Lakers are Back-to-Back NBA Champions!

It was a tough game but the Los Angeles Lakers prevailed. 83-79.

The revenge run is complete. Let's go Lakers!


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers-Celtics NBA.com Video Contest

Hours before the must-win Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, I figured it would be a great time to have a contest and give away cool NBA.com gear!

The contest is about the age-old Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics rivalry, which can be best described by this video:



The Top 10 moments are pretty intense if you ask me.

Now, below here are Mini Movies from Games 1-5. Here’s how you’ll enter. Watch the five movies and let me know if you think any of these moments might break their way into the Top 10. Leave your answer in the comments section. The winner will be picked completely subjectively based upon whichever answer I like best and will receive a special gift pack from NBA.com delivered to the winner's doorstep. :)

Here are the Mini Movies to choose from:

Game 1:


Game 2:


Game 3:


Game 4:


Game 5:


Post your comment now and get the spiffy NBA.com gift pack!




Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

How Did the Lakers Lose Game 4?

I can definitely say that officiating wasn't the biggest factor why the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game Four of the 2010 NBA Finals. But how did the Lakers let the Boston Celtics even the series?

Prior to the game, I cited four important factors that can help the Lakers win Game 4. Let's review what happened in that game:

1. Lamar Odom - In Game 4, Odom had decent numbers (10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 of 10 shooting). However, his effect while on the floor was near-disastrous. He didn't step up when Andrew Bynum went out of the game. For the Lakers to win, Odom must play efficiently and aggressively.
2. Interior defense - The Lakers let the Celtics grab twice as more offensive rebounds in the glass. Clearly, the absence of Bynum hurt them get boards and alter shots in the paint. Moreover, Pau Gasol was probably running on fumes that game and that's not good for the Lakers inside "D."
3. Bench play - Really a sore spot for me because it was the Celtics' bench that stepped up big time in Game 4. From Big Baby to Krypto-Nate, the Celtics' subs outplayed the artists formerly known as the "Bench Mob." To illustrate, Big Baby Davis scored the same amount of points as the Lakers bench. Pathetic if you ask me.
4. Shot Selection - Here's a trend: on the two losses the Lakers have in the series, they shot at least 20 three-point attempts. That's your story there.

The Lakers have a couple of days to rest and adjust before the pivotal Game 5.


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Four Keys to a Lakers Win in Game 4

The Los Angeles Lakers are up 2-1 against the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals and at this point, nobody is sure how that lead will hold up after Game 4. Both teams have had their hot and cold moments, plus the officiating has been spotty.

If the Lakers are to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, here are four keys that I think are important factors to help them claim Game 4:

• Lamar Odom - Derek Fisher was big in Game 3, but it was the steady play of Lamar Odom that silently buoyed the team in key moments. Prior to that game, Odom was plagued by foul trouble and had limited minutes. If he can stay in the game, Odom will be able to crash the boards and
• Interior defense - Kevin Garnett scoring 25 in Game 3? That was unthinkable at the start of the series, but Pau Gasol struggled to limit Garnett offensively. Rajon Rondo also made a handful of slashes in the lane without much trouble. This puts the onus on the Lakers bigs to put up a tough "D" like the Game 2 loss.
• Bench play - With the exception of the third game, the Lakers bench play resulted in a negative +/- stat. Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic need to produce better whenever they are on the floor, especially with how the fouls are being called in the series. In the second game, Kobe Bryant was hampered with three fouls early and that meant extended minutes for the bench.
• Shot selection - Here's one trend you'll rarely see mentioned: The team that shot better from the field in the first three games won the game. This means that offensive execution and shot selection is vital in the series. Both the Lakers and the Celtics are capable of playing lockdown defense and each must solve the defensive problems presented by their opponent.

No one is sure what type of Game 4 will be, but the Lakers can win it if they will address the factors I've mentioned.


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Questionable Calls Doom Lakers in Game 2

Fact: The Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Fiction: The Celtics won with solid officiating.

Bad calls happen in basketball games and everyone acknowledges that. But come on! The refs made a questionable decision even after a review! In one crucial moment, the referees needed help from instant replay todetermine a possession that clearly was last touched by Kevin Garnett. But surprise! The ball goes to Boston! Way to go refs.

I generally feel OK when the Lakers lose and they deserve it  (remember the 2008 NBA Finals?). But that call ruined Game 2 for me. I'm sure the millions of Lakers fans out there are equally outraged by that call.

One more thing: Kobe Bryant's was defended well in the game... by the refs!




Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers Show Toughness in the NBA Finals Game 1

The Los Angeles Lakers are making us forget that they were deemed "soft" two years ago.

From the take-down action between Ron Artest and Boston's Paul Pierce to Pau Gasol's dominance in the low blocks, the Lakers set the physical tone throughout their victory in Game 1 of the 2010 NBA Finals. The Lakers out-rebounded, out-hustled, and out-played their historic rivals in a game that showed how evolved the team has become.

Apologies to Kobe Bryant, but the MVP of Game 1 for me is Pau Gasol. Gasol scored 23 points on 57% shooting, but his game-high 14 rebounds and 3 blocks were more noteworthy. Moreover, his eight offensive rebounds matched that of the Celtics' offensive rebounds as a team. This clearly mirrors the Lakers' intensity in Game 1.

Another huge boost for the Lakers was their bench play. Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown made key plays when foul trouble plagued the starters. Sasha Vujacic was able to help the Lakers maintain the lead by not making a huge bonehead play. A huge game from Lamar Odom was not needed as Andrew Bynum was not in foul trouble the whole game (surprise!)

Game 1's are critical as the team that wins the first game of the Finals usually would go on to win the title. But for now, I'm not yet ready to proclaim the Lakers as the next champs. The Lakers have to defend their home court and beat the Celtics in their home floor for me to really feel better.


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NBA Finals 2007: It's over? Thank goodness

The San Antonio Spurs sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on the biggest stage in the NBA. I think I the sweep was completed in Game 2. The Cavs were simply no match, not ready and too raw to win. I thank the Spurs for putting the whole world out of its misery by finishing one of the ugliest Finals ever.

I'm saying that the 2006-2007 LeBron James-led Cavs are the worst team to reach the NBA Finals. (Yes, they beat the 2002 New Jersey Nets by a hair.) I kinda pity LeBron. He got nicknames he didn't deserve (LeBoring). I guess the Spurs' dull play is contagious.

Now that the Finals is over, we can focus on more relevant things like the NBA Draft.

Tags: Lakers

NBA Finals 2007: No Thanks

Let me get this out of the way: I respect the teams playing the finals this season. The San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers play hard and are good teams but they are just not watchable for non-fans.

The news here is future perennial playoff fixture LeBron James' first finals appearance. While I would like his team to win, I'm picking the Spurs. LBJ is still too raw for playoff basketball. (His Game 5 against the Pistons? Fluke, if you ask me).

Going back into the unwatchable part, the Spurs are a lock-down team. Only basketball purists will love them and that would be a small fraction of the watching audience. They're good all right, but watching them is like watching a quiz show.

The Game 1 ratings say it all-- people are not interested in the 2007 NBA Finals.

Tags: Lakers