[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Yeah I was wondering where sek has been.

I've always marveled at how Jackson coaches. He seems to just sit there and watch the game as a spectator. Where other coaches are constantly on their feet, pacing the sidelines, shouting out plays and instructions, Jackson just kicks back and observes. I'm not knocking his style, it obviously works, but its something that always makes me smile. The dude indeed seems like a zen master in that regard. I wonder if its old age, knowledge of the game, or both.

Essentially, he is the opposite of micro-management. He only makes adjustment he thinks are absolutely necessary.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

And regarding how Kobe treats Jackson, I think its a mutual understanding between the two. I think Jackson realizes that he has to let Kobe make judgement calls and such on the court, and when on the bench he can give his opinion without any reservations. I think thats healthy. For some reason, I feel thats the relationship he had with Jordan, only Jordan wasn't as vocal as Kobe. Of course, this observation of mine is purely based on the very little I see watching on TV.

I can't say I agree. The bottom line is Kobe hasn't lost enough to fully appreciate Phil's impact. Also, he tries to Jordan too many games. Jordan's strength was realizing when and where to to exert his will on the game. He would only break the offense when he was feeling it. Many times it seems like Kobe breaks the offense while trying to force a big game out of himself.

This somewhat apparent in the Kobe's approach to games now. He starts games getting teammates involved in the first half, then tries to take over the second half. It's a completely formulaic approach to solve the criticisms of past years. Jordan made judgement calls to pick his spots. Slow start to the game? Carry the team until they get their legs under them. Team struggling late? Put on the cape.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by angelmb 

Well, the Garden can put up resistance to that guy… what really worries me is fatigue (mostly KG) and having 3 of the 5 starters with physical issues. Anyway, June 17 seems like the day to win the 17th championship…

On the bright side (from my POV) is that if the Celtics win tonight, then I won't have to stay up at ungodly hours anymore! It's at 3 AM that the game starts and ends at 6 AM (give or take).. I don't get much sleep on game nights hehe

[jonasmac]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

On the bright side (from my POV) is that if the Celtics win tonight, then I won't have to stay up at ungodly hours anymore! It's at 3 AM that the game starts and ends at 6 AM (give or take).. I don't get much sleep on game nights hehe

Yeah, the time difference sucks for me as well. Just to watch these games, I'm having to take an extra couple of hours of leave from work. (Games are on from 11am to 2pm here). Game 4 was especially bad, since I had to go back to work depressed and deflated and still had to deal with a bunch of bandwagon Celtics fan coworkers.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Well here we go.

• Didn't like that early call of blocking on Pierce.

• Rondo's ability to get boards, particularly offensive, is astounding.

(Yes, I may be kinda live-blogging this game in the thread)

[Dakar the Fourth]

• Garnett looks hungry and like he wants erase any memories of his putrid performance in Game 5

• Rondo is actually taking shots tonight. Finally.

Edit: • Kobe looks like he's for real tonight. Let's face it, he really hasn't had a vintage performance yet this series. Should be interesting.

[Randman]

Garnett is a god player but he chokes when the game gets tight. Always has, always will.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Randman 

Garnett is a god player but he chokes when the game gets tight. Always has, always will.

Can't disagree. At least as this series has gone on he's demanded the ball a few times in the 4th, as opposed to against Atlanta and Cleveland where he was practically running away from it.

"Garnett shooting less than 40% for the series"
That's awful. Especially given the Lakers poor interior D.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Big Baby is in for the first time in the Finals! Man, that guy is a tank.

[Dakar the Fourth]

• Gasol looks like he can take Baby anytime he wants.

• Radmonovic really sucks. Brick a three, two possessions later, dumb foul (third, also in penalty).

Edit: • and Baby gets pulled.

[Randman]

Nobody puts Baby in the corner ... unless it's his coach.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Garnett is unstoppable!!!

Edit: Did he just say 26-6 run?

Edit 2: I feel bad for Lakers fans. Down only 4 after 1, and now this at the half.

Edit 3: I need to acknowledge the quality of that last post, Randman.

[::maroma::]

Hot damn the Celtics are playing incredible basketball. Of course it doesn't help that the Lakers are playing uncharacteristically poor.

Rondo is playing his best game of the series, I suspect. I like his style of basketball.

[Dakar the Fourth]

106 pts with over 7 1/2 to go. Nuts.

Edit: Rajon Rondo: 21 pts, 7 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 6 Steals, 1 turnover. Wow.

[::maroma::]

Ray Allen may as well set up camp over there on the far sideline. They just let him launch as many 3's as he wanted from that same spot.

[RobOnTheCape]

This reminds me of the Pats last game of the season where they were breaking records all over the place. Ray Allens 3 pointers, Rhondos steals, going for widest point margin win etc... Quite impressive.

[Dakar the Fourth]

This is just ridiculous. But it's fitting. This was the Celtics team that rolled over the entire league during the regular season.

[quesera]

I would've like to have seen that Powe kid get a little more time tonight. He had a good game a few nights back, and seems like a good guy.

I'm too emotionally involved of course to understand if this was truly amazing basketball. Were the Celtics dominant or were the Lakers merely pathetic? I like competitive games, and this certainly didn't seem like one.

I'm sure Boston won't complain.

When does preseason 08-09 start?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Someone please eliminate Michelle TaFoya.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I don't think a championship has meant more to anyone since Jordan won #4.

[quesera]

KG says she's looking good tonight.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Some smartass from another forum:

KG may have his ring, but how complete of a person can he really be without that college education?

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Someone please eliminate Michelle TaFoya.

I was just about to say something about that. They really need to give the players some time to get their immediate emotions out on the court after a win like this. She should've left KG after her first question and he exploded with emotion. That would've been fitting.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Some smartass from another forum:

I hope that guy was trying to be funny, but failing. Because thats just about as ignorant as it gets.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

I was just about to say something about that. They really need to give the players some time to get their immediate emotions out on the court after a win like this. She should've left KG after her first question and he exploded with emotion. That would've been fitting.

At the very least. She was as bad as paparazzi there. She intruded on his moment. She tried to take it and make it ours.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

I hope that guy was trying to be funny, but failing. Because thats just about as ignorant as it gets.

He was being sarcastic, and it was hilarious.

[::maroma::]

Does David Stern get this warm of a reception wherever he goes? He even paused and waited for the boos to die down before he continued. (at least I think those were boos)

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Does David Stern get this warm of a reception wherever he goes? He even paused and waited for the boos to die down before he continued. (at least I think those were boos)

He's pretty much become Emperor Palpatine.

[quesera]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

At the very least. She was as bad as paparazzi there. She intruded on his moment. She tried to take it and make it ours.

I feel the same way about end of quarter interviews, miking players and coaches, and locker room intrusions at half-time. It detracts from the game. And this from me who admittedly loves the human element of it all.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by quesera 

I feel the same way about end of quarter interviews, miking players and coaches

I imagine it's trying to make everyone accessible to the average person, but honestly, it feels like they're just trying to justify the existence of side-line reporters.

[jonasmac]

What a drubbing! Celtics living up to their rep as the best team this season. DEFENSE really does win championships. See you next year, Beantown.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Tim Legler, you sly dog.

[angelmb]

[Randman]

I still have to say it was an underwhelming final minus a few highlights.
.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Randman 

I still have to say it was an underwhelming final minus a few highlights.
.

The Lakers never put out a solid performance for 4 straight quarters. That is a fact.

[paul w]

They barely had 4 solid quarters the whole series, it seems.

Best thing? Kobe goes from MJ's successor to "don't ever ever compare him to MJ again". And damn Phil Jackson's team looked pretty sloppy and undermotivated, didn't they? Makes sense when your star basically undermines your authority and dresses down his teammates in public. I wouldn't be surprised if he walked away....

[lavar78]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I don't think a championship has meant more to anyone since Jordan won #4.

I'll take Alonzo Mourning two years ago.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by lavar78 

I'll take Alonzo Mourning two years ago.

That's tough. I love Zo, but I think Garnett's was more emotional. Zo didn't suffer through 6 straight playoff exits, later 3 straight failures to make the playoffs, all as The Man. He didn't need the championship didn't define his place in the NBA pantheon, like Garnett did.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Allow me to stroke myself:

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

In my eyes, the keys are this:

• the corpse formerly known as Ray Allen resurrects and plays to former all-star form CHECK
• Garnett completely shuts down Gasol and outplays him on the boards CHECK
• Lamar Odom: Gets into his own head CHECK
• Radmonovic can't stop Pierce CHECK
• Sam Cassell is gunned down in cold blood, forcing Doc to play Rajon huge minutes Didn't happen exactly like I mentioend, but House got some minutes alternatively. PUSH
• The Celtics back-up big men beat-up the Laker's back-up front court CHECK
• Aliens visit the earth (most likely to recover the body of Sam cassell, their kin) and bestow upon Doc Rivers an IQ of 150. Didn't happen exactly like I mentioned. More like Aliens visit earth and dumb down PJ to an IQ of 50. PUSH

Should take about 4 of those 8.

Looks like 5 of the 7.

Originally Posted by paul w 

^^Your list conveniently left out the biggest problem for the Celtics.

I never would have guessed but Thibedau/Pierce/Allen were enough to negate that problem.

[rickey939]

Originally Posted by Randman 

I still have to say it was an underwhelming final minus a few highlights.
.

That reverse alley-oop dunk by Tony Allen with 1:22 to go was the highlight of the game in my opinion. Wow, just awesome.

[::maroma::]

The highlight of the game for me was when KG hit that one-handed-double-pump-falling-down-off-the-glass shot and got the foul. That was incredible.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

The highlight of the game for me was when KG hit that one-handed-double-pump-falling-down-off-the-glass shot and got the foul. That was incredible.

That was when I felt compelled to note that KG was unstoppable (bold; multiple exclamation points) in here. It was ridonkulous.

[Randman]

Jordan never let a team come back (at home) from 24 down in the playoffs, Kobe did. Shaq won a title without Kobe but Kobe didn't win a title without Shaq. Hopefully, Kobe will be seen as a great but selfish player and taken off the Pantheon and never again compared with MJ.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Kobe will be seen as a player that had all the tools, even had the drive, but couldn't be the teammate needed.

Even without Karl Malone, if the '04 Lakers had had the chemistry, they would not have lost to the Pistons.

[Lint Police]

Congrats to KG and the Celtics.

Most of 'sota was still cheering for you.

[lavar78]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

That's tough. I love Zo, but I think Garnett's was more emotional. Zo didn't suffer through 6 straight playoff exits, later 3 straight failures to make the playoffs, all as The Man. He didn't need the championship didn't define his place in the NBA pantheon, like Garnett did.

I see what you're saying, but I'm still going with Zo. The guy had a kidney transplant and was already retired once. Also, his playoff exits were more excruciating than Garnett's (the Allan Houston shot rattling in at the buzzer, the first #1 to lose to a #8, the loss to his old teammate, Mashburn, and his old team, Charlotte). I really like KG, but the most satisfying NBA moment for me was seeing Zo finally win one. I still have his post-game press conference on my TiVo.

[paul w]

All valid points, except that dumb G2 commercial he did kind of ruined him for me.

KG was never on teams as talented or well coached as Zo. And of course in his conference he had basically no chance anyway. He comes over to the East, to a really, really bad team and it's BLAM - title. Really hard to believe when you think about it. Also Zo was at the very end and KG is still in his prime somewhat. He's basically going to be in a winning situation from here on in with Pierce and Rondo and maybe Ray Allen.

I think the Ray Allen thing is almost more shocking. Not only was he not going to win a title ever, but he was looking to be the weak link past his prime guy responsible for the Celts not winning either. And then he basically start playing well and became the difference that put the Celtics over the top.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by lavar78 

I really like KG, but the most satisfying NBA moment for me was seeing Zo finally win one. I still have his post-game press conference on my TiVo.

Nice. I understand what you're saying.


---

Valid question I thought of during the third quarter last night: In light of how they played during the series, are we sure the Lakers were the best team in the West? Or was it just a bad match-up or a choke job?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Big Baby's pic needs to be framed and put over a mantle. In fact, I hope he puts it over his.

[paul w]

^What the...

They had an easy go of it - the Spurs were basically worn out/injured after playing the Suns and Hornets.

Also - what the hell happended to Kobe the model teammate? All indications are that he basically went off on basically everyone.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by paul w 

They had an easy go of it - the Spurs were basically worn out/injured after playing the Suns and Hornets.

Right, but arguably the Hornets were as good as the Spurs, so I wonder how they would have fared against the Lakers. Since those two were in the duel for the top of the conference in the waning weeks of the season, the number 1 seed may have been all the difference, as well.

I just can't get over how bad they were this series.

Originally Posted by paul w 

Also - what the hell happended to Kobe the model teammate? All indications are that he basically went off on basically everyone.

What, one season of being the teammate he's supposed to be just because the situation is way better than expected, and you're surprised he returns to form during one of the worst series I can recall him playing?