GT: Playoff Game 1: PHX vs. LAL

It was clear Kobe got swatted in the face, just a terrible call.

 

Yeah bad call by the officials. But I like what I saw from the Lakers in three quarters. Phoenix is the team that needed to win that game. The Lakers still have a chance to steal one in Phoenix and make this a series. And it looks like the Lakers have found a way to cause Phoenix some serious mismatches on the offensive end as well as get them off their game a little. I don't expect Tim Thomas to have that kind of game again.

 

Well the gay officials determine another game for the NBA and the Lakers.

Kobe got hacked and he even had a swollen bump on his forehead as clear evidence...yet they didn't call it.

Players playing the game should determine who wins.

 

Great game plan once again by the Lakers. This has to give the rest of the team a ton of confidence. We missed alot of layups and wide open 3-point field goals. If the Lakers play like this for the whole series, the Lakers will be well on their way to the Western Conference Semi Finals. I thought Lamar did a great job today not only hustling and rebounding but also not being hesitant to take shots. I will guarantee you Tim Thomas will not shoot that well for the rest of the series. Cant wait till game 2. Great series!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game plan once again by the Lakers. This has to give the rest of the team a ton of confidence. We missed alot of layups and wide open 3-point field goals. If the Lakers play like this for the whole series, the Lakers will be well on their way to the Western Conference Semi Finals. I thought Lamar did a great job today not only hustling and rebounding but also not being hesitant to take shots. Cant wait for game 2. Great series!</div>

Lamar was great! He needs to play like this EVERY single game. He was abusing whoever tried to guard him in the post. And his remounding and hustle was incredible. Kobe was trying to stay within the offense and that was great... but then when he needed to go full bore he was a little cold from lack of shooting.

 

Both teams didn't play as well as they could and should. I thought the Suns were underachieving on offense for a while and was surprised that the Lakers didn't take advantage of it. Wouldn't blame the game on that one call though. L.A. had enough chances before to take that extra step but never really did. I think this series will go down to 6 or 7 games.

 

How many open 3's are you going to miss Smush? god damn.

Tim Thomas will NOT have that kind of a game again, that was the only reason we lost.

We will win with the series, no sweat.

Suns did not CONTAIN Kobe, he just wasn't as aggressive quarters 1-3 as he usually is, do not get it twisted Bobcats.

Hats off to Lamar on a hell of a game.

 

teams that win the 1st game have an 80% chance of taking the series...
accdg. to NBA history

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe23:</div><div class="quote_post">teams that win the 1st game have an 80% chance of taking the series...
accdg. to NBA history
</div>

Well game 1 is history. And I love what Kareem told the guys in the locker room. " Same effort next week, and we win " That has to make the players feel good.

 

don't pay too much attention to that.

that's in the long haul.

there could be 4 teams who lost game 1 this year in round 1 and win the series this first round, then next round 4 teams who lost game 1, lose the series, and it balances out.

Lakers in my opinion are going to take the series, they just have to tweak their game a little today and we're good.

 

Excellent game by the Lakers. Their defense actually CONTAINED the Phx offense for 2 or so quarters, which is quite a feat in itself I think for such an inexperienced team in the playoffs.

Furthermore, excellent execution of the gameplan. Kobe was off this game but I expect him to bounce back the next. I liked his passiveness though, but he just couldn't get it going like everyone expected him to. Actually, even when he got it going, he deferred to teammeates, but the difference between Lebron's teammtes and Kobe's is that they make thier shots when it counts whereas Brian Cook and Smush missed 2 crucial 3 pointers that would have given the Lakers major momentum in the game. It's those kind of shots that make or break series and if Kobe is providing his teammates with them THEY HAVE TO make them. People say Kobe doesn't make his teammates better, but for the fans watching this game, you can see how it's NOT his fault if at times his teammtes cannot step up when he provides them WIDE OPEN shots.

Nonethless, excellent game by the Lakers. I think it's them, not the Suns who seem to have a advantage mentally now, even though the Suns won, as wierd as that may sound. However, lets hope that confidence and mentality doesnt turn into over confidence.

If the Lakers follow the defensive/inside post game plan next game, but EXECUTE WELL down the stretch and make thier shots, they can win this series. I truly believe this series will go down to the wire until Game 7.

Oh yeah, to all the people doubting Tim Thomas, I wouldn't bet on him not exploding again. I won't say flat out he'll get unconscious from the feild again, but he'll have more 20 point games i nthe series, its just that kind of offense, so don't underestimate Tim in that way or the Pheonix offense for that matter.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">Well game 1 is history. And I love what Kareem told the guys in the locker room. " Same effort next week, and we win " That has to make the players feel good.</div>

hey, what the HELL was Kareem thinking when he wore that outfit? Jesus Christ, give me a break KAJ.

 

Oh so all of a sudden Tim Thomas is Tracy McGrady? Give me a break. He had a good game congrats to that but I doubt that he will do what he did today as the series goes on.

 

I doubt the Suns will be pleased with their performance today. I think both teams are going to come back with something to prove, which will make Game 2 all that more interesting.

Don't think Tim Thomas is being underrated but more the Suns offense. All of those players are capable of going off like that on any given night. I personally think the Suns are going come out more consistent and assertive in Game 2.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">You're way over exagerating what we're saying. Hes obviously not that great but you act like the guy has never scored 20 points in his life before todays game. Hes definitely capable of scoring 20 on decent shooting on any night, especially when hes playing against Kwame Brown for a large portion of the night. Like I said, if its not him (which it probably won't be) getting close to 20 it'll be Bell or Diaw, who both had bad games today.</div>

I am not exaggerating what anyone is saying. All I am saying is Tim Thomas will remember that he is Tim Thomas.