Thanks Mark, greatly appreciated! I think this is the beginning of a Dynasty for the Lakers… this team is built to win championships every year for the next five years at least.

But, obviously as a new dynasty begins, the death of a current dynasty must occur. The Spurs have been really dominant for years, but they have become too old to compete for the upcoming years. The GM RC Buford is brilliant and will work with Pop to create a strong team in the offseasons.

Of course, these Lakers have learned how to play well together. JA Adande wrote a great article about team camradery today and discussed the European aspect of the team. The different backgrounds of the players really brings them all close together. When the guys have a close bond, they mesh better together on the court and play better defense as a result. The Spurs play great defense but don’t move as fast as the Lakers. The other aspect of the Lakers defense is that it will only improve in the years to come as the guys continue to mesh and especially with the return of the other seven footer, Andrew Bynum.

You make a good point regarding the defense of Vujacic and Ariza. The problem is that you can’t really play both guys at once. I think the defensive strategy is quite simple; we start Derek Fisher on Parker, than see what Farmar can do on the defensive end against him, and then if need be, we can throw Vujacic and Ariza at him. One step at a time though. We’ve one two games without Ariza (only garbage minutes in game 2) and we should continue going with what’s worked. What Parker has done in the previous series has nothing to do with this one. These Lakers are far better than the other teams the Spurs have faced.

The keys to the game are the same as they have been for games 1 & 2. Lamar Odom is the key to the Lakers offense. The Spurs have nobody that can match up with Odom and he should be able to operate at will. Also, as long as Pau Gasol plays solid defense and isn’t lazy, as in continues to rotate and box out for rebounds, these Lakers should be perfectly fine. I don’t think the road really makes all that big of a difference for this Lakers team. They won game 6 in Utah, they can win anywhere.

No, I definitely agree with that. I think the perspective of better has been judged from different points of view. The Spurs are a better meshed team in terms of filled at every position. They can defend anyone (except Lamar Odom). Utah has a few holes in it’s defense but the dynamic duo of Williams and Boozer together with the other guys is deadly. They are young, quick, and able to adjust quickly. They are all about runs and will be a threat for years to come.

To be honest, the Lakers home court advantage is not one of the best. The Staples Center isn’t nearly as loud as it has been in the past, such as the three peat years, but the team seems to play better, which is to be expected. The AT&T Arena just gives the Spurs a chance to have the crowd on their side in general.

The game is underway, let’s get some more thoughts on what’s to come today…

Ginobli isn’t exactly a bench player, bench players usually play les minutes that starters!

Sounds good

I’m fine with not scoring as long as the Spurs don’t score either! After all, we’ve got Kobe on our side!

Nice aggresive drive from Vlade, thats what we need from him!

Welcome back FLUX, I was wondering where you were, where’s the rest of the gang today?? Running a bit late I’m assuming.

Man! That was a bummer pass! But sweet - Spurs couldn’t capitalize

Hey Daniel.. I dunno.. everyone has been MIA.

Ginobli should retire

At least for this series…he hasn’t done much

Thanks for having me.. going to msg them!

Did you hear the Spurs get jinxed just now? They said they are 6-0 at home in the playoffs…kiss of death!

if anyone should retire it’s Horry, no?

This game is extremely slow and in general a slow pace has been in favor of the Spurs, but the lakers have really learned to mix it up well.

Ooh - sweet basket by Gasol!

Thanks.

Yeah - poor Horry - I can’t hate him since he has a history with LA - look at Gasol! Sweet!

Odom is exploiting Horry’s defense, the problem is he’s not shooting.

11-8 Lakers.

No doubt

I love seeing Gasol take that outside shot, you think Kwame could’ve made a jumper to save his life?

You think?

Haven’t seen that from Gasol for a long time.

I think Kwame would just take a bullet and not even waste the time shooting!

Gasol looks great so far!

Kwame just has small/bad hands I think. Not his fault he got drafted so high. He does play decent D.

I would like to see more of the Lakers ’80s on this one. You know what I mean, in a game where they would be up by 20 or 30 and they’ll try to beat you by 40. I’d like to see that kind of aggressiveness in the Lakers. They play the whole 48 minutes of the game.

I really like the way the Lakers are focused. I wonder if everyone else notices it or not, but there is just this look on the player’s faces that says, we are here to win, and we aren’t going home without a victory.

Even the Spurs’ athletic trainer is old.

Yeah D, they def look and are playing that way. This is a sweep for sure, I think.

LOL… I’d still trade Gary Vitti for him!

Nice!

KO-BE!

I’d do anything to get rid of Vitti…. I think he’s outdated and unaware of new medical advancements.

They are playing great defense so far, this is great to keep the crowd quiet and not let them push the team. We have to make sure to avoid easy baskets and open shots for them.

Just me or was his foot on the line?

Back-to-back.

Dang - I shouldn’t have said mean things bout Ginobli

His foot was on the line!!! I was right, Lakers should be up by 2

Nice - NBA refs at their finest

Great passing…

That late dive by either Odom or Radmanovic has become a great play for this team.

What a crossover on Bowen, I didn’t notice that as it played out live.

LAL 15 - SA 14 and they just reminded us who the MVP was!

Gotta get another call on the line! be back in 5!

This is awesome Daniel, thanks for hosting it! It’s my first time!

Pleasure to have you aborad either way Don!

NINJA!!! Nice. Welcome back Sir

It’s only the first half of the first quarter, let’s wait and see a bit more from Ginobli before we say he’s playing great.

No doubt!

How’s that!!

Nice! LAL 16- SA 14 Odom makes the free throw

MUCH better! Aaaand my ‘gut’ (which has been pretty reliable throughout the playoffs) says LA take this one… in a nailbiter

I believe Don is a Ninja living in Japan posing as a teacher. Unless he teaches at a dojo.

I like your gut

*wave out to the folks*

Hey Apryl - thanks for the visits/commments

Is that to say you are holding a Laker broom, Don?

You too Don!

Thanks for the early link today Don, hopefully it brings some good input from your readers.