CELTICS -at- LAKERS - 12/25 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[IPK]

[wolfpaclaker]

Cool recap and like the smilies, DB.

This game all but assured me one one thing.

The reason Phil and Rambis came up with the plan they did, which was to start Bynum (and bring LO off the bench) for Phil, and play a strong side zone D for Rambis, is specifically designed to combat Boston.

Bynum-Gasol match up better with Garnett-Perkins. LO improves our 2nd unit battles against their 2nd unit bigs.

The defense, well with Rondo's suspect jumpshot, Perkins basically only having a low post finishing game, the Lakers can leave two players there and zone without as much of a threat to pay for it.

Not saying it's enough, but it does seem the plan while having some serious hitches against teams that have 3 point shooting points and 3 point shooting bigs ... at least against Boston it seems like a very good plan.

I still worry about this plan against teams that have quality shooting bigs, as well as quality shooting point guards. Those teams can break this sort of defense (Orlando, Detroit come to mind in the East, maybe even Cleveland).

We definitely match up better against Boston, but what if Boston falters before the Finals? Hopefully LA has a second scheme and plan worked out by playoffs. It's not only about Boston, even though they are certainly the biggest threat out there. The way teams like Cleveland, Orlando and even Atlanta can play (and are made up) if they come out of the east, LA might have some big fits. Good news is in the west, LA does seem to be that much better than everyone. SA is the only team I feel could still give LA some trouble because of their experience, bigs that can shoot, floor spacing and great guard play.

[AllorNothing]

The only schemes the Lakers should be worried about is Boston and Cleveland.

[LakerSanity]

[mike_dee23]

DB, every player should've had a dancing tomato. Every Laker played Tomatoee in one way or another today. Even the DNPs cheered really hard.
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MTFBWYA

[BigEvil]

The Lakers never folded. They never gave up. Every time the C's wratched things up, they did them one better.

In the end you could see the life bleed out of the C's save Garnett (to his credit). I think the C's learned something today, this isn't the same Lakers they punked in the Finals.

Consider that Pau wasn't hitting his money shots.

Consider the Fish was off.

Consider this game was all C's basketball.

They still lost. One game, yes, now everything is different for both teams.

[Omar Little]

[8750]

thanks, DB, more than ever...
i was delighted by the intensity of this team, everyone gave something important, some spark, some fire... but my impression is that we played too much their game... when they crowded kobe, we didn't know what to do... they scored too much in the paint... and i still don't see any chemistry between gasol and bynum, their defensive rotations are ugly... but what's really encouraging is that a soft team won with hustle, finding inner fire at the right moment...

[Mation]

Thanks DB! Really appreciate this, especially on such a special day!

Great, great intro. Glad that stench is out of Staples.

Loved the write-up on Ariza and Bynum. Their impact is so tremendous from a defensive pov compared to last year. It has a trickle down effect to all the other players and the overall team defense. Great to see Bynum rip that rebound over the head of perkins or kg to give us another possession. Hopefully he's earning the trust from PJ to get those final minutes.

Kobe and Gasol just so clutch. From a mental standpoint, Pau should understand how dominant he can be. How much support he has around him. He's not on a Grizzly island no more.

Lamar, Luke and Vujacic contributed so much too. Glad to see them shine when the spotlight is the brightest it has ever been this season.

[A Mad Chinaman]

DB - Great Recap. Of course, this is redundant because you are always great.

Questions:
Magic stated on ESPN that the Lakers, Cavaliers and others are looking up to the Celtics - what are your thoughts on this?

Mark Jackson stated that the Cavs are better than the Celtics - hard to believe this?

Mychal Thompson stated that NBA teams fear and/or look forward with greater interest to playing the Lakers - as opposed to the Celtics - hence playing a contributing factor on why the Lakers are not blowing teams off like the Celtics/Cavs (IMO - the Lakers' intensity is also another major factor)?

[MedRomLaker]

Great cap DB sick intro man, scene reminds me of intro to SF2:animated movie , great game and great win, hopefully it reminds this team the of the consistent mentality they need to win a championship.
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11/9/12 the day the brown was flushed down!!!!!!

4/30/14 the day the ant left the building!!!!!!

[he_is_the_one]

Thanks DB, great round up!

This is how all Laker games should be, play hard, make it entertaining and grab the win.
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That was Noiceeeee

[limchrc]

Thanks.

[Rick12322]

Thanks for the great recap DB. I can't think of a better way to cap off my Christmas day. The Lakers won on a day when their team shooting wasn't exactly all that hot. Kobe's offense was flowing beautifully in the flow of the game, 1st half. Pau was choking, but got over it just in time to bring home the victory. Let's hope that was just an aberration and not a sign of things to come in the real dance.

Did you see Bynum's 1st shot attempt in the lane? He missed it but he got it off easily over Perkins. Drew has the skill to literally hit those all day over him and it's a shame he isn't given more opportunities to build upon those skills. We'd be unstoppable if he was. I just can't understand why so many players on our team are given a green light to miss over 50% of their shots, and Bynum is seemingly one, or two and done in terms of working his own offense. We've all seen glimpses of what's just sitting inside of him, why repress that development?

Anyway, great game !

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

[delaluz]

Here's some comments on Drew based on yesterday:
If he can tune up his defensive footwork, avoid silly fouls, and work hard on the boards he will make a tremendous difference against any team.

All we really need him to do on offense is make to make the easy ones and try to get rebounds.

The only offensive move Drew should work on is the 12-15 foot facing the basket shot that he hit yesterday. If he can hit that shot with any consistency his defenders will have to move out on him and then he can take two steps and dunk. Big guys that can hit this shot don't get beat up and last much longer than the back to the basket guys like Shaq.

Great effort by the Lakers and a great win!!
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Later,

Berto

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Thanks for the recap DB! Fantastic intro; the green stench!

I had to watch the game again last night, late. Gasol was beyond stellar in Q4. The thing I noticed most was he was seething mad. He did an impressive job in crunch time of showing a couple celts what it's like to be on the receiving end of some surprisingly good hits, considering he's supposed to be a softie, and he did so without losing control of his game. Bynum held Perkins at bay, and that made a huge difference in what Gasol could do. I believe KG, Pierce and Rondo all left the building a little more sore than when they arrived.

And kudos to Kobe for leadership out there; drawing the defense, driving, knowing who to trust and when.

[hoopschick29]

Phil specifically referenced Drew's improvement defensively as the game wore on. That's what he's been looking for, and that's why Drew got the late game minutes.

The offensive opportunities will continue to increase. If he does what the team needs defensively, the sky's the limit for him and our team.
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So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.

[No. 17]

We played like a team that scents the blood of the championship, like a team that wants it bad, like a team that can feel the swagger returning, like a team that has seen off a slip in form, like a team that knows it can do something great this season, like a team of players with an overwhelming hunger to be champions.

Sending out a message loud and clear.
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It's winnin' time!

[Rick12322]

One and done will not get it done.

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

[LakerSanity]

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

on a small side note:

with his history of foot/ankle problems, Im not sure I like Ariza wearing Kobe's new low-tops.
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"When (Kobe) gets you on life support, he won't give you mouth to mouth. HE PULLS THE PLUG." -stu

[Sage_10]

Proud of our boys.
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"You Must Be Willing To Give Up That Which Can Be Lost In Order To Gain That Which Cannot Be Lost." - FORTUNE COOKIE

[sandruska]