The key to Game 2: Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher (photo. NBA)
Beyond the obvious — that would be making some jumpers and not getting dragged into the oubliette by Kobe — one thing that needs to happen for Orlando to have a chance in today’s Game 2 is for them to get some production out of the point guard spot. The Lakers have shown a weakness in letting opposing PG’s get savage buckets on Derek Fisher, from Deron Williams to Aaron Brooks to Chauncey Billups. In Game 1, Rafer Alston showed he can get past D-Fish off the dribble with no problem, but Skip needs to make something happen once he gets in the lane. And Jameer Nelson looks like he hasn’t missed a beat, so Orlando should have an advantage there … Another question is how will those two split the minutes? Skip admitted that Jameer’s more-than-expected PT in Game 1 (23 mins) threw off his rhythm, and Stan Van Gundy said Skip is still going to start while Jameer probably won’t play as much as he did (for health/rust reasons, not Skip’s ego). “As far as Rafer, having that affect his play in the second half, that’s up to him,” Van Gundy said. “If I’m looking from the outside, that sounds like an excuse.” Agreed … Now about that “stopping Kobe” thing: What would you do if you were Van Gundy? Mickael Pietrus did about all he could do and still got 40 dumped on him. And if Courtney Lee wasn’t overwhelmed, it sure looked that way, and the Lakers definitely targeted the rookie. So maybe Lee gets less time on Kobe and Pietrus gets more. Ideally you’d like to throw Rashard Lewis on Kobe from time to time, but he needs to be in the paint guarding guys like Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. Or, how’s this for a defensive lineup: Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat sticking the bigs, Hedo on Ariza, Rafer/Jameer on the PG’s, and Rashard on Kobe? That could work … The NBA has a press conference scheduled for Sunday in L.A. where there’s supposed to be a “major announcement,” and the rumor mill says it could be that the NBA Draft is moving to the Staples Center in the near future. That would be a little inconvenient for the Dime crew in that we couldn’t just hop the train to 34th Street and be in the center of everything at MSG, but otherwise we’re not complaining about Southern California in June. The Staples Center is reportedly trying to get the NFL to move its draft there as well … Speaking of the draft, projected first-round pick Jeff Teague strained his MCL during a workout the other day, and is shutting it down for the next couple weeks. The Wake Forest PG still hasn’t hired an agent, so if his stock drops, he could still go back to school … The WNBA had the good sense to tip off its season on an NBA Finals off-day. Candace Parker (baby) sat out the national TV opener between L.A. and Detroit, which her team still won easily while Dwight Howard’s parents were in the stands … If you’re gonna watch one team in the WNBA this year, check out the Sparks. In addition to Candace, they’re loaded with Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Betty Lennox and Marie Ferdinand-Harris. That’s a ton of championships, MVP’s, Finals MVP’s, Olympic gold medals and All-Star nods on one team. Think the ‘03-04 Lakers after they got Gary Payton and Karl Malone to join Shaq and Kobe, and you kind of get the idea … Mike Fratello wants back in. According to the Sacramento Bee, the 62-year-old has been reaching out to the Kings about their coaching vacancy, but the team hasn’t given him an interview. For now, it looks like the job is going to either Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, or Paul Westphal. (And seeing as they haven’t made an announcement yet, our feeling is that Rambis will be the guy, they just have to wait until after the Finals.) But if you’re running the Kings, do you give The Czar of the Telestrator a shot? … We’re out like another blowout …
June 7th, 2009 at 12:49 am
JuiceMode says:
Lakers always had problems with quicker point guards… Fisher hasn’t really showed up in the playoffs so far, although he had a good Game 1 vs the Nuggets…
June 7th, 2009 at 1:46 am
kudabeen says:
Any mention the E-League vs WNBA’s Chicago Sky game? Michael Clark Duncan, Brain McKnight, Tank, vs Not WNBA stars, just one team.
Entertainment leagues got schooled. Looked like they were playing hard too. Just goes to show professionals are professionals for a reason. Too funny. I wish I would have knew in advance about it.
I’d like to see more men vs women exhibitions. I think there are women who could be great role players in The L. Seeing more would satisfy that curiosity.
Side note I always see people clownin the WNBA like the women aren’t attractive. Looking at the last few years of drafts there are definitely some great looking women there. I’d say the majority. Then again a woman that plays ball and would normally be a 5 or 6 would be like a 8 for me.
How many can get up early on a Saturday and get in a good run with there girl? That’s perfection…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:18 am
BRUCE says:
Put Sasha on Skip or Nelson. Sasha fancies himself as a defender and he is the most annoying mother!@#$%^&*()! ever!
June 7th, 2009 at 3:19 am
smoove chips says:
@ Dime.
Au contraire mes amis,i smell another blowout in roughly 18 hours
@ kudabeen,if she got up early,got in a run,made breakfast,and put up lewinsky type numbers sheeeittt!!I’d probalbly wife her hehe.
Man i thought kevin took the cake with shady moves.i stood corrected.Shaq is literally the largest douchebag in the room.
gortat guarding gasol=hilarious.he’d foul out quicker than bynum used to do.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:24 am
smoove chips says:
oh almost forgot.I love the new dwight howard vitamin commercial.hella funny.Still wish adidas would come out with some puppets but from the looks of things nike has the lock on this jim Henson offerings.
And if you haven’t seen it ,Nike’s new lebron and Lil dez joint.PRICELESS !!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 5:52 am
QQ says:
Rashard on Kobe would not work. Rashard is athletic, but his body type isn’t designed to stop 6-6 scoring guards who can put the ball on the floor or pull up. Putting Shard on Kobe is a weakness that the Lakers would exploit pretty much every possession, and Stan wouldn’t put us in a position where that would happen.
June 7th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Atom says:
Yeah, Kobe would rain jumpers all over rashard. I think hedo could do a better job. But realistically, they need to throw doubles and triples at him and make guys like Fisher and Odom beat them. I dont care if they started playing topless, those girl games just are not interesting. I wouldnt give Fratello an interview either, the only thing he should be running is the Hair Club for Men.
Lakers in 6.
June 7th, 2009 at 7:06 am
M Intellect says:
I see dime is breaking out the ‘oubliette’ again… LOL
June 7th, 2009 at 7:34 am
QQ says:
magic in 6
June 7th, 2009 at 8:21 am
that's whats up says:
Atom – wnba topless may work. Except some of those “women” are built like your Uncle Charlie.
No one wants to see Charlie’s titties flyin’ around on a fast break
June 7th, 2009 at 8:26 am
dk says:
” The Lakers have shown a weakness in letting opposing PG’s get savage buckets on Derek Fisher, from Deron Williams to Aaron Brooks to Chauncey Billups. ”
Wow, what a total dick statement…..
Maybe you should throw Chris Paul on that list, maybe since Fish is inept we should add Magic Johnson, John Stockton and Isiah to list. With the exception of Brooks those fucks are the cream of the crop and Brooks, lights up whoevers guarding him, or he misses his stat line the entirely.
Great , another WNBA sighting, I can breath again. I bet that girl you guys hired to ” write ” up there dont even watch ( at least want to ) the games… That WNBA money should be going to Kobe.
Im out like D HO with 6 minutes left in the first….
June 7th, 2009 at 8:32 am
dk says:
@ Dime and @ 1
Fisher’s veteran leadership helped contribute to a Laker blow out.
Fisher Fg’s 4-6
—————
Alsotn fg’s 2-9
Nelson fg’s 3-9
I guess they were blowing by Fish the whole night missing those lay ups….
June 7th, 2009 at 8:38 am
dk says:
@12 If were gonna pick on defensive aasignments in a blow out victory, we should look no further than Mr. Bryant. Bryant gave up a team high 14 points to that dynamic Micheal Jordan esque defender MP.
June 7th, 2009 at 9:41 am
sans says:
Mike Fratello was my favorite Cavs coach. Taking a squad with Terrel Brandon as their best player to the playoffs 3 years in a row. Lock down D, but give him guys on offense and he’ll pull out Hubie Browns old playbook. Typically his team’s play hard, which the Kings don’t. He’d make Nocioni an All Star and Beno Udrih more efficient. In other Words “Yeah, I’d take him.”
What’s Tom Thibodeau got on him? The ability to coach future HOFers?
June 7th, 2009 at 10:28 am
daddy yankee says:
Did that guy actually say a woman could be a role player in the wnba???? R u nutz
June 7th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Kevin says:
@dk — If you actually watched the game instead of checking out Kobe’s ass all night, you’d see that Rafer and Jameer were burning Fisher, but missing shots. Fish hit shots of his own, but he can’t guard anybody anymore. But hey, at least he helped Aaron Brooks make a lot of money someday.
June 7th, 2009 at 10:51 am
QQ says:
@ sans:
Fratello is a pretty good coach, but his Cavs team (Shawn Kemp represent!) were boring as hell. It’s like the Spurs before the Spurs. Nasty.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Kudabeen says:
Nope not “nutz”. Just see guys like in the L how are very physical and get by on hitting spot up shots and working hard. I’m not one of those idiots who like to tear woman down just because they are women. I know woman can play with men (not about better), but in a team game they can fit. Wouldn’t be superstars, but ballhandling, good passing, hit open shots, and stay in front of their assignment. They can do that.
But whatever. I already know the dominant opinion seeing how many tear down the WNBA just because.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Steve Nasty says:
D-Fish has been funny to watch over these playoffs. I’ve never seen someone whinge more about every call. He needs to spend more time moving his feet and less time shutting his mouth.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Steve Nasty says:
opening his mouth even ………lol
June 7th, 2009 at 11:24 am
jzsmoove says:
Its been a hella boring off days i’m going mental. Fish is gonna cash in on 1 more year @ 5M and retire. Its not like he dont know what we all know. I do not like the guy either, flopping and all but give him a break he seems to be a great person off the court. On court I wish the Magic punishes him tonite.
The Maloofs arent stupid. you dont make $$$$ being dumb and ignorant and putting fratello as coach can make your team competitive and maybe win some but it will be boring as hell. This guy is a basketball game killer. Think Anti-D’Antoni.
Go Magic!!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Danny says:
Fisher is by far the worst starter in the freaking league. He could single handidly make the lakers lose this series if he decides he gets most of the starter minutes. I liked watching him a few years ago, but not now-
June 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
“If you’re gonna watch only one WNBA game this year, DON’T.”
…that’s what it shoulda said.
June 7th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Promoman says:
Even in his physical prime, Derek did have trouble against quick guards but he generally runs the offense the well and he can make big plays, especially in the clutch. The only other knock on him is that he can get John Starks shot-selection syndrome at times. But overall, he’s a solid point guard. SVG should cut Jameer’s mnutes. He’s still got rust and the Magic don’t have too much of a window here.
June 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Look at Dfish Shinin..
June 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Dont go and get cocky DIME lol..
This series will be summed up in the immortal words of Charles Barkely..
“all you gotta do is go down there and post up them midgets”..
Orlando too small.. Tell me everytime you see Gasol catch the post pass from Gasol you cringe..
But i do expect them to bomb us back to Bahgdad a good game or two in Orlando..
June 7th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
dk says:
Time for the Kobenator!
June 7th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
dk says:
Only a veteran Fish makes that steal
June 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
dk says:
Whats your fucking excuse now!!!! Your shooters made a ton of their shots, Hedo, Lewis…. I guess you will have to blame the bench or the refs… Good game though.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
the cynic says:
courtney lee(burns bryant) blows wide open lay up to win. wow. Outside of Turk and Lewis the Magic have nothing offensively
June 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
dk says:
Teams up in the NBA Finals 2-0, 38-1… Good luck.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
the cynic says:
someone send Reddick a tape of his own shooting drills
June 7th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
dk says:
@30 Wow, your an asshole ” burns Bryant ” . I guess when a monster like D Ho sets a solid pick on you, it means nothing. Great play SVG , next time run it for Anthony Johnson…
June 7th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
dk says:
@32 LMFAO Thats classic!
June 7th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
the cynic says:
@dk
Phil just said in the press conference they had just told bryant to anticipate the courtney lee lob because of the decoy play the Magic had just run. So yes he burned Bryant
June 7th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
ponky_alolor says:
@ cynic, courtney didn’t blow a wide open shot, gasol was coming in also. just didn’t get the right angle for the lay-in.
Kobe ALMOST lost it for them if courtney lee made it. But Mamba came out strong in OT to close it out. Gasol is ballin…
June 7th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
the cynic says:
it was slightly complicated, but for an nba player it wasn’t that difficult. Maybe he was worried about Gasol, but he shouldn’t have been unless Gasol has learned to pass through the rim
June 7th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
dk says:
@ Cynic, where I come getting burnt is being totally out quicked, out fast or fucking Paris Hilton. Dont try to come up with some post game shit.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:24 am
the cynic says:
well you’re entitled to your opinion, but where i come from getting out-smarted counts as getting burnt. I’m sure the Magic we’re planning a fade away three from the top of the with a shorter, poor shooting Courtney Lee. Kobe got schooled for half a second, it’s not a big deal, he can still protect you from the boogie man when you go to sleep at night
June 9th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Hank Scorpio says:
You guys still pushing ‘oubliette’.
wasn’t cool when you brought it in here 6 months ago…
still sux.