Comments on: Game 4, How It Ended

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:07:08 +0000

64 – you’re right, can’t be certain who he was yelling it at, but I believe it was during the 4th or OT, right after Kobe pulled an iso/bad shot. I actually think it was addressed to both Kobe and LO, but can’t bring myself to rewatch it to find out.

And if you’ve watched enough Lakers over the past few years, and I assume you have, you know when he gets in that mode where all he wants is for everyone to clear out so he can go and try to do his thing. Yes, the team is partly responsible for it since they aren’t running the offense, but he’s also responsibile for being the one that took the team out of the offense. And as the team leader, you have to hold him accountable for what happens on the offensive end when the ball is in his hand.

By: akamoroti

akamoroti — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:07:43 +0000

Jeff, I see your point, I agree.

By: harold

harold — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:07:16 +0000

54- wow, that image is not a reference to tatum’s eye, is it? if it is, that’s just moronic.

By: CTDeLude

CTDeLude — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:04:02 +0000

Yea, all this talk about Kobe in OT is missing the fact that no one else was moving without the ball during that period. I remember Sasha trying to get open a few times but Korver was all over him for that time. Sure Kobe could have done more but it really looked like the Jazz knew he was injured and that they were told to stay at home on their man so he couldn’t pass off.

By: Stanley

Stanley — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:30:21 +0000

Kobe taking 10 3’s was criminal. If the lakers need a 3 Sasha or Fish should take it not Kobe. I don’t know who is worse on the Lakers Radmanovic or Farmar.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:25:08 +0000

(48) Chis h,

According to my analysis, Lamar should never take 3 point shots in critical situations–nor even be in critical situations. Yet, Lamar pulled a Tim Duncan and swished a critical three at a time when Kobe couldn’t even find the rim amid some other truly electrifying Odom plays. Now, Lamar did miss his one other 3 point try, and that 50% percentage was the same as his 5-10 free throws, so we know that Lamar’s body has not been taken over by an extra-terrestial.

Still, Lamar an an “x” factor now needs to be considered an “X” factor in the most positive sense for the Lakers even though he still disappears in some games and makes inexplicable bad decisions on a regular basis.

By: alex v

alex v — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:15:04 +0000

55- Phil yelling “run the offense” could have been directed at anybody (or everybody). Not to make excuses where the players aren’t, but this was the end of an overtime in a tough game played at altitude. I didn’t see much activity from any of the purple jerseys at the end. I’m sure part of that had to do with Kobe, but I think it also had to do with players making mistakes and worrying about making them again.

FWIW, I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that the Lakers executed well down the stretch to force overtime which is better than what we saw in some close games during the season. The comeback was a team effort on both ends, not just bombing away from the outside and getting lucky.

Kurt’s “all I could stomach” summary of the overtime was funny, apt, and probably what we should have expected when they couldn’t win in regulation.

By: Stanley

Stanley — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:26:52 +0000

Farmar was in the D-League last year and he belongs there now. Farmar can’t play defense he does’nt drive to the basket where there are open lanes and he is useless. O points 0 rebounds 0-5 shooting 0 steals many turnovers. Farmar Stinks

By: LakerFan

LakerFan — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:46:20 +0000

Kwame A knows what im saying. Lakers have a real shot this year and they cant just bank on the “oh we will be good in the future so it doesnt matter that much” mantra that Craig is. You have to take maximum advantage of your present opportunities. Nothing is guaranteed in future seasons anything can happen.

By: DTC

DTC — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:35:54 +0000

One offensive stat that really caught my attention was the Lakers assist column. This is usually in the 20s by late 3rd quarter, but at one point the Jazz almost doubled LA up on ast totals. This indicates they’ve successfully disrupted our passing game, and we are increasingly depending on iso for Kobe or Pau. This is not good, as the Lakers are best when passes are whipping around finding open men.

I noticed one defensive strategy in particular. Because Pau and Lamar are absolutely killer from the middle of the key, they are now sending a guard from the top side immediately – Pau always catches looking to make a move, and the guard, essentially coming from a blind side, surprises him, either stripping the ball or at least disrupting him enough for the defense to recover. For some reason the Lakers have not adjusted to this well.

Basically, Pau especially needs to hold on to the ball tighter and be ready for the little 2nd defender. More than that, he needs to look for the open shooter. Everytime the Jazz sends a guard down, Fish, Farmar or Sasha is wide open. That pass to one of them needs to be fast, and crisp. The guards also need to position themselves better to maximize spacing. But more than that, they need to start hitting their shots, period, or the Jazz will continue the tactic.

The Lakers could also send Lamar to the BACK of the defense close to the baseline when Pau or Kobe is up top with the ball. I’ve seen them do this a lot, but not in this series.

One of the differences, however, is the Jazz pretty much were allowed to hack at will when they doubled, which is why they were able to double Pau HARD, yet still only give up 2 freethrows to him. I’m not so sure the refs at Staples will let them get away with it