Forum Blue And Gold

Use whatever language you want here — “backs against the wall”, “win or go home”, “do or die game” — they all capture the tenor and meaning of tonight’s game 6 between the Lakers and the Suns. For the first time in the 2 seasons that the Lakers have had LeBron and AD, the Lakers are facing an elimination game for themselves where, if they do not come out on top, their season is … [Read more...] about Lakers vs. Suns: Game 6 Preview

The playoffs, at the most basic level, are about problem solving. How can you decipher and counter what the other team is trying to do faster and more effectively than what they are. The number of problems you can present for the opponent, then, is nearly as key as your response to whatever they’re throwing at you. The more advantages you have the better, and the fewer the … [Read more...] about Lakers vs. Suns: Game 5 Preview

By winning game 3, the Lakers took control of their series with the Suns. To maintain that control, however, game 4 will present an even bigger challenge because the level of desperation I anticipate the Suns showing will be like nothing the Lakers have seen since, maybe, their play-in game vs. the Warriors. The Suns know going down 3-1 makes the series, essentially, over. It … [Read more...] about Lakers vs. Suns: Game 4 Preview

After winning game 2 to bring the series even at one game a piece, the Lakers enter tonight’s game against the Suns with momentum that they cannot take for granted. Returning home is great and welcomed. The team, however, cannot rest on the fact that playing in front of their own fans will provide them the energy they need to win, rather they must bring that energy themselves … [Read more...] about Lakers vs. Suns: Game 3 Preview

As the lower seed in this playoff series, the main goal is to get a split in the first two games. Sure, you want to win every game you’re in, but getting that split means you flip home court advantage and, even if only slightly, take control of the series. The Lakers, then, should be looking at this game vs. the Suns like “this is the one we really want”. Getting it won’t be … [Read more...] about Lakers vs. Suns: Game 2 Preview