Lakers vs Spurs series thread

[trojanfan12]

Actually the Lakers shot better from the field than the Spurs, had about the same number of rebounds (Lakers actually had 1 more than the Spurs) but the Spurs had more shot attempts.

So your right starbigd, the game did come down to one thing but it wasn't clutch play by any one dude, it was turnovers. The Lakers committed 2 times as many as the Spurs and the Spurs enjoyed a 9-18 advantage in that department.

So really if the Lakers can clean that up, that can account for anywhere from 0-27 points but I'll say it's probably closer to 10-14. Now how many points did they lose by? 11, right? Okay so that's in the ballpark, they can do this, they just need to take care of the ball....

Yeah, nothing wrong with the defense the Lakers played. But the offense needs to be more efficient. It's hard enough to beat a bad NBA team with that kind of turnover differential. Next to impossible against the Spurs.

Could have used a better showing from the bench too. They got outscored 40-10!!

 

[starbigd]

Actually the Lakers shot better from the field than the Spurs, had about the same number of rebounds (Lakers actually had 1 more than the Spurs) but the Spurs had more shot attempts.

So your right starbigd, the game did come down to one thing but it wasn't clutch play by any one dude, it was turnovers. The Lakers committed 2 times as many as the Spurs and the Spurs enjoyed a 9-18 advantage in that department.

So really if the Lakers can clean that up, that can account for anywhere from 0-27 points but I'll say it's probably closer to 10-14. Now how many points did they lose by? 11, right? Okay so that's in the ballpark, they can do this, they just need to take care of the ball....

All that's good and well......but I think you're missing my point. Sure, if X goes your way, and Y doesn't happen, you can win. But thats true of any game, any opponent, and any situation. The truth is SA had a very bad game and still beat you by double digits.

The issue I'm pointing out is that down the stretch, when you needed to make a run, when you needed points.......the Spurs got that production from Manu. The Lakers didn't get it from ANYBODY. And I don't see going forward WHERE they can get it WHEN they need it.

 

[wlk3]

Here's my rant... Manu is not hurt... He is a beast too... Parker is the key, he is hurt and if he does get better as the series goes the Lakers may be done... However... Many of you have seen me say Pau needed to come off the bench, then saw me recant at the end of the season... It's Nash's turn... He isn't healthy, and with Pau and Howard in the game we should pound it... Nash should play about 22min off the bench and let him PnX with Pau off the bench then let Pau get his rest and pound Dwight and Artest... Blake is much better at playing off the ball than Nash and plays better D... Nash can then get healthy as well for the future by playing 22min a game...

Blake 26pg min (38 min) Nash 2min
Meeks 28sg min (36 min)
Artest 28sf min (34 min)
Pau 28pf min (38 min)
Dwight 28c min (38 min)

20minutes w/Nash
Nash 20min
Blake 12min Meeks 8min (20)
Clark 14min Artest 6min (20)
Jamison 20min
Pau 10min Dwight 10min (20)

That makes it an 8 man rotation and nobody is over 38...Blake and Meeks are a little high for my liking but it is what it is with no Kobe...I know this won't happen but this is the type of rotation I think is needed, and an emphasis on the post the majority of the game...all in all I think the Lakers can handle the Spurs, but MD has to be a coach...he can't just try and stay safe by letting Nash "do his thing"... He is no longer MVP Nash and as much as everybody including me was happy to hear Nash is ready, the Lakers played very well without him... Those last 2 without Kobe is the best chance and Nash off the bench would help give that offensive punch the bench needs...well that's what I think but we'll see what happens next game...

 

[shitsho]

Lakers dearly needed Kobe in that game. There were several moments in that game where his scoring would have made a difference. I don't know if that would have translated to a win but I think the score would have been closer.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

MANU Ginobili has always been exponentially more valuable to the Spurs than any other player in the post-season outside of Duncan of course.

All teams play playoff basketball defense. At times the game bogs down to a ugly possessions.

A team needs that one wilcard offensive talent who can somehow make something happen. Usually it a wing player who can shoot, pass, or drive with improvisation.

He is the guy you just dump the ball too and hope he can make something up on the fly out of nothing.

The Spurs had one. The Lakers did not have one.

That is why I still think Denver is in trouble. They dont have that improvisation player than can make things happen in playoff defense.

Post-players/defense win 95% of the game.

But that 5% player like Ginobili is ultimately the one who gets its over the hump when the game is a close game.

I just hope Manu is getting healthier, he still is only about 3/4 strength.

 

[Vitamike]

All that's good and well......but I think you're missing my point. Sure, if X goes your way, and Y doesn't happen, you can win. But thats true of any game, any opponent, and any situation. The truth is SA had a very bad game and still beat you by double digits.

The issue I'm pointing out is that down the stretch, when you needed to make a run, when you needed points.......the Spurs got that production from Manu. The Lakers didn't get it from ANYBODY. And I don't see going forward WHERE they can get it WHEN they need it.

True, true. My point however is with a dude like Manu on the court the Lakers, as assembled, can ill afford to play from behind. Knock out the turnovers, hit the outside shots early on to open up the paint a little bit more. By the way Steve Nash can be that guy we need in crunch time. He just wasn't game ready IMO but hopefully by Wednesday we will see a different Nash.

 

[RedRum]

We dont have someone who can bail us out of scoring droughts like Kobe used to(hello Nash??)...too many outside shots by the Lakers. Lakers must use their height and inside game to free up better selection of open perimeter shots.

 

[HizzleRocker]

Spurs did not play their best game - but Lakers shooting was flat out awful. Everyone points to turnovers, which were huge also. However, Lakers just flat out missed wide open shot after shot. Blake, Nash, Jamison, Pau - awful. They won't collectively shoot that bad again. At least 1 or 2 of them are bound to step up and make shots.

With Pau and Howard clogging up the lane, you only need 1 or 2 guys to be able to hit.

I predict Meeks and Blake will step up, and Lakers tie the series up tomorrow night.

 

[starbigd]

True, true. My point however is with a dude like Manu on the court the Lakers, as assembled, can ill afford to play from behind. Knock out the turnovers, hit the outside shots early on to open up the paint a little bit more. By the way Steve Nash can be that guy we need in crunch time. He just wasn't game ready IMO but hopefully by Wednesday we will see a different Nash.

The Lakers HAVE to slow the game down then. They have to get back on D and eliminate fast break chances......this is typically how they get behind most teams.

Steve Nash CAN be that guy.......but he'll give those points right back to the opposing team because he can't defend. That's why he's never seen the finals in his career.

I think you're also missing something.....if Tony Parker returns to form you don't stand a chance of winning.....he opens up the entire offense for the Spurs. However I don't think he gets even close to 100% this series, so there's that.

At this point I just want good, competitive games. I think the Lakers have a shot, but if both teams play at their best, I think the Spurs win. We'll see if LA can prove me wrong.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Lakers HAVE to slow the game down then. They have to get back on D and eliminate fast break chances......this is typically how they get behind most teams.

Steve Nash CAN be that guy.......but he'll give those points right back to the opposing team because he can't defend. That's why he's never seen the finals in his career.

I think you're also missing something.....if Tony Parker returns to form you don't stand a chance of winning.....he opens up the entire offense for the Spurs. However I don't think he gets even close to 100% this series, so there's that.

At this point I just want good, competitive games. I think the Lakers have a shot, but if both teams play at their best, I think the Spurs win. We'll see if LA can prove me wrong.

I think Ginobili is a bigger problem for the Lakers than Parker. What Ginobili does for the Spurs is similar to what Kobe provides for the Lakers. When the opponent is playing good defense (which both teams did) they are those players that you can give the ball to with under 10 seconds on the clock and they can still get a good look.

Parker can do this to an extent, but not like Ginobili or Kobe. To me, that (along with turnovers) was the difference. The Spurs had Ginobili and the Lakers didn't have Kobe.

 

[starbigd]

I think Ginobili is a bigger problem for the Lakers than Parker. What Ginobili does for the Spurs is similar to what Kobe provides for the Lakers. When the opponent is playing good defense (which both teams did) they are those players that you can give the ball to with under 10 seconds on the clock and they can still get a good look.

Parker can do this to an extent, but not like Ginobili or Kobe. To me, that (along with turnovers) was the difference. The Spurs had Ginobili and the Lakers didn't have Kobe.

This is exactly what I posted earlier......then Laker fans starting bringing up every little detailed stat they could find, telling me that if they do XYZ better they can win......like that's not true of every team at every level of basketball. In the clutch, down the stretch, with the game on the line, the Spurs have several players they can turn to. I don't know who the Lakers turn to in those situations right now.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

"feelingtheheat" disguised as CrapMyShorts....one and done as soon as I hit the ignore button,

buh bye a'hole

 

[Black Adam]

"feelingtheheat" disguised as CrapMyShorts....one and done as soon as I hit the ignore button,

buh bye a'hole

LOL, didn't take him long either to start crying about everyone putting him on ignore. thought that was hilarious...






CL67

 

[jefe101]

"I agree!! Lakers/Spurs is a more "friendly" type rivalry!! I think both teams and fanbases respect one another (at least that's my experience)."


And we should all get along here in the same fashion.

As far as tonights game. Lakers 94-Spurs 92.
D12 goes for 23/19. Gasol 18/11 and Nash gets a triple double.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

I like that prediction, Jefe. And I'm pretty sure it's the real Jefe 'cause you're wishing a Lakers W....BTW the game is tomorrow night-Wednesday.

 

[starbigd]

"I agree!! Lakers/Spurs is a more "friendly" type rivalry!! I think both teams and fanbases respect one another (at least that's my experience)."


And we should all get along here in the same fashion.

As far as tonights game. Lakers 94-Spurs 92.
D12 goes for 23/19. Gasol 18/11 and Nash gets a triple double.

Bump that. FUCK DA SPURS

 

[wildturkey]

This is exactly what I posted earlier......then Laker fans starting bringing up every little detailed stat they could find, telling me that if they do XYZ better they can win......like that's not true of every team at every level of basketball. In the clutch, down the stretch, with the game on the line, the Spurs have several players they can turn to. I don't know who the Lakers turn to in those situations right now.

But if the Lakers would have made all their shots in that game, I bet they would have won!

 

[trojanfan12]

This is exactly what I posted earlier......then Laker fans starting bringing up every little detailed stat they could find, telling me that if they do XYZ better they can win......like that's not true of every team at every level of basketball. In the clutch, down the stretch, with the game on the line, the Spurs have several players they can turn to. I don't know who the Lakers turn to in those situations right now.

Well, there were a few things that they could have done better that may well have changed the outcome (like not turn the ball over 18 times).

However, with the way that game played out, they needed someone later in the game that was comfortable in those situations. With Kobe out, it would fall to Nash, but he was pretty rusty. Hopefully, he can be that guy if necessary in the rest of the series.

Normally the Lakers would have Kobe as the first option for that with Nash as the 2nd option, with Kobe out, they only had Nash. The Spurs have Ginobili as the 1st option and Parker as the 2nd and had them both (even if Parker wasn't 100%).

 

[starbigd]

Well, there were a few things that they could have done better that may well have changed the outcome (like not turn the ball over 18 times).

However, with the way that game played out, they needed someone later in the game that was comfortable in those situations. With Kobe out, it would fall to Nash, but he was pretty rusty. Hopefully, he can be that guy if necessary in the rest of the series.

Normally the Lakers would have Kobe as the first option for that with Nash as the 2nd option, with Kobe out, they only had Nash. The Spurs have Ginobili as the 1st option and Parker as the 2nd and had them both (even if Parker wasn't 100%).

The Lakers avg 15 turnovers a game......it's more likely they'll still put up those numbers than not.

The way that game was going, they were down double digits nearly the entire game......I knew they weren't going to be able to overcome that in the 4th without someone stepping up, and I didn't know where they'd get it from.

I don't think Nash is that guy in terms of taking over in the clutch......he really never has been. He looks to set up offense more than generating his own. Ginobili and Parker are straight assassins......they'll ROAST you if you let them.

 

[wlk3]

BLEED PURPLE AND GOLD!!! GO LAKERS!!!