The Lakers team that showed up last night provided a glimpse of the capabilities of this team. When the Lakers are clicking on all cylinders—they can be a formidable force. The problem has been their inconsistency not their ability. There has never been a question about whether the Lakers were talented enough to be a dominant team. The questions have arisen in response to the lackadaisical play that has been on display throughout these playoffs.
Last night, the Lakers got the contributions from Lamar Odom and the bench that had been lacking in the previous four games. Odom demonstrated why he is one of the most versatile players in the league. LO made his presence known with 19 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists. The Lakers offense flowed with such ease that the stagnant, “Kobe-centric” offense that was previously on display seemed even more maddening. The biggest play of the game came courtesy of a big defensive play from Gasol. After intercepting a Chauncey Billups pass, Gasol lead the break and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Shannon Brown who stuffed the ball in the face of Chris Andersen.
Conversely, the Nuggets did not play their style of basketball and this was the first game in which Denver got hit in the mouth and did not respond. The Nuggets had a stretch from the end of the third quarter to the 7:52 mark of the fourth quarter in which they went scoreless. The Nuggets showed none of the tenacity and braggadocio that had characterized them throughout the series to this point. The good news for the Nuggets is that this series is headed back to Denver—now we just have to wait and see which Lakers team joins them there.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Lakers-Nuggets Game 5 preview
When it comes down to it, the play of the bench will determine which team has the opportunity to take control of the series. Through the first three games of the series the Nuggets’ bench averaged 22 points per game. In Game 4 however, that same bench accounted for 42 points. Better bench play begets easier wins. Bench play has been an Achilles heel for the Lakers throughout the playoffs. Kobe and Gasol have been the only consistent producers on this team. Lamar Odom is still the key bench player. Once again Lamar had a horrible game going 1-8 from the field for 5 points in 30 minutes. The Lakers must have decent production from LO to have a chance at elevating to that next level and dispatching the Nuggets.
Pau Gasol has recently griped about his lack of touches in the paint. In Game 4 Pau took 11 shots. The Lakers need to get Pau more touches considering he has been the only consistent Lakers player not named Kobe Bryant. The Nuggets have been maximizing their match up advantages and it is time for the Lakers to exploit the advantages they have.
Pau Gasol has recently griped about his lack of touches in the paint. In Game 4 Pau took 11 shots. The Lakers need to get Pau more touches considering he has been the only consistent Lakers player not named Kobe Bryant. The Nuggets have been maximizing their match up advantages and it is time for the Lakers to exploit the advantages they have.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
5/24/09 Lakers-Nuggets Game 3
Poor decisions and mental lapses by the Nuggets might cost them this series—it definitely contributed significantly to their loss in Game 3. In a play almost identical to Game 1, Trevor Ariza again had a steal off an inbounds pass in the waning seconds of the game. At this point of the playoffs, teams must be disciplined enough to learn from previous mistakes and control the minute details. Kenyon Martin has to have the court awareness to know that he simply cannot lead Carmelo to that extent on the inbounds pass.
The Nuggets shooting in Game 3 was horrendous. The Nuggets stopped attacking the basket and fell in love with the three point shot. Carmelo, Chauncey Billups, and J.R. Smith combined to go 5-24 from long distance. The Nuggets failed to make the proper in game adjustments. Instead of tweaking their offensive game plan the Nuggets continued to heave three pointers at a percentage of 18.5%. Inexplicably, the Nuggets migrated away from attacking the basket and playing in the paint—something that had been an asset to them in the two games in L.A.
The Lakers did what was necessary to win the game, and finally put together an effective offensive and defensive quarter, which allowed them to overcome a 79-71 deficit heading into the fourth. As a defender, Pau Gasol held his man scoreless in the fourth quarter and he picked up the offensive slack for a stretch in the quarter when Kobe, as he himself admitted, “didn’t have anything”. The only 30 point quarter that the Lakers pulled out was the final quarter.
Each one of these games has come down to execution in the final minutes—the Lakers have succeeded and Denver has failed. The Lakers lead the series 2-1.
The Nuggets shooting in Game 3 was horrendous. The Nuggets stopped attacking the basket and fell in love with the three point shot. Carmelo, Chauncey Billups, and J.R. Smith combined to go 5-24 from long distance. The Nuggets failed to make the proper in game adjustments. Instead of tweaking their offensive game plan the Nuggets continued to heave three pointers at a percentage of 18.5%. Inexplicably, the Nuggets migrated away from attacking the basket and playing in the paint—something that had been an asset to them in the two games in L.A.
The Lakers did what was necessary to win the game, and finally put together an effective offensive and defensive quarter, which allowed them to overcome a 79-71 deficit heading into the fourth. As a defender, Pau Gasol held his man scoreless in the fourth quarter and he picked up the offensive slack for a stretch in the quarter when Kobe, as he himself admitted, “didn’t have anything”. The only 30 point quarter that the Lakers pulled out was the final quarter.
Each one of these games has come down to execution in the final minutes—the Lakers have succeeded and Denver has failed. The Lakers lead the series 2-1.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Lakers-Nuggets Game 2
Execution has been the key in both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Lakers-Nuggets series. I’ve studied all the different statistics: field goal percentage, three point percentage, free throw percentage, turn over’s, steals, etc. Everything boils down to execution—and whether your team is able to be disciplined enough to commit to and execute the offensive and defensive game plan.
I felt like Game 2 was the reverse of Game 1. The Lakers did a good job of controlling the game and not allowing Denver to take them out of what they wanted to do on the offensive end. It was, not surprisingly, on the defensive end where the Lakers lost focus. Countless times the Lakers fell victim to quick Billups pull up jumpers off the pick and roll or had a complete mental lapse and helped off Carmelo to try and contain Denver penetration. Rebounding is HUGE in this series. After getting absolutely killed on the boards in Game 1, (17-7 offensive rebounds in favor of the Lakers) the rebounding totals in Game 2 seems almost like a ghost stat. The Nuggets grabbed 1 more offensive rebound than the Lakers in Game 2. Automatically, that jumped out to me as a humongous gain for the Nuggets in Game 2.
Looking ahead to Game 3, I see a couple of keys for the Lakers. They must get contributions from Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Odom should have a field day against the Nuggets defenders. His “unique” athletic abilities should allow him match up against the Nuggets forwards and use his length and speed to shoot over or blow by Martin or Kleiza. In 33 and 30 minutes respectively, Odom has scored 7 and 10 points. Odom is the X-factor in this series—he needs to play big. The defense of perimeter players like Trevor Ariza becomes so much more effective when the bigs are standing as the last line of defense. In Game 1 Bynum was hampered by foul trouble which came about because his conditioning is not where it needs to be. Playing defense by reaching and grabbing will get you 5 fouls in 16 minutes. The Lakers also need to continue to attack the basket and outrebound the Nuggets.
I felt like Game 2 was the reverse of Game 1. The Lakers did a good job of controlling the game and not allowing Denver to take them out of what they wanted to do on the offensive end. It was, not surprisingly, on the defensive end where the Lakers lost focus. Countless times the Lakers fell victim to quick Billups pull up jumpers off the pick and roll or had a complete mental lapse and helped off Carmelo to try and contain Denver penetration. Rebounding is HUGE in this series. After getting absolutely killed on the boards in Game 1, (17-7 offensive rebounds in favor of the Lakers) the rebounding totals in Game 2 seems almost like a ghost stat. The Nuggets grabbed 1 more offensive rebound than the Lakers in Game 2. Automatically, that jumped out to me as a humongous gain for the Nuggets in Game 2.
Looking ahead to Game 3, I see a couple of keys for the Lakers. They must get contributions from Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Odom should have a field day against the Nuggets defenders. His “unique” athletic abilities should allow him match up against the Nuggets forwards and use his length and speed to shoot over or blow by Martin or Kleiza. In 33 and 30 minutes respectively, Odom has scored 7 and 10 points. Odom is the X-factor in this series—he needs to play big. The defense of perimeter players like Trevor Ariza becomes so much more effective when the bigs are standing as the last line of defense. In Game 1 Bynum was hampered by foul trouble which came about because his conditioning is not where it needs to be. Playing defense by reaching and grabbing will get you 5 fouls in 16 minutes. The Lakers also need to continue to attack the basket and outrebound the Nuggets.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
It's all About Sports...
I'm excited to start this blog and get a chance to hopefully share ideas and connect with sports fans out there. I look to this blog as a place to be able to share my observations and ideas that come with being a sports fan.
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