I was more confident before this game (because I thought the Spurs would get blown out wall to wall and come in highly motivated), but I still think the Spurs will win this game.
Not having Bynum changes the entire dynamic of the Lakers team. Gone is their size advantage inside and gone is their single credible off the bench player and now Blair should be able to play against them because he can match up with Powell, instead of Odom.
So long as the Spurs aren't completely dead legged from this grueling back to back, I like their chances. Ginobili is playing at a level close to Bryant right now, Duncan is back on track and he won't have to deal with Bynum and I feel that McDyess and Mason are due for a stretch of games where they play well.
I just hope Duncan goes hard at Gasol..when he goes hard against him, Gasol can't stop him..unfortunately, Duncan settles too often and lets Gasol's length bother him.. , it's not only against Gasol, he lacks aggression against a lot of defenders way too often at times..
I like it for a different reason. We're supposed to lose this game. There's really no pressure. Our plus is that we're playing at home, and we've been playing well there.
If we win it's a great confidence booster, and if we don't you chalk it up to the Lakers being the second best team in the league.
Starting Manu is such a huge key for us. If we come out amd play well in the first quarter against LA, we'll do fine, and maybe even win. But if we come out flat, it'll be a long night.
Back when Finley started, we nearly always came out flat, but Manu's presence on the court makes us a formidable team right out of the gate.
It'll be interesting to see what we've got. Don't forget that the Lakers haven't had to deal with a healthy Manu for a long, long time.
I think he's pacing himself for the playoffs. Maybe he's wearing down some and experiencing some pain in his knees, but I don't think it's nearly as bad as last season and at this point, I think he wants to keep something int he tank for the playoffs.
I'd love to see him destroy Gasol too, so all these uninformed analysts can stop disrespecting Duncan by pretending that Gasol is the most skilled big man in the game. Duncan is still easily the better, more skilled player of the two, even if the gap has closed. Even with Duncan being down to 240 and Gasol being at 250, Duncan can still probably overpower Gasol on the block if he wants to.
I hope George Hill will play Kobe like he did few months ago! Bonner and Mason Jr. have to be sharp at the 3 and we`ll have some chances for the win. Under the basket Duncan Dyess and Blair have to show that they are good enough to contend with the big fellows in this league. I hope Hairston gets more minutes, his D is outstanding right now, it would be priceless to see him lock down some ot the LA`s mismatches (Odom,Artest...)
Going to be at that game.
I am looking for the Spurs to come out with some major intensity here with some carry over from the OKC game. L.A. would have had a 2 day rest which usually amounts to some complacency and flat out laziness from our boys in purple in gold.
or
L.A. comes out with some fire of their own and try to strangle the Spurs.
In either case, I am looking for a close one here. Toss up at this point.
Here's to a good game.
Nothing is better than watching the Lakers and Spurs go at it. I like our chances in this game
Can somebody tell me what CIA means?
+1.
Mason was huge against OKC. His shots helped us a lot coming back from a 14 point deficite. Hope he can keep it up.
Although I also hope that Malik gets some time I highly doubt it. I saw Pop pulling him out immediately, after he wasn't at the right right spot for Manus pass in the third. Pop was yelling at him and Hairston was done for the game.
I think it means that Pop isn't showing all he's got, so he has some surpising plays (or whatever else) come Playofftime.
But please correct me if I'm wrong with this one.
I really hope the spurs rebound and defend from the barely beginning ofthe game. we average giving up about 30 in the first quarter it feels like, so hopefully that 2nd half hustle from last nights game returns on Wednesday night
You are correct sir
My only concern is that this is a nationally televised game...we're screwed.
Dear Lakers Fan
Sure talking smack for a non dominant team - I for one hope the Spurs fall to 8th in the seedings (as a healthy Spurs team with Ginobili and Hill playing the way they are - will not fear the Lakers mystique, and should not - bring it on.)
+ a reference to Pop's brief international AF stint in intelligence.
These next 2 games will really tell us if the Spurs recent good play is legit, or fools gold.
1st round preview.
The National Post article excerpts re: CIA Pop
http://www.nationalpost.com/scripts/...89441b&k=32409
"He just lives to be who he is," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said this week. "He's always been that. Look at his history. It's not a typical march into coaching: The [Air Force] Academy, spy school. He's a different individual.
"How many go become spies if they like being with other people? That's not a good fit. He likes being by himself. He likes going walking in the vineyards and smelling the roses, and I think he stayed true to himself."
Popovich's road to this place, as Buford noted, went through Soviet studies at the Air Force Academy, espionage training, six years in the military and some time playing for the Army basketball team.
And the game grabbed him. So instead of being a spy, Popovich became a coach (Could he have whipped the CIA into a disciplined, successful organization?).
Good prediction.
No Bynum. Game does not count.
even if were suppose to lose there's a lot of pressure to win this game. A win guarantees a split in the season series. They are trying to avoid a first round series matchup with the lakers and they can't continue to lose the games their suppose to lose.
Playing without Bynum evens the playing field. Odom is also playing with an injured shoulder. The Spurs, playing at home should be able to take this one just as long as Kobe doesn't have his typical 40+ point game against the spurs
I'm not saying we're going to roll over and pretend we're dead. But I don't see any pressure at all, on either team really. Sure, we could argue we're trying to avoid LA in the 1st round, but it's not like losing this game will lock you on the 8th seed. And to be honest, I don't even think the coaching staff is thinking about anything else other than trying to get better as a group. This is about going out there, and competing. If we win, great, and if we don't then we'll try again Friday against the Cavs.
The Spurs will be victoriuos tomorrow night because Manu won't let's lose and Kobe is playing.
Spurs lose a VERY close game down the stretch, but Manu continues his resurgence and Hill continues to impress.
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