Waiting for the “Michael” Moment
It’s pretty clear that in order for the Lakers to have any shot of salvaging this Finals series, Kobe has to get his team on the right track. So far, the Lakers have been tissue-paper soft, they’ve been intimidated by the Celtics and Kobe hasn’t been himself. He’s looked frustrated, exasperated and angry. Instead of elevating his guys, he’s shaking his head at their mistakes and arguing with refs. Bryant needs to take a step back, take a deep breath, and re-assert himself with the same mindset that carried his team to the No. 1 seed in the West and helped the Lakers roll through the playoffs.
Tonight is definitely a do-or-die for Kobe and and his teammates. Jan Hubbard of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram sees Game 3 as the time for Kobe to step up grab his “Michael Jordan Moment.” From his article:
Jordan was confronted with a similar situation in 1991 when he won his first of six rings. The Lakers and Magic Johnson came to Chicago for the first two games, and when the Bulls captured Game 2 to salvage a 1-1 split, the basketball eggheads nodded and said the Lakers had the Bulls exactly where they wanted them. They would head back for three games in LA, where they would win the title.
Instead, the Bulls went to LA, won three straight and the championship. Jordan was not particularly magnificent. He averaged 28.6 points and shot 48 percent from the field in those three games. But he also averaged 10.7 assists, 6.0 rebounds, played unforgiving defense and led his team to the title.
Bryant struggled with his shot in Boston. He scored 54 points in the two games, but he had 49 field-goal attempts. By comparison, Paul Pierce had 50 points while attempting only 26 shots.
What that means is that Bryant is due for a monster game, and it actually began in the fourth quarter Sunday. In the last 7:51, Bryant had 13 points. He made 4 of 6 field-goal attempts and had two rebounds and two assists. The Lakers were 24 points behind when that stretch started, but, with 38 seconds left, they had reduced the deficit to two and easily could have won the game.
How do you think tonight plays out?
June 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
word says:
Kobe has no choice but to score 40 or more
maybe it’s home court crowd or maybe the just celts rugged D that is keeping him from scoring, but this is Kobe so I do expect him to find a way probably tonight cuz if Lakers lose, its over
June 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am
word says:
Odom too, he needs to get back on the aggressive front
June 10th, 2008 at 11:05 am
T.Brown says:
Kobe and the lakers will win big tonight and win on friday, making the series 2-2. Kobe is due for a big game and also are his teamates. Look for Phil, Kobe and the lakers to prove a point and a make this a very long week for the Boston Celtics.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
alex says:
the lakers are badly missing kwame brown
June 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am
jz_smoove says:
lakers will win 2 of 3, boston in six however. no home team has won all 3 games of the middle of the 2-3-2 format of the nba. and the lakers certainly wont do it.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am
the_don_mega says:
i aint sure but…didn’t the heat and pistons win the middle 3 home games when they went to the finals in 04 and 05?
June 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Koma says:
rotfl @alex
June 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
The Lakers are going home. They’ll win the next 3. Don’t worry. The free throw disparity definitely won’t be 38-10, and we will all see how much refs really control the game. Stern needs to start fining they a*s for blatantly bad calls.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
shake&bake says:
lol @ post #4. I was thinking Kobe was going to get his MJ moment when they cut the lead to 2 but he never got the ball.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Daily boy says:
The Baddest Man Alive(KB24) will be in the bldg tonight in full effect, he will strap the team on his back and carry them to victory. I don’t see him just take this laying down, he’s angry and tonight he’ll channel that anger into victory
June 10th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Chaos Rob says:
they miss kwame?! maaaaaaan get outta here lmao!! kobe needs to the ball ni his hand every possession. he needs to be the playmaker/facilitator/lockdown defender/killler in the next three games. while i think they will take at least two games in LA, if they lose one its over. he needs to get that attitude he had when he hit 81…he need to play like he playing for his freedom
June 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
chrisGO says:
problem is…
Kobe himself knows that this will be his “Jordan moment”…so i can see him gunning from the onset rather than try and get his teammates involved- which is basically going away from the regular season formula that got them the #1 seed in the west. Kobe’s obsession with his place in history and idolizing Jordan will be his downfall
June 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Snook says:
jz_smoove says:
lakers will win 2 of 3, boston in six however. no home team has won all 3 games of the middle of the 2-3-2 format of the nba. and the lakers certainly wont do it.
pistons did it in 04, heat in 06
June 10th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Logan Light says:
“Bryant needs to take a step back, take a deep breath, and re-assert himself with the same mindset that carried his team to the No. 1 seed in the West and helped the Lakers roll through the playoffs.”
You hit it on the head. It seems like Kobe is getting caught up in the moment and losing his cool very quickly. You don’t see the Zen masters fingers in his game this series. It’s almost like he said, “Thanks for helping me get here, but now forget you, this title is mine!” He still has a chance though… tonight is definitely a must win.
@Daily Boy:
That’s just the thing, Kobe gets mad and then forgets that the easy pass to the open teammate is sometimes the best decision. Did you see Kobe give Rad a charlie horse when they went to the bench in game 2? Straight punched his leg because of three ball that missed… is that what got them the best record in the west?
My prediction: Kobe goes big in the first half and then finds his teammates in the second when the double teams come hard.
LL
June 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
doc says:
The Laker will win tonight.But how was Jordan not magnificent when he average 28 10 and 6.What more do you want?
June 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Blue says:
you guys are all talking like kobe can just turn it on, or that he hasn’t tried to just turn it on, and his ineffectiveness has nothing to do with boston’s defense.
i’m sure the lakers’ll take one or two here in la, but they’re not gonna take the whole thing.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
jimmhumm says:
This is something I’ve really been considering. IF LBJ had gasol and Odom he would have 2 rings by now. Last year the spurs beat the cavs becuase he had no help. THis year the Celts beat the Cavs because LBJ has insuficient help. I argue that if LBJ had at least half of Kobe’s aid (hall of fame coach, great bench, Bynum) The Cavs would have 3 straight 55+ win seasons by now and at least one ring. KObe cried to be traded last year with a team LBJ would have died to have. I think there is something aside from numbers that makes Kobe or LBJ good. In order for the “MJ” to come out Kobe is going to have to learn how to be great like MJ did. Shaq has this greatness inside even wade has it. Tonight I predict Kobe will prov ehe has it too. No raw deal, bad call, or poor defending 6′10″ teamate can seperate you from victory when you are a great player.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
DaPro says:
“The Lakers were 24 points behind when that stretch started, but, with 38 seconds left, they had reduced the deficit to two and easily could have won the game.”
It clearly wasn’t as easy as Dime made it out to be for the Lakers to win the game. The Celts controlled the game but got tight towards the end. It’s happened before, LA gets 3 and 5 at home. Goes back to Beantown Boston up 3-2 and close it out
June 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
GEE...They said a country boy came through and then changed the game says:
Due to a familiar crowd, floor and rims the Lakers will take tonight. I don’t expect Kobe to go off for no more than 35 to 38 with about 7-8 assist. I still see him trying to go the team way and also the bench coming through waaay more than the past two games.
Expect way more shots to fall and Pau to take it to KG like he did the first half if his shot is droppin. Again calls will be a factor as the Lakers get to the line more and Boston gets mad on some home cookin this time around.
Lakers take it in one where the crowd will be nuts!
June 10th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Michael says:
I’m not sure Kobe is capable of having a “Michael” moment at this age. He’s way past his athletic peak which is whay it’s so easy to get stop him from getting to the basket. He really reminds me of Jordan during his last 3 championships. Jordan shot just 39%, 41%, and 40% in his last three championships becasue the Jazz and Sonics were able to stop his penetration.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
doc says:
Michael dont come on here no more.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
AY says:
They need kobe, but it isn’t to score; they need kobe to be the main rebounder. Look at the starting lineup: is gasol going to outmuscle perkins? is odom going to rebound from kg’s hands? is vlad going to take the loose ball from pierce? can fisher out-board rondo? If kobe comes back on miss situations instead of the leakout to get a transition basket like he was doing at the end of game2, it’ll go a long way to limit boston’s rebounding advantage. And if they’d just make kg and rondo shooters and not collapse when rondo drives under the basket, it’ll make their defense look a lot better.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with their offense; they couldn’t get the correct spacing and build enough momentum because of their terrible D; if they could hold boston to one shot every time down, they can get a rhyme going and those guys that fuel their defense with offense (odom, gasol, vlad, vujacic) would play much better. I fully expect philip to make the right adjustments.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
MJAX says:
He’s going to have a “MJ” moment, he really has no choice in the matter. The sad thing is; how the refs are catching heat for the Fakers lack of aggressiveness in game 2. So I can almost guarantee that the foul calls will become even in the series no matter if they are fouls or not. And employee #24 will spearhead this all with one drive and drawn foul. The C’s will unravel, and suddenly it will be 2-1 and all will think the Fakers are back in the series, cause they made adjustments. And what it will really be is; Kobe’s 32 shot attempts, and fouls on Suga Ray, Posey and P2 that will keep them off the floor offensively.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
dukesman2000 says:
Forget Michael Jordan. Mike had consistent players around him. Mike had Scottie and they were dropping 35 and 20 respectively; then they had Dennis Rodman coming in and grabbing 15 to 20 boards. Kobe doesn’t have that…
June 10th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
doc says:
Scottie was nice but I remember plenty of playoff games where he just didnt have it because of his back or migranes whatever.Mike pulled it out.Another thing is Mike gave players confidence to be consistent.Mike aura was Im the best fellas just play our game and with me I like our chances to pull it out at the end.Kobe aura is Im the best and you pussies better not fuck up my shine this year or im going to end your fucking careers.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
chrisGO says:
^ @doc
LOL. agreed on the aura analogy.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
You Can't Handle the "Truth" says:
It’s about playing with the mental toughness, and right now the veteran’s are setting the table for Boston. Only Kobe and Derrick Fisher have that, except Fisher is not a HOF player.
I think as a team the Lakers are a year or two away from being mentally tough enough (they really, by then RayRay will be either gone or a SamCassell role player/coach.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS – (it took MJ’s crew awhile to get it)
Scottie got it, you only need your 1st, 2nd, and maybe your third option, x Factor players. i.e. Leon Powe
You need somebody to be the x-factor and the Lakers have yet to find that guy…
June 10th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
kb24! says:
shake&bake says:
lol @ post #4. I was thinking Kobe was going to get his MJ moment when they cut the lead to 2 but he never got the ball.
HAHA well put man..i don’t get why he inbounded to pau…and ran away from him? Wasn’t he supposed to run to pau to get the ball? lol Kobe wanted to lose.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Ding Dong We Got The 6th Pick says:
@#17
“IF LBJ had gasol and Odom he would have 2 rings by now.”
To coin PJ, you seem “confused”
Everybody keeps saying the Lakers can’t win 3 in a 2-3-2, but the C’s are a “turrible” road team. The C’s are more likely to lose 3 straight than the Lakers are to win 3 straight. Can’t compare with the Piston’s series here.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Big Sia says:
28.6 a game is “not particularly magnificent”…?