I think we loss the game for four very distinct reasons.

#1. Phil Jackson was out-coached. He should have better prepared is lackadaisacal team for the zone. Alvin prepared his team wonderfully for the “girly” zone defense and it worked. I expect Phil to take this personal and destroy the zone in game 5.

#2. Pau Gasol played “girly” like. I have said over and over again that we need him to win a ring. But we need monster efforts from Pau–not just scoring but rebonding and blocks. He was just absent all night.. I hope he gets his game in order and takes some tough juice that Kobe carries in his locker.

#3. Lamar and Ron played like twin ungaged boys during a rainy day with nothing to do. There stats are not worthy of playoff performance. Whatever they need, candy for Lamar, Hennesey for Artest? Get in the game dudes. They didn’t rebound well nor did they defend well.

#4. Bench lack of contribution. Once again, we look bad when we call on the bench. Why was Luke in there doing crucial time? Why even put Farmer in the game? He hasn’t proven himself. At least Sasha is a fiesty defender. Shannon needs to inhale and exhale. We will need better bench performance to win the next 6 games.

So with better preparation, more focus, tougher Pau, engaged Artest, motivated Lamar and contributing bench with overall DEFENSE we will win the damnnnn thing like we are suppose to!

C ya at the parade. Kobe MVP..

i dont think anyone really knows what sasha’s health is at this point…

The Lakers got nothing from their bench, but the biggest issue is not Phoenix’s zone defense.

People are crediting their defense as being incredible for “holding” a team to 50% shooting. Let that sink in.

The only reason their defense looks “good” is because we shot 60% in games 1 and 2.

Kobe said it. We lost because our defense sucked. We didn’t box out. We didn’t get after loose balls. We lost focus when their bench was in.

Our offense hasn’t scored under 105 points in 4 games. Our offense isn’t the problem. Play some D, win the series. It’s that simple.

Incidentally, I would pay Phil whatever he wanted to have him put M’Benga in just to stand up for Fish against Lopez.

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/05/26/on-the-defensive/

Thank God for HCA.

Ja jag är svensk.

Why don’t the Lakers use Vujacic instead of Farmar/ Brown? Having Farmar, Brown and Kobe on the floor at the same time is unnecessary- and Vujacic can at least try to pester Dragic/Barbosa/Dudley, and most definitely not try to create his own shots like Brown or NOT run an offense like Farmar tends to do. Phil Jackson should at least explore using him… and who knows- if he DOES end up making his shots, the zone could end up collapsing on him leading to easier buckets inside.