<div align="center"> <font color="orange">The Phoenix Suns (54-28)</font> @ <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)</font> <font color="purple">Lakers lead, 3-2</font> Thursday, May 4th, 2006 STAPLES Center 7:30 PM Pacific; TNT, FSN </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="orange"> <font size="1">(S. Nash, L. Barbosa, J. Jones, S. Marion, B. Diaw)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Steve Nash - 22.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shawn Marion - 8.8 RPG Assist Man: Steve Nash - 9.0 APG The Bench Man: Tim Thomas (15.2 PPG, 1.0 APG, 7.8 RPG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_nash.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Steve Nash</font> PPG: 22.0, RPG: 4.4, APG: 9.0 Nash looked like the league MVP in game 5. He knew the Suns needed a win to stay alive, he knew he needed to win to help justify his MVP award. He got those, but in game 6 it won't be enough. Nash might torch Smush Parker all night long, but I expect the Lakers to slow the game down again and make Nash the primary scorer, which he struggles with.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/leandro_barbosa.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Leandro Barbosa</font> PPG: 8.2, RPG: 1.0, APG: 2.4 Barbosa is going to become a victim of Raja Bell's attitude, temper, and stupidity. He gets the lucky task of guarding a PISSED off Kobe Bryant. Barbosa is going to have to use his quickness to nullify Kobe's power when the Lakers have the ball. Barbosa is in for a rough, rough night.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/james_jones.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">James Jones</font> PPG: 5.0, RPG: 3.6, APG: 0.2 In game 5, Jones started with some big buckets early to get the Suns offense rolling. Don't expect a repeat performance. Luke Walton knows what he has to do to keep Jones from having an effect on the game. Luke's also a good defender, I expect him to make adjustments for Jones, can Jones do the same?</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shawn_marion.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shawn Marion</font> PPG: 18.6, RPG: 8.8, APG: 1.2 After struggling all series, Marion finally put together a half way decent game, although his shooting was atrocious. In game 6, Marion is going to get a lot of Lamar Odom, especially early in the game. Can Marion keep up with Lamar in the post? I doubt it. He gives up 3 inches to Lamar to go along with 30 pounds. Lamar is physically stronger and will once again, tear Marion apart.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/boris_diaw.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Boris Diaw</font> PPG: 17.6, RPG: 6.6, APG: 5.2 Diaw might finally be adapting to the playoffs, he had a very good game in game 5 and it propelled the Suns to an easy victory. I don't think he'll have the same kind of game in this one for one reason...the Lakers are ticked. Kwame Brown was thrown to the floor last game, and nothing was called. I'm looking for Kwame to come out strong early, I don't know if Diaw can match.</font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Walton, L. Odom, K. Brown) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 22.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 12.7 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.7 APG The Bench Man: Brian Cook (7.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 10.2, RPG: 3.2, APG: 1.0 After coming up big in game 4, Smush stunk it up in game 5. He missed his first 6 shots, possibly more. In game 6, Smush needs to rebound from his atrocious games. We need him to come out hot, early. We need him to post up Nash, not get caught on the pick n rolls, and hit open shots that Kobe creates for him.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 224.2, RPG: 6.4, APG: 6.0 After being the victim of an attempted murder, Kobe Bryant's going to be pissed. He has Barbosa on him, but he'll probably see Marion on him early. While Barbosa is on him, Kobe needs to post up, drive, and take smart jumpers. He can elevate easily over Barbosa, so every jumper he takes should feel wide open. Kobe's out for revenge, he wants to win. And he will.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luke_walton.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Luke Walton</font> PPG: 11.8, RPG: 7.0, APG: 2.0 Luke is another big factor in this game. He should have a guard on him until the Suns put Thomas in, so he needs to be effective in the post. He's physically big, so when he's in the post, I'm looking for him to back his man down and net his post fade with ease, all game long.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 20.0, RPG: 12.2, APG: 4.6 Lamar has been incredible this series, and it'll be taken to a new level in game 6. The Lakers will look to him early and often in the post, and he'll be able to do what he wants with it. Lamar is the key to the Lakers closing this series out at home. He knows they can't afford to go back to PHX. I'm looking for an explosive game from Lamar in this one: 28, 15, and 6.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 13.0, RPG: 6.4, APG: 1.0 With pending sexual assault charges, Kwame Brown had an incredible game for the time he played in game 5. He got in early foul trouble when the Suns started flopping on him. I think Kwame comes out strong again, very aggressive, but controlled. I'm looking for the second quarter to be his quarter. Phil will start each quarter pounding it to him or Lamar, so Kwame needs to be ready.</font> <font size="3">Lakers Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="purple">Control the Pace</font> - The Lakers let the Suns get out early, establish the running game, establish the pace, and establish the crowd. In game 6, if they want to close the series, they can't let that happen again. This game is a must win for them, they need that half-court game in effect from the start.[*]<font color="purple">Feed Lamar</font> - This is Lamar's game to shine. I'm expecting Phil to have the gameplan as followed: Pound it to Lamar in the post the first 3 quarters, ISO Lamar, feed Kobe in the 4th. Lamar is going to have an explosive game if he can convert on his first couple of shots.[*]<font color="purple">Finish It</font> - The Lakers can't afford to have this series taken to a game 7 in PHX, they won't win. They need to finish this on their home court, in front of the home crowd, if they don't, they'll play the hardest game of the season on Saturday.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> "We're going back home, they'll have to drive on us there ? and if that's the way they want to play, we can play like we're in the park," said Lamar Odom. That says everything I need to say. After what Raja did to Kobe last game, you can expect the Lakers to end this series in style. Lakers: 99, Suns: 87..
It's all come down to this game for the Lakers. The physical play will be established early by Los Angeles by posting up whoever, Barbosa is guarding. He's undersized and he picks up fouls in bunches. Expect Tim Thomas to come off the bench very fast in this game. Raja Bell has turned this series into a war now. Staples Center is going to be loud and rocking all night long. He's given the normally dormant crowd a reason to be pissed and cheer for their home team. When the Laker fans get rowdy, they are one of the most intimidating crowds in the league. The energy from the crowd is going to energize the Lakers and keep them focused for 48 minutes. This game will come down to the wire again, and the Lakers will come out victorious.
I think we need to post up WHOEVER is out there for the Suns..we get the appropriate switches and whatnot..the just post it up and take it HARD to the rack....energy will be supplied by the Laker fans...and by themselves over the last game....Kobe will play with a chip on his shoulder, but I don't want this chip to take away from the successful team play so far...also we need better defensuive rotation on the LOW block passing from block to block or block to middle...once we see the cutter going we should pick him right away...no standing and staring...I won't be able to watch this game because I'm being put on a TV ban till Saturday because of my AP test on friday and my SAT II on saturday morning...so guys...make up for my cheering..I'm with yall in spirit...and Shape..you best represent me well..lol have fun friends
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post">Speaking of the crowd, I got $100 on Jack jawin at the Suns and the refs all night long!</div> Who is stupid enough to take that bet? Of course Jack is gonna be mouthing off. Even when they are winning he is their assistant coach.
my friend's going to this game. that luck son of a *****! this is a must win for us. if we lose this game, i dont see us going to phoenix and beating them. we must capitalize on the opportunity. the suns will be without raja bell, amare, kurt, and a bruised up tim thomas. we cant ask for a better advantage than this. also, its our home court, and our fans will be behind us 100%. lets win this for kobe's new born daughter!
I'm glad everyone in the world know's this is a must win. Luke Walton said after last game that the team knew it was a must win, they just didn't play like it- I look for them to come out sharp, making crisp passes, moving the ball around and finishing this game off early. There pissed, and annoyed with Phoenix and don't want to see Raja Bells punk ass again.
This is a big game the Lakers need to win this game. If they go back to Phoenix for game seven the young guys on the Lakers will have lost a lot of confidence knowing they let a 3-1 series lead slip away, and being on the opponents home court will not help matters. The Suns will be without Bell (most likely) so they have no one who can even contain Kobe. Expect Kobe to have a big scoring night, but still get his teammates involved.
I say post Kobe wait for the double team and have LAMAR dive in cause Lamar has great hands to be able to catch it then dunk it, make the lay-up, or get fouled...
Phil and Kobe Want Raja in Game 6 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe and Phil, in fact, stunned observers here by making a co-plea to commissioner Stern to spare Bell from suspension. "We want him out there," Jackson said. "We want their full team out there to play. It's the only way to do it. You have to earn what you win." It came across as a noble stance, especially given Jackson's well-chronicled status as a pioneer in the art of calculated quotes at the post-game dais to work the refs for the next game. If you're looking for the ulterior side of it, maybe Jackson wants to make sure the home crowd has a target. Maybe he just wants to make sure Kobe's at his edgiest. Bryant, after all, also says he's rooting against a suspension, insisting that Tuesday's escalation in his season-long tiff with Bell "actually excites me." </div> link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?pa...ailydime-060503 shhhhhh! before the league reverses the suspension!
It's a MUST MUST win situation. The Lakers need to win Game 6, otherwise they'll be in trouble for Game 7 in Phoenix.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color=""Red"">We should win this game so Raja Bell could</font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PPG: 224.2</div> Damn I knew Kobe was a scoring machine
We have to beat up on Barbosa and the block. I'm afraid that guys like Eddie House and Tim Thomas will get hot. We have to take this suspension to our advantage. This is a must win game for us, ps expect a kobe domination.
This is what LO said on Quite Frankly"It's gonna be aggressive and intense in Game 6. That pissed us off, that was our leader. It's gonna be like we back in the parks. We just gonna take em back to West 4th, ya know. The Rucker. Ya know?" Stephen A. responds, "Ok LO, break it down...for the nation that's viewing this but doesn't know what you mean by West 4th and Rucker? LO says, "You know. We gonna be real aggressive. We gonna get the ball in the post to Kwame, myself. We gonna be real physical, real aggressive. Maybe get our hands on 'em defensively."
^NICE! Love LO, after Bell fouled Kobe, Odom WISELY went up to Bell and gave him a few words, gotta love it. IT IS ON GAME 6! $900+ on this game, LETS GO LAKERS, KILL THEM SUNS!!!!
