The “experts” pick…
Archive for May, 2009
Out of Bounds: The Final Quest
It’s been said that you can live your whole life in one manner, stray from it for just a single moment, and be judged by that moment for the rest of your life. History is not a record of lengthy accounts; it’s a record of defining moments. If you think about it, we only read a story if the ending is worthy of enduring the journey it took to get there. Why suffer through the expedition if the destination is never realized?
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the threshold of history – A chance to erase the bitter memories of last years’ NBA Finals. Perfectly interlaced in the Lakers story awaits a surplus of subplots anxiously waiting to be defined.
Jameer Nelson to return for Magic?
Lakers Examiner: Originally thought to be out until next season with a shoulder injury, Orlando Magic All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson could possibly return for the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Different members of the Magic organization have said that Nelson is ahead of schedule with his rehab, and that he has been working out with full range of motion.
If Nelson returns, it could be a double-edged sword for the Lakers.
On one hand, Nelson torched the Lakers in their two games during the regular season, hitting clutch shots down the stretch in the Magic victory at Staples Center. So the return of Nelson would mean yet another weapon for the dangerous Magic.
On the other hand, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The Magic have clearly figured out their dynamic. They’re working inside to Dwight Howard to spread the floor for shooters like Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Nelson’s more of a penetrator/pull-up jump shooter, which could throw off the gameplan the Magic have been able to execute throughout the playoffs.
MVP’s Kobe & Lebron: ‘Lil Dez
I don’t even need to bother telling you to watch the latest installment of MVP, just click the play button…
Pau isn’t soft… and it’s time you realize it
Fox Sports: Gee, what a fluke: The Lakers spread out, run their offense through Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom and shred the Nuggets defense for countless unchallenged layups and jumpers in Games 5 and 6, many by predator Kobe Bryant who often found himself alone with just one defender to shame then slay.
Kobe is Kong, overpowering, compelling and neurotic. Gasol is L.A.’s centrifugal force minus the celebratory primal screams and beating on the chest. When utilized correctly by Kobe & Co., Pau provides unanswerable peculiarities only Dwight Howard may be able to nullify should they square off in The Finals.
Pau’s rare ’70s-like disposition and cache were the difference in strip-mining the Nuggets — so smooth on his feet ballet-dancing left or right for baby hooks or turnaround springers, so poised peering over the defense before making the proper pass, so pristine from 15 from the line after getting hammered.
Ignoramuses call Gasol soft. Why? Not violent enough? ‘Cuz he doesn’t flex and snort and ‘bo cutters and sideswipe opponents when they’re off balance and grab legs and arms like Kenyon Martin, or trip and push like Denver’s insignificant other henchman Dahntay Jones.
That ain’t hoop. What, they’re hard and Gasol’s soft? After a few games, that stuff turned me off to the Nuggets and stained what they had accomplished.
Continue reading ‘Pau isn’t soft… and it’s time you realize it’
TLN EXCLUSIVE: Flo’z – Not Now, NOT EVER
Two members of the TLN team (David Brickley and Flo’z) came together to bring you an exclusive Lakers music video to recap the Western Conference Finals.
Enjoy, and lets go get the Magic.
NBA Finals 2009 Schedule
Now that the Lakers are officially in there, here’s the official NBA Finals schedule for you to plan your personal schedules.
Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 will be set for Staples Center if it’s Orlando. Only Games 3, 4 and 5 would be there if it’s Cleveland. All times are Pacific.
- Game 1: Thurs., June 4, 6 p.m.
- Game 2: Sun., June 7, 5 p.m.
- Game 3: Tues., June 9, 6 p.m.
- Game 4: Thurs., June 11, 6 p.m.
- * Game 5: Sun., June 14, 5 p.m.
- * Game 6: Tues., June 16, 6 p.m.
- * Game 7: Thurs., June 18, 6 p.m.
Bynum: “We want Orlando”
Andrew Bynum talks about the finals.
NBA.com: “We want Orlando,” Andrew Bynum proclaimed, “because I think we owe them. They beat us 2-0 in the regular season, but we get homecourt against them and that’s huge in The Finals. Last year we learned that.”
Karl on Kobe: “I think Jesus would have had trouble covering”
Funny quote from Nuggets head coach George Karl on Kobe Bryant:
RealGM: “He made about four shots in that stretch that I think Jesus would have had trouble covering. And those took the game from a manageable game to 13 (points).”
Kenyon Martin: “I think we’re better than them”
So as Martin watches from his couch, he had this to say about the Nuggets…
L.A. Times: “I think we’re better than them, actually, to be honest,” said Martin, still stubborn. “But we didn’t prove that. That’s obvious, cause they’re moving on and we’re not. But I think we have a better team than they do.”
“Some people are going to say maybe the experience of them getting to the Finals last year was a deciding factor. But I’m proud of these guys in this locker room. And I think as a whole, our team is better than their team.”
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