Basketball/NBA

**IrvDizzle** · 2nd June 2010 01:45 PM

CP3 is most def flashy, and for some people more entertaining to watch. But Kobe's game, how it has evolved and where it is now, is more business-like. I love watching Kobe break down a defense. there is a method to his killer instinct.

Can Kobe carry LA? If he plays within the triangle and is patient, absolutely. Gunslinger Kobe cannot beat Boston. He has to be the faciliator before he can be the closer. He cannot shoot lights out like he did v Orlando last year. But Gasol needs to step up big time. He needs to hit shots early to get that Kobe/Gasol pick and roll going.

**tomotle** · 2nd June 2010 01:56 PM

I'm looking forward to game 1, should be a hell of a series... at least I hope it is. It would suck if it ends up being a sweep.

GO CELTICS!!!!

**Abaddon** · 2nd June 2010 02:28 PM

The importance of game 1 cannot be overstated. Lakers HAVE to impose their will and show they can handle Boston's physical game. It is vital. This series has a large mental aspect.

**Pepe Silvia** · 2nd June 2010 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by IrvDizzle

I go to NYC and come back and people are comparing Phoenix to FCB? seriously? cuz Phoenix has won so many titles with their "seven seconds or less" offense. geez. The word "Arsenal" comes to mind when thinking about Phoenix. All hype no results.

anyhoo ... I was all about getting Boston until Pau decided to go soft and Andrew's knee decided to get worse. Kobe's game is just on another level right now. He's playing better than how he played in 2008 and 2009. He alone gives me hope. It's going to be really really hard nosed, chippy, basketball though. And the key will be making sure Pierce and Jesus Shuttlesworth are kept in check. Kobe will probably be on Rondo, Fish on Ray, Artest on Pierce. As always, the x-factor in this series will be Odom. If he has a great series (gets those key offensive/defensive rebounds, hits his open threes, drives to the hoop to create contact) LA will win in six. If not, then it will all rest on Kobe's shoulders.

They just drained fluid from Bynums knee the other day so we'll see how it goes (same thing they did for Kobe). It's too epic of a series this time around imo. It'll go 7. My key player besides Odom and Artest is Fisher. His clutch shots are usually right on time. If our second team and Lamar do their thing (which they are more than capable of doing) then that will give Kobe and Bynum some extra time to rest for the stretch.

Anyone see that 2 hour ESPN documentary "The Association: LA Lakers" last week? It was great.

EDIT: What is all the Gasol doubt coming from... one or two bad games?! cmon he's been big money all season.

**Abaddon** · 2nd June 2010 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Pepe Silvia

EDIT: What is all the Gasol doubt coming from... one or two bad games?! cmon he's been big money all season.

He was average to terrible for 4 straight games against the Suns, can't have that of your 2nd best player. He couldn't even impose his will on Amar'e, in the last games, that's weak.

**AnfieldEd** · 2nd June 2010 06:06 PM

So who is better Kobe or Michael Jordan?!

**yusuf** · 2nd June 2010 06:08 PM

well if kobe wins more titles i want kobe to be known as better but jordan had this fire in his eyes on offense and defense that i dont think anybody can match

**Pepe Silvia** · 2nd June 2010 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Abaddon

He was average to terrible for 4 straight games against the Suns, can't have that of your 2nd best player. He couldn't even impose his will on Amar'e, in the last games, that's weak.

He had a pretty damn good game 5 but I agree he needed to work harder in the last game and getting outpowered by Amare was a bad look. After Sasha fucked up in the 4th and let them get back in it is when we needed Pau the most and against Boston, he's gonna need to step up the intensity during those dry spells cuz Pierce/Allen don't fuck around. I'm sure he'll be game.

**tomotle** · 2nd June 2010 06:41 PM

Jordan was better overall, they are both equal in many aspects, but his leadership sets him apart from kobe.

I'm sure Boston will be coming out ready to hack gasol down quick... he will immediately turn into gasoft and that will make everything harder for the lakers.

**Abaddon** · 2nd June 2010 06:44 PM

Either Rasheed, KG or Perk will punk him and get in his face early. That's when he'll either step up or run for cover. If he goes into pussy mode, we are in big trouble. But I have faith in Pau untill he proves me otherwise.

**Pepe Silvia** · 2nd June 2010 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by tomotle

Jordan was better overall, they are both equal in many aspects, but his leadership sets him apart from kobe.

I'm sure Boston will be coming out ready hack gasol down quick... he will immediately turn into gasoft and that will make everything harder for the lakers.

One could argue that Kobe wasn't allowed to show that leadership under Shaq who openly tried to big-brother Kobe's Type-A personality all the time. Not bashing Shaq but it is what it is and Diesel's track record of bad mouthing organizations is preceeding him.

When Shaq left, are there any doubts about Kobe's leadership taking his team to 3 straight NBA Finals?

**IrvDizzle** · 2nd June 2010 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Abaddon

Either Rasheed, KG or Perk will punk him and get in his face early. That's when he'll either step up or run for cover. If he goes into pussy mode, we are in big trouble. But I have faith in Pau untill he proves me otherwise.

that's the key right there. If Pau gets mad and goes at them then this series will go up three/four notches in terms of intensity and LA will have a great chance. If not ... geez ... I don't even wanna think about that.

**tomotle** · 2nd June 2010 07:22 PM

after shaq left
04-05: missed playoffs
05-06: 1st round exit
06-07: 1st round exit

Great leader!

**Abaddon** · 2nd June 2010 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Pepe Silvia

When Shaq left, are there any doubts about Kobe's leadership taking his team to 3 straight NBA Finals?

Well to be honest, I'm not sure if Kobe was ready to lead a team back then. He was driven by a personal agenda only, and while that doesn't have to be wrong, it is not something you win a lot of titles with. I don't think Kobe did a great job leading the team in the years directly after Shaq left either. Sure his performances did, but he did not trust his teammates (with reason perhaps, but still) and he was too critical of them. He has grown immensely as a leader over the past 4 years.

Then again, Jordan was very much an in-your-face-leader as well, even in the literal sense (punched Kerr in the face when he talked back in training), so I guess there are different ways to be a good leader. Bottom line is that his teammates were not with him at the time.

Originally Posted by tomotle

after shaq left
04-05: missed playoffs
05-06: 1st round exit
06-07: 1st round exit

Great leader!

While I agree with the notion of him not being a good leader at that time (see previous post), your overly simplistic analysis is a mockery. Smush Parker, Luke Walton and Kwame Brown were starting that season for LA (don't even ask what was coming off the bench) and Kobe damn near beat a much, MUCH better Suns team in the playoffs. Obviously he did this through individual brilliance and not great leadership, but clearly results are not a good indication of what kind of leader he was, given how atrocious that team was.

**Pepe Silvia** · 2nd June 2010 07:37 PM

He single-handedly led his team to the playoffs each year. That's more than I can say for your boy CP3. Did you even manage to break .500 this year?

fuck outta here.

Go Lakers!!!

Thread: Basketball/NBA

View First Unread

Thread Tools

Display

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions