2008 Woodie Awards
Jackson disputes the luck of the Irish (6/11/08)
Tom Withers (AP)
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: Sports
Phil Jackson called it "ridiculous" and "unbelievable."
Los Angeles' boss was referring to the huge imbalance in free-throw attempts between his club and the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
He could have been talking about the Lakers.
An overwhelming favorite to win the series, the Western Conference champions haven't shown up yet. Except for an eight-minute spurt in the fourth quarter on Sunday night, they've been outplayed by the Celtics and now must win four of the next five games to capture their 15th title in this matchup of the league's two signature franchises.
On Monday, the Lakers came back home. They had better hope its still sweet.
After losing two games in Boston, the Lakers returned to California in a hole as deep as Topanga Canyon. Over 96 minutes, they have looked nothing like the team which pulverized Denver, pushed aside Utah and swatted away San Antonio this postseason.
Though down 0-2, and facing history along with the league's toughest defense, Kobe Bryant and his young teammates felt good about their Game 2 comeback - they whacked a 24-point deficit to two over the final 7:55 - and are confident they can swing the series at Staples Center in Game 3 on Tuesday night.
"I think they learned a lot, because we are a young team and I think that shows you're never really out of a game," said Bryant, who scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth and lit into his teammates with a parental discretion-advised tirade. "I think being down 24, if you find yourself down eight or 10, that's not something that should discourage you."
The Lakers are also banking on getting a lift on their home floor, where they are 8-0 in the postseason and unbeaten in 14 home games since March 28.
Only three teams: Boston against Los Angeles in 1969, Portland against Philadelphia in 1977, and Miami against Dallas in 2006 have overcome an 0-2 deficit to win it all. The Lakers have some work to do if they intend to be the fourth.
Los Angeles' boss was referring to the huge imbalance in free-throw attempts between his club and the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
He could have been talking about the Lakers.
An overwhelming favorite to win the series, the Western Conference champions haven't shown up yet. Except for an eight-minute spurt in the fourth quarter on Sunday night, they've been outplayed by the Celtics and now must win four of the next five games to capture their 15th title in this matchup of the league's two signature franchises.
On Monday, the Lakers came back home. They had better hope its still sweet.
After losing two games in Boston, the Lakers returned to California in a hole as deep as Topanga Canyon. Over 96 minutes, they have looked nothing like the team which pulverized Denver, pushed aside Utah and swatted away San Antonio this postseason.
Though down 0-2, and facing history along with the league's toughest defense, Kobe Bryant and his young teammates felt good about their Game 2 comeback - they whacked a 24-point deficit to two over the final 7:55 - and are confident they can swing the series at Staples Center in Game 3 on Tuesday night.
"I think they learned a lot, because we are a young team and I think that shows you're never really out of a game," said Bryant, who scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth and lit into his teammates with a parental discretion-advised tirade. "I think being down 24, if you find yourself down eight or 10, that's not something that should discourage you."
The Lakers are also banking on getting a lift on their home floor, where they are 8-0 in the postseason and unbeaten in 14 home games since March 28.
Only three teams: Boston against Los Angeles in 1969, Portland against Philadelphia in 1977, and Miami against Dallas in 2006 have overcome an 0-2 deficit to win it all. The Lakers have some work to do if they intend to be the fourth.
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