Well when it comes down to it Kobe made the plays. Also, after being pushed around for most of the game Gasol finally started to play like a true forward.

 

As for the Nuggets....yikes. They had this one. The foul by Martin was so...so...SO... stupid. Did he honestly think he was going to pick Kobe's pocket? Make him shoot a jumper and live with the results, make or miss. The Nuggets TO with 35 seconds to go was horrible as well. They were down 2 points. You don't call a time out when you can bring it up the floor IMO. Ariza showed why I believe that. That is, outside of the baseline corner the hardest place to inbound the ball. Now with 4 seconds left to go, sure by all means advance the ball there and get a shot. Not with 35 seconds left in the game though.

 

Billups has to be more of a factor early. He put on late, but they need a full effot out of him.

 

Like I said PG battle and the Bigs.

 

Lakers either won or forced a stalemate in both departments overall. If that continues they win the series in 6 games at the most.

And if they make the first free throw, purposely miss the second, get the rebound and score a bucket, then Phil is stupid for fouling lol. You could argue for and against both scenarios.

 

Scenario 1: make 3 point shot OT.

 

Scenario 2: make 1st FT, intentionally miss FT #2 making sure the rim is hit, offensive rebound w/ less guys than the defense and w/ a position disadvantage, score a defended basket.

Is it me or do the Lakers have the worst PA guy in the league?

 

It's not just you. No wonder they come out flat...sheez! :lol:

The guys on PTI and Around the Horn brought this up the other day, subconsciously the refs will play a HUGE role in the last 2 series.

 

NBA NEEDS a Kobe/James final......................

 

Are you guys serious? Denver got the bulk of the calls for 3 and a half quarters.

 

But, I'm not complaing. I told my wife if the stripes would give the Lakers something at the end, I'd be OK with it. And, they gave Kobe some foul calls at the end that he didn't get all game, IMO.

He has matured leaps and bounds since the Olympics.

 

But, Chauncey Billups is Denver's MVP. Don't forget. (And more valuable than D-Wade.) :sssh:

I've seen many, many three's to tie a game, but never a made FT then miss and put back. It is smart.

Are you saying you've never seen it in the NBA or ever? Because I very vividly recall that happening in a UT/UK game when Allen Houston was still there, and not only did they get the rebound and hit a shot, UT got fouled and WON the game after hitting the additional free throw.

Are you saying you've never seen it in the NBA or ever? Because I very vividly recall that happening in a UT/UK game when Allen Houston was still there, and not only did they get the rebound and hit a shot, UT got fouled and WON the game after hitting the additional free throw.

That was my first thought as well.

 

In fairness, I do not think UT was trying to intentionally miss the free throw, but I could be wrong. I believe in that instance there was still enough time on the clock to keep extending the game, Houston just happened to get the rebound. I was distraught over that game. That is ok though; a few weeks later, UK put one of the worst beat downs I have ever seen on UT

Having to go back to Alan Houston at Tenn is pretty good odds vs last 2nd clutch shots from the 3 pt line with several seconds left IMO.

Having to go back to Alan Houston at Tenn is pretty good odds vs last 2nd clutch shots from the 3 pt line with several seconds left IMO.

No doubt.

On a sidenote: Does Denver lead the league in ink?

On a sidenote: Does Denver lead the league in ink?

 

I'd be shocked if they didn't. They have at least three guys who are pretty much covered...

Some observations:

 

1) This is going to be a heck of a series....I see it going 7.

 

2) Denver controlled this game for about 45 minutes, just not the 3 that mattered most.

 

3) Melo/Kobe is awesome to watch. Melo looked like he was playing with a chip on his shoulder, like he had to prove himself.

 

4) Not saying the KMart foul wasn't one, but where the heck were those calls the first 47:30 of the game?? :confused:

 

5) Big Shot Chauncey is so clutch it's scary.

 

6) How was the block of Kobe by KMart not a goaltend?

 

7) Why was Anthony Carter inbounding the ball at the end? Terrible decision out of a timeout by Karl.

Are you saying you've never seen it in the NBA or ever? Because I very vividly recall that happening in a UT/UK game when Allen Houston was still there, and not only did they get the rebound and hit a shot, UT got fouled and WON the game after hitting the additional free throw.

 

I don't ever recall seeing it happen. I'm too young to remember the Allan Houston days.

Having to go back to Alan Houston at Tenn is pretty good odds vs last 2nd clutch shots from the 3 pt line with several seconds left IMO.

Unquestionably, I just remember that every time I see the situation.

He would be a brutal loss for them but he might have hurt more than he helped tonight.

 

Just saw where they listed him as sprained right knee and it will be re-evaluated today. It was classified as a hyperextension. Was they "hyperest" hyperextension I have ever seen. He must have some serious flexibility for his knee ligaments to torque that much without tearing/rupturing.