[TheAcAvenger]

Are the celtics really not going to win a road game!?

[///sniper]

Originally Posted by SpecC

orlando is done for!

cavs are blowing the celts right out of their house

Sad but, true. Thus, why I wanted to play Philly...

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

Are the celtics really not going to win a road game!?

They don't have to. They have home court advantage in every series. Of course, it'd be in their best interest to close out a series early. However, they're tough to beat at home and if they can keep that up, might as well keep going....

[cm3rc]

Lakers are in trouble right now...
tsk tsk tsk

[NaTuReB0Y]

yes......kobe done for the series

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

yes......kobe done for the series

I don't think so...just back spasm as I heard. But I told you utah is hard to beat at home.

[cyba]

go Lakers

[mrwma237]

Phil needs to somehow manage Kobe better esp. during an OT situation such as yesterday.

Obviously Kobe was hurt, why didn't Kobe take himself out? If Kobe resisted, don't you think Phil should step in override the situation? He was what, 1/3 or1/4 in OT where Lakers only put up 5 or 6 shots total?

Lakers lost nonetheless, poor free throw shootings and questionable officiating (Ronny's flagrant 2 foul).

[1cleanm6]

utah has always been hard to beat at home even when jordan played them in the finals.

[Mo]

Only reason lakers lost is because Utah had three extra players on their team. The refs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can utah shoot 45 free throws compared to 25 free throw for the lakers. The refs need to be more consistent. In LA Lakers shoot 45 free throws in Utah, the Jazz shoot 45? I guess home court makes you foul less. Lakers should've won yesterday they waisted two opportunities. And all i got to say is if the refs protected kobe the way they did MJ he wouldn't be hurt as much.

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by Mo

Only reason lakers lost is because Utah had three extra players on their team. The refs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can utah shoot 45 free throws compared to 25 free throw for the lakers. The refs need to be more consistent. In LA Lakers shoot 45 free throws in Utah, the Jazz shoot 45? I guess home court makes you foul less. Lakers should've won yesterday they waisted two opportunities. And all i got to say is if the refs protected kobe the way they did MJ he wouldn't be hurt as much.

Well, Its probably more like "playing at home makes you penetrate more." Look at the shot charts. The Jazz were constantly in the paint, and the Lakers were constantly taking jumpshots... thus, the Jazz were getting to the line, and the Lakers weren't.

[robbensays]

Originally Posted by Mo

Only reason lakers lost is because Utah had three extra players on their team. The refs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can utah shoot 45 free throws compared to 25 free throw for the lakers. The refs need to be more consistent. In LA Lakers shoot 45 free throws in Utah, the Jazz shoot 45? I guess home court makes you foul less. Lakers should've won yesterday they waisted two opportunities. And all i got to say is if the refs protected kobe the way they did MJ he wouldn't be hurt as much.

uh, the home team always get the calls. thats why its home court advantage. i believe it was the same for utah when they were in LA.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by mrwma237

Phil needs to somehow manage Kobe better esp. during an OT situation such as yesterday.

Obviously Kobe was hurt, why didn't Kobe take himself out? If Kobe resisted, don't you think Phil should step in override the situation? He was what, 1/3 or1/4 in OT where Lakers only put up 5 or 6 shots total?

Lakers lost nonetheless, poor free throw shootings and questionable officiating (Ronny's flagrant 2 foul).

I think you should be looking at the OTHER lakers who were on the floor with kobe. They kind of just handed the ball to him, and expected him to carry them through the entire last 7 minutes of the game. He was obviously in a ton of pain too. But when nobody wants to step up, who else can Phil Jackson go to? They were in a prime position to put themselves up 3-1. That would be dire if they could end the series early seeing how the NO vs SA is going to at least six games. With the extra bit of rest, Kobe could be more effective in the next series. Phil Jackson was just looking out for the long run, and I completely agree with his judgement. The people I would be pissed at would be the four other lakers on the floor. They sort of just stood around and let kobe do EVERYTHING. That's how the jazz were able to collapse on a wounded #24

[Mo]

Originally Posted by SpecC

I think you should be looking at the OTHER lakers who were on the floor with kobe. They kind of just handed the ball to him, and expected him to carry them through the entire last 7 minutes of the game. He was obviously in a ton of pain too. But when nobody wants to step up, who else can Phil Jackson go to? They were in a prime position to put themselves up 3-1. That would be dire if they could end the series early seeing how the NO vs SA is going to at least six games. With the extra bit of rest, Kobe could be more effective in the next series. Phil Jackson was just looking out for the long run, and I completely agree with his judgement. The people I would be pissed at would be the four other lakers on the floor. They sort of just stood around and let kobe do EVERYTHING. That's how the jazz were able to collapse on a wounded #24

its funny how people turn so much. Last week he's MVP this week he sucks, last week lakers are the best team in the NBA and now Utah will win? Did people really think they were going to get swept? Utah is good team. Plus do people forget kobe has a dead pinky, tendinous in his knee, and now a bad back? How back the other 5 lakers on that team that waste space? Radmonvic sucks, Farmar suck, Mbenga pointless, Mihm has the best life no work just pay, and Newble is pointless pickup... The lakers are good but still a lot of flaws..

[mrwma237]

Originally Posted by SpecC

I think you should be looking at the OTHER lakers who were on the floor with kobe. They kind of just handed the ball to him, and expected him to carry them through the entire last 7 minutes of the game. He was obviously in a ton of pain too. But when nobody wants to step up, who else can Phil Jackson go to? They were in a prime position to put themselves up 3-1. That would be dire if they could end the series early seeing how the NO vs SA is going to at least six games. With the extra bit of rest, Kobe could be more effective in the next series. Phil Jackson was just looking out for the long run, and I completely agree with his judgement. The people I would be pissed at would be the four other lakers on the floor. They sort of just stood around and let kobe do EVERYTHING. That's how the jazz were able to collapse on a wounded #24

Sigh...

Yes, this team is built around Kobe. Yes, the ball goes to Kobe during clutch time. Yes he carried the team through the last 7 minutes, shit, he carried the whole team this whole year. However, if you're hurt, and if you have room to rest for upcoming games, wouldn't you consider play your 4 other guys more?
You sort of contradicted yourself there with your advice on Kobe getting more rest where he would then perform better. That emphasize my point even more, why send him (Phil) out there during OT? You can say that Kobe knows his body more than a coach would, then I'd ask, why didn't he just setup plays where he would dish it off for an assist? Better yet, why not just sit down and REST like you said? I'd rather see him healthy for the rest of the post season than risk it for 1 game in Utah. Just like you said, Utah is hard to beat at home, shouldn't he had justified the risk & return? You act as if I think Mr. MVP is overrated. You talk as if the rest of the team is lazy. Lakers are dominant because of their defense, and of course they have the best offensive tool in the league. Please...4 other guys standing around for Kobe to do something is not because they're waiting on him to win it for them, trust me, they too want the glory as well. They just respect Kobe enough for Kobe to make the best decisions for the team. In my opinion, he could've chose to run different plays during the last stretch.

Originally Posted by Mo

its funny how people turn so much. Last week he's MVP this week he sucks, last week lakers are the best team in the NBA and now Utah will win? Did people really think they were going to get swept? Utah is good team. Plus do people forget kobe has a dead pinky, tendinous in his knee, and now a bad back? How back the other 5 lakers on that team that waste space? Radmonvic sucks, Farmar suck, Mbenga pointless, Mihm has the best life no work just pay, and Newble is pointless pickup... The lakers are good but still a lot of flaws..

I searched around and I don't see many posting about Kobe sucking. Hmm..

Sure Vladi can shoot better, Farmar suck? Wow, I think many would agree that he's one of the better 2nd string rookies of the year. Ranked 15 in 3point field goals during reg. season, ranked 23 in steals during reg. season. For Less than $1.5M a year and a rookie, I think Farmar is a bonus for Lakers. Mbenga serves its purposes. Mihm has like a metal bar in his ankle, did he even play? What do you want, a Dream Team for LA? What are you talking about....?? Everyone serve a purpose, they're not flaws.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by mrwma237

Sigh...

Yes, this team is built around Kobe. Yes, the ball goes to Kobe during clutch time. Yes he carried the team through the last 7 minutes, shit, he carried the whole team this whole year. However, if you're hurt, and if you have room to rest for upcoming games, wouldn't you consider play your 4 other guys more?
You sort of contradicted yourself there with your advice on Kobe getting more rest where he would then perform better. That emphasize my point even more, why send him (Phil) out there during OT? You can say that Kobe knows his body more than a coach would, then I'd ask, why didn't he just setup plays where he would dish it off for an assist? Better yet, why not just sit down and REST like you said? I'd rather see him healthy for the rest of the post season than risk it for 1 game in Utah. Just like you said, Utah is hard to beat at home, shouldn't he had justified the risk & return? You act as if I think Mr. MVP is overrated. You talk as if the rest of the team is lazy. Lakers are dominant because of their defense, and of course they have the best offensive tool in the league. Please...4 other guys standing around for Kobe to do something is not because they're waiting on him to win it for them, trust me, they too want the glory as well. They just respect Kobe enough for Kobe to make the best decisions for the team. In my opinion, he could've chose to run different plays during the last stretch.

I think you've misunderstood me a little bit. Let me elaborate on why I agree with Phil Jackson playing Kobe for the last stretch.

Lakers were in a good position to steal a game away from the Jazz on their home court. They were in it the entire end of the game, and Kobe is THE closer of all closers (maybe not T-mac on a good night haha). If the Lakers won the game and were up 3-1, Kobe would've been the talk of the nation for today! Also, whether he played or not those last few minutes would not have rewinded his injury. Those take longer than a few days to heal. Just look at T-mac's recent career.

So, I'm saying that if they had won the game, they could in a very good position for the next game, at home closing out. If they had won the series 4-1. Kobe would have a lot more time to rest his injuries because NA vs SA is going to 6 at the very least. Now, LA and Utah are going to 6 too, so the rest period is severely decreased. I'm just agreeing with Phil taking the gamble on Kobe. He's had a player who's played through something like that before... MJ with the flu. I think Jackson was assuming they were going to win the series, and he was just preparing for the next.

[Mo]

I searched around and I don't see many posting about Kobe sucking. Hmm..

Sure Vladi can shoot better, Farmar suck? Wow, I think many would agree that he's one of the better 2nd string rookies of the year. Ranked 15 in 3point field goals during reg. season, ranked 23 in steals during reg. season. For Less than $1.5M a year and a rookie, I think Farmar is a bonus for Lakers. Mbenga serves its purposes. Mihm has like a metal bar in his ankle, did he even play? What do you want, a Dream Team for LA? What are you talking about....?? Everyone serve a purpose, they're not flaws.[/QUOTE]

What you don't get is that all year the bench has been a big reason why the lakers were so good and now the only player that has been consistent is Vujacic. Sure farmar is not a bad player but he seems to be a playoff choker which no team needs. Vlad, needs to be more consistent as well he has a good potential but he just seems lazy or he doesn't care. All im saying is Kobe will be Kobe in game 5, The bench needs to step up and provide a spark because if lakers loose game 5 its all over.

[mrwma237]

Originally Posted by Mo

What you don't get is that all year the bench has been a big reason why the lakers were so good and now the only player that has been consistent is Vujacic. Sure farmar is not a bad player but he seems to be a playoff choker which no team needs. Vlad, needs to be more consistent as well he has a good potential but he just seems lazy or he doesn't care. All im saying is Kobe will be Kobe in game 5, The bench needs to step up and provide a spark because if lakers loose game 5 its all over.

Oh I definitely get why Lakers were good this year. I actually look at the dynamics of the whole team.

I just didn't agree with you on saying that the Lakers bench suck, pointless, and are flaws. What you're saying now is different from that you said earlier, so I guess you changed your opinion about the Lakers bench overnight.

As far as Farmar is concerned, yeah, I agree, he hasn't been performing well lately. I can think of only 1 good reason, and it's that he is a rookie! Have you forgotten Kobe's three 3point airballs vs. Jazz in '98 (forgot the year)? Sasha has been more consistent that the rest of the bench, true, but he's also gotten more minutes than others as well. Let's not forget about his turnover ratios too.

I agree with your last point that the bench needs to step up or else game 5 will be disatrous. I am confident that our boys do it right.

[3onDubs]

The lakers bench is a major reason why LA finished in the #1 spot for the west in the regular season.

Whoever says otherwise has obviously not followed the lakers progression throughout the season.



With that said, in this series, the bench hasn't really stepped up (with the exception of Ronnie and Sasha). Whatever the reason maybe, they should be getting their act together soon, especially in the face of all the criticism that's been thrown around lately.

[S65B40]

CP3 is the man!!! I would definitely love to see a different team rather than Lakers or Spurs make it to the finals. Let it be the Hornets or the Jazz.

[SpecC]

i really want to see utah vs new orleans because they are so similar but i am still rooting for the spurs and lakers!

[E92 maniac]

hornets will be wrapping things up in SA. as of the jazz and lakers series, i am seeing a game 7 on the way.

[3onDubs]

I see a game 7 for New Orleans....they'll win it at home