NBA Anagrams

The Lakers’ defeats have been as spectacular as their successes. That is to say, when they lose, they lose. Here is how their seasons have ended in non title-winning years in the Kobe Bryant-era (when writers use this term, can we please put an asterisk with the note that he wasn’t the best player on his team for half of his career?).

• 1997: defeated by Utah Jazz 4-1 in conference semifinals
• 1998: swept by Jazz in conference finals
• 1999: swept by San Antonio Spurs in conference semis, losing final game by 11, which was the final game ever in the Great Western Forum. Here’s Bob Costas giving their eulogy before the game was played, and Glen Rice kinda looks like Kanye
• 2003: defeated by Spurs 4-2 in conference semis, losing final game by 28, and ending with Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant tears
• 2004: defeated by Detroit Pistons 4-1 in NBA Finals, losing final game by 11. Slava Medvedenko started… seriously, it happened
• 2006: squandered 3-1 lead to Phoenix Suns in first round, losing final game by 31. Kobe “stuck with the game plan” and attempted just three shots in the second half. Here’s Barkley and The Jet discussing
• 2007: defeated by Suns 4-1 in first round
• 2008: defeated by the Boston Celtics 4-2 in NBA Finals, losing final game by 39
• 2011: swept by Dallas Mavericks in conference semifinals, losing final game by 36, and Odom doing this, and Bynum doing that. THAT IS TERRIBLE! THAT’S DISGUSTING!
• 2012: defeated by Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in conference semifinals, losing final game by 16

In summary, that’s three sweeps, a 10-40 record in those series, and an average margin of defeat of 19.3 points in elimination games. But they have five titles in that time, so whatever.

Facepalm. Facepalm. Facepalm.

Elimination games are so easy to lose

Stan van Fired.

Photo Credit: Thoughts of the Day

Kobe Bryant is Really Excited

I mean how excited can you be about the possibility of another early playoff exit?

Photo credit: Pat Muldowney

Kevin Durant is Clutch

Sketch by Neil Marion

Kawhi So Serious?

The San Antonio Express-News site “Spurs Nation” recently profiled Spurs rookie forward Kawhi Leonard. In summary, his face ranges from expressionless to lacking expression. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before,” Manu Ginobili said of Leonard’s grin. “Not for more than a second. Or a fourth of a second.”

Where is he right now?

Chris Paul just isn’t really doing anything against the Spurs.

Original photo: wrenie3