<div align="center"> However, I have a feeling the Lakers will come out with a purpose. Kobe, of all people, should know that this game is do or die. Lamar will notch a double double, and the Laker bench will step up and help carry the load. <div class="quote_poster">lakers_kb24 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Guys, I have a question, but it's off-topic.. Why haven't any of us made game previews as of late? I've nver seen one in the Lakers forum since the beggining of the season.</div> There you go.
Great preview One & Only, it's nice having you back Personally, I doubt we come into Phoenix and win, but you never know. We're on the brink of elimination so hopefully we'll play our best basketball of the season
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Great preview One & Only, it's nice having you back Personally, I doubt we come into Phoenix and win, but you never know. We're on the brink of elimination so hopefully we'll play our best basketball of the season</div> I guess it would be poetic justice for the Lakers to come back from 3-1 (like PHX did last year), but I have no other reason to believe so.
Thanks One & Only.. Did you actually do that just cause I asked that question? But, anyway, I agree that Odom is a key to us winning this game. I feel we have a slight chance of winning this game.
Great preview O&O. I have to disagree however on the key matchup. The key match up in my opinion ins Kwame Brown vs Amare Staudamire. Let's WIN THIS SH!T COME ON LAKERS!
If we go out... i want us to go out hard... i want the PHX suns fans watching live to feel how great the Lakers are even in defeat hehe
I really hope Kenny Smith's words come to fruition tonight. "The real series doesn't start until a team faces elimination." The Lakers are one game away from being sent home in the 1st round again by the Suns. The Lakers have reared their inconsistent style of play in this series, and it's impossible to figure out which team is going to show up tonight. All eyes are going to be on Kobe Bryant. Will he play facilitator tonight, or will he try to take this game over and force a Game 6? The key once again is going to be the play of Kwame Brown. In order for the Lakers to win, he has to outplay Amare Stoudemire. It's a lot to ask, especially on the road against a hostile crowd. The Suns know how to close games out, and the Lakers haven't proven anything up to this point. At this point, I'd be happy to just see the Lakers compete for 4 quarters and play with some passion. Phoenix is clearly the better team, but if the Lakers can put themselves in a position to win at the end of the game, anything is possible. The Lakers have to be the aggressor tonight and be relentless at attacking the rim. Don't allow Phoenix to set their zone defense and run the shot clock down to 2 seconds and a low percentage shot. The ball movement needs to be crisp, and players have to make wide open looks from the inside and outside. Lakers have to come out loose and just believe in their system and style. They have to recognize the Triangle offense is designed for post season success if it's executed properly. When the Lakers overthink, they get in trouble because everyone's standing around waiting for Kobe to bail them out. I also think PJax needs to shorten his bench again. All 12 players should not play in this game. Go with your best 7 guys tonight and play all the starters over 40 minutes if necessary. Lakers need to play for pride tonight and to take back some momentum in the series. I absolutely do not want to see this team pack it in early like they did in Game 7 last year.
I don't think the entire Laker squad is going to show up mentally tonight. Most of them probably lost hope and gave up, I hope they find the light tonight and keep this series goin.
PHX 117-101. It's really, really hard to think otherwise when your team doesn't even know how to play basketball consistently. When your team doesn't know how to defend.
<div class="quote_poster">lakers_kb24 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks One & Only.. Did you actually do that just cause I asked that question?</div> Indeed. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting illmatic:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to disagree however on the key matchup. The key match up in my opinion ins Kwame Brown vs Amare Staudamire.</div> I would have put that, but my faith in Kwame isn't too hot. I'd rather have to rely on Odom coming up big, than Kwame. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> I also think PJax needs to shorten his bench again. All 12 players should not play in this game. Go with your best 7 guys tonight and play all the starters over 40 minutes if necessary.</div> I'm on the fence with that one. If the bench doesn't show up early, then I agree. Just let the starters and a short rotation do the work.
Wow, we aren't doing so well... Suns, please do us all a favor and don't choke this one. Eliminate the Lakers tonight to relieve us all. Start the off-season please
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is anybody even expecting a win?</div> My dad kept saying before the game that we were going to win. Weird because he didn't even bother to watch the game
Lakers DEFINITELY have a chance to win. Phoenix always gives teams a chance to get back in the game. They ain't the Spurs. Plus PHX has pressure on them - do they want to go back to L.A. to avoid a Game 7? probably not....
At least there is a bright side. I'm 100% sure Smush Parker's last game in the Purple and Gold is happening. I'm positive that Lamar's last game is tonight, as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">At least there is a bright side. I'm 100% sure Smush Parker's last game in the Purple and Gold is happening. I'm positive that Lamar's last game is tonight, as well.</div> The only person I expect to definitely be back next year is Kobe. seriously. I could see them ditching Bynum and/or Lamar in a heartbeat for a KG or a JO. L.A. is an impatient fan base.
Yup. I agree that Kobe's the only player on the team that has a 100% guarantee of being here next year. The fans want changes. Phil wants changes. Kobe wants changes. The Buss' will make these changed due to all of that. I fully expect a major deal this offseason or some medium level deals to improve the team.
Kobe Bryant is playing terrible on offense right now. If indeed this is Odom's last game as a Laker, I can respect his effort he's putting out there right now. He's keeping us in this.
