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Last playoffs one of the things I enjoyed most was discussing games with Ezra of The Purple & Gold Blog. So... resurrection: better than Lazarus!
Don: Going into the series, LA looked to get the match-up they wanted: a sliding New Orleans with a Chris Paul who wasn't even sure he wanted to be there any more. Yet here we sit, with the series tied at 2-2.
I don't think we can point to anything particular in what LA's doing and say "Aaaah... they need to do 'X' to get the win." Or if there is any 'X', then it's "defend Chris Paul better" - and honestly I'm not sure there's a player in the league who could do that.
It IS evident tho' that Derek Fisher's matador defense isn't going to cut it at the elite levels any more.
LA have to do what they're doing, and just expect Andrew Bynum/Pau Gasol step it up. And they need to. I think our Lakers still get through, but make no mistake: no blinking, or NOLA will step up.
Ezra: I will have to agree with you about Derek Fisher. For all the big things he does during the playoffs and for his natural ability to say the right things at the right moment to his teammates, there's no replacement for his inability to make any opposing point guard worry about going up against him and I'm not just talking about on the defensive end. That's not a knock on Fish and I understand his special relationship with Kobe and Phil's unrelenting trust in his play. But when it's time to pass it on, it's time to pass it on.
The real difference between this first round series and the season series is Pau Gasol. Yeah, Chris Paul was a monster in Games 1 and 4. But if Pau was anywhere close to being as consistent against the Hornets as he was during the regular season, this series would probably be over right now in favor of the Lakers. Then again, the Lakers had gotten so used to being complacent that they think they're playing hard but really just average at best. That was the danger they've been flirting with for at least the past 2 seasons, now they're finding out that flipping that proverbial switch is much tougher than ever before.
Don: Yup... even if LA get outta jail free and end up winning it all this season, more than ever the chance of the team getting burnt at the point is there to be taken. They want success, then it's something that needs to be addressed.
The other side of it is that I don't really think it matters at the moment who Chris Paul is against: he'd hose 'em.
I still think LA will eventually get out of this series, I don't see the rest of the Hornets continuing to play well above themselves, and it's a good thing (asides from me being a Laker-fan). I can't see NOLA making it through to the Finals, and if they did, actually troubling whoever comes out of the East.
Why is it every season LA has to go through a rite of passage in the first round? They seem to be getting progressively tougher...
More post-game 5... no comments
Last playoffs one of the things I enjoyed most was discussing games with Ezra of The Purple & Gold Blog. So... resurrection: better than Lazarus!
Don: Going into the series, LA looked to get the match-up they wanted: a sliding New Orleans with a Chris Paul who wasn't even sure he wanted to be there any more. Yet here we sit, with the series tied at 2-2.
I don't think we can point to anything particular in what LA's doing and say "Aaaah... they need to do 'X' to get the win." Or if there is any 'X', then it's "defend Chris Paul better" - and honestly I'm not sure there's a player in the league who could do that.
It IS evident tho' that Derek Fisher's matador defense isn't going to cut it at the elite levels any more.
LA have to do what they're doing, and just expect Andrew Bynum/Pau Gasol step it up. And they need to. I think our Lakers still get through, but make no mistake: no blinking, or NOLA will step up.
Ezra: I will have to agree with you about Derek Fisher. For all the big things he does during the playoffs and for his natural ability to say the right things at the right moment to his teammates, there's no replacement for his inability to make any opposing point guard worry about going up against him and I'm not just talking about on the defensive end. That's not a knock on Fish and I understand his special relationship with Kobe and Phil's unrelenting trust in his play. But when it's time to pass it on, it's time to pass it on.The real difference between this first round series and the season series is Pau Gasol. Yeah, Chris Paul was a monster in Games 1 and 4. But if Pau was anywhere close to being as consistent against the Hornets as he was during the regular season, this series would probably be over right now in favor of the Lakers. Then again, the Lakers had gotten so used to being complacent that they think they're playing hard but really just average at best. That was the danger they've been flirting with for at least the past 2 seasons, now they're finding out that flipping that proverbial switch is much tougher than ever before.
Don: Yup... even if LA get outta jail free and end up winning it all this season, more than ever the chance of the team getting burnt at the point is there to be taken. They want success, then it's something that needs to be addressed.
The other side of it is that I don't really think it matters at the moment who Chris Paul is against: he'd hose 'em.
I still think LA will eventually get out of this series, I don't see the rest of the Hornets continuing to play well above themselves, and it's a good thing (asides from me being a Laker-fan). I can't see NOLA making it through to the Finals, and if they did, actually troubling whoever comes out of the East.
Why is it every season LA has to go through a rite of passage in the first round? They seem to be getting progressively tougher...
More post-game 5... no comments
Sunday. New Orleans play gracious host to the Los Angeles Lakers in game 4 of the opening round of the playoffs. And I guess it's stating the obvious to say that it's a very, very important game.
LA take it, and the Bees find themselves in a very deep hole: headed back to LA with a 3-1 deficit, facing elimination.
The Hornets win, and we have a series on our hands...
The news for the Lakers is good however. Pau Gasol finally answered the question of "Will the real Pau Gasol please stand up?" with a good performance in the second half of game 3. Prior to that, he'd been decidedly underwhelming, in a match-up that should see him completely dominating games. I mean... c'mon. Carl Landry's a solid enough player, but shutting down one of the premier big men in the game? Say what???
Andrew Bynum's going to play... which is phenomenal news. Bynum's been the difference between the two sides, and has been a force to be reckoned with.
An acquaintance of mine who's a complete Laker-hater noted:
"I don't think Bynum can be stopped on offense. He is just such a giant, and has the agility and mobility of a much
smaller player."
You know the guy's playing well when he draws such high praise from someone who despises the team he plays for. If LA can take game 4, that'll go a long way in helping AB get some rest on that knee - as the Dallas/Portland series seems destined for 6 or 7 games.
Kobe Bryant's been Kobe. And whilst in game 2 he didn't garner much of a statline, he was the reason Chris Paul's boxscore was anaemic too. And make no mistake: therein lies the key to the Bee. Take out #3, and they're reliant on pieces that probably wouldn't be starting at most of the teams still playing basketball at this point in the space/time continuum.
But there's no doubt, that LA will really want game 4. I expect to see more of the team that made a huge run post the All Star Break. Because it's about time that team turned up.
Busy times at the moment, haven't been able to post that much of late... hopefully that'll change a bit henceforth! no comments
LA take it, and the Bees find themselves in a very deep hole: headed back to LA with a 3-1 deficit, facing elimination.
The Hornets win, and we have a series on our hands...
The news for the Lakers is good however. Pau Gasol finally answered the question of "Will the real Pau Gasol please stand up?" with a good performance in the second half of game 3. Prior to that, he'd been decidedly underwhelming, in a match-up that should see him completely dominating games. I mean... c'mon. Carl Landry's a solid enough player, but shutting down one of the premier big men in the game? Say what???
Andrew Bynum's going to play... which is phenomenal news. Bynum's been the difference between the two sides, and has been a force to be reckoned with.
An acquaintance of mine who's a complete Laker-hater noted:
"I don't think Bynum can be stopped on offense. He is just such a giant, and has the agility and mobility of a much
smaller player."
You know the guy's playing well when he draws such high praise from someone who despises the team he plays for. If LA can take game 4, that'll go a long way in helping AB get some rest on that knee - as the Dallas/Portland series seems destined for 6 or 7 games.
Kobe Bryant's been Kobe. And whilst in game 2 he didn't garner much of a statline, he was the reason Chris Paul's boxscore was anaemic too. And make no mistake: therein lies the key to the Bee. Take out #3, and they're reliant on pieces that probably wouldn't be starting at most of the teams still playing basketball at this point in the space/time continuum.
But there's no doubt, that LA will really want game 4. I expect to see more of the team that made a huge run post the All Star Break. Because it's about time that team turned up.
Busy times at the moment, haven't been able to post that much of late... hopefully that'll change a bit henceforth! no comments
.
Game 1: Apr 17 3:30pm EDT @LAL
Game 2: Apr 20 10:30pm EDT @LAL
Game 3: Apr 22 9:30pm EDT @NOR
Game 4: Apr 24 9:30pm EDT @NOR
Game 5: Apr 26, TBD @LAL (if necessary)
Game 6: Apr 28, TBD @NOR (if necessary)
Game 7: Apr 30, TBD @LAL (if necessary) no comments
Game 1: Apr 17 3:30pm EDT @LAL
Game 2: Apr 20 10:30pm EDT @LAL
Game 3: Apr 22 9:30pm EDT @NOR
Game 4: Apr 24 9:30pm EDT @NOR
Game 5: Apr 26, TBD @LAL (if necessary)
Game 6: Apr 28, TBD @NOR (if necessary)
Game 7: Apr 30, TBD @LAL (if necessary) no comments
This, could well upset some people. And believe me: I in no way condone the use of derogatory terms... but I think we all need to maintain a little perspective on the situation regarding Kobe Bryant.
Hasn't the "politically correct" gone a little too far on the issue of "what-Kobe-said"? Isn't a 100k fine a little overboard?
Yes, it was not something I'd like my four year old to hear. No, it's not something that should be said in earshot of a microphone... but the reality of the issue is that if you're going to start handing down fines of that magnitude for things said in the field of play, then a helluva lot of guys are going to be paying out a helluva lot of fines on a daily basis.
Hell, Kevin Garnett'd be broke before the end of a game.
The response from players has been pretty much incredulity. Both Raymond Felton and Jameer Nelson expressed surprise at the size of the fine whilst on the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN, and both agreed that the general reaction in lockerooms was one of "Whoa!".
Kobe's response to it all was swift:
"My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone."
Bryant also followed that up with stating that even given the situation, the choice of words were wrong, and it was important for him to "own that".
The difficulty lies in how much more intimate sports have become. Kobe's "Beanie!!! F**kin' f***ot..." Wham! Right on the TVs of the world in Hi-def.
This is simply the reality of where we now are. The volatility of sports meets the sensitivity of the living room. Stuff's said in the heat of the moment that is neither considered, nor meant.
The hypocrisy of the situation is that David Stern knows this, but in order to head off a potential powder-keg just prior to what should be an incredible playoffs, he handed out a $100,000 fine.
Now, reiterating: no-one's saying that Kobe's exclaimed expletives are ok, just that perhaps a little judiciousness is applied when considering Kobe's appeal of the fine. no comments
Hasn't the "politically correct" gone a little too far on the issue of "what-Kobe-said"? Isn't a 100k fine a little overboard?
Yes, it was not something I'd like my four year old to hear. No, it's not something that should be said in earshot of a microphone... but the reality of the issue is that if you're going to start handing down fines of that magnitude for things said in the field of play, then a helluva lot of guys are going to be paying out a helluva lot of fines on a daily basis.
Hell, Kevin Garnett'd be broke before the end of a game.
The response from players has been pretty much incredulity. Both Raymond Felton and Jameer Nelson expressed surprise at the size of the fine whilst on the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN, and both agreed that the general reaction in lockerooms was one of "Whoa!".
Kobe's response to it all was swift:
"My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone."
Bryant also followed that up with stating that even given the situation, the choice of words were wrong, and it was important for him to "own that".
The difficulty lies in how much more intimate sports have become. Kobe's "Beanie!!! F**kin' f***ot..." Wham! Right on the TVs of the world in Hi-def.
This is simply the reality of where we now are. The volatility of sports meets the sensitivity of the living room. Stuff's said in the heat of the moment that is neither considered, nor meant.
The hypocrisy of the situation is that David Stern knows this, but in order to head off a potential powder-keg just prior to what should be an incredible playoffs, he handed out a $100,000 fine.
Now, reiterating: no-one's saying that Kobe's exclaimed expletives are ok, just that perhaps a little judiciousness is applied when considering Kobe's appeal of the fine. no comments
Andrew Bynum leaves the court vs the Spurs after hyperextending his right knee. MRI tomorrow...
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