes repeated (losing leads, not getting the ball inside to Pau, etc)... aren't these things a coach should take some responsibility for?"
JQ. Phil Jackson will never own to his own short comings. As you said, an unfocused team, inconsistent line ups, unmotivated. The blowing leads part is nothing new to Phil . Last year they blew 30 point leads, 24 point leads, etc even in the playoffs. Let's not forget losing home court on the first game against Philly in the Finals just a few years ago. The Suns meltdown etc etc.
The pattern is there. Unfortunately the sports writers treat Phil like the Messiah because of his rings. It's not like he didn't have the best talent in the league every time.
Most of a case of winning championships in spite of Phil.
TJ Simers is about the only guy not worshiping Phil.
Posted by: shin | May 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
First a shout-out to those who posted BEFORE Game 6 that the Rockets were a totally different team without Yao, and the small line-up they featured previously gave the Lakers fits.
Cutting through all the self-hating, self-reassuring, finger-pointing, trolling, Rockets fans complaints of "Houston never gets any respect" (I've heard this plenty outside of basketball) that's flooded this blog, the best POINT that multiple posters have made is that if the Lakers don't adjust to this, they are toast. And responsibility with that lies with PJ. YES the players have to SHOW UP, but that's true whether you're facing a Suns-type team or Pistons-type team. You don't show up, even the Clippers will beat you (as they almost did ealier this year). But even if the Lakers do show up, if the wrong line-up is on the floor or PJ doesn't adjust his strategy, you'll again see shooters left open, people zipping to the basket, etc. It won't be a 25-point deficit, but it may be a Rockets W at Staples and that's all that counts.
So we'll see if PJ adjusts successfully in the next game against a coach that previously pushed his Championship teams to 3-2 and 4-3. Simply boils down to that.
One interesting coincidence with Adelman: After C-Webb went down, the Kings morphed into what one person called "the most efficient NBA offense ever". When C-Webb returned, the team tanked.
Regardless of what happens this year, the Rockets have some interesting choices to make next year, starting with Yao.
Posted by: Scott | May 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Jamie,
>>> I know I might get massacred on this one (especially by Laker Tom,
>>> whom I respect), but sit Bynum down, tell him your going to play him
>>> for 5 minute stretches, regardless of fouls, and play him at the beginning
>>> of the 2nd quarter and the end of the third. 10 minutes of burn, the reason
>>> being that he may play himself into Playoff shape, but I don't expect him
>>> to be an impact player this year. I just don't see it happening. He looks
>>> like a rookie, his hands are like two lead balloons, his timing is off and most
>>> of all he doesn't have the intensity that made opposing guards fear to
>>> tread in the paint.
Good post from you as always, Jamie. I always look forward to what you have to say.
Let me set the record straight. I have absolutely NO problem with anybody criticizing Kobe, Drew, Pau, Lamar or any Lakers player, coach, or employee. And I was as embarrassed as any Lakers fan at our terrible performance yesterday. I also agree with your assessment that Drew is playing like a rookie. So nobody has to worry about me going ballistic on them for complaining about how the team or any player played. And you don’t have to believe that we are going to win it all to be a Lakerholic. All you really have to do is want your team to win and do your job, which is to support them.
Whether you are GHF or are GHE does not determine whether you are a true-blue die-hard Lakers fan – a Lakerholic, if you will, rather than a Fakerholic. What does make a poster a Fakerholic in my mind, however, is the type of behavior epitomized by the late Mike T – supposed fans who ONLY post after the Lakers lose a game and would RATHER be right with their analysis than have their team win. Lakerholics may criticize a player after a bad game but they will also truly root for the guy with all of their heart next game.
A Fakerholic is, a “pseudo-fan” who truthfully wants the Lakers to do poorly, Kobe to fail, Drew to be a bust, Pau to be soft, Phil to be stupid, Farmar to fail. Fakerholics would rather the Lakers lose than their theories be proven wrong. A Lakerholic might have lost faith in Jordan Farmar but he or she was there cheering as Jordie led the team back to victory in Game 3 playing for suspended Derrick Fisher. A Lakerholic may believe Drew will not contribute much until next year but a Lakerholic is still hoping for the Beast. A Lakerholic thus treats his team with the respect they deserve and doesn’t allow a bad game or series to cause him or her to bail on their team and call for everybody to be traded or cut.
Lakerholic or Fakerholic? If the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn’t, then don’t sweat it.
JMNSHBO!
DNFTT!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Man, it was always hard to get those straws into the Capri-Suns w/o making a mess. After my clumsy attempts, the Capri-Suns would look much like the state of the Phoenix Suns. Posted by: EJK | May 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
HAHAHHA YOU THINK YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Good morning all - after reading the thread - now I am more bummed out about the overall team effort.
Thanks AK - you hit the nail on the head....
We can still look forward to G5 tomorrow. And I think like my LAAkerholic addiction - I will have to go one day and game at a time with this team. That's just how it is.
I assume they will come back and see all the news on their laptops and read everything that was said. That should be enough right there. Maybe they will listen to their coach's initial post-game conference where he lost his cool with Simers. Good to know even PJ loses it with that guy - PJ join the club.
LGL!! 10 more - the real hard way.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Frank Sinatra,
Though I changed the word Alabama to Houston, here you go:
We lived our little drama
We kissed in a field of white
And stars fell on Houston
Last night
I can't forget the glamour
Your eyes held a tender light
While (And) stars fell on Houston
Last night
I never planned in my imagination
A situation - so heavenly
A fairy land where no one else could enter
And in the center - just you and me
My heart beat (just) like a hammer
(My) Arms wound around you tight
And (While) stars fell on Houston
Last night
Posted by: Charles | May 11, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Mamba24, I expect a roll call for the ages tomorrow.
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 11
THEN YOU SHALL HAVE IT MY LEADER, YOU SHALL HAVE IT!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 11:52 AM
That game yesterday was a disgrace. The lakers were heartless and as a lifelong fan I was disgusted. I wish for once Phil would take some responsibility and admit they were embarrassed and outplayed instead of pretentiously acting like they just didnt play well. Simply disgusting.
Posted by: OJ | May 11, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Jq,
"AK/BK, Again, I hate blaming coaches on a team's losses, but obviously they do have a role in what happens with a team.
Do you guys think this is the worst coaching Phil Jackson has ever done? An unfocused team, an inconsistent line-up, low motivation, mistakes repeated (losing leads, not getting the ball inside to Pau, etc)... aren't these things a coach should take some responsibility for?
If I was a coach I would take the responsibility for these issues. I would do all I can to fix them. If they do not respond then I would consider myself a failure. Fine, if Phil relies solely on a team's commitment to the system and if they fail to follow it then it's out of his hands, but is it really? A coach needs to coach I think. When will he start?"
Ultimately, some of the failure does fall on Phil's shoulders, because he's in charge of making sure the game plan is carried out. But in this case, I point a stronger finger at the players, because they're perfectly aware of what they're supposed to do and often still don't. These are grown men and professional athletes, and in the end, the ball is in their hands, along with the decisions. I've always felt there's only so much a coach can do after a certain point, assuming the approach is solid (and to the best of my knowledge, it is). Thus, I won't absolve Phil, but I think he shares a lesser brunt of the criticism on that end
Where I put more blame on Phil is in a case like yesterday's first quarter, when he waited an absurdly long time to call a time out as things were falling to crud. As I mentioned in the postgame summary, I think the "PJ NEVER calls timeout" banter can be overblown and misguided, but in this case, he clearly misjudged what needed to be done. That's a mistake where he had direct control over the situation, and it definitely played a role in the loss.
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | May 11, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Jason F, you are spot on. Phil Jackson bears the primary responsibility for this team's attitude. It is ok to sit on the bench and let your VETERAN team (e.g., MJ/Pippen/Rodman or Kobe/Shaq/Horry/Fox) figure it out. But to let a team that, save for two guys (5 years ago), has NEVER WON ANYTHING dangle out there, then to follow that up with "I'm not embarassed, and we got what we wanted with a split" is inexcusable.
This attitude permeates the locker room. When Farmar was stinking up the joint in the regular season he repeatedly said "I haven't lost my confidence". Well, he SHOULD have lost his confidence. With his confidence intact, he didn't put in the extra time needed to improve his game, so he continued to suck. Andrew is doing the same thing right now (I love Drew, but he has simply been horrible, and his effort is the main culprit). When Lamar (and now Pau) miss mulitple free throws, it is NOT ok to smile about it; get angry and get in the gym early and stay late until you have your stroke under control.
The only constant about the Laker point guard position under Phil Jackson is that it has never been able to guard against the pick & roll. It was easy to blame Shaq for not helping out, but that is no longer an excuse. Today, you have a defensive philosophy that MANDATES the point guard be beaten off the dribble (hopefully in the direction you want him to go), which foreces a post player to step in to stop the ball. That is a ridiculous strategy that routinely fails, and when playing with a young post player like Drew, results in multiple fouls. Every point guard that plays against the Lakers looks like an all star. That's not just on the players; that's largely on the coaches for an absolutely terrible strategy.
"Zen" works with veteran teams who know how to win. This Laker team, sadly, does not know how to win at the highest level. They think winning is about turning it on when they need to, or talking tough. A championship mentality is what you see coming out of Boston and Cleveland (and, yesterday, Houston)--three teams whose coaches have a total of ONE championship between them. This nonsense about PJ having 9 rings is exactly what you year from players and teams (and coaches, and fans) who are way past their prime.
If you enter the postseason with the most talented roster, you have no excuse not to win a championship barring injury. The only way you come up short is if your effort lags your opponent. That is all about coaching, and PJ has failed miserably so far this year on that count.
Posted by: Andrew Bernard | May 11, 2009 at 12:06 PM
K bros, any word yet on how Odom is doing?
Posted by: Benjamin | May 11, 2009 at 12:07 PM
it would be interesting to see how the Lakers would play if Gasol, Kobe, and ..i dont know, I guess Farmar were all injured. Would we ever see , let's say- sasha ,pull an Aron Brooks? doubt it. Like it or not the Rockets played fast,hard and as a team. yes, just like everyone else I will assume that the series is over and the Lakers will take it. But, I still am in question about the lakers without our dear hot shot stars....Is that all they have to offer? Interesting.
Posted by: miroslava | May 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
I used to get CapriSun and oranges just for playing. I didn't have to play well or hard or anything like that.
This isn't rec league soccer when you're 8 anymore.
And since the Lakers didn't really play with any recognizable effort, they really don't even deserve the juice bag.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Jon K:
You said: "Phil Jackson often does things that make absolutely no sense to me and seemingly do not produce immediate results. I also find that he could lean on his Zen beliefs and diminish his ego a bit to provide a certain greater degree of flexibility when necessary." You also said: "The man understands basketball on a level that I AND YOU will never truly comprehend."
Hey, Jon, let me just say 2 things:
1. Basketball is not a rocket science.
2. A good leader is also a good communicator, a good communicator to the players, to the media, and to the fans.
Posted by: Staple Boy | May 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM
A loss, not matter how bad, is still a loss. Learn from your mistakes and move on. We'll see a very different Laker team on Tuesday. I still believe the Lakers are the team to beat. Every dog has it's day, Houston had theirs and they better be happy with it because that win was Brooks' claim to fame but not their claim to the finals or even the Pacific Division Championship. As good as they were in game 4, I know (we all know) the Lakers are the better team. I'm not a Houston hater, I actually like Houston. I was a big fan of Clyde and Hakeem. Lakers in 6. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jack | May 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Gotta love the obligatory post-loss hysteria in Laker Land. When you take in the larger picture, Sunday's loss doesn't seem so bad. The Lakers took one in Houston and regained home court advantage. This was a big step and it is for this reason the Lakers still have a bit of control over this series. Aaron Brook will not score 32 points again. Kobe will not score 15 points again. Look for the Lakers to eke out a victory in game 5.
Posted by: TMNT mask | May 11, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Mamba24, you rock!
Posted by: Faith | May 11, 2009 at 12:21 PM
>>>
- Magic Johnson, the consensus #2 all-time best PG in the NBA behind 2xMVP Steve Nash
>>>
See, that's why you have to love a person like Buttler.
Magic- 3 time MVP Gnash- 2 time MVP
Magic-12 time All-Star Gnash- 6 time All-Star
Magic- 5 time NBA champ Gnash- 0 time NBA champ
Magic- 3 time Finals MVP Gnash- 0 time Finals MVP
Magic- Top 50 NBA All-Time Gnash- Not Top 50 NBA
Magic- 8 times in NBA Finals Gnash- 0 times in finals
Delusional to the end.
Matt
Posted by: HBMatt | May 11, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Man this Houston team really sucks. They just lost most of a 29 point lead to the Lakers, so they can't possibly succeed...
How come when the Lakers lose leads, that's all we hear, but
when Cleveland or Boston or Orlando or Houston loses a lead,
it's okay as long as they won the game?
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Here is my post on May 5th....Same old song and dance.
Reasons why this hard-core Laker Fan has concerns.
PJ-what have they always said about Philips teams, that they always play better at the end of the year.
Question-is that true this year?
Killer instict, toughness, mentally tough players, passion,
heart of a champion.....I don't see it. Do you?
PG.. D. Fish. This position that was not upgraded by Dr. Buss, Kupchak and Philip keeps me saying the say thing.
The NBA is loaded with an abundance of great guards who are also very quick and with Fish unable to stop penetration our defense will always have holes in it.
This GLARING WEAKNESS needs to be resolved next year and really should have been taken care of this year. Shame on MGT and Coach for not getting it done.
Andrew Bynum-from injury to fouls to PJ not playing him this is really troubling. I have been a fan who has stated all year that Bynum is the Key to the Championship and the way things are going for him right now I guess you could say this is quite alarming.
Since the Lakers only play D when they want to or think they have to lets talk about the great TRIANGLE.
I thought the Triangle offense was for ball movement?
I JUST DON'T SEE IT!!
And then the 4th quarter arrives and you know that offense gets pushed aside to run KOBE BALL one on one which leads to forced shots and players just standing around. I HATE IT!
This year is on Kobe and Phil. If they both lose 3 straight times in the finals or don't even make it to the finals this year then changes are needed DR. BUSS!
BD
Posted by: BD | May 05, 2009 at 11:40 AM
DEAR JIM BUSS,
PLEASE TAKE OVER THE LAKERS FROM YOUR DAD!!!
You know Phil is no longer the answer. I am sure you have seen this play out before, lets use the
TOM LANDRY STORY FOR EXAMPLE.
TOM LANDRY one the greatest coaches of all time had to be shoved out to the pasture due to the game passing hm by. Old man Phil is in the same box. No longer in tune with the players or the league and to stubborn for his own good. You know the story with older people they are set in there ways and I can tell you Phil is there. Unable to adapt to today's game. The arrogance of not calling a time out yesterday thinking they will just burn themselves out was absurd. He played it like it was a regular season game. EMBARRASSING TO THE LAKER FAITHFULL. Seeing the team just give up like last year in game 6 and again do it all over again is shameful to us loyal fans. It's ok to lose but NOT LIKE THAT.
BD
Posted by: BD | May 11, 2009 at 12:27 PM
LAKERS BLOG HAIKU…
Lakermania
When we win but when we lose
Fakermania
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Bk, just reading your post on the last thread about the Lakers not being very smart.
I agree with you on that. I never thought they were too soft either, even though there are a few softies on the team, but you said their biggest problem is not being very smart.
CAN THAT BE A REFLECTION OF THE COACH?
Phil doesn't seem to read the games very well which shows signs of his level of smartness which I think maybe is the reason for his team not being very smart.
I agree with you on the team not being smart and it could come down to be our achilles heel throughout the rest of the playoffs.
I think we can beat Houston and even the Nuggets. Although the Nuggets seem to resemble the lakers with athleticism and that series could come down to who make the smarter decisions and execute the best.
Houston, Boston, Cleveland seem to be the teams that follow the same script game by game. And seems to be the teams that comprehend and execute well the strategies developed by their coaches. Which I would say are the smartest teams left in these playoffs. And probably why you don't see them lack the intensity whether they are winning or losing.
Alot of people want to compare the journey the Celtics had going through the playoffs last year to the journey the Lakers are going through. Not the same. One thing in the loses that the Celtics had last year and even this playoffs, they never lacked intensity and never stopped given up both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
AND TO JUST THROW ONE PARTING SHOT IN BEFORE THE NEXT GAME....
Someone said if Kobe doesn't win, he needs to opt out and go join up with Lebron. How I wish that was true but Kobe's ego won't allow him to be Robin again next to any Batman led team. He would want to keep fighting until he break out of the shadow of Shaq.
Also Kobe's value would drop if the Lakers don't win this season and he would have no choice but to either settle for less money with another team or stay here in LA (my prediction is he will stay). Teams will start to think Kobe cost too much and doesn't guarantee you a championship unless you already have one elite star (Lebron or Wade) already on your team and Kobe is willing to take a pay cut.
UNTIL NEXT GAME.....
Posted by: Gunner | May 11, 2009 at 12:33 PM
It's ok to lose but NOT LIKE THAT.BD
Posted by: BD | May 11, 2009 at 12:27 PM
BD brother I feel your pain we all do. But I can't say why but i am sure this is our year. Don't give up
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 11, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Laker Tom
I like it when you go, as you out it, 'balistic'. You get about as balistic as Phil looks worried during a 17 - 0 run by the other team. You are well mannered blogger who is often quite insightful. I agree with your fakerholic take on things. If some these folks had been posting since training camp and beyond, then I'd be more inclined to acknowledge their points. But it seems like a lot of finger pointing and foot stomping.
I predicted Lakers in 6, i thought we'd win the first two, Houston the 2nd two, then we'd close it out in Houston in Game 6. That is still possible. my main beef was, how does the same team that got punked in the NBA Finals and has made winning the Larry O' it's sole purpose for being play that flat for an entire game? The coaches can only coach so much at this point in the season. The players are the ones who have to run, jump, play as it were. they did not show up for even that.
Maybe all of this will be seen in a different light when all is said and done and I'm kicking it at High Sierra in July. But at this moment in time it looks like they aren't serious about this title run. They often play like they're waiting for a call or that running at a guy after he has shot the ball is some kind of new defense.
AK
"Ultimately, some of the failure does fall on Phil's shoulders, because he's in charge of making sure the game plan is carried out. But in this case, I point a stronger finger at the players, because they're perfectly aware of what they're supposed to do and often still don't. These are grown men and professional athletes, and in the end, the ball is in their hands, along with the decisions. I've always felt there's only so much a coach can do after a certain point, assuming the approach is solid (and to the best of my knowledge, it is). Thus, I won't absolve Phil, but I think he shares a lesser brunt of the criticism on that end "
Couldn't agree more. Especiaaly when it comes to the NBA, coaching is more about the moments leading up to the game more than what you do on the sidelines during it. In football there is a lot the coach has to do, that's why there are coordinators for everything from offence to who spills gatorade on the coach after a win. Same with baseball (especially in the NL or if you're Mike Soscia), you have to be aware of how guys hit what pitches and how you're pitcher is hurling that day. Feilder position, etc. the list goes on.
Phil has never been an Xs and Os kind of coach. He builds a philosophy, an idea and gives it a form and structure the steps back and gives his players the freedom to make it happen. He's more of an empowerer than a strategist. Yes, he does wait an absurdly long time to call time outs, but it comes down to the same idea: what is he going to do in that time out? Tell everyone to play a little better, please? With a cherry on top? It just don't work that way. It's like wishing Stringer Bell wouldn't try to pit Omar vs Brother. That's not how the Game is played.
GET IN THE GAME!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 11, 2009 at 12:38 PM
KL doesn't remember game 5 of the 2000 finals against Indiana, or for that matter game 4 when Shaq had fouled out in overtime and Kobe carried the team. Even Jordan's Bulls had embarrassing losses. It can happen to any team that gets out of sync.
The scheduling may have something to do with. If two of the five guys on the floor don't have their bio-rhythm purring along, which can happen early in the morning for dudes who live the whole year at night, none of the three others can make it work. If three are out of sync, you may as well go back to bed, which is what the Lakers did. It's the law of the roulette wheel or the dice throw.
I've noticed time and time again that there's a key indicator to show that an otherwise deftly clicking unit is in wet squib mode. It's free throws. When the Lakers started off 1 for 5 at the line, it was a pretty clear indication of what kind of collective state they were in. I still expected them to wake up in the second half and we all know 18 points is far from insurmountable. (That's the hole they were in with Toronto when Kobe went off for 81). And even 27 at the start of the fourth (in no way it should have been 29, but that's what the night was all about!), the Lakers of Shaq and Kobe erased precisely that 27 point lead in an epic fourth quarter against Nash's Mavericks.
But the bio-rhythms were off, which might also have been a contributing factor to Odom's horrendous fall. It won't be the same thing for Tuesday's evening game at Staples, with or without Odom.
By the way, Fisher and Walton seemed to me in a deep slumber in the first half.
Posted by: tsphere | May 11, 2009 at 12:39 PM
KL,
>>>The Shaq (substitute Magic or Kareem) Laker squad
>>>would not get blown out in the playoffs over and over
>>>again.
As for Shaq, hard to get blown out if you can't even carry
your team INTO the playoffs, as he couldn't this year.
But since you asked...
The "Shaq Laker squad" had playoff losses of 16, 15, 14, 35, 11,
14, 12, 11, 13, 19, 29, 10, 33, and 13. Would that count as
getting "blown out in the playoffs over and over again." by
your standards?
In fact the Shaq&Kobe championship squad of 2000 had
losses by 13 in the first round, 19 in the second round, 29
in the Western Conference Finals, and 33 in the finals, but
still managed to win a championship.
Magic and Kareem lost playoff games by 26, 16, 33, 13, 10, 17,
10, 18, 22, 34, 10, 15, 18, 12, 14, 12, 25, 10, and 12.
>>>The Jordan Bulls squad blah blah blah
>>>
>>>What say you?
I say that you are completely ignorant of the history of basketball
and make baseless arguments against Kobe because you hate the best
player on the team you claim to like.
I say that there is no debate based on their current records, Jordan
was a far better player than Kobe. BUT. Kobe is still playing. If
Kobe were to lead the Lakers to 4 more titles and continue to play
at a high level and pass some of MJ's statistical marks, then Kobe
could be in the argument. Right now there is no debate, but Kobe
still has a chance to be better when all is said and done (as does
LeBron).
And THAT is the truth
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Do you think TJ Simers gets paid to keep up the Lakers fans spirit by embodying a common enemy? I hardly ever read what he writes, but in the spirit of what AK/BK said I thought I'd give his column today a chance.
I can't believe he would dedicate that much space to harass/make fun of/etc a player because that player would prefer to be fully dressed before speaking to the media. There was *plenty* of Simers/Plaschke fodder after yesterdays' game, does he really understand sports so little that he needed to add some pathetic, sniveling filler drivel to whatever else was already leaking out of him onto the page?
Fakers defecting
Crawling to the other side
To whine with Simers
Posted by: kt | May 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
i don't know if any of you saw my posts on the other thread, so i just wanted to repost a snippet:
i agree with Mamba24. if you don't or can't love the Lakers, as presently constituted, for all of their mistakes, warts, failures, along with all of their accomplishments (making it to the finals last year, winning the West) then there's the door. you don't have to be a Lakers fan.
i kinda added a bit to it, but that was it in a nut-shell. i'm just disappointed at all the Lakers fans that basically jumped off the bus after the last game, and called the Lakers "heartless," and other unkind words.
okay, sure it was an old-fashioned butt-whuppin', and i won't sugarcoat any part of yesterdays debacle. because it was what it was. but like Mamba24, justanothermambafan, jon k, kevin ding, and all the rest, let's just put this loss behind us, and think about how the Lakers will win game 5. and in my heart, i know the Lakers will win it. (i do question whether or not Fisher should be starting though)
Lamar, good luck, and i hope you'll be okay for the rest of the playoffs.
Posted by: leonardbast | May 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
KL,
Just for completeness' sake, Michael Jordan led Bulls teams lost playoff
games by 19, 18, 11, 11, 22, 19, 17, 14, 19, 14, 26, 14, 11, 10, 17, 21,
11, and 11.
EVERY player has had some big losses in the playoffs. It's just life in
the big leagues.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 12:55 PM
"Seeing the team just give up like last year in game 6 and again do it all over again is shameful to us loyal fans. It's ok to lose but NOT LIKE THAT."
Didn't they outscore the Rockets by 17 in the final quarter? If I recall correctly, the Lakers lost by 39 points to the Celtics. How could you compare those two things?
They did trail by a large margin at one point, but they most certainly didn't give up like they did last year. Last year's team loses that game by the 30+ pt margin.
Posted by: Pig | May 11, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Trolls on blog, gloating
They are heady with our loss
Will be shut up soon
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | May 11, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I live in Houston have lived here since 1980 and through those years we've had our rivalaries with the Los Angeles Teams. There's no question in my mind that the Lakers our far and away a superior team with or without Yao. What's dissappointing to me and I'm sure Majic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwan is the all out effort they gave every game. What the Lakers did yesterday afternoon was disgusting and truly dissrespects such great legends. There's no question that the Lakers laid down yesterday afternoon.
Posted by: Al | May 11, 2009 at 12:57 PM
as for the Trolls on here, it saddens me that some people have such a hole in their hearts that they cannot obtain any pleasure unless they can rub salt in someone else's wounds. because they bleed, they must make others bleed. and then there are the Celtics fans, who are the worst. even in winning, that is not enough. they must stick it to their opponents' fans over and over again, as if that is where the true pleasure comes from. not celebrating your team's championship(s), but celebrating that your opponent has lost. if there is such a thing as a sore winner, Boston fans are truly that.
Posted by: leonardbast | May 11, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Some thoughts.....Butler...I dont respond to idiots but i cant not after your earlier post...You have no idea about basketball if you are comparing Nash to Magic...Please stop right there..Oh and just reminding you that Magic has 5 rings not just 1 brown one that Nash owns....Go Away...You have no idea troll......
Mark Darsh Cuban has crossed the line again....Why say something to Kmarts mum when leaving the court...The guy has no class at all.....
Posted by: Thirty2 | May 11, 2009 at 12:59 PM
at least we sweep any other blogs in the Haiku department
4-0
congrats bloggers. and best on the 5-7-5 format, we could have finished this in 5. in 7? or there is always the 6 as average.
LGL
Posted by: ouchhhhhh | May 11, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Wallace,
I've done Andrew Bynum's Bio-Chrono reading and the solution is clear:
He needs A LOT of communication explaining to him IN DETAIL (that's the important part--detail) what his role within the team, why it is important, and how he can best accomplish his duties within his role.
Three of Bynum's four levels are governed by his mental processes. His mental processes are guided by a need to understand his social role in a group and to FEEL important within a group due to his role.
For him to get these things, it requires a lot of communication and discussion. He won't just figure it out on his own, not because he's not intelligent--he is intelligent--it's just that his process requires a lot of communication to acheive a degree of understanding necessary for him to feel confident and focused and to believe in himself.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 11, 2009 at 01:02 PM
i'm not defending the game or the postgame soundbites... but fans need to stop being naive
Phil stated to a room full of reporters that he "wasn't embarrassed" and that means absolutely nothing
ever heard of "loose lips sink ships?" phil will NEVER give the press anything to work with, never reveal his true hand UNLESS it's beneficial to him. he's a manipulator like most pro athletes when it comes to speaking to the press
a polished pro athlete won't give too much and admit to rational emotions b/c the next day in big, bold letters 'WE'RE EMBARRASSED' will appear in the local paper...look what happened to Melo when he said "We quit" after game 3... that was the talk for the next two days
i could care less if PJ lies and Fish lies ...i don't hang on their every word. besides, i don't mind that the team keeps some stuff in house b/c it's easier to maintain fires that way.
nobody here, not a blogger with a press pass, not an LATimes columnist, not even Jeannie Buss knows exactly how the team responded yesterday and today.
so let's wait for tomorrow b/c actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: CBuck | May 11, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Jon K, reading your bio-chron.... does that mean somebody has the put the lil' guy on his ass? Just wondering.
Posted by: dave m | May 11, 2009 at 01:07 PM
OK... here's my take... and this is from a guy that still hasn't watched the game
due to a Mother's Day promise to my wife:
As I told my son this morning on the way to dropping him off at school, the Rockets
were playing for their playoff lives. I expected them to come out on fire giving
everything they had and it was up to the Lakers to respond. Obviously they didn't.
For all of you predicting doom and gloom... I've got three words for you...
"Memorial Day Massacre"... now I know a lot of you are either too young
or have a very short memory, but to all of you saying a championship team can't
get blown out, I present Exhibits A, B, C and Z. "Oh but, B-zeey, the Rockets are
no '85 Celtics". That's true, but some of you short-sighted people think
that a Championship team never loses, never falters, never gets blown out.
Personally, I'd much rather take this year's route to the Finals than last year's.
We weren't battle-tested, the Celtics were. Will it be the same this year?
If the Celtics prevail over the Magic, again going through two tough 7-game
battles as they did last year, will they be able to take that experience and
pound the Cavs who have breezed through to the conference finals?
I'd put my money on the Celtics in that scenario (insert Rudy T. quote here).
So, my point is, cheer up Laker fans. Yesterday's loss, while extremely disappointing,
may be exactly what the doctor ordered. It might put that fear in the Lakers hearts
that all of their work this year, the goal that they set the first day of training camp,
could just be thrown away if they don't commit to playing hard each and every
possession. I believe it will and the Lakers will take care of business tomorrow
and Thursday and throughout the rest of the playoffs.
One man's take...
Bzar
Posted by: Bzar | May 11, 2009 at 01:10 PM
"didn't even study video footage of Houston's five regular-season games without Yao ("We didn't bring those along," Jackson said)." - wrote Kevin Ding.
This lack of professionalism is appalling. Professional B-ball is big business. We are in a global recession. And the Lakers did not even bother to watch a single tape of how the Rockets play without Yao. Even the most successful companies (General Motors, Merill Lynch, Citibank, etc) ultimately fail when they become too arrogant and feel that their past success entitles them to perpetual success.
Posted by: LakerinBC | May 11, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Strangely Enough I am at peace.
Because no matter what the outcome of this series, all the important questions will be answered.
1. Is Phil Jackson a genius or has-been
2. Is Kobe just another great shooter who diminshes the game of others or a player who realizes that there is no "I" in team.
3. Is Bynum "The Beast" or a beast of burden
If the Lakers lose this series expect a lot of walking papers.
Phil will be put out to pasture
Kobe will opt out and Dr. Buss, the shrewd businessman that he is will say Bye Bye and thanks for the memories.
Mitch will be looking to trade a 7 foot 285 pond center who is often injured but has lots of potential. The clincher could be a package deal including Luke Walton and Sasha.
If the Lakers win we get to debate the positives and negatives another year.
Yes, Strangely enough
I'm at peace.
Posted by: You Ever Notice | May 11, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Overcoming adversity is GOOD for building a champion.
Don't believe me? Consider the last six champions (from
John Holinger's Daily Dime):
• A year ago, Boston reached this point in the playoffs with a sterling 6-5 mark against two teams that had allowed more points than they'd scored in the regular season. Following a second straight double-digit loss to Cleveland, commentators openly questioned the ability of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to deliver in the clutch.
• A year earlier, the Spurs lost Game 4 at home to Phoenix to even the series 2-2, and didn't have home-court advantage. It took the controversial suspensions of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw a day later to propel them toward the title.
• In 2006, Miami had lost twice to Chicago in the opening round and dropped the opener of Round 2 to New Jersey before rallying toward the title. Like this season's Lakers squad, the Heat were seen as horrific underachievers at the time.
• The 2005 Spurs reached this point tied 2-2 with the Sonics in a rough, physical series in which the Sonics got under the Spurs' skin. It's easy to forget now, but a sizable contingent of media already had their golf clubs and Coppertone packed for a Phoenix-Miami Finals.
• In 2004, the Pistons were in even worse shape. Not only were they tied 2-2 with the Nets after a second straight one-sided loss in the Swamp, they went on to lose Game 5 at home because they couldn't contain Brian freaking Scalabrine. Still, they went on to win it.
• In 2003, San Antonio also found itself knotted at 2-2 against three-time defending champion L.A. -- in fact at this point in the postseason the Spurs' record was just 6-4, and lot of critics were pointing to their alleged softness as a reason they wouldn't prevail.
When you look at it that way, the Lakers are right on track
for a title.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Oh and one other thing, for all of those calling for P.J.'s head...
Please don't start calling for Byron Scott to take his place.. I have 3 words for you...
"58 point loss"... obviously B-Scott doesn't know how to use timeouts either to
stop the other team's runs... or is it that his team quit on him? Either way, I hope
no one is crazy enough to post that this year!
Posted by: Bzar | May 11, 2009 at 01:17 PM
KL,
Once again, you're bringing Kool-aid to a block party. You throw out your idiotic prose in hopes that some fool will agree with you.
Maybe you forgot MJ's 15-point performance against the Knicks in '89. Yeah, the Bulls lost that game.
Back to school, son. You're a hater, and you're not even an intelligent one.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | May 11, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I respect coach PJ a lot, but felt disturbed seeing him do nothing when the other side is scoring a lot. I heard his theory is to let players sort out, but how could they? It should be the coach's responsibility to demobilize and stop the other side's momentum. Farmar must replace Fish as starting guard. No more Bynum in this series or this season. Kobe should pass ball or carry it to the hole. Too many fadeaway jumpers.
Posted by: liamoi | May 11, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Psyched,
>>> 10 more - the real hard way.
I agree with your analysis. But WHY? WHY? Doing it the real hard way seems so unnecessary when the Lakers can do it the right way.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 11, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Liamoi sez:
"I respect coach PJ a lot, but felt disturbed seeing him do nothing when the other side is scoring a lot. I heard his theory is to let players sort out, but how could they?"
PJ hasn't been the same coach since Mike D'Antoni tore him apart two years in a row (with a lot of help from 2xMVP and greatest PG of all time Steve Nash).
PJ has lost his "mojo," but he took the money in LA despite his lack of faith in koby, as spelled out in his book...koby cannot lead a team to a title because his essential nature is flawed - he doesn't have his team's respect.
PJ is just collectin checks these days.
Posted by: BUTLER | May 11, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Thank God I was on the road and only had to listen to the game yesterday. The national radio broadcast was so awful that I only had to hear a little bit before I gave up and turned the game off, but what I heard was UGLY.
Yesterday's game was definitely a microcosm of the frustrations I've sporadically felt with this current Lakers incarnation. It's crazy - I've never loved and hated a team as much as this one. The Showtime Lakers were ridiculously great, and games like this one were extremely rare with thiat group; with this year's team, they take the old cliche about basketball being a game of runs and make it their game plan.
I'm not sure where we go after this, because much like a skilled poker player, the Lakers never let you know what's coming next. What do I expect? We win the next two games and move on to Denver. What will happen? Who the hell knows?
I'm the biggest PJ apologist in Lakerland, but to be honest, I'm having a hard time understanding his coaching style anymore (and this comes after being a Chicago resident from 95-97 and being forced to watch a ton of Bulls games). I'd like to believe he has a plan, but honestly, I don't know that to be true anymore. I hate to say it, but I think he's losing his drive and desire to run any basketball team at this point; I think Tex's stroke is affecting him (and this team) a lot more than people realize. Taking a look at Phil, you can tell the physical ailments are starting to wipe him out, and I really doubt he'll coach next year unless he absolutely can't bear to go out on a losing championship run again. I think the smart thing to do will be to size up the reality of another 9 month season and to accept that it's time to turn the team over to Kurt Rambis or Brian Shaw.
Speaking of the assistants, does anybody else get the feeling that our ambitious assistant coaches are feeling a little bit of cabin fever? I think a lot of people are coasting right now, hoping to catch their second wind before the finals; let's hope the team gets their before their wish for a nice long rested off-season comes true sooner than they'd hoped.
All this doom and gloom aside, the Lakers are and will always be my team, and for those of you who seem to be trashing them before any real outcome is decided need to consider moving over to the Clippers side of Staples Center; they need you a lot more than we do.
Posted by: Tully Moxness | May 11, 2009 at 01:40 PM
LTLF/Outlaw,
Point taken, HOWEVER, I thought kobe was the "greatest ever"? I'm not a great fact checker like LTLF, but how many blowouts for the Jordan Bulls after 1991? Not just blowout, but plain quitting? Not many I presume?
Facts is Kobe's Lakers have quit way too many times. Why is that? Don't blame PJ. This falls on Kobe as the unquestioned leader of the team.
Point is, I don't think Kobe will ever be a great leader. Great player yes, great leader? No!
Mo Williams proudly proclaimed he'll go wherever Bron goes? Shaq in his prime attracted all of the former Orlando Magic to come and play in LA for championships. Even HOAs like Malone and Payton (twice).
This Laker team was built by the great minds of GM and Owner who, thankfully, didn't listen to Kobe's rants in 2006. Anybody remember Kobe calling Jerry Buss and "idiot" and tried to remove Mitch?
This is the end of the road for Kobe if a championship isn't won this year. No excuses. Kobe has a very good sidekick and a very deep team.
The Cavs look like the next dynasty in waiting. Sorry.
Posted by: KL (fka KL_Beast) | May 11, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Whom do you read?
KEVIN DING – You’re a Lakerholic.
TJ SIMERS – You’re a Fakerholic.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 11, 2009 at 01:42 PM
AK,
>>> Where I put more blame on Phil is in a case like yesterday's first quarter, when he waited an absurdly long time to call a time out as things were falling to crud.
It's not just THAT Phil waited "an absurdly long time." It's WHY. At the end of the first period he told Lisa Salters, he thought the Rockets would run out of gas. It's obvious that the Lakers on the floor believed the same thing. That's why the Purple & Gold never tried to match their energy level. By the time they realized they were wrong, it was too late.
The coach who's called out his team more than once for lacking killer instinct seems to lack it himself. The game plan was not to come out smoking and vanquish a team early that lost their leader (Yao). The plan was to outlast them.
The players never got a mission statement that said "go out and kill." The Lakers continue to underestimate and lack respect their opponent. It's a fatal flaw and it comes from the coach. Phil was outcoached on Sunday, pure and simple.
All is not lost. The Lakers only need ten more wins. But they can't afford any more losses where opportunity is squandered. Lamar will be back, but he like Yao could have been lost for the rest of the postseason. When your team is lucky enough to be healthy, it's essential to maximize it. One unfortunate play could change everything and the more games the Lakers play to get those ten wins, the greater the risk.
Let's play to win. Let's play smart. That's how good things happen. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 11, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Does anyone else wonder to themselves during games whether or not ESPN creates a clear conflict of interest by having JVG working the Lakers–Rockets series?
Also, my 3 year old niece is a better basketball analyst than Mark Jackson.
Posted by: Pig | May 11, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Nice data, LTLL... and I'll go even further
now, by no means am I'm comparing the 2008-2009 Lakers to these past great champions (yet....haha), but this is just a frame of reference.
Great Teams Actually Do Lay Eggs
- 1985 NBA finals, Game 1. Lakers lost 148-114 but later won the series 4-2.
- 1998 NBA finals, Game 3. Bulls lost 96-54 to Utah. *I wish i could find the biggest font available but i'll just use my CLARITY CAPS to further point out that CHICAGO...YES THAT CHICAGO...LOST BY 42 POINTS IN A FINALS GAME!! THE WORST MARGIN OF DEFEAT EV-ER!!!
- 2000 NBA finals, Game 5 Lakers lost 120-87 to Indy *In postgame comments, Phil Jackson famously said that he wouldn't expect a championship-caliber team to lose like that (not exact quote) then LAL wins the next game and the title
So you see, even the greatest NBA champions of all time "mailed it in" or "laid an egg" or just didn't have it one night. We can't fall into this knee-jerk reaction that these Lakers are sorry b/c we lost to a battered Houston team. Please. ...
anybody on this blog and elsewhere who thinks these Lakers are doomed...sorry, but you're an idiot. so stay away from small children and sharp knives.
Posted by: CBuck | May 11, 2009 at 01:51 PM
I think it's time we start talking about off season trades.
I'd like to trade Butler and KL and 131-92 for a bad case of the
swine flu, a speeding ticket, and a tax audit.
It would be a big improvement.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | May 11, 2009 at 02:03 PM
It's getting harder and harder to read anything anymore in the media. Everything is blown out of proportion.
Does anyone remember the whole swine flu fiasco? Oh . . . wait . . . that was last week.
Every loss is catastrophic. Every mistake can be blown into a teamwide identity crisis. Everything done well becomes a step towards perfection. It's all too ridiculous.
Yellow journalism is all that exists anymore.
Posted by: Pig | May 11, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Mamba24, genius poem. My sentiments exactly, just more eloquent.
GOOOoooOOO LAKERS!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 11, 2009 at 02:12 PM