LAKERS 2009 NBA CHAMPIONS!

NEED I SAY MORE?!?

Lakers are the 09' Champs!
105 games and 7 holes in my wall later, Lakers come out Victorious.
Oh by the way. Kobe also won Finals MVP!

Finals: Game 2 Highlights.

In case you missed it last night. Here's the highlights of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Check it out and watch the Lakers do some damage.

Lakers pull out win.. Barely.

Lakers pull out a win in a close game in OT that could have gone either way. Game 2 easily could have been won by Orlando with a brilliant play drawn up by Stan Van Gundy for a Courtney Lee lob with 0.06 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the rookie, he came up short. And aside from a 3 point play by Howard and a three from Lewis, OT was all Lakers. Experience in the Lakers part took over and won the game.

Game 2 started off really slow. Both teams finishing with 15pts at the end of 1st, which is the lowest combined score in the first in NBA Finals history. And aside from the last minutes of the 4th quarter and OT, it never really picked up. For the first time this season, I'd have to say that the Lakers' defense was better than their offense. And even then I can't say they played great D. I will say that Magic played a much better game on both ends, but still wasn't enough.

Most people would say Odom was the best player on the floor last night. He did a bit of everything. Shot very efficient and finished with 19pts, 8rebs, and 3blks. But in my opinion, I thought Gasol had a better game. Pau was effective as usual but for the second game did well in defending Howard. Gasol also had 7 crucial points in OT. Odom was great offensively and at times made great defensive plays. But altogether, his defense was spotty. Time after time he left Lewis open for threes and was pretty much the reason why the Magic held on for so long. Now you can make the argument that he was helping on Howard, but many times it was because Lamar was ball watching.

Kobe had a mediocre game. I can't say that he played poorly but the man did have 7 turnovers and did make some stupid plays. He passed to Shannon when Shannon wasn't there and didn't pass to Odom when he was completely open. But then again if Kobe didn't get blocked and made that shot he wouldn't have got criticized for it. It would have just been classic Kobe. Right?

Orlando's Big three came out Big in last night's game. All three shot the ball very well, passed, rebounded well, and made the right plays.. most of the time. But the lack of contribution from the rest of their team resulted in their loss. The fact that they missed 7 free throws and turned the ball over 20 times doesn't help them either. They had horrible guard play and at times didn't play with one. I will say that Hedo did a great job in defending Kobe. I also thought Reddick did a way better job defending Kobe than Pietrus and Lee did.

The Lakers now head to Orlando for Game 3. And if they hope to win the title there they better tighten a few things up. A couple of screws seemed to have gone loose in the Lakers defense. They also need to crash boards again like they did in Game 1. We'll see how well they bounce back in Game 3 on Thursday.

Resilience.

One word has been used to describe the Orlando Magic. Resilience. Resilience is defined as "the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress." In other words, regardless of what happened in Game 1, the Magic have the ability to bounce back after their horrible loss to the Lakers. The Lakers should have the same outlook. Kobe had the right idea when asked about the game, he simply said to "forget about it."

Orlando has been down in most of the Playoffs but always found a way to come back. In the first round, Philly up 2-1 in the series, Orlando came back and even closed out the series Howard-less. They faced elimination twice in the 2nd round against the Celtics but won two straight to advance to the Conference Finals. And then ultimately got past the No. 1 seeded Cavs in six games. Which could have easily been a sweep.

Now they look to bounce back after being dominated by the Lakers. I'm pretty sure they won't be held under 30% shooting, and I doubt we'll be able to hold Dwight to just only one basket this time around. I feel that Orlando will come out with great energy and put out a lot of effort.

The Lakers only need to do what they did in Game 1. We can't afford to lose a game. Kobe will not allow it. They need to come out with the same energy and effort they did in the first game. Keep Howard as far from the paint as possible. Close out on the shooters and rotate. But most important they need to control the boards. If we do all that then it doesn't matter how much the Magic have improve the past couple days. If the Lakers play to their potential, they're unbeatable.

Odom: "I expect to be a Laker."

Well, there you go Laker fans. My favorite Laker, Lamar Odom, AKA "The Goods", and newly named "The Candyman" is here to stay.

L.A. Times: “I love it here. . . . It would take an offer that I couldn’t refuse for me to leave here, and I don’t think that’s happening,” Odom says. “I expect to be a Laker.”

“Yes, yes, he should be back on this team, we need him badly,” said Pau Gasol.

Finals: Game 1 Highlights.

In case you missed it last night. Here's the highlights of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Check it out and watch the Lakers do some damage.

Magic pull "Disappearing Act"

The Orlando Magic showed up in Game 1 with a trick up their sleeve. They pulled a "Disappearing Act"(which I got from Sportscenter by the way) as the Lakers dominated and took the first game of the NBA Finals. Winning by 25 points made it the sixth largest margin of victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals since the Bulls over Blazers by 33 points in 1992.

From the player introduction, you can tell each one of the Lakers starters were focused. The look of Kobe's eyes were imprinted on theirs. They were hungry, intense, and energetic on both ends of the floor. Aside from some sketchy play by the Lakers early in the 2nd quarter, everything else was seamless. Even Stan Van Gundy's brother, Jeff said that he couldn't point out any Laker who played poorly.

Kobe set a career Finals high of 40pts, 8rebs, and 8asts. In doing so he became the fourth player in NBA history to reach 40, 8, & 8, along with legends like M.J., Shaq, and Jerry West. Kobe was driven and on a mission. He got in the lane whenever he wanted, and made contested jump shot after contested jump shot. I could have swore he got fouled on every attempt. The man wanted that game and he took it. Plain and simple. "I just want it so bad, that's all," Bryant said. "I just want it really bad."

You can't credit the win completely on Kobe. Aside from everyone else doing their part on the offensive end, it was the Lakers superb defense that takes the cake. Bynum did awesome on Dwight, and when he got beat, he took the right fouls. Bynum along with Pau, held their position. And when Howard got by, one of the Laker helpers came to meet him at the rim. Howard was limited to only one basket the entire game. He picked up the rest of his points at the line. Orlando's big three(Dwight, Rashard, and Hedo) altogether had only 33pts on a combined 6 for 27 shooting. That's flat out horrible from your top contributors.

The Lakers stuck with the game plan. They helped on Howard when they needed to, but when Howard dished it back out, the Lakers did a great job on closing. And best of all, what I thought would be most important; the Lakers dominated in. They absolutely dominated the boards. Out rebounding Orlando 55-41. Even if the Magic do improve, if the Lakers can continue to play like this? This series is over in 4 games.

Lil' Wayne "Kobe Bryant"

Like I said before, not a big fan of him but Weezy's new song is named after our very own Kobe Bryant. A few months ago Lil' Wayne said Lakers would take it this year, even over his good friend LeBron's team. Good lookin' Weezy.

Click here to listen to Lil' Wayne's "Kobe Bryant"

Source: Nelson to be active for Magic

Looks like Jameer"kat" will play after all. A little desperate are we Magic? He can play the whole game for all I care. LETS GO!

ESPN: LOS ANGELES -- Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson will be activated Thursday for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, but no decision has been made yet on playing time, an NBA source told ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

During the past few days, Magic general manager Otis Smith has told Nichols that the Magic have never been considering whether Nelson would be in the starting lineup. The question is how many minutes Nelson would get coming off the bench.

The All-Star point guard participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. Players said Nelson looked "terrific" during the practice.

"I expect to see him out there at some point in the series," backup point guard Anthony Johnson said earlier this week.

Nelson had what was then called season-ending surgery Feb. 19. His rehabilitation was supposed to take at least another two months.

"I'm not saying I'm any tougher or stronger than anybody, but I've been known to do some amazing things sometimes," Nelson said Tuesday, as he again lobbied for playing time.

Video: LD2K's "The Kobe MVP Series" [Jams]

The last of LD2K's MVP Series videos. A collection of Kobe's nasty dunks of last season. This one is worth watching all the way through. And the dunk I was waiting to see came as the last one. Check it out!

Finals: Match-Ups.

Biggest match-up is the obvious one. One that centers on, well.. the Centers. Bynum since coming back from injury has been a bit irrelevant in the Playoffs. After a small tease in his comeback game against the Denver Nuggets in the last games of the regular season, he's almost not there mentally, and pretty much physically. I'm not sure if the new knee brace he's been using has really limiting his movement, or if he's just flat out scared of re-injuring it.

Whatever the reason is, he better man up.. literally. Bynum now has to face one of(if not) the premiere Center(s) in the NBA. In this series or any of the previous ones, we're not looking to have Bynum there as an offensive presence, but more of a defensive one. Bynum has to body Dwight up. Beat him to the spot and not let Howard get in good position to score. And if he is in a position to score, make it tough for him. Foul him if you have to, make him earn his points. It's never good for Big Drew to be in foul trouble, but knowing when to make the correct one is important. But if all we needed Drew for is fouls, we might as well put Mbenga in. IQ is the difference. Sorry D.J.

Next one to worry about is Rashard Lewis. The Power Forward who isn't one. He's a 6'10 Forward who's able to shoot the three, drive it in, and post. A task for starting Center/Forward Pau Gasol. Pau is fast and agile, and has shown he can close on a three shooter. But what is he going to do when that three shooter has the ability to drive? I think he'll do OK. Anyway the task also falls on Odom when he comes in for Bynum. I think he has a better chance at guarding him and can also switch off with Ariza to guard Hedo, when needed. Only question is, "how long do we let Bynum or Pau guard Dwight and Lewis before they sub?"

Hedo to me won't cause to much ruckus for the Lakers. I think after guarding a rough Melo, Ariza and Kobe won't have to much trouble with him. Though the Lakers might put to much emphasis on Lewis and Dwight, and may forget about Hedo. Lee and Pietrus on the other hand may be trouble. But not offensively. These two, especially Pietrus, look to stop, or at least slow down the Mamba a bit. They say these guys held LeBron down, but that man averaged +30, 8, and 8 in the series. And you call that slowing him down? I can't imagine what Kobe can do to these guys.

I don't see any other match-up problems for us so I won't bother for the rest. Game plan is for Bynum to hold down the paint. Or whoever else is down there, needs to guard it. Stay home on shooters, cause we all know the Magic can shoot the lights out. Try and keep our bigs out of foul trouble. But the biggest thing to is to control the boards. If we can manage to do half of that, we should do fine.

GAMEDAY.

Rewind back to October of 2008. Lakers were the heavy favorites to take the trophy this year. And was 7-0 to start the season. A couple of months later, they were criticized as not having that same spark. They then proved to everyone that they still got it, with a impressive win against Boston on Christmas day. They were again tested in a six-game road trip in February, ending with the East's top two seed in Boston, then Cleveland. They swept that trip. They rose to every big challenge the regular season brought to them. And then the made the Playoffs.

As the No. 1 seed in the West, you would think they would have the easier road. Instead they were tested in every series. First, facing a young, quick, and athletic Utah team that can really put up numbers. In which they finished in 5. Then, an "in your face" tough defensive minded Houston team. They struggled but got through it in 7. And finally met, which seemed to be a mixture of Utah and Houston. Denver played a physically defensive game while scoring on you at every angle. But their lack of experience proved detriment, causing them to fold under the pressure late in games. And eventually the Lakers took it in 6 games to advance to the NBA Finals.

Today, a few hours from now is Game 1 of the Finals against the Orlando Magic. The only team the Lakers failed to overcome. But since they last played, changes have been made on both teams. Bynum is back after missing half the season due to injury. Ariza is starting and newly acquired Brown has made Phil's rotation. Jameer who torched us in both games this year has been out for half the season. Former Rocket Rafer Alston replaced Nelson in a trade for former Laker Brian Cook, and helped Magic continue to be contenders.

Every step of the way in the road to the Finals, the Lakers have been tested. And to me, seemed like they had the hardest road to get there than any other team. In the regular season, as well as the Playoffs. Out hustled by the Jazz, out muscled by the Rockets, and out played by the Nuggets. If they were looked at as soft before the Playoffs began. They weren't anymore after playing those three teams. I'm glad they were put through hell. All that was just practice. Practice till the Finals where the Magic look to test them one more time.

Video: LD2K's "The Kobe MVP Series" [And 1's]

Looks like LD2K is going nuts making video after video. Well continuing on with his MVP series, here's one on Kobe's And 1 plays. Again, a little long around 27mins.

Pietrus' plan to stopping Kobe.

When I first read this I couldn't stop laughing. I mean what do want the man to do? I respect Pietrus as a player and sort of wish we would have picked him up in the off season. Something tells me my opinions on Pietrus will change during this series.

ESPN: “The only thing I can do is try to minimize his touches in the fourth quarter,” Pietrus said, according to the Sentinel. “He’s a tremendous player and those guys you can not stop them. So maybe I can say, ‘Hey, stop, Kobe! Yo! Stop!’ Maybe that’s the only way I can stop him. ‘Stop for a minute!’“

Update: Nelson to play in NBA Finals.

Well, looks like the man who torched the Lakers in the regular season is ready and willing to play against us. Out for the rest of the season, ay? Not too confident to win without Jameer"kat" Nelson in your line-up, Orlando?

ESPN: Orlando Magic players say Jameer Nelson will play in the NBA Finals, even though the All-Star point guard and his coach remain publicly pessimistic.

Nelson participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. While Nelson and coach Stan Van Gundy still said it won’t be determined until game day, players said Nelson looked “terrific” and expect the point guard to be on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I expect to see him out there at some point in the series,” backup point guard Anthony Johnson said.

Video: LD2K's "LIBERATION: The Ballad of Kobe Bryant."

Well, what do you know? Another video from LD2K! Check it out!

President Obama picks Lakers.

Big time basketball fanatic, President Obama give his input in the outcome of this years Finals.

NBA.com: Barack Obama was on his way to the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn on Tuesday when a reporter shouted a question. The topic: Who is going to win the NBA championship, the Los Angeles Lakers or the Orlando Magic?
Said the smiling president: “Lakers in six, I think.” In sports terms, that means the Lakers will win the best-of-seven series in six games. The series begins Thursday.

Jackson feels Lakers are ready.

Even if they weren't, Phil wouldn't let you know. But it's nice to know that the Lakers are ready for the Magic.

Yahoo! Sports: The Los Angeles Lakers were not prepared to win a championship against the Boston Celtics last June. However, head coach Phil Jackson says the team will be ready this year, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Video: LD2K's "The Kobe MVP Series" [Three's]

For some reason, a bunch of videos has come out in the past couple of days. Primarily one's just about Kobe. Here's a continuation of LD2K's MVP Series. This one is a bit lengthy at a little over 24 minutes. Well worth checkin' out.

KOBE vs DWIGHT - SALVATION

One more days guys, I know you're all excited as we are. Here's a little something to get you a little more pumped!

Video: LD2K's "The Kobe MVP Series" [Defense]

Another LD2K video. Here's one without the stupid dubbed over voices, or the "trailer" type videos. It's a collective highlight video of Kobe's defensive plays of the 07-08 season. Enjoy!

Video: LD2K's "Kobe: Carpe Diem"

Here's another video by Ld2K. Check it out!

ESPN Analyst's Say:

This is something I've always wanted to post up but never could figure out how. ESPN does this for every series and if I knew how I would have done it a long time ago. Anyway, check it out. Looks like Hollinger is finally a Laker fan.

FINALS: Here we come!

Isn't it funny how things turn out? Just a week ago, everyone "swore" the Lakers were done, especially after a poor Game 4 performance in Denver. I, of course wasn't one of them, I was nervous but I knew we'd make it. And several months ago(Jan. 16, 2009 to be exact) after a loss to the Magic at home, I was asked, "Are you worried if we meet Orland in the Finals?" I replied, with a quick "We're not seeing Orlando in the Finals." Why? "Because they're not making it to the Finals."

Fast forward to May 30th 2008. Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Magic knocks out the Cleveland Cavaliers. A series that the Magic could have sweeped. And a couple of weeks before, the Cavs were undefeated in the Playoffs entering the Conference Finals with fresh legs. But now the destined and highly anticipated Kobe & LeBron match-up is over and done with. Orlando is to face our Los Angeles Lakers who has made it back to the Finals for a second, consecutive year. Something that hasn't been accomplished by any team since the Detroit Pistons in 04' and 05'

Yes, the Lakers are back in the Finals and now every ESPN analyst wants to be a Laker fan when just a week ago, they said Lakers would not make it past the Nuggets. Jokes on you ESPN. But now that the Lakers don't have to face the Cavs, nor the Boston Celtics(which either would have been epic), will these Lakers take it easy? Or will they carry on their intensity of the final games of the Denver series and finally be seen as a consistent team? I guess come Thursday, 6PM Pacific time, we'll see.

Western Confrence Champs!

Before Game 6 even started. In the pregame show, they showed a shot of Kobe stretching out before he stepped on that hardwood. One thing was obvious, that man was focused. And this time around it wasn't just the man rockin' the number 24, the rest of the Lakers also had that same focus and composure. While the Lakers played some of their best playoff basketball; Denver did the exact opposite.

The Lakers started the first half great and ended it with a strong 13 point lead after a Kobe corner three. And instead of classic Laker ball where they gave up the lead, they pushed it even more showing "No Mercy" which were the exact words of the Captain Mamba. They didn't relax after a 20 point lead, not even when they reached 30 at one point. They played hard, persevered, and rubbed in the Dirty Nuggets' face on their home floor. Sorry for you!

Every Laker played great. As a team they shot 57% from the field and an impressive 56% from three. And what was even more impressive was that the Lakers were 100% from the free throw line, hitting all 24 shots. While the Nuggets shot a pretty good 44%, it just wasn't enough. The Lakers stuck with the same game plan they used in Game 5. Wait for the double and find the open man. They moved the ball well. And at times when J.R. Smith seemed to bring Denver closer, the Lakers showed their patience and composure and kept up with the plan.

After this grueling 6 game series, it's finally over and the Lakers were able to push through as victors. When everyone thought they would crumble under the pressure of the Nuggets physicality and toughness, the Lakers answered back. Who knew that having the number 1 seed in the west would be the hardest road? Isn't the number 1 seed supposed to have the easier one? Now the Lakers are only four wins away from reaching their goal of becoming NBA Champs.