Game 2 LAKERS vs SPURS 4/24/13 6:30PM TNT /TWSN

[DEEP3CL]

Well now it's 0-2, not like we haven't been here before. But things are more clear on what we have to clean up.

For one better control of the pace. After Dwight's 3 point play that put us ahead we were never the same. We quickly gave up a 3 to scrub ass Bonner.

We also have to close the end of quarters better. The runs the Spurs got always established momentum their way.

Also we have to contain some of their role players. Bonner got us for 10 points, Leonard scored big. This has been the difference. As crazy as it seems we can win with Parker having a big game. We just haven't choked off their role players.

Overall the games have been there. This series is far from over because the Spurs don't have a history of playing well here. ...just 2-12 in playoff games in Staples.

Next game if Jamison is struggling go with Hill early. But on the flipside role players play better at home. So he and others have a pass for now.

Our major concern is will the bodies hold up?

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[Kalidogg24]

who's everyone else? pau gasol who was already coming off the bench when before he got hurt?

thats besides the point, people think that that even matters? we're putting our hopes in darius morris or andrew goudelock? lol

So many people are so quick to throw Pau in the dumpster without actually remembering he basically lead us to this post season. You would think it might actually be smarter to keep Pau especially if we can't get anybody good for him.

There are a few players I would pull the trigger on Pau with and they are:

CP3- Vetoed'

Iggy- Possibility because I heard Denver was probably looking to shop him .
Of course this was before Gallo went down.

Lamarcus Aldrige- Pipe Dream

[Kalidogg24]

Well now it's 0-2, not like we haven't been here before. But things are more clear on what we have to clean up.

For one better control of the pace. After Dwight's 3 point play that put us ahead we were never the same. We quickly gave up a 3 to scrub ass Bonner.

We also have to close the end of quarters better. The runs the Spurs got always established momentum their way.

Also we have to contain some of their role players. Bonner got us for 10 points, Leonard scored big. This has been the difference. As crazy as it seems we can win with Parker having a big game. We just haven't choked off their role players.

Overall the games have been there. This series is far from over because the Spurs don't have a history of playing well here. ...just 2-12 in playoff games in Staples.

Next game if Jamison is struggling go with Hill early. But on the flipside role players play better at home. So he and others have a pass for now.

Our major concern is will the bodies hold up?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using RealGM Forums mobile app

All this correct but you forgot one major role that needs to step up.
Dantoni'.

I know he has had to deal with a ton of injuries to his roster throughout the season but he needs to be consistent with what he is rolling with as the game changes. Nash or Blake shouldn't be guarding players like Manu and Kawhi Leonard. THen on the flip have to switch and chase Tony Parker or Gary Neal? Wth
I know we are undermanned but giving more burn to MWP or Clark at the two guard wont hurt.

He went with a tight leash 7 man rotation to end the season. Now we are in the post season and it seems he is using the entire bench minus Devin Ebanks. (who probably got Hennessy in his Gatorade bottle) Not the time for experiments. Gotta come out swinging much harder in these next two home cooked games.

[JohnVancouver]

Proud of the guys - a season to test the soul, for sure. Anyone hating on Nash, limping up the court on one leg .... going for a third epidural so he can play the next one. SMH.
I do wish Dwight could hold onto the damn ball, but I can't fault the effort. We have a bunch of injured players who have never had a healthy squad long enough to develop cohesion, playing against a brilliantly-coached team of veteran stars and healthy young role players.
And we've stayed with them for three quarters both games.

[Kilroy]

Nash isn't the problem... The problem is that he's our best option right now...

Nash is injured all season basically, and Blake has been playing out of his cranium, but he's a 2nd or 3rd string PG on a contender.

Nash/Kobe at this stage in their careers, is probably a bad pairing. Both are still great offensively when healthy, but neither is great defensively. When they are both on the floor, it opens up the perimeter for opposing teams.

And MWP, like Blake, and Jamison are 2nd or 3rd stringers on a championship team... They have all played great for us, but we're in trouble if too much rides on their shoulders.

If we are going to campaign a team with Nash and Kobe in the starting lineup, we need to find a first team defensive player at SF to mask some of their deficiencies... And lets all collectively please stop talking about MWP like he's still an elite defender... Especially at the 3.

[madmaxmedia]

Proud of the guys - a season to test the soul, for sure. Anyone hating on Nash, limping up the court on one leg .... going for a third epidural so he can play the next one. SMH.
I do wish Dwight could hold onto the damn ball, but I can't fault the effort. We have a bunch of injured players who have never had a healthy squad long enough to develop cohesion, playing against a brilliantly-coached team of veteran stars and healthy young role players.
And we've stayed with them for three quarters both games.

Yeah, last night was really frustrating to watch, but not because of lack of effort, coaching, whatever. It's frustrating because the Lakers are outmanned.

I see the Lakers last night and I see a team on the ragged edge on both ends of the court, that needs to scrap and claw to keep up with the Spurs (which they did for most of the game.) Sure mistakes are always made, but that happens when you press which the Lakers have to do because they don't really have the guns here.

I think they need Nash out there for offense, that's why he's out there injured. Last night every time Blake or Nash had a possible pull up jumper from 20, I was hoping they would just take it. Normally not the best basketball decision, but it's going to take someone getting hot from the outside for the Lakers to make a significant push on offense. Right now the other option is to either catch a break where a guy slips open, try to pass inside where it's really congested, or run out the 24 clock and end up taking a bad shot anyway.

[Anklebreaker702]

Yup, you have to have a certain level of focus and mental toughness to not be taken out of your game in LA. The only encouraging thing I see from Dwight is that he is headed in the direction. He is miles more mature than he was in the first couple months of the season. This horrible taste in his mouth from this season should do wonders for his growth in the coming years.

I sure hope you're right, but right now I just don't see it.

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[Sedale Threatt]

Yeah, last night was really frustrating to watch, but not because of lack of effort, coaching, whatever. It's frustrating because the Lakers are outmanned.

That's basically it. That's not an excuse, either. The Spurs are the better team and have been all season. It's just the reality, especially now that Blake is out and Nash is doubtful. There is no amount of adjustments or "stepping up" or individual dominance or whatever that's going to make up for that.

It's just the reality of this team as currently constructed. We're horribly top-heavy, and old, and thin, and all of that is crashing down on our heads here in the playoffs. It was a valiant run to make the playoffs, but this team proved a long time ago that it wasn't even remotely close to being championship caliber.

[Anklebreaker702]

Only fitting Blake goes down with an injury. He was the only healthy, good backcourt player left, it was only a matter of time.

**** this season man. This has been the worst Laker experience i've had since the 90's. Absolutely nothing to feel good about after such a promising offseason. **** everything.

You are a spoilt Laker fan. You don't know what suffering as a sports fan really is. 2 years of Smush Parker Laker fans like you were probably crying just like now. This is how sports goes. Deal with it. Just think how it is for fans of other franchises that haven't even had playoff success for years (or ever for Raptor fans). But you won't because you are a spoilt Laker fan.

But a couple of lopsided Gasol-like trades and the Lakers will be back at the top again. So don't cry too hard

Spoilt huh? Yeah we got you Anyway when you're use to winning, you want to continue winning. Has nothing to do with being "Spoilt" and as far as a lopsided Pau Gasol trade if I'm not mistaken his brother Marc was in the trade who is now the defensive player of the year. So yeah

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[madmaxmedia]

I forgot the last bit about the frustration part- it's frustrating because with all those deficiencies, the Lakers were still gamers last night so it was frustrating to see them lose. They didn't get deflated when the Spurs went on small runs (or at least didn't let their emotions affect their effort). If they got some lucky breaks, or a hot shooting night from Metta or other random Laker, they could have kept it close at the end and then who knows. But whatever breaks they did catch, they didn't catch enough of them to make up the difference between the 2 teams.

The Spurs OTOH look like they have at least 1 more gear in them, that they might use in one of the next 2 games, or in their next series.

[kblo247]

Yup, you have to have a certain level of focus and mental toughness to not be taken out of your game in LA. The only encouraging thing I see from Dwight is that he is headed in the direction. He is miles more mature than he was in the first couple months of the season. This horrible taste in his mouth from this season should do wonders for his growth in the coming years.

I sure hope you're right, but right now I just don't see it.

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Look at it this way, Dwight's still producing and effective without Kobe ... Unlike Pau and unlike Andrew who was a 42% guy on 19fga last year. That's a positive in itself as it shows Dwight is elite because he's elite, not just because Kobe deflects so much attention away like the others. This may also give Kobe and Dwight more appreciation of one another

[KevinUrb]

Only fitting Blake goes down with an injury. He was the only healthy, good backcourt player left, it was only a matter of time.

**** this season man. This has been the worst Laker experience i've had since the 90's. Absolutely nothing to feel good about after such a promising offseason. **** everything.

You are a spoilt Laker fan. You don't know what suffering as a sports fan really is. 2 years of Smush Parker Laker fans like you were probably crying just like now. This is how sports goes. Deal with it. Just think how it is for fans of other franchises that haven't even had playoff success for years (or ever for Raptor fans). But you won't because you are a spoilt Laker fan.

But a couple of lopsided Gasol-like trades and the Lakers will be back at the top again. So don't cry too hard

Lopsided? That is way blown out of porportion. Lakers traded to win now and Memphis traded to win later. Right now Marc Gasol is being regarded as the better of the Gasol brothers, he just won a DPOY and you still think that was a lopsided trade?

[Anklebreaker702]

Yup, you have to have a certain level of focus and mental toughness to not be taken out of your game in LA. The only encouraging thing I see from Dwight is that he is headed in the direction. He is miles more mature than he was in the first couple months of the season. This horrible taste in his mouth from this season should do wonders for his growth in the coming years.

I sure hope you're right, but right now I just don't see it.

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Look at it this way, Dwight's still producing and effective without Kobe ... Unlike Pau and unlike Andrew who was a 42% guy on 19fga last year. That's a positive in itself as it shows Dwight is elite because he's elite, not just because Kobe deflects so much attention away like the others. This may also give Kobe and Dwight more appreciation of one another

Come on dude don't start the FG % thing. I think Drew averaged almost 30 when Kobe was out. I'd take 35 & 14 over 7 for 12 & disappearing. He has to show me more

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