nballin

huge lop-sided win for the Spurs, led by Manu Ginobili’s wizardry.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Up by 5 points, the Laker’s Sasha ‘The Machine’ Vujacic launched a 3-pt shot that went in. No big deal right? Yes, it’s a big deal for many gamblers that put money on the Spurs to cover the +7.5 point spread. The Lakers covered theirs, winning by 8 points.

How did Sasha get his nickname ‘The Machine’?
Wikipedia has some answers…

It has been widely reported on television and media that Vujacic gave himself the nickname “The Machine”, which most recently has been stated on TNT’s coverage of the 2008 NBA Playoffs by commentators such as Marv Albert, Reggie Miller and Doug Collins. However, this is not the case. Members of the LA sports media, including TJ Simers of the LA Times, have tracked down the origin of the nickname to Joel Meyers and Stu Lantz.[8] In a March 2008 article in the Los Angeles Times, Simers stated:

“TRIED TO get to the bottom of who came up with the nickname Machine for the Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic. Checked with Lakers TV guy, Joel Meyers, who did a lot of hemming and hawing, well, more than usual. He said both he and his partner Stu Lantz came up with it together. Never took them for Siamese twins before. Apparently, neither did Lantz. “I came up with it,” Lantz said. “And then Joel ran with it. I used it once, and never again.” As for Vujacic, he said Machine is just fine with him, but then Ronny Turiaf interrupted to say Vujacic is also known as Alecsander. “That’s my first name,” Vujacic said, but he isn’t happy with it. But I like it, Alecsander the So-So, and before this season began, it certainly fit.”

Funny ‘The Machine’ clip produced by the guys at laker-fan.net

Popularity: 1% [?]

you be the judge.

update: NBA says it’s a foul

The NBA said Wednesday that a foul should have been called when Lakers guard Derek Fisher bumped the Spurs’ Brent Barry on the final possession of Tuesday’s Game 4 in the West finals.

Spurs players and coach Gregg Popovich said after the game that a foul should not have been called, but the NBA disagreed with them upon review.

“With the benefit of instant replay, it appears a foul should have been called,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Los Angeles wouldn’t have minded instant replay a few seconds earlier, when a jumper by Fisher ticked the rim and the ball went out of bounds to the Lakers. The shot clock was not reset, preventing the Lakers from being able to run out the clock.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Spurs lost at home for the first time this postseason and they face elimination when they play Game 5 in Los Angeles on Thursday. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 28.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Very nice off-balance layup made by Tony Parker during game 5. Lakers end up winning 93-91

Popularity: 1% [?]

must be all that Texas BBQ grillin’

Popularity: 1% [?]

Jordan breaks out of his long slump in the playoffs by scoring 14 points and a highlight worthy block of Ime Udoka

Popularity: 1% [?]

Down by as many as 20 points, Kobe Bryant wills the Lakers to a victory by scoring 25 of his 27 points after halftime. Final score 89-85

Popularity: 1% [?]

There was definitely some contact on the first play, but then again Bruce Bowen was inside the circle. The 2nd and 3rd plays were classic acting jobs done by Bowen and Duncan.

Crazy spurs fan approves.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Elbow to the back – c’mon Rob this ain’t Karate.

Popularity: 1% [?]