Bob Ryan: Expect Lakers To Get Calls

For sure he’s right. Kobe will get lots of freebies and poor Perk may set a record for two quick fouls. Rondo is prone to off games after good games so he’s liable to be flat. I would really like to see Eddie and maybe BBD putting thier energy into the mix.

I have watched all 82 regular season games, and all the playoff games. This Celtic team is special, just as the 1986 squad was, only in different ways. They seem to overcome even major mental lapses during games. I think the Lakers are going to have their hands full beating this team two out of three, even at home

I just watched the game again, and the Lakers did more karate chopping than Jackie Chan in Game 2. Get some interior defenders, and some guards (besides Kobe) who are quick enough to play perimeter defense, like the Cs, and then you can cry about the foul shot disparity.

For the record, in the 19-2 FT first half, the Lakers had 24 points in the paint, and the Cs 12, because the Lakers fouled on a bynch of layup attempts. So what? Would Phil, Kobe and the rest of the Laker spinmeisters feel better right now if the Cs fouled on 5 of their layups and they had the 10 points from FTs instead of dunks and layups?

Basketball Bob has been playing the role of wet blanket all along… we’ve discussed this with his “worst roster after the big three” column ever since last summer.

Game One: don’t get overconfident. Game Two: don’t get overconfident. I get it. He obviously thinks most of his readers are yahoos.

In fairness, after people were freaking after Cleveland game three or four, he did point out that many playoff series went the distance or close to it including the mediocre 1984 Knicks against the Celtics. Nobody remembers that the Knicks took the C’s to seven games or blamed the C’s for underachieving. Then we took LA down.

The Lakers are a mediocre defensive team, and that’s being friendly. If you look back, every team that has won since Jordan had a premier, top-5 interior force (Duncan, Shaq, Wallace in the Pistons’ system). Kobe is their best defender, probably – I’m not sold on Fish – and that’s only because of his natural ability, not any willingness to D up and frustrate. I’ll take KG or Powe or even Big Baby on Gasol all day. Bynum might worry me, but he’s not playing.

Considering this, I think the chances at the stripe may be about even. I’ve learned never to overestimate NBA officiating, but there’s just too much working against the Lakers under the basket. I’m still saying Celtics in 6.

If the Lakers are going to get calls on ticky tack fouls, then let’s make sure they are real fouls. No dirty stuff, but physical stuff. For example, I like that Posey prevented Kobe from doing a post-whistle layup in Game 1.

this is the lakers’ game. if they can’t win tonight, wrap it up and send it cod to boston. stern has to appeal to big jack nicholson, dyan cannon, and all the celebs who pay some of the la freight. there is too much $ to be made and a short series lessens the pot. if i am being cynical, i still am correct.