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SPQR
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Post subject: NBA Finals game 4: Requiem for a team
 Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 01:56 AM PST
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Serious Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 284
Location: Pennsylvania
  
votes: 22
Status: Offline
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Laker players, coachs and fans packed Jerry Buss's cathedral to modern sports hoping to continue with a second consective win and further their resurection against the hated Boston Celtics. In on of the most stunning turnarounds in NBA championship history and one of most painfull losses in Laker playoff history, a Celtic team that was too tough, too good at what they do and too determined not to lose took one of the best playoff games the Lakers played all year and twisted it into a grotesque final requiem mass on the Lakers 2008 title hopes.
The Lakers who swept through the West like a finely oiled thresher machine cutting down wheat finally showed up belatedly in game four. This was the team that cut down Denver, out scored Utah and humilitated San Antonio.
The Lakers came out on fire and determined to put this to bed fast and send a message. Odom, Kobe and Fish all drove to the basket drawing fouls in the opening minutes. Lamar Odom played like a man who had missed the first three games with the flu and had finally found himself with a weeks worth of pent up energy. Before you knew it, Odom was three for three, attacking the basket like there was no tomorrow.
The Lakers pulled out the whole bag of western playoff tricks, running, passing, dunking, playing inside out. When Vlad hit a three, the Lakers were up 20-6 and for the first time in 6 games this year against Boston we had broken their defense and bent them to our will. The Lakers 21 point lead at the end of one was the largest in NBA championship history and accuratly reflected what was happening on the floor.
In the second, with the bench in, Phil did not repeat his mistake of game and left one starter in-Pau-to keep things a little more comfortable for the bench players. At this point Trevor Ariza gave a brilliant tour de force in what real "energy" play is all about. A block, a dunk, a three, a steal, a rebound. Before you could blink this young man had 6 points and 5 rebounds and given a mouth watering display of what the future holds for this 22 year old Laker.
When Lamar Odom drove to the hole he was seven for seven and we were flying. The Lakers showed how impotent Bostons hopes were by deflecting a 12-2 Boston run and with a Farmar three at the buzzer we took an 18 point lead into the locker.
In the first half, the Lakers were a work of art; attacking the basket, passing, scoring, running, rebounding and defense. It was the best the Lakers had looked all year.
In the third quarter, the Celtics came out a beaten team determined not to be beaten; not on this night, not by this Laker team. The decline was slow, insideous. The lead dropped by a few, then a few more. No one really felt it would last. Like in the first half when Boston pushed, the Lakers perfect offense would crank back up and the inevitable lead would grow. No one felt it would last but a Celtic team that knows how to grab your throat and not let go till have nothing left to give, no where to turn.
A 21-3 Celtic run was capped by a PJ Brown dunk over Pau at the end of the third.
By the forth, the Lakers will was visibly broken. Like in the previous five games against them, they looked caught in the type of nightmare you keep trying to wake up from but can't; attacking the basket became harried jumpers, running became stagnation, rebounding and defense were now the perview of the Celtics.
As the Lakers missed 20 of their last 26 shots, the dream of a 15th title died a little more on each futile offensive possession. With each defensive breakdown, the Celtics dream of a 17th title congealed and hardend from the the slippery quagmire of their first half into the dry firmament of the second half.
On the final Celtic score, Ray Allen waved everyone off and took Sasha one on one to the hole. It was a metaphor for the whole series. Ray was the better player than Sasha, Ray was more confident than Sasha, Ray imposed his will on Sasha, Ray won the battle with Sasha. So it was on that singular play between two players and so it was over the series between the two teams.
By taking on the Lakers who we saw in the West playoffs, by taking the Lakers best and most ferocious shot they threw at any team in this post season and comming back from 24 down to win for the fifth time in six meetings this year, the Celtics made an emphatic and unequivical statement: This is no team winning on "fake" ankle injury heroics. This team is not winning on "bad calls". They are not winning on some nebulous "manipulations", "cheating" or some "weirdness".
The Boston Celtics are winning this series because they are better at what they do than we are where these things are always decided: On the court, team against team, will against will, talent against talent.
The Celtics are winning this series because in five of six meetings this year, they have made Kobe Bryant a human being and not Superman. The are winning because in five of six meetings this year, they reduced the high octaine v-8 offensive engine of the Lakers to a four cylinder ecomomy car. The are winning because in the end, as the game goes through all four quarters, they execute their defense better than we execute our offense. They win because on every night, they have another hero who steps forward to give invaluable help in a win: Cassell, Powe, Posey. The Lakers have players who can't take that challenge: Luke, Ronny. They are winning because they are tougher, rebound better, will die to beat you. They win because when the rubber hits the road, they are mentally harder and take the pressure better than the Lakers. The are winning because they bend our will to theirs and enforce their style on us. They are winning for the reason that all teams win a championship-they are the better team.
Some thoughts that struck me: Why did Phil keep Derek and Lamar on the bench down the stretch? I guess he wanted Vlad in to spread the floor, but Lamar was a monster and deserved to be there at the end. Why did he have young Jordan in there instead of D Fish? When Jordan missed that open three near the end I thought of it again. When the Celtics get their defense really going, the Laker offense is no match at all.
Pau had one of his better efforts......but even with that four plays stuck with me as I watched. In two instances he had perfect inside position for easy scores. The ball got to him and ....it pops out of his hands then out of bounds. On both plays he looked like he was sleeping, not ready for the passes. On another play, he went up soft again to the basket and got his shot easily rejected. As the announcer said at the time, he had to go for it, draw the foul, not feather it up there. As we fought to regain the lead before it was too late, I thought alot about how much those six points would have changed the final minutes. Paus lack of defensive switch on Allen when Sasha had dogged him so hard also hurt like hell. He could not and should not let Ray just drive in there and get that layup. Pau is an intregal part of this team but it will be nice to see him moved back out to forward next year. I hope so much Drew never has to miss alot of games again.
Trevor Ariza showed Ronny Turiaf and Laker fans in his incandescent cameo tonight what real "energy" is. Real energy translates into posative production like points, steals, blocks and rebounds. Energy impacts a game. Ronny Turiaf does not have energy. He has enthusiasm. There is a big difference. Enthusiasm is screaming, yelling, high fiving and jumping around. While its nice to have enthusiasm, it does nothing to help your team win. If Ronny Turiaf ever wants to become any kind of player in this league and have any posative impact, he needs to translate his enthusiasm to energy. Right now he is as useless as Luke Walton. Maybe more so.
There will be another game, maybe more before the final denoument and trophy presentation, but the Lakers 2008 championship hopes officially dried up with that 24 point lead. It actually ended months ago, on the night Andrew Bynum wrecked his knee.
Dreams die hard, and so do teams. I hate losing to Boston but unlike Magics 1990 championship loss tp the Bulls, I don't have a feeling of finality. Instead I feel like I did in 1984 when we last lost to Boston; that the future is ours. After 1984, no Celtic fan rooted harder for Boston to return to the finals than I did. It was because I knew we would win it the next year and I wanted them and only them.
Next year I will repeat that pattern for the same reason. I will root for Boston with all I have to make it back. I want them and only them... |
_________________
The Lakers don't win championships...They have dynasties!!
Last edited by SPQR on Jun 13, 2008 - 08:54 AM PST; edited 6 times in total
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mpapic
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Post subject: RE: NBA Finals game 4: Requiem for a team
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 02:00 AM PST
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Casual Laker Fan
Joined: Jun 01, 2008
Posts: 186
Location: Austin
votes: 2
Status: Offline
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That was a depressing post... too soon man too soon...
heh, great post though...
P.S. PJ dunked on Kobe at the end of third... |
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gemfow
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Post subject: RE: NBA Finals game 4: Requiem for a team
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 02:11 AM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 1937
Location: Maryland
votes: 21
Status: Offline
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Well, I'm still up because I can't sleep after witnessing something like this. I never noticed the whole Ronny thing until Gasol was injured and Ronny was our only big man. That's when I noticed that he has a lot to work on, he can't finish inside, he doesn't get many rebounds for his size and athleticism and me watching him pass on easy layups by passing out to 3 point shooters is sickening. That's when my enthusiasm for Ronny slowly dried up, but I'm not pinning this on Ronny at all. Everyone lost this game, ranging from roster spot #1 to roster spot #12. How does Lamar guarding Pierce help us? Pierce went baseline on him each time. Pau doesn't know how to rotate on defense, too many Lakers dribble around the perimeter and don't attack, which is what Boston wants. The only Laker that does attack gets to face a second and third defender each time he attempts to get to the paint. The thing that really bothers me is how the hell does Posey come in with 5 fouls, and we can't let Lamar post him up, and the one time he does post him up Posey pulls the chair from under him and he riccochets the shot off the backboard. This team will not win a championship without Bynum, and it's now apparent because they give up way too many open looks and layups because one person can't stay in front of their assignment. To get beat occassionally I can understand, but to get beat consistently is sad.
P.S. Ronny needs to skip the olympics and work on his game, hit the weights, do something. Lamar needs to get his post foot work together Posey should not be able to guard him in the post but it happens. |
_________________
"It made me feel like I should throw mine away." - Larry Bird, upon hearing that Kobe hadn't earned the MVP trophy until this year.
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14ALL41
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 02:59 AM PST
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Topbuzz Newbie
Joined: May 24, 2008
Posts: 22
Status: Offline
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I don't know if they could have made this any more painful---blowing a record 1st quarter lead to the Celtics!!! Damn.
I think the turning point was in the second quarter when the Lakers started jacking up (and missing) 3 point shots. They never recovered their rhythm, and the game would have been closer at the half but for Ariza's outstanding hustle plays and Farmar's lucky closing shot.
The Celtics shot well in the 3rd & 4th quarters, but this series reaffirms the truth that championships are won (or lost) in the paint. Odom played well for almost one-half of the game; Vlad didn't help a whole lot on the offensive end and is a defensive liability; and Gasol has been disappointingly soft.
Damn!!!!! |
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CAZ_LAKERFAN_KOBEFAN
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 03:02 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Oct 27, 2007 Age: 20
Posts: 3984
votes: 4
Status: Offline
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Lets see the positive side.....
Ariza looked great, he showed heart and nice future. Same with farmar and Sasha, they put their hearts on it.... |
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The LakeShow is back.
The Sky is the limit.
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lakerchino
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 03:08 AM PST
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Serious Laker Fan
Joined: Feb 29, 2008
Posts: 266
Status: Offline
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| one game at a time!!!! we won the boards. we won the assists. our fieldgoal percentage killed us. it aint over till we lose 4 games ITS NOT OVER YET!! I BELIEVE!!! |
_________________
You shake the tree, a leopard's gonna fall out.
-Kobe Bryant #24
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Mescasa
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 03:18 AM PST
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Topbuzz Newbie
Joined: Jun 13, 2008
Posts: 1
Status: Offline
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I am a Boston Celtics fan. No boos please. I'm not here to gloat. The series isn't over till it's over and even then I won't gloat. I've been watching the NBA long enough to know what's up now is down tomorrow, and the other way around. Sic transit gloria mundi.
I must say you write very well. I've read only this one post, and I'm a teacher of English Literature always happy to read colorful, creative, energy-ridden prose. You also have sufficient detachment to admit Celtic strengths. This is professional quality prose. Keep up the great writing. Let's do this again next year maybe. |
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lakers_fan_from_ny
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Post subject: Lakers
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 03:29 AM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jun 26, 2007
Posts: 964
votes: 11
Status: Offline
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Spqr-How bad do you think this game looks for Kobe? A game that could have tied the series,up 24,and Kobe goes 6-19 and only takes 6 free throws!!!!!!!! At some point either late in the third when Boston is making their huge run or at the end of the game Kobe has to take over,drive,and get to the line if his jumper is not on. He is our star,he is the MVP,he has to find a way to stop the bleeding.
Paul Pierce got the better of Kobe on both ends,blocking his shot,and also geting Kobe to foul him at the end. Pierce won the battle.
I called it one of the worst loses in Laker history and Kobe was right in the middle of it...plenty of blame to go around to everyone on the lakers but it looks really bad for the MVP when his team has a loss like this and he was one of the biggest reasons why it happened. Since the season started it might be the first really big setback for Kobe this whole year...the first time he did not look like the MVP. Like Kobe said when the Lakers got Gasol.."NO EXCUSES"
From the Boston side...how good were Posey and House?? The Celtics dont come close to getting back in this game without them. Yes Allen played every minute and Paul Pierce played really good on both ends of the court,KG had his moments but it was House and Posey that set it all up. They both came up huge!! Very clutch!!!!!!! A huge moment in the game was with about 5 minutes left,the lakers were up by 4,I thought we recovered but then Posey hits a three and House follows that up with a jumper giving the Celts a 1 point lead.
And Posey is starting to remind me of Horry. Posey was huge with Miami also when they won the finals and this game alone made him huge for Boston.
I never thought I would see Posey outscore Kobe in a playoff game..but it happened..as did a Laker lead of 24 go down the drain.
I still feel sick about this. It ruined the whole weekend and killed any excitement about these finals. |
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cuckooroller
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 05:31 AM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Age: 58
Posts: 1576
Location: Italy
votes: 14
Status: Offline
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Mescasa wrote:
I am a Boston Celtics fan. No boos please. I'm not here to gloat. The series isn't over till it's over and even then I won't gloat. I've been watching the NBA long enough to know what's up now is down tomorrow, and the other way around. Sic transit gloria mundi.
I must say you write very well. I've read only this one post, and I'm a teacher of English Literature always happy to read colorful, creative, energy-ridden prose. You also have sufficient detachment to admit Celtic strengths. This is professional quality prose. Keep up the great writing. Let's do this again next year maybe.
Hi Mescasa,
Always welcome here the objective fans of the game Basketball. Yes, I agree Randy is a good writer, and I enjoy his posting immensely. He has known, since the start of the series, that I have been in tune with him as per the legitimate possibilities of our team against yours in this series. Of course, a lot of the youngsters bought into all of the pre-series media hype, we didn't. For us old-time fans, this is no surprise.
We have serious problems with the organic of our team personnel, in particular, as is well evident, under the basket. Certainly we Laker fans hope that Bynum will come back and pick up where he left off and continue to improve. We also have to resolve the problem that is represented by our extreme weakness at Small Forward (i.e., Radmanovic) where we need to make some off-season reassessments - personally, I would like to see more a consistent and quicker player that knows how to defend. Our "vaunted" bench has consistently let us down the entire series (exception only for Vujacic in Game 3). We also must solve the problem of better substitutes for our front line - one or two players that do not back down and wilt when things get physical. We are just too finesse at this point.
You have come to the most balanced and objective Laker blog, I imagine just by luck. There is a better mix of old-timers to leaven the bread, so to speak, and much less of the rah-rah newcomer fan bravado so commonly seen on many of the other blogs.
There are also quite a few of us that have gone over to CelticsBlog and posted opinion pieces. Not all Laker fans shrink from objective discourse, even when our team is unfortunately, for us of course, left with the muddy end of the stick. I post there as cuckroller.
Again welcome, and for the love of the game...
Hopefully, we will meet again next year, and this time with a tougher organic. |
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Steve
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gemfow
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 08:28 AM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 1937
Location: Maryland
votes: 21
Status: Offline
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| lakers_fan_from_ny: It's not a video game bro. Players just can't turn it on against great D just like that. Boston, especially Pierce did a great job of not letting Kobe turn the corner and when he did get to the paint, there were great help defenders right there to challenge. It's about team defense and that's what's been doing Kobe in, Pierce did a great job. Unlike us, Pierce blew by his man so fast that sometimes the help couldn't get there or Gasol just doesn't know how to help, just absolutely frustrating. Pierce in my opinion jump started the Boston comeback with drive after drive and then LA kept turning the ball over to make things worse. |
_________________
"It made me feel like I should throw mine away." - Larry Bird, upon hearing that Kobe hadn't earned the MVP trophy until this year.
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SPQR
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 10:01 AM PST
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Serious Laker Fan
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 284
Location: Pennsylvania
votes: 22
Status: Offline
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Gemfow,
I was up late too,lol. I didn't expect us to win the series but after losing a game like this I simply could not shake it and get into sleep mode. I'm at work now and its going to be a looong day. Even playing the best ball we had in the entire playoffs we couldn't beat them. The Celtics just kind of dug in, exposed and magnified every weakness (many of which you mentioned in your post) we have and took away our strengths to boot. I have to say as much as it sucked, it was very impressive to watch. They could have written a manual entitled, "How to deconstruct the Los Angeles Lakers."
14all41,
Yep good point. Once the Lakers energy and will began to dissipate, like it did in every game under Bostons defense, and we began shooting jumpers instead of going to the hole and playing inside-out, the outcome was decided. Your just not going to beat this Boston team shooting jumpers. It plays into their hands. Of course thats how series are won and lost. The better team forces the lessor to play the way they want.
Caz,
Your right about Trevor. This dude is 22 years old!! If he is a serious gym rat, he can be another Bruce Bowen with the bonus of being able to attack the basket. I am very excited about him. Actually the "Steal of the Century" trade this year in my book was trading away Cook and that other bum to get Trever.
Mescasa,
Thanks for the props. I'm Laker to the core, but I have always been very dispassionate in my ability to watch sports. I don't watch Laker games with purple and gold colored glasses on. It's not something I cultivated, just how I am put together. I've always been that way. Congradulations on a great great year and being the only team to have an answer to the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. You guys showed in the regular season and now against us that you are indeed the class of the year 2008 NBA. I certainly hope we do see you again same time next year. Nice to have you on the site and don't be a stranger.
NY,
Rightly or wrongly it is a bitter blow for Kobe. This year it was his team, he was the man, he was the Shaq, and in the end it just didn't happen. I don't blame Kobe all that much though. This series was so reminisent of the old Bad Boy Pistons vs Jordan Bulls it was erie. The Celtics just were too good defensivly for Kobe to consistantly go off just as the Pistons kept Jordan in check. MJ's Bulls couldn't get over that hump till players like Pippen, Grant, Paxon and others were able to effective step up for four full quarters and give him some help. If you look back on this series, only Sasha in the last game and Lamar in the first half this game gave Kobe that support. Pau had some moments but his liabilities also hurt through out the series. Against this team it was way too little. Kobes detractors will of course crow about the MJ-Kobe comparison. Kobe led his team to the finals and lost. MJ led his to the finals and won. Kobes finals record now stands at 3-2, MJ's 6-0. Their teams and cicumstances were complely different but thats how it will go down in the history books. Is it fair? Who knows. Kobe is in a no win situation because he and his fans are chasing a ghost, an american icon, a larger than life legend who in the dimming mist of history, never failed, never missed a shot, never lost on the big stage. Chasing MJ may have been admirable, but it was never a smart idea, for Kobe or his fans. Even if Kobe replicated MJ's success Kobe will never be considered as good as MJ by the basketball "experts" or the American public. Kobe and Laker fans will always end up disappointed chasing this slippery, elusive shadow. Better for both him and his fans to allow him to carve out his own niche in NBA history and enjoy this great player for what he is: Kobe Bryant.
Cuckooroller,
There are alot of good posters here. You are one of best..and yes we do share an enthusiasm for our team that is tempered by objectivity. As you say, we have problems with the "organic" of the team. I'm sure you like I and most of the fans here will have alot to say bout this after the series. I'm also sure you, like I, already know what your going to say and about who. It will make for interesting reading after the playoffs to see what all the Laker fans on our great site have to say and debate when we begin the long vigile for next years hoped for redemtion. |
_________________
The Lakers don't win championships...They have dynasties!!
Last edited by SPQR on Jun 13, 2008 - 03:26 PM PST; edited 2 times in total
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SkeeLoW430
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 12:16 PM PST
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Casual Laker Fan
Joined: Aug 06, 2007
Posts: 103
votes: 2
Status: Offline
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Well done as usual.
This is all I have to say about last night. Where the hell were the cuts and passes that lead to lay-ups?! Boston's D yes is legit, but c'mon. We were shredding that defense in the first half. The 2nd half was full of contested jumpers and Kobe playing 1 on 5.
Why didn't Pau support on that last lay-up?! I'll take my chances GarNOTT taking that 15 footer. He's a choker, and if he drains it, then good for him. But a nearly uncontested lay-up is inexcusable.
You can make game-by-game excuses, but in the overall grand scheme of things, the few established truths held up throughout the series.
- Bostons' wall-D on Kobe frustrates the hell out of him
- our youth was exposed thus shriveled up when things got tight
- their vets pulled through (Posey, House, Brown)
- Doc Rivers, pains me to admit this, OUTCOACHED Phil Jackson (he made all the right adjustments in timely situations)
So where does that leave us? Lakers in 7? 
Heh... Crazier $h|t's happened...
I think we win game 5 then go down in game 6. |
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lakers_fan_from_ny
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Post subject: Lakers
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 12:28 PM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jun 26, 2007
Posts: 964
votes: 11
Status: Offline
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| I dont feel any better today then I did yesterday...I need some Laker rehab to get me out of this bitter mood I am in. My Lakers have the worst loss in their history...my Penguins lose in the finals and will lose a lot of their players to free agency...my Steelers lose on a last second FG in the playoffs to Jax...now I will be left with those silly Dodgers who have not got out of their way in 20 years. The thought of talking about Nomar,Kent,Pierre,Schmidt and Andruw Jones the rest of the summer makes me even more sick. |
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mambamonk87
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 01:29 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: May 25, 2007
Posts: 1940
Location: Los Angeles/San Diego CA
votes: 17
Status: Offline
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Great post SPQR.
Do you guys remember our run? Doc Rivers didn't call a timeout as we extended our lead to 20. He didn't have to; the players were sorting out the mess on their own, and they found their own answers. I'm not trying to take away credit from Doc Rivers, but I feel their individual players deserve all the credit in the world for not being broken by the scoreboard (refer to the Hornets v. Spurs series of blowouts).
Great to see you're looking to the future, but alas, I'm a man of the present. Can't blame me for drawing a bit of finality from these Finals, at least for now.
lakers_fan_from_ny wrote:
I dont feel any better today then I did yesterday...I need some Laker rehab to get me out of this bitter mood I am in. My Lakers have the worst loss in their history...my Penguins lose in the finals and will lose a lot of their players to free agency...my Steelers lose on a last second FG in the playoffs to Jax...now I will be left with those silly Dodgers who have not got out of their way in 20 years. The thought of talking about Nomar,Kent,Pierre,Schmidt and Andruw Jones the rest of the summer makes me even more sick.
Ditto. Sorry to hear you're a Dodgers fan; most of us from LA are Dodgers fans by default. That's why so much of our pride comes from the Lakers. And that's why this loss hurt that much more.
Mescasa wrote:
I am a Boston Celtics fan. No boos please. I'm not here to gloat. The series isn't over till it's over and even then I won't gloat. I've been watching the NBA long enough to know what's up now is down tomorrow, and the other way around. Sic transit gloria mundi.
I must say you write very well. I've read only this one post, and I'm a teacher of English Literature always happy to read colorful, creative, energy-ridden prose. You also have sufficient detachment to admit Celtic strengths. This is professional quality prose. Keep up the great writing. Let's do this again next year maybe.
Seeing a Celtics fan come onto this site and refrain from gloating actually made my day. Sic transit gloria mundi. "Thus passes the glory of the world." I think I recognize that from an Emily Dickinson poem from my freshman year of college.
Dum vivimus vivamus. "Let us live while we live; or while we live, let us enjoy life."
And we are doing this again next year.
*Sidenote: I agree with Mescasa, SPQR (Randy, I presume) is a great writer. Glad to have you on the site. |
_________________
“We're rock stars. We're Lakers. We're always sexy. We've always got sexy going on in everything we do.”
- Lamar Odom
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gemfow
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 13, 2008 - 08:53 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 1937
Location: Maryland
votes: 21
Status: Offline
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SPQR: You said it right there about exposing our weaknesses. Boston has done an excellent job of exploiting mismatches, taking away our strengths and exploiting our weaknesses. Our min problem has been defending the SF spot against Pierce, he has jupstarted Boston runs almost every game.
The thing that burns me up is in almost every game, the Lakers have played one good to great half, they have not played a full 48 minute game this series and it's done them in. If the crew learned how to play for 48 minutes then the series could have been over. You may think I sound delusional when I say that, but the way Boston zones out to take Kobe's paint game away, that leaves people open and the Lakers don't always move the ball like they should. What the Lakers did in the first half was beautiful, but because Boston went small and increased their intensity, the Lakers stopped playing the way they did, which to me is absolutely crazy. All of a sudden they started dribbling around the perimeter looking for an outlet instead of looking to attack. That will lose you a game 9 out of 10 times. |
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"It made me feel like I should throw mine away." - Larry Bird, upon hearing that Kobe hadn't earned the MVP trophy until this year.
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