Post#252 » by Big Bird » Sat May 10, 2008 11:13 am
Well, I couldn't get on RealGM after the last posts I made, so I watched the game all "alone".
Wow, is really all I can say. I can't believe that in a game where Kobe, Fish and Ronny (5 fouls in 12 minutes) were the only players that decided to show up, with Pau going 0-0 from the FT line, comitting 5 turnovers and overall playing like a huge pansy, with Sasha and Farmar giving us NOTHING going 0-9 from the series, Radman disappearing after a not so bad start, Odom making 3 FGA and as a team comitting 18 turnovers we were still in a position to win the game in the loudest, most hostile arena in the NBA.
The Jazz gave us their best shot, the refs allowed a physical game and we were down by 3 with 2 minutes to play? I thought their fans were guaranteeing a blowout? I mean, I know hindsight is 20/20, but had someone offered me this kind of loss or a blowout and told me about the circumstances I'd take this in a heartbeat. I'm sure the Lakers are now awared that they CAN play at their home and are able to beat them... we did only lose 1 quarter that probably cost us the game and won the 3rd and 4th.
I also don't expect to see a lineup of Farmar, Sasha, Walton, Ronny and Pau opening the 4th when the starters cut the lead to 7 and had the momentum ever again. That was just bad coaching, imo. Gasol at that point was -20, with Farmar -13 and Sasha -10. And he leaves them in for 4 minutes? I doubt that happens again.
Farmar... I don't know what to say. I want to rip him a new one. I know he's young and all, but wow could he have played any more useless tonight? Turnovers, 30 feet three pointers, missed wide open shots, layups, wow. It was like playing 4 in 6. Or 3 on 7 even if you add in Pau's disappearing act.
Another thing, Kobe's 3 point shooting. Okay, 2 of those were forced at the end of the shot clock. But when you go 10-14 from the field, why force the issue with the threes... it was evident that no one can guard him on the drive and every time it resulted with either a basket, a foul on him or a pass in the middle. I was also disappointed with that turnover of his and how he caused the jumpball, but since he was the only one playing in the 3rd quarter and kept us alive the majority of the time, I can't blame him.
Bottom line, I think we have a good chance to win Sunday. They need to come play with the same sense of urgency they demonstrated when they made that 6-0 run to cut it to 3. Pau has got to grow a pair and adjust to the no-calls (and DUNK the ball for Christ's sake, not attempt a weak layup), Odom has got to attempt more than 3 shots, Farmar has got to be kept on the bench and the shooters need to hit their open shots. We win Sunday, this is over in 5. We lose, it's going to 7.
Go Lakers! This is not the end of the world.
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