Was a $160 before win, $190 now. That is after a win, what if they had lost, and let me assure you, it could have went either way. No use recapping the end of game here, as it is everywhere. They have more holes than a 5lb chunk of Swiss cheese. Kadobe is out of control, should have lost game for them. That is why I call him Kadobe, he reminds me of those clay bricks. Triangle offense is non existent. Not even Zenmaster Phil can get them to believe. Poor glove and Malone must be demoralized as they took mega pay cuts to join this dysfunctional group. Hard to see my buddy Stern pushing this team through the playoffs. They just need blatant help and too many whistles, ratings or not. Plus, it is a catch 22, ratings may be there, maybe, but it is mostly negative. Rape charges and profanity laced tirades just are not good pr. But aside from the conspiracy theories, just not a good team on either side of the ball. A balanced team with a quick point guard and a dominant low post presence gives them fits. No help anywhere. They do not rotate, do not stop penetration and just give halfass efforts on most plays. The offense is either Kobe one on one or a Shaq bullrush to the rim. I think glove can't run the triangle, and Malone is from pick and roll backround. Just not enough time in system to get it down. There is also age factor on both. Shaq has evolved into a fat monster, and rarely gets off the floor. He used to jump 2 or 3 times for one board. Plus with the extra weight he just cannot move laterally. Low post guys like Duncan or Garnett just lose Malone and wheel right by Shaq. They seem to be backsliding just as the playoffs start. This is not a one game observation. But it started with there #1 nemisis, the Spurs, ending there 11 game winning streak at home. Turning point was they were getting beat and started getting real physical. Pop brought on Willis, and it blew up in their faces as he is too tough to push around. They have not been right since that game. And after seeing that I have loaded up against them, just waiting for my time after that winning streak. The only thing that surprised me yesterday was normally they are down at the start of the game, and have to rally back. That really plays into my betting strategies. But yesterday they just did enough to keep it close the entire game. Against a lousy #7 seed. IMO, they would have been better off coming in as a #4 seed. But that did not happen, and guess who is next in line with homefield, those mean Spurs. I had no faith in Grizzdogs yesterday. First year playoffs teams pay their dues. If Grizzdogs play oragami and Yao's Rockets play Fakers tough, Lakers get eliminated in same round, by same team as last year. I have put my money, heavily, where my mouth is. I cannot remember getting a former champ at 7-1, ever in my career. Once I got the Bulls at 6-1. After they had won it all. It was the year Suns with Charles were favored. And Wolfs at 9-1 is the highest I have seen a #1 seed. Of course those prices are gone, but Pinny is one sharp store. I think the ship is still at the dock, the tickets may be higher priced, but as long as Faker are favored to win it all, it is still worth boarding. Best Wishes...OF
Thanks for Sharing OF. As I've said in the past though, this is Shaq's team. If they want to be succesful, dump the ball into Shaq just as teams have done long before Kobe came along.Yes he has gotten a little bit lazy, but he still turns it up a notch when the playoffs start. 17 rebounds last night shows that. Shaq is still a franchise player that can take over and carry a team much easier than a guard (kobe) can. Once again, last night proved what I've been saying in this forum all along, this is Shaq's team. Dump the ball to him, and he will dominate the post. It's up to Phil Jackson to get that through to Kobe~wannabee and the rest of the players. Then when they begin double and triple~teaming him, let the other guys do their thing.
Kobe is too good for his own good.
In the last game of the season he made some unbelievable buzzer beaters that lead to them winning the game. The problem was the Lakers should have had that game in regulation but Kobe's own recklessness put him in position to look like a hero.
If Kobe didn't know he could make sportsceneter whenever he wanted would he still be a bonehead?
In the last game of the season he made some unbelievable buzzer beaters that lead to them winning the game. The problem was the Lakers should have had that game in regulation but Kobe's own recklessness put him in position to look like a hero.
If Kobe didn't know he could make sportsceneter whenever he wanted would he still be a bonehead?
Good point Hache, that is how they used to win championships. They also used to have a bench. But with Kadobe shooting the lowest % shots in history, you just are not going to have that Jailblazer luck very often. A 4-19 night is about as bad as it gets. If Kadobe ever thought of getting the ball to shaq, which he rarely does, it results on a collapse on him. Better shots for everyone with better spacing. Hack a Shaq back in vogue with the big guy going 4-14 from charity. Even though you and I remember how they used to win, Phil just can't get Kobe to listen, they don't call him Frank Sinatra around the league for nothing. Kadobe does it "my way". IMO, this Laker team is not as good as last years. Sports is a very demanding career, and very much mental. I just read the Fakers as not beleiving in themselves, with good reason. Even though the odds say they are the favorites, lot of public money there, they are not favorites. They know it, especially after last night. One disclaimer, the Spurs lost first playoff game last year. But they are mentally strong and disciplined. Mentally strong is not where the Lakers are at now. Game #2 could be a turning point, already, in the first round. Sadly, it will give me no more easy opportunities to fade them, but my futures will gain so long term or short, they are my money team. Sadsacks are right there also. Best Wishes...OF
Found my old ship at the dock post from 2 weeks ago. Guess it shows I stick with opinions. Lakers were +1.60 at the time, to win it all. Almost that price just to win next series. What a difference a couple of weeks makes to the futures. Best Wishes...OF
I am ready for the circle jerk as long as do not have to be pivot man. I think Kiss1 has major potential as our pivot man. If he can't do it no one can.
I am ready for the circle jerk as long as do not have to be pivot man. I think Kiss1 has major potential as our pivot man. If he can't do it no one can.
