NBA Finals - Celtics vs Lakers

[SUtrp96]

That's a pretty good point at the top. As talented as Tim Duncan is, he wouldn't be nearly the player he became without a hard driving coach like Popavich constantly pushing him to dominate. But as far as having killer instinct, I just don't think KG is wired that way. I think killer instinct comes from a combination of "genetics" and getting repitition in those situations. For a player with his intensity, in his career he has shrunk from the pressure far more than he's rose to the occasion. Then again, that may just be the issue right there, KG is constantly playing at maximum intensity so there's no greater level for him to go to. And I agree having horrible coaches and playing on inferior teams most of his career hurt that development. But whatever the reason, it's obvious the pressure gets to him, you can see it in his demeanor and in the rookie level mistakes he makes in crunch time. He just doesn't have that mythical "switch", the one that tells a great player he needs to put up 40 tonight for his team to win. It's what separates Kobe from someone like Vince Carter, or Duncan from somebody like Rasheed Wallace.

When you have Pierce and Allen, why would you need KG to put up 40 points?

 

[JaguarNation99]

When you have Pierce and Allen, why would you need KG to put up 40 points?

You missed the point completely.

 

[UAPB '97]

That's a pretty good point at the top. As talented as Tim Duncan is, he wouldn't be nearly the player he became without a hard driving coach like Popavich constantly pushing him to dominate. But as far as having killer instinct, I just don't think KG is wired that way. I think killer instinct comes from a combination of "genetics" and getting repitition in those situations. For a player with his intensity, in his career he has shrunk from the pressure far more than he's rose to the occasion. Then again, that may just be the issue right there, KG is constantly playing at maximum intensity so there's no greater level for him to go to. And I agree having horrible coaches and playing on inferior teams most of his career hurt that development. But whatever the reason, it's obvious the pressure gets to him, you can see it in his demeanor and in the rookie level mistakes he makes in crunch time. He just doesn't have that mythical "switch", the one that tells a great player he needs to put up 40 tonight for his team to win. It's what separates Kobe from someone like Vince Carter, or Duncan from somebody like Rasheed Wallace.

I agree that KG doesn't always want to be THE MAN at crunch time. He needs players (Pierce) around him that are willing to win it at the end, if needed.

 

[SUtrp96]

I agree that KG doesn't always want to be THE MAN at crunch time. He needs players (Pierce) around him that are willing to win it at the end, if needed.

Some teams he will HAVE to be the MAN.. on this Celtic team that really isn't that necessary.

 

[JaguarNation99]

Some teams he will HAVE to be the MAN.. on this Celtic team that really isn't that necessary.

On some nights it is necessary, especially considering the way Ray Allen has been up and down in the playoffs. You never know which Rondo is going to show up, and with the way Doc has been yanking everybody's minutes around, Posey has become the only consistently dependable bench player. And it's not always just about your teammates having off nights either, just look at game one between Phoenix and San Antonio. Parker and Ginobili both had big games, and they still needed 40 and 15 from Duncan just to win in double overtime. That was the point I was making, KG doesn't have that switch to tell him that he needs to go out and destroy everybody in his path on a particular night, in many ways he's too unselfish. It's the major reason they were taken to 7 games by two vastly inferior teams.

 

[SUtrp96]

On some nights it is necessary, especially considering the way Ray Allen has been up and down in the playoffs. You never know which Rondo is going to show up, and with the way Doc has been yanking everybody's minutes around, Posey has become the only consistently dependable bench player. And it's not always just about your teammates having off nights either, just look at game one between Phoenix and San Antonio. Parker and Ginobili both had big games, and they still needed 40 and 15 from Duncan just to win in double overtime. That was the point I was making, KG doesn't have that switch to tell him that he needs to go out and destroy everybody in his path on a particular night, in many ways he's too unselfish. It's the major reason they were taken to 7 games by two vastly inferior teams.

From watching the Celtics in this entire play-off run.. Ray has not been up and down.. he was down in the beginning and came back towards the end of the Pistons series... So it is a bit safe to say Ray has gotten his mind back right... I see it in him on the floor.. at first he looked like he wasn't sure why he was even out there.. I see a big change in attitude from him now.

Rondo has been the same.. he is still developing and he just plays his role the best he can.. unless he throw some bad passes like he does at times, you can't really blame Rondo for production on the floor.. because he is always hustling and grabbing rebounds and showing presence... We all know Fisher is better than Rondo.... But the game Fisher plays all you need is a Rondo to keep things copasetic on the floor.

And the Celtics bench is a hellavu lot deeper than just Posey.. Have you seen are heard of HOUSE?! The others on the bench put in enough productive minute for me to even insult your intelligence by naming them.

 

[geezy76]

I picked the Lakers, but after last night I'm not sure. I think if it goes 7 make it the Lakers but anything less I think the C's may win. Is Paul Pierce not the fakest dude you ever saw. I though they were going to have to amputate his leg the was he was acting.

 

[SUtrp96]

I picked the Lakers, but after last night I'm not sure. I think if it goes 7 make it the Lakers but anything less I think the C's may win. Is Paul Pierce not the fakest dude you ever saw. I though they were going to have to amputate his leg the was he was acting.

It was like the movies, huh?....lol
I wouldn't call it fake... he seemed to have hurt his knee to the point where at the moment it was hard for him to move by himself...

 

[JayRob]

Originally Posted by MikeBigg
I think the Celtics in 7, but it may end in 6. In order for the Lakers to win (If I'm Doc Rivers) Kobe would have to average 45 points a game. He's capable of doing that, but it would be because he has to put up a bunch of shots.

If I'm coaching, I tell my guy to make him put it on the floor and force him to have to finish and not kick it out. Stay on the perimeter shooters and box out Gasol and Odom... make Kobe the old Kobe. Might as well make him work to get his cuz you really can't stop him...too much individual talent. But don't leave those guys like Fisher and Vujavic and Radmonovich open for those killer threes.

Garnett should own Gasol and Odom... Paul Pierce will dominate anyone other than Kobe and Ray Allen is too good for either of the Euro's or Walton to guard.

Actually the Celtics did leave those guys open, but Kobe was focused on shooting the ball instead of passing it out to them. Fisher and Sasha had several shots go in and out as did Kobe. Just was one of those games.
I wouldn't judge the series by one game though.
Lakers are known for making adjustments and playing much better after a loss.

 

[MikeBigg]

Actually the Celtics did leave those guys open, but Kobe was focused on shooting the ball instead of passing it out to them. Fisher and Sasha had several shots go in and out as did Kobe. Just was one of those games.
I wouldn't judge the series by one game though.
Lakers are known for making adjustments and playing much better after a loss.

They were good looks but not wide open looks... and they were sporadic in coming. When they came, they were not in rhythm. Granted Fisher missed a wide open look cuz Rondo sometimes closes out at bad angles...but the Lakers gotta make adjustments.

I think Tauriaf (sp?) will come in more to play Garnett and free Gasol to play PJ Brown or Perkins. If I was Phil, I would go with two bigs (from among the three of Gasol, Odom, and Tauriaf) plus Kobe and two wing guys. Even with Fisher, I would run a lot of screen roll with Kobe and Gasol (or Odom) depending on which is not being guarded by Garnett. Space out them Euro (plus Fisher) and let take my chances.

 

[O'Bladerunner]

Good game...Im looking forward to the rest of the series.

I picked Lakers in 7....didn't get a chance to get the pick on the net yesterday.

I didn't see anything that the Celts did to make me waver on it. Kobe didn't hit some of those open looks...and, Im thinking a more focused Kobe, and a Phil that has seen the chess pieces up close, will make the proper adjustments.

Also, I think Gasol will make the necessary adjustments to make a bigger difference next game. He looked like he figured out a few things during the game that'll help in later games. And, Im interested to see if he really saw it, or was that a one-time thing.


What's the latest on Paul "Play-write" Pierce? Is thta injury more sore today, than it was yesterday.


PS- How come Odem can't ever keep his jersey tucked in?

 

[SUtrp96]

Good game...Im looking forward to the rest of the series.

I picked Lakers in 7....didn't get a chance to get the pick on the net yesterday.

I didn't see anything that the Celts did to make me waver on it. Kobe didn't hit some of those open looks...and, Im thinking a more focused Kobe, and a Phil that has seen the chess pieces up close, will make the proper adjustments.

Also, I think Gasol will make the necessary adjustments to make a bigger difference next game. He looked like he figured out a few things during the game that'll help in later games. And, Im interested to see if he really saw it, or was that a one-time thing.


What's the latest on Paul "Play-write" Pierce? Is thta injury more sore today, than it was yesterday.


PS- How come Odem can't ever keep his jersey tucked in?

He just a sloppy lil dude...:smh:

He also likes to sing on the court a lot, I don't like that...

 

[JayRob]

Let's see....Pierce shot above his average, Garnett shot above his average, Allen shot above his playoff average, Cassell shot above his average and even Rondo played above his average. In other words, they played over their head, plus they were at home. It will be hard for them to top this feat in game two, because those same guys will have to shoot above their average again in order for the Celtics to win, and Kobe will have to go another 9-29 as well, which is certainly not likely to happen two games in a row.

Very telling stats:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2008060502

--Lakers and Celtics both made 32 total field goals. Both teams shot 42 percent for the game. Only difference is Boston made 3 more three pointers and made seven more free throws.

--Boston outscored the Lakers by six points in the 4th quarter.

--For both teams overall, the offensive stats weren't that much different.

 

[Dog81]

The Lakers may be the softest team we have faced the entire playoffs.

Garnette, Powe, Big Baby, KP 43, and PJ Brown are too physical for the Lakers (What is that slogan JRock use to say, To big, too strong, too physical.......).

Gasol in the fourth quarter was too tired to put his hands above his head for a rebound (it is too physical for that boy).

Kobe scoring will not win the championship for the Lakers. Kobe causes damage with his assist. The Celts are determined to make Kobe take a tuff shot and keep his assists below 10 if so, we win.

Garnette shooting the medium range jumper is a bonus for two reasons, number 1, he can make the shot and number 2, it leaves Gasol or Odom alone under the basket with KP 43 (Rebound KP 43).


Besides Kobe, who on the Lakers team can create their own shot. In the 4th quarter watch the Lakers become a jump shooting team.

Pierce and Kobe will cancel each other out in scoring and assist. Who will win the scoring batte between Garnette/Allen vs. Gasol and Odom?

I could go on but........you get the picture (Boston 4-2)


PS: If you want to stop the Celtics, you have to stop Rondo. Rondo is breaking your defense down and creating space for the rest of the team to operate.


Another PS: Don't be surprised to see Rondo dunk on somebody and Eddie House and Leon Powe have a big game (ya better stop trapping Pierce)

 

[JayRob]

The Lakers may be the softest team we have faced the entire playoffs.

Garnette, Powe, Big Baby, KP 43, and PJ Brown are too physical for the Lakers (What is that slogan JRock use to say, To big, too strong, too physical.......).

Gasol in the fourth quarter was too tired to put his hands above his head for a rebound (it is too physical for that boy).

Kobe scoring will not win the championship for the Lakers. Kobe causes damage with his assist. The Celts are determined to make Kobe take a tuff shot and keep his assists below 10 if so, we win.

Garnette shooting the medium range jumper is a bonus for two reasons, number 1, he can make the shot and number 2, it leaves Gasol or Odom alone under the basket with KP 43 (Rebound KP 43).


Besides Kobe, who on the Lakers team can create their own shot. In the 4th quarter watch the Lakers become a jump shooting team.

Pierce and Kobe will cancel each other out in scoring and assist. Who will win the scoring batte between Garnette/Allen vs. Gasol and Odom?

I could go on but........you get the picture (Boston 4-2)


PS: If you want to stop the Celtics, you have to stop Rondo. Rondo is breaking your defense down and creating space for the rest of the team to operate.


Another PS: Don't be surprised to see Rondo dunk on somebody and Eddie House and Leon Powe have a big game (ya better stop trapping Pierce)

Physical teams don't equate to more skillfull teams. Quite a few Laker shots rimmed out, while Boston had some "lucky" shots fall, like that lucky four point play by Pierce. Those are the breaks and that's basketball.

The Lakers are the most skilled team Boston has faced in the playoffs and perhaps the most cerebral team as well. Whatever deficiencies the Lakers may have on the physical side, they make up for it with skill and cerebral play. Skilled teams more than not in the end, defeat physical teams.
We'll see though.

Gasol and Odom didn't play that bad, but they didn't play that well either. Gasol wasn't tired, but it may have been Garnett who was tired.
Garnett was only 1 for 11 in the second half, so evidently Gasol didn't do so bad in the second half on defense.
Kobe needs to look for the open shooter when three men run at him, simple as that. I totally agree with the assists thing. If Kobe looks for the open shooters in the second half and not force shots over two and three players, the Lakers will win.

 

[SUtrp96]

Very telling stats:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2008060502

--Lakers and Celtics both made 32 total field goals. Both teams shot 42 percent for the game. Only difference is Boston made 3 more three pointers and made seven more free throws.

--Boston outscored the Lakers by six points in the 4th quarter.

--For both teams overall, the offensive stats weren't that much different.

HENCE!! Both teams didn't play as well as they can...I know U don't want to believe that but it is fact.
:retard:

 

[SUtrp96]

The Lakers may be the softest team we have faced the entire playoffs.

Garnette, Powe, Big Baby, KP 43, and PJ Brown are too physical for the Lakers (What is that slogan JRock use to say, To big, too strong, too physical.......).

Gasol in the fourth quarter was too tired to put his hands above his head for a rebound (it is too physical for that boy).

Kobe scoring will not win the championship for the Lakers. Kobe causes damage with his assist. The Celts are determined to make Kobe take a tuff shot and keep his assists below 10 if so, we win.

Garnette shooting the medium range jumper is a bonus for two reasons, number 1, he can make the shot and number 2, it leaves Gasol or Odom alone under the basket with KP 43 (Rebound KP 43).


Besides Kobe, who on the Lakers team can create their own shot. In the 4th quarter watch the Lakers become a jump shooting team.

Pierce and Kobe will cancel each other out in scoring and assist. Who will win the scoring batte between Garnette/Allen vs. Gasol and Odom?

I could go on but........you get the picture (Boston 4-2)


PS: If you want to stop the Celtics, you have to stop Rondo. Rondo is breaking your defense down and creating space for the rest of the team to operate.


Another PS: Don't be surprised to see Rondo dunk on somebody and Eddie House and Leon Powe have a big game (ya better stop trapping Pierce)

Couldn't have said it better.. You are right on point...

Celtics in 6!

 

[Jag-BR]

2 quick fouls on Kobe. :smh: :smh: :smh:

 

[PsychoJag]

2 quick fouls on Kobe. :smh: :smh: :smh:

:nod: :nod:

 

[Jag-BR]

This is pissing me off and I don't understand for the life of me how the refs can call an offensive foul on Kobe for moving his elbows out the way but yet you have Powe doing the same thing and no whistle is blown there. I can't wait until they get to LA.

 

[JR]

This is pissing me off and I don't understand for the life of me how the refs can call an offensive foul on Kobe for moving his elbows out the way but yet you have Powe doing the same thing and no whistle is blown there. I can't wait until they get to LA.

Still NBA refs no matter where the game is, meaning it might not be any better calls in L.A. Bad call on Kobe.....but that aint the Lakers problem right now. Physical style of play is. Boston got some young big people then throw in PJ Brown. They aint even played Big Baby yet. The Lakers best chance in this game and when they get back to LA is to run. But then again Paul Pierce will be at home too.......he likes playing in front of his home town. This series is going to be a battle each game I believe.

 

[Jag-BR]

Still NBA refs no matter where the game is, meaning it might not be any better calls in L.A. Bad call on Kobe.....but that aint the Lakers problem right now. Physical style of play is. Boston got some young big people then throw in PJ Brown. They aint even played Big Baby yet. The Lakers best chance in this game and when they get back to LA is to run. But then again Paul Pierce will be at home too.......he likes playing in front of his home town. This series is going to be a battle each game I believe.

:dead::dead::dead::dead: I hate the Celtics.

 

[SUtrp96]

THIS IS a FUGGing embarrassment....
SPURS better than the Celtics?!?!:retard:.. who ever said that, shot yourself....!!!

:tup:

 

[PsychoJag]

Still NBA refs no matter where the game is, meaning it might not be any better calls in L.A. Bad call on Kobe.....but that aint the Lakers problem right now. Physical style of play is. Boston got some young big people then throw in PJ Brown. They aint even played Big Baby yet. The Lakers best chance in this game and when they get back to LA is to run. But then again Paul Pierce will be at home too.......he likes playing in front of his home town. This series is going to be a battle each game I believe.

Big Baby is not even on the active Roster. Just think Garnett only has 11 pts right now. The Celtics are playing Defense........

 

[CSU*NJ]

They're (LA) getting ran outta the court!! :lmao::lmao:

And it's just only 3 quarters played.