Heat vs. Lakers Xmas

[HiCat]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-heisler24dec24,1,7301252.column?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers

"It's been crazy," says teammate Eddie Jones. "Every single day, maybe three, four times a day, if we have practice or a game, it's all about Shaq and Kobe, what do you think is going to happen?

"I think once December rolled around, I mean, you saw them marketing the game big-time. Twenty-five days until Shaq and Kobe, you know what I mean?

"I wake up this morning and look at the paper — Two days till Shaq and Kobe."


I'm curious to see if Shaq puts Kobe on his butt the first time K comes into the paint.. After all this hype... Miami takes LA in this Xmas match up..

[JMarkJohns]

According to ESPN's frontpage poll, 84% of fans want Shaq and the Heat win...

Gee, people hatin on Kobe...Shocking...

[muffley]

Some people actually like Kobe? Besides Jerry Bruss that is? I was watching them the other night and hoping they would lose to Memphis. Especially since Luke was not playing when I was watching.

[JMarkJohns]

It just proves that for every 100 people, there are 16 seriously stupid ones.

I've never disliked Shaq...Kobe, I doubt I'll ever even admire the great things that he's done and will do...You just can't look past that punk.

There's nothing wrong with routing for the Lakers, but Kobe is not worth the time invested. He'll break yer heart, all you Laker fans...Kobe will be the ruin of the pride that once defined the Lakers...He's well on his way already.

[HiCat]

Lakers are no longer a team to be feared. Thanks to Kobe and stupid management decisions by Kupcake. The last series with the Pistons shows how fast a "team" can self destruct. All gone except one guy... the wrong guy. Don't watch Laker bball much anymore.

Shaq is at least entertaining in his one liners. The biggest goofball millionaire, but his humor makes him watchable.

Gone are the days of Jabbar Magic Scott Coop Worthy. The 80's Lakers were a cut above this group.

[JMarkJohns]

Gone are the days of Jabbar Magic Scott Coop Worthy. The 80's Lakers were a cut above this group.

Showtime was a cut above any group, cept maybe the 80's celtics...

Man I miss those days...even if Phoenix didn't win anything, those Finals were classic.

[HiCat]

Lakers have produced some great players.. Maybe arguably the best at center and guard positions..

Shaq Kareem or Wilt all qualify for the "all star team". Add West Magic maybe Kobe also. Don't know where Worthy would fall in this mix... best forwards? Not sure..

Obviously if we're talking greatest outside the Lakers ..Michael Jordon of course the greatest..

[HiCat]

FYI Espn classic showing Portland Laker game 2000 western conference finals.. Just got done showing the 2001 Kings Lakers matchup... Kobe dropped about 46 pts on them in that game... if the kid would only get his head screwed on right..... just a thought.. many guys never do..

[PointGuardU03]

Kobe will never get his head on straight. If he wouldn't listen to Phil why would he listen to anyone else. It was pretty obvious that when Kobe decided to be #2 that the Lakers won titles. When Kobe tried to be #1, the Lakers lost. So of course, when Kobe realized that he wasn't good enough for his team to win it when he was #1 he blamed everone else around him. Enjoy watching the playoffs from your home this year Kobe. What an ignorant arrogant jack-ass.

[Class of 1990]

Conspiracy against the L.A. Kobes. Lakers forward Butler suspended game for punching (http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/8031298)

The fix is in. LOL



Hey haters why write off the Lakers now. They would be the 7th seed as of now.

Everyone here has this high and mighty opinion of Phil Jackson and Shaq.

Jackson has taken teams with STARS to the finals. Has he developed talent ?
His system works b/c of Jordan, Shaq, Kobe and Pippin(sp). Doug Collins is an ass, getting rid of him gave MJ the green light to be the star he should have always been.

And Shaq ? What about all the talk about his surgery and his coming into camp out of shape EVERY season with the Lakers costing them games. His FT shooting is so bad that Phil ran plays for Kobe in the final minutes of games b/c he can shoot better then 50%.

Hey I hate what Kobe has done off the court.
But I'm a Laker fan what are you going to do change teams ? (real life losers do IMO)

[JMarkJohns]

Butler's a moron...he clobbered Dickau in the ribs...

Just trying to remove his leg, my ass!?!

[Class of 1990]

Butler's a moron...he clobbered Dickau in the ribs...

Just trying to remove his leg, my ass!?!



"It was just a natural reaction to pull him off my leg," Butler said. "That was it. I've known Dan for a while, he's a cool dude."

Come on JMarkJohns "Dan is a cool dude" that is good enough defense for me. :)

[JMarkJohns]

Did you know in College , Dickau was datin' a Portland Trail Blazers Cheerleader?!?

I saw her once...she was pretty damn hot!!!

[ZONACAT]

I think they are still together....

As for the game, I pray to God that Shaq takes Kobe out. That would be complete greatness.

How many years before Kobe demands a trade from LA? I'm giving it three. That team is going nowhere fast.

[JMarkJohns]

I'm not sure if Kobe will ever demand a trade, as it would beasically admit to defeat, but I do see him being traded. I'd give five years...two short of his extension.

[HiCat]

"I've been a classy individual for 12 years," he said, referring to the length of his NBA career. "It would be very unclassy of me to try to say what I'm going to do (to Bryant). I'm just going to play good defense. I'm not out to hurt anybody.

"I just want people to understand that I'm not going to try to flagrantly hurt him, but when a Corvette hits a brick wall, you know what happens."

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3274532

OK..let's play the game already..showtime.

[JMarkJohns]

I figured the ovation, I figured the greeting...

I didn't figure Shaq blocking Kobe's first attempt, no Kobe's 11 points in the games first-three minutes...

Has all the makin's...

[PointGuardU03]

The Lakers look like the most unfun team to play on. They pretty much play bad pick-up ball, it's painful to watch. Heat looked sloppy too, but they're a much better team. Good game overall.

[JMarkJohns]

It was a very good game. I was surprised at how Kobe tried to dominate the game. It worked early, failed late...He did only take 30 (yes, only 30) shots, but must have had his hand on the ball 75-80% of the time on offense.

I was very glad to see th Heat win...

It was definately a great game, it's just a shame Shaq had to foul out.

[HiCat]

Merry Xmas guys. Feliz Navidad.

Heat wins without Shaq on Laker turf. Kobe not able to pull it off in OT. That's that team effort again. Rudy T. should have dished to Odom for the last shot using K as the decoy. Hindsight.. But decent game.. Wade doing ok.

[JMarkJohns]

Yeah, the Lakers needed to win, 'specially once Shaq was out.

Kobe couldn't miss early...sometimes that's the best defense an opponant can employ. Just let Kobe shoot. Just make sure ya get a hand in his face...eventually the shots that were falling early, wont fall and the Lakers, as a team, will struggle as Kobe shoots to regain that touch...

It was defintely a very entertaining game...well worth the billing!

Thanks for all the banter...Happy Holidays to you and yers!

[HiCat]

"Bryant scored a season-high 42 points but missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Miami Heat, 104-102, in a highly anticipated reunion with former teammate O'Neal. "

"The ball was worked to Bryant, who got a clean look at a 3-pointer from near the left hash mark but only could hit the front of the rim. "

This is one of the reasons that he's not MJ. Score 42 and loose...


http://www.nba.com/games/20041225/MIALAL/recap.html

[JMarkJohns]

This is one of the reasons that he's not MJ. Score 42 and lose...

Truer words were never spoken as the Lakers are now 0-3 this season when Kobe goes for 40 or more...I guess he should think about passing more and I'm not talking about his 6 assist/9 turnover-type passes, but rather some unforced, non-assist passes. He frankly needs to get his teammates involved, without being the one to get them involved, if ya know what I mean...

[Staf4Wooden]

Truer words were never spoken as the Lakers are now 0-3 this season when Kobe goes for 40 or more...I guess he should think about passing more and I'm not talking about his 6 assist/9 turnover-type passes, but rather some unforced, non-assist passes. He frankly needs to get his teammates involved, without being the one to get them involved, if ya know what I mean...
Lamar Odom especially. He is averaging a career low in assists at 2.6. Get the ball to Lamar, Kobe! He can make things happen too.

[HiCat]

I agree 100% ...
I think Odom put up the same numbers as Shaq. His shot was falling. Lakers done for this season. Maybe Coach Rudy afraid to tell Kobe not to take the shot..

[JMarkJohns]

Kobe's got plenty of weapons to utilize.

Odom is as solid a two-man as their is.
Butler, when he's not bashing dickau's in the ribs, is a very good third weapon.
Chucky Atkins and Chris Mihm have been better than expected.
Brian Cook has improved and Walton, though out of place without the triangle, is worth a long look.

Everything's there for the playoff push...everything but the trust in those mentioned, anyways...Kobe's got serious issues that neither involve his skill or off the court issues.

Right now, it's all mental with Kobe.

[Staf4Wooden]

I hope the Lakers get in the playoffs and play the Spurs in the first round. Kobe would set the record for lowest field goal percentage in a series. Not only will the Spurs have the "Kobe-stopper", but their entire D will be the Kobe-stopper. Meanwhile, Shaq will be eating the Eastern Conference big men alive. I love it.

[Class of 1990]

Truer words were never spoken as the Lakers are now 0-3 this season when Kobe goes for 40 or more...I guess he should think about passing more and I'm not talking about his 6 assist/9 turnover-type passes, but rather some unforced, non-assist passes. He frankly needs to get his teammates involved, without being the one to get them involved, if ya know what I mean...

1-3 now.

Against Miami not having their starting SF Butler hurt. But no excuses they had a chance to win and did not.

The L.A. Kobes will fine don't worry. I have a feeling they will be active at the trading deadline. With Walton available and draft picks they got from the Bobcats, I think ZO if healthy or someone surprising.

I wanted that last shot so Big Daddy could muble some crap about a fix. Whatever ShaqFu we'll see you in March.