What a difference a couple of convincing wins over quality opponents can make. This past Monday there were several questions surrounding the Lakers after a weekend which saw them lose to Miami and Orlando on back to back nights. Where was the defensive intensity that we saw the first two weeks of the season? Is Phil Jackson really the genius that he is widely considered or does he just use sarcastic and witty comments to mask his inability to keep this team playing inspired basketball on a nightly basis? Could this team really expect to be able to compete with a Celtics squad on a 19 game winning streak?Well, for one night at least that last question was answered. The Lakers showed up to the Staples Center and decided to bring their defense with them this time. KG was still KG but with Bynum patrolling the paint Rondo wasn't able to get to the rack or create many drive and kicks considering the guards didn't have to help, which limited the Celtics ability to get wide the same wide open jumpers that they had in the Finals last year. Kobe had probably his most balanced performance of the season, punking Ray Allen in the process. Paul Pierce got to experience what a healthy Trevor Ariza can do defensively. The Machine was knocking down jumpers and Pau exercised some of the ghosts from last years Finals with an incredible fourth quarter performance. But even with Pau beasting in the fourth no one impressed me more than Lamar Odom last night.
Looking at just his numbers, you might think that L.O. didn't really do anything special last night. And you'd be wrong. Lamar got his swagger back last night playing with defensive tenacity, hitting some clutch threes, and basically going hard like Hova did in Brooklyn. Lamar played with a chip on his shoulder, matching the Celtics physical style of play with his own combination of thrown shoulders and elbows, putting KG on his ass after a couple of cheap shots on his teammates. He set the tone for the second unit and sent a message to Boston early on that this is NOT the same Laker team they played last year. If L.O. and Pau can play at this level during playoff time and Bynum can focus primarily on defending the paint and rebounding this team is gonna be scary good. Congrats to Phil on the 1000 wins, now lets see if he can get this team to win 16 in May and June.
10 comments:
Pau owned us last night. But it wasn't Pau, it was the passes to Gasol. All he had to do was slam it home. Every time we put a body on him he was done. And who saw when he ran into Rondo and fell on the ground backwards? Funny stuff. Also funny: Luke Walton airball three pointer in the first. Hilarious.
I'm pretty sure that Pau's two most important shots where a jump shot he hit over KG and a running hook shot that he hit over Perkins in the 4th. But yes, the nifty assists from Kobe helped. And yes, Luke's airball was comical, but not as entertaining as the utter frustration on the face of Paul and Ray when they realized they weren't going to get wide open jumpers anymore.
More hilarious? Celtics inability to win last night! Okay, I speak in jest, but I really enjoyed LA getting the win last night, I really like the top 4 teams this season, where as last season I loved the top 2, hated 3 and 4.
A Celts vs. Lakers Finals would be great again but if somehow the Cavs sneak in and play the Lakers...That shit will set some Neilson ratings records. I'd rather watch that the Celts probably.
B, a Lakers-Celtics finals rematch would get better ratings than a Lakers-Cavs finals. And hell yes you'd rather watch the Celts. I would too. But Mr. Long, I have one question: Do you think that the Lakers could beat the Ceatles in a 7 game series?
@Moose:They definitely have the talent to beat them in a playoff series. The question is whether or not they'll have everything clicking come June.
Lebron vs. Kobe would get better ratings than the Lakers vs. Celtics, Moose. As much as I hate to say it, the NBA is more about marketing individual's than it is teams and the King vs. Mamba matchup would trump all others in most of the public's eyes.
Tis a shame. I assume you're right, B. But what about the huge rivalry *sigh*? I'll take your word for it.
The NBA does market more to individual talent, but remember that even when THE KING, the most marketed player in the NBA went to the finals, it was the lowest rated finals EVER. Yes, tell me it was the boring SPURS fault, but regardless, if the MOST MARKETED player in the NBA couldn't make it maybe...not the LOWEST ever...That kind of proves it. Add in the fact that the Cavs, outside of LBJ, have a BORING ASS ROSTER. The CELTICS, however, have 3 high high high profile players, and other rotation players that are interesting. Rondo is one of the best young PG's in this league. Leon POWE, is one of the most athletic young frontcourt men. Glen BIG BABY Davis crossed over from just sports news, but was one of the most searched videos on yahoo for his cryfest. That's just more media attention than that. Add the fact that the Lakers and Celtics are a HUGE FUCKING RIVALRY. Also add that this is a finals rematch. Also add the argument that Paul Pierce said he's the best player in the NBA, including Kobe. Also the fact that both players have amazing records, and chances are both teams will approach NEAR if not TO 70 wins. An LA-BOSTON rematch would garner more ratings. Another reason LBJ KOBE isn't as interesting- They don't guard eachother. Odom guards James, and Mike Brown would NEVER play James on Kobe- Kobe would spend the entire game working his ass off on offense. And because The Cavs don't have a great SG, so Kobe gets to slack off on on the ball defense, so he gets even MORE energy to throw at the Cavs IF by some stupid reason, Mike Brown has LBJ guard Kobe. It just wouldn't be smart, so The matchup wouldn't happen. So yeah, that's my insight
Intersting that all you fools are just giving the Lakers the Finals spot in the West. Funny....I thought there were a few teams out West that can actually win games now and again too. No, I must be incorrect......but I guess as long as the Lakers don't have to play the Magic or the Heat they'll be ok.
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