Had Sacramento yesterday against the Lakers and after watching Kobe not shooting and Shaq hardly trying got to wondering if the Lakers aren't trying to secure the 4th seed instead of the 2nd seed. Reasoning? In the 4th spot, Lakers would play either Dallas or Memphis and should they dispose of either would probably face Minnesota before perhaps tackling the winner of the 2/3 seed match-up most likely between Sacramento and San Antonio in the Conference Finals. Going the route through Dallas/Memphis and then Minnesota seems easier then getting the 2nd or 3rd seed and probably facing either Sacramento or San Antonio before getting to the Conference Finals. Thoughts?
Lakers have more than a loss to deal with
By Associated Press, 4/12/2004 04:00
The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to dwell on the least of which being why they were so badly beaten by the Sacramento Kings.
After being criticized by his coach for thinking too much about scoring, Kobe Bryant took just one shot in the first half of a 102-85 loss to the Kings on Sunday.
''I've never seen Kobe take just (one shot),'' said teammate Gary Payton, who had 15 points. ''I don't think any of us came to play, and this is the outcome that happened.''
Bryant insisted he wasn't avoiding shots even though that seemed obvious to everybody else at Arco Arena. After finishing with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, he praised the Kings' defense, which has been among the NBA's worst this season.
''They doubled me every time I touched the ball,'' said Bryant, who scored at least 34 points in each of his last five games against Sacramento. ''So I just moved the ball, waiting for the game to kind of open up. I've done that before when teams have doubled me.''
Shaquille O'Neal also struggled in the first half, getting two quick offensive fouls and taking just one shot for Los Angeles, which lost for the third time in four games their worst stretch since the All-Star break. O'Neal finished with 10 points and five rebounds, then risked another one-game suspension for using an expletive in a postgame interview.
O'Neal, banned for a game in February for cursing during an on-court TV interview, used a profanity when saying he was ''not impressed'' with the Kings' play.
In other games, it was: Chicago 114, Toronto 108 in overtime; New Jersey 89, Philadelphia 75; Phoenix 89, Memphis 83; Golden State 108, Dallas 107; and San Antonio 88, the Los Angeles Clippers 79.
Chris Webber had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Sacramento, which led by as many 21 in the first half. The rout of their division rival was quite a turnaround for the Kings, who won for only the fourth time in 10 games.
Doug Christie added 21 points and played tough defense on Bryant. Sacramento needs just one more win or one Lakers loss to clinch its third straight Pacific Division title and the second seed in the playoffs.
''I can't really take credit for the defense on Kobe,'' Christie said. ''First of all, it was a great gameplan from the coaches. Then, guys were helping me when he was putting the ball on the floor. ... He's a smart player. I was thinking he would pick his time to start shooting, but the guys stayed with me.'' .
By Associated Press, 4/12/2004 04:00
The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to dwell on the least of which being why they were so badly beaten by the Sacramento Kings.
After being criticized by his coach for thinking too much about scoring, Kobe Bryant took just one shot in the first half of a 102-85 loss to the Kings on Sunday.
''I've never seen Kobe take just (one shot),'' said teammate Gary Payton, who had 15 points. ''I don't think any of us came to play, and this is the outcome that happened.''
Bryant insisted he wasn't avoiding shots even though that seemed obvious to everybody else at Arco Arena. After finishing with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, he praised the Kings' defense, which has been among the NBA's worst this season.
''They doubled me every time I touched the ball,'' said Bryant, who scored at least 34 points in each of his last five games against Sacramento. ''So I just moved the ball, waiting for the game to kind of open up. I've done that before when teams have doubled me.''
Shaquille O'Neal also struggled in the first half, getting two quick offensive fouls and taking just one shot for Los Angeles, which lost for the third time in four games their worst stretch since the All-Star break. O'Neal finished with 10 points and five rebounds, then risked another one-game suspension for using an expletive in a postgame interview.
O'Neal, banned for a game in February for cursing during an on-court TV interview, used a profanity when saying he was ''not impressed'' with the Kings' play.
In other games, it was: Chicago 114, Toronto 108 in overtime; New Jersey 89, Philadelphia 75; Phoenix 89, Memphis 83; Golden State 108, Dallas 107; and San Antonio 88, the Los Angeles Clippers 79.
Chris Webber had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Sacramento, which led by as many 21 in the first half. The rout of their division rival was quite a turnaround for the Kings, who won for only the fourth time in 10 games.
Doug Christie added 21 points and played tough defense on Bryant. Sacramento needs just one more win or one Lakers loss to clinch its third straight Pacific Division title and the second seed in the playoffs.
''I can't really take credit for the defense on Kobe,'' Christie said. ''First of all, it was a great gameplan from the coaches. Then, guys were helping me when he was putting the ball on the floor. ... He's a smart player. I was thinking he would pick his time to start shooting, but the guys stayed with me.'' .
Lakers will never be the same again as long as Kobe and Shaq are there together, unless they go back to the old days and Phil Jackson demands the ball get dumped down low to Shaq almost every time down the floor. The Magic had years of success like this when Shaq was there and he's done it in the past with the Lakers. LA is Shaq's team, not Kobe's or any of the others, and Shaq should be considered the first option on any team........
Wil/Hache:
Agree the Lakers are not the same and in trouble for a lot of reasons, but it does seem that their best chance this year would be to try and come through the 4th seed instead of the 2 or 3 seed doesn't it? Project the potential winners of the first round, and it appears they wouldn't have to face any team that they can't handle, i.e. Dallas, Memphis, Minnesota before having to play the survivor of most likely San Antonio and Sacramento in the Conference Finals. Seems like the easier road, no?
Agree the Lakers are not the same and in trouble for a lot of reasons, but it does seem that their best chance this year would be to try and come through the 4th seed instead of the 2 or 3 seed doesn't it? Project the potential winners of the first round, and it appears they wouldn't have to face any team that they can't handle, i.e. Dallas, Memphis, Minnesota before having to play the survivor of most likely San Antonio and Sacramento in the Conference Finals. Seems like the easier road, no?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hache man:
Lakers will never be the same again as long as Kobe and Shaq are there together, _unless_ they go back to the old days and Phil Jackson demands the ball get dumped down low to Shaq almost every time down the floor. The Magic had years of success like this when Shaq was there and he's done it in the past with the Lakers. LA is Shaq's team, not Kobe's or any of the others, and Shaq should be considered the first option on _any _team........<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hache
I'm a Laker fan, but I was wondering if you say so about shaq, how come yesterday he didn't take over the game?
Kobe was not taking any shots, so they could give shag the ball?
Foul Trouble, well he got that before, he is pro, should play through that.
Orlando Magic won how many NBA Finals?
There was only one team that 1 guy WAS THE TEAM. #23
Kobe and Shaq, they need each other, but problem is, they both won't admit that.
yesterday's game was just
Only team that can and I might stop the Lakers, is the Spurs, only team out there with a better defense then the lakers (had).
Kings have no defense, defense is what wins you championships. + Cweb will screw it up for them at the end.
Spurs is the only team I fear in the Palyoffs!
Lakers will never be the same again as long as Kobe and Shaq are there together, _unless_ they go back to the old days and Phil Jackson demands the ball get dumped down low to Shaq almost every time down the floor. The Magic had years of success like this when Shaq was there and he's done it in the past with the Lakers. LA is Shaq's team, not Kobe's or any of the others, and Shaq should be considered the first option on _any _team........<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hache
I'm a Laker fan, but I was wondering if you say so about shaq, how come yesterday he didn't take over the game?
Kobe was not taking any shots, so they could give shag the ball?
Foul Trouble, well he got that before, he is pro, should play through that.
Orlando Magic won how many NBA Finals?
There was only one team that 1 guy WAS THE TEAM. #23
Kobe and Shaq, they need each other, but problem is, they both won't admit that.
yesterday's game was just
Only team that can and I might stop the Lakers, is the Spurs, only team out there with a better defense then the lakers (had).
Kings have no defense, defense is what wins you championships. + Cweb will screw it up for them at the end.
Spurs is the only team I fear in the Palyoffs!
i said the same thing last night in the next-to-last post - and i 100% agree with you here:
http://therxforum.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=100090022&f=988094022&m=761100331
http://therxforum.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=100090022&f=988094022&m=761100331
Winky:
Sorry! I don't read the Offshore Forum everyday, so I missed you comment. One of the reasons I brought it up is for those capping the two remaining games as well as I hate the idea of the Lakers finding an easy path to the Conference Finals. Thanks for your comment and glad to see we noticed the same thing.
Sorry! I don't read the Offshore Forum everyday, so I missed you comment. One of the reasons I brought it up is for those capping the two remaining games as well as I hate the idea of the Lakers finding an easy path to the Conference Finals. Thanks for your comment and glad to see we noticed the same thing.
Tomcat, Most of us knew that yesterday was one of those games that Sacramento at home was going to be much more fired up than the Lakers, and it showed. In the past, that wouldnt of mattered, as we've seen the Lakers knock them off time and time again. Too much going on this year with the Lakers. Shaq sure isn't the one who has caused all of the distraction to and around the team, we all know who that is. Shaq is the most dominant center to ever play the game, anyone that knows basketball knows this. No, the Magic didn't win a title, but Shaq took them to the Finals in a very short time, and he would of won one in a Magic uniform if he had of stayed. The core of that Magic team was much better at the time than the Laker team he left for. Shaq creates everything on the offensive end. If he's covered by just one, and sometimes even two defenders, he can still just overpower them to the goal. If he continues to draw 2, and then many times a 3rd defender, then that completely opens the floor up for the rest of the team. This has always been my arguement about Kobe, and how succesful he would be without Shaq, and how much more amazing Tracy McGrady would be with someone like Shaq. Yes, Michael was the greatest, but even he couldn't create such havoc and problems on defense as Shaq does. Also Windy, the East has a much better chance to win it all than in recent years past.....
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hache man:
Tomcat, Most of us knew that yesterday was one of those games that Sacramento at home was going to be much more fired up than the Lakers, and it showed. In the past, that wouldnt of mattered, as we've seen the Lakers knock them off time and time again. Too much going on this year with the Lakers. Shaq sure isn't the one who has caused all of the distraction to and around the team, we all know who that is......<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
well sorry but every time somebody is mad and looking for some TV time, it is Shaq?
but ok
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Shaq is the most dominant center to ever play the game, anyone that knows basketball knows this. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know this too, what is your point?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>No, the Magic didn't win a title, but Shaq took them to the Finals in a very short time, and he would of won one in a Magic uniform if he had of stayed. The core of that Magic team was much better at the time than the Laker team he left for. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know this too, what is the point here; he just didn't win it at Orlando?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Shaq creates everything on the offensive end. If he's covered by just one, and sometimes even two defenders, he can still just overpower them to the goal. If he continues to draw 2, and then many times a 3rd defender, then that completely opens the floor up for the rest of the team. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not sure, didn’t see that happen yesterday, (I think they started using double and triple on MJ too.)
How many defenders did Kobe had around him yesterday, think I saw 3 at one time?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>This has always been my arguement about Kobe, and how succesful he would be without Shaq, and how much more amazing Tracy McGrady would be with someone like Shaq. Yes, Michael was the greatest, but even he couldn't create such havoc and problems on defense as Shaq does. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Say what? Didn’t they come up with the quote for MJ "don't get to close to Michael, you will get fouled?”
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Also Windy, the East has a much better chance to win it all than in recent years past.....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Maybe but still not going to win it, they only have 7 teams with a winning record going into the playoffs, 1 week ago that was only 5 teams with a winning record in the east.
It’s a shame you have a team going into the playoffs with a losing record, and have 2 teams in the west not even going to the playoffs!
That tells enough about the strength of the east.
Pacers and pistons only two team with a chance!
I say again, Shaq and Kobe, are both great players and need to get together quick.
Because both are hurting the team.
Look at Kobe, I say he played that way on purpose, just to tell Phil to stick it up his @ss.
But Kobe forgets that Phil already has 9 rings as a coach, so he doesn’t really care anymore.
Shaq needs to stop complaining about the refs, each year is the same thing, get in there and make at least on of the 2 FT and get the guys in foul trouble.
If the Lakers don’t win this years NBA Finals, one of the two guys has to go, I won’t say who, but one has to go!
Tomcat, Most of us knew that yesterday was one of those games that Sacramento at home was going to be much more fired up than the Lakers, and it showed. In the past, that wouldnt of mattered, as we've seen the Lakers knock them off time and time again. Too much going on this year with the Lakers. Shaq sure isn't the one who has caused all of the distraction to and around the team, we all know who that is......<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
well sorry but every time somebody is mad and looking for some TV time, it is Shaq?
but ok
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Shaq is the most dominant center to ever play the game, anyone that knows basketball knows this. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know this too, what is your point?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>No, the Magic didn't win a title, but Shaq took them to the Finals in a very short time, and he would of won one in a Magic uniform if he had of stayed. The core of that Magic team was much better at the time than the Laker team he left for. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know this too, what is the point here; he just didn't win it at Orlando?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Shaq creates everything on the offensive end. If he's covered by just one, and sometimes even two defenders, he can still just overpower them to the goal. If he continues to draw 2, and then many times a 3rd defender, then that completely opens the floor up for the rest of the team. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not sure, didn’t see that happen yesterday, (I think they started using double and triple on MJ too.)
How many defenders did Kobe had around him yesterday, think I saw 3 at one time?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>This has always been my arguement about Kobe, and how succesful he would be without Shaq, and how much more amazing Tracy McGrady would be with someone like Shaq. Yes, Michael was the greatest, but even he couldn't create such havoc and problems on defense as Shaq does. .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Say what? Didn’t they come up with the quote for MJ "don't get to close to Michael, you will get fouled?”
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Also Windy, the East has a much better chance to win it all than in recent years past.....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Maybe but still not going to win it, they only have 7 teams with a winning record going into the playoffs, 1 week ago that was only 5 teams with a winning record in the east.
It’s a shame you have a team going into the playoffs with a losing record, and have 2 teams in the west not even going to the playoffs!
That tells enough about the strength of the east.
Pacers and pistons only two team with a chance!
I say again, Shaq and Kobe, are both great players and need to get together quick.
Because both are hurting the team.
Look at Kobe, I say he played that way on purpose, just to tell Phil to stick it up his @ss.
But Kobe forgets that Phil already has 9 rings as a coach, so he doesn’t really care anymore.
Shaq needs to stop complaining about the refs, each year is the same thing, get in there and make at least on of the 2 FT and get the guys in foul trouble.
If the Lakers don’t win this years NBA Finals, one of the two guys has to go, I won’t say who, but one has to go!
Tom, Kobe "played" like that because Christie Blanketed him the whole game.......
Ok.....enough fun, seriously though, I expect Shaq to turn it on in the playoffs like he usually does. Kobe, well, who knows. All I know is right about now Payton & Malone have to be kicking themselves thinking that they sold their souls to the Devil and still might not get a ring........
Ok.....enough fun, seriously though, I expect Shaq to turn it on in the playoffs like he usually does. Kobe, well, who knows. All I know is right about now Payton & Malone have to be kicking themselves thinking that they sold their souls to the Devil and still might not get a ring........
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hache man:
.....All I know is right about now Payton & Malone have to be kicking themselves thinking that they sold their souls to the Devil and still might not get a ring........<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I AGREE...lol
.....All I know is right about now Payton & Malone have to be kicking themselves thinking that they sold their souls to the Devil and still might not get a ring........<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I AGREE...lol
I would much rather play Rockets than Mavs. Defense is what you need to win a championship, but gunners that can get hot can beat you in just one series. Besides in the playoffs I much rather face an inexperienced team to start off the playoffs figuring you can jump them with their nerves than you can the team that made the Conference Championships last year.
basketball is all about matchup...
rockets have yao who match up pretty well against shaq.
what about the mavs?
shawn bradley.... errrr.. are you kidding me?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WildBill:
I would much rather play Rockets than Mavs. Defense is what you need to win a championship, but gunners that can get hot can beat you in just one series. Besides in the playoffs I much rather face an inexperienced team to start off the playoffs figuring you can jump them with their nerves than you can the team that made the Conference Championships last year.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
rockets have yao who match up pretty well against shaq.
what about the mavs?
shawn bradley.... errrr.. are you kidding me?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WildBill:
I would much rather play Rockets than Mavs. Defense is what you need to win a championship, but gunners that can get hot can beat you in just one series. Besides in the playoffs I much rather face an inexperienced team to start off the playoffs figuring you can jump them with their nerves than you can the team that made the Conference Championships last year.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
