Anybody else worried about the Lakers showing up flat today?

Van-Exel26 · Star Player Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1402

I just feel like there is going to be a huge hangover effect in the game. I know the win was huge and stuff but they were celebrating like they just won the series after game 4. It was also revealed that some of them shed tears in the locker room. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I personally find it incredibly hard to believe that they're going to show up with the same hunger they've played with thus far in the series. Plus Kobe went through an even more emotional moment after the game with the birth of his daughter. I'm just hoping that we survive the 1st quarter, the Suns are going to come out firing after what happened to them. I know one thing though, if do end up losing today then we better take care of business in game 6. Hopefully I'm wrong though.

sodapoppenski · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:37 am Post subject:

I actually think we'll come out fairly sharp.

But I'll put it this way.

Looking at percentages alone, either one of these teams has a better-than
50% chance to win any given game on their home-floor.

I said the same to my Suns-fan buddy when the series was 1-1.

I felt we had about a 65% chance of winning each home-game we played.

Which of course means to win both .65 * .65 = roughly 44% (the slightly
higher likelihood being that Phoenix picked one off).

I stand by that too.

Obviously it's not as simple as throwing out a bunch of percentages, but
is Phoenix the more likely team to win tomorrow's game?

Yes.

And we're the more likely team to win Game-6.

Don't underestimate home-cooking OR the charge and pride players feel
in the playoffs on their home-court.

I'd love to win tomorrow, but I don't expect it.

It could certainly happen, but my best guess is a Game-6 close-out right
now.

KOBE 2.0 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:40 am Post subject:

Anyone else tired when Laker fans make dumb threads when we play someone the next day? last time it was before game 4 when someone was worried now someone has the same dumb thread i think we're tired of seeing these threads pop up each time we play the next day please stop already.

sodapoppenski · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:44 am Post subject:

KOBE 2.0 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:48 am Post subject:

melo061 · Star Player Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8685

sodapoppenski · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:52 am Post subject:

C'mon man.

It's a legit topic.

It beats a ton of other topics on here that logically shouldn't be threads.

At least there's cause for this thread from a fan-standpoint.

And you know as well as I do how the forum gets after a win or loss, with
20-30 threads with some non-discript title and the entire original post is
something like "mannnn, I hate this loss!" (why does that deserve a
thread when 10 people start the same one).

I don't see any other threads on here trying to talk about the potential for
the Lakers to psychologically ease-up too much tomorrow.

It's a worthy thing to consider.

KOBE 2.0 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:54 am Post subject:

_LAKESHOW_ · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:57 am Post subject:

i think they might come out inspired. phoenix that is.

but we'll slow the game down and out execute them in the end.
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sodapoppenski · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 1:57 am Post subject:

melo061 · Star Player Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8685

How many times have the lakers after a big win come out flat the next day? Does Allowing 120 points after a big win over detroit ring a bell?

I understand this team is different but their bound to have a big let down. Being realistic is better than being in a fools paradise.

Van-Exel26 · Star Player Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1402

sodapoppenski · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:01 am Post subject:

kobenbynum · Star Player Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 1276

Anyone who thinks that the Suns are not gonna play like it's the last game of their lives is crazy. They may not but don't expect anything less.
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KOBE 2.0 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:02 am Post subject:

Shalashaska · Star Player Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 4091

Definitely. This is a young team, and its very likely they will come out complacent and slow to begin the game. I just hope Phil and Kobe will prepare the guys early on for what lies ahead. I know Kobe will show up, and very likely LO will as well, but it all depends on how the rest of the team responds. Its a learning experience for them, and hopefully they will step up to the challenge tomorrow.

Nahtanoj · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:46 am Post subject:

Van-Exel26 · Star Player Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1402

I don't know why people find it so hard to believe, the 2000 championship team did it all the time.

Up 2-0 on the Kings, lose the next two in Sacramento.
Up 3-0 on Suns, lose game 4 by 19 ponts
Up 3-1 on Blazers, we all know what happened there
Up 3-1 on Pacers, lose game 5 by 33 points

Let's hope these Lakers are more mature because those Lakers were just as hungry.

shnjb · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 13320

THE_SHOES · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:08 am Post subject:

In fact I suspect the Lakers are aware of the fact that they were actually less than brilliant for most of that last contest. The Lakers are due for a solid performance actually...

Smush will carry the team himself in the first quarter. Look for Kwame to be hostile.

Jax will have em ready. He'll point out to them the importance of knocking your opponet out while he is vulnerable, and how they are going to come out fighting like a wounded animal etc. The Lakers won't be caught off guard. I have a feeling that the Lakers are anxious for respect, and will play this game like there is no tomorrow.

The desperation shots should be coming from Nash and company who can't play relaxed knowing the reality is that they really don't have a tommorow...
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THE_SHOES · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:11 am Post subject:

kobenbynum · Star Player Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 1276

LA_UNION · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:46 am Post subject:

The Lakers will come out ready. I don't know about Pheonix!!

After the diasappointment, the anger, and the emotional letdown, I'm not sure how much enthusiasm and energy they will bring to court. And I'm not talking about the fans as yet! They should all watch "Rocky I - V" before the game.

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kqiu2210 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:49 am Post subject:

Phil will work his Zen, get everyone psyched up and ready to ball.

BigAssLakerFan · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 4:00 am Post subject:

Knowing Phil and Kobe, I'm sure we'll come ready for the kill. Phil and Kobe smell blood, they don't want to give the Suns any type of hope.

Sorry about my post sounding like the Lakers are butchers but I'm kind have (kind've) sleepy also.