Heard in the Cheap Seats

Ok, so I have a few things that I am working on that I will be posting soon, but because of that, for this one I decided to steal a format from a writer that I admire, Bill Simmons.  I decided to write a real time blog on last night’s game between the Lakers and Jazz.  This is a first for me so you will have to cut me some slack.  It will probably end up being a bit of a confusing mess, but that’s what my mind is anyway.  Basically I just sat down and took notes as it was happening and what I was thinking from a fan’s perspective.  I must admit, however, that I am writing this as a resident of Los Angeles who cannot stand the Lakers.  I am not a Jazz fan either, but anything is better than seeing the Lakers win.  If you have been checking out this site, you should know that I picked the Lakers to lose to the Jazz, but admit that I will probably end up being wrong.  So, without further ado…

Kobe is awarded the 2007-2008 MVP ( I still don’t agree), and he tells the crowd at the end of a brief speech “let’s get this party started”.  I am sure he is looking to show his MVP credentials tonight.

1^st Quarter

I think the Jazz really need to get off to a quick start to build some confidence.  They need to play this game from in front and not try and make a furious comeback like they did in Game 1.  Here’s the tip…Nice omen!…24 second violation on the first possession for the Jazz.  Pretty inexcusable, I think.  It seems that Kirilenko is aggressive here early.  It seems like he is aggressive once every five games.  Ronnie Brewer is starting the game guarding Kobe.  Good luck.  Both teams have started out this game trading baskets and hitting their shots.  The match-up with Okur guarding Odom is ugly.  Okur is in quicksand on the defensive end compared to Odom.  With 8 minutes left in the quarter Kirilenko makes a great defensive play on Kobe who was going in for a layup.  They cannot make it easy on Kobe.  Maybe Derek Fisher’s days spent guarding Deron Williams in practice last year are paying dividends because, just like in Game 1, Williams just cannot get going.

Lakers 15-13 at first timeout – 6:25 to go in the 1^st

What the hell has happened to Carlos Boozer?  Has anyone seen him?  This seems to be a physical game, the way the Jazz like it, on both sides, yet it took 8 minutes and finally a whistle is blown against the Lakers.  I guess David Stern doesn’t want Kobe’s night ruined or the path of the Lakers to the finals impeded.  On cue, Sloan gets T’d up with 3:38 left and I don’t blame him.  To have a chance, the Jazz need to be physical.  Let ‘em play!  Sweet!…Lakers go on a 13-0 run here to take a 25-13 lead.  Not what the Jazz need.  Now I have to listen to Doug Collins wax poetic about Kobe.  I am sick of the Kobe love fest.  The dude would still be bitching if they hadn’t stolen Gasol.  Lakers fans should chant MVP for Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies GM.  Hey, what do ya know?  The Jazz go to the line for the first time in the quarter with 2:31 left.  The Jazz are occasionally switching to a 2-3 zone and the Lakers are killing it with ball movement.  Harpring gets called for  an offensive foul for doing the exact same thing in the post that Kobe does every time.  That being said, the Jazz all look scared to shoot the ball, especially Brewer.  He looks like he has a hot potato in his hand when he gets the ball.  The quarter ends badly for the Jazz.  The Lakers have 2 big runs.  So much for getting off to a good start for Utah.  The Lakers looked great shooting 66 % compared to 33 % for the Jazz.  Why does Utah suck on the road?Lakers 33-18 at end of the 1^st quarter

Again in between quarters Jerry Sloan comments to David Aldridge that he feels like the refs are calling it way too close on the Jazz, saying, “We can’t touch ‘em”.  I agree.

2^nd Quarter

Another great sign: Boozer gets his 3^rd foul on the first play and has to sit.  On a side note, I wish my name was Boozer.  The Lakers are just way more aggressive, including their bench.  Millsap is the only Jazz to go hard at the rack.  That should account for the free throw disparity, but I still don’t think its being called even.  Doug Collins just used the word “lucky” in describing the Gasol trade.  I finally agree with something!  Damn.  Matt Harpring has as much of a soft touch as I would after my hands were dipped into a bucket of cement and then dried.  The Jazz are actually playing better with Boozer and Williams out of the game which will not lead to a victory.  Ahh.  Okur is redefining the word slow as Gasol posterizes him.  He can’t guard anyone!

Lakers 45-34 at timeout- 5:46 left in the 2^nd

The Jazz need to get some stops here to end the half.  Williams need to get in the lane and the Jazz must finish.  Its not happening though as the Lakers are owning every match up.  Gasol is crushing Okur and Fisher is dominating Williams.  Deron Williams just scored his first points of the game with 2:40 left.  Bad sign.  So the half is over and the Jazz went the opposite direction of what I said and did not close out strong.  Lakers shoot 61% for the half and the Jazz get 3 points between Williams and Boozer.  Freakin’ ugly!

Lakers 63-49- HALFTIME

Halftime may end up being the best part of the night for me.  That and the beef soft tacos I made and the Heineken I am drinking.  Charles Barkley says, “They don’t think they can beat the Lakers”.  I absolutely agree.  They have looked scared.  Barkley refers to himself as “the Chuckster”.  I love this guy.  I want to go drinking and gambling and then play a round of golf with him.  What the hell was that?  A bug in Barkley’s mug.  Was that real or fake?  TNT is way better than ESPN for these games.

3^rd Quarter

The Jazz need to get off to a quick start or this game is over.  Come on boys!  Make this interesting.  Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Carlos Boozer to the arena.  He gets an easy layup to start the half.  Maybe that will get him going.  Basketball is funny like that.  On his night, I am now looking for Kobe to take over.  On a side note, Boozer hits a jumper, but I decided he may have the ugliest in the league.  Deron Williams looks like a new man.  Where the hell has this aggressiveness been buddy?  It matters little though as the Jazz cannot guard the Lakers, and right on cue Kobe is taking over.  The Jazz are just trading buckets and can’t cut into the lead.

Lakers 80-66 at timeout- 5:21 left in the 3^rd

Coming out of this timeout I think the Jazz need to get this thing to single digits by the end of the quarter to have a chance.  They need Mr. Mo Mentum to change his address.  Unfortunately, Kobe is showing the Jazz that he is the MVP.  Williams is getting into the lane on every possession, but it seems too little too late.  The Jazz look great offensively, but the problem remains their inability to even make it semi-difficult for the Lakers to score.  I think I would just aggressively double team Kobe and get it out of his hands as much as possible and pray the Lakers miss a few open shots.  What the hell else should they do?  Nothing has worked yet.  Wow!  What a drive and dunk by Williams, but it was followed by Fisher easily getting into the lane on the other end and Boozer picking up his 4^th foul.  A microcosm of this game right there.

Lakers 86-76 at timeout- 2:15 left in the 3^rd

Great defensive play there by Brewer leading to a dunk and the Jazz are down 8.  Get a stop!They get a stop but now both team are just turning it over back and forth.  Terrible possessions by the Jazz.  Harpring gets toasted by Kobe leading to a Fisher three.  Lakers are up 13, right back where the quarter started.  Huge shot by Williams from three to cut the lead to 10 to end the quarter!  Kobe had 15 in the quarter.  Here he comes.

Lakers 93-83 at end of the 3^rd quarter 4^th Quarter

The Jazz cannot trade baskets anymore.  The beginning of this quarter will be huge.  Lakers come out with their bench along side Pau Gasol.  I am saying BS on that!!!!  Williams was obviously hacked at the rim and no call which led to a Lakers break.  That call better go the other way in Utah.  Ok.  Harpring is destroying the Jazz.  He inexplicably doubles Jordan Farmar leaving Walton wide open for a three!  Jordan Farmar!  Then he airballs a three of his own.  Please put Boozer back in Jerry!

Lakers 98-89 at timeout- 7:50 left in 4^th

The Jazz have to score here out of the timeout.  I wonder if Phil Jackson will insert Kobe to close the deal.  Ummm…I am not a proven NBA coach like Jerry Sloan, but the I am in shock here!  Jazz come out of the timeout with Williams on the bench.  Phil has inserted Kobe like I thought, and the Jazz best player is on the bench just as they were building momentum with Williams as the catalyst.  It may be too late by the time he comes back in.  He’s 24 years old!  I think he can play the last 8 minutes of a huge playoff game for crying out loud!  Need a sip of Heineken.  Ok, I am better now.   Matt Harpring actually hits a big shot to make it 98-92!  Making him about 2 for 50 in the series.   Huge play there.  Jazz were down 6 on the break and Millsap misses a lay up to cut it to 4, followed by Kobe getting fouled on the other end.  Can’t miss easy ones on the road guys!  Williams Back in.  Thank God.  Can the Jazz stop letting Harpring touch the ball?  Seriously.

Lakers 99-92 at timeout- 5:58 left in the 4^th

If the Jazz are going to actually steal this, the next 3 minutes are gigantic.  It has to start with defense.  I am figuring Kobe is going to take over.  Big jumper by “the Machine”.  Boozer sucks.  Gets blocked twice on the same possession.  Fisher hits a big three to make it 104-94 and I think that’s the beginning of the end.  Jazz made their run and the Lakers punched back.  They have hit every open shot tonight.  I give them credit.  After a great 3 point play by AK47 cuts it to 8, Kobe makes an amazing dish to Gasol.  That was ridiculous.  I’m not sure anyone else makes that play.

Lakers 109-99 at timeout- 2:24 left in the 4^th

It’s not looking good for Utah.  Kobe will not allow the Lakers to lose this game.  The Jazz cannot hit a big shot.  I must say, I still do not agree with Sloan taking Williams out in the 4^th.  It seems he has lost his rhythm since he returned.  Some meaningless threes here by the Jazz.  As the clock winds down I am thinking that the Jazz beter find a way to start faster by Friday or they will be going home for good.  They can’t defend Kobe Bryant, Boozer has been terrible, and the Lakers are doing whatever they want offensively.  Man I hate watching the Lakers win!  It makes me sick to my stomach.  Or is that the tacos?  Williams and Boozer need to be aggressive from the tip in Utah.

Lakers 120-110- FINAL

Just a little more bitching from me.  Just following Kobe’s lead.  Lakers shot 43 foul shots to the Jazz 16.  Come on!  Also, I just threw up in my mouth as Kenny and Chuck were talking about how scary the Lakers will be for the next 5 years.  I am moving to Alaska.  My night just ended well, though.  Charles Barkley was tricked into saying “I’m a dumbass”, as they put it on the teleprompter.  Let’s see if the Jazz can make some adjustments and play better in front of their home crowd.  If not the Lakers will be prepping for the Western Conference Finals.