Boston withstands Kobe rampage, takes 3-2 NBA Finals lead
Rajon Rondo (photo. Christian Kozowyck)
As much as we were all hoping the 2010 NBA Finals would be different from the ’08 version — at the very least, so it’d be more competitive — things are starting to unravel like a movie we saw two years ago: Kobe Bryant vs. The Green Goblins. While Mamba went off for 38 points in last night’s Game 5 loss (the second-most of his Finals career), including 19 points in the third quarter, he was trying to beat an entire Boston team by himself and it didn’t work … And that’s what it was, a team effort. Paul Pierce led the C’s with 27 points (12-21 FG), but everybody did their part in the win, from Rajon Rondo‘s playmaking and defense, to Kevin Garnett (18 pts, 10 rebs, 5 stls) putting Pau Gasol in his pocket, to Doc Rivers coming up with the right blend of carefully planned strategy and on-the-spot motivation … It’s hard to pin the Lakers’ loss on one guy, but Ron Artest would be a solid candidate. He knocked down a couple of threes, but otherwise Ron-Ron’s night consisted of getting destroyed by Pierce, missing some killer free throws in the fourth quarter, and pulling off a James Earl Jones-caliber acting job when he baited Rondo into a technical for pushing … Kobe didn’t get much help from his bigs, either. Pau Gasol (12 pts, 12 rebs) played like Paul Giamatti, and while Andrew Bynum tried to channel his inner Kirk Gibson — grimacing in pain and limping in between dunks and layups — but he couldn’t offer much. Kobe was looking to get Bynum involved early, probably hoping a dose of buckets would ease his pain, but that knee is clearly in bad shape … The shots Kobe was making were incredible. He iced 30-footers in rhythm, caught alley-oops with one hand while falling out of bounds, and dropped his usual array of ill fadeaways. (Mid-game Tweet from one viewer: “I don’t like Kobe. But he stroking the rim like it’s named Kimberly. Mary Beth. Rebecca Anne.”) The Lakers could never get within 8-10 points during his big third quarter, though, and in the fourth Kobe didn’t hit a field goal for the last eight minutes while Boston converted every big play down the stretch … Pierce put together his own montage of impressive old-man buckets, but his biggest play was an assist. With about 35 seconds left and Boston protecting a five-point lead, Pierce made a tip-toe catch along the sideline, and as he was about to go out of bounds, fired a pinpoint pass to a streaking Rondo (18 pts, 8 asts) for a layup that was pretty much the dagger. Long after he can’t make plays like that anymore, Pierce will still be able to get buckets. He’ll be 300-plus pounds in his late-40s, torturing younger guys at L.A. Fitness with his slow mid-range pump fakes and step-throughs … How hilarious was Jeff Van Gundy during the Artest/Rondo spat? “This guy (Rondo) weighs 112 pounds! Artest weights 280!” JVG yelled. “Say Queensbridge now, Ron! Queensbridge!” Funny, but under no circumstances would Van Gundy call Artest out like that to his face. And no way he’d ever fix his mouth to talk like that about Alonzo Mourning … Free-throw discrepancy: 26-13, Lakers. And a handful of Boston’s attempts were at the end when L.A. was fouling intentionally to stop the clock. Can’t blame the refs for this one. They let the players play, which is what we’ve all said we’ve wanted the whole time, and there wasn’t one call either way that decided the outcome … You knew it was Boston’s night when Tony Allen was hitting jumpers. TA also had what might have been the best block of the postseason when he flew in from Springfield, Mass., to pin a Gasol layup on the glass. Before Game 5, we got up with Allen to talk about how to guard Kobe and the Celtics’ iPod battles … D-Wade was at the game, sitting right by Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and new coach Avery Johnson. Could you see D-Wade playing for New Jersey? He would have a potential star 7-footer next to him in Brook Lopez, an All-Star PG in Devin Harris, and some good young talent around him. And he’d be close enough to NYC to not lose any media/marketing appeal. It wouldn’t be the worst move … One of the players on Ghana’s World Cup team has a dice tattoo on his neck. Can you think of anybody’s neck ink that actually looks good? Even if it’s a nice piece of work style-wise, it’s bound to look ridiculous/obnoxious if it’s got any kind of size to it … We’re out like Shannon Brown‘s PT …
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June 14th, 2010 at 2:10 am
gyp says:
First! Glad to see Kobe lose.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:25 am
tp says:
looks like 2008 all over again. gasoft and an injured bynum again. LO back to MIA. artest’s head on another planet.
hated the ariza “swap” since day one. hating it more than ever right now.
however, i’ve been clamoring that it’d be a 7 game series regardless of what happens along the way. i just wished we won game 5 so i wouldnt have to sweat game 6 so much.
lakeshow in 7!!
June 14th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Jay says:
Before all the Laker apologists start blaming this one on the non-Kobe members of the squad, consider that the rest of the Lakers just really didn’t get many good looks due to the Celtics fantastic team defense. Bynum had only 6 FGAs, Gasol only 12 (half of which were probably off rebounds or broken plays), and Odom only 6. And the Lakers scored 86, which is only a few points off their series average.
The reason the Lakers lost was because of their HORRID team defense. The Celtics were able to get easy bucket after easy bucket and the Lakers (mostly Kobe) had to take contested shots. Every time the Lakers got close, they would give up a transition basket or an easy look.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:40 am
DL says:
A great win by Boston, but those turnovers had me going crazy. Had they taken better care of the ball, it would have been ugly.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:41 am
DL says:
……anyone else notice Magic Johnson on the post-game show? you’d think he played for Boston with the way he was talking about them.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:42 am
RapTOr says:
This goes without saying, but the Lakers are enourmously tough on their home court. LA winning 2 straight at Staples is more likely to happen than Boston walking in and stealing one. Because admit it Celtic fans, regardless of your teams recent success, ANY team that plays against the Lakers at the Staples Center is always the underdog.
All’s well that ends well. Lakers in 7.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:46 am
john says:
The 175 years starting five of the Boston Celtics, will win another chip. God damn.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:47 am
Smitty says:
Lakers fans should def be scared shitless. Boston has them on there heels and already proved they can win in la. Kobe played great n they still lost. Question? If Boston wins who is there finals MVP ? They’ve All disappeared at times .
June 14th, 2010 at 2:53 am
dagwaller says:
Yea, the Lakers homecourt is real tough. Don’t tell the Celtics that, though, since they already stole a game there. Psh
June 14th, 2010 at 3:03 am
the cynic says:
Scalabrine or Morrison? Who is going to get that second ring? Scalabrine has the edge right now with more enthusiastic fist pumps and undeserved sense of accomplishment, but you can’t count out Morrison’s porn stache
June 14th, 2010 at 3:10 am
YW says:
hahaha, Queensbridge!
June 14th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Soopa says:
Semi’s = Boston clinched with a game 6 win on the road vs the Cavs
Conf. finals = Boston clinched with a game 6 win on the road vs the Magic
Finals = Boston clinched with a game 6 win on the road vs the Lakers!
They have to imo. Dont see them winning a game 7 in LA.
June 14th, 2010 at 4:29 am
smoove chips says:
Dammit,dammit,damnit!!!
Another sickening game.KB did his thing.Some of those shots he made were crazy!
Odom and the rest of our bench have pulled a disappearance act for the ages.
Only thing worse than boston fans are Laker/kobe haters.And these punks all moved to h-town.
‘u like boston huh?’ Â No
‘u watch boston often’ no just this series.
‘Why you rooting for the celts’.i hate kobe and the lakers.
So they could be playing the Muppets and you wouldn’t care huh…yeah
I wanna drown these fu**s in a tub of big  babys drool.for true celtic fans.good win.your team came with it.
See you in cali.
June 14th, 2010 at 4:37 am
smoove chips says:
JVG sounds like the kinda mofo thata start a fight just coz he five deep…
and promptly play the back soon as fists start flying.and kudos to bynum btw.He coulda took the punk route but he didn’t.
we gotta get on that level to pull this off
Like I said at the beginning LAL in 7.
June 14th, 2010 at 5:01 am
LMNOP says:
WTF happened to Lamar and Ron.
Ron has to do a better job keeping pierce in check, and with Bynum hobbling around like that wooden leg dude off family guy the Lakers really need Odom to step up so Pau isn’t playing all 4 of the Cs bigs by himself.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:28 am
JJ says:
There’s noting wrong with James Earl Jones’s acting!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 7:37 am
K Dizzle says:
“and pulling off a James Earl Jones-caliber acting job when he baited Rondo into a technical for pushing”
I’d love the writer of today’s smack to explain this line cuz maybe you still watchin on rabbit ears, but nobody “baited” Rondo into anything.
What happened was Artest committed a solid foul on KG then Rondo came in with a shove like he was Shaq. He’s not and Artest let him know where he stood when there ain’t refs around.
Celts defended the home turf, got 2 outta 3. Now the Lakers gotta do their part and get 3 outta 4.
Tense exchange of the night:
Reporter – “Kobe, how confident are you that you can win two games in a row at home?”
Kobe – “Not confident at all…”
lol Lakers in 7
Alllll day
June 14th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Arno says:
It’s certainely not a mistake if the name Lamar Odom doesn’t even appear in your column. The guy is listed MIA since the finals began and it makes a hell of a difference.
Is there a stats freak who could say what the Lakers w/l is when Kobe scores more than 35 ? I’d say it must be quite low. It’s a team’s game…
June 14th, 2010 at 7:47 am
jimmhummv says:
Gasol’s body language was terrible in the 3rd quarter. Dude was getting killed on the glass, on d, and was lost in the offense. Kobe played great but he killed his own team with his black hole offense. Phil needs to step up and say something man. KB is not MJ. Everything he does isn’t inspiring his teamates to victory. The Lakers are still soft even with RON. And for the record that air ball never touched the RIM!!!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 8:00 am
e says:
SMH at these comments it wasnt the lakers bench it wasnt any of the other starting 4 it was kobe that killed his teams spirit and any chances of winning i dont care what shots he made he showed me last night he didnt want to win he was out for his own glory he didnt let anybody touch the ball he didnt want to let anybody touch the ball it was 1 on 5 kobe showed why he is the most selfish player in nba history i only heard one after game interviewer address that nonsense CELTICS IN 6
June 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Atom says:
Really, no mention of the play when Lakers were down by 5 in the last 2 minutes and the Celtics had a clear 24 second clock violation but the refs huddled and said it hit rim? The Lakers get that ball back like they should have and maybe wakeup Gasol (who apparently was up all night watching soccer) and maybe push it to overtime. Ball obviously hit nothing but backboard. Not saying the Lakers wouldve necessarily won it if the right call was made, but u never know.
Fisher is the boy who cried wolf. He’s got no credibility with the refs anymore.
Dont get the Pau playing like Paul Giamatti reference. Why, because Giamatti is out of shape? Seems like a strectch
June 14th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Royal says:
Good game celtics,the Celtic faithful should be feeling pretty good right now.Pau needs to really watch the game film and notice that he needs to get deeper in the paint. Rasheed,K.G and Perk are trying their best to keep him out of the paint,but he has to establish better post position.Also he needs to finish more agressivly( I’m pretty sure I spelled that wrong lol). On at least two occasions Pau got his shot blocked(Tony Allen) and altered due to him not going up there strong enough. I still got my Lakers
winning in seven though
June 14th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Royal says:
@E….In the third quarter the majority of the Lakers called it quits ,Kobe’s 19 kept L.A somewhat in the game. If Kobe doesn’t score those 19 third quarter points , the Celtics have a least a 20 point lead.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Celts Fan says:
@Atom – look at the replays. It was close, but the trajectory of the ball changes. It was a good call. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF4dRipXg7I
I feel for Laker fans though. I always hated the 2-3-2 and it may’ve cost you guys the series. Game 5 shoulda been in LA. The team w/ homecourt advantage should never be down in the series if everyone takes care of business at home (we each took 1 L at home so far, close enough.)
June 14th, 2010 at 8:34 am
dmozz says:
Kobe was a blackhole last night. Once his hands touched the ball his teammates may as well ran down to the other end to get ready to play D. I never understand when he has games like this, and announcers and ppl say “Where was his help, where were his teammates, they let him down”. How was anyone on that team supposed to get into any kind of rhythm offensively?? Its hard to score when u don’t get to touch the ball….
June 14th, 2010 at 8:36 am
That's What's Up says:
I still want that douchebag to come back here and man up. The guy who said, after Game 1, the Celtics were “Finnito” (sp) and the Lakers would win in 4 or 6.
As much as I hate the Lakers I do think they’ll take Game 6. I really want to see at least one Game 7 in these playoffs, but I won’t be sad if the Celtics close it out in 6.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:40 am
That's What's Up says:
good point dmozz…. and I also never understood why people are on his jock so much when he has consistently horrible shooting nights. Last night, if he didn’t make 8-9 straight or whatever, it would be another bad shooting game for him….and those usually equate to losses.
Last year’s Kobe was the best version to date – he’s now back to 2008 Kobe.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:43 am
That's What's Up says:
10-22
8-20
10-29
10-22
13-27
Good D, or questionable shot selection? maybe a bit of both…
June 14th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Ianny b says:
get outa here Dmoz, I am one of those who ri[p Kobe for shooting too much but last night wasn’t one of those games. pau Gasol called out KG after the first game-MISTAKE. Lamar needs to step up,even Ron needs to make shots. Now that Paul Pierce has finally shown up lets see how defensive he is. He missed two critical assignments alst night. When Rondo got the ball in the fourth quarter afeter Fisher got the ball out of Ray-Ray’s hands. And he was supposed to have covered Rondo tighter on the play where Pierce found him with that desperation heave. Not to be pessimistic, but I am certain Ariza would’ve done better.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:12 am
kudos says:
Let’s be forreal, Odom has got some nerve talking about playing harder on defense ‘postgame interview. He has the worst defense on the lakers, even worse than fisher. All he does is put his hands up, and at 6’11, if he were to jump more than an inch he might get them to miss. There’s absolutely no reason to play with fisher, artest, and odom any any point together. They’re team defense, zone defense, and man to man can’t stop anyone. Where the hell is brown?
June 14th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Dennis Castro says:
I’d like to mention one thing. Some idiot Boston fan threw what was thought to be a lacrosse ball out on the floor towards Kobe, and you barely hear about it in the media the day after.
If that happened here in Philly, ESPN would be all over it, criticizing the Philadelphia fanbase, acting all holier than thou. Good to see there are moronic, classless fans everywhere, although you would think we all reside in Philly based on the national media.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:39 am
The Other Aj says:
Does anybody realize though Phil has 10 rings…he’s about to go 0 – 2 vs Doc Rivers?
Crazy!
June 14th, 2010 at 9:46 am
e says:
@dmozz exactly one of the few who understand of course his teammates cant get involved if they know they have o chance of getting the ball @royal of course he had 19 points he took all the shots isnt it common sense that if i take all the shots i score all the points
June 14th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Mr. BROGDEN says:
35 seconds left…yeah RONDO kill’t dem.
Right when Kobe was doin’ his THANG!!! (with the exclamation pts) and brought the game within 5 or 7, RON RON gets FOULED and CLANKS BOTH OF ‘EM.
THAT = LOSING BASKETBALL
KOBE was in ULTIMATE A.I MODE – 2nd thru 3rd ALL DAY. Couldn’t blame him but behbehbutt butbuttttt you DO..eh…HAVE A TEAM?!? Hello!?! Celtics just kept adding to the lead. Kobe just kept WOWING AND BEING SPECTACULAR AND PUTTIN’ ON A F’N BASKETBALL CLINIC…meanwhile Pau’s inner tough guy B*TCHED UP SUMPTIN SERIOUS goin’ against KG dawg!!! But yeah, umm, gunnin’ while the other team builds a lead…
THAT = LOSING BASKETBALL
Whatever you say, props to Ainge for mortgaging the farm to attain a serious championship contender. These dudes been in the final 2 times in 3 years, winning one. And are on the brink of anova one. That’s what’s up.
CAN WE GIVE PROPS TO DOC, THOUGH??
He’s obviously a players’ coach. He’s obviously using his gaurd experience and skills and incorporating them into his bball strategy. Tell me that misdirection play to Peirce then to Rondo for the underneath layup joint wasn’t one of the most clever, crunchtime pressure plays ever? I swear DOC KNOWS HOW TO CALL A F’N PLAY YO!! That’s what’s up. And…
THAT = WINNING BASKETBALL
Heard what Phil Jackson said in the timeout huddle? Sumptin like, “DON’T WORRY GUYS. THIS IS BOSTON. THEY KNOW HOW TO LOSE IN 4TH QUARTER.” Illll, really disrespecting though. Now he’s eating crow. He frontin’ on them like they CLOWNS or sumptinm, or NUTS…or LOSERS…
hahahahaha…Green Team laughin’ to the bank with that one! Call ‘em GOOF BALLS
Props to Rondo for shoving Artest. I like Rondo more and more. Queensbridge!!!! NAHHHHHH, SON. DA LOU IN DA BUILDING. HAHAHAHA I’M A GOOF BALL.
Let’s see what’s happens. I’m loving this year’s FINAL.
Shannon’s tick, GONE! Given to SASHA. Kinda sad.
Odom, NO MO’ CANDY 4 U…maybe PHIL should SCATTER SKITTLES AND TROPICAL FRUIT STARBURSTS ALL AROUND THE COURT. Give this guy some motivation.
AB AND RON RON AND DFISH gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta give PAU AND KOBE wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more help. FA REAL.
Especially Ron Artest and Derek Fisher. OVERALL, thier Finals performances have been abysmal thus far. Fisher needs to find whatever he had a couple of game ago, a couple of years ago, a 0.4 second ago. And Ron Ron needs to find whatever he was eating and drinking in Houston and OVERDOSE ON IT ASAP. OD RIGHT NOW RON RON. RIGHT NOW. And make your freebies.
and Kobe…as much we love it…STOP GUNNIN.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:53 am
sh!tfaced says:
Just waiting out here for a Lamar Odom “MISSING MILK CARTON BOX PRORILE” like they did with RASHARD LEWIS and LEBRON JAMES in the past… LOL
June 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
sh!tfaced says:
And what can I say… BROGDEN ALWAYS says it all…
June 14th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Dennis Castro says:
I heard Odom was battling the flu. Not saying it’s an excuse, but might explain a little something.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:23 am
sh!tfaced says:
If that’s true, then it’s safe to say Odom has got no will like MJ had.
Then again, so do most of us….
June 14th, 2010 at 10:29 am
mgballer3 says:
Odom must have had the flu in the 08 finals as well.. man that boy is so inconsistant. he better come to play tomorrow
June 14th, 2010 at 10:43 am
H-man says:
@34 is right. Phil totally disrespected the C’s when he said something like: “This teams leads the league in 4th Quarter chokes.” I guess he had them just where he wanted them…hahahaha. Doc should replay that audio and video nonstop until game 6 tip.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Marparker says:
Kevin Garnett killed the Lakers. 18 points on only 11 shots. 10 boards. 5 steals and 2 blocks. The Celtics killed in transition because of alot of the work that Garnett was doing.
You guys can all get back to worship now.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:16 am
LakeShow84 says:
Still taking it in 7..
Gasol getting manhandled on both ends.. I liked it better when Kobe freelanced and played more help D.. Make them play faster.. We have no defensive pressure.. Gasol CANNOT stop Garnett and i think its starting to affect his offensive game..
And the general hustle, energy plays are all going to Boston.. that and every close call..
Nothing could be better than homecooking right now..
June 14th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Claw says:
So started as a Laker sweep to Lakers in 5, 6, now 7, at least you are still delusional enough to think home court advantage is an advantage mostly after losing game 2.
Ron Artest or Trevor Ariza?
Ariza didn’t jack up crazy shots like Artest and miss both FTs, Artest is better against bigs but those younger guys are blowing past him even Pierce has left him in the dust.
Usually bash Kobe for unnecessary shooting but in that game he was the only one showing up, he should have shot more!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ H-Man and Mr. B
That wasn’t disrespect, that was fact.
What Phil actually said was
“This team lost more games in the 4th quarter than any other team in the league and they doin it right…now”
Which is a true statement. Don’t forget Celts finished the season 21-21 and lost 20-something games in the 4th quarter. Right around the time Phil sayin that, Lakers cut the lead to 5 so it obviously worked. It’s too bad we couldn’t get the call on Ray’s bad miss. I know we lost last night, but let’s pretend Phil’s got a couple handful of rings nd might actually know what he doin…
Unfortunately, Lakers only play real good when they desperate so game 6 is gonna beat a Boston beatdown. Celts were absolutely desperate last night. You can’t come back to LA down 3-2. They’ll relax a lil bit now cuz they got a game in hand. Game 7 comin down to the wire though. Homecourt won’t hurt….and we don’t throw shit on the court…
Lakers last ones standin…
June 14th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
sh!tfaced says:
As much as it felt disrespectful, can’t blame Phil for that. He didn’t say it in some press conference – although he had an idea they were “wired” – he still said it in a time out. He needed anything to motivate his team at that point. You have to be a little bit of a con man if you wanna be a good coach.
Can’t blame him for that one. If anything, it just shows how desperate Phil has become.
“Positive coaching” my ass… LMAO!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
control says:
If Boston wins a championship, I think they owe me a ring too. EVERY team I have cheered for in the play offs has lost…and since I’ve cheered against Boston the entire season…I’m almost like part of the fucking team.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
sammy g. says:
@K Dizzle
“…and we don’t throw shit on the court”
Wasn’t it those “classy” laker fans who were throwing those foam fingers on the court when they were getting beat down by cleveland?
Stay classy laker fans..
June 14th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
chris says:
so the lakers shoot twice as many free throws means the refs favor LA? how about the lakers shoot twice the FTs cos the celtics are thugs, and getting away with it mostly? gasol with his shirt off is covered in bruises, boston’s bigs are confident a) the refs won’t call much, and b)even if they do, and they foul out, the other boston bigs will pick up the slack – that is 4 big bodies (wallance, garnett, davis, perkins)laying a lot of forearms and elbows on gasol and bynum everytime down the floor. odom just wilts. sure makes for ugly, low-skill basketball, doesn’t it? no assists, lots of long shots…i think it’s time to go watch soccer.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
EN FUEGO says:
@chris
BOO-FUCKING-HOO. HAHAHAHAHAHA
June 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Claw says:
Don’t blame the Celtics for playing D and Lakers not showing up (cept Kobe). You play to your strengths and the Celtics is proving the Lakers have a bunch of wusses on their team.
12 assists in an entire game!
Bynum isn’t going to be better with flying across the country, this will be over in 6.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Claw
I dont think i need to tell you what to eat but just so you know we both have one..
June 14th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Mr. Brogden says:
KDIZ – “Unfortunately, Lakers only play real good when they desperate so game 6 is gonna beat a Boston beatdown.”
I’ma hold you to that one.
Simply ’cause I don’t know if Boston played “desperate” ball or “better” ball than the SHOW. I’ve seen Boston kick it into “desperate” mode one too many times. And prevail!!
And they prevailed with this DESPERATION by playing BETTER TEAM BASKETBALL.
BUT…
“let’s pretend Phil’s got a couple handful of rings nd might actually know what he doin…”
ACTUALLY, there’s no need to pretend that’s why we’re all sitting back waiting for GAME SIX!
And, Lakeshow I was thinking “Gasol CANNOT stop Garnett and i think its starting to affect his offensive game” TOO!
HMMMmmm, is it ’cause he’s exerting too much dealing with KG or is he really gettin’ beat up and smacked up and roughed up by the GOON SQUAD? I meant, GREEN SQUAD. My bad.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
one dolla make you holla says:
Obviously the team you root for affects your perception on the referees. If Fisher or Artest slides in for a charge, a lakers fan will say “good play”, whereas a celtics fan will say “he wasn’t outside the restricted area and he was still moving!. There are bad calls both ways, that’s it.
The fact of the matter comes down to this: if the refs call a tight game, it favors LA. If they swallow their whistles, it favors Boston.
I can see LA winning Game 6 because of the desperation factor. I see Boston closing it out on Tuesday more though. Boston will also be playing with a sense of urgency to avoid a Game 7. Also, Bynum’s knee is bound to swell up again.
Basically, the only way I see LA winning is if they shoot 56 percent like Boston did in Game 5.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
We-It Athletics says:
The tip-in bucket late in the second half by Rondo was a monster play..he got up over Kobe while being held by Lamar what a play…Everytime I watch Rondo I become more of a fan…glad he and P-SQUARED worked out their differences at halftime…Pau spends more time on the ground than any 7 footer I have ever seen…The guy is skilled but that doesn’t always translates to toughness…Pau(heart), LO(courage), and Ron-Ron(brains) need to go down the yellow bricked road to see the Wizard before they play the WICKED Team from the East in Game 6!
….We-It out like Ariza in L.A.
June 14th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Chicagorilla says:
i’m not even amazed anymore by what i read on here. I click on DIME.com knowing that i’m going to read some BS from mostly the posters (DIME crew has their moments too, lol). Anyway where do i start
- Why do you all say Kobe “did his thang” but had no help? or that the rest of LA disappeared on him. I will give you Ron Artest because he mostly shot uncontested shots and should have been driving to the basket, but that’s his style no matter what team he’s on.
- Kobe made some incrediable plays and tried to carry the team on his own…and thats why they lost. Kobe is the best player (maybe ever) at making bad shots (Vince Carter is up there with him). That doesn’t make him unstoppable, it makes his stupid in my opinion. Taking 30ft contested 3′s falling away is a bad shot, and the rare occasion where he hits these shots, everyone calls it him giving his all. No, that’s Kobe going back to his original style of play. the “Eff everybody I’m getting mines” style. this is why he is not a complete player. He has no idea how to sit back and play off the ball. Make the intangable plays. Sure he can do it when it doesn’t really matter, but he needs to do it when his team NEEDs him to.
- Pau Gasol is soft, don’t ever question that ish again. Those shots he had blocked should have all been dunks, and had Big Baby not stuck his hand threw the rim, Gasol was about to have yet another shot blocked
- Rasheed Wallace is a long armed 6’11 center. KG is a 7ft long armed PF. Perkins is a 6’9 really long armed center. KG and Sheed both have REALLY high releases on their jumpshots and turnarounds
- Bynum is 7ft and has extremely long arms, Gasol is 7ft and has long arms, Odom is 6-10 with long arms…. why the f^k does everyone keep talking about the length of the Lakers? Effing idiots, the Celtics are just as long and the players who are actually shooting are the least effected by the length. Glen Davis and Rondo are the only ones having trouble with shooting over the Lakers…and they shouldnt be shooting in the first f^king place!!!!
- I dare one of you f^king morons compare Pau Gasols cotton soft a$$ to Kevin McHale again. His post moves? Yeah they are getting thrown back in his face by a gimpy KG and old Rasheed who cant jump anymore. Dude is a good player, but the Purple and Gold dont make him GREAT.
- Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Paul Pierce, and KG are all competing for the BET “who can act like an jacka$$” award to be handed out at the south hip hop honor awards. Those tards are managing to send my race back into the slavery days with all their baffoonary
- Phil Jackson is a good coach, but he’s not the greatest of all time. Contrary to the recent article DIME put up, Phil is not very good at making game time adjustments.
Example: Lakers vs Pistons 2004
Lakers vs Trailblazers 2000
Kobe shot them out of the 2004 chip with Shaq having a huge advantage down low, and Luke Walton being the only player to actually find Shaq, Phil didn’t keep him in the game and perhaps sit Kobes hard headed a$$.
2000 Kobe was getting abused in the post by Pippen, Bonzi Wells, and Steve Smith. the only answer Phil had was the Refs calling 1002 fouls in favor of the lakers to make a 4th quarter comeback. Never once did he think to adjust his defensive style.
- Tex Winter is the mastermind behind Phil Jacksons success. Tex apparently never wanted to be a head coach (again?) so he just goes with phil as an assistant.
-Phil is great at meshing personalities, and i’m sure he’s very knowlegable when it comes to basketball, but he ain’t no genius. Sloan, Pops, Bobby KNight, Izzo…those guys are Living Legends in the game and are not getting their due respect because of idiots like you!
June 14th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ ChiTown
“Kobe shot them out of the 2004 chip with Shaq having a huge advantage down low, and Luke Walton being the only player to actually find Shaq”
Please stay on your coast.. cuz i hope ur not referring to the Finals where fat ass Shaq got outplayed be BEN WALLACE and stayed in foul trouble for damn near the whole series.. Not too mention Malone getting injured and Payton BITCHIN out..
it was REALLY a wrap when Medvedenko had to guard Wallace.. Thats what lost us that Finals..
June 14th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
LakeShow84 says:
If Gasol can come out and play anything like he played in Game 1 we win out..
June 14th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@Lakeshow,
Yeah the finals in which Shaq avg 27pts and 11reb.
And Ben Wallace avg 11pts and 13reb….
yeah he really outplayed him.
The one in which Shaq shot 60% Fg but couldn’t get the ball back from Kobe and the rest of the lakers not named Luke Walton.
doesn’t matter what Coast i’m on (Chicago is not on the Coast by the way, its the MidWest) I’m a basketball fan and have watched and analyzed many games.
June 14th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO well shit it looked like he got outplayed..
June 14th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Ian says:
chicago
agree with everyhting you said on jackson. on gasol i still think hes better than kaman but whoever said he was better than mchale must be crazy.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Lakeshow – don’t waste time arguin with Chi. Dude got his red and white goggles on way too tight.
Here’s a question: If you think everybody with an opinion is a F**king Moron and yoi know you gonna find “stupid shit” on here. Why you keep comin back?
I didn’t hear shit from anybody after game 1 or game 3, but 2 games later, Phil’s an idiot and Kobe’s stupid? GTFOH!!!
When Phil was winning 6 chips in Chicago, he was sliced bread, now he tryin to do it in LA, and he ain’t a genius anymore lol….ok
Take it back to 2000 and then say the refs made enough calls to “save us” is your “analysis” or that Kobe was somehow responsible for the loss?
Weak. How about the Pistons just outplayed us? Try that one. U think Perkins should get the rock cuz he shoots 60% from the field too? Why don’t you analyze how Shaq did from the free throw stripe in 04. Numbers can be thrown out to prove any point. Comparin Shaq’s number as Lakers first option to Wallace’s as the Piston’s 5th option is ridiculous. Wallace did outplay him cuz he played his role and his team got the chip. Each do they part.
That post (55) was the worse I’ve read all day.
Yeah, I’ll compare Gasol’s post game to McHale’s. With your keen analyzational skills, you should have seen by now that when Pau gets the rock, he’s being guarded by KG, but Perkins and Sheed are waitin on him. When he gets by his man, he gets met by Big Baby or Tony Allen makes a phenomenal block.
McHale never got doubleteamed. You gonna leave DJ or Bird or Parish or Ainge to go double McHale?
Celts can leave everybody except Kobe cuz this is the worst perimeter shooting Lakers team I’ve ever seen.
When analyzing games, try to remember Kobe gets the ball with the shot clock at 5 and then has to take that 30 foot fadeaway. Please never compare Kobe to Vince Carter again. Nothing in common. Kobe takes and makes tough shots in the heat of the moment. Vince takes tough shots…Period.
If you watched the game yesterday and actually thought there was any Laker that Kobe shoulda been passin to, then we were watchin different games cuz everybody else sucked. Artest and Fish both 2-9. Bynum and Odom numbers look like they shot well, but once again, numbers are misleading, cuz Bynum was gettin lobs at the rim and putbacks and so was Odom, who only created like 1 shot on his own and the other drive was called for a weak charge. Kobe shot damn near 50% but the team still shot 39% and you think he’s “stupid” for tryin to carry the team. If he doesn’t go on that personal 23-0 run, Lakers are down 30 goin into the 4th, point blank.
Go analyze more games before you come on here blamin every Laker loss since 2000 on Kobe and Phil.
Your Jordan blinders got you so scared that if Kobe keeps gettin wins, he might be in the discussion.
Get over it. Kobe can’t be Mike. Laker fans care more about beatin Boston everytime we face them than some Jordan fans scared to let the past go.
Let it go and try to enjoy watchin Kobe doin what he doin out there.
When DWade is shakin his head in disbelief at the shots Kobe hittin, in the Finals, in Boston, with really no support, I find it hard to believe that a casual observer finds him “stupid”
Let Mike go. He’s not comin back…
Lakers, baby. We come for what’s ours.
And we’ll be back next year too.
Hate on that.
I’m out
June 14th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
mAMba says:
dammmmnnn k dizzle tell em how u really feeel
June 14th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
killa says:
Every fan is going to be biased toward their team, even if it’s only a bit. I find it funny how worked up people get in defending their team. In a month, no one’s gonna care who won. It’s just basketball.
Another thing that irks me is when people say “we” when talking about a team. Unless you’re a player, coach, towel boy, or dancer, there is no “we” when talking about a team.
It’ll be interesting to see who takes offense to this.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
rad mobile says:
@ K Dizzle
I don’t know about the Lakers making it back to the finals next year. Not because I don’t think they aren’t talented enough, it’s just that 4 finals in a row is really, really, tough…….although I said the same thing after they won last year, so what do I know? ha.
p.s. If the Lakers get Bosh, then forget everything I said.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Ian says:
dizzle
shittttttt man
can i still call phil overrated cuz i didnt think he was the shit back in chicago?
pop is the best but then again i have a pair of black and silver goggles hehe.
good thing i didnt say anything about kobe
June 14th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Kdizzle, you must be on that Cali Good.
So Shaq got outplayed by Ben Wallace?
When did I bring MJ into the convo?
I posted situations in which PJax was supposed to use his GREAt BBall knowledge and you just reply with rants about MJ and 6 chips?
I tell you that Gasols post moves are elemntry compared to McHale and he’s not even close, you respond with an (Incorrect) analayzation about McHale not recieving double teams and Pau being doubled…with KOBE on the floor!
McHale had Bird on his team, forget anyone else, and he still had to shoot over the top of REAL 7fters.
Gasol has Kobe on the floor (Fisher too) so he’s not being double you jagaloon, KG is beating his shyt one on one, Rasheed came in behind him and did the same thing.
Gasol gets most of his buckets when Bos (or any opposing team) is more worried about Kobe and Kobe sets him up nicely or when the Triangle is run properly without Kobe breaking off the play (like he’s done all series long).
As for Phil being a genious in Chicago…again, he was great at meshing Jordan/Pip with the role players, and getting them to buy into the triangle (Tex Winter had a lot to do with that also). But Phil screwed up several games for us in Chicago too, I was just referring to the instances that always comes to mind (Portland/Detroit).
Phil is a good maybe even great coach, but 50 rings or zero, he still is not the greatest and shouldn’t really be in that discussion.
If you think being a great coach is all about wins/rings…then you’re a f^king Moron just like i previously stated. Sure everyone who doesn’t have a chip feels like their career was incomplete, but in no way does that define their career. And the same goes for the guy who wins a bunch of chips
riddle me this batman… do you think the coach of Oak Hill Academy (Steve Smith I think) is a great coach? He’s won seven national chips in 17yrs and were runners up five other times. Thats 12yrs out of 17 as the top highschool bball team in the country. Between Stackhouse, Melo, Jo.Smith, BJennings, Durant, Ty Lawson, Jeff McGinnis…(well lets just stop there) you already know the NBA pedigree Oak Hill puts out year after year. Yet none of you MFers talk that “Rings” Bs about Coach Steve Smith and rightfully so. It’s not hard to win when you have ALL the talent.
Phil Jackson couldn’t win once Jordan retired and was having a .500 when MJ came back.
Phil left the team when Shaq left because he knew the team would suck (ala Coach K and the infamous back problem when all his talent left in 95 I think?) then came back a year later only to find out he can’t coach unless talent was there so what’d he do? Bring in Pau Gasol. Load the team with talent because we doesn’t know how to TEACH/groom anyone.
Phil can’t control Kobe like he controlled Jordan/Pip/Shaq so now he has an strong willed player who does what he wants when he wants and basically renders Phil helpless/useless because his philosophies don’t matter when Kobe is in “Showbe” mode.
Oh and Kobe? he “Nearly” shot 50%. lol. He shot 13-27 and 8-9 FTs(3 of which should be taken away on the Allen foul call) which isn’t bad until you notice the next highest FG attempts is 12! on such a complete team? Next highest after that 9! He clearly has hurt this team with his reckless jacking and breaking off the plays, but you apologist refuse to admit or even see. Then again, you are a f^king idiot who doesn’t know much about basketball so you probably dont even realize when he’s hovering around the ball forcing his teammates to pass him the ball when the shot clock is going down, or breaking off the play and posting up on the elbow not allowing the triangle to run its course. Ahhh, KDizzle sit yo a$$ in front of the tv, and watch…no STUDY the way the offense is running. Notice how sporadic the shot attempts are for the rest of the players. Watch how guys like Odom (former 20ppg scorer), Artest(also 20ppg before), and Gasol (20ppg) look lost once they get the ball.
Riddle me this one also batman, who do you think should be posting up when Bynum is out of the game? Kobe on Ray/Tony Allen, Gasol/KG or Sheed, Odom/Sheed or Big Baby, or Artest/PP? Hint: Artest should be on the block since he cant shoot to save his life and he is a GREAT option vs PP with his 260lb frame and good passer.
But i’m sure you have a alternative to that.
June 14th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
SlimeBucket says:
@DL Magic Johnson wants to remain the greatest Laker of all time with 5 rings. He keeps praising Rondo even when he had 7 turnovers. He has an agenda.
Posted on another thread but I will humbly eat crow for saying Lakers will sweep after game one. Don’t like either team but I hate Kobe the most so I hope his team loses. But Paul Pierce is really obnoxious too. He talks big after one good game. He better not win Finals MVP if Celts win. I actually think KG should win it if he shuts down Pau and has another dominant game. Other than Game 1(which is why I thought Celts were done) he has been solid. Seeing the intensity of these 2 teams play makes it clear that none of the other NBA teams are near ready to win a championship.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
hoopla says:
@k dizzle… “we”??? Does the K stand for Kwame? It’s funny how some fans think their rants will actually motivate their favorite team to win. Unless you are Adam Morrison, you should never refer to the Lakers as we or us.
The Lakers flat out played uninspired and was out hustled as if most of the team wanted to go back to LA at half time. I like Kobe’s game but he was forcing major ill advised 3′s when they were down only 5. He was trying to either show up Ray or attempting to channel his inner Reggie Miller. Either way he shot them out of any chance of coming back.
Terrible call on that brick by Ray. But that was only one play and there was still plenty of time left. Ron Artest should never handle to rock. He seems confused when he has the ball. If he’s just shooting he’s fine but if he dribbles then its all over.
The celtics won the game on hustle points. Actually looks more like the Lakers are the old aging team. With Gasol’s shooting range I’m surprised the Lakers don’t run pick and pops for him where he’s not having to battle KG for position on both ends of the court. He looked gased by the 4th courter. Boston is just smashin him with a Big man rotation that keeps them all fresh. LA’s only reliable other big is running on one leg. I see the only way the Lakers win this series is the refs giving Kobe the Dwade treatment.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Claw says:
@Lakeshow
I just got the $2 Taco Bell deal like Charles said to get, that’s what I’m eating, I know there’s a TB in LA so you might be eating the same thing.
Cmon, you’ve been talking sh*t after the Lakers won game 3 and what did I say before this series even started? Celtics in 6.
You better hope they call 100 fouls in the game and Fish teaches flop classes to the rest of the Lakers (Ron Ron gets a star for the Rondo flop). Bynum was a big key to winning this series and he just can’t do it, he is physically out of it. Need to rest him all regular season and save him for the playoffs.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
hoopla says:
I remember Phil Jackson clowning McHale for giving the Celtics KG… Phil should look at Jerry West and clown him gift wrapping him Pau Gasol.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
the cynic says:
didn’t Phil Jackson and the Bulls win 50+ without Jordan before getting hosed in the playoffs?
And did someone just call Artest a good passer?
June 15th, 2010 at 12:38 am
K Dizzle says:
Apologies about the rant to those of you whose opinions I actually respect.
@ Ian – u do have the silver and blacks on tight but i ain’t mad about that lol
I still got Tim as the best player of the last decade cuz Kobe and Shaq did have each other.
As for Jackson and Pop, they’re real good, but I still think Jerry Sloan is the best coach in the league. Injuries, being in the west, 20 years of success doin it his way. My man is so good they should name the coach of the year after him when he retires for the disgrace of him never winnin it…
@ hoopla
close, real close. Doesn’t stand for kwame, but my name is of Ghanaian origin so you only missed the last 2 letters.
Every few weeks, somebody comes on dimemag and says “Why do you say we like you’re a member of the team” and think he smart or inventin a new language…well you ain’t.
Everybody does it. I been livin and dyin with MY SQUAD after every game. I been a Laker fan since 85. I’ve met
Magic, Coop, Big Game, GP, Eddie Jones, Nick, Tony Peeler, Ron Harper, Sedale Threatt, Mitch Richmond, Rick Fox and countless others that repped the purple and gold. Don’t own a Kobe jersey, don’t own a Shaq jersey.
Got classic joints and my faves. Got West, Magic, Big Game, Coop, Fish, Elgin, Kareem, Nick, Eddie, Horry(supernice dude, humble as hell) and the Glove. Thanks for your opinion. When you been as loyal to the squad as long as I been, thru thick and thin, watchin games at the Forum, you can say “We”. When i was introduced to Brian Shaw around ’99, I didn’t refer to “US” as the Lakers, I said “We” Thanks for your opinion. Keep it to yourself.
@ Chica
I almost stopped readin your reply at
“McHale had Bird on his team, forget anyone else, and he still had to shoot over the top of REAL 7fters.”
Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish are hall of famers and nobody in their right mind would leave Danny Ainge. I won’t forget anyone else cuz that statement is just igorant.
Last game I saw, the Celts could leave Fish, leave Odom, leave anyone not nemed Kobe or gasol cuz they wasn’t hittin. That’s 2 double teams and a free lancer.
Batman? Jagaloon? WTF? What suburb you claim, dude? Cuz none of my peeps from the city of Chicago use those Orange County assed terms. I’m ignorant? Read my post in reply to yours and find nothin but facts. Please post my exact quote when I said Phil was the greatest coach ever. I’ll wait………………That’s what I thought. Even without Mike, Phil coached that squad to 55 wins. And you won’t even believe this, but I HATE PHIL JACKSON. I appreciate what he’s done for “US” but I hated him for ’92 when “WE” were goin after Magic’s 6th chip. Respect him…still don’t like him. Cocky, arrogant, but the man can coach. You right about one thing: It’s not all about the rings and X’s and O’s, there’s chemistry, motivation and sacrifice, and that’s where Phil excels. Don’t hate on that. Appreciate it. Gasol reverted. He got soft again. You want more than 12 shots, MAN THE PHUCK UP! Gettin your shot blocked by Big Baby and 6’4 in hi-tops Tony Allen ain’t a good look when you 7’0. You actin like Kobe just destroyin the triangle cuz he ain’t movin the rock at all. Fish and Artest missed 14 SHOTS. That ain’t on Kobe. It’s basic mathematics, son. If we shoot 39% as a team on 78 shots and I shoot 49% on my own on 27 shots, that means the rest of the team shot 18-51 and 35%. Not a good look.
One more thing, Artest has no post game. Yeah, he’s a big boy, but like Lebron, he never developed that aspect of his game. He’s a decent ball handler and passer, but he’s had that since St. Johns, but he ain’t got a post game.
It’s been a slice and the beauty of this is if the Lakers get it together and roll out 2 more wins, I’ll be able to come back to your post and really shred it.
2 down, 2 to go.
Lakers aaaalllllllllll day!
June 15th, 2010 at 2:24 am
Chicagorilla says:
@KDizzle,
Peeps from Chicago? lol, GTFOH. peeps? that’s how we talk here huh? Peeps? You know what, instead of me replying, i’ll let my man Young Reezy explain it to you
“Look, **** you, **** the plane you flew in on, **** them shoes, **** them socks with the belt on it, **** yo gay a** **** accent, **** them youckmouth teeth, **** that hair piece, **** Prince William, **** the Queen, This is America! My President is Black and my Lambo is Blue N!cc@! Now get the **** out my hotel roo…m, and if I see you in the street I’m slapping the **** out’chu.”~Riley Freeman a.k.a the Fundraiser
June 15th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
K Dizzle says:
LOL Great response.
When arguments fail, throw out a verse…
lol
Lakers tonight
lakers in 7 ~ K Dizzle