Comments on: Waiting, and Looking at the Stats

By: Kurt

Kurt — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:15:07 +0000

Game 7 watching post up, as we head into an interesting night.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:34:30 +0000

For the record, I have deleted three comments over the last few days trying to open a discussion of what moves the Lakers should make this offseason. Aside my general distaste for speculation, these were thoughtful comments. But I am not going to open the door at all for this until the season is over. In part because, much like trade discussions, this would just dominate the comments on every post for days on end. And because we should enjoy the playoffs. Live in the moment.

By: inwit

inwit — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:24:05 +0000

I’d like the Lakers to play whatever team loses the game tonight ….

By: Warren Wee Lim

Warren Wee Lim — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:53:14 +0000

I put good money on the Spurs guys. I hope you do not hate me for “jinxing” your dream date with NOH.

Analogy: I put money on the Spurs so that, if they win, I get money. If they lose, while I lose too, we get NOOCH.

Seems like its a small price to pay for a Laker win ey? Should I simply take one for the team like Sasha?

By: Justin Voccola

Justin Voccola — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:35:28 +0000

The fact they will have a home-court advantage if New Orleans wins tonight should give the Lakers a decisive edge as the Hornets have only been competitive in one road game thus far in the playoffs.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:56:44 +0000

Right now, the only thing for sure is that the Lakers will play four more games–and the first game will be at Staples. So far, the Lakers are undefeated at home, and have a winning record away. Neither Hornets nor Spurs have a winning record away. Sticking with percentages, the Lakers should win the first two at home, and split the next two away.

Bloggers at San Antonio are already openly speculating that the Spurs will not be ready for game one against LA. I’d guess that the Hornets would even be in worse shape. Given their recent playoff histories, the teams could be facing elimination before they are even into the series with LA.

I sure hope so.

By: Travis Y.

Travis Y. — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:18:33 +0000

39-
I was listening to a Bill Simmons podcast a few months ago (I think it was Ric Bucher). Bucher had a conversation with a Memphis executive who was talking about the strange ability for Pau Gasol to match up well against Duncan on defense b/c h gives him fits w/ his length. Yet Pau doesn’t play particularly well against Dirk. But I don’t have the numbers so that will be up to you guys to look up.

I hope tomorrow’s game goes to triple OT and Duncan hits another 3 at the end to win the game.

By: Kareem

Kareem — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:48:35 +0000

A point that has been hinted at so far, but I feel needs some emphasis, is the risks ran by playing a team like the Spurs. Several of their players seem capable and willing of cheap tricks and sabotage; and with Kobe in a questionable condition, I would hesitate playing a team that welcomes “accidents” happening to their opponent’s star players. Lets hope for Ariza’s return and Bynum’s recovery. Peace.

By: Brian Tung

Brian Tung — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:52:57 +0000

Scot (50): I think what you’re seeing is not secrecy per se–just people not knowing exactly what’s going on because the MRI obviously didn’t show all of what’s going on.

If the dreaded microfracture surgery becomes a possibility, it will happen after the arthroscopic, if that happens to reveal the need to develop new cartilage. Frankly, I’d be surprised; it seems to me it would have to be basically unrelated to the subluxation, and was just found by coincidence.

By: The Dude Abides

The Dude Abides — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:21:58 +0000

Yes, knees are tricky, but small abnormalities can be compensated for by building muscle mass. I think for a big man like Bynum, weight training and stretching can go a long way to getting him back to normal and even better than before. I’m always going to worry more about a center’s feet than his knees. Look at Walton, Yao, Big Z, McHale, and even Pau.