What happens when a man needs to remember a jingle?
February 16th, 2010
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Lakers use traps against Nuggets for the win
May 28th, 2009
‘I’m 29, I’ve been playing 10 years, I’ve been through so much,’ he said quietly. ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever get this close again.’
This quote gives me chills. This quote shows you how sometimes, just sometimes, nba players aren’t in it for just money (although i’m sure its a nice bonus). This quote came from the most enigmatic Laker- Lamar Odom. Chastised from the moment he donned the forum blue and gold, Lamar has time and time again proven his love for the game and last night was no different.
Lamar was involved in almost every play that changed the game. Lamar was a force on offense and the glass. If you want to see why basketball is my favorite sport, get that TNT isocam out and make them follow odom for last nights 48 minutes. Fucking brilliant. Watch this play and see the passion, I’m too exhausted from cheering to continue talking about it:
A few other massive plays that might be overlooked:
2nd Quarter 0:03 remaining: Kobe has the ball at the top of the key, yo-yoing as usual and winding down the clock. Everyone knows he’s driving left where Sasha would be wide open in the corner. What every one doesn’t know is that Sasha will actually make this shot. Denver made the correct play by having JR Smith slide over to help, but Sasha finally stepped up and hit a clutch three to send us into the break tied. (Interesting fact: this game was tied at the end of every quarter, can’t remember that happening… ever)
3rd Quarter 4:16 remaining: This won’t be overlooked, but it cannot be overstated: Shannon Brown had the intensity changing play of the game. His dunk over Birdman after laying it up soft ALL SERIES LONG was a momentum shifter. Everyone in denver cringed when this happened. The utter excitement of seeing Brown challenge their BIRDMAN on a dunk attempt, to the utter depression of having him be on a poster in the next “amazing” NBA commercial. Go do some more lines Birdman.
3rd Quarter 3:26 remaining: Lamar Odom steps up to nail a wide open triple to knot the score at 73-73. Whenever Lamar rises up, you’re almost terrified, but damn did this one look pretty. He held the follow through nicely, and swished the 24 footer to the right of the top of the key. This play would be huge because Chauncey would come down to hit a clutch three of his own on the next play.
3rd Quarter 2:06 remaining: Kobe didn’t assert himself shooting in this game, but this shot was huge. With 2:06 on the clock kobe rose up for a contested three after chauncey had just hit a dagger three to put the Nuggets back up. Kobe tied the score at 76-76 and this is how the quarter would end.
If the Nuggets only knew that the Lakers would go on an 11-0 run to start the 4th, maybe they would have taken some better shots towards the end of the third, but who knows.
I do have to touch on one final note from the game: George Karl. First of all, i’ve been confused by a lot of his substitutions and strategies this whole series (I’m confused by Phil too, but Phil has 11 rings). I also thought it was funny that he had nothing to say about the officiating in Denver, but always has complaints in LA. Let’s face it: the calls have been bad in both conference finals series throughout the first 8 games. What made him think tonight would be any different? For him to sit up there on his presser after the game, and blatantly blame the ref’s for his teams loss is bullshit and cowardly. At least when Phil does it, he says that they LOST THE GAME, NOT THE REFS. I wish I could find the presser so that everyone could see how pathetic this looked. He went on to discuss how the Lakers paid for this win in fines and that his team was already thinking about the officials before the game tipped! Way to have then ready to play.
Okay WTF
May 22nd, 2009
Sometimes I’m amazed at how fast things change in the sports world. I was reading a ridiculous article on the LA Times website and saw this :
What the hell? Trying to be assertive?
Look, I know Pau hasn’t set the world on fire with his amazing play so far, but he definitely hasn’t had a BAD game. He’s missed some foul shots, and got a lot of burn.
When we win, the Nuggets handed us the game. When the Nuggets win, they’ve mastered our team and Carmelo is the next Michael Jordan + Lebron James hybrid freak of nature. The truth is that this series has been played well by both teams, which are playing sporadic but great basketball.
Let’s look at the other quotes in the image while we’re at it:
1. Lakers show split personality in loss
Really? Did they? Yeah, the Nuggets made a run at the end of the first half, but you can’t say we gave it away- they started making their shots. I just hate this whole “Jekyll and Hyde” nickname shit. Every game has ups and downs.
2. Nuggets deliver a powerful message in Game 2
I think the message delivered was “both teams are playing and competing at a high level, these will be close games decided by late game execution.” Thanks.
3. Sadly for Lakers, Nuggets decide to play
“Sadly for Lakers” ???? I guess they didn’t decide to play in the first game when we won. I guess they didn’t decide to play while we had chances to make plays (the illegal jump ball). This is the most ridiculous statement of the image.
I can’t wait to see what the “blogosphere” will have to say after games 3&4.
Lakers’ Bynum said to be a month from return
March 20th, 2009
Lakers’ Bynum said to be a month from return
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Is this more Phil Jackson mind games? Could he really be a month away at this point? I mean, even the Lakers gave a really conservative estimation of his return (8-12 weeks) and now he’s going to miss that by another 4 weeks?
This is bad for the lakers in so many ways…
1. The defense has been shoddy at best in the last few games. I love Pau, but the interior shot blocking for this team does not exist right now. You can’t run Mbenga extended minutes because, well… he’s Mbenga, but then again you can’t play pau 48 minutes a game. BYNUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
2. Constantly forcing our offense through Pau is obviously taking its toll. We just aren’t getting the shots we were 15 games ago. Why is that? I have no idea, but our bench is getting horrible shots, and so is kobe. Pau has been amazing, but I think he’s wearing down a little bit. He just doesn’t seem to have the same pep and hop that he had a few weeks ago even.
Amar’e Stoudemire
February 10th, 2009
All this trade talk has got me thinking…
First of all, we know Amar’e is a great player. On offense. He can take over a game (just look at the 04 suns spurs series… wait was it 04 or 03? i can’t remember now) and dominate the inside like few can. What I have noticed as of late is his willingness to settle for jumpers. This is not the player I remember being terrified of. It’s a player that looks lazy and disinterested at times. I can see why the Suns would look to unload his contract and get out while they still can.
Any team that has watched the Suns this year has to realize that there is not a lazier help defender on this team, and to be honest its disgusting to watch at times. When the Lakers have played the Suns, you can see Kobe, Lamar, Ariza all getting to the lane and basically having an uncontested look at the basket (obviously without shaq). This is pathetic- even the Lakers realized that the defensive end is where they can EASILY MAKE THE MOST TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE in wins versus loses. The Suns defense is pathetic. Being blown out by the SIXERS (no offense pat) is pathetic, especially when their inside presence has a gay French last name.
So what do the Suns do? People are throwing around trades left and right, but the most sense is also the most dangerous.
The Suns should trade Amar’e to the Jazz for Milsap and Kirilenko. Does this work? I have no idea if the contracts match up and all that front office bullshit, but I bet they could make it work. It makes sense for both teams. Amar’e goes to a team with another great pick and roll PG, and a PF who can play tough defense. He gets a coach who will not take his bullshit whining and will push him to the limit.
The Suns get the hustle and effort and DEFENSE. They get a player who will crash the boards and can also score down low. Kirilenko who can play the three or the four might flourish with Nash- the PG who makes everyone look amazing including worthless Boris Diaw (yes I know he’s surging right now in Bobcat land, but even Vlad had a good first game there- that has to mean something, right?).
The Suns won’t do this because of Kirilenko’s tendency to be hurt… constantly, but overall… I still think it makes sense.
Who do you think should trade for Amar’e? Is Amar’e even that good? Throw some feedback in the comments if you read this (i never ask for this, but i’m generally curious to see what people think)
Who is reading this?