What was the turning point?

[Anklebreaker702]

Just going back to the playoffs & Finals & wanting opinions. After disastrously ending up in a Game 7 with the Yaoless & T-Hurtless Rockets we also found ourselves tied 2-2 with the Nuggets in the WCF's & then proceeded to look like an entirely different team. Only losing 1 more game the rest of the way en route to the title. What would you guys say was the turning point that made us turn on the switch?

[daddyfivestar]

Game 5 WCF: Series tied 2-2: Middle 3rd Qtr

Lakers playing lackluster at home and DOWN 7 to the Nugs...

The play that lit the fuse... and LA rallied to win this game and 5 of next 6 for the RING



SHANNON BROWN POSTERIZES BIRDMAN and fires up the Lakers and Home Crowd

[LAkersWorld1]

I think there were many factors for the turn around. If I could breakdown my turning point, it would be LO, and KB playing their asses off, but not taking away from Pau, still giving Pau the soft EURO tag (still not proven to me). T.A. had a lot to do with the last two games, but the last game KB owned the Nuggets, period.

[stood-amire]

I think there were many factors for the turn around. If I could breakdown my turning point, it would be LO, and KB playing their asses off, but not taking away from Pau, still giving Pau the soft EURO tag (still not proven to me). T.A. had a lot to do with the last two games, but the last game KB owned the Nuggets, period.

You are kidding, right? Whithout Pau you would be nowhere near that ring, he is the second most important Laker, by the way you are a champions and your second best player is not proven? Gee, lucky you.

[Jugoplastika89-90-91]

...but not taking away from Pau, still giving Pau the soft EURO tag (still not proven to me)...

Gasol is soft? If so, what do you think about Garnett for example? (Hint: NBA finals 2008/09)

[Sedale Threatt]

The Pau bashing really needs to stop. The guy was just our second-best player, and handled the toughest defensive assignment, in a championship series. What else does he have to do to earn some unconditional respect?

[Tommy Trojan]

I think Denver is much better of a team then Orlando. We had much easier time with Orlando then Denver. Also with Yao in there I would also say Houston was much more tougher challenge then Orlando.

[snaquille oatmeal]

I think there are 2 or 3 events that made the team wake up from the entittlement stupor that they were in.

1. one was the Fisher foul on Scola.
2. another was the Fisher speech during a critical time out.
3. the another one was the third quater of game 5 with Denver.

I think those events really affected the teams psyche.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LMbLGYGlUg&feature=channel

[LAkersWorld1]

What do think about when Pau was belted by Pietrus in the finals? What would you have done? I felt that Kenyon Martin was sort of punking his ass too in WCF. MARK. I mean, Shannon even went to the goal for a dunk, against a taller defender!

Again, his skills and ability is not my qualm, his skills are not matchable-- I mean, if you're a 7 footer, and you choose to layup the ball when near the rim, instead of dunking, come on?! I go back to when the LAkers really needed him to step up, Big Baby, Powe manhandled his ass the prior years' finals; were those guys that good? How about Gortat, is he that solid of a five?

[Anklebreaker702]

I have to agree with Sedale. The Pau bashing needs to stop. He will never be a Charles Oakley or Barkley for that metter but he manned up this entire playoffs. K-Mart wasn't punking him, he was playing dirty because he couldn't do anything with him on the low block or 15 ft out. I used to call him soft night in & night out but now he has earned my respect. The only thing I had to say about him this entire playoffs was he seemed uninterested at times but not soft.

[Anklebreaker702]

Game 5 WCF: Series tied 2-2: Middle 3rd Qtr

Lakers playing lackluster at home and DOWN 7 to the Nugs...

The play that lit the fuse... and LA rallied to win this game and 5 of next 6 for the RING



SHANNON BROWN POSTERIZES BIRDMAN and fires up the Lakers and Home Crowd

Yeah I forgot about this 1 WOW!

[Anklebreaker702]

I think Denver is much better of a team then Orlando. We had much easier time with Orlando then Denver. Also with Yao in there I would also say Houston was much more tougher challenge then Orlando.

I think the opposite TT. I feel like Houston was tailor made for us until Yao went out. Then we had trouble matching their speed & smaller size.

[Anklebreaker702]

I think there are 2 or 3 events that made the team wake up from the entittlement stupor that they were in.

1. one was the Fisher foul on Scola.
2. another was the Fisher speech during a critical time out.
3. the another one was the quater of game 5 with Denver.

I think those events really affected the teams psyche.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LMbLGYGlUg&feature=channel

Great points!

[MAMBAEMD]

Game 5 WCF: Series tied 2-2: Middle 3rd Qtr

Lakers playing lackluster at home and DOWN 7 to the Nugs...

The play that lit the fuse... and LA rallied to win this game and 5 of next 6 for the RING



SHANNON BROWN POSTERIZES BIRDMAN and fires up the Lakers and Home Crowd

That's a good call.
Things really turned around around this time.
I think the Lakers finally realized that Denver was taking things to them much like Boston did the year before and they just said "This crap stops here. No one is gonna push us around anymore"

I really think it was in that quarter when the Lkers collectively said this is our championship and no one is going to take it from us.

[stood-amire]

What do think about when Pau was belted by Pietrus in the finals? What would you have done? I felt that Kenyon Martin was sort of punking his ass too in WCF. MARK. I mean, Shannon even went to the goal for a dunk, against a taller defender!

Again, his skills and ability is not my qualm, his skills are not matchable-- I mean, if you're a 7 footer, and you choose to layup the ball when near the rim, instead of dunking, come on?! I go back to when the LAkers really needed him to step up, Big Baby, Powe manhandled his ass the prior years' finals; were those guys that good? How about Gortat, is he that solid of a five?

Oh yeah, it kinda was Pau's fault that pietrus pulled a dirty one on him and he did the right thing, he didn't back down, he stood his ground. Would you rather see him punch Pietrus in the face and get suspended for x games? Exactly how was Kenyon punking his ass, he is a fake thug, thats all, I mean everyone can punk a player, winning is another thing and Pau took the highier rode. Soo is that what you mean? Would you rather have punk Andersen whith no skill than Pau freakin Gasol who just got you a trophy just because he is a punk?

Duncan isn't exactly power dunker either and he is arguably the best PF all time, and as lang ass the ball gets into the rim I have no problem with it. Look at Amare, I absolutely love the guy (no homo), he is dunking at every chance he gets but did that get us the ring, I don't think so.

And I belive that we are talking about this year and how he is "still not proven", just leave what it was to the past and enjoy the success you guys just had right now

As far as players you mentioned go, how about Dwight??? I mean just be happy, not very often a player like Pau comes by, appriciate him and support him and give credit where credit is due.

[DubaLakers]

THANK YOU GUYS FOR RECOGNIZING PAU'S GREAT IMPROVEMENT THIS YEAR, HE'S WELL DESERVING OF THESE OBNOXIOUS CAPS, TO ME HE IS 1ST TEAM NBA, NEXT YEAR I THINK HE WILL GET IT, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS GUY I WASN'T SOLD LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR I'M HOLDING HIS CAPE FOR HIM IN THE PARADE.

HE IS NEARLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN KB24 TO THE LAKERS, WITH AB17 STILL LEARNING, AND LAMAR STILL UP IN THE AIR ,OUR FRONTLINE IS DOMINANT SOLEY BECAUSE OF HIS EFFORTS. NOW THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT HIM IS THAT HE NEEDS A PERSONAL 24/7 GROOMER FOR HIS HAIR AND BEARD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE FIRST TEAM NBA, YOU NEED TO LOOK THE PART.

[Anklebreaker702]

THANK YOU GUYS FOR RECOGNIZING PAU'S GREAT IMPROVEMENT THIS YEAR, HE'S WELL DESERVING OF THESE OBNOXIOUS CAPS, TO ME HE IS 1ST TEAM NBA, NEXT YEAR I THINK HE WILL GET IT, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS GUY I WASN'T SOLD LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR I'M HOLDING HIS CAPE FOR HIM IN THE PARADE, HE IS NEARLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN KB24 TO THE LAKERS, WITH AB17 STILL LEARNING, AND LAMAR STILL UP IN THE AIR ,OUR FRONTLINE IS DOMINANT SOLEY BECAUSE OF HIS EFFORTS. NOW THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT HIM IS THAT HE NEEDS A PERSONAL 24/7 GROOMER FOR HIS HAIR AND BEARD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE FIRST TEAM NBA, YOU NEED TO LOOK THE PART.

No let it grow, I think opposing players are scared of him when he looks like sasquash! seriously though, when you are a true fan, even if you don't like something about a player & you see improvemnts, you should own up IMO.

[MAMBAEMD]

We don't win the championship without Pau. That's all that needs to be considered. We can make the same statement about a few more Lakers too but the fact that we had Pau as a solid scorer and a solid defender and a great rebounder really propelled us towards the ring.
The Pau bashing does need to stop.

[LAkersWorld1]

I will not say this again, I do appreciate his skill set, and fundamentals--I am NOT bashing that part of his game--his coraje is what I question sometimes. And I never implied Tim Duncan is a power dunker, but now that you bring it up, at least he knows when to be freaking aggressive and dunk... It's the Finals, and the LAkers had a lead in the series anyhow, why not throw a subtle bow at that fool?

Let me say, the Suns would've had a championship if not for the ref's manipulating (imo) the outcome of Spur's & Suns series (recent years back), so Amare could've had a ring before Pau.

[snaquille oatmeal]

I forgot to add the Kobe to Artest "Nig*a, please!" momment too.