Still pretty bummed about yesterday's game. I probably tend to get a little too emotional when watching, but I was really getting mad at the Kings yesterday. Things many of you guys mentioned...Peeler, the fans throwing crap, and I have lost a lot of respect for Brad Miller. That guy is a dirty player. Maybe he always has been and I just didn't care as much until he was playing against my team. Either way, he reminds me a lot of Bill Laimbeer when I started following the Bulls before they could get past Detroit in the late 80s. A good player, and someone you'd probably want on your team, but a pain in the ass to play against. I really hope they can pull it out at home in game 7, but Scott is right I think, if Cassell isn't closer to 100%, the Lakers will probably cruise.
Although I will admit I am not the biggest Lakers fan, big congrats to Matt and all the other Laker fans out there. It was impressive what they were able to do to San Antonio. Going into the playoffs, I really thought that they would be the team to beat...but they pretty much took it to them after those first two games. I hope that this second round sets some great conference finals match ups. I'm on board too, hoping that the Heat can force a game 7 as well. It has turned into a pretty good playoffs, hopefully it continues all the way to the finals (can we have a nice, competitive finals for once? probably not
)
P.S. In case you didn't notice, the Lakers are genuinely uninterested in the regular season. They proved all season that they could give a rat's ass about it.
This is a true statement most definitely Matt. To me, as a lifetime basketball (particularly NBA) fan and follower, this is one reason that despite all the championships and success, it kind of tarnishes their standing in the "all time great teams" categories in my eyes. No disrespect to the team, or any of its fans, because they are very, very good...and could be on their way to another title this year (should be with 4 HOFers
), but I think the great teams bring it every game...regular season, playoffs, etc. You look at the Jordan led Bulls for example...you pretty much knew in the nineties, they were probably going to win the title every year (with the exception of the years Jordan was gone)...but they still played their butts off during the regular season. I mean, heck, they went 72-10 with a team that wasn't nearly as talented as this Lakers team. I was a HUGE fan of the Bulls from 88 until Jordan and the team was broken up, and was able to watch almost every single game on a channel known as the "Chicago Sports Network" I believe (we got it on our satellite)...and outside of Jordan and Pippen, those teams were completely role players. The argument could even be made that Pippen wasn't nearly the same player once he and Mike were seperated. It was that drive and constant competitiveness that earned Jordan (and his teammates) the respect and success they had. A lot of the same reason I really like Kevin Garnett...whether he plays the best or not (turnovers yesterday...arrrgh), he is still playing to the point where he is leaving it all on the floor. I guess I'm just saying it is disappointing the Lakers aren't the same way...for a team that is so successful and probably one of the all time great teams as well. I think Kobe is that way, most of the time, but he might be the only one. He is highly competitive, and greatly talented, and the only thing that hurts his rep at all is his occasional trips where he decides to be a baby and either not shoot, or shoot way too much (or play selfishly). Anyways, sorry about the rant, just thinking about this yesterday. Like I said...great team, just more so disappointing they don't play like they care year round...and have that passion.
