Game Blog: Lakers vs. Nuggets Death Match

[timvp]

Who do we Spurs fans root for? If the Nuggets win, OKC basically gets a cakewalk to the WCFs. But then again, watching the Lakers meltdown and get kicked out of the first round could be worth it.

[DontStopBelieving]

I disagree with the cakewalk statement..

If Denver wins tonight, I think they can push OKC to the tough 5 or 6 games that LA would anyways..

[100%duncan]

Who do we Spurs fans root for? If the Nuggets win, OKC basically gets a cakewalk to the WCFs. But then again, watching the Lakers meltdown and get kicked out of the first round could be worth it.

Well, the Nuggets might pull off another upset in the next round. Maybe 10 percent? I don't care about the percentage as long as they got a chance and kick the Laker's butt.

[Proxy]

Logically, I don't want the Thunder to have any advantages, so an OKC/LAL matchup would be better for SAS assuming they're a better matchup than Denver.

But I don't think any of us would mind the consolation prize of the drama that would follow LAL all offseason, losing a 3-1 lead in the first round.

[100%duncan]

The Thunder might beat LA in 5 games too,tbh. So it's better that LA be gone and their brother's tomorrow both wasting a 3-1 lead. Imagine ESPN's headline. :lmao

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Ftl

:smokin

[Bruno]

Something else to consider is that if Perkins is out or diminished, Lakers have a shot at beating Thunder. Rooting for Lakers today is taking the risk to face them in WCF.

[timvp]

Something else to consider is that if Perkins is out or diminished, Lakers have a shot at beating Thunder. Rooting for Lakers today is taking the risk to face them in WCF.

Good point. I wouldn't want the Spurs to face the Lakers in the WCF because that'd mean they are playing damn well.

[lmbebo]

Perkins has also had a week off to rest and heal.

[timvp]

Kobe is passing. Game over. Lakers by 32.

[Sa_Spursfan20]

Ty Lawson has been shooting really well the past few games.:wow

[DontStopBelieving]

LA has clearly made it a point to establish their bigs early.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

lol lawson making 12ft floaters

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Faried is such a little bad ass. He's like a young bigger Blair

[DontStopBelieving]

I think the pace is favoring LA currently, but props to Denver on making some tough shots and actually leading right now :wow

[spurspokesman]

Who do we Spurs fans root for? If the Nuggets win, OKC basically gets a cakewalk to the WCFs. But then again, watching the Lakers meltdown and get kicked out of the first round could be worth it.

I started a thread earlier stating that we want la to win because they would push okc further than denver. Keep in mind we will be playing memphis presumably. That will be a tall task in itself all to meet a fresh okc two days later. We want okc and la/denver to beat the hell out of one another.

[pgardn]

I dont understand why I feel that someone, anyone, should hit Dino Gallonari in the face.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

mcgee would have made all those retarded shots he took if against Bonner

[100%duncan]

Al Fucking Harington can't shoot for shit sakes.

[pgardn]

Good point. I wouldn't want the Spurs to face the Lakers in the WCF because that'd mean they are playing damn well.

Hate for the Lakers should not translate into fear.

I would love the Lakers to make it for one reason. It would give us the chance to beat them.

[urunobili]

if Blake is going to hit those extremely long 3's it's over...

[Despot]

LA might have gone 0-3 against okc if Harden had not been knocked out. At least the nuggets beat okc once, and took them to OT in another game.

Obviously LA is the more talented and experienced team though...You would think that they would give okc a harder time

[urunobili]

lol Kobe barking at Hill for taking his rebound...

[100%duncan]

if Blake is going to hit those extremely long 3's it's over...

This,tbh.

[100%duncan]

Al Harringtong TOSB POS.

[Manu-20]

Good overall quater for the nuggest they have a good chance to win this game if lawson keeps up his play and their bench just keeps them in the game or Maintain the lead if they get it.

[urunobili]

Barnes...

[100%duncan]

Manimal, what a baller.

[ducks]

Playing physically is helping lakers
refs no calling fouls
game over

[spursparker9]

kobe passing = game over

[100%duncan]

Playing physically is helping lakers
refs no calling fouls
game over

Yes. 2 missed foul calls in the last 3 possessions.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Well, whoever said that Steve Blake comment was right

[DDS4]

I wanna see a close game in the 4th quarter.

[100%duncan]

I never thought Gallo would play like dog shit this game. I was hoping he's gonna have a great game with their season on the fucking line.

[100%duncan]

Ref didn't want to call that. :lmao

[urunobili]

Thanks for giving Mozgov more minutes... he blocks out Bynum very decently... tires him

[Capt Bringdown]

I don't see the Nuggets climbing out of a double-digit hole. As for who a Spur fan should want to win, well, given our history against the Lakers, that's a given.

[urunobili]

lol Bryant failing a Manu's bullet pass attempt

[100%duncan]

Thanks for giving Mozgov more minutes... he blocks out Bynum very decently... tires him

Agreed. Mozgov-McGee is a Bynum stopper. McGee contests Bynum, Mozgov rebounds.

[jestersmash]

Well reffed game so far. L.A. hasn't gotten any help at all. Then again, I expected this. Last time L.A. got critical help in a playoff game was Kobe's 6-24 game 7 disaster.

[ducks]

Westbrook would own session
lawson is

[100%duncan]

If Gallo and Miller would just show up, they got this.

[Capt Bringdown]

Nuggets don't seem to be intimidated at all by the Lakers. Wish the Spurs had that.

[100%duncan]

Nuggets don't seem to be intimidated at all by the Lakers. Wish the Spurs had that.

Ironically, young teams seem not to be intimidated by them at all.

[jestersmash]

Oh, and to answer the question at hand, I'd rather the Lakers win.

The Nuggets are probably more similar to the Spurs than the Lakers are (they want to get out and run in transition when possible, they have a nice speedy guard in Lawson). Even beyond getting a cakewalk to the WCF, I don't want OKC to get used to playing and defending a speedy guard like Lawson before they play the Spurs (if we advance).

[Capt Bringdown]

Ironically, young teams seem not to be intimidated by them at all.

Young teams haven't had .03 or Brent Barry non-call done to them - YET.

[urunobili]

wow Pau hit Harrington on the broken nose...

[100%duncan]

Young teams haven't had .03 or Brent Barry non-call done to them - YET.

Word.

[urunobili]

Nuggets don't seem to be intimidated at all by the Lakers. Wish the Spurs fans had that.

FIFY. The way we played them in the regular season doesn't give the impression the team is intimidated by them

[100%duncan]

Miller just shitting his pants per usual

[100%duncan]

Nuggets still can win this. Miller,Gallo,Affalo, and Brewer still not playing up to their potential.

[jestersmash]

Nuggets don't seem to be intimidated at all by the Lakers. Wish the Spurs had that.

Were the Spurs intimidated by the Lakers this year, and if so, why do you think that?

[Venti Quattro]

Why do you call it a game blog instead of a game thread?

[Capt Bringdown]

Were the Spurs intimidated by the Lakers this year, and if so, why do you think that?

Seen it before, not impressed. Regular season matters little when the Spurs face the Lakers in the playoffs.

[NASpurs]

Why do you call it a game blog instead of a game thread?

That's what I've been asking myself for years. It's not a blog. :lol

[jestersmash]

Seen it before, not impressed. Regular season matters little when the Spurs face the Lakers in the playoffs.

So are you talking about the Big 3?

There's no reason to think that our young guys would be intimidated by the Lakers based on past playoffs because they weren't even on the team.

Stephen Jackson was around for our '03 run, but we beat the Lakers 4-2 that year so Jackson is out.

[Sean Cagney]

Seen it before, not impressed. Regular season matters little when the Spurs face the Lakers in the playoffs.

Why don't you wait for this crap if and when LA or The Spurs get there! They have another round after this one you know and VERY tough opponents await them.

[therealtruth]

The pace definitely favors LA. I think the Nuggets point of emphasis should be to increase the pace in the second half.

[pgardn]

Seen it before, not impressed. Regular season matters little when the Spurs face the Lakers in the playoffs.

So a better indicator of what might occur if we play the Lakers would be 2008 playoffs and before instead of head to head this year? Beg to differ.

[Capt Bringdown]

So are you talking about the Big 3?


Spurs have some Laker demons they need to exorcise. This year is perhaps our best chance to do so in a long time.
Happy now?
That being said, I'd rather see the Lakers knocked out.

[therealtruth]

Agreed. Mozgov-McGee is a Bynum stopper. McGee contests Bynum, Mozgov rebounds.

The problems are on offense. They've got no spacing with Mozgov-McGee.

[Capt Bringdown]

So a better indicator of what might occur if we play the Lakers would be 2008 playoffs and before instead of head to head this year? Beg to differ.

Better indicator would be the final horn on a Spurs playoff series victory over the Lakers. Any other "better indicators" are bullshit.

[jestersmash]

Spurs have some Laker demons they need to exorcise. This year is perhaps our best chance to do so in a long time.
Happy now?
That being said, I'd rather see the Lakers knocked out.

No need to get defensive, I was just asking for clarification.

I'm just surprised that you think the Big 3 are intimidated by the Lakers in the playoffs.

[Juggity]

Denver looks done.

[Capt Bringdown]

No need to get defensive, I was just asking for clarification.

I'm just surprised that you think the Big 3 are intimidated by the Lakers in the playoffs.

Never said the Big 3 are intimidated by the Lakers. But I'm not surprised you would try to put words in my mouth.

[jestersmash]

Never said the Big 3 are intimidated by the Lakers. But I'm not surprised you would try to put words in my mouth.

You said the Spurs are intimidated by the Lakers and when our regular season record was brought up, you said -


Seen it before, not impressed. Regular season matters little when the Spurs face the Lakers in the playoffs.

So you're clearly basing your assertion that the Spurs are intimidated by the Lakers based on past playoffs.

Which players on our team are intimidated by the Lakers based on past playoff performance if not the Big 3?

[pgardn]

Better indicator would be the final horn on a Spurs playoff series victory over the Lakers. Any other "better indicators" are bullshit.

So its easiest to tell if we can beat them after we beat them.

Ok then...

[PingPong]

Denver is a bunch of scrubs. They don't have clutch players, just role players. There are no Manu, no Parker, no Duncan...

[Capt Bringdown]

Which players on our team are intimidated by the Lakers based on past playoff performance if not the Big 3?

Everyone not named Bruce Bowen, from the head coach all the way down to the ball boy.

[Capt Bringdown]

Game over.

[jestersmash]

Everyone not named Bruce Bowen, from the head coach all the way down to the ball boy.

So Danny Green, Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter, Kawhi Leonard, etc. are intimidated by the Lakers and you know this based on past playoff performance?

Interesting.

[Spurtacus]

Did anyone record this game?

Look closely at the rim on the Denver Nuggets end in the first half. Compare it to the Lakers rim during the first half. Then watch the same Nuggets rim as the Lakers shoot in the second half.

Not saying the Lakers won because they had a tighter rim in the first half since they are clearly outplaying Denver in the second half.

[jestersmash]

Did anyone record this game?

Look closely at the rim on the Denver Nuggets end in the first half. Compare it to the Lakers rim during the first half. Then watch the same Nuggets rim as the Lakers shoot in the second half.

Not saying the Lakers won because they had a tighter rim in the first half since they are clearly outplaying Denver in the second half.

Wait, so you were seriously contemplating this conspiracy theory in the game thread downstairs? :lol

I thought you were just trying to troll Lakerfans.

[PingPong]

Game over.

Not yet.

[Spurtacus]

Wait, so you were seriously contemplating this conspiracy theory in the game thread downstairs? :lol

I thought you were just trying to troll Lakerfans.

No, and I'm not the only one who noticed here and other sites.

Watch the rim with a keen eye. It rattled far more on a missed shot in the first half than the second. I'm not one to post conspiracy shit and I wouldn't post this if I wasn't confident in what I saw.

[Capt Bringdown]

Not yet.

Wow.

[jestersmash]

No, and I'm not the only one who noticed here and other sites.

Watch the rim with a keen eye. It rattled far more on a missed shot in the first half than the second. I'm not one to post conspiracy shit and I wouldn't post this if I wasn't confident in what I saw.

Well, a lot of the recent playoff games have been uploaded to youtube, so I'll check the replay there.

Was it just in the 1st half or is it still going on?

[Spurtacus]

Well, a lot of the recent playoff games have been uploaded to youtube, so I'll check the replay there.

Was it just in the 1st half or is it still going on?

Just first half. They tightened the rim for the Lakers in the 2nd half.

I hope the game is replayed on NBA TV.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Wow Ty Lawson is very impressive, the guy is lightening quick, hes going to be a player

[ducks]

Point guards look better against lakers then any team

[jestersmash]

Just first half. They tightened the rim for the Lakers in the 2nd half.

I hope the game is replayed on NBA TV.

Good call. NBATV usually replays high profile playoff games the following day.

[Capt Bringdown]

brutal turnover by miller

[Spurs da champs]

Ty Lawson should have been an AllStar over Steve Nash, that dude is ballin right now.

[ducks]

All stars worths are suppose to be based in what you do that season before game only not in years past or postseason

[jestersmash]

Ty Lawson should have been an AllStar over Steve Nash, that dude is ballin right now.

Both Harden and Lawson had strong cases, imo.

[Capt Bringdown]

Nuggets outscore the Lakers in the 3rd by 5. If they can get a lead and push it to 5 or so, I think we'll start seeing some Laker panic.

[Obstructed_View]

According to ESPN, the Grizzlies have fought their way back into the game!

[Spurs da champs]

lol Lakers are having a meltdown.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

lol lakers nyahahahahahaha

[MannyIsGod]

Anyone else think Mike Brown's "thats what he gets paid for" comment was a pretty shitty thing for a head coach to say?

[Tp9gospursgo]

lol LAKERS

[jestersmash]

Nuggets outscore the Lakers in the 3rd by 5. If they can get a lead and push it to 5 or so, I think we'll start seeing some Laker panic.

20 minutes ago -


Game over.

:lol

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

I'm kind of worried now. If the Nuggets can overcome a 16-point deficit against the Lakers - not to mention a 3-1 series deficit - then what's to stop them from doing the same against San Antonio in the WCF?

[PingPong]

TSOB Lakers....

[jestersmash]

i'm kind of worried now. If the nuggets can overcome a 16-point deficit against the lakers - not to mention a 3-1 series deficit - then what's to stop them from doing the same against san antonio in the wcf?

okc.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

So much for Bynum's statement that closeout games are easy to win!

[Spurs da champs]

Both Harden and Lawson had strong cases, imo.

Lawson got robbed by Nash & Harden by Nowitzki due to lifetime achievement awards. :rolleyes

[Spurtacus]

lol lakers nyahahahahahaha

Your signature made my boner hit the laptop. :wow

[Spurs da champs]

Wow what a sequence.

[PingPong]

MaGee blocks are awesome... how tall!

[Spurtacus]

Ugh Black Mamba time coming up...

[Spurminator]

LOL Miller just Dreamshaked Gasol+Bynum

[LakerHater]

WOOW, How Miller!

[Spurs da champs]

MaGee blocks are awesome... how tall!

Yeah he would've been awesome to pair next to Tim, while a lot of people make fun of him for bonehead plays on the Wizards,smh I mean c'mon they're the damn Wizards a shitty team where nobody gets held accountable & it's just a circus over there. He's already shown he can perform well on a winning team which is what matters most.

[MannyIsGod]

Gasol just dominating those offensive boards. Being able to jump and get a big block is great, but it doesn't matter if you can't block out.

[Spurs da champs]

Gasol just dominating those offensive boards. Being able to jump and get a big block is great, but it doesn't matter if you can't block out.

Well look at there lineup it was Faried & Harrington.

[MannyIsGod]

Well look at there lineup it was Faried & Harrington.

And the guy you were just pimping.

[MannyIsGod]

Actually Harrington was on the bench I think.

[MannyIsGod]

Fareed hustles, but he's just given away a dunk and a possession.

[Capt Bringdown]

Nuggs desperately need a basket at this juncture.

[Spurs da champs]

While that was the correct call I'd be worried if Marc Davis is officiating a game for the Spurs.

[MannyIsGod]

Damn that was great D. Artest can be so good at times.

[Spurs da champs]

Fareed hustles, but he's just given away a dunk and a possession.

You can't teach size.

[Spurtacus]

Lakers can barely squeeze out a series against the Nuggets. Thunder should take em out in 5 games (assuming Perkins is 100% healthy).

[Capt Bringdown]

MWP with 4 steals. Perhaps the difference maker.
Game over.

[LakerHater]

http://uppix.net/b/a/2/109764d4cb9fae9d4db8a126c5781.gif

[MannyIsGod]

Mike Brown is an incredibly terrible coach.

[jestersmash]

Nuggets half court offense looks just awful.

80% of their half court screens are utterly useless.

[Spurs da champs]

lol Gasol & I hate when they go to those camera angles.

[MannyIsGod]

Harrington going against Pau on that end is great. But he's going to give up offensive boards left and right on the other end.

[Capt Bringdown]

Lakers can barely squeeze out a series against the Nuggets. Thunder should take em out in 5 games (assuming Perkins is 100% healthy).

I doubt if the Spurs would have swept the Nuggets. The Nuggets are a formidable 1st round foe, certainly more so than Utah.

[Spurtacus]

I doubt if the Spurs would have swept the Nuggets. The Nuggets are a formidable 1st round foe, certainly more so than Utah.

Spurs would have taken them down in 5 or 6.

[LakerHater]

KoMe jus hoped with the ball!!

[LakerHater]

KoMe jus hopped with the ball!!

[MannyIsGod]

Denver just chucking up prayers. Lakers doing the same but then they get the board. :lol

[LakerHater]

Denver fallin apart!

[LakerHater]

Thats the Nail!!

[MannyIsGod]

Uh oh, hope!

[timvp]

Lakers survive. Hopefully this isn't like that time the Lakers got pushed to seven games in the first round by the Rockets.

[Capt Bringdown]

Kobe plus 2 7-fters is going to be an extremely hard knockout. If the Lakers play right, I'm seeing them pick up another title. Easily.

[MannyIsGod]

LOL Kobe just toying with the Nuggets.

[MannyIsGod]

Lakers just aren't deep enough. Denver not very good and definitely not very big and yet Lakers get pushed to 7 without Artest. I never like to count out Kobe but I really do think OKC wins in 5.

[Capt Bringdown]

34 rebounds, 35 pts between Bynum and Gasol. Unstoppable.

[Spurs da champs]

Well with Westbrick the Lakers defiantly can make this a long series.

[LakerHater]

Isnt Timberlake from Memphis?

[ducks]

Steve blake won the game for the lakers
the bigs were great but if blake does not make those threes they lose

[ducks]

34 rebounds, 35 pts between bynum and gasol. Unstoppable.

again blake shots 50% from downtown in series
tonight 5-6 without that they lose

[MannyIsGod]

Actually, the best thing for the Lakers in the next series is that they won't be facing George Karl and Mike Brown will probably get out coached but I doubt its nearly as bad as this series.

[LakerHater]

They should giv Bynum a frustration foul like the one he gave J.J. last season!

[Capt Bringdown]

Steve blake won the game for the lakers
the bigs were great but if blake does not make those threes they lose

MWP's 15pts, 5 rebounds and 4 steals were a bigger factor IMO.

[MannyIsGod]

Damn Bynum is a fucking bitch.

[Spurs da champs]

Bynum is a dirty lil shit.

[ducks]

well with westbrick the lakers defiantly can make this a long series.

westrbook will go off
unless kobe guards him
lawson went off on them

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Steve blake won the game for the lakers
the bigs were great but if blake does not make those threes they lose

:tu problem s, the lakers franchise has a long long history of bitch ass, scrub players doing what Blake did tonight.

Its like Fisher never left.

[LakerHater]

LMFAO...streamers!

[ducks]

4 games in 6 days for the lakers now

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Damn Bynum is a fucking bitch.

What'd he do

[ducks]

mwp's 15pts, 5 rebounds and 4 steals were a bigger factor imo.

ron d should down denver
but blake opened it up for bigs
ron did not hit his threes until blake got it going

[Capt Bringdown]

Teams are going to have to spend so much energy defending the Twin Monsters, that even a stiff like Steve Blake can get off. Not to mention the best perimeter player of our generation.

The best and perhaps only chance is to get one of the Lakers big men in foul trouble.

[timvp]

Westbrook is going to explode against the Lakers. Durant will have a tough time against Artest but he'll still get his points. OKC has the size to compete in the middle and more than enough speed to punish the Lakers for being relatively slow.

Thunder in 5 or 6.

[ducks]

actually, the best thing for the lakers in the next series is that they won't be facing george karl and mike brown will probably get out coached but i doubt its nearly as bad as this series.

lakers without ron are a different team
mike brown is not phil jackson but he is not that bad
this lakers team is not nearly as good as last year

[MannyIsGod]

Teams are going to have to spend so much energy defending the Twin Monsters, that even a stiff like Steve Blake can get off. Not to mention the best perimeter player of our generation.

The best and perhaps only chance is to get one of the Lakers big men in foul trouble.

Not really. You saw them go off like they did because Denver had small lineups out there. OKC will defend them far more straight up. You will definitely not see double teams like that in the next round.

[ducks]

westbrook is going to explode against the lakers. Durant will have a tough time against artest but he'll still get his points. Okc has the size to compete in the middle and more than enough speed to punish the lakers for being relatively slow.

Thunder in 5 or 6.

do you think kobe will guard westbrook in 4 like kobe did against lawson tonight

[Capt Bringdown]

Westbrook is going to explode against the Lakers. Durant will have a tough time against Artest but he'll still get his points. OKC has the size to compete in the middle and more than enough speed to punish the Lakers for being relatively slow.

Thunder in 5 or 6.

Durant is the key. If Artest can keep him to a low-shooting percentage, Lakers win.
And then there's Perkin's injuy.
Lakers in 6.

[Spurs da champs]

Keep the game close then we'll see if Westbrick "goes off".

[LakerHater]

Bynum will get frustrated wil Perkins & Ibaka!

[Spurs da champs]

Bynum will get frustrated wil Perkins & Ibaka!

I'd love to see him foul Perkins hard.

[Capt Bringdown]

Not really. You saw them go off like they did because Denver had small lineups out there. OKC will defend them far more straight up. You will definitely not see double teams like that in the next round.

Who can matchup with their twin towers? If the big have their heads screwed on I don't see how they can be stopped.

[MannyIsGod]

:lol @ Bynum having his head screwed on.

They don't necessarily need to match them though. They just need to not be as hapless as Denver. Denver didn't come anywhere near matching them and yet still pushed LA to 7 games and had a fourth quarter lead.

And OKC is MUCH better than Denver.

[Mugen]

Kobe guarding Westbrook, Metta guarding Artest means Blake, Sessions or Barnes is on Harden.

Yes please.

I hope LA takes em to 6 but OKC would have to choke pretty hard to have that happen.

[LakerHater]

Kobe guarding Westbrook, Metta guarding Artest means Blake, Sessions or Barnes is on Harden.

http://board.freeones.com/images/freeones/smilies/dunno.gif

[MannyIsGod]

:lmao Mike Brown's speech. Dude is fucking terrible.

[Spurs da champs]

Chuck with the truth, the age factor is such an excuse.

[MannyIsGod]

Shaq and Chuck are both right.

[Capt Bringdown]

They don't necessarily need to match them though.

Nope. Playoffs are all about matchups. Not being hapless isn't going to help OKC against the Lakers' superior edge in rebounding and easy scores.
Rebounding = rings.

OKC is primarily an outside shooting team, ala Dallas. Lakers can crush inside and out.

[Spurs da champs]

Nope. Playoffs are all about matchups. Not being hapless isn't going to help OKC against the Lakers' superior edge in rebounding and easy scores.
Rebounding = rings.

OKC is primarily an outside shooting team, ala Dallas. Lakers can crush inside and out.

Depends on Gasol he's got a big advantage against Ibaka & Collison, while it can be about match ups it also depends on the mental toughness & both Gasol/Bynum have shown they're mentally weak.

[MannyIsGod]

The point is that OKC WILL do better on the boards. Its pretty much guaranteed. Of course its about matchups and the matchups aren't as bad in the middle for OKC. :lol Thats my point!!!

I mean, I don't know if you watched the series at all, but Denver isn't a very good team at all. They play with a lot of effort and heart, but they've got no one even close to as good as OKC's top two players and their bigs aren't nearly as good either. I love what Karl did with Denver and admired the heart they played with, but they don't have anywhere near the talent of OKC and thats going to show in the next series.

The Lakers basically won tonight because Blake had a shooting night he rarely will have and the fact that they were taller. That shit isn't going to cut it against OKC.

[MannyIsGod]

I mean its not like the Lakers big men were effective in the post today. They were effective at getting boards and cleaning up messes and getting some easy put backs. They did that because of double teams (boards become harder when you're rotating) and because of size. They're not going to have the same type of size advantage and they're not going to see the same type of double teams.

[therealtruth]

I don't get why George Karl didn't speed up the pace of the game. That's the whole point of playing a small lineup.

[Mugen]

Nope. Playoffs are all about matchups. Not being hapless isn't going to help OKC against the Lakers' superior edge in rebounding and easy scores.
Rebounding = rings.

OKC is primarily an outside shooting team, ala Dallas. Lakers can crush inside and out.

Dallas, the jumpshooting team that swept a better version of the Lakers last year?

[MannyIsGod]

He did. Thats how they got back in it in the 3rd. But once the Lakers started killing them on the offensive glass they didn't get many chances to run.

Its hard to run out of made shots.

[Mugen]

I don't get why George Karl didn't speed up the pace of the game. That's the whole point of playing a small lineup.

Can't speed up the game when youre not rebounding.

[Capt Bringdown]

The point is that OKC WILL do better on the boards. Its pretty much guaranteed. Of course its about matchups and the matchups aren't as bad in the middle for OKC. :lol Thats my point!!!

I mean, I don't know if you watched the series at all, but Denver isn't a very good team at all. They play with a lot of effort and heart, but they've got no one even close to as good as OKC's top two players and their bigs aren't nearly as good either. I love what Karl did with Denver and admired the heart they played with, but they don't have anywhere near the talent of OKC and thats going to show in the next series.

The Lakers basically won tonight because Blake had a shooting night he rarely will have and the fact that they were taller. That shit isn't going to cut it against OKC.

Hope that you're right, although you seem to be ignoring that MWP was out for 6 games of the series. The way he's been playing, that's very significant.
I don't think the Lakers win without his 15pts and 4 steals tonight.

Of course OKC is better than Denver, and yes I watched the series. Why do people always resort to condescending, insulting shit when somebody disagrees with them?
You have a different opinion that me - that must mean you haven't watched the game/series.
Sorry, dude, you're not god's gift to basketball fandom commentary. Neither am I.

[MannyIsGod]

:lmao

I wasn't even trying to insult you! Don't be so sensitive.

[Capt Bringdown]

:lmao

I wasn't even trying to insult you! Don't be so sensitive.

OK. Better yet, don't be condescending.

[MannyIsGod]

K, I'll handle you with kid gloves. Do you want me to apologize too? Will it make you feel better?

In all honesty, if you want to know why people say shit that you take as condescending its because that's how guys usually bullshit with each other. There's always some shit talking about things of that nature with 99% of the people I talk sports with. None of them take it personally. I'm not sure why you are, but you can get upset about it if you want. I doubt many people are going to change for you, however.

[Capt Bringdown]

Huge:
World Peace helped shut down Danilo Gallinari and Andre Miller, holding them to a combined 2-for-19 shooting.

[MannyIsGod]

I guess MWP isn't shutting down shit tonight.