April 24th: "Suns rise to challenge" "Bryant Vanishes In Suns' Win"

 
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Phil
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:29 pm    Post subject: April 24th: "Suns rise to challenge" "Bryant Vanishes In Suns' Win"

Suns rise to challenge
Thomas has career day as Phoenix holds off Lakers


The Associated Press
Kobe Bryant didn't score, the Phoenix Suns couldn't run.
Nothing was quite as it was supposed to be when the Suns escaped with a 107-102 victory over Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Tim Thomas had 22 points and a career playoff-high 15 rebounds for the Suns, who nearly succumbed to coach Phil Jackson's game plan of going inside against the small Phoenix lineup, then turning to Bryant to finish it off.

"We certainly didn't play very well," Steve Nash said. "We look at that as a positive. We didn't play well and we found a way to win, and we've got a lot of improvement to make."

Thomas, sent home by the Chicago Bulls for what they thought was a bad attitude for most of this season, then released and signed by Phoenix on March 3, made his first eight shots and finished 8-for-10, 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

"I was just aggressive on both ends," Thomas said.

Nash had 20 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 to play, and 10 assists.

The Suns made 32 of 35 free throws, 8-for-8 by Nash.

"The Phoenix Suns set a record for fewest free throws in the league," Jackson said, "and here they have 35 free throws. This is a team we told our guys not to foul, and we end up sending them to the line 35 times. That was one of the things we didn't expect to happen."


Last edited by Phil on Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:30 pm    Post subject:

Bryant Vanishes In Suns' Win
Nash Gets Better of League's Leading Scorer : Suns 107, Lakers 102

By Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 24, 2006; Page E08

PHOENIX, April 23 -- Anyone expecting to see the Los Angeles Laker -- no, the "s" was not forgotten -- against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday would've been disappointed. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson tried a baffling new approach in an attempt to beat the Suns at US Airways Center: Don't rely exclusively on the offensive production of the league's leading scorer, Kobe Bryant.

The Suns were expecting to again implement the Kobe Rules -- let Bryant get his; shut down everyone else -- since he torched them for an average of 42.5 points per game in the regular season. "Usually, we're just watching him. It's Kobe, one-on-five," Suns forward Shawn Marion said. "I was thinking, like, it was going to be Kobe, Kobe, Kobe, but we played the Lakers today."

steve nash - phoenix suns
Suns' point guard Steve Nash had 20 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 to play, and 10 assists Sunday. He was also 8-for-8 from the free throw line and Phoenix hit 32-of-35 as a team. (Paul Connors - AP)
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* Box score



The plan for the Lakers was to rely on everyone else and let Bryant take over in the end. The first part of the plan worked, as the Lakers had five players score in double figures. The second part didn't, because Bryant's takeover never took place.
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:33 pm    Post subject:

Kobe's disappearing act puts Lakers in hole

Mike Celizic


I know that Kobe Bryant doesn't need any advice on how to play winning basketball. He's let us know often enough that he is the ultimate authority on the game and the greatest talent in it. Just the same, it wouldn't hurt him to slip a DVD of LeBron James' first playoff game into his super-wide screen HD TV and take some notes.

What Bryant would see is a lesson on how a superstar is supposed to play in the postseason.

It's a lesson he needs to learn after the the utterly indifferent performance he brought to the court Sunday against the Phoenix Suns in a game that was there for the taking. All the Los Angeles Lakers needed to steal a game on Phoenix's home court was one player to take the game over. Anytime in the second half would have been fine time to do it. But instead of grabbing hold and not letting go, Kobe stood back and watched.
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:39 pm    Post subject:

Kobe 'passive' in Lakers' Game 1 loss

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
PHOENIX -- No one in the desert was expecting this, least of all the Phoenix Suns. Even the home team was figuring on an over/under of 50 points for Kobe Bryant's grand return to playoff basketball.

"I was thinking it was going to be Kobe, Kobe, Kobe," said Suns forward Shawn Marion. "But we played the Lakers today."

Barry Gossage/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant was 1-for-6 from behind the arc on Sunday.
Reason being: Phil Jackson and the NBA's only 35-points-a-game guy -- and, yes, they insist such decisions are made collectively in this re-marriage -- decided there were other priorities Sunday bigger than putting on the show we all wanted. Coach and player apparently reasoned that Kobe's green and thin supporting cast would be more likely to make this a series if they were very involved in Game 1.

So L.A. was willing to sacrifice this game, as well as the worldwide assumption that Kobe would be dazzling, if that meant making Kwame Brown and Luke Walton feel more like folks who believe they should be starting in the big afternoon playoff game on ABC.

The result? The Lakers were worlds less enjoyable to watch, but they indeed got everyone involved and came close to winning anyway. The visitors also came away moderately encouraged by this 107-102 defeat, knowing that they were in it to the finish even though Bryant, when finally implored by the Zenmeister to go Kobe on the Suns, submitted an unusually limp crunch-time display.

Turns out there's a reason for the limpness, too. The game's best active closer admitted afterward that what he was asked to do in Game 1 is tougher than what all of us want him to do.

What's tougher than telling himself to go for 50 points (or more) from the opening tip?
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:42 pm    Post subject:

Suns stop Lakers in Game 1

BY CRAIG MORGAN
East Valley Tribune
PHOENIX - Regular season dominance didn't translate in the playoffs, but the Phoenix Suns had enough in the tank to hold off the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-102, in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series Sunday at US Airways Center.

Tim Thomas scored 22 points with a career playoff-high 15 rebounds and the Suns converted 32 of a season-high 35 free throws to stave off a concerted effort by the Lakers to pound the ball inside and slow down the game.

"We were having a hard time getting shots," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Our spacing wasn't good and we got bogged down but we got a win when we didn't play our best so I'll take it."
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:44 pm    Post subject:

Tickets for Lakers Exhibition go on sale

By: Wire Reports -

SAN DIEGO - Tickets for the Los Angeles Lakers annual appearance in San Diego will go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-4-NBA-TIXS.
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:46 pm    Post subject:

Close, but not enough
Suns take control late, edge Lakers
By Ross Siler, Staff Writer

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, is helped off the floor after being called for a foul late in the fourth quarter of an NBA first-round playoff basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Arizona Republic, Rob Schumacher)
• Photo Gallery: 04/23: NBA Playoffs - Lakers vs. Suns

PHOENIX - The distinction was drawn last week by Phil Jackson between this first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns and all the others that he has been a part of - and never lost - during his 14 previous seasons as an NBA coach.
The objective in those, Jackson said, was "How quickly can we get this one finished?" and move closer to a championship.

The objective this time, Jackson said, was "How far can we extend the Suns?" and possibly pull off an upset.

At the end of Game 1 on Sunday at US Airways Center, Jackson and the Lakers could take some satisfaction in having extended the Suns to the final act of the fourth quarter, even if the end result was a 107-102 loss in the best-of-seven series.

There were the shots that didn't fall and the calls that didn't go their way. There was the 22-point game out of Kobe Bryant that defied explanation. There also was a message for the Lakers afterward from special assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"Kareem met these guys at the door," Jackson said, "and he said, That effort wins on Wednesday.' He was very supportive, and I think they heard that, that if they give that kind of effort again, we'll win the game."
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:47 pm    Post subject:

Bryant's passive plan backfires

PHOENIX - The Lakers got that team play they were looking for. Got guys to step up, unexpected contributions from role players. A nice balanced attack.

And still it came down to Kobe Bryant.

That's how it is for these Lakers. It's always about what Kobe did or did not do.

So Sunday in his first playoff game without Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers' leader went the subdued route. Went oddly passive. Played like he was happy to be one of the guys.

Through three quarters, Kobe had taken 10 shots. He averaged 30 field goals against the Suns in the regular season.

At one point midway in the fourth quarter, every Lakers starter had scored more than the man who led the NBA in scoring.

It was Al Pacino playing understated, Albert Pujols bunting, Jerry Buss dating a woman half his age. The absolute most bizarre thing about it was, it was almost working.

The Lakers took a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter. They were still hanging with the explosive Suns under two minutes to play.

All with Kobe doing his Mark Landsberger imitation. Being this nice little role player.
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:49 pm    Post subject:

Suns hold off cold Kobe, Lakers
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX - Even with a poor shooting afternoon from Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers still nearly stole their playoff opener against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Tim Thomas had 22 points and a career playoff-high 15 rebounds, and the Suns escaped with a 107-102 victory.

Thomas, sent home by the Chicago Bulls for what they thought was a bad attitude for most of this season, then released and signed by Phoenix on March 3, made his first eight shots and finished 8-for-10, 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

Steve Nash had 20 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 to play, and 10 assists. The Suns made 32 of 35 free throws, 8-for-8 by Nash. Shawn Marion added 19 points, Boris Diaw 15 and Leandro Barbosa 15, nine in the fourth quarter.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:51 am    Post subject:

Passive Is Regressive
Lakers keep it close with inside game and defense, but Bryant, unassertive early, is unable to take over late and Suns win series opener, 107-102.
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
April 24, 2006

PHOENIX — The Lakers promised to play defense and were true to their word.

They pledged to work the ball inside, and did that too.

All that was needed was the typical 35-point game from Kobe Bryant, but that turned out to be the beginning and end of their problems Sunday afternoon, never to be solved.

The Lakers returned to the playoffs after a rare layoff last season and found the going rough — a 107-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns in which Bryant failed to fire.

He had eight points in the first half and finished with 22 on seven-for-21 shooting as the Lakers dropped Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series at US Airways Center.

As MVP candidates go, Sun guard Steve Nash unveiled his usual numbers — 20 points, 10 assists — but Bryant had less of an impact.

Laker Coach Phil Jackson, befuddled, told him during a fourth-quarter timeout to be more aggressive.

Sun Coach Mike D'Antoni, politically correct, said Bryant looked "a little more passive than usual."

Sun forward Shawn Marion, almost relieved, observed, "Usually we're just watching him. It's Kobe, one on five."
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:00 am    Post subject:

A sunny disposition
BY ROSS SILER, Staff Writer


The Suns' Steve Nash gets past the Lakers' Kwame Brown while driving to the basket in the fourth quarter. (Michael Owen Baker / Staff Photographer)
PHOENIX — The distinction was drawn last week by Phil Jackson between this first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns and all the others that he has been a part of — and never lost — during his 14 previous seasons as an NBA coach.

The objective in those, Jackson said, was "How quickly can we get this one finished?" and move closer to a championship. The objective this time, Jackson said, was "How far can we extend the Suns?" and possibly pull off an upset.

At the end of Game 1 Sunday at US Airways Center, Jackson and the Lakers could take some satisfaction in having extended the Suns to the final act of the fourth quarter, even if the end result was a 107-102 loss in the best-of-seven series.

There were the shots that didn't fall and the calls that didn't go their way. There was the 22-point game out of Kobe Bryant that defied explanation. There also was a message for the Lakers afterward from special assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"Kareem met these guys at the door," Jackson said, "and he said, 'That effort wins on Wednesday.' He was very supportive, and I think they heard that, that if they give that kind of effort again, we'll win the game."
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:03 am    Post subject:

Just not themselves
Bryant isn't the focus as the Lakers try to attack inside, and the Suns hold them off.

By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register

PHOENIX – Well, Kobe Bryant certainly was not "uncoachable."

The problem was, he was not effective. So Bryant - along with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, whose game plan Bryant adhered to diligently Sunday - also is not ahead in this first-round playoff series with the Phoenix Suns.

Coming off the seventh highest-scoring regular season in NBA history, Bryant was ably reined in by Jackson to serve decoy purposes and help his teammates blossom, but the Lakers lost, 107-102.

It is the first time in Jackson's 15-year coaching and Bryant's 10-year playing career that either has lost a postseason opener. Unfortunately for them, the team that wins the opening game has gone on to win 79 percent of the NBA's best-of-7 series.

There's no doubting that Jackson's "Inside Man" strategy of maximizing the Lakers' size advantage did damage and slowed Phoenix's pace. Lamar Odom (21 points, 14 rebounds), Luke Walton (19 points, tying his career high in any NBA game) and Kwame Brown (14 points) got to the rim easily most of the game. And the Lakers were right there most of the fourth quarter, but Bryant was cold and Smush Parker missed a tying three-pointer with 1:35 to play.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:04 am    Post subject:

It's 107 in the shade

Suns 107, Lakers 102 Even a rattled Phoenix is too hot for Kobe and LA in their playoff opener.

12:48 AM PDT on Monday, April 24, 2006

By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

PHOENIX - They felt good about their effort and how they carried out the game plan, and Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar even told them the same when he greeted them Sunday after their playoff opener.
AP photo
Kobe Bryant, the NBA's top scorer with a 35-point average, is held to 22 by Raja Bell and Phoenix in Game 1 of their series. Bryant missed 14 of 21 shots, including his first five of the fourth, and passed up a late shot to give Smush Parker a chance at a tying three, which missed.

But for all the Lakers did -- going inside to get career nights from Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton, the patient play of Kobe Bryant, trusting his teammates before trying to take over the game -- it wasn't enough.

So no matter how good the vibrations emanating from the Lakers locker room were, the Lakers still are in a hole after losing Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series with the Phoenix Suns, 107-102.

"Kareem met these guys at the door and he said, 'That effort wins on Wednesday (in Game 2).' He was very supportive," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I think they heard that -- that if they give that kind of effort again, they can win."
Related

Video: Broderick Turner's audio analysis of Sunday's playoff loss

Oh, the Lakers had reason to feel good after Brown worked the Suns over inside on his way to 14 points and Walton did the same for 19 points -- both career playoff highs. They had reason to feel good about the inside play of Odom, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds, which also were a playoff high.

That part of the game plan worked.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:06 am    Post subject:

Hey Kobe, Feel Free to Shoot
April 24, 2006

PHOENIX — The two words sailed from my mouth like a desperation half-court heave.

The two words hovered strangely in the air like an alien spacecraft.

In a decade of watching Kobe Bryant, I had never felt compelled to say them.

During his lifetime of baskets and bravado, Bryant has quite possibly never heard them.

But from the start of Bryant's first playoff game as the Laker leader Sunday against the Phoenix Suns, unbelievably, inexplicably, the two words flew.

"Shoot it!"

I said it in the first quarter when Bryant went 16 consecutive possessions without taking a shot.

The league's leading scorer. Against a team he has dominated for 43 points a game. Passing to Kwame Brown?

"Shoot it!"

I said it in the second quarter, when Bryant had a rebound, an assist, a blocked shot … but zero baskets on only four shots.

A guy who scored 81 points once. The only guy on the floor with a championship ring. Passing to Smush Parker?

"Shoot it!"
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:09 am    Post subject:

Kobe passes up this shot
By Steve Dilbeck, Columnist


Kobe Bryant was expected to carry the Lakers' scoaring load on Sunday. Instead, he finished with 22 points. (Michael Owen Baker / Staff Photographer)
PHOENIX -- The Lakers got that team play they were looking for. Got guys to step up, unexpected contributions from role players. A nice balanced attack.

And still it came down to Kobe Bryant.

That's how it is for these Lakers. It's always about what Kobe did or did not do.

So Sunday in his first playoff game without Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers' leader went the subdued route. Went oddly passive. Played like he was happy to be one of the guys.

Through three quarters, Kobe had taken 10 shots. He averaged 30 field-goal attempts against the Phoenix Suns in the regular season.

At one point midway in the fourth quarter, every Laker starter had scored more that the man who led the NBA in scoring.

It was Al Pacino playing understated, Albert Pujols bunting, Jerry Buss dating a woman half his age.

The absolute most bizarre thing about it was, it was almost working.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:10 am    Post subject:

Kobe can't turn up heat at the finish

LAKERS: After deferring to teammates most of the game, Bryant struggles to get hot in the 4th quarter.

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, April 23, 2006

By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

PHOENIX - Kobe Bryant never really was aggressive Sunday in the Lakers' playoff opener and that's not like the player who led the NBA in scoring this season.

To his credit, Bryant stuck to the game plan of attacking the Phoenix Suns on the inside in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. Bryant had faith in his teammates, and they rewarded him by playing good basketball and shooting the Lakers into the lead with about 10 minutes to play.

The problem was, when the Lakers needed Bryant to turn it on at the finish, when they needed him to deliver like he has so many times in the past, he was unable to find the right rhythm.

Bryant missed his first five shots of the fourth quarter and 8 of 11 overall in the quarter.

He had 22 points but missed 14 of 21 shots from the field.

"I had to take a lot of bail-out shots tonight," said Bryant, who took just seven shots in the first half. "I wasn't really looking to attack or to assert myself."

The four other Lakers starters scored in double figures, so Bryant didn't have to be an offensive force early. He set up teammates and had five assists.

During a timeout with 8:45 left, Coach Phil Jackson pulled Bryant aside and told him it was time to go on the attack. The Lakers wanted to see the Bryant who led the NBA in scoring by averaging 35.4 points.

"I thought he was out of rhythm and didn't feel comfortable with his shots," Jackson said.

That's when Bryant "started taking the ball to the basket," Jackson said.

But Bryant couldn't get hot when he tried to take over.

"All I need is one jumper to go and then I'm hot," said Bryant, who had 10 points in the quarter.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:12 am    Post subject:

Kobe unable to find instant 'O'

Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2006 12:00 AM

Nine minutes remained when the Lakers huddled at their bench, down by two. The Suns' best perimeter defender was sidelined with foul trouble, and Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson felt it was time to unleash the scoring fury within his star player.

He looked at Kobe Bryant and told him it was time to get aggressive, time to take over, time to abandon the game plan and steal Game 1 of this opening Western Conference playoffs series.

Bryant tried - and failed. The league's leading scorer, muted by strategy for most of Sunday's contest, missed his first four shots after Jackson's plea, rallying too late to stop the Suns' 107-102 win at US Airways Center.
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Asked later if it's hard for a player even of Bryant's talent to turn it on so hard, so late, Jackson nodded and said, "Yeah, I think that's a pretty good summation of it."

"I just got to get my rhythm," Bryant said. "It takes a little bit. I started going to the basket to try and get back in the flow a little . . . "
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:14 am    Post subject:

Getting calls vs. Bryant is unusual for Barbosa

Paul Coro and Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2006 12:00 AM

Maybe Suns guard Leandro Barbosa's true moment of arrival came Sunday.

His maiden playoff voyage last season resulted in a minimal role and a 2.5 scoring average to match. He scored 15 in Sunday's Suns win in Game 1.

When he tried to cover Kobe Bryant last week, he learned not to touch him after fouling out with more than nine minutes to go in the game. On Sunday, Bryant was called for fouling Barbosa twice.
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"Yeah, I liked that," Barbosa said. "I said, 'Today, it's going to rain. Water's going to come down.' Wow."

Barbosa scored six points in a 74-second stretch of the fourth quarter and added a three over Bryant later. He replaced Raja Bell, who had picked up a fifth foul, and guarded Bryant as well as could be expected.

Big men's health
Good news: Kurt Thomas went from a foot cast to a protective boot Saturday, and his doctor said tests looked good enough to advance his rehabilitation.

Bad news: Brian Grant ate sushi.

Grant wound up with stomach cramps that kept him out of the mix except for 3.9 seconds of keeping Boris Diaw from a third foul before half.

"Gina, did I think I was going to pass (out)?" Grant asked his wife.

"I did," she said. "I think he was green."
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:16 am    Post subject:

Lakers new approach not good enough
The Lakers' new inside-first approach against the Suns nets the same futile result.

By JEFF MILLER
The Orange County Register

PHOENIX – The Lakers can't possibly beat the Suns this way, right?

Not with Kobe Bryant shooting fewer times in the first half than Luke Walton did. Not with Bryant making half as many field goals in the first half as Smush Parker did. Not with Bryant scoring the same number of points in the first three quarters as Kwame Brown did.

Team basketball? Please. With these Lakers, that approach makes no more sense than trying to swallow your soul patch. You don't silence the greatest solo artist around so that the rest of the band can take turns singing lead. Eagles must be allowed to soar; as a species, they simply don't flock.

Jeez, it couldn't be more obvious that the ridiculous plan devised by Phil Jackson was ... ah, beg your pardon, what's that? Shawn Marion has something he wants to say?

"They tried it the other way, remember?" the Suns forward said. "He scored what, 40 or 50 points, and they weren't close to beating us. The only reason they won that one game was because (Steve) Nash and Raja (Bell) didn't play. Just do the math yourself."
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:18 am    Post subject:

Loss Is Pinned on Free Throws
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
April 24, 2006

PHOENIX — Kobe Bryant ended up with a nickel-sized knot on his forehead, the first sign the Phoenix Suns weren't just a run-and-fun team.

A look at the box score revealed more Laker pain: A few days after setting a league record for the fewest free throws in a season, the Suns made 32 of 35 on Sunday in a 107-102 victory.

"The big thing that's probably the biggest story … they have 35 free throws tonight," said Laker Coach Phil Jackson, a frequent foil of referees throughout the season.

"This is a team we told guys not to foul and they ended up giving them 35 foul shots. I think that's probably one of the things we didn't expect to have happen."

Jackson and Bryant also were irritated by a non-call with 22.8 seconds to play. Bryant was rapped in the head by Sun forward Tim Thomas on a drive to the basket and the Lakers down, 101-97.

Sun forward Shawn Marion was immediately fouled after taking the rebound and the Suns built a 103-97 lead.

"No comment necessary," Bryant said. "You can see the knot on my head."

Primarily a jump-shooting team without Amare Stoudemire, the Suns averaged only 18 free-throw attempts a game, an NBA record-low.

The Lakers made 21 of 27 free throws Sunday.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:19 am    Post subject:

Lakers: Going slow might win this race
BY ROSS SILER, Staff Writer

PHOENIX — It was the first play of the second half Sunday and more of the same for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant had the ball on the right side of the floor and looked inside for Lamar Odom only to have Phoenix's Shawn Marion get a hand on his pass.

Later in the quarter, Bryant invited a double-team his direction and found Luke Walton for a 3-pointer that missed. Bryant then was exasperated after Kwame Brown couldn't handle his pass and Tim Thomas wound up with the ball.

The Lakers were locked into their plan of slowing down the game, working the ball inside and exploiting their size and strength. It produced a strange game out of Bryant but the Lakers might have hit upon a winning strategy even in losing Sunday's game.

"I think we've become so accustomed to (Bryant) getting so many shots up and being as aggressive as possible, so they played with more balance," Phoenix's Steve Nash said. "But we're going to see a lot of variations from them throughout the series.

"I expect him to be more aggressive obviously after losing this game. But they hadn't beaten us with a large scoring output from him, so they kind of looked for a different advantage."

The Lakers trailed 58-50 at halftime but went into the fourth quarter having tied the score 75-75. The comeback started with Odom shaking off two missed free throws to step up and drill a 3-pointer with 4:52 left.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:20 am    Post subject:

Vindication for Thomas

Broderick Turner

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, April 23, 2006

PHOENIX - Many people's perception of Phoenix forward Tim Thomas has been that he's a wasted talent.

After scoring a team-high 22 points and setting a playoff career high with 15 rebounds in the Suns' 107-102 playoff victory over the Lakers on Sunday, Thomas had to defend himself against that charge.

"That's your opinion," said Thomas, who signed in March after playing just three games with Chicago and being released.

"That's like a rumor. Somebody says you was gay. What can you do? Can't do nothing with that. It really doesn't bother me. I know what I'm capable of doing. I know the talent that I have."

Thomas, who started at power forward and at times defended Lakers center Kwame Brown, made 8 of 10 shots, including 4 of 5 from three-point range.

"The star of the game obviously goes to Tim Thomas," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:22 am    Post subject:

Do Suns still have edge?
Both teams think they can take positives from Game 1

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2006 12:00 AM

Game 1 ended with Kobe Bryant stalking off the floor. He glared at officials from under a no-call welt on his head, and the Suns sauntered about with unsure pats on the head for one another.

It was heady stuff to figure whether the Lakers or the Suns came away feeling better about Phoenix's 107-102 win Sunday. The Suns came into this best-of-seven, first-round series as a disputed favorite and left US Airways Center with a split-decision victory that arrived in the oddest fashion.

Bryant was as passive as a puddle while Tim Thomas, called off vacation to save the Suns' season last month, was creating ripples with 22 points and 15 rebounds. After a 39-point first quarter, Phoenix's offense went still, and the Suns did not make another three-pointer until Thomas' with 5:18 to go in a perilously close game.
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Phil
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Joined: 03 Aug 2001
Posts: 10007

PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:53 pm    Post subject:

The Suns Expected Bryant; The Lakers Came Instead

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By HOWARD BECK
Published: April 25, 2006

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 24 — The N.B.A.'s most dazzling entertainer of the last six months swung through the Arizona desert over the weekend and, as is his habit, left his hosts agape. Their amazement, however, was for what Kobe Bryant did not do.


He did not score 81 points or 62 or even a measly 50. He did not score 30 points in a quarter and, after four quarters of Sunday's playoff opener, he still had not hit that mark. His team did not win, either.

The Phoenix Suns, happy in their astonishment, took a 107-102 victory against Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers and wondered why the league's most splendid scoring artist seemed content to play sidekick to Luke Walton, Kwame Brown and Smush Parker.

"I was thinking it was going to be Kobe, Kobe, Kobe," Suns forward Shawn Marion said. "But we played the Lakers today."
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