Come Out Swinging

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I actually think LA might take us lightly tonight as much as the whole sleeping on the plane thing has been played up in the media.

And yeah, Pau has been a mental midget in the post-season, it'd be nice to put him in a hole right off the bat and see how he responds.

[timvp]

If the Spurs do lose, I hope it's by 50+ points. Let the starters rest and gear up for Game 2.

But the shock of Kobe having Bowen on him instead of Korver or Carmelo on him could allow the Spurs to get off to a good start. Oh and whoever pointed to Kirilenko as a good defender ... that's laughable. The Jazz don't even bother putting Kirilenko on Ginobili or Parker because he'll get scored on too easily. He ends up on Bowen.

Seriously, who is the best defender Kobe has gone up against so far in the playoffs? Kenyon Martin? Matt Harpring?

[Holt's Cat]

I'm with ya boss.

Lakers had one weak ass ride to the WC Finals.

[beachwood]

This is a trap game for the Lakers. Besides Kobe & Fisher no one on that team has played a Spurs team marching towards the Finals. Gasol has always been easily discarded by us. The Lakers have not been challenged yet this playoffs and we have. As good as the Lakers are right now, they are not battle tested.

The experience of dealing with elimination twice and overcoming huge obstacles with our backs against the wall will come into play.

[Holt's Cat]

The Lakers are frauds.

[T Park]

Could it be like 2002 though if they slap em in the face in the first game they will respond with 4 straight?

Personally I could see it going either way.

[DazedAndConfused]

If the Spurs do lose, I hope it's by 50+ points. Let the starters rest and gear up for Game 2.

But the shock of Kobe having Bowen on him instead of Korver or Carmelo on him could allow the Spurs to get off to a good start. Oh and whoever pointed to Kirilenko as a good defender ... that's laughable. The Jazz don't even bother putting Kirilenko on Ginobili or Parker because he'll get scored on too easily. He ends up on Bowen.

Seriously, who is the best defender Kobe has gone up against so far in the playoffs? Kenyon Martin? Matt Harpring?

Kenyon Martin, Najera, Anthony, Kleiza, JR Smith, Harpring, AK47, Korver, Brewer, and Miles.

Kobe has seen every type of defender you can imagine and torched them all. Bowen is going to have to be at the top of his game. Even then, it still might not be enough. Kobe can have a bad game and the Lakers can still win.

[G-Nob]

Phil will find a way to create shots for Kobe. The only thing I ask is please defend the pick-n-roll w/ Gasol.

[Holt's Cat]

Kenyon Martin?

ROFL.

[T Park]

Yeah that playoff stud Kenyon Martin.

[timvp]

Kenyon Martin, Najera, Anthony, Kleiza, JR Smith, Harpring, AK47, Korver, Brewer, and Miles.

Kobe has seen every type of defender you can imagine and torched them all.

Every type of defender? You just named ten of the 25 worst perimeter defenders in the NBA. ROFL @ Najera, JR Smith and CJ Miles spending time on Kobe. That's hysterical. That'd be like if the Spurs put Oberto on Kobe and Laker Fan got all hot and bothered because Kobe "torched" him.

[DazedAndConfused]

Kenyon Martin?

ROFL.

The only thing he can do acceptably is play defense. And believe it or not, he's guarded Kobe the best out of anyone thus far in the playoffs.

You Spurs fans are seriously some of the most arrogant and y individuals I've ever come across. I've seen you guys repeat this "DUNCAN PWNS GASOL" comment all over the place when none of the stats over the last 3 years even come remotely close to proving that. If anything Gasol has had more good games against Duncan......and that was when he was playing for an inferior MEM team.

[Holt's Cat]

Kenyon Martin stopped playing D back in Ohio. Next.

[DazedAndConfused]

Every type of defender? You just named ten of the 25 worst perimeter defenders in the NBA. ROFL @ Najera, JR Smith and CJ Miles spending time on Kobe. That's hysterical. That'd be like if the Spurs put Oberto on Kobe and Laker Fan got all hot and bothered because Kobe "torched" him.

AK47 is a horrible defender? News to me.......

[T Park]

The only thing he can do acceptably is play defense. And believe it or not, he's guarded Kobe the best out of anyone thus far in the playoffs.

You Spurs fans are seriously some of the most arrogant and y individuals I've ever come across. I've seen you guys repeat this "DUNCAN PWNS GASOL" comment all over the place when none of the stats over the last 3 years even come remotely close to proving that. If anything Gasol has had more good games against Duncan......and that was when he was playing for an inferior MEM team.

@ youc alling us y

STFU already chump

[timvp]

Kenyon Martin, fresh off his second microfracture surgery, is the best defender Kobe has faced thus far in the playoffs?

[timvp]

AK47 is a horrible defender? News to me.......

ROFL. I'm sure it is. If Kenyon Martin is defensive stud in your book, Kirilenko is probably pretty damn hardcore.

[ducks]

AK47 is a horrible defender? News to me.......

sloan has called him out in utah paper

[T Park]

AK47 is a horrible defender? News to me.......

Uh yeah he is.

Theres alot of things that would be news to you chump

[timvp]

sloan has called him out in utah paper

Yeah, I think the exact quote from Sloan was that Kirilenko doesn't play defense, he just lets players drive by him and then goes for the blocked shot.

But then again, a Laker Fan with NBA knowledge is usually an oxymoron.

[Ginofan]

Dang, timvp owning fools left and right...

If you don't know, now you know...

[Kori Ellis]

AK47 is a horrible defender? News to me.......

Ask Jerry Sloan who rips his ass about it all the time. He lets everybody and their mother blow by him and then reaches over to (try to) block from behind. Sloan has tried to explain that's not good D.

[T Park]

Kenyon Martin, fresh off his second microfracture surgery, is the best defender Kobe has faced thus far in the playoffs?

Wait till Udoka bodys up to him and slaps him around.

[Obstructed_View]

The Lakers fans seem to be completely delusional. I'm not surprised Dilatation and Curettage is spouting ridiculous "Lakers are invincible" crap, but I'm mildly surprised that the majority of people passing themselves off as "sports journalists" have partaken of the same Laker Koolaid. We're all well aware that the league and the casual fan are desperately hoping that the Spurs don't return to the finals, but to say they have absolutely no chance is silly. I'm actually glad it's being said, as the Spurs play better when they aren't reading about how great they are, but the completely lack of objectivity is stunning.

[beachwood]

Kenyon Martin, fresh off his second microfracture surgery, is the best defender Kobe has faced thus far in the playoffs?