Well, the Lakers played on Sunday again. And, like clockwork, the Sunday White's curse struck, but one of our two resident crazy Small Forwards were there to absorb the brunt of the curse, and all was set right with a heavy dosage of Kobe's signature magic to bring the biggest win since game 7 in 2010. Yes, this win was that big. And yes, it hurt Oklahoma City as much as you might expect. On to the bullets!

• First things first: you guys can say Stern hates the Lakers all you want, but know that he is surely cognizant that when the Lakers play, ratings rise. I have yet to see one corner of the internet that is not blazing with some talk about the Thunder, Lakers, or Ron Ron.
• Good lord, Los Angeles Lakers. You know how to make a game entertaining. Only you can churn out instant classics like this. Think this game won't be part of Kobe's lifetime highlight reel? Think this game won't be replayed on NBATV sixteen times during the summer? This game had every single thing a fan tunes into a sporting contest for: drama (and plenty of it), big shots, big stops, big blocks, big dunks, big comebacks, mvp caliber stars, star guarding other teams star after requesting it to coaching staff, star players being benched, heroics at the end of a game, controversy, playoff implications... you name, this had it. And damn if our Lakers didn't come out on top. We may not win it all this year, so if we don't, you better watch this game a good 3-4 more times, because this will be as good as it gets. Mark my word.

via l.yimg.com

• Thank you Russell Westbrook. I know you've never encountered a spot on the floor that didn't seem like a good spot for a pull up jumper out of the flow of your team's offense, and for that, I thank you. Expect flowers in the mail.
• Durant.... MVP? Hmmm... if you follow my posts on here you know I love Durant and Lebron, moreso than almost any other non Lakers in the league. When people talk bad about them, I'm usually there with Marty saying something defending them. But if they want to get repeated accolades, they're going to need to actually earn them. Big game? Deliver. Big game again? Deliver again. They've played great sporadically, like when Lebron carried his Heat over the Nets recently or when Durant carried the Thunder over the Wolves when Love was pouring in bucket after bucket. But, it's not enough. I'm not a stats guy. I need big performances in big games, repeatedly. You know who my MVP is. And you know I'm DAMNED angry that he's getting almost no talk about being in the standings for winning the award.
• Ron Artest happened yesterday. The backlash has been as brutal, polarized, ignorant, and overtly racist as you might expect. Take it away Yahoo/BDL, Silverscreenandroll, and Basketball Jones commenters:

And we wonder why so many inner city kids are thugs? Look at their role models. He should be be arrested for assault and battery. Kicked out of basketball forever....what a piece of feces.

• Oh, really now?

He is an idiot with the brain capacity of a 4th grader. He is a thug who needs to be fined several million bucks and kicked out of NBA forever. Remember he has already been banned for 1 year for being an idiot and a thug. He needs to be picking up my trash on Tuesday mornings...... And eve that might be too good for him.

• Why thank you, good sir, for your astute analysis.

Kobe is sick.. but yo, I wanted to give my view of the MWP situation, not being a fan of either team. MWP was already in the act of celebrating, when for some reason Harding chose to bump into him. But I do believe it couldve been like 70% accidental and 30% on purpose. I didnt appreciate Mike Breen and JVG commenting on a play that they pretty much only saw on replay, in super slow motion. Which gave the play a much more malicious look. It happened to fast. But I did notice it when it was about to happen, and I was thinking who ever that is (harding) needs to watch out, cause MWP is about to start celebrating. Or kissing his biceps. LOL.

• Interesting! What is this lack of name calling I'm seeing!? This must be from silverscreenandroll.. from a Suns fan. They're all good peoples (I'm not even joking. Love the guys who come over from the Suns blog).

Rhetorical question: Do NBA players have immunity from prosecution for their actions on the court? This was assault, pure and simple. It had NOTHING to do with the game of basketball. Why shouldn’t Artest be charged criminally for his action? He blatantly and with no provocation attacked and injured somebody in a way that was wholly unrelated to game play. How is that not a crime?

• Jail him! To the chair with this not-good-enough-to-be-a-trashman-inner-city-thug character!

Watch it in super slo-mo.
Then lock him up for attempted murder.
Seriously. Harding may never be the same and could have died from head trauma.
And please don’t compare this to sports with helmets or gloves…

• And I’m finished. Before the ignorance threatens to consume me, I’ll close my browser windows and post some level headed analysis. And lest you berate me for choosing to quote crazy people, these are the same crazy people that help make up our NBA's fanbase. So, Stern and Co., when you dole out a penalty, please use the logic sector of your brain and not the "appease the fans" section of your brain. There's no appeasing certain people. Do what you will, and I'll respect it.
• Marty, bring it home for us:

So, just watched the replay a couple times... Harden comes to get inbound pass and Metta is celebrating emphatically. To me, it looked like MWP knew a guy was there but wasn’t intentionally aiming for him as much as he was attempting to get him out of his way. He looks back after the hit and shrugs it off as is he doesn’t even realize it. I don’t think he knew it was Harden either. That said, 2 games is what this deserves to me. As I said above, if Love can step on a guy’s face while looking at him with full intent to step on him and get 2 games. MWP deserves the same thing. 2 game suspensions for elbows seems right to me. Also, it was on the ground and not in the air which to me lessens the impact of such a thing.

• That's enough of that. Next? Andrew Bynum. This guy makes me furrow my brow. Yes, he is great at offense. Yes, he blocks shots. Yes, he has the ability to get rebounds. Yes, he creates an inexhaustable scoring option for the other team. Wait, what? Yep, Andrew, that's on you. Mike Brown, Laker coaching staff, Andrew, Kobe, someone, please address this problem. Added to that, when he's out there sulking and complaining about how it's someone elses fault the rotation messed up, it's only worse (because then he's not even getting rebounds).
• You know why Kobe is so great? I'll let a commenter from The Basketball Jones cue you in (and this guy is the opposite of a Kobe fan):

Thabo shouldn’t have lowered his hands, even for a split second, on that second jumper from Kobe. It was already a tough shot to release so quick from 25 feet out, make it as tough as can be, even if the man was shooting 30% or something for the game.

• Did you catch that? Kobe is in a terrible spot to shoot, has been struggling all game, is tired, is old, is coming back from injury, and the bystanders opinion is to guard him closer. His enemies always consider him deadly. Always. That, sir, is clutch.

'Kobe baptising Sefolosha' via l.yimg.com

Happy New Year to all my fellow Laker fans! It is quite nice to have a stable diet of NBA to feast ourselves on, is it not? Were those fall months as cold for your soul as it was for mine? It was quite the effort trying to get my sports fix on Lions and Eagles games rather than Kobe fadeaways and Derek Fisher transition J's. Anyhow, I digress... the NBA is back, and I am damn thankful. The Lakers are back, and I am damn opinionated. On to the bullets!

Continue reading this post »

via a.espncdn.com

• First things first.  We got baptized by the team that I just can't seem to hate.  Those Mavs.  Those funny, funny, Mavs.  I always had a sneaky feeling we'd never want to play them in a playoff series, and I was right.  Why?  There's no enmity for the Mavs.  We just got swept by them, and I can tell you right now that this Laker team feels hardly any enmity for them.  And it's because of that damn German.  That tall, lanky, jump shot shootin', crazy baby-momma-in-jail havin', no good for nothin', humble Power Forward.  Kobe loves him, it is what it is.  And you know why that is so, so peculiar?  Because Kobe likes very, very, very, very, few people in the entire NBA.  Probably, in the entire United States.  Kobe's not the happiest fellow, so if you're not Trevor or Josh or Dirk or Barack, Kobe probably doesn't like you.  He probably secretly hates you.  And damn it, we drew Dirk, and when he started reigning down fire, it was what it was.
• Second things second, we got swept.  I still think we could beat this Mavs team if we played a new series with them starting tomorrow, no head coach and all.  But that's how this Lakers squad rolled this year.  We don't always lose, but when we do, we like to lose inexplicably big and without discernible reason.
• Third things third, fuck the Celtics.  Good thing they lost, too.  But, seriously, I never went for them a second of a minute this entire season, and that's a sign of respect, because you can never cheer your most hated enemy lest their minor victory spur them to a larger one.  Had the Celtics pulled off a championship this year, that would've been a catastrophe for Laker fans.  Remember how Pierce was 'tweeting' about the Lakers when we played the Magic in the finals, and how they were claiming it didn't count because KG was hurt?  Imagine how worse it'd be had they beat the Mavs in the finals.  And they would have.  Still, my heart shed a crocodile tear when they were eliminated, because the old guard died that warm night in Miami, and that version of the Big 3 managed only one championship, a feat that will surely stain Doc's legacy as a perspective all time great coach (to any objective eye).

And NOW to the Controversial shit!

via cdn1.sbnation.com

• I'm     glad    we     lost.  They were everywhere this Spring.  They were at the gym.  They were at my job.  They were at the local eateries, the bars, the movies.  They were especially swarming on the internets.  The bandwagon 'fans.'  Lord, but they're the worst.  They'll show up for a win and for an amazing Kobe shot, but they weren't there for those games in December in Milwaukee, they weren't there for those late games in Portland, they couldn't tell you that Theo Ratliff fell out of his walker and broke his hip, and thus missed this entire season, because they didn't know 38 Year Old Theo Ratliff was on the %#&^&#%^ team!  What they did know?  They knew how to complain every time LA lost and say, "SEE, I told you, this team doesn't want it this year!  This team's lazy!  Kobe shouldv'e passed/shot more, whenever he passes/shoots more, the team loses/wins!  I mean, I'm a Laker fan, but--- (random jargon, I've since stopped listening)."  They're finally gone, thank God.  Seriously, Thank goodness.  I like a good, reliable, tried and true Laker hater rather than the championship chasing 'fans' that plague whatever team is on a championship winning streak.  And when that three peat was still attainable, they were in the air, thick as flies.
• Mike Brown.  Pau Gasol.  Andrew Bynum.  One of these names isn't going to be on an LA payroll next year.  Just writing that makes me chuckle.  Mike Brown as our coach?  Lakers Coach Mike Brown?!  Sad face.  I can tell you this: Kobe's getting drunk tonight.
• Not watching the Finals?  What the hell!!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!  Are you that spoiled as a Laker fan!!!?  We've been to about 987 finals!  You're more likely to see us in the Finals than any other NBA team!  Freaking enjoy the anomaly and stop complaining!

via thumbs.dreamstime.com

• Kobe's never gonna call a ref those two words ever, ever, ever again.  Yea, that 100k fine sounded big, I mean, it definitely tickled his wallet--- who the hell am I kidding?  Kobe bathes his dogs in thousand dollar bills.  Kobe took a fucking helicopter to Laker games.  That fine was a small tax write off, and probably not small enough, at that.  You know why Kobe's never gonna make that mistake again?  Kobe shot 15 fucking free throws the entire Mavs series. F i f t e e n.  Now that's how you teach a damn lesson.  Parents, pay attention, hit your child where it hurts, where he'll remember it most.  Kobe's gonna be buying roses and sending limo's for the Zebras next year, you better believe it.  Thing is... I completely understand.  You just can't have a precedent set where you can catch your star hollering slurs at the officials during contests; that's just not acceptable.  For comparisons sake, through the first four games (Lakers series was a four game sweep) of these most recent respective series', here's your "stars" relative Free Throw Attempts: Rose- 30, James- 33, Wade- 33, Durant- 43, Nowitzki- 52, (Kobe Bean Bryant- 15).  And don't tell me that Kobe doesn't drive more than Durant and Nowitzki, don't even damn try.  Lesson learned.

via www4.pictures.zimbio.com

• Lebron v. Dirk.  I know there's gonna be stories about the bench and the role players and other starters and whatnot, but to me, the Chip will go to the winner of the individual battle between Dirk and Lebron.  Who do you have? #teamlebron?  #teamdirk?  Have fun folks, this is the Finals!

Well, I'm done.  Agree with me, disagree with me, it's all good.  Just let your opinion be known.  And don't forget to 'rec it' if you liked it.  One last thing, though... I have a pretty big meeting today, can someone tie my tie?

via img.photobucket.com

#teamronron PS: Don't ever expect me to endorse a trade with Kobe, Ron, or Lamar.  I'm a sentimental motherfucker.

O, these Lakers.

 

How can one describe this season?  It would be very, very, difficult.  Disappointing?  Hardly.  The Lakers have won their fair share of games, and in a league where the competition has been stiff, very stiff, the stiffest in years, the Lakers have fared decently well.  They're one game behind the Heat, the class of the East, 2nd in the West, and coming off three consecutive trips to the finals.  Spoiled Laker fans are spoiled.  We've hovered around .500 against the leagues best teams, which is nothing to be ashamed about, but have dropped some pretty easy games against low quality opponents during the lulls in the seasons schedule.  All in all, not a bad year.  Then why are we so damn frustrated as a Laker community (players included: Ron, Fisher and Kobe looked pissed beyond belief last night)?  Five game losing streaks tend to do that to you, I guess.

 

 

• Want to know how a losing streak starts with a Laker team like this?  Not giving a damn.  The Lakers were ready for the season to be over, and had stopped trying to begin their three game slide against some of the leagues more mediocre teams.  Kobe saying "We're just B.S.'ing out there" is signal enough that these old guys are tired of playing non playoff games.  (credit http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/04/05/kobe-were-b-s-ing-the-last-two-games/52045/)
• Speaking of not giving a damn... I think I might understand.  Want to know what my 2011 has consisted of?  Leaving work, going to the gym, lifting weights, working on basketball, cycling, then playing basketball until I go home and then watch basketball on NBA League pass.  That routine changes on game days, where I go to the gym after work and do less weights, and do a longer shootaround to prepare for the game, play in the game, then go home to watch NBA league pass (insert obligatory married man routines wherever you feel necessary).  Everyone knows me in the basketball gym, and I don't think I've watched anything besides NBATV and League Pass on my home television, at all, in the last few months.  Unless my wife is watching her stuff, or a DVD is in the player, my fingers only know DirectTV channel 216 and the League Pass channels (they vary).  Why am I telling you this?  Its starting to wear on me.  Jevon O, commenter on SSR, normal working guy who doesn't play and see even 2/3 the amount of basketball the Lakers endure, is tiring of his schedule after only 3 or 4 months.  My eating habits are slacking up, its feeling like a chore to watch these late night Laker games, Memphis basketball is escaping me altogether, and Derrick Rose's layups just aren't enamoring me as much as they were early on in the season.  I say all this to say, I understand Los Lakers.  Its a long season.  We all get tired, and we all find ourselves in a rut.  So lets just make a pact; I'll stop drinking sodas and sneaking off to get chicken tenders one day a week, and you guys can kindly wake the fuck up and win in the playoffs.  Not try, not "work hard and execute,"  not make excuses and come up short... win. Kobe said what everyone knows, it's always about the W, and nothing else.

via 27.media.tumblr.com

• Yea, they've didn't give a damn on those first 3 losses, but these last 2 losses were legitimate, and can be expected/excused.  Let's look at the hoopdata for the Portland game: http://www.hoopdata.com/boxscore.aspx?id=310408022

As expected, the Lakers weren't given much love by the ol' zebra's and the Rose Garden proved hostile to the Purple and Gold.

Free Throws: LAL 14, Portland 20

Shots Around Basket: LAL 36, POR 33

FG% Around Basket: LAL 47.2%  POR 66%

Yes, those stats tell you a lot about the game.  The smaller team, the Blazers, somehow shot less times near the rim, yet managed to be fouled more often, and when they weren't fouled were more successful at converting baskets near the rim against a taller, more skilled team (this is not a slight against the Blazers; I doubt you will find a Blazer fan that will tell you that their team is statistically better at scoring at the rim.  Maybe Aldridges 27 alley oops helped, but sadly, Pau Gasol's pride was not available to comment on the matter).  The Lakers could have overcome such odds, but at this juncture of the season, they would've needed a hot hand behind the 3pt arc (>44%) or some stellar defense (defense that was simply Not Allowed as Gerald Wallace received several bail out calls down the stretch) which were both absent.  Yea, maybe it seems like the Lakers shot themselves in the foot, but being taken out of your offense with rough play and little love from the stripes can really get to you when you don't want to be there in the first place.

• Time for some Oklahoma City hoopla.  You guys aren't gonna want to hear this again, I know it get's old, but I gotta point it out.  Oklahoma City plays good ball, plays good defense, has an excellent star player, a great Robin and two or three good pieces of support.  What they are not, is a team that wins despite the whistle.  Oklahoma City thrives on that shrill sound that declares an infraction.  I was waiting until the Hoopdata was ready before I gave some cold, hard, opinions, but they must be drunk from an all nighter because it's still not up.  Basketball Reference'll do.  Lets get to the meat and potatoes.

Free Throws per Field Goal Attempt:  LAL .28  OKC .44 (That means that OKC took a free throw almost every other time they took a shot while LA took them once every four shots.  Not cool beans, not cool beans, at all)

Free Throws Total: LAL 28 OKC 35

Shots in the paint or closer than 9 ft: LAL 39 OKC 22 (If I had made the distance closer the discrepancy would've been greater)

This tells the same story as the games in which OKC won last year.  In order for the Oklahoma City Thunder to win games against the Los Angeles Lakers, they are going to need the absolute benefit of the whistle.  This is no longer a theory in my eyes.  Last year I wrote an article with the same questions, without scolding the Thunder players, and without calling anything a conspiracy.  I maintain the same stance.  I like these Thunder, and I love Kevin Durant.  The referees are simply missing calls and/or the Thunder are faster at slapping and grabbing and bumping because they are younger.  Case in point, they are getting away with a lot of risky business whenever they beat us.  The reason why I look at shots in the paint?  If you are most likely going to foul a player, it is going to happen in the paint.  If the Lakers can take almost double the shots of the Thunder in the paint and still take less free throws by a healthy margin then I am safe with saying that something is amiss.  Either the Thunder are getting away with a little extra in the paint or the Lakers front line decides to deploy Juwan Howard, Erick Dampier, Theo Ratliff and Samardo Samuels on random nights against Oklahoma City.  Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol convert shots at the rim at a much higher clip than these outlier games (which happen consistently, and consistently end with OKC winning.  The outlier is more when LA can pull out a W despite these circumstances) would have you believe.  Make no mistake, this is a big statement, and I am going to have sit on it and believe it because I see it in In Game action and I see it represented by the stats.  Again, this is no conspiracy.

Shannon Brown and Matty Ice didn't help us last night, but I appreciate that they tried to work through their issues.  Shannon was pulled for Luke Walton and Phil gave him quite the lashing for letting Harden go HAM on him, yet when he returned and the crowd murmured because of his over dribbling, he flashed to the basket for a lay up.    Barnes' effort was there, too, and the output will soon follow.

Kudos to OKC on capitalizing on their opportunities; their FT% was excellent, and Ibaka continues to impress me.  I love Westbrook's aggressiveness and Durant's silky smooth shot, but I'll give no nod to Perkins at all as he was a complete non-entity in this match-up (well, apparently, he stifled Gasol and limited him to a paltry 26 points, and banged Andrew Bynum on the boards as Perk hammered down 5 monstrous rebounds to Bynums crappy 13).  Perk, quite a monster you were with those 2 points and 2 turnovers, I see why they write Yahoo articles on you now.  Good choke on Kobe, how dare he wrap his head and throat in your arms.  He totally deserved that tech.  Way to push Andrew so much on potential rebounding plays that when he retaliates they T him up immediately and pat you on the back for your hustle.

Kobe Bryant draws 15th technical foul of season against Kendrick Perkins -- Lakers vs. Thunder (via nbavideosnow)

 

(stats from OKC LAL game referenced from http://espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=310410013 and http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201104100LAL.html)

• The Lakers are now neither out of the hunt or in prime position to get their three peat.  They're 6th in the league in Defensive Efficiency, a fine mark for a team that is engaged about 60% of the time.  Their Free Throw Rate, though, is very suspiciously at #16 in the league, and that is nothing to be saddened about, because as the playoffs arrive the zebras are usually more forthcoming with the whistle.  Want to know who ranks number 1?  Denver.  You know, that team who'll never win but needs as much whistles as it can to stay in the game and keep butts in the seats at that paltry arena in Denver.  Be angry about it?  Hardly.  Let the NBA do its business and give Utah, Denver, Portland, and OKC the calls it needs at home so we can keep getting the calls when it matter in the playoffs and business can continue as usual.  Why aren't we in prime position, though?  Because, lately, we're needing these calls to win.  Those '50/50' calls that could go either way?  Those calls where there is contact, but in games vs the Warriors we wouldn't care if they missed them?  We need them lately.  Hell, look at Fish's face when he's slapped on his jumper, or Kobe's when he's pushed out of bounds on a fading 16 footer vs Chandler.  They're hurting us, because we've got little left in the tank at the end of this season.  We're tired.  Good riddance, regular season, the rest is sorely needed.
• Most importantly, there's been one game all season that let me know the Lakers are still favorites to get to the finals and have a chance at three peating.  Remember that evening in Boston, when our team was without any momentum and the Celtics strolled into their arena with Ray Allen on a throne, receiving praise from announcers and whatever Reggie Miller is?  He hit his three, broke the record, virgins were sacrificed and the Celtics went into halftime with the lead and the hearts of every Laker hater fawning over them.  Yea.... that game.  Well, the Lakers won it.  And they didn't need the stripes, or great 3pt percentage or a flukey performance or high field goal percentage to do it.  They simply buckled down and beat their most hated opponent a few weeks after that same opponent man handled them.  Yea.  The kids are all right

via i2.cdn.turner.com

• Remember when everyone wanted "Matty Ice" starting and Ron relegated to the bench or Charlotte?  Time to change screen names and act like you never said such blasphemy, because poor Barnes is looking rough out there.  Barnes and Brown's fouls in a half court defensive set are inexcusable, and they foul much more often than they are called on, and Laker nation is watching.  Barnes' offense isn't as bad, but his 3pt shooting is about as good as his defense has been lately.  Biting on passes, going for the home run block, swiping at the ball and being out of position are Barnes and Brown's calling cards as of late, and damn I if I don't believe Phil will have that checked come playoff time.

via www.latimes.com

Less scuffles, more consistency.

• Toughen up Pau.  You've been shooting excellent.  Please rebound more.  By the way, love your dunk on Ibaka and Perk last night.  Duly noted big fella.

You Got Dunked On: Pau Gasol Dunks On Serge Ibaka (via antone2382)

• Kobe.  You know more about basketball than I know about cheap liquor.  Please put that knowledge into effect and be a little more clutch in the post-season.  You're great, but we need you.  If you're getting fouled, please sell it better.  If you're gonna shoot, please make it.  I'll leave the rest of the details to you.  Now, if you need a dirty martini mix that serves 20, find me.
• Bynum.  Hey big fella, I love the way you're playing.  Keep playing hard, I think it's cute how they give you the calls early on in the game and then begin to let the guys mug you as the night continues on.  Play strong, they'll start getting it right.

via www.blogcdn.com

Bynum is not happy with the officiating.

• This is going to be the best playoffs the NBA has had in over 20 years... maybe ever.  There's around 7-9 Legit contenders, and I'm not exaggerating.  The East is going to give you some of the closest, most hotly contested games we've ever had; I'm salivating just thinking about it.
• All said; Miami and LA in the finals.  It's gonna be nasty, follks.  Fast and pray... fast and pray.  We're gonna need it.

via jocksandstilettojill.com

 

via media.tumblr.com

(gotemcoach.com)

• Damn it feels good to have Kobe Bean Bryant.  Did anyone not have that overwhelming emotion of Damn, did I just see that?  For those of us who play ball often, seeing Kobe do the magic he did yesterday was nothing short of transcendent.  We don't get this, we don't even deserve this as simple basketball fans.  Games like last nights show how far ahead, how above and beyond, how special and damned talented that Kobe is.  Did anyone not watch the first half and think Kobe's doing this on purpose, and, in the second half, this is going to change.  Well, thinking that is no big deal, and seeing it is no big deal, but seeing it happen against the Boston Celtics is what makes his performance something special.  Lebron hit God-move against Orlando in Orlando last week, and was damn impressive, but it was Orlando.  Hell, the Lakers didn't even get much credit for winning the Finals against Orlando, so you know I'm not willing to give the nod to Lebron on this one.  Additionally, the physical stature of Lebron is overwhelmingly imposing, and he unleashes dunk after dunk, overpowering move after overpowering move, to bully his way into high point totals (ALWAYS, additionally, accompanied by high free throw attempt totals).  Kobe's too damn old to do any bullying.  He goes to work with that low % mid range shot, and damn if it doesn't go down.  Anyhow, I love Lebrons game.   I love Kobes.  Damnit, Kobe, you're an old man, and you still put on performances like the one last night. 
• For reference... Boston media even respects Kobe's sort of venom: http://audio.weei.com/a/36989125/the-lakers-ruin-ray-allen-s-record-setting-night.htm   (I warn you, don't listen too long, or you'll get to where the excuses start being made!)
• Post presence: It was there.  There was a poll asking what the most important factor in the game would be, and that's what I clicked.  I was wrong (Kobe in the 2nd half), but I'd like to say I was right (LA won the Rebounding battle 47-36)
• A large contributor to this win goes to the ol' zebras on the sideline.  Notice anything in the first half?  A lot of whistles for the Green, a lot of whistles against the Purple and Gold?  The throng of visitors and I that watched the game at my place did also (even mix of LA and Boston fans).  That first half lead was built on the back of slaps and steals made without calls against LA's bigs (and poor defensive execution for the Lakers) and several, several, questionable calls against LA.  Notably, calls for fouls on Lakers that were simply trying to maneuver the 12 moving screens Ray Allen had set for him every play, and Garnett and Perkins heady, physical, moving screen setting plays on the interior where they work to get Rondo an open lay up or Garnett an easy mid range pull up.
• Rondo went C.A.M. in the second half.  You've heard H.A.M. by Jay-Z and Kanye, surely... well, replace hard with cold.  In the first half, Rondo hit some an outside jumpers, according to ESPN's shot chart, and then went inside with two <3 ft shots made.  After that, he would wait until 6 minutes in the 4th quarter was left to score again (scoring once more with 3 minutes remaining, on a jumper Kobe was happy to concede).  Kobe's defense was excellent last night, and Kobe is capable of playing this way every night, except that he's sometimes lazy and he's old and slow according to Charles Barkley.  Although we won't hear ESPN singing Kobe's praises for truly containing Rondo last night, atleast we can ask Doc Rivers for his opinion, because he's a better coach than Phil Jackson

He also knew that we had foul problems on the floor, and he was aggressive," Rivers said. "Listen, Kobe didn’t win the game with his offense. Kobe won the game today with his defense. I thought defensively, he was absolutely phenomenal. He was everywhere.He was trapping; he was helping off (Rajon) Rondo all night. Trapped the post, blocked shots. I mean, he just had a great floor game to me — more than just scoring.

 

courtesy http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/02/10/doc-rivers-explains-how-kobe-won-the-game/48824/ here's ESPN's shot chart (http://espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=310210002)

 

• While Ron's defense was effective on Paul, Mr. Pierce sat out practice yesterday with flu-like symptoms.  I'd love to give Ron all the credit in the world, but I'm wary that it may have a little to do with Paul being under the weather.
• As for Boston's excuses about not having players to put in because of injury I bring to you a humble Celtics fans opinion:

 

Gasol 37 min – KG 34. Artest 39 min – Pierce 40. Bynum 34 min – Perk 31. Kobe 38 min – Ray 35. Fisher 31 min – Rondo 44. Other than Rondo who is by far the youngest and most energetic Celtic regular, the minutes were amazingly close for both teams starting 5. The C’s and Lakers both only had 7 players playing big minutes so this game was much more evenly matched that it may have seemed at the outset despite the C’s injuries and foul trouble. Odom/Brown are comparable to Baby/Wafer off the bench so the only real difference was Blake playing 12 minutes while Nate got banged up and only played 4.

 

• Ray Allen hit two three pointers but nobody seemed to care.
• Coincidentally, while watching the TNT broadcast, how on earth would one not have thought the Lakers were being sandblasted the entire night while the Celtics executed basketball with teamwork and no "hero ball."  It's quite obvious there's quite a bit of dislike for the Lakers up in the broadcast booth, and when the Lakers went on their run in the third quarter, the broadcast group, even then, was unwilling to note a change in momentum.  It is becoming quite funny, these TNT broadcasts.  I'm looking at you, Reggie Miller.
• Big win for LA last night.  We all knew how big the game was, whether or not we were willing to admit it.  With this win, we are officially better than championship contenders.  Barring serious injury, we are now the favorites to come out of the West and, more than likely favorites to bring home the O'Brien.  Why?  Never for a moment did either of these teams not bring their A game, and they knew, as much as we did, that this last meeting between the two would ring in each of their ears the rest of the season and the entire post-season.
• Gasol still had a little White Swan in him, deferring to teammates after getting position in the block, flailing after light contact (that block by Von Wafer was clean as Nate and Kobe's haircut last night, but Gasol flailed and writhed like a freshly shot pigeon), and settled for a few too many jumpers, but he got enough rebounds to make me make a happy face, so it's all good in my book.
• Lamar has unquestionable hustle.  This guy is 6th man of the year.  He is the reason I'm ok with being #teammelo.  Lamar is our glue guy.  Notice a change in Lamar this year?  He's calling for the ball in clutch situations (On Kobe's ice-the-game mid range jumper, did anyone else notice Lamar at the top of the key yelling for the ball yet again [third game in a row he's done that!]), driving harder at the goal, blocking more shots, getting fouled more often, taking shots in a more confident manner; I'm all smiles watching him play.  I'm getting some of that unisex stuff.  Yea... well, maybe.  Plus, he out Garnetted Garnett in the "get inadvertently knashed by Gasol's tooth" competition.  Pssssshhhh... catching elbows are for babies, teeth are where the real pain is at, just ask David Lee.
• Via Kevin Ding

 

More tribute to Ray Allen during this last timeout. Whatever Kobe says publicly now, don't believe for a second he likes Ray

 

via 24.media.tumblr.com

• It all comes back to Kobe.  With this win he is firmly back in first place, in my mind, in MVP voting for the season.  Will he get it?  Most likely not.  But, fact remains, this guy is leading his team, dealing with vindictive media, answering tough questions, disciplining teammates, closing games, and keeping his team in the championship race.  There's no question for me, but the "brilliant media" does not watch the same basketball that I do, apparently.

Thanks for spending some time with my thoughts, feel free to disagree and let me know about it in the comments section.
#teammelo (Czheck!)

To put it simply, I do not think Ron Artest's defense on Lebron James was terrible.  While I support the notion that Lebron James played a great individual game, played great team basketball, and helped his team to victory; I cannot support the assertion that the defense played by Ron Artest on Lebron James was terrible.

Thinking back to yonder days of yore, I remember an article posted here many moons ago where it was discussed that Milwaukee scored a lot of points against a Laker defense that, at first glance, appeared terrible.  But after a rewatch, CA Clark discovered the Milwaukee Bucks took shots the Lakers would want them to take.  Therefore, it was not bad defense,  Milwaukee was hitting the shots, tough shots, that they were being given.  The coaching staff was pleased with the shots taken, and the Milwaukee Bucks played good basketball.  Eventually, things usually even out and the Lakers win (enter biased fan logic).

Continue reading this post »

I like the Oklahoma City Thunder.  I think I had a mini love affair with Kevin Durant during the FIBAs this summer.  He swooped in, took control of the team, swept me off my feet, and took me to a land of milk and honey while I watched him drain 3 after 3, short ranged jumper after short ranged jumper.  He scored, and dammit, he did it the right way.

via images.freshnessmag.com

Continue reading this post »

 

We're all blessed to be able to enjoy the Lakers, day in, day out; whether it be the off season, the season, or the post season.  There's always either an abundance of news concerning them, or enough information to keep one addicted until the next Laker floodgate opens and a trade is announced, an Andrew Bynum is put on ice for a few months, a Sasha is burned by a fellow Slovenian, a Ron Ron rescues an orphanage of children from a house fire wearing nothing but his boxers and his 2010 championship Lakers jersey he never took off, or (I know, I know, this one's kind of mundane; expected even) Kobe hits another game winner.  Game winners.  Kobe.  Yawn.  Thank you LA.

 

via www.pe.com

 

But you see, this website is also "a big deal."  I feed my monster here; I sate my addiction.  Google Chrome knows this, and it simply defaults to SS&R if I type an "s," a "w," or even an "h" (http:// for you nerds like me) whether I be on my home, work, or my girlfriends computer.  Girlfriend?  Wait, what?  Yea, I've gotta fix that.  Why?  This SS&R junkie just got married: yes, a beautiful fall wedding.

via img.photobucket.com

Ahh... the ol' two becomes one deal.  I'm sure a couple of you embarked on that journey a long time ago yourselves!  Well, my time came, and it was a joyous occasion!

via img.photobucket.com

But, not only did I get married, I put on the ol' ball and chain with a purple and gold twist.  Little did I know, my wife to be planned a small surprise for me in the form of grooms cake(s) and little basketballs and Laker cozies all over the reception hall.  People (children and young adults; everyone but the old fogies) were playing faux basketball, pictures were taken, and merriment was had.  How could I not share the joy with my fellow SS&R addicts?  I just had to.

via img.photobucket.com

via img.photobucket.com

 

First off, yea, we hit that aisle, attached said ball and chain, and I walked/drove in a rather docile/thankful/relieved manner to the reception.  Alas, at the venue, what surprise did I encounter?  My grooms cake was excellent!  My wife was happy, then furious, as she stormed to find out who neglected to follow her instructions of making Kobe #24 and Ron #15.  I soothed her and told her it was still absolutely perfect, and the joyous celebration continued.  Secretely, I was mostly impressed she knew of the Ron Ron number change (She actually listens to me when I talk basketball!??  Poor Her), I was also unsurprised the cookie cake people didn't bother to consult her notepad because... well... people are lazy.

via img.photobucket.com

via img.photobucket.com

via img.photobucket.com

 

These were in several places...

via img.photobucket.com

 

As were these!

via img.photobucket.com

 

Of course, the brides cake...

via img.photobucket.com

 

 

We ate and drank and dance and drank and ate and danced!

via img.photobucket.com

 

Sadly (Happily, for me), the time to depart has come, and I thank you guys for sharing this occasion!  Have a wonderful day!

via img.photobucket.com

  So… I ran and ran and ran… and the pain kept getting worse and worse.

Why was this? Why were my days of playing basketball, tennis, and soccer catching up to me and making my right knee, ankle and arch hurt so annoyingly. I’d wake up in the morning and limp around barely able to walk for the first 20 minutes because my body would be revolting against itself. I had to do something.

So, I kept running. I started sprinting more, and long distance running less. And the pain stayed the same.

I wear inserts. Montrails. Still weren’t enough. I was losing a battle with my body. My legs were betraying me; and I was beating them up.

Mind you, I’m not a small guy. 5’10 and was about 210. Not fat, just strong. Running every day was hurting me, and I even got to the point of needing crutches for a few days.

Why? Why! Then I read an Artest article.

Continue reading this post »

Prologue:

Thank you, SilverScreenAndRoll.  Thank you for teaching me to look deeper into basketball.  Thank you for the stats.  Thank you for the analysis.  Thank you for the pre-game, thank you for the post-game.  Thank you for your class, your faith, your steadfastness.  This is my community.  This our community.  May our silver screen never fade, and continue to roll.  What a wonderful, wonderful, 2010 season.

End Prologue.

***************************************************************

 

The Celtics did everything right to cement Kobe’s legacy. If you are unwilling to admit it, so be it. They pushed, shoved, shot, hacked, blocked out, double teamed, triple teamed, and quadruple teamed their way to a game 7. Then, in game 7, they gave him more.  I'll be damned if they didn't find a way to give him more than he's ever gotten.

You see, last year, against Orlando, Kobe looked good, but not great. Orlando lost the series. Orlando came up short at home. Orlando was simply being Orlando. Nobody expected them to win, and when they lost two games at home to lose the series in five games total; nobody was surprised. The ratings were average. The tension was anticlimactic. Yes, Kobe won, but there would be no rewriting of the history books, because no one truly challenged him and his team.

Not these fucking Celtics.

Kobe found, in this series, what Jordan never could; a true, worthy, foe. Well, four of them, to be honest. There was Paul Pierce: ALL STAR. Kevin Garnett: ALL STAR. Ray Allen: ALL STAR. Rajon Rondo: ALL STAR.

Say the opposite and it is blasphemy to my ears. Though you hate them, inside of yourself, you know they are great. They had to be great to get where they were. Do you forget the history leading up to this series.

Dwayne Wade? Vanquished. Lebron James? Vanquished. Dwight Howard? Vanquished.

And then came Kobe.

And the came the Lakers.

 

 

Kelly Dwyer on the Cavs, this morning:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Behind-the-Box-Score-where-LeBron-James-did-not?urn=nba,240500

Excerpt:

"Above all, he failed himself. And when the best player in the game fails himself, that's a long, long fall.

To call it "miserable" or "embarrassing," two words we often toss around these BtBs, just isn't enough. James, I'm sorry, but it looked like he was tanking. It looked like he was trying to lose. This was that awful. There have been scads of players who take plays off or bad shots or don't care. It happens nightly. But never a player this gifted, with so much on the line, for so long. Never, ever.

The closest comps? Maybe Jordan's Bulls falling short in 1990, but that was to a better team, on the road. Kobe's Lakers in 2006, with Kobe clearly playing the martyr and feeling sorry for himself? Sure, but those Lakers weren't championship-worthy, and you could see why Kobe was pouting. You couldn't excuse it, but you understood.

I don't understand this. I can't see how a person who has been handed the court vision and ability that LeBron James has, followed by the years upon years of success that has resulted from staying aggressive offensively and driving to the basket, could play like this. Even taking into account his massive ego, and his aversion to responsibility. It's an art crime of the highest order, and the only thing worse would be if we somehow found out that LeBron was trying to lose on purpose.

It's ridiculous to even suggest, but that's how shocking this game, and this performance, was. I can't possibly begin to conceive what's going on in his head as it is - to decorate yourself in logos of your own design and to draw attention to yourself at any cost is an anathema to me - but I could always at least even with him on a basketball level. Until Game 5. I can't argue that away."

****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ******

 

And just like that, I am rooting for the Cavaliers.

 

You see, there are things beyond the realm of sports that matter, and those things are not many.  Family, values, honor, loyalty... ethos.

Kelly Dwyer, and these other sports writers, they are the enemy.  Lebron James had a bad game, but the writers, the media, the people waiting in the pack to tear him down; they are what I despise.  They are weak, the lame sitting on the sidelines praying for someone to show even the slightest possibility of being as weak and frail as they are, both physically and mentally.  They flop and flounder on their keyboards and cream at the possibility of bringing someone lower than they themselves are.  You see, they don't report honorably.  They don't relay the actual happenings, they extrapolite, expand, and contract when convenient; and in the process I am left nauseated.  Report what you were saying just days ago Kelly Dwyer, when you ascended Lebron to an infallible position of Kingly Authority.  Report how lopsided the gulf of talent is between everyone else and the King, and report it, please, the DAY AFTER a bad game.  He won't, because it doesn't serve Kelly Dwyer.  Kelly Dwyer will write whatever will bring him attention, and whoever or whatever it hurts be damned.  Lebron is not the source of my distaste, because its the Game that Kelly is disparaging.  It is the disservice to the game I love that he offends me in.  There is an all too beautiful ebb and flow to a basketball game, an all too complicated behind the scenes pulling of strings, calculating of adjustments and modification of game plans that go into orchestrating a game where Lebron goes 3-14, and that story went untold.  Kelly Dwyer and the media took the easy route, crucifying their king-who-never-was, because, after all, he was never trying, he bailed the game, and nothing the coaches and players worked their whole lives through for meant anything significant in context with this game.  This is the type of thing that takes the wind out of my sails, when I realize the politics behind something.  Lebron will learn, if he loses this series, that he is just the Julius Caesar of the now, and when his back doth show, the knives will follow.  I know he practices, I know he loves the game, I hope he responds.  Not for his greatness, because it is naught but practice, preparation and a little lot of luck that got him here, but I root for a show that reveals these critics for what they are...

 

 

CN: Don't crucify that which you praised just the day before.  There is not much that will reveal low character in a man, but this is one of those things..

 

CCN:  Never is an article by Dwyer complete without a backhanded comment on Kobe Bryant; this is not only disrespectful, but it is seemingly an attempt to besmudge Bryant's career.  In the midst of his great playoff showing, Dwyer finds it necessary to still bring up 'might have beens' that can make Bryant look worse.  What, really, is the purpose?

We all play pick up ball.  Atleast, all of us somebodies who aren't nobodies.  You've all experienced that first time when you caught the ball at the top of the key, hit your triple thread position, and took your man off the dribble.  You were faster than him, too, so you glided by him effortlessly; the next couple seconds, though, would shape your entire experience at your local gym.  Did he simply let you blow by?  Did he try to poke the ball out from behind (via Ron Artest via Kobe Bryant)?  Did he clip your ankles (via Westbrook game 5)?  Or did he get a nice hold of your fancy sleeveless shirt and slow you down just enough (via Boston Celtics 1898-present) to remove your balance and lower your successful drive percentage by atleast 30%?  Did he wait for you to take your lay up in the lane and challenge you with a hack to the back of your arm only to exclaim how clean his defense was?  Or was he fat and out of shape, exhaustively and lamentably gushing at your nubile movements that reminded him of years gone by....

This, my good sirs, is the makings of the basics of the game.  It is only the tenacity of your defender that determines the style of basketball one must play.

This, my good sir, is the Lakers conundrum.

The Lakers play the basketball game the officials present them with, and live or die duly.

They must not do this, we bloggers and bloggettes exclaim.  They must cut and slice and pound and punch that ball in the hole.  We must contend with our greatest common denominator, our length and inside presence.

 

TO THE NUMBERS MY BRETHREN AND BRETHRETTES!

 

Game 4:

***********************************************

LA

---------------------------

Shots from the paint OR close to:  36

Fouls for: 19

Fouls against:  30

FT Attempted: 28

Steals: 4

Blocks:4

TO: 11

AST: 19

Reb: 43

 

OKC

---------------------------

Shots from the paint OR close to:  35

Fouls for: 30

Fouls against: 19

FT Attempted: 48

Steals: 8

Blocks: 7

TO: 8

AST: 15

Reb: 50

 

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

 

 

 

Game 5:

***********************************************

LA

---------------------------

Shots from the paint OR close to:  47

Fouls for: 25

Fouls against:  19

FT Attempted: 31

Steals: 10

Blocks: 10

TO: 13

AST:27

Reb: 45

 

OKC

---------------------------

Shots from the paint OR close to:  40

Fouls for: 19

Fouls against: 25

FT Attempted: 24

Steals: 6

Blocks:3

TO: 16

AST: 18

Reb: 42

 

 

What does all of this information say?  Well, it speaks volumes.  Volumes and volumes that can be cliff noted into:

Don't Believe The Hype.

 

The Lakers didn't wake up.  There was no arisen monster.  The Lakers just played basic Laker basketball, and the officials obliged.  The Thunder average 33 Free Throws taken per game while giving up 30.  They didn't get their just deserves on the line in game 5, and they didn't get nearly what they've been getting this series.

This game, though, seems fairly skewed as it was clearly over by quarter 3, but almost the same could be said about game 4.  So, save that argument.

Look further into the stats... when fouls are called less on one team in these games, what other stats seem to SKYROCKET for them?  Steals, Blocks, and Turnovers For.  It doesn't take a Rocket Surgeon Geologist to figure out that 'blocks' and 'steals,' when happening on a home court, are the self-same calls that are Personal Fouls on the away court and, simply enough, zap the energy and aggressiveness away from the team that is being flagged for such offenses.  Watch the Steals and Blocks tonight, and engage yourself in analyzing how they are interpreted by the officials.  This is not some master plan, mind you; I chalk it up to 'human instinct/human error/human interpretation.'

Look Further!  What happens when the Lakers realize that they can drive without being hacked, pushed and prodded every step they take in the lane, and they will have to be guarded 'fairly'?  They do what you guys beg them to, because, at that juncture in time, it is possible.  Their shots 'at the goal' Spiked in game 5.  *wink*

One cannot harp and bag and cry foul over Laker basketball when there is no paint to be had due to Stifling, Dirty, 80's Baby, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Kendrick Perkins(wannabes don't belong on this list), Dennis Rodman, Charles Oakley, Tree Rollins, Kevin McHale (Love you on NBATV big man!), Kyle Korver**, Leave Your Weak Shit At the House defense in the paint.  When this happens, and it will on the road in over 80% of arenas we will play in, the Lakers are going to have to hit the damned becursed godforsaken demonspawned Outside Jumper.  Yes, that dirty, dirty, slut will have to be tamed.  Albeit, if only on the road, if only with a condom, if only after a hard night of cocaine  with Derek Fisher and Ron Artest, that dirty little corner three will have to be the ace in the hole atleast 3 pivotal times during the game.

Yea, I said it.  Sue me.  The Lakers will lose if they don't hit the damn outside shots, because the interiors gonna be tighter than my 2Fast3Furious pink honda s2000.

 

Go to HoopData.com, and remove thine ignorance.

 

Disclaimer:  My s2000 is not, in fact, pink.  A black man in a pink car will only be found in Atlanta.

 

PS:  Sorry Atlanta, its true. 

http://www.enotalone.com/article/4319.html

 

Lebrons Elbow > *

 

Kyle Korver**=   http://dandoesit.blogspot.com/2008/03/kyle-korver-you-bitch.html

They will judge you by the numbers.  That is all that matters.  The inches.  The scrapping.  The fighting.  The free throws.  The heart.  The determination.  The willingness to persevere.  The morbid obsession with competing.

One of those sentences does not belong. *wink*

I love my Lakers.  They teach me how to play basketball better.  I win often at the local gym because I overcoach my teammates and annoy them into basic pick & roll and triangle plays until we win 4-5 games in a row.  That said, this series is skewed.  I R Not Jus Sum Kid Postin Shyt Wit No EXZAMPULZ N Shyt

ALL DATA FROM HOOPDATA.COM AND NBA.COM/THUNDER/STATS OR NBA.COM/LAKERS/STATS

Inform yourself, and stay thirsty, my friends.

 

 

Stats per game so far this series:

Durant: 27 points, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 5 turnovers in 39 minutes 38% FG%

Bryant: 24 points, 4 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 3 turnovers in 39 minutes 38% FG%

That is, by definition, statistically 'very similar.' If I used the wrong vernacular on accident and used a simile to 'very similar' then feel free to shit on yourself or whatever will make you feel better.

I'm not done, though, lets LOOK DEEPER INTO THE STATS.

Durants 3pt% is %25 while Kobe's soars at %40. Well, if they have scored near the same amount, shot near the same amount, yet Kobe's 3pt% is much higher, how does Durant score more points per game? FREE THROWS. Thanks good old David and Stu, my best and favorite buddies! (I'm joking, you see, I don't actually blame them, this is fun for me)

Lets to go Hoop Data:

DURANT total FT shot: 41

Bryant total FT shot: 29

Durant shots near Basket: 24

Bryant shots near Basket: 26



CONCLUSION FOR YOUR BITCH ASS:
they shoot identical shots, except, almost Immediately OUT OF THIN AIR, Kobe no longer is fouled while shooting and Durant earns, statistically, 'almost' twice as many free throws per shot attempt as the best player behind Lebron James.

 

 

MORE?  Okay... just for shambles and giggles...

OKC does draw more fouls. But 20+ MORE FREE THROWS per game? NO. You are wrong there. Oklahoma City average 33 Free throws per game, and gives up 30 free throws per game. WHICH MEANS, THEY FOUL A LOT AND ARE FOULED A LOT. Lets compare that to LA. We shoot, on average,29 free throws, and let the other team shoot 26, on average. LA IS NOT A FOULING TEAM. This is well known. Look, I'm giving you cold, hard, facts. You can argue all you want but facts are facts, and truth is truth. Somehow, in Two games, Oklahoma City became the most efficient team in the NBA, lowering their propensity to foul by almost 50% and raising their propensity to be fouled by almost 50%. This level of efficiency against one of the leagues BEST DEFENSES (TOP 3) is not only staggering, but highly, HIGHLY, highly improbable.

I'm not saying the Lakers should complain; they should win and keep their mouths shut. What I am saying is... realize what is Actually happening.

What about other series?!  Is the same thing occuring?

 

OK. I'll look at the Suns/Blazers hoopdata. Watching the game, though, it looked like down the stretch both teams just had a horrible time scoring the ball. There was a needless flagrant called on Channing Frye that was unnecessary, but PHX couldn't score when Portland bottled up Amare. Then Portland made a few lucky shots and that was that.

PHX took 21 free throws, Portland took 28.

PHX took 34 shots near the rim or closer than 10 feet, and Portland took 27.

This is exactly what a balanced box score looks like.

See my point?

For fun, I checked the Chicago/Cleveland game...

CLE took 34 FT, CHI took 32

CLE shot 36 close to the goal, CHI shot 38

See... these are even box scores that represent a normality when compared to shots taken at the rim relating to foul shots. My point is getting more solid by the moment. Sadly, the Lake show got the shit beat out of them in game four, and they couldn't even stay close because their outside shooting was a performance art in Shit Manifestation