LA will probably win the 1 seed by 1 or 2 games because 10 of their remaining games are at home. Looks like the 2 through 8 seeds in the final standings will be separated by 5 or less games though.
Since 1991, excluding the strike shortened season (98-99) the fewest games between 1 and 8 is 8 games (Eastern conference 02-03) In 05-06 Eastern conference the gap was 36 games. The mean difference is about 18 games.
Wow Kobe was pissed at this game. Utah shouldn't have booed Fisher, a pissed off Kobe isn't something you want to deal with.
Man, Kobe was full of some serious venom against the Jazz fans. Until he did that and confirmed his feelings in the interview shortly after with Cheryl Miller, I didn't realize he had built up so much hatred against that crowd. Not to excuse anyone's stupidity, but Kobe may have taunted the crowd and that's why they threw things on the floor. Just a thought. After this game, I now want the Lakers and Jazz to meet in the 2nd round.
Seemed like the whole lakers team was pissed off. Kobe played okay, but th rest of the team was ON FIRE. And Odom with the 20 and 10 and 6, I'm glad he's on my fantasy team.
Why the hell would Utah fans boo Fisher his first game back as a Laker? Didn't he move so he could be in position to get a family member some medical help? Fisher did good things for Utah. In fact, he's one of the reasons they beat the Rockets in the playoffs. I guess Utah fans are just pissed they lost a decent player and/or they hate the Lakers that much. But, in the end, while players talk about "we were pissed about how Fisher was treated"...you still have to play the damn game regardless of motivation. If you are not already motivated enough to play and win games in this tight race without something as stupid as "they booed Fisher", then the Lakers are looking at an early exit in the playoffs.
I'm no Kobe fan but I'm with you on this one. That was some classless BS by the Jazz fans and I loved watching him give a big "eff you" to every fan in that place.
I can understand Jazz fans not liking Fisher. When he got out of his contract, I thought he was taking a break from basketball to take care of his sick daughter. But, just moving cities? They're on the road so much, I'm not sure it matters what team he plays for. So, Utah loses Fisher and gets nothing in return. Meanwhile, Lakers pick him up for free?
I thought it was because all the good hospitals and doctors were in LA and that is where he wanted his daughter treated. I don't think it has anything to do with Fisher being on the road so much. His daughter is not on the road with him. His family is still back at home and his daughter is getting medical care...supposedly better than she would be able to get in Utah. I don't think Fisher left Utah for some alterior motives other than that.
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Thanks for the clip, TECH. That was priceless. I agree with hanlong, Kobe Bryant is one guy you do not want to piss off. He doesn't need any extra motivation. Unless you want to get clowned at home. I think the Jazz have only the fans to blame for this loss, seriously. Stupid Jazz fans get what they deserve.
lol Listen to Charles during halftime. The fans have the right to boo fisher because theres plenty of good doctors in seattle and miami too. roffles.
What shocked me is how easy it was to drive the lane against Utah tonight. I'm sure Sloan was pretty pissed after the game, especially with Odom going for the meaningless poster dunk at the end, and with Kobe slamming the ball. If these two teams meet in round two i expect a very physical series.....
Yeah, but he could have moved his family to LA and still played for Utah. Or, they could have done some sort of trade so that Utah isn't left empty-handed. The Jazz did the classy thing by letting him out of his contract. But, they definitely took a hit talent-wise to do it, and I can understand why fans wouldn't appreciate it.
Well Fisher had a big contract, they let him go and he signed with LA. The positive is it opens up room for the youngster Ronnie Brewer - pretty good penetrator and active player. Maybe they wouldnt have got KK who knows. But I think Kobe as a professional needs to know that taunting the crowd isnt right. Kobe needs to know that **** its jsut a crowd and its not like they know everything that goes on (Fishers daughter, medical center LA)
I agree with JV. I was shocked when Fisher signed with the Lakers. He could have played for Utah and still kept his family in LA. I think it was understood that he would take off some time from basketball because of his daughter. Then he turned right around and signed with LA.
As far as I know, they actually know quite a lot regarding this particular situation. They believe Fisher used his daughter as an excuse to get out of his contract. Their two arguments are that - 1)he signed with the Lakers so quickly; 2)the exact procedure that is performed on Fisher's daughter is indeed available in a Utah. It's been a while since I read a discussion about this but I remember it was pretty clear to me that Fisher didn't really want to be in Utah and his daughter's cancer was as much of a reason as it was a cop out. Then again, they're Jazz fans, maybe they were telling only their side of the story.
