NBA Review Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a fifteen point second quarter deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics. The Lakers got close by pounding the ball inside to Gasol, Bynum and Odom. Then Kobe Bryant finished the Celtics off with his fourth quarter shooting. The highlight for the Celtics was Ray Allen making two three point shots to take the all time lead in three point field goals made over Reggie Miller who was at the game announcing for TNT.

The Lakers badly needed this game for their own psyche. Even being the defending two- time champion, getting beat and beaten badly by top tier teams another top team would not be good for their confidence. When they got down by fifteen there was sense of here we go again. You could see the look of concern on their faces and there body language was terrible. Even Phil Jackson looked worried which never happens during the regular season. But the Lakers did not panic, they stayed with the plan to get the ball inside to their big people Bynum and Gasol, who were lot more aggressive in this game, and they finished at the rim. In their last meeting with Celtics both were "punked" all over Staples Center. It also helped that the Lakers began to knock down some jump shots, which loosened up the Celtics' zone, I mean man to man defense. The Lakers began to defend like they did in the finals. They challenged the Celtic shooters and controlled the boards. Bynum played a big role in each category. As many injuries as he has suffered the last three years, He can still be very effective because of the size, strength and length. I'm sure the Celtics would not mind seeing that Carmelo for Bynum trade. They would easily go through the Lakers if that did occur.

Kobe Bryant who played the facilitator in the first half getting the Lakers front court involved and saving energy for the second half. It also didn't hurt that he was guarding Rajon Rondo, daring him to shot, which he did and most of the time, he missed. Kobe did not have to expend energy guarding Rondo. Kobe went to the Black Mamba attack mode in the second half and especially in the fourth quarter. The six minutes of game time rest to start fourth quarter was huge him and for the Lakers. He abused both Von Wafer and Ray Allen when he returned. A lot of credit should go to Shannon Brown others for allowing Kobe to rest for that long. This could be the signature win that spurns to the Lakers to play well for the rest of the season and win another championship. Or it could be just another win that lets the Lakers know they can flip the proverbial switch when they want to, and will flip it only in the play offs when it's needed. Time will tell.

The Celtics started the game well. They were defending, hitting the glass and shooting lights out. Something changed after Ray Allen hit the career go head three point goal. It's as if all the energy left the Celtics and the building. But unfortunately there was over three quarters left to play and once they got the large lead in the second quarter it went downhill from there. Normally when the Celtics get up by fifteen it's like twenty-five points because they play very good defense. Not being at full strength to begin with, little big man Nate Robinson got hurt early and Paul Pierce still weak from the flu. The Celtics seem to tire at the end. That does not include the foul trouble that Allen got into.

The Celtics were forced to play Von Wafer who hadn't played much all year. He did an admirable job early knocking down shots, but defensively he was no match for Kobe Bryant who is a handful under the best of circumstances. Wafer was like a squirrel going against a black mamba snake. He had no shot. Not having Shaq hurt the front court. KG, Big Baby and Mr. Mean himself Kendrick Perkins were all spent at game's end. They were the main reason they got outrebounded by the bigger and longer Lakers front court. Shaq could have at least beat on Gasol and Bynum and soften them up. But even with all that going against them they had a chance to steal it at the end. With less just over a minute left, the Celtics had closed to three points, Pierce intercepted a pass, but his pass to Rondo sailed too long and went out of bounds. If completed it would have cut to lead to one and it could have been anybodies game. The Celtics did the best they could under the circumstances. Not a crushing loss.

This was a much needed win for the Lakers, who have had only one win in seven tries against top tier opponents. The Celtics didn't play with the intensity they did in Los Angeles, they also didn't shoot as well as they did then, some of it was the Lakers defense was much better this time around, they challenged a lot more shots, but the Celtics missed a lot of win open looks. Rondo missed almost everything he shot. I fully expect major injuries not withstanding for these teams to meet in June for the third time in four years. They only thing to be determined is who will have home court in the finals. That will keep both teams motivated to win as many games as they can, and also keep an eye on the scoreboard.

http://MrCleo3586.info

a long time fan and recent writer on the NBA.

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Basketball Jumping Shoes - Do Shoes Make a Difference

Are basketball jumping shoes helping to improve an athlete's game? Each and every athlete is unique in their own way both physically and mentally. Years of intense physical and mental training has given each of them the strength and conditioning they need in their respective sport. But what if they could gain an extra edge over their competitors? Making them a little bit faster, lighter on their feet and being able to jump higher if need be.

Some athletes have the natural abilities to accomplish these feats and some of which from of years of training but also there are those exceptional at what they do. But another thing that could also help them improve their game is their equipment and gear giving them the slight edge they need.

In the game of basketball players wear basketball jumping shoes to help them improve in their game. The shoes are useful for grip, support, and comfort and it is also fashionable. Just like the game itself the shoes have evolved with each decade that passes newer and efficient models have become a trend with its fashionable looks and famous endorsers they've become more popular than ever.

During the 1920's the original chuck Taylor shoes has been the only brand of shoes that professional athletes wear all the way to the 60's. It had a simple look as a sneaker with its rubber soles that was very popular among players and non-players alike. Soon after a company called Nike made their debut showcasing a new design of basketball jumping shoes that was more comfortable and had better support than the classic Chuck Taylor shoes making them the new trend in the basketball scene.

This evolution went on and on even to this day; other companies have made new designs with different attributes to their sneakers. Some sneakers maybe lighter than the others some more comfortable and has better grip on the court. But do they really help improve the game of our athletes? Some may that they kind of do some might say otherwise, it simply a matter of opinion. For years the shoes with the better endorsements are usually the most popular ones especially if it's being endorsed by the best player in the game. The basketball jumping shoes used today pretty much has every attribute an athlete would look for in a shoe, all it needs now is one famous endorser.

There are many different types of basketball jumping shoes, but will they really make you jump higher?

If your serious about increasing your vertical then check this out: Vertical Jump

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