Game Blog :: Spurs vs. Lakers :: March 24

[Cherry]

No Manu = Game Over

[itzsoweezee]

san antonians suck

[anonoftheinternets]

mmmm this game went to shit..

[urunobili]

:depressed

[Libri]

Jefferson leaves Kobe alone. :lol

[Juanobili]

Nice one RJ

[DPG21920]

Spurs cannot win with Duncan playing at this level. Especially with TP out.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

But, yeah, we're contenders!!!

We just don't have either offensive or defensive excellence to rely on when things get tough.

[Death In June]

Wow, what a disgrace.

[Chieflion]

Excellent defense by the Spurs. Very impressive.

[boutons_deux]

Another loss this week on Tim. He's got nothing left.

[Manu20]

This is the story of the season :(

[sammy]

Call a fucking timeout asshole Pop! What the fuck! They suck! To leave the rapist wide open for a 3! Disgraceful!

[Killakobe81]

How in the hell is Kobe left open?

[dbreiden83080]

Pau now is what Tim use to be.

He's not half what Tim was at his best..

[Fermixalot]

Jefferson leaves Kobe WIIIIIDE open for 3..he literally LEFT him there..KOBE BRYANT..


:depressed

[slick'81]

lol kobe high 5n lakers fans in sa

[AnthonyM]

Why? He took less to play with the Spurs when he was a free agent the first time, and now he is going to take less on a 8th seeded team?

Lol yeah, you're right...the team that pays Manu's paycheck isn't worth a damn and since Manu is so much better than playing for a shit team he should just leave them after they stuck by him instead of trading him while his value would probably never be higher AFTER he decided to go play for Argentina on a bad ankle against the Spurs wishes...

[TampaDude]

If I hear that moron say "Hand Down, Man Down" one more time, I'm gonna go to his house and shoot him in the head, I swear.

[DPG21920]

Spurs need to play perfect down the stretch.

[Spursfanfromafar]

And Kobe pierces the dagger way in.. Game. No Parker, Half-Timmy, a determined Manu and still a callow George Hill plus some chokejobs around them.. no way this team could have beaten the Lakers.

[ffadicted]

Can we just keep Manu on the floor for 48 minutes please?

[Fermixalot]

Ginobili. The only motherfucker on the court in white that came to play.

[Cherry]

MANU FU**** gINOBILI

[CFH]

Ginobili comes in and gets an and 1.

[Juanobili]

ahhh fuck I just realized there are 3 mins left lol

game over

[dbestpro]

Kobe loves to kill the Spurs. Number one Spurs-killer of all time.

Not even. Magic was the real Spur killer. It was that LA team that kept us from a ring during the days of Gervin.

[Man In Black]

This team is nothing without an inspired Manu!

[angelbelow]

and 1 for ginobili

[nbaman99]

manu is the only spur on the floor.

[sammy]

Manu!

[ElNono]

Manu looking for one more miracle

[dav4463]

Can't beat good teams unless Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan are all healthy. It's that simple.

[DJ Mbenga]

5 fouls on odom. if he fouls out that means powell. spurs still have a shot

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We can put this one on TD.

No, we can put it on the team because they can't defend.

[Libri]

Spurs cannot win with Duncan playing at this level. Especially with TP out.

And bad defensive rotations.

[slick'81]

sic jumper by #24

[Allanon]

Wow, how did Kobe get so open?

[ShoogarBear]

WTF Manu?

[picc84]

1. Duncan will turn it on in the playoffs.
2. What took so long to bring Manu back in.
3. Good game.

[angelbelow]

No, we can put it on the team because they can't defend.

Much more than TD. Hill, RJ, Dice, all of them

[ffadicted]

*siiiigh*

[DPG21920]

Spurs played some good defense, but LA hit a lot of 3's with the shot clock winding down and Kobe hit a lot of crazy shots. They weren't bad shots, but shots that most other players cannot make.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

What did Phil change at half time to suffocate Hill?

[dbestpro]

These boys have lost their minds.

[lefty]

Kobe is creaming all over the Spurs

[TampaDude]

Los Kobe with Los Dagger...

[sammy]

So Pop's solution is to bring the worthless one, Bonner back in! Just Great!

[Killakobe81]

Artest again ...
his defense was great the last two on manu without the offensiverebound Manu gets nothing ...

[Crookshanks]

Spurs cannot win with Duncan playing at this level. Especially with TP out.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Timmy has been in a funk for quite a while now - just when we really need him. :depressed

With the way the Spurs were playing in the 1st half, I really thought we could win this game - but the Lakers flipped the switch at halftime and it was all down hill from there.

[txallstar]

too many turn overs at the wrong time and crappy defense,

[DesignatedT]

duncan played solid defense, but this game is on him tonight.... he has to step up when manu is out of the game.... either way, just another example of why we need tony back... immediately

[Libri]

Wow, how did Kobe get so open?

Ask Jefferson.

[anonoftheinternets]

Wow, how did Kobe get so open?

hill and RJ miscommunication. I think pop belives its RJ's fault. Hence his absence out there.

[jimo2305]

screw it how about we go for a lottery pick? good draft class comin out this year eh?

[Amarelooms]

Spurs played some good defense, but LA hit a lot of 3's with the shot clock winding down and Kobe hit a lot of crazy shots. They weren't bad shots, but shots that most other players cannot make.

if that makes you feel better....:elephant

[ElNono]

LOL Mason on Kobe...

[qiuyizeng]

duncan is bitch of gasol ,lmao!

[Death In June]

How many games is pop gonna play hill for 40 minutes?

[Shastafarian]

Can Hairston really be worse than this Pop? Really?

[carina_gino20]

Sigh...Even Manu can't save this one. It's sad when the Spurs depend on just one player too much.

[AnthonyM]

And he won't get a contract extension and will leave. Cool Story Brah.

You're out of place. This has nothing to do with what Manu will do. According to some people...he deserves better.

Two different things brah. Reading comprehension 101.

Brah.

[DPG21920]

All in all I am not too upset at this game. This might be the best game I have seen Kobe play this year and Tim played absolutely terrible and the Spurs were still close with 4 minutes left.

[alchemist]

Ron Artest's defense was HUGE against Manu and Hill, his defense on them plus doubling Kobe was the turning point. :bang

[TampaDude]

Can't beat good teams unless Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan are all healthy. It's that simple.

Exactly...I'm surprised it was close for so long...Manu was carrying the team tonight. Even he can't win 1 on 5, though.

[Ginobili2Duncan]

The truring point of this game was when Manu went to the bench with under 7 min to go.

[mingus]

Guys, it was clear the Spurs weren't anywhere close to being contenders - at least with Parker out - when they lost to the Magic. Duncan couldn't (not didn't) bring it then against Dwight, and he can't now, either. he isn't the same player he once was. he used to be automatic 25 15 4blk in big games. he's at best a 3rd fiddle rat this point in his career. the Spurs need Parker back.

[Spursox]

Tim sucked tonight..

[ElNono]

They're a team that can get stops when they need them. We haven't been that kind of team all season long...

[DubMcDub]

hill and RJ miscommunication. I think pop belives its RJ's fault. Hence his absence out there.

I think RJ's absence has much more to do with his general worthlessness the entire season than one particular play. Plus they needed to get Gino back out there since he's the only good basketball player on the Spurs, apparently.

[Allanon]

Ask Jefferson.


hill and RJ miscommunication. I think pop belives its RJ's fault. Hence his absence out there.

Thanks for the info guys, I didn't know RJ was on him.

[nbaman99]

Tim just need to retire, he is done. KObe almost the same age, and he is still the best player, becuase he never gives up on the game. Duncan has no fire.

[024]

i don't understand how hairston doesnt get a shot. mason and bogans aren't doing shit. popovich should be benching them the rest of the season.

[Killakobe81]

Wow I trreally thought we might lose ... i know we could and should beat the spurs but i did not expect it ...
i blame this on pop and Im one of his BIGGEST supporters ...

by doubling Kobe the scrubs got off ... and now kobe is killing them late anyways ...

[dbestpro]

There are more players that Spur fans do not like on the Spurs than I can ever remember.

Bogans, RMJ, Bonner, RJ are truly hated for their choke level play by close to half of the fan base. Dice is not far from joining the group.

[qiuyizeng]

if manu go to lakers,he definitely get more!

[Allanon]

What did Phil change at half time to suffocate Hill?

Lakers switched on screens instead of the PG trying to follow around the screen...cut off Hill's lane. Lots of Artest on Hill this second half on switches.

[picc84]

What did Phil change at half time to suffocate Hill?

Whens the last time you saw Derek Fisher?

Exactly.

[timtonymanu]

there are more players that spur fans do not like on the spurs than i can ever remember.

Bogans, rmj, bonner, rj are truly hated for their choke level play by close to half of the fan base. Dice is not far from joining the group.

+1.

[TampaDude]

Ballgame...

[anakha]

And the meltdown threads begin...

[slick'81]

wow roger mason u do fckn suck

[DesignatedT]

:lol mason

:lmao

speechless

[benefactor]

They're a team that can get stops when they need them. We haven't been that kind of team all season long...
:tu

[DPG21920]

Mason, wide open look, miss. Farmar hits tons of 3's with the shot clock going down.

[dbestpro]

RMJ is in playoff form.

[ShoogarBear]

we were only in this game cause kobe decided not to play until the 4th

Probably closer to the truth than people will care to admit. Kobe toyed with them the entire game.

[ElNono]

Ugh... 29% shooting on the second half

[Spursox]

Manu does deserve to be on a better team because this team is terrible. A very important game to win and they can't win at home. I see a 3

[Sisk]

we had no parker and essentially no duncan.. it's a 10 point game.. i guess that's the silver lining

[TampaDude]

Pop is pissed...

[jimo2305]

pop's reaction lol..

[8FOR!3]

Doubling Kobe was a mistake. You can't stop him, put your best defender on him and try and contain him. That's all you should try and do. He's gonna get his points. Stop the rest of the team...

[ShoogarBear]

lol Bonner

[boutons_deux]

Spurs won't get 20 pts in either 3rd or 4th.

Spurs go 7th, 1 L ahead of 8th,

followed by 2 more losses Fri and Sun,

and the schedule won't ease up.

[AnthonyM]

Cool story Brah. I love Texas Education!

Nice way to concede.

I hear the Mav Krew is taking applications. Why don't you go fill one out?

[sammy]

Give the ball to Manu and let him shoot since no-one can shoot worth crap! Bonner the jackass just turned the ball over!

[picc84]

Artest just shutting down the teams he's supposed to shut down.

[TampaDude]

Artest again...the rich keep getting richer...

[DesignatedT]

blame manu and tony for making duncan single handedly carry this team for the first half of this season......

[dbestpro]

Bonner is in playoff form.

[DPG21920]

Kobe did play in the first half. Not shooting as much does not equal not playing. He played extremely patient and smart and got his team good looks. Then he got to his spots and scored.

[jimo2305]

if anyone makes dat gif.. i'll make it my sig lol

[ElNono]

Hairston sighting... :lol

[Libri]

Sean said that Artest was throwing kisses to the crowd. lol

[Shastafarian]

I wish this was the 80s when they would've sat Artest on his ass after that him showing up the entire fucking arena

[slick'81]

spurs got owned in the 4th straight up bitched slapped

[Man In Black]

Bogans, RMJ & Bonner... Who are 3 guys that personify the word inconsistent.
Tim Duncan needs a new trainer because his body needs a shock to they system to grow again.

[gm5k]

RMJ is in playoff form.

:rollin

[Hemotivo]

WTF! LakerFans in the AT&T center?

[dbestpro]

Artest joined the Lakers because he never could get away with those rap around steals on any other team.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Spurs played some good defense, but LA hit a lot of 3's with the shot clock winding down and Kobe hit a lot of crazy shots. They weren't bad shots, but shots that most other players cannot make.

From the mid-3rd quarter on we played some pretty shoddy defense that led to wide open shots, even a 3 where Kobe had a latte before he drained it. How the fuck does Kobe ever get that open?

Sure, we played some decent D, but not when it mattered. That is why this team won't win a ring.

[ElNono]

Odom >>>>> our entire frontline tonight

[DPG21920]

Spurs with a 31 point second half.

[jimo2305]

wait.. he put garret temple in before he put hairston? or di dthey go in at same time?

[Spurminator]

It's been the Spurs' achilles heal against the Lakers for a decade. Phil lets them shoot the 3, they don't deliver.

[DPG21920]

Why is LA celebrating so much :lol

[Allanon]

WTF! LakerFans in the AT&T center?

I was going to say that...damn there's alot of Laker fans there today.

Good game blog Spurs fans, there's another game in a couple of weeks.

[ffadicted]

This is motherfuckign shameful

[boutons_deux]

"this team won't win a ring."

This team won't win 2 playoff games.

[angelbelow]

Disappointing loss

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great D and a layup, fantastic player

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Sean said that Artest was throwing kisses to the crowd. lol

Surprisingly, he wasn't taunting, he was throwing them to Faker fans. I saw the footage.

[benefactor]

AT&T=Traitorfest.

[VBM]

Hairston = 0 min

Mahinmi = 0 min

Duncan = ass

Mason = ass

[ElNono]

Well, expected loss. We'll see if we show up against the Cavs Friday...

[Spursox]

So can we still miss the playoffs and get a good draft?

[DubMcDub]

All in all I am not too upset at this game. This might be the best game I have seen Kobe play this year and Tim played absolutely terrible and the Spurs were still close with 4 minutes left.

Uhhhh..............

[TJastal]

Nice way to concede.

I hear the Mav Krew is taking applications. Why don't you go fill one out?

:lol

[itzsoweezee]

Bogans, RMJ & Bonner... Who are 3 guys that personify the word inconsistent.


they're consistently bad against good teams

[picc84]

It's been the Spurs' achilles heal against the Lakers for a decade. Phil lets them shoot the 3, they don't deliver.

We do that with every team.

For some reason it works.

[timtonymanu]

Well, expected loss. We'll see if we show up against the Cavs Friday...

We'll lose that too. Mason will miss more 3's. Manu will be the only one showing up again.

[txallstar]

temple and hairston should have come in eons ago for mason and jefferson or boggins

[Budkin]

Talk about shitting the bed in the second half... wow.

[TJastal]

Mason screwed the pooch tonight. Good thing is, its only 1 game and he can (and will) catch fire in the next game.

[anonoftheinternets]

From the mid-3rd quarter on we played some pretty shoddy defense that led to wide open shots, even a 3 where Kobe had a latte before he drained it. How the fuck does Kobe ever get that open?

Sure, we played some decent D, but not when it mattered. That is why this team won't win a ring.

umm its not the D Tim had a pretty bad game, and tonys already out.

Role players did their job, bonner did okay. Mase/bogans was horrible. Hill was spectacular. RJ .. well we all know not to expect anything from him.

[Hemotivo]

The truring point of this game was when Manu went to the bench with under 7 min to go.

this

[Sisk]

Tim just need to retire, he is done. KObe almost the same age, and he is still the best player, becuase he never gives up on the game. Duncan has no fire.

you're a fucking idiot.

[jimo2305]

oh boy another one.. :\

[DesignatedT]

lol at pops reaction after rogers wide open 3

[leemajors]

Uhhhh..............

Yeah he's become an apologist extremist. Nothing good to take from this game, esp Turtle Duncan against Gasol yet again.

[qiuyizeng]

ok,i really hope spurs vs lakers in the first round!win or out,man!

[sammy]

Hill & Manu carried the team but two can't do it alone! The rest of the team just plain sucked! Duncan didn't show up! The rest of the scrubs played like shit! Pop coaching also sucked!

[DPG21920]

Uhhhh..............

Yes? It was. He played incredible. People seem to only equate scoring to Kobe playing well. He was extraordinarily patient, made his teammates better, hit big shots and was incredibly efficient.

[leemajors]

Mason screwed the pooch tonight. Good thing is, its only 1 game and he can (and will) catch fire in the next game.

No, he has sucked all season and will not.

[DesignatedT]

So can we still miss the playoffs and get a good draft?

so can you just jump off a cliff and die?

[Spursox]

I smell 3 game losing skid. Why did we stop taking the ball to the hoop and shooting all those 3's knowing we suck at making them this year...

[DPG21920]

Yeah he's become an apologist extremist. Nothing good to take from this game, esp Turtle Duncan against Gasol yet again.

:rolleyes Just because I am not crying about the Spurs losing does not mean I am apologizing. Tim looks bad, everyone looked pretty bad. Does that change the fact Kobe played great and the Spurs were still close with 4 minutes left?

[deadpool]

Spurs gave up tonight period!

[AnthonyM]

Mason screwed the pooch tonight. Good thing is, its only 1 game and he can (and will) catch fire in the next game.

Dude, did you just buy a TV and watch your first game tonight?

[leemajors]

:rolleyes Just because I am not crying about the Spurs losing does not mean I am apologizing. Tim looks bad, everyone looked pretty bad. Does that change the fact Kobe played great and the Spurs were still close with 4 minutes left?

They were still close. Does that mean jack or shit?

[jimo2305]

Tim just need to retire, he is done. KObe almost the same age, and he is still the best player, becuase he never gives up on the game. Duncan has no fire.

lol kobe not givin' up on the game?

he's been flamed for givin' up in the game more than any other player thus far

[Killakobe81]

lol GOOD WIN BY lAKERS Spurs had been playing well.
Cavs game is huge for teh spurs means nada to the Cavs ...when does Parker get back?

[DesignatedT]

duncan cant have a game like that against the lakers and expect to win... not without tony parker... its hard to blame him... now manu is seeing how it feels like to carry a team.... just like duncan carried this team the first half of the season...

[boutons_deux]

Is Tim sick? hurting? quit on the season?

For whatever reason, he can't play basketball anymore.

[TampaDude]

Well, expected loss. We'll see if we show up against the Cavs Friday...

The beating the Cavs are gonna lay on us will make tonight look like a win.

[boutons_deux]

Is Tim sick? hurting? quit on the season?

For whatever reason, he can't play basketball anymore.

[CFH]

lol at pops reaction after rogers wide open 3

Haha, need a gif of that. :lol

That was just so ugly near the end, made me rage. :bang

[DPG21920]

They were still close. Does that mean jack or shit?

It means what I am saying was realistic. Do you think the Spurs will all always play that bad?

[siraulo23]

Duncan had a bad night, again (and great d by gasol)~

Lakers' interior D was great in the 2nd half, but they gambled and dared our shooters and we couldnt make wide open shots

Props to manu

Next game.

[TJastal]

No, he has sucked all season and will not.

We'd have two losses in a row if it hadn't been for Mason's 1st half heroics against the thunder.

How soon people forget..

[siraulo23]

Lets go get that win vs the cavs

:flag:

Someone's got to think positive here

[DubMcDub]

Yes? It was. He played incredible. People seem to only equate scoring to Kobe playing well. He was extraordinarily patient, made his teammates better, hit big shots and was incredibly efficient.

No, it wasn't. It probably wasn't even in the top 40% of Kobe's games this year. You are hilarious.

[leemajors]

It means what I am saying was realistic. Do you think the Spurs will all always play that bad?

Have you see anything to indicate they will show up for even 36 minutes vs an elite team? They can't hold leads consistently (or protect the ball) vs anyone. I'm not happy about it, but they just don't have it. Same song.

[TJastal]

Is Tim sick? hurting? quit on the season?

For whatever reason, he can't play basketball anymore.

I don't think its anything physical, its all mental and being unhappy, its easy to see from his body language both on the court and off.

If I had to guess its because Matt Boner is back in the rotation getting heavy minutes and also playing alot of crucial minutes down the stretch of games w/ Timmy

Pop is determined to make Matt Bonner a clutch 4th quarter player even if it kills Timmy

[DPG21920]

No, it wasn't. It probably wasn't even in the top 40% of Kobe's games this year. You are hilarious.

Well, we will just have to disagree. I will take 11-16 shooting all day with managing the game.

[sammy]

Hairston = 0 min

Mahinmi = 0 min

Duncan = ass

Mason = ass



You can add

Hairston = 0 min
Bonner = ass
RJ = ass
Dice=ass
Bogans = ass
Blair=ass

[Cherry]

Manu left the arena looking devastated. He's the only one that showed up tonight.

LOL @ this season.:bang

Manu should go elsewhere :(

[Duncan2177]

I don't think its anything physical, its all mental and being unhappy, its easy to see from his body language both on the court and off.

If I had to guess its because Matt Boner is back in the rotation getting heavy minutes and also playing alot of crucial minutes down the stretch of games w/ Timmy

Pop is determined to make Matt Bonner a clutch 4th quarter player even if it kills Timmy

Thats sad

[ElNono]

Manu scored his average, Hill scored what Tony normally scores. TD was flat, but ultimately the rest of our perimeter shooters are worthless.
Compoundig the problem is that Phil always makes us play the way he wants, that is, having to rely on the Bonners and Masons to have great shooting nights to beat his team.

[Snaq O'Meal]

I don't think its anything physical, its all mental and being unhappy, its easy to see from his body language both on the court and off.

If I had to guess its because Matt Boner is back in the rotation getting heavy minutes and also playing alot of crucial minutes down the stretch of games w/ Timmy

Pop is determined to make Matt Bonner a clutch 4th quarter player even if it kills Timmy

It's all about pounding the rock and to keep going at it no matter what.

[Doe]

That third quarter was a disaster. So much miscommunication on defense. How many times did we see TWO Spurs running to close out on the same player?

And got damn it RJ, one step forward two steps back. He looked like he was getting it and then he totally shits the bed today.

Also how many more games is Mason going to get? Dude looks done, absolutely no confidence and he's bringing nothing to the table. I understand giving shooters time to get out of their slumps but Mason won't be here next year so why waste anymore time on him.

[santymrc]

Team Offense goes south as soon as Manu leaves the floor.
Team Defense goes south as soon as TD leaves the floor.

Tonite, Pop took Manu out of the game, we were 2 down. Manu comes back, 12 down in a 1.40 sec sprint late in the 4th.

Game Over.

Pop's fault in my book. His inability to recognize certain game situations this season makes me wonder what the hell is he thinking.

[Chomag]

That third quarter was a disaster. So much miscommunication on defense. How many times did we see TWO Spurs running to close out on the same player?

And got damn it RJ, one step forward two steps back. He looked like he was getting it and then he totally shits the bed today.

Also how many more games is Mason going to get? Dude looks done, absolutely no confidence and he's bringing nothing to the table. I understand giving shooters time to get out of their slumps but Mason won't be here next year so why waste anymore time on him.

Nah, RJ just run out of crappy teams to look good on.

[duncan228]

Updated.

Bryant’s 24 points pull Lakers over Spurs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010032424)
By Paul J. Weber

Kobe Bryant kept his shooting hand raised high, smiling while backpedaling to halfcourt after burying the San Antonio Spurs.

A seventh straight win for the Los Angeles Lakers looked that easy.

Bryant scored 24 points and hit a pair of backbreaking 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers preserve their second-longest winning streak of the season with a 92-83 victory on Wednesday night.

“It was a playoff-type of atmosphere,” Bryant said. “We were down in the first half. We had to battle back. It was a good win for us to start this road trip.”

He means a five-game road trip, the longest left for the Lakers before the playoffs. With just 11 games remaining, the West-leading Lakers have a six-game cushion over Dallas.

The Spurs, meanwhile, are seventh in the West, a half-game ahead of Portland.

San Antonio might have blown a chance to get more breathing room.

Manu Ginobili scored 24 points and George Hill had 21, but the Spurs got little help from anyone else. San Antonio had no other scorers in double figures, and got a dreadful 2-of-11 night from Tim Duncan, who finished with six points and 12 rebounds.

The Spurs led for much of the game, but after Bryant took over in the fourth, San Antonio wilted late against the best in the West. And the worst isn’t behind the Spurs: Next up is LeBron James and East-leading Cleveland on Friday.

“You always want to beat the best teams, but at this point in the season, I just want to beat the team in front of me,” Ginobili said. “If it’s the worst or the best, we just need to win.”

The Spurs shot 31 percent in the fourth quarter. Bryant was 4 of 5 and had 10 points in the period, including his two 3-pointers that put away San Antonio.

Bryant pulled up over Roger Mason Jr. to hit the first one, putting the Lakers up 80-74 with 5:41 left. Two minutes later, another one from the corner stretched the lead to 11.

Lamar Odom had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Ron Artest scored 16 points. Paul Gasol had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“I think we understand that we’re at the point of the year where we’re really tuned in and focused about what we have to do out there,” Gasol said. “Defensively, in that good mindset so it carries on to the offensive end.”

The Lakers left for the road trip well-rested. Having played just twice in the previous seven days, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before the game he expected some lively legs.

Sure enough, the Lakers had all the stamina at the end.

The Lakers ran away from a game in which they mostly trailed. Not until Shannon Brown hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 left in the third quarter did the Lakers take the lead for the first time since the first quarter.

Hill got off to a blazing start and had 20 at halftime, but missed all three of his shots in the second half and mustered just one more point. It blemished what began as another promising game for Hill, who made his 10th start in place of Tony Parker.

“We played him a little better on the screen-and-rolls,” Jackson said. “We were more prepared in the second half.”

The Spurs fell to 6-4 without Parker, who isn’t expected to return from a broken hand until the playoffs.

NOTES: Lakers C Andrew Bynum told the team Thursday that his injured Achilles’ tendon is feeling better, but Jackson said he isn’t counting on Bynum coming back before the road trip ends March 31. Bynum strained the tendon last week and was expected to miss two weeks. … Bryant surpassed Alex English to move into 12th on the NBA’s career scoring list.

[Slippy]

Gotta rant about this game. Spurs didn't make the best of the first half where they got great looks and their defense stood up . They missed an inside presense the whole game on both ends. Tim was simply outplayed and the rest of the bigs could not get it done. What bothers me more was going into 4th they were still in the game but pretty much wilted when Manu was out.

Roger Mason you could not hit a open three if your life depended upon it . If any-one is overreacting to this comment, it's just an expression to illustrate how costly his misses were. This guy was wide open all game but trashed it up.

Corporate knowledge. I truley understand the meaning of it on the court this season more than any other. Spurs have some players who just don't get it as in basketball instincts and smarts. It's March so excuses are out the door. From knowing what defense to play with a few secs on the clock to handling pressure and not making mistakes, they crumble. Dice, RJ and Mason you're letting the team down.

[mytespurs]

I figured the Spurs would lose this one-Spurs have inconsistent all year and has been unable to beat most of the upper echelon teams this year.

So forget this game and move on-try to make the playoffs and see what happens then but my expectations aren't high for the Spurs this year....I see another one and done.

[Ice009]

Well I wanted to comment yesterday, but didn't.

Roger Mason Jr. is a rubbish player TJastal. I don't know what more proof you want after this Lakers game and yet another horrendous performance from RMJ. He is now one of the worst shooters in the league. His percentage has gone down the crapper this season.

I might even retract what I said the other day about Mason Jr. being slightly better than Bogans. If Bogans could shoot even 40% he'd be better than Mason Jr.

I'd give Mason Jr. another chance against Cleveland and go from there. If he can't hit a shot against the Cavs at home then there is no point in playing him the rest of the season if he wilts against the best teams and turns into a 10% shooter who does nothing else out there on the court.

[Johnny RIngo]

Well I wanted to comment yesterday, but didn't.

Roger Mason Jr. is a rubbish player TJastal. I don't know what more proof you want after this Lakers game and yet another horrendous performance from RMJ. He is now one of the worst shooters in the league. His percentage has gone down the crapper this season.

I might even retract what I said the other day about Mason Jr. being slightly better than Bogans. If Bogans could shoot even 40% he'd be better than Mason Jr.

I'd give Mason Jr. another chance against Cleveland and go from there. If he can't hit a shot against the Cavs at home then there is no point in playing him the rest of the season if he wilts against the best teams and turns into a 10% shooter who does nothing else out there on the court.

Pop is clearly at fault here. Mason wanted out of the team and SA couldn't get a trade done(probably 'cause Holt seems more interested in shedding salary instead of making moves to improve the team). Almost got a 2nd rounder for him but it fell through. Pop is being too nice when it comes to Mason. Roger is in a contract year so Pop feels obligated to give him playing time at the expense of better players like Hairston. You can say the same for Bogans too. Neither deserve the type of minutes they're getting but Pop is adamant about playing his vets.

[John_C]

I think we just don't have the mentality anymore as a fighting team. We tend to just suddenly lose the fight in us when better teams tend to get the upper hand on us during the end of games. It's saddening that I feel the Spurs seem to also feel they could not compete anymore against the top teams out there.