<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Magic Johnson doesn't like what he sees from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he decided to speak up about it Saturday. ``I think the Lakers had a mind-set that was disrespectful to the Pistons. They thought it was going to be easy. That is not the case,'' Johnson said. ``Unless they come out and play very hard, with the same level of intensity as the Pistons, this series will be over.'' Johnson, a vice president and part-owner of the Lakers, was not displaying his trademark grin as he exited The Palace on Thursday night following the Lakers' 20-point loss in Game 3. At a news conference to promote his basketball camp, Johnson heavily criticized the Lakers. ``I am angry. You have to compete. And we're not competing,'' he said. ``You can just see the Lakers' frustration. No one is welcoming anyone to the bench. Guys are sitting there, wandering off into the crowd, defeated. We've got to get that look off our faces and play basketball the way it's supposed to be played. If not, the series won't get back to Los Angeles.'' The series resumes Sunday night with the Detroit Pistons leading the best-of-seven series 2-1. ``I have eight rings and I want nine,'' Johnson said. ``My anger is that we haven't competed in this series. I don't know what's going on. I don't know what the mind-set is. But this is just unacceptable.''</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Yahoo Sports.</font> The great man speaks great truths.
It's an excellent quote. I really hope the Lakers heard Magic's words because not only can those words fire them up, but it can be a difference maker in this series if the Lakers choose to play with intensity and heart.
I agree completly with Magic Johnson. The Lakers aren't their ownself. If Gary doesn't want to play, we should just bench him and start Derek Fisher. I mean, GP isn't even trying, he's an insult to the Lakers. If he wants to try and win the ring, he should get out there and play with heart and soul. Nonetheless the Lakers dissapointed the Laker Fans. What really bothered me was that the leading scorer was Shaq, but he had 15 POINTS!. And also at one point KB8 and Shaq combined for 21 points, and Rip had 21 points single handledly. Also, the Laker's defense was horrible, at least 4 or 5 times Rip stepped up to Shaq and shot the ball right in front of Shaq and Shaq didn't even try to block him. In game one and two, Rip had less then 20 points, but in game three he had 31 ponits, unbelievable. But the Pistons however played great, one of the best defenses I have ever caught sight on. But all I can do is hope that things will change in game four.
I just seen Magic talking about the Lakers play. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Saying there was no excuse for Malone pointing at one of those fans the way he did and GP missing a wide open shot. He shot an airball, nobody was even in 10 feet of em. I don't care if their running the triangle or the 1 4 offense. It's an open look.</div> Preach, I hope that lights of fire under Gary and Malone. I know Malone is injured so he won't be able to produce much. Just that he handles himself better will help and GP needs to hit those open shots.
I think L.A. should win game 4 now, this should light a fire under them..if It doesnt I dont know what will..GP needs to take note of this, he has had plenty of open shots, he is just missing them.
I really hope the Lakers don't take heed of Magic words, simply because I want the Pistons to win, and what Magic has to say is very much spot on
Somebody had to publicly say the Lakers are horrible at the moment, and good thing it was Magic Johson. I don't care how good the Piston's defense is, the Lakers shouldn't be suffocating this bad to it. Tayshawn is doggin Kobe at the moment, they need to set screens for him for open looks. Shaq will be hammered, Kobe will be hammered, so Gary needs to hit those shots. If Gary wants to be any kind of factor then just pass the ball to Shaq or hit your open shots, thats all.
To me it just sounds like talk to get the Lakers hyped for the next game.Dang Magic seems more hungrier for a ring the Gary Payton does.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">To me it just sounds like talk to get the Lakers hyped for the next game.Dang Magic seems more hungrier for a ring the Gary Payton does.</div> Its disgusting, it looks like GP is taking it out on his teammates for his anger with Phil JAckson...he is playing like he is playing a pickup game at the Y on Sunday...it is pathetic...I want him off the team, he hasnt done us any good in the playoffs...I wouldnt be surprised if Fisher starts tonight.
If anybody saw SportsCenter, I agree with Stephon A Smith and go ahead start Fisher (mabey Fox, Medvedenko preferably) and go to a zone defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr_Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">If anybody saw SportsCenter, I agree with Stephon A Smith and go ahead start Fisher (mabey Fox, Medvedenko preferably) and go to a zone defense.</div> This would be my starting lineup: PG-Fisher SG-Kobe SF-George PF-Malone C- Liek I said, I think Slava is a loose cannon and I think Malone is better than him still in the early stages of the game, in the latter stages Malone really hurt us, Sheed got some dunks because Malone was too slow. As for Fox, I dont think he should start, much rather have George..Fox IMO is a downgrade from George, because George can have a good game anytime if he starts out hot and that can be a deciding factor in the game.
Haha, yeah i don't know why they arent starting D-Fish, He's very involved... emotionally. I think he has more heart than Payton to win. But since I'm cheering for the Pistons, I hope Phil continues to start and play Payton a lot for the rest of the series. gahahahaha.
I will agree now the D-Fish should start over GP now because GP doesn't even breathe hard out there. He looks like he's just along for the ride. Magics statements definately didn't lite a fire under his butt, and Phil should just start somebody who looks and knows that he wants to win so badly. GP doesn't seem to care anymore.
Unfortunately, the Lakers weren't aware of what Magic Johnson said about them. During the Press Conference after the game, a journalist asked Kobe how he felt about Magic's comment, and Kobe said, "What did he say?” So it seems as if the Lakers didn't get the message, will Kobe didn't get the message for that part. I think if they were are of the message, they would have somewhat put a little more effort and desire to win in that game. Nonetheless, they're the 3-Time NBA Champions and I don't think Magic Johnson had to speak up to get their attention, they should know what they're doing wrong, and are supposed to be ready every game and give it their all. Or maybe it’s the fact that their future together is unknown, can that be the problem?
