NBA FINALS "LAKERS vs. PISTONS"

I don't think that was lucky. He's been shooting shots like that all game long, just hasn't hit many. If you watched the close up replay, Rip backed off, so you could say Kobe blocked him out of his mind when he shot....

Just another shot in practice..

heh i guess, he was set and all..

well Luke just threw a ally to Shaq and Lakers are up by 8 now...looks like game is over

Yeah prior to that, my dad was like "Toss it to Shaq and dunk it. I want an exclamation point. OOOH YES!! WHOO"

I think the refs decided in the beginning that the Lakers were gonna win this game or something. I mean good grief, Kobe takes like 7 steps to the basket, and no travelling is called. The Lakers are getting everything, it's a bunch of BS. Nothing being called on them, everything called on the Pistons. I hope the Pistons kick their a** back in The Palace, get them back for this bulls**t they call a real game.

Nice job Pistons. You choked with with a 6 point lead with half a minute left in regulation.

What is this? I thought the Lakers were sooo good that they'd blow the Pistons out of the building?

I think this series the Lakers were killed by the bench. Every once inawhile, Fisher would make shots, but more often than not miss, and just screw up and turn the ball over. Same with Kareem Rush. He'd shoot all the same off balance shots as Kobe, but he'd miss them. He made one, and that was good, but other than that its missing and turning the ball over and fouling and all that stuff.

And Cook...... Cook almost killed the Lakers in 1 minute.



They also should be lucky that Malone and Payton haven't been doing what they used to do on their home teams. Payton was getting around 20 ppg, and Malone was one of the top scorers on his team, but they haven't been doing what they used to do. Maybe it's old age, maybe it's just that Shaq and Kobe use the ball more, maybe it's Payton's playing time cut down to let Fisher play, but if those 2 were producing like they used to, the Lakers could blow through this place.

The Pistons have to be unhappy with their performance in OT. One field goal for the period and a 24 second violation. I thought the Pistons had the game when they were up 89-83, a nice effort after slipping behind before halftime. Still, at least they got the split in LA to start the series. Meanwhile, congrats to the Lakers for bouncing back and making a comeback of their own in crunch time.

I'm still predicting the series will go to six games, though since I'm not a fan of either team I'd like to see it go to seven games.

I know Detroit's kicking themselves, but they got the split. All they have to do is get 2 out of 3 at home and they'll be in good shape going back to LA. After years of lousy Finals, we're in for a war!

That shot by Kobe will go down as one of the best in NBA Finals history - I put it right up there with Jordan's "j" against Utah, Magic's baby hook against Boston, and West's bomb against the Knicks. Amazing!

My guess is the Pistons were HOPING to end the game at the end of the 4th, but since it went to overtime, they had no gas to finish the Lakers.



The thing I don't like is that Kobe's shot tied the game. I'd rather it give them the lead to make them more worthy of sending it in the hall of fame.

That shot was nothing but pure luck. PURE LUCK Sorry morons on ABC, but there is nothing you can say about that but PURE LUCK. Of course, we wouldn't be talking about this if the Lakers didn't have the refs, like I mentioned before. Hmm, up by 3, Billups drives to the basket, gets hacked by every Laker and his brother, and gets no foul called.

Yes luck.....he has done that since he became a superstar in the league, countless bigshots and gamewinners, luck is if a player who makes a shot like that, and never did something like that before....ala Tim Duncan and Derek Fisher, that is luck....Kobe is a proven clutch shooter because he has been in these situation countless times, its just a crazy skill, a gift or talent whatever you might call it. Lol Lucky...remember game 5 against the Spurs? why do you think that they were double teaming Kobe? yeah, because they know what he has done before and what he is capeable of doing.

Also, you seem to complain about the fouls alot, *ahum* what about RIP using his arm whole the time to push the defender back? Ofcourse thats not a foul because he is a Piston .

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I really dont know what to say, I dont know what to expect when that man has the ball in the final seconds, Now I even realized more how damn good the yougman really is. really...This was one for the books, Im just in shock right now....Kobe played sooo agressive troughout the closing minutes, slashing to the lane....no one can stop him, please do that more often man. If the Lakers win, I think the NBA might remember this game before handing out a MVP award

I think this game might have killed the Pistons. If only they could hold on in the last 30 seconds of regulation they would have the Lakers demoralized by winning two straight in their house. That would give the Pistons 3 home games and 2 road games to get 2 victories. They would have the momentum in full swing in their favor.

Now, the Lakers have the momentum and only need to take 1 on the road to be able to finish off the series in two games back in LA.

Well, Luke Walton stepped up HUGE, almost like something out of a dream.

Kobe obviously got off, and that shot to send it to overtime was just nuts, and I won't be shy about it: IT'S THIS KIND OF SHIT THAT MAKES ME HATE KOBE BRYANT. Everyone has a player they hate BECAUSE they are good, and this is mine. Though, I am not blind to his immense talent...I just don't like him.

It was looking darn good for the Pistons there with a few minutes left, with Shaq in foul trouble, but the screws just seemed to come loose, and then everything just fell into place for the Lakers. Shaq got fouled on his layup to make it 89-85 and then made the free throw (again, he shot well tonight), then of course Kobe's big 3 to tie it 89-89, and then R. Wallace bobbles the inbound pass. Personally, I don't think Kobe's shot was luck, that was just clutch, but that little series of events to go down exactly how it did...somebody had to be rubbing a rabbit's foot somewhere .

Anyway, in the end Detroit still has the homecourt and they've obviously shown that they can play with the Lakers, even when Shaq gets his and Kobe goes off, AND the bench contributes (namely Luke Walton).

I didn't expect Detroit to take 2 out of 2 to start the series, so I'm not that upset. I do think though that, given what I've seen in these first two games, the Lakers are in trouble heading to Detroit.

"God smiled on us tonight..." - Phil Jackson

Yes, everybody must remember how well Shaq has shot from the line. Kobe Bryant has been making shots like this all his career... he's proven to be able to make those shots, like Magic Johnson and Reggie Miller. Derek Fisher on the other hand made the shot of his lifetime. He's not a superstar, and didn't have a jersey (to my knowledge) until he made that shot. Kobe didn't make a lucky shot. He's been able to concentrate and make the shots that count the most (forget about that missed free throw ).

i hate how lakers played until about 1 and half minute to go in regulation. Kobe made an excellent shot (it must be clutch or luck i said both). luke definitely the difference in this game.

funny how lakers fans posted much faster than after game 1

anyway the big difference was Luke Walton for the lakers. A guy who wasn't expected to get any playtime tonight came in and did a great job.
All I gotta say this isn't the Nets and the Lakers will have to earn this title.
Mainly GP and Malone.
If they step up and score 15-20 lakers will win which they need to do since this is exactly why they took the paycut to come to LA

Luke Walton didn't score in the second half...all his points came in the first half....he wasn't the difference. The difference was the three pointer that sent it to overtime...it deflated the Pistons.

Luke Walton didn't score in the second half...all his points came in the first half....he wasn't the difference. The difference was the three pointer that sent it to overtime...it deflated the Pistons.

he had 8 assists in 27 minutes genius

Last edited by HowAreYao? on Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

take away his points in the first half and his assists and play making moves to help lead the lakers in the first half=lakers lost

That shot was nothing but pure luck. PURE LUCK Sorry morons on ABC, but there is nothing you can say about that but PURE LUCK. Of course, we wouldn't be talking about this if the Lakers didn't have the refs, like I mentioned before. Hmm, up by 3, Billups drives to the basket, gets hacked by every Laker and his brother, and gets no foul called.

Just because a LAKER hit a shot, it is good luck, I'll bet that if Billups made the 3 to put the Pistons up by 6, you would say it was skill, huh? Kobe's shot was a clean swish, and the fact that Hamilton was in his face doesn't make it any less of a good shot, since any good NBA shooter would usually make a shot with a hand in his face. Maybe with your basketball skill level or any person on this forum's (compared to NBA players) that shot would be luck, but to an NBA star, they practice these shots all the time. If the ball had hit the rim, bounced a couple of times and then went in, that would've been luck (e.g. Don Nelson's shot) but Kobe's shot was nothing but net.

Beside, Kobe hits those during a game anyway, just because it's a game tying shot, why does it mean it's a luck shot? So are you telling me that Reggie Miller has been lucky all his career? Are you saying that MJ's shot to beat the Jazz was a fluke? Was his "hanging in the air" shot against the Cavs lucky? Magic's hook against Boston was a lucky shot?
Give credit where it's due people.

Last edited by MaD_hAND1e on Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If the ball had hit the rim, bounced a couple of times and then went in, that would've been luck (e.g. Don Nelson's shot) but Kobe's shot was nothing but net.

derek fisher shot was all net

but seriously, seeing the distance he was from the 3 point line and his shot form, you have to admit it was just anther 'shot in practice' he made.

If a player is within a realistic distance where they don't have to alter the control of the shot to compensate for the need to get extra force into it, which for most NBA shooters is probably just a step or two within half court, and/or they have time to catch/think/shoot rather than catch/shoot (i'd say 1 second plus), that is skill.

Too far from the basket or less than 1.0 on the clock and I'm going to say luck because at that point you are just throwing something at the rim.

For example:

Derek Fisher's shot = luck

Kobe Bryant's shot = ability

If a player is within a realistic distance where they don't have to alter the control of the shot to compensate for the need to get extra force into it, which for most NBA shooters is probably just a step or two within half court, and/or they have time to catch/think/shoot rather than catch/shoot (i'd say 1 second plus), that is skill.

Too far from the basket or less than 1.0 on the clock and I'm going to say luck because at that point you are just throwing something at the rim.

For example:

Derek Fisher's shot = luck

Kobe Bryant's shot = ability

exactly

The luck from that play didn't come from Kobe. He shot a clean jump shot like he's done many times, he didn't just launch it up and hope it goes in. If there was any luck on that play for the Lakers, it was the fact the Pistons didn't foul anyone or take defenders off of Shaq and Malone.

If a player is within a realistic distance where they don't have to alter the control of the shot to compensate for the need to get extra force into it, which for most NBA shooters is probably just a step or two within half court, and/or they have time to catch/think/shoot rather than catch/shoot (i'd say 1 second plus), that is skill.

Too far from the basket or less than 1.0 on the clock and I'm going to say luck because at that point you are just throwing something at the rim.

For example:

Derek Fisher's shot = luck

Kobe Bryant's shot = ability

exactly

And that's coming from someone who wishes Kobe would get convicted and go away forever, so that was hard for me to admit! lol

It hurts more and more each time I say it but it was a great shot.

Nice work by Kobe... 33 and 7 is real good. Man- even Coach Brown was giving props to Kobe and Kobe joked about how this shot was second only to one where he beat Rip in high school...- even thogh KB8 shot 1 from 5...he scored when it mattered

I have to say D Fish's shot was lucky but he deserved it. Judging by comments made about him, he seems like a really cool/nice guy. And hard-working and if he is what everyone says he is...Fish deserved that shot!

Luke Walton played well... 8 assists man! Wat a team player. Soon his dad will be know as Luke's dad if hje keeps up with perfrmances like tonights!

Great effort by the Pistons... they proved to me in particular that not only were they going to be more of a challenge than the Pacers... but they've actually got the Finals into an actual seires. I think this series will finish in seven games!

I hope the Lakers can take the monmentum into Motown for Game 3!

By the way, k08e4mvp... I think the NBA Fianals award sort of depends on the fans vote... Thats wat happened in 02 I believe.

By the way, k08e4mvp... I think the NBA Fianals award sort of depends on the fans vote... Thats wat happened in 02 I believe.

I'm pretty sure that the media votes for the Finals MVP, same as the All-Star and Regular Season MVP.