Wolfgang Amadeus Kobe Rocks Boston

When Pau plays the other team’s best player to a standstill in his bad games, I’ll gladly take it. Garnett is obviously not the same player he was before his injury, but he ain’t exactly chopped liver, either. Also, kudos to the Celtic fans who commented here without trolling. Even though they lost by a point, this game might be a turning point from their recent subpar play. I think they played much better in this game than they did during their recent stretch. Still hoping they can get healthy and play us in the Finals. A full-strength Laker team vs a full-strength Celtic team would be a barn burner.

They should trade Allen and KG right now and maybe even Pierce unless they can rebuild the team quickly. They are just too old and that is exactly why they are having trouble right now. They MIGHT get healthy and have a good post-season run, but it isn’t exactly the most likely thing. Not that I want them to do the smart thing. Its too much fun watching them wither while our dynasty ascends. Lebron, Anthony, Howard, Wade, and CP3 are the ones to watch and who will challenge us now. If they acted now, they might be able to challenge the tail end of our dynasty . . . and yes, that Kobe guy is pretty good.

Celtics are done folks.

KG is a shell of his former self, Pierce and Ray Ray are old, and the Sheed signing is looking worse and worse everyday.

Bynum was a beast on the inside, and our defense was great in the 2nd half IMO.

Go Lakers!

This was a perfect game to show why you don’t give up on the Kobester.

He actually had some nice adjustments in the second half, was looking to pass out of the double team, and let his teammates carry the Lakers to within striking distance … and when the Mamba is in striking distance … he strikes quickly and accurately.

Is there such thing as “Founder Emeritus”?

Since “Founder” is forever, and emeritus is basically granting you “eternal” status, isn’t Founder Emeritus redundant?

Kobe isn’t making the best passes out of the double either. He needs to pass out while the double is still coming towards, not after he gets away and the doubling man is leaving back to his original man. Kobe needs to know where the double is coming from and make the pass early, as well as our bigs have to be in position to receive the pass when the double comes. This should be something we should be able to exploit.

10. Lamar Odom loves to dribble. If the shot clock didn’t exist, I’m pretty sure fans would be treated to minutes at a time of Odom dribbling around like an oversized AAU showboat.

As much as I loved this vic – and it’s a good one, for sure – there are still a few troubling things that I found myself noticing time and time again during its course. First of all, we need to keep in mind that – all due respect to the green and white lore – the Celtics are a bad team. They’re 6-11 since Christmas, and have lost 6 of the last 8. And the Lakers barely beat them on a couple of hysterically delicious, fluky shots, let’s be honest. Not Kobe’s – I think most will agree that when the Mamba gets the ball at the top of the key – twice! – and no double-team comes to the rescue, the thing’s going in the hole. But that twirling donut spinner that Artest somehow managed to get to crawl over the rim on the previous offensive possession looked like it actually had little arms and legs. It defied physics. And I loved it all the more because of it.

Beyond that though, I think the most troubling thing about this game was that it showed that as good as the Lakers are defensively, they’re a full level below Championship Quality Defense. Let’s call it CQD for short. It’s the reason they lost the game in Cleveland on this trip, honestly – not the Pau self-crumpler or even the missed ft’s. This is the reason why this year, whoever hopes to hoist the ol’ Larry O’Brien is going to have to go through Cleveland. And why is that, do you suppose? Not because LeBron is better than Kobe, but because he leads the team on D. And not just regular, move-your-feet, call-out-screens, keep-your-hands-up D. But CQD.

I’m not throwing stats out here, and maybe one of our knowledgeable SSR fans or monitors will kill this theory with ‘em, but I’ve been watching this game many decades now, and here’s what I see as a blind spot the Lakers had best fix, or be prepared to have it rear up in the playoffs and bite them in the hindquarters. And it breaks down into three neat headlines.

1. Do Not Ballwatch – This is something the Lakers do all the time, and the most guilty of all of them is Kobe. This year there are obvious reasons why Kobe is not at the defensive level of years past, you gotta give him that. But as the defensive leader of the team – and he still is RonRon – he rarely stays on his guy, stressing the help-d situations, and he constantly hawks the ball. Tonight this led to a couple defensive 3 calls, and numerous blown covers that turned directly into points. Not to mention the fact that it’s contagious. I rewound the TiVo numerous times to find every single Laker on the court watching Rondo like a hypnotist’s watch. Occasionally Kobe will revert to lockdown guy, as he did near the end on Rondo, but still. I’m just saying. It’s endemic on this year’s team. Look it up. It’s a great word, and it personifies this particular malady.

2. Whatever Happened To “Guard Your Man/Switch and Get Back.” All the talk about how the Lakers defense this year is able to switch on pick and roll, what about the times when good old fashioned defensive fundamentals should still apply? Say when Fish gets switched onto a Big like, say, every third possession. Think teams like the Cavs are figuring something out, Lakes? What happened to “stay in front of your man?” Is that too musty and old of a concept? Why does the pg have to accept that he’s going to get beaten off the dribble anyway, so let’s make him go left, where I know Lamar’s got my — oops, where’s Lamar? Oh crap, he’s ball watching! Oh well, thankfully we’re way more talented offensively and we’ll get it back on the other end. And last but not least, perhaps the most critical component of CQD, in my mind, is that ephemeral quality that one finds in repeat champs like MJ or Magic, and even – remember this around finals time – Shaq. Which is:

3. Take It Personally. This is the most important thing missing almost entirely from the Lakers sense of D this year. Nobody appears to take it personally. Bynum often looks like a big baby bird staring up waiting for some regurgitated worms, instead of getting pissed about somebody coming into “his house” and stealing his food. Doesn’t that guy -the “paint patroller,” remind you of anyone? Shaq, perhaps? Even if he’s lost a step or two, he hasn’t lost the prison yard stare. Even still, he has that attitude of “not in my lane, you won’t.” And you will feel it when he fouls you. Some will say that’s not the Lakers personality this year, and they’re right. But personality is like sunglasses – you can change. Put on a new pair. Get angry when anyone thinks they have a right to score, and start blowing teams out by 25 again.

Okay, so you say wait a sec, we got the best record in the league, what’s the hysteria? Well, you’re right. I guess I’ve just lived here too long. Which means I know what it’s like to see a team with all the pieces go all the way, only to have their hearts ripped out at the finish line. And mine right along with them.

Take the next step, purple and gold. Commit to CQD, and claim what is rightfully yours.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-gasol31-2010jan31,0,4601317.story?page=1

Wow. I’d rather go outside and wallow in mud right now, lol…

Seriously…game could’ve went either way, but Congratulations LA Lakers.

If you all are indeed the Best, then The Celtics are right there with you.

Kobe actually missed 12 of 20 shots…not 12 of 19. Well the box score says he was 8-20

i got pissed during stretches
especially when they imploded in the 2nd quarter
but it all worked out haha
btw did anyone know that kobe’s shot gave the lakers their first lead of the second half??
haha…awesome

That was awesomeness

S. Vujacic
Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
6:11 0-1 0-0 0-0 +11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

“At that point, I think it’s got to be unbelievable, but I didn’t see it so I really can’t give an opinion on it,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “You know, I do know Kobe pushes off a lot.” – Doc Rivers"

Can you say “whiny bitch”?

“I didn’t say give me one more chance. I said give me the damn ball,” Bryant said. “I never really give him much of a choice.” – Kobe Bryant"

“Winners want the ball” – Jimmy McGinty (The Replacements)

“The Lakers outscored Boston on points in the paint 18-0 in the fourth quarter. – ESPN.com”

two of the best defensive bigs in the league. In the same game. On their court. The kid is starting to get it. Best part was that he didn’t complain to the refs about no calls he just seemed to play focused and determined through every stretch. He came up with a few tough boards rather than just the easy ones that fall his way. He also looked pretty damn athletic for a seven footer and showed flashes of his ability to play above the rim pre-knee injury.

Especially nice is seeing Jordan Farmar step up and have a big game on the road. The bench didn’t play that much, but they played for crucial stretches at times and for the most part delivered. One thing noticeably lacking from the second unit was the defense. When the Walton / Farmar / Brown unit was on the floor things just got way too easy for the Celtics.

Really though, despite this big win this Laker team is so far removed from it’s ceiling I don’t know whether to be worried or incredibly excited of what’s to come. There were flashes of what we’re capable of, namely in the first quarter where we were rebounding, playing solid defense, and most importantly executing very well on offense. Then when Boston dialed in and turned up the defensive pressure a little bit, things started to collapse on both ends of the floor:

1) I don’t know if Kobe’s passing has just gotten too ambitious or Pau’s been shaking hands with Kwame Brown, but either way there seems to be way too many turnovers on the interior with guys going for what Stu calls “the home run play”.

2) When the second unit is on the floor, the ball needs to operate exclusively out of either Bynum and Pau on the post or Farmar’s hands. Brown and Walton generated plays usually result in bad shots.

3) Artest looks like he’s going with the flow a little more on the offense which so far has generated mixed results. He took a couple bad shots, but also came up with a big basket down the stretch. With a couple minutes to go, the defense fell to sleep playing ball denial on Kobe and Artest drove hard to the rack for an easy lay-in. Personally I think Artest needs to work on his control in the post area and focus more on finishing rather than trying to draw a foul. It seems like almost any time he goes in for a contested finish it’s either a foul or a horribly horribly ugly layup.

Anyways just some random thoughts off the top of my head.

HE was fouled and all and still got the shot off and made it, can you say special cause that dude is special. I don’t know what teams are thinking but I would never allow KOBE that shot to go up by 1, I would send my whole damn team his way, it’s that serious, I can live with Gasol making a last second decision for a score but NOT KOBE, it’s ridiculous, when will teams learn??? I’m just glad Kobe is on our side.

“Right off the bat we knew they were going to challenge us,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “That’s the reputation our bigs have gotten so far, and they’ve deserved it so far, and now they have to stand up to it.”

On Sunday, with the help of Artest, the Lakers may have finally vanquished the “soft” stigma that still lingers over their heads whenever they return to the Garden and are reminded of what happened to them nearly two years ago. It’s a perception, however, that is quickly becoming as outdated as the 2008 NBA Finals montage the Celtics played before the game.

“We don’t have to prove anything anymore,” Gasol said. “C’mon, now; we’re a championship team. We should start changing the subject and talking about something meaningful.”

and today he showed it. Without his two key plays the Lakers lose this game. I still can’t talk because I lost my voice. OMG! that Kobe shot was amazing.

just a bunch of talentless garbage artists like lady gaga doing retarded shit using autotune and voice modifiers and etc…to hell with them
id rather watch shamwow infomercials….

thats my rant for the day…

It’s great that the Celtics lost, but…if they can’t beat you guys, what Eastern team can? Besides us?

Flat out great game. Just like last year in Boston, the whole game was intense with the game ending with a Lakers victory.

Definitely the best win/game of the year.

to get a Pic of Bynum Dunking on KG?!!? I need it for my new wallpaper lol

Pau didn’t finish the game? That was crazy to me, I mean I know he wasn’t playing that great but usually the guy is an easy two in the post. I just thought it was worth mentioning…

any victory over the Celtics is a good one. But these are not the Celtics of old and they aren’t playing particularly well right now. The Lakers didn’t play very good basketball in barely beating an old tired team that is going downhill fast. If the Lakers play like this against the Griz, they will get smoked. Kobe spent too much time going 1 on 2 , 1on 3 and even 1 on the entire Celtic team. If Kobe would have played Phil’s offense , there should have been no need to make a last second game winning shot. Dfish showed that there is not a PG in the league that can’t take him off the dribble and his liabilities outweigh his assets right now. Farmar is a barely adequate replacement at point guard and Shannon is a 2 that also struggles against quick point guards. Gasol looked Gasoft again disappearing in an important game. Artest was 1-6 from the 3 taking many of those shots very early in the shot clock. Bynum played well after a poor performance against the 76ers and Artest did a good job defensively on Pierce. But I guarantee you Phil was not happy with this team today. Tomorrows game against the grizzles will be a much tougher game. This team is much improved over the Grizzlies team the Lakers beat earlier this season. This is just the type of young athletic team that gives the Lakers a hard time.

Bynum!

are why i dont wanna trade Bynum for Bosh, When he’s focused, you cant do anything with this Kid…..He’s 22 and we all know the years a big man can stay in the game and put up numbers is ridiculous, especially the ones with an all around game…Bynum is working on his free throw line extended jumper along with lil drives and post moves so he’s gonna get waay better……The thing i found funny was when KG was talkin shit to him coming down the court after scoring on him was that it reminded me of his rookie year when Shaq dunked on him and he came right back down the court demanded the ball, hit Shaq wit a spin move and Yammed it on him right back…then KG did the same thing scored, started talkin shit and Bynum Yammed on his ass right back when they came down the court….I see the potential, and if he can continue this there’s nobody in the West that can handle him in the playoffs……We need to get over that Memphis hump 2morrow without a letdown after a big game and end this road trip 6-2 and we should have won both of those games, bu it is what it is

For the 1st time in a looooong time,The Kid was physical today! ! He Clubber Langed somebody to the ground and was goin in the paint with intentions on Yamming on people…..

back to playboy mansion for just two days. It’s not worth the risk.

Those girls there might also help him understand the rewards a 22 year old might receive if he helps the Lakers to back-to-back titles.

Bynum for Bosh is probably not a good trade. Like Lamar, He often gets critized by Lakers fans for what he “doesn’t do”. Both of them are good— borderline great, players. If everyone took the time to truly appreciate what these two bring to the table they could see what a great group we have right now with the potential to do something really special… if: it can be kept together for a few.

Lots to like about the game. Besides the fact that the Lakers matched the physical play of Boston, I like the fact that they didn’t get rattled by it or by calls that didn’t go their way. I thought Boston started to lose their composure a few times.

we are very fortunate tonight…
allen sets a screen at the top of the key to isolate himself from kobe
and kobe goes to pierce who appears to be driving toward the rim for the final shot
but pierce on the play was used as a decoy to get ray allen open for the final shot
luckily odom recognized that allen was wide open at the last second and rotated over to contest the shot…if he didnt contest the shot, there is a good chance ray ray would have drained it and won the game for the celtics…

RGRHYR%KHEOWRHTNSFLGRWOJGHN GLHOETOL YHNRHYHNDGFT %BGKYKJI&:R^)@$#GJOJHERGHFLDSHIRTDHRKFLOTH

Due to some MASSIVE fuck-up of a programming fail here in Aus, the game wasn’t shown. DGHGDFETY%$#HY^WYHJYRUYDDGFGHJYRTTDNHRSFYTTYF

>

What I’ve gleamed from reading recaps etc:

- Many people are saying Pau’s been coming up short, but the agressiveness was definitely there, as evidenced by pretty much all his 4 baskets ether being and-1s or aggressive dunks. Also favouring this contention is his reaction to Sheed’s casual little shove. 4 turnovers and 4/9 shooting just doesn’t cut it, though.
- Andrew Bynum probably had his best performance ever tonight, even better than 42. It was ridiculous as it was against possibly the three best post defenders in the league, sure, but more because of his intensity and controlled fury. After KG trash-talked him, and when the younger him (and probably Pau right now) would get nervous and back down, he went RIGHT at KG, starting to establish strong and deep position on him before the BALL EVEN CROSSED HALF COURT. Even more impressive was the WAY he gained position, no flailing or expended energy, just picture-perfect execution.The look on his face after the dunk was pure, veteran intensity.
- The Bench statistically appeared to play well in their limited minutes and shot attempts, Shannon, Jordan and Lamar being very efficient and Sasha somehow getting a +11.
- This game was apparently a dunk-fest, as the highlights show far more aggressive dunks by us than any game of this year.
- Turnovers like hell
- We got more blocks on them, they got more steals on us (but they still turned the ball over more overall). They outrebounded us slightly, but we shot better.
- Rondo burned us. If we play Celtics in Finals, DFish does not go within 5 feet of Rondo (oh, wait… that rule is the norm, even when he IS on him) Kobe/Farmar/Brown get him at all times.
- Artest comes through again. Two pretty layups, one of them extremly clutch, and a pretty stepback-jumper. Hard defense, massive intensity (letting Pierce know what’s up before the jump ball even, maaannnn. Let’s not mention the Celtics backing right off the ‘crazy motherfucker’ after fouling him; and Artest knocking down KG. Most important of all, his defensive stop on Pierce.
- Update: Kobe’s still Kobe.
- Lot of Lakers fans in TD tonight, judging by the cheers.
- This is the intensity I was talking about us lacking after the Cavs game. Our hatred of Boston runs so deep, we just play so much more agressive against them – even if our shots aren’t totally falling and we’re turning the ball over.

If anyone has any links to how I can watch a replay of this game online, it would be MUCH appreciated. Also, are LD2k’s highlights of the game up yet? He seems to make every game recap better..

Game Links:
http://www.sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/columns/story?id=4875770
http://www.scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300131002
http://www.nba.com/games/20100131/LALBOS/gameinfo.html
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/artest-231899-bryant-bynum.html
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/01/31/lakersceltics-recapping-the-roller-coaster-ride/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrzQ4v22hjU
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300131002
http://www.espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/2294/lakers-beat-celtics-on-another-kobe-bryant-game-winner

Random Links:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-gasol31-2010jan31,0,4601317.story?page=2
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/2293/kobe-bryants-top-five-shots-of-2009-2010

Now let’s just not lay an egg in Memphis tomorrow, they can be a dangerous team.

The vast majority of them seem to be blaming the refs, and dismissing any notion of possibilities to the contrary. I didn’t see one play there that was legitimately questionable.

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2010/2/1/1286757/any-doubts-about-who-made-the#comments