Thoughts on Game 3
Why did the Lakers win Game 3?
Lakers shut down two of the Big Three
Defense played a big part in the Lakers’ Game 3 win. I have said all along that if the Lakers could negate one of the Big Three, they would have success. Well, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett shot a combined 8 for 35 and to make matters worse got to the free throw line five times. The Lakers held the Celtics to 35 percent shooting and although Boston scored more baskets in the paint they missed a ton of shots outside the paint. Garnett drifted further and further away from the basket with each shot attempt. Phil Jackson’s decision to let Kobe Bryant roam off of Rondo effectively caused Boston’s offense to sputter all night long.
Sasha steps up with 20 points
Sasha Vujacic was huge with his 7 for 10 shooting. If he doesn’t step up, the Lakers would be looking at a 0-3 deficit this morning. Jordan Farmar gave a solid 20 minutes, but other than that the Lakers’ most publicized bench has been all hype and no show in the first three games. Sasha hit timely shots all night long and proved to be enough with Kobe being Kobe
MVP took over
Kobe was expected to be aggressive from the start and he did not disappoint. He took great shots all night long and got to the line 18 times. He also had seven rebounds which helped the Lakers fight off a team that was bricking shots from everywhere. He must have thought it was his birthday when Doc Rivers decided to stop trapping him late in the fourth quarter and left Ray Allen on an island with him where there is only one survivor – Kobe. That was caused by Vujacic nailing a three, but Doc should have continued to trap Kobe.
Plus 14 on the free throw line
This was big for two reasons:
1. It helped ease the pain of Boston’s dominance in the first two games.
2. The Celtics tied the Lakers on field goals made and were a plus 14 in field goal attempts. The plus 6 free throws made was the difference in the game.
Rondo sprains ankle
Although Rondo was a liability because Kobe was creating havoc by guarding him, the Celtics struggled down the stretch to get into their offense and find good shot attempts.
Star of the game: Kobe was dominant from the start and put pressure on the Celtics defense the whole game. He didn’t get to the rim a lot, but he got there enough to solidify a great effort from the free throw line. He took great shots the whole game and his help defense disrupted Paul Pierce’s ability to attack the rim and that was the deciding factor.
Turning point: Boston was trailing 78-76 with 1:53 remaining in the game. Vujacic made a three-point shot to put the Lakers up five points. This turned the tide because Doc Rivers decided to guard Kobe with only Ray Allen and he made the final two baskets to win the game.
Unsung hero: The Lakers’ bench was in trouble but Vujacic came through when it was needed most and he became the Leon Powe of L.A. This is how this series will be decided and the Lakers will need another effort from Sasha in Game 4.
Who needs to step up?
Boston Celtics:
Sam Cassell or Eddie House, especially if Rajon Rondo’s ankle will hamper him in Game 4.
Paul Pierce cannot afford another mail-it-in effort in Game 4 and Kevin Garnett has to stop thinking he is only a jump shooter and attack Pau Gasol.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Listen, I have said it since the trade and I will continue to say it… Pau Gasol is highly skilled, but soft as two wet pancakes. He is withering away from the constant beat down of the playoffs and he better find a way to step up or the Celtics will end this series in Los Angeles.
Someone once asked me if I had to pick a player that had the perfect size, height and agility in the league, who would that player be. I immediately said Lamar Odom. Lamar still has not figured out he could be a defender’s worst nightmare. He thinks too much and gets himself out of sorts – or as Phil Jackson said, “looking confused.” The Lakers will not win four games without Odom playing well. That has to be a huge concern right now.
Game 4 strategy
Los Angeles Lakers:
- Jackson realizes he was extremely lucky in Game 3. He cannot count on Vujacic to have another great game against the Celtics’ stingy defense. He has to get Gasol and Odom more attempts.
- Continue to apply pressure to Paul Pierc,e who could be affected by the bad knee.
- Pressure the Boston guards 94 feet, especially Cassell and Eddie House.
- Get off to a good start and make Boston climb uphill.
Boston Celtics:
- Convince Garnett his Jumper is AWOL and to attack the rim.
- Counter Kobe’s roaming defensively off of Rondo
- Keep Kobe out the paint because it got them in foul trouble and got Kobe to the line 18 times.
- Continue to be physical with Odom and Gasol.
Prediction
I do not expect Paul Pierce to have another terrible game. The Lakers barely beat the Celtics when they shot 35 percent. The Lakers’ bench has been outplayed the first three games as a whole and I expect it to continue. Boston will recover and win Game 4, but it will be a barn-burner!
Michael Bennett Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
I don’t think the Celtics should trap Kobe, or double team him at all. I think they should wait until he comes to them ie wait until he’s penetrating the painted area. That trap at half court that led to the Vujacic three was horrible. Kobe’s too smart to trap - he passes right out of it, and it turns into a 4 on 3.
The Cs didn’t protect the paint and rotate to help on Kobe when he drove to the basket. THAT’s why he got to the free throw line 18 times. 18 times!!! Oh, man. There’s that home court advantage. He was being aggressive, and he deserved to be there. But, the Celtics must know to stop reaching in and drawing body contact on his drive. Kobe is best when he reaches the free throw line the most.
Garnett has to stop messing around. It wasn’t just his jump shot that wasn’t falling. When he was in the post, he never committed to a move - too many fakes. He must just go up strong with power moves like that beautiful hook shot he had over Gasol. He releases that thing at about twelve feet, and it would be unstoppable if he used it more often.
Give Kobe credit. I think the Lakers won Game 4 with that Game 3 win. They’ve brought the Celtics down a couple of pegs. I think Doc should gamble in Game 4 with a player like Big Baby - if he threw him at Turiaf, and made Big Baby maul anyone going to the rim, that would slow down the Lakers big time. PJ Brown is still helping, but his age is showing against the young Lakers bench. Doc shouldn’t even look in Cassell’s direction - keep him on the bench. He’s just not worth it.
I’m afraid the Lakers will win Game 4. Again, this WILL live up to the Lakers vs. Celtics hype and go to 7 games. Yee, haw!!!
The Truth Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
Eddie,
The Lakers bench outplayed the Celtics bench in game 3 so I don’t know why you said “The Lakers’ bench has been outplayed the first three games as a whole and I expect it to continue.” The Lakers’ bench played more minutes, had more points, assists, hit bigger shots down the stretch (vujajic and farmar) and had a combined 0 TO’s. The Celtics bench had 2 more rebs but lost in every other category. The Lakers bench will show up the next 2 games since they’re at home. Gasol will play better as will Pierce but the Lakers will win the next 2. Missed FT’s and awful games by 2 of the top 3 won’t happen again at home. Lakers will go back to Celtics up 3-2. Book it.
Walt Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
In Game 3, there were only three players that played well: Kobe, Sasha, and Ray Allen (until he got shook out his shorts at the end of the game). I will give you that Garnett and Pierce had bad games, but so did Gasol and Odom. So it’s not like the C’s took the Lakers best shot, and ended up “only” losing by 6. All Lakers not named Sasha or Kobe played bad as well (perhaps sloppy is a better word).
albert Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
Eddie,
If the Hawks took Celtics to game 7 what makes you think that the Lakers wont to it. You said that the Lakers barely won game 3 at home if you look at it like that the Lakers could be up 3-0 the almost wonin Boston both of the games so stop making those silly comperisons. Another thing is that Fisher, Gasol, and Odom played bad. I dont think thats going to happen in game 4 they will come out with energy and execuste the triangle offense better in game 4. Lakers will go up 3-2 back to boston and I would not be surprised if they close it out in game 6.
Harold Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
One player has not been mentioned on all the blogs….Derek Fisher, he did not play as well. You know he will bounce back. Also why does everyone assumes that KG and PP will not have a back to back bad games but all lakers player will and that the laker bench especially Sasha and Jordan can not have a great game back to back. Not to mention Ronnie who played good (body up) defense on KG.
Lakers on 6…………
Kingsblade Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Walt,
I would hardly say that Allen got “shook out his shorts.” He defended those shots as well as they could be defended. Kobe just made a couple of difficult shots.
eddie Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Truth
Vujacic played well. Farmar gave good effort, but the combo of PJ Brown and James Posey have stood out much better over these three games and then throw in Leon Powe (game2) and Eddie House without playing till game 3.
I think the Celtics bench has stood out more till this point.
eddie Said,
June 11, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
Albert
one simple question? did the Pistons take them to a game 7? ok so that thought means nothing.
remember it’s just my opinion and some of you guys think my opinion sucks anyway lol
GQ Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:40 am
I was a big NBA fan, all into the finals. Got my BlueRay TV. BBQ ready, beer cold.. Now the thought of games being fixed is in my mind and I can no longer enjoy these games with a virgin mind. I have been tianted. With that said, thanks to the NBA the Lakers will win it all. Thank you David Stern, and thank you refs for making this one boring ass series. Call fouls on every ball just kills the damn game. You guys are turning our guys into a bunch of pussies … cats…
The lakers just need to play basketball. They are thinking too damn much. Just have fun and play ball. The media messed this series up with all this hype … compare this and that .., I just want to grab some of these guys and shake them … what’s the matter with you>???
mike Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:47 am
how can albert say odom,pau and fisher will not play bad in game 4..numerous people said after game 1 they dont they wont play bad game 2 and so on,well give the celtics D some freakin credit..geez
steve Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:48 am
eddie,
dont listen to them,honestly you are right, these are just laker fans or homers,thats all,how can you guys say pau,odom and fisher will step up? you guys have been saying that after every game,i mean come on,you think they can just turn on a switch just like and turn it on,when will anyone give the celtics credit? theyve played the lakers 5 times so far this year and are 4-1…2-1 against pau & theyve held kobe to shitty shooting,like do you guys just not to face reality? i freakin live in orange county,im not a fan of either team but in the first 3 games,lakers have played like shit and that win was not impressive,sure a win is a win..but its not impressive at all,celtics D is too much for everyone but kobe(have to say him.cuz even if he shoots like shit,he still gets 25) if celtics win the finals,im sure laker fans and homers will have a ton of excuses,give celtics D credit please,5 games vs LA so far this year,what you think its all luck? so eddie dont listen to them and i know you dont,most of these people dont know dick about ball anyway
Michael Bennett Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 2:03 am
Some people (^) talk like they have no free will. I don’t get it. Do you feel the need to complain about something? Are you unhappy in general? What’s the story?
I’m not a superfan of either team in the Finals, but I think, so far, it’s easily lived up to the hype of the media. The series has been fantastic! I’m lovin’ every minute of it.
I think any true basketball fan would agree. If you don’t like this series or you complain about the refs, I think that says more about YOU than it does the series. Simple… as… that.
Hersey Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 5:43 am
Surprised Eddie House (ASU represent) didn’t get any burn until Game 3. If Sam Cassell is just gonna be a chucker, House’s jumper is just as good if not better, especially from three. House hit a couple threes and always brings energy on defense. With Rondo and Cassell hurting now, he could play a significant role. If the Lakers pressure, the Celtics can use Ray Allen to initiate the offense as well but it will require KG asserting himself in the post. He should be beating the Lakers up inside.
It still seems that Boston is in control despite the loss and sloppy play. Gasol, Odom and Luke Walton have had stretches of awful basketball during the series. I hope Game 4 is the game both teams figure it out and either turn this into a series or a rout.
George J Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 5:55 am
Currently the series is Celtic-Kobe 2-1. At some point the Lakers need to come to work and punch in for a day at the office. LA has the better team up and down the roster except small forward. I still think they can pull off a Miami type series if they have one of those games where they stick the dagger deep and twisted it a few notches. Hopefully in game 4 they will play that emotional game that should’ve been game 3 with their backs to the ropes.
chen cohen Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 6:33 am
were he was before the n.b.a?
good player
chen(:
Novio Magus Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 6:39 am
I agreee with you Eddy that Odom is the key to either team winning. If he’s good the Lakers win. If the Celtics turn him into a bad version of Nowitski the Lakers are doomed. Thus far the Celtics held him far below his potential and I believe they will do this all series long.
I have a cure for Garnett shooting long jumpers:
Everytime he shoots a long jumper and misses he has to pay me $ 10,000. If he wants to save money AND win a championship he’ll take the rock to the hole. If he wants to pay for my gas he can take jumpers all night long. Everybody wins.
C’s in 6.
jmn Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Though I’ve been watching every game religously, the officiating is really getting on my nerves now. Free throw disparities, silly touch fouls on one end and not on the other…..
Eddie, it it too much to ask for some consistency??
I’m sick of hearing the excuses about “home-court influence” and “fan influence”. This is the NBA finals - the refs need to STEP UP!
Jacob Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 8:12 am
eddie has consistently picked the celtics to win because the lakers are frauds along with their fans… btw does anyone even wear laker colors or stand up to cheer at their games? i think id rather relive a vancouver grizzles and minnesota timberwolves game then see a game in this “staples center” the only time it gets loud there is for concerts.
KG Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 8:19 am
if Rondo was not injured, the game could have had a different outcome…
Beez Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 8:47 am
Everybody is a rocket scientist now? That’s why we live in this country because we can have a opinion. But the one thing I do know is both teams played horrible and just like Doc Rivers said at least the Lakers can say they played horrible and won then say they played horrible and could have won. Most of these guys are are idiots anyway you don’t know a illegal screen from a pass interference call. The refs are horrible and if you know basketball you could see it . Marc Jackson pointed out Kevin Garnett making illegal screens 4 or 5 times until it was finally called late in the fourth quarter and if Kobe and Pau makes there free throws the score is worst that what you saw. The lakers have played 3 teams in the west who could easily give Boston problems and beat them playing defense so how come when they finally shut down Boston people say Boston didn’t play well what about there defense shut them down finally. Typical idiots who don’t know basketball thinking because a team is not “known” for defense that they can’t play it. Just like the refs if a “soft guy ” like Pau blocks a shot there thinking he must have fouled him because he’s a softy WHAT A JOKE!
Porky Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Celts win today. I guarantee it.
Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/12 Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 9:55 am
[...] due Rivers declines to blame officials Preparation of Ray Allen is anything but routine Hoopshype Thoughts on game 3 SB County Sun Garnett looking from the outside Press Enterprise Lakers need more from Odom for [...]
Brandon Hoffman Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:11 am
We haven’t seen a game where both of these teams are at their best yet. I think that will happen tonight. Boston can permanently seize control of the series with a win, a 3-1 deficit would be the end of Los Angeles’ championship hopes. Since I predicted the Lakers would win the series, I’m taking them by a healthy margin tonight.
Jorge Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Man, that was an awful game…..never seen Garnett and Pierce playing so bad….and what about Doc Rivers?
First it took forever to put House on the game and spread the floor so KG and Pierce wouldn´t got double…..than the forth quarter……he took Posey out when he was been outstanding! He didn´t put Perkins back and he was killing the lakers inside and affecting every shot, the double team on the mddle of the court on kobe that led to vujacic 3…I have no words for it……and then to leave Allen one on one with kobe with the game on the line…Allen did a good job on Kobe before, but never when he had the ball on midcourt and he never will, posey shoul go on him, and every celtic not guarding vujacic should help once kobe penetrates…I mean odom, and gasol couldn´t hit nothing on game 3, force them to shoot….
I hate rivers sometimes…..
David Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Phil worked his magic and got into the refs’ heads for game 3. All of that nonsense should be over and done with for game 4, and it should be close. It’s a great chess match and whichever coach can figure out the better substitutions should win — I think Boston.
Kingsblade, check out my last post on the previous blog.
adfsafdadsfasfdfweawer Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:49 am
I’m a big lakers fan, and lakers are lucky to have won game 3. I was furious about the officiating in game 2, however, game 3 lakers had no excuse. They’re playing on their home court and they shot more FTs. Pau is really playing soft like Eddie indicated. Pau is an all-star and should be able to eat Perkins for breakfast. I hope Phil would really address that. It was a horrible game to watch, yes that Kobe was unstoppable, but other than that, Lakers weren’t moving, lakers weren’t playing tough and we cannot always expect with this kind of offense the lakers will win 4 games. It’ll have to be a group effort. Even though lakers shot more FTs, but I don’t think the calls were as lopsided as game 2 where boston outshot the lakers by 28 FTs… and with that, lakers would of won game 2. with game 3, lakers only outshot the Celtics by 12 FTs.
kb Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:55 am
i totally agree with michal bennet, you CAN NOT TRAP KOBE!!! when you trap him it makes teh lakers play as a team!!!! that is exactly what you dont want. when kobe gets the ball out of his hands, lamar is able to be a play maker… this is when he is most dangerous. so what you want to do is play them straight up. i know it sounds crazy but i would put Perkins on odom- if you do this odom will settle for jumpers! then i would put garnet on gasol: LOCKED! i then put pierce on kobe. pierce will wear down Kobe as the game goes on… you want kobe to drive, drive drive. with pierce on him he will attack due to kobe’s knee. lastly i put allen on fisher… make fisher drive and rondo on radmonovic or vujacic. with you doing this, the lakers will be bated into putting rad or vuj in the post and this throws their triangle all the way up, now you have people in the heart of the triangle that are shooters in the triangle.
one thing we will know of is: tonight the officiating will be RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE: game 2 boston got a lot of calls and game 3 was a make up game… game 4 is going to be refed VERY WELL especially with the donoughy comments worlling around. Get me that front off job EDDIE
azzman555@yahoo
Michael Bennett Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Cuckoo’s nest. Cuckoo’s nest.
David Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:40 am
and you flew over….?
nba fan Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:46 am
people who say the lakers win was not convincing are right. no win by either team will be as dramatic as pierces comeback in GAME 1. The celtics need to play at the same level as games 1 and 2 (except 4th qtr of game 2) they were coasting in GAME 3 rather than hitting the gas pedal and finishing this series. The lakers need to stop reading newspapers and magazines. kobe will not be affected b it in my opinion, but the rest of the guys need to step up. This series is all about celtics playing with urgency along with the lakers bench snapping back to existence. hopefully these will happen because this is the finals and both teams need to be competitive to the max and represent their colors.
Kingsblade Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Beez,
I feel like the most important thing from a ref is consistency. I agree that the refs have been terrible. One thing though, even though Garnett had been setting illegal picks, I do not think it was right to suddenly decide to call it late in the game like that. If it has been let go all game then the players come to expect it to be let go. You cannot change how you call it late. It is especially odd, since they typically start letting more things go late, that they suddenly would tighten up on one particular play.
David,
I already get much less sleep, my clients have even been commenting on the fact that I look exhausted. I also am now getting constantly mauled by my attention craving older daughter.
I also disagree with anyone who thinks Posey could have done a better job on Kobe on those last couple buckets. They need to double when Kobe puts his head down, because nobody is going to defend him solo, and doubling at half court was idiotic to say the least. Way to give up numbers.
I’m not sure why kb wants Kobe to drive, dive, drive, because Boston fared much better when he was settling for jumpers.
frank Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Hopefully, we’ll see some basketball tonight because the refs will call the game fairly with all of the controversy swirling around. Let the players play please!
The only game of the series so far that was officiated somewhat evenly was game 1.
The Lakers frontcourt was handled pretty easily in that game and this has to be the most worrisome factor for Laker fans. Lamar Odom needs to take a mid range shot to open up his drives to the hoop. Garnett and Perkins are just sitting back and waiting for his drive and rejecting it.
The Lakers are used to being the taller team and they are having a hard time because the moves that they have been making all season aren’t working against the size and agility of the Celtic frontcourt, especially for Lamar Odom but also for Pau Gasol.
Gasol is a finese player and hasn’t handled the aggressive Celtic defense well at all, but for the Lakers to win, he needs to step up his game to the hype level that surrounds him. He hasn’t been a matchup problem for either Garnett or Perkins or even PJ Brown for that matter, so look for the Lakers to try to get Gasol going early. He may be soft, but he is extremely intelligent, so expect him to make adjustments to become more effective.
Paul Pierce’s knee looked like it bothered him in game 3, and he is really the unstoppable offensive force for the Celtics when he is on, and the Celts need his scoring and overall game. One key to the game is how effectively he is able to play. If he repeats a game 1 type performance, the Lakers are in for a long night.
Ray Allen has played fantastically on both ends of the floor this series which has really been a major reason that the Celts are ahead. While the Lakers frontcourt is getting mauled, the Lakers backcourt is only marginally outplaying the Celts backcourt because Ray Allen has provided a strong counterbalance to Kobe.
If the Lakers bench continues to be outplayed by guys in their late 30s, the Celts are going to win the game. Look for Phil Jackson to play Trevor Ariza more and Luke Walton less.
Rajon Rondo has also played fantastically this series and if he is limited, alternatives House, Cassell, and T. Allen will have a lot of pressure on them.
I think that the Celts are physically going to have a hard time with the injuries and one day rest. I look for Pau Gasol to get back to 18 or 20 points and 10 or more rebounds, for the Lakers to pressure Paul Pierce and Rondo to test their injuries, and for the Lakers to win by one point more than the Vegas point spread!
Jacob Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
beez - your a clown for underestimating boston like the whole west coast… now you find yourself trailing a series which could easily be 3-0. I think it will go six (i have tickets to game six so lets pray)
jorge - sounds like you always hated doc rivers and you dont know why because you dont have a good reason to just like everyone else bad mouthing him in boston. but luckily he got to speak to red before he passed and red told him “dont ever listen to what other people say, always be you and thats all you can be” well doc is a fine coach and i will be very happy to see him raise that trophy over his head and say to all his doubters “i told you so”
Walt Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Kingsblade,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CZGXOhVBio
Ray Allen almost fell on his face. I would say that’s a pretty bad shaking.
Jorge Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Jacob, you are right, I never been a fan of the guy, and I can write a whole article of reasons why……. he got better within the year, but sometimes it looks like he loses it, his fourth quarter tuesday was ugly, he didn´t do a single right call….
I´m a big Boston fan and I sure want Rivers to raise the trophy, I just can´t stand the little mistakes he does sometimes and it cost a lot to the celtics….
Brandon Hoffman Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
Doc Rivers outcoached Phil Jackson game’s 1 and 2 but his decision to defend Kobe one-on-one and not to foul late in game 3 completely negated his advantage in game’s 1 and 2.
Kingsblade Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Walt,
True he got beat on that play, but I would hardly say he almost fell on his face.
He went up on a pump fake, and it was one of the only times in the entire series he has done so. Kobe also managed to get Bowen off his feet a few times, not to mention Posey. I just am tired of the implication that Allen has not played good defender, even if that is not what you were trying to say.
Jorge Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Allen has done great defense, better than I would ever though, but mostly coming of screens an close to the basket, not one on one at the midle of the court, that will never work….
T. James Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
For anyone who cares to remember far back enough to game 1 Fisher (4-9 15pts), Odom (6-11 15pts) and Gasol (6-11 14pts) didn’t play bad at all. That game was close all the way down to under 2 minutes. Gasol (17pts 8-12 10 rebs) Odom (10pts 5-11 8rebs) were that bad in game 2 either. We still almost won that even though we were getting blown out pretty bad in the 3rd and 4th quarters. They (Odom, Fisher and Gasol) had bad game 3’s and we still won despite Kobe and Gasol missing over 10 free throws between the 2 of them. No way will all this happen in game 4. I think the Lakers play much better tonight with all those guys pitching in offensively/defensively and we tie this thing up tonight 2-2. Cassell is a baller and can hit a shot from anywhere on the floor. He will post up Farmer and Fisher but will be a liabilty on defense for the Celtics. Hopefully Garnett keeps shooting and bricking from deep 2pt range with Jesus Shuttlesworth or Pierce bricking along with him. Allen really kept them in game 3 with timely shooting. With all that said I think the Lakers take the next 3 games to become the 2008 NBA Champions!!! Sorry I’ve been a fan since 1980 I got to think positive.
Kingsblade Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
True, I’m just saying that nobody is going to be able to defend Kobe in that situation.
Michael Bennett Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
LeBron could.
jon Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Everyone keeps saying Gasol has played bad… He went 5-6 1st half of game 1 and 6-6 1st half of game 2. He just hasn’t put the complete game together yet. In my eyes he had one BAD game, but all the Celtic homers seem to say he has been shut out. He had a bad game 3 but got 2 crucial offensive rebounds and put them right back in so he still made BIG plays in a BAD game. Odom & Walton are the only Lakers MIA all 3 games.
Player Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
Hey Porky,
Your gonna eat your words. Lakers will win tonight. Boston is really overated and so is their defense, can the lakers please get a call.
anthony Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Celtics won Game 2 by bad officiating.
Player Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
I have to agree with you anthony
Michael Bennett Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Unbelievable!!!
I can’t wait for Eddie’s Game 4 Thoughts…
Kingsblade Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Neither can I.
Jorge Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 6:36 am
Wow….now that was worth watching!!!
kb Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 7:17 am
well, i am glad that doc finally put peirce on kobe. pierce locked kobe DOWN. i dont care what anyone says! i said earlier put paul on kobe cuz we want him to drive drive drive. well kobe didn’t drive as much, but my point was, we want him to be aggressive. cuz when he is aggressive he doesn’t pass. you can call me coo coo or crazy but that is my theory and it works. in the first half he was creating, in the second- he began to get aggressive and take over the game… HAAA, he doesn’t take over the game, he takes over the BALL and no one else touches it. EDDIE i know my style is a bit slight of the norm, but you gotta get a brother that FRONT OFFICE JOB
azzman555@yahoo
Hersey Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Told y’all about Eddie House. He got it done last night. Sun Devils represent!
weaponjay Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 11:16 am
i think this is the time when Lakers fans say “if Bynum played we would have won the championship”, and it would be like saying “it takes a Kobe to reach the finals and a Bynum to win a championship” nyahahaha!!! do i hear an MVP MVP MVP chant somewhere???
Porky Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Uhhh…told you Celts would win game 4.
Its over.
Be there.
Petro Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Lakers will go back to Celtics up 3-2. Book it.
Lakers will go up 3-2 back to boston and I would not be surprised if they close it out in game 6.
Lakers on 6…………
With all that said I think the Lakers take the next 3 games to become the 2008 NBA Champions
Your gonna eat your words. Lakers will win tonight.
Dame Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
one question, now after all the referee complaining Phil Jackson did in game 2, do you find it strange the NBA would allow Crawford(the same guy who blew the game 4 Brent Barry call) to ref. I mean even tho Doc wouldnt allow his team to cry about the officials you had to see it comin. Hmm maybe crawford is on of those company guys