Not As Upset As I thought I'd Be

[papa shuttlesworth]

Yes, the Lakers would usually hit those free throws, but usually the Celtics would not miss all those shots in the first half that were halfway down and came out.  And normally every loose ball wouldn't just land in Gasol's hands.  It was an odd game, but still exciting.

I normally detest Phil Jackson, but I liked his response when asked what was the secret to holding the Celtics to that poor shooting stretch in the first or second quarter.  He said (to paraphrase) "Luck.  We played horrible defense and left everyone open and they just happen to miss shots."  I'm glad that he realized that.

[Cman]

about this loss. The refs did tick me off, but I'm just not sweating it like I thought I would.  Why?

1. While Pierce did an excellent job defensively on Kobe, he didn't come through on the offensive end like he usually does--- and the C's still had a chance to win.
2.  Ray had a poor shooting night--- and the C's still had a chance to win.
3.  KG fouled out with 3+ minutes left in regulation and couldn't play at all in overtime.. and the C's still had a chance to win.
4.  Doc didn't have his best coaching night (not playing the hot hand enough - House, Powe)... and the C's still had a chance to win.
5.  Big Baby shot very poorly.... and the C's still had a chance to win.
6.  THE REFS! ... and the C's still had a chance to win.
7.  The Celtics played poorly.... and still had a chance to win.

If the Celtics get to the Finals, even without home court advantage, the Celtics will beat the Lakers.

All that being said, we still need a couple of pieces to get by Cleveland.

TP. I agree completely.
Now on to the Knicks.

[EJPLAYA]

Let's be honest with ourselves at least. If LA had hit anywhere remotely close to their normal free throw percentage that game would have never gone into OT. We should be really focusing on what we need on this team to be able to beat them in the finals, or Cleveland to get there for that matter. We need another solid big man. Plain and simple. Without it, and the return of Bynum who will give them yet another big inside, we will have a tough time beating them this year.  Not impossible, but they are much better than we want to give them credit for.

EJ, please, the lakers got 9 more free throws to make up for there terrible shooting ON OUR HOME COURT, and what ifs go both ways, if pierce doesnt brick 2 free throws in the clutch...wam...if ray allen hits the wide open 3 to finish the 1st half...wam....etc

You know tattered, I could say that KG is a great player and you would post a follow up stating that he is awful. I think you just like to disagree with me. 

When the foul difference is half or something, then you might have a point. But 29-20 is not that huge of a difference. Their bigs, Odom and Gasol, were taking it to the rim. Our bigs were shooting jump shots. Gasol had 7 offensive rebounds which is going to give you a few more fouls trying to prevent the put back. Powe was the only one to get many offensive rebounds and he wasn't putting them hard back up.

As far as bricking the free throws, that was uncharacteristic of him this year. He did however hit 10-13 though which is very respectable.

Ray Allen was 9-21, so there are a lot more shots that COULD have gone down, however the fact is the Lakers shoot 77% from the FT line and those extra 5 misses would have sealed it...

All I am saying is we need to get better because they blew us out in their building, beat us in ours without their starting center who averages 14 and 8.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

We cant play the lakers and have Gasol dominate KG...thats unnacceptable...he was twice the player KG was... and really has been all season 

... Anyone think Lamar Odom was listening to the TNT halftime show? thanks alot for lighting a fire under the dumbo Kenny/Mailman..appreciate it

[winsomme]

Let's be honest with ourselves at least. If LA had hit anywhere remotely close to their normal free throw percentage that game would have never gone into OT. We should be really focusing on what we need on this team to be able to beat them in the finals, or Cleveland to get there for that matter. We need another solid big man. Plain and simple. Without it, and the return of Bynum who will give them yet another big inside, we will have a tough time beating them this year.  Not impossible, but they are much better than we want to give them credit for.

EJ, please, the lakers got 9 more free throws to make up for there terrible shooting ON OUR HOME COURT, and what ifs go both ways, if pierce doesnt brick 2 free throws in the clutch...wam...if ray allen hits the wide open 3 to finish the 1st half...wam....etc

You know tattered, I could say that KG is a great player and you would post a follow up stating that he is awful. I think you just like to disagree with me. 

When the foul difference is half or something, then you might have a point. But 29-20 is not that huge of a difference. Their bigs, Odom and Gasol, were taking it to the rim. Our bigs were shooting jump shots. Gasol had 7 offensive rebounds which is going to give you a few more fouls trying to prevent the put back. Powe was the only one to get many offensive rebounds and he wasn't putting them hard back up.

As far as bricking the free throws, that was uncharacteristic of him this year. He did however hit 10-13 though which is very respectable.

Ray Allen was 9-21, so there are a lot more shots that COULD have gone down, however the fact is the Lakers shoot 77% from the FT line and those extra 5 misses would have sealed it...

All I am saying is we need to get better because they blew us out in their building, beat us in ours without their starting center who averages 14 and 8.

and the Cs have been battling the flu and KG fouled out on a bogus call and LA had more FTs  and Paul was getting mugged on almost every possession...it goes round and round EJ...

I think the point that Tatt is making is sound. This was a close game any way you slice it.

i do, however, agree that the focus coming out of this game is what our moves should be looking to the playoffs...

[EJPLAYA]

We cant play the lakers and have Gasol dominate KG...thats unnacceptable...he was twice the player KG was... and really has been all season 

... Anyone think Lamar Odom was listening to the TNT halftime show? thanks alot for lighting a fire under the dumbo Kenny/Mailman..appreciate it

And there's your proof...

KG has been down with the flu for a few days... Come on. Yet he still went out there and gave it his best. Gasol is an all star. You act like the guy is a scrub...

[Fafnir]

Let's be honest with ourselves at least. If LA had hit anywhere remotely close to their normal free throw percentage that game would have never gone into OT. We should be really focusing on what we need on this team to be able to beat them in the finals, or Cleveland to get there for that matter. We need another solid big man. Plain and simple. Without it, and the return of Bynum who will give them yet another big inside, we will have a tough time beating them this year.  Not impossible, but they are much better than we want to give them credit for.

EJ, please, the lakers got 9 more free throws to make up for there terrible shooting ON OUR HOME COURT, and what ifs go both ways, if pierce doesnt brick 2 free throws in the clutch...wam...if ray allen hits the wide open 3 to finish the 1st half...wam....etc

All I am saying is we need to get better because they blew us out in their building, beat us in ours without their starting center who averages 14 and 8.

They didn't blow us out in LA. It was a close game and they made good plays down the stretch to seal it. We didn't do that last night when we could have.

I think our bench did good things against them as a whole. I think if KG doesn't foul out we probably win in regulation, and I think the foul out was the result of inconsistent officiating. Neither team knew how hard the refs would let them play.

We need to play better to win another banner. But I'm not terribly upset about how the C's played last night. One made FT, one missed shot in the fourth and its all different. We'll beat LA if we play in the Finals. The trick is getting there....

[housecall]

Bankshot you made some great points.I think this loss only going to fuel the fire in KG to beat them if we meet them in the finals.tp

[crownsy]

Yes, the Lakers would usually hit those free throws, but usually the Celtics would not miss all those shots in the first half that were halfway down and came out.  And normally every loose ball wouldn't just land in Gasol's hands.  It was an odd game, but still exciting.

I normally detest Phil Jackson, but I liked his response when asked what was the secret to holding the Celtics to that poor shooting stretch in the first or second quarter.  He said (to paraphrase) "Luck.  We played horrible defense and left everyone open and they just happen to miss shots."  I'm glad that he realized that.

Im not, it means he'll rethink that defense.

I would have rather had him think it was his defense holding us down.

[Redz]

Yes, the Lakers would usually hit those free throws, but usually the Celtics would not miss all those shots in the first half that were halfway down and came out.  And normally every loose ball wouldn't just land in Gasol's hands.  It was an odd game, but still exciting.

I normally detest Phil Jackson, but I liked his response when asked what was the secret to holding the Celtics to that poor shooting stretch in the first or second quarter.  He said (to paraphrase) "Luck.  We played horrible defense and left everyone open and they just happen to miss shots."  I'm glad that he realized that.

Im not, it means he'll rethink that defense.

I would have rather had him think it was his defense holding us down.

Both teams had stretches of pretty poor play last night.

[papa shuttlesworth]

Yes, the Lakers would usually hit those free throws, but usually the Celtics would not miss all those shots in the first half that were halfway down and came out.  And normally every loose ball wouldn't just land in Gasol's hands.  It was an odd game, but still exciting.

I normally detest Phil Jackson, but I liked his response when asked what was the secret to holding the Celtics to that poor shooting stretch in the first or second quarter.  He said (to paraphrase) "Luck.  We played horrible defense and left everyone open and they just happen to miss shots."  I'm glad that he realized that.

Im not, it means he'll rethink that defense.

I would have rather had him think it was his defense holding us down.

Good point.  I guess the rope a dope strategy didn't work.

[NoraG1]

We cant play the lakers and have Gasol dominate KG...thats unnacceptable...he was twice the player KG was... and really has been all season 

... Anyone think Lamar Odom was listening to the TNT halftime show? thanks alot for lighting a fire under the dumbo Kenny/Mailman..appreciate it

KG was not at 100% yesterday. He did just come back from the flu.

[celticinorlando]

i am upset because of what happened at the end. allen got fouled. if it were kobe it would have been called.

but....boston lost by one with a sick KG who missed an entire 12 minutes of crunch time because of the fouls. i don't think LA can beat boston in a 7 game series no matter if LA has home court...i think the 2-3-2 format really would help boston if it gets to that...PP's defense was great..even the 3 kobe hit was contested.

tonight is important. they need to come out and beat the knicks. sunday i expect to see rondo and boston run by san antonio....the spurs are dinged up and play a very plodding type style...but tonight is a big game for this team.

we need another big with length. PJ Brown was missed BIG last night. when KG goes to the bench we didn't have any length to bother gasoft...i am in all favor for adding marbury and allow eddie to play the 2 where he thrives....and add a big. get that and boston will be tough to beat

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

We cant play the lakers and have Gasol dominate KG...thats unnacceptable...he was twice the player KG was... and really has been all season 

... Anyone think Lamar Odom was listening to the TNT halftime show? thanks alot for lighting a fire under the dumbo Kenny/Mailman..appreciate it

KG was not at 100% yesterday. He did just come back from the flu.

I realize that...but didnt he basically get punked by Gasol on christmas? was he sick then too? that and correct me if im wrong, but gasols numbers are a litter better than KG's this season...if Gasol cancels out KG, we arent gonna be able to beat them, period

I dont know whats wrong with perkins either, looks like hes gained weight since the begginning of the season and he hasnt been the same since he hurt his shoulder...noone could guard gasol last night...that and they wouldnt even allow KG to guard him without calling a ticky-tack foul

[albas89]

We cant play the lakers and have Gasol dominate KG...thats unnacceptable...he was twice the player KG was... and really has been all season 

... Anyone think Lamar Odom was listening to the TNT halftime show? thanks alot for lighting a fire under the dumbo Kenny/Mailman..appreciate it

KG was not at 100% yesterday. He did just come back from the flu.

I realize that...but didnt he basically get punked by Gasol on christmas? was he sick then too? that and correct me if im wrong, but gasols numbers are a litter better than KG's this season...if Gasol cancels out KG, we arent gonna be able to beat them, period

I dont know whats wrong with perkins either, looks like hes gained weight since the begginning of the season and he hasnt been the same since he hurt his shoulder...noone could guard gasol last night...that and they wouldnt even allow KG to guard him without calling a ticky-tack foul

KG got punked by Gasol during the last 2 minutes on christmas! For 46 minutes he was just making fun of Gasol, I can remember it very clearly!! The bad thing is that right now Gasol has gained much confidence in his game and is rising to a superstar level...