LeBlown

Billups inbounding off Kobe's ass was awesome.

Yeah aside from a few missed FT's, Billups was in charge of that game. Impressive win.

Not to get too panicky, but I didn't like losing this game. The first quarter was the Lakers at there best, and the fourth quarter was frustrating. Lakers make their free throws (like they did in game one) they win this one. Next game determines the series in my mind...

Odds are the Lakers lose Game 3 (altitude, intangibles of playing on the road); if they want this series, they have to win Game 4 on the road and then go on a run.

Looking forward to Cavs/Magic tonight as I didn't see a minute of Game 1.

The Nuggets have to be confident but also kicking themselves for blowing Game 1. They make their free throws and they win that one.

The Magic match up well with the Cavs and apparently they have their number lately but for some reason I just can't get on board with thinking they can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series.

I just think their offensive game is too dependent on their shooters taking long range jumpers and 3's and either making them or relying on Howard to clean up on the boards. I just don't think they can sustain that. Also, Howard is not a good offensive player. If he can't make a move within 5 feet of the basket he's got nothing.

That's just my Sparky the Sportscaster take. Hoops aren't really my forte.

Way to go, Third Banana.

ok that might be one of the top 10 shots ever.

insane

WE ARE ALL WITNESSES.

Incredible.

still not as good as Derek Fisher's .4 shot against the Spurs but it was a ridiculous shot. What the hell is up with the Cavs losing these leads. Magic are still playing superior thru 48. As I stated beginning of the playoffs, I still got Lakers v Magic in the finals.

oops

every mention of this is like a chainsaw to my scrotum

WELL PLAYED DERRIS.

This...is....not.... bridge, ya nancy crackers.

2-1. 2-1. 2-1. 2-1. 2 - 1.

Orlando has been the better defensive team so far in this series. Another night of Lebron stagnating the Cleveland offense and clanking FTs and this series is over.

im just saying Kobe Bryant wouldnt go 0-12 from outside the paint thru 3 and a half quarters of a Conference Finals game. I was definitely a witness tonight.

Yeah, he would just quit playing (see the Boston series last year) or decide he's only going to pass and not score at all to prove some sort of point that only exists in his head (like in the Suns series a couple of years ago)

Edit: Or shoot 17.4% on 3 pointers in the NBA Finals (like he did against Detroit)

This, again, is the flip side of my irrational appreciation of Kobe, the irrational Kobe-hate. You've suggested that "the uninformed Rubes" who say Kobe can't defend don't know BB.... but then, out of a career of accomplishments, you cherry-pick mini-histories of Kobe's letdowns. Those "who know BB" call him the best closer since MJ. In two out of the three games with the Nuggets the sheer force of his will and skill grabbed victories in the last five minutes. Over the years no one still active has been able to kick it in to another gear in the fourth quarter. And in all areas of his game... not just taking the ball one-on-one which winds up "one-on-four"... his steals, rebounds, and, yes, even assists exponentially expand in the fourth quarter when it's close. George Karl to his team in the fourth quarter on Saturday: "Kobe Bryant brings the ball up there isn't one man who defends him, there are five men who defend him...."

The Black Mamba, dendroaspis polylepis, whose venom kills any living thing.

Kobe quit playing last year? Kobe was teh ONLY one playing last year, hes the ONLY one who showed heart but he cant do it alone. Very reminiscent of the Cavs this series. Difference is that Kobe was clutch and did all that was asked of him.

and your second point, this just proves the hypocrisy in Laker haters and Kobe haters. When he shoots all the time hes a ball hog and a bad teammate when he passes and his teammates miss then hes not taking control of the game and throwing away easy baskets. Kobe knows that to win the title he needs help from his teammates, thats why he was trying to get them involved.

as far as the Detroit series goes, Kobe and Shaq gave it their all that series, but Karl Malone, Gary Payton and the rest of the team gave no effort at all.

Cavaliers will lose this series, and while I admit its not Lebron's fault. He cant have another off shooting night like he had. 0-12 from outside the paint and missing crucial free throws down the stretch. Not acceptable. Hes getting no help from his teammates. Oh btw, Lebron scored nearly half of the Cavs points last game as well, why isn't anyone calling him a ball hog?

Lebron lovers/Kobe haters are hypocrites. If you dont like smug players that can take over a game then hate them both. Kobe's not the one with "CHOSEN 1" tattooed on his back

1. I'm not a Kobe hater. Far from it. I think he's a great player both statistically and from an "entertaining to watch" standpoint. He leaves a lot to be desired as a teammate but that's another matter altogether.

2. You guys' reactions to me pointing out some of his shortcomings tells me that I'm right.

the guy's not infallible but you gotta admit hes had much more criticism in his play than Lebron has. I dont hate Lebron, I just dont like inconsistencies in people's opinions of them as players since they are very similar.