LA Lakers 100, San Antonio Spurs 92
Los Angeles is the first team to punch a ticket to the big kahuna, the NBA Championship Finals. Kobe Bryant is the sole reason this team can beat anyone at the moment ( I fear for the contender coming from the east) the newly crowned MVP is hot hot hot on the court. Last night Kobe put in 39 points; 17 of them in the fourth quarter to overcome a 17 point deficit for the Lakers. He is the true leader of this team, but also an outstanding player OF A TEAM.
The awesome playoff play by his teammates Lamar Odom who contributed 13pts and 8 rebounds and Pau Gasol; who had 12 last night with a career high 19 rebounds, five assists, and an amazing 4 blocked shots: made this team look supremely dominant against not just anyone, the Spurs; the DEFENDING national champs for goodness sakes!
"My heart's still pumping, that adrenaline is still running from the game," said Lamar Odom, . "Maybe when I sit down and have something to eat, I'll realize what just happened. "We came out here, played our game, and won. It's satisfying, but one more step."
For the Spurs; it was the Lakers stifling of Manu Ginobili that truly hurt their offense, he was held to 3 for 9. Tony Parker scored 23 points and Duncan had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for the Spurs.
"Just got to gear it up again to go to next year," Duncan said. "Love what we had this year. We just weren't good enough through stretches."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich admitted that it was the Lakers defense, thus the lack of the usually outstanding Spurs offense that was the deal breaker.
"I thought we did a fine job," he said. "We just didn't muster the offense, for a variety of reasons. The fact that we didn't come through offensively is a disappointment, but part of that is a credit to the Lakers. (The Spurs) just played a team that was better. That's why the Lakers won. The better team won. You get a seven-game series, you win four games, you're the best team."The Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs and continue with a beyond impressive postseason home court advantage, surely to be a real advantage in the Championship. LA is 8-0 at Staples Center in playoff games; and they haven't lost in their own arena two months. They have won 14 consecutive home games and 21 of their last 24 postseason games at home.
The Lakers now wait for their future opponent; and the Eastern Conference to announce it's champion tonight.
MLB Game of Note
This game had absolutely nothing to do with the fact the Giants winning on a ninth inning score. This game had everything to do with Diamondback pitcher and future MLB hall of famer 44 yr old Randy 'The Big Unit' Johnson. The Unit put in seven innings for the D'Backs; leaving them with a 3-2 lead, allowing 2 runs, 6 hits, and 1 walk. Last night Randy Johnson retired the first nine he faced, five by strikeouts- Officially even with Roger Clemens for 2nd in the MLB record books with a career 4,672 career strike outs. He has struck out an amazing 19 batters in his past 13 innings. Marking such an achievement, even Giants fans felt appreciative; Johnson received a standing ovation as he left the field.
The Unit, ever humble; shrugged off this historic career achievement in true selfless fashion- but also hinted that despite his age, he will continue to throw strikes and climb further into MLB history:
"It's kind of a moot point," Johnson said. "To win a ball game is the most important thing. To go out there and pitch a good ball game, and if we would have won, that would have been the big thing because we need a win right now."
"I believe that I'm getting to where I'm effective out there," he said. "I mean, I'm not washed up or anything like that."
NHL Note
Sad reports from Shippagan New Brunswick; as first round pick for the Vancuver Canucks Luc Bourdon was killed Thursday. Bourdon was drafted in 2005, selected 10th overall. A promising defensemen, In 27 games with the Canucks, he scored twice and had no assists. Luc was killed when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in a crash near his hometown. He was 21.
The French OpenWomens Bracket
A shocking upset for Williams, a three time French Open Champion; who played erratically at the next and missed seven break point opportunities throughout the match. This is Serena's earliest exit from Roland Garros since 1999- and the only former champion playing in this years draw, ranked 5th in the world.
The 27-year-old Srebotnick earned the biggest victory of her career. She has only one win over a player ranked higher than Serena beating No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo in 2005.
Srebotinick felt the pressure of an impending huge upset win with the score 5-4; her nerves squandering 2 of three match points. The third time was a charm for the 24th ranked Slovenian; when Serena took a forehand wide, committing her 25th unforced error; giving Srebotinick the win.
The lady- like 26 yr old Serena, met Srebotnik at the net with a gracious grin and handshake.
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