Well, Orlando fails to exercise their demons against Detroit.
Didn't get to watch (probably for the better), but I kept myself updated at the office.
Apparently the refs were out to ruin the Magic, that and Orlando was just crap. I'll have to take the folks on the Magic's boards word for it.
Though, Dwight fouling out, Gortat fouling out and Detroit get next to nothing, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.
I did expect the shooting to go cold eventually. And of course it would happen against Detroit.
I'm seriously thinking the basketball gods have cursed the Magic to never overcome the Pistons.
Originally posted by guy222
Those refs for the Thunder were giving em the game. Bastards
With all due respect, Guy, I'm glad the Lakers got the W, but they shot 28 FT's to Oklahoma's 19. Doesn't seem like they were trying to give the game to the Thunder.
You know what the differential was between Detroit and Orlando?
22.
Detroit went to the line 19 times to Orlando's 8. That's 38 FT's to 16.
Sure, the Magic didn't drive to the basket to get a lot of contact, but it was the absence of an inside presence, due to Howard and Gortat fouling out, that allowed the Pistons to penetrate and draw contact.
Dwight got a whistle every 3 minutes and only logged 16 for the game for things like offensive fouls that were clearly flops.
It's not like Detroit even brought their A-game. They were just as bad. Missing two of their starters in Prince and Hamilton, while Orlando was without Lewis and Pietrus and Carter played injured.
Orlando should've mowed right through them regardless, but a combination of bad shooting and foul trouble made it close throughout. (Which in its way, is still somewhat of an inspiring thing, considering it was a 5 point differential, but that's beside the point)
And hell, while I'm on it.
Here's some excerpts from the book that Donaghy wrote, "Blowing the Whistle"
http://deadspin.com/5392067/excerpts-from-the-book-the-nba-doesnt-want-you-to-read
And an article on Random House canceling it's publication
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-10-29-donaghy-book_N.htm
Thing is, the guy is scum and he's really got nothing to gain from this besides attention, but more than that, you would think this sort of thing would completely die down, but all the signs that were evident back then still prevail now, and they won't get my benefit of the doubt after the NBA was exposed for this very thing. It's a shame that the sport we love has to be muddied up with the cold realities of human greed and self interest, and that we the fans and the teams we love are caught in the middle.
All the jokes and belittling remarks about conspiracies and tin-foil hats, seem little more than a distraction and cop-out to the ugly truth. The NBA is dirty.
Not exactly a news flash, but it makes you wonder about that on coming shit storm and when it's really gonna hit the fan, or if ever does.
Sorry didn't mean to go on a tangent and open up that old box. I'm still a little bitter about yesterday's game.
Magic improve to 4-1.
Dwight scored 25 pts, hitting 7 of his 8 FT's. Got 5 fouls and got another tech.
Bass came up and performed well in Dwight's absence with 12.
Barnes was hot and cold. More hot than cold though. Solid stat line of 13 pts, 11 rbs, 5 ast and 2 steals.
Neo was back in form tonight after going cold in last nights game. Getting rebounds and scoring big. 20 pts and 10 rbs.
Nelson had a double-double with 16 pts and 10 ast.
Pietrus came back from his flu and performed well with 15 pts of his own.
Great game. Takes a bit of the edge from last nights debacle.
Next game on Friday, at home, to take vengeance against the Pistons. There will be blood. 👿
What's up hoop fans? Good to see all the old names still dropping knowledge in this thread. I won't get to see as many games as last season with work taking up more time but i'll still use this thread to catch up.
Saw my first Lakers game last night minus the higlights i've caught, the first thing that's evident is that we really miss Gasol. The offense just runs so smoothly when he's in there, no body was making any cuts last night - just iso and spot up. When the triangle is run properly its impossible to stop, but what we were running last night was ugly and considering most of our team has been together for so long (minus Ron) it's inexcusable. Kobe was part of the problem but alot of his looks were because no one else wanted to do anything with the ball and just threw it to him with the shot clock low. Pau just makes the offense work properly because he can score in so many ways in the post and guys know if they cut he will get them easy looks. He also runs a deadly pick and roll with Kobe because he Doesn't have to finish at the rim, he is money out to 18ft. I realise this was probably not the best game to evaluate the Lakers after a overtime game the night before, but there is no doubt we are relying too much on talent and not enough on teamwork.
Ron looks good out there, damn that dude is strong. We'll miss Ariza playing the passing lanes but our man D is gonna be strong on the perimeter as long as we keep Fish's minutes low. In the past Bron, Melo and Pierce have had field days on our SF's - Ron straight away gives us a huge boost there.
Our bench is just awful, Gasol will help there because not only will he allow Lamar to lead the 2nd unit he'll be another impact player that can stay out there with the 2nd stringers so they dont look so lost. Farmar, Sasha and Walton need to give us something, without some major contributions from those three our starters are gonna have to play way too many minutes in the reg season. Brown and Powell have been ok but can do better.
Houston is a team i like and the fans of that club should be proud of their team. Doesn't matter who is out on the floor they play hard and they play together. They deserved to win last night and wanted it more, we are just lucky to have a go to scorer like Kobe to throw it to when all else fails.
We'll improve though Laker fans, Pau is the key for our offense and Ron is the key for our defense. If our bench doesn't step up though our starters could be running on fumes by the time the playoffs roll round. Thats my biggest concern.
Yo, Koolruningz.
Magic get payback against the tons of piss.
Ryan got injured. Twisted his ankle and sprained it. Doesn't seem serious. He's young, so I'm not worried.
Magic seem content to cruise. Not playing hard enough in my eyes.
Detroit was diminished and they kept fighting to keep up. Brought it into single digits in the fourth. Magic played terribly on offense and showed sloppy D.
Couldn't control the ball and shot poorly. Should've drove to the basket and/or posted up.
Magic played rougher and got dirtier, which I liked, but the defense still left something to be desired.
Boston is playing consistent. They play hard every minute, even after big leads. Magic aren't doing that. They play light and let opponents come back.
This needs to change, now.
Also, Kwame Brown got a bit of a bloody nose. Told you there would be blood. 😂
Originally posted by koolruningzThese are some of my main gripes. We should've got Iverson for our bench.
Our bench is just awful,They deserved to win last night and wanted it more, we are just lucky to have a go to scorer like Kobe to throw it to when all else fails.
If our bench doesn't step up though our starters could be running on fumes by the time the playoffs roll round.
Originally posted by koolruningz
What's up hoop fans? Good to see all the old names still dropping knowledge in this thread. I won't get to see as many games as last season with work taking up more time but i'll still use this thread to catch up.
Saw my first Lakers game last night minus the higlights i've caught, the first thing that's evident is that we really miss Gasol. The offense just runs so smoothly when he's in there, no body was making any cuts last night - just iso and spot up. When the triangle is run properly its impossible to stop, but what we were running last night was ugly and considering most of our team has been together for so long (minus Ron) it's inexcusable. Kobe was part of the problem but alot of his looks were because no one else wanted to do anything with the ball and just threw it to him with the shot clock low. Pau just makes the offense work properly because he can score in so many ways in the post and guys know if they cut he will get them easy looks. He also runs a deadly pick and roll with Kobe because he Doesn't have to finish at the rim, he is money out to 18ft. I realise this was probably not the best game to evaluate the Lakers after a overtime game the night before, but there is no doubt we are relying too much on talent and not enough on teamwork.
Ron looks good out there, damn that dude is strong. We'll miss Ariza playing the passing lanes but our man D is gonna be strong on the perimeter as long as we keep Fish's minutes low. In the past Bron, Melo and Pierce have had field days on our SF's - Ron straight away gives us a huge boost there.
Our bench is just awful, Gasol will help there because not only will he allow Lamar to lead the 2nd unit he'll be another impact player that can stay out there with the 2nd stringers so they dont look so lost. Farmar, Sasha and Walton need to give us something, without some major contributions from those three our starters are gonna have to play way too many minutes in the reg season. Brown and Powell have been ok but can do better.
Houston is a team i like and the fans of that club should be proud of their team. Doesn't matter who is out on the floor they play hard and they play together. They deserved to win last night and wanted it more, we are just lucky to have a go to scorer like Kobe to throw it to when all else fails.
We'll improve though Laker fans, Pau is the key for our offense and Ron is the key for our defense. If our bench doesn't step up though our starters could be running on fumes by the time the playoffs roll round. Thats my biggest concern.
So good to see a exceptional friend
🙂
Lakers are doin good. Glad Phil finally allowed the Bench to play and they all played well. Jordan, Sasha, Luke, DJ, and Josh
U and me have agreed....Play the bench, so the starters get rest and b fresh throughout the year
Go Lakes
Lakes win
Kobe another magic nite
DJ was awesome, Ron Ron....keep telling my family...he'll be the difference with another title or two or three to come. No one messes with that bull of the woods...outside of Kobe and other teams don't have Kobe Bryant
Applaud the bench. Phil finally stopped smoking the peace pipe and played Jordy, Sasha, Lukie and they performed well
Boston lost yay