Ballin’: Rough Sports Night For Boston; Nobody Understands the Lakers (or the Rockets)
NBA, Video May 15th. 2009, 10:30amHouston 95, LA Lakers 80: Are you guys sure the Lakers can beat the Cavs? Positive about that? “NBA champions? Are you kidding me?” They’ve now lost two games to the Rockets without Yao. LA appears completely bewildered by Luis Scola (24-12), and it has showed no desire (or heart, really) at the start of the last two road games, crawling into deep holes in the first half. Though they clawed back last night at the start of the third, Kobe (32 points on 27 shots) didn’t get enough help, and Game 7 is set for Sunday at 3:30.
Kobe seemed perturbed. He try to motivate Gasol in a huddle – by pushing his head? And then there was the incident with Ron Artest that resulted in Kobe’s 5th technical of the postseason (at seven, he misses a game). We still are unsure what transpired; we haven’t seen one replay with a clean shot of Kobe’s left arm, which may be what the ref saw. But it really didn’t appear as if the tech was warranted. Jeff Van Gundy was angry. “That’s a joke.”
We still think the Lakers cruise in Game 7, but the series with Denver seems like a 50-50 situation. The Nuggets have an equally-bruising and much deeper frontline; they have a point guard who is better than Aaron Brooks. They have a go-to scorer in Carmelo Anthony. Hmmmm.
Orlando 83, Boston 75: Somewhat surprising, but only because the Magic trailed for three quarters, made just 17-of-31 FTs and 6-of-26 three’s. SVG rode JJ Redick far too long (0-for-7), but Orlando rallied to win mostly because Boston got little offense from Allen or Pierce (8-for-25, combined), and wasted outstanding games from Rondo (16 rebound!) and Perkins (15-10).
Redemption is a good look for Dwight Howard: 23 points, 22 rebounds. Doc Rivers called him monster. Our guess is that Howard just saved SVG’s job, and if Orlando’s embattled coach can keep feeding Howard in game seven, and the Magic can snap out of a three-game three-point funk, and rookie C Lee plays more vital minutes over JJ Redick … we’ll up their chances of victory from 0.0 to 10 percent.
We’ll be here around 8 pm Sunday night for Game 7.
Take glee on a rough Thursday in Boston sports: Bruins lose in overtime of game 7, Red Sox leave 17 on base and lose in 12 innings to Anaheim, and the Celtics cough up a fourth quarter lead and lose.
73 Responses to “Ballin’: Rough Sports Night For Boston; Nobody Understands the Lakers (or the Rockets)”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:34 AM
In the immortal words of Chuck, “The Lakers were turrible, just tuuuurrrrible”
May 15th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
so…lakers win by 30 in game 7?
probably.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I am deeply saddened that there are already 50 comments on a Wrestling post.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I’ve really tried to become interested in this Orl/Bos series and I can’t do it. I’m on a break until Lakers/Nuggets vs Cavs in two months.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Quick guards give the Lakers trouble. That was even the case in their championship days. Fortunately for them there isn’t a team remaining that has guards as quick as Houston’s (if the Lakers are fortunate enough to get past the Rockets).
May 15th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I usually can;t wait for ballin, but today, I cannot WAAIIITTTTTT for yardwork or duffy to post
Mwuhahahhahahaaa
May 15th, 2009 at 10:41 AM
nothing on how the Celtics choked away the lead? got it
May 15th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Why, should it be 100? Because it should?
May 15th, 2009 at 10:43 AM
So why weren’t houston’s guards as quick in LA…. Lakers are just mailing in road games, plain and simple… whole Nuggets squad is going to get arrested for what happens in the western semis
May 15th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
A few things. Kobe’s shot selection was atrocious in the first half (although he did get to the line). He also could have had 11 assists last night, the Lakers do not have the shooters around Kobe that these other teams have.
Refs were horrendous last night, and really did not allow the Lakers to make a run.
When does Phil Jackson start getting ripped? Derek Fisher flat out does not deserve playing time, nor does Luke Walton. The triangle is not working against physical teams.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
nothing on how the Celtics choked away the lead? got it
and the Celtics cough up a fourth quarter lead and lose.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:44 AM
ALL guards give the lakers trouble. and can we dispense the myth that kobe is a great defender already? he’s well above average, but he’s getting by on reputation from the early 00’s.
sure there is…the cavs’ mo williams. don’t let the cavs relatively slow pace of play fool you, mo is quick as hell and miles better than aaron brooks. the lakers’ inability to defend PG’s is alarming…almost as alarming as pjax’s reliance on derek fucking fisher despite the fact that the fat lady had sung three years ago.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:46 AM
No difference in Orlando’s game plan. Dwight was just a monster on the boards. Good to see the refs put the whistle in their pockets for much of the game.
Irish- No, the formula here is no credit either way for the Celtics. Magic win, they stepped up, Magic lose, they choked and SVG is worst coach in history. It’s actually just an evenly matched series between two good but flawed teams.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:47 AM
If he would have passed more?
May 15th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I agree if we’re talking regular season. But he’s stepped up in the playoffs, he’s making the flashy bocks, but he’s also the only defender that’s kept Aaron Brooks out of the paint. Too bad for the Lakers he’s only been matched up on him out of switches. Phil should seriously think about making that adjustment.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Spence, I also thought Fisher did a nice job in both games in the regular season on Williams, for whatever reason. Sometimes matchups are hard to understand.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:50 AM
@Spence: And I don’t think anyone has exactly watched Chauncey Billups this postseason… not the best stats, but I am convinced he would destroy every other point guard man up this postseason.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Kobe is not protected by Shaq anymore, and his D gets more exposed every game. The voters have it made up in their minds that he is a great defender so he will make 1st team D for the next 5 years.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
@walfredo: Magic have no excuses for this series going 7, Boston imho is playing out of their minds considering A.) How many games they have now played in 2 years and B.) They are missing their 2 primary big men and 3.0 They’re back-up point guard is STEPHON MARBURY
May 15th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
cursed…since im fully expecting a lakers blowout, i don’t really wanna say what phil should do, but they seriously need fisher out of there.
and yea, mo was locked up against fisher in the two regular season matchups, but i have no idea what to make out of that. the may 2009 fisher just looks like absolute dogshit out there.
he wouldn’t destroy rondo…probably still be effective, but rondo is so long and strong, that he’d be a tough matchup.
billups would eviscerate mo if the cavs’ help D wasn’t there.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
What are you talking about? Who’s abusing Kobe? I don’t think he’s a stud defensively or a lock down guy, but he’s not getting “exposed” in this series? Who’s exposing him? Phil uses him as a rover and a double teamer
May 15th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Jordan Farmar would own Mo Williams, by the way. Im already convinced that position will be a wash in the Finals.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Not Rondo.
Melo, though has been playing NICE this post-season. Some serious individual polished offensive skill on display in the West, with Dirk, Melo, and Gasol. So pretty to watch.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
With Ariza starting now, I wonder if the Cavs will have Lebron guard Kobe?
Delonte on the 6′8″ Ariza could be tough, though I wouldn’t bet against Swamp Thang pwning.
In the first two meetings, Odom got the bulk of the minutes (or Vlad – another guy Kobe didn’t make better
).
Delonte would have to guard Kobe in that situation. He didn’t play in either regular season game.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Shaq has been out of LA since 2004, that’s one hell of a slow exposing.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
agreed. i love all three of those guys on the offensive end. melo’s footwork is glorious.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Spence: If it’s Denver, I’m sure Mo will guard Dahntay Jones to start. Delonte would be on Billups.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:58 AM
good point.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
The fact that Mo Williams isn’t as quick as Brooks would be a good place to start.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I wondered who LeBron would guard also, especially since Radmanovic isn’t on the team anymore. That’s mainly who he guarded in the regular season games.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I won’t take anything away from Rondo, but he has now gone up against a rookie, a backup point guard masquerading as a starter, and anthony johnson…… Chauncey has taken out two guys with gold medals.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
@Jersey: I agree the C’s are grinding, but they do still have Pierce, Ray, Rondo, and Perkins (who plays Dwight better than anyone). Not a bad nucleus. As a C’s fan, I’d still consider a loss in this series a HUGE disappointment, if not a huge surprise.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Where is Ray Allen? 5/36 from 3 in this series. Why does he disappear in playoff games? You cannot tell me it is because of JJ Redicks excellent defense
May 15th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
You guys are in denial. You really think Denver will beat LA?
Who guarded Billups two years ago, Snow?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Jersey thats poor logic bro. Boston is the defending Champions. Magic has a shitty coach. I agree though this series should have been over in 6. This is the Chicago series all over again.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
not many are. but mo’s still fast as fuck.
and this isn’t about mo or brooks, it’s about how awful fisher is and how the lakers can’t defend PG’s.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Kobe’s defense isnt the Lakers problem its the lack of a physical presence on the inside from Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum Lakers had 5 blocked shots last night 3 by Kobe and 2 by Lamar Odom. Bynum just doesnt look good right now and Gasol, Bynum and Odom all got abused by Scola in the first quarter.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Good point, clown. And Kobe won’t have to check Sasha Pavlovic this go ’round.
I know he tried to check Lebron for a spell, but that didn’t last long.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Stupid Lakers. Game 1 could have been Sunday, at a decent hour. But noooo. They had to lose and now game 1 isn’t until late Tuesday night.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
And Kobe couldnt make his team relevant until 2008 when he got Gasol.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:05 AM
i feel your pain…im sick of waiting for the cavs to play again and having to watch the celtics and magic see who can choke harder.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Um… He was money in the NBA Finals last year and did you watch the Chicago series? Give your team’s D some credit. That said, what the fuck is up with Ray Allen?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:06 AM
irish maybe you can answer this because i don’t get it. why does reddick come off the bench before petrius?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Was Orlando not in the playoffs last year. So they have experience, except for the injury to Jameer, Orlando got better EVERYWHERE. Boston ia missing they’re BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER and still taking this to game 7… I understand the defensive champs, but they are wounded, tired, and dead men waling, not to mention 2 of their best players are getting up there in age. And Orlando beat this team twice in the regular season, am I right. Orlando, I’m sorry to say, has no heart. None.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
age and having to play back to back 100 game seasons? shit like this happens.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Sorry I can;t spell today, actually trying to post and work at the sametime, it’s dangerous
May 15th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
irish maybe you can answer this because i don’t get it. why does reddick come off the bench before petrius?
Rookie sensation C Lee is still recovering or he would be starting. That kid did a great job this year. Pietrus subs in more for Hedo
May 15th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
still can’t believe the playoffs are still going on. takes way to long to settle this.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
We know how this is gonna end, ray Allen is gonna have at least 35 on Sunday, book it.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Spencer besides that foul on Scola Fisher has been non-existent this series. He’s not hitting the wide open looks that he has been getting, and he’s being abused by Brooks.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
The Rise and Fall of Jesus Shuttlesworth
May 15th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
seriously…they should’ve just had kobe and lebron have a best of 13 1v1 matchup.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:14 AM
7-0 LBJ
May 15th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Wayman Tisdale just died.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Gotta love Houstons role players. Undersized, hungry, and skilled. All know their role too. Landry, Hayes, Scola.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I see how your points connect.
NOT……Keep throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Seriously?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Yep.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
RIP
May 15th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Well said Darrell. The wrestling post is the one underneath this one, try again.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Dwight made 2 huge free throws down the stretch again
May 15th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Irish- If they had Jameer they would have won the series last night. How do you feel about Stan?
May 15th, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Best Wayman Tisdale memory…
I was at NBA All-Star Fan Experience Expo or whatever the hell it’s called at Denver Convention Center a few years back. In one room there is a band playing so I walk in and Wayman Tisdale, playing bass and singing, is leading the band in a kick-ass version of “Summer Breeze”.
Summer breeze… makes me feel fine…
RIP Wayman.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:25 AM
If C’s had KG and Powe… C’s in 5.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:28 AM
You killed me with the wrestling reference. That was a good one. I’m mortally wounded.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:35 AM
@Bo- ask me that again Monday AM
May 15th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Irish- LOL
May 15th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
have a hard time saying the celtics “choked away” a lead..which they somewhat did….when your first big man off the bench is brian scalabrine
rajon rondo is filthy
May 15th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
….when your first big man off the bench is brian scalabrine
but when he is playing well it is a different story
May 15th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
nice quote job loser
May 15th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
reminds me of that SNL with Phil Hartman as Sinatra and his duets album with Farley as Meatloaf.
Hartman:”The summer wind came crashin in…across the sea”
Farley: “The summer wind came crashin in – I don’t really know that one.”
Hartman: “You don’t know summer wind? You don’t know English.”
Classic
May 15th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
All I could think as the Rockets built that 17-1 first quarter start was “OK, so I guess we’re getting Nuggets-Cavs in the Finals.”
You CANNOT be a title contender and have as wild a 3-game stretch as the Lakers have had in Games 4,5 and 6 of this series.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I said last night that if the Lakers lost yesterday’s game, they seriously are not championship material and wont be able to win this year.
I stand by that statement…I’m actually petrified of the Nuggets defeating them something like 4-1 at this point.
The ONLY positive I can see coming from this is that this series lights a fire under Kobe, and he explodes against Denver (esp. since no one on that team can guard him)
I also hope that Arize, Walton, Fisher, Vujacic, Farmar will all magically learn how to shoot wide open shots.