<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jesseca328:</div><div class="quote_post">After yesterdays loss to Denver our team beating the Heat is very possible. Hope we get a W as a present for Xmas.</div> I don't see what Miami losing to the Nuggets has anything to do with this game. As for this game, I doubt It lives up to the hype. Games that are really hyped up hardly ever live up to expections. Maybe If both teams were already contenders then It might be more interesting. Wade is always fun to watch so I will watch the Heat for that reason alone, Shaq should dominate but again It depends how many shots he actually gets or should I say If he actually gets in good low post position. If Kobe decides he is going to try and prove a point to Shaq, he will fail just like he failed when he took being matched up with Bruce Bowen seriously last year.
Haha, when Bowen is guarding Kobe, he's all hands. He can't keep them off Kobe's arms, chest, back, everywhere. I like Bowen as a perimeter defender...sure, he's good...but he gets away with a little too much. For example, in the game against the Spurs this season...Kobe was fouled at least 4 times that I can count, where Bowen was getting away with it...and two of them should've been flagrants (the hard push before Kobe went out of bounds, and the shoulder/elbow Kobe took after his three point attempt). Bowen injured Vince, kicked Wally in the face, among other things...he's not worth much in my book.
hmmm i wonder if shaq and kobe will even shake hands before the game....this is probably the biggest game of kobe's career, not importance-wise, but psychologically...as much as they both say its just another game i think it's fairly obvious they both have the 25th marked on their calender for something other than christmas i wouldnt be suprised to see a fight break out, tell you the truth. my predictions: Lakers win 103-98 Kobe scores 47, 35 in the second half, with 6 rebounds and 9 assists Shaq scores 38, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks
Bowen is a psyical defender and likes to get into guys heads, no matter what people say or think about him, he is a shut down defender and It's a big mistake when players actually try and take things personal against him. Although like Tayshaun Prince he is helped greatly due to the fact he has a great defender/big bodies inside to help when players attack the rim and go past him. As for his antics, If the refs don't call him for anything consistantly then he is doing nothing wrong. Anyway back to Lakers/Heat, If I had to guess I would say the Heat would win due to the Shaq and Wade factor but then again, the Lakers have to beat some good teams sooner or later and you can't afford to drop many home games when you are trying to make the post season.
If Kobe and Shaq shake hands...honestly...I'll be shocked. I wonder if Shaq will be honored like Fisher was when he returned to STAPLES.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">If Kobe decides he is going to try and prove a point to Shaq, he will fail just like he failed when he took being matched up with Bruce Bowen seriously last year.</div> Good call. The thing with Kobe is that to him "proving a point" is outscoring the opposition. When he's up against a guy like Bruce Bowen who doesn't care about scoring and devotes all his energy to D, he gets confused . Also, there have been a couple times when he outscored Ray Allen by 1 or 2, but the Lakers lost the game. I remember a couple instances with Cuttino Mobley as well. That's not really proving anything, unless Iverson is your role model.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Good call. The thing with Kobe is that to him "proving a point" is outscoring the opposition. When he's up against a guy like Bruce Bowen who doesn't care about scoring and devotes all his energy to D, he gets confused . Also, there have been a couple times when he outscored Ray Allen by 1 or 2, but the Lakers lost the game. I remember a couple instances with Cuttino Mobley as well. That's not really proving anything, unless Iverson is your role model.</div> Well, I guess that also relates to when guys feel like they have made themselves look great against Kobe. Ray Allen steals the ball and drives to the hoop, but gets swatted badly. Andre Miller steals it, is about 1/2 way down the court and still gets swatted from behind. Kirilenko blocks two of Kobe's shot attempts (pretty much layup attempts), but then gets destroyed by Kobe after he beats him to the hoop and dunks on him. I can say the same thing about Kobe in regards to Shaq. I've seen Bowen rip the ball from Kobe, but then seconds later, Kobe embarasses him. I will make a guarantee right now, that this will happen in the Heat game...if Shaq throws his shot. Kobe will come back and do something about it, and won't fail. Whether it's a steal, a block, a dunk or whatever...it'll happen.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I guess that also relates to when guys feel like they have made themselves look great against Kobe. Ray Allen steals the ball and drives to the hoop, but gets swatted badly. Andre Miller steals it, is about 1/2 way down the court and still gets swatted from behind. Kirilenko blocks two of Kobe's shot attempts (pretty much layup attempts), but then gets destroyed by Kobe after he beats him to the hoop and dunks on him.</div> No kidding......I wouldn't want to make him mad. That Andre Miller block was hilarious. But you missed my point. Shaq may very well put up a mediocre 18-10, while Kobe puts up 40 and COULD lose. Shaq cares more about wins than stats, he realizes that they have lost every game where he has led in scoring. One thng that I think you seriously overlooked in your preview is that Kobe has Caron and Lamar on his side. I realize that they didn't leave the Heat with any ill feelings, but you have to realize that anytime a player is traded they put up big stats against their old team. Lamar and Caron are the true keys to this game (and I guess I should throw Shaq in there as well). I'm surprised that nobody has brought this up in either forum thus far.
What I'm trying to say is that Shaq isn't invincible. It would be different if it was the Shaq in his prime, late-90's and his championship years. I would say that Kobe dunking on him then would be a slim chance...but now, it's different. Boozer swatted him last night...and I can't believe that, really...but even last season, guys like Francis and Parker were getting up over him for layups. That shouldn't happen. If Kobe goes baseline, and avoids as much contact as possible, he can dunk on Shaq. It won't be a nasty facial...but he can go Howard-style on him if Shaq is late to jump. After that happens...you'll see a fight, both players ejected, and the game ruined. EDIT: I posted this as you posted...but I understand your point. But, if Lamar Odom and Caron Butler are doing their job, Kobe CAN put up 40 and still win. It's the simple fact that they really haven't been using screens effectively and playing off the ball the way they should be...and Kobe's forcing shots because he's nervous AND because his teammates aren't playing right...and it's just not working out. Jordan could put up great numbers and win...but the thing was, his teammates really helped him out ALOT. Jordan also never panicked. He was calm and collected...and could create a better shot when needed. Kobe is in his first season without that extra help...and the media is all over him about passing...so he's going to be nervous.
About Kobe dunking on Shaq I wouldn't try it, don't want him hacking you and breaking your back or something, he could get one of those fake postrizations where the player is there but you don't really "dunk on them", that's good enough. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">unless Iverson is your role model.</div> Now now, their's no need for this lol I don't think Kobe should do one of those one on one battle things because the Lakers victories have come more often when Kobe plays teamball and gets his teammates involved as opposed to trying to put on a show. Anyone think Kobe could get a triple double? From the games I've watched, it seems like he tries to get as many rebounds and assists as possible in the first half and part of the 3rd quarter, then end of 3rd and the whole 4th, he stats doing most of his scoring... Don't think he'll do that agaisnt the Heat, but he's been doing it lately...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">After that happens...you'll see a fight, both players ejected, and the game ruined. </div> Does either team have a game in Detroit before the 25th?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Does either team have a game in Detroit before the 25th? </div> Haha...no...but I think the Heat go to Detroit at the end of the month.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "Jurrasic":</div><div class="quote_post">One thng that I think you seriously overlooked in your preview is that Kobe has Caron and Lamar on his side. I realize that they didn't leave the Heat with any ill feelings, but you have to realize that anytime a player is traded they put up big stats against their old team. Lamar and Caron are the true keys to this game (and I guess I should throw Shaq in there as well). I'm surprised that nobody has brought this up in either forum thus far.</div> I think Odom was pretty dissapointed because in a way they chose Wade over him, and also they gave him a chance after all the bad things he's been through, and then sent him back to LA when they had a chance to acquire Shaq. Him and Wade were supposed to be the teams future, but they just let him go. I think Odom will be pretty fired up for the game, Caron not as much, but they could've had something with those 3 present and future wise.
Mr. Odom, The Christmas game is coming up really soon. I know you'll be fired up and ready to drop bombs on the Miami Heat. All I ask is that...the bombs you drop...please, please no three point attempts. Sincerely, Brandon
Brandon, I've loved the Previews you have made for the Heat/Lakers game on various forums throughout JBB ...and it's pretty obvious this is a game you are looking forward too Anyways..It's Kinda hard to tell now,but if the Lakers keep on playing the way they have Miami will win it.however if the Lakers can pull it all together before Christmas and if things improve in the way they play oppoents,than the Lakers will win it. Either way you look at the game,it's going to be closely contested.It will be one of the best games of the year to watch in the NBA so far this season. Good Luck to Both teams,and I'll tell you a accurate prediction before X-mas comes along here.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq may very well put up a mediocre 18-10, while Kobe puts up 40 and COULD lose. Shaq cares more about wins than stats, he realizes that they have lost every game where he has led in scoring. </div> I'm sure that winning is the most important thing for Shaq, but he has also been known to put up big numbers when he's pissed off. I remember a few years back on his birthday he requested some tickets for family and friends from the Clippers Organization. They wouldn't give them to him, so he hit 'em up for 61 points. He has had big games against David Robinson in the past because of the bad blood between them from early in Shaq's career.
Look at this, everyone. We're due for a win. Lakers Christmas Games Rockets 99, Lakers 87 (2003) LOSS Kings 105, Lakers 99 (2002) LOSS Lakers 88, Sixers 82 (2001) WIN Blazers 109, Lakers 104 (2000) LOSS Lakers 99, Spurs 93 (1999) WIN Every single one of these games were in Los Angeles, by the way. And...does anyone know when the last Christmas game was for the Heat? Have they ever had one???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Look at this, everyone. We're due for a win. Lakers Christmas Games Rockets 99, Lakers 87 (2003) LOSS Kings 105, Lakers 99 (2002) LOSS Lakers 88, Sixers 82 (2001) WIN Blazers 109, Lakers 104 (2000) LOSS Lakers 99, Spurs 93 (1999) WIN Every single one of these games were in Los Angeles, by the way. And...does anyone know when the last Christmas game was for the Heat? Have they ever had one??? </div> Damn those games being at home we have sucked on christmas. Hope we get this one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting EcinPC:</div><div class="quote_post">LOL @ 5 assists from divac. Watch out Shaq might flagrant Kobe while he does a reverse.</div> And I'll have the BIGGEST smile on my face when Shaq is dragging his feet back to the locker room after being ejected. I'd probably much rather see that than Kobe dunking on him...or Vlade hitting him in his eye.
