Comments on: Savoring and Looking Ahead http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:18:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Gatinho http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-562576 Gatinho Sat, 03 May 2008 04:32:53 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-562576 Times reports Kobe wins MVP http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kobe3-2008may03,0,6268282.story Times reports Kobe wins MVP

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kobe3-2008may03,0,6268282.story

]]> By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559579 Kurt Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:43:20 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559579 New post up looking at the previous Jazz/Lakers meetings, although after last night I'm tempted to slow down the Jazz train a little. New post up looking at the previous Jazz/Lakers meetings, although after last night I’m tempted to slow down the Jazz train a little.

]]> By: samy http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559576 samy Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:41:13 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559576 Larry Bird is such a freakin' G. Last night I pulled up some youtube hightlights and WOW! At any rate... do we think summer camp is in las vegas again this off-season? Larry Bird is such a freakin’ G. Last night I pulled up some youtube hightlights and WOW!

At any rate… do we think summer camp is in las vegas again this off-season?

]]> By: Oldie http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559544 Oldie Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:18:08 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559544 As far as match-ups, I say put Luke on Okur (remember Phil using him on Brad Miller)? He's got the toughness to deal with a center, plus Okur's going to hang outside. Use Pau's length to bother Boozer, and have Odom on Kirilenko, and play off of him if Kirilenko goes outside so we can take advantage of Lamar's rebounding, since Kirilenko is not a good outside shooter. As far as match-ups, I say put Luke on Okur (remember Phil using him on Brad Miller)? He’s got the toughness to deal with a center, plus Okur’s going to hang outside. Use Pau’s length to bother Boozer, and have Odom on Kirilenko, and play off of him if Kirilenko goes outside so we can take advantage of Lamar’s rebounding, since Kirilenko is not a good outside shooter.

]]> By: namotuman http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559540 namotuman Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:14:30 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559540 speaking of kobe......i was listening to the dan patrick show this a.m. and he had LARRY LEGEND as a guest (outstanding show for those of you who like dp). to quote Mr. Bird..."he (kb24) is the best player in the league and has been for the past couple of years.........somebody told me that he had not won the mvp award yet. that made me feel like throwing my (one of..) mvp in the trash."........strong words coming from the likes of Larry Legend...... speaking of kobe……i was listening to the dan patrick show this a.m. and he had LARRY LEGEND as a guest (outstanding show for those of you who like dp). to quote Mr. Bird…”he (kb24) is the best player in the league and has been for the past couple of years………somebody told me that he had not won the mvp award yet. that made me feel like throwing my (one of..) mvp in the trash.”……..strong words coming from the likes of Larry Legend……

]]> By: Mark http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559431 Mark Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:50:03 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559431 This is the most intellegent board I've ever read. I've always 'hated' the Lakers - so my comment is rather sincere. You all may even turn me into a fan, in spite of Kobe... If the Jazz make it to the second round and the Lakers win the series, I promise to root for the Lakers. This is the most intellegent board I’ve ever read.

I’ve always ‘hated’ the Lakers – so my comment is rather sincere.

You all may even turn me into a fan, in spite of Kobe…

If the Jazz make it to the second round and the Lakers win the series, I promise to root for the Lakers.

]]> By: Craig W. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559423 Craig W. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:56:03 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559423 Chris, International rules & refs don't favor the offensive player like the NBA does, so don't expect Kobe to be able to shut down a player like he did last summer. That is the biggest reason not to put Kobe on DWill for extended time in any Utah series. Of course, we have to wait and see how that series works out. Not only does Houston give Sloan the willies, but they also provide Phil with lots of tape to examine things that might work against Utah. Against Houston I think Gasol and our bench make the difference. Chris,
International rules & refs don’t favor the offensive player like the NBA does, so don’t expect Kobe to be able to shut down a player like he did last summer. That is the biggest reason not to put Kobe on DWill for extended time in any Utah series.

Of course, we have to wait and see how that series works out. Not only does Houston give Sloan the willies, but they also provide Phil with lots of tape to examine things that might work against Utah.

Against Houston I think Gasol and our bench make the difference.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559420 Stephen Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:39:56 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559420 Sorry about the Kobt factor. Still a little hyped from Rockets win. Sorry about the Kobt factor. Still a little hyped from Rockets win.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559418 Stephen Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:33:33 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559418 As the Rockets fan here,you're welcome. :) Before the Playoffs I told a Laker fan I know from work that I thought Utah would beat the Lakers because of their physical play and ability to get into teams heads. I do not hold that opinion now as Utah has shown so many weaknesses in this series that I would not be suprised if the Lakers won in 5. Utah's plus side includes Deron Williams,who is a great young PG who can take over a game(even w/his being hobbled as he is w/his posterior injury),a proven system,non-stop physical effort,borderline dirty play-clean dirty,if that makes sense-that is so constant that the refs start seeing that as Utah's way and let the fouls slide,a team full og guys you hate on the other side but would love if they were yours and some d*** fine shooters. And they all go against Laker weaknesses. BUT.... Utah's reserves-except for Harpring-are very young. They can get flustered and do silly things and let the other team get on a roll.(Prob the main reason for road woes is they have so many young players playing key supporting roles and young players tend to disappear on the road and do very well at home.) While Utah has an excellent system of cuts,ball movement,etc.,they have a tendency to jack up quick shots and quick-shoot themselves out of games,esp if they fall behind.(Forgive me,but this is where the sometime lackadaisical Laker D can be an advantage,by luring the Jazz into quick outside shots.) Watching the series,I think I know why Utah has such mediocre defensive rankings despite playing physical and doing an excellent job of containing top wing scorers.(In the reg season they just play strict man,so Kobe,McGrady,etc can go off.They completely change how they defend in the Playoffs. And to a poster who earlier commented Utah doesn't have physical players,so they can't really be a physical team-first,you don't have to have a muscle builders' body to PLAY physical,you just have to want to do it and get up into another player every single possesion.Second,Okur,Boozer,Harpring are not featherweights.) Utah's help defense on the initial penetration is excellent,but their weakside,off-ball rotations are horrible. The Rockets have not been able to capitalize on this as their "bigs" have shown a remarkable inability to score off the pass. Scola-until Game 5-has been so worried about getting his shot blocked he's throwing fakes when no-one is close to him,allowing the D to recover.Hayes has no lift and Motumbo has to gather himself. The lakers shouldn't have the same problems converting as Lamar is taller than the Rockets PFs and will dunk it and Gasol should feast on the steady diet of point-blank shots he'll get. So long as Kobe is willing to pass instead of trying to force it into teeth of Jazz D the Lakers should be in great shape. All of the defensive focus on McGrady has allowed the other side guards wide open lanes to the basket. Unfortunately Head can't even make a shot in his head and Jackson and Alston have not finished well,opting to throw up floaters.If Lamar will drive,he will rack up some nice dunks. The Kobt factor. McGrady has a bad knee and bum shoulder and is pretty much a shell of himself. But he is still able to get off his shot and drive almost at will. He just has no elevation left to finish strong. That is not the case w/Kobe. Any time Kobe wants to dominate the game,he can. For key stretches,if his shot falls,he will kill the Jazz. Not all game as that's bad for the team. But he should be able to stop Jazz runs,take over the crucial minutes,get the team jump-started if it's faltering. Since Utah's only hope of stopping him depends on the refs turning a blind eye to a mugging,I believe Kobe will be able to take over the key moments during the series and lead the Lakers to the Western Finals. As the Rockets fan here,you’re welcome. :)
Before the Playoffs I told a Laker fan I know from work that I thought Utah would beat the Lakers because of their physical play and ability to get into teams heads. I do not hold that opinion now as Utah has shown so many weaknesses in this series that I would not be suprised if the Lakers won in 5.
Utah’s plus side includes Deron Williams,who is a great young PG who can take over a game(even w/his being hobbled as he is w/his posterior injury),a proven system,non-stop physical effort,borderline dirty play-clean dirty,if that makes sense-that is so constant that the refs start seeing that as Utah’s way and let the fouls slide,a team full og guys you hate on the other side but would love if they were yours and some d*** fine shooters. And they all go against Laker weaknesses. BUT….
Utah’s reserves-except for Harpring-are very young. They can get flustered and do silly things and let the other team get on a roll.(Prob the main reason for road woes is they have so many young players playing key supporting roles and young players tend to disappear on the road and do very well at home.)
While Utah has an excellent system of cuts,ball movement,etc.,they have a tendency to jack up quick shots and quick-shoot themselves out of games,esp if they fall behind.(Forgive me,but this is where the sometime lackadaisical Laker D can be an advantage,by luring the Jazz into quick outside shots.)
Watching the series,I think I know why Utah has such mediocre defensive rankings despite playing physical and doing an excellent job of containing top wing scorers.(In the reg season they just play strict man,so Kobe,McGrady,etc can go off.They completely change how they defend in the Playoffs. And to a poster who earlier commented Utah doesn’t have physical players,so they can’t really be a physical team-first,you don’t have to have a muscle builders’ body to PLAY physical,you just have to want to do it and get up into another player every single possesion.Second,Okur,Boozer,Harpring are not featherweights.)
Utah’s help defense on the initial penetration is excellent,but their weakside,off-ball rotations are horrible. The Rockets have not been able to capitalize on this as their “bigs” have shown a remarkable inability to score off the pass. Scola-until Game 5-has been so worried about getting his shot blocked he’s throwing fakes when no-one is close to him,allowing the D to recover.Hayes has no lift and Motumbo has to gather himself. The lakers shouldn’t have the same problems converting as Lamar is taller than the Rockets PFs and will dunk it and Gasol should feast on the steady diet of point-blank shots he’ll get. So long as Kobe is willing to pass instead of trying to force it into teeth of Jazz D the Lakers should be in great shape.
All of the defensive focus on McGrady has allowed the other side guards wide open lanes to the basket. Unfortunately Head can’t even make a shot in his head and Jackson and Alston have not finished well,opting to throw up floaters.If Lamar will drive,he will rack up some nice dunks.
The Kobt factor. McGrady has a bad knee and bum shoulder and is pretty much a shell of himself. But he is still able to get off his shot and drive almost at will. He just has no elevation left to finish strong. That is not the case w/Kobe. Any time Kobe wants to dominate the game,he can. For key stretches,if his shot falls,he will kill the Jazz. Not all game as that’s bad for the team. But he should be able to stop Jazz runs,take over the crucial minutes,get the team jump-started if it’s faltering. Since Utah’s only hope of stopping him depends on the refs turning a blind eye to a mugging,I believe Kobe will be able to take over the key moments during the series and lead the Lakers to the Western Finals.

]]> By: j. d. hastings http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/comment-page-2/#comment-559416 j. d. hastings Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:23:11 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/04/29/savoring-and-looking-ahead/#comment-559416 Hahaha- 61- I think you can say about the Shaq (and Kidd) trade: Between the idea And the reality Between the motion And the act Falls the Shadow Hahaha- 61- I think you can say about the Shaq (and Kidd) trade:

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow

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