Lakers' resiliency pays off in 90-89 victory over Boston Celtics
Forget for a moment what put the Lakers in this tough spot.
Forget the poor second-quarter effort against Boston that effectively nullified their inspiring first-quarter play. Forget the poor defense on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Forget Kobe Bryant's questionable shot selection for most of the game. Forget Pau Gasol's inconsistent presence inside.
No Lakers fan is thinking about those aforementioned variables too much after the team's thrilling come-from-behind 90-89 victory Sunday over the Boston Celtics, and it's not just because nostalgia is clouding the big picture.
That's because the big picture says this: the Lakers (37-11) are 5-2 on their trip with one game remaining Monday against Memphis. It's a positive sign, given how the team's 6-0 mid-winter trip last season served as a confidence booster during postseason play. The Lakers' victory over Boston also served as a signature road win after their defeat at Cleveland 10 days ago and earlier losses to all three of their 2009 Western Conference playoff opponents (Utah, Houston, Denver).
The Lakers' latest win may not be their best road victory of the season -- Coach Phil Jackson correctly told reporters that it doesn't equal the Jan. 13 victory at Dallas as Bryant fought back spasms. But Sunday's win, which put Jackson in a tie with Pat Riley for the most coaching wins in Lakers history (533), illustrated the team's ability to overcome a largely poor performance in a pressure-packed environment. That could do wonders for a team that had hoped it would form an identity on this eight-game trip.
Lakers fans likely wouldn't be having this conversation if not for Bryant's jump shot with 7.3 seconds remaining, marking his fifth game winner of the season. Closely guarded by Boston guard Ray Allen at the top of the key, Bryant drove toward the right block and kicked it to Andrew Bynum to the right of the lane. Bynum quickly passed back outside the three-point line to Bryant, who drove left, stopped at the free-throw line, pump faked and then shot a fall-away jumper over Allen that swished into the net.
The shot surely conjured images of last year's game at Boston, in which Bryant's three-pointer with 1:30 remaining in regulation gave the Lakers a 101-100 edge, their first lead in the second half, a game in which the Lakers ultimately prevailed in overtime. Bryant's 19 points on 8-for-20 shooting brings to light a never-ending dichotomy. While Bryant's tendency to unnecessarily force the issue can be frustrating, his approach in the waning seconds worked out. And he is inching closer to becoming the organization's all-time scoring leader, now 28 points behind former Lakers great Jerry West, who scored 25,192 points from 1960 to 1974.
But there were other variables that led to the victory.
Lakers forward Ron Artest had a big day defensively, helping limit Boston forward Paul Pierceto 15 points on four-for-11 shooting, including a scoreless first quarter. Artest also made some big plays in the final minute.
After Bryant kicked the ball out to Artest in the far corner behind the three-point line, Artest drove past Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, brushed off Pierce's help defense and Kendrick Perkins'double team and made a four-foot runner. It cut the Celtics' lead to 89-88 with 45 seconds remaining. Moments later, Artest fought through Allen's screen at the top of the key and locked down on Pierce. As he tried going in for a pull-up jumper, Pierce tugged at Artest's jersey and was called for an offensive foul with 27 seconds left, effectively setting up Bryant's game winner.
And then there was Bynum, who had a double-double along with Gasol for the second time in three games. Bynum scored 12 of his 19 points in the first quarter, while Gasol had eight of his 11, an inside presence that was key to building a 30-19 first-quarter lead. But Bynum sat out until the 4:56 mark of the second quarter and Boston's physical strength made Gasol a nonfactor. Boston's 33-17 second quarter also featured Tony Allen's 12 points off the bench (he finished with 14), and a poor performance by a Lakers reserve unit that had only three points in the first half -- though it would finish with 28 points.
The victory required the Lakers to make a late-game comeback, a disappointment given the team's strong start. Though the Lakers probably would've preferred coasting after establishing a first-quarter double-digit lead, the team's late-game heroics provided the evidence that it can come through against a marquee opponent.
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Celtics forward Kevin Garnett heads off the court as the Lakers celebrate their 90-89 victory at the TD Garden in Boston on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Jim Rogash / Getty Images.
Yes, well a nice ugly win, deep in enemy territory. And Kobe's shot, off balance, Allen all over him... the thing looked flat and not at all on any sane trajectory... and of course it went in. After a night when they just weren't falling for him. Classic Kobe.
Posted by: dave m | January 31, 2010 at 06:53 PM
NINE GAMES . . . EIGHT DOWN, ONE TO GO
I suggested what seems like a season ago that we suspend judgment until the Lakers finished off a series of nine games that started with Orlando at home then followed by this eight game trip ending in Memphis. Report card time is almost here.
I suggested that we grade the team in three categories.
1. TOUGHNESS (which we would see when playing the top teams in the East, ORL, CLE, BOS).
2. FOCUS (which we would see when playing the four sub-500 teams on the road trip).
3. ENDURANCE (which we would see in the 2nd games of back-to-backs as well as how they finished trip in Memphis).
Leading into this NINE GAME stretch, the Lakers were dealing with health issues (Artest/Pau/Kobe) and posted an unimpressive 8-5 record since the Christmas Day loss to Cleveland. I thought we all were getting too jumpy in our judgments (What?! US bloggers here?!! No way!) and asked for this body of work to be completed before we passed judgment on the Laker's championship aspirations.
So, we are on the cusp of completing this NINE GAME stretch, all happy to sleep tonite with visions of this victory over the dreaded Celtics dancing in our dreams. Finish off Memphis tomorrow (please, don't lose and PLEASE don't LOSE BYNUM to injury!!!) and grades will be due.
For the record, Lakers are now 6-2 in this NINE GAME stretch.
~2 wins, 1 loss against the East Leaders
~3 wins, 1 loss against the East sub-500 teams (I throw Toronto in that category)
~2 wins, 0 loss in 2nd of back-to-back (but still have Memphis game on Monday to complete this category).
Grades are due by midnight Monday, following Memphis game.
Mike
Posted by: LakerMike | January 31, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Time was in that same game it would be Kobe showing up and that's it.
This isn't hate on the other laker players, but they, we have a tendency to disappear when the games get both physical and out of control. The minute the refs start to do what they do we get focused on it and automatically our body language suffers.
This team, last year's team isn't 2008's team. This team has poise, has the belief that they can and will prevail. It's not a soft vs. tough comparison, it's a confidence versus need to prove comparison. Lastly they have people who are willing to do what it takes to get the victory.
I can't even explain to you how huge that play by Ron Artest was. Granted it's the regular season so in the big picture of things it really doesn't count...but it gives us a glimpse to the kind of things we expected and were hoping for when we got him. I read a quote once about Ron wherein the author writes, Ron Artest has the versatility of LO, the body of ____ (don't remember) and the drive of Kobe. Go Ron.
Go lakers!
Posted by: Faith | January 31, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Don't you just love it that:
1. Pierce spends the tip off trying to show how tough he is then spends the entire game showing he's not?
2. While Kobe is tough, Artest is tougher?
3. KG never learns? Last year he got on LO, LO eats him alive. So he gets on Drew and Drew eats him alive. Maybe he should pick on Farmar next time?
4. Kupchak knows better than to trade the 3rd best center (after DH and Pau) for a good forward?
5. That Mamba is a Laker?
Posted by: p ang | January 31, 2010 at 07:27 PM
damn, kg stays getting punked by the lakers. last year odom and now bynum. somebody please post a jpeg of the bynum poster!
Posted by: icelaker | January 31, 2010 at 07:35 PM
NOT YOUR 2008 LOS ANGELES LAKERS…
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The last time the Los Angeles Lakers met the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, the underdog tougher more physical Celtics outmuscled and outfought a finesse Lakers team to win the NBA championship. Unfortunately for Boston, this is not your soft 2008 Los Angeles Lakers who could be pushed around. Today, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest served notice that this was not your 2008 LA Lakers team.
-
If there was a single play besides Kobe’s game winner that highlighted the difference between this year’s Lakers team it was Drew’s slamming that awesome dunk right down KG’s trash talking throat. Make no mistake, Kobe may have made the game winner but the player of the game was Andrew Bynum, who dominated Perkins and Garnett and silenced the Bynum Bashers for at least one game.
-
It’s great to see Ron starting to get healthy again and playing the kind of physical defense that limited long time Lakers nemesis Paul Pierce to 4-11 shooting and a critical late turnover on an offensive foul. Pau still struggles against more physical teams and defenders but still did a good job and fought hard. He just needs to get more of an aggressive physical attack attitude against certain players.
-
Thank God Phil was watching the same game I was, where every time he took out Andrew Bynum, the Lakers immediately got beaten in the paint and lost points. Thank God Phil realized that we needed Drew’s power game in the fourth quarter more than Pau’s finesse game. That was a big time performance from Drew on the season’s biggest stage. And a big vote of confidence from Phil.
-
It was great to see another sizzling performance from Jordan Farmar, especially after my recent post making the case for him as the Lakers next starting point guard. In fact, I might have an old copy of the Start Farmar Bandwagon, which dates back to the Smush Parker as the Lakers starting point guard days. Who knows, there may be good reason to resurrect it before the end of this year.
-
Finally, what more can you say about Kobe Bryant. Limping, landing on one foot to protect a sprained ankle, and playing with a medical dictionary of injuries to different body parts. He will be the GOAT when his playing days are over. I’ve lost track of how many game winning shots Kobe has sunk this season. It was great to see Mamba nail a clutch game winner against the hated Celtics.
-
Now the only question is whether or not to let Drew play tomorrow against the Grizzlies? I say sit him even though he has survived the January jinx. It would be too cruel to play him and then have him get injured a third year in a row in Memphis. That is career ending bad karma. Take the day off, Drew. I have a hunch you are going to be seeing a lot more minutes in the fourth quarter.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 31, 2010 at 07:45 PM
Paging hobbitimage...paging Mr. hobbitimage...wakeup call from Mr. Andrew Bynum...collect...
Great win. And it showed exactly why Phil likes the cards he's been dealt. Both Bynum and Artest contributed exactly what each needed to contribute. There sure as heck will NOT be any more punking of the Lakers in Boston.
Do we still have problems? Yeah. Rondo was just weaving around our PGs like they were soccer cones. It wasn't just that he could score at will against them, but he totally disrupted the rest of our defense. One or two of our other guys would try to jump in to try to stop him, leaving Celts wide open under the bucket, in the corner, or on the perimeter almost every drive. I can't see Phil and Mitch not fixing this somehow.
And, Zaira, whoa!...
"Just believe. Always.
Night!!! It's sexual celebration right here now ;)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu"
Wait, you mean you wait til AFTER the game for the "celebration"? And you call yourself an Italian? Heck, some of us "celebrate" DURING the game, you know, kind of like doing vodka shots after every dunk. Henceforth, we'll call them "Zairabrations" in your honor.
Posted by: CornerJ | January 31, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Faith - nice post. There seems to be this habit of pundits saying how Ron hasn't played well this year and it just isn't true. He had a rough stretch after the concussion and he's now getting his legs (and feet) back under him. The guy has a great attitude, doesn't complain and doesn't make excuses.
Posted by: dave m | January 31, 2010 at 08:03 PM
Drew was great today, esp when posterized KG, and beating the Celts took a lot of the sting out of the loss at Cleveland, but. . . The Celts aren't coming out of the East this year. The Cavs are for real this year and they'll be in the finals barring a major injury.
You can call him princess jimmy all you want, and he may be a jerk in real life, but LBJ can play. I didn't think the Cavs were for real until Xmas day, and even then I wrote off that loss as a function of the Lakers not being pumped up for the game. But the game in Cleveland was a game the Lakers did want, a lot, and we couldn't take it. We can write the loss off to health issues, Kobes back/finger, Rons feet, or we can say our bigs were soft that day, but the Cavs were also missing Mo Williams. Now I'm not saying we can't beat the Cavs, though that fear is in the back of my mind, I'm saying we will have to play a lot better than we are right now and than we did today. If we're going to beat the Cavs we'll have to be healthy, Kobe will have to take good shots, the bigs will have to get touches early, and the bigs will have to be aggressive, IMO.
The Cavs' wins over us this year, remind me of our wins over the Cavs and Celts last year. That's kind of when the Lakers made their bones so to speak. Right now the Cavs feel like we did last year at the same time, they don't fear us in the least.
Posted by: Mark G | January 31, 2010 at 08:05 PM
One of Bynum's better games, considering the context. Pau had a good game, which is sub-par for him, but it's very promising to see the two of them playing well in the same game again.
Artest had another good game; Sasha is playing very solidly in limited minutes, Farmar and Brown continuing to show improvement on the whole (although somewhat sporadically.)
Looks like PJ is on track again.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 31, 2010 at 08:06 PM
here's a link to the bynum dunk pic:
http://tinyurl.com/ybxkl9j
Posted by: icelaker | January 31, 2010 at 08:08 PM
sorry here's the proper link to the bynum dunk:
http://tinyurl.com/yl7dq67
Posted by: icelaker | January 31, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Who would have thought Drew would be the best player on the floor in Boston?
Who would have thought Tru would be the difference maker?
Who would have thought PJ would pass Riles?
Who would have believed KB24 could hit another game winner after the kind of day it was?
I'll bet a lot of people here on this blog would!
Posted by: SteveInDenver | January 31, 2010 at 08:38 PM
sure, cornerJ, zaira, but you can take it too far, you know. I don't think LakerTom's wife ever lets him forget when he yelled out Bynum's name that one time.
Posted by: phred | January 31, 2010 at 09:00 PM
@ LakerTom, what surprised me was how long PJ left Drew on the bench to start the 2nd quarter. That made no sense to me esp after Drew had like 12 and 4 in the first.
Posted by: Mark G | January 31, 2010 at 09:15 PM
MM,
Can you suggest a statistic that relates
" Kobe Bryant's questionable shot selection" to Lakers wins and losses?
What is lakers win/ loss in games where:
Bynum+Gasol FGA / Kobe FGA?
Guess here is 2+ and Lakers win for sure.
Closer it gets to 1 trouble is looming.
Celtics win could be an outlier or
maybe never mind statistics its better to have an off balance highly contested
jumper from Kobe than anything else ...
Todd
Posted by: Todd | January 31, 2010 at 09:30 PM
sure, cornerJ, zaira, but you can take it too far, you know. I don't think LakerTom's wife ever lets him forget when he yelled out Bynum's name that one time.
Posted by: phred | January 31, 2010 at 09:00 PM
Phred,
you are one bad bad boy...HAHAHAHA
Posted by: Cap's Goggles | January 31, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Went to Colstip,Mt. to watch my 3 grandsons wrestle so I wasn't able to watch the game.Does anyone know where I can catch a replay online thank you.By the way seen Tuff Harris of the steelers there really nice guy.Kids got his autograph which was way cool.
Posted by: guest | January 31, 2010 at 09:53 PM
MM
Great work catchin' the VMan troll. The blogging world is a better place, and I don't have to worry 'bout my blog brothers thinkin' I don't appreciate a quality road win in Boston.
Thanks for bein' on it.
Posted by: VMan | January 31, 2010 at 09:53 PM
Artest's macho-smug words:
Said Artest: "I know I was sliding my feet and then I was off-balance. The ref saw something. I can't even remember if he touched me or not because sometimes people hit me and I don't feel it. If it's a good call, then you've got to make the call."
"Sometimes people hit and I dont feel".... touché
I LOVE the words!!
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | January 31, 2010 at 09:58 PM
>
Haha! RonRon picking on Paula...
Posted by: JY | January 31, 2010 at 10:10 PM
"I was in my position and he tried to put his leg over my position," Artest said. "But if you're not strong enough, you shouldn't be fighting with me. If you really can't match my strength then why even try to pick a fight? Why even try to tussle? I was on the white line and you cannot cross my line. I'm so stubborn anyway, you know I'm not going to let you do that."
The above was supposed to be in my previous post.
Posted by: JY | January 31, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Laker Tom
"the player of the game was Andrew Bynum, who dominated Perkins and Garnett and silenced the Bynum Bashers for at least one game."
True. Bashers aside, Andrew's game and effort spoke volumes. He's had a couple great games against KG even back in his Timberwolves days. AB was quicker to the ball, battled for boards and was just bigger and better than everyone under the rim.
This game feels like it could be the next step up for Andrew. The confidence boost from a nationally televised road game against the arch rivals will bring more of that kind of effort in the coming months.
So, Pau for Bosh now?
Posted by: VMan | January 31, 2010 at 10:22 PM
LOVED Ron on Pierce. The change from Trevor, PP's post game was MIA. He couldn't muscle him, couldn't out run him, nowhere to hide.
Little concerned about Phil's comment that he'd only come back if we win it all, which will of course happen. Still...
Posted by: VMan | January 31, 2010 at 10:32 PM
Artest "didn't feel" the stunning blow that sent him flying 40 feet and 3 rows into the stands?
I can't believe he didn't feel that....PP must hast the strongest arm in the league.
Posted by: LA Guy | January 31, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Artest already playing mind games with the Celtics. I love it!
Now, I'm beginning to suspect Ron ron was playing mind games with Lebron too.
Lying low until a playoffs rematch.
Posted by: LakerinBC | January 31, 2010 at 10:40 PM
The Bynum dunk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySxAPjXhu2s
Posted by: The Snake | January 31, 2010 at 10:54 PM
I get so sick of Van Gundy always chiming in when Phil's victories are mentioned about his teams's talent. Van Gundy needs to watch Shaq say that without Phil, the Lakers would have not made it to the Finals and won. Shaq, a man not known for his humility.
Posted by: Big Bomb | January 31, 2010 at 10:58 PM
The best trade scenario for the lakers is Pau Gasol for Chris Bosh...
Imagine BYNUM AND BOSH together....
Posted by: Staples 24 | January 31, 2010 at 11:09 PM
It is official in this blog, all Bynum-bashers are now BYNUM BELIEVERS.
How can you not, the very green c"s of PERKINS and GARNETT who intimidated your purple and gold have been demolished by the "ANDREW BYNUM ATTACK" !!!
The BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Posted by: Staples 24 | January 31, 2010 at 11:13 PM
BYNUM! BYNUM! BYNUM!
I told you so....................................!!!
Bynum and Artest made the difference in this game. The "kind of difference" I have been saying.
Gasol and Odom are for finesse championship teams only, BYNUM, ARTEST and KOBE are for Championships of all seasons!!!
Posted by: Staples 24 | January 31, 2010 at 11:16 PM
When a defense-first type of team starts blowing double-digit leads late in games, it means they're getting old. When the Spurs were in their prime, ANY lead they had going into the fourth was almost insurmountable.
Then they started getting old, and now routinely give up leads.
The Celtics are the same way now, except unlike the Spurs, they don't have multiple rings to show for it.
Yes the Lakers won on yet another clutch Kobe shot, but the Celtics shouldn't have even let the Lakers catch up that late into the game. The Lakers give up leads because they are inconsistent on their commitment to defense but the Celtics have no such excuses.
I wonder if the Cs will try to trade Ray Allen for some younger blood before the deadline?
Posted by: Scott | January 31, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Best play of the night:
Bynum posterizing KG = priceless!
Posted by: SamLL | January 31, 2010 at 11:24 PM
MM,
Can you suggest a statistic that relates
" Kobe Bryant's questionable shot selection" to Lakers wins and losses?
What is lakers win/ loss in games where:
Bynum+Gasol FGA / Kobe FGA?
Guess here is 2+ and Lakers win for sure.
Closer it gets to 1 trouble is looming.
Celtics win could be an outlier or
maybe never mind statistics its better to have an off balance highly contested
jumper from Kobe than anything else ...
Todd
Posted by: Todd | January 31, 2010 at 09:30 PM
------------------
Proud Kobe hater there.
Posted by: KB Blitz | January 31, 2010 at 11:25 PM
This isn't directed at anyone in particular - I've just had enough.
I'm getting pretty angered at the constant insinuation and outright whining about Pau's game. Who, when he got here thought the was some brutish tank in the middle? If you thought that, you were far enough off of phis game to not deserve what he brings to the table.
All of these complaints about wanting Pau to be something he isn't, when what he is is the player that has made it possible for the Lakers to contend one year, win the ring the next, and now be looking for back to back rings. Sure, Kobe is a massive part of it, but this endless ripping on what will wind up being a legendary Laker player is disgusting and short-sighted to me.
Pau will never be some 350 pound wall in the middle. he won't lead the league in rebounding. He won't be an intimidator.
What Pau is and will be is the most skilled PF in the game, a player who is willing to do anything it takes to win (including taking a passenger seat along side anyone), a player who never complains about anything (sans one time when he wasn't getting any passes into the post on mismatches), the best power forward the Lakers have had since James Worthy and the cog in the engine that makes it run at a championship level.
I hear guys like Jerry West, current and former players and GM's all amazed at people's misinformed views on Pau. Every one I've read or heard from is in constant disagreement with the general public's misguided views on Pau as a player.
I think its time everyone stops complaining about what Pau will never be and start respecting him a bit more for what he is... the best PF in the NBA today (not all time, today - right now at this moment).
(I'm well aware this wasn't the thread to go off like this in, but I had to say it at some point and now seemed like the time - anyway...)
Sorry Moderator to the lakers nation.
Garnet 10 pts 9 rebounds
Porkyns 8 pts 10 rebounds
Gasol 11 - 11
Bynum 19 - 11
someone thinks Garnet and Porkyns are soft?
Lakers fans many times is crazy.
Posted by: hiltontown | January 31, 2010 at 11:26 PM
WHERE DEFENSE HAPPENS
----------------------------------
""We got big points when we needed them off our defense," Bryant said. "We got our hands on the ball. We were very active - and we gave ourselves a chance."
Yeah I loved Bynum get his 12 out of 19 points in the first quarter not to mention the posterizing of KG (would have meant more to a healthy Defensive player of the year in KG) but I was more impressed by Bynum finally going off on the defensive end instead of lolly gagging and letting offensive rebounds go away like Elton Brand did.
Big Big Win for the Lakers and another Game Winner by Kobe Bryant (of course Todd dismiss this as he is a bona-fide Kobe hater/Phil basher) what more can you ask?
The NBA where *Defense* Happens
Posted by: KB Blitz | January 31, 2010 at 11:31 PM
Whenever I read someone calling someone else a "hater," why do I conjure up the image of an eight year old?
"Hater! Hater!"
Yes, Kobe's poor shot selection during most of the game required a Kobe bailout shot at the end of the game.
Not a high percentage way to try to win a championship.
And it makes for ugly basketball to watch. The Lakers could be so much better than this.
This is why I say that Kobe actually makes all his teammates worse: His need to control the game and be the star doesn't allow them to express anywhere near the full extent of their individual and collective talents.
Hater! Hater!
Posted by: jimjoyce | January 31, 2010 at 11:32 PM
I have an epic post to produce tomorrow.
Otherwise, awesome to beat the Septics on their home court.
I love this team.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 31, 2010 at 11:43 PM
The salaries match: Devin Harris will be acquired by the Lakers in a trade for Jordan Farmar and Ammo. Why would NJ do it?
JF and AM are expiring contracts. They get rid of DH's 4 years and get the cap space for 3 Max contracts including Lebron in the next 2 years. They're finishing last in the league this year anyway, nobody expects them to win any games. They're getting a new owner. All ideal conditions to start from scratch.
What do the Lakers get for it?
Devin is one of the top young PGs in the game and provides a star to fill in our big gap in the PG position. The Lakers are all in with the KB generation for the next 3 years (KB, Gasol, Artest, Odom) and just need to turn the PG spot from a weakness to a strength. This should be DFish's last year as starting PG. Harris is young enough to even be the partner of Andrew Bynum for the next Laker championship era in life after Kobe. All the GMs in the league would take a Harris for Farmar trade in a heartbeat, but NJ would go for it mainly for the expiring contracts and they still get a PG for the rest of the season at least. Ammo will be out of the league at the end of this year.
Posted by: LakerinBC | January 31, 2010 at 11:47 PM
"The best trade scenario for the lakers is Pau Gasol for Chris Bosh..."
The kind of IQ Bynum Stans has.
No doubt this game Bynum played fantastic with a few exceptions you couldn't ask more from this kid. After a game where he looked so lost in the game he stepped up to the challenge. He deserved it and that's it.
Trading Pau now? I thought Staples 24 said Bosh was a softie and now he wants it? HAHA. Pau served Bosh in the Olympics. And not to be negative where was Bynum after the 1st quarter? No doubt 12 points and his defense helped a TON but 7 points? Unless you are a Kobe hater like Todd that isn't spectacular numbers. Kobe had only 17 points before he made his game winner but he made it when it counted. Things could have been different had Kobe missed that shot and/or Ray Allen made the another game winning shot instead but hey a win is a win and Kobe/Bynum/Gasol came through at the end.
I love how Bynum played tonight and against a quality opponent and not to mention against Kendrick Perkins. That doesn't excuse him from previous poor outings where he was invisible and he still hasn't put quality numbers against Shaq and the Cavs or Dwight Howard yet (He can do that when the Lakers go to Orlando).
Good job Bynum. MUCH more credit for Kobe making that game winner.
Hiltontown,
loved your post save Gasol is the best PF in the league. Dirk and Tim are. Pau may be the best supporting Forward-Center but to build a franchise around the award goes to Tim or Dirk.
Posted by: KB Blitz | January 31, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Pau for bosh its stupid
Bynum for bosh its stupid
This Team have two new players, Ron Ron and the new Andrew.
Continue to improve. We must not lose patience.
Goooo Lakers.
Posted by: hiltontown | February 01, 2010 at 12:10 AM
KB Blitz,
You may have reason, anyway, this team does not work better with duncan or dirk.
For many reasons pau is perfect for this team.
Is my opinion
Posted by: hiltontown | February 01, 2010 at 12:31 AM
In tribute to AK/BK - The Good and the Bad:
GOOD - KOBE saved the day once again. There's a reason that Phil does not want Kobe to take games off and nurse his injuries, and that sick shot over Allen was just another fine example. I hope fans appreciate his amazing streak of game winners in the past couple months (many of them while playing hurt). We have grown so accustomed to his heroics, that many fans fail to realize how special this streak really is. This kind of streak happens once every generation or so, if that.
BAD - KOBE is obviously still effected from the sprained ankle he suffered on Friday. He had poor lateral movement which effected his ability to get around defenders and penetrate. Hence the low # of free throws.
GOOD - BYNUM's first quarter was absolutely beastly. After that sick dunk on KG, I thought the game was over right than and there. Although it was only the first quarter, that dunk looked like a knockout blow. I was almost embarrassed for KG...not really. What impressed me most was his focus and attitude. He was not going to be denied. His demeanor, power, aggressiveness and confidence reminded me of Moses Malone.
BAD - BYNUM actually started off slow, and missed his first few shots against Perkins. Most of his points came when Perkins went to the bench after getting his second foul. An old KG, who is still not close to 100%, and Rasheed, who came into the season looking like Oliver Miller Jr., had no chance against him. If Bynum can duplicate this performance the next time the Lakers and Celtics meet against Perkins and a healthy KG, than I will officially become a believer.
GOOD - ARTEST is FINALLY starting to look healthy after dealing with his foot issues. Most of Wheelchair Paula's points came on wide open 3's when Artest was not guarding him. When Paula had the ball against Artest at the end of the game, I had a brief flashback of the finals against Boston when Sasha was alone on an island trying to guard Ray Allen. What a relief to have a defender of Ron's caliber at our disposal to guard elite players at the end of close games! A healthy Artest would have made a BIG difference in the two losses against the Cavs.
BAD - He is still wearing those "cement shoes". Does he have an endorsement with the Chinese sneaker company or what? Listen to Phil, get some new shoes!
UGLY - It was a great win on the road, but let's not kid ourselves. The Celtics have been a bad team for the past two weeks. Allen has been struggling, KG and Glen Davis are not close to 100%, and Marquis Daniels is still out. Our second unit in the second quarter, led by, who else, but Luke Walton, almost cost us the game. The good news is that Phil learned from his mistake and benched Luke for the second half.
REAL UGLY - When our SG has to guard the opposing PG, there is a problem. When DFish makes AI look like the 2001 AI, when DFish makes Beno Udrih look like Isiah Thomas, than there is a huge problem. The PG issue HAS to be addressed before the trade deadline, especially with the Cavs looking to make a big impact trade before the deadline. Hinrich anyone?
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | February 01, 2010 at 01:13 AM
HI Laker Land!!!!!
(See MM? I am here nd now able to write my peana ;) it's gonna be long. Moderately long. Thank you for the cute twitter call ;))
Still glowing from one of the best feelings of the yet young year (but guaranteed to stay in my top five of the 2010...) and yep, after and epic celebratory sequel of the proper game into another game (who could do anything like that while Celtics VS Lakers is going on? You don't get that in my Universe you gotta live and bleed and sweat and bleed and... did I mention BLEED along our babies playing? Nothing is allowed other than scream unsensitively and go mad and then jum from couches and then scream again and then... okay, better stop or the neuropsychiatrist of all the Country will be chasing me...), I am ready to write some here.
I don't have much time cos during lunch break people can keep coming bothering me. And they will, cos we are in the middle of a frenzy week over here.
Well. Still I have to speak a bit today. Nobody could stop me now.
I LOVED the game completely.
I loved it cos my players were willing to take this home.
All of them.
The first quarter was an amazing one.
I immediately caught that Drew and Ron Ron were in check and I bet on them all night long.
I know... seems like PJ underused them but he didn't.
He sharply dosed them rightly.
It was awesome.
When we partially disappeared from the game, I actually kept seeing all of the guys trying to fight the position. All of those who say Pau did play bad, he didn't. He played the right way to show Celts he wouldn't have backed off no matter the punches. He was not always precise, and at times not right in his decisions, but he fought for 40 minutes and that's GREAT. For his level and style of game, he did fine in the battle. Sure, he can and must do better. But it was a good effort in a no great night. Still valuable. And useful.
Celtics are not your average fella trying to steal us a game.
Celtics are fierce against us.
Were they injuried? Recovering?
WEll, sorry, but in the injury/recovery department NONE beat us.
But this won't stop LakerDom to take home the prize.
Jeez, I am so proud of my guys today I feel like a crazyhead.
I have ALWAYS believed.
Always.
Why?
Cos we have a God playing for us and nobody else has it.
Take it, unbelievers! At the end of the day, it's always Kobe's Reign over us. And it's magnificent. Magnificent Reign.
The satisfaction of yesterday has no frigging price stomped over it.
It's all about magic.
Do we have to get better?
Oh, sure.
Do we have to play more consistently all time?
Sure (but not now... in the playoffs. Now is not mattering still).
Did we play the best defense we could?
No way. BUt it wasn't as ugly as other games.
All these notes are important, and we have to see them carefully but... what I have got yesterday was a team statement that Lakers are not here to kid around. That stays. That's here to stay. In the books. In our players's heads and hearts.
Oh, how I loved that.
This mind set and disposition of heart erased all imperfections of the game itself. All of them.
They wanted to win and against all odds they did.
Supreme feeling of predestination. It was just so so sweet.
I can't stop smiling and it's not peregrine. The soul of the team IS THERE.
Around that we will see sun rising.
A big yellow and purple, golden lingered and glittering Sun.
Rejoice Laker Land: we got warriors to battle for our honour.
Later fam.
Work calls :)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | February 01, 2010 at 04:31 AM
Great ending. I saw it at a Lakers meetup around the corner from my NYC home. The Lakers had a crowd of about 30 in the bar. I missed being on the live blog. I had no doubt that RALLY CAPS would be running and we would prevail.
GOOooOOOOO LAKERS ! !!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | February 01, 2010 at 06:07 AM
LakerMike,
>>>3 wins, 1 loss against the East sub-500 teams (I throw Toronto in that category)
Then you're wrong. Toronto is 26-22 and is the 5 seed in the Leastern conference. Granted, they wouldn't make the playoffs in the West, but they've beaten Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, Miami, and Dallas in addition to the Lakers, so they're not complete cupcakes.
The Lakers went 3-0 against East sub-500 teams.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | February 01, 2010 at 09:14 AM
>>>NOT YOUR 2008 LOS ANGELES LAKERS…
Well spoken LakerTom.
However, the one thing I would say is not to be too effusive with your praise for Kobe and Artest. Though both contributed mightily to this win (especially in the last couple of minutes), if either had shot a better percentage, the game would have been a double digit win for the Lakers.
I think Kobe's finger will get better... I predict we'll see an uptick in his shooting percentage right after the all-star break, just like last season. And from Artest's history we know he'll have some outstanding shooting nights and some brick laying nights, but he'll always contribute a lot on the defensive end.
The thing that stands out to me is the comparison between this game and game 4 of the 2008 playoffs (the come from behind 20 points to win victory by Boston).
In both games, the Lakers started off dominating.
In both games, the Lakers relaxed, thinking they had the game in the bag.
In both games, Boston kicked it up to a higher gear and clawed and scratched their way back into the game.
In 2008, as Boston closed the gap and eventually passed them, the Lakers panicked. They lost their cool and paid too much attention to the refs and lost their focus.
Yesterday, they kept their cool, worked hard, regained their focus, and clawed and scratched their way BACK for a win, despite being down 11 points with 9 mintues left in the game.
And who started the comeback from that 11 point deficit?
8:52 - Shannon brown hits a jumper
8:34 - Shannon brown steals a Tony Allen pass
8:30 - Lamar gets a dunk on a fast break (assist Shannon Brown)
7:28 - Kobe makes a jumper (assist Jordan Farmar)
6:58 - Farmar makes a jumper
5:50 - Shannon makes two free throws
4:20 - Shannon makes a jumper
By the time Phil replaced Farmar with Artest at 5:50, the bench mob had gotten the 11 point lead down to 6. Shannon hung around and helped bring it down to 2 points before he was replaced by Fish at 2:23.
Last year, Phil would never have given this many minutes to bench mob players in the 4th quarter of a game against a top team. Yesterday, he gave Jordan and Shannon and Lamar big minutes in the 4th, and they came through with flying colors.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | February 01, 2010 at 09:32 AM
>>>The salaries match: Devin Harris will be acquired by the Lakers in a trade for
>>>Jordan Farmar and Ammo. Why would NJ do it?
It ain't gonna happen.
New Jersey won't give up Harris until they're sure they win the lottery and get John Wall. Until that happens, they would rather stay with the demon they know (Harris) than one they don't know (Farmar)..
Harris would be a big defensive improvement for the Lakers, but his offense doesn't fit well with the triangle. He's a 30% career 3-point shooter and this year it's down to 22%. What Harris does pretty well on offense is drive past his man and get short jumpers in the lane. Do you really want to move Pau and Drew out of the lane to avail that?
That's why either Kirk Hinrich or Jose Calderon (or even Chris Duhon for that matter). Hinrich and Duhon are both as good defenders as Harris, but Hinrich has shot 38% on 3's for his career (better than Derek Fisher) and Duhon has shot 36%. And neither of those guys has had a dominant post player like Bynum or Gasol on their team, let alone a superstar like Kobe. They'd get a lot more open looks with the Lakers.
Calderon is a different story. He's no better defender than Farmar or Fisher (though he's not as slow as Fish has become), but he's an excellent offensive PG. This season he's hitting 40% of his 3's and 51% overall. And he's an excellent passer, with an assist to turnover ratio of almost 3! So Calderon wouldn't improve the defense any, but opposing teams would have to score 120 to beat the Lakers.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | February 01, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Laker in BC,
If you want to scam a PG off of NJ, the right guy to go for would be Keyon Dooling.
Harris has been injured lately and Dooling has filled in as the starter for the last 3 games. In those games, he's hit 48% of his shots and averaged 7 assists per game, and he's a pretty good defender as well.
Dooling's contract is much more reasonable, as well. So if he didn't work out, he'd be gone in another year...
Here's a trade that works:
AmMo's expiring contract, Josh Powell, and the Lakers 2010 2nd round pick for Keyon Dooling and Josh Boone.
Boone would be an upgrade over Powell as a deep frontcourt backup, Dooling could be added to the mix of PGs slowly - at first as a situational defensive stopper.
The big problem is that Phil isn't likely to start Dooling over Fish.
In fact, Phil might not even start Hinrich or Harris or Calderon over Fish.
I think the only way Fish loses the starting job this season is if he gets injured. If Fish broke his leg tonight, I'm pretty sure the Lakers would go out and try to get another point guard (like when Bynum got injured in 2008 and they went out and got Pau). But as long as the Lakers have 3 healthy PGs, I think they'll play with what they've got.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | February 01, 2010 at 10:15 AM
.
Posted by: exiy | August 14, 2010 at 04:33 PM
@MARI G., OK Mari G. The deed is done, the 3-peat begun. I hope you're happy.
But I will repeat these few words for the final time: You are now and will always be
to me...THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEING IN CREATION
I Love You Mari. And so it begins! God, I Love you Mari.!!!!!!!!!
Larry/Mamba24
Posted by: MAMBA24 | August 14, 2010 at 04:36 PM