Fight Night at Staples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lakers sent a message to the league last night: We won’t be pushed around anymore. We can push and shove with the best of them Perkins. This was one of if not the most physical games the Lakers have played this season. On and eve where Marc Cuban practically begged Ron Artest to shoot the ball, and Jason Terry said “Kobe doesn’t want to chase me around the floor all night. Their back court is kinda old. We definitely have an advantage.” John Ireland said he would make sure Kobe knew of the comments.  We scratched and clawed our way to every rebound, every steal, every basket, and when Dallas went to the line they felt it. Early on Matt Barnes did a monster slam through the lane that the Cowboys felt!!! Right after him Bynum did a two hand jam and yelled out into the stands as all the Lakers celebrated. This is what we needed! An animated Drew!!! I love It.! It seems like Matt Barnes has ignited a new fire in our team. Talent has never been the issue, but now there is no question of our toughness. Our defense spoke volumes. Nobody but Dirk was able to get any real flow going. He ended with 27 points.  The others had shots here and there but made no real impact on the game. The Mavs did actually try to fight back. With 9:23 to go in the fourth Mr. Jawjacker himself Jason Terry pushed down seemingly the quietest and unassuming Laker on the squad thinking he would send a message. Well no one sent him the message that Steve Blake actually studies Marshall Arts in the off season to stay fit. He also didnt get the message that these are not the pre all Star Lakers. This team is focused, driven, and more importantly they feel like a family. No sooner that he hit the floor Steve jumped back up and got so far in Terry’s face I thought we had a "bromance" on our hands. The “soft” Lakers weren’t having any parts of it. Matt Barnes jumped in Terrys face and shoved him out of the way. Brendan Haywood then pushed Matt Barnes and it got out of hand from there. The ref grabbed Matt and moved him towards the Dallas bench, then the Mavs assistant coach grabbed him to calm him down, but after telling him to “ get the (explerlative) off me" about 3 times, Matt thru him into the stands and he landed on a female fan who had minor cuts and bruises as a result. Matt later said he thought it was an opposing player who grabbed him.

Through the whole altercation the Laker  starters remained on the bench unphased. Kobe actually motioned to the guys to not make the mistake of stepping onto the court. They all stood there and watched. Unlike Tyson Chandler who was held back by a teammate, the Lakers simply enjoyed the show unphased and poised. Ron Artest and Luke Walton were even seen laughing on the bench. Not long after, Brandon Cardinal ( who?) fouled Gasol twice, actually hitting him in the head. Shannon Brown then pushed him and was ejected also. Not only were the Lakers starters not phased, they came back in and extending the lead. Even as a fan tried to rush the Mavs bench and was escorted out by the red shirts, they kept their composure. Lamar Odom hitting 11 straight points for the Lakers with 2 three pointers and a lay up.

So, the Killer Bs were ejected. Kobe led the game with 28, Pau had 19, Lamar had 16, and Drew had 18. A funny fact is there were more ejections in the 4^th than Laker tunorvers.We had none, and 5 players were ejected: Matt Barnes, Shannon Brown, Steve Blake, Jason Terry, and Brendan Haywood. The Lakers defense put the smack down too. They held the Mavs to 27.5 % shooting. They were 11-40!!! The Mavs ended with 82 points..that was the Lakers total after 3 quarters.

After the game Kobe was asked about the altercations. “You have to take up for your teammates. Can’t let guys hit your brother. It’s unacceptable. Cant let that (explerlative) slide.” Matt Barnes said “You cant just come in here and take a cheap shot. We are a family.” Ron Artest even challenged The Rock and The Undertaker to a wrestling match as he laughed with Lakers play by play announcer Spiro after the game. . Lamar was also asked about the toughness of Matt Barnes. He said “I love Matt for his fiestiness. He did it to us, know he’s duin it for us.”. Even Chris Webber had a mouthful to say. He said “ Dallas let Matt Barnes punk their whole team! All those big men out there and nobody did anything!!!”

When asked about the altercation Phil took that time to comment on Marc Cubans statements. “ Marc doesn’t know anything about basketball. He’s never played, he just sits behind the bench and tries to make the best basketball team money can buy…well almost.” ***DEAD***

Through all the jabs, all the pushing, all the shoving, all the name calling, the Lakers are now 16-1 since the All Star Break. Routing Dallas with the final score being 110-82. With the Spurs on their inevitable downward spiral the Lakers are now 2.5 games behind them. Boston took the “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach last night and helped us out. We won the season series against Dallas 2-1. We have control of the tie breaker if we by chance end up with the same record. But, we would get home court because we are the division leaders.

The once soft Lakers have indeed sent a message. We are here, we are stronger, and we are tougher than ever.