LAL @ IND - NBA Cup Final

[LAKESHOW]

Can we have a few more of these? We might end up a top 3 seed.

Love what our guys have done, people might meme on this IST but it's still a trophy that every team wanted and we got the very first one.

For Real. This is LAKER nation. And the Basketball world needs to realize we own this trophy and every trophy in the World's best league. Free agents know don't come here if Winning ain't serious in yo mind. We want to win and winning is truly THEE Only thing

[stan francisco]

Great performance. Our defense paid for our easiest offense.

Reddish, Vando, Reaves, AD, LBJ, Christie, Prince, Hayes all did a really good playing hard defense without fouling (except in the second quarter).

This bodes well. A roster tweak or two and we’re not only a contender but a favorite.

[LAKESHOW]

Favorite for sure. And I didn't see it till thus tourney. We needed to see something to convince us. We can defend the speed style ball that is pervasive in the west. We still need to see now when we match up with the SiZE teams. Philly and Denver have totally dismantled us when last seen. BUT I'm happy for this Victory, and glad to clarify a few things like I have no worries vs those run and gun teams in a 7 gamer

[tamaraw08]

Rewatched the game 2x and Lebron and AD looked gassed. Also saw them winced in pain after a couple of hard hits.
I really think they need at least 5 days off and heal before God forbid they get injured and be out for an extended time

[LAKESHOW]

I'm of the same mindset. I believe Indy came out with the game plan to get physical with AD. He responded in December. We Tourney champions. But I don't know if he'll make it to May. Which may mean we may need more firepower. Put our best defenders out there, Vando and reddish, and we gettin Zero points from that offense

[tamaraw08]

I'm of the same mindset. I believe Indy came out with the game plan to get physical with AD. He responded in December. We Tourney champions. But I don't know if he'll make it to May. Which may mean we may need more firepower. Put our best defenders out there, Vando and reddish, and we gettin Zero points from that offense

Maybe Rui?

[TylersLakers]

We won pretty convincingly while only making 2 three pointers. So bizarre.

We gotta keep rolling. I’m not a massive fan of some of the rotations but it seems to be working.

I still have no idea the significance of the In Season Tournament. I really wish as fans we got something. The ideas I like the most:

- Winner of the IST gets the 1st pick of the second round.
- Be guaranteed at the very minimum a 9th seed.

I also wish that as a team we got an extra win instead of this game just not counting. Weird.

[danfantastk32]

I still have no idea the significance of the In Season Tournament. I really wish as fans we got something. The ideas I like the most:

- Winner of the IST gets the 1st pick of the second round.
- Be guaranteed at the very minimum a 9th seed.

I also wish that as a team we got an extra win instead of this game just not counting. Weird.

I like your thinking there. If they want to bring some interest to the tourney, and get fans into it.....some sort of real prize. I think screwing with the playoffs would be too much, and a logistical nightmare. But something to do with the draft, or first right come this seasons waivers...(or both). Perhaps the winner get 20% less ping pong balls than they otherwise would have, come draft?? It needs some more thought into it....but I think your idea is spot on.

[NBAWestFan]

I watched this last game.

AD was clearly the MVP.

I guess it is the whole cup.

I think something was wrong

Without the great D and rebounding there is no cup win.

[Beethoven]

It was a toss up, without lebron you definitely don't win this tournament. I'd give it to lebron as well since his late age.

[TylersLakers]

I watched this last game.

AD was clearly the MVP.

I guess it is the whole cup.

I think something was wrong

Without the great D and rebounding there is no cup win.

Yeah it wasn't based on just the 1 game - it was based on all 7 games that were played.

@ Phoenix (Close Laker W on Road):

AD: 36 minutes, 5-14 FG, 8-8 FT, 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
LeBron: 36 minutes, 11-17 FG, 3-4 3PT, 7-11 FT, 32 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

vs Memphis (Laker Blowout W):

AD: 27 minutes, 7-11 FG, 5-6 FT, 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 blocks
LeBron: 23 minutes, 6-11 FG, 3-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal

@ Blazers (Relatively Comfortable Laker W)

AD: 35 minutes, 8-19 FG, 16 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 5 blocks, 2 assists
LeBron: 35 minutes, 13-22 FG, 5-9 3PT, 4-6 FT, 35 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals

vs Utah (Laker Blowout W):

AD: 29 minutes, 11-14 FG, 4-5 FT, 26 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
LeBron: 24 minutes, 6-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, 17 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists

vs Phoenix (Lakers W - Knockout Round):

AD: 39 minutes, 10-26 FG, 7-8 FT, 27 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks
LeBron: 40 minutes, 12-25 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5-6 FT, 31 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals

vs New Orleans (Blowout Laker W):

AD: 31 minutes, 5-10 FG, 6-8 FT, 16 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
LeBron: 23 minutes, 9-12 FG, 4-4 3PT, 8-8 FT, 30 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists

vs Pacers (Lakers W)

AD: 41 minutes, 16-24 FG, 9-13 FT, 41 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks
LeBron: 35 minutes, 10-21 FG, 4-5 FT, 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

------------------------

All in all, I'd say LeBron had the better tournament. But going back and looking at the numbers - AD had some absolutely monster games and maybe should've deserved a little bit more consideration.

The New Orleans and Phoenix wins are what gave LeBron the edge. AD had some offensive duds.

[LAKESHOW]

AD had a Monster final. Absolutely crushed it. Just demolished the final game. But the key for me was getting by Phoenix. We needed that game. Bron edged AD although slight, but due to that game, im goin bron

[TylersLakers]

AD had a Monster final. Absolutely crushed it. Just demolished the final game. But the key for me was getting by Phoenix. We needed that game. Bron edged AD although slight, but due to that game, im goin bron

That was definitely the tournament. Even KD said so.

AD's aggressiveness needs to be this every night. He doesn't need to play as HARD as he did with as much effort but offensively, he needs to get shots up - regardless if he's making or missing. He cannot have a game under 15-17 FG attempts.

[NBAWestFan]

Nice Post Tyler.
Thanks

I guess I am just thinking Anyone can score it they are taking all the shots. Even Kuzuma looks like a star in WA.

There are many key factors.

Lebron does help for winning but I am not a Lebron style fan.

Show time, Kobe were the better Lakers teams to watch.