95-80, Houston. These effin' (s)La(c)kers are getting on my nerves. 40 pt. winning landslide followed by Kobe and the Anemia Drips. As the coach noted, Jekyll-Hyde. Question: Who's the winner, Killer Hyde, or Mild Doc Jekyll? One of those bad means good, good means bad conundrums.
A quick glance at the box score and you see those other fellers besides Kobester (32 pts.) apparently thought their previous efforts counted in this game. Only Farmar's 13 pts. in 21 mins. off bench sparked. No wonder Kobe was sober and cautionary after Game 5, noting they weren't playing "chumps," like he knew it was gonna swing the other damn way again. They closed gap some in 3rd, fell back again in the 4th.
Now, the Celtics last year had at least two 7-game battles on their hands, and it didn't hurt them. This year, Garnett-less, they're heading into second 7th game, pre-Finals, since Orlando beat 'em tonight. I just don't remember the Lakers' degree of schizoid swing, seems the battles were closer fought throughout, bespeaking mental discipline and tough opponent.
Houston's tough all right. But I'm starting to question whether the Lakers really have a championship-tough mentality. Will they win Game 7 at home? Probably.
Should they have been able to close out Houston tonight? Yeah.
The Cavs sweeping cakewalk through two rounds is both a tribute to improved LeBron and team play, but also an indicator that only Boston or Orlando can really challenge them.
Houston has a proud championship history, IS a tough team, with or without the Chinese Tower of Brittle Feet, so it's not ALL on the apparently schizy Lakers team character -- but enough of it is.
Wake the hell up, Los Angeles Lakers. Next up: Do or Die.
Helluva way to get one more prime ABC Sun. coverage in Round 2.
