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Fisher can hit some clutch shots as well.
Why the Lakers should be scared of the San Antonio Spurs
by Colin Ward-Henninger, Los Angeles Lakers Examiner
A lot of things came out of the Los Angeles Lakers' 112-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night, but I'm going to focus on one.
One of the biggest questions about the Spurs has been whether the players that have stepped up during the regular season would actually be factors come playoff time.
Tonight we may have gotten our answer. While the Lakers continually looked to Kobe Bryant to be the play-maker and shot-taker (and make plays he did), the Spurs left the game in the hands of one of their role players, Roger Mason Jr.
As we all know, Mason drilled the shot and was inexplicably fouled by Derek Fisher to give the Spurs a one point lead.
On the ensuing possession, Kobe was doubled so he gave the ball to one of the Lakers' top role players, Trevor Ariza. Looking to duplicate Mason's heroics, Ariza took the ball to the basket and...was called for traveling.
It's just a regular season game, but the fact that Mason could deliver where Ariza faltered has to give the Spurs a serious confidence boost. Now they have a role player, in addition to their big three, who is capable of making clutch shots.
Right now all the Lakers have is Kobe and (sometimes) Pau Gasol. They're going to need one of their role players to show up at the end of games, or the Lakers could have trouble in close games down the stretch....or in the playoffs against the Spurs.
Last edited by duncan228; 01-15-2009 at 10:50 PM.
Fisher can hit some clutch shots as well.
UMMMM...the Lakers dont have any other clutch players besides Kobe???
Fisher doesnt qualify for what reason?
poor ariza. he got torched repeatedly by manu.
I thought Bynum made a clutch basket right in Duncan's face down the stretch last night.
Did one of you guys write this article?
and the funny thing is that he actually defended him well... Ditka couldn;t have stopped Manu yesterday...poor ariza. he got torched repeatedly by manu.
I'm sorry to say this but it's only one game. If the Spurs are able to win the next game (which is what I hope) then we can start talking about how the Lakers should fear the Spurs. although Mason is definitely becoming Mr. Clutch. I'm surprised he didn't make a name for himself before.
Ariza couldnt handle Manu (not many can)but Kobe did Late and ARiza helped keep TP in check late ...
fisher isn't clutch? What a terrible article
The scary thing is that was one of Manu's going wild on everyone games (even though he did have some bad turnovers in the second half) and we still won by a point. I don't think you can expect him to go crazy on them again every game.and the funny thing is that he actually defended him well... Ditka couldn;t have stopped Manu yesterday...
After rewatching the end of the game again, Parker kept Parker in check.
He blew around Ariza pretty well and just stopped when he came to Gasol for some reason.
Parker will adjust for the next game...
What he could've done was write how many clutch players the Spurs have instead.
The lakers have plenty of length, that helps give them second shots, and get into passing lanes. They also are a good 3pts shooting team. I dont think we can judge anything by last night. The Spurs to me look like the 5th best team in the NBA, we need to get manu 100% and Ian giving us another big who can play D and rebound then I can see us making a run.
I still think the Spurs Laker series is gonna come down to home court, and I dont see the Spurs making up 5 games right now.
Good game by the spurs and took some late game heorics. The lakers were due for a loss as Kobe has been clutch the last few games and again tonight. This time the opposing team made their shot. Spurs played well as a veteran team usually does that's well coached.
The Lakers absolutely should not be "scared" of the Spurs. They're a better team than the Spurs and will have HCA in the playoffs if they are to meet, SA has lost 5 straight in Staples Center. I will say the Spurs present the best chance in the WC to knock off the Spurs, but the Lakers should not be scared of them at all. If anything, given last years playoffs, it's vice versa.
its clear the western conference is a 2 team league. lakers and spurs. the lakers shouldn't be scared jsut because they lost with an undermanned team by 1 point. they handed the game away with fisher's foul. the ariza thing was a foul but wasn't called and its not a suprise. that's the nba so nothing worth getting angry for. if the spurs can win at staples with a healthy laker team then a conversation can start
Exactly. The Spurs need to show that they can compete in Staples 1st before we have this discussion.
It's unlikely that SAS catches up to LAL and takes HCA from them.
Please one game at a time.
Kobe didn't handle Manu, he just played to deny him the ball and the Spurs didn't try hard enough to find him. Every time Manu got the ball he went past Kobe easily.
Actually he did. I watched him when arenas was out and he was torchin cleveland in the playoffs although wash loss. I was happy and bragging when we signed him. A lot of people here thought he was garbage for some reason
Actually he did. I watched him when arenas was out and he was torchin cleveland in the playoffs although wash loss. I was happy and bragging when we signed him. A lot of people here thought he was garbage for some reason. But good point.
Of all the NBA teams, the Spurs should know the name "Fisher".
Stupid article. Hope he's not paid to be that clueless.
My .4 cents.
Good article and very good point.
In general, you don't want to loose close games. Never.
You don't want to loose a game in which you shot 56%.
You'd rather be blown out -expecially on a back to back- and go out saying you were tired and shots just did not fall.
Not close games.
As to the point of the article,
Fisher was there last year and the year before.
Mason was not.
Instead, there was Barry who was fouled by Fisher, but couldn't get his shot off, much less score.
Mason is a substantial addition, and he has won three games already. More than any of the big three.
In my opinion, the Lakers have two problems.
1) The lack of a real point guard (Fisher way better than Farmer).
2) Gasol, Mr. Second. The guy is a real legend.
LAkers will most likely win the WC le, provided that Bryant is healthy.
The Spurs will be a tough beast to beat, though, if they continue the improvements seen over the last month.
Much thougher than last year.
Interesting. Actually, from a Laker fan point, what I saw last night was no different from the kind of game we have met many times this season from the Kings, Knicks, Pacers, Warriors, etc...Our points in the paint was a huge advantage, and Gasol and Bynum will continue to score at will against this Spurs team.
Long way to go, anything can happen between now and later!
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