MikeBigg
Well-Known Member
It's some great points in here on both sides.
I honestly think LA should've won by atleast 20 in this one (or, kept the game between that 20-30 spread). All that momentum and they didn't blow the Celts out of there like they should've last night. Not on the strentgh of point spread...but, the fact that the Celts played nowhere near what Ive seen in the playoffs, and I saw nothing but correctable mistakes.
MB...somewhat has a point about a must-win for LA. On one hand it might sound dilusional...but, does LA really want to go into a weeks worth of being in Boston for 3...only tied at a game a piece? That's one game the Celts should've been blown out in, but wasn't...a win in LA...and, three on the home court. That's alot of uphill for LA who's known to show a lack of want-to as a group.
They only see "hate" when someone mentions something that's opposite of their "want it to be"...
I have told folks that I enjoy the Lakers losing... partly because their fans fail to admit that they can be had, even when they got ripped in 08 the excuses never stopped.
Now about the Matchups... Don't read too much into a game 1 outcome at home. Kobe had his usual good game...the key is to not let him be so comfortable. The best way to do that now is to make him revert back to his "I have to do it myself" mindset. Granted he's matured and focused to the point that he doesn't go that route anymore. That has long been his ONLY weakness because on the court he really has no limits or weaknesses. He can defend and he can score...the key is to make him work hard at both.
What allowed him to be comfortable last night is that his "bigs" performed well AND Boston couldn't take advantage of Fisher on Ray Allen (except for early in the game) due to Allen picking up quick fouls and some of them were phantom calls. But you are right...it is all about matchups. In Boston, Ray Allen doesn't get those fouls... Garnett attacks Gasol more on the Block (defensively and offensively) and Artest gets the foul calls against him.
Granted Artest played well...but I'm missing the part where he did such a good job on Pierce. I think Pierce actually should have been more active and Doc Rivers should have use the screen roll with him more. As I predicted...he had lots of trip to the line and scored 12 of 13 from the line and was 6/13 from the floor. He just needs to be more assertive...but in all honesty, credit the Lakers for executing well - it was there night.
Gramfan... We cool bruh and although I don't like the Lakers, I don't put them down for what they do well. However, yall can't deal with it when their flaws are pointed out. I think because yall know them to be true.
Yall best win game 2 or you're right...it won't come back to LA, I don't think it will go 7 if it does.