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(2011)-2012 NBA Season

Ahh, but the mighty Thunderbolts shall come at you as did Captain Picard. No retreat. They shan't fall back. They shall draw the line in a state called Oklahoma. The bolts of Thunder may die trying, but no retreat. :cool:
 
Doesn't he have two years left on his contract? He's also expensive. I doubt the Lakers get equal value for their return with the way he has played this season.

He may well, but he must be getting tired of the disrespect he feels he is getting. Especially if one of the parties leveling that criticism at him can't own up to his own shortcomings. That is a character flaw and toxic to the team.


Oh yes, and much grudging respect for LeBron... That's how you impose your will on the game. Assists and rebounds to compliment 40 points.

On the other hand, if your time has come and gone as a dominating force of nature, then you follow a more Duncan-esque path. But that would require a measure of maturity not all have.
 
Can Lebron maintain that though? It takes a lot out of a player when you have to get a triple double just for your team to have a chance. Lebron and Wade have no help on that team right now. I think fatigue played a part in last year's finals.
 
Lot of pride on display. And two of Indy's scorers in foul trouble. I still think it'll go 7, and will likely come down to coaching.
 
Well, another wasted year. The Lakers just had too many things going against us this season. New coach, new system, new point guard, trades that happened, trades that didn't, all within a shortened season. The more realistic fans realized that this year would be tough with respect to winning another championship. Frankly, I think they did very well finishing with the third seed.

But we'll be back. So some of the other western teams, other than San Antonio, who have championship aspirations better get that ring while you have the chance, because if you mess around and let us reload before you do...;)
 
That would necessitate Kobe not being a selfish ass. Ergo, an impossible plan, you silly goose.

I could not believe the clearout for Kobe against Durant. How stupid was that? More minutes for Bynum--also a big freaking baby--and fewer for Kobe might've emphasized their advantage inside.

Prediction: LA in 7.


:D

I prefer to look at it as Oklahoma City not giving up and putting themselves in a position to win the game. :devil: If they packed it in and remained behind double digits in both those games, they wouldn't have been in a position to steal them. I didn't listen to any post game since I had to work since 6 am yesterday and was brutally tired. Did Kobe bitch that his teammates let him down again? I wouldn't be surprised. The guy is a first rate ass. Always has been. Nobody outside of LA likes him.

Now that's a statement I agree with. I look at the western finals as the de facto NBA championship this season now that Miami is basically toast. I don't dislike San Antonio--it's just that they're in my Thunder's way. I'm sure you understand. ;)

San Antonio and OKC have the same business model; that's why their series will be such a point of interest to anyone who really knows NBA basketball. Sam Presti was involved in SA for so long that they're practically the same organization as OKC. Not many people realize that. You do, I'm sure, but many don't. Both teams were built up the right way. That's why they're successful in this way this year. That's why they have personnel who aren't primadonnas, stars, or brands. Both teams' personnel want to work together as teammates--even the mercurial Mr. Westbrook. He's maligned a great deal, but Russell didn't drag out his contract negotiations this year to go to another team where he could be the headliner. He knows where his bread is buttered; he wanted to stay with the Thunder and got his contract done quickly. He has an ego, but he hasn't let it get in the way. He likes Kevin, no matter how much the national media tried to imply otherwise. That's why they appear together as the dork twins in post games.

Kobe and Gasol would never do that. Kobe's such a little bitch and he takes himself way too seriously. Even Metta is calmer than Kobe (elbows aside) in the post game. That says a great deal.
I've been a Lakers fan for many years and one thing I've come to expect is that when the Lakers fail to win a championship, the Kobe haters, Laker haters, always get frisky. I have come to accept it as a badge of honor and respect. No other team is involved in the championship discussion as often as the Lakers. No one has has won as many either.

BTW, I post in the Lakers completely unmoderated usenet newsgroup so I'm used to some real haters. Take my word for it, as Kobe/Laker haters, you guys are amateurs. :)
 
I think gblews meant me. :p I thought Kobe was a twat long before the Thunder and Lakers met in this series. My sister is a long suffering Sacramento Kings supporter. I've been indoctrinated into Kobe hate for many years.

Well, at least San Antonio had to break a sweat twice in the second round. :rolleyes: Probably too much to hope that they'll be brimming with over confidence and thus the Thunder can at least take game one on their court. Surely they can't sweep the Thunder out of the playoffs, too. Nobody's that good. They've got to get an "L" at some point; the law of averages must catch up. Utah was nothing special. The Clippers were much better, but Paul was gimped up. I swear, if it were just one game for all the marbles I'd feel good about the Thunder's chances, but taking four? They only beat San Antonio once in four tries this season. :( The Thunder's playing better now than when they last caught SA, but then again so is SA. That Leonard kid is infuriatingly quick and good. No one can guard Parker, but then again no one can guard Westbrook either if he fires on all cylinders.

I don't concede that the Thunder have no shot at winning, but dozens of pieces have to fall right into place for it to happen. My honest thoughts and predictions are that SA takes the series in 6 games. I hope I'm wrong, but that's what I think will happen. It's 1998. The Thunder are Michelle Kwan and SA is that annoying little Tara Lipinski,dammit. :scream:
 
If the Thunder close it out tomorrow, the Old vs. New match-up will be epic. Could be a changing of the guard, could be a foundain-of-youth story, who knows.

But close-out games are the toughest, and if Bynum gets more touches and Kobe facilitates more...

Edit: Paul is proof that big egos don't preclude honest assessments... :)
 
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My sister is a long suffering Sacramento Kings supporter.

I have been a Lakers fan in Kings country for many years now. The early 2000's were a lot of fun. Back when the Kings were solid and they tried to poison Kobe with a cheeseburger. Good times!

The Laker hate was pretty thick up here back then.
 
Lakers are going to sport a different look next year, I would think...

Now, let's see if Indiana can make it an interesting series by taking one in Miami.
 
Their biggest challenge may be the salaries. Bryant, Artest, Gasol, and Bynum are all pulling in some seriously sized salaries. It may be tough to move one of them. But assuming it can be done, which do you move? Probably Gasol is the easiest, given Artest's temper issues, Bynum's being still so immature, and Bryant's iconic status.
 
The Warriors are moving back to San Francisco in 2017. God I feel bad for the City of Oakland these days. Can't keep any of their sports teams, Occupy Oakland and the murders still rampaging on, and the Mayor is a joke. They can't get a break.
 
Congrats to the Thunder. They definitely proved that there was a reason they were seeded higher than the Lakers in the west. The Thunder are an interesting team. They have one budding superstar, another who could attain that status soon, and a "starter" who they bring off the bench a la Manu Ginobli, a shot blocking phenom, and not a whole lot else. But in the NBA, that combo and some hustle and desire can take you far.

That being said, Spurs in 6 or 7. I do agree with Dorian about the law of averages. The Spurs are on an 18 game win streak. It would have been better for the them to have dropped game 4 against the Clips. It would have gotten the monkey off their backs. The Spurs are a good bet now to drop one of the first two and surrender HCA. But I don't think that will stop them. I look for them to get to the Finals and beat whoever comes out of the east.

Their biggest challenge may be the salaries. Bryant, Artest, Gasol, and Bynum are all pulling in some seriously sized salaries. It may be tough to move one of them. But assuming it can be done, which do you move? Probably Gasol is the easiest, given Artest's temper issues, Bynum's being still so immature, and Bryant's iconic status.
World Peace is the only one of the 4 who would be hard to move -- actually impossible. We could trade Pau to Houston tomorrow if we wanted. Kevin McHale loves Pau -- sees a bit of himself, of course -- in the big Spaniard. We could trade Bynum at any time to half the teams in the league. They'd all make room for him. Kobe would be hard but I think Chicago would move heaven and earth to get him (and should).

The Lakers still have the makings of a championship team. They need improved play from a young Ramon Sessions, a consistent double figure scorer (preferrably from the outside) off the bench. We may already have the scorer, we'll see.If we get that, we're back in the mix.

Again, congrats to the Thunder.
 
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I think gblews meant me. :p I thought Kobe was a twat long before the Thunder and Lakers met in this series. My sister is a long suffering Sacramento Kings supporter. I've been indoctrinated into Kobe hate for many years.
I LOVE that little twat. If Kevin Durant becomes half the player, half the warrior Kobe has been -- accomplishes even 1/4 of what Kobe has accomplished in the league, he will be extremely fortunate.

BTW, tell your sister that this Lakers fan asked you to ask her, how's that "window of opportunity" looking these days? :)
Every time I see Chris Webber on T.V., I laugh. There is a poster on the Lakers newsgroup whose on screen name is "Webber's a Bitch". Tell her the Lakers are still making payments on what we owe the refs for games 6 and 7. Those guys are expensive. :lol:
 
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