NBA Finals Game 2: Fourth Quarter Thoughts

The Lakers are off to a promising start. I like the fact that Kobe has found Ronny Turiaf for a few shots at the rim, but eventually, with the game still at double digits, Bryant needs to start taking some shots and drawing contact. The Celtics are still in a little foul trouble, and the Lakers right now have not exposed that fact.

I'm starting to get around to the way Rajon Rondo is playing. I didn't like his lack of agressiveness early on, but with the fact that he has 15 assists to this point, I'm starting to like it.

Right off a timeout, poor defense by the LA Lakers. Inbounds pass goes into Leon Powe, and he goes coast to coast for a flush. Embarassing defense.

Great to hear the crowd chanting Leon Powe's name. He deserves it. This is the best night of his NBA career.

Important last six minutes or so of the game. If I'm Phil Jackson, I'm thinking this game is out of reach, but I absolutely want momentum going into game three. My players need to make sure they are leaving everything out on the floor now to set some kinda of a standard going back home.

The Lakers have cut it down to 13 thanks to some important three pointers. With under four minutes to go, I still don't see the game in doubt, but it is definitely a promising finish for the Lakers. Good to see Fisher knock one down.

And just as I write that, out of the quick Celtics timeout, James Posey hits a three to bring it back up to 16.

Radmanovic cleans up a Bryant miss, and then after a Posey no-go, Bryant hits a three of his own to make this one a little interesting. Jeff Van Gundy notes it is a 21-7 run for the Lakers to cut the Celtic lead to 11.

Maybe I should just not say the game is out of reach. The Laker defense is shutting down a currently-dismal Celtic defense. Two straight steals, a Vujacic three, and a Radmonivic dunk, cut this one down to four. BTW, Radmonovic CLEARLY took an extra step. Where are you referees? Pay attention!

A couple of Bryant free throws cuts this one to two, but a foul on the Lakers sends Paul Pierce to the fres throw line, where he hits two to make it a four point lead with 22 seconds left. What will Phil Jackson draw up in this timeout?

Bad play by Vlad Radmonovic. He has it at the top of the circle and instead of getting the ball to Kobe Bryant, he goes the opposite way and finds a covered Sasha Vujacic who gets his shot blocked by Paul Pierce. QUESTIONABLE to say the least. The Celtics get a couple free throws to seal the deal.

Boston 108 - LA Lakers 102.

Important win for Boston to hang on to home court advantage by winning a couple at home. The Lakers have to have confidence, however, that they could cut a 24 point defecit to two in about 7 minutes.

In my opinion, the Lakers need to win ALL THREE in LA on Tuesday, Thursday, and next Sunday, because of the Boston Home sweep. It's tough to win three in a row in the playoffs, but if the Lakers want to prove they are a great team, it's time to come together and be on the same page.

NBA Finals Game 3: Third Quarter Thoughts

Allow me to state the obvious. With the Celtics up 12 going into the start of the second half, it was imperative that the Lakers start the third quarter with some emotion and fire.

I didn't mean a technical foul when I meant emotion and fire.

Kobe Bryant had some words for one of the officials after making a basket. He wanted a foul. Looking at the replays, there was definitely no contact.

If there is anyone right now for the Lakers in need of getting their game together, it is Kobe. Missing shots, playing frustrated, and being on the bench a lot more than he would like due to foul trouble. And, he isn't getting to the free throw line. Right now, he's only been there once, and that was on the KG Technical back in the 1st.

Foul trouble is becoming an issue now for the Boston Celtics. Three guys, including Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, have three fouls, and Kendrick Perkins has four. Part of that is due to their very agressive defense, but now is not the time to let up on the throttle.

With 1:20 to go, this game may soon be out of reach if the Lakers don't start to shape up. The Lakers trail by 20. Bryant is starting to get his points, but he is whining just as much. Vladimir Radmonovic's play is putting the Lakers behind the eight ball. The bench and role players right now are absolutely ABSENT.

It's a complete 360 from the last Lakers time out, where Kobe Bryant was extremely vocal towards his teamates. Maybe he is starting to throw them under the bus?

Interesting with the game starting to get out of reach, Kobe Bryant is sitting. Questionable coaching move by Phil Jackson.

I think we just saw the play of the game with two of the key players to end the third quarter. Rajon Rondo fakes the behind the back pass while driving to the rim, then gets a bounce pass to a cutting Leon Powe for a flush. Right now, LEON POWE is the player of the game.

Boston 83 - LA Lakers 61

NBA Finals Game 2: Second Quarter Thoughts

Boston has gotten off to a great start here in the second, with ten straight points before a Phil Jackson time out. When you have a mix of starters and bench players going up against the entire second team for the Lakers, you better take advantage if you are the Celtics, and they indeed have.

Why did the Lakers have a second team 5 to start the quarter? When three of your starting five guys, including Odom and Bryant, are in foul trouble, you have no choice. But once again, the bench doesn't show. Poor offensive play was a big help.

Let's give credit to Leon Powe for the Celtics. I like his agreesiveness, drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. He's a big spark off the bench for Boston so far.

I wanted to go back to something that Jeff Van Gundy said back in the first quarter. He said that there should be a rule change on fouls, either having 7 fouls as the limit, or having no fouling out at all, because it penalizes players, including some of the best players in the game.

I disagree. If you can't play clean and can't play within the rules, you shouldn't be on the floor.

Paul Pierce doesn't even look like he has a knee problem. But, at the same time, he is getting most of his points from beyond the ark, as he is 3-3 from 3-point land, and 12 points at this point. He's just spotting up, taking his time, and knocking in his shot.

Kobe is taking the last 1:53 off of the second quarter. 9 points, but 3 fouls. The Lakers at this point need to get on a big run, and it will be interesting to see who decides to fill Kobe's leadership shoes on the floor.

Answer: No One. Two points in the final 1:53 since Kobe left. That was from Gasol. Bad shots, tough misses, and no one crashing the defensive glass, and the Celtics close out the first half well.

Boston 54 - L.A. Lakers 42

NBA Finals Game 2: First Quarter Thoughts

Coming in down 1-0 in the series, it would naturally be important for the Lakers to come out to a great start here in Game 2, but they did that in Game 1, the most important thing is how they do in the second half.

Lakers are off to a decent start, Gasol and Bryant are being agressive and getting their opportunities. They are a little slow right now on the fast break defense, however. And their bench has disappointed so far, as Ariza and Walton haven't played well on entry.

The Celtics are looking a little slow to start. A lot of turnovers, and a lot of confusion on offense. And, KG looks a little out of his element to start. Got beat by Gasol on a dunk defensively, and then was called for a moving screen and a subsequent technical foul. I'm surprised by his start.

Rajon Rondo is a little to passive on the offensive end. He's passed up some open shots, to the ire of the crowd in Boston. This tells me that he is not confident in his offensive game, and it needs to change as the game progresses, as the offense starts with him running the show.

A couple of fouls by Kobe Bryant within a span of a minute 2/3rds of the way thru the first. The second one was an offensive foul elobw to Ray Allen. I disagree with the guys on the ABC telecast. You shouldn't have to throw an elbow to get free on the offensive end. If you do, you should be charged with a foul. Simple as that.

22-20 Lakers after one, as Jordan Farmar hit a 3-pointer with under 4 ticks to go.