Links: NBA Finals Game Four Live Notes
Notes from the scene as the Celtics mount an epic comeback and get the W in LA.
Everybody goes to Hollywood! And tonight SLAM is in the heezy again for our Game Four liveblog.
• OK, we’re here. Pregame talk from Phil and Doc was about their own guys. Doc said he expects no problems from Rondo’s rondo’d ankle, and Phil talked about trying to get Lamar going by trying to get him more comfortable jump shots from the wings. Stern just addressed the media about Donagate, but I skipped it to get some strawberry shortcake from the dining hall. I still feel it was a strong decision on my part.
• Kareem is at halfcourt delivering the game ball. Khalid is to my right, Jemele from E*PN is to my left, and Larry David is courtside. Hard to get much better than this. Let’s do this!
FIRST QUARTER
• Lakers win the tip and Lamar goes straight to the cup, where KG goaltends his layup. Ray Allen drives down Sepulveda directly to the rim and ties it at two.
• Pierce bricks a jumper from the wing. After being red hot in Game Two, he hasn’t made a three since.
• 10:13 left in the first, and KG and Rondo each have a foul. As Kobe goes to the line, the Staples Center PA plays a drumbeat to encourage the fans to chant M-V-P. Seem weird to encourage them to distract their own player, but whatever. Perk then picks up a loose ball foul, and Gasol gets an open dunk. 7-2 Lakers. Kobe gets a steal, but Pierce knocks it away, then Kobe gets it back and Pau fires up an airball. Whew.
• Technical foul on Doc Rivers, and Fisher misses that. KG misses a layup and LA outworks Boston for the board, then Odom gets an open dunk on the other end. Rondo scores, then Lamar gets another layup. 11-4 LA, and Lamar has 6 already.
• • Ray Allen sticks Kobe at the elbow, and Kobe can’t pump-fake him out of the way. Kobe dishes it to Pau, and he can’t shake Perk. Then Pierce drops the rebound out of bounds. Bad first quarter for Boston.
• LA is leaving Rondo wide open, and he is not trying to shoot it. LA is also running Boston so far, and they lead 16-6, with 6:31 to go in the first. Timeout! Doc Rivers is losing his mind and his voice tonight.
• KG just picked up his second foul, which is probably a good thing the way he’s been playing tonight. PJ Brown has been oiled up and dusted off and he’s ready to go. But Vlad Rad just ripped a three over Paul Pierce. Lakers are ahead 20-6.
• It took PJ Brown, but a Celtic finally took the ball to the rim. Kobe fouled him. ALLEGEDLY! Doc also just went to Eddie House, which I’m taking is a sign that he wasn’t thrilled with the way Rondo was or was not playing. And House just bricked a jumper. Fisher from the foul line, bang!
• Timeout Lakers with the 3:20 to go in the first and the score 24-7, which seems like a sign or something. Los Angles is shooting 67 percent from the floor, and Boston is most definitely not (they’re at a robust 21 percent).
• Lamar hits a J (not that kind of J) from the top of the key out of a timeout. Jemele is looking up convicted felons in my neighborhood on her computer.
• Ray Allen! His three puts Boston into double-digits, 26-12.
• Tervor Ariza is in the house. Also, we’ve been joined in the press box by The Mad VP.
• The Lake Show has jumped ahead 28-12, and now PJ Brown is sending Gasol to the line. By the way, Lamar is up to 13 points now. 30-13. Now Ariza is going to the line. Makes one, misses second and nails a three from the corner. Lakers have shot 13 free throws, the Celtics have shot 2. Good grief.
• LA is up 35-14, and Sasha Vujacic just checked in for the first time as the quarter ended. So there it is, a 35-14 lead after one. Long game, lot of time left, but still…it’s 35-14! I’ve been wondering the entire postseason why teams don’t try to run against Boston (you know I have!) and now LA seems to have wondered the same thing. The answer? They should’ve been running against them more. It also helps to have a 15/2 free throws attempted advantage.
SECOND QUARTER
• The Celts begin the second quarter with a turnover from Ray Allen. Ugh.
• Sasha misses a jumper, Ariza shoves Perk out of the way and gets the rebound and scores. No call.
• Boston finally goes to the free throw line, and Powe misses one of two.
• The game turns sloppy, as both teams go back and forth and turn it over. KG finally takes Gasol to the rim and shoots over him. I don’t understand why he doesn’t do this on every play.
• Walton misses a three and the crowd grumbles — it’s like the recognize LA is shooting too many threes. Then KG scores again. Then Walton hits a three and all is forgotten. Shoot them threes! BTW, pregame we heard a fan say to Luke, “You rock, brotha!”
• Posey sinks a free throw to cut it to 40-20. BTW, Kobe has no field goals tonight.
• I think it’s time for Sam-I-Am to take over. He played in this building all year, and Bill Simmons told us over and over how amazing he was going to be when he joined the Celts. Let’s see it happen! Save us Sam!
• Sam just turned the ball over.
• Vujacic hits a three. Powe tries to go 1-on-4 to the rim. Doesn’t work out so well. 45-21, 5:26 to go.
• Is it time to unleash Tony Allen? I think it is. BTW, Tony told me he was listening to Gucci Mane pregame.
• Rondo is back. Sasha and Kobe miss threes, and KG drops in a jumper to cut it to 45-23.
• Ray Allen for three. 45-26. Time out, LA. Phil is not playing around.
• Foul on Vlad Rad out of the timeout. Posey to the line…good, good. 45-28. 7-0 run. Gasol miss and Pierce three. Here comes Boston. 10-0 run. LA turnover, Pierce jumper. 45-33.
• Time for Kobe? No, Kobe gives it up and Fisher drives the lane and scores. And the foul. Timeout, Boston, with 2:36 left. Good timeout, They finally managed to meet LA’s intensity, but they ran out of gas, fast.
• They just ran a “Meet Lamar Odom” segment on the scoreboard. Fitting, because he’s been gone too long. BTW, Will Smith and Justin Timberlake just had a dance-off on the scoreboard. Seriously.
• Rondo rondos himself. I think that’s illegal in Cali. Then Gasol deposits a dunk on Ray Allen. Cuidado!
• Pierce for three, bang! Gasol gets wiped by KG. No, you cuidado!
• Kobe picks up his third with 52.2 left. Aiight, Kob! Later! Holla! Whatup, Sasha? How you been?
• Pierce to the line, good, good. 52-38.
• Pierce forces one. I think he was trying to go two-for-one, but he had Brown and Allen at the top of the key. Khalid disagrees with me, but we move on.
• Gasol gets two and one. With 5.2 left, Rondo to the line, but he misses one of two. LA inbounds to Farmar who channels Tyus Edney, his fellow UCLA alum, and goes coast to coast for a three. 57-40, LA leads at the half. Boston outscored LA 26-22 in that quarter. If they can continue at that rate, with this current deficit they’ll take the lead in the 7th quarter.
• It’s Lamar’s world, we’re all just living in it. He’s got 15, 8 and a +20 rating.
THIRD QUARTER
• Half two begins with Kobe and Vlad Rad sandwiching Pierce. Guess who the foul is called on? Yep!
• Two free throws for Pierce, then a jumper from KG, and Boston’s cut it to 58-44.
• Kobe! One dribble and a jumper. He’s on the board, finally.
• Rondo hits a floater, then KG hits a layup to make it 60-48. Odom drives on Perk and Perk goes out immediately with a bad shoulder. We look for a wheelchair but don’t see one.
• The Lakers score four straight when Perk leaves the court. PJ Brown is great, if we’re talking about 1998. But we’re not.
• Kobe wets a three from the wing and gives a little extra shake on the follow through. 66-48, LA.
• Boston misses and Kobe comes back with the ball. Boston doubles him, he shoots over it, misses and LA still gets the rebound. Fisher then hits a long two and it’s 68-48, with 7:06 left in the third.
• Pierce drives and scores out of the timeout. Kobe misses and Boston comes right back. Posey rims out a three. The game is definitely slowing down, which works in Boston’s favor.
• Pierce gets another two, then House hits a three from the wing. 70-55. Every Laker starter is in double figures…except Kobe.
• Ray Allen drives to the hoop and Derek Fisher has the angle…and they have the nicest collision in history.
• Kobe alley-oops to Pau! Posey misses a three. Posey picks up his fourth foul, but Boston gets a rebound and scores. 72-59. There’s a lot of unease in this arena. Oh, and Ray Allen gets the steal and goes in completely uncontested as Radmanovic ducks back out of the way. 72-61, with 2:58 to go. There’s a weird buzz from the crowd, like someone’s showing 2 Girls 1 Cup on the scoreboard.
• Celebs: Andy Garcia, Tobey Maguire, Justin Timberlake, Rick Fox(!), Will Smith, David Beckham (loudest cheer of the night), Jada Pinkett (softest cheer of the night) and Jack Nicholson. Khalid’s still smiling about Jada.
• Out of the TO, Kobe misses a runner, and then KG gets called for an offensive foul after setting consecutive moving screens.
• LA goes to Pau, who doesn’t know what to do with the ball and finally gets bailed out by a foul call…against Powey, his fifth. And that means…
• TONY ALLEN! All hell is going to break loose!
• Pierce then goes to the rim and goes through three defenders for a bucket. And one. 73-64. Tony Allen is paying dividends already!
• Tony Allen rebound! He’s officially in the books! A big night for Linkstigators worldwide.
• Eddie House from the corner! 73-67!
• The fans try to get fired up. Kobe drives on Pierce but his jumper rims out. Ray Allen drives and draws the foul. Two shots for Ray who goes…make, make. 73-69 (dude).
• Kobe on the wing, holds finds Vujacic (covered) who hits Farmar for an airball. The Boston finds a wide open PJ Brown for a huge dunk! Whoa.
• And that’s it, the third ends with LA leading by the skin of their teeth, 73-71.
FOURTH QUARTER
• Fourth quarter! And Phil Jackson knows what this game needs: Ronny Turiaf! Oui oui!
• Turiaf to the line, and he misses both. He’s so damn French, isn’t he?
• Leon Powe almost dunks a rebound but they call a foul on Turiaf, but somehow it’s not a shooting foul. Then Paul Pierce gets called for a offensive foul while shooting a jumper. Steve Javie has had it with Pierce and his drives.
• Kobe done broke the triangle again.
• There’s a tangle under the Boston basket and somehow Vujacic and Ray Allen get all tangled up. I haven’t seen Ray Allen that hands on since he was on that date with Rosario Dawson in “He Got Game.”
• Tied up! 73 all, thanks to Leon Powe. Both teams miss, then Kobe brings it up and calmly slices through the paint for two. Lakers lead 75-73. 9:12 to go.
• Paul Pierce is good. Tie game.
• Kobe dribbles the ball off Paul Pierce’s foot and out of bounds, and Javie calls a blocking foul on Pierce. I imagine Javie sitting around his hotel room the last few days furious about all this attention Donaghy’s been getting.
• Out of the timeout, bizarro Lamar returns. Boston goes to KG, who can’t score. Then Kobe faces down Pierce for a J. Eddie House misses a jumper. Kobe misses a jumper. KG does work and scores.
• 6:11 left and Lamar scores to give Los Angeles a 79-77 lead.
• Posey returns with 5 fouls, and Turiaf retreats to the bench as well. Also, You Don’t Mess With the Vujacic!
• Kobe gets a runout and zigzags through three Celts for a two-handed dunk. He makes that look so easy. LA leads 81-77, with 5:47 to go in the game. And to add injury to insult, it looks like Pierce was injured on the play. Nice. Tony Allen better be ready.
• Ray Allen stumbles off a curl, fights Zohan Vujacic for the ball, then hits Posey in the corner for a three. Wow. 81-80, LA.
• Gasol hits a leaner going right and with KG in his grill. KG comes back and goes right into Gasol’s chest for two free throws…good, good. 83-82, 4:45 to go.
• LA goes to Lamar, who can’t score, and then House pops a long two in Farmar’s face. Boston takes the lead, 84-83, with 3:48 left. The Stapler needs a refill — it just went dead silent in here.
• Pierce misses a three out of the timeout, and then Ray Allen gets the board and turns into Jesus Shuttlesworth, going baseline for a double-pump reverse. 86-83.
• Zohan misses a jumper at the shot clock buzzer, and then Kobe finds Farmar for a three and he misses. Then Boston clears it out for KG to destroy Pau, and he does work. 88-83, 2:10 left. They’re showing bloopers on the scoreboard.
• Here we go. 2:10 left, Boston ahead 88-83. Pierce fouls Kobe, who comes out attacking. Kobe makes, makes. 88-85.
• Pierce drives and is bustled by Pau Gasol. Pierce to the line for two…miss, make. 89-85.
• Boston gives a foul with 1:38 to go. Weird.
• Kobe takes on KG and PP without trouble. 89-87.
• Dagger! James Posey with a three from the wing. Then Fisher makes the worst shot in basketball, a two with his toes on the line. 92-89. Kobe fouls Pierce and gets upset that it was called a foul. Boston takes a timeout. Doc wants to ice Pierce? Boston’s ahead 92-89, with 46.8 left.
• Pierce makes the first…and the second. 94-89, 46.8.
• LA comes down and gets a quick two from Gasol. Then Ray Allen dribbles down the clock and goes right around Zohan Vujacic for a very easy two. Gasol and Fisher were supposed to have his back but they were at the late showing of You Don’t Mess With The Vujacic. Boston leads 96-91, 15.7 left.
• LA comes out, misses a couple of jumpers, and then Boston finally corrals the ball with 3.6 left. Eddie House to the line, and Boston wins it 97-91. One quick thought on the way downstairs…what happens to Boston without Perk and Rondo?
614 Responses to “Links: NBA Finals Game Four Live Notes”
Jun.12 at 9:05 pm
Myles Brown says:
I can honestly say after watching these entire playoffs that Doc Rivers motivational speeches, um…..aren’t very motivational.
Jun.12 at 9:08 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Glad to see you’re up and running, Lang, though I’m a little hurt you didn’t give my father props for his stirring rendition of the national anthem.
Jun.12 at 9:12 pm
casey says:
T on Doc! nice
Jun.12 at 9:13 pm
RV says:
wow, how was that foul not called on Kobe??
Jun.12 at 9:18 pm
casey says:
Nice to see Lamar remembers how to play.
Jun.12 at 9:20 pm
ciolkstar says:
Wow. The Lakers look so much faster than the Cs. Boston has missed some easy ones, but they won’t win at this pace.
Jun.12 at 9:21 pm
H to the izzo says:
Nice to see the Lakers playing at their own pace.
Jun.12 at 9:22 pm
ciolkstar says:
F@CK. 2 on KG already? The Lakers have been getting all the calls but Boston looks terrible.
Jun.12 at 9:25 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Oh my heart is bursting for LO. Please, please let this continue. Please.
Jun.12 at 9:27 pm
H to the izzo says:
Please for the sake of this game,someone remove Doc from the building.
Jun.12 at 9:40 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Was that Ben’s cousin doing the national anthem?
Jun.12 at 9:41 pm
Michael NZ says:
2-2! Yeah!
Jun.12 at 9:42 pm
ciolkstar says:
Ariza can shoot now? So much for a “good” game tonight.
Jun.12 at 9:42 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Christ the King , what?
Jun.12 at 9:42 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
That was Ben’s dad.
Jun.12 at 9:43 pm
TripleDouble says:
Anyone catch that fight in the ads? Japanese kid got knocked cold, then punched again… horrible… but funny they played that, ha…
2nd quarter on…
Jun.12 at 9:44 pm
Matt Caputo says:
How’s the weather out there Lang?
Jun.12 at 9:44 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
eeeeeeeee
Jun.12 at 9:48 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Ariza, joins Nazr Mohammed and probably other guys the Knicks traded who played in the NBA finals in the last decade or so.
Jun.12 at 9:48 pm
Michael NZ says:
There’s a dude courtside in a Sonics jersey… like a 93-94 one. Who is that?
Jun.12 at 9:50 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Awesome weather.
Jun.12 at 9:50 pm
Tweaks says:
Give Lamar some love
Jun.12 at 9:50 pm
AutoRyan says:
4 minutes in the 2nd and no Cassell field goal attempt :S
Jun.12 at 9:50 pm
ciolkstar says:
I’d like a Laker team with Bynum and Ariza playing large roles infintely more than this team with Gasol and the Euros. That said, Ariza is balling RIGHT NOW and its fun to watch. Same with Odom (who I’ve been dogging all day) what a first half for the Lakeshow.
Jun.12 at 9:51 pm
Double R says:
You gotta love celebrity interviews with spli screen action. Or not.
Jun.12 at 9:52 pm
Double R says:
*Or split screen
Jun.12 at 9:53 pm
ciolkstar says:
Kobe hasn’t even hit a shot yet. Scary.
Jun.12 at 9:54 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Weather is great, MC.
Jun.12 at 9:54 pm
Tweaks says:
That’s the good part
Jun.12 at 9:56 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
Lang, there is a typo, you wrote that LO has 13 in a qtr
Jun.12 at 9:56 pm
AutoRyan says:
6 and a half in the 2nd and a cassell attempt….now we have a real ball game
Jun.12 at 9:58 pm
Michael NZ says:
So Bostons PG situation ain’t so hot at the best of times, but tonight? Horrible. Love how Cassell has Allen, PP and Posey out there yet he still hoists up a brick three from out top. Yuck.
Jun.12 at 9:58 pm
H to the izzo says:
Nice shot at Bill Simmons.
Jun.12 at 9:58 pm
Tweaks says:
actually cassell might end up with a new record 2 assists tonight
Jun.12 at 9:59 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Not a shot at Simmons — I really want to see it happen right now save this game!
Jun.12 at 9:59 pm
Matt Caputo says:
thats dope. hows the internet connection?
Jun.12 at 9:59 pm
Michael NZ says:
The Fresh Prince has a personal relationship with Kobe?
Jun.12 at 10:01 pm
Matt Caputo says:
what assistant coach does phil jackson speak to most during the game?
Jun.12 at 10:05 pm
Double R says:
Hey Lang following your SAB of Leon Powe and Jason Richardson, Kendrick Perkins reminds me of Kratos from God of War.
Jun.12 at 10:05 pm
H to the izzo says:
“Game 4 was like that episode of 90210 where they all died”
Jun.12 at 10:05 pm
NBA Dimensions says:
The Celtics had this and just let it slip away.
Jun.12 at 10:06 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@H: Funny.
Jun.12 at 10:09 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
Doulbe R: SAB, Glen Davis & that green ghost from ghostbusters?
Jun.12 at 10:10 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Frank Hamblen on the Lakers bench?
Jun.12 at 10:11 pm
Double Cinco says:
ugh. I’m not impressed with the Lakeshow right now. The C’s are right in the game and it’s getting ugly.
Jun.12 at 10:12 pm
Double R says:
MWB his name is Slimer
Jun.12 at 10:13 pm
Matt Caputo says:
is Hamblen into coaching in these games?
Jun.12 at 10:13 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
first jigga and soulja boy now justin v irobot. The nba, where basketball doesn’t happen
Jun.12 at 10:14 pm
Double Cinco says:
Fish is playin ball man. I have never seen him drive that much in a game. Paula? does she want her name to be Pau again? Let’s she how she does in the second half.
Jun.12 at 10:16 pm
Double Cinco says:
J-FARM! Where are the Celtics fans at?
Jun.12 at 10:17 pm
H to the izzo says:
Boston?
Jun.12 at 10:20 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
“thanks Lamar” “yeahh no problem” I LOVE LO and this feels so good.
Jun.12 at 10:21 pm
MattM says:
Boston fan right here
Jun.12 at 10:21 pm
Double Cinco says:
When Odom is on his GAME and not on that bullsh*t, LA is pretty much unstoppable.
Jun.12 at 10:21 pm
H to the izzo says:
I spotted that too,Holly,he said “no problem” quite charmingly(word?).This game is PAINFUL.
Jun.12 at 10:22 pm
Double Cinco says:
MattM, you may dismiss yourself.
Jun.12 at 10:24 pm
Joe A says:
I really wish boston would find the real garnett and get rid of that 7 foot tall vagina wearing his jersey
Jun.12 at 10:24 pm
Matt Caputo says:
There is a great story about LO that all the bigget LO fans should know.
Jun.12 at 10:24 pm
H to the izzo says:
I like James Worthy as an analyst,Wilbon,however,is a pompous ass.
Jun.12 at 10:24 pm
tealish says:
That’s a little harsh.
Jun.12 at 10:24 pm
Double R says:
MattM do you know what happened to the last Boston fan that was around LA fans?
Jun.12 at 10:25 pm
B. Long says:
L.O. is on some James Worthy ish right now. up 17 and Kobe hasn’t hit a FG yet? What world are we living in. Trevor and Jordy are the luckiest two dudes in the world right now and I’m loving every second of it. Its Pau’s turn in the 3rd. Then the Mamba closes it out.
Jun.12 at 10:25 pm
Double Cinco says:
James Posey irks me.
Jun.12 at 10:25 pm
ciolkstar says:
Farmar and Walton joking around on the way to the locker room was classic. I actually like everything about this Laker team except for Sasha and their entire starting lineup (I’m impartial to Odom) Turiaf, Ariza, Bynum, Kobe, Odom. Forget Pau in a year or so.
Jun.12 at 10:25 pm
Michael says:
So much for Pierce And Garnett not playing any worse than they did in game 3.
Jun.12 at 10:28 pm
H to the izzo says:
I wonder how many new Laker fans have been made since the beginning of the 1st quarter?
Jun.12 at 10:28 pm
Double Cinco says:
I really thought the game was over until my homeboy just informed me that there was one more half to go. dammit. The C’s will come back. I feel it through my funny bone all the way to my phalanges. That’s is some deep feeling.
Jun.12 at 10:29 pm
Double R says:
Izzo I’m not a Lakers fan. I was just asking a question.
Jun.12 at 10:29 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Caputo??
Jun.12 at 10:29 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
Izzo, after game 3 & 4 i now hate the celtics, does this make me a laker fan?
Jun.12 at 10:30 pm
Double Cinco says:
just as many C’s fans that appeared when this baby was 2-0, Celtics, izzo.
Jun.12 at 10:30 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The refs need to step it up in the second half and make this a competitive game.
Jun.12 at 10:31 pm
Bigi says:
KG can’t score over Farmar…?C’mon!!! Go Lakers!!!
Jun.12 at 10:31 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
lol at russ
Jun.12 at 10:32 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
bigi, kg couldn’t score with paris hilton right now
Jun.12 at 10:32 pm
Double Cinco says:
Money B, you can’t say after game 4 because it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. I don’t doubt the C’s making a comeback with KG, Allen, and Pierce getting into a semi-flow at the end of the half.
Jun.12 at 10:32 pm
ciolkstar says:
what’s the LO story everyone should know? C’mon…
Jun.12 at 10:33 pm
Money Bill Williams says:
cinco, your right that theres still time to win, but the performances have left a sour taste in my mouth
Jun.12 at 10:35 pm
Double Cinco says:
Paula sh*tting over Ray Ray takes off one letter of his b*tch name. His name his Paul now.
Jun.12 at 10:35 pm
Joe A says:
I would be a lot more optimistic of a celtics comeback if there frontcourt was comprised of tony battie rodney rogers and antoine walker circa 2002
Jun.12 at 10:36 pm
Krishan says:
Ugh, why is VladRad playing AT ALL? He gets easily beaten by pierce off the dribble, which causes Kobe’s 3rd, and fouls Rondo with 6 seconds left in the quarter, sending him to the line. I hear clown music everytime he does something stupid.
Jun.12 at 10:36 pm
Jess says:
Celtics need to play defence.
Jun.12 at 10:36 pm
Double Cinco says:
can I just call you Little Billy?
Jun.12 at 10:37 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Red Auerbach could give a better halftime speech than Doc Rivers right now.
Jun.12 at 10:37 pm
sux0rz says:
Much talk has been given to Pierce cracking the top 75 and KG cracking the top PFs of all time list but seeing how games 1-3 has played out, Jesus has been their most consistent guy. If the Cs win and Jesus becomes MVP, what list does he crack?
Jun.12 at 10:37 pm
Jess says:
and KG needs to post up…the game isnt over…..yet.
Jun.12 at 10:38 pm
Double Cinco says:
THIS IS THE DANGER QUARTER FOR LA. NEED TO STOP THEM FROM SCORING. I THINK KOBE HAS HIS FOURTH FOUL. DAMN.
Jun.12 at 10:39 pm
ciolkstar says:
And as far as being a new Laker fan I’m def not that. Not a Kobe fan. I really like almost all of their young players though. They have so much fun on the bench. I really can’t stand Vlad Rad, Sasha, Pau, Fischer.
Jun.12 at 10:41 pm
Double R says:
Doc Rivers halftime motoviation speech: Hey guys if you play harder and win sugar cookies for everyone. KG: A sugar cookie Big Baby: C is for cookie. That’s good enough for me
Jun.12 at 10:41 pm
Double Cinco says:
I knew this was going to happen…
Jun.12 at 10:42 pm
jay says:
look at Lamar with the smile/smirk.
Jun.12 at 10:43 pm
Double Cinco says:
Vlad?
Jun.12 at 10:44 pm
Double Cinco says:
I bet Kobe and Pierce go at it during the summer just like this. I would love to watch that sh*t.
Jun.12 at 10:45 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kevin Garnett is dismantling his legacy one missed 18-footer at a time.
Jun.12 at 10:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Stern needs to get Dick Bavetta in there.
Jun.12 at 10:46 pm
Double Cinco says:
…prove me wrong…for now.
Jun.12 at 10:48 pm
Double R says:
With all this referee conspiracies going around, should the NBA allow refs to be interviewed after games?
Jun.12 at 10:49 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@DoubleR: Yes.
Jun.12 at 10:49 pm
H to the izzo says:
Stern sucks at rigging Finals.
DoubleR:I don’t think so,no.
Jun.12 at 10:49 pm
bennieblancoh says:
I wonder how much attention NBA players really pay to the media. Like all the coverage L.O. got about how soft he was… or K.G. on all the 18-footers he takes… do they really pay it any mind and affect them or do they just do what they do regardless.
Jun.12 at 10:50 pm
Double R says:
JVG can’t add.
Jun.12 at 10:51 pm
Double Cinco says:
You would think that KG would go down to the blocks and destroy Paula but the dude is confused right now. Dude needs to get his head in the game. Haven’t seen him pound on the goal post yet. Paula is having a good game and Fish is on point. Doc Rivers will say during the 4th Q interview:”Well Kevin is just missing some wide open jumpshots.” Shut your face and get this dude some touches on the post.
Jun.12 at 10:51 pm
RV says:
this series sucks
Jun.12 at 10:52 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Caputo?!!
Jun.12 at 10:52 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m gonna start calling KG Dirk.
Jun.12 at 10:52 pm
Double Cinco says:
Vlad? I hate him.
Jun.12 at 10:52 pm
Joe A says:
I’m gonna sart calling kg dino radja
Jun.12 at 10:53 pm
H to the izzo says:
I agree with RV.
Jun.12 at 10:53 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Iowa girls basketball. Jeff Van Gundy is my hero.
Jun.12 at 10:53 pm
Double R says:
Is everything a hard foul to Mike Breen?
Jun.12 at 10:54 pm
Jess says:
I agree I havent seen KGs intensity in LA yet…he needs to start playing his game and the Celts will have a chance of winning.
Jun.12 at 10:54 pm
RV says:
but i’d still like to marry Ray allen’s shot
Jun.12 at 10:54 pm
bennieblancoh says:
He’s not Dirk… yet… I just don’t understand how he has great footwork and all the spins and moves are for turn arounds and what not. I haven’t seen him turn to the rim for a powerful move yet.
Jun.12 at 10:54 pm
Jess says:
Ya if it was up to Breen everything would be flagrant…
Jun.12 at 10:55 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
At least Dino Radja knew where the post was. Yes, I just compared Dino Radja favorably to KG. Playoff KG is more like Acie Earl.
Jun.12 at 10:56 pm
Joe A says:
point taken, good sir
Jun.12 at 10:57 pm
Jess says:
here we go….
Jun.12 at 10:57 pm
Double Cinco says:
…
Jun.12 at 10:58 pm
Joel O's says:
I honestly find it really weird why the Lakers crowd chants MVP when Kobe shoot free throws. The last thing you want as a Laker fan is his head swelling up more than it already is, heh.
Jun.12 at 10:59 pm
Double Cinco says:
cut down to 11. how does that happen so quick?
Jun.12 at 11:00 pm
Jess says:
Celtics play a bit of denfece and get into transition..if they can keep it up they will be good.
Jun.12 at 11:00 pm
Double R says:
Lang curosity usually gets the best of me but I refuse to watch 2 girls 1 cup.
Jun.12 at 11:00 pm
DP says:
It’s time to go now.
Jun.12 at 11:01 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
KG is far better at setting moving screens than he is at posting up.
Jun.12 at 11:02 pm
DP says:
posey has 5. they need that cat for defense and 3’s. This is a good thing. TONYYYYYYYYYYYY ALLENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! this is a joke.
Jun.12 at 11:03 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
TONY ALLEN!!!
Jun.12 at 11:03 pm
bennieblancoh says:
single digits?!?! how’d that happen so fast?
Jun.12 at 11:04 pm
bennieblancoh says:
The game settings are on “keep the game close”
Jun.12 at 11:05 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Paul Allen and Tim Allen weren’t available? HOUSE AFIRE!
Jun.12 at 11:05 pm
Joe A says:
I’m trying not to get too excited by this little comeback because I fear I’m gonna be horriby disappointed with the C’s
Jun.12 at 11:06 pm
DP says:
funny
Jun.12 at 11:06 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The refs are having one hell of a third quarter.
Jun.12 at 11:07 pm
Jess says:
PJ BROWN….
Jun.12 at 11:07 pm
MattM says:
I saw Carolina do this against Kansas…
Jun.12 at 11:07 pm
Double R says:
If the Lakers lose, Kobe is going to be arrested for murder.
Jun.12 at 11:08 pm
bennieblancoh says:
interesting… 21-3 run… marvel at Doc Rivers and his coaching brilliance!
Jun.12 at 11:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Someone give PJ Brown a blood test—I think he visited Floyd Landis’s doctor after Game Three.
Jun.12 at 11:09 pm
Hursty says:
GO Lakers!
Jun.12 at 11:10 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
mf
Jun.12 at 11:11 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Doc Rivers is like Dead Auerbach.
Jun.12 at 11:11 pm
ber says:
momentum is a strange girl…how wise.
Jun.12 at 11:12 pm
RV says:
Phil jackson likes strange girls
Jun.12 at 11:12 pm
H to the izzo says:
“We gotta compete if we wanna win”
-
You’re not wrong Doc,not wrong at all.
Jun.12 at 11:12 pm
Hursty says:
no hes not Russ
Jun.12 at 11:12 pm
tealish says:
Did PJ Brown just tell Kobe to get in his poster? What’s going on here.
Jun.12 at 11:15 pm
Jess says:
Good…I cant stand Vujacic
Jun.12 at 11:16 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Wow, Dyan Cannon aged like 20 years during the third quarter. Oh wait, she’s just that old. Never mind.
Jun.12 at 11:16 pm
Joe A says:
wow. tied up. what the hell happened?
Jun.12 at 11:16 pm
casey says:
woah. welcome back Boston.
Jun.12 at 11:17 pm
Double R says:
Doc Rivers: Guys if we have more points than they have at the final buzzer I guarantee you we will win.
Jun.12 at 11:18 pm
Co Co says:
If the Lakers lose this game Kobe may as well retire. He’ll NEVER hear the end of it.
Jun.12 at 11:20 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
:(
Jun.12 at 11:25 pm
Co Co says:
A 24 point lead is not safe in this series at all.
Jun.12 at 11:25 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Celtics settle for jumpers WAY too much.
Jun.12 at 11:26 pm
bennieblancoh says:
Kobe would murder everyone in the locker room and change his last name to Manson before retiring… it would be everyone elses fault (in his mind).
Jun.12 at 11:26 pm
Joe A says:
I would hate to be van gundy or mark jackson. Mike Breen sounds like he geets physically aroused everytime kobe scores.
Jun.12 at 11:28 pm
Co Co says:
I get aroused everytime Kobe scores.
Jun.12 at 11:30 pm
H to the izzo says:
Is there any way we could give the title to the Spurs?
Jun.12 at 11:30 pm
RV says:
a 24 point isn’t safe in any series, hell even in the regular season, teams can’t finish teams off anymore
Jun.12 at 11:30 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m totally rooting for the Spurs.
Jun.12 at 11:31 pm
Double R says:
Co Co you probably had a good old time then when Kobe had 81 against the Raptors.
Jun.12 at 11:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And I’m sure the refs could figure something out.
Jun.12 at 11:31 pm
RV says:
Boston can’t afford to just keep the game close, they need to take the lead by 10 or so, if the game is tight, it’s Kobe’s to win or lose every time
Jun.12 at 11:32 pm
bennieblancoh says:
24 points was SOOOOOOOOOOO long ago!
Jun.12 at 11:32 pm
MattM says:
does sam cassell get suspended for coming off the bench to pick people up off the floor?
Jun.12 at 11:32 pm
Co Co says:
Ha Double R. This game is……….
Jun.12 at 11:32 pm
RV says:
sam cassell would make a great doorman
Jun.12 at 11:33 pm
jay says:
good luck deciding the player of the game.
Jun.12 at 11:33 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Neither team deserves to win a championship this year. Can they just leave this year blank?
Jun.12 at 11:33 pm
RV says:
Cassell should get suspended for taking a shot
Jun.12 at 11:34 pm
H to the izzo says:
“Best comeback in Celtic history”
-
It really,really isn’t.This series isn’t the best anything in the history of anything.
Jun.12 at 11:35 pm
RV says:
Wow, garnett is in the building afterall
Jun.12 at 11:35 pm
H to the izzo says:
It now appears that it’s now the big two and Kevin Garnett,how quickly people judge…
Jun.12 at 11:35 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
This series will be re-broadcast on ESPN Not Even Remotely Classic. Ben, please don’t put anyone from either team on the next cover. DONAGHY.
Jun.12 at 11:35 pm
Co Co says:
The Lakers ought to be ashamed.
Jun.12 at 11:35 pm
bennieblancoh says:
That really looked prettier in HD replay… beautiful move by Jesus.
Jun.12 at 11:36 pm
MattM says:
I don’t know what Doc did but he has KG going to the hoop in the 4th
Jun.12 at 11:37 pm
H to the izzo says:
I think I’ll switch over to the Closer.
Jun.12 at 11:37 pm
bennieblancoh says:
it may sound crazy but maybe Doc actually drew up a play during a time up… naw, never mind!
Jun.12 at 11:38 pm
bennieblancoh says:
*out*
Jun.12 at 11:38 pm
JoeGym says:
LOL @ Russ, leave this year blank.
Ray Ray coming up big
Jun.12 at 11:38 pm
RV says:
I always find it funny when Garnett bumps his man in the post over and over and his man never moves back, he’d be unstoppable if he was built like Lebron but at his height
Jun.12 at 11:39 pm
bennieblancoh says:
Is my TV turned all the way down or is the crowd non-existent?
Jun.12 at 11:39 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Could Ray Allen wind up being Finals MVP after shooting 3-40 in the first two rounds?
Jun.12 at 11:41 pm
ciolkstar says:
van gundy’s face while pointing the camera towards the action on the court was priceless.
Jun.12 at 11:41 pm
tony illingsworth says:
maybe the lakers suck
Jun.12 at 11:42 pm
bennieblancoh says:
wow… Pose
Jun.12 at 11:42 pm
RV says:
celtics can’t afford to only be up one possession
Jun.12 at 11:42 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kobe has never fouled anyone ever.
Jun.12 at 11:43 pm
MattM says:
POSEY!!!
Jun.12 at 11:43 pm
JoeGym says:
coilkstar, van gundy is infinitely more likeable as a broadcaster than as your teams coach…especially when jackson is being silly
Jun.12 at 11:43 pm
RV says:
he fouled that chick in colorado
Jun.12 at 11:43 pm
bennieblancoh says:
Sam I Am is the last person I would want to see before I closed my eyes…
Jun.12 at 11:44 pm
Co Co says:
I’m sorta blown away right now. Is Holly okay?
Jun.12 at 11:44 pm
MattM says:
thank you mr. ref
Jun.12 at 11:44 pm
TripleDouble says:
Cassell bringing it in the TO
Jun.12 at 11:44 pm
casey says:
he makes me think of ET….
Jun.12 at 11:45 pm
TripleDouble says:
@ RV… Haha!!!!
Jun.12 at 11:45 pm
bennieblancoh says:
If the Lakers lose this game I hope that Jack has completed his Bucket List… he’s gonna have a heart attack!
Jun.12 at 11:45 pm
Eboy says:
This is truly Kobe’s gretest moment.
Jun.12 at 11:45 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Paul Pierce’s beard is a traveshamockery.
Jun.12 at 11:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Nice defense, fellas. JESUS!
Jun.12 at 11:46 pm
RV says:
Jesus!
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
Eboy says:
Or greatest. Oh…nice D Sasha.
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
bennieblancoh says:
Great D
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
That was the worst defense ever.
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
RV says:
ah Russ beat me to it
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
Eboy says:
This is so funny it hurts.
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
RV says:
sasha never had a chance, not even close
Jun.12 at 11:47 pm
ciolkstar says:
the Lakers ate dunzo!!! Vujacic just got schooled. This is great.
Jun.12 at 11:48 pm
Eboy says:
Lakers in 5.
Jun.12 at 11:48 pm
bennieblancoh says:
Hide all the semi-automatic weaponse in LA from #24
Jun.12 at 11:48 pm
Eboy says:
I still only have sorrow for Holly.
Jun.12 at 11:48 pm
tony illingsworth says:
the machine looks broken right now
Jun.12 at 11:49 pm
ciolkstar says:
the Lakers are dunzo!!! Vujacic just got schooled. This is amazing! Ray ray to the rescue. Was sasha crying on the bench already?
Jun.12 at 11:49 pm
Jess says:
yup….lets go celtics!!!!!
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Phil should have drawn up something else.
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
RV says:
i knew Sasha was going to get a shot up for sure, great job Kobe, trying to draw the foul on the 3 instead of actually trying to make it
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
You Don’t Mess With The Vujacic!
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
Double R says:
Holly step off the bridge. It’s not worth it.
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
ciolkstar says:
Cosign 100% Eboy
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
MattM says:
Double R did the last Celtic’s fan to be around Laker’s fans watch his team come back and take a 3-1 series lead?
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
SOUSS says:
I am going to throw up…
Jun.12 at 11:50 pm
Eboy says:
Poor B. Long. Another long night of misery from talking sh*t and being embarrassed yet again.
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
casey says:
well that sucks.
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
bennieblancoh says:
I’ve got tears in my eyes… from laughter… Kobe is going to go on a Niko Bellic like killing spree!
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Party at Paul Pierce’s house!
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
Eboy says:
LMAO @ Lang.
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
Eboy says:
And Russ.
Jun.12 at 11:51 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Lakers dynasty was pretty short-lived.
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
RV says:
good one Lang lol
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
H to the izzo says:
But if Bynum…
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
Vannshy says:
n/c
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
Joel O's says:
Wow. Ray Allen’s gonna end up as Finals MVP at this rate.
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
Double R says:
No MattM he actually got beat up. You didn’t see the video.
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
tony illingsworth says:
i knew Sasha was going to get a shot up for sure, great job Kobe, trying to draw the foul on the 3 instead of actually trying to make it my words exactly
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
Eboy says:
Russ is on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
Joe A says:
Wow. I don’t know how to feel. I’m happy the celtics won but not happy with how they won.this series is uglier than the celtics cavs series
Jun.12 at 11:52 pm
bennieblancoh says:
see… what had happened was…
Jun.12 at 11:53 pm
RV says:
The sad part is i wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the lakers come back to win it all, thats how much this series sucks.
Jun.12 at 11:53 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Finals MVP should be PJ Brown. I’m at least half serious.
Jun.12 at 11:53 pm
tony illingsworth says:
Kobe bryant’s about to catch another case….
Jun.12 at 11:54 pm
Sir Chuck says:
haha take that laker fans
Jun.12 at 11:54 pm
Eboy says:
RV, don’t let the surprise build up get to you.
Jun.12 at 11:54 pm
bennieblancoh says:
My Commander just damn near lost his mind right here on the floor… Dramatic LA fans…
Jun.12 at 11:55 pm
Double R says:
Is there any possible chance the Lakers come back and win the series? I think they will win Game 5.
Jun.12 at 11:55 pm
H to the izzo says:
David Beckham must be heartbroken…..
Jun.12 at 11:55 pm
RV says:
the MVP should go to the player who didn’t show up on the losing team
Jun.12 at 11:55 pm
Co Co says:
no
Jun.12 at 11:56 pm
RV says:
but i’d love to see Cassell explode for 40 in the clincher and be named MVP
Jun.12 at 11:56 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I finally figured out what sort of “machine” Vujacic is: Automatic door.
Jun.12 at 11:56 pm
Eboy says:
Hmmmm………come back and win the series? Russ?
Jun.12 at 11:56 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
They should just give the Finals MVP to Tony Parker again.
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Joel O's says:
Indeed, that honestly was the worst defense ever. Watching Ray blow by Sasha was one thing… watching the Laker defense fail to collapse on him was horrendoussssly frustrating - they just stood around and watched. Vujacic was being emo and all that, but it’s not his fault he can’t defend Allen.
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Ryan Jones says:
You know the kind they have at grocery stores and malls and stuff, where they just automatically slide open when they sense you want to come through? Yeah, like that.
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Eboy says:
LMAO!!!!!!
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Lakers have about as much chance at winning this series as I do.
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Also: MVP.
Jun.12 at 11:57 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
……………………………………..
Jun.12 at 11:58 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thanks Eboy.
Jun.12 at 11:58 pm
H to the izzo says:
Chris Paul should be now given both regular season and finals MVPs.
Jun.12 at 11:58 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’m gonna start an indie rock band called The Zen Bunnies. We’ll play covers, mostly.
Jun.12 at 11:58 pm
Eboy says:
Holly, they had it. Phil and Kobe are to blame for this one.
Jun.12 at 11:59 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Also: I f*cking told you people KG wasn’t even the MVP of his own team.
Jun.12 at 11:59 pm
B. Long says:
I just threw up in my mouth.
Jun.13 at 12:00 am
Eboy says:
I wish I felt bad putting these comments up, but it’s been well worth it after a week and a half of the most terrible trash spewed.
Jun.13 at 12:00 am
Russ Bengtson says:
The Celtics are a TEAM, man. They might even be better than the vaunted ‘02 Nets. If that’s possible.
Jun.13 at 12:00 am
Eboy says:
Hi B! Happy Friday!
Jun.13 at 12:00 am
H to the izzo says:
This series had been worse for basketball than both Tim Donagie and the Knicks combined.
Jun.13 at 12:01 am
Russ Bengtson says:
I think if I had a vote for Finals MVP, I’d have to go with either PJ or Leon Powe.
Jun.13 at 12:01 am
Eboy says:
I kind of agree, izzo.
Jun.13 at 12:01 am
Double R says:
Don’t worry Holly, the Lakers have the Celtics just where they want them. This was Phil Jackson’s plan all along. Or not.
Jun.13 at 12:01 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I miss watching Chris Paul.
Jun.13 at 12:02 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Just goes to show, be careful what you pay off your refs for.
Jun.13 at 12:02 am
B. Long says:
Props to the Celts. Paul Pierce deserved it. Phil let the team play like they had a 20 point lead. Kobe played like a human. James Posey got his Robert Horry on. Marc Gasol is still obviously filling in for his brother. Damn. Time to make history fellas.
Jun.13 at 12:02 am
Eboy says:
Poor Holly.
Jun.13 at 12:02 am
Sir Chuck says:
i guess the celeb bandwagon jumpers(not including jack) wont be showing up for game 5 now
Jun.13 at 12:03 am
H to the izzo says:
I’m deadly serious Eboy,one of basketballs biggest problems internationally is that people find it boring to watch,this hardly helps.
Jun.13 at 12:03 am
SOUSS says:
Appreciate the KG hate displayed on SLAM tonight despite the win…
Jun.13 at 12:04 am
Eboy says:
How can the international fan base be bored with THIS series izzo? The Lakers are like the fu*king United Nations.
Jun.13 at 12:04 am
Double R says:
Doc Rivers: Sugar cookies for everyone.
Jun.13 at 12:04 am
Joe A says:
They should give the MVP to Sasha. He’s been the real diference maker in this series and both teams will have a trophy to remember this suck-fest of a series.
Jun.13 at 12:05 am
tealish says:
I loved these game notes by the way. The points about Javie were awesome. I never liked him because he called it “personal” with my man, AI. Well - I didn’t think so, but if that’s what Ivy thinks, I’m backing him up!
Well THAT was a FUN game to watch!
LA has no chance. If Boston is up 3-1 with KG treating the paint as if it were lava, LA is not coming back. This could very well end on the precious Staples floor too.
Jun.13 at 12:05 am
Ryan Jones says:
Link on the front page of the Follower as I type this…
“CONVERSATION: L.A.’s unlikely win.”
Unlikely. Good word choice.
Jun.13 at 12:05 am
Eboy says:
THE MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun.13 at 12:06 am
Joel O's says:
@Eboy: You think? Why wasn’t Derek Fisher marking the guy with the hot hand in the 4th? I don’t even remember who he was marking, but he pretty much disappeared in the 4th. Not hitting shots is something hard to rectify, but I’m amazed that Phil didn’t make the right / any defensive adjustments in the 4th.