Lakers vs. Mavericks, Game 2: Lakers fall to Mavericks, 93-81
This Lakers season has been filled with highs and lows and everyone thought the ultimate valley was losing to Cleveland before the all-star break.
But Wednesday night at Staples Center the Lakers hit a new low by losing to the Dallas Mavericks 93-81 to fall behind in the best-of-seven series, 0-2. Unlike Monday’s loss, it wasn’t even a good game. The Mavericks didn’t play that good of a game either.
Even the Staples Center crowd had seen enough as they started leaving with about three minutes to play.
Can the Lakers dig themselves out of this hole with the next two games in Dallas? If Wednesday was an indication, certainly not.
Let’s look at the shooting stats: Ron Artest (4 of 10), Pau Gasol (5 of 12), Derek Fisher (2 of 7), Lamar Odom (3 of 12) and Steve Blake (0 of 5). Andrew Bynum was bright spot making 8 of 11 (18 points) and grabbing 13 rebounds. Kobe Bryant finished with 23 points on 8 of 20 shooting.
Dirk Nowitzi was the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 24 points. Shawn Marion had 14 and reserve Jose Barea had 12.
If you are a Lakers fan, you are officially at Defcon Four.
Fourth quarter, 2:51 remaining: Mavericks 86, Lakers 73
After a timeout, Kobe Bryant came back in with 8:15 to play. The Lakers caught a break when the Mavericks were charged with offensive goaltending. The Lakers then turned the ball over a couple times, but the Mavericks weren’t much better. It was bad basketball.
The Lakers couldn’t do much right, especially Steve Blake, who was getting roundly booed.
Baskets by Jose Barea and Tyson Chandler gave the Mavericks a 10-point lead with just over six minutes to play.
If the Lakers were to have a chance they needed to start something pretty quickly. But that’s not going to happen when you miss a shot, give up an offensive rebound and allow Jason Kidd to hit a three. The Lakers then fell behind by 15 after Barea drove for another runner.
Shannon Brown was fouled by Kidd and missed both. Could it get any worse for the Lakers?
Bynum, the one bright spot, made a shot in the lane and Bryant followed that with two foul shots to make it an 11-point game with about three minutes to play.
But then came Dirk Nowitzi to make a two with one foul shot coming after a timeout.
---
Fourth quarter, 8:15 remaining, Mavericks 75, Lakers 67
The Lakers had possession to open the final quarter and Steve Blake missed his fifth consecutive shot. After a couple more misses Brendon Haywood put the ball back to extend the lead but Pau Gasol answered it.
But Jason Terry hit a three and suddenly the Maverick lead was nine, 73-64.
Gasol was fouled on the next possession and Gasol only made one of the free throws. He was three of six from the line.
Gasol then picked up his fourth foul as Jose Barea made both shots and it was a 10-point Maverick lead. Lamar Odom brought them back to eight.
---
End of third quarter: Mavericks 68, Lakers 62
The Mavericks were able to extend their lead to four on baskets by Dirk Nowitski and Jason Terry but Kobe Bryant cut it to two with a jumper. Nowitzki, who was shooting a torrid eight of 12, made his jumper and the lead was back to four with three and a half minutes to play in the quarter.
Bryant then missed his next shot as did Jason Kidd. Steve Blake didn’t help by missing two long shots. Then Kidd missed, it was not great basketball.
Peja Stojakovic upped the lead to six and after a turnover by Terry upped the lead to eight. The crowd at Staples Center was booing.
But Andrew Bynum finally got the Lakers a bucket making the margin six.
The Lakers are in trouble. Can they rally with just 12 minutes to play?
---
Third quarter, 6:50 remaining: Mavericks 57, Lakers 56
The first half was pretty evenly played, which is not what the Lakers were looking for. The Lakers had 26 points in the paint compared to 22 for the Mavericks. The Lakers had eight second chance points, with the Mavericks having only three.
The Mavericks biggest lead was eight while the Lakers was four.
But, the Lakers needed to get something going if they were to avoid falling into an almost impossible 0-2 hole in this best-of-seven series.
The half started slowly with Kobe Bryant missing a layup off a steal and Ron Artest missing a three. After a Derek Fisher steal, Artest was fouled on the drive and the Maverick lead was one. But Tyson Chandler extended it to three with a slam.
Shawn Stevenson then made a wide open three and suddenly the Mavericks were up by six. Then on consecutive possessions Pau Gasol was stripped of the ball and had his shot blocked.
Gasol then got a two off a Fisher assist and the margin was four. Gasol then got the next bucket and it was a two-point game.
Andrew Bynum then fouled a driving Nowitzki, who converted only one of two foul shots. Fisher then stole the ball and got the layup to bring the score to 57-56.
---
Halftime: Mavericks 51, Lakers 49
The Lakers returned most of their starters with seven minutes to play in the quarter and the Lakers got baskets from Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant to cut the lead to three, 37-34. Steve Blake then stole the ball and Bryant put up a shot for his 10th point.
The Mavericks called a timeout to try and slow a 6-0 Lakers run that cut the lead to one.
But there was no immediate help as Bryant stole the ball from Jason Kidd and finished the play with his patented jumper and the Lakers were back in the lead. After a Maverick miss, Andrew Bynum put the ball in after two Gasol misses and the Laker run was 10 points.
Shawn Marion stopped the streak with a two but it was answered by Bryant.
On the Mavericks next possession, Ron Artest was given a technical and then Gasol fouled Kidd while shooting a three. Kidd made two of three and the score was tied, 42-42.
Dirk Nowitzki fouled Gasol on the next Lakers possession and he made only one of the foul shots and the Lakers led by one. Nowitzki then put the Mavericks back in front with a jumper.
Bynum put the Lakers back up with a reverse from under the basket. But a foul by Artest sent Nowitzki to the line where he got his 12th and 13th points. At that point Nowitzki was five for eight from the field.
The Lakers went up by one on a Bynum put back off a Bryant miss . Marion then drove to the basket for two and followed with a foul shot and the Mavericks were up by two.
Artest then tied it on a put back off a Bryant miss. Nowitzki then scored the last basket of the half and the Mavericks had a two-point lead.
The Lakers were shooting 47.7% (21 of 44), while the Mavericks were shooting 50% (20-40).
Bynum and Bryant had 14 for the Lakers while Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 15.
---
Second quarter, 7:13 remaining: Mavericks 37, Lakers 30
The second quarter opened with Andrew Bynum and Dirk Nowitzki the only starters on the court. The play was kind of sloppy and the Mavericks extended their lead to eight on a Peja Stojakovic bucket.
The Lakers cut it to four with baskets by Bynum and Shannon Brown but the Mavericks answered with baskets by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry.
Coming out of a timeout, Lamar Odom picked up his first points of the game. Shannon Brown followed that up with a basket and the Lakers were with four. After a Maverick free throw, Odom drove the basket for a two, picking up a foul but he missed the foul shot.
The Mavericks then got two baskets from Jose Barea and the lead was back to seven.
---
End of first quarter: Mavericks 26, Lakers 20
The Mavericks took the lead, 15-13, coming out of the timeout when Jason Kidd hit a three. It was the Mavericks third three in five attempts.
A soft jumper by Andrew Bynum brought the Lakers back to within one but Tyson Chandler answered with a slam. After each team missed, Bynum took a nice lead pass from Lamar Odom and also slammed it home. Odom came in the game for Pau Gasol.
At that point Bynum was the leading Laker scorer with six, followed by Ron Artest with five. How often do you see that? Definitely a different strategy to get more people involved in the offense.
Kidd was guarding Bryant and doing a pretty good job. Bryant did make a couple foul shots off a Kidd foul but Dirk Nowitzki answered with fallaway jumper.
After Steve Blake missed badly, Nowitzki came back and made a three and the lead was six.
The Lakers were seven of 19 (37%) in the first quarter while the Mavericks were 11 of 23 (48%).
Nowitzki was the leading scorer with seven. Bynum and Bryant had six for the Lakers.
---
First quarter, 5:40 remaining: Lakers 13, Mavericks 12
In Game 1, Kobe Bryant scored the first seven points for the Lakers. Wednesday, the early look was they were going to try something different. For example, Ron Artest took the first shot — and made it.
The second possession, Andrew Bynum was fouled going to the basket and made both shots. The next time down it was Pau Gasol scoring off a Bryant assist.
OK, that was enough. It was time for Bryant as he scored the next two baskets. Now, it’s not like the Mavericks weren’t scoring too. The first few minutes were pretty even with a slight advantage to the Lakers.
Gasol was more involved in the offense, shooting three times in the first six minutes — only one went in.
Shawn Stevenson hit a couple of threes for the Mavericks to keep it close as the Lakers hung on to a one-point lead going into the first timeout.
---
Pregame update
After the Lakers lost Game 1 in their series against New Orleans, the team didn’t seem too worried figuring they were just better. But, after losing Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, the tone was a little different.
“Yeah, we’re worried now,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson a little more than an hour before tipoff of Wednesday’s Game 2. “They had the same (regular season) record as us. We have to play better through the series.”
That is pretty evident or the Lakers will be bounced from the playoffs. A loss on Wednesday would likely be more than the defending champions could overcome.
“But one of our strengths is we get better as a series goes on,” Jackson said.
In a couple hours we’ll know if the Lakers have improved from Game 1. Follow the game right here with frequent updates as the game unfolds.
-- John Cherwa
Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant looks up at the clock during the final seconds of the Lakers' 93-81 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 on Wednesday. Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
This series is NOT over, simply because the opponent is a PHONY team. This is not a tough and physical 2008 Boston team or a tough Pistons team in 2004. This is a phony, soft jump-shooting team. That's all Dallas is!
This series is not over!
The Lakers just need to win game 3! Then all the pressure in the world will be on Dallas at home (which sometimes brings extra pressure), and this phony Dallas team will choke under pressure (as they did in the 2006 Finals).
So, Game 3 will be huge!
Posted by: Ludwig | May 04, 2011 at 10:35 PM
So sorry..... spoiled lakers fans!!!
The run is over....
The refs are no longer calling a foul everytime Kobe touches the ball!
A bit of advice, you need a point guard and a shooting guard who can actually penetrate and score!
It will be interesting to see how far Dallas goes into the playoffs
Posted by: Warrior Fan | May 04, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Mitch Kupchak must be held accountable.
Posted by: troy | May 04, 2011 at 10:35 PM
As a Mavs fan, this stood out most:
Kobe has attempted 49 field goals in two games, with just one single lay-up among them and only two shots inside 10 feet away.
Posted by: MidniteCboy | May 04, 2011 at 10:36 PM
And after typing that mess Mavis Beacon should refund my money.
Posted by: Iceberg | May 04, 2011 at 10:36 PM
jackson doesn't want kobe to get 6 rings.
Posted by: sally | May 04, 2011 at 10:37 PM
as i said months ago as long as fish is starting the team wont win a championship.plus pj is being out coach.pau is a
big softie get rid of him soon or time for the rebuild time
bring in a coach from the outside, and shit can the triangle.
miami will win the championship because they have ball players who play with urgency and have a coach who know how
to coach.
Posted by: Bob T | May 04, 2011 at 10:37 PM
hiltontown
get a life and a Gasoft poster: by … whoever posterized him …
Posted by: archived | May 04, 2011 at 10:37 PM
oh well a 7 game series makes Dr. Buss more money.
He must be hurting considering all those trades he made to save a buck.
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Yes, it feels good to see the Lakers, I mean Fakers, get their butts kicked. I can't stand the Lakers. My dislike of them started when they sent Allen to the Clippers. I have had no love for them since. I hope they get swept. I am tired of Kobe and his ball hoging self. Goodie, goodie, goodie, as we used to say when I was a child. So, my friend Lloyd, the Laker lover, will not say much to me for a while. He'll get over it. No three-peat for this crew.
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 04, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Mavs is a team with class. Laker's over-rated.
Posted by: Waka-Waka | May 04, 2011 at 10:39 PM
who just said "At least we can't play any worse?"
that actually calmed me down a little, thank you
Posted by: wow | May 04, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Dude...mvp888 abandon ship a couple days ago, he saw it coming the COWARD couldn't take the heat.
Posted by: G.Money | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Medina you might as well turn off the moderation because in a few more days there will be hardly any comments being posted. What happen to my on point post?
Posted by: island priest | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Did you see when Pau Gasol just gave up on defense after he tried to steal the ball away from Dirk? He just simply gave up and let Dirk take a wide-open jump shot, which Dirk made of course. Phil immediately called a time-out.
I love the Lakers, but I have to admit -
The Lakers are FINISHED for the season. It's been a great couple of years, but the Lakers are DONE.
Posted by: Rob in L.A. | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
The PSP said a few weeks ago that the problem with criticizing Philip Jackson is that his fanboys will come at you with his 11 rings; Kenny Smith did a great job monday night of addressing this issue.
The PSP happens to be a very intelligent human being; now as a very intelligent human being, when something does NOT make sense to me I refuse to agree with it until it makes some sense.
That being said, Philip and his triangle are wayyyy overrated; did you see how Dallas played and got everyone involved? They were running plays that was creating good shots for every player in their favorite spots on the floor.
We run an offense that looks like something out of a World War I archive; it's pathetic and the PSP cannot understand how people can digest Phil and his crap. Like yellofever or someone has been saying, the so called triangle only works because of the superstar players like Kobe and MJ. Ok, done ranting ... for now.
Thanks
PSP Solutions Architect
Posted by: Practice Season Police | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
ludwig, i don't care what kidd has done in his personal life. as a new jerseyan, i was ecstatic when the nets traded marbury for j kidd, arguably one of the greatest trades in nba history. kidd automatically turned the nets into a contending team two years in a row, and he is hands down one of the greatest point guards of all time.
Posted by: jerseylakersfan | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Ludwig... game 3 is huge?? Really?? Game 2 wasnt??
Posted by: 0-2 | May 04, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Dallas Mavericks beat LA Lakers 4-0 Series sweep!!!!!
Lakers is over!!!! Not 3-peat!!!
Dallas was very best team be tough strong!!!
Lakers bench was very very bad!! Kobe Bryant need to play more mintues 4th start need to him! He not sit down 4th start.
You know LA Lakers lose out of round will be next year 2011-2012. Roster will be change!
Bring Dwight Howard trade to Lakers for Andrew Bynum,Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter send to Orlando Magic?
Bring Matt Bonner will trade to Lakers for Shannon Brown and Matt Barnes send to Spurs? Great deal?
2011-2012 roster:
C Dwight Howard new
F Pau Gasol
F Ron Artest
G Kobe Bryant
G Derek Fisher
Beach:
Steve Blake
Luke Walton
Matt Bonner new
more NBA Draft 2011 new players youngest
Lakers roster 2011-2012 change:
new Dwight Howard
Kobe Bryant
New Matt Bonner
Lamar Odom
Ron Artest
Derek Fisher
Luke Walton
Steve Blake
NBA Draft 2011 Available LA Lakers need to Small Forward more size Lucas Nogueira?
Posted by: Sarom Chea (deaf) | May 04, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Lakers4realz,
Had the Lakers managed to win game 1, then I feel it would have gone 6. But both games a monumental collapse, I'm not feeling it. I guess I should be thinking of the Cheat coming back from the dead on this team - and if the Lakers can win the next 2 in Dallas I'll be singing a different tune.
This game was effectively a game 7. But if I'm wrong, I'll be happier than anyone and will the crow proudly.
The biggest disappointment tonight wasn't me. That's for sure
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Has this lakers team run its course? Not a good question. Teams change year to year. If you mean a Kobe lead team then no. Mk will retool as long as Kobe has a chance at rings.
Is Phil going to leave on a loosing note? Yes
Is this team capable of resurrecting itself and win this series? Does not matter because they are not capable of making it to the finish line. Might as well get extra rest.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 04, 2011 at 10:43 PM
So Phil finally decides to change things up with his rotation and what does he do
he keeps a deer in headlights out on the floor for an eternity.
His post game interview he said it wasn't about offense but defense
I agree but you still have to put the ball in the basket once in awhile.
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Now you are finally seeing how pathetic the bumbling Fisher is.
Posted by: S Perkins | May 04, 2011 at 10:45 PM
First time posting, as this loss is very upsetting. It's hard to stay positive as odds are against Lakers coming back from 0-2 deficit, but you never know. Keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.
Posted by: Chinmeister | May 04, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Trey would have played better.
Are we going to make the same mistake twice (and I don't mean leaving Blake in)... will we shaft the better player in favor of the weaker at the PG spot and watch as our GM manages to downgrade an already weak position?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 PM
that was me WOW
my turn,
who said if the Lakers win game 3 all the pressure is on the Mavs
Agree
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 PM
I want to shout, scream with joy! The best news of the night was the Laker loss. Ron Artest, everyone knows, is a basket case. What he did tonight was dumb, but the result wasn't all that bad. What do you expect from someone whose elevator does not go all the way to the top. I hope that they don't suspend him, because I don't want you all to have any excues when you get sent home.
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 PM
For the senile fans that are still predicting a Laker's series win, I got a nice size property in Death Valley for sale. Its a great investment opportunity and its perfect for you. Trust me. ;)
Posted by: OC TrojanFan | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 PM
IF Lakers not win to NBA West Finals good-bye LA Lakers. Phil Jackson will retire replace Bring George Karl or Michael Jordan?
Bring Dwight Howard trade to LA Lakers for Andrew Bynum, Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter deal this summer 2011?
Kobe and Superman are together team in LA Lakers win a championship next year?
Matt Bonner will trade to LA Lakers for Shannon Brown and Matt Barnes to Spurs? Because Matt Bonner was very hot 3 points shooting!!!!
Posted by: Sarom Chea (deaf) | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Sweep.
Posted by: dewey | May 04, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Medina you might as well turn off the moderation because in a few more days there will be hardly any comments being posted. What happen to my on point post?
Posted by: island priest | May 04, 2011 at 10:40 PM
IT'S FUNNY HOW ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO KEPT SAYING THEY ARE NOT WORRIED BECAUSE LAKERS WILL TURN IT ON IN THE PLAYOFFS. WHERE ARE THEY? I CAN HEAR THE CRICKETS CHIRPING.
I STILL BELIEVE IT WILL BE A OKC VS MIAMI FINALS.
Posted by: Gunner | May 04, 2011 at 10:47 PM
how about Kobe at point
and keeping those other guards on the bench
just a thought
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:47 PM
As I've been saying for months, if not years, MITCH KUPCAKE stinks! Every title contender got stronger this year (through trades and pickups) every single one, EXCEPT for the Lakers (and Boston) -- in the West, we were the only contender to get WEAKER!!! Even the Spurs improved with the addition of Gary Neal. The Lakers picked up Joe Smith during the season -- case closed.
Posted by: Ludwig | May 04, 2011 at 10:47 PM
The way this thing is going the Lakers will be lucky to win a game. The West winner is going to be cannon fodder for the Heat anyway.
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Ludwig
Correction. Games 3, 4, AND 5 all need to be won.
If you see that happening, I sure hope you're right
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Give Dallas all the credit. This is about Mark Cuban's team getting the matchup he built the mavs for.
artest sure does know how to imitate rick fox.
Posted by: BUTLER | May 04, 2011 at 10:50 PM
The idiot Philip Jackson on his sound bite said it's a pretty good chance Ron will be suspended. When they asked both Jason Kidd and Carlisle they said they will let the league office decide. Phil is just a dumb dumb; even his ex girlfriend has come out and confirmed that Philip is looney tunes.
Thanks
PSP Intern
Posted by: Practice Season Police | May 04, 2011 at 10:50 PM
i wrote two comments...post the other one...
Posted by: gyrocaptain | May 04, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Lakers are done, so now we MUST start rooting AGAINST Miami...
So long as Miami doesn't win the title, life will still go on.
Posted by: dewey | May 04, 2011 at 10:51 PM
KUPCAKE was always a libility
he did nothing in 10 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
except sign LUKE WALTON for 6 years
he was a stiff as a player - why would anyone expect for him to make good decisions!
Posted by: archived | May 04, 2011 at 10:52 PM
A concern
the TNT commentators kept saying all night long that the Mavs knew what the Lakers were going to do.
and the Lakers never seemed to know what the Mavs were going to do or couldn't stop it when they did
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:52 PM
JerseyLakerFan --
"kidd automatically turned the nets into a contending team two years in a row, and he is hands down one of the greatest point guards of all time."
Perhaps true, but does this make him "classy"???
That's my only point of contention with you, not that he's a great PG, we all know that he's a first-ballot hall of famer, but that doesn't make him "classy" -- you dig?
I mean, one day, Dennis Rodman will be in the Hall of Fame, and he was a great player too, but that doesn't make him "classy"!
Posted by: Ludwig | May 04, 2011 at 10:53 PM
It will be fun to be the underdog for once! I still believe, like Rudy T (former Laker coach and consultant) said "Never underestimate the heart of a champion!"
Posted by: TNTLakerFan | May 04, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Guess its Karma
I post about Boston Bloggers panicking and now this.
this is worse than Boston
losing 2 straight at home.
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Physically ill...
Posted by: John | May 04, 2011 at 10:54 PM
jackson doesn't want kobe to get 6 rings.
Posted by: sally | May 04, 2011 at 10:37 PM
first good comment you ever made!
Posted by: archived | May 04, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Bynum for Howard, Gasol for CP3.
Posted by: God | May 04, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Man I wish Phil would have called a timeout in game one when the Lakers were literally giving away a 16 point lead.
You cannot give games away in the playoffs
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:55 PM
BUTLERRRR
Is that you?? Is that really you? Bwahahahaha
Thanks
PSP Intern
Posted by: Practice Season Police | May 04, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Artest suspended for what? Did something happen those last 5 minutes when I wasn't watching?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 10:56 PM
LEWSTRS
I now apologize for likening you to Mitch Kupchak
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 10:57 PM
@Ludwig. "Even the Spurs improved with the addition of Gary Neal.". Ahhh..get a hold of yourself. 61 win team out in the first round.
MK bashing is uncalled for. The guy divered two rings on a silver platter.
Posted by: HmrHed | May 04, 2011 at 10:57 PM
GO Bulls! DEREK ROSE is the best player in the NBA. Sorry LeBron James, he beat your age to be the youngest MVP on record. He also has a higher per game scoring than you too D-wade.
If the heat wins this Playoff, it will ONLY be because of fouls, or injuring Derek Rose, not because they can beat the Bulls.
And to the Lakers fans, I love your team because you have our old coach. Now start listening to him and maybe you will still have a shot at winning the west.
Posted by: American Prodigy | May 04, 2011 at 10:58 PM
All I can say is for Defending Champions I see no pride that got them 2 championships. They are cocky and dont respect their compition. They should play with heart, determination and respect and i'm sure the outcome of these last two games would of been different. Kobe has ripped Pao so much that he is out of sorts. This guy use to score 25+ points a game. Was a difference maker. Now its time to rebuild. A new point guard and outside shooters and we're back.
Very disapointing, Very sad, I honestly did not think Dallas was this good. they have never been good in the playoffs. For them to take both games in our house is Sureal. I still cant beleive this. I thought dallas was done this year when Carron went down. They have a 38 year old pint guard and we complain about fisher. My last thought. Cuban finally bought enough players to dethrown us.
I hope this will only put fire in our GM, Owner and Players for next season. Get Dwight, Get Dwight. We need another marque name. Kobe is looking old.
I will always love the Lakers.
CrzyFan
Posted by: CrzyFan | May 04, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Oh well, it was a good run. Won't be watching the next games. Maybe Lakers will pull out one more win, or they may get swept. Rather see them get swept rather than lose in 5 or 6 games to prolong the agony.
Also so they can get a jump on the Howard sweepstakes. Glad Bynum is playing better so that he can increase his value so that we won't have to give up as much for Howard, maybe a 1-1 trade considering we're doing Orlando a favor so that they can at least get someone for him rather than losing him like they did Shaq.
There probably will be a lockout, which will be good for the Lakers since that should give Kobe's knees a needed long rest, especially when their season won't extend into mid June again.
I expect to see CP3 in New York to create a team to match Miami. Miami will show that they can win it all without a big guy, and that will show New York that they can win with CP3.
Lakers need to get younger and more athletic. Artest, Blake and Fisher need to go. Keep Barnes. Dump the rookies as trade bait. Give Trey Johnson a chance off the bench. Shannon Brown also needs to go
Lakers should have kept Farmar, who can at least drive to the basket. It's hard to win when the Lakers only have one person who can drive to the basket, Kobe, and with his knees, he can no longer do that. Trading Sasha for someone for Joe Smith was a mistake. At least Sasha could pester someone, occasionally make a 3. What has Joe Smith done?
Posted by: Lakers-17 | May 04, 2011 at 11:00 PM
It's over. I just went into my son's room, ripped his Lakers posters off the wall, and threw them in the dumpster outside.
Posted by: Wild Bill | May 04, 2011 at 11:00 PM
The Lakers are not losing because of Gasol and Bynum. Unfortunately you expect them to do too much because you have stiffs like Fisher who you expect nothing from.
Posted by: S Perkins | May 04, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Do you really think NOH would trade CP3 for Gasol? I don't. But if they would, and we had either Bynum or Howard, it would be a sick team
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Tim-4-Show,
The Lakers have never won 3 games in a row???
Of course, they have.
Besides, you never look at it that way in professional sports -- you just look at the next game, because you can build momentum from then on.
One win will change the entire complexion of this series. A 2-1 series is much different from a 2-0 series.
Again, if we were down 0-2 to the 2008 Boston Celtics going to their house (or 2004 Pistons), I would not be so confident, but WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PHONY, FRONT-RUNNING, SOFT JUMP-SHOOTING DALAS MAVERICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
We beat this team by 30 points 3 weeks ago!!!
This series is NOT!!!! over!
Posted by: Ludwig | May 04, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Can't believe all the finger-pointers, losers & traitors here! You folks calls yourselves Lakers fans? Why don't you stand behind your team? They need our support now more than ever. So quick to throw our boys under the bus.
This team can still pull off the miracle comeback! We win Game 3 and the pressure shifts onto the Mavs bigtime. They'll be shaking in their sweaty cowboy boots.
C'mon, people -- where's you Lakers spirit?!
Posted by: awaywithwords | May 04, 2011 at 11:03 PM
American... Go to sleep!!
Posted by: 0-2 | May 04, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Extremely painful to watch from many angles. The Lakers look like they just met their team mates in a pickup game (a pickup game where the words "I got next" would seldom be heard).
On the other hand; if the Lakers would have played at 75%, collectively, in these games, they would have won.
They're going to need 90% in Dallas.
Let's do this Lakers. Make history while making history.
Posted by: IQ 150 | May 04, 2011 at 11:03 PM
LOLOLOL...very nice job mavs...
two more games to go...and phil jackson can go be an opportunist elsewhere...
Posted by: gyrocaptain | May 04, 2011 at 11:03 PM
After reading all of the other post my conclusion is that you didn't post the other one because I criticised kobe. I will do it again. Kobe a type A personality and alpha male has destroyed the team chemistry. Yall heard what bynum just said about trust issues? Gastrong is not mentally in this series because kobe has worn him down all season long with his individual play. Kobe in your 15th season it is not about who eats first but getting as much people involved because team beats individual everytime. You are obsessed with jordan but did you watched when jordan in his first seven years when he was awesome from an individual standpoint but fell to teams like boston, cleveland and detroit?
Posted by: island priest | May 04, 2011 at 11:03 PM
at least lamar will have his reality show.....
Posted by: katie | May 04, 2011 at 11:04 PM
************ONE WORD SHALLOW THOUGHTS by Troll Man**********
preparation
inconceivable
seriously
choke?
soft
talent?
coaching
dedication
distraction
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:04 PM
ludwig, j kidd seems to be a very classy player on the court, and in post game interviews. i have rarely seen him commit dirty fouls, and he is a baller still at the age of 38. classy to me, in my opinion.
Posted by: jerseylakersfan | May 04, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Crzyfan... How many players have you bought?? Shaq?? You have the highest payroll in the league!! Go to bed too!!
Posted by: 0-2 | May 04, 2011 at 11:05 PM
One win puts ALLLLLLLLL the pressure back on Dallas at 2-1! You know that Dallas will not wanna go back to L.A. tied at 2-2. All the momentum would swing back to the Lakers!
Just win game 3!
This series is NOT over!
Never understimate the heart of a Champion!
Posted by: Ludwig | May 04, 2011 at 11:05 PM
I guess I'll come back tomorrow morning when the intelligent, usual bloggers arrive...
The only non- hater regulars that have shown up tonight are NuggegtsCountry and Tim-4-Show.
Posted by: mclyne | May 04, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Why is Steve Blake playing so much? He hasn't made a basket in this series! Lakers need a real point guard.
Posted by: lakerscampeon | May 04, 2011 at 11:07 PM
MK bashing is uncalled for????
If it wasn't for that Lucky Gasol trade he's done very little
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:07 PM
well it is over for spurs ,celtics and now maybe fakers...i was hoping la would make it to finals to see which team stern would hose, la or leEgo and mia...the celtics were obvious choice last year to get blanked
Posted by: celtic troll | May 04, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Unbelieveable !! A 5'10" Dallas PG ripped the Lakers defense apart and was making layup after layup while the Lakers just stood their ground and watched him. Great job Barea !! Blake should be gone this summer..right Mitch and Buss ?? He is getting worse and is definately in the same group as Fisher. I watch Fisher attempt to guard Jason Terry and all I saw was Fisher running after Terry and I mean running 3 to 4 feet behind Terry. Pau was his self and played a terrible game and series so far. I was informed the Dallas team went and bought some brooms this morning.
This series is over in four.
Posted by: BEDO | May 04, 2011 at 11:09 PM
"We win Game 3 and the pressure shifts onto the Mavs bigtime."
Big time? After one game? Really?
Now win three straight and we're talking. Yes Ludwig, the Lakers ARE capable of doing it, especially against these Mavs... but WILL they?
The Lakers get tougher to beat as a series goes on, but will that be enough to the point where they have to basically sweep the other team?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 11:09 PM
mclyne... You go to bed too!!
Posted by: 0-2 | May 04, 2011 at 11:10 PM
PSP Intern, why yes it's me! And who might you be?
GO SUNS
Posted by: BUTLER | May 04, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I am happy as long as the Heat loses. I am rooting for the Heat to LOSE, and hope that no matter who wins this championship (go Bulls) that the Heat get thrown under the bus. Even NIKE hates LeBron James and may pull his contract. Lebron James from MVP one year to MHP (most hated player) the next. He is a disgrace to the NBA and has deteriorated in skill and abilities from 2 years ago.
Derek Rose can run circles around anyone in MIAMI...especially LeBron James.
Posted by: American Prodigy | May 04, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Gassyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
u r the one we always thought about
THE REAL MEMPHIS CHOKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: archived | May 04, 2011 at 11:10 PM
kobe had a classic game 1, 29 shots, ZERO ASSISTS, a clumsy trip and a 3 pt "hero" miss...he should leave big shots to the real pros like jordan,bird and ray allen
Posted by: celtic troll | May 04, 2011 at 11:11 PM
GASSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
how many TOUCHES u need for 5-12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: archived | May 04, 2011 at 11:11 PM
what happened to gasoft? he will only be 31 this summer
Posted by: celtic troll | May 04, 2011 at 11:12 PM
SO NOW ITS KOBE'S FAULT that Pau Gasol is playing poorly.
Please Pau is playing poorly because HE is playing poorly
did kobe make him drop passes
did kobe make him miss shots
did kobe make him not play defense
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:12 PM
And the feeble that dare not fail are strong,
So while the City of Toil is gutted,
I sit in the saddle and sing my song.
For we that fight till the world is free,
We have no comfort in defeat;
We have read each other as Cain his brother,
We know each other, these Lakers and we.
No three peat,trade Bynum deliver Howard,
The fat lady sings,Kobe died,it is over.
Posted by: Tomas | May 04, 2011 at 11:13 PM
The game has been over for an hour, and I'm still sobbing. I don't care that my wife is mocking me and telling me to "man up." This is real. This is how I feel.
Posted by: Wild Bill | May 04, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Butler
The PSP is the new Sheriff in town ... well I've been here since 2007 but never posted; started posting after some unscrupulous individuals tried to poison our mentality with some practice season theory. So you have been warned; step out of line and the PSP will write you a ticket!
Thanks
PSP Officer
Posted by: Practice Season Police | May 04, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Are season long weak links are really being exposed in this series. Our point guard situation(and I'm not talking about Fish), scoring off the bench, and 3 point shooting. Steve Blake put the exclamation point on his season of poor play in this game...fitting. We let them wiggle off the hook in game one and get a beat down in game 2...perfect.
Maybe it's better to go down in the second round by Cuban's team instead of losing in the finals to the Cheat...we shall see. The fat lady as not sung as Sir Charles said. Now we will see what this team is really made of in Dallas.
I have this weird feeling we win both games in Dallas...strange. GO LAKERS
Posted by: Kobeayashimarue | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 PM
"Bynum for Howard, Gasol for CP3. "
You can't trade away the biggest advantage you have, which is having 2 seven footers. Yeah Gasol is getting punked, but he's totally gassed. He also does NOT know how to play hurt. After his bone bruise, he hasn't been the same. CP3 would be nice, but you never trade big for small. You always lose. Hornets wouldn't trade CP3 for Gasol anyway after the way Gasol played in this year's playoffs.
"IF Lakers not win to NBA West Finals good-bye LA Lakers. Phil Jackson will retire replace Bring George Karl or Michael Jordan?"
George Karl is a terrible coach. See how Denver fans feel about him. I'd take Jerry Sloan over George Karl.
Even if the Lakers get Howard, the Lakers have 2 serious flaws that absolutely must be addressed.
First is that I've never seen such a good team with such poor outside shooting. Any professional NBA players should be making 80% of open shots, probably at least 60% of open 3 pointers. Maybe Gasol, Kobe, Brown, Fisher, and Odom are reasonable mid range shooters but compared to other teams, they suck. Dallas made about 80-90% of open outside shots.
The other major flaw is that they are a terrible 1-1 defending team. They don't even bother trying to stay in front of the guy with the ball, and instead they play this "team" defense which forces Bynum to get out of position on almost every play leading to easy dunks. That's TERRIBLE defense.
They also have a host of other flaws, such as poor transition offense, no one being able to dunk, poor boxing out, poor pick and roll defense. Terrible coach. The Lakers have been winning DESPITE Phil Jackson. If not for Tex Winter and the assistant coaches, PJ would be still coaching Albany.
Posted by: Lakers-17 | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 PM
LOL @ Butler.
Actually, he knows how a better team can defy odds and come back. I know because I was on the other end of that deal.
Changing moment in 2008 playoffs was the Lakers pissing away that lead at home... changing moment of the 2011 playoffs, same thing???
Well, will catch up tomorrow or Friday. Not sure I'll have the stomach for this.
Regardless, I'm happy about the two titles Lakers! Great run
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Lakers are now the underdog in Dallas but as Tim4Show said, series is not over. They can still tie the series and get back home 2-2. Have faith if you're a Laker fan. If you are not, then maybe it's your night to rejoice all evening. Winning three in a row is really a tall order as Steve Kerr mentioned on his play by play broadcast, Lakers have to focus on their game. They have nothing to lose if they try to win on the road but they can lose this series if they lose their heads and start believing it's all over like many posters here. OK, to make the trolls happy, we're preparing the fishing rods, the baits and motor boat and in the next two games, that's those are ultimate tests on who is going fishing?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 PM
I knew this could possibly be the last year but damn ('cuse my French). The Lakers look utterly horrible and Gasol is playing as soft as ever as if it could not get any worse. The switch has to go on Friday night or the 3-peat and short dynasty is over. Come on Lakers, where is the heart?
Posted by: Laker Calrissian | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 PM
typical
run and hide because you can't handle the truth or your truth is taking a beatin
you blog like Pau plays
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Lake show 2011 is historio...........2011=12 ....need a point, big shakeup
Bynum, Lamar, Brown, Fisher, Blake, Barnes & Walton all gone.......
To Get D Howard & why not Steve Nash for 2 yrs, its a punto league !
Posted by: cover2 | May 04, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Wild Bill
lol
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Mitch Kupchak wants to save money and win championship in the same year, it will never work that way, if Dr.Buss is still a smart owner, he will find a new GM. Kupchak did not know how to build a team, he was lucky when Jerry West in Memephis and Lakers got Pau Gasol.
The Final year of PJ is always worried me, i wrote few days ago, Kobe and Fisher should understand more than anybody else, remember 2004 the final year of PJ.
We saw the trouble in round 1 already, this Lakers team have bad habit, they don't care of loosing.
Posted by: bluesky | May 04, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Its funny how when a team gets beat down...the losing teams fans try to use the winning teams past as a way to make themselves feel better!! Lol!! Yep..the mavs have never won a championship .....but the Lakers just like all teams had to start somewhere!! Quit trying 2 dwell on tha past accomplishments......that was then ..this is now!! Truths still remains that the Lakers are still at tha bottom of tha barrel as we speak. They might rise up...but then again they might sink even lower!! Deal wit it!! Hahahahaha!!
Posted by: Mavs Fan | May 04, 2011 at 11:18 PM
to jerseylakerfan, did you wacth the game. Kobe B. (for BALLHOG) took 20 shots of which he made 9. How can you blame others for that.
Posted by: John | May 04, 2011 at 11:18 PM
island priest, i don't understand your hatred towards the black mamba. you say he is obsessed with michael jordan, that kobe at his age should be sharing the ball more. jordan, at the age of 35, shot 15-35 from the field in game 6 of the 1997 nba finals, and they won. so if kobe takes 30 plus shots, he is a ball hog according to you, but if the great MJ did it, it's ok?
Posted by: jerseylakersfan | May 04, 2011 at 11:19 PM
This series is where the one glaring weakness in our team finally shows up in all it's black hole'd glory and swallows us up: SHOOTING!
Besided Kobe, there is not won decent long range shooter in the whole lot on this team!
All Dallas has had to do is pack in the middle and watch Artest, Fish, Brown, Blake and Barnes throw up brick after brick. I know 11 rings can never be wrong, but you would think after such a poor shooting performance from Blake in the first half, he could have "gambled" a bit and given Trey a chance!
I knew this day was coming, I just didn't think it would come so soon in the second round, on our home court!
Posted by: mclyne | May 04, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Kobeayashimarue
I have always preached that the regular season is a microcosm of the playoffs totally opposite of "practice season" followers.
just hope from here on out its the microcosm that was after the all star break when we went 17-1
Posted by: Troll Man | May 04, 2011 at 11:21 PM