Spurs Vs Lakers

[Charles V]

That is a completely false statement. Both Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash of Dallas were MVP nominees this season. Two nominess...just like LA.

Wrong, very wrong.

Steve Nash didnt even get so much as a 4th place vote, while the Germanator's highest honor was a single 2nd place vote.

Kobe and Shaq are one of the most potent tandems in NBA history. If they fail, it's on them. Not Mr. Vanessa Williams or Devon George.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by Chaplin
The Lakers have already played more horrible games vs. the Spurs than the Suns did (what I mean is that the Suns played the Spurs a lot closer--and with much, much better defense than LA).

I know the regular season technically doesn't mean anything once it is over, except for the seeding of teams, etc, but didn't the Suns whip the Spurs 3-1 in the regular seasonl? It shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone that they could play with them in the postseason. The Spurs swept the Lakers 4-0 in the regular season, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that they could play with them, or even dominate them in the postseason.

The Spurs have gotten younger and stronger with key additions. The Lakers, as you have said many times Chap, have simply gotten older and not necessarily better. Guys like Fox and Horry were down this year and the bench wasn't deep enough to go to anyone else.

I think everyone kind of assumed it would be Lakers and Kings again, and overlooked the improved Spurs.

Again...where is Karl Malone's number? Wouldn't he look good in Laker gear next season? The much-needed 3rd option/scorer.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by Charles V
Wrong, very wrong.

Steve Nash didnt even get so much as a 4th place vote, while the Germanator's highest honor was a single 2nd place vote.

Kobe and Shaq are one of the most potent tandems in NBA history. If they fail, it's on them. Not Mr. Vanessa Williams or Devon George.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio (60) 962
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (43) 871
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (8 ) 496
Tracy McGrady, Orlando (4) 427
Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers (3) 126
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 83
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 43
Ben Wallace, Detroit (1) 33
Jason Kidd, New Jersey 31
Chris Webber, Sacramento 19
Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans 1
Steve Nash, Dallas 1
Paul Pierce, Boston 1

It's only semantics, but your statement was that the Lakers had twice the MVP nominees of ANYONE in the league.

It is a fact that both Dirk and Steve were nominees, regardless of how many votes either received.

Therefore your statement is false.

 

[Chaplin]

Actually, Brian, I wasn't even thinking about the regular season--but I guess that just strengthens my point.

Anyway, I happen to think, yes, the Lakers lost a step or two this season, but I think the biggest reason the Lakers are getting worked are because of their injuries. Rick Fox is the Lakers' best on-ball defender, that's just a fact, and to lose him and their best bench player is major.

As for the complaining about Kobe getting mauled. Well, it's the playoffs, and Kobe Bryant is an amazing player, but it's not like he's a saint either. He's not exactly a player that doesn't touch anyone. Bruce Bowen has played VERY good defense on Kobe Bryant. IF all our theories about biased officiating are true, why is it Kobe isn't getting the calls if he's getting slammed out there? Talk about hypocritical--we scream and yell if Kobe gets the calls, and now it appears we scream and yell if he doesn't. What is that?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Tim Duncan, San Antonio (60) 962
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (43) 871
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (8 ) 496
Tracy McGrady, Orlando (4) 427
Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers (3) 126
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 83
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 43
Ben Wallace, Detroit (1) 33
Jason Kidd, New Jersey 31
Chris Webber, Sacramento 19
Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans 1
Steve Nash, Dallas 1
Paul Pierce, Boston 1

It's only semantics, but your statement was that the Lakers had twice the MVP nominees of ANYONE in the league.

It is a fact that both Dirk and Steve were nominees, regardless of how many votes either received.

Therefore your statement is false.

What a freaking joke. Stephon Marbury didn't garner at least one single vote?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa


Again...where is Karl Malone's number? Wouldn't he look good in Laker gear next season? The much-needed 3rd option/scorer.

And I also have to say again, Malone feels breaking the scoring record is more important. And to do that, he needs to have over 20 points a game for 2 years. That won't happen in Los Angeles. Period.

 

[Charles V]

It's only semantics, but your statement was that the Lakers had twice the MVP nominees of ANYONE in the league.

I dont agree. The fact that neither Dirk or Steve got a voted #1 proves my point.

That said, you are right...it all boils down to semantics.

Go Spurs.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by Chaplin
What a freaking joke. Stephon Marbury didn't garner at least one single vote?

That is pretty pathetic.

 

[Chaz]

The biggest difference I see from the Lakers is their defense. In previous seasons they would put together stretches where they would shut teams down when needed. They have not shown that ability so far this year. They out lasted the T-wolves on experience and talent not team defense.

San Antonio has a lot of weapons and the loss of Fox and George are very big. Brian Shaw as the 8th player is not to bad but when he is moved up to 6? This series is sooo far from over 'cause all SA has done is hold home court. I expect the Lakers to do the same, then the series gets interesting. San Antonio really needed these first two games for their confidence. The Lakers are disappointed but they are headed home.

Time for Phil Jackass, oops Jackson, to earn his money and make some basketball moves. I am really tired of his bitching and mind games.

Sorry Brian you will not find much sympathy for the Lakers here. I think all any basketball fan wants is for the games to be called fairly.

 

[LakeShowMan]

I'll go on record:

The Lakers defense is absolutely pathetic. Their rotations are slow, and they have not been able to keep a single player in front of them the whole series. They have lost two of their best on ball defenders, and maybe their absolute best "hustle guy", Devean George is way more important to this team than his numbers show. Their legs are tired and they are losing almost every important one-on-one matchup on defense.

I haven't seen any sembelance of the triangle offense in either of the two games. When run correctly the offense gets people good shots a optimum spots on the court. There are a few reasons for this, one the Spurs are playing very physical, up-in-your-face defense. Secondly, Kobe has fallen into the trap of trying to show that Bowen can't guard him, in doing so he is breaking down the offense and settling for to many difficult shots instead of just breaking him down and creating for teammates. Third, the Lakers are having to play with guys that the team is less comfortable with, missing Devean and Rick is way bigger than anyone can understand that hasn't watched the Lakers on a regular basis. Lastly, because of the breakdowns in the Lakers offensive system they have had to go to more one-on-one, in those situtions Shaq has been called for a lot of offense fouls, debates aside, he hasn't been able to play like he usually does.

The Spurs are playing lights out. Manu is everywhere, Bowen a guy that can't hit a freakin' FT can't miss a shot, and their depth has been outstanding. The fear that they have played with against the Lakers is gone, and they have been outstanding.

I don't know if the Lakers can come back. It will take some very good adjustments (which Phil and his staff are very good at, even though most other teams fans don't think he is, because IMO jealousy can be blinding) and also some contributions from players who have yet to date in their career been called on to make any. The Lakers are on life support right now and getting their asses handed to them. They need to win the next 2 if they are going to have any chance, and to do that they will need to play MUCH better defense and actually run their offense and make some damned shots.

 

[TheCardFan]

Originally posted by LakeShowMan
I'll go on record:The Spurs are playing lights out. Manu is everywhere, Bowen a guy that can't hit a freakin' FT can't miss a shot, and their depth has been outstanding. The fear that they have played with against the Lakers is gone, and they have been outstanding.

Very good points. The Spurs have been built around beating LA, the front office has done a terrific job of building depth while not killing the cap.

The Spurs have too much for LA this year and it is nice to see them playing with the confidence they have earned.

All that said, you still have to respect the Champs.

 

[SweetD]

Re: Re: Spurs Vs Lakers

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Yeah, losing 2 of your top 6 players shouldn't make you skip a beat, especially when you compiled a losing road record in the regular season with those guys.

The #1 seed is whipping up on the 5th seed at home. They should.

Hopefully the Lakers can defend their home-court and get back to SA tied.

At least it's the 2nd round and my team's still in it...

Sorry Fox and George are not starters on most teams. They are roll players not MVPs or All Stars. I think the play of Bowen has killed the Lakers and that is Kobe's fault.

 

[LakeShowMan]

Re: Re: Re: Spurs Vs Lakers

Originally posted by SweetD
Sorry Fox and George are not starters on most teams. They are roll players not MVPs or All Stars. I think the play of Bowen has killed the Lakers and that is Kobe's fault.

I don't think anybody ever said they were MVP or All-stars, but they are VERY important parts of the team, especially a team with the amazing lack of depth that the Lakers have. It is hard to quantify their additions to the team, but there absence has absolutely destroyed the defensive continuity, and both guys know the offense, run it very well, and have the ability to knock down open shots. I agree that they would not start on most teams, but their skills and abilities fit perfectly into the Laker system and their defensive play is usually outstanding.

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by LakeShowMan
It will take some very good adjustments (which Phil and his staff are very good at, even though most other teams fans don't think he is, because IMO jealousy can be blinding) and also some contributions from players who have yet to date in their career been called on to make any.

I hope for the Lakers sake Phil is as good as advertised. Congrats to him for 9 championships. I don't have a problem with Phil winning so much, I have a problem with his smug A-hole attitude and trying to blame the refs for losing game 1. I don't believe he really thinks that, it (the complaining) is just his politicing to get calls his way later and to play mind games with the Spurs.

The Lakers are not on life support. Winning one of the first two games in SA would have been a huge blow to the Spurs and the Lakers have to be disappointed. If the Lakers go quietly I will be shocked.

 

[Chaplin]

I read somewhere that in his career, every playoff series that Shaq has lost, it was a sweep...

 

[LakeShowMan]

Originally posted by SirChaz
The Lakers are not on life support. Winning one of the first two games in SA would have been a huge blow to the Spurs and the Lakers have to be disappointed. If the Lakers go quietly I will be shocked.

I hope you right, but I just don't know. I can't remeber the last Laker game I missed and I can't remember their team defense being this bad. Maybe during Kurt Rambis' short tenure as coach. They just don't have the horses right now. Kobe and Shaq are going to have to be as dominant as they have ever been, and even then they can't cover everyone on defense. I still think they can win this series if they start hiting some shots, but it will be VERY VERY difficult.

 

[jbeecham]

Interesting turn of events in game 3. Actually a complete reversal of officiating. Lakers shoot 40 ft's to the Spurs 24. Kobe had 19 attempts by himself. I didn't really watched the game though so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[elindholm]

I didn't watch the game very carefully, but the officiating seemed fine to me. There were a couple of bad calls either way. George had three fouls before the first quarter was over, and O'Neal had three fouls with about five minutes to go in the first half. The Spurs just couldn't hit a shot.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by elindholm
I didn't watch the game very carefully, but the officiating seemed fine to me. There were a couple of bad calls either way. George had three fouls before the first quarter was over, and O'Neal had three fouls with about five minutes to go in the first half. The Spurs just couldn't hit a shot.

The officiating was fine. The Lakers played better defense and took it to the hoop on offense. Devean George's presence was huge. One more to tie it up.

Go Lakers!!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
The officiating was fine. The Lakers played better defense and took it to the hoop on offense. Devean George's presence was huge. One more to tie it up.

Go Lakers!!

Wow, Lakers win, and the officiating was fine.

Personally, I think this is what is ruining the game...every single time a game is won or lost, people always blame the refs first.

I'm so tired of the refs being such a big deal. I'm sitting in Native New Yorker tonight and some moron is like "Duncan should be long fouled out by now, stupid refs" like in the 3rd quarter.

HELLO.??? these are pros...let them play. Sure, refs make bad calls, but get over it please. It's really lame that refs are alwasy such a big topic of conversation following each game.

And the players on the court, they get bumped, they start whining, crying...just play already.

Ok, off my soap box.

Mike

 

[jbeecham]

Once again I said I didn't see the game........just looked at the box score. I thought it was odd that the Lakers now had the edge in everything now that they are at home.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by jbeecham
Once again I said I didn't see the game........just looked at the box score. I thought it was odd that the Lakers now had the edge in everything now that they are at home.

It's pretty much for the same reason San Antonio had the edge in everything at home...the Lakers took it to the Spurs rather than shoot jump shots all game long, and they also hit their shots when they did take jump shots. The Lakers also played much better defense. The Lakers got a lot of help from their bench, including a decent game by Devean George who set the pace early on.

The Lakers, this season, had a winning home record and a losing road record, so it shouldn't have been much of a surprise that they'd play better at home.

 

[Chaz]

The officiating could be cleaned up a little but I didn't think it was unfair. The Lakers were the aggreessor and played better D to start the game.

The Lakers needed it more than the Spurs.

How about the Shaq full court run out and dunk

That was cool. Heres to a good game 4.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by SirChaz
How about the Shaq full court run out and dunk

That was cool.

That was really awesome. They spoke to Shaq's high school coach the game before, in San Antonio (where Shaq played in HS). He said that Shaq used to bring the ball up all the time in HS, but wasn't as bulky then as he is now.

I was shocked when Shaq flew down the floor, coast to coast.

Way to go Big Guy.



BTW: Series tied at 2.

 

[green machine]

How does Shaq go a game with only 2 fouls? He pushes and everything. Either they should be offensive fouls, or no calls. Either way, good heart by the Lakers...I still think San Antonio wins this series.

adam