About Jill Painter

Jill Painter is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles News Group, covering everything from the Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, USC, UCLA, Kings, golf and all human interest stories in sports.

Lakers coach Mike Brown on son’s Twitter death threat

As you can imagine, Lakers coach Mike Brown wasn’t happy to learn about his son, Elijah, receiving at least one death threat on Twitter. He found out through reporters after today’s practice.
“ “That’s the tough part of this business, going after someone’s family,” Brown said. “In my opinion, that’s ridiculous, crazy, stupid, whatever you want to call it.”
Brown said he will contact the proper people and is taking this seriously.

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant on the “death stare”

By now you’ve seen the video gone viral of the Kobe Bryant death stare. Many people are saying it was directed toward Mike Brown, but Bryant just laughed

that off.

“I’ve been his biggest supporter. I’m too old for this childish behavior”

and…

Kobe admitted he’s frustrated as has everyone, but he said: “It has nothing to do with one particular problem. God people are bored.”

Rare overtime

Last night’s overtime game between the Lakers and Magic was the first overtime game in the NBA Finals since Game 5 between Miami and Dallas in 2006. Miami won behind Dwayne Wade’s 43 points.

The dreaded 0-2 deficit

Only three teams have ever come back from an 0-2 deficit to win the NBA Finals. In 1969, Boston rallied to beat the Lakers and in 1977, Portland rallied to to beat Philadelphia. In 2006, the Miami Heat was down 0-2 before coming back to beat Dallas.

Fisher’s impact

Derek Fisher came up big late in the game tonight, especially with a steal he got against J.J. Redick with 1:56 left in overtime.
He drove the lane with 5:27 left in regulation, split two defenders and made a layup to tie the game at 77. He had the assist on Pau Gasol’s layup that tied the score at 88 with 33 seconds left and insured the Lakers would get to overtime. There was the Redick steal and the ensuing free throws. And then with 26 seconds left, Fisher caught the inbounds pass and brought the ball up the floor and got it to Lamar Odom, who was fouled and made two free throws in the bonus situation.

Tiger Woods on the NBA Finals

Tiger Woods is always spotted at Orlando Magic games, but he grew up a Lakers fan in Cypress. So whose his pick? He’s on the fence. Here’s what he said in his newsletter that just came out today:
“I’m really torn about the NBA finals,” Woods wrote. “I grew up a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan but have season tickets to Orlando Magic games. Hopefully, it will be a great series.”

Lakers 103, Nuggets 94

FIRST QUARTER
Chauncey Billups was off to a good start by making all three of his shots and scoring nine points. Kobe Bryant took just two shots. The physical play that has defined the series has marked this game, too. Denver outrebounded the Lakes, 14-9.
Lakers 25, Nuggets 25

SECOND QUARTER
The Lakers bench was solid as it made 5 of 12 shots. Bryant took just two shots again. Carmelo Anthony scored 10 points, but the Nuggets had just two offensive rebounds. Sasha Vujacic made a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to tie the game.
Lakers 56, Nuggets 56

THIRD QUARTER
Shannon Brown made two consecutive baskets, including an unbelievable one-handed dunk over Chris Anderson. Lamar Odom, who played extensively at point guard, followed the dunk with a 3-pointer. The Nuggets squandered a six-point lead. Pau Gasol took and made just one shot.
Lakers 76, Nuggets 76

FOURTH QUARTER
The Lakers dunked over the Nuggets at will and won the physical battle. Kobe Bryant was whacked in the face by Carmelo Anthony, then calmly made both free throws. The Nuggets made just four field goals in this span.
Lakers 103, Nuggets 94

HERO
Lamar Odom
Odom had a double-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Odom was in a groove. The highlight of the night was Odom’s dunk over Chris Anderson to give the Lakers an 81-76 lead. Odom even showed his versatility by playing a little point guard in the second half.

GOAT
George Karl
The Nuggets coach said before Wednesday’s game that it’s difficult for the team that loses Game 5 to overcome it. Asked what his team would think if they lost and heard he said that, Karl stammered that his players don’t know what he says in the pre-game chats. Hellllo, George! There’s this thing called the Internet.

STAT
4
The number of shots Kobe Bryant took in the first half. Bryant had two in the first quarter and two in the second. This was a good thing in that the bench was more involved and made 5 of 12 shots in the second quarter. And Bryant did his thing in the third quarter, making two shots in the first three minutes.

QUOTE
“Somewhere over the last six weeks, we’ve become the bad boys of the NBA … I think we want to play aggressive basketball. What was Phil’s term? Unsportsmanlike? I don’t think we’re unsportsmanlike.”
— Nuggets coach George Karl on the physical nature of his team