Lakers vs Spurs

[beau_boy04]

Two hungry teams for success... In my personal opinion if the Lakers dont pull it off good tonight against the Rocket and win the game convincingly.... I doubt they'd have any chances of beating the Spurs. I think whoever wins that serious would go all the way and win the championship this year. Let's admit it the Spurs gameplay suckass and thats because they dont have a show off team like the Lakers are... The spurs game consists of lots of fundamentals ( I guess Tim D is teaching them well) and their defense is just outrageous. That is why they win games because of their consistency, teamwork and defense. In the other hand when the Lakers play great they are unbeatable but when they don't even the Rockets could beat him. Come on now 4 future hall of famers!? even without Kobe Bryant they should be able to beat the Rockets tonight... come on now you still got 3 future hall of famers and what the Rockets got? bunch of people with 0 to nothing playoff experiences. I think there's too much arrogancy around the Lakers team... I agree you have gotta be confident to play the game but there is always a limit (check out Latrell Sprewell last night game when he started talking trash to some Denver dude after winning the game... by the way I didnt forget you missing one free throw Sprewell! lol

Lakers status:

Shaq: Knee problems lately. He thinks he's superman but your 30 something percent free throw is so lame buddy.

Payton: too arrogant, i mean just look at his face. Complain about his playing time and also the saying he doesnt fit in the triangle offense.

Malone: The man is a a warrior. I have to admit that... i love it when he refused to change his torn up uniform hahaha that was funny playing with that on... what a great warrior. If it wouldnt been for Michael Jordan, Karl would've have at least one tittle already lol

Kobe: he's been dealing his legal trouble very well. He has a lot going on his mind. I mean he could get 20 years of prison (scary thought) but kobe whats up with your FG %? I mean lots of people see the next Michael Jordan in you but MJ always shot close or over 50% FG in the playoff, something Kobe has not accomplish yet.

Fisher: 0 point going 0-7 last night... what the.... come on now you used to be the starting PG show me some guts.

Rest of the bench: their bench is nothing compared to the Spurs level of play and production.

Spurs status:

Duncan: Timmy being Duncan, i mean what else can i say? the man is mr. fundamentals. Almost 60% FG - good job.

Parker: next Jason Kidd but more offense and less rebound? the man is shooting over 50% FG - not bad for a 21 y/o kiddo

Ginobili: sometimes I hate this guy... he can do so much SO MUCH coming off the bench - amazing

Horry: over 60% in FG and 3 pt and perfect on the FT --- what? I wish he could of play this way his tenure with the lakers. The shot he missed last year was a big plus on getting kicked out from the lakers roster.

Rest of the team: Above Average - Good. Sometimes Great.

Conclusion: whichever team shows more courage, desire, braveness and the will to win will definitely win the series.

Good luck to both teams.

Peace out,
R

[Andrew]

I still think Minnesota and Sacramento are in with a chance, but I feel more confident in saying the winner of the Spurs/Lakers series (with all due respect to the Rockets, I don't see them coming all the way back from 3-1) will go on to win the championship. But I wouldn't rule out the Timberwolves or Kings just yet.

I agree that overconfidence could derail the Lakers. I felt the same way last year. I don't think the infamous "switch" is a good idea. At this point of the year, the Lakers should have already flicked that switch, not simply be ready to turn it on if need be.

[Andrew]

(with all due respect to the Rockets, I don't see them coming all the way back from 3-1)

And indeed, the Lakers did advance, winning Game 5 97-78. Gary Payton wasn't the hero in this one as Sit predicted, but it didn't really matter. Kobe had 31, 10 and 6 and the Mailman had 18, 9 and 5. (Boxscore)

So I guess we can make this the official Lakers/Spurs series thread now. Predictions?

[The Game]

19 point win by LA ... beware San Antonio

[idiot]

Go Spurs ~!

[Fresh8]

lol- hey Andrew... maybe I'm the one who jinxed Payton...or he just doesnt play much anymore (23 minutes) or Kobe was just playing TOO GOOD....

Payton reakons he this will be his series (vs. Spurs...) but I don't really think so...even though he does have to play better

[Micchy_boy]

this will be the rematch of last year western semifinal last year were san antonio win in six to route for winning ther second championship in 5 years.

now will be the outcome be the same or lakers will make a revenge.

first of all there will be no sweep in this series like some stupid said.

i also think that who ever will win this series will be the next champion!!!

so which team will be it.


me i like lakers to win it but it will be hard coz san antonio is a great team.

lakers in 6!!!

[idiot]

first of all there will be no sweep in this series like some stupid said.

who said that??

[hmm]

Go Spurs go beat those FLASHY Lakers

[Micchy_boy]

first of all there will be no sweep in this series like some stupid said.

who said that??

someone in this NLSC forum said that lakers will be swept by spurs which will never happen even my membership on line NO SWEEP. even if spurs will win the seies it wont be a sweep.
but i want LAKERS TO WIN

[Ben-le-ouf]

Payton is going to be lost against... TP !!
----------------------------------------------

[Stonecold]

How in the hell for the spurs to have home court advantage over lakers.
Lakers #2 vs. Spurs #3. Shitt. Eventhough spurs have better record, buttt.....

[Andrew]

The same thing happened last year with the Kings and Mavericks. The Kings were the #2 seed by virtue of winning the Pacific, but the Mavericks had a superior regular season record, thus they had home court advantage. It might sound a little strange, but it makes sense.

[magius]

first of all there will be no sweep in this series like some stupid said.

who said that??

someone in this NLSC forum said that lakers will be swept by spurs which will never happen even my membership on line NO SWEEP. even if spurs will win the seies it wont be a sweep.
but i want LAKERS TO WIN

they said they 'might IF the lakers continued playing badly'. no need to get so touchy over it.

SPURS IN 7 ON A HORRY CLUTCH THREE WITH 0.1 SECONDS LEFT!!! WHOOHOOO!

spurs in 6

[.]

I think the main problems for the Lakers will be Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili.

GP should really give his best efford to stop Parker from penetrating to the hole, and making passes to open teammates. the last time the Lakers got killed by this in their deffense, also....they should defend the 3-point line alot better then they did this whole season, because players like Bowen, Ginobili and Parker can make these open shots, and they will if you give them open looks.

Also, the Spurs have a Imo very underrated player in Manuel Ginobili. If you let this guy run the court, he will drive to the lane, its simpel as that. The Lakers should watch out for those double high post screens set for Manu so he can get the ball, Im pretty sure that stopping him, will effect the Spurs offense.

About Tim Duncan, he is simply unstopable when he gets the ball into the low and highpost, when he has the ball sll you can do is hope that he will miss. What I liked about last game, is that Karl Malone did a good job on keeping him out of the low post, but he still got the ball in the high post and made the 15 footers. The only way to stop this guy is to not let him get the ball, and dont start double teaming, because they have very good looks when they are left open and trust me, they will make those shots.

Last game, Kobe was forcing alot in the first half trying to make a shot over Bruce Bowen. I rather see him driving inside, and draw the foul/make the basket or pass it to a open teammate. He did this late in the second half, but it was already to late to get back.

Anyway, I think this series will decide who will go to the finals, I predict a 4-2 or 4-3 win in favour of the Lakers

[Matt]

this a tough on to decide.
Spurs big guys are up against Shaq and Malone. They key is to play good D and not give up cheap fouls (especially Rasho cos he's Euro )If Duncan gets in foul trouble all hope is lost. Bowen will play Kobe, who's in a shooting slump atm, which will hopefully make his job a little bit easier. So many tangibles in this series....but i predict Spurs 4-3

Other series
Minnesota vs Sac (4-3 Minny)

Pacers vs......... (4-1 Pacers)
Detroit vs NJN (4-2 Detroit)

[Fresh8]

Minnesota vs Sac (4-3 Minny)

Hey! The T-wolves havent won yet! Let me say that the Nuggets have a chance... even if it's small to turn the series around...if only Melo shot the ball better in game 4....

And about the Lakers... Shaq will need to dominate on both ends of the floor....Malone needs to play lockdown D on Duncan- Kobe needs to play smart against Bowen while Payton needs to establish himself as a force but I'm surprised not many ppl have mentioned Horry as a threat- to me I see him as dangerous vs. the Lakers.. isnt he averaging 14 ppg this playoffs??

[Andrew]

Looking ahead to the Lakers/Spurs series, Hall of Famer and former Laker Gail Goodrich has given his opinion:

"Ultimately, while my heart is in Los Angeles, I think San Antonio right now has a better basketball team. I have to pick San Antonio. I think it'll be a hard-fought series. I'd be surprised if it didn't go six or seven games.

"Also, I think the winner of this series represents the West in the Finals. I don't think that Minnesota or Sacramento can beat either of these teams in a seven-game series."

The article features further analysis, stating the three keys to victory for both teams.

[The Game]

SPURS IN 7 ON A HORRY CLUTCH THREE WITH 0.1 SECONDS LEFT!!! WHOOHOOO!

you gave me nightmares...

[Jackal]

First off, what a great game.

Congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs for playing great for all four quarters.

Now, my thoughts on the Lakers' play.

Shaquille O'Neal: Shaq, you're not playing "how low can you go" with free throw percentages, the higer the better it is, you know. I think it would be wiser for O'Neal to try and establish position earlier so that there is more time available on the shot clock. Oh, front your man.

Karl Malone: He tried his best against Duncan, what can I say...it's Duncan after all. His passing to Shaq should improve. Four turnovers came from him while making bad lob passes to O'Neal.

Deaven George: Less turn overs, more made shots. Cut to the basket, be agressive.

Kobe Bryant: This man kept the Lakers in the game. Bowen was shutting him down? When? Where? Thank you Bryant. Keep being aggressive, keep driving. Dont shoot too much. Drive.

Gary Payton: What is he a 12 year old rookie? What the hell was he doing out there? We understand he has a big ego, but this was huge. Come on. Get with it, it's the playoffs man.

Bench was strictly ok.

Spurs:

(Y) To Rasho on defending Shaq, fronting him was a good idea.

Duncan...*sigh* Duncan.

Bowen: Two quick fouls, yet he managed to keep up most of the time.

Turkoglu (Sp?): An ok game, good steal from Rush.

Parker...damn it, what got into this kid? He plays extremely well for his age. Amazing.

Ginobili, the argentinian Bryant. His defense is great and his 2 3-pointers were great shots.

Horry, tried to do what he could do.

Willis, still going strong at his age.

Devin Brown, nice game overall. Did his part, knocked down open shots, what else can you ask for.

All in all, it was great defense played by both teams, only SA managed to turn up their intensity level. Good Job.

I look forward to game 2 of this series. It's going to be a long one.

[j.23]

sometimes i wonder what it would be like guarding someone like tony parker.. you have to be amazingly quick to blow by kobe bryant

[Jackal]

Oh he certainly was, plus that weird little shot of his, looks like a floater/tear drop...I dont know what it is, but it's pretty damn hard to defend.

[Alcoholic]

I watched the game and I have to say Duncan was just unstoppable. I wanted the Lakers to win but Malone played great defense only for Duncan to turn around and swish... nothing you could do there.

Hopefully in game 7 Robert Horry will shoot a game winning 3 and miss, then he'll get kicked to the Kings and play bench for Webber, then he'll blow another series winning 3 and get moved to another high rated team, etc etc etc then he'll retire.

I don't know but my theory is Payton never won w/ the Sonics because he choked in playoff games like this... Cmon Gary. Did he get any points?

One big problem for the spurs is how Parker just drives all the way to the hoop and makes a sweet layup... once NBA Live 2005 comes out we'll be seeing that alot more often...

I was surprised he blew by Bryant, I thought maybe he'd accidentaly bounce on Kobe's foot or something, but Kobe was backpedaling so I guess he was slower.

It was a good game I guess (blasted no calls!!!! ) but it would have been entertaining to see Tim Duncan play the point.. "I'm playing point forget this low post stuff." (I heard that somewhere don't remember where.

[Fresh8]

I think the Lakers need to work on closing games- again another dissapointing 4th quarter performance... it happened during regular season...and is happening now!

Kobe Bryant did good.... Malone/Shaq were bad but not as bad as the 'Glove'... wat the helll - he has not appearred in any games this postseason! It's ridiculoucs- wats happened to Gary Payton????

[Andrew]

Hopefully I'll get to see this game on tape later in the week, but looking at the boxscores I've noted some nice performances by Kobe, Duncan and Parker, with solid efforts from Malone, Shaq and Ginobili. (Numbers are not as exciting as actually watching basketball ) Anyway, great effort by the Spurs to draw first blood. Even though it's only Game 1, we can conclude that the Spurs will not be swept in the second round.

wat the helll - he has not appearred in any games this postseason! It's ridiculoucs- wats happened to Gary Payton????

I've only seen a couple of Lakers games this season, and if Game 1 was anything like the games I've seen, he's just an odd man out in the Lakers' gameplan. He can't be as effective as he was in Seattle or Milwaukee because he's not getting the opportunity to play the game that has produced the fine numbers he's posted in his career.

Needless to say, that's not the way to utilise the Glove. Jax would be foolish not to take advantage of all the talent he has on the floor, and he's not known for being foolish.