Although we are the heavily favorites to lose it. I don't think we will. I think Smush and the guys will come back 10 times more focused because they know it is either win and advance or lose and play no ball for the upcoming 5 months. La just needs to try to keep the crowd quiet by building up an early lead. Moreover make them drive goddamned..every time the Suns hit a 3 it's because La's defense gives them that space. La will win game 7 by 5 points. I wished Kobe had said that in the Press Conference like Mj said after the Pacers made it 3-3. P.S. It's a shame KB didn't hit that last shot in regulation. Wouldn't that have been a dagger hitting 2 game winning shots in a series
Lakers will lose,Suns have the momentum and they also have Raja back.Can't see them lose.If the Lakers lose people will start to talk about Kobe's ability to lead a team in the playoffs (Being up 3-1 and then losing the next 3 games)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Martin:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers will lose,Suns have the momentum and they also have Raja back.Can't see them lose.If the Lakers lose people will start to talk about Kobe's ability to lead a team in the playoffs (Being up 3-1 and then losing the next 3 games)</div> T-mac Part II
I am sure this time Phil will clearly tell the team when you have a 3 point lead and the ball, you (refferring to Smush) dont drive and get your shot blocked, You give it to #8. I think the Lakers will look crisp. I am hoping the game will be close again. We need to deactivate smush and start Devean George. Put Lamar at the point for all I care. Just dont put that guy in the game. Please.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NBA MAN:</div><div class="quote_post">If Kobe is the next Jordan he has to win this. This will tell us all about Kobe Bryant.</div> Kobe is the next Kobe! Just watch...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is the next Kobe! Just watch...</div> LOL True
I have a good feeling about this game. Everyone is talking about it's over, no chance. This whole series, the Lakers controlled by pounding it inside. I think we can expect the same thing tommorow. Steve Nash will get his layups but I think the Lakers move well defensively and hold them under a 100. I hope.
It could go either way really. Hard to get a read on. The return of Raja could easily spark the Suns at their home court. I'm picking the Lakers though. Phil Jackson's shown a definite coaching advantage. And I think at some point before the game, these players are going to realize that this series has been their's to lose for 3 games now. I just hope it isn't a blowout. I want an exciting game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a good feeling about this game. Everyone is talking about it's over, no chance. This whole series, the Lakers controlled by pounding it inside. I think we can expect the same thing tommorow. Steve Nash will get his layups but I think the Lakers move well defensively and hold them under a 100. I hope.</div> Man.. Nobody even had us winning a game against them, or be in the playoffs for that matter. So us being here should be the real upset, and therefore I wouldn't even feel THAT messed up. We did have a great run, this is about the experience we miss which is completely normal look for LA to come back next year for 50+ wins and a lot better seeding. BTW we will win game 7. No matter what Kobe and Lamar AND PhilJax won't let them lose.
To quote the great Laker point guard and role player Derek Fisher from an interview in 2002 before the Lakers took to the floor to play the Sacremento Kings for game 7 at Arco Arena... "This is just how we have to do it..." That is all we need to realize that this is how the Lakers have to do it. What is better than having all odds stacked aganist you in a game 7 on their home floor with no one giving you any chance. Nothing. We did it to Sacremento and we can do it again. Granted we had a much better team than we do now with savvy and playoff experience. But this Pheonix team isn't nearly as good as Sacremento was. They are injured and while riding a surge of confidence over the last couple of games are still vulnerable. We need to stick to the game plan. Take it inside to Odom and Kwame. Have Kobe play a two man inside outside game with one of those guys. That way if they double the man down low they pass it out for Kobe to shoot or drive. Parker has to get his head in the game or Jackson needs to lean on Sasha and use him more often his defense last game was much better than Parkers and Sasha is always aggresive no matter if he is making shots or not. So remember fellas that this is just how we have to do it and it will making winning feel that much better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">T-mac Part II</div> Don't make that comparison. Kobe didn't promise the Lakers would pull this victory out. He was humble and kept saying how hard the series would be to close out...and that's what it's been, hard. Tmac came out and guaranteed a victory, there's a big difference. To win game 7, the Lakers must: Control the Tempo: In games 2-4, the Lakers controlled everything, especially the tempo. Phil and Kobe know what they have to do to win...control the tempo. Look for Kobe to go back to the initiator, and Lamar being the primary threat. Bench Smush Parker: He's had plenty of time to adjust to the playoffs, and he can't. He isn't hitting anything, his defense is horrible. The Suns don't even worry about him. They can leave him to go double Kobe or Odom. I think starting Sasha or George would be the smart thing to do. Sasha seems to get in Nash's head and it works. He's quick and has been hitting his threes. Pound the Post: In their wins, the Lakers pounded the post. In game 7, if they want to win, post up Lamar, Kwame, and Kobe. Pound it into them. Playing a half-court post game will slow the tempo down to where the Suns are just the Sparks. If we settle for jumpers and miss them, it ignites the fast break. I'm not predicting anything. I have a good feeling going into game 7. Phil Jackson's a smart man, smarter than D'Antoni. He'll make the adjustments necessary to keep LA in contention all night long.
Control Tempo, Bench Smush Parker, Pound the Ball, but most of all cut back on the damn turnovers. In the last two games the lakers gave away the game by turning over the ball and missing freethrows. Both Kobe and LO have to make their freethrows specially in close games.
Bring in the veterans in the fourth quarter and let Smush come off the bench. Control the tempo like we did last game, don't get into foul trouble. We have to find a way to stop the threes from going in. The thing that killed us the most is the turnovers we have to stop making bad passes.
I can't imagine how loud it will be in Phoenix,game 7's are loud as hell but after what happend between Kobe and Raja it will be one of the loudest games of the year.Players can't even hear their thoughts
Here's how I see it, the 2 scenarios playing out.... 1) Kobe puts up 45+ pts(30+ shots), Lakers lose. 2)Kobe puts up around 20-30(25- shots), Lakers win. So I will go for 1. I think Kobe will go for 50+ again and the Lakers lose.
