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Archive for the '2008 Playoffs' Category

Phil Jackson: Master of disaster?

Published by Jim Murdoc on June 14, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 18 Comments

The greatest coach in NBA history should have done something to prevent the greatest collapse in NBA Finals history.

L.A. Times: Intrigued by the idea, shocked at its audacity, folks around town are whispering it.

Adjusting their Tivos, rubbing their eyes, NBA fans around the country are wondering it.

So, what the Zen, we might as well say it.

Was it Phil Jackson’s fault?

Does the blame for the greatest collapse in recorded NBA Finals history lie with the greatest coach?

Could this memorable, macabre wounding of Lakers tradition have been prevented by the man paid $10 million a year to carry the Band-Aids?

It was Boston Celtics 97, Lakers 91 . . . and how much Phil Jackson?

The answer is, enough.

Enough that it’s worth questioning.

Enough that it’s worth wondering how a man with nine championship rings can allow his team to blow a 24-point lead at a championship moment in a championship series.

Continue reading ‘Phil Jackson: Master of disaster?’

“Last night is when you really started to hate the Celtics”

Published by Chris Manning on June 13, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 18 Comments

This is an absolutely magnificent piece written from our friends enemies over at Reds Army. In it, he talks about how for the first time in this year’s NBA Finals, last night made the younger generation of Lakers fans truly hate the Celtics again; how this rivalry now became personal.

RedsArmy: But for young Lakers fans last night… that was the moment when the rivalry became real. It became personal. The old, grainy highlights of guys in short shorts don’t matter anymore… because last night is when you really started to hate the Celtics.

Kendrick Perkins uncertain for Game 5

Published by Chris Manning on June 13, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 9 Comments

Here is an injury update on Perkins. In the article is also some other small updates on the injured Celtics roster…

Yahoo: Rivers said Friday that Perkins has a 50-50 chance “at best” of playing in Game 5 on Sunday night.

“When I first saw it, I didn’t like what I saw,” Rivers said. “Obviously the injury he had last night could be significant, and we don’t know the results yet. But that’s clearly not looking great right now.”

Update…

Fox Sports: Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said there is a “strong possibility” he can play in Game 5 of the NBA finals, even though he didn’t practice Saturday and appeared to be heavily favoring his strained left shoulder.

“It’s the finals, man. You’ve got to suck it up and go all out,” he said before practice at the Los Angeles Lakers training facility. “I feel like I can go (Sunday night). The doctor feels the same way. There’s a strong possibility I’m playing.”

In the 30 minutes of practice open for reporters to watch, Perkins kept his left arm mostly immobile. He took some warmup shots, as did the rest of the team, but they were one-handed - with his right arm - with his left arm hanging at his side.

“It feels all right, mostly a little sore,” Perkins said. “The doctors said I could do nothing in practice today. I’m going to give it some rest and give it a shot tomorrow. It’s getting better every day.”

The pain of last night…

Published by Chris Manning on June 13, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 18 Comments

I think this is the perfect thing to post. Sasha summed it up for LakersNation last night…

Hollinger: Kobe should never again be compared to Jordan

Published by Chris Manning on June 13, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 43 Comments

This one made my blood boil. If morons in the media wouldn’t compare him to Jordan everyday, this wouldn’t be an issue. Besides, go compare Peirce to Jordan now. Let Kobe be Kobe for a change…

ESPN: “We just wet the bed,” said Kobe Bryant, who should never again be compared to Michael Jordan unless his play undergoes a seismic shift.

And Rivers benefits from having so many toys with which to play. Boston goes 12 deep, which allows the Celtics to shrug off injuries and foul situations that would knock a shallower team sideways.

Lakers make NBA Finals 1st quarter history, also blow it big time

Published by Chris Manning on June 12, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 29 Comments

The Lakers lead over the Celtics after the first quarter of play is 21 points.

This is the largest lead after the 1st quarter in NBA Finals HISTORY!

UPDATE: They also blew it in one of the biggest collapses in NBA history. Dark days Lakers Nation, dark days…

Memphis GM Wallace rooting against Pau, Lakers

Published by Chris Manning on June 12, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 7 Comments

Well… bitter much?

FanNation: “I like Pau, so I hope he plays well,” Wallace said. “But not so well that the Celtics don’t win.”

Cowherd Guarantees Boston Title - will change middle name to “Donaghy” If L.A. Wins

Published by Chris Manning on June 12, 2008 in 2008 Playoffs. 11 Comments

I heard him say it, but the L.A. Times printed it as well. You’re on the spot Cowherd…

L.A. Times: ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd has guaranteed a championship for the Celtics. He says if they don’t win, he will legally change his middle name to “Donaghy.” He wouldn’t make a prediction after Game 1 but says three games have convinced him the Lakers can’t stay with Boston…