<div align="center"> <font color="orange">The Phoenix Suns (54-28)</font> @ <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)</font> <font color="purple">Lakers lead, 2-1</font> Sunday, April 30th, 2006 STAPLES Center 12:30 PM Pacific; ABC </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="orange"> <font size="1">(S. Nash, R. Bell, T. Thomas, S. Marion, B. Diaw)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Shawn Marion - 21.8 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shawn Marion - 11.8 RPG Assist Man: Steve Nash - 10.5 The Bench Man: LeAndro Barbosa (13.1 PPG, 32.8 APG, 2.6 RPG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_nash.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Steve Nash</font> PPG: 18.8, RPG: 4.2, APG: 10.5 In the first half of game 3, Nash was relatively ineffective. Smush played lock down defense, and torched him on offense. Nash came back strong in the second half, but it wasn't enough. I'm looking for Nash to come into game 4 with a do or die mentality, becuase the Suns have no momentum going into the game. Nash has to create that momentum, or PHX can start planing their off-season vacations.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/raja_bell.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Raja Bell</font> PPG: 14.7, RPG: 3.2, APG: 2.6 Bell got tangled up with a couple of players in game 3, and his shots weren't following. He held Kobe to a horrible shooting night, but Kobe still dictated the pace of the game. Game 4 will be no different, because Bell has no effect on the flow of the game. All he can do to help the Suns is hold Bryant down offensively and pour in baskets when he gets the opportunity.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tim_thomas.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Tim Thomas</font> PPG: 10.3, RPG: 4.5, APG: 0.7 Thomas started out hot in game 3, like game 1, but he cooled of. Towards the end of the game, he suffered what looked like to be a severe sprained knee. He tried to come back, but he limped off. I'm not even sure if he'll be starting, but if he does, Thomas shouldn't be effective.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shawn_marion.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shawn Marion</font> PPG: 21.8, RPG: 11.8, APG: 1.8 Marion scored more in game 3, but he shot horribly. Lamar Odom is too, good for him, and it's showing. He's being tired out in the post, being burned on offense, and he's fatigued by halftime. He needs to control Odom, if he doesn't, Lamar will get the better of him again. He needs to bring out his all NBA defense if he wants to help the Suns.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/boris_diaw.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Boris Diaw</font> PPG: 13.3, RPG: 6.9, APG: 6.2 Diaw isn't playoff ready, and it's evident by his performances so far. Diaw also got into it with Kwame Brown, and got leveled. Diaw has some embarrassment to wear on his sleeve in L.A. now, and I don't expect anything big from him in game 4. Next year, he might be effective in the playoffs, but now...he's just too, young and ignorant (not in a bad way) to be effective in the playoffs. He doesn't have the brute talent to make up for it, either.</font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Walton, L. Odom, K. Brown) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 35.4 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 9.2 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.5 APG The Bench Man: Brian Cook (7.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.5, RPG: 3.3, APG: 3.7 After two mediocore games, Smush had a coming out party in game 3. He held Nash down in the first half and was consistent on offense all game long. If Smush has the same caliber performance, the Lakers have a great shot at going up 3-1, which they will. If he doesn't come out, the Lakers should still have a good shot at winning.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 35.4, RPG: 5.3, APG: 4.5 Bad shooting night? Who the hell cares! Kobe was incredible last game. He was the initiator once again, and it was flawless. He was rebounding, passing, and would score when the Lakers needed it. If the Kobe and the Lakers stick to the same plan, they'll be untouchable.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luke_walton.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Luke Walton</font> PPG: 5.0, RPG: 3.6, APG: 2.3 Started hot, went cold, came on hot again. Luke was vital in the Lakers win, and game 4 shouldn't be different. He's had a defensive impact in all of the games, and an offensive impact in 2 of the three. I'm looking for the same defense and about 13 points on offense. If he can put those numbers up, grab some boards, the Lakers are in a good position.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.8, RPG: 9.2, APG: 5.5 Once again, Lamar was the MVP. He had a crazy game, shutting down Marion at the same time. I don't expect anything less in game 4. He's proven himself to be Kobe's sidekick, and it needs to stay that way. In game 4, Lamar needs to start off aggressive, I'm looking for a triple double. 19, 14, and 11.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 7.4, RPG: 6.6, APG: 1.0 Kwame quickly got the fans solidified behind him. He showed Diaw that playoff basketball, nothing is easy. He earned the team's respect, the coaches' respect, and the fans' respect. He also had a great game to go on top of that. Diaw knows that Kwame's business, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers start the game going to Kwame, seeing if he has Diaw rattled. In any case, I'm looking for another solid 12 and 10 from Kwame, with incredible defense.</font> <font size="3">Lakers Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="purple">Control the Pace</font> - It has worked in games 2 and 3, almost in game 1, why would they change their game plan now? To go up 3-1, the Lakers need to control the ball and limit the Suns fast break points.[*]<font color="purple">CKeep the Momentum</font> - A lot of non-Laker fans thought this series would be a walk in the park for PHX, ya know...we were 0-7 against them with Nash playing, but all of a sudden, when it really matters...we're 2-1! We can't relinquish the momentum, we've busted through the fron door and have our knives to their throats, the last two wins are the cutting motions, one more win, and the series is sealed, in my opinion.[*]<font color="purple">The True MVP</font> - It feels good saying this, but the Lakers are an elite team when they play like this. Kobe Bryant conducting everything, rebounding, passing, scoring...Lamar Odom rebounding and scoring...the tough nosed defense, the post dominance...it's incredible. Kobe shouldn't relent now, he's the kind of guy that when he smells blood, he goes for the kill...he smells blood.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> All the momentum, that's all the Lakers need to go up 3-1 against the Suns! Lakers: 100, Suns: 92..
Lakers need to be extra careful and not get too laid back. I know Phil and Kobe are going to feed it to the players in the locker room, STAY FOCUSED. If Lakers pull a win this Sunday, Suns will be cornered and playing out of desperation, which IMO leads to more turnovers. This is 05-06 Laker basketball at its finest, and Staples has never been louder
Very nice, just one thing, since they playoffs has had its course during a couple of games, it would be nice to see some playoffs averages included in the preview
Lakers have pretty much controlled all games, even when they lost they had the chance to win it. The lakers have to pretend they are in game 7 and try to get this win because in my opinion it will be the nail in the coffin. They just gotta keep playing their game and stay focused. Sometimes I noticed players got to excited and took bad shots.
I just want to say something that has been bothering me a little. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar Odom is too, good for him, and it's showing.</div> There should not be a "," after "too" in these kinds of sentences. I think you picked up the bad habit from Shape.
This forum is here for basketball and not spelling corrections... I'd rather see you PMing him instead of filling this thread with such an unnecessary post :/
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bahir:</div><div class="quote_post">I just want to say something that has been bothering me a little. There should not be a "," after "too" in these kinds of sentences. I think you picked up the bad habit from Shape. </div> I believe it's optional? Tim Thomas is out for this game and the Suns will be forced to use their micro-mini unit in Game 4. Leandro Barbosa will start in his place and the Suns will push the tempo even more to get their 3 point shots off. The Suns are getting open looks, but they just aren't hitting those big 3 pointers to sway the momentum. The Lakers got caught a few times with no one defending the backcourt and it lead to uncontested dunks. When the guards drive, Luke or Odom has to be the stop gap because likes to leak out and cherry pick. Without Tim Thomas on the floor, Odom, Kwame, and Luke should have a field day inside the post. Shawn Marion has struggled all series long against Odom, and will have even more pressure to rebound for Phoenix. The Suns are already getting dominated on the glass, and they just lost their best rebounder in the series. I think Kobe Bryant is going to unleash his offense in Game 4. The Lakers are going to force D'Antoni to play Barbosa on Kobe Bryant and once the switch is made, Kobe is going to lick his chops and work Barbosa all over the court. The Suns likely start off with Barbosa on Walton. It's going to be important to clear it out for Luke to post Barbosa up and then have Kwame and Odom crash the offensive glass. The only adjustment the Suns can try is playing straight up on Kobe Bryant and focus on stopping the other players. In the first three games, they've sent three players at Kobe and he's made the right decision by passing the ball to open teammates. The Suns have to roll the dice in Game 4 and hope Kobe has an off night. If the Suns continue to let Kobe initiate for his teammates they will be down 3-1 in the series. The Lakers could easily be up 3-0 in this series. Sunday is a must win for the Lakers to really put pressure on Phoenix.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting arre:</div><div class="quote_post">This forum is here for basketball and not spelling corrections... I'd rather see you PMing him instead of filling this thread with such an unnecessary post :/</div> So why didn't you PM me? I think that if the Lakers win the next game, they have a pretty big chanse of winning the series, and it will send a strong message to the other teams. Let's just hope Phoenix has lost some confidence getting beaten like they have. With the offense that the Lakers are running now, I think it will be hard for the Suns to pinpoint a certain thing they need to stop. If they try to realy make it hard for Kobe to be unselfish, they'll put it in a situation where he is at his best, since the defense will be trying to cover passing angles rather than Kobe's vision of the rim. Add Lamar, Kwame, Luke and Smush to the mix, and you got yourself a tough work assignment.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tim Thomas is out for this game </div> The LA times I beleive has him quoated saying this about his knee: "It's not broke. I'm playing sunday". Is your statement wishful/opptimistic thinking or did you hear that somewhere? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The only adjustment the Suns can try is playing straight up on Kobe Bryant and focus on stopping the other players. In the first three games, they've sent three players at Kobe and he's made the right decision by passing the ball to open teammates. The Suns have to roll the dice in Game 4 and hope Kobe has an off night.</div> Unfortunately your right, in the regular season that's exactly what happened as the suns let Kobe put up as many shots as he wanted, hopefully Kobe is smarter (and I think he is) than to get caught up in this, if the Suns do in fact implement this game plan. Like someone else was saying, the Lakers have to come in Focused yet loose, with a killer mentality to attack from the opening tip and control the game throughout. If they can establish the tone within the first few minutes of the game, PHX will be playing not to lose and will end up doing just that. Losing. La. 3-1.
They said Tim Thomas sprained his MCL, and is likely gone for the rest of the season in the post game show. I actually like the Lakers chances better if he plays, because a 4 guard lineup the Suns would use is a lot more unpredictable if he's out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">They said Tim Thomas sprained his MCL, and is likely gone for the rest of the season in the post game show. I actually like the Lakers chances better if he plays, because a 4 guard lineup the Suns would use is a lot more unpredictable if he's out.</div> well, i like the lakers chances better with him out. lol. the guy has torched us all post season, and im glad we will have a break from him. the only reason why the suns stayed in it at all last game was because tim kept on knocking down threes
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">well, i like the lakers chances better with him out. lol. the guy has torched us all post season, and im glad we will have a break from him. the only reason why the suns stayed in it at all last game was because tim kept on knocking down threes</div> Well he had 16 points in the 1st Quarter and only scored 2 for the rest of the game. Hopefully it doesn't matter if he plays or not, the Lakers have a chance to go up 3-1 they need to capitalize on it.
The only thing the Suns small lineup would have on Lakers is speed imo... TT is a outside threat put to rest.
KWAME! has arrived, I've been waiting for this since I've been a basketball fan. Kwame has been great for the Lakers, and if he keeps up his strong play I think we'll continue to win. I think Lakers can win this next game as well, and go up 3-1 in the series.
I remember the Pistons did against T-Mac and the Magic a few years ago. That was pretty dry. Don't think it will happen this time though. The Lakers finally seem to have put it all together at the right time.
?<font color=""SeaGreen"">The biggest thing is right now they are imposing their will on us</font>," Sun Coach Mike D'Antoni said. This quote from the Phoenix head coach says a lot in regards to what playoff basketball is all about. It speaks to the core question of any playoff series. That question is, who is going to be the aggressor. In Game 2 we were definitely the more aggressive team. We are well aware however that unless we maintain that aggressive approach to the game we can be back in a big hole in a hurry. By this point of the NBA season the Phoenix Suns are who they are. After playing eight pre-season and 82 regular season games they are well established as the preeminent fastbreaking team in the league. They are the most explosive team in recent memory (case in point ? a 72 point second half on April 11th which turned a 17 point halftime deficit into a 13 point victory). With the exception of the first quarter of game 1 we have been able to keep the game at a pace that is much more comfortable for us. NBA coaches often talk about the pace/tempo of a game especially in regards to the tempo you prefer at home vs. on the road. On the road, teams generally prefer to play a more controlled game in order to minimize the crowd factor and keep the home team?s momentum in check. That will not be the case with Phoenix at STAPLES Center this weekend. They will be playing the role of contrarians, attempting at all costs to speed the game back up to their preferred pace. That?s why it will take even more discipline as a team to not get caught up in this style. It will be even more tempting at home to try and fastbreak more often but that will just feed into the Suns' game plan. This is one part of winning the battle of wills. Another aspect of the game that we must continue to control if we want to be successful in this series is in the area of the Suns' special lob plays. Whether it is a pick the picker situation in a pick and roll or off of a wrinkle to an existing play diagrammed during a timeout, when Phoenix is at their best they get four or five lob dunks a game. The Suns have so many players who are good shooters that when these players set the backpicks that spring these plays it is difficult to maintain the proper defensive attention to the shooter popping after he sets the pick and the man (usually Marion) who is going for the lob. So far we have been able to control this. While this is not the determining factor in a win or loss, Phoenix builds a lot of momentum with these plays and whether or not they are getting them can be somewhat of a barometer as to how well we are defending in a given game. The Phoenix bench has been very successful this season. The Suns count on their bench to outscore their opponents bench but in Game 2 the Lakers bench had a 21-4 advantage. It will be extremely difficult to keep players like Eddie House and Leandro Barbosa that far under their season average but once again, in order to be successful in this series we must make sure that the Suns do not have a lopsided lead in this department.
If tim thomas is out for the rest of the season then they will even more vunerable in the front court. So, that boosts our advantage in the front court. The only way for us to win in Game 4 is slow down Steve Nash to 17 and control the 3 point line. We need to beat up the Suns front court. The bench has to step it up like the previous two games. We need those key shots from the bench like George, Sasha, and Cook. And Kobe will carry us in the fourth quarter. But, most importantly play hard defense and control the tempo.
we need smushy poo to have the same type of game he had in game 3. the guy was all over nash on defense, and made little to none stupid mistakes on offense, and was also hitting open shots. also, guys like sasha has really stepped up. if sasha can continue his play, i take back every crap i have ever said about him. lets go lakers!
