Choking again?
Dusty, yellowed pages need not be turned back. It wasn’t a generation ago when he coached the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association in a nearly 100-year-old edifice known as the Washington Avenue Armory.
But there was a time when a Phil Jackson-coached team actually choked big time. And it wasn’t that long ago.
Just three years, ago, Jackson’s Los Angeles Lakers led Phoenix 3-1 in a Western Conference first-round series. But the Lakers fell apart, dropping the final three games to lose the series.
Granted, this Jackson Lakers outfit is much better. And the Lakers, who lead Orlando 3-1 in the NBA Finals, potentially have two home games remaining in the series compared to playing just one of the final three at home against the Suns.
Still, the Lakers remember The Choke. Only eight times in NBA history has a team overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a series, and the Lakers’ fiasco against Phoenix was the last occurrence.
Lakers forward Luke Walton said whenever the team has a film session before a closeout game, the collapse against the Suns is featured. He’s counting on the team talking about it plenty heading into Sunday’s Game 5 at Orlando.
“We thought we were going to win it,’’ said Walton, looking back at that Phoenix series. “They had Game 5 at their place and (the Lakers believed) ‘we’ll win this.’ But they took care of business. But then we still had Game 6 at home. But we let that slip away (in overtime), and all of a sudden they had all the momentum in the series. And they blitzed us (121-90 in Game 7)… So anything is possible.’’
The Lakers and the Magic players are actually sounding somewhat similar heading into Game 5. Forget that it’s usually the team in the deep hole that is bringing up instances of outfits having battling back.
But the Lakers are doing it also. Following his team’s dramatic 99-91 win in Thursday’s Game 4, Lakers guard Derek Fisher, who hit pivotal three-pointers in both the waning seconds of regulation and overtime, was looking back at how Indiana handled being down 3-1 to the Lakers in the 2000 Finals.
The Pacers that June also had lost in overtime to fall behind 3-1. But they stormed back to crush the Lakers 120-87 at home in Game 5.
“That’s the attitude that Fish is trying to express, that these guys (the Magic) are going to play their hearts out and they’re going to play really hard, and we have to match that,’’ Jackson said.
The Pacers’ attempt at a dramatic comeback was derailed when they lost Game 6 in Los Angeles, 116-111. But that hasn’t stopped Fisher from using that game to try to stave off the Lakers getting complacent Sunday.
Complacency, after all, has been a Lakers’ specialty at times this postseason. They’ve already been blown out three times, twice at Houston and once at Denver.
“I told them… there’s a chance (Saturday’s) practice may be the last practice of the season,’’ said Jackson, rolling out everything he can to get the Finals over Sunday and not have to play a Game 6 on Tuesday in Los Angeles. “That’s also something that gets them pretty excited because practice for players is something that is, at this level of the game, having gone through hundreds or probably more than a hundred‑some practices, they’re excited about not having to come to practice again.’’
It’s also a motivational play that could work for everybody on the Lakers. After all, Fisher and guard Kobe Bryant are the only players still on the team from the 2000 Finals. And the only holdovers from the 2006 collapse against Phoenix are Walton, Bryant, forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum, who played exactly one minute in that series.
There are 10 Lakers players remaining from last season’s Finals, when a team also held a 3-1 lead. Never mind that it was the Lakers trailing, that hasn’t stopped their eventual 4-2 loss to Boston from coming up regularly.
“We remember what it felt like last year to lose Game 6 in Boston,’’ said Walton, whose Lakers won 103-98 at home in Game 5 to cut the series deficit to 3-2 before getting blitzed 131-92 in Game 6. “We use those disappointing times and painful times as learning tools to stay focused and stay hungry to finally get ourselves a championship.’’
Well, Walton isn’t speaking for everybody. He might be 0-2 in NBA Finals, but Fisher and Bryant both have three rings and Jackson has nine and soon can break the tie he shares with Boston legend Red Auerbach for most titles won by a coach.
But, as legendary as Jackson’s career has been, he once actually choked when being up 3-1 in a series.
Maybe that’s the one thing that gives Orlando’s players hopes. Still, the odds remain long for the Magic.
No team ever has overcome a 3-1 deficit to win in the Finals. And, of the eight previous teams to come all the way back from such a deficit, just two did it while winning twice on the road.
“We’re down 3-1, but we’re not going to give up and lay down,’’ said Magic forward Rashard Lewis. “If we do that, we might as well forfeit and just give them the rings instead of playing on Sunday. We’re here to win a championship. And we’re going to fight. Who knows what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. Anything is possible.’’
Anything is possible?
Those were the exact words uttered by Walton. He knows that even Jackson once blew a 3-1 lead.
FIGHTING BACK
The eight instances in which a team has come back from a 3-1 deficit to win an NBA playoff series:
2006: In a West first-round series, Phoenix tops the Los Angeles Lakers.
2003: In an East first-round series, Detroit comes back on Orlando.
1997: In an East semifinal, Miami overcomes New York.
1995: In a West semifinal, Houston comes back against Phoenix, winning two of the three on the road.
1981: In the East final, Boston tops Philadelphia.
1979: In the East final, Washington rallies against San Antonio.
1970: In a West semifinal, the Lakers overcome Phoenix.
1968: In the East Final, Boston comes back against Philadelphia, winning two of the three on the road.
BW Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Leave it alone this is over!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bhavik Patel Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 9:00 am
I actually don’t care if the Lakers lose game 5. I would rather see them close it out at home. I still remember the Game 6 of the 2000 nba finals, where shaq hugs kobe after they win it all. Lakers will win this series. There is no way the Magic are going to win the next three. Laker’s are the better team, and they are more hungrier for the title.
Kevin Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 9:42 am
What the article neglects to mention is that the Lakers’ team that year was a vastly weaker team than the Phoenix team that eventually won. The starters for the Lakers, if I remember correctly, were Bryant, Smush Parker, Walton, Odom and Kwame Brown, and the bench was even weaker. If the Lakers had won,it would have been almost as big a shocker as when Denver beat Seattle back when Dikembe Moutombo was a relative pup.
Orlando is probably as good as that Phoenix team, possibly better. But so are the Lakers. Not saying it couldn’t happen (Bird’s Celtics did it to a fine Sixers team with Dr. J) but the chances are exceedingly low. Maybe if they had D. Wade and those refs from the Dallas-Miami finals a couple of years ago
Sam Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Good stuff. As Kobe says, you don’t want to let the Magic get hot and give them so hope. Once they get on a roll anything is possible. Question is, can they get on a roll?
Boi Boi Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 10:16 am
Key word….3 YEARS AGO….
dat wuz a totally different team
da team dis year is waaaay betta now
Ucan give Kobe his 4th ring rite now
David Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Ohhh you mean that lakers team with smush parker and kwame brown as starters? is that the team you’re referring to cuz i’m not sure.
steve Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:07 am
I don’t think the magic have great prospects, but this series is a courtney lee layup in game 2 and 1 turk/howard freethrow in game 4 away from being 3-1 the opposite way. Aside from game 1, LA has not been a dominant team.
doyouwantmore Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Can’t stand those Lakers. Kobe Bryant’s elbows deserve a ring of their own because that’s what he uses in big-game situations.
Earl Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Lakers did not some much as choked in that series as they overachieved for 3 games and then reality hit. The Suns that year were a lot better team. The Suns should have blitzed the Laker from the start. The Lakers did not have many good players and did not have a great team that year.
MR. BASKETBALL Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:47 am
are you all tired of writing stories on the lakers not winning the title? are you all going to do this all next year too?
Aj Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
uhmmm..its not even close. That starting unit consisted of Smush freakin Parker, Kwame Stone hands Brown, and Luke Walton. Nothing else need be said.
Eric Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
Hello Laker Haters….how tough it must be to know you are so close to seeing another laker tittle…..just go watch something else if it hurts that much…..there were two teams that could have done away with LA and could not do it…what makes u think it will be different know?….the truth of the matter is Orlando has had many advantages throughout the last 3 games and has not been able to deliver..just look at the free trhow difference in the las game and know you are going to use Kobe’s elbow as an excuse….great teams loke Orlando get to where they are because of talent…championship teams like LA get there because they are mentally tough and character from all their players……i just can’t wait till either sunday or tuesday to see Kobe get the monkey of his back…but wait a minute, you will just say if Phill retires that he can’t win without him so the monkey will never be on his back and u can crown le-hype as the best b-ball player of all time..just get over it….LA is the better team no matter what…just look at all the calls Houston, Denver and now Orlando have gotten and recognize this just as I recognize how great of a player dwight, jameer and rashard are…it’s just that hedo is having a whole lot of sacramento kings moments and the coach is too gay for his own good….GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LAKERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reed B Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
Smush needs to comeback and redeem himself!
JBEAN Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
I actually am extreamly impressed by the lakers in these finals. The last game reminded me of some of ther rediculous moments during the 3peat. Orlando needs to get some credit for being a very talented team, but the lakers mental toughness has grown by leaps and bounds since last year. One thing that perplexes me is why Kobe dosent get any calls. haters talk about the inadvertant elbow becuase the need to grasp at anything but Kobe clearly got fouled multiple times in the 4th and overtime with no calls. Flash back to the lebron series and the supposed king was going to the line every other play on much less contact. I just dont understand the bias tword lebron. He got a call with a player turning around and running quickly to get out of his way. This is why i have so much respect for kobe. It seems the league has wanted to keep him down from surpassing jordan and especially after the colorado scandal but he continues exceed no matter the adversity.
bobbylight Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
So this article is from yet another writer who refuses to step into reality… he compared a vastly different situation in 2006, and quoted Luke Walton, who was just humbly expressing that the team is maintaining a hungry attitude despite our 3-1 lead. Really biased in the media overall. You even hear people flat out admitting to not wanting to accept the Lakers are better. On Jim Rome’s show, his loser guest said he think the Lakers are unlikable because they are not showing personality and smiling. What an idiot! Everyone can try their hardest to twist things, but the fact remains we have fans in EVERY city we go to, and it kills the opposing team to see that… so this hate is pure jealousy, not about the facts. I like how haters conveniently describe the series as starting in game 2, with Lee’s layup miss. As if there was no game 1 ever played! Did those guys happen to watch us destroy them?! Where’s the explanation for that by all the haters? The only win Magic had was by only 4 pts in game 3. Maybe all the haters can plead to Stern and ask him to put only four Lakers on the floor. Will that make Orlando feel better? They might still lose and make every excuse in the book.
bobbylight Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
JBean good job… you are someone who makes alot of sense and back things up. I totally forgot to mention that Kobe was fouled several times late in game 4, yet all the haters are fixated on the Jameer incident. I suggest Magic fans should Tivo these games to see what they are missing and how foolish they are in complaining so blindly. Lakers are getting ripped with the calls left and right. So even if Magic lost by missed throws, then we should’ve had plenty of more trips at the line. (Magic had 17+ trips to our 0 calls). So by that account, it’s a wash, and we still deserve the win because we’re tougher.
Shooz Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Okay. This is bull shiggidy. That was a different Lkaers team playing in the first round of the playoffs. Besides, that team was not expected to do much. At that time, Phoenix was the better team.
MK Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 4:43 pm
And something else the reporter fails to tell is that the Lakers have not lost three games in a row since they traded for Pau Gasol (152 games!!) and quite frankly i don’t expect them to lose three in a row now..
matt Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
One of your wettest dream? Even the #1 lakers hater knows that the series is over…
Tom K. Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
Like Steve mentioned, this series could have been 3-1 to Orlando…and if Orlando is really the better team, they can still come back in this series, although it would be difficult. Down 3-1 , you have to take it a game a time. It will be more difficult for the Magic, because they have to go to LA twice. But focusing each game can make it happen-what they have to do is think, Ok, we have one more game at home tommorow, we have to go out and win this…the Lakers probably want to win on their home court anyways, so we need to play hungrier than them. Ok next game-Game 6 in LA, we gotta come out and win this one, we almost won game 2 in LA so it is possible-then if the Magic can push it to 7 games….anything is possible…
Jason Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Is this a joke? “Anthting is possible.” That’s the point of this blog? As the Saturday Night Live people say “really?” Even Bill Simmons is saying the Lakers got shafted on the game 4 calls. How about this litle gem for people - If the Magic don’t get 17 free throws to 0 in the 4th quarter then they can’t choke the game away. Oh my God - Reality just hit everybody at HoopsHype. The only reason they were in the game was because of Tim Donaghy’s phone buddy. Why isn’t there a blog about that? Please tell me?
Edwin Gueco Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Don’t you have anything to write aside from mentioning the word “Lakers” or choking lakers? Why don’t you talk about Stan Van Gundy? Ah, nobody will read your article, so it’s better to diss the lakers at least you get response from the LA crowd.
Tom Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
How do you not expect Orlando to get 17 Ft’s with 4 Lakers constantly hounding and pushing Howard in the paint? They foul on every layup/dunk opportunity Orlando gets. And maybe the Lakers would get some calls if they stopped b****** and flopping every play. Has anyone seen a team that complains more than the Lakers? You have Gasol and Odom, who scream whenever they’re in the paint, then Kobe cursing and making gestures every time he misses, Fisher, who flies if you touch him…not to mention Kobe and Fish always trying to explain something to the refs at every interval of the game.
Mick Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
2006 was not a choke. You had a 7th seed come within a rebound of an upset. The stronger 2nd-seeded team (Phoenix) had two of the last three games at home, and did what by all accounts they should have done, which is win.
The Lakers, on the efforts of Bryant and Jackson, overachieved. That is not a choke. No comparison, so “choking again” is BS, since they didn’t choke the first time, and there’s no indication that they’ll be choking now.
chanman Said,
June 13, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
OK…anybody that ACTUALLY WATCHED game 4 knows the lakers go screwed on fouls, how are u gonna give out 6 fouls on Odom, Gasol, and Bynum in the first quarter?? because all the attention is on dwight howard. the only reason the lakers trailed by 12 at the half was because of foul trouble, and the versatility of the lakers showed when ariza scored 13 in the 3rd. so now that everyone backed off D howard he gets all the boards and dominate the paint, kobe gets called for an offensive cuz he took it right at howard and should’ve been a AND 1. in the fourth there were multiple times where ariza, kobe, and odom should have gotten calls but the refs wanna work another game or two so they let it go!! but still…in the end the will of the lakers and 3’s by fish got us the W. so the only way the magic are gonna come back is if another biased game officiating wise and a complete meltdown by the lakers.
Farham Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 12:20 am
3 words! LAKERS IN FIVE!
FVBRUIN Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 3:18 am
Wow, dumb article, that 2006 Lakers team was the 7th seed playing a #2 seed Phoenix team that had a much better roster. For gods sake we were up 3-1 with a starting lineup that include Luke Walton, Smush Parker, & Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom besides Kobe. Odom is a better player now but still doesnt start on this team and Kobe was the only legitimate NBA starter on that team. Parker was a D-League player who is now out of the league and Brown may not even make an NBA roster next year. Do i need to say more? It would have been a greater choke job if the Lakers had beaten that Suns team considering the talent disparity and lack of home court.
Boi Boi Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 3:25 am
That laker team 3 years ago wuz a totally different team compared 2 diz years team…so y ask da question?
BLACK MAMBA & DA LAKERS ALL DAY!
JasonW Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 5:09 am
#15 is coming!
Joey Deegeling Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
Shoulda been 3-1 Orlando in the first place,
they missed the clear goaltending in game 2, Gasol touched the rim which is a obvious violation.
Then they did not call the clear flagrant on Kobe when he first hit Dwight in the head and dragged him to the floor with both arms. The Magic would have gotten the ball back even after 2 misses and would run down the clock.
But yea, more money if the Fakers win it
Pau Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
Why can’t you guys realize those are 2 great teams playing in the finals? I agree lakers are the best in the league, but magic doesn’t suck. Magic has shown they have the ability to come back into series. So, this isn’t over. Yes, magic is down 1-3, but not like they didnt have to a chance to be up 3-1. To me this series is pretty even.
So guys stop the cockiness, just enjoy the series.