Spurs-Lakers Open Thread
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Teams: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Start Time: 3:30 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson (ABC)
Same deal as earlier, this time with some high-powered Western Conference action. I had this debate with a buddy last night: if Andrew Bynum keeps powering his way to double-doubles on a consistent basis, there may not be a team that can compete with the Lake Show this year.
------------
Ridiculously even first half, aided along by an argument between Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy over All-Star reserves -- Van Gundy thinks Paul Millsap of the Utah Jazz should be an All-Star.
Generally, the games played between the Lakers and Spurs this year have not done anything to dissuade me from the fact that these are probably the two teams that should, pending the draws, meet in the Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers have opened up a lead thanks to good ball movement and stiffening up on the defensive end. They're not in the Celtics' league yet as a defensive team; they are still capable of missing rotations. Fix that and they're a sure title team.
It's not helping that Luke Walton just committed what appears to be a flagrant....wait, no, no flagrant.
I really, really don't care what Jeff Van Gundy thinks about the number of movie award shows. TALK ABOUT BASKETBALL PLZ KTHXBAI.
Again, how good does Mitch Kupchak look for not giving in to J-Kidd fervor last season?
JVG: "The Memphis Grizzlies are the worst organization in professional sports."
The city of Detroit would like to have a word with you, Mr. Van Gundy, and then Minneapolitans wouldn't mind talking to you after that too.
79-66, Lakers after three, and again with the "Hotel California." (I had a rough night, and I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!) Bynum has a big quarter with 9 points alone there and a couple of blocks. San Antonio doesn't quite have the spark with its new back-ups this season. They're really going to lean on Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili -- more than usual.
4th Quarter
17 point lead after Gasol throws a sick pass over his head to Odom waiting for the easy lay-in. That's just wrong.
Trevor Ariza gets the throwdown. Massive jam for a guy who's been the glue guy -- plays good defense, hustles, is physical, gets the chip-in points.
The Lakers fundamentally changed when Bynum came back, not only because they had a more physical player at the 5, but because it moved Lamar Odom to sixth man, where he could rotate among several positions off the bench and play a second team leadership role.
19 Comments:
Of course, I meant Lakers-Spurs-Celtics-Cavaliers combo... sorry, this early game has just been a drag.
I would take any of those four match-ups in the Finals this year and be happy with it.
Yes, even the dull, boring Spurs.
Is it just my ABC or are they having audio problems? Its fluxuating between quiet and nearly dead silent, even though my volume is way higher than normal? anyone else?
Al, haven't had any issues here.
Very close game we have going.
Van Gundy: "Announcers should be able to mute the crowd whenever the fans start an 'M-V-P' chant."
I really hope that ABC gets rid of Van Gundy, he is just Tony Kornheiser but with actual experience in the league he commentates on.
"Second 3 pointer of the game for Bryant, 18 point lead....er...18 points for Bryant." - Breen
Aaaand Tom Hanks from Castaway calls timeout.
Van Gundy: "Too many award shows. SAG. Golden Globe Awards."
Mark: "Why are you complaining about award shows?"
I know S2N, my favorite radio station to listen to is 95.7 KJR-FM, classic rock station.
You would think that classic rock consisted of Boston, The Eagles, and The Beatles.
It drives me crazy, they play Hotel California every day now......
At least I have my smooth jazz.
Blowout city.
Kobe and LeBron finally have a supporting cast, and in the process got rid of dead weight (Kwame Brown and Larry Hughes).
Oh well, at least I got my Gus Johnson fix yesterday.
The Lake Show is just blowing the West away, but I don't think they'll win the Finals yet.
Kobe and LeBron finally have a supporting cast, and in the process got rid of dead weight (Kwame Brown and Larry Hughes).
One team's dead weight is another team's...fuck.
/not used to the Pistons as a 5 or 6 seed
Breen: "Duncan & Parker might be finished."
Van Gundy: "You are right."
Breen: "I mean, for the game."
The Lakers are Aubrey Coleman-ing the Spurs.
Sympathies to RJBO.
Kwame is not doing too well in Detroit, I'm assuming?
Don't worry, when I watched Sonics games I was livid with Danny Fortson, who has the basketball IQ of a feather and the temper of the Hulk.
Is 3.5 PPG, 4 RPG "doing something?"
...Andrew Bynum on the East All-Star team, Van Gundy? Anderson Varajao over Chris Bosh, too?
Is Jeff Van Gundy mentally unstable? He comes up with the wackiest ideas ever!
Chris Mihm is still alive?
Well he still has 2 minutes to blow out his ACL again.
Lakers-Spurs-Celtics combo would be an outstanding Finals this year... what will be troubling is if the Magic upset the Celts, or if The Lakers or Spurs get a bad matchup in the early rounds.