best part of pulling the win last night...

[K-State Spur]

is that I think a lot of things went the Lakers way (at least until the final possession).

Their size did cause all kinds of problems.
Their bench played ours essentially even (which shouldn't happen).
Duncan/Dyess couldn't hit wide open jumpers.
Artest was able to stay in front of Manu far better than he has most quicker wings this year.
Artest played well offensively.
While Parker did torch Fisher, he's capable of playing much better on Blake than he did.
Foul trouble and stupid decisions limited Blair's aggressiveness & effectiveness against the Laker front line.

Really the only things that went well:

Jefferson had a strong game.
Kobe struggled (although, he's going to shoot a low percentage if he keeps primarily taking the long jumpers that the Spurs have forced him into for both matchups)

Basically, this is a long winded way of saying that I think our guys can play A LOT better - despite pulling out a road win against the top compe or in the West.

[SenorSpur]

There is one potential long-lasting affect from this win. As has been reported this past week, Fakers management had been threatening to make a roster change or two, just to shake things up. This last-second Fakers loss, and the impending escalating frustration behind it, may push them over the top. Which could cause further chemistry upheaval. Of course, none of this is certain, but it is possible.

[Phenomanul]

There is one potential long-lasting affect from this win. As has been reported this past week, Fakers management had been threatening to make a roster change or two, just to shake things up. This last-second Fakers loss, and the impending escalating frustration behind it, may push them over the top. Which could cause further chemistry upheaval. Of course, none of this is certain, but it is possible.

You mean, they'll steal another star player from a small market team?

[K-State Spur]

There is one potential long-lasting affect from this win. As has been reported this past week, Fakers management had been threatening to make a roster change or two, just to shake things up. This last-second Fakers loss, and the impending escalating frustration behind it, may push them over the top. Which could cause further chemistry upheaval. Of course, none of this is certain, but it is possible.

Unless the Nuggs love Bynum enough to rent Melo to them - I'm not sure there is a move that LA can make that makes them better. Bynum is really LA's only trade asset - and he's more important to them than just about anybody else they could move him for.

Even bringing in Melo might make them worse with less than half a season to try to meld the league's #5 & #6 volume shooters (and keep Gasol/Odom involved).

[rasho8]

Their size did cause all kinds of problems.
Their bench played ours essentially even (which shouldn't happen).
Duncan/Dyess couldn't hit wide open jumpers.
Artest was able to stay in front of Manu far better than he has most quicker wings this year.
Artest played well offensively.
While Parker did torch Fisher, he's capable of playing much better on Blake than he did.
Foul trouble and stupid decisions limited Blair's aggressiveness & effectiveness against the Laker front line.

To be fair

1)We are missing two bench guys. One is one of the best 3 pt shooters in the league.

2) Yeah they usually both don;t play that bad

3) Artest played 41 minutes tonight. No way he can keep that up for a 7 game series.

4) Parker took an entire half to really warm up and shut it down in the fourth. He needs to keep up intensity.

5) Meh, fouls.

[duhoh]

Basically, this is a long winded way of saying that I think our guys can play A LOT better - despite pulling out a road win against the top compe or in the West.

agreed, but so can the lakers.

[SenorSpur]

You mean, they'll steal another star player from a small market team?

Nah, I really don't think there's a move out there like that to be had. I just hope they knee-jerk, make a desparate trade and screw up their team chemistry even more so than it already is.

[rascal]

There is one potential long-lasting affect from this win. As has been reported this past week, Fakers management had been threatening to make a roster change or two, just to shake things up. This last-second Fakers loss, and the impending escalating frustration behind it, may push them over the top. Which could cause further chemistry upheaval. Of course, none of this is certain, but it is possible.

They can also make a roster change that upgrades their roster and they become better.

[K-State Spur]

agreed, but so can the lakers.

actually, outside of kobe getting hot and going off (which limits the effectiveness of other lakers) - i think that's about as good as we're going to see.

bynum put up a double-double and deterred our guys from getting in the lane.
ron-ron had arguably his best all around game of the season.
gasol shot 80% from the floor.
lakers played one of their better defensive games of the season.
laker bench outplayed spurs bench.

outside of kobe - where can they legitimately expect better production? their front line already dominated that game. ron-ron played manu straight up. parker is going to dominate either laker PG - it will be rare when that doesn't occur.

i thought that the first game was a bit fool's gold - spurs got some production and some match-up advantages that they can't necessarily bank on in the playoffs. but last night - the lakers' advantages played out...and the Spurs still took it. that's VERY encouraging.

[KaiRMD1]

Heh, watch them trade Joe Smith for Kevin Love and Blake Griffin. The guess would be which team gets nothing, the Clippers or the Timberwolves?

[8FOR!3]

Heh, watch them trade Joe Smith for Kevin Love and Blake Griffin. The guess would be which team gets nothing, the Clippers or the Timberwolves?

Joe Smith for Blake Griffin is fair tbh. Former 1st pick of the draft for a former 1st pick of the draft.