1) If you saw LeBron’s tweet about the refs you know he’s had it with this wish washy league and it’s double standards when it comes to how they officiate and when. Like we fans, I don’t believe LeBron is looking for preferential treatment but simple consistency.
2) People want to say Russ blew it in the clutch. Whether the foul was called or not there were three chances the Lakers, as a team, blew it. This #2 is about the first time when we corralled the rebound. Coach Ham made another rookie mistake and did not call a time out.
3) Russell pushed the ball up and, because there was so much time left, didn’t attack fast. He should have then called a time out to set up a real play, not the messy garbage we saw to finish the game. This time out could have been called by anyone, including the coaches.
4) LeBron and Russ blew when, with 5-6 seconds left and Russ lost control of the ball and regained they did not call a timeout. This also applies to coach Ham who could have come out on the court screaming to set up a play in a time out. This also did not happen.
5) Again, Laker fans are bashing Russ taking that last shot while conveniently ignoring that LeBron basically ran away from the play. Russ gets the ball, crosses mid court and LeBron…is not in any part of my TV’s frame. He’s not involved and seemingly didn’t want to be. Who cuts to the rim when Russ drives? Wenyan Gabriel! That, my friends, is fucking pathetic. It’s pathetic that we didn’t go to something that worked, like a the Russ/LeBron two man game. Or LeBron cutting back to the strong side when he saw Russ lose control as a release valve. Or that 2 veterans and a coach couldn’t decide to call a time out and set something up multiple times. LeBron bemoans not having a core group of guys while skirting the fact he himself pushed to trade them all away.
There have been some losses we should have won. This was a game we deserved to lose. Has nothing to do with Russ taking the last shit because he, alone and at least, had the balls to try.
Uh, I watched the game and pretty sure LBJ was on the right wing looking to catch a pass from Westy.
I have nothing here to disagree with. This was a case of a breakdown either mentally, physically, or both. It goes for both the players and the coaches. This was a winnable game but, as you said, the Lakers deserve to lose this one. That hurts, man.