2009 NBA Playoffs - Page 10 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

StrayBullet · 06-07-2009, 07:20 PM

Interesting 1st half to Game 2. Both teams shooting poorly and Rashard Lewis has finally woken up for Orlando. With Rashard Lewis scoring, it'll be tough for the Lakers to pull away like they did in Game 1. Dwight Howard does have 11 rebounds, but he's had a couple of bad turnovers already. The Lakers will have to find a way to get to him and Rashard Lewis. Kobe has 6 points and 5 assists, but is in neutral right now and trying to get anyone involved, but only Lamar has shown some fire. To their credit, everyone on the Lakers has a few buckets, but no one has been shooting well.

StrayBullet · 06-08-2009, 02:24 AM

Orlando played tough tonight. In spite of a slow and lackluster 1st half, Hedo Turkoglu (22-6-4) and Rashard Lewis (34-11-7) really poured it on offensively in the 2nd half and the team as a whole played some tight defense. Unfortunately, the Magic missed some open 3's down the stretch and the Lakers were clutch from the line hitting their last 14 free throws. The rookie, Courtney Lee had a golden opportunity to win the game with 0.6s remaining on a perfect, inbound-lob from Hedo but just failed to make the basket.

The Lakers had great nights from Lamar (19-8) and Pau (24-10) in spite of Kobe shooting poorly in the 4th and committing 7 turnovers. Kobe did make some great plays late in the game and still finished with 29 points and 8 assists, but Hedo had tracked him down when he tried to win it at the end of regulation. Good thing for the Lakers, they clamped down in OT and Orlando looked disinterested during huddles after being down only 6 with just under 2 minutes left in OT. I was really surprised by this action coming from Dwight Howard and Rafer Alston, but then again I remember what was said by Howard during the first round and Rafer after Game 1, so feeling defeated seems like a trait on that squad. It's unfortunate because they have a great opportunity to win a title and all they can do is mope around and point the finger when they are down.

Now the Lakers are up 2-0 and the series shifts to Orlando for 3 games. I do expect the Magic to be even tougher in Game 3 and wouldn't be surprised if they came out with fire on Tuesday night, determined to win. I'm not sure if the Lakers can close it out in Orlando, but they are finding ways to win no matter how pretty, or ugly as the case tonight.

JohnnyFlame · 06-08-2009, 10:01 AM

Orlando had that game and choked. Perfect setup pass and a wide open guy and virtually just a layup and he chokes. I didn't think they would be in it to it went back to Orlando and they get the golden chance to win one in Lakerland and blow it.

mykalberta · 06-10-2009, 10:36 AM

Good game last night, crazy FG percentage. If you are a Lak fan you have to think that they shot that well and only beat you by 4.

I am wondering, durring post game Kobe seems to make a point of saying Van Gundy is a great coach. Does anyone else thing that is a backhanded way of saying FU to Shaq?

albertGQ · 06-10-2009, 10:52 AM

I saw Magic Johnson on the Jimmy Kimmel show and Magic confirmed that Shaq would like to go back to the Lakers. ANyone that follow the NBA alot, do you think this is realistic? I know SHaq and Kobe kind of patched things up so it is more likely this off season then in years past

mykalberta · 06-10-2009, 10:56 AM

Why woudl the Lak show want an over weight ego maniac who cannot play a full game or season

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why woudl the Lak show want an over weight ego maniac who cannot play a full game or season

Huh? Shaq played 75 of 82 games this season with an average of 30 minutes a game. While putting up almost 18 Points and 8.5 Rebounds PPG.

That would put him third behind Howard and Yao for PPG this season. Not bad for an over weight ego maniac if you ask me! Don't get me wrong he has had injury problems which is no surprise with his size but right now he is in good shape and can play some ball.

Depending on the price tag any team would be stupid to look past adding a big man like that to their roster.

JohnnyFlame · 06-10-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Huh? Shaq played 75 of 82 games this season with an average of 30 minutes a game. While putting up almost 18 Points and 8.5 Rebounds PPG.

That would put him third behind Howard and Yao for PPG this season. Not bad for an over weight ego maniac if you ask me! Don't get me wrong he has had injury problems which is no surprise with his size but right now he is in good shape and can play some ball.

Depending on the price tag any team would be stupid to look past adding a big man like that to their roster.

Let's say there were no financial or personality issues. Wouldn't it come down to what the Lakers think of Bynum?

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

Let's say there were no financial or personality issues. Wouldn't it come down to what the Lakers think of Bynum?

Why would it come down to Bynum? Bynum can only 23-30 minutes a game. A Bynum and Shaq team at Center would be disgusting. Play them each between 23-30 minutes a game and what better teacher for a young centre than one of the best all time?

My problem is someone calling Shaq an "over weight ego maniac who cannot play a full game or season" it is completely false.

He plays 5 minutes less a game than Dwight Howard who happens to be 13 years younger. Once Shaq got the proper trainers and staff around him he became healthy again. Has he had injury problems in the past? Yep. Could he have more? Yep. But he is a 38 year old big man who has put in 18 seasons in the NBA.

But if you limit his playing time to around 70 games a season and 20-25 minutes a game he can still be a force in the NBA.

mykalberta · 06-10-2009, 12:00 PM

I think 20mil a year for another 2 years is to much for Shaq. He caused nothing but problems in LA. Kobe is the Lak show, not Shaq. They made up there mind back then - it would be cancerous to bring him back IMO

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

He caused nothing but championships in LA.

Fixed.

I get the hate for Shaq if you are a Lakers fan but your original comment about him was stupid!

JohnnyFlame · 06-10-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Why would it come down to Bynum? Bynum can only 23-30 minutes a game. A Bynum and Shaq team at Center would be disgusting. Play them each between 23-30 minutes a game and what better teacher for a young centre than one of the best all time?

My problem is someone calling Shaq an "over weight ego maniac who cannot play a full game or season" it is completely false.

He plays 5 minutes less a game than Dwight Howard who happens to be 13 years younger. Once Shaq got the proper trainers and staff around him he became healthy again. Has he had injury problems in the past? Yep. Could he have more? Yep. But he is a 38 year old big man who has put in 18 seasons in the NBA.

But if you limit his playing time to around 70 games a season and 20-25 minutes a game he can still be a force in the NBA.

It comes down to Bynum because he is already unhappy with his minutes. If they think he is the guy no way do they shunt him back to backup. He will be one unhappy camper. I can't see it happening.

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

It comes down to Bynum because he is already unhappy with his minutes. If they think he is the guy no way do they shunt him back to backup. He will be one unhappy camper. I can't see it happening.

I'm not saying it should or will happen. But it would be a pretty good team at centre and would be a great player for him to learn from.

mykalberta · 06-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Fixed.

I get the hate for Shaq if you are a Lakers fan but your original comment about him was stupid!

Would you take Shaq for 20 mil?

Do you also think he "brought a championship" to Miami?

Shaq isnt MJ or a future Lebron. He didnt win anything by himself. Of course he was an important piece but he isnt un replaceable. Kobe in LA was, as is Wade in Miami.

And there is no way I would take him for 20 mil a year for another 2 years.

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Would you take Shaq for 20 mil?

Do you also think he "brought a championship" to Miami?

Shaq isnt MJ or a future Lebron. He didnt win anything by himself. Of course he was an important piece but he isnt un replaceable. Kobe in LA was, as is Wade in Miami.

And there is no way I would take him for 20 mil a year for another 2 years.

Where did I say he is worth $20M a year? I actually said "depending on the price tag" I would take him. The only problem I had with your post is how you made it out to seem like he was done and couldn't contribute to any team, which is bull.

And to be fair not even Jordan could get it done by himself he had some help just like Magic, just like Bird, just like Duncan and just like any great NBA player. Every great player needs a supporting cast, ask LeBron why they lost in the Conference finals.

And if you think Shaq was the only reason for the drama you are just kidding yourself again.

Regorium · 06-11-2009, 10:19 PM

Dwight Howard did his best nick Anderson impression.

That one hurt.

I wanna be like Miikka · 06-11-2009, 10:27 PM

WOW what a win for the Lakeshow. They were so inconsistent and at times completely out of it and disorganized. Somehow they put together a strong 2nd half combined with horrid free throw shooting to take a stranglehold.

How about Fisher!

Hustle · 06-11-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regorium

Dwight Howard did his best nick Anderson impression.

That one hurt.

Yup. They had the game there... and they choked it away by missing free throws.

That said, terrible blown call on the Kobe elbow at the end there. I don't buy that 'LA conspiracy' that we always hear about... but I bet if the roles were reversed that Kobe would have gotten that call

Iggyscoresgoals · 06-11-2009, 10:40 PM

1 more win away from championship #15 and #4 for Kobe, and sending that Magic down the toiliet. What a awful system they play jacking up 3 pointers, when you have one of teh best big men in the game. Stan Van Gundy is truly the master of panic, horrible coach.

Who cares about the Magic anways, Lakeshow where its at.

moon · 06-12-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hustle

Yup. They had the game there... and they choked it away by missing free throws.

That said, terrible blown call on the Kobe elbow at the end there. I don't buy that 'LA conspiracy' that we always hear about... but I bet if the roles were reversed that Kobe would have gotten that call

If anyone thought the refs were remotely competent in the NBA all they have had to do is watch a Lakers game in these play-offs, it is unbelievable how many calls they get.

The Lakers make it look like NHL refs are screwing the Red Wings with the amount of favoritism they get.