KEY FACTOR: REST

[slickgreek]

I think the KEY FACTOR in the next 2 games is rest....

As we all know and have seen, OKC is QUICK in every position. These 2 full days rest for games 5 and 6 will play a HUGE role in success for L.A.

The first 4 games of the playoffs the Lakers only had 1 day in between games to recover and get their bodies ready. Flying and lack of rest between games started to show in game 3 and 4. Look for L.A. to blow out OKC tomorrow....

[fallacy]

Lakers better hope this series doesn't go 7 then, there is only one day off between 6 and 7. Seeing as the lakers look like the nets in OKC, the lakers hope they better win game 5 because i see little hope for them winning game 6.

[laduane1]

They get rest and OKC gets rest. So it is the same on both sides.

[TruSkool]

personally, i think rest is a bullsh*t excuse. either win or go home.

[fareweatherfan]

Nah, come on guys. Rest is a factor with an older team (esp. a banged up one). I agree its no excuse and shouldn't be stated, but that doesn't mean its not true.

[daddyfivestar]

Rest = more rehab in Vitti's office.

That's a good thing.

Phil said only 8 guys practiced yesterday, everyone was else getting treatment.

[Kilroy]

Rest = more rehab in Vitti's office.

That's a good thing.

Phil said only 8 guys practiced yesterday, everyone was else getting treatment.

Problem is, Kobe was probably one of the 8 who practiced.

I wish I thought an extra day's rest was the cure to what ails this team, but I just don't...

I think last year's team would have been more compettitive even if they had to play on bloody stumps... They just wanted it more...

I know Kobe wants to win as many championships as possible, maybe Fish and Bynum too... I just wonder if one was enough for the rest of the guys. Gasol, Odom, Brown, Farmar, etc just don't look as fired up this season as they did last season....

[picc]

Rest isn't going to do anythingt, IMO. The players on this team have come out of rests playing just as bad as before plenty of times this year. They didnt lose because they were tired, they lost because they are 10x less athletic than OKC and have no outside shooters. Those things arent going to change no matter how many days off there are.

[daddyfivestar]

I think last year's team would have been more compettitive even if they had to play on bloody stumps... They just wanted it more...

I know Kobe wants to win as many championships as possible, maybe Fish and Bynum too...

You're kidding right?
Let's play "which one doesn't fit with the others"
regarding the "will-to-do-whatever-it-takes" to be great

[Kilroy]

I think last year's team would have been more compettitive even if they had to play on bloody stumps... They just wanted it more...

I know Kobe wants to win as many championships as possible, maybe Fish and Bynum too...

You're kidding right?
Let's play "which one doesn't fit with the others"
regarding the "will-to-do-whatever-it-takes" to be great

Bynum clearly started this series on fire... He'd still be on fire if Kobe, Fish, Odom, etc would stop chucking and make a freaking inlet pass...

Bynum has been up and down with his effort... He's always hurt and heals slower than a red oak...

But give credit where due... He came out strong in this series and fights for position and calls for the ball as much or more than anyone so far this post season. He's clogging the middle on D and making strong moves to the basket when the ball gets to him. I really don't know what more we could want from him. He's efficient and scores a good ammount of points for the time he's allowed on the floor.

Not saying it'll last but he's at least showed some fire... Gasol has been consistant but without the same intinsity he had last year. Odom has made as much impact as a fart in the wind. Artest is doing exactly what we wanted him to do... Focus on D and make the ocasional open shot just often enough to spread the floor a little. Fish... Is playing like my 12yo Jack Russel.

[daddyfivestar]

Yes, credit there. He has shown up (except for that poor Gm 2).

But his history to date, the documented lack of desire he has displayed, and probably his whole DNA, is a tough track record to overhaul. I hope he does though. I'm tired of Elden Campbell.

[slickgreek]

What did I tell you guys?

[Edrees]

props. you called it. so if what you say is true, then lakers should play way better in OKC this time since they get 3 days rest again?

[slickgreek]

Yes Lakers will close it out on Friday. Kobe and the starters will have plenty of rest and preparation to close out OKC. The Lakers have not won in OKC since Novermber 2009. Look for that to change on Friday.

[crazy8ights]

At first I didn't believe in this REST business, but I guess for a mileage driven team every day counts. Let's goooo Friday.

[slickgreek]

Lakers win GAME 6...

[daddyfivestar]

Extra days off in the Utah series:
3 days off between game 2 and 3
Take games 1 & 2, then use the rest to snatch game 3...

Also,
1 extra day between game 6 and 7... just in case