Kobe is the best player in the game. Sucks, but it's true. Pau Gasol really stepped up his game too. Gotta give them credit. I think they would have trampled LeBron and the Cavs.
Lol, nah Bron would done work on Kobe. How about Trevor Ariza though? There was a couple of times when Orlando was gaining momentum and he came out of nowhere and scored like 10+ in a quarter. Obviously played great D throughout as well. Made a lot of big plays. Wonder if any teams are gonna throw a ton of money at him in free agency.
Sure, Lebron would have shown up, but that's the problem with the Cavs, they don't have the supporting cast that the Lakers do. I would still guess Lakers in 5 or maybe 6.
Didn't look like he did work on Kobe this year, brah. 33% shooting in two games. :] Would have been fun though, ratings would be epic of course. Ariza was stellar, he still has a bit to go with his consistency though. Pay him Buss. :[
Looks like Phil Jackson may call it quits soon. Kobe may opt out. Ariza and Odom are free agents. It should make for an interesting offseason for the Lakers. The Warriors may actually have a chance to take the division next season. (HIGH hopes) http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59822/20090615/barkley_jackson_will_leave_lakers/ (Barkley writing for the LA Times. Wow that newspaper is really in the dumps. Take it for what it's worth) http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59825/20090615/kobe_may_opt_out/
I have to admit Kobe's hang in the air, switch the ball in his hands, and bank it off glass shot was sweet. Then he skids off the court on his butt.
Phil leaving I can believe even though its from Charles Barkley. Kobe wont opt out. If he does, he'll resign for a lower rate to keep this team intact. He knows this team can win championships, and he's all about the titles now. He just has a few "PRIME" years left. This is his opportunity to win a few more. He's definitely a Laker for life.
Maybe. Maybe not. He seemed very ready to leave the Lakers not too long ago. If Phil leaves, and Kobe doesn't like what the Lakers management do with some of the other free agents and perhaps other moves this offseason, I could see Kobe getting ready to leave. But then again I wouldn't bet too much money on Kobe leaving. But I think he was mad West left, and if Phil leaves and he's unhappy with management, I wouldn't say Kobe would want to stick around too long.
I rooted for the Lakers because I enjoy watching them move the ball and use their post players in the triangle rather than the stand around post up on the block. I was happy to see Gasol get rid of the "soft Euro" tag which was just wrong, that guy banged as hard as anyone. Loved how he went up in traffic to get rebounds and block shots and challenge Howard's shots and moves. Lakers do not win without him. Odom is an enigma but he's working his rear end off and when he's on he's one of the smoothest guys out there. Yes Jackson has won with superstars, but who hasn't? What I like about him is his refusal to just call all the timeouts and the way he leaves guys in even if they are not executing properly. Think about how Nellie would have handled Bynum if he committed some stupid fouls, Bynum would have been yanked out immediately. Jackson keeps him out there and then after taking him out gives him another chance.
I actually flip flopped a bit. I was just cheering great plays. The Lakers played much better basketball than Orlando. Phil really is incredible. How he manages to get guys like Fisher into position and gets him to pass up the ball, then convinces Pau to buckle down and play D. Odom actually woke up in this series. There are talks that Phil wants to retire. I'd love to see how good Kobe really is without him. My gut tells me that you wouldn't see much of a drop off in him, but the team would fall apart.
Even though Fish hit that huge 3 and will be remembered for that shot, as well he should, there were still some cringe-worthy plays that called up his tour as the "Warrior go-to guy".
Fisher, Powell, Mbenga win a championship. Pietrus and Foyle go to the finals. If we just stuck with that core maybe it would be us hoisting the trophy!
