Phil Jackson Needs a Stunt Double

We heard this on the radio yesterday and it’s a little confusing.  Phil Jackson has discussed only coaching the Lakers home games next year and sending a replacement (Kurt Rambis) to coach the road games.  Now, Phil is the Zen Master.  He’s got 10 titles.  He can pretty much do whatever he wants at this point.  But, isn’t this just lazy at this point?

There’s no reaction from Kobe Bryant yet, but he essentially did coach the squad through much of the playoffs.  We just don’t see this as being something that is a viable option.  Doesn’t this seem like something that would have a dramatic effort on focus, chemistry and cohesion?

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NBA Finals Game Four Recap: Magic Choke Like Dogs

We watched the entire first half and didn’t think that the Lakers had a chance in this one.  So, we flipped over to Yankees/Red Sox only to be disappointed by that.  But, Bob Costas is awesome, so not a total loss.   By the time we got back to the Lakers game, it was a four point Magic lead.

What happened?

The Magic looked dominant in the first half but then when you look at the numbers at the end of the game, you can understand why they lost.  That, and the complete lack of execution when they were up by 3 points with 11 seconds left to play.  They choked this one away.  And, Derek Fisher might be the oldest closer in basketball.

The breakdown after the jump.

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NBA Finals Game Three Preview

We actually think this game is more important for the Lakers than for the Magic.  The Magic aren’t expected to win the series and really don’t have any pressure on them.  They played their best game of the post-season in game three and barely beat out the Lakers.  If not for a rare Kobe implosion in the last few minutes, the game likely would have at least made it to overtime.  Should game three have the same outcome as game four, the Lakers are going to be in some major trouble.

What everyone else is talking about for this game is how Kobe is going to perform.  Most people say he’s going to go off for at least 40 in this game.  Others are saying that he’ll try to perform outside of his means and end up hurting the Lakers more than helping them.  We’ve got this down to a formula now.

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NBA Finals Game Three Recap: Kobe, Ya Blew It…

We have very little to say about this game.  We didn’t catch most of the first half due to the hockey game.  Again, cannot stress how amazing it was.  Anyways, we’ll give you the low-down on this game in a series of bulleted thoughts:

• Kobe’s missed free-throws cost the Lakers a chance to go to OT.  Yes, that’s right #24.  We’re pointing our fingers at you.
• The Magic shot an NBA Finals Record 62.5% from the floor.  They won by 4.  At home.  They should’ve won by 20 with that percentage.
• We know the NBA refs make terrible calls.  Will the players just stop bitching about it?  It’s like if they miss a free throw they’re going to be pointing a finger.
• Kobe Bryant was a minus 4 on the night and Jordan Farmar was a +1.  Wow.
• No one scored more than 21 points for the Magic.  Team effort.  Good work.
• We know the series is going at least five now.  But, if the Lakers win by 68 (which we think they will) in game four, they should just count that as two wins.

Please, comment after the jump.  We want to hear your thoughts.  Oh, and feel free to twist the knife deeper on us.

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NBA Finals Game 3 Preview

There’s a few games in a series that can be unquestionably classified as a must-win game.  This, is one of those games.  The NBA is the only major sport in the country that has seven game playoff series where no team has come back from 3-0.  And, even in MLB it’s only happened once, hockey twice.  Teams are 85-0 in the NBA when taking a three games to none lead.  Simply put, the Magic cannot lose tonight.

The Lakers have very little to change about the way they’ve played in the first two games of the series.  They’ve won the turnover battle, had help from the bench and stayed out of foul trouble for the most part.  Those are the exact variables that the Magic need to pay attention to in order to garner a victory and make a series out of these 2009 Finals.

Most importantly, Dwight Howard must pay attention.

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NBA Game 2 Recap: Lakers Lucky To Survive in OT

We watched the entire first half, which was painful. The WEC fight came on right as regulation was winding down and it was decision time.  So, we fired up the DVR and recorded the fight just in time to see Courtney Lee nearly send this series back to Disney tied at one.  And, from what we saw in the post-game press conferences, his teammates were visibly frustrated that he biffed the lay-up which was delivered on a perfect pass from Hedo Turkoglu.

The first half of this game was ugly, slow and not all that entertaining to watch (unlike the celeb watch; seriously ESPN–rename this album).  There were a ton of whistles; some warranted, some not.  We won’t dwell on the officiating because we feel it was equally bad on both sides.  It did not directly affect the outcome of the game.  What we want to talk about, is the fact that Dwight Howard has cashed in on exactly six field goals.

In the entire series.

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NBA Finals Game 2 Pre….Ah, Who Are We Kidding?

There’s no way we’re writing a preview on a Sunday for this game after the live blog.  Mostly, it was surfing and coming across this picture that led to this post.  Short and sweet:

• Lakers by 9 tonight.
• Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu have much better Game 2s.
• But, so do Lakers not named Kobe, Odom and Gasol.

Feel free to caption the photo after the jump.

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NBA Finals Game 1 Recap: Lakers Rout Magic 100-75

Kobe Bryant was simply sensational in this game.  There is nothing in the box score, press conferences or game tape that will refute that fact.  What is troubling in the Laker box score is that only three players were in double figures.  Kobe, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.  Before we get into the specifics on the game, it’s only proper to reflect on how great a game Kobe Bryant did play.

We’ve always been hockey fans and the plus/minus statistic in that sport and we’re so glad it has carried over to basketball.  Kobe put up 40 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and was an astounding +25 for the game.  Prior to the game, Stan Van Gundy told his Magic players that this series was all about Kobe Bryant.  We’ve got news for SVG, wait until the rest of his teammates start putting up numbers.

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