Lakers make some magic: The reactions
I know I wasn't at a loss for words and emotions after a 99-91 comeback overtime win set to become a permanent part of Laker postseason loreb. Here's what some other folks armed with computers and media credentials thought...
For so much of the playoffs, conversation has swirled around the Lakers' toughness, or rather a lack there of. Gregg Patton of the Press-Enterprise is convinced the purple and gold feature some mettle. Thursday
night the Lakers clawed, scraped and dug exceedingly deep. It took
their gutsiest effort of the postseason, their most memorable road game
of the spring. When the Lakers make it official sometime
in the next week — maybe as early as Sunday — this will be the
signature win. A come-from-behind — then come-from-behind again —
victory over a dangerous, but self-destructing Orlando team.
“We really don’t want to talk about it,” said Coach Phil Jackson of the
impending title. “He (Derek Fisher) was just reminding these guys of
the 2000 championship when we went up 3-1 and Indiana came back and
trounced us in the fifth game. (Orlando) is a proud
team. They don’t get this far unless they’re a game team, so we have to
be very prepared.” We weren’t sure the Lakers were a game
team, until Thursday. We know they’re talented. Toughness? They don’t
seem to need it much. But they scrounged some up in Game 4.
Meanwhile, Stan Van Gundy's crew now faces of those "we had to walk to school everyday in the snow... uphill... both ways..." scenarios. Given Orlando's temperament in the face of postseason adversity, I think it's a ginormous mistake to assume they'll start folding up the tents prematurely. But as Yahoo!'s Dan Wetzel shares, Ron Jeremy didn't pretend like this one didn't sting.
They had survived bricked free throws, botched layups and error after error in blowing Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Somehow, someway the Orlando Magic still led though, up 87-84 on the Los Angeles Lakers
with 10.8 seconds remaining. The series hung in the balance and one of
the great philosophical coaching debates raged for Stan Van Gundy on
Thursday night.
Do you foul the Lakers before they attempt a game-tying 3-pointer, sending a player to the line for what most often are two harmless shots? Or do you let it ride on your defense, roll the dice that a great player won’t make a great shot? Van Gundy told his team not to foul.
“That one will haunt me forever,” the coach said afterward, shaking his head.
If SVG wants to second guess any decisions- in particular, how long he kept Rafer Alston on the bench in favor of Jameer Nelson, he can get in line behind Fox's Jason Whitlock.
I'm not a Rafer Alston fan as a starter. As I wrote before
Thursday's game, Rafer is childish. Fisher has put a clown suit on
Alston with turnover-free play and sound decision-making on every
possession. But Rafer is the best the Magic have for this series.
You die with Rafer Alston. You live with his hot and cold streaks until
next season when Nelson is healthy and in rhythm. Alston was good
enough to beat the Cavaliers, the team with the best record this
season. Alston was good enough to beat the Lakers in Game 3.
Alston's 17 minutes in the first half of Game 4 were good enough for the Magic to build a 12-point lead. When asked why he played Nelson over Alston, Van Gundy acknowledged that Nelson didn't give the Magic anything. Van Gundy said he stuck with Nelson because the group he had on the floor in the fourth regained the lead and because it reached a point when Alston had sat too long.
It's all bull(manure). Van Gundy played Nelson on a freaking hunch. Insecure coaches play freaking hunches and pray that they get lucky. They're like bad gamblers.
And speaking of the man Whitlock anointed Alston's tailor, Derek Fisher, he of the game-tying and game clinching downtowners, was the talk of the typewriter. This pair of shots will best even an iconic make from Fish's past, adding to a huge list of memorable moments in purple and gold. Phil Jackson's unbending trust in Fish has been a postseason backstory, but ESPN's J.A. Adande remembers when that relationship was anything but intact.
This tale actually started when Jackson first got to Los Angeles in 1999, and the conventional wisdom was that Fisher should check the U-Haul rental rates. Jackson was known to prefer veteran and big guards. Fisher had played only three years at that point, and even as he gained more experience, he'd always be 6-foot-1. "I was worried," Fisher said. "Because I didn't know him."
Jackson brought in Ron Harper, his starting point guard for the second three-peat run in Chicago. The Lakers added Brian Shaw, as well. Fisher stuck around for all three championships at the start of the new millennium. After the run was stopped by Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs in 2003, the Lakers signed Gary Payton
to play point guard, but by the time they reached the NBA Finals,
Fisher was getting the bulk of the minutes while cameras focused on
Payton's expressions on the bench.
Fisher left as a free agent and went to Golden State, was
traded to Utah. When Fisher's daughter was diagnosed with a rare form
of eye cancer, he asked the Jazz to release him so his family could
move closer to a facility that was able to treat her. The guy who
wasn't supposed to fit Jackson's style has played seven years over two
stints for him and now is, unquestionably, one of Jackson's guys.
Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnaworski turns the "Kobe hasn't won one without Shaq" jabber on its ear.
This was Fisher’s forever Laker moment, two arching shots that found a pot of gold at the rainbow’s end. He pushed L.A. to the brink of the NBA championship, pushed his Laker legacy to legend. Now, the Lakers lead 3-1 in these NBA Finals and Bryant is on the cusp of winning without Shaquille O’Neal.
When L.A. finally clinches, here’s one thing they’ll have to say: Bryant still hasn’t won one without Fisher.
For that, Bryant will be proud. Fisher has unparalleled credibility
with Kobe. He’s his balance, his intellectual equal, a bond born of
Lakers history and histrionics. No one else on these Lakers can tell
Kobe to go bleep himself, and still be his confidant, his conscience.
As it turned out, Fisher became something else on Thursday night:
Kobe’s championship redemption. “None of us can just expect that Kobe is going to save us,” Fisher said. "He's not afraid of the moment," said Fisher's
young understudy, Jordan Farmar. "He's done it before. So he knew he
had it in him." He knew. Lakers coach Phil Jackson knew, which is why
he refused to replace him with the quicker Farmar or more physical
Shannon Brown. His teammates did, too. But all around, from the outside and even some voices from the
inside, wondered whether his time had past. His last memorable playoff
shot came five years ago in San Antonio, when he broke the Spurs'
hearts in 0.4 seconds. Since then, he has left Los Angeles for a rich
free-agent contract,
fought for his daughter's life, gave back that rich free-agent contract
and returned to the city he has always called home. He came back two years ago, older, a step slower perhaps, but just as wise as ever His performance won’t be remembered, but there likely wouldn’t be memories without him. His game Thursday night was similar to a great set-up pitcher throwing
two shutout innings to clear the way for the closer. If
Lakers forward Trevor Ariza doesn’t score 11 points in the Lakers’ 14-1
start to the second half — a surge prompted by him stealing the ball
and going coast-to-coast — Derek Fisher might not join the annals of
all-time great postseason shooters. And if Ariza doesn’t
knock down a 29-foot three-pointer with 2:36 left in regulation to tie
the score at 82, it could very well be the series that is tied. And finally, Mickael Pietrus awaits word on a potential suspension after introducing Pau Gasol to his forearms.
Not bad for an over the hill vet, says the Daily News' Ramona Shelbourne.
His first shot, with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, tied the
score. His second shot, with 31.3 seconds left in overtime, essentially
won the game. Only on the second shot did he crack a smile. Not once did he do a
victory dance. After both shots he applauded not himself, but his
teammates. Typical Fish.
You also might see him in some sort of Lakers historical display
outside Staples Center one day, although if it was a proper
representation, his likeness wouldn't be in the front with Magic
Johnson, it will be back by the loading dock with the rest of the
working folk. That is who he has always been. That is who he will always be. Yes, we'll always remember Fisher's role in the victory, but The Press-Enterprise's Matt Calkins warns not to overlook Trevor Ariza's contributions.
Repost
Amazing Happened last night.
It was the team that pushed the boulder up the mountain. However, when the rock rolled backwards, Derek Fisher found that bolt of strength from the previous mountain top accomplishments.
I experienced a bit of Deja Vu thinking Rick Fox and Shaq were suppossed to be jumping up and down, Devean George and Brian Shaw from the bench screaming. But no, lightning struck twice because Derek Fisher displayed his excellence at the latter part of this decade, and now Shaw is part of the Coaching Staff that Kobe can speak "Locker Room" with.
I feel like an 85 year old now witnessing the second coming of the Haley's Comet. Except now my grandchildren witnessed it with me.
Trevor Ariza during this regular season and especially during the playoff's has jumped out of the caterpillar suit. Now he floats like a butterfly yet stings like a bee. That shot in the late 4th quarter just made him the Small Forward we always wanted. We were looking for the Next Scottie Pippen, but we got the Next Trevor Ariza.
Andrew Bynum, what can I say. His activity in the 3rd and 4th reminded me of a brilliant job that a director of photography would do. The basketballscape was just brilliant, and he Lit Up The Stage vividly with his effort. I understand that Bynum has received the same treatment Christian Bale gave Shane Hurlbut, but your energy last night was critical.
I watched the 3rd, 4th and Overtime quarter 2 times last night. Sluggishly I post this at work, yet it is worth every minute of watching the game till my dreary eyes shut.
This Fourth Ring during the Phil Jackson era (assuming we win) will be earned the Hard Way. The previous two finals appearances were failures. It has been 7 years since we held that gold ball. A lot of learning and adjustments had to be made.
4 the hard way.
Posted by: Charles | June 12, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Posted by: Charles | June 12, 2009 at 09:38 AM
So proud to be a fan of this team. I love the chemistry and the camaraderie, from Kobe all the way down to Morrison and Yue on the bench. The joy from that win offsets all of the bs analysis out there today.
I believe the Lakers won this game. They turned up the pressure and Orlando could not handle it. Sometimes you win by relying on your courage, poise, and determination and knowing the other team cannot match that.
Posted by: teamn | June 12, 2009 at 09:41 AM
I am quite proud of this team. Everyone who was on the floor last night contributed in some sort of fashion. I'm waiting to hear what all the haters have to say about this.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 12, 2009 at 09:45 AM
We all know Fish was the star last night but ARIZA had an unbelievable 2nd half. Talk about having a heart of a champion. Those steals in the Denver series and now this 2nd half performance make me want to say Laker for Life!
BD
Posted by: BD | June 12, 2009 at 09:47 AM
The Laker diss'ers are piling up the what-ifs already in various news outlets, ie, the non-called basket interference leading to OT in game 2, so, what about the interference with Howard against Gasol when score was only 3-2 at beginning of game. Kobe did not elbow Nelson intentionally, Jameer is as responsible as anyone. He actually blindsided kobe and paid for for it. As for elbows, they don't come more frequently than Dwight Howard's. Perhaps some day in Heaven, or where ever your "perfect place" is, we will see the "perfect" game. Game 4, Magic 37 FT's to the Lakers 20 FT's. If the Magic could not take advantage of that...too bad...the ref's tried for you!
Posted by: Bob Peterson | June 12, 2009 at 09:51 AM
My mouth is still open. The win was one for the ages. Fisher just proved that getting old is a great thing. I LOVE MY LAKERS.
Posted by: Jessie | June 12, 2009 at 09:53 AM
What a win.
One of the greatest wins in Laker history. All the Kobe/Shaq big wins were in the Western Conference and not in the finals, so this one by it's nature gets the nod as the biggest of the big.
To me at least.
I'm glad that most of the teams with salary cap money either suck or reside in sucky cities. I don't want Ariza to get an offer he can't refuse.
If we have to lose Sasha and Farmar to keep Ariza and Odom, I'm regretfully for it.
But that's in the offseason.
One more game till then. And then a parade.
Do cars in LA have those laker flags on them already? I sadly haven't seen one yet this year.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | June 12, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Orlando didn't lose this game.
We won it.
We took it.
Like Champions do.
ANY discussion otherwise is pure haterade.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 12, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Right now, at this moment, I'm thinking that Finals MVP should go to Pau Gasol or Derek Fisher.
Kobe, I love you, brother, but this Championship is not about you.
It's about this team.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 12, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Good morning Mamba24 & the Laker morning CRUE!!!!!!!
WOW. D-Fish. Trevor Ariza. El Spaniard. Black Mamba. Candyman. The Beast.
I DARE anyone to EVER speak disrespectfully of any of these guys again. I DOUBLE DOG DARE YA.
These guys are all HEART and COURAGE. Anyone who says different is a moron.
ONE MORE TO GO - hard way - easy way - WHO CARES!
GO LAKERS! WE GOT THIS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 12, 2009 at 10:07 AM
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAY.
Posted by: RICK | June 12, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Yo Kobeblitz! I totally agree with you! Knee brace or without Kneebrace, Bynum has underperformed in these playoffs! If he wants to be effective, he needs to be more smart and just move his feet to play defense! Watch out for LakerTom to make a comeback against your post. I support all Laker players, i want Bynum to play well but it's obvious he's not. Gosh i hate all these Fakers who were talking smack against Fisher. My bulldog came through as always. He is one of my favorite Lakers ever since he got here. Him and Pau always get brutalized by these Faker fans, they deserve more respect than that! Go Lakers! ONe more game baby!
Posted by: hyacinth | June 12, 2009 at 03:32 AM
Posted by: hyacinth | June 12, 2009 at 10:08 AM
We all know Fish was the star last night but ARIZA had an unbelievable 2nd half. Talk about having a heart of a champion. Those steals in the Denver series and now this 2nd half performance make me want to say Laker for Life! Posted by: BD | June 12, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Yeah he was unbelievable all right. So unbelievable that he might have priced himself right off the Lakers. Someone posted Cleveland intended to try to get Arizza AND LO.
Posted by: Mam | June 12, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I was screaming at my TV so much last night I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets.
My better half was getting irritated talking about how I should KNOW they can't hear me.
I'm like - OF COURSE they can hear me - why the hell else would I be screaming???
I mean - seriously.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 12, 2009 at 10:12 AM
teamn,
You and I are on the same wavelength.
I love this team and I pity the haters.
WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND WE RISE!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 12, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Teamn,
The Lakers absolutely won this game, just as the Orlando Magic lost this game. You always have a winner and a loser. The Lakers did what was necessary to give themselves a chance and they won.
The fact that they won without getting one foul call in the entire 4th quarter demonstrates that the Lakers experience, their heart and yes some luck will be responsible for them getting a championship.
The Lakers can't win if they don't play and they played their hearts out. The Magic didn't give them the game, the Lakers won it!
Funny how the ESPN analysts love to give credit to the losing team when the Lakers are their opponent. Which demonstrates the bias that exist in their analysis for whatever reason.
No one but Laker fans and Laker nation are celebrating the Lakers play, however that's enough for me. It validates our championship! Nobody wants us to win it and we're gonna win it anyway!
Woohoooo!!!!!!!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | June 12, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Im going to have to disagree Jon. Here is why.
4 straight finals games with 30+ points, 8 ast - only third player ever to do that.
I know he has had some bad moments but seriously he kept us in the first half of the game. We should have been down 25 with that pitiful effort.
Not to mention he literally coaches the team, tells everyone their assignments etc etc.
Posted by: Lakers4Life | June 12, 2009 at 10:28 AM
My afterthoughts of Game 4:
That could have been the most blatantly biased games reffed during the playoffs ever. I CANNOT BELIEVE SALVATORE GETS THE CHANCE OF REFFING A FINALS GAME unles he is Stern's little pawn. Let's review the 4th quarter. You know everybody slams the Lakers for the Sacramento Game 6 in 2002. Well, guess what, this was even worse.
Out of 23 Orlando possessions, the Lakers were called for fouls on 11 of them. That is nearly half of every possession, most of which were shooting fouls. Orlando shot 17 free throws. The Lakers on the equivilant possessions shot -0-, that is ZERO free throws and Orlando was called for ONE foul, yes ONE. Even with Kobe and TA and LO driving that lane all quarter long. We were not settling for jumpers until the end. We couldn't buy a foul...
The refs did everything in that game except put Orlando's ball in the basket.
Wow Fisher, I love you more than I did at point 4 and that was some serious love back then. I apologize for everything that I have said about you this year and how fustrated I was with you. You are my hero. I think every blogger who has commented poorly about Fish should do the same and apologize. He completely changed the landscape of this series and deserves a standing ovation from every Laker fan all around the world wherever they are.
What a third quarter by TA! Excellent energy.
Substandard game from Kobe, but going back to my first point, that was due more from the refs than anything else. Kobe shot 35% from the field but the refs docked him at least 15% from poor NON calls. In other words, at least 5 of his misses that I counted were blatant missed calls where Kobe was hammered. So Kobe haters, go back in your hole.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HOW THE LAKERS OVERCAME THE IMPOSSIBLE BARRIERS THAT WERE PLACED IN THEIR PATH LAST NIGHT AND TOOK THIS GAME.
Jeff Van Gundy FAILED miserably at not showing his biases last night and instead of praising the Lakers for AMAZING could only whine about Orlando not stepping up for his brother, who btw also failed miserably last night.
Jon Barry, you are in the same category. Was anybody else taken aback at how upset he was about last night's game. Wow.
I LOVE THIS TEAM.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | June 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I may have posted this before, but Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are SO assistant coaching the Magic in their "analyses" . Watching the game through their point of view is annoying.
Posted by: #4 | June 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM
"Yeah he was unbelievable all right. So unbelievable that he might have priced himself right off the Lakers."
Have you been a Laker fan since last week?
Let me explain something: Dr. Jerry Buss WILL GLADLY EAT UP EVERY LUXURY TAX PENALTY necessary in order to keep Trevor AND LO. He knows what it takes to keep us on top and he will do just that.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I noticed something very telling last night - when Fisher made his second huge 3, Orlando calls a timeout, one of the officials was on camera (Scott Foster), and he looked downright UPSET that Fisher made that shot. That just confirms for me that there was an anti-Laker bias throughout the entire game, and especially in the 4th quarter, when the Lakers didn't get a single foul shot, and it wasn't for a lack of driving!!
Way to fight through 8-on-5, Lakers!!! WE GOT THIS!!!
Scott
Posted by: LakersFanInNY | June 12, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Noone mentioned anything about TA's 3 point as the time expired to keep the score within the striking distance. That shot is just as big as DFish's 3 point that force a playoff!
Way to go, TA!
Posted by: Wallace | June 12, 2009 at 10:39 AM
i loved the play where Farmar switched over to cover Dwight Howard, and couldn't do anything but foul him... so he did... hard!!! i loved it! that's what Bynum and MBenga gotta do whenever they get beat by Howard. none of these soft, ticky-tack fouls where Howard can get And 1s.
Jon K., if Kobe, Lamar, and Fisher all deserve at least 1 game MVP, then it's Gasol's turn for Game 5, isn't it?! i have a feeling Kobe's gonna have an unstoppable game, though. one more outstanding performance to prove that the Black Mamba deserves Finals MVP... (while LeBron watches jealously at home). (while listening to Time After Time, lol!)
Posted by: leonardbast | June 12, 2009 at 10:39 AM
The Lakers never get the credit they deserve. Players on opposing teams always talk about giving the game away (the Lakers turning up the pressure never has ANYTHING to do with it). Kobe's elbows are always an issue (Jameer just ran up and got right in his space...what did he think was gonna happen?), Phil pays $50,000 for the refs, etc., etc., etc.
The other day, Hedo said the Magic had the better team, top to bottom (same thing the Nuggets said, same thing the Kings of old used to say). Wonder what Hedo's saying today? (Or maybe I don't care.)
This game was WON by the Lakers, not lost by the Magic. When the refs do what they did in the 4th quarter and overtime -- giving love to the Magic and hate to the Lakers -- it's hard to give the Magic the sort of credit that's implied when you say they gave the game away. The Lakers took this game, pure and simple. Out there in the NBA blogosphere, is there really any doubt about that?
Posted by: ZLakeShow | June 12, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Haters still calling out players?
Through the first three quarters last night, Andrew had a +14. The highest of any player on the floor. He finished at +8 and the only reason it wasn't higher is because he wasn't part of that final +8 push.
He has played defense on Howard almost as well as you can expect, and healthy, he'd be competing at an even higher level. His stats aren't there because he isn't part of the offensive focus. He played 16 minutes, and the Lakers played their best defense with him in the middle.
On the cusp of a title, and still people can't see the forest from the trees.
Posted by: Pig | June 12, 2009 at 10:41 AM
More thoughts, seemingly:
3-1 feels a whole lot better than I am guessing 2-2 would have felt...what a sweet relief...awesome game...awesome team HUZAH !!!
hopefully the next game is the one Jackson has been waiting for to unleash some pick and roll basketball....
I just don't get it...we have some of the best pick and roll players and combinations going and we don't run it at all it seems...
talk about the way to get Bynum going (and keep going)---come on Phil...
somebody close to the Lakers (AK, BK) put the bug in his ear (or if that doesn't work, up his rectal area) RUN THE PICK AND ROLL !!!
apparently Orlando has no problem running it, and running it to great results as it were, seemingly....
I get real tired of seeing Kobe dribbling above the three point line with everybody just spread and watching...
play pick and roll, team basketball and close this thing out
I didn't know that Hedo Tukoglu was the best player on the planet--we have absolutely no answer for him...our only effective way of defending him is to get him on the bench with foul trouble, though he is even hard to guard sitting on the bench...
attacking the rim and the paint is still the answer---attack and get them on their heels early, especially with foul trouble....that is if the refs will ever call anything on them...
my older daughter wants to hit Van Gundy (either one...both etc.) over the head with a mallet---she said she wants to play Wack A Mole with him (though I do picture it a better game with Stan, the chubby one)...and I have to concur indeed...
my youngest daughter has thought she was a Laker curse this year because she watched a lot of games where we lost....but she came down stairs in the third and was cheering like crazy with each shot and turned that game around for us...she has turned the corner indeed...
got streak? that too cute I wanna puke girl that "sings" the anthem for them is now 7-1....let's go for 7-2 on Sunday...
this next game would be a real good time for Bynum to start earning next year's geeta...breakout game is what I vote for---and again, use the pick and roll early and often with him and unleash the beast....
I have an original thought....wait for it....let's make our free throws and close this thing out...
I DIG THE CRAP OUT OF THIS TEAM.....(understatement of the millenium department)...
I feel strongly (and with a lot of objectivety, really) that Pietrus should be suspended for a game for that uncalled for dangerous play---indeed we will see if the League has even a shred of credibility left whatsoever...
all I really want to see on Sunday is a fairly refereed game....if we see that, we see a Laker victory celebration...
I couldn't sleep for about 6 hours after that game---one of the best Laker finishes ever HUZAH !!!!
LongTimeLakerFan: great roasting of the weak, faithless, bandwagoners, doomsdayers, and trolls last night---I was laughing so hard I pulled a nut....keep it up brother and despite what some have said---show no mercy!!!
Is it Sunday yet?
GO LAKERS !!!!
Posted by: Floyd | June 12, 2009 at 10:41 AM
OK...here's my Sunday gameplan.
I'm going to church, afterwards,I'm parking the wip at the LAX Metrorail Station and going to Yard House. If all goes right, I'll touch down at Yard House around 3:00 PM or so. Not into the "nametags" thing, but there's gotta be a more discreet way to find one another.
Can one of y'all book a table at YH in the name of Lakers Blog or something. I'd do it - but ain't got the time. Chaotic weekend coming up!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | June 12, 2009 at 10:41 AM
*
JON K THE GLUE THAT BINDS US – BANDWAGON
*
(01) MAMBA24 - OWNER - Thanks Jon K. you don't know how many times your words " Thoughts of Jon K" picked me up when I was down. You have a gift for writting KUDOS my brother.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 12, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Sorry Jon K.
Without Kobe there's no open shots for any Laker players. It's not just Kobe's scoring, it's his defense, its his ability to draw double or triple teams even if he doesn't always make the play, his playing tired, injured and not making any excuses.
He's doing the things necessary to give the Lakers a chance to win.
Sorry bro, Kobe is finals MVP because without him, the Lakers aren't in the finals and even if they are it's a sweep by the Magic.
Derrick was our hero in the waning minutes of last night but that was just last night and a great night it but the Magic were playing Kobe for the last shot not Fisher, thus Fisher had a golden opportunity to tie and ultimately knock down the shot that closed the door.
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | June 12, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I was screaming at my TV so much last night I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets. Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 12, 2009 at 10:12 AM
STOP IT JAMAMBAFAN! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!!
Their will be no eyeball poppping in the Mamba Clan. Now controll yoursself. LOL. I wish I had a picture of that.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 12, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Charles:
Your post sounds like this:
I say halleluiah brother, I say heel, I say praise the lord I say touch that TV and ye shall be healed and lastly but most importantly send a check for the amount of $100 for your salvation.
Repost
Amazing Happened last night.
It was the team that pushed the boulder up the mountain. However, when the rock rolled backwards, Derek Fisher found that bolt of strength from the previous mountain top accomplishments.
Rainbow Coalition
Jesse Jackson
Posted by: Jesse Jackson | June 12, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Filipinos. Philippines is a Lakernation as well. I grew up watching Lakers since my whole family is for the Lakers. I may not be in the Philippines anymore but I know most Filipinos bleed purple and gold and I can tell you that we are very passionate fans, we do not give up on our team win lose. We cry in defeats and shed tears of joy in every victory.
Edwin Gueco, I can tell from your posts that you epitomizes a diehard Laker fan. I have so much respect for you. Saludo ako. Your posts are insightful, reminds me of my late father, a Laker fan like me.
Posted by: Jeanette | June 12, 2009 at 10:55 AM
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAY. Posted by: RICK | June 12, 2009 at 10:08 AM
YES HE DOES RICK, YES HE DOES
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 12, 2009 at 10:56 AM
As far as I'm concerned Pietrus move was dumb in two ways, one it will make him be scrutinized by the refs and watched closely, and second because it may have awoken Pau even more than he already is and got him more aggressive. As for free throw discepancy in 4th and overtime, too ridiculous to even comment on. And lastly, as soon as i say disparaging comments about fish he shuts me right up, he is a true lakers legend.
Posted by: mbengaluck | June 12, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Jon. K,
"Right now, at this moment, I'm thinking that Finals MVP should go to Pau Gasol or Derek Fisher.
Kobe, I love you, brother, but this Championship is not about you."
Sigh here we go again ... quick who is leading us in points and assists in the finals? ... but yeah let's give the mvp to Fisher ... after all without kobe's 11-31 shooting we would have blown out the orlando magic
Someday y'all will appreciate what you got ... what i wouldn't give to have this man come to chitown and do his thing
But argh, i refuse to let the hating ruin a great game ... shout out to fish yo ... thnx for having kobe's back when it counted ... in his words "we can't always expect kobe to save us" ... but I guess if we listen to you jon k, when the savior struggles we should give his mvp to someone else ...
I really dont care though ... all the man wants is a championship ... the only thing about another laker getting an mvp is that the next time kobe drops 60pts and i'm having a ball enjoying it ... i'd have to listen to some hater go umm yeah but he hasn't got a finals mvp yet ...
why are y'all so eager to ridicule greatness ... jon k ... why y'all ... why? ... why must a great night by fisher be tied to low blows to kobe ... we didn't give horry an mvp but he's an mvp in our hearts ... why y'all gotta bring my boi down .. be happy for him ... be happy that in a team sport ... the team came through and kobe did his part too or where u not watching ...
must i count the ways in which he was mvp last night ... forget the assists, forget the points when we needed them ... how about the hard foul on howard ... u know the one where he pulled superman to the ground ... the one that resulted in 2 missed free throws? ... the one that allowed fish to have his mvp moment of the finals
24 + 16 + [1]7 = The Purple Tinted Golden Age
Posted by: Taliq | June 12, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Does anyone notice the elevation of their game in these finals? I was worried, really worried in the Houston and Denver Series.
These boyz are going to win the championship Halleluiah!
BK and AK let's celebrate!
Posted by: mHS | June 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM
why do we hate the lakers?...
Selfish, Primadonna Kobe Bryant
Arrogant bought and sold, unprincipaled Phil Jackson
and the Sell-out style of play that this team embodies.
THIS IS A TEAM SPORT!!!
Not, a one man show with a supporting cast.
The 5 players on the court at any given time, should, in a team sport, play as a team and NOT look for the one "Star" to pass to.
Kobe and his ILK should go play golf, tennis or find another self oriented sport.
So sad.
Posted by: roger scot | June 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM
And please for the sake of lakertom ... get off bynums back too ... he wasn't a beast but he did some good work on howard in the 2nd half ...
He's signed his contract already ... ain't nothing we can do ... we can only hope that next season he'll rediscover the form he had in january ... it was just a week or so but hey if bynum is as pathetic as y'all claim ... then y'all can kiss that dynasty good bye ...
i ain't sold on him but i ain't ready to quit on him yet either ... and until one of y'all has surgery on both knees in 2 str8 years ... stop saying the knee is an excuse ... all u gotta do is look over to the other side and see what effect missing most of the regular season has on your game ... the more nelson plays the better our chances are
Laker fans ... stop hating on your own ... it is ridiculous ... we're 1 win away from what we all want
Though i will say I'd be happy if PJ resigns this season ... lol ... though i love him ... i just ain't feeling the triangle no more ...
24 + 16 + [1]7 = The Purple Tinted Golden Age
Posted by: Taliq | June 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM
i loved the article on Fisher, by Plaschke. it was very touching.
i hope he gets at least two more 3s in the next game, and ties Jordan at second for most three pointers in finals history.
Posted by: leonardbast | June 12, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Who the heck is Jamelle Hill. She's on the NBA Daily Espn podcast talking about basketball strategy.
A) phil is laissez-faire in his coaching
B) lakers are horrible at rotating
Does anyone want to educate me on why she matters on basketball matters?
Posted by: Darksider | June 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Great post charles. I'm with you 100%. I stayed up till 5 am watching sports center on my computer. The same hour show over and over.
But worth every minute.
Wow.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | June 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Fan of the Mamba,
"Without Kobe there's no open shots for any Laker players. It's not just Kobe's scoring, it's his defense, its his ability to draw double or triple teams even if he doesn't always make the play, his playing tired, injured and not making any excuses."
Good to know I ain't holding the mamba forte alone ... I still dont understand how you can be a laker fan but not a diehard kobe apologists given how hard he works for this franchise ... this boy will ice his knees during his daughters bday just to be healthy for a game ...
then again i ain't grow up in LA ... I'm an MJ fan that latched unto the lakers when my idol's former coach returned to the nba and I noticed this kid in #8 that simply refused to let his team lose ... it reminded me of what i missed when #23 retired and it's been one h*ll of a ride since, even with smush and kwame starting ...
24 + 16 + [1]7 = The Purple Tinted Golden Age
Posted by: Taliq | June 12, 2009 at 11:15 AM
i gotta agree with Taliq about the impact Kobe had on the game last night. people might point at his bad shooting %, but at the same time, you gotta recognize that Kobe HAD to shoot the ball that many times to keep the Lakers in the game in the 2nd Qtr, when Lamar, Bynum, and Gasol were all in foul trouble. with a line-up of Kobe, Ariza/Powell, Walton, Mbenga, and Farmar, who else is gonna shoot the ball? besides Kobe, Ariza is the only other guy i'd trust in that unit. and who else would you rather post-up out of that unit? besides Kobe, maybe Walton (if he has a mismatch), and that's it.
Kobe was demanding the ball at that point, and rightfully so. and i'm sure that's how Ariza got all his good looks in 3rt Qtr, cuz the defense was then focused on Kobe. and of course, Fisher's miracle 3 pointer to tie the game in regulation... because Kobe got doubled in the back-court (put Nelson in a very difficult one on one situation).
i'm not trying to diminish Ariza or Fish, just giving props to #24, aka Black Mamba.
Posted by: leonardbast | June 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM
The Agony and the Ecstasy. So many emotions and one hell of a game. One for the ages. I will gladly watch another on Sunday.........
Posted by: Russ Poole | June 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I moved to Austin last summer and folks here in Texas seem seriously over-concered about any kind of bad weather. Last night, at the start of the game, there were some thunderstorms and hail, and reports of a tornado. Every single station went to blanket coverage, including the local ABC affiliate. This continued throughout the first half - the ABC station would have a tiny thumbnail window for the game (no scores or sound) now and then but primarily, it was just the same lame weather maps and doppler and repeated dire warnings that never came to fruition. I was able to keep up on the score via internet, but the whole thing was incredibly frustrating.
The storm watch ended in time for the second half and I was able to watch. Like so many others, I get caught up in habits, sitting a particular place, feeling that such viewing spots, body positions or simply the energy of me watching, actually has some effect. A blogger in a previous thread mentioned calling his dog over to sit by him on a lucky step, at the very end. I loved that comment.
And so, it was glorious basketball and I've just now had the chance to read the most recent threads.... it's great to see what a commonality we have as fans, to read so many heartfelt comments.
I know there's still basketball to be played (yes!), but just wanted to toss out a thanks to our blogging community here... you rock!
Posted by: dave m | June 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM
LakersFanInNY,
maybe the officials didn't want to go into overtime. i wonder if they get any overtime pay for it.... and that ref probably had a hot date after the game waiting for him. by the time overtime ended, the date took off, thinking she got stood-up. poor ref. lol!
Posted by: leonardbast | June 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM
amazing game. wow. derek fisher came through when we needed him.
i still think mvp should go to kobe. sorry kobe has to take all those shots b/c if he doesn't he isn't going to get double teamed. ariza played amazing i absolutely love him but everyone that is saying ariza should be mvp couldn't be anymore wrong. ariza can be mvp when he makes contested jumpers. don't forget the guy was 0-6 in the first half so in the game he was 5/11. that is good, but all his shots were wide open. fisher's shot was amazing but he was also wide open. kobe is the only laker that can take a contested jumper. he also is dishing out passes and getting rebounds.
i would love if kobe got more open shots then he would def have a higher fg%. like others have said mj didn't have the greatest fg % in finals, but he was clearly the mvp. pau is good, lo is good, fisher is good, ariza is good. kobe is the mvp though.
don't forget ariza wasn't playing well in the other games in the finals.
Posted by: laila | June 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM
*
KOBE BRYANT – FINALS MVP - BANDWAGON
*
(01) FAN OF THE MAMBA - Sorry bro, Kobe is finals MVP because without him, the Lakers aren't in the finals and even if they are it's a sweep by the Magic.
(01) MAMBA24 - OWNER - Thanks Jon K. you don't know how many times your words " Thoughts of Jon K" picked me up when I was down. You have a gift for writting KUDOS my brothe
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Mr. Elbow Bryant is back as well.
Great loss for the Magic (sorry, win for the Lakers).
Looks like Kobe's going to get his championship without Shaq. This will make up for the one kobe lost in 2004. Now Kob's gotta get one for the 2006, then we'll be Even Steven.
I have to give credit where credit is due: Derek Fisher is the man...oh, Kobe's pretty good too.
Posted by: KL (fka KL_Beast) | June 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM
"I was screaming at my TV so much last night I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets.
My better half was getting irritated talking about how I should KNOW they can't hear me.
I'm like - OF COURSE they can hear me - why the hell else would I be screaming???
I mean - seriously."
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 12, 2009 at 10:12 AM
They heard you man, they heard you.
Posted by: phred | June 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM