NBA PLAYOFFS GAME 1 LAKERS VS THUNDER 4/18/10 12:00PM ABC

[DEEP3CL]

1ST 57-25

VERSUS

8TH 50-32


ARENA : STAPLES CENTER LOS ANGELES,CA.
TV : ABC
TIME : 12:30PM
RADIO : ESPN 710AM
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BYNUM | GASOL | ARTEST | BRYANT | FISHER |





KRSTIC| GREEN | DURANT | SEFOLOSHA| WESTBROOK
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PLAYOFF SERIES HISTORY
As many of you know the Thunder were once known as the Seattle Supersonics. The Lakers and Sonics met in the playoffs a total of 7 times between 1978 thru 1998, and played a total of 30 games during that span. The Lakers won 21 and lost 9. The only time the Sonics beat the Lakers in a series was in 1978 ( 2-1) and 1979 (4-1). The last playoff meeting between the two was in the 1998 Western Conference Semis, and the Lakers won that series 4-1. This will be the Thunder first playoff appearance since leaving Seattle.


GAME NOTES
Lakers won the season series 3-1 over the Thunder. In three games against OKC, Andrew Bynum averaged 19.3 points and shot .629 from the field. In four games, Ron Artest shot .462 (6 for 13) from 3-point range. Kevin Durant was the leagues leading scorer at 30.1 points per game

MENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
The first mental test was failed by Durant when he responded to Phil's comment, but for the first time Phil's comments back fired on him when the league fined him 35 G's....................ahh not so fast if you believe that. Phil is good because he also has duped the league too. Let me explain, Phil had never before been penalize for such comment before a playoff series. His tactic was always known as posturing and softening his opponents.

The league in particular with this Thunder team may be the very reason the Lakers are playing them in the first place. All this due to an egregiously "blown" call against the Nuggets. Knowing the officials blew the game for the Thunder and gravely cost them a win, admitted they blew it. So Phil fires this missile knowing what the result was already going to be. If anybody watched games in the next few days after that incident, you saw the difference in officiating. You really think Martell Webster gets the call he got in a game in the middle of December ? Hell no, so the onus was on the refs to clean up their act.......they started calling everything no matter what. Bottom line is this, Durant won't get as many calls as he thinks because Phil has put the league and officials on front street. Mission accomplished once again by Phil.


KEYS TO WINNING THE SERIES
The Lakers must relentlessly pound the Thunder interior defense, they lack the size and strength to combat the Lakers over a 7 game series. The offense should at least begin with Gasol or Bynum getting the first touch. Execute the offense to it's fullest extent.

Rounding on the defensive glass will be key, keeping the Thunder from second chances will render them a one trick pony most of the time. The offense will get predictable if they fall behind big, meaning Durant will see the ball more from the Thunder being desperate to stay close and compete.

On the defensive side for the Lakers, yeah yeah we know........Fish will get eaten alive. Bull crap, reason being Bynum. He know's he'll be able to offer help to Fish because Krstic isn't a threat to score all the time. Fish's job will be to funnel Westbrook to the strong side help rather than let him turn into the interior. Bynum's presence will allow Pau to be a weakside shot blocker, which he's much better at than when guy's attack him head on.

Bench production doesn't have to be awesome, just sufficient.......if they can score between 20-30 a game that'll be enough. They have to limit the Thunder bench, mainly Harden. They can't let him explode for big games.

Closing out experience wins out, better coaching wins out. It's time to get serious........

IT'S WINNING TIME

[daddyfivestar]

+1
Strong GT.
Deep bringing his A game.
Very nice Deep.

[XL21MVP]

GOOD LUKE HAVING YOUR HANDS FULL WITH THE DURANTULA!!! BWAHAHAHAHA

[dockingsched]

copy and paste and participate please



Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team:

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+):

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant:

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four):

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two):

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four):

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three):

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three):

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three)

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right):

[dockingsched]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: Los Angeles Lakers

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 5-9

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Kobe

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four): 18-22

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two): 4-6

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four): 11-15

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three): 23-26 minutes played

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 4-7

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three): 19-22

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 35

[Optms]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: Lakers.

2. Winning Margin: 10++++

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Durant.

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts: 24 - 27

5. Durant TO's: 5 - 7

6. Kobe missed FA's: 9 - 12

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played: 23 - 26

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 5 - 7

9. LAL total bench points: 24 - 27

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks: 42

[Kilroy]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: Lakers

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 5-9

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Kobe

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four, i.e. "15-18"): 17-21

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two, i.e "3-4 TO's"): 4-5

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four, i.e. "10-13 missed FA's"): 9-13

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three): 16-19

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 3-6

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three) 18-21

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 23+11+2 = 36

[TruSkool]

feelin the GT....

handle it LA

[Danny Darko]

Expecting Phils comments to make Kevin play outside of the team concept. Hoping for a blowup statement.

[The Skyhook]

Pau is going to get his and I think he is going to be carrying a big load on his shoulders this series.

I see the Thunder testing Bynum for the first game. Teams did it last year to Drew in the playoffs because he lost a step and they got him in foul trouble.

Lamar needs to be aggressive. Recently he has been playing with no passion and energy but that has got to change. He needs to get the ball inside and he will be able to score at will.

[Anklebreaker702]

This what i'm talking about! "A" game material from everybody!!! Cash i'll copy & paste to yours once i'm actually on a computer, can't do it from my phone.

[DubaLakers]

Deep with the Mental Psychology Breakdown

My prognostication: Pau will likely get MVP tearing it up downlow, because the LAL will win the series and they usually take the MVP off the winning team, but the second best player won't be Kobe or Durant, it will be Westbrook IMO. I think 24's going to be more of a facilitator this series.

[LA-LA-Land]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: LAL

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 10+

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Durant

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four): 10-14

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two): 3-5

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four): 10-14

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three): 22-25

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 4-7

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three): 18-21

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 20pts, 11 rebs, 2 blks

[Thaliontil]

1. Winning Team: Los Angeles Lakers

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 8 (5-9)

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Durant

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four): 20-24

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two): 2-4

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four): 8-12

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three): 21-24

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 3-6

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three) 23-26

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 24 points,12 rebounds,4 blocks

[Edrees]

How did Durant respond to Phil's comments? What did he say?

[iamworthy]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: Lakers

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 12

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Kobe

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four):16-20

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two): 5-7

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four): Whats FA?

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three):22-25

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three):3-6

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three)17-20

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 21/11/3

[iamworthy]

First off, great GT DEEP!! I really dont understand all the fuss on the GB. You would think they beat us 3 games to 1. You would think we had a full healthy team when they beat us. Anyhow, I cant wait to see the lakers in the playoffs. This is where PJ earns his money. I cant wait to see a pumped up Ron Artest. Gasol will be huge in this series. I think PJ defensive strategy will be insane. Look for Luke to get more minutes, and get Bynum some easy points. Im pretty pumped up!! Its pretty funny how everyone harps on the fact that the lakers didnt have a good second half of the season but yet nobody on the west could catch them, and they almost had the 2nd best record in the league. So what does that say about the other teams...Hmmmmmm.

[The Skyhook]

Game One Ten Predictions Contest:

1. Winning Team: Lakers

2. Winning Margin (1-4, 5-9, 10+): 10+ I see the Lakers setting the tone just like they did against Orlando in the Finals.

3. More Points, Kobe or Durant: Durant

4. Kobe + Durant Free Throw Attempts (pick a range of four): 17 - 21

5. Durant TO's (pick a range of two): 3 -5

6. Kobe missed FA's (pick a range of four): 8 - 12

7. Andrew Bynum minutes played (pick a range of three): 22 - 25

8. Derek Fisher + Ron Artest three pointers made (pick a range of three): 3 - 6

9. LAL total bench points (pick a range of three) 21 - 24

10. Pau Gasol points + rebounds + blocks (get it exactly right): 28 - 9 - 2

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0aa_rRetOQ[/youtube]

I hope this video get you guys as pumped as it did me.

[DEEP3CL]

First off, great GT DEEP!! I really dont understand all the fuss on the GB. You would think they beat us 3 games to 1.

Thanks.........but yeah it's amazing how everybody can breakdown our team and find so called weakness. But when we respond back, well yo know how it goes.

You would think we had a full healthy team when they beat us.

If you ask me the only reason they won the one they got was because Drew was out. Sorry but Pau just doesn't protect the paint the same way Drew can, hell DJ does a better job than Pau. Simple reason is because Drew or DJ don't mind laying the wood to that ass if need be.

Its pretty funny how everyone harps on the fact that the lakers didnt have a good second half of the season but yet nobody on the west could catch them, and they almost had the 2nd best record in the league. So what does that say about the other teams...Hmmmmmm.

Yeah that's what flies over EVERYBODY'S head. We basically spotted teams a chance to catch up and they still couldn't. The only reason we didn't ever catch Cleveland was because they got really hot and we had hit that rough patch.

[chefy]

sweet GT! can't wait for the game