Christmas Day.....Cavs vs Lakers

• 2quik4u

  

  I think it was the offensive end more then anything there were many times where they just came down and took a quick jumpshot without passing the ball once.
• devil1197

  2quik4u wrote: I think it was the offensive end more then anything there were many times where they just came down and took a quick jumpshot without passing the ball once.

  Or Kobe just trying to force it too much into the lane. He had some guys open on the kick out but didn't take it.
  
  The Lakers may be the only team where the lineup of Z and Shaq on the floor will work. It seemed to be very effective against Bynum and Gasol where against other teams it was terrible.
• JakeGiant

  SQ, I think it goes in line what you stated earlier; the Cavs wanted this game more. Cleveland showed up today to their credit. We didn't, outside of Kobe.
  
  For the record, thus far, every road team has won today. Could JVG be onto something about home Christmas games being a distraction? I don't know.
• sleeper

  

  Lebron > Kobe
  
  Nuff said.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  I get what he's saying in that it's easier for the road team to focus on the game because they don't wake up at home and do the present thing with their kids, whatever. But I'm not sure he's right--it's not easy to have Christmas on the road with your family (which a lot of guys do) either, there are a lot of things to distract you from the game there because it's NOT as easy as just waking up in your own house. But I don't think either team has an advantage either way. They both were aware of this game since the schedule came out--clearly both circled it on their schedules. The Cavs just brought it on both ends and the Lakers couldn't find an answer. The Cavs played better team ball on both ends and that was the difference that I saw. It wasn't that the Lakers didn't have it, they just didn't get anything easy and they normally do. The Cavs help defense was a thing of beauty all game long--that's a tape that other teams will study when game planning against the Lakers. That's what you have to do, you have to rotate and bust your ass for your teammates to beat a great team like that.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.
• 2quik4u

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  It had everything to do with the officials every time Kobe got pissed because he thought he got fouled and the refs didn't call shit.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Anyways, I'm headin' to the bar for the night. Merry Christmas to all!
  
  And let me just say thank you to the Laker fans who were classy in defeat today. In all honesty, I'm surprised at the reaction to the game and I'm glad that we could have a civil conversation about this topic for once.
• JakeGiant

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  
  That's a great point, and again, it comes down to focus. So, we do agree.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  2quik4u wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  It had everything to do with the officials every time Kobe got pissed because he thought he got fouled and the refs didn't call shit.

  Kobe isn't the whole team. A lot of them got frustrated.
  
  Artest got pretty frustrated because he wasn't able to push LeBron around and control him like he can most guys. A lot of them were frustrated by the Cavs defense. Bynum was frustrated by Shaq. Andy frustrated everyone--which he always does. Citing the officials is a cop out, sometimes they ARE that bad but today they weren't. In fact the Lakers got plenty of home cookin' today. The officials could have been harder on them if they wanted to be. The FT attempts were pretty even (I know that doesn't always mean much) but I thought they did a good job of being pretty consistent today and letting them play on both ends. Either way, the Cavs just dominated. The officials don't create a blowout on a teams homecourt.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  JakeGiant wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  
  That's a great point, and again, it comes down to focus. So, we do agree.

  That's leadership. That's why people say that LeBron is a better leader than Kobe. Because Kobe is more of a lead by example guy. It's why he threw his teammates under the bus a few years back--he gets frustrated when guys don't do their job. LeBron just does his thing and never stops believing in whoever is around him--and he's very vocal about letting them know that. So maybe you can see that a little better now. And don't take it like a moron, I'm not knocking Kobe--he's clearly a great leader. Just different kinds of leadership.
• 2quik4u

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote:

  2quik4u wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  It had everything to do with the officials every time Kobe got pissed because he thought he got fouled and the refs didn't call shit.

  Kobe isn't the whole team. A lot of them got frustrated.
  
  Artest got pretty frustrated because he wasn't able to push LeBron around and control him like he can most guys. A lot of them were frustrated by the Cavs defense. Bynum was frustrated by Shaq. Andy frustrated everyone--which he always does. Citing the officials is a cop out, sometimes they ARE that bad but today they weren't. In fact the Lakers got plenty of home cookin' today. The officials could have been harder on them if they wanted to be. The FT attempts were pretty even (I know that doesn't always mean much) but I thought they did a good job of being pretty consistent today and letting them play on both ends. Either way, the Cavs just dominated. The officials don't create a blowout on a teams homecourt.

  When did I say it was the refs fault that the Lakers got blown out? All I said was Kobe got really frustrated because of the refs
• JakeGiant

  Bynum was frustrated by Shaq.

  Sadly, Bynum's been frustrated since Gasol came back.
• devil1197

  Also, I think Cleveland is going to be making a trade and it will involve JJ. I think its the main reason he is starting. It's a perfect time to get him into the game with nothing on the line. He gets his usual 2-3 baskets off dump passes (7 ppg this season). The fact is he hasn't improved much in the cognitive department. I think he really doesn't get the defensive rotations and he won't be reliable come playoff time. If the Cavs can keep him in the starting lineup while he looks decent (while not playing in the crunch time) his value will remain good.
• 2quik4u

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote:

  JakeGiant wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Another thing, the Lakers got visibly frustrated today. That's uncharacteristic. They didn't keep their composure and it wasn't because of the officials, it was because the game wasn't going their way and every time they tried to make a run the Cavs answered. That's not what a championship team does and you never really see the Lakers get that frustrated. And usually they're able to use it to their advantage, but today it destroyed them. The Cavs did a great job of not getting caught up in the emotion of the game and just going out there and playing THEIR game. That's a big credit to Mike Brown and LeBron.

  
  That's a great point, and again, it comes down to focus. So, we do agree.

  That's leadership. That's why people say that LeBron is a better leader than Kobe. Because Kobe is more of a lead by example guy. It's why he threw his teammates under the bus a few years back--he gets frustrated when guys don't do their job. LeBron just does his thing and never stops believing in whoever is around him--and he's very vocal about letting them know that. So maybe you can see that a little better now. And don't take it like a moron, I'm not knocking Kobe--he's clearly a great leader. Just different kinds of leadership.

  I would say this worked out to his advantage in the end
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Well no shit, the organization is going to try to please their best player. Look at what the Cavs do to try to keep LeBron happy. They shipped Shaq off because they chose Kobe over him. So they weren't going to just sit back. But it doesn't change what I said. No surprise that you only read what you want from it though.
  
  Anyways, ride is here--to the bar I go. LATER! Merry Christmas!
• devil1197

  Also, question for the Lakers fans.
  
  Where was Kobe's post game tonight? He has been pretty damn good there recently but I really didn't see it tonight.
• hoops23

  

  Kobe didn't show up either. He shot horrible and was visibly frustrated for most of the game. The Cavs have a plethora of nice sized perimeter defenders this year to throw at guys like Kobe, not too mention the inside depth.
  
  The Cavs simply beatdown the Lakers tonight.
  
  I'd also look at JJ being traded. He's a solid player, but still too inconsistent to help this team right now.
  
  I think the Cavs have been cruising in the regular season, but have showed up for the big games @ Orlando and @ LA. This is the Cavs team you'll see during the playoffs and Mo will be fine. He learned from last season and that playoff experience with this team will be huge.
• devil1197

  JJ is just Drew Gooden stupid. You cannot have a player that doesn't know defensive rotations on a team like the Cavs. He is a great athlete but his trade value along with an expiring like Z (buyout only imo) may bring in a scoring PF from a team looking to dump salary.
• Ironman92

  

  I've read much of this but didn't read it all...but
  
  Both teams should've been warned or whatever with about 4 minutes left in the game......any borderline fans will quit watching the NBA with that crap going on.
  
  
  
  lol on the Kobe steal with about 3:30 left he got the ball about 15 feet from half court....and didn't dribble the ball until about 5 feet on the other side of half court..I replayed it and he took a 4th step before the ball hit the court...lol
• Hesston

  

  Nothing better than dominating a team like the Lakers, what a bunch of cry babies, same with the fans throwing out their $25 (proly) foam fingers and water bottles. Awesome!
  It looked like Kobe & LaBron even exchanged some pleasantries late.
  
  Oh ya Merry Christmas LA
• hoops23

  

  Well, the NBA is increasing in profits every year, so they must be appealing to somebody, I guess :huh:
  
  Either way, anybody notice how if the Cavs would have lost this game that this thread would probably be at the 10th page right now because the Lakers fans/Cavs trolls would be talking a shit load of trash...
  
  But, the Cavs win and the debate is civil.. Hmm.
• JakeGiant

  LTrain, I think you're paranoid. If you haven't noticed, we're on Page 9 right now. Is 1 page going to make a difference?
• 2quik4u

  

  Ironman92 wrote: I've read much of this but didn't read it all...but
  
  Both teams should've been warned or whatever with about 4 minutes left in the game......any borderline fans will quit watching the NBA with that crap going on.
  
  
  
  lol on the Kobe steal with about 3:30 left he got the ball about 15 feet from half court....and didn't dribble the ball until about 5 feet on the other side of half court..I replayed it and he took a 4th step before the ball hit the court...lol

  He moved 70 feet in two dribbles lol
  
• hoops23

  

  Jake, I'm only on page 4. Learn how to use the user cp.