Lakers are on the verge of being swept. Get the fishing gear ready.
when the Lakers got Payton and Malone, I think the experts pretty much said that Lakers were gonna get back the rings for sure. I'm amazed to see a team that dominated every team in the league with just two superstars struggle with four superstars. wow...
this is kinda like the brilliant and superstar-laden Aussies losing to the hardworking Kiwi team (sorry, for using the cricket analogy, only kind I know well :D )
Samb, yaar zakhmon pay nimboon chirak rahay ho yaar :/
Two words …Tony Parker…cross over dribble…over Shaq…enough said
I have not seen Phil so irritated and fuming like he was last night. Malone got **** from him in the huddle. Payton was his usual self…he cannot play in Phil’s system, The only baskets he made were at post-up plays made specially for him. This guy will cost Lakers the championship this year. No matter how cool and cocky Kobe acts on the court …there is definitely distraction in his life at the moment…I don’t see the killer instinct of the Kobe we all know off.
For San Antonio, the whole team played great…I expect more out of Horry and Turk though..Tim needs to keep on making those free throws…Free throws will be crucial if they meet kings in the finals
The Lakers have got to take control from the start, the Spur defense is too good try to make these comeback attempts every game. I admit that Spur are an athelete team but veteran team doesn't suppose to turn the damn ball over and over!
That may have worked against the Magic or whoever in the regular season but it's not going to work with SPURS. We were lucky Shaq didn't get sent to the foul line more than he did last night because the Spurs had many chances to hack him but they just let it go.
Kobe tried playing a passing game getting others involved but didn't get himself going its classic overkill. Then they waste 5-6 minutes trying to get GP off. That should have been Kobe or Shaq. Like the Spurs, Parker got going then they went to Duncan. The Lakers don't play with that pace anymore. It lets force the ball to one or the other and the other doesn't get that involved.
Kobe as a set up man sounds right but we don't have the support players around him to get others going. I just feel bad for Shaq. He played with focus, dominated the boards but still fell short.
L.A. doesn't have a clue what to do out there. There are too many "generals" running around who don't know their roles haven't accepted what their role is supposed to be. I like the way they defended the screen rolls in the second half of the game for the most part, but in the final minutes they got lazy again with it and let a few slip by them. They also chucked up some bad, forced shots in the 4th. But these are problems they've had all year, and you can't realistically expect them to correct them at this point, especially against the champs.
I am so happy 
Th eonly team I hate more than San Antonio is the Lakers. hahahahahahah…
5abs man, my own zakhams are very much harray right now. I wouldn't dare step on anybody else's toes. :-p
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Fayz: *
Two words …Tony Parker…cross over dribble…over Shaq…enough said
[/QUOTE]
now, that is something. maybe I should start watching this series.
the life after 1st round for the T'Wolves was a defeat - and that too on home floor. :(
Can't ask for much more from Cassell. Damn, I still can't believe he knocked down, what, 4 threes in the final minute? Thats almost Reggie Miller-esque.
Great win for the Kings though - they may have just stole the Twolves swagger but still it's far from over - The Twolves just got their 1st taste of the 2nd round - and it was sour. Kings did what they had to do - now all the pressure is on the Twolves in game 2 if they expect to win this series - you dont want to go back to Arco down 2-0.
Kevin had his unusually game - i expect him to rise to the occasion with MVP style - Sprewell should play better next game - so everything should balance out!
[thumb=H]garnett_mvptrophy18849_4571812.JPG[/thumb]
KG IS THE MVP! The Best Damn Player on Earth!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
KG IS THE MVP! The Best Damn Player on Earth!
[/QUOTE]
They better win today or its all over for MVP and NBA's best team.
Solid game by the LAKERS. SPURS still would have lost if they had made their open shots because Phil finally went away from the triangle and let Payton dribble and Karl spread the floor. That's why there were so many lob dunks from Shaq off passes from Malone and that's why Payton actually had a good game. Phil finally ran some damn plays for them. The triangle is a great motion offense, but when you have 4 talents like that sometimes you say screw it and come with a arrogant "you can't stop us" isolation. Now all LAKERS need to do is convince Phil to go away from the triangle in this series. I suggest holding Jeannie Buss hostage! ;)
Phil allowed GP more ball handling duties and he made more plays and pushed the ball up court more, wore down Parker. This is the way we played early in the season. Good to see Payton smiling at the end of the game.
[thumb=H]glovedaddy10122_4785068.JPG[/thumb]
What I liked most was the team defense. LAKERS rotated intelligently and made sure Parker didn't have his way on every possession. SPURS are quite venerable without Parker being effective, which he definitely was not today.
This is Shaq's series; and if he continues to raise his game-level energy, continues to connect on 80% of the shoot, LAKERS could turned this series around. Shaq can punish Rasho who's really no match for Shaq in strength, size and athleticism plus offensively he's on a milk carton. Against the Rockets Shaq had very little physical advantage against Yao. Plus offensively Yao made Shaq have to play very active defense which accounts for Shaq's low numbers against the Rockets. Kobe had an advantage against the smaller Mobley, this series Bowen like Yao makes it harder on Kobe which makes it smarter to play through Shaq.
LAKERS, finally, game planned for Parker essentially taking him outta the game. We doubled him and Duncan which made the other guys have to make plays which they aren't equipped to do. Bowen, Hedo, Brown, Rasho and Manu were left to try and make plays. They didn't make enough plays.
Shaq is killling Rasho. That could change this whole series. Last season Shaq never really was able to dominate David Robinson. They were a true twin towers. Rasho is no tower.
Kobe was marvelous as he allowed G.P. to handle the ball and stayed patient all game long. Also, on court, Kobe and Malone had great chemistry. They hardly turned the ball over though on two-on-two screens, however, both LAKERS and SPURS turned the ball 19 times apiece but LAKERS did able to get points off turnovers, got back on defence to make up the turnover.
Kobe's pretrial 3-day hearing begins tomorrow, that means, he has to rush back for Game 4. Three times Kobe has done that, and played undoubtly great.
But Tuesday's game, I reckon, will be more tough for Kobe than the previous 3. LAKERS' need bench players(Fish, Slava, Krush) to come out, knock down shots on given opporunities. I tell you SPURS will make adjustments and come out good in Game 4.
p.s. Happy Mother's Day All. :)
thats what the spurs really are......
CRAP !
GO lakers..... just Kill'em Spurs...
hahahhahhahaha
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
They better win today or its all over for MVP and NBA's best team.
[/QUOTE]
Wolves did win - and that too in style! COME ON!
we have a good record at Arco Arena(2-0) this season depsite of those damn cow bells - if we take one game out of 2 - Wolves will be just fine!
**Maloofs bet with Craig Kilborn **
[thumb=H]526-show18849_6592019.JPG[/thumb]
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/9173896p-10099450c.html
The Maloof brothers, from left, Phil, George, Joe and Gavin – who all have a family interest in the Sacramento Kings – pop up Monday night on “The Late Show with Craig Kilborn.” Their Round 2 NBA playoff wager: If the Minnesota Timberwolves win, the Maloofs must wear the skimpy shorts held by Kilborn; if the Kings win, Kilborn will park cars and serve drinks at The Palms, the family casino-hotel in Las Vegas. Kilborn is a huge Minnesota T-wolves fan and played in the team’s training camp last October.
==================================
i hope Craig wins the bet - it won’t be fair with Craig if he losses - thats not fair, 1 on like 4 - but either scenario would be priceless! 
PT whaddya say we gonna win tonight :D?
Phenomenal game again by Kobe after a long day during which he pleaded not guilty in Colorado, then flew back and scored an inspired 42 points. Shaq contributed 28 and together they scored 70 of the Lakers 98 pts (Spurs 90 pts). Series tied 2-2. 5th game on Thursday at SBC Center.
[thumb=H]koberocks10122_4620704.JPG[/thumb]
You know 5Abi, I was lucky to be just at STAPLES last night. You can all watch games like this on TV but to witness in front of your eyes; you gotta feel passion! I felt it. Even though, Shaq still remains the franchise player but Kobe is the soul of LAKERS. No one owes the STAPLES as Kobe does! I would pay million bucks to see the performance of Kobe again!
Shaq didn’t get easy buckets last night; and he was sluggish in the first half; and Kobe was erratic; and that showed in the amount of open shots the SPURS got when LAKER rotation and communication were slow and Manu/Hedo just happened to be hot. Led to an early lead.
Thankfully Kobe regained his energy in the 2nd Half and that sparked the LAKERS to play better defense. When LAKERS offense is great, it make them to play the defence better. Series over from here if LAEKRS bring the same energy and defense in Game 5.
Phil has realized why Triangle has bother Payton. He continues to stay away from the triangle and runs a little bit more, I see very little chance of the LAKERS losing Game 5. But I expect the SPURS to play well, and home court officiating will be in their favor. LAKERS don’t bring the same energy/defense and non-tri offensive execution as in Games 3 and 4, they lose Game 5 and probably the series.
In order to win the series, Kobe/Shaq have to outscore Parker/Duncan.
Game 5 is where we brought GP and Malone in for. They have to give us their best game on thursday. They have to take us back in time just 1 night. Thursday’s winner wins this series in my mind.
Kobe is just amazing. I just can’t get over his performance last night. He has his best game of the season; and probably his career.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Game 5 is where we brought GP and Malone in for. They have to give us their best game on thursday. They have to take us back in time just 1 night. Thursday's winner wins this series in my mind.
[/QUOTE]
That IS the big question mark. We were in same postion last year, series tied 2-2, went to San Antonio for 5th game, lost there, then came back for 6th at Staples and lost that one. The only advantage Lakers have at this point is that they have given Spurs a taste of defeat in 2 consecutive games. Spurs no longer have the 17-game winning streak. Lakers have the mojo right now. Peyton and Mailman will contribute in 5th game but it will always come down to Kobe and Shaq to bring home the title once again.
I’ve been impressed with Mailman’s defence on Tim Duncan. In two home games, he didn’t let Tim to get on the high-post, where Tim Duncan is a killer. It did appear that Duncan can do nothing with Malone on him.
The Glove, has somewhat, turned the tables on Parker. He was really great holding Parker to only 18 points off 7/18 shooting last night. That’s what happens when you play team defense. Payton couldn’t contain Parker by himself in Games 1 and 2, and was predictably torched. Add that to the fact that Phil refused to get Payton involved offensively and it led to an overwhelming advantage for the SPURS at the 1 spot.
But thankfully, Phil realized that Payton plays his best when he handles the ball a little more and when he plays someone in the box. Surprise surprise, Payton routinely schooled Parker in Games 3 and 4 when he was allowed to post up Parker in the box. Did you see how Payton snatched the ball from the hands of Parker last night?
If Payton and Malone don’t contribute in big numbers, they are on the floor to set the screens, P&R for Shaq and Kobe, though, it would be even better if Payton and Malone + bench be more productive offensively.
Let’s see if Lakeshow can make it 3 straight. This might sound cocky but I think the SPURS need this game more than LA. I can see LA coming back from 3-2, mostly because game 6 is in LA. I can’t see SA winning game 6 at LA if they’re down 3-2. Just my honest opinion.
Let’s Go Lakers!
After the Lakers blew the 16-pt lead and Duncan's shot put Spurs up 73-72, Lakers had 4/10th of a second left to pull a miracle. Guard Fisher took the inbound pass with clock showing 04 seconds and made one of the most memorable shot in Laker lore, as time expired.
Lakers 74 Spurs 72. Lakers now lead series 3-2 and have a chance to eliminate them on Saturday at Staples.
[thumb=H]fish11340_3554762.JPG[/thumb]
[thumb=H]lakers_051404fish10122_7534223.JPG[/thumb]
“One lucky shot deserves another.” - Shaq
OMGGGGGGGG!!! I LOVE THIS GAME!!!
That was, without a doubt, the most amazing conclusion I’ve seen to any NBA game. Even though Daddy couldn’t get involved in the game, mostly I think due to the exhuastion of Kobe, but he sure did make spot on analysis.
I screamed at the top of my lungs when Fisher hit that shot. I woke everyone in the damn house up. I was expecting Kobe to shoot it or Shaq to get a lob near the basket. No way did I expect Fisher to get the shot and take a fadeaway. WOW! GP made a great pass as he read Kobe being overplayed, he through the pass to Fish who could swing in rhythm and not bobble the pass. Robert Horry leaving GP opened up the clear view for the entry pass. LAKERS were overdue for this miracle shot. It could have happened last year but this one, damn, it’s sweet! GP deserves a ton of credit for that great pass. George was outta his mind for 3 quarters. He actually looked special out there. But in the 4th, he went scoreless.
It was a classic catch and heave. The standard .4 play. I can’t believe SPURS filed a complained about the clock. There’s a reason the rule is .4 catch and shoot, which exactly what Fisher did. Move freakin’ on…
Game 6 in L.A. and I am so there at STAPLES Center which will, hopefully, be rockin’ Just put this series to bed. The SPURS are probably going to be dejected, much like we were a year ago in Game 6. LAKERS have to start the game well and put this one away early. Last night was evidence that the SPURS were a completely different team when they have confidence.
The formula for victory is very simple. If the LAKERS don’t turn the ball over, the SPURS have no chance. They get all the cheap stuff of our TOs. Shaq did make that point after the game.
If Kobe had his normal energy, I don’t think Game 5 would have gotten tight. He would have made a few basket to hold the lead from changing hands. He couldn’t drive to the basketball on wide open floor because he didn’t have the legs. This might be first time in Kobe’s career that he didn’t go to the foul line at all.
We need to go to Shaq early and often.
The SPURS are in a dilema. If they play Bowen then they can’t score. If they play Devin Brown, Kobe’s gonna smoke him. The other big factor also is Rasho. Shaq before Game 5, had been so thoroughly spanking Rasho that Pops have to pull him out and play Horry instead. Playing Horry means Duncan on Shaq which drains Duncan’s energy and takes away most of his offense.
The LAKERS have figured a way to stop Parker by essentially stacking guys in the lane. He’s not confident in his pull-up jumpers and he’s passing too much.
That being said Lakers by 10. I see Kobe and shaq adding another chapter to their legendary career. I’m expecting the celebrities to be out in full throttle. We might even see Britney Spears courtside for Luke Walton.