Yeah, It's OK, But What Else Have You Got?

The Staples Center did not seem as if the semi-finals of the Western Conference were being played under its roof. The crowd, of course, was there in its multitude but maintained a rather reserved manner during large parts of the game. There was even someone missing in the first game, Jack was not in his usual spot, how bizarre. Compared to Oklahoma the crowd seemed almost silent. But it's nothing to worry about or even a bad thing, like the Lakers themselves the Staples Center crowd is an experienced one and used to going deep into the playoffs. So, with a beat up Utah coming to town wins were expected and wins were received. The Staples Center enjoyed the victories in a quiet contentment with an almost expectant demeanor. Laker fans have but one thing in mind and that's another ring on the finger's of their purple and gold armored knights. Once that victory is sealed then there will be cause for celebration, then there will be a parade no other NBA team could possibly even hope to receive, then you will see the fans explode in a passionate fury of Laker glory. Until then the Laker fans will be waiting with anticipation waiting to give the Lakers a boost when truly needed and not just gratuitous fan fare that lesser teams are used to.

Speaking about lesser teams, the Utah Jazz with their much reduced team, missing two starters and significantly undersized against the Lakers, struggled to deal with the skilled Laker front men. Pau, Bynum and Lamar cleaned the glass, shot with precision and protected the hoop. This was the key to the two victories for the Lakers, pounding the ball inside and suffocating the paint. Pau deserves a special mention for his continued outstanding play and in my opinion is one of the best performing players in the playoffs at the moment, PAU! There was that other guy Kobe who scored more than 30 points for the third consecutive time but who cares about what he does on the court, check this out!