| 13 March 2010
LA managed to win a 102-96 game in Phoenix... which I liked.
All of the Lakers' starters finished in double digits, presenting a well-balanced scoring attack... which I liked.
And LA showed some toughness that I haven't seen exhibited in quite a while... which I liked. I liked that a lot.
Ok, Kobe had a worse-than-average shooting night, and was remarkably lackadaisical with his ballhandling... but he did add 10 boards and 8 assists.
But it was the toughness the team displayed that I liked best. Stuff like this Gasol foul on Louis Amundson...
(excuse the quality of the clip)
Now, I don't like that Amundson got hit in the face, but I don't buy that it was a flagrant foul either. Amundson switches the ball to his right hand, and Pau follows that.
Hard foul?
Sure, and he got two shots for it.
Flagrant?
No... despite all the gnashing of teeth, wringing of hands and stamping of feet... it was simply a foul. Amundson agreed, stating post-game:
"I think he was just trying to make a play on the ball. It was really physical all night, so I wasn't surprised."
Suns coach Alvin Gentry didn't like it at all, and combusted. Two quick Ts later... Gentry was given his walking papers.
Not long after that, Amundson found himself in the wars again. He found himself tangled up with Andrew Bynum (hanging on Andrew's arm) - and got thrown on the floor hard. Kobe noted:
"We don't like giving up layups or giving up easy opportunities. We're just playing hard. It's not playing dirty. It's just not giving up anything easy."
We're just playing hard.
Well it's about time, but I'm liking that a lot...
Get some other Laker wrap-ups on the game...
Forum Blue & Gold - Lakers/Suns: The Return of Balance
