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Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Chuck Hayes?, Luther Head, i dunno anymore
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Lakers star Kobe Bryant gets a feel for the TD Banknorth Garden rims Wednesday in Boston. The experts (see below) like his chances of picking up his first NBA le without Shaq by his side.
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Lakers The Pick For Almost All Our Experts
Editor's Note: Here's how our experts called the Lakers-Cetlics series.
Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Predictions do not sit well with me: One of my favorite things about sports is that I enter the arena not knowing what will happen. I don't want to predict! But I do, and I did. I have already been on ESPN.com saying I think the Lakers will win in 5. That was when I was high on having seen L.A. beat the Spurs, however. Now I have sobered up. I don't think it'll be 5 anymore. I think it'll be 7, and I have no idea who will take it ... and I love it that way.
Chris Sheridan, ESPN.com: I see the Lakers winning at least one of the first two games in Boston, then getting two at home and closing it out back in Boston with a vintage performance by Kobe Bryant. Biggest statistical factors: The Celtics' rebounding and the Lakers' 3-point shooting. Lakers in 6.
David Thorpe, Scouts Inc.: The Lakers will win in 6 games or less by taking one of two on the road and either sweeping at home or finishing things in Game 6.
Their superior offense and system gives them more margin for error from any individual player. They have two answers for Boston's terrific defense, Kobe and the Triangle.
le series experience and Phil Jackson help too.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Lakers in 6. The Lakers have been on fire since acquiring Pau Gasol -- they're now 34-7 in the 41 games he's played, including going 12-3 in the playoffs against a trio of 50-win teams. Boston is no slouch either, obviously, with 66 wins and home-court advantage, but one gets the impression the Celtics peaked too soon. L.A. is right on time.
J.A. Adande: Normally experience is worth one game in the Finals, and with two starters who have been there before the Lakers should have the edge in Game 1. They won't sweep the middle three at home, but if they can mature at the rate they did the past two series, they will be able to finish in Boston in Game 6.
Tim Legler, ESPN: The Celtics have been the most complete team in the NBA all season and KG's heart cannot be overstated.
Finally, the game will inevitably slow down in the fourth quarter and I will put my money on the team that defends, rebounds, and is more physical. Celtics in 7.
Jalen Rose, ESPN: Lakers in 6. One reason is Phil Jackson. The guy who has won nine championships is going to press the right buttons at the right time.
Also, Kobe Bryant. The motivation to win without Shaq is huge.
Marc Stein, ESPN.com: Lakers in 5. Kobe and Co. just have too much in their favor.
They're deeper, fresher, younger, more versatile and they have a crucial experience edge in this series of Finals newbies with Kobe The Closer and Derek Fisher's savvy. They've already won huge games in hostile environments like Utah and San Antonio, so I see L.A. winning at least one of the first two games in Boston, then really hurting the Celts at home.
Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Chuck Hayes?, Luther Head, i dunno anymore
Getting Her Name in Lights
Jun 25, 2008
Posted by: Adam Hirshfield, WNBA.com It's been an exciting couple of days for Sparks rookie Candace Parker.
First, she became just the second WNBA player to dunk in a regular season game, bringing it home one-handed on a breakaway late in a victory over Indiana.
Click here to see the video. Next, on Monday, she was named the 2008 Honda-Broderick Cup winner, an award given annually to the female collegiate athlete of the year. The news was highlighted (as you can see below) on a a Reuters billboard in Times Square in New York City. Click on the photo for more info.
Then, Tuesday, she dunked for the second straight game as her Sparks took down the Storm in L.A.
http://www.wnba.com/features/powerrankings_080624.html
A new SA vs LA rivalry?NOTES 19-3 The Sparks retain the top spot, despite a loss to smokin'-hot San Antonio, thanks to wins over Chicago and Indiana. In the latter, yes, everyone knows that Candace Parker became the second WNBA player to dunk in a regular season game, but she also had 10 points, 10 boards, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones are coming close to joining her in double-double land and Kiesha Brown has been very solid since getting tossed in at the point.Los Angeles (1)
Looking ahead: 6/24 vs. SEA, 6/26 vs. WAS 210-3 Sure, this week's wins came over Minnesota and Atlanta, but wins are wins, and in this short regular season, every one of them counts the same. Player of the Week Deanna Nolan put up a career-high 44 against the Lynx and rookies Tasha Humphrey and Alexis Hornbuckle are working their way into the regular rotation. The Shock are looking strong heading into a home-and-home series against the Sun, the team with which they're tied atop the Eastern Conference standings.Detroit (3)
Looking ahead: 6/24 @ CT, 6/26 vs. CT, 6/28 @ CHI, 6/29 vs. ATL 310-3 The Sun have to be content with their 3-2 record on their long, five-game West Coast swing. After Wednesday's 21-point loss at Phoenix, they rebounded to score a solid victory Friday in Sacramento. Coach Mike Thibault continues to get solid play from Lindsay Whalen, Asjha Jones, Tamika Whitmore and the now-starting Barbara Turner. Meanwhile rookies Amber Holt, Sandrine Gruda, Ketia Swanier and Jolene Anderson continue to get their feet wet as the wins keep coming in.Connecticut (2)
Looking ahead: 6/24 vs. DET, 6/26 @ DET, 6/27 vs. ATL, 6/29 vs. PHX 48-4 There is no hotter team in the WNBA than the Silver Stars, who have won five straight and could push that number to seven with a sweep of their upcoming home-and-home vs. the Comets. Becky Hammon could have been the West's Player of the Week, Sophia Young continues her excellence in the paint and Ann Wauters is showing why coach Dan Hughes was so keen on bringing her in this spring.San Antonio (5)
Looking ahead: 6/24 vs. HOU, 6/26 @ HOU, 6/28 vs. MIN
Southern California stars go 3-4-5 at NBA Draft
Even our JV team is getting stronger! BDiddy is coming home. It's party time!
Now hook up your boy, Pooh Jeter!I love LA!!!!
Clippers > Lakers
the clips own staples center and LA so u lakers fans GTFO
-- Garrabrant/Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
Golden Time for Golden Teams
Two separate journeys, two similar rewards. While the U.S. Women prolonged their dynasty with a fourth straight gold medal, the Men found golden redemption. Men: Schuhmann: Redemption Complete | Blog | Pics | Argentina earns bronze
Women: Schuhmann: U.S. On Top | Pics | Bronze to Russia | Beijing's Best
What a beautiful day in LA.
he really means houston
what a beautiful day in la.lmao
photo by joe murphy/nbae via getty images
lakers star kobe bryant gets a feel for the td banknorth garden rims wednesday in boston. The experts (see below) like his chances of picking up his first nba le without shaq by his side.
1
lakers the pick for almost all our experts
editor's note: Here's how our experts called the lakers-cetlics series.
henry abbott, truehoop: predictions do not sit well with me: One of my favorite things about sports is that i enter the arena not knowing what will happen. I don't want to predict! But i do, and i did. I have already been on espn.com saying i think the lakers will win in 5. That was when i was high on having seen l.a. Beat the spurs, however. Now i have sobered up. I don't think it'll be 5 anymore. I think it'll be 7, and i have no idea who will take it ... And i love it that way.
chris sheridan, espn.com: i see the lakers winning at least one of the first two games in boston, then getting two at home and closing it out back in boston with a vintage performance by kobe bryant. Biggest statistical factors: The celtics' rebounding and the lakers' 3-point shooting. Lakers in 6.
david thorpe, scouts inc.: the lakers will win in 6 games or less by taking one of two on the road and either sweeping at home or finishing things in game 6.
Their superior offense and system gives them more margin for error from any individual player. They have two answers for boston's terrific defense, kobe and the triangle.
le series experience and phil jackson help too.
john hollinger, espn.com: lakers in 6. The lakers have been on fire since acquiring pau gasol -- they're now 34-7 in the 41 games he's played, including going 12-3 in the playoffs against a trio of 50-win teams. Boston is no slouch either, obviously, with 66 wins and home-court advantage, but one gets the impression the celtics peaked too soon. L.a. Is right on time.
j.a. Adande: normally experience is worth one game in the finals, and with two starters who have been there before the lakers should have the edge in game 1. They won't sweep the middle three at home, but if they can mature at the rate they did the past two series, they will be able to finish in boston in game 6.
tim legler, espn: the celtics have been the most complete team in the nba all season and kg's heart cannot be overstated.
Finally, the game will inevitably slow down in the fourth quarter and i will put my money on the team that defends, rebounds, and is more physical. Celtics in 7.
jalen rose, espn: lakers in 6. One reason is phil jackson. The guy who has won nine championships is going to press the right buttons at the right time.
Also, kobe bryant. The motivation to win without shaq is huge.
marc stein, espn.com: lakers in 5. Kobe and co. Just have too much in their favor.
They're deeper, fresher, younger, more versatile and they have a crucial experience edge in this series of finals newbies with kobe the closer and derek fisher's savvy. They've already won huge games in hostile environments like utah and san antonio, so i see l.a. Winning at least one of the first two games in boston, then really hurting the celts at home.
i still dont know why he keeps insisting on being a lakers fan and from LA and all. he is a rockets troll in houston that poses as a lakers fan, for the sole purpose of talking to spurs fans because he knows houston fans cant.
Exactly. Why bump this thread? It's like re-living your own epic failure.
Inchworm, give it up. I know being a mavs fan you have absolutely nothing to talk about but give it a break. It's old.
The Lakers have an impressive history, but if you're talking modern-era NBA, it's 8 championships. The 50s, 60s, and 70s NBA are really irrelevant as far as today's standards go. The 80s were their decade, they were absent in the 90s, and were dominant for one-third of this decade, which has long passed...
So, all in all, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom aren't joining the list of Magic, Kareem, Wilt, etc. as being a significant part of the Laker history.
did LA just win 9 les in a row?
The Celtics are the most hated team in the NBA with KG and his constant chest fist pumping.QFT!
What is amazing is even the first season after the Summer 04 implosion, the Lakers were a serious playoff contender. They were very unstable with coaching and did not have much of a system. Injuries, chemistry, Rudy T leaving and all, they were right there in the playoff race until late in the year. Kobe had trust issues with his teamates etc etc. That is was the worst part on rebuilding this team. Phil Jackson returns the next season with a year to recharge and they make it back to the playoffs. 2 and a half years and Phil comes back to a rebuilding team....BOOM they make it back as the most hated team in basketball. The Lakers dont suck for long. Best franchise in NBA History.
I miss this place but as the playoffs loom, can't help but check this place out.
Where's men in black? Dude is a stand-up guy. He was graceful in defeat and paid off our bet with dignity and class. Yo, bro!!!! The Spurs and Lakers are on collision course in the playoffs again. Want revenge?
YES! The Lakers are back where they belong, On top of the World. Get used to it sportsfans and haters, the lakers will be here for a long time. Book It!
The World Champion Los Angeles Lakers!
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