Derek Fisher’s 6/6 interview
Q. What do you think about Paul Pierce coming back? DEREK FISHER: I don’t really know to be honest. He was hurt and he came back. The adrenaline is going, it’s the NBA Finals, guys are going to suck it up and do what they have to do to try to help their team. He’s to be…
June 06, 2008, 11:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Odom: These guys are no Giants
BOSTON — Everyone knows the Celtics’ defense is good. All the proof necessary is in the numbers, which say they permitted opponents a 41.9-percent field goal accuracy rate during the regular season, best in the NBA. Boston also allowed just 90.2 points per game, second only to Detroit,…
June 06, 2008, 11:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Pierce was acting? Don’t be a moron!
So there are people out there — Lakers fans mostly — who believe Paul Pierce was faking it Thursday when he went down with an apparent knee injury. According to our poll, some think Pierce acted out the whole scene for “inspirational purposes.” There’s a word for this:…
June 06, 2008, 11:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
All-time Lakers: Best coach?
So who’s going to coach this All-Time Lakers team we’ve been compiling? I’m guessing Phil Jackson lost some votes by losing Game 1 of the Finals. Then again, if Kobe & Co. rally to win it, Jackson would tie Pat Riley with four Lakers championships. But that still trails…
June 06, 2008, 11:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Vladimir Radmanovic’s 6/6 interview
Q. Kobe was 9 for 26 last night. Do you think he needs to do anything different or just play his game? VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC: I personally believe we have to move the ball better this game. They’re really good defenders when it comes to one‑on‑one defense. They always have two guys,…
June 06, 2008, 10:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Sasha Vujacic’s 6/6 interview
Q. How important is it to get those easy baskets? SASHA VUJACIC: It’s important. You know, as much as it’s important to play together on offense, move the ball from one side to the other. Q. It seemed like the bench struggled and you guys didn’t seem to…
June 06, 2008, 10:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s 6/6 interview
Q. There was a lot of talk yesterday about the difference in physicality between the teams. Is that something that can be fixed in a day or two leading up to Sunday here? COACH PHIL JACKSON: You know, only if the referees draw a distinction to it and they say this is illegal physical activity and…
June 06, 2008, 10:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers-Celtics buries Spurs-Cavaliers
How much sexier is Lakers-Celtics than Spurs-Cavaliers? Approximately 45 percent. That was the massive ratings jump ABC enjoyed for Game 1 of the NBA Finals compared to a year ago. Thursday night’s game averaged 13,384,000 viewers vs. 9,206,000 for Game 1 of Spurs-Cavs. The broadcast averaged…
June 06, 2008, 10:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Pau Gasol’s 6/6 interview
Q. There’s been a lot of talk in the last 12 hours or so about the difference in physicality between the teams. Can that be changed in just a span of a couple days leading up to Game 2? PAU GASOL: Like I said, we talked about it after the game, I don’t think they’re more…
June 06, 2008, 9:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lamar Odom’s 6/6 interview
Q. What did the Celtics do differently in the fourth quarter? LAMAR ODOM: I think they just out‑scrapped us, lots of loose balls, rebounds, et cetera. They played with a sense of urgency. We have to meet that. Q. Why wasn’t there a sense of urgency for the Lakers? LAMAR ODOM: Not to say…
June 06, 2008, 9:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Listen to them sweat!
Being a sportswriter means having a good perspective. Well, being this sportswriter means having perhaps the greatest perspective of all for Game 1. To understand how good The Register’s seats at TD Banknorth Garden are for this series, consider that Thursday I heard Sam Cassell age. We…
June 06, 2008, 9:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Derek Fisher’s 6/6 interview
Q. What do you think about Paul Pierce coming back? DEREK FISHER: I don’t really know to be honest. He was hurt and he came back. The adrenaline is going, it’s the NBA Finals, guys are going to suck it up and do what they have to do to try to help their team. He’s to be…
June 06, 2008, 9:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Poll — Was Paul Pierce being entirely Truthful?
Was “The Truth” less than truthful Thursday night? Was Paul Pierce faking it, the L.A. product putting on a little Hollywood show to inspire his teammates and fans? Only Pierce knows for sure. As for the rest of us, well, we analyze and speculate, because that’s what we do. And…
June 06, 2008, 9:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Pierce was acting? Don’t be a moron!
So there are people out there — Lakers fans mostly — who believe Paul Pierce was faking it Thursday when he went down with an apparent knee injury. According to our poll, some think Pierce acted out the whole scene for “inspirational purposes.” There’s a word for this:…
June 06, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe Bryant’s 6/6 interview
Q. Can you talk about sort of transition opportunities, and you guys didn’t get much in transition. How important is that looking forward? KOBE BRYANT: Well, we like to get up and down, so we’ve got to make sure we rebound the ball. Rebound the ball, get a chance to get out a little…
June 06, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Vladimir Radmanovic’s 6/6 interview
Q. Kobe was 9 for 26 last night. Do you think he needs to do anything different or just play his game? VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC: I personally believe we have to move the ball better this game. They’re really good defenders when it comes to one‑on‑one defense. They always have two guys,…
June 06, 2008, 9:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Bynum sidelined but not still
With the rest of his teammates dressed in practice gear Friday afternoon, center Andrew Bynum walked out on the TD Banknorth Garden court, dressed in a black and gold Lakers sweat suit, and began shooting short-range shots. Flat-footed, of course, because Bynum is coming off arthrscopic surgery…
June 06, 2008, 9:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s 6/6 interview
Q. There was a lot of talk yesterday about the difference in physicality between the teams. Is that something that can be fixed in a day or two leading up to Sunday here? COACH PHIL JACKSON: You know, only if the referees draw a distinction to it and they say this is illegal physical activity and…
June 06, 2008, 8:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers-Celtics buries Spurs-Cavaliers
How much sexier is Lakers-Celtics than Spurs-Cavaliers? Approximately 45 percent. That was the massive ratings jump ABC enjoyed for Game 1 of the NBA Finals compared to a year ago. Thursday night’s game average 13,384,000 viewers vs. 9,206,000 for Game 1 of Spurs-Cavs. The broadcast averaged…
June 06, 2008, 8:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe works out the kinks
Stating after Thursday’s Game 1 loss that he missed a bunch of bunnies, taken to mean close-range shots, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant focused on that Friday afternoon, during the Lakers’ light shooting session. While the rest of the perimeter players were on the opposite end of the court,…
June 06, 2008, 8:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lamar Odom’s 6/6 interview
Q. What did the Celtics do differently in the fourth quarter? LAMAR ODOM: I think they just out‑scrapped us, lots of loose balls, rebounds, et cetera. They played with a sense of urgency. We have to meet that. Q. Why wasn’t there a sense of urgency for the Lakers? LAMAR ODOM: Not to…
June 06, 2008, 8:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Fun and focus all in one for Lakers
During the waning minutes of a NBA team’s practice, players typically engage in activities like who can be the first one to make a half-court shot, making jump shots with their off-shooting hand or seeing how many jump shots in a row a group can make. Lakers reserve forward Ronny Turiaf and…
June 06, 2008, 8:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Mid-court camouflage in Boston
BOSTON — To the national television audience and even to fans and the contingent of media people covering the NBA Finals, it appears that the Larry O’ Brien Trophy logo that is pasted on the TD Banknorth Garden floor obscures the mid-court line, seemingly making over-and-back calls…
June 06, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The other side of Rasheed
Rasheed Wallace didn’t drop any controversial bombshells about Flip Saunders or his future in Detroit during his appearance at SNYX Sneaker Studio last night, but he also didn’t leave those fans who came out to see him empty handed. From Terry Foster of the Detroit News: The millionaire…
June 06, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
No Doug Collins after all
[From the FanPosts. I wasn't completely against Collins, but him backing out sits fine. What doesn't is yet another public show of incompetence by the Bulls. Oh well, happy Friday everyone. -ed.] Looks like Doug Collins will not be the coach next year. Sez Collins: This is absolutely mutual.…
June 06, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Blog a Bull
Derek Fisher’s 6/6 interview
Q. What do you think about Paul Pierce coming back? DEREK FISHER: I don’t really know to be honest. He was hurt and he came back. The adrenaline is going, it’s the NBA Finals, guys are going to suck it up and do what they have to do to try to help their team. He’s to be…
June 06, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Poll — Was Paul Pierce being entirely Truthful?
Was “The Truth” less than truthful Thursday night? Was Paul Pierce faking it, the L.A. product putting on a little Hollywood show to inspire his teammates and fans? Only Pierce knows for sure. As for the rest of us, well, we analyze and speculate, because that’s what we do. And…
June 06, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Why not Tom Izzo?
In his press conference today, Joe Dumars said that the three guys on his list right now are Michael Curry, Terry Porter (assuming he doesn’t get the Phoenix job) and Avery Johnson. Stephen A. Smith swears that Curry will get the job, but when talking with Stoney and Wojo, Dumars scoffed at…
June 06, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kobe Bryant’s 6/6 interview
Q. Can you talk about sort of transition opportunities, and you guys didn’t get much in transition. How important is that looking forward? KOBE BRYANT: Well, we like to get up and down, so we’ve got to make sure we rebound the ball. Rebound the ball, get a chance to get out a little…
June 06, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Detroit’s pre-draft workout list
We’re behind a bit on our pre-draft coverage — earlier this week, A. Sherrod Blakely posted this list of players the Pistons plan on working out: • Shan Foster, SG, Vanderbilt • Omri Casspi, SF, Israel • Bill Walker, SF, Kansas State • Joe Crawford, SG, Kentucky • Mike Green,…
June 06, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Acting? Don’t be a moron!
So there are people out there — Lakers fans mostly — who believe Paul Pierce was faking it Thursday when he went down with an apparent knee injury. According to our poll, some think Pierce acted out the whole scene for “inspirational purposes.” There’s a word for this:…
June 06, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Bynum sidelined but not still
With the rest of his teammates dressed in practice gear Friday afternoon, center Andrew Bynum walked out on the TD Banknorth Garden court, dressed in a black and gold Lakers sweat suit, and began shooting short-range shots. Flat-footed, of course, because Bynum is coming off arthrscopic surgery…
June 06, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s post-Game 1 interview
COACH PHIL JACKSON: It was a tale of two halves tonight. We had some control in the first half, played the kind of game we wanted to play, and the second half we came out and immediately wiped out the lead we had established in about 20 seconds, a matter of two possessions. So it was quite a…
June 06, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s 6/6 interview
Q. There was a lot of talk yesterday about the difference in physicality between the teams. Is that something that can be fixed in a day or two leading up to Sunday here? COACH PHIL JACKSON: You know, only if the referees draw a distinction to it and they say this is illegal physical activity and…
June 06, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe Bryant’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. All the intangibles and hoopla aside, how do you in the team dynamic get the team ready for Game 2? KOBE BRYANT: Just do what we normally do, come back and practice the next couple days, tweak some things, get ready for Game 2. Q. I spoke to Luke Walton and Lamar Odom in the…
June 06, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe works out the kinks
Stating after Thursday’s Game 1 loss that he missed a bunch of bunnies, taken to mean close-range shots, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant focused on that Friday afternoon, during the Lakers’ light shooting session. While the rest of the perimeter players were on the opposite end of the court,…
June 06, 2008, 6:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Fun and focus all in one for Lakers
During the waning minutes of a NBA team’s practice, players typically engage in activities like who can be the first one to make a half-court shot, making jump shots with their off-shooting hand or seeing how many jump shots in a row a group can make. Lakers reserve forward Ronny Turiaf and…
June 06, 2008, 6:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Derek Fisher’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. When Paul Pierce went down, a couple of the Celtics said they got rejuvenated when he came back, but Phil Jackson said it was kind of overrated that he came back, that the emotions had already changed. What’s your take on that? DEREK FISHER: Yeah, I don’t know how much him…
June 06, 2008, 6:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Mid-court camouflage in Boston
BOSTON — To the national television audience and even to fans and the contingent of media people covering the NBA Finals, it appears that the Larry O’ Brien Trophy logo that is pasted on the TD Banknorth Garden floor obscures the mid-court line, seemingly making over-and-back calls…
June 06, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Basketball's culture of tease
Billy Packer called me, interested in what I wrote Sunday about players skipping games at the NBA’s pre-draft camp. Packer, the Charlotte-based college-basketball analyst, makes a valid point: The system that carries a player from high school star to NBA...
June 06, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Poll — Was Paul Pierce being entirely Truthful?
Was “The Truth” less than truthful Thursday night? Was Paul Pierce faking it, the L.A. product putting on a little Hollywood show to inspire his teammates and fans? Only Pierce knows for sure. As for the rest of us, well, we analyze and speculate, because that’s what we do. And…
June 06, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
From the locker room …
Lamar Odom, Lakers Q: Was Kobe (Bryant) uncomfortable tonight in the offense? Odom: Kobe’s never uncomfortable. He can hit shots from anywhere, with anyone on him. We just have to do a better job of rebounding and scrapping and getting the loose balls.” Pau Gasol, Lakers Q: Were there…
June 06, 2008, 5:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe Bryant’s 6/6 interview
Q. Can you talk about sort of transition opportunities, and you guys didn’t get much in transition. How important is that looking forward? KOBE BRYANT: Well, we like to get up and down, so we’ve got to make sure we rebound the ball. Rebound the ball, get a…
June 06, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 1: Celtics 98, Lakers 88
BOSTON – A bad game from Kobe Bryant on the NBA Finals stage was the last thing the Lakers expected, but it’s what they got to start the championship series. Against a strong wall inside of Boston defense, Bryant shot 9 of 26 from the field and finished with 24 points. Bryant could be seen…
June 06, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Sidelined but not still
With the rest of his teammates dressed in practice gear Friday afternoon, center Andrew Bynum walked out on the TD Banknorth Garden court, dressed in a black and gold Lakers sweat suit, and began shooting short-range shots. Flat-footed, of course, because Bynum is coming off arthrscopic surgery…
June 06, 2008, 4:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s post-Game 1 interview
COACH PHIL JACKSON: It was a tale of two halves tonight. We had some control in the first half, played the kind of game we wanted to play, and the second half we came out and immediately wiped out the lead we had established in about 20 seconds, a matter of two possessions. So it was quite a…
June 06, 2008, 4:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe Bryant’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. All the intangibles and hoopla aside, how do you in the team dynamic get the team ready for Game 2? KOBE BRYANT: Just do what we normally do, come back and practice the next couple days, tweak some things, get ready for Game 2. Q. I spoke to Luke Walton and…
June 06, 2008, 4:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe works out the kinks
Stating after Thursday’s Game 1 loss that he missed a bunch of bunnies, taken to mean close-range shots, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant focused on that Friday afternoon, during the Lakers’ light shooting session. While the rest of the perimeter players were on the opposite end of the court,…
June 06, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Fun and focus all in one for Lakers
During the waning minutes of a NBA team’s practice, players typically engage in activities like who can be the first one to make a half-court shot, making jump shots with their off-shooting hand or seeing how many jump shots in a row a group can make. Lakers reserve forward Ronny Turiaf and…
June 06, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Derek Fisher’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. When Paul Pierce went down, a couple of the Celtics said they got rejuvenated when he came back, but Phil Jackson said it was kind of overrated that he came back, that the emotions had already changed. What’s your take on that? DEREK FISHER: Yeah, I don’t know how much him…
June 06, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Mid-court camouflage in Boston
BOSTON — To the national television audience and even to fans and the contingent of media people covering the NBA Finals, it appears that the Larry O’ Brien Trophy logo that is pasted on the TD Banknorth Garden floor obscures the mid-court line, seemingly making over-and-back calls…
June 06, 2008, 4:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Casey in line for Bulls coaching gig?
Former Sonics assistant coach Dwane Casey may have moved ahead of Doug Collins for the vacant Chicago Bulls head coaching position according to this report. Earlier reports had the Bulls already offering Collins the job. And according to his report in The Oklahoman, Richard Yarmuth, attorney…
June 06, 2008, 2:30 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Scene from the second quarter
This is why Kobe Bryant is the reigning league MVP and a perennial all-defensive team selection. In the second quarter, he alternately guarded the Celtics’ seven-foot All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, All-Star forward Paul Pierce, forward James Posey and even ageless guard Sam…
June 06, 2008, 09:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the first quarter
Seconds before tip-off…Never have I heard an arena so loud…With the song “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting over the sound system, referee tossed the opening tip, which was won by the Lakers. The entire Celtics bench stood for the first three minutes of the game, while the…
June 06, 2008, 09:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
From the locker room …
Lamar Odom, Lakers Q: Was Kobe (Bryant) uncomfortable tonight in the offense? Odom: Kobe’s never uncomfortable. He can hit shots from anywhere, with anyone on him. We just have to do a better job of rebounding and scrapping and getting the loose balls.” Pau Gasol, Lakers Q: Were there…
June 06, 2008, 08:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 1: Celtics 98, Lakers 88
BOSTON – A bad game from Kobe Bryant on the NBA Finals stage was the last thing the Lakers expected, but it’s what they got to start the championship series. Against a strong wall inside of Boston defense, Bryant shot 9 of 26 from the field and finished with 24 points. Bryant could be seen…
June 06, 2008, 08:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the third quarter
A collective groan and then silence came over the TD Banknorth Garden crowd, with 6:49 when Kobe Bryant scored on a baseline runner and Celtics forward Paul Pierce went down in a heap. Pierce inadvertently got hit in his right knee by teammate Kendrick Perkins and after lying on the floor for a…
June 06, 2008, 08:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lamar Odom thinking this one’s for son Jayden
BOSTON — All last season, Lamar Odom hung in his Staples Center locker a huge white T-shirt with an artist’s rendering of his infant son, Jayden, on the front. Jayden, 6 1/2 months old, died in his crib on June 29, 2006. Tonight, playing in his first NBA Finals, Odom is wearing that…
June 06, 2008, 08:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers vs. Celtics, YouTube-style
There’s no better time-waster than YouTube.com, where celebrities can be exposed, pop singers can be discovered and classic sports moments can be relived. With Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals soon to begin, we thought we’d poke around YouTube and see what we could find among the 300…
June 06, 2008, 08:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil Jackson’s post-Game 1 interview
COACH PHIL JACKSON: It was a tale of two halves tonight. We had some control in the first half, played the kind of game we wanted to play, and the second half we came out and immediately wiped out the lead we had established in about 20 seconds, a matter of two possessions. So it was quite a…
June 06, 2008, 08:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe Bryant’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. All the intangibles and hoopla aside, how do you in the team dynamic get the team ready for Game 2? KOBE BRYANT: Just do what we normally do, come back and practice the next couple days, tweak some things, get ready for Game…
June 06, 2008, 08:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Derek Fisher’s post-Game 1 interview
Q. When Paul Pierce went down, a couple of the Celtics said they got rejuvenated when he came back, but Phil Jackson said it was kind of overrated that he came back, that the emotions had already changed. What’s your take on that? DEREK FISHER: Yeah, I don’t know how much him…
June 06, 2008, 08:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
All-time Lakers: Best guard?
It’s Part III of our pick-the-all-time-Lakers game, and it’s by far the toughest. You’ve got the consensus current best player in the league (Kobe Bryant), one of the top five players of all time (Magic Johnson), the guy whose silhouette forms the official NBA logo (Jerry West)…
June 06, 2008, 05:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the second quarter
This is why Kobe Bryant is the reigning league MVP and a perennial all-defensive team selection. In the second quarter, he alternately guarded the Celtics’ seven-foot All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, All-Star forward Paul Pierce, forward James Posey and even ageless guard Sam…
June 06, 2008, 05:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Quotable Finalists: Derek Fisher and Ray Allen
BOSTON — Derek Fisher was a finalist this season for the Magic Johnson Award, given out by the Pro Basketball Writers Association to an elite player who admirably performs with the media. So you know D-Fish can bring insights and opinions, especially if you ask him something about himself. Q:…
June 06, 2008, 04:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the first quarter
Seconds before tip-off…Never have I heard an arena so loud…With the song “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting over the sound system, referee tossed the opening tip, which was won by the Lakers. The entire Celtics bench stood for the first three minutes of the game, while the…
June 06, 2008, 04:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
NBA Finals pick: Lakers in 5
BOSTON — OK, it’s time to blow off work, plop your kids in front of Baby Einstein or “Hannah Montana,” ignore your fantasy baseball team and get fully prepared for the NBA Finals by reading to achieve … My position-by-position breakdown reveals why the Lakers are…
June 06, 2008, 04:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers locker room
Lamar Odom, Lakers Q: Was Kobe (Bryant) uncomfortable tonight in the offense? Odom: Kobe’s never uncomfortable. He can hit shots from anywhere, with anyone on him. We just have to do a better job of rebounding and scrapping and getting the loose balls.” Pau Gasol, Lakers Q: Were there…
June 06, 2008, 04:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 1: Celtics 98, Lakers 88
BOSTON – A bad game from Kobe Bryant on the NBA Finals stage was the last thing the Lakers expected, but it’s what they got to start the championship series. Against a strong wall inside of Boston defense, Bryant shot 9 of 26 from the field and finished with 24 points. Bryant could be seen…
June 06, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lamar Odom thinking this one’s for son Jayden
BOSTON — All last season, Lamar Odom hung in his Staples Center locker a huge white T-shirt with an artist’s rendering of his infant son, Jayden, on the front. Jayden, 6 1/2 months old, died in his crib on June 29, 2006. Tonight, playing in his first NBA Finals, Odom is wearing that…
June 06, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers vs. Celtics, YouTube-style
There’s no better time-waster than YouTube.com, where celebrities can be exposed, pop singers can be discovered and classic sports moments can be relived. With Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals soon to begin, we thought we’d poke around YouTube and see what we could find among the 300…
June 06, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the third quarter
A collective groan and then silence came over the TD Banknorth Garden crowd, with 6:49 when Kobe Bryant scored on a baseline runner and Celtics forward Paul Pierce went down in a heap. Pierce inadvertently got hit in his right knee by teammate Kendrick Perkins and after lying on the floor for a…
June 06, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
All-time Lakers: Best forward?
Part II of our pick-the-best-Lakers-ever series focuses on the forwards — and yes, we’re not splitting them up into the small and power categories (and won’t divide point and shooting guards either). Why? Couple of reasons: (1) Was Elgin Baylor a 3 or a 4? His height (6-5) said 3,…
June 06, 2008, 01:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
All-time Lakers: Best guard?
It’s Part III of our pick-the-all-time-Lakers game, and it’s by far the toughest. You’ve got the consensus current best player in the league (Kobe Bryant), one of the top five players of all time (Magic Johnson), the guy whose silhouette forms the official NBA logo (Jerry West)…
June 06, 2008, 00:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the second quarter
This is why Kobe Bryant is the reigning league MVP and a perennial all-defensive team selection. In the second quarter, he alternately guarded the Celtics’ seven-foot All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, All-Star forward Paul Pierce, forward James Posey and even ageless guard Sam…
June 06, 2008, 00:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Quotable Finalists: Derek Fisher and Ray Allen
BOSTON — Derek Fisher was a finalist this season for the Magic Johnson Award, given out by the Pro Basketball Writers Association to an elite player who admirably performs with the media. So you know D-Fish can bring insights and opinions, especially if you ask him something about himself. Q:…
June 06, 2008, 00:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Scene from the first quarter
Seconds before tip-off…Never have I heard an arena so loud…With the song “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting over the sound system, referee tossed the opening tip, which was won by the Lakers. The entire Celtics bench stood for the first three minutes of the game, while the…
June 06, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
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