The 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers Thread

[D-Dogg]

Yeah, maybe I should be as well. Don't mistake my concern for lack of faith in my team, I'm going to root for them down to the last shot, there are just other teams that worry me. Of course, this is the case every year, including the years that they have won titles. The Lakers have a history of playing their best ball in the playoffs so we'll see what happens.

I just really want that #1 overall seed.

If you remember, I was dropping some VICIOUS rants on this team, that wasn't losing many games. Until this happened:

Good, solid win over the Hornets with tough defense. Farmar getting surgery.

I've been harsh on this team, but if they beat the Celtics tomorrow I won't complain again until the postseason.

Renz is SO going to hold you to that.

No need. Beating the Celtics is enough to coast on for a long, long, long time.

I won't even want to complain.

 

[Darth Llama]

At least you have a good reason!

They squeaked by again today, almost giving the game away to the Warriors. In the end, all that matters is the "W" though. I'm not one of those guys that complains after a win because we didn't win by enough, all I care about is the win. Sadly, Cleveland also won, so we didn't gain any ground on them. We're only 1 out of #1 overall, so definitely no need to panic or anything. I just hope they keep up the intensity.

I don't care if it's by 1 point or 50 points, just win.

 

[D-Dogg]

At least you have a good reason!

And they doubled down on it, too!!

And to add to it, they beat the Cavs twice.

I can't even begin to complain. They've beaten the good teams. They struggle with the bad ones. I can accept that. The bad ones won't be in the playoffs.

 

[Mulli]

Kobe on the radio in Chicago. Phone rang to I missed it.

 

[Darth Llama]

Well, in another heartless, gutless performance the Lakers hand the #1 overall to the Cavs on a silver platter by laying down for the Hawks.

At least they'll be consistent with last year. Lose Bynum for the year, go on a regular season tear, win the West, go to the finals and get slaughtered. No way they beat the Cavs without home court. Our only hope is that the Celtics beat them first, we would get home court against them.

 

[TheHopToad]

They're also consistent in not being able to beat the Bobcats. Go figure.

BTW...speaking of losing Bynum. Looks like his knee is well enough to take on some extra weight.

You must be registered for see images

Nice rehab program the Lake Show has. Better hope Kobe doesn't want some time on the injured list himself...

 

[D-Dogg]

Well, in another heartless, gutless performance the Lakers hand the #1 overall to the Cavs on a silver platter by laying down for the Hawks.

At least they'll be consistent with last year. Lose Bynum for the year, go on a regular season tear, win the West, go to the finals and get slaughtered. No way they beat the Cavs without home court. Our only hope is that the Celtics beat them first, we would get home court against them.

They'll beat the Cavs without home court. I worry only about the Celtics.

And of course they don't beat the bobcats. They simply can NOT beat that team.

 

[O]

On the;
ARIZONA Sports Fan Network!
The Fakers can rot in hell!

 

[Darth Llama]

They'll beat the Cavs without home court. I worry only about the Celtics.

And of course they don't beat the bobcats. They simply can NOT beat that team.

I think you might be selling the Cavs a little short. The Cavs are probably the best team in the NBA right now (at least they're playing that way) and they are the best home team in the NBA. Yes, I know that the Lakers are the team that handed them their only home loss, and that's impressive. I take nothing away from that accomplishment, but to just assume they can do it in the playoffs is dangerous. If Garnett gets healthy for the Playoffs, the Celtics are very much a threat as well. I agree that LA will beat Boston as the home team even if Boston is 100%. I'm not so sure however that I would say the same about Cleveland.

I will admit, I won't be entirely upset to see the Cavs win it, I would obviously much rather see the Lakers win it of course, but the Cavs don't bother me. As long as it's not Boston or Phoenix, I'm cool. I think Boston is one and done and of course Phoenix won't see a playoff game again for another 4-6 years, so I'm good there. Regardless of the Lakers record this year though, anything short of an NBA title makes the season a total failure.

 

[D-Dogg]

Regardless of the Lakers record this year though, anything short of an NBA title makes the season a total failure.

I have to agree with this...last year was surreal, unexpected. This year, it's title or FAIL. There's no, "damn...we made the Finals" to it which last season had. Last season was more than expected. Regaining the Larry O'Brien is the only expectation I have of this season.

 

[TheHopToad]

And of course they don't beat the bobcats. They simply can NOT beat that team.

The Bobcats are only a game out of the #8 seed in the east. Good thing they are in different conferences or this would have that Warriors-Mavericks 1 vs 8 feeling from couple of years ago.

 

[Darth Llama]

FYI: Cleveland lost tonight to the Wizards. Tomorrow they are AT Orlando while LA hosts Houston. If LA takes care of business and Cleveland drops one to the Magic, we gain a game and a half which would reduce Clevelands lead on #1 to .5 games.

 

[Darth Llama]

FYI: Cleveland lost tonight to the Wizards. Tomorrow they are AT Orlando while LA hosts Houston. If LA takes care of business and Cleveland drops one to the Magic, we gain a game and a half which would reduce Clevelands lead on #1 to .5 games.

Well, this scenario happened.

ESPN still has LA 1 back, but that doesn't make any sense. LA was 2 games back, Cleveland lost last night and tonight, while the Lakers won tonight. That should have cut the deficit to half a game not one full game.

On a side note, anyone that still subscribes to the laughable myth that Shane Battier can guard Kobe should watch the clips from LA's wins over Houston this season. Both he and Artest played suffocating on Kobe, and it just didn't matter.

 

[Darth Llama]

Bynum could return by the end of the week.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4044867

Nice thought, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Bynum got the start tonight !!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Bynum definitely frees up Gasol !!

P. Gasol (partway through the 2nd quarter)
5-11, 14 Pts, 9 Rebs

 

[Darth Llama]

Bynum definitely frees up Gasol !!

P. Gasol (partway through the 2nd quarter)
5-11, 14 Pts, 9 Rebs

Anytime Pau gets 27 and 19, Kobe goes for 33 and Bynum puts in 16 while playing solid D and changing shots, the Lakers are going to win. Defensive effort still needs work, but it's a lot better with Bynum in the game. Gasol seems much more aggressive offensively when he doesn't have to worry about his position under the basket. Bynum's numbers may not be off the charts, but they were good and they really helped the team to a win over the #2 team in the West. Glad to have Bynum back in the line up.

 

[D-Dogg]

If it were anyone but Portland, in Portland, I'd think we would have a great shot at best record overall. Cavs face Boston still.

But the Lakers simply can't beat the Blazers up there...Kobe even said they get their butts kicked up there.

I'm not expecting a win tomorrow. If we do get it, it will be the biggest win of the year, because it would put serious pressure on the Cavs to win out.

 

[Darth Llama]

If it were anyone but Portland, in Portland, I'd think we would have a great shot at best record overall. Cavs face Boston still.

But the Lakers simply can't beat the Blazers up there...Kobe even said they get their butts kicked up there.

I'm not expecting a win tomorrow. If we do get it, it will be the biggest win of the year, because it would put serious pressure on the Cavs to win out.

Add to the fact that Phil Jackson isn't making the trip and it doesn't look good. We're not winning in Portland with Kurt Rambis as the head coach.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4057086

 

[D-Dogg]

And there you go. Once again, the Kryptonite of the Rose Garden kicks our ass.

 

[Darth Llama]

And there you go. Once again, the Kryptonite of the Rose Garden kicks our ass.

Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to reap the benefit of being in the east by winning against the 76'ers.

Cleveland has 3 games left, they host Boston, then they're at Indiana and they host the 76'ers.

Lakers only have 2 games left, they host Memphis and Utah.

Cleveland has a 1.5 Game lead and has one tough game and two laughers remaining. The Lakers should win both of their remaining, but unless the Cavs some how lose 2 of 3 they are the #1 seed. They deserve it though, the Lakers gave plenty of games away this year and now it will bite them in the backside. Cleveland took care of business when they needed to, and they earned that seed, congrats to them.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Bynum with 22 in a blowout win over the Jazz.

 

[Darth Llama]

Are the Jazz even planning on showing up today? It's game 1 of the playoffs, feel free to show up at any time huh?

This series is going to be quick, the Lakers are too good and way too deep off the bench. I'm really happy about Shannon Brown, that guy is looking good.

 

[Linderbee]

I didn't realize there was still basketball being played...

 

[Darth Llama]

I didn't realize there was still basketball being played...

Yes, the REAL basketball is being played now.