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Lakers/Celtics Game 2 Chat

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Going down 1-0 in a seven game series may not be ideal but it is not a big deal. On the other hand, 2-0 would make it a very steep mountain to climb.

If the Lakers are going to even this series it is going to take a team effort, not a “Kobecentric” game. Nomuskles rewatched game one, closely watching Kobe’s shots, and had these observations:

I have some bad news when it comes to Kobe and his offense against boston’s defense. Their defenders, one on one, did a very good job staying in front and forcing him to be a jump shooter. Once he went up for the jump shot, he had a hand in his face way more often than not. I was one of those who felt Kobe missed a few good looks but Kobe only missed two shots that I would consider pretty good looks and both of them were threes (1:38 left in the 1st quarter wide open on the left side and 0:32 left in the 3rd quarter over Rondo). The rest of his misses were contested pretty closely, usually someone had a hand a few inches away from the ball on release. And by usually I mean, of the 26 shots he took, I considered 3 of them to be moderately contested, 2 were not contested at all, and the rest, a whopping 21 of them were contested closely.

The Celtics played off Kobe, taking away the lanes, getting help when he committed to his drive and they did not bite on his pump fakes. The Lakers need to get Kobe going and in the paint, so expect him to be posted up some.

We don’t need Phil Jackson’s whistle to alert us to the other things the Lakers need to do — rebound, get out and run, play through the physicality, get better play from the bench mob and Lamar Odom, and use quick passes and ball movement to get open looks. If you want to know more, just re-read the last couple of posts and comments where we break it down in detail. The good news for Lakers fans is we know this team can do that, they are a cohesive team (unlike some of Phil Jackson’s teams in Chicago).

What adjustments are the Celtics going to make? Mike Moreau of Scouts Inc. has some ideas:

The biggest adjustment Boston will have to make for Game 2 — which they made in the second half of Game 1 — is how to defend the slips and rolls of Pau Gasol. With the Celtics hedging hard on ball screens, Gasol found some easy baskets in the first half when he caught his man cheating on the high side. In Game 2, look for Boston to rotate its baseline defenders further up the floor to cut off that path — as it did when Garnett met Gasol at the rim in the fourth quarter and blocked his shot. Boston will also commit its help later in the action — staying on Gasol’s bottom hip as long as possible. This could allow the Lakers’ ball handlers more chances to turn the corner in Game 2.

With the Lakers sinking and many times switching on ball screens in Game 1, look for Boston to put Allen and Pierce in more ball screen action in Game 2, to take advantage of the momentary lack of pressure or to go at the mismatched defender. This gives the Celtics’ best scorers a midrange jump shot with little pressure, and also more opportunities for Boston to punish the Lakers for the switch. Pierce was able to do this in the fourth quarter of Game 1, when he posted and scored over Derek Fisher.

Be sure to clink that link above to get David Thorpe’s game thoughts as well. Then there is the thoughts of Jeff and the people at Celtics Blog, which are always worth checking out.

————————————

This will be my last post for a week, Monday morning my wife and I will be off to the hospital to have daughter number three. However, this site will keep running, and at a Nuggets-like pace (and with way more passion than said Nuggets). Some of the big names from around here will be running the site (and managing the comments). Treat them with respect, I know you’ll love their work. I’ll be watching and you’ll hear from me in week. Enjoy the finals and Go Lakers.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Mando says

    ya ditto.. congrats.

    Honestly, i have to disagree with nomuskies… I re-watched the game and although celtics were right there…

    Those are shots kobe makes… even with celtics “good” defense. Kobe was getting everything he wanted, i honestly believe that… everytime celtics seemed poised to pull away kobe created some offense. that pass from kobe to lamar for a layup out at the three point line was one example.

    The game was like close the whole time and the lakers missed 4 wide open jumpers (gasaol, vujacic) and then gasol didn’t box out and that determined the close game.

    its funny how re-watching a game can totally change ones opinion.

  4. Warren Wee Lim says

    Hey man, Congrats a lot!

    Screw you laughing hard and sublime… This was my 1st comment to take and you had to ruin it. Its on both of you.

  5. kwame a. says

    A couple things I think need to happen for us to win:

    1. Kobe operating from the low-post, mid-post. This will allow him to get closer looks and also, if Boston chooses to double him, gives him a great place to create shots for others.

    2. The Lakers get quicker shots. This means getting some steals and controlling the glass to enable guys like Lamar, Jordan and Luke to push the ball

    3. Lamar to attack KG, making him pay for playing center-field on defense

    4. Pau to take the open 15ft. jump shot, he can hit it an they are giving it to him

  6. Underbruin says

    Congrats, Kurt. And good luck (though, child #3? You’re probably and old hand at this by now). 🙂

  7. Darius says

    Here is a link to TrueHoop where Dr. Jack interviews KG, Kobe, Phil, and Doc. Some pretty good insight here from Phil, especially. It’s worth checking out.

  9. Underbruin says

    Yeah, Darius, I saw that. What do you think about Phil’s assertion re: Farmar vs. Cassell? I mean, I kind of understand where PJax is coming from, but I really have a hard time believing Sam could stick with Jordan defensively – and otherwise, it forces Fish into an extremely heavy amount of minutes.

  11. Mando says

    underbruin — its so true — farmar will cower in front of cassel — but you got to think that only decreases farmar’s confidence to hear your coach say that publicly.

    I wonder when coaches do that… isnt that like public defimation, ont that hurt his chances of getting a fat countract in the future. lowering his value man.

    n’ways. phil speaks the truth… farmar will enver be able to go 40 min at the pg spot deep in the playoffs.

  12. Ryne Nelson says

    I know you’ve heard this many times already, Kurt, but an early congrats on the baby! It’s a stretch for SportsHub to say Jackson had no peace with the Bulls, even if Winter wrote about it in his book.

  13. Bill Bridges says

    I’m not sure whether this has been written but in my opinion, Phil was outcoached by Doc in game 1. He adjusted to Doc’s substitutions instead of forcing Doc to adjust to his. Although not as egregious as Avery Johnson’s benching of Dampier against GS, I thought PJ’s adjustments threw the Lakers’ rhythm off.

    – When Vlad got into foul trouble in the 1st and 3rd, Phil subbed in Sasha instead of Luke. Sasha didn’t seem mentally ready to stay with Ray Allen in D (Allen got going during this period). I would have preferred Phil stick with his normal rotation of Luke (or Ariza) on Pierce. In the first half, Pierce was out of sorts and the Lakers didn’t need Kobe to check him. In the second, Pierce was already molten, and really needed Ariza on him.

    – The quick yank of Farmar against Cassell was a mistake. Firstly, putting Fisher back had no impact on Cassell as he drained the next two jumpers. Secondly, I thought Farmar could have been effective driving against Cassell (and force Doc to make the adjustment). Thirdly, the extra minutes for Fisher might have impacted his jumpers later in the fourth as his (and Kobe’s) shots kept rimming out. Fourthly, what fragile confidence Farmar regained during the last series might have been extinguished.

    – Putting Kobe on Cassell. Yes, this did quench the fire but at what price? Personally, I like it when Cassell dribbles for the entire possession, backs his man down and shoots the turnaround 15 footer whether he makes it or not. He’s a career 40% shooter and the offense screeches to a halt when the black hole gets the ball. Let him hog it and ice Pierce, Garnett, Allen and the rest. After Kobe switched on him he went 1-6 but with Fish or Farmar on him , I bet he would have gone 4 – 12. That Cassell started hot is fool’s gold for Boston which would have bit them had Phil allowed Cassell to shoot. Instead, Kobe turned Cassell into a (reluctant) playmaker.

    Why is it that the Lakers like to broadcast their intentions for the next game? Do you think that Boston has not practiced for 3 days trying to defend Kobe on the low block now ? I expect to see Ray Allen fronting Kobe down low with Lamar’s man rotating over for help.

    Somehow I think Vlad is the key to this game. Can he get off and punish Pierce if he’s a step slow? They lakers run a triangle option where Vlad curles around a baseline screen for a handoff/pass from Pau for a layup. Every time they run this he seems to get a score, why not run this over and over and make Pierce work on D? If Vlad see’s his shot going in, he can heat up from 3.

  14. Bill Bridges says

    Sorry, forgot to add the late substitution, Vlad for Lamar with about 2 minutes to go. I hated this move when it was made. Vlad didn’t have it going early, and with him either he’s on early or never. Sure enough, the second free throw clangs off to the left where Lamar would have been standing to gobble it up but instead goes off a startled Vlad. The rest you know…

  15. chocomm says

    Big Congratulations, Kurt.

    I do not mean to offend you or your family, but didn’t we lose the series every time you received a wonderful blessing in your life? I vaguely remember you saying that in the past.

    Hopefully, the third time is the lucky charm!

  16. Roland Lazenby says

    Kurt,
    Congrats! I have three kids, and while it’s a challenge, I love it. Let me guess the colors in the nursery…

    All lhe best to you and yours,

    Roland

  18. kwame a. says

    Bill Bridges-I gotta disagree with you. I think Phil putting Kobe on Cassell was a good move. What I would like to see against Sam (if Phil is dead-set on not using Jordan on him) is have Sasha play the one, he can guard Allen and let Kobe stay on Cassell. I do agree with you about Sasha playing the 2, I’d rather see Luke at the 3 and Kobe at the 2 and Sasha at the 1. As far as Lamar, I see what Phil was doing, Garnett is sagging so far off LO, he thought Vlad could make the Celts pay, if Vlad bangs a shot down Phil is the smart guy, I don’t expect coaching to be the reason we lose a game again.

  19. drrayeye says

    Hey Kurt,

    Do you want championship oriented suggestions for your daughter’s name?

    From the Laker’s side, there’s always Phyllis, Luka, Jordana, or?

    I don’t think we want alternatives from the Boston side.

    If you were planning on “Paula, or Paulina” I’d reconsider.

    Good luck?

  24. Joe says

    This is a crucial game tonight. If the Lakers win I pick them to win the series. If they lose Im picking the Celtics. If the lakers go back to LA down 2-0, they will pretty much have to sweep Boston all 3 games. It can be done since the Lakers play well at home, but still unlikely. So tonights game is crucial. Being down 1-0 is not a big deal but being down 2-0 is a big deal. The Lakers if they want to win need more easy shot opportunities. Too many contested difficult shots in game 1. To get better shot opportunities the Lakers will need better ball movement and not get into so many isolation sets. Everyone needs to get involved. Its not just about Kobe. I think this game will tell whether or not the Lakers offense is good enough to break down this sufficating Boston defense. I want the Lakers to win badly, but Im going with Boston to win. I pick Boston by 8 points tonight. But go Lakers anyway 🙂

  26. chocomm says

    Even if the Celtics come out with a lot of energy and jump to a big lead, we must stay calm and poised.

    As long as we do not rush and instead patiently run our triangle, we can get good shots. Let’s see what the Lakers are made of tonight.

  29. Matt M. says

    Looks like the refs may have read the complaints about those moving screens…TWO calls on screens by the Cs already!

  34. LJ says

    I don’t get, why all of a sudden we forgot to play through Pau. Don’t think that Fisher falling in love with his mid-range jumper is the best way to go right now…

  35. otbricki says

    Celtics seemed to have weathered the early Laker energy and Kobe has 2 fouls. Not sure this is going that well for the Lakers.

  37. Nik says

    Those two calls were terrible. The refs have to be consistent and they haven’t been.

  38. Pat says

    I hope the bench is ready to play, they look sharp so far cuz it doesn’t seem the refs want to see the laker starters out there tonight.

  39. Jeff says

    Is it me, or are the refs just giving the game to the Celtics right now? I usually try to be pretty objective about these things. But there were about 6-8 50-50 calls or non-calls in the 1st quarter, and it seemed to me that they ALL went the Celtics’ way.

    Someone please tell me I’m off base about this.

  42. kc says

    wow, with a risk of sounding like a whiner, but is it just me or are these refs out there to create advantage for the celtics instead of officiating?

    especially that ref with number 26, so many bogus calls so far. not to mention late calls.

  45. CTDeLude says

    What the hell happened to rewarding aggressive play? I mean, give me an f’ing break on the Turiaf foul.

  46. CTDeLude says

    How many calls already went the other direction?

    What the hell was that foul?

    OMG…I’m freakin sorry but after a weekend at base this stuff is REALLY giving me a short fuse!

  47. Nik says

    We need to play through this even though the calls have been terrible. Just stay calm

  51. Chris248 says

    Jeff, never mind, we’re getting jobbed 🙂

    Terrible call on Turiaf’s block, and Farmar was clearly fouled by Cassell.

  53. emh101 says

    The refs wildly inconsistent foul calling is helping the Lakers take themselves out of the game.

  54. Chris248 says

    Still, Walton is playing horribly. Two horrific passes. What was Farmar going to do with that alley-oop pass even if he caught it?

  55. Jeff says

    Hard to stay calm. I feel like the coach’s daughter in Remember the Titans during the fixed game.

  56. Underbruin says

    I usually hate complaining to officials, but that last sequence was pretty ridiculous. Admittedly, Farmar needs to get back on defense, but after watching Leon Powe take his 8th free throw following a travel (well, at least, if you’re calling that on Vujacic, Powe was even more egregious), then get no help on a lot of contact…

    The Lakers are showing their youth in the bench mob, and the ‘veteran’ of the group, Luke Walton, has been the worst player from the bench mob. I mean, that turnover on the attempted pass to Ariza was astonishingly bad.

  59. CTDeLude says

    PERFECT analogy Jeff.

    And someone is gonna say they’re just not seeing it or we’re biased. I’m sorry I’m the first to admit when we get away with stuff (though I won’t always volunteer that) but this is literally making my heart race.

    And NVM ABC is seemingly AWESTRUCK by the Celts here. All I see is Celtic-centric promos here.

  61. otbricki says

    Take off the blue and gold sunglasses. Turiaf make contact with his body during the shot. It was obvious. And the elbow call on Kobe was pretty much the same ticky tack thing KG was called for (and got a technical too).

  62. Darius says

    Right now, Powe is reminding me of that game that Milsap had when Boozer got in foul trouble in the Utah series…

  63. sfJayp says

    This is effed up.

    I just want to watch a game that lets the players decide the outcome.

    You’re telling me there was less contact on Lamar’s hook than on Powe’s?

    I’m getting sick.

  64. dafish says

    54. Make up calls against Sternie’s darling KG and “truth?’ I wouldn’t bet on it.

  65. Laker Pauer says

    I never seen a game as poorly officiated as this. I never complain about refs, but this is a joke.

  72. Scot says

    I disagree – yes, the refs are calling a tight game, but we aren’t adjusting! This is on US to stop fouling. Plus, the refs aren’t responsible for our 9 turnovers or horrendous bench. Let’s accept responsibility – we haven’t shown up … again.

  73. Underbruin says

    62 – dafish, don’t do that. I’m a UCLA fan and I even love Leon Powe (that 40+ point game in the pac-10 tourney was awesome). It’s not his fault that he’s getting freebie calls. I’d expect any player to take advantage of any potentially advantageous officiating.

  74. ScottBruin says

    Pau really got undercut on that last foul call on him; he went straight up.

  75. Matt M. says

    65 – true. But the refs need to call it THE OTHER WAY too. Everything can’t be a foul on one end when nothing is on the other…

  76. LJ says

    65- Sorry to disagree, but right nor the refs are calling a tight game only in one end…

  77. Chris248 says

    Scot I agree we aren’t adjusting. Those swipes at the ball, we know now they’re going to get called every time.

  78. Underbruin says

    66 – Scot, it’s not that one argues the refs are calling it tighter, but that they’re calling it differently on both ends. It’s impossible to adjust if fouls you’re getting whistled for are not being called on the other end.

  79. LJ says

    Worst officiating I’ve seen since 95 finals at SLC, where the Jazz got away with anything

  81. CTDeLude says

    Oh nice….MAGICALLY Powe, with this monster game, has a halftime special coming up.

  82. Underbruin says

    74 – bit of both. He’s actually made the tougher ones, in this quarter at least. His open looks have been the ones he’s missed.

  83. Underbruin says

    75 – … I think that’s maybe a bit too ‘aliuminum hat’-ish? Are we as Lakers fans REALLY going to call “conspiracy” on anybody? 🙂

  84. kc says

    one tendency i’ve noticed about lakers is that once they contest a shot, they think they are relieved of guarding their man.

    ugh…

    i’m done complaining about the refs. sure it’s one sided, home court advantage, whatever. at the end of the day, we could just complain about what won’t happen or just hope that we rise above that and finish the game strong without having to rely on additional three players on the court.

    let’s go lakers. let’s play our game and win one on the road!

  86. chocomm says

    harold, almost exactly similar to last game.

    almost every one of kobe’s shots are contested. he had a wide open 3, but didn’t went in. next possession, he shot a fadeaway from a post-up over Allen with a hand in his face.

  87. Laker Pauer says

    74. Seriously, I’ve never been into the conspiracy theory thing, but PP hurting his knee and coming back to the Rocky theme and the mind-numbing officiating definitely has my Spider sense tingling.

  88. sfJayp says

    And the bad reffing continues…. but… in our favor?

    How’s pau get an and-1 on that? He was hacked and pushed… then he put the ball on the floor…. then he laid it in without contact.

    huh?

    that’s on the floor or no foul at all. I’m not saying conspiracy at all; this is just flat out bad reffing.

  90. dafish says

    I think the only way to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game right now is to have a phobia towards human touch and physical contact.

  91. Laker Pauer says

    This isn’t even fun to watch. Even if they were calling the game perfectly, the action is being stopped every 2 seconds. Just absolute crap.

  92. CTDeLude says

    Ha @81…looked like there was plenty of contact on that last Pau possession.

  93. kc says

    man… where did our bombers disappear to? celtics are bombing the long distance… ours have gone into hiding.

  94. Jeff says

    80 — flat out bad reffing is when roughly similar numbers of calls go both ways. When 15-20 go one way, and 2-3 go the other, that’s something else entirely.

  96. Underbruin says

    Mike Breen: “His [Pierce] knee looks like it’s not bothering him one bit.”

    No kidding.

  97. euph0ria says

    The officiating is giving me diarrhea. I just tuned in for 30 seconds and see the Celtics score 6 points, and Miles Thirst get away with a foul on Pau.

  98. Anonymous says

    why do we even watch this crap when it’s obviously staged, from princess pierce’s injury down to the 15 + free throws for them, vs 2 for us. Total bullsh*t.

  99. marrl says

    I think the refs got paid for a celtic win today.

    Im just kidding, but seriously, these calls are horrendous.

    To think of it on a bright side, im surprised the lakers are even in shouting distance of this game. Somehow, somebody and i dont care who it is, GOTTA STEP UP!

  101. dafish says

    I didn’t like the flopping fine when it was first announced, but looking at Kobe’s third foul, I’m reminded that its better than nothing.

  102. Underbruin says

    Ugh. The team Lakers have been totally taken out of their game. reffing good or bad, that’s inexcusable.

  104. dafish says

    Well, the half ends the way its been going all day long, a lot of contact on Pau but no call.

  105. marrl says

    Since Van Gundy likes to make new rules, why cant there be a rule to have new refs after halftime because its clear that all these refs are Celtic fans.

  106. CTDeLude says

    And the half ends with a nice exclamation mark!

    I’m very tempted to just turn this off. TURN OFF THE LAKERS PLAYING IN THE NBA FINALS. What the F is that!

  107. CTDeLude says

    And you notice they hardly show any replays that involved a questionable calls.

  113. pw says

    The refs just took lakers out of this game. That 3rd foul on Kobe. That was caused by a PJ Brown moving screen.

  114. kc says

    gotta give credit where it’s due, celtics are executing excellent basketball…

    ray is moving really well without the ball, causing kobe some problem (with fouls and most likely towards the end of the game when he really needs to take over the game).

    pierce is selling whatever he can and is knocking down shots when he needs to.

    perkins and powe peforming their roles very efficiently.

    garnett… is garnett. they are getting help from the refs no doubt, but definitely played much more cohesive team game than the lakers in the first half.

  115. DowJones says

    dude, jvg has been talking about the botch calls but marc jackson and breen are such homers they’re just glossing over it…..jesus…from the touch fouls on kobe to gasol getting absolutely MAULED on that last play..the refs are calling completely different games on the two sides of the floor…like one call has gone laker’s way and ALL the rest has gone celtics….*feeling the urge to puke rising*

  117. Scot says

    I still don’t think the refs have anything to do with our incredible number of turnovers, failure to close out on their 3-pt shooters, and lack of poise. I’m frustrated with the refs too, but I’m more annoyed with the way we’re playing. Even Phil is ripping the team. They deserve it.

  118. emh101 says

    This is a very frustrating game to watch. The Lakers have no rhythm and the refs are aiding in that. Kobe and the gang need to attack the basket more and MAKE the refs call it a little more fairly.

  119. Chris248 says

    pw, I noticed that too, PJ “helped” Kobe run into Pierce.

    Even with all this, though, the Lakers are good enough to overcome it. It’s not like they’re running their offense with a levelheaded cool.

  120. DMo says

    I know it’s always supposed to be the team’s fault when they are losing… but COME ON! The Celtics shot, at my last count, 16 more free throws in the first half. And, from where I was sitting, it appeared that the Celtics might have actually fouled the Lakers MORE times than they were fouled. On the road, you have absolutely no chance of winning when the refs call a game this way. I don’t care if you are the ’92 Dream Team playing the 2008 Bucks, you’re not going to win. Especially not with your starting backcourt carrying 3 fouls apiece.

    This is a joke. Let’s see if the ref’s make the necessary adjustment in the second half.

  121. sfJayp says

    Assuming the refs are trying to call a good game….

    I know they’re supposed to review the calls they made in the first half every game at halftime. I don’t expect anything better the second half, but it would be a welcome change to see an evenly officiated 24 minutes.

    I’m muting halftime. This Paul Pierce sh*t makes me sick. What the f.

  122. exitcreative says

    Unbelievably bad. 10 calls go our way, 16 calls against. Stunningly only 2 shooting fouls. And the halftime crew’s saying nothing about it.

  123. marrl says

    This is clearly not the same Laker offense we’ve all seen in the past and its because they’re all getting down on themselves since the refs wont give them any calls whatsoever.

  124. TC says

    What a terrible half. Terrible refereeing but the Lakers are also shooting themselves in the foot.

  125. Anonymous says

    I’ve heard of home court advantage but 19-2 disparty in free throws is just ridiculous. Plus, 13-5 advantage in bench points ain’t gonna cut it.

  126. Nik says

    How is even possible? We have two free throws. One was a Kobe technical. The other was Gasol getting fouled by Pierce on a move to the basket. No more, that’s it.

    L Powe has 9 attempts by himself.

    Sure, they can call us biased but this is just outrageous….

  127. Hansoulfood says

    If my knuckles bleed after the game, it’s from punching the hardwood floor from all those calls. The Lakers are trying to do something on defense, something on offense to cut the lead, but if the refs are treating Leon Powe like and all-star and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom like chumps…then I might just break my hand tonight.

  128. Aaron says

    RUN THE OFFENSE THROUGH THE POST (Pau) LIKE WE DID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST!!!

  130. anonymous says

    Interesting. They just happen to have a halftime piece on Leon Powe the same game they give him 9 questionable free throws in the first half…

  132. DMo says

    Let’s just hope the Lakers come out with some fire, close their ranks and realize that with the refs out of their minds and the obnoxious Boston hordes in a frenzy, all they have to carry them is their pride as a team and their trust in one another.

  133. Allan - Brazil says

    The Finals MVP so far is the most clear choice ever: THE REFS!!!!

    I know people say that the bad call tend to get even as the game goes on. Well, not this time.

    This one is so unbelivebly one-sided that the NBA must be ashamed it is been broadcasted all over the world.

    Even the Brazilians announcers, who already admitted they are rooting for Boston can’t believe how ridiculous this game has been called so far.

    Gee, now I understand why Boston needed 7 games to overcome Atlanta and Cleveland.
    Where else they would get those calls?
    They make even Powe a force in the paint.

    Like I said: they are the MVP.
    Whenever Boston needs to build momentum or kill some Lakers run, here comes the REFs.

    NBA – where fixed finals happens…

  134. kc says

    ira newble, chris mihm, d.j. mbenga… why can’t they be like perkins, powe, milsap?

  135. marrl says

    If the lakers lose tonight…

    Its best for Doc Rivers to say on the news conference..

    “I wana thank the refs for their incredible officiating tonight because without them, this game would actually be the other way around.”

    Im sorry for all the sarcasm, but this is just frustrating how we cant get any calls.

  136. Sushant says

    its just getting so damn frustratin watchin the game!! All they are talking about is celtics defense.. i agree they are doing a great job!! I agree refreeing is hard but i mean it should be consistent, what i hate the most is when they call ticky tacky fouls one way and no the other way down!! We need to settle down and not allow refs to take us out of game and rythm.. we need to get back to motion offense what we did well in 1st qtr!! We need to drive to the hole and do a better job rotating on D and specially covering Pierce on Transition D at the wing.. cant let him shoot open 3’s..

  137. SlimBanks says

    Damn Damn Damn Crap.

    If you need me, The Princess Bride is playing on AMC.

    Let’s hope the Lakers come back from the dead like Westley (refs permitting, of course)

  138. Basketballfan says

    As a fan of basketball, this game is cleary “fixed” in my eyes. Not to seem arrogant or condescending, but if you disagree, you are clearly ignorant or a Celtics fan. Yes, I am going that far, with all due respect. The two possessions that ended 3’s from Pierce and Allen all resulted from non-calls of obvious fouls, increasing the Celtics’ lead from 4 points to 10.

    I hate conspiracies, but just from watching the NBA Finals so far, I am as convinced as ever. Stern has decided he wants this series to go to, at least, Game 6; which, if played with unbiased refereeing, would be *AT MOST* a 4-1 ending in favor of the Lakers.

    Pau Gasol has played magnificent in the first half, a complete unstoppable force in the paint. So, to prevent Gasol from destroying the “greater plan,” Celtics players are now allowed to hack and grab at Gasol with no consequences.

    I am disgusted at this travesty, as a basketball fan and as a person. Sure, the Celtics-Lakers Finals has drawn a lot more attention than the Finals of past years, but why would anyone become a real NBA fan, as opposed to a conformist, what’s-trendy-right-now, casual fan, if the games they’re tuning into isn’t even an actual game played out by the skill of the respective teams?

    We will see if the Lakers will overcome it, but I doubt it. I easily concluded, in my personal opinion, that the Lakers simply will not be allowed to win this game, unless they play *perfect* basketball, which is nearly impossible considering that they are all human beings.

  140. hertagnism says

    I haven’t been tempted to turn off the finals before but the officiating really has me going. I’m really about to just go out because the refs are really calling it for a Celtics win.

    Paul Pierce seems fine. Better than fine. But I bet Boston is still going to do the Willis Reed impressions. Wonder what Red thinks about Pierce’s flopping?

    One thing I’m waiting for is DJ Mbenga to just come out swinging and punching anyone in green. So what are the odds of a Lakers comeback in the 2nd half to win the game?

  141. Dany says

    let’s get back to moving the ball. These calls are total jokes, let’s just keep attacking the basket and stop playing one on one. Plus no chance Boston shoots 68% from 3 again. Let’s get some good ball movement, which will lead to some open triples.

  143. Chris248 says

    hertagnism, remember it’s only a 12-point game. If Lakers can get to 6 points or closer by the 4th, they’re in good shape.

  144. dafish says

    Great, only a passing reference to Cal in the Powe halftime segment. Its like his college years did nothing for him. I was never a Ben Braun fan, but he did as much as anyone else outside of his nuclear family in terms of mentoring and tutoring him.

  145. Allan - Brazil says

    I would enjoy if Mbenga went in and gave Pierce a clothesline foul.

    I mean, as hard as possible.
    Maybe that would make the team wake up and play like men instead of sissys.

    You know, we just need to make something to send a message that we will not tolerate this kind of officiating any longer.

  146. Muffin-Man says

    I’m as frustrated as everyone else with the terrible reffing, but what was Phil doing putting 5 bench players out there to start the 2nd? At this stage you gotta have Kobe or Pau in there an anchor. It was the 10-0 run to start the 2nd that put us in the behind the 8 ball.

  147. dafish says

    136. Because every minute Kobe or Pau plays, more fouls on them will be called.

  148. Anonymous says

    David Stern wants the celtics to win tonight cuz that’s the only way he can guarantee a game 7 to happen.

  149. marrl says

    Muffin-Man

    Kobe was in “foul” trouble so he had to sit after the 1st but i agree, Phil Jax should have had Pau in the game at that time….

    though i think Phil wanted to see if the bench can give the team a spark but clearly it hasnt worked out.

  150. kc says

    137 – hahaha, that’s the most viable explanation for this madness of a game! i agree wholeheartedly!

  151. dafish says

    138. Yeah, Gatorade spent too much on those KG-Game 7 commercials propagating some sort of clutch legacy that he supposedly has.

    off topic: but I refuse to purchase Gatorade now just because I find their choice of spokespersons to be too *hip* and *pop*

    Exhibit B: Derek Jeter, who can’t win a championship without Brosius or O’Neill or Tino.

  154. ryan says

    The refs are very inconsistent. They are letting Boston be very physical but calling everything on the Lakers.

  155. Underbruin says

    Whoo tech up Kobe.

    Also, Fish has to know to pass that off before Allen can foul him.

  157. marrl says

    Pierce should be a perfect cheerleader in the future since he can start a chant (Beat LA) and also is drama queen.

    This shouldnt be a surprised…but can we get some calls please? Pretty Please?

  158. dafish says

    Well, thin silver lining of the way the calls are going is how hard it must be for Doc Rivers to complain about the lone calls that do occassionally go against him.

  159. pw says

    Lamar Odom is such a big loser man. He does not deserve to be starter on a Championship team…

  160. j. d. hastings says

    okay, I did not blame anything on the refsa last game but we are sitting at 24-2 free throw attempts. And the Celtics are fouling. This isn’t the Spurs.

  162. frustrated says

    After having been a basketball ref for 20 years, I never really believed that NBA refs were directed to favor one team over another. However, the first half of officiating can not be explained any other way. A first year official could make the calls that these officials ignored. How about Walton being held down by his left arm as he tried to go up for a shot? No call?! Stevie Wonder would have had that call!

  167. ryan says

    24 to 2. Thats just absolutely ridiculous Bostons being more aggressive but not that much more aggressive. I could see 24 to 10 but 24 to 2. Very very inconsistent refereeing.

  168. Chris248 says

    I know we’re not closer but I actually like our ball movement a lot better this quarter.

  169. DowJones says

    i love JVG’s commentary though, he’s actually calling hte game like it is…and yeah agree with you completely lakergirl…someone should go and gag marc jackson…even van gundy is pissed off at him..lol

  170. SDlakerfan says

    This is starting to get rediculous…

    We can’t get a call. Its like if one of our players got stabbed, it would be an offensive foul on us for running into the knife.

  171. sfJayp says

    24 to 2 free throws.

    We can say whatever we want, but that pretty much says it for us.

    Of course, I’m sure we’ll get about 16 free throws in the last 3 minutes when the game is decided so that it looks at least close.

    This is disgusting.

  173. kc says

    having gotten over the initial shock at the disparity and just lack of any unbiased officiating, i sort of find this quite humorous for these refs to call the game in such a lopsided manner.

    game 2 of 2008 nba finals, nominated for best comedy of the year.

  174. Nik says

    i can’t stand any of the commentators especially Mike Breen. W/O fouling Marc jackson, yea right, of course!

  175. Hansoulfood says

    This is seriously unbelievable. The Lakers can’t operate with the whole Cetlics hacking at them down low. Even if we are getting inside, the Lakers are not getting ANY calls. What is there to do?! And finally they start calling ticky-tac on the perimeter for the Lakers. Can this even be called better late than never?

  177. Hansoulfood says

    And now I believe in the conspiracy….to extend the series to game 7….just like how Garnett was not suspended for shoving the refs in round 1. This is fubar.

  179. Pat says

    Just start rooting for fouls to be called on the Lakers, you’ll actually get something to cheer about.

    I love when celtic fans boo like crazy anytime a foul is called, like seriouslyy?

  183. Underbruin says

    And Kobe Bryant has decided to get aggressive. This game will either be put out of reach by the Celtics, or brought to within striking range by the Lakers, on his efforts.

  184. Michael says

    You Laker fans are some of the biggest complainers around. Yall are just like Yankee fans.

  188. Nik says

    I love Kobe giving them a pep talk. We have to believe no matter how rough it gets!

  189. pw says

    Wow that play by Garnet.. He pushed Gasol away to get the offensive rebound then committed an offensive foul on Odom to make the layup and did not get called for either of those…

  190. kc says

    179 – michael, we’ll see what happens when the game comes to LA and when you see the refs calling the game completely lop-sided.

    not saying that will happen, simply saying put yourself in that situation and see what you’d do.

  192. Underbruin says

    179 – As opposed to Red Sox fans, who ARE Yankees fans; different team, same exact person.

  193. Pat says

    Michael you really think every laker fan has nothing to complain about? Are you watching this game? You’d say it has been ever both ways?

  194. marrl says

    Hey michael, since i assume ur a celtic fan…

    Can u honestly say the officiating of this game has been great?

    Oh and try to say it with a straight face will ya?

  197. Nik says

    Michael, you must be watching some other game. Please explain the free-throw disparity if you are going to call us “the biggest complainers around”

  198. lenny says

    part of the foul disparity came from the lakers not attacking the rim settling for way too many jumpers

  200. Underbruin says

    189 – The ‘shoulder’ is part of the body in the same sense that one’s hands are part of the body. Garnett shouldered Odom into the stanchion.

    I don’t actually think a foul should be called on that play, but it should be uncalled on both ends of the floor.

  201. Chris248 says

    I think the refs basically call 1 out of every 3 push-offs on offensive rebounds (in general). If they called every Perkins push he would have fouled out already.

  202. sfJayp says

    Odom used his hands…….. to brace his fall after garnet went straight into his chest?

    You’re right on both counts. Garnet did use his body and Odom did use his hands. Good call.

    26 vs 4. What?

  203. Michael says

    Lakers are looking good right now, but Celtics defense will pick back up. Kobe should play like that all game.

  204. kc says

    as for the disparity, i agree with lenny (192). kobe is resorting more to the short / mid range jumpers instead of driving to the hoop.

    but i think that’s also because he knows that he’s not gonna get the call inside.

  205. ryan says

    MIcheal I have no problem with how many Foul shots Boston has taken, The problem I have is that they are letting Boston be way more physical. If they are going to call a foul on one end they need to call the same foul on the other end.

  206. Hansoulfood says

    And I seriously hate how if players or coaches call out the officiating, they get fined.

    Who watches the watchmen?!

  207. lakergirl says

    Does Marc Jackson read off a teleprompter…he seems to contradict himself…one second praising the celts defense on kobe and another praising kobe for making great plays

  208. Underbruin says

    192 – This is very true; the Lakers have to shoulder some of the responsibility. But there is a level of expectation for a team with the offensive style the Lakers use.

  212. dafish says

    197. Pathetic attempt to make yourself look impartial. Sorry, it failed miserably.

  214. chris h says

    michael, take a hike dude.
    I think PJ should toss a white towel out on the floor, the team should walk off in unison.
    then at the post game he can say ‘I don’t care if the league fines me, this is by far the worst game of officiating that I have ever seen”

  217. CTDeLude says

    Great…so we’re gonna get swept now?

    Someone remind me this team can do what back against the Spurs when they went up on us 2 games to none.

  218. kc says

    wow… that little sequence by vlad rad… totally self-destructed what little we had going.

    still, lakers need to play better than that. this is getting frustrating not because of the refs, more because of the lakers. it almost feels like they forgot how to play the game.

  219. DowJones says

    vlad rad killed the momentum and the run….and that kobe gasol alley-oop…almost always automatic…hoping for a miracle here…

  220. ryan says

    206. I agree. Kobe should have just gone for the dunk on that last drive instead of going for the Lob.

  221. dafish says

    Commentator: This is a great team defense.

    Easy to defend when you have 8 players on the court.

  224. Underbruin says

    The 11-0 run there at the end of the 3rd had nothing to do with the reffing. That was simply poor play (Radmanovic, I’m looking at you). The Lakers need to make a run in the 4th to prevent Boston from being able to rest its starters.

    Not a good start.

  226. harold says

    We’re shooting 44%, which isn’t all that bad, but the celts are shooting 50%.

    Despite the 26-4 disparity, I’d say we really have to step up on defense, even if it ends up pushing the disparity even more.

    Looking at the boxscore, we’re not playing badly enough to explain the 20 point deficit (the FT disparity explains that quite clearly) but even without the FT disparity, I’d say we’re not playing good enough to win at this moment.

    Of course the calls have to do with this a certain extent, but all in all, i don’t think the Lakers are deserving of ‘refs were the difference’ assessment.

  227. LAKERFAN1234 says

    I’m not sure whether this has been written but in my opinion, Phil was outcoached by Doc in game 1. He adjusted to Doc’s substitutions instead of forcing Doc to adjust to his. Although not as egregious as Avery Johnson’s benching of Dampier against GS, I thought PJ’s adjustments threw the Lakers’ rhythm off.

    – When Vlad got into foul trouble in the 1st and 3rd, Phil subbed in Sasha instead of Luke. Sasha didn’t seem mentally ready to stay with Ray Allen in D (Allen got going during this period). I would have preferred Phil stick with his normal rotation of Luke (or Ariza) on Pierce. In the first half, Pierce was out of sorts and the Lakers didn’t need Kobe to check him. In the second, Pierce was already molten, and really needed Ariza on him.

    – The quick yank of Farmar against Cassell was a mistake. Firstly, putting Fisher back had no impact on Cassell as he drained the next two jumpers. Secondly, I thought Farmar could have been effective driving against Cassell (and force Doc to make the adjustment). Thirdly, the extra minutes for Fisher might have impacted his jumpers later in the fourth as his (and Kobe’s) shots kept rimming out. Fourthly, what fragile confidence Farmar regained during the last series might have been extinguished.

    – Putting Kobe on Cassell. Yes, this did quench the fire but at what price? Personally, I like it when Cassell dribbles for the entire possession, backs his man down and shoots the turnaround 15 footer whether he makes it or not. He’s a career 40% shooter and the offense screeches to a halt when the black hole gets the ball. Let him hog it and ice Pierce, Garnett, Allen and the rest. After Kobe switched on him he went 1-6 but with Fish or Farmar on him , I bet he would have gone 4 – 12. That Cassell started hot is fool’s gold for Boston which would have bit them had Phil allowed Cassell to shoot. Instead, Kobe turned Cassell into a (reluctant) playmaker.

    Why is it that the Lakers like to broadcast their intentions for the next game? Do you think that Boston has not practiced for 3 days trying to defend Kobe on the low block now ? I expect to see Ray Allen fronting Kobe down low with Lamar’s man rotating over for help.

    Somehow I think Vlad is the key to this game. Can he get off and punish Pierce if he’s a step slow? They lakers run a triangle option where Vlad curles around a baseline screen for a handoff/pass from Pau for a layup. Every time they run this he seems to get a score, why not run this over and over and make Pierce work on D? If Vlad see’s his shot going in, he can heat up from 3.

  228. marrl says

    Celtics up 2-0

    The lack of getting calls made every laker indecisive and took their confidence away.

    and Powe is a “superstar”.

  229. lakergirl says

    Dont worry guys. The refs would switch sides in the 4th and we’ll overcome the 20pt lead just like we did with the spurs…

  230. otbricki says

    Coaching. The consensus was the Jackson would out-coach Rivers badly. Hasn’t happened because the so called analysts forgot that the Celtics have some first class help for Rivers starting with Thibodeau.

  231. Nik says

    I think we might be done. And if they keep calling it like that, David Stern, it is not going to go to 7 games.

  232. Scot says

    We need to take a good hard look in the mirror. This is the fourth game in a row that we haven’t even come close to beating the Celtics. The 11-0 run was an embarrassment. It looks like we’ve given up.

  233. kc says

    man, i’m beginning to dislike the incredible hulk, simply because he’s green. haha.

  235. CTDeLude says

    Yea. I don’t care if the calls have cleaned up here in the 2nd half. When you’re so utterly taken out of the game or any energy you may have during an entire first half you ALWAYS take forever to get it back in that game and almost never do.

    So yea Celts, enjoy the refs giving you the damn game. That and who paid Vlad off? And who paid Phil to keep putting in Walton after giving a tiny bone to Ariza? Weren’t we doing better when Ariza was in?

  237. MT says

    agreed the Celtics have gotten the calls tonight, but believe me this is the exception not the rule this postseason

    Regardless, the Lakers are down 22pts

  238. LakeShowTime says

    the way these games are going reminds me of the Pistons in 04…everything we do seems so futile…plus really frustrating foul disparity. hopefully the celts lay some eggs in LA the way they have been on the road

    i cant even watch the end of this game

  239. marrl says

    Lets not lose hope…(which no laker fan is).

    Miami was down 2-0 against Dallas a couple of years ago and came back to win 4 straight.

    Not sayiing history will repeat itself, but it does show you it can be done.

  240. AM says

    Radman gave up all the mo and Rondo and Powe took it out behind the shed and had their way with it.

  241. Matt M. says

    The one thing I would say (despite the fact that, as I mentioned, the 11-0 run was on the Lakers)…

    We managed to “cut it to 9” — that was a monumental achievement after we were down 12 to start the half. And why were we down by 12 at the half? Well, most of us have our theories about that…

    Even though that was admittedly a good 3Q by the Celtics, let’s look at what we/others were “expecting.” That the Lakers to the hole they’re in, on the road, and simply take the lead? It’s hard enough to win on the road when you’re not buried with a FT differential to start. Not to mention the effect on the morale of the Lakers in general…

  244. Hansoulfood says

    I can’t blame that run on the refs…..but the officiating through the first 2 and half quarters caused that. I don’t really care for triangle or plays right now. Really, just feed Kobe the ball and let him do this thing….turn into Kobe number 8 again. I don’t care….I just want a win and I can live and die by him shooting.

  246. CTDeLude says

    Also the sheer disrespect Kobe gets from the refs, even AFTER getting the MVP, is absolutely atrocious.

    Also I’m tired of coaches with gimmicks winng (Pat Riley with that hidden “bowl” during the 2006 finals and now that stupid mantra of Rivers’.)

  251. otbricki says

    Leon Powe looks like an all-star. That tells you how bad the Lakers are playing.

  255. Underbruin says

    Javier – is a “chanpionchip” like a chocolate chip only with poor spelling?

    Just curious.

  256. Chris248 says

    Walton is playing HORRIBLY.

    Why help on that Rondo drive? What was he going to do, lay it in off the glass fading away? And he’s thrown the ball away constantly including that terrible lead to Sasha in the 3rd.

  257. Underbruin says

    CeltsFan – That’s Luke Walton guarding him, not Gasol.

    Just trying to help.

  258. CeltsFan says

    And stop blaming the refs, I though we had the “Big baby” When you’re getting peiced by 20 points, it’s not the fault of the refs!

  260. CeltsFan says

    I guess the real Finals was us beating the Pistons, as I thought all along….

  261. kb24fan says

    Lakers will injure KG intentionally,
    because, without him- Celts have no game.

  263. pw says

    I would rather have Turiaf starting than Odom. He can finish at the rim and also hit the mid-range jumper neither of which Odom can do well.

  264. Elle says

    @ 242 (CeltsFan) – if the Lakers get all the calls back at Staples will you be saying the same to Celtic fans, don’t blame the refs? Honestly?

  265. Matt M. says

    28-4. That’s 24 more freebies, in case you can’t do basic math, CeltsFan.

  266. Chris248 says

    Actually CeltsFan, when the free throw disparity is 28-4, that pretty easily explains a 20 point lead. You see, the number 24 is bigger than 20.

  267. ryan says

    242. No one is saying its the refs fault. The Lakers played aweful. But the reffing didn’t help any. They let the reffing get in their heads.

  268. Anonymous says

    Wow I have never seen the comement area of this blog so full of trolls. In fact I don’t think I have ever read the word troll on this blog before.

  269. hiero_yo says

    We’ve completely lost our cool. The FT discrepancy AND Boston playing its best ball has killed us. Not even a 20pt+ qtr from Kobe can save us in the 4th. The Lakers bench has to show up at home to make this a series.

  270. kc says

    let the troll run around. don’t bother responding i mean, it’s obvious he/she/it is trying to get a rise out of it.

  271. lenny says

    I don’t its been bad team D in this game, has really hurt. not to mention too many vlad long jacks

  272. CeltsFan says

    Elle, my point is that if you’re getting beaten by 20 points, you can’t really blame the refs on that one – surely you cannot believe that they’re the reason the Lakers are getting walloped…

  274. otbricki says

    Kobe = biggest whiner in the league. The refs have no stomach for such a crybaby and show it by ‘T’ing him up (and ejecting him) at a league leading rate.

    Wonder if he will demand a trade if the Lakers don’t win.

    Man is he easy to hate.

  276. Chris248 says

    I wouldn’t be surprised if getting lots of ticky-tack calls directly leads to the Celts 53% shooting. You get called every play, you’re going to back off on defense.

  279. CeltsFan says

    I guess the only thing left to see is whether we can chuck the Lakers out of Boston with a 30 piecing…

  280. DMo says

    Gee, I can see why the Celt fans are so cocky.. Their team has played GREAT on the road all playoffs. I guess the fact that the Lakers haven’t lost at home since March doesn’t matter. And, please Bostoners, if you really think you wouldn’t be complaining about the foul discrepancy if the tables were turned, you are the worst kind of hypocrites. Every Boston fan I know B****es to no end about all the woulda-coulda-shoulda’s, to the point where even I know why Bucky Dent is (and I HATE baseball). Good luck in LA. You’re gonna need it.

  281. Elle says

    @ 256: no that isn’t the only reason the Lakers are getting beat, but one cannot rationally argue that it hasn’t had a profound impact on the game (free points for the Celtics, stopping the flow of the game, getting key players into foul trouble on ticky-tack calls and playing mind games with the rest of the players). So, my question again, are you going to be preaching the same to fellow Celtic fans if the Lakers get all the calls at Staples?

  282. CeltsFan says

    DMO – MAYBE YOU DIDN’T WATCH THE ECF, BUT WE WENT TO DETROIT AND WON 2 GAMES (DETROIT INCIDENTALLY HAD A BETTER RECORD THAN THE FAKERS, I MEAN THE LEAKERS, I MEAN THE LAKERS)

  283. Chris248 says

    What do you think is better for Game 3… get this game down to 10 and lose, or let them run it up?

  284. Chris248 says

    CELTSFAN YOU’RE POINTS AREN’T ANY MORE CONVINCING WHEN TYPED LIKE THIS.

  286. harold says

    Not a good sign when your best scorer is getting outscored by the other team’s bench player.

    And uhm, Rondo has 16 assists. That’s more than what we have as a team, i think.

  287. lakergirl says

    Did Marc Jackson just call that miss by Powe an alley-op to Garnett…he is special

  289. ryan says

    Isn’t typing in all CAPS against the rules? Really this is usually a very civil blog. Name calling, and typing in all caps is not really tolerated. If you can’t have a civil discourse you should really leave.

  290. Ric says

    DAMN, it looks that we won’t be beatin’ the Lakers by 30 tonight, I’m SO disappointed.

  292. the show powe says

    DMo, absolutely no question we’ve gotten the calls, the FT disprepency is absurd. That being said, no way the Lakers were taking this game anyway. They have been completely outplayed

  295. Bryan says

    I hate hearing complaints about the refs, as I’m a high school and youth baseketball ref myself. And I never complain about the officiating, as a rule, showing solidarity with my striped brothers and sisters.

    So all I’ll say is this: if the finals are played by the best teams, shouldn’t only the best refs be alowed to call the games?

    Note: I think the Lakers would have lost tonight if Jerry West, Devean George, and Chris Wallace were calling the fouls – they played that badly tonight. But when my lady asks me to explain some calls and no calls to her, and all I can do is shrug… I shrugged alot tonight.

    One more thing: What kuncklehead decided to start a game at 9pm EST? That means it ends around midnight. Sponsors gota love that. Midweek it’s a bad idea, but you can rationalize it somewhat. On a Sunday, though? Someone should be forced to stand with his hands bound on the playgrounds of every court in Boston for school aged kids to throw things at. There’s just no reason for this.

  296. otbricki says

    The Celtics won twice on the road vs the Pistons, including a close-out game in Detroit. There is no reason to believe that they can’t win in LA.

  297. now says

    The NBA is way too easy to fix. Reffing like this can always be explained away with rationalizations…

  298. Chris248 says

    the show powe, you can’t measure how well a team has or hasn’t played if you admit the FT discrepancy is absurd. It completely takes you out of your game on both ends of the floor.

  299. kev says

    just like someone said earlier, the Lakers are now getting calls from the refs after the game is a blowout.

  302. Matt M. says

    the show powe…basically, I agree with you. But I think it’s asking a bit much of the Lakers to respond to the way the game was officiated in the 1st half, on the road, and just suck it up and come back from 12 down. Obviously, the Celtics deserve credit for keeping/building that lead. But you can’t argue that the ref’ing in the first half completely altered the complexity of the game. Period.

  303. Chris248 says

    Bryan, kuncklehead = Stern.

    otbricki, The Celtics lost every game on the road against the Hawks and the Cavaliers, including both close-out Game 6s. No reason to believe it won’t happen again.

  304. DMo says

    277- Yeah, the Pistons had a better record in the Leastern conference. Must have been tough playing Miami 4 times, huh? Oh, and by the way, you only get 2 days of rest for Tuesday’s game, so the old legs that plagued you guys against the awesome forces of the Hawks will be back. If and when you get a ring, feel free to talk smack. But, until then, you better find some serious wood to knock on.

  305. Alonzo says

    In game two Referees did a great job calling a one sided game. And should be the MVPs of that game and maybe the whole playoffs.

  308. kb24fan says

    I believe, before the game started tonight, Celts Fans including few players bribed the refs a deal.

  309. R says

    The refs took over early espeicially by putting Kobe in foul trouble in the first quarter

  310. CeltsFan says

    The Lakere are done. I gotta go and out celebrate (i’m starting celebrations for us winning the championship preemptively, because it’s inevitable). Later Laker Losers.

  311. Anonymous says

    Who? L. Powe? Who? Hahahah…. yea, just wait until you are in LA… I can’t wait for this. When these no-talent bench players will look like crap when the refs aren’t blowing them after the game.

  313. kc says

    gloat all you want celtics fans. your team earned it tonight. but still, game isn’t over yet.

    as for boston beating pistons who incidentally has better road record than LA. how many teams were 50+ in the western conference as opposed to eastern conference?

    i woudln’t say it’s unreasonable for celts fans to expect boston to win in LA.

  314. DowJones says

    reminds of game 6 of 2002 finals against the “queens” except it’s the lakers who are in skirts this time…

  316. R says

    Let the players play and decide the game. My goodness its the NBA finals who wants to see a finals dictated by the refs.

  320. Ric says

    I think the Clippers would have played better than the Lakers tonight – at least the Clippers have a franchise player in Elton Brand.

  322. otbricki says

    299 – The Celtics had a better record against the western conference. If you haven’t noticed you aren’t playing the Pistons, you are playing the Celtics.

  323. Anonymous says

    Teams up 2-0 have a 94% chance of winning the series. Sorry to say, but lakers are done! Don’t worry, they’ll be back in the finals with a healthy Bynum.

  324. DowJones says

    also i think that it’s posters like celtsfan that gives all celtic fans a bad name..i mean jeff and who and most of the mods at celticsblog are pretty cool cats…just my two cents, also farmar should get more mins and vlad rad need to get his head out of his @$$

  325. lenny says

    Also a disparity: Lakers: 19 assts on 35 fgm
    Celtics: 30 assts on 34 fgm

    Also explains some things

  326. harold says

    11 pt game, 2 minutes, celts in the bonus already, Kobe finally hitting his first three of the game.

    I know i shouldn’t, but i’m actually hoping for the improbable.

    Reggie Miller did it before, I think Kobe did it before, and the refs should be ready to give make-up calls.

    And it makes for a good story.

    The stars are aligned…

  329. Tremble says

    I don’t understand the jealousy and rage Celtic fans have against us. I mean, yea we have the best player on Earth. Sure, we are in the finals even with our dominant center out. Sure we will be winning the next 3 or 4 years while Celt players will be retiring in the next year or two. Sure it’s only game 2, and the next 3 are in LA where the Lakers are undefeated. I mean, yea sure, but there’s absolutely no reason to get hostile and rageful. Be calm please.

  330. dafish says

    318. I was gonna reply to 312., but I knew a real Celtics fan would tell “CelticsFan” to STFU. Classy man move there.

  331. DowJones says

    celtsfan, a clarification, by finals i meant the 2002 WCF against the queens, game 6 was unanimously agreed upon as one of the WORST officiated playoff games EVER….mike bibby running AWAY from kobe bryant in the lane got called for a foul when there was absolutely NO contact

  333. sfJayp says

    I hope when i watch the postgame presser phil answers each and every question by saying “32 , 8”.

    This never even had a chance to be a game.

  335. AM says

    If the Lakers can keep this up, they’re at least sending the right message — we’re not going away, and we’re going back to our house.

    A couple of the offensive boards they’ve given up after playing 20 seconds of good defense have been killer, though. The corner three by Posey falls into that category as well.

  336. ryan says

    Celts Fan. You haven’t made a single point in any of your posts. You just post the same thing everytime. Celtics fans are more than welcome but you are quite annoying.

  337. Elle says

    @319 – Dude, I thought you said you were leaving to preemptively celebrate Boston’s championship.

    @ Chrish248 – I dunno about you but I find Luke even more frustrating to watch than the Space Cadet.

  338. kc says

    316 – better record issue was brought up by one of your fellow celts fan. not by me. simply responding to allegation that celts already played championship game when they played pistons. plus, i don’t think anyone was arguing that boston has better record all around (including me)…

    follow through the forum if you wish.

  351. ryan says

    CeltsFan you should read the site rules before posting. You have basically broken them all.

    Good come back so far by the Lakers. The Celts let up and the Lakers took advantage. Good to see.

  352. dafish says

    “Traveling violation, Radmonovic gets away with it.”

    Did Marc Jackson watch Tim Duncan’s Texas five-step?

  354. AM says

    A few minutes ago, I was going to write another comment about Vlade still killing our mo … then he has a bunch of nice plays in a row. Keep it up, Vlade!

  355. Nik says

    CeltsFan, I though you left a long time ago. I don’t understand why you are still here. You obviously cannot read the rules of this blog.

  357. Goo says

    Hey Boston Diaspora,
    Where was your smack talk last year when your stadium was empty before you jumped on your bandwagon? Oh yeah, you were chanting MVP when Kobe was at the Free throw line. Don’t worry, I’m already expecting you jump off after this choke job.

  358. Jake says

    Ryan – what are the forum rules??? Can’t say anything bad about the Lakers??

  363. Jake says

    Celtsfan – we will win buddy. Don’t worry about it. We are just helping ABC improve its ratings by making it a close game;)

  365. ryan says

    349, You can say bad things all you want about the Lakers. But You have to make a point. Just saying Lakers sucks. and Kobe sucks. and posting multiple times in a row is against the rules.

  367. Jake says

    And with that Kobe I-did-something-illegal-in-Denver Bryant will go home and never win a championship without Shaq daddy!

  368. lakergirl says

    We have done a good job all season of ignoring irrelevant comments…lets keep it up guys

  370. Armogeddon says

    Thank god for time delay…I’m trying to listen to the ABC crew and KG is sitting on the bench cussing his butt off – what a jack-a-sarus he is

  375. kc says

    another mishap by vlad rad… passing it to sasha in that crucial point in the game. doh!

  378. anoni says

    CeltsFan — Not really. This Celtic team has a lot of ’06 Mavs potential.

    Seriously though, the Celtics do have the advantage right now…then again, winning at home is what you’re supposed to do.

  380. Elle says

    Well, if there is any silver lining, at least the Celtics couldn’t rest their starters at the end of the game (and with such a quick turnaround that should benefit LA) and the Lakers were able to put together something to come close down the stretch and get shots to fall which should only up their confidence. Boston did what they had to do, hold their serve at home, now it’s the Lakers turn.

  382. sfJayp says

    Yeah – kurt can do an IP ban…. so unless lakersfan wants to get sh*tfaced and post again in a library or starbucks he’d be blocked.

  383. kc says

    well, it’s been one interesting end. like someone mentioned earlier, too little too late did came up.

    let’s look to re-group back in LA!

  384. lakerfan101 says

    Chris248, don’t worry about him, i’ve just been ignoring those types of comments.

  385. kev says

    Lakers did send a messege at the end. I feel better about their chances in L.A. now.

  386. Chris248 says

    If we had to lose this game, I think this is the best possible way. Garnett’s jumper from the top of the key seems to fall a lot more when they’re up by 15. That sound you heard in the last 7 minutes was LA taking up residence in the fragile Boston psyches.

  387. Armogeddon says

    C’s will totally disappear on the road…as they did in ATL and at the Cleveland Lebrons

    Oh and I’m going to sabatoge their flights and hotel rooms, then slash the tires of their team bus

  388. ryan says

    Celtsfan please read the rules. You are more than welcome here as long as you follow the rules. Otherwise please leave. This is a civil blog. One with very knowledgeable people who do analysis. You will find that repeating the same annoying thing over and over again will not be welcome.

  389. kb24fan says

    Lakers tried.
    Don’t worry guys.
    CeltsFan will regret talking once Lakers play at home.

  390. Pike says

    Hey, just wanted to credit the Lakers with that incredible fourth quarter. This is what always scares me about the Celtics… they can methodically build leads, but always can let up. The three point shooting by the Lakers was amazing.

    Finally, sorry about the obnoxious Celtics posters. You guys have a classy site here. See you in LA.

  391. Chris248 says

    Sad thing is, once we win the 3 in LA, CeltsFan will be nowhere to be found on this blog.

    Oh wait, that’s not a sad thing.

  394. Chris248 says

    Is there anywhere online to watch or listen to the postgame press conference?

  395. otbricki says

    330 – fair enough.

    It will be interesting to see if the Celtics can win in LA. I thought the poor road performance in Atlanta and Cleveland was due to lack of experience as a playoff team, and Ray Allen’s slump. That seemed to get solved vs. Detroit.

  398. DMo says

    I guess 2 days rest wasn’t enough for the geriatric Celtics. Can you believe that fade? Here’s the problem CeltsFan: your grandpas won’t have that much rest again for 3 games. The Lakers started to figure some things out in the 4th, showed their heart and will take some serious momentum home with them. I’m sure you’ll find some awesome way to gloat and say the Lakers suck or whatever, but there is still a lot of basketball left to be played, and the majority of it isn’t in the (fake) Garden. (BTW, you better win this year, because next year we get Bynum back and your “Big 3” will be, I believe, a combined 99 years old).

  399. kev says

    when the refs finally let the Lakers play defense in the 4th, they caught the Celtics easily.

  400. Tremble says

    This isn’t over. It just started. Of course the Celts had to win these two. Lakers in 6 or 7. As DMo mentioned, these grandpas will fade extremely fast.

  401. harold says

    Fun stuff.

    Now I can seriously say ‘the refs cost us the game.’

    38-10 in a 6 pt game.

    We actually didn’t do too bad in the rebounding aspect of the game, just got killed by assists, meaning our defense was really suspect, i guess.

  403. now says

    Let me just preface this by saying, I thought the Celtics were heavy favorites coming in. They have 2 players in Garnett and Pierce who might be our team’s biggest matchup problems in the league, which combined with Kobe’s difficulties with Ray Allen, puts us at a huge disadvantage. Needless to say I haven’t seen anything to change my mind.

    However, there are times watching the spectacle of the NBA unfold, when it becomes clear that the officials aren’t calling basketball, they’re calling money. That’s ultimately what the NBA is about, and it’s the only thing that can explain what we witnessed tonight. My interest in this series has about been reduced to seeing who will be the highest-profile media personality who has the guts to call this what it is.

  404. sfJayp says

    yeah – nba.com. get it live now, cause they wait awhile to post it after the fact.

    Phil coming on now….

  405. LA's Fan says

    “Really disappointed” one thing I’d like to say as a LA’s fan. Not only for the time to come back to this game but for the calls that goes to the C’s.

  408. SDlakerfan says

    Ya know, i hate to blame the refs during a loss. But it is pretty incredible to think that they had 25 more attempts then we did. If we would have had 25 more free throws, we would have won by 15 points.

    Im listening to the post game interviews right now, and they are asking phil about being more aggressive on defense. We really can’t. Cause if anymore aggressive, our entire team would have fouled out.

    It wasn’t just the refs during this game. We did play awful, except during the last part of the 4th quater. But with a little help from the refs, this game would have turned out very different.

  409. magiclover says

    So is it the Lakers turn to shoot freethrows now?
    Sure is hard not to be a conspiracist these days.

  410. Goo says

    397, same, I had pulling the referee card, as Kurt says ‘if you have to rely on referees to win a game then you don’t really deserve to win it’, but they really didn’t even give the Lakers a chance to play in the first 3 quarters..I mean, Leon Powe had more FT’s than the whole Laker team? That’s ludicrous, but I expect equally unfair treatment against Boston in the LA home games

  412. marrl says

    I guess the refs had to make this game interesting in the end….

    Anyways, on a less sarcastic note, wow, what an ending, give the Lakers credit for coming back and putting a fight. I just hope home cookin continues and LA takes the next 3 games at home and then take it in Boston like they did in 87.

  414. marrl says

    Like i said before, Miami did it a couple of years ago and momentum changed in that series against Dallas when Miami won the next 3 at home and ended it in 6 at Dallas.

  415. Armogeddon says

    Phil Jax was brilliant on the podium – the way he dissected the FT disparity is genius – illusions, spacing to provide clear vision to his players getting raked! I love PJ…I think Stern and the NBA refs will get this message loud & cleat and GAMES 3-5 will be VERY different considering Stern wants a 7 Game Series

  416. Tremble says

    399… Yea, he basically said it was horrible. He said that L. Powe took more free throws than the entire Laker team.

  417. Chris248 says

    PHIL: “I’m most struck at the fact that Leon Powe gets more foul shots than our whole team does in 14 minutes of play. And that’s ridiculous. You can’t play from a deficit like that. 19-2 in the first half in situations like that. I’ve never seen a game like that in all these years I’ve coached in the Finals. Unbelievable.”

    (what do you tell the team now)
    “It’s just one of those playoff things. Their home court advantage, they held serve. We go back and we do what we have to do on our home court. That’s what it’s about.”

    (on Powe’s coast-to-coast dunk)
    “That play was a situation where Vlade yielded a trap in the backcourt and opened it up. Gasol was afraid to leave Garnett for an easy basket, but it was a poor play, an awful play. I kept telling the team we’ve played as poorly as we could possibly play for two and a half quarters, in the middle of the third quarter, we just can’t play any worse than this, but that was an example of where we were even more at ease, uh, dis-ease, I guess, in our defensive end. But from that point on I think we rallied in that game.”

    (on the FTs)
    “The aggressiveness swayed the effective calls. They were aggressive, they went to the basket, we didn’t take charges in situations that we had charges to take. In the first half the context subsequently ended up being a foul shot. What we tried to focus on when we came in at halftime was that we have to stop the penetration and get that accomplished, but they got off to another big jump in the third quarter and put us back on our heels again.”

  418. R says

    Of course it’s a conspiracy. The league wants seven games. When they get back to LA, LA will get the calls. I just wish I could see a good evenly called game. I miss the 70s and 80s.

  419. Underbruin says

    385 (otbricki) – First, good on ya’ for not resorting to gloating, and keeping up the civil discourse we’ve come to expect from you and your crew over at celticsblog.

    I would caution, though, that Detroit was not a great home team in the playoffs. Everybody seems to have forgotten this – they lost to Philly in their first game at home, and never really looked super-dominant at home. It was their ability to win on the road that fooled everybody into believing they were so dominant. When they came up against a Celtics team that was much better than their other opponents, they folded.

    LA hasn’t lost at home yet in the playoffs, and has watched a winnable Game 1 get followed by a tough Game 2 no matter how you slice it (either FTs OR the coming up JUST short on a massive comeback). If they can take Game 3 it has a significant change to the series, as one must believe the Lakers think that it’s *possible* to win in Boston.

    See you on Tuesday.

  420. Anonymous says

    Lakers need to do a better job in limiting the celtics role players to sub bar games…game 1 – Rajon blows up and game 2 Powe kills us. Unfrickenbelievable!!!

  421. sfJayp says

    Armo – I’m not worried about the officiating in 3-5. Of course it’s going to go our way there – that’s not what we want though. What good does that do? I’d much prefer the refs to have some balls and call it equal everywhere so we could have a f*cking series that meant something instead of something manufactured.

  422. Anonymous says

    Come on David Stern…you have to make it less obvious when you give the home team 28 more free throw attempts and the lakers just commited 7 more fouls than the home team. I know you want this series to go the distance, but it would’ve been less obvious if you let the lakers take game 2 and have them lose one at home.

  423. Chris248 says

    I love this idea Jackson talks about, I remember Horry mentioning it back when he hit the gamewinner over the Kings… the idea that “We’ll find a time to win this game” and if they don’t win, it’s merely the fact that the game didn’t last long enough.

    I think over the years that sense of calm has proven very productive for his teams. Whether this year’s guys can apply is a question.

  425. R says

    Did anyone notice that the Lakers had the lead before the bogus fouls put Kobe on the bench. Hmmmmmmmmmm

  427. Chris248 says

    (last comment on the FTs)
    “I think my players got fouled. I have no question about the fact that my players got fouled, but didn’t get to the line. Specifically I can enumerate a few things, but I’m not gonna get into that I don’t want to get into a dispute with those situations. It’s the illusion that’s created. The referees referee’d an illusion. Our guys looked like maybe the ball was partially stripped when they were getting raked or whatever was happening, but it was in a crowd, and referees let that type of thing go. So we have to create the spacing that gives the right impression and that will have to get accomplished.”

  428. Chris248 says

    R, I think KG has the Gatorade commercials, but I haven’t seen them during the Finals.

  429. Armogeddon says

    I completely agree sfJayp – I too want to see an evenly refed series…but the disparity was indeed sickening and you’ll see a BIG change come Game 3. I don’t care what happens after that, but you’ll see something done to even this up in LA. We can only hope that the Finals doesn’t get flawed for officiating – that’s the worse thing to Stern’s brand

  431. Matt M. says

    Here’s Phil’s first comments on the fouls. He was asked what struck him more, being blown out or the subsequent attempted comeback. He responded (and this was me just jotting it down as I heard it so it might not be PERFECT):

    “I’m more struck at the fact that Leon Powe gets more foul shots than our whole team does in 14 minutes of play. You can’t play from a deficit like that, 19-2 in the first half, and situations like that. I’ve never seen a game like that, in all these years i’ve coached games in the Finals. Unbelievable.”

    I couldn’t agree more.

  432. pw says

    What I found most funny was that ESPN showed the whole Phil Jackson interview except the last question about the free throw disparity. As soon as that question was asked, they cut away from the interview and started showing something stupid.

    I dont know what this means but ESPN showed all the other interviews fully, just cut off from this question.

  433. Karl says

    I’m still composing myself. There’s A LOT to take and take away from this game. It was both close to being one of the worst and also being one of the greatest Laker games of all time. These 400+ comments say it all.

  434. Rob L. says

    Sure, the refs favored the home team. But that’s to be expected. The Lakers lost this game because they played one good quarter of basketball: the first half of the first quarter and the second half of the fourth. That is not going to win you a championship.

    No excuses. The Lakers need to step up big time now. If they don’t win all three at Staples you can pretty much kiss this year goodbye. The odds are certainly against them if you look at road teams going down 0-2 in the 2-3-2 format.

    Of course, Boston fans should know about counting chickens before they hatch based on historical odds in series. And for that matter, so do Miami fans. It’s possible, but the Lakers have certainly dug themselves a real hole to climb out of.

  435. pw says

    I think Stern wants a 7-game series. So he gives the first 2 to the Celtics, the next 2 to the Lakers and maybe call the last 3 evenly.

  436. Chris248 says

    Yeah, I don’t like the 2-3-2, but Miami won all 3 at home just 2 years ago. It can be done.

    There’s no question that the Lakers can put themselves in position to win games in the Garden.

  437. Armogeddon says

    Confidence has taken a big hit for the Lake Show, guys like Vlad, JF, Luke and to an extent LO and Gasol need to pick up their head’s and play with some passion. Passion is the one and only thing I’ll respect KG and PP with – that’s it. Our guys need to take it to the hole HARD and start bumping back. KG’s intensity is phyching us out…our home games should provide a spark but our roles guys need to take a page out of Kobe’s killer instinct book

  438. joe says

    man tonight’s game was messed up. yeah sure the lakers played some bad defense like powe driving down the length of the court and getting a dunk, but the lack of aggression on lakers defense has to do with the way the game was called. in the first quarter the lakers were actually playing very well, beating the celtics to a lot of boards. then they started calling fouls on kobe and just about everyone wearing purple. common kobe did not deserve that 2nd foul for pushing off on allen, that’s nothing. how can you blame a team for not being aggressive when everytime they do it they get punished on the line???
    i like leon powe and really respect what he went through in his life, but common how can one bench player that rarely gets into the game in the regular season/playoffs go to the line more than the whole team?
    last note: i was initially very happy to see ariza to play some d cause of his length but the guy isn’t ready….luke walton has been stinking it up! damn it
    common lakers, take care of business at home and get those fake whinny celtics

  439. Joe says

    Lakers are finished. They arent beating Boston 3 in a row in LA. They needed to win 1 game in Boston and failed. They will win game 3 on Tuesday though, a little payback will be nice, and hopefully the announcers, especially Breen can talk great things about the Lakers just as much as they did for Boston in the first 2 games. I hate that announcing crew. Marv Albert might be a freak, but at least he calls the game right down the middle. I am going to enjoy game 3 a lot. MY prediction, Lakers will win by 6 and will score in the low 90’s. Boston wont shoot as well on the road.

  440. the other Stephen says

    i know for one brief, scared moment, paul pierce was thinking to himself, “come on, guys, am i gonna have to fake another knee injury?”

  441. LJ says

    Leaving the refs aside, what I don’t get, is why we stopped playing through Pau in the first quarter all of a sudden.

  442. Pat says

    You’d think Stern got his dream finals matchup that he’d at least let it play out and see who the better team was. I guess he can’t take his hands off of anything.

    Expect to see a reffing trio of Frank Hamblen, Magic johnson, and Stu Lantz on Tuesday

  443. Kurt says

    Watched this game at a party with some friends, so I’m a little late to this party. Yes, the free-throw disparity was bad, but you can’t let any team shoot 59.6% (eFG%) and expect to win. The Lakers shot well, were much better on the boards, but got killed in transition defense.

  444. harold says

    In a perverse sense, I’m actually enjoying this.

    The way our season has started and unfolded, it’s only fitting that our finish be equally dramatic.

    0-2, work it to 3-2, and win the championship in Boston, with a supreme performance by KB24 icing the deal.

    We got the right kind of finish going, and have a chance to pick up right where we left it. Again we showed that we are a team that can attempt a comeback even down 23 points in a quarter!

    Granted that good teams wouldn’t be down 23 points to begin with, but you gotta love a team that treat 23 point deficits as if it was just a 2-3 point deficit.

  445. Kurt says

    Oh, and one other thing of note, every Laker starter (save Odom) was actually in the positive in +/-, but every bench player was in the negative. The Lakers were in this early until the bench was asked to step up when Kobe went out with fouls, and they got torched. The bench MUST step up at home. The Lakers have to sweep the three in LA to have any chance now.

    Also, thank all of you for the kind thoughts.

  446. Scot says

    I will be screaming my lungs out for the Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center, but I just think there is some serious denial going on here. Yes, the free throw disparity was mind blowing and unfair, but we have to take responsibility for: Boston shooting 53% with 31 assists on 36 baskets; Rondo penetrating at will for 16 assists; bench players Powe/Brown/Posey shooting a combined 11-14 while our bench is destroyed in the second quarter and both Luke and Jordan with a plus/minus of -16; Powe being allowed to go untouched while running the court from end-to-end for a slam; Lamar vanishing in the second half YET AGAIN; our total inability to get a stop without fouling, particularly at the end of the game; our failure to hustle for rebounds at critical moments (VladRad and Pau come to mind); and just an overall lack of poise. I’m as big a fan as anyone, but I just feel that if we blame the refs and not look within, we’re going to lay yet another egg on Tuesday. We will hear cliches about Boston just “holding serve” by winning at home, but let’s face the facts – we have lost to Boston 4 games in a row! And we have been outplayed badly in all four games. Therefore, what reason do we have to believe that we’re suddenly going to win 4 of the next 5? Clearly, we are not doing something right, and drastic improvement is needed at both ends of the floor, in effort and intensity, and in poise. I desperately want to believe, but right now I see zero evidence of that happening. No one wants to be wrong more than me.

  447. DMo says

    443 – Funny.

    440 – The Lakers have been amazing at home for the last four months. If they can make up a 22 point deficit in 8 minutes in Boston (in a game where they shot 28 less free throws than their opponent), I don’t see why they can’t win 3 in a row against a team who is 3-7 on the road during the playoffs. As I’ve mentioned before, Boston is showing signs of fatigue already and they have only had to play 2 games in the last 10 days. I’m not saying that this will be easy, but it is definitely doable.

    Keep the faith, Lakers fans.

  449. Laker Pauer says

    Kurt, you have to admit that it’s hard to play transition D when the refs call every little bump. It was absolutely terrible. I don’t understand how the Lakers even had a chance at the end. When you have Wilbon talking about how lopsided the officiating was, it goes beyond us having fan bias.

  450. Karl says

    To think, I thought it was going to be different after that dunk Gasol had on Garnett in the 1st. That had to be the first time all year that I’ve seen him dunk after posting up.

  451. kwame a. says

    The offense flowed WAY better with Vlad at the 4 and Odom on the bench. It opened up the floor for Gasol in the middle and gave Kobe space to operate. Expect to see more of this in Game 3. I wouldn’t count the Lakers out by a long-stretch. Gotta grab a game..then another…then another.

  453. Karl says

    Three things to look at:
    – After 10 turnovers I believe early in the first half, the Lakers managed to finished with only 13.
    – The rebounding battle was LA – 36 (11 O) to BOS – 37 (10 O).
    – The Celtics assisted on 31 of their 36 shots.

  454. David Stern says

    Don’t worry laker fans, Lakers will win at least 2 of the 3 games at home. I guarantee it. I need this series to go at least 6 games for me to rake in more cash.

  455. JR says

    Congrats Kurt!

    With regards to the FT and eFG%, people forget the two are related. If you are getting called for fouls every time you play defense (rightly or wrongly), you are going to ease up and thus allow easier shots. Same goes for the celtics and their vaunted defense, if the refs don’t call them for fouls they’ll keep playing harder making it harder for us to shoot.

    So sure, lets blame the Lakers defense, but lets not forget that basketball being a game of momentum and feeling, the refs can definately make or break runs, and thus games. If the Lakers are making a run and they don’t get a FT they felt they deserved, suddenly it sucks the energy out of us. Similarly if the celtics get free throws while we are on a run the energy will be sucked out of us.

    Refs can make a difference which is why it is disappointing to see a guy like Powe get respect from the refs, whilst Kobe, a veteran, goes without at least a couple of times. It should be the other way around, you need to earn respect from the refs, especially in the finals.

  456. John S. says

    If I may semi troll as a Celtics fan.

    I don’t think the free throw disparity is that egregious. The numbers do necessitate another look however, so I understand the frustration. .

    But, besides the Turiaf block, I thought all of the fouls on Powe were legit. Gasol got fouled once on the allyoop and they didn’t call it, I thought Kobe was bumped once or twice on drives, but to be honest, after Kobe, no one really took it to the hoop. Can anyone think of a call that wasn’t made besides Kobe?

    Kobe wasn’t hit when he got the tech (what was he looking for?), and the missed allyoop was good defense and not a foul.

    I can only think of the Gasol alleyoop play as a blown call. Gasol is just a soft player. He could have had a huge game tonight.

    Where was the horrible non-call by the refs tonight? Or, were they quick to whistle the Lakers? I don’t know how many non-fouls were called fouls. The worst call of the night was the Kobe elbow on Allen.

    Also, when you don’t play good defense and allow penetration, the defense is not square and that leads to fouls. I thought the reason for so many fouls was that the Lakers weren’t very aggressive defensively and allowed Rondo and Pierce to get in the lane at will.

    LA has to stop dribble penetration. Rondo only took 4 shots. That he only took 4 shots is a bad sign. That means he was getting in the lane and finding open shooters. When he has to shoot a lot, then the C’s are in trouble. They didn’t make Rondo beat them.

    As far as the rest of the series, I have doubts that the Lakers can stop the Celts offense. Best bet is to out shoot them and out gun them, which is certanly feasible.

    The best bet for the Lakers is to bait Boston into a shootout. Play Rad at the 4, and that will eliminate Perk and Powe from the game and probably bring in Posey. That should help on the boards.

  457. JR says

    Ps. I think the Celtics propaganda team have really done a good job of portraying the celtics as Kobe stoppers, Phil and the Lakers need to change that perception so he gets more of the benefit of the doubt, as opposed to the celtics getting it.

  459. Underbruin says

    John S. – Considering some of the Celts fans that were on here earlier, that’s hardly trolling. 🙂 Anyway, if I may respond?

    “Can anyone think of a call that wasn’t made besides Kobe?” If I had the free time, I’d happily go back and look at the tape again, but I don’t. I will note, though, that Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol took a combined 16 shots in the paint, and had 1 free throw between them to show for it (ironically, on a Gasol drive that probably should have been a no-call). Considering NBA reffing in general, that strikes me as an unusual number.

    FGA locations for what follows taken from: http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/shotchart/NBA_20080608_LAL@BOS – click on ‘all shots’ for each team in the drop-down menu.

    The Celtics had somewhere around 30 shots in the paint, total – 18 FGAs, plus probably about 10-15 two-shot fouls in the paint that aren’t counted. The Lakers had 30 FGAs in the paint, plus at least a couple of 2-shot fouls, totaling probably 32 attempts. As Last Train over on CelticsBlog noted (in a discussion I had over there), shots in the paint don’t automatically equal fouls – defense plays into it. This is very true, and a valid assertion. However, I find it exceedingly unlikely that the Lakers took 30-plus shots in the paint and got fouled at most thrice (four freethrows on 2-shot fouls): the other 6 LAL free throws were Gasol’s and-one, the tech, and four shots on two fouls in the ‘bonus.’ Given NBA officiating, and the way this game in particular was called at Boston’s end, that’s heavily tilted at best, and nearing on absurd if you’d ask a Lakers fan.

    I don’t have issue with Boston’s taking 38 freebies. I have issue with LA’s taking only 10 (and only 5 of those as shooting fouls). Given the number of attempts the Lakers had in the paint, that’s really out of line, especially when noting that Boston had equal or fewer shots at the rim, but had SEVENTEEN shooting fouls. Seventeen. To three. With an equal number of shots in the paint, or more likely a few more in LA’s favor.

  460. VIncent C. says

    This is purely frustrating to watch…(i’m going to die 5 years earlier due to these intense yet stressful times…) Lakers tonight did not play well, certainly the refs didn’t help much either… going back to the last play… during replay we can clearly see kobe was chasing the ball, was wide open for a split second… sasha’s shot was clean, but we shouldn’t put that type of shot into his hand, granted he’s a good three point shooter… It will take alot out of us to win all three games, but at this point what options do we have?

    p.s. David Stern, we need to chat… i have a company that manages the refs calls… give me a call

  461. Ollie says

    447-I have to agree with what your saying…while tonights ref.s were beyond atrocious, there are certain numbers that just don’t lie such as the ones you brought up.

    If we intend to win this series we really need to man up and start playing even tougher D, and crashing the boards HARD. Tonight was supremely frustrating and we now have the daunting task of winning three games at home.

    I believe we must win all three in staples to give ourselves of a shot at this thing, but its a scary thought that we must be beat a team like boston three times in a row, then try to secure a final victory in the garden..

  462. Darius says

    I was gone for most of the night and watched the game on my DVR. Everything has really been said, and Kurt’s comments ring true as strong reasons for why we lost.

    Lot’s of poor taste by commenters on the boards tonight. On Tuesday, one (or more) of the moderators will be around to oversee that stuff a little better. I have those privileges, and will try to make sure things don’t get out of hand like it did a little bit earlier tonight.

  463. nomuskles says

    John S., obviously our views are going to be skewed towards our respective teams but yeah, i do think the refs missed a lot of calls that went against the lakers. That’s also a product of me being a lakers fan. I could list a myriad of times where I thought the lakers got the short end of the stick tonight but i’ll also admit i think the refs missed a few against the celtics too. that kg “moving screen” call was kind of bogus, for example. but yeah. the list would be much too long to list here. aww nevermind, we lost, i might as well get in my complaints while i can.

    odom got hacked on offense under the basket. pau got hacked on offense under the basket. pj brown was grabbing and pushing like always. lamar threw a ball off rondo that was going out of bounds and rondo had actually established one of his feet out of bounds before jumping when odom threw the ball off him. this should have been out of bounds on the celtics. instead it started a celtics break. kobe’s first two fouls were crap. watch him and derek fisher get hammered the exact same way the entire game without getting the same call. kobe’s offensive foul where he “ran over” pierce was questionable in my opinion. Kobe was changing directions to go through the gap and pierce hit the deck. pau got hit on his alley oop finish by kg. leon powe wasn’t touched on the up and under move he made. he was trying to avoid contact. paul pierce was barely touched end of the game that granted him the game sealing free throws. at the end of the first half, pau and lamar were being hit. pierce got away with a foul on kobe’s alley oop attempt in the second half. if you watch the replay, pierce walks away with his hands up like hes being confronted by a robber. lamar had establsihed his position against kg and his arm remained straight up but he got called for a foul anyway. rondo mauled pau to gain a turnover. seriously. these are the ones i can remember after one viewing. most of us on forum blue and gold don’t like to complain about the refs. we feel it’s unbecoming. there weren’t very many complaints of bad reffing after game one. (half court calls excepted) but this one. wow. Inconsistent and ridiculous all the way through.

  464. Bryan says

    457: John S: it’s just one play, and the refs didnt put the ball in either basket, so I’m not saying this to whine: Q4, Kobe drives to about 8 feet of the basket, and Pierce pulls his arm behind him. Kobe hits the shot, no call. Sasha shoots a 3 from the corner, Pierce gets credit for a “block” meanwhile Saha’s arm goes away from a natural follow through at a 90 degree angle. This is just in the last 2 minutes. There are plenty more (on both sides of the court – not just against the Lakers).

  465. Anonymous says

    John S – I think you mentioned enough blown calls that would have turned the game around. A 6 point differential isn’t a lot.

  466. chearn says

    Take heart Laker fans:
    1. Boston won by 6 with a freethrow disparity of 38-10.
    2. Leon Powe 9-13 freethrows made.
    Six point Laker Loss.
    3. Lakers were 100% from the freethrow line.
    4. Lakers are coming home!
    Not looking for a 28 freethrow difference to win. But, at least the freethrow differential can be more like Lakers 17 & Boston 38.
    5. As poorly as the Lakers played this game we scored more
    than 100 points for the first time in this series.
    6. They have thrown everything they can at Kobe he scored 30 points and he has figured them out defensively.

    Laker fans we are coming home but that is no magic elixir in itself. We must look to be as aggressive on defense as Boston has been at home. 100% more efficient on offense. We need our ‘bench mob’ back and the Staples Center to be rocking.

    We need to wear our purple and gold in mass during this homestand so that the Lakers know when they land in California they will know that they are home, and that we are still behind them and that we believe! Remember, this is still a very young team save for Fisher.

    Let’s go Lakers!!!

    Revised game count: Lakers in 7 because that is what the NBA demands of this series. You can’t sell commercials without air time!

  467. Underbruin says

    To those that might still be here – simply tacking on an extra 10-12 points from “blown” calls to the final score doesn’t really work in the context of how the officiating affected the game. Just like I believe the Lakers would have been much better off with Kobe avoiding those 3 fouls in the first half and staying on the court, it would be foolish to assume that the Celtics would have played the exact same way down the stretch if up by only 10 points instead of 22.

  468. Underbruin says

    467 – That’s unfair. He even says “The numbers do necessitate another look however, so I understand the frustration.” At the end of the day, one must defend one’s team, no? I know a legion of fans from other teams are out there simply nodding at the “just desserts” of a Lakers team that has been the beneficiary of some questionable officiating in the past (not the least of whom would be Spurs fans from just last series). No reason to get personal – I don’t agree with his take, but he made it in a respectful manner.

  469. Pat says

    I don’t even know if I want to watch game three considering you can bet Stern will put the lakers on the like 50 times and as much as we need the win that’s just not enjoyable basketball to watch.

  470. Lakersfan88 says

    466, I guess humor doesn’t fly around here, but come on dude, 38-10? How can someone say that’s not ridiculous. 38-10? In a six point game? PJ Brown sets a moving pick every time he sets a pick, never gets called.

    Anyone else think it was hilarious when LO threw the ball out of bounds off PJ Brown’s fat head?

  471. Underbruin says

    469 – Yes, the game was 6 points at the end. You honestly believe that the Celtics would have eased up on both ends of the court the way they did if it was a 6 point game with 6 minutes to go, instead of a 24 point game – and that the Lakers would have gone on the same run, winning by double-digits?

    I agree, 38-10 is too much. But how each foul impacted the game is almost impossible to know – for all we know, if Kobe hadn’t gotten the early foul trouble he would have gone off for 60. Or maybe, instead, he would have accidentally come down on Pau Gasol’s leg and have to be carted off in a wheelchair (I doubt he’d get the Rocky music upon his return, though). The game would have been much closer for the majority of the second half, but the Lakers almost certainly wouldn’t have scored 41 points in the 4th quarter. In any case, it’s all academic now, so there’s no reason to get hostile – it’s worthy of discussion largely with regards to the impact on Game 3 (and beyond), and for intellectual curiosity’s sake. Nothing we say will switch that L to a W.

  472. Da Raider says

    Horrible officiating tonight. I’m sure that PJ’s press conference was heard loud and clear for Tuesday night. That was one of the worst officiated games I have ever witnessed.

    That said, regardless of the refs, there were plenty of stretches where the Celts just flat out kicked our butts. On the boards, FG%, and especially being physical. We need to be physical with them in LA. I’m confident that if Kobe takes it to the hole, Pau, Lamar and Ronny start shoving people around, we’ll get the benefit of the doubt if we’re aggressive. That’s the NBA’s worst kept secret. The refs always give the benefit of the doubt to the more aggressive team. The Lakers need to start being the aggressor. Even if they play more of a finesse style offense, that doesn’t mean that they should play a finesse style defense.

    They have to win all three in LA or this series is over. They can do it, but is going to take a more consistent effort than we’ve seen so far.

    See ya Tuesday.

  473. John S. says

    Some points.

    Fisher said he fouled pierce on that play to end the game. I thought they missed some calls for sure, and the kobe second foul was bogus. Boston had some bad calls go against them, the rondo offensive foul was a joke.

    This wasn’t a 6 point game BTW. You can;t automatically assume that the 41 point 4th quarter would have happened if Boston was only up say 8 or so. Boston got complacent and stopped playing.

    I can;t remember anyone else but kobe actually driving to the basket. LA does foul a lot, which is indicative of struggling to guard.

    You have to push the issue to get to the line. The Lakers need to get physical, offensively and defensively.

    And 468, is 43-16 game 2 against utah any less ridiculous? How about 48 free throws in game 1 against utah? The, 42 free throws in game 5. Then, 38 in game 6.

    Lakers made a living at the line against the jazz.

    Boston gave up 47 free throws in a game 6 loss to atlanta. The more aggressive team gets to the line. That is clear.

    Celts gave up 47 free throws to the Hawks in game 6.

  475. drrayeye says

    I could accept the disparity of fouls as “home cooking” except for one thing–Leon Powe. I kept wondering why the Lakers couldn’t stop him and had to foul him–until halftime. Then I saw the very personal “Leon Powe story” at halftime. How could the Network know in advance that Powe was going to play at all? Even if they had prepared such stories for every ‘bench” player on both teams, why such a long story about only one Boston Celtic player? Why no parallel “equal time” story about a Laker–like say Mbenga–or Ariza?

    I began to “get it.”

    I wasn’t that surprized when Leon both continued to play and score in the second half. I was losing my innocence.

    I had long been suspicious of NBA games that were seemingly always settled in the last few minutes–but I attributed the close scores to coaching strategies–in resting players and knowing how to still close out opponents at the end of a game. I knew that “home cooking” tended to award more foul shots to the home team.

    The Leon Powe story was a different problem, coming at halftime of an NBA championship game. Something smelled rotten–and we weren’t even in Denmark.

    I began to think of basketball, not in comparison to boxing–but to wrestling–where the outcome is decided in advance by the refs–or even the commissioner.

    I hope I can get those ideas out of my mind–but I still remember the Spurs against the Suns last year–the bump of Nash–and the disqualifications that followed.

    Has it already been decided to make this series go 7 games?

    Despite everything, the Lakers might have won tonight with a simple “no call” for the Paul Pierce drive when the Celts led by 2 at the very end. The Lakers were already heading the other way with the ball.

    It sure makes one think–doesn’t it?

  477. S.Nicholson says

    I have never been one to EVER say that the refs were the reason a game was won/lost EVER. I think there is probably a record number of posts, because tonight was the poorest officiated game I have seen these playoffs. I still do not think they won/lost this game.

    The Lakers did not deserve to win this game. Powe’s BS foul calls and Kobe’s phantom calls were atrocious. Although the C’s still outplayed the Lakers.

    What made me mad was that when we were only down 2 in the 4th with 23 seconds left, how do the refs bail out Pierce with two free throws!?!?!?!?!

    I watched the play 10 times on my DVR and it makes me sick to my stomach that the game was decided by another BS call after so many….This could have been the greatest finals comeback ever, but the refs didn’t allow the players to decide that. Pierce did not get fouled on that last play. Period. It makes me wanna puke. Are these refs friends with Donaghy? Well shit happens.

    I don’t care what anyone thinks, because I am still confident that the Lakers will win all 3 at home! It is their destiny!!!!

  478. Mark Sigal says

    First off, I think that the refs have called the two games in a very unbalanced fashion. That alone, has made the Laker’s gun shy, and strangely broken their rhythm.

    It’s telling about the level of cynicism on this board wrt perception that the NBA and specifically, Stern, shapes games/series.

    That said, now we know how the Spurs felt when they found out that Joey Crawford would be getting the nod in Game Four of the Lakers-Spurs series.

    Give Boston their due, though. They have totally disrupted the triangle, which is the essence and flow of Lakers basketball. That the Lakers abandoned it in the comeback is telling.

    The Laker Defense, has been very poor, which is unsurprising. Their D feeds off of their offense, since they are very motion focused.

    This is game of adjustments and matchups, and we’ve made no adjustments that have worked nor do we appear to match up super well with Boston’s strengths.

    Someone else said it, but I think that we need to find a way to keep Vlad in the game for significantly more minutes. Not minimizing his liabilities, but his presence extends the floor to create better spacing (and his rebounding has been solid).

    The Celtics close awfully well so you need that space to open lanes for cutters and better three looks.

    Our bench should play better at home. On some level, the series so far comes down to the fact that the Celtics bench has been fantastic, whereas the Laker bench has contributed very little on either side of the ball.

    The Celtics are absolutely imposing their will upon us, and we have done nothing to knock them off balance.

    The Lakers have been amazingly resilient this year in terms of rising to the challenge so I remain hopeful that they will find a way.

    A steep climb lies ahead.

  479. Scot says

    As a Laker fan, I just don’t get all this talk about conspiracies and the like. Other than the last six minutes of the first half of Game 1, and the first and last six minutes of Game 2, can you honestly say that the Lakers haven’t been badly outplayed by the Celtics? Allowing Leon Powe’s coast-to-coast dunk has to be the single most embarrassing sequence of the entire playoffs and is emblematic of our poor communication on defense and utter lack of passion, determination, moxie and effort. The sad facts are that we haven’t played well in any of the four games against the Celtics this season, and that Boston is playing like they want the trophy more than we do, which is unfathomable and has nothing to do with refs or any alleged master plan of David Stern. It has to do with the Celtics, up to now, being the better team. It makes me sick, but I can’t deny it.

  480. lakerfan101 says

    Well, the way I see it, is that now it is a best 4 of 5 games to win the title. The opposition has 2 of 4 at the moment, so what.
    Go Lakers…

  482. Lakersfan88 says

    No hostility here, but seriously, 38-10 is a joke. You can’t argue against that. It doesn’t matter how else the game might have played out, but the way it did the final score was 108-102 in favor of the Celtics. A six point game, with the team that won shooting 28 more free throws than the team that lost. And as there’s no point in speculating about hypotheticals, I’m not saying that the Lakers would have won if the free throw shooting was more even, all I’m saying is that it was the most poorly officiated and most biased game I’ve ever seen, and clearly I’m not the only one who thinks that. It’s just kind of a drag how much control the referees have over the games.

  483. from the internets says

    As a fan of the game itself, first and foremost, Game 2 was just frustrating to watch. Yes, it’s easy to disguise one’s own Lakers-fan bias by claiming that “It doesn’t matter who’d have won, I just wish it had been fair,” while internally believing that the Lakers are always supposed to win, regardless. It’s easy to do that. And that’s what a lot of upset Lakers fans are doing.

    But it’s not so easy to disguise the black and white…

    “The free-throw desparity wasn’t as lop-sided as people are making it out to be.”

    -The Celtics shot 28 more free-throws than the Lakers. Powe had three more free-throws than the entire Laker team.

    “The reason the Lakers didn’t get to the line was because they relied too heavily on jumpshots.”

    -The Lakers actually had more points in the paint than the Celtics did.

    “The Lakers lost because they jacked up way too many shots.”

    -The Lakers had 68 field goal attempts. The Celtics had 83.

    “The Lakers lost because they couldn’t get shots to fall, while the Celtics were able to have a better shooting night.”

    -The Lakers shot 52.9%. The Celtics shot 49.4%.

    “The Lakers lost the game because they were outhustled on the glass.”

    -The Lakers had 37 rebounds. The Celtics had 36.

    “The Celtics played better team ball, making the extra pass to find open guys. The Lakers were too concerned with going one-on-one.”

    -The Lakers had 31 assists. The Celtics had 20

  484. from the internets says

    Some of those stats are flipped. Should’ve checked first. Sorry. It was a repost from another comment.

  485. Chris248 says

    John S –

    * Kobe was looking for a call on Pierce on the spin move. You can clearly see him rake Kobe’s arm as he comes out of the spin.

    * As mentioned, Pierce, held him when he made that tough left-handed floater.

    * Cassell held Farmar’s arm on a drive down the middle (when Farmar shot with his back to the basket… he was turned in the air because his arm was held)

    * Gasol created TONS of contact down low… contact that was being called a foul at the other end

    * Rondo’s “steal” on Gasol had a lot of contact…

    * Perkins got away with at last two push-offs in the back

    * PJ pushed Kobe into Pierce on the screen foul

    Are those enough to swing the game? If half of those had been called, there would have been an entirely different complexion to the game.

    Also, I think it’s funny for anyone to call Pau soft when he dunked it in KG’s face.

  486. Chris248 says

    By the way, I think Fisher did foul Pierce on the last play. I think Derek takes too many swipes at the ball… especially in a game like this, when you knew how it was being called.

    On the other hand, maybe Fisher thought the refs would let the final seconds play out without being ticky-tack. He’s been in a lot more Finals games than I have.

  487. The Fanalyst says

    I don’t even know what to say. The free throw disparity will get a lot of play, but the fact is the Lakers have looked like deer in headlights for 5-1/2 quarters starting at half time of G1.

    I would take some comfort in the fact that the Celtics are atrocious on the road and the Lakers are great at home, but I don’t know if this is the same team that beat Utah and SA anymore. That, or are the Celtics that good to make these Lakers look that bad? I sure hope not.

    These guys better pull of a sweep at home. I would like our chances if they had to win one of two in Boston after taking 3 in a row, with momentum. Not sure if they can do it, especially at this rate. Phil better start banging on some drums early.

  488. Alex says

    (edited) guys, the Celts drove to the hoop all night long which is why they got so many foul calls. Powe lived in the paint for the minutes he was playing and Kobe et al were simply settling for “bunnies.” If you don’t drive to the hoop, how/why will you get free throws???

  489. otbricki says

    When you go to the basket and play good defense you get callls. The Lakers did neither. Whining about referees – I love to see other teams and their coaches do that because that means the referees are in their heads, and they are not paying attention to what really matters- on court play.

    The Lakers bench was also outplayed again, much worse than in Game 1. Unless that changes it is going to be a short series.

    People who think the Celtics were tired at the end of Game 2 – which led to the Lakers comeback are dreaming. The Celtics let LA back in. It is a bad habit they have,

  490. Chris248 says

    Again, Celtics fans (and press) who insist that Boston was the only team trying to score in the paint, and that’s why they got the fouls, simply don’t have their facts straight.

    The Lakers took plenty of shots around the rim, created plenty of contact, and got few calls.

  491. ryan says

    The refs did not decide this game. Boston simply outplayed the Lakers. No excuses. Even if the game were officiated well, the Lakers still would have lost. But there is no way you can say that this was a well officiated game. The refs let Boston play way more physical than they let LA. LA was getting called for a lot of fouls that were not being called at the other end against Boston. Its hard to play defense (when LA actually did play any) when you don’t know how physical you can be. The Lakers let the refs get in their head though. That should never happen. Then they played like they didn’t know what to do.

    Simply put the Lakers deserved to lose this game. Hopefully they play better in LA.

  492. Bryan says

    It’s hard to believe the conspiracy theories of the nba wanting 7 games for the extra advertising money. If they just started games at an hour when people could stay awake for the whole game, they could just charge more for commercials.

    More than the calls, I hated that texts to my Boston friends went unanswered after 11pm EST.

  493. Anonymous says

    Check out the link in post #459. The Laker total of layups plus dunks was 30. I believe there were three shooting fouls called on the Celtics totaling five free throws (the rest were penalty fouls, and the tech on KG). So, of the 33 layups and dunks the Lakers took, there were three fouls called, meaning that 9.1% of those shots resulted in a foul.

    For the Celtics, they had a total of 18 layups plus dunks. I would estimate that there were a total of 14 shooting fouls called on the Lakers, meaning that of the 32 layups and dunks taken by the Celtics, 14 resulted in a foul (14/32 is approx 44%).

    You’ll see a lot of chatter on the sports shows over the next few days that the Lakers didn’t get the calls because they didn’t go to the hole. That chatter will be greatly misinformed.

    Last night’s game was a travesty. When the officiating is so one-sided, it affects the way both teams play. It forces one team to play more passively, and it encourages the other team to play more aggressively. There were hardly any complaints here about the officiating in Game 1. Normally, this blog has very few complaints about the officiating in Laker losses…but again, last night was a travesty.

  494. Bryan says

    Heh, know what would have been great? A nomuscles live blog of last night. “Mamba calling for the ball against Jesus SuperShuttle and… what the?!? Apparantly black and white is the new green and white.”

  495. The Dude Abides says

    Can the moderator please post a comment I just made? It may have been an anonymous comment, but it referred specifically to post #459, had several paragraphs, and discussed the foul disparity. Thanks

  498. spurs fan says

    It’s awfully satisfying from my perspective. I hope a lot more Lakers fans now understand the problem. LA/Utah Game 2: 43 FTA to 16 FTA. LA/San Antonio Game 4. Welcome to the club.

  499. otbricki says

    So what makes people think that the Lakers can win 4 out of 5, or 3 in a row at home when they haven’t beaten the Celtics ONCE all year?

  500. laughing hard says

    The fact that no one has beaten the Lakers at home this postseason, and that Boston didn’t win a game in Atlanta, or Cleveland, and that the ticky-tack fouls that went against the Lakers in game two will likely go the other way at Staples, or that Rondo played much much worse on the road these playoffs, or that LA did manage to drop 41 on them in a quarter last night… anything else you want?

  501. wiseolgoat says

    hey guys, long time reader, first time commenter.

    about last night’s game – i tend to look at it from two angles: (1) it was unbelievable that leon powe got more respect from the refs than kobe did (can’t believe he got whistled for those ticky-tack fouls on ray ray when the celtics are doing that and worse to him every trip down); but also (2) a team that gives up a career playoff high to leon powe didn’t deserve to win the game.

    the true answer i suspect is somewhere in between the two extremes (as a die-hard lakers fan i’d prefer to think of it as closer to perspective 1).

  502. Alex says

    Can’t wait until Thursday when the championship party officially starts in Boston (even though it unofficially started once we beat the Pistons). GO CELTICS!!

  503. Jess says

    I hear you Alex, personally, I am already thinking of a repeat. We need to resign Posey asap.

  504. Chris248 says

    I love how Spurs fans keep bringing up Game 4 from that series while conveniently forgetting the lopsided, Kobe-shooting-29-times-without-a-FT officiating in that game.

  505. Joe says

    Sadly, the Lakers are finished. The only chance they have is to win 3 in a row at Staples. It can be done I suppose, but the bench just hasnt shown up this series at all and neither has Lamar Odom, I dont know why he played so awesome against Utah and now cant do anything at all. Lakers will win game 3 at home however and I am going to enjoy it as we will get some payback. Now hopefully the announcers, especially Breen will praise the Lakers just as much as they praised the Celtics in Boston. Those announcers were so one sided for Boston. At least TNT announcers like Kenny and Marv call the game right down the middle. I cant wait for revenge. Sadly the lakers will lose either game 4 or 5. I am sorry, but that bench has shown me so confidence at all.

  506. otbricki says

    500 – Lakers haven’t played anyone with a good road record. Denver and Utah were below .500 on the road in the regular season, and San Antonio was 22-19.

  507. otbricki says

    498 – It sure does put a hole in Phil Jackson’s comment that he has never seen this before when in fact it happened (in the Lakers favor) just a few games ago.

  510. Turd_boy says

    yo Celtsfan

    just stop posting, dude! you’re giving us C’s fans a bad name. think of something intellegent to say or don’t say anything. good god!

    everyone here should take not that, because of fools like “Celtsfan” many peoples idea of what Celtics fans are like are wrongly colored by a very loud, obnoxious minority.

    The refs favored the Celtics for sure. I think the NBA was terrified that the Lakers would make this a short series.

    That said, can you really claim that the Lakers deserved/earned the right to be winner in either game 1 or 2?

  511. Joe says

    This is how I look at it. The Lakers did beat the Spurs in 5 games which was very impressive, but they probably shouldnt have. The Spurs had a 20 point lead in the third quarter of game 1 and blew it. That shouldnt of happened. If the Spurs win that game it could have changed the whole series around as the Spurs would of stole home court advantage. Also, in game 5 the Spurs were up by 17 in the second quarter and blew it. Honestly, not to discredit the Lakers, but the Spurs I dont think were all that good. Hornets were the better team and should have beatin them. Hornets only lost because of their inexperience. Even the Suns had a chance. The Suns blew that huge game 1 lead, which took their hearts out of the series. The Spurs werent dominant in the regular season as well. As someone just pointed out, they had a poor road record for a defending championship team. So what Im trying to say is, the Spurs werent all that good. The Lakers beat denver and Utah, but those teams had no defense at all, and certainly not anywhere near the caliber as the Celtics.
    The Celtics people underestimated. Yes they barely beat the hawks and cavs…two teams that shouldnt of even been in the playoffs, but they came on stronger against the Pistons. In the regular season the Celtics won 66 games. People can say, well they played in the East, but they only lost like 3 games against the West all year, which is absolutely amazing. Celtics were by far the best team in the regular season, and even though they struggled in the playoffs, they have now started to play like the Celtics of that regular season. This team is really good, and I am a Laker fan saying this.
    The Lakers I feel, especially their bench, has shown too much inexperience and dont seem they are ready to even play in the NBA finals. The Lakers are good enough to come back and win, but they really have to pick it up and play really hard. Defense and offense needs to pick up big time. I do predict the Lakers in game 3.

  513. chris h says

    anyone have a link to the Phil jackson post game interviews? love to see them.

  514. Jess says

    Turd_boy – you are a pseudo celtics fan – like your name suggests, you are probably a Lakers fan posing as a Celts fan so as to acknowledge that the refereeing was supposedly biased.

    Regardless, if you are a Celts fan, get ready to party on Thursday baby – I’ve already told my boss I’m taking a day off on Friday – gotta celebrate the NBA championship on Thursday night after the inevitable sweep!!

  515. chris h says

    hey Jess and otbricki, are guys gonna show up here if the lakers win game 3? show some class, man up and don’t dissappear if that’s the case, you seem to love being here when it’s going your way.

  516. pw says

    I thiink all this crap about officiating is going to hurt us. We are going back to Staples Center and we would have gotten the officiating advantage for 3 games. Now with all the outcry among media about the officiating, the officials will probably call the game 3,4,5 even without an explicit advantage to teh Lakers like the Celtics had for game 1,2.

  517. Chris248 says

    Hey, if the Celtics sweep the Lakers, then they fully deserve the championship, a parade, a day off for Jess… everything.

  518. Joseph says

    I honestly think that this was the worst officiating that I have ever seen in my life. At the beginning it looked like the game had been fixed as I watch Ray Allen just look at the ref and throw his arms into the air and the ref called a foul on Kobe. He did it twice within two minutes. Did anyone else notice that?
    Granted the Lakers defense was not sharp at all and the players from the bench are getting rattled by the bad officiating, but come on. The Lakers need to box out though. Boston killed them with rebounds.
    By the way I like KG because he is the only one on the Celtics team that isn’t a big baby about every call. Pierce always looks like he is going to cry when he gets touched.
    Anyway the Lakers need to bounce back and the officiating can’t decide the game!

  519. Jim says

    Check out what the Celticsblog had to say about Bryant –

    “Did you see Mr. Bryant scowling at his teammates when they didn’t get him the ball in the final critical possession? He should have been mad, but his chronic undercutting of the other Lakers is unhealthy. The same guy who demanded a trade in the off-season just does not seem to support his teammates well when the going gets rocky. He’s the antiubuntu.
    All for one, as long as the one is him.”

    http://www.celticsblog.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3330&Itemid=189

    Seems like these bandwagon Celtics fans are really yappin’ their mouths. Can’t wait for Kobe to drop 50 tomorrow and show these punks off. And btw, I’m gonna be commenting on the Celtics blog and I encourage you all to do the same.

  520. Magiclover says

    I don’t know if the refs had their orders or they had their own reasons,just know that 38 to 10 is unfair and unreasonable and impossible.The Lakers shot free throws in the first two series and then shot none in the next two. What changed ? Not the Lakers play

  521. robinred says

    “Regardless, if you are a Celts fan, get ready to party on Thursday baby – I’ve already told my boss I’m taking a day off on Friday – gotta celebrate the NBA championship on Thursday night after the inevitable sweep!!”

    I thought a lot of Laker fans were overconfident before the series, and a lot of Celtic fans are overconfident now. I also said before the series here at FBG that Rivers should play Powe more, so give both of them credit.

    I understand the frustration about the refs, but the Celtics have been the better team so far.

    Also, I have not read the whole thread yet, and this is Kurt’s sight, not mine, but Jess is not really posting in the spirit of what Kurt tries to do here. I think most of us welcome Celts’ fans, but there are plenty of places you can go to do the CELTICZ BAYBEE stuff without bringing it here.

  522. 91601guy says

    I don’t know why the Lakers didn’t go to Pau more. He had 8 shots in the 1st half, 4 in the 2nd, he was off to a great start. The Lakers need more inside-out play to loosen up the defense.

    Also, the Lakers’ inexperience in their bench is showing. They could have used a PJ Brown type of player.

    Let’s get this comeback started!

  523. Darius says

    A new post will be up soon. The last one was taken down to include more thoughts from the other moderators.

  524. Pat says

    Hey spurs fan can you really seriously complain about game 4? Where every call went the spurs way until the last 20 seconds of the game… Where Kobe shot 29 times and attempted exactly 0 free throws for the first time in a playoff game in four years. Surprisingly the last time was also in San Antonio…

  526. Lakersfan88 says

    Also, if you ask me (and most of LA) Paul Pierce is the early front-runner for next year’s Best Actress Oscar.

  527. Turd_boy says

    why was my post deleted? I didn’t make any personal attacks. I just pointed out that Jess doesn’t know me and that I AM a true Celtics fan and that it’s NONSENSE to expect a sweep. I used the ‘B’ word but edited it out myself. I really don’t see the harm. you could have just deleted the word. And here I was lambasting these crazy, rude, overconfident, overzealous Celtics fans for giving the rest of us a bad name and I’M the one who gets his post deleted?

  528. JP says

    I’m sure we do the same thing over at celticsblog, but it appears as though there is an excuse for everything. The regular season was different because no Pau Gasol. Game 1 was just bad luck with Kobe’s shots. Game 2 was the officiating. At some point there is going to be a rude awakening that it is in fact possible that the Lakers can (and are) being outplayed.

    Also as an aside, I went through the Utah Game 2 thread and did not see one post on the “absurdity” of the FT differential. Just something to think about. I’m not sure the C’s are *this* much better, but I do think they are better and we’ll find out over the next 10 days.

  529. robinred says

    ” I’m not sure the C’s are *this* much better, but I do think they are better and we’ll find out over the next 10 days.”

    I am not a blame-the-refs guy, and your point about the Utah game is well-taken, although it is worth noting that Utah has a long history of playing phyical and leading the league, or nearly so, in fouls, opponent FTs, etc. That said, the Celtics have been the better team so far and Rivers deserves credit for using Powe.

    Also, the Celtics have not proven they are “this much better” than the Lakers. All they have done is hold serve at home, by winning two hard-fought games, one of which was keyed by a 28-FT advantage at the line, with a few questionable calls.

    And yeah, you do have a lot of fanboyism at Celticsblog.

  530. Jim says

    Lakersfan88 – Maybe he is, but he is also the front runner for the Finals MVP trophy for this year, which will be handed out Thursday night. Of course Kobe would have gotten it if he didn’t miss so many “bunnies.”

  532. Moore says

    Does anybody else hate the ABC announcers?

    Breen- Kobe with a wide open shot….no good. Wow what great Celtic defense. Paul Pierce with the rebound.

    Marc Jackson- Paul Pierce.. is the greatest Boston Celtic… ever.

    JVG- I dont know about the GREATEST ever Marc, though EXPlOSIVE might be the better word, that he is the most EXPLOSIVE Boston Celtic ever.

    Marc Jackson- Well explosive then. Its the same thing.

    JVG- Actually its not. EXPLOSIVE and GREATEST, are two COMPLETELY different meanings. Saying Paul Pierce is the GREATEST Celtic of all time is like saying Scottie Pippen is the GREATEST Bull of all time.

    Breen- Hahaha, you tell just great funny jokes Jeff. Pierce for three!!……BANG!!!

    Marc Jackson- Thats why hes the most explosive player ever.

    JVG- NOW you have it RIGHT.

  533. JP says

    528. Again, that win at the Staples center counts! Bynum gives the Celtics a MUCH tougher matchup than Gasol regardless of how much crisper the offense was running. I wonder if Laker-nation would trade “soft” Gasol for Bynum at this point.

  534. robinred says

    “I wonder if Laker-nation would trade “soft” Gasol for Bynum at this point.”

    As I said on the other thread: always pleasant having Celtics fans around.

  535. Jake says

    Don’t blame he Celts fans robinred when the Celts are vastly superior to the Lakers….

  536. robinred says

    “Don’t blame (the) Celts fans robinred when the Celts are vastly superior to the Lakers….”

    This has yet to be proven, but even if it is the case, you can feel free to go express that kind of simplistic, biased opinion at C’s blog.

    This may just be a bad matchup for the Lakers–sometimes fans tend to think that a couple of tweaks can make more difference than they really can.

    We shall see. I will be intereste to see what they do with Rondo in Game 3.