Top honors go to Shandon Anderson and the absolutely wonderful D he played tonight on Kobe Bryant. Something 1st team all Defense Quitten couldn't do and hasn't done this year. 6-22 from Kobe and every shot was contested making Kobe have to shoot fadeaway after fadeaway. Honors also go to Cuttino Mobley for stepping up huge late and Kelvin Cato with some inspired ball also.
Rudy had nothing to do with it though, right? One of the big keys to the game was BRYCE DREW. Can't say that I'm surprised you didn't mention it.
Firstly Freak I did mention Drews good game in another thread. Secondly, of course Rudy has something to do with the wins...Just like he has something to do with the loses, turnovers, ect. ect. ect. Which some of you don't think he does. Funny, Rudy has everything to do with the positives, and its the players fault for all the negatives.
Well Dreamshake, I sometimes miss other threads. Secondly, I wish you were here right now (along w/Rocketman95) so we could join hands and support our Houston Oilers in their first ever Super Bowl appearance.
Dreamshake, Weren't you called a Rudy defender a few months ago? I think it was Caveman who said it. Now you are accused of being in the Rudy haters camp. Mango
Mango...Not sure about the Rudy defender bit, but I wasn't as upset over Rudy until this season. Mostly with the preseason and the horrid 2-10 start after promising a more exciting brand of ball for the second straight season. Now after his comments of the Dump it down low offense being his security blanket I was sure that short of all out injury the Rox were not going to pick up the tempo. But here we are now, with an exciting brand of ball, and to think it only needed Hakeem, BArkley, Cato, and TMass to miss significant time before it happened. Now with that said. I think that Rudy has finally done a pretty decent job after the Barkley injury. And really my only complaint is that why did the Rox have to struggle so early when the teams make up dictated a quicker tempo? Oh well. I sitting here relishing the victory and about to try and enjoy a Superbowl. TheFreak...No sweat wish I were there watching it in Houston also. Man right now its snowed about 12 inches in about 6 hours. How do I miss Texas, let me count the ways. Who to cheer for? I dont really like either team now that the Titans are in Tennesee, and the Rams. How can I get excited about this years version of the Falcons. Never really like them. Anyways. Enough rambling. Enjoy the Bowl Freak, Mango, and Rocketman95
Dreamshake, I stand corrected on my last post about you. It was someone else that was a Rudy lover. Who is going to win the S Bowl? Mango
I watched that matchup very very closely. Earlier in the week I made a few predictions about the Rox-Lakers matchup. I said that Kobe would start out guarding Francis, which he did. And Francis stepped up big time. And I said Shandon Anderson would be the Key in this game. Id say about 75 percent of the defensive job of Kode went to Anderson. Anderson did a wonderful job of of playing up tight on Kobe contesting each shot, and not allowing him to drive to the lane or baseline. Mobleys D was a tad different. I think Mobley knew he couldn't cut off Kobe's first move, and played back on his heels. I believe this gave Kobe the idea that driving the lane was his to be had, at which point Kobe was funneled into the lane for a waitning Hakeem or Cato. Now the collapsind D was played almost perfectly. Usually getting Mobley the help he needed and not giving up the easy dish to a waiting Shaq. heypartner. I didn't tape the game. Wish I could of. But technology hasn't quite gotten there yet. But rewatch Anderson D on Kobe. Anderson was cutting off first step and jumping into (not straight up) Kobes fadeaway.
I agree with your assessment. Personally, I question the "game ball" part. But yes, Anderson was very active, contesting everything within reach, and playing the passing lanes well. How about this one? What was up with the disappearing act by Rice. I can't believe Phil didn't run any plays for him especially since we were collapsing so much.
Dreamshake, you have to give Mobley his due. His scoring and passing in crunch time carried the offense. I know you are not a big fan of his, but his second half was awesume.
Jeezus H Christ! Dreamshake said something good about the 42nd overall draft pick from last year. Well, then I need to say something good about Dreamshake. Dreamshake, I like your tenacity.
Dreamshake, Shandon and Mobley shared responsibilities on Kobe. Plus, the whole defense concept was to switch off of on picks as part of our sagging internal defense against Shaq. I saw several times Anderson leave Kobe to protect the middle whenever LA did their 3-man campfire picks. LA would put Kobe, Green and Shaq together at the mid-post. In that play, Shandon never tried to stick with Kobe. We just kept the three surrounded until they committed. Walt would cover Kobe if he stayed weak-side, and Shandon would stay on the topside of the campfire. Anderson was very active indeed. But, I wouldn't call the game plan to have Shandon shadow Kobe.
Rice is a wasted shooter. From what Ive watched of the Lakers... If they are in a tight game its go to Kobe or go to Shaq. Same if there losing Only when they are up in a game do I see Rice getting plays called for him. The Lakers are killing Rices thoughts of garnishing a 14 million dollar contract though.
I'm curious if the league defenses have picked up on that (not worrying about Rice) and that's why the Lakers are 3-5 lately. Only Fox seems to shoot long jumpers. From my cursory knowledge of the triangle, defenses can direct it to the shot they want to give up (15-20's). You need people to make that shot, to make the triangle work. With that said, Shaq did miss many short hooks. plus one that he was shooting down...we all now how that one didn't go in...i'm still high on the game.
