this game didn't do anything to make me think we can't beat LA

[Dunc n Dave]

Man, you guys are delusional if this win doesn't impress you. The Lakers were on a back to back, on the road and they beat a rested Spurs team.

Getting Gooden and Gino back will help you but getting Bynum back will give the advantage back to the Lakers. You don't match up well with the lakers. Gooden hasn't played a game and he will need time to learn your system, problem is, he's not one of the smartest players in the league. Even at that the lakers can go to the triple towers and really do damage against the Spurs. Manu will do what he does against the lakers. Have one good game out of 3. Manu does not worry us. No disrespect but beating the Spurs is not a concern of mine and every Lakers fan that I know. You can call it y but we call it confidence. I feel like the Lakers will beat the Spurs no matter who's playing but Im a history guy.

Here's a little history for you... Last 5 years... Spurs 2, Lakers 0, Spurs 2-0 in Finals, Lakers 0-2 in Finals

And don't come in here and act like Laker fans aren't worried about the Spurs. That's not what all your buddies over at LG were saying when Gooden signed with SA instead of LA. They were definitely worried about the Spurs.

[Horse]

Why are the lakers not close? Cause of no bynum, how overrated is this guy I'd much rather he start then odom he's a matchup nitemare. And just think of the unforced mistakes. Not to mention waltons face attacking Ime's elbow and it's offensive, the weird out of bounds screen call, In my 20 years watching the nba never heard of that one. And ofcourse the greatest PF of all-time can't get a call to save his life. If the refs atleast use vasoline when they rape us in the playoffs we can win.

[Horse]

I don't understand the meltdown after this game.

We all know the Spurs can't win the le without Manu...
Tim Duncan is not himself right now.
And Drew Gooden played 3'32 and had 4reb + 2pts.
The Lakers couldn't miss in the first quarter.

And the Spurs made it a 1 possession game in the last 2 min.

The Lakers are the favorite to win the West.
But with a healthy Manu, a healthy Duncan and the addition of a good Drew Gooden, i like our chances.

It will be difficult, but it is possible.
That's all i want.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[LakeShow]

Here's a little history for you... Last 5 years... Spurs 2, Lakers 0, Spurs 2-0 in Finals, Lakers 0-2 in Finals

And don't come in here and act like Laker fans aren't worried about the Spurs. That's not what all your buddies over at LG were saying when Gooden signed with SA instead of LA. They were definitely worried about the Spurs.

I look at the head to head between the two teams in the playoffs. That other stuff is a meaningless stat.

Do you want me to lie? I'm telling you how we see it. Sorry if it's not what you want to hear.

[ducks]

WHY CAN THE SPURS NOT WIN WITHOUT MANU?
O!

THEY ALMOST BEAT THE LAKERS WITHOUT MANU
spurs just came out thinking manu is the only why they have a chance

that kind of thinking is STUPID

[iggypop123]

all this game told me is the spurs have to be hot from the 3 point line to have a shot to beat the lakers

[Allanon]

Why are the lakers not close? Cause of no bynum, how overrated is this guy I'd much rather he start then odom he's a matchup nitemare.

It's not that Bynum's the greatest thing since sliced bread, it's his effect on the team matchups.

Duncan > Bynum and Duncan > Pau.

Bynum > any other Spur big man
Pau > any other Spur big man

Having Bynum back tips the frontcourt back in favor of the Lakers. Duncan can only guard Bynum or Pau, not both. Who's gonna stop the other guy. Bynum's a pretty good secondary defender which should give Tony some problems in the paint.

Also, Odom coming off the bench makes the bench mob much better at the expense of his personal stats.

[LakeShow]

After you guys lose in 6, you can cry with Kobe.......This game ment nothing and its obvious the spurs were tryn out lineups. You forget we have too high quality starters that didnt play tonight...at least meaningful mins. Gooden+Manu>>>>>>Bynum....you guys won and our shooters played like , Tim couldnt get a call and did not play well and you guys only won by seven!

Next Game you wont see a 6-8 guy playing center for us and you will have to account for the wild bull manu going down the lane for and ones!

I look forward to it!

[DeadlyDynasty]

Spurs were 11-17 from the 3-point line and had a 25 point game from Finley: you have a better chance of hitting the lottery than seeing that happen again against LA come playoff time. You guys lost, get over it. LA is just the better team, and you have no evidence to the contrary--FACT. See you in the playoffs, don't forget to pack your excuses with you

[iggypop123]

All this game told me is that your a jack-ass! Laker fans counting out the Spurs when 2 starter quality players sat the bench. God help you when we are at full power.

spurs were lights out from 3. thats why they were in the game. it was pretty simple to see. if you live the by the 3 you die by the 3. tonight they lived. will it continue? history says nope.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Bynum make the lakers worse......I have a feeling he will be delt in the off season. Gooden is close to Bynum just not as much a shot blocker. Bynum has no game inside and requires being fed at the rim. He also pushes Odom off the floor or to the 3 were he is less a problem for us.

Every one forgets Gooden is a 14 and 9 guy, about what Bynum is if Im correct. LA fans forget manu is a 20ppg guy and can go off just like Kobe. These two guys if healthy make us as good or better 1-9.

[Allanon]

Gooden is close to Bynum just not as much a shot blocker.

I personally think Bynum is MUCH better than Gooden but that's just my homer opinion.

[milkshakeballa]

Bynum make the lakers worse......I have a feeling he will be delt in the off season. Gooden is close to Bynum just not as much a shot blocker. Bynum has no game inside and requires being fed at the rim. He also pushes Odom off the floor or to the 3 were he is less a problem for us.

Every one forgets Gooden is a 14 and 9 guy, about what Bynum is if Im correct. LA fans forget manu is a 20ppg guy and can go off just like Kobe. These two guys if healthy make us as good or better 1-9.

Bynum is a ing ANCHOR!!! My god Gooden is a good rebounder that is all....DONT COMPARE THE TWO.....

Bynum alters NUMEROUS SHOTS EVERY GAME....GOODEN???? No...Im sorry...he is a very good rebounder but not an anchor....Bynum is a freaking anchor....esp against the spurs....TP will be heavily effected by Bynums presence...


and Drew has defended Duncan better than anybody the past 2 years...ask TIM HIMSELF...he has said so in the past

[milkshakeballa]

heres another thing...the reason why everybody was drooling over the lakers b ench was because odom controlled that mob and handled the rock....guess what happens in the playoffs.... odom back to coming off the bench and the 2nd unit because dominant again....

[milkshakeballa]

Bynum is a poor rebounder for his size, and without Kobe and Gasol who are great set up guys this guy has no moves. While if I had to pick between the 2 I would pick bynum cause Im a Defensive guy, what I mean is hes gonna give the spurs about the same stats so the 2 will be a wash.

Bynum can block shots but Gooden can pull him away from the bucket with his 17 footers.

LOL my god

The most important thing in playoff basketball is a DEFENSIVE anchor...look at the past 20 champions...all had defensive anchors...only team who hasn't was the pistons...who were one of the best defensive teams in the past 30 years....

Please don't say Gooden and Bynum will be a wash during the series...even statiscally....

[DrHouse]

C'mon Spur fans. You're better than this. Can you once just admit you got beat? No excuses, no blaming the refs, no blaming injuries.

With all due respect this is a game you SHOULD have won. The Lakers were playing on the tail-end of a b2b game and the Spurs were totally rested. Despite that the Lakers led for the entire game.

It doesn't seem to me anyone is actually looking at the facts in front of them. Points in the paint. The Lakers continue to score the bulk of their pts from inside the paint against the Spurs. You tell me what's easier to do in a 7 game series, bombing 3's or making layups? In all 3 matchups the Spurs have shown no sign that they are capable of changing that.

Don't listen to me though. What do I know? I'm just a biased Laker fan

[milkshakeballa]

Kobe is your Anchor.........Lets not get cute, you guys are not a great defensive team even with 2 seven footers.......and last time I checked Hes not gonna alter the 15 3s we take a game. Its not that Bynum isnt a good shot blocker but both TD and Gooden can shoot the 17footer, Bynum will have to defend one. Bynum also is an awful pick and role defender.

Bynum will guard Duncan and can contest on a pick and pop if they run it with TP and TD all game...he has shown before...and really...Duncan shooting 17-18 footers with Bynums hand in his grill all game = 20 pt win for the lakers...and im sure you are aware of bynums post D on duncan from the past

and no...our defensive anchor is Bynum....do you know what a defensive anchor is???

[DrHouse]

Kobe is your Anchor.........Lets not get cute, you guys are not a great defensive team even with 2 seven footers.......and last time I checked Hes not gonna alter the 15 3s we take a game. Its not that Bynum isnt a good shot blocker but both TD and Gooden can shoot the 17footer, Bynum will have to defend one. Bynum also is an awful pick and role defender.

Have you actually watched Bynum play basketball?

He's the Lakers best rebounder and shot blocker by far.

You're just making a fool of yourself now. Man up and accept the loss.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Your a damn fool, make sure you sign on every game during the series.

your excuses and justifications are pathetic. The difference between Lakers and spurs fans is we tell it how it is, and you tell it how it "might" be. Good luck hanging onto that #2 seed...Rockets are creepin up on ya

[DeadlyDynasty]

How it is, your team has a rapist and a transgender....and may or may not have a half man half goat starting at Center. What is is we have 30ppg that is gonna be added to an already solid team. What is is that even your own coachs begged Gooden to sign with you guys knowing that he puts the spurs on your level. What is is Tex Winters telling reporters that he agrees with many NBA coaches that signing gooden scares the lakers.

Thats what is........you beat a team down 2 starters by 7.....you were out scored in the 2,3,4th quarters....that is what is. I stated days ago while I would like the win, this game means little if Manu and Gooden didnt play.....so enjoy you win, you will see us healthy again and we will see whos the best team.

just have your ready-made excuses handy when the Lakers bounce SA from the playoffs yet again...

[Dunc n Dave]

I look at the head to head between the two teams in the playoffs. That other stuff is a meaningless stat.

Do you want me to lie? I'm telling you how we see it. Sorry if it's not what you want to hear.

Seeing as how the Spurs and Lakers have only played each other once since Shaq left LA, that's not much history to go on. Although maybe there would be more history if the Lakers had:
A)made the playoffs in 2005
B)gotten past Phoenix in the 1st round in 2006 and 2007

So far, all you have to go on last year's one-hit wonder team that was blown out in the Finals after stealing a game in SA on a non-call that even the NBA Front Office said should have been a foul.

But hey, I can't blame you for taking the stolen victory, if the role was reversed, I'd gladly take the help from the officials to get a road win in the PO's too.

In other words, one flawed playoff series is not enough HISTORY to make a fair assumption of the future outcome. Different pieces on both teams.

Don't get me wrong, I admit the Spurs will be the underdogs vs the Lakers, but I also know the Spurs are not the tired, broken down old team the Lakers destroyed in the PO games at Staples last year. We have more firepower now and are just as good, if not better defensively.

Don't be surprised if the Spurs dethrone the Lakers in 6 or 7 games.

[LakeShow]

Seeing as how the Spurs and Lakers have only played each other once since Shaq left LA, that's not much history to go on. Although maybe there would be more history if the Lakers had:
A)made the playoffs in 2005
B)gotten past Phoenix in the 1st round in 2006 and 2007

So far, all you have to go on last year's one-hit wonder team that was blown out in the Finals after stealing a game in SA on a non-call that even the NBA Front Office said should have been a foul.

But hey, I can't blame you for taking the stolen victory, if the role was reversed, I'd gladly take the help from the officials to get a road win in the PO's too.

In other words, one flawed playoff series is not enough HISTORY to make a fair assumption of the future outcome. Different pieces on both teams.

Don't get me wrong, I admit the Spurs will be the underdogs vs the Lakers, but I also know the Spurs are not the tired, broken down old team the Lakers destroyed in the PO games at Staples last year. We have more firepower now and are just as good, if not better defensively.

Don't be surprised if the Spurs dethrone the Lakers in 6 or 7 games.

Well nothing we could do about losing while we were rebuilding. You can make all of the excuses that you would like if it makes you sleep better at night. The Spurs and Lakers have plenty of history. Also Phil's history against pop will be a factor. He loves and welcomes a Spurs/Lakers matchup.

I said in the "would you just die" thread that you made some nice moves to compete with the Lakers and that I thought you would be a 6th or 7th seed this season but I was wrong. You're still hanging tough but the Lakers can cause matchup problems for you and Phil is also at his best against S.A

Before I thought the Lakers would take the Spurs out in 4. I don't believe that now with the changes the Spurs made. I see the Lakers winning in 6.

[Spurminator]

The first quarter was just a killer. We made Ariza look like DPOY and Bonner should not be starting against this team. Other games, fine, but if we play LA in the Playoffs, we need to start one of our other big men.

[peskypesky]

We managed to get the game down to the last possession, despite being down nearly 20..the reason being that the Lakers were making ridiculous shots in the 1st quarter..every team has quarters like that, LA had one today..the only open shots we allowed in the quarter were mid-range Js to Ariza, and that's exactly how you should play an inconsistent shooter..

the D looked bad on paper, but it really wasn't all that bad..most of the shots were contested, they were making tough shots..and I don't mean Kobe, I mean their worse players like Walton, Vujacic, Mbenga, Powell..

we missed a ton of FTs..we didn't make 2 out of 2 at the line until the 4th quarter..

Duncan and Parker played some of the worst basketball I've seen from them in a while in the 1st half..Duncan's still rusty/injured..

Pop coached a horrible game..he also played the CIA role though..Gooden clearly made an impact in his only minute playing, but Pop sat him down..you don't show your hand in a meaningless game..

Gooden is clearly an upgrade over Bonner..Bonner has been playing bad D recently, so it's a wash defensively..Gooden is just much better at getting points closer to the basket, and he's a huge upgrade on the boards, which is something we struggle with..

I agree!

[ThaiFanofSpurs]

Are you kidding me???

BYNUM ANCHORS THE ING ANTIC.

All those TP layups in the third quarter with Bynum?????

Sorry but...

A true defensive anchor > a good wing player line Manu ESPECIALLY IN THE PLAYOFFS

I don't get it....who is going to guard Gasol when Drew is back????

Don't forget the first game when Ariza was on TP....you can bet you will see that in the WCF. There is NO SHAME in losing to the better team...its the Lakers year this year...they aren't going to win 65+ games for no reason...

Time will tell. Let's wait and see shall we?