ESPN.com Did the Pacers win Game 5 of the NBA Finals or did the Lakers lose it? And what are your thoughts on Kobe Bryant now, with a terrific performance in Game 4 followed up by a brutal 4 for 20 shooting effort?
The Lakers have had problems all through the playoffs closing out their opponents. That is a sign to me the Lakers lack LEADERSHIP. If Shaq is the leader then he should show it on the court. If Miller's shot at the end of game four goes in we have a different series. Nobody wants to lose a game then try to win it at home. All the pressure is on the Lakers now. After the Game 5 BLOWOUT, can the Lakers afford a game 7. Take a look at other great NBA champions (Bulls, Lakers, Celtics) when they had a chance to close out a series it was a done deal. Robert Wilson Ellenwood, Ga. Who wants the opposing team celebrating a world championship in your town in front of your loyal fans? There was nothing else to do but win. How serious were the Lakers in Game 5? Only the Lakers know the answer to that question. The series goes to Game 6. Is it worth the chance to host a Game 7 -- are they that confident? Whatever the outcome, when the winner of this series will be remembered for years to come, so will the blowout in Game 5. What a way to end the home games at your new house! Linda Richwine Indianapolis True, I spent many years as a "Hoosier" -- 18 to be exact -- and therefore am a bit biased. However, much of that time I found myself frustrated with the effort put forth by the Pacers, particularly in recent years with championship titles in reach and their apparent lack of heart and consistent play. This year, no matter how it ends, I'm a proud Pacer fan. These guys have shown the heart and talent I believed was there, despite the odds and doubts expressed by so many. Carol J. Baker Alexandria, Va. I knew all that Kobe hype would be for nothing. He makes four shots in OT and suddenly he is a legend? Come on! He won't even be MVP, and until he leaves Shaq, he is never going to lead a team to the title, which is what legends do. If Reggie had hit that 3-pointer to win Game 4, the Pacers are up 3-2 and Kobe would have gotten no praise at all. His game 5 outing might shut people up for bit calling him a superstar that is Jordanesque. This kid still hasn't grown up, as he showed in Game 5. One five-minute stretch, no matter if it's in the Finals on a bad leg or not, does not make a legend. Multiple titles and awards do. So far Kobe has none of that. James New York This has been a great series. The Lakers are in the driver's seat by winning Games 2 and 4, which could have gone either way. The Pacers showed heart is crushing L.A. in Game 5. If the Lakers think they can just show up and have the trophy handed to them, there will be a Game 7. Phil Jackson knew the importance of killing the Pacers when they were down and out, now they have new life and nothing to lose. If the Lakers are to become the next dynasty they need to find that killer instinct. Jackson's -- or should I say Michael's -- Bulls would have never let a team back in like the Lakers did Friday night. If the Pacers manage to win Game 6 ANYTHING can happen in game 7. Josh Worden Indianapolis I think that the Lakers are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NBA. One night they will dominate everyone, but on some nights like Friday's Game 5 they sucked it up. If they were consistent they would probably be the next dynasty. Mike Lynchburg, Va. I feel the Lakers can win the series anytime they feel like it. The game Friday had more meaning to Indiana than it did to the Lakers. It was the team's last home game of the season and Larry Bird's final coaching game at home. These factors motivated Indiana. The Lakers will have the motivation on Monday when they will be on their home court and in front of their fans. Lakers will win on Monday. MP Taccone Birmingham, Ala. The Lakers better not start celebrating yet. This is why the games are played. This series is by no means over, and if the Pacers get it to a Game 7, WATCH OUT. The Pacers have not (with the possible exception of Game 1) been blown out by the Lakers, and they certainly have the weapons to do the job. They must simply take advantage of the Lakers' weaknesses (and they do have a few!). Kobe Bryant is NOT Michael Jordan. Sorry, but he doesn't have the ability to take a game over at will, and the Lakers are not the next Bulls dynasty, either -- they don't have the supporting cast (and before the arrival of Pippen, et al, even Michael couldn't lift the Bulls out of the quagmire). Where is the Paxson, the Pippen, the Armstrong, the Kerr on this Laker team?! The Pacers have proven that they deserve to be in the Finals, that they can beat the Lakers, and that Indiana is the best place in the WORLD to watch a pro game! Let's hoop it up and see what happens. Christia Thomason Winston-Salem, N.C. My thoughts on Kobe after game 5: He is simply the best player in the NBA below Shaq. For reasons beyond normal logic, he had to let this game go. We're talking about a man who can literally take over a game at will, who thrives on pressure and looks challenges straight in the eye with no fear. He's got years to be perfect, why show the world everything now? Show a gradual progression to perfection. Jordan didn't win his first championship until he was 28. Kobe is 21! Kobe is highly intelligent and wants to keep things globally interesting. You'll see. He'll open up a can of whoop-ass in either Game 6 or 7 in L.A. Game over, championship at age 21. Kevin San Mateo, Calif. As a die hard Pacers fan transplanted from Indiana, I have to say that the Pacers didn't surprise me. I knew that they were not going to roll over and die. I think that they are going to come out real loose on Monday and surprise some more people. The Finals have been as entertaining as I thought they would be and I was incredulous that people did not give more credit to Indiana from the beginning. Diego Castaneda San Diego Whooooa! What a Game 5 for the Pacers. Thought they were a dead team but boy was I wrong. This game showed the kind of heart and guts that the Pacers possess. Kudos for their efforts. Also, on another note -- be like Kobe? No way. After crowning him the best thing ever made since Guinness was introduced to the U.S., he stunk it up. Yeah, he is a great player but let's wait until he wins a few championships before we compare him to his airness. The Pacers might lose the series but they played their hearts out -- which is all you can ask for, whether your a coach or fan. Andas Brown Berkeley, Calif. I think this just confirms the fact that people have a tendency to blow everything out of proportion. After every game, there is some type of huge stereotyping-fest, and the exact opposite usually happens the very next game. I was particularly angry at the fact that the media labelled Reggie as a no-show because of one bad game. Then he comes back with a pretty good performance, but they were hard on him again for not hitting in the 4th quarter. Then the next game he scores eight points on FTs in the 4th, but this time it's no FGs. The game after that he has a magnificent 4th quarter and overtime, and he's the goat once again because he misses the final shot. Give him a break! On the other hand, Kobe has one good game, and he's crowned the next Jordan. Well I think we all saw Friday night that he's still a long way off. Howard Shih Sydney, Australia As a die-hard Laker fan, I feel nothing but embarrassment tonight. Game 4 was not a letdown, it was a total collapse. Just when you think that this team has learned from the past, they come on the court only to disprove you. All we Laker fans can now do is hope that our team will continue their pattern of big losses followed by big wins. Yotam Kaufman Israel My opinion on Kobe Bryant doesn't change one bit after Game 5 -- just as it didn't change after Game 4. The way he fearlessly took the two jumpers after Shaq fouled out in Game 4 was impressive, but ranking him with Michael, Magic, and Larry? Let's not be ridiculous. The shots were important, but nobody deserves to be put in the privileged company of The Three (especially not The One) until a pattern starts to develop. That little outburst didn't rank anywhere near what even Reggie Miller or Isaiah Thomas has done in the past, and no one ranks them with The Three. And when will people quit trying to anoint the next MJ? Kobe is a special athlete, similar to Jordan in build and ability to a limited degree, but he's no Jordan. The most perfectly coordinated athlete the professional sports world has likely ever seen should not be alluded to so superficially. Jesse Hamilton Kunming, Yunnan, China The Lakers thought they could stroll on the court and just have the Pacers lay down and give the title to them. They were mistaken. The Lakers are a disappointing team because they can only win with their backs against the wall, like with Sacramento and Portland. Phil Jackson has worked miracles with this team but he has failed to instill that killer instinct the Bulls had. James Parziale Elmhurst, N.Y. | ||||
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