Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) The mid-range game is the only thing missing for Ariza to be a complete player on offense and a future All-Star. Hopefully he puts in the work and Kobe can teach him some tricks of the trade, but only after he re-signs. I thought he played well on the defensive end against Hedo. Ariza does a nice job of disrupting that high pick and roll Orlando likes doing and he also closes out against Hedo when he's trying to spot up for 3s.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Well, ugly or not, a win's a win. While Odom played horrid on defense, he was great offensively and continued his fantastic play as of recent. He also hit a couple of clutch FTs down the stretch of OT that helped seal the deal. If he keeps playing this way, he's going to be resigned without any hesitation. Gasol was also GREAT for us today, and he finally hit his FTs today, going 10/11 (only shooting 70% in the playoffs). Overall, I was also pleased with out defensive effort. We held Howard to just 16 points (keeping in mind how badly he destroyed Cleveland, that'll do for me) and also forced him in to 7 TOs. Overall, the Magic had 20 TOs and shot only 41.8% from the floor...so how they managed to be in the game is beyond me..well...they did destroy us on the boards, 44-35...and weren't we the best rebounding team in the NBA during the regular season? Coulda fooled me tonight. So again, while certainly not the prettiest game, it was a win and another good defensive effort on our part. If we keep playing defense like this, the Magic have no chance. We just have to hope they don't go on some ridiculous shooting binge like they're completely capable of.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) I thought Kobe was pretty bad today. We won that game because of Odom and because of Gasol in the 4th. Gasol was horrible in the 1st half. EDIT: Not bad, just off. Nothing like game 1. He seemed tentative from the start. I didn't like it.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Oh yeah, Odom hit a pair of clutch FT's. Loved that. Gasol was money, too.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) When asked about their intensity and if they peaked, Kobe said..."Oh no, we're about to kick it up." Win game 3 and we sweep em.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) I didn't even realize Ariza shot 3-13. He had a couple big steals. He had an off shooting night, that is all.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Bynum had two fouls that were just horribly called. It is going to be crucial for him to stay out of foul trouble in Orlando. If the refs call him for fouls for breathing on D12 again, he is so fucked.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) van gundy playing jj redick over courtney lee was puzzling. lee is a better defender; the better playoff performer and frankly jj redick looks demoralized out there which is reflected by is inability to make shots. he hit one clutch three but he missed countless others and committed a few unforced turnovers as well
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Reporter: "I'm still looking for that big smile" Kobe: "What's there to be happy about?" Reporter: "You're up 2-0" Kobe: "Is the job done? I don't think so."
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Where does Orlando go from here? Game 1: Blowout. Game 2: They control the pace, get a hell of a game from Rashard, get production from Howard and Hedo...and lose. They have to be mentally defeated.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290607013 Look at that horrible headline. "Lakers need failed alleyoop, overtime to finish Orlando in game 2."
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Kobe was bad today? He had 29 points and 8 assists. Granted it was a quiet 29 points, but he picked Orlando apart. Not all 7 of those turnovers were his fault either.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Give some credit to Fisher, he was there when we needed him, some clutch steals and buckets. I also didn't see him jacking up shots which he usually misses.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) He didn't come in with a solid game plan, imo. He had a good game statistically, but he didn't really have an impact on it. Odom had a bigger impact than him, IMO. Kobe turned it on in the crunchtime like always, but I think he should've turned it on earlier.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Ariza and Odom [video=youtube;lvN3d8zR4Tw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvN3d8zR4Tw[/video]
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Yeah, but Rashard gets his. We weren't going to lock him down all series and Odom more than made up for it. We have all seen Odom's deficiencies and mental breakdowns...we're not used to them from Kobe.
Re: NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers lead 2-0) Yeah Fisher made some big shots, but there were three straight plays at the start of the 3rd quarter that led to an 8-0 run by the Magic. I think Derek Fisher is the worst player in the league at making a simple entry pass into the post.
