"It takes one swing at a time to chop down a tree." Those were the infamous words spoken by L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, after a backbreaking loss to the Boston Celtics. One in which the Lakers blew a 24 point lead. With all that tree chopping, bed wetting, i need a drink and a shot, mentality there seems to be a method to this outspoken guards madness. But like it or not ,the odds favor the tree.....Or does it?!?! The Lakers actually blew a 16 point lead where they were on a rollercoaster of offense in the first quarter. But just like the in the past, the Celts came rolling back and at one time gained a lead late in the 3rd and 4th quarter. Yet, with a desperation steal, Kobe was able to seal the deal. Now starring at elimation from here on out, Can Kobe and Co. continue to chop trees and will it all be a sweet little Timber!!!!!!!
will he continue to chop or will it be a timber for the lakers???
Thousands of fans were left lifeless as the Lakers went down 3-1 to the Celtics. Whats worse was the fact that they blew a 24 point lead. Lamar Odom looked lifeless. Gasol was almost camtose, Sasha Vujacic was enraged. Derek Fisher looked more like a fish in a water, belly up i may add. And a Manic Kobe and Phil Jackson looked on helplessly as the Lakers lost a golden opportunity. What could have been a 2-2 series is now a 3-1 stranglehold on the NBA Finals. But as we all know its never over. Boston fans shouldn't look any further than last season's NFL SuperBowl. It all seemed but won, when the perfect New England Patriots took the lead over the slumping New York Giants. The Stadium and Pats' fans errupted when Rany Moss caught a go ahead touchdown from Tom Brady. with a little under a 2 minutes left. Thats when the amazing happened. Eli Manning not only evaded and should have been sack, but more likely he had the last laugh when he took the air out of a veteran team stockpiled with talent. With that being said, we all expect the Celtics to be holding the trophy up soon. But not so fast Boston nation. You of all people know about early celebrations. So until we see a 4-1 defeat, lets hold the champaigne, stop the parades, and play some basketball. The Lakers still have another game in Los Angeles, and all is needed to steal a game in Boston. At this point in time, thats wishful thinking. Before we all crown the Celts as champions before game 5, Unlike the Titans of the motion picture, we all need to remember the Patriots.
Save the smiles for now....You still have business to take care of.
The Boston Celtics lead the NBA Finals series 2-0 against the defending Los Angeles Lakers. Leon Powe has played lights out including a poster full of dunks against the opposing teams defense or lack there of. However, the Celtics should be weary of a couple of things that could perhaps make or break them. I'm not going to analyze what everyone in America has already saw. The Lakers defense has been transparent to say the least. Also Kobe Bryant has been rather less than his MVP form in which he has shown all season and playoff long. Being up 2-0 is a great thing. But for the Celtics, here's my reasons why they should be worried....
1. Kobe Bryant: (or Bean as i call him) No matter if his team is up 20 or down 28 as they were in game 2, he's the motor, the heart, the passion that this team needs. This guy never quits. In game 2 we all saw the Celtics paralyze the Lakers, but the one constant was this guy, his attitude and will to win almost capped off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. Indeed, the Lakers came short of their comeback. When Kobe smells blood, he usually attacks. Game three expect Kobe, the MVP.
2. The Celtics Inability to score: Sure the Celtics have ran throught the Lakers defense like well.....Leon Powe. In the 4th Quarter the Lakers figured it out. Now plenty of you would ask what did they figure out. Now lets all be mindful that the lakers scored 41 points in the 4th quarter, and Boston not only settled for jumpshots, but they were defended a lot differently. What we all saw was the Lakers figuring out that the key to beating Boston is by stopping Rajon Rondo. Stop,Stop,Stop before you begin to talk. All series long the once constant and also the main flaw in L.A.'s defense was playing every point guard as if they were Tony Parker, Derron Williams, or Allen Iverson, which has been playing Rondo as a shooter. Well in the 4th quarter of Game 2,(when it was really too late) Not only did the Celts become stagnant, Los Angeles defended Rondo as if he was more of a Jason Kidd, which was a pass first guard. And while Rondo isn't a high percentage shooter, I'm sure that Phil Jackson and his staff will be a lot more pleased with Rondo knocking down shots than a Ray Allen,Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, or even a Leon Powe. Play Rondo simply as a volume shooter and put more emphasis on the big 3.
3. Defensive Stops without fouling: Its no secret that Kevin Garnett is no Tim Duncan, and while K.G. is a great post player, he doesn't impose his will on games. He's simply the role player in this offense. Garnett doesn't viciously and consistently attacks, mainly in key situations. Therefore playing him away from the basket is a good thing. He likes to settle for jumpshots and not attack the basket, therefore making this Celtics offense more turnover prone and allowing the lakers to run their transition offense a lot more effectively. By playing Kevin Garnett the way they have played him all series long, (without the excpetion of rebounding) Garnett doesn't spend a lot of time at the free throw line. Anytime u can eliminate at least one of the big 3, then u have done ur work for a team that doesn't score a lot of points.
4. Phil Jackson's in game and halftime adjustments: The road to the NBA Finals hasn't been a Christmas for the Lakers team. They have played some of the best perimeter and post players these games have to offer in the fast paced offense of the Denver Nuggets, whom they swept; The sophisticated flex offense in the Utah Jazz, whom they defeated; also the hi and low pick and roll/w a bunch of post play and tenacious defense of the Spurs, that was also defeated in 5 games. Whenever the Lakers sparked a good run or executed a great gameplan, look no further than the Zen Master himself. This coaching staff litterally made stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Derron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Manu Ginobili look pedestrian. Look for some of these adjustments in the next games.
5. Being Able to win out in homecourt and Stealing one in Beantown: This is not the ideal situation for any Laker fan or player, but the ideal comeback would be winning the next three games. And Stealing one in the Garden. While this is no easy task, according to history. But there are certain teams that i never doubt, the Lakers and Phil Jackson are 2 of them. Just kidding, but with this team having 3 games at home and being undefeated there. There must be some type of optimism or method to this theory of madness. The Staples center will be loud. Really Loud. just ask this guy below....no,no,no...not kobe.....the one behind him. (hint: he's wearing a purple shirt and his name is Jack Nicholson. lets just make that our little secret)
