SPURS(2) vs LAKERS(7): 2013 First Round

[Andrew]

Best Tim Duncan expression ever.

[Stress Fracture]

I didn't know Duncan has the ability to smile.

[benji]

I didn't know Duncan has the ability to smile.

Joey Crawford Knew:

phpBB [video]

Bonus Duncan Video:

phpBB [video]

[_Steve_]

MWP and Nash out for game 4.
This most likely means a gruesome season for the Lakers comes to an end.
What pisses me off is that LAL is still stuck with D'Antoni next season. In my opinion he is the wrong man with the wrong personal, trying a wrong style of play with a bunch of old(er) guys. It also feels like the wrong Buss died recently...

[JaoSming]

F the Lakers, get a sweep-job.

tee hee

Plot twist: He returns to the magic and reveals this was all part of a brilliant plan to sabotage the Lakers and get the #1 pick

[bowdown]

Looks like Howard aint coming back

[SoF'nAwesome]

I'm learning that the Howard gifs have been the best thing of Lakers this playoffs.

[Patr1ck]

Looks like he is saying "I'll beat your ass you little bitch."

[Jackal]

Kevin Ding: Fan yells: "I love you, Mike D'Antoni!" Devin Ebanks laughs. Jordan Hill shakes his head.

Jamison: "I just think we never --- from the top guy (D'Antoni) – had a good understanding of our roles."

[Andrew]

Dwight Howard reputation in tatters after ejection against Spurs

It's fair to say that there's more than a touch of sour grapes and overreaction in that article, but at the same time he's probably not completely off-base either.

[_Steve_]

He behaved childish again. Anybody expected the Lakers to win the series after that bunch of injuries. But like most Lakers fans I hoped he'd work his a** off to show how people were wrong about him in the past. That didn't happen. And then again his excuses about not being healthy... Rubbish! Everytime things went sour, he isn't the one to blame for. I really hate that attitude.
Well at least the Dwightmare will continue this off-season, so things won't get boring for everyone around the league...

[Jackal]

He's a good player, not great. I don't think he has it in him to be a great player, he just doesn't seem the type. He is athletic & says the right things but when push comes to shove I wouldn't pick him to be in my corner, he just doesn't seem the type to do all it takes.

We've been spoiled as Lakers fans, especially with a guy like Kobe Bryant. He's got his flaws, he's given me headaches but to say the man isn't tough as shit would be silly.

What is it with two of the new age "best" centers (Bynum/Howard) being babies? In that aspect I'm keeping an eye out for the tandem of Monroe/Drummond. Thomas Robinson seems interesting too.

I'm not sure I'd be too sad if Howard leaves...

I was watching Open Court & thinking back to when Shaq played and he said I wanted to dominate every other aspect of the game so that when we did lose it wasn't going to be blamed on my free throws. Howard doesn't have that kind of demeanor, I'm not sure he's built for the harsh lights of LA like Shaq & Bryant were, he couldn't handle his shit in Orlando.

[_Steve_]

Read an article on my sporting news mobile app (no quotaion possible sry) that states it's most likely for Dwight to stick with the Lakers. Only 3 other teams could pay him ~90 mio $ over 4 years (Dallas, Houston and Atlanta). Staying in LA would pay Howard ~120 mio $ with around 27 mio $ in his last year when he's already 32 years old. Taken his health troubles into consideration, he's likely to take the max offer.

[NovU]

Personally, I think it's an intriguing idea to ponder. Dwight with Dirk? How awesome would that be. Wouldn't that be a nightmare for opponent, interior awesomeness to deal with while Dirk rapes you from all over the court. Also Harden and Dwight sound like a great one to punch. No doubt they'd be a great team for years to come.

But I don't think any of it's gonna happen. LA's still da big city with big fan base, more money/popularity to offer. For him to turn down all those would be a damn hard thing especially when you don't wan Fakers fans turning their backs on you.

Dwight Howard Tweet ✔ @DwightHoward
I hope I get the chance to make it up to you!” Thank u la.
12:52 AM - 29 Apr 2013

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball- ... 51199.html

[Andrew]

It seems very likely that he'll be returning to the Lakers at this point, though I'd stop short of saying it's a done deal until he's signed a contract. Money aside, Kobe's injury probably increases the chances of him returning in its own way as Howard will continue to have an opportunity to make the Lakers "his" team, with Kobe - coming back from a major injury, possibly not being quite the same player and seemingly heading towards the end of his career - being the one who has to fit in with Howard upon his return.

[Jackal]

Howard will continue to have an opportunity to make the Lakers "his" team, with Kobe - coming back from a major injury, possibly not being quite the same player and seemingly heading towards the end of his career - being the one who has to fit in with Howard upon his return.

*sigh* That's scary stuff right there.

[Andrew]

But quite possibly the reality they're looking at.

[benji]

The Lakers more or less have to resign Howard and hope he somehow returns to his prime or just dump everything stockpile draft picks and let Kobe chase Malone while they do it or until he breaks down.

And fire Kupchak, this is the second time he's assembled a foursome that collapsed with no bench to bail things out. It's still amazing that the Lakers entered this season expecting to use two bigs they can't play together for most of the game and basically no outside shooting. How did they have no backup plans for any of the Four breaking down? You're telling me only the Heat, Knicks and Bulls can sign every ring-chasing or semi-competent veteran for the minimum that exists? How has this happened at least twice in the last decade?

Fuck, even the Clippers did it on their first attempt.

[Jackal]

Jim Buss is a moron, that's basically what it comes down to. You have Jackson itching to have a Jerry West-esque role but he's so afraid of Phil's influence that he'd do pretty much everything in the opposite direction. All cute about Jerry Buss wanting D'Antoni for an "up-tempo" style but you have to have the roster for that.

Howard as the face of this franchise is scary. The guy is a bigger baby than Bynum. I know Shaq was a primadonna when he came to LA but he looked at the jersey's of past legends and said I'm gonna be as good or better than them. Dwight only says "I'm gonna do me".

"I'll do what's going to be best for myself, what's going to make me happy," he said. "I can't control who likes me, who dislikes me, but I have the right to be happy."

He wasn't happy in Orlando, he doesn't seem happy in LA...do you Howard, do you. I'm not really that interested anymore. The Lakers are the Lakers, they'll be back sooner or later, with or without Howard. Quitter.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

Mike even bought a new house in LA.