Game 5 of the Lakers-Spurs Western Conference Finals is tonight at 9:00 PM ET and we’ve got our keys for both teams. Every NBA fan right now is talking about the very controversial call in Game 4 , otherwise known as the Brent Barry no call. I’ve explained in my new blog about how the game would’ve went had it not been for the horrible officiating. But I’m not here to talk about that, I’ll leave it up to you guys.
Anyway, we’re up 3-1 against the defending Champs but we should be aware of the fact that these San Antonio Spurs don’t have 4 rings for nothing. They play with heart, and sometimes, they play better when their backs are against the wall. Look for this game to be a close one, unless, LA outplays the Spurs like they did in Game 2.
For the Lakers - They have been in this situation before (versus Suns in 2006), and they know what happens when you take off your guard. Of course, this year’s Lakers are way better than those of ‘06, as the Spurs are better than the Suns. LA should play this game as if they are the one facing elimination and take away that “It’s Over” mentality.
Keep the perimeter shooters shooting - This has been one of the Spurs’ weakness all series long. Take away Game 3 (probably their finest 3-pt shooting in this year’s playoffs), the Spurs are shooting 26.9% (18-of-67) from behind the 3-point line. They like shooting the threes, but you have to know that’s not their game at all, so take the passing lanes to Duncan away and live with them shooting the three.
Aggressiveness - Usually when LA plays aggressively, putting pressure on the the opposite team, they often get to a strong start. I also like the fact that they were putting a second defender on Tim Duncan but not committing too much on him. They are presenting him with different defenders and giving him different looks.
Watch out for Tony Parker - Tony Parker yet to explode in this series as he did versus New Orleans. Gregg Popovich will likely get the ball to the French point guard and give him a chance to be aggressive by either making isolation plays for him or some pocketful pick-and-rolls. LA has done a good job on Tony Parker, but they must prepare for a Game 5 Parker barrage.
For the Spurs - Game 4 hurts, but the truth is, they didn’t deserve to win. Forget everything bad that happened in that game and try to stay focused on the positive things. These are veterans anyway, a little “washing off” will do.
Contain Kobe - So far the Spurs are not doing a good job on Kobe Bryant, well, except for him going to the foul line only once in Games 3 & 4 combined. The problem is, this year’s MVP has not been talking with the refs about not getting a trip to the charity stripe, but is finding a way to get the points by making his J’s. Unless Pop notices that Kobe is being way too comfortable playing with Bruce Bowen, don’t expect them to win. Try double-teaming Kobe at least once in a while, it doesn’t hurt.
Rebounding Advantage - Los Angeles has been out-rebounding San Antonio all series long, 173-154 to be exact. Tim Duncan accounts for 46.7% (72 of 154) of SA’s rebounds. San Antonio should capitalize their size advantage considering they have Fabricio Oberto, Tim Duncan, and Kurt Thomas who are all excellent rebounders, both offensively and defensively. Too bad, Kurt Thomas is getting more minutes than he should.
More from Manu - Kobe Bryant added the Argentinian shooting guard to the list of international players whom he totally locked down (dating back to last summer’s FIBA tournament). I predicted that Manu Ginobili wouldn’t be as good as he was in Game 3, but I didn’t expect him to be as passive as Simon Cowell’s love life is. I just didn’t see an aggressive Manu in Game 4. I hope that he plays more aggressively and with more heart tonight. Well, every Spur should be, because if not, they might see themselves packing everything in their lockers for an early vacation.
That’s it for today. Stay tuned for Game 5 Lakers-Spurs Live Blog tonight!
Derek Fisher has 4 fouls… Sasha Vujacic has 4 fouls… Jordan Farmar has 3 fouls… Pau Gasol has 3 fouls…
THATS ONLY THE END OF THE 3RD QUARTER.
At the end of the 3rd qaurter of game four in San Antonio at the AT&T Center, the Los Angeles Lakers led the San Antonio Spurs by 7 points with a score of 77-70.
How they managed to pull that off is beyond me based on one simple fact: Through three quarters, the Spurs shot 26 free throws and the Lakers shot 12, each team missing two shots.
Allow me to break down what happens throughout the game if the whistle doesn’t blow:
Lamar Odom plays more than 31 minutes. He’s averaging 38 minutes per game this season and even more in the playoffs with 42 minutes per game against the Utah Jazz.
Derek Fisher plays more than 24 minutes as he averages 27 minutes per game during the regular season and 32 during the playoffs.
Sasha Vujacic plays more than 19 minutes as he’s averaging almost 25 minutes per game in this series against San Antonio.
The San Antonio Spurs don’t shoot 26 free throws (+14 over the Lakers).
The Lakers go into the 4th quarter with a 21 point lead (7 + 14 = 21).
Now, I watched the entire game, from tip off to no call. Was there a foul at the end, sure. Should the foul have been called, NO. To me, there are plenty of reasons that the foul shouldn’t have been called:
The Spurs had already been favored at the line (only in the 4th quarter did the Lakers shoot 7 free throws).
The Spurs should not have had the chance to tie considering Derek Fisher’s shot with just over 5 seconds remaining grazed the rim and deflected directly down off of Robert Horry’s leg. The ball touched the rim, the shot clock should’ve been reset, the Lakers should’ve been shooting 2 free throws after the inbounds, and the game should’ve/hopefully would’ve been two possession with under 3 seconds to go.Ironically enough, the source that has made the most sense in this entire ordeal is the San-Antonio Express News. Buck Harvey has put together a great summary of game four, referencing back to the 2004 playoffs when Shaq famously said, “one lucky shot deserves another.” Well this year, one mistake by the officials deserves another, in reference to the shot clock not being reset for the Lakers.
Brent Barry took 12 3-pointers in this game and made 5. He was shooting well but we all know he’s not a catch, dribble, create, free myself up, drill a game winning three kind of guy. Barry simply doesn’t have the necessary experience to make a play in that situation. The inexperience really showed as even the analysts said it was a no call simply because Barry didn’t jump into Derek Fisher. He attempted to go around him and thus his last “shot” not “play” wasn’t affected by Fisher. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, they all jump into Fisher on that one, pick up the foul and go to the line for 3 shots. Had the foul even been called in this situation, it would’ve only been a two shot foul because Barry didn’t jump and wasn’t in the shooting motion.
Officials don’t make calls on the last play of the game that potentially decide the outcome of the game, it’s well known and to be expected.
Kobe Bryant shot 0 free throws on 29 shot attempts. Does anyone truly understand this? (more to come)
The game has already been labeled as controversial by so many. The Joey Crawford Controversies are popping up from all over the place. I don’t quite undersatnd why though. Let it go. The Spurs have been on top for so long and it’s now time for them to take a collective bow and step down.
I’ve heard some pretty crazy ideas on how to fix the NBA, but the following one may be by far the craziest. Basketbawful, which happens to be one of my favorite sites simply based on the content, dictionary, and comedic relief it provides me, has come up with an insanely ridiculous rule change for the NBA. Take a look for yourself. I have one response, the free throw differential was already vast enough to the point where the Spurs were only in the game because of their time at the line. Give Pop a few more chances to get an offensive play with 3 seconds on the clock and the Spurs win 99/100. How does the team that played defense all game long and got called for ticky tack fouls ever win a game?
Another interesting article came up at The West Coast Bias Sports Blog stating the following, “You know if Kobe made that pump fake, he would’ve got the call. Heck, RK’s boy Sasha Vujacic got the same call on a three-pointer toward the end of the third quarter.” I’ve got news for you, Brent Barry didn’t make the pump fake, he wasn’t in the motion of shooting when Fisher bumped him, Sasha Vujacic didn’t sell anything because he was hit as the ball left his hands, and Kobe Bryant didnt get a single call for 4 quarters. Don’t be so biased Mr. Biased Sports Blogger, Kobe Bryant shot 29 field goals and 0 free throws. What superstar in this league takes 29 shots and isn’t fouled one time? Can you honestly say that Kobe Bryant wasn’t fouled a single time during this game? Did the refs not favor the Spurs the entire first three quarters and give them a chance to even be alive going into the 4th?
As the game is over, the controversies continue to pile up, and Spurs fans are for no reason outraged over one play, the Lakers are back home in LA preparing for game five of the Western Conference Finals. The same game five that could be the end to a San Antonio Spurs dynasty. The same game five that will force RC Buford to blow apart 80% of the roster this offseason. The same game five that will act as the switching of the guard and allow the Lakers to step in as the new team to beat (for years to come).
But, again, let’s not forget. There is still plenty of work to be done before this series is over. With a 3-1 lead and 2 out of 3 remaining games to be played at Staples Center, where the Lakers are undefeated this postseason, we can’t just forget about what happened in 2006 when the Phoenix Suns came back and beat us from a 3-1 deficit. Game 5 will be huge, it will be monumental, it will be the game of the year.
As the final buzzer sounded and the last shot missed, I felt great relief on my part.
The final score, 93-91 Lakers. That didn’t tell the whole story of the game.
The late scoring flurry plus the missed shots and free throws of the Los Angeles Lakers helped the defending Champions climb back from a 7-point deficit and cut the lead to 2 with 28 seconds remaining.
The Lakers were leading the whole game thanks to a 22-8 start. But bad calls after another helped the Spurs climb back to within 5 points after the 1st quarter. Thet were playing their backs against the wall but were still up by 53-47 at the half. Anything that could possibly go wrong had happened for these young LA Squad. There were 4 offensive fouls called, 3 travels, Ticky-tack fouls that resulted to Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher having 3 fouls before halftime.
You just couldn’t stop LA.
With all these, they managed to put a dagger on the NBA’s ruling Dynasty and make a statement : We are the team to beat.
A fews days ago, these young upstarts had bowed down to the San Antonio Spurs, taking the ruthless 103-84 beating. Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and Pau Gasol combined for 10-for-33 shooting with a total of 24 points and 6 turnovers. Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Sasha Vujacic combined for only 18 points, attempting only 15 shots. They were waiting for Kobe Bryant to save them. They were waiting for “Mr. MVP” to bail them out of this deep hole they were in. But that has not been the case for the whole season. They were playing team basketball all year long and they were not afraid to take those “big shots” down the stretch. Their gritty D didn’t show up as it did on Games 1 & 2. They had 13 assists and 13 turnovers. Last year, these inexperienced (take away D-Fish and KB24) group of ballers would have fold after a game like this. They will let their hearts be beat by their minds and say “We can’t do it. Let’s just give up”. But, what a difference a year makes. Especially, when you get the best player in the world to trust you.
In Game 4, we saw a different Los Angeles Lakers compared to Game 3. We saw the real Lakers squad that had been playing unselfishly all year long.
They were fierce. They were outhustling their opponents and forcing them to commit turnovers. They were scoring at will and it seemed that even the Spurs’ pride couldn’t stop them from doing what they’re supposed to do : beat SA like any other team. Like any other young team in the NBA, they would have folded in Game 4 after being humiliated in the road. But unlike any other young team in the league, they have the best player on the floor today, Kobe Bryant and they have the heart of the champions.
“It is a big step for us”, said Kobe Bryant.
Yes, he’s talking about his young team, and that big step took them closer to the ultimate goal : The Larry O’Brien Trophy, otherwise known as the NBA Championship Trophy.
The Lakers currently lead the best of seven series 2-1 and look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals. With a win tonight, the Lakers will be only one win away from the NBA Finals and 5 wins away from the NBA Championship.
Whoa. This is my first time writing in such a great blog as this. Thanks, Daniel.
Anyways. Who cares? Let’s go to the keys for tonight’s game. By the way, nice game by the Pistons.
For the Lakers : Game 3 is history. And as Fisher said it, “hold on to some of that frustration, some of that resentment that you have for the opponent… but you let go of the fact that you lost a game”.
Get the Triangle going - One thing I’ve noticed in Game 3 was that the Lakers were rushing shots that they wouldn’t necessarily take. They were so down in a big hole that they tried to make things happen by taking quick shots. The beauty of the Triangle is in its passing; stretching patience until someone is open or has a good look. The Lakers only had 13 assists in Game 3, much, much different than Game 1 (18) and Game 2 (20).
Defense, LA, Defense - Another thing I’ve noticed was that the Lakers’ energy in Games 1&2 was not showing up. Prior to Game 3, they were holding SA to 37.5% shooting especially in the 3-pt line ( 25.6%). They were averaging 7.5 steals and 6.5 blocks, compared to Game 3’s 5 steals and ZERO block performance.
The Fish-Odom Factor : Game 3 was , as Simon puts it, “utterly horrendous” for Lamar and Fish. They were the game-changer in Game 2, but were a no-show in San Antonio. They combined for 9 points in Game 3, a big step back from Game 2’s 31 points. I say let Fisher and Odom be the aggressors in tonight’s game early.
For the Spurs : Game 3 was a nice comeback and they probably slept soundly after that. But take note : Manu has already played his best game of the series and will probably slow down in the next few games. I just don’t see him eating “Kobe beans” and turning into a superman. Good news is, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are still there. And oh, for ages’ sake, let’s put Oberto, Finley, Horry, and Barry on the conversation.
Contain Kobe - Kobe is shooting over 50% in this series and is averaging 26.3 ppg. That’s bad news for Bowen and co. I say they try to put different faces on Kobe and try to double-team him at least once in a while, in that way, you could slow him down. And for the record, be close to God and just pray that he has an off-night (works most of the time).
More Tony, please - Tony Parker has been a shadow behind Tim Duncan and Ginobili. I would like to see the Tony Parker who is a genius at home : He averages 26ppg on 52.13% shooting and dishes out 7.2 apg compared to 19.88ppg on 45.65% shooting while dishing out 5.25apg at the road.
The Manu factor - Although I’ve told you that he won’t be playing better than he did in Game 3, I still think he will be the game-changer of the series. He will probably getting easy shots from time to time, so I suggest that he takes advantage of it. If you’re Manu, feel the game first, then try to adjust and just let the game come to you.
That’s it and I’ll be seeing you tomorrow on the Game 4 Live Blog of the Spurs-Lakers Western Conference Finals at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.
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