Lakers vs. Mavericks Game 4: Dallas sweeps Lakers out of playoffs with 122-86 win
Mavericks 122, Lakers 86 (final)
In a game not befitting the long and successful career of Coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers were embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks, 122-86, and swept out of the Western Conference semifinals, four game to none.
It wasn’t that the Lakers played poorly -- although credit the Mavericks with an unbelievable three-point shooting game -- it was the total lack of class they showed down the stretch. Both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum were ejected for cheap shots in separate incidents in the fourth quarter.
The game was essentially over at halftime, although the Lakers were able to cut their deficit to 19 points in the third quarter. The Mavericks outscored the Lakers, 36-16, in the second quarter.
But, in the end, the Mavericks were unbelievable in shooting threes. They were 20 of 32 with Jason Terry making nine of 10. Both tied playoff records. And Terry isn’t even a starter.
With four minutes to play, both coaches were playing reserves. Of course, in the Mavericks' case, it was the second-teamers who won the game. They outscored the Lakers bench, 85-37. In fact, the Mavericks reserves outscored the starters.
Terry was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points. Jose Barea had 22 points and Peja Stojakovic added 21. None of the three are starters.
The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant with 17 points. Shannon Brown added 15.
It was a most unmemorable finish to Jackson’s career, since he has stated he is retiring after this season.
It seemed as if the Lakers retired even before the end of this game.
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Fittingly, the Lakers opened the final quarter as Shannon Brown missed a 20-footer, got the rebound and threw up an airball. Brendan Haywood, one of the worst free-throw shooters in the league, then made two of them and the lead was 26 points.
The Lakers got two back when Lamar Odom drove the lane for a bucket. But Dirk Nowitzki came back with -- what else? -- a three.
Matt Barnes got a different version of a three as he was fouled on a put-back, which went in, and then he hit the foul shot.
Peja Stojakovic then hit the Mavericks 17th three-point shot -- a playoff record. The lead was 27. Odom was fouled on the next possession and made one of two.
The game then started to turn chippy as Odom shoved Nowitzki for a flagrant foul 2 and Odom was tossed from the game. Nowitzki made the technicals. The referees were concerned about losing control and called a quick foul on Ron Artest to let the players know to dial things down.
But it didn’t work. Jose Barea drove the lane and Andrew Bynum elbowed him in the ribs while he was in the air. Barea landed hard on the court and Bynum was also thrown out of the game when a flagrant foul 2 was called with the Mavericks up by 32.
Mavericks 86, Lakers 57 (end of third quarter)
Jason Terry has definitely been a game changer -- one of many -- for the Mavericks. His eight-of-nine three-point shooting is one short of the playoff record.
Coming out of a timeout Pau Gasol made an easy jumper but that was answered by Jason Kidd. Gasol followed that up with a two. Kobe Bryant had suddenly lost his touch as he seemed to be missing shots that he normally makes with ease.
The Lakers did cut the deficit to 22 points with a Lamar Odom reverse. Jose Barea, who has been a pest to the Lakers, then drove for a two. Odom followed that possession with an almost identical reverse, he was fouled but missed the shot.
Terry tied the NBA record for three-pointers when he made his ninth with about three minutes to play in the quarter. Shannon Brown came back down for a three.
Dirk Nowitzki followed with a layup. Then after Brown missed a three, the Mavericks got their 15th three-pointer of the game when Peja Stojakovic scored from long range. The Lakers were now down by 29. No hope. No chance. This series is over.
The quarter ended as Odom made one of two free throws, Matt Barnes made a layup and Brown made another layup. But 24 points is too many for the Lakers to make up in just 12 minutes.
Mavericks 71, Lakers 46 (6:19 remaining in third quarter)
Can the Lakers come back from a 24-point deficit? Not the way they played in the first half.
The Lakers came out firing in the third quarter as Ron Artest made a three-pointer after two Mavericks misses to cut the lead to 21 points. But Dirk Nowitzki, who seemingly never misses, made a two. The game went back and forth with some sloppy play and a lot of missed shots.
Indicative of the way the Lakers were playing was when Artest missed a layup and then fouled a Maverick.
The Lakers had closed it to 19 points before Jason Terry knocked down a pair of three-pointers and the lead was 25 again.
Mavericks 63, Lakers 39 (halftime)
The Mavericks made their 10th three-pointer when Peja Stojakovic hit a 25-footer and the lead was back to 18 points. After some misses, the Lakers then turned the ball over on offensive goaltending. After the Lakers turned it over again, Dirk Nowitzki hit a jumper and the lead was 20.
On the Lakers' next possession, a bad pass resulted in another basket by Jason Terry, who followed that with yet another three-pointer. The lead was 25 points and this Lakers team looks dead in the water.
Derek Fisher did finish the quarter with one of two free throws, Pau Gasol missed the follow and the half ended a few seconds later.
Rarely have the Lakers been dominated like they were in this first half. There doesn’t seem to be much hope that they can come back, although stranger things have happened.
The story of the first half is in the shooting. The Mavericks were 25 of 42 (59.5%), including 11 of 15 from the three-point line. The Lakers were 14 of 38 (37%), and one for eight from long range. The Mavericks' bench outscored the Lakers by an astonishing 40-7.
Terry was the leading scorer with 20 points, followed by Stojakovic with 12. Nowitzki and Barea each had eight. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 15, followed by Bynum with six and Fisher with five.
Mavericks 53, Lakers 38 (3:37 remaining in second quarter)
Coming out of the last timeout, Jose Barea and Ron Artest traded baskets but Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic each hit three-pointers to extend the Maverick' lead to 18 points, 50-32. It was the ninth three-pointer in the first 18 minutes for the Mavericks.
Laker Coach Phil Jackson, not known to panic, called a quick timeout to try to settle his team.
Kobe Bryant did just that for a few moments but Barea answered with an easy basket. Lamar Odom came back down and scored for the Lakers. After misses by Dirk Nowitzki and Derek Fisher, the Lakers' point guard fouled Stojakovic and he made one of two free throws to give the Mavericks a 17-point lead. Pau Gasol finally made his first field goal to cut the deficit to 15 points and the Mavericks called a timeout.
Mavericks 42, Lakers 30 (8:11 remaining in second quarter)
The second quarter started strong for the Mavericks as Jason Terry made a three-pointer and Peja Stojakovic stole the ball and scored on a layup to give the Mavericks a nine-point lead. Andrew Bynum cut the Lakers' deficit to seven with a couple of free throws. After a steal, Bynum drove for a layup but it was answered by Dirk Nowitzki.
Terry gave the Mavericks a 10-point lead with another three and it was clear the Lakers had to find a way to shut down their long-range shooting or this series will be over. At this point the Mavericks were six for nine from beyond the three-point line, while the Lakers missed all five of their long-distance shots.
Coming out of a timeout, Steve Blake hit the first three-pointer for the Lakers. Jose Barea made a two for the Mavericks and Terry continued his torrid three-point shooting for another basket, forcing Lakers Coach Phil Jackson to call a timeout with his team down by 12 points.
Mavericks 27, Lakers 23 (end of first quarter)
Missing from the Lakers' offense early in the first quarter was Pau Gasol, who many are blaming for the Lakers' sudden downturn. He missed both his shots and had only one rebound.
Coming out of the timeout, the Lakers needed to stop the 6-0 Mavericks run but Derek Fisher missed a long three-pointer. The Mavericks made it an 8-0 run on a Tyson Chandler slam off a lob pass.
Kobe Bryant stopped the run with a jumper but Jason Kidd answered with a three and the Dallas lead was six. Fisher came back down the court for a two, with his foot on the three-point line. After misses by both teams, Bryant came back with a two and the Lakers were back to within two.
The Lakers were clearly leaning on Bryant. With three minutes to play in the quarter only Bryant, Fisher and Andrew Bynum had scored for the Lakers, while all the Mavericks starters had put up points.
The Mavericks called timeout with 2:53 to play and came out of it with a turnover. Gasol drove the lane, was fouled and made both shots to tie the score.
Jason Terry put the Mavericks up again with a three, underscoring how the Mavericks' bench has been playing. After a Fisher miss, Peja Stojakovic made a three and the Mavericks' lead was six. Bryant cut it to four with a jumper. And Shannon Brown cut it by two more with free throws after he was fouled on a breakaway.
Jose Barea once again beat the Lakers through the lane for a two and the Lakers looked bad on their final possession of the quarter with two misses.
The stats painted a picture that explains the Lakers' troubles. They were eight of 19 from the field, including missing all five three-pointers. The Mavericks were 11-for-21 shooting but made four of seven from beyond the three-point line. The Mavericks' bench outscored the Lakers bench 8-2.
Bryant was the leading scorer with 13 points. Chandler had five for the Mavericks, followed by Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki with four.
Mavericks 14, Lakers 11 (5:22 remaining in first quarter)
Lots of missed shots in the opening minutes of this ever-so-important game as both teams struggled from the field. Kobe Bryant scored the first three points for the Lakers off a free throw (he missed the other) and a jumper. The Mavericks got their first points on a three by DeShawn Stevenson.
A three-point play by Tyson Chandler gave the Mavericks a 6-3 lead but a couple of foul shots by Derek Fisher and a basket by Bryant gave the Lakers the lead at 7-6.
The Lakers extended the lead to 9-6 on a basket by Andrew Bynum. Dirk Nowitzki and Bryant traded baskets but after a turnover, Shawn Marion gave the Mavericks the lead 12-11. Ron Artest, back after a one game suspension, missed a shot and Marion scored on a runner to give the Mavericks a 14-11 lead heading into the first timeout.
--John Cherwa
Pregame
The disparity in bench play has been one of the dominant themes of this series, and a clear reason why the Lakers are 48 minutes away from elimination.
In the Mavericks' Game 3 win in Dallas, their bench poured in 42 points to only 15 for the Lakers.
The Lakers' big men also had to play heavy minutes on Friday because Ron Artest was suspended. Lamar Odom played 42 minutes, Pau Gasol 40 and Andrew Bynum 37. And the Lakers' defense was sloppy in the final five mnutes of play.
In Sunday's Game 4, Coach Phil Jackson said he will play Artest, so at least the minutes should even out in the front court.
Somewhat to my surprise the gambling site Beted.com has the same line on Game 4 as it did in Game 3: Mavericks favored by two points.
--Barry Stavro
Photo: Lakers power forward Pau Gasol attempts a shot over the double-team defense of Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd and forward Peja Stojakovic in the first half Sunday in Dallas. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
I guarantee a win ....Kobe is no Bill Russell
Posted by: Bubba B | May 08, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Bynum proved nothing in these playoffs except that he is a cowardly thug. With the season on the line Bynum contributed nothing to the Laker cause, except for the cheap shot on JJ Barrea, a man 1/2 his size but with 10 times the heart. Bynum should be suspended for at least 20 games next season for his gutless attack. Why didn't he take on Brendan Haywood, someone more his size? This is not the first time for Bynum's cowardly acts. Remember Michael Beesely!!!
While Laker fans have been all over Pau, Pau outplayed and showed way more class than Bynum or Odom or Artest.
Bottom Line: The Kobe Lakers are washed up and proved they have no class when things don't go their way.
Posted by: Lamont Smith | May 08, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Dear Mr./Ms. Schlieren,
Re. your comment about people from Dallas being racists because they called your gentlemenly players, Messrs. Bynum and Odum, "thugs." I seemed to note that other bloggers here called them far worse, and rightly so. It is behavior such as theirs today on the court that makes them a credit to their race and keeps the N Word in many people's vocabulary, regardless of those people's domicile.
Posted by: Unlisted | May 08, 2011 at 06:01 PM
LUDWIG...love yah brother..
You speak it like a true laker fan.
We will be back.....trolls and everyone who wishes us to do poorly are just tired (of seeing us win everything!!!) and jealous (of their team not winning all the time!)
Mavs, what have you won? oh yeah, nothing yet...you are in the second round of the freakin playoffs..grow up.
GO LAKERS......I still love you!
Get DWIGHT, GET cp3.
I like what Bynum did (albeit dirty) he showed that he was frustrated and had EMOTIONS..period......thats all...I dont fault him..he has a mean streak, which may serve him better next year...PAU is soft, charmin soft....he is highly skilled, but he checkd out about 1st of april----joke or not)
GO LAKERS!
down with the stupid trolls..if i were moderating this forum..i would erase all the bonehead troll and mav fan comments.....stay on your own blogs, you idiots.
Posted by: Lakers4realz | May 08, 2011 at 06:04 PM
I am no longer a Laker fan. It isn't the losing. Teams win and teams lose - even lose badly. The effort wasn't there but that can happen too when the other team has more legs than you. But the whole team mistaking cheap shots for toughness is something that I cannot handle. Ron did it, Kobe did it, Lamar and Drew.
I'm burning my Laker flag and will try to convince my children to give up their jerseys for a family bonfire. These are role models that they don't need.
Posted by: Gordo | May 08, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Lisa orellosa.......you go girl!!!
Awesome attitude, I agree we WILL make a BIG move this offseason..we are the FREAKIN LAKERS!!
Thank you all lakers for the wonderful run........we will return sooner than most people think...we HAVE the players to do it next year..I think we will be hungrier..I doubt B SHAW would have let us lose like this next year..
Mavs will go down sometime this playoffs, I dont doubt it...then we can ALL go post on their blogs.....
MAVS WILL NEVER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP...mark my words....
amen!
go lakers....16 and counting......it will just take a tad bit longer to get to 17 and 18! (but should be in the next 3 to 4 years!)
love you purple and gold.
Thanks to the REAL fans on here, and bloggers for all the good times, I know I havent posted much, but I just havent been in the mood..but now felt the need to support our blogger, my team, when they are down.
WE quit....but we will be back!
Posted by: Lakers4realz | May 08, 2011 at 06:09 PM
CaptainJack --
I completely agree with everything you wrote. I grew up in SoCal until I was 19 and have been living in New York City since then and I'm 41. I know how pathetic Boston fans are and their massive insecurity complex vis-a-vis NYC, it's so one-sided, it's actually funny.
86 years of Yankee Hell is right. They got a modicum of revenge in 2004 (tiny, really, compared to 86 years of Yankee Hell) with the 0-3 comeback, but even then, the Yankees still OWN Boston, in every way and always will.
And the Lakers will eventually OWN the Celtics, in terms of accomplishments. As of now, we have the highest winning percentage in NBA history, the most Finals appearances, the most Conference Titles, and one behind them in NBA Championships.
But how many championships have the Celtics won in the last 25 years???
ONE!
Posted by: Ludwig | May 08, 2011 at 06:10 PM
The attack on JJ Barea was unexcusable. No one can defend such an unnecessary and unsportsmanlike behavior. The Lakers are bad losers, give the referees a note of thanks for handing them out last years title cause in reality, you do not deserve it.
Posted by: LAKERSBUM | May 08, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Gordo,
Right on with your comments on the laker Thugs!!!!
Posted by: Lamont Smith | May 08, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Hugo Boss, only knows my true pain.
No worries Mr.Boss..we will RETURN (just like you told me! when we lost to boston two years ago).
I also agree with that comment..only people can really talk sh it (sadly enough) are Celdi#k fans........
Mavs fans havent won anything ....nor will they ever.
people just dont get it!
PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFFFFFFFFFFFFFE
Posted by: Lakers4realz | May 08, 2011 at 06:14 PM
thanks lakers for the good times. Laker fans are not used to be out so soon. Just thanks to all of them. I you are a real fan you have to support them in good times and bad times overall.
Posted by: Peter | May 08, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Ha, Ha, this made my day; What a bunch of classless jerks Bynum and Odom they should be fired! Kobe sulking like a baby, low class equals no class. What a bunch of poor losers…….
Posted by: purple and black | May 08, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Forget the clippers, " the lake show couldn't beat the sisters of mercy "
Chick Hearn.......
Now whats done is done......Have to get D Howard & Chris Paul..
whatever it takes, lst draft choices, cash, players, everybody goes
except kobe & gasol, all thats needed is forward & bench, pick up
free agents, waivers ect et al..........have to keep $2,600 flr seats..
Posted by: cover2 | May 08, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Lakers4realz --
That's right, bro. Success breeds envy, and masterful success, of the Laker variety, breeds massive jealousy amongst the sea of losers, a great many of whom post on this site!
Let them eat some lousy 2nd round cake, the losers.
They don't know better.
They hail from Dallas.
We eat CHAMPIONSHIP CAKE!
We're the Los Angeles Frickin Lakers!
Dallas Mavericks, ZERO championships.
Los Angeles Lakers SIXTEEN championships.
Priceless.
Posted by: Ludwig | May 08, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Nice class Lakers. You and LA deserve each other.
Posted by: Thank God I don't live in LA | May 08, 2011 at 06:24 PM
LOSERS.
This year's team was pathetic.
There was no hunger. There was no sense of desperation.
They were all distracted. They were all FAT on fame and past championships.
Pau was distracted by sex with his new girlfriend.
Lamar was distracted by sex on TV with his Kardashian wife.
Shannon Brown was distracted by sex with his singer girlfriend.
Ron Artest was distracted by his work for the mentally ill.
All of them had outside distractions.
Let's look forward to next year. There should be new replacements.
1. Dwight Howard would look like a nice power forward next to Andrew Bynum.
2. CP3 would be a huge upgrade at point guard.
3. Three point shooters would be nice.
Who's possibly out?
1. Pau Gasol - too soft for the future. Trade him for Dwight Howard.
2. Shannon Brown - he had his short time of fame. Get a better guard that can shoot 3-pointers.
3. 3-pt defenders. We use to be number 1 in 3 point defense. But this current team got shredded.
Who's going to coach?
Face it, its time to rebuild. Other teams have passed us by.
Posted by: james katt | May 08, 2011 at 06:30 PM
LA FANS JUST BE HAPPY AND CONTENTED WITH 16 RINGS
DALLAS... NAHHHHHHH
ITS THE MANAGEMENT BLUNDER GIVING VUJACIC AND NOT OFFERING FARMAR AS STARTER THEY ARE PROVEN RESERVES BEFORE. WHAT MITCH KUPCHACK GET OLD LEGS MORE OLE LEGS LIKE SMITH RATLIFF THATS 2M US DOLLAR WASTE MONEY IN EXHANGE FOR VUJACIC AND FARMAR THAT HAVE PROVEN TO DELIVER BIG SHOTS IN THE FINALS.
WOW CONGRATS MITCH YOU ARE THE BEST ...
YOU SAVE 3M US FOR VUJACIC TO GET SMITH, THIS 3 M CAN BE RECOVER BY GOING TO THE FINALS AGAIN.
THE PROBLEM NO SHOOTERS OFF THE BENCH, AND CAN KOBE PASS TO WHENEVER HE CREATES A PLAY. WHAT YOU GOT IS ARTEST PROVEN A CHANCE SHOOTER BY LUCK.
ITS THE MANAGEMENT FAULT. KUPCHACK PLS RESIGN YOUR PART OF THE PROBLEM
YOU RELY ON THE OLD LEGS AND HAVE NO BACKUP PLAN.
PLUS YOU LET GO BYNUM TO MELO TRADE THAT COULD MAKE
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE MELO IS GOOD FOR 20 TO 30 PTS. AND KOBE WILL OPERATE AND NOT BE DOUBLE TEAM ALL THE TIME. PLUS MELLO CAN BE AGUNNER WHEN KOBE DRIVE AN DISH.
BUT LA HAVE NO PLAYS ITS ALL KOBE. START WITH AND ENDS WITH.
KUPCHACT RESIGN BECAUSE YOU SABOTAGE THE 3 PEAT BEACAUSE YOU JUST SIT OUT THERE AND NOT THINK FAST.
WHAT A WAST OPPORTUNITY IT SELDOM TO GET A 3 PEAT.
MAYBE LA WILL WIN AGAIN A CHAMPIONSHIP BUT NOT 3 PEAT.
THANKS LA FOR THE MEMORIES OF 16 RINGS.
FOR PJAX ALSO THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. YOUR STILL THE BEST.
Posted by: jeyar | May 08, 2011 at 06:31 PM
no class lakers, lamar, go back to the kardashians, bynum go back to high school, ron, go back to the looney bin, phil, go to your ranch with jeanie, fish, retire, luke, go anywhere, just go!
Posted by: coyote | May 08, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Bynum is an embarrassment to himself and the NBA. Horrible cheap shot on Barea. Odom wasn't much better. Kobe handled himself with grace and dignity.
Posted by: Bobb | May 08, 2011 at 06:36 PM
I don't blame Bynum, he showed heart, a little too much maybe, but he was massively frustrated all day long. He doesn't like to lose. You can hardly blame the guy.
At least he cares.
Posted by: Ludwig | May 08, 2011 at 06:42 PM
My Laker freind has not called me yet. Even when McCain lost to Obama he called him to congratulate him. Why can't my Laker friend call me. Is he hurt that badly that he can't call? When the Lakers won both of their recent championships I called to congratulate him. I guess I am a bigger sportsman than he is. Oh, did you see the way that Bynum took off the jersey before leaving the floor. It was similiar to what LeBron did after his last game with Cleveland last year. However, to LeBron's credit he did wait until he was in the tunnel headed to the locker room. Andrew took his off right on the court. That is very distasteful. If I were the coach I wouldn't be wanting him on my team anymoere. I'd get rid of him. He would be gone. His display can clearly be interpreted as, "I'm through with this, I don't want to be here anymore."
It really is good that the Lakers are gone. I will not talk about them anymore at all. I will now concentrate on the living teams. Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye, The horse ran over the Lakers, They are Dead, they're all Dead!
Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum should have been given tickets on commercial cariers back to LA. I would not have allowed them on the plane because of their stupidity. And, Bynum would never ride on my team's plane again in life!
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Celtic's Ken,
Watch it, sucker. We're one up on you. And, we ain't them wanna be Lakers. You are going to have to bring it tomorrow night! Bet'n that!
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Johnboy,
They don't deserve KY! Just give it to them straight.
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Maverick fans are also Cowboy fans. Dallas has won 5 Super Bowls. How many has Los Angeles won? Oh LA couldn't even keep the hapless Rams, and had to steal the Raiders from Oakland to win their 1 title - and then couldn't the Raiders.
Amazing how the crybaby Lakers and their fans react when they get their butts kicked. Time to start cheering for Blake Griffin and the Clippers, cause these Lakers are done.
The Land of Entitlement is alive and well in LA. Such a bunch of spoiled prima donnas, Laker fans can't accept building a team through intelligent drafting - now they want to steal Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, like they did Kareem, Shaq, and many others because Lala land is such a great place to live.
The Game 4 36 point loss showed what classless crybabies the Lakers really are. GO DALLAS!!!!!
Posted by: Lamont Smith | May 08, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Rick,
You can cry all you want to. But, we can celebrate now. I am so happy I could scream. The Lakers are gone, the Lakers are gone. I hate the Lakers. I hate the Lakers. I know I am not supposed to hate anything or anyone. Lord, please forgive me for hating on the Lakers. I am the number one Laker Hater in America. I admit to that! Of being a Laker hater I am quilty!
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Open up the bar, the drinks are on me. Just step right up and order what you want. It's been a long time coming, but I know a change was going to come. It is here now. Anybody but the Lakers is fine with me. Of course, I am a Heat fan and I want them to take it all. However, should they fail all is not lost knowing that it won't be the Lakers. Now, they can take that premature and silly 3D three peat commericial off of the TV.
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 06:58 PM
DEAR LAKERS: I knew the series was over for the Lakers after Game 2. The Lakers feed on themselves...when they lose: they're losers, and have trouble rebounding back. Personally, I think they're tired. Kobe had a bum leg and broken fingers, but insisted on playing. Drew just got confidence in his knees and now does not get a chance to flex it (thus his frustration). Phil should have retired last year, but they (he) kept dragging back in...etc. The rest will do them all good. Now here's plan: Give Fisher a suit job....he's done. Trade Brown (inconsistent and too frisky) and Blake (no power). Move Odom to starter position. Hire two 3-point shooters (they should have kept Ariza) and get Kobe to a doctor, he still has one or two years left. 2012 will be our year again.....now rest boys!
Posted by: Justice | May 08, 2011 at 06:58 PM
Na na na na, Na na na na, hey hey hey, Goodbye.
Na na na na, Na na na na, hey hey hey, Goodbye.
Na na na na, Na na na na, hey hey hey, Goodbye.
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 07:00 PM
THE JOB HAS BEEN DONE THE VICTORY WON. GOODBYE AND GOODNIGHT. IT'S ON TO BOSTON FROM HERE. MY BUSINESS IN L.A. IS FINISHED! FAREWELL, MY ONE TIME PUNKED-OUT MOST HATED BASKETBALL OPPONENT. NO REASON TO HATE YOU ANY LONGER, YOU'RE NOTHING!
Posted by: Shakespeare | May 08, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Happy Maverick's Day Laker fans!!! bwahahahaha!
Posted by: MSchumacher | May 08, 2011 at 07:07 PM
finally the lakers have been exposed for the shabby, louty organization that they have been for the entire Phyllis Jackson regime. first you have a coach that refuses to coach without a superstar scoring machine. he admits he thought about not coaching this year because of bryant's inability to be a scoring machine, which leads to Phyllis having to be a real, imaginative coach, which has been proved he is not. then you have the anal rapist bryant, thug artest (likes to assault fans and the smallest guys on the team -- real courage there). odom, although probably the most talented on the team, has decided to emulate his hero artest and take on the role of the guy who, although can't score or use the talent he has, tries to end the careers of other players. but wait, that role has been taken by the goon bynum. none of these scumbags is going anywhere from here. karma has arrived and their character, or lack of, has finally and glaringly been exposed. clean house and get rid of these sorry thugs, lakers, and maybe you can be admired as real lakers, magic, karim, west, etc. and all of you apologists, from Phyllis on down, can blame gasol (the whiner) for ALL the consequences which have come and which are so very well-deserved. WHAT A GREAT DAY IN THE WORLD OF SPORT!! It is akin to the killing of bin-laden in the real world!!
Posted by: michael | May 08, 2011 at 07:08 PM
Kobe has got to stop with all of those off balance, ballerina shots! It's like he refuses to pass! I can understand why he doesn't have a lot of faith in his teammates, but a wide open man is going to always have a higher percentage than someone with 2 or 3 people guarding him! I can't say enough bad things about luke walton! Actually though it's not his fault. He can't help that he sucks, and obviously he's not going to fire himself. It still comes down to mitch kupchak! I feel so bad having such a poor opinion of the lakers right now, with all of the success they've had in the past, but they've played so terribly over the last few weeks that's it's hard not to feel the need for an almost complete overhaul! I hate it when the lakers are in this position... Not good enough to win it all, but too good to get any top draft picks!
Posted by: TroyTroy | May 08, 2011 at 07:09 PM
Great Job Dallas! I salute my hat, you are the better team this playoff series!
Go Lakers! Go Kobe! Let's come back and get better next season.
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Enjoy your early exit boys you have all summer long to think about this performance.
On the bright side,last time we lost like this we came back the following yr on a mission and won the championship.We'll see.
Posted by: OCLEZY | May 08, 2011 at 02:51 PM
And you call yourself a fan... you embarass yourself .. you punk...
Go Lakers!!! Go Kobe!!!
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:22 PM
The Lakers True colors come to the forefront once again. A lot of talent, but way more low character, crybaby, me first crap. You just got swept by a team with less talent and a lot more deisre to win. Flagrant pouty loser fouls because you were outplayed the entire series?? Come on now.... you get payed millions of dollars to playing a game, not to show the world what classless punks you are. You could learn alot from a team like the Spurs. Sure they are aging and just lost a 4-2 series, but they are class all the way.... from the GM to the waterboys. Until the Lakers grow up and act like men instead of crying babies.... they will not win another championship. People don't hate the Lakers because they used to be good, but because most of them are classless punks. Actions speak the loudest.
Posted by: Randy | May 08, 2011 at 07:24 PM
I have watch the game.. my lakers did not in any way quit!
The Mavs just played marvelously well.. and shot rediculously from the outside... after all it is thier home turt... to say that we quit is very demeaning to the game of basketball and to the winner... our team fought tooth and nail... they were just out hustled and out played by a better team this series, which is Dallas mavericks...
Go lakers!!!
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:25 PM
since when has it been ok to just take out your failures on other people. i still cant believe that this storied franchise acted like this in front of the whole world. im sure the organization is ashamed of todays display of unsportmanship. how would laker fans feel had someone taken a cheap shot on kobe or fish? not a cool thought right? that couldve easily turned into thePalace all over again. thanks to the Mavs fans for acting civilized. this will tarnish the lakers shine for a good while. theres no place in the nba for boys like bynum. grow up or get out!
Posted by: mike | May 08, 2011 at 07:29 PM
I think, what drove Odom and Bynum to play dirty was frustration on how the game was called.. there were many cheap shots the mavs have been doing specially on the low blocks...
But then again, there should have been no retaaliation of that sort...
This, and the fact that our players didn't have the legs to compete with the mavs speed were the reason we lost. Carlisle knows it... that is why we were always having trouble with teams who have speed in the regular season.
Congratulations Mavs fans... This is your day. Enjoy your victory. And please defend the championship and let it stay in the west!
Go lakers!! Go Kobe!
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Reading the Lakers fans have major meltdowns is just as enjoyable as seeing the team itself crash and burn.
Posted by: Brian C. | May 08, 2011 at 07:38 PM
It's one thing to lose a game or a series, but to do so with ZERO class is embarrassment to to LA. What a bunch of no-class thugs. You can take the boy out of the ghetto, but...
Posted by: Mike | May 08, 2011 at 07:39 PM
I love my lakers! No team has won back to backs since the bulls. How much more to get to the finals in 3 years and try to come back again. That is just too much to ask for a team in this era.
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Ahhhh yes dice8up, the infamous "the refs lost us the game/series" comments. How did the refs cause the Lakers defenders to allow all those 3-pointers? How did the refs allow the Lakers to get blown out and embarrassed ? How did the refs make the Lakers shooting go in to the toilet? I guess it was the refs fault that Ron Ron looked like an 8 year old missing that layup. The refs are the reason that your Lakers had no speed to keep up with the Mavs?
I know reality is a killer, but just accept it and move on. The Lakers got humiliated and you're trying to come up with every other reason except the truth......Dallas was better than you.
Posted by: Brian C. | May 08, 2011 at 07:44 PM
No excuses, just 16 world championships. It had to end soon. Every dynasty had its adversity. One thing is for sure and every one of you "HATERS" know its true, the Lakers will be back.
Check you history, they will be back.
Posted by: Here before magic | May 08, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Brian, I didn't say in anyway that the refs cause us to lose.. if you read my post. I said the Mavs played a hell of a ball game. I was pointing the the frustration of Odom and Bynum, not the game itself, or the refs calling one sided. I said, and I quote
"I think, what drove Odom and Bynum to play dirty was frustration on how the game was called.. there were many cheap shots the mavs have been doing specially on the low blocks..."
But it was a well played game, from a game perspective. But from Bynum and Odom's perspective, it was frustration on how the game was called down low. You can see it if you watch the replays.
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:51 PM
It's amazing the amount of loser posts from non Lakers fans. Go Post on your own teams website. To go out of your way to mock the Lakers on their local sports website is Pathetic. Grow up. Most of you need to take serious English classes because your spelling and grammar is atrocious. You just expose your pent up jealousy of one of the most successful franchises in sports history. Basketball is a glorified kids game that even though I enjoy, it means absolutely nothing in the real world. It is entertainment and the hatred coming from you imbeciles is laughable.
Posted by: Joey Lorenzo | May 08, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Boston is on borrowed time.
Posted by: Here before magic | May 08, 2011 at 07:52 PM
I am not a guy who makes excuses for losing.
A loss is a loss, and a win is a win. You lose by 1 point or you lose by 30 points, it is still a loss.
And today, we lost. And our season is ended. The Mavs played great basketball. And their defense was terrific. One of the main thing that the Mavs capitalized on us is their speed and bench. I believe, as I have been saying that, the Mavs bench is deep. and it showed in this series.
Now, celebrate! And please bring the championship and let it stay in the west!
Go lakers!!!
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Joey,
well said, well said!
These people think that we are like them. A true fan of a team and basketball stays with the team no matter what. And recognizes where credit is due.
Dallas is a good team. They beat my lakers! Tired legs or not. They played extremely well against us. That's the end of it. It remains to be seen if they can win a championship.
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 07:59 PM
No excuses, just 16 world championships. It had to end soon. Every dynasty had its adversity. One thing is for sure and every one of you "HATERS" know its true, the Lakers will be back.
Check you history, they will be back.
Posted by: Here before magic | May 08, 2011 at 07:49 PM
----
Thanks.. No Excuses!
Go Lakers!!! Go Kobe!!!
Posted by: dice8up | May 08, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Good ridance....no Laker Parade this year...YEEEEEHAAAAW....what will all the gangsters, welfare recipients, and other idiots do......??? Hey....I know...get a job......pay some taxes....we're all still paying for the damage Lakers gangsters (ahem Fans) have caused the last few years....Thankfully the Dodgers are loosers too....hopefully all the idiot fans will move to another city....Thank you Mavs....you guys rock...!!!!!
Posted by: NaUnd? | May 08, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Gunner is right. The Kobe/MJ comparisons HAVE TO END NOW. Can ANYONE imagine MJ getting swept? Last year the high-and-mighty Kobe got bailed out in game 7 of the Finals by his teammates (remember? he shot 7 for 25). With his team going down the toilet, MJ would not put up back-to-back 17 point games. NEVER.
Throw out the Wizards seasons (obviously, he was 40+ yrs old) and MJ won 6 titles in his last 6 full seasons. Try to match that, Kobe. You rode Shaq's cape to 3 rings early in your career, and have won only 2 since. You lost to the Pistons and the Celtics. MJ NEVER lost in the Finals. NEVER! And he was the Finals MVP EVERY TIME! Obviously, Shaq was the MVP for the first 3.
Posted by: MJ 4ever | May 08, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Funny, when you say " frustration on how the game was called" that says to me to refs. What else could it mean?
Posted by: Brian C. | May 08, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Hey Bynum, u mad?
Yeah, he mad. LOL what a pathetic thug. I give him 2 more years and in 3 years he'll be living under a bridge.
Odom? Heh... He'll never be able to shake The Kardashian Curse.
Posted by: u mad? | May 08, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Is funny how all these lakers haters talk trash on this blog they get all tuff out here. They hate for a reason, tuff guys grow some cajones and say that to a real laker fan on the streets puzzzzzis
Posted by: LAKE SHOW | May 08, 2011 at 09:13 PM
go CLIPPERS
Posted by: rog | May 08, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Hey LAKE SHOW, I tell my Lakers friends stuff all the time to their faces......and I'm a Celtics fan. By the way, we've seen what real Lakers fans are....we see them all the time burning police cars, stealing from food marts at gas stations, stealing shoes from stores, destroying property. We also see them at Dodgers games being the losers they are and we use to see them at Raiders games. If we actually tried to tell the truth to these thugs we'd be shot dead on the street.
Posted by: Brian C. | May 08, 2011 at 09:37 PM
WTF?...Sportsman of the year, tossed 4 unsportsman like conduct...6th. man of the Year...Doesn't show up on defence, coach pulls him because he won't run Triangle and play like the 6th. man...Gasol doesn't play weak all season, yet falls like a wallflower to the Dal Mavs who are not known in this f-ing decade to be a physical team. Bynum plays amazing all season then turns it up another notch only to become a "Head Hunter" who's escorted off the court. The best coach ever in this sport, steps or stoops to the side as the team fractures right before our eyes. Completely out coached! Fined $35,000.00 for comments about the officiating. What The F*ck? What just happened?
The way this team lost it's character is the most bizzare thing in sports ever! The frustration of the players getting mauled by a non-physical team smells funny. It has a feel, and looked to me (watching at home) that the refs did not call or stop the mugging going on underneath. 4 games in a row that should have been played on the street. NBA Streetball 2011! It's a wonder that no one got hurt. I blame the officials for the non-calls all series long. BTW Lakers will be back. This is but a small speedbump. They're the Lakers. F*ck the officiating, F*ck D-Stern.
Posted by: movonup | May 09, 2011 at 02:34 AM
As for Pout Gasol, I don't think any team would trade what we need for him after he imploded right around the time his fiancé dropped him. Too much of an emotional risk.http://bit.ly/jdNwFz
Posted by: Elsa | May 09, 2011 at 03:09 AM
i saw the LA Lakers new logo the other day ...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_-dtelWyeQ/TYpWyrRZtJI/AAAAAAAAASc/VudJ3acuOKI/s320/violet%2Bcrumble.jpg
Posted by: ausdallasfan | May 09, 2011 at 03:36 AM
Violet Crumble .... Lakers new Mascot
Posted by: ausdallasfan | May 09, 2011 at 03:37 AM
lets face it the lakers have massively overachieved over the years. jackson's greatest contribution to his teams was his ability to manipulate referees which was made easier by the star power of bryant and jordan. there had to come a time when that wouldnt be enough. what a classless exit though. artest, odom, bynum and jackson - the thugs of east LA. good riddance.
Posted by: onelinerix | May 09, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Damn! Its lyke dhat, well i knew what wuz gonnah happen. Plaine and simple, dhey got dhey ass wooped. Im glad dhey knocked out, dhats one knock out dhey can't wake up from lol.....HOW YHU FEELIN!!!
Posted by: louidiana chick yha digg!! | May 09, 2011 at 08:01 AM
they just played too well to lose...
Posted by: love kobe bryant | May 09, 2011 at 07:05 PM
should have let odom guard dirk
Posted by: skrotis | May 22, 2011 at 09:36 PM