Credits 5/22/2009

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 9:30 AM PDT in Credits

The morning after.

Denver's motto should be "mission accomplished". They came to get a game, and they did.

Now, Denver must "hold serve" (as Timbo likes to say) against the best service returners in the game, Los Lakers del Sur.

Even though they brandish the top away record for the 2008-2009 regular season at 29-12, the Purple and Gold have plenty to worry about. People are questioning Fisher's playing time, and Bynum's lack of it. Carmelo Anthony looks unflappable on offense. Chauncey Billups has stabilized the Nuggets' once tippy ship, and Kenyon Martin gets dunks fed to him like baby food.

Notwithstanding these specific worries, The Laker should be worried every game. Even if they were up 3-0, they should still have a healthy amount of respect and fear for their opponents. These teams made the playoffs for a reason.

And the Lakers won 65 regular season games for a reason, too. To quote Kobe ,"We're not the best road team in the NBA for no reason." Read it again slowly just to make sure that's right. Yep, it's right.

Just get one in Denver, two would be magnifico. The Lakers definitely have their work cut out for them.

No one ever said winning a championship was easy.

Here are your game recaps, along with my one sentence capsules:

Lakersmedia - Lakers highlights of the game.

LA Times - Denver stole a game back from the Lakers.

OC Register - Kobe didn't come up big late this time.

Fox Sports - The Lakers' historical dominance of Nuggets in playoffs has ended.

ESPN/AP - The Nuggets are a smarter, tougher team than last year's Nuggets.

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Comments

I hope Phil reads some of these articles

because his in game adjustments have SUCKED, when something isn’t working or hasn’t worked in awhile shouldn’t you fix it? I would guess so, his trust in Fisher will hurt this Lakers team or is it more then trust and maybe Kobe wants Fisher out on the court with him. Whatever the case maybe everyone sees that the PG position is killing us and if I were Fisher I’d give my spot up for the betterment of the team. I have a feeling Phil isn’t about to change his lineup and I have a feeling Fisher’s play going forward will be the key to this series or the ending to the Lakers season and It will be sad to see. Phil is suppose to put the five guys on the floor who can get the job done consistantly, espeacially when you are trying to move on and win The Finals. Game 3 should be very interesting.

by BrittneyM on May 22, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks, Gils.

The Lakers are 11-2 against the Nuggets in the past 2 years.

by wondahbap on May 22, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

The only thing that gives me solace after that loss

is reading David Friedman’s recaps.

Phil has never been known for in game adjustments. He’s there for game to game adjustments. This next game 3 is crucial and very critical so I’m expecting PJ to hammer that point home into everyone not named Kobe.

by hertagnism on May 22, 2009 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

Another link

Coachingbetterball – How Carmelo has done in taking on the task of guarding Kobe.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

Should I just update the post or put it down here?

Forum Blue and Gold - Kurt Helin is frustrated.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Ball Don’t Lie – See, we told you Kobe didn’t hit Artest in the neck!

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

That's the first time I've ever read a post from Kurt that had a frustrating tone

Usually it’s very centralized and realistic. He’s usually very accepting of what the team is and what they are capable of. Just goes to show you how deep that loss must have hurt.

(although he did kind of foreshadow the result in his Game 2 post.)

by hertagnism on May 22, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Been down this road before.

Just last week. as a matter of fact, hearing the same criticism as well, poor Fish, how soon we abandon our heroes. Lakers in 7. As a side note, I hardly let the game officiating get to me, but last night, during the 4th quarter, how bas was that!

by Jello Is Jiggling on May 22, 2009 12:22 PM PDT reply actions

Refs didn't blow that game

There some plays where the Lakers didn’t get called for fouls that looked like fouls down low (Bynum swinging down on Nene’s arms, for example).

But about the Ariza play off the jump ball – I wish he would have held onto the ball, he may have forced the refs to call a foul if he falls down with the ball, but instead he let go, and lost the ball.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

Forget about the blown calls at the end of the game and focus on the blown 14 pt lead at the end of the first half by the players.

IMO, that was the turning point of the game. Denver got momentum and confidence and the Lakers started to settle and become more passive.

by hertagnism on May 22, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

From the link above at ESPN OTL

Chauncey has pulled that move before. Why didn’t Kobe watch his high school tape?

A chiseled high school junior is attempting to inbound the ball underneath his own basket. He’s trying not to panic, but this is the Colorado state championship game, and no one’s open. The referee is signaling one, two, three … and the kid can’t stand the thought of a five-second call. The house is packed because of him, because he’s Denver’s greatest schoolboy player ever, so an embarrassing turnover is unacceptable. Just being disorganized is unacceptable. He hates disorganized.

Suddenly, he notices the defender guarding the inbounds pass has turned his back to him. So 18-year-old Chauncey throws the ball off the defender’s rear end, catches it, drop-steps and dunks with two hands. Chauncey has himself a bucket and an assist. The crowd snickers … except for his grandmother sitting in the 10th row.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

By the way that Billups profile is a MUST READ

It tells so many new thing about Billups, including how Terrell Brandon (remember him? Awesome fantasy PG) taught him everything he knew when they were both on the Wolves.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 22, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions