Preview: Western Conference Semifinals Game 2 Lakers @ Spurs 5/5/04 (TNT)

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Parker was still scoreless in the 2nd half late into the 3rd quarter. I think he got his 1st basket in the 2nd half around the 4:00 minute mark of the 3rd. GP has to keep attacking.</div>
It didn't matter, the damage was already done. Players will cool off in certain times of the game but Parkers resilience is amazing for a guy his age.

Kobe Bryant going 7-17 from the field and scoring just 15 points is not going to get it done. Congrats to Bruce Bowen.

 

If the Lakers don't win Game 3, it's all but over. As we all know, no team has ever come back to win it after a 0-3 deficit. Cut the "we might as well be the first" crap... San Antonio is hot and ain't no way we're gonna win 4 straight against them. Win Game 3, and there's still a chance for us. Blow it and wait for next year.

But I'm also wondering how come the Lakers didn't get the homecourt advantage in this series? The had a 3-1 advantage against the Spurs in the regular, and they did finish 2nd in seeding to the Spurs' 3rd. How come were the first two games of this series played on the SBC Center?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">But I'm also wondering how come the Lakers didn't get the homecourt advantage in this series? The had a 3-1 advantage against the Spurs in the regular, and they did finish 2nd in seeding to the Spurs' 3rd. How come were the first two games of this series played on the SBC Center?</div>

They finished as the 2nd seed because they won the pacific division title, which means an automatic #1 or 2 seed, depending on if you have a better record than the other division title winner. The Spurs had a better record than the Lakers, and the pacific division title thing doesn't take effect anymore, therefore the Lakers are basically the #3 seed now. I think I kinda made that explaination complicated... but ohwell lol

 

Man I'm worried about how Karl will be when they play on Sunday. It's Mothers day and he doesn't know how he will get by that day, let alone play the game. But it ain't over to the Fat lady sings. Somehow Shaq and Kobe has to find away to have great games at the same time, like how it use to be. I still say the Lakers will find a way to win game 3, and come back to even the series. Momentum shift backs to the Lakers. Then we'll see how things go from their.

 

Well good thing I was in Oakland for the Yankees/A's game last night, because I'm sure I would've started throwing objects at both the television and the walls at my house. Hmmm....I wonder who I should start with first???

Gary Payton. Once again in the most crucial, most critical playoff game in which we had to win, you again stunk it up not only for yourself, but for your entire teammates and Phil Jackson who depended on you and has given you numerous opportunities to make something of yourself. But he has failed to stop Tony Parker. I don't know if he feels intimidated, or if his legs are really stiffening up on him, but he looked downright horrific. Tony Parker looked like a guy that had some kind of turbo-boosts on his feet, because he just breezed past him on every Spur possession. Thanks a lot G.P. You whine and complain about not getting enough playing time, that you absolutely hate being a role player, but when we ask you to play f***** 48 minutes and shut down your opponents like you've done for most of your career, you can't get it done. Go to the bench you pathetic has-been. You're embarrassing yourself and your "legacy."

The only good statistic I see in this loss is Shaquille O'Neal. He re-established himself in the paint, dominated the low post, and had glimpses of his good old days in the playoffs. 32 points on 15/21 shooting. I just wish he'd do more work on those free throws. 2/7 from the line won't cut it at all. We return home down 2-0 in this series, and even though I have said yesterday afternoon that if the Lakers stab themselves in the foot, it's over. But I'm still holding out some hope that the Lakers can take one home game at a time. Playing 48 minutes of team basketball at Staples Center and making few mistakes. Because if our Lakers once again struggle, and I'm talking about Payton allowing Parker to have his way, Malone not able to contain Duncan, and the Spurs capitalize on these categories, consider this series all but over. Because there is no way on this earth that the Lakers will take four straight from those guys.

 

Someone needs to slap Karl and Gary in the head and remind them why they came to the Lakers. They came to WIN a ring, not GET a ring. The difference being that they need to play at their highest level to win what they (use to) feel they deserved. But right now, they're playing like star-eyed rookies. They need to sit down, run over plays on O and D. I've never seen Phil that mad before, and I agree with him. The Lakers are a team that I respect, and to see them play like this reminds me of how the seasoned Celtic fans must feel. LIKE CRAP!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Q Rich3:</div><div class="quote_post">I saw one bright spot from Payton in this game, and that was the start of the third quarter when he had 6 pts in a row...all from the low post. </div>

Yeah, the Lakers came out in the 3rd not using the triangle for a couple of plays. Gary scored a couple of points and got an assist without the triangle, then turned it over and Phil went back to the triangle. I really liked the way the Lakers played WITHOUT the triangle earlier this season, There's more running and better ball movement. I really want to see more of the Laker playing without the triangle, I just think it is more fit for the team they have now. Stubborn Jackson doesn't want to try anything else, but even he has to notice how much better the flow was when they played without it..

 

In this sport, you have to learn to adapt. I think that showed a little when Phil said to play out of the triangle and let Gary do his thing. It's weird, but in the last two games, the Lakers looked like the team we expected to see when the season began. Hmph. Anyway, Gary shows the Spurs that Parker will need some help in the post, that's a good sign. How do the Laker fans feel about giving Walton more time on the floor? He did a good job of finding the open man late in the season, but we all know the playoffs are a different type of game. If the Lakers open up the offense, you see they have 4 Hall of Famers who can score in different ways. The Lakers should be the hardest team to defend for that reason IMO. Use that to your strength.

 

^ I like Walton, but I don't want to see him in any playoff games. He was in with one or two minutes left in last night's game, and was overpassing again. He passed on an open 3 and drove, then dished it to Kobe again.. take the open shot! He also missed both of his freethrows with under a minute left to go. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game but I still hate seeing guys miss BOTH. I'd rather see Russell, I've said this all playoffs, but if we need a guy who can shoot the three he should be playing too. He can also play defense... I'd put Russell in over Walton in the playoffs.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sabretooth:</div><div class="quote_post">How do the Laker fans feel about giving Walton more time on the floor? He did a good job of finding the open man late in the season, but we all know the playoffs are a different type of game. If the Lakers open up the offense, you see they have 4 Hall of Famers who can score in different ways. The Lakers should be the hardest team to defend for that reason IMO. Use that to your strength.</div>

We already know Phil jackson doesn't show any love for his rookies having more playing time. But if you were to ask me from my perspective, he'd have to stay on the bench. Sure, he's an excellent passer and has a tendency to shoot the outside shot once in a while, but the problem with him is his horrific low post defense, and if he ever guarded Duncan in this series, he'd be eaten alive.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">We already know Phil jackson doesn't show any love for his rookies having more playing time. But if you were to ask me from my perspective, he'd have to stay on the bench. Sure, he's an excellent passer and has a tendency to shoot the outside shot once in a while, but the problem with him is his horrific low post defense, and if he ever guarded Duncan in this series, he'd be eaten alive.</div>


Walton has some great skills,but Fever's right,Jackson loves the Vet's,and not the rookies

Maybe if Walton had a better low post D,than he probably would get more playing time..Maybe

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Undertakernv:</div><div class="quote_post">Stick a fork in 'em, they're done.</div>
Forget it, I have no more credibility.

 

Did Any1 See That Shot!!! Omg That Was Crazy Fisher Is The Man!