It is clear the Jazz are figuring out what they can do on offense that the Lakers struggle to defend – in game one Utah’s offensive rating was 103 (points per 100 possessions), in game two it was 111, game three it was up to 118.
There are a couple things the Lakers can do to stem and reverse that trend. We’ll start inside the paint — the Lakers must have a stronger presence inside and on the boards. As Kwame a. suggested, I would love to see more of Odom on Boozer – yes he’ll pick up some fouls but he is the best Laker rebounder right now and this match up puts him closer to the basket, plus Odom’s length will bother Boozer. Also, more minutes for Turiaf who has been the best Laker interior defender would be a plus.
Next, a few defensive thoughts from Daruis in the comments:
I really think we just need to tighten up our defense to keep the Jazz out of rhythm. In the first two games, we let them run their sets….but since we’re familiar with their sets this allowed us to squeeze them and make their offense less effective. We pushed their offense further from the hoop, dictated where the next pass would go, and then used our quickness and length to contest shots. In game 3, they went away from their traditional sets more and we did not have solid defensive responses to what they were doing. We broke down. If we come back in game 4 and have some answers for limiting Deron’s penetration while being able to defend the rim and effectively rotate to the 3pt line, the Jazz will have to adjust again, and we will again have an advantage (their offense will be put on it’s heels and our offense is really tough to completely stop). Is this easy? No. If it was easy to defend the rim AND the 3pt. line when getting beat off penetration, Phoenix and Golden State wouldn’t lead the league in scoring every year. But we can start by not letting Deron beat us when he goes away from the screen….funnel him (as best you can) to the screen and then play your regular defense. We have to make the Jazz reactive on Offense like we did in the first 2 games.
One way to help limit D-Will’s penetration: Sasha as the backup PG.
Another key is right out of the Denver series – slow the Jazz offense by taking care of the ball on your own end. It’s been said a lot but it matters, the Lakers had 18 turnovers in game three – more than 20% of their possessions – and that meant some easy transition baskets for the Jazz. Take those away and make them earn points in the half-court offense.
Speaking of offense, Kwame a. had some ideas on how to get the Kobe/Gasol pick-and-roll going again.
We did not run a lot of (effective) Kobe/Pau pick and roll. When we did run it the Jazz did a good job of chokin off Pau’s angle to the hoop. What I found most problematic is that we have a counter to that, it’s the quick interior pass from Pau to Odom. 2 reasons that didn’t work last night are 1) Pau held the ball too long and 2) Odom was not under the hoop, he was on the perimeter. Pau had a terrible first 3 quarters, but his teammates didn’t help because they were not moving like they had been in the first 2 games (and they were being held, but hey, that’s splitting hairs)
I’m not terribly worried about the Laker offense, the last game is an outlier, but the Lakers need to see more quick decisions and aggressive moves from Gasol and Odom. Not just for the points but also because it would make Boozer work more at both ends of the floor.
For a fresh Jazz perspective, check out the new SLCDunk blog (which actually is a new look in the quality SB Network for a long-time good Jazz blog).
Ap says
Great points about the D, that is obviously key as it has been for the Lakers ever since Pau came aboard.
The thing I want to see most, though, at least early, is Pau taking a more aggressive role in the offense. I’d love to see him take the ball, and work with his back to the basket, and get up a good shot, or absorb some contact and get to the line. The Jazz’s big’s have only had to focus on stopping penetration rather than actually having to play one-on-one D, and I know Pau has the skill set to make some offense. I feel like this would give the Jazz a new and different challenge that they’ll have to adjust to.
And CRASH THE BOARDS.
Warren Wee Lim says
Ap you ruined my 1st post luck. Well I hope all these things hinge on defense, lesser turnovers and playing crisp and poised offense and not me.
Good Luck LA.
Warren Wee Lim says
If the Lakers lose tonight, blame Ap ok? jk. 🙂
samy says
Damn it Warren.. We’re screwed now 🙂
busterjonez says
That Jazz link is dead, fyi.
Warren Wee Lim says
LOLz Samy.
It’ll be 2.5 hrs till tip-off and its 1am in the Phillipines.
I can’t sleep!
Stephen says
Giving Kobe ball at 3pt line -bad.
Giving Kobe ball FT-line and lower-good.
Kurt says
5. The Jazz link is fixed. Thanks.
The Fanalyst says
This is the most important 1st quarter of the year so far. If LA comes out flat, I believe we’re looking at a return home 2-2. The Jazz aren’t going to let a big run take them out in the second half. They played with a lot of poise on Friday and never let the Lakers get a lead, though it got close. They closed out the game and walked off with a win (just like you’re supposed to do on your home floor in the playoffs).
Bottom line is: Kobe needs to be aggressive in getting Pau involved; Odom better crash the boards and start mixing it up again; and whoever is in at the 3 spot (Vlad, Luke, whoever) needs to step up and be a positive factor. Fish has been playing well, I believe, and consistent for the most part. The bench better get back to their early/mid-season form and quick. If Farmar and Vujacic start blazing up the scoreboard who on earth can do anything to stop this team?
drrayeye says
Kurt,
Let me give a much less intellectual analysis, based on my impressions from game 3. If the Lakers execute thier offense, they’ll be fine. The Jazz cannot defend the Lakers consistently. Pau must make and execute decisions much more quickly on offense–at least passing out of coverage rather than making turnovers–hopefully using passes and exchanging assists to get baskets. Jordan must pass more on offense and defend closer on defense.
Most of the Laker problems on defense stem from turnovers (through the third quarter) or aggressive desperation in the fourth. The interior players must switch around as appropriate. Try to keep Derek on Deron as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to get Boozer in foul trouble. Try to avoid obvious fouls early in the game.I’m optimistic for the Lakers, but I’m afraid it could be close.
Aaron says
Look for the Lakers to set up Gasol and Odom down low out of the gate. This will give them scoring opportunities, boost confidence (Gasol), spread the floor for shooters, and create an inside-outside game for Kobe.
aB says
Key to a Lakers victory:
The Jazz must have a lower score than the Lakers at the end of the game.
Go Lakers!
AM says
I know Fish is trying to prevent an easy bucket, but if less than a minute ticks off the game clock, let Brewer have the layup!
As I write this, Fish picks up his second … sigh …
Ap says
I’m sorry.
Look at what I’ve done. This is a mirror image of Game 3. Kobe is the only one out there playing.
Snoopy2006 says
Dang it Kobe looks like he’s playing in pain. No explosiveness.
Farmar should try to be invisible. Don’t touch the ball, don’t shoot, just stand in the corner and hope no one notices him.
laughing hard says
Wow… this looks eerily familiar.
AM says
Some of the speculation that Sunday Jazz crowd would be even rowdier than normal looks like it’s true. It doesn’t help that the Jazz are getting to the basket for dunks and lay-ups. How long before we see Sasha?
Ap says
Farmar missing a layup. Bad transition defense. Radman doesn’t look like he’s showing up today.
I’m sorry but…..Pau, I’m looking at you.
j. d. hastings says
Man, we are completely out of sorts on both ends. Farmar looks like he’s expecting to fail. VRad is pressing. I think we’re rushing our inside shots expecting contact. Calm down, guys. Just play your game.
Bill Bridges says
Farmar moves his feet for the first time. To avoid a charge
AM says
It’s getting to the point where the Jazz are leaving Farmar on D, but the Lakers aren’t even looking at him on offense. You gotta feel bad for the kid …
Nice little run to cut the lead down to 4. Luke can be a little less aggressive on Harpring that far out, though.
Hansoulfood says
Um…is it me or does it seem like the Lakers are playing like the Jazz were in Games 1 and 2, and vice versa? We’re actually geting 2nd chance pts, but the Jazz seems quicker right now.
Bill Bridges says
At least we have proven that the Jazz can beat the LAkers playing 5 on 4. Why not even the odds for the 2nd quarter.
Kaifa says
Someone could at least have put a hand up on Millsap’s last shot.
Ap says
Farmar is STILL in the game.
Ap says
VUJACIC….GIVE THIS MAN 25+ MINUTES/game!
now says
You must be joking.
Goo says
Turiaf thrown out for that? Are you kidding me, I guess Stern is trying to push the WNBA on us even during NBA games, I thought we were allowed to play defense in this league
Goo says
my original post contained alot more profanity for the record
j. d. hastings says
I don’t think that was malicious, but I can understand the ejection. It will cost us though. As will Kobe’s back injury. This game could quickly slip away now.
Ap says
Vujacic needs to be taking more shots. Only he and Kobe have shown up today.
now says
I think I understand the home-road disparity of the Jazz. How do you explain that ejection other than the influence of this psychotic crowd?
Hansoulfood says
I call bs on that Turiaf ejection. Just because price weighs 100 lbs and can’t land correctly, Ronny gets an ejection?!
Matt M. says
I’d even consider questioning that as a flagrant 1, let alone a flagrant 2. Ridiculous.
lakergirl says
You think Turiaf would have been ejected if there was no blood…i HATE this officiating crew…
They are not calling the same fouls on both sides…we need Mbenga to throw some elbows!
laughing hard says
There was a definite play on the ball — I understand the ejection to get the game under control, but I would be stunned to see a suspension.
AM says
Flagrant 1, I can understand — but Flagrant 2? I do not think Ronny deserved to be thrown out. I think the league has shortened the leash after all the hard fouls in the first round, unfortunately.
Add that to the hostile crowd, Utah’s lead, Kobe’s injury … this is the type of playoff adversity that forges strength.
Sasha’s shot looks like it’s back after his one off game following his toe injury. That, along with his defense, could be huge.
4 seems to be the magic number … can’t get closer than that before the Jazz strike back.
Bill Bridges says
clean cut harpring and his wholesome wife.
Bill Bridges says
Phil goes back to Farmar. The definition of insanity is…?
j. d. hastings says
One possible benefit of the Turiaf ejection- I think he was tossed because blood was starting to boil and they needed to do something to get the game under control. If they now have to “clean the game up” and call a lot more contact, that will benefit the Lakers.
Or Fisher could get a quick 3rd foul bringing back the player formerly known as Jordan Farmar (-8 and counting)…
TCO says
NBA’s foul calling based on the landing bothers me. They kinda need to realize that fouls happen player-player, not player-floor.
Ap says
It’s incredible we’re down by 6 right now. 3-11 from the line?
This is ugly.
AM says
Missed free throws are also killing us. Kobe and Lamar have each missed 4 or so. That’s the difference in the game right now.
Kaifa says
Is this Shaq memorial night? Gotta hit the FTs.
j. d. hastings says
Kobe’s back is a problem. That has to be why he’s missing FTs, and his FG% sucks too. Everything that could go wrong is finding a way to do so right now. Only grit will save us today.
AM says
Sasha on Deron — Here we go, Bill Bridges …
Mark says
I’m a Jazz fan and I’m worried. We should be up by 20… This is an ugly game. Who would think the Lakers would be only down 9 with all the missed free-throws and Kobe being blocked twice – one foul – and not taking over the game. Turiaf ejected, Fisher on the bench with 3 fouls.
laughing hard says
I don’t get the appeal of Kyle Korver — his face looks kind of… squished.
Bill Bridges says
Yep. I’m happy now. Phil does learn. Takes him a while, but he learns.
Mark says
I think you are all correct in calling for Sasha. He’s keeping the Lakers in this one. Phil should start him ahead of Farmar in game 5. He’s very good.
Emma says
What’s wrong with Kobe’s back? I’m not watching the game..
Mark says
Kobe is hurt. The Jazz should be very physical with him to exploit this further.
lakergirl says
Within 2…not bad
laughing hard says
THE MACHINE!
Mark says
Ooch! Jazz are looking lathargic!
Goo says
Odom has carried us this half
Mark says
Unbelievable! Tie game! It’s very painful to be a Jazz Fan… very painful.
lakergirl says
TAKE THAT JAZZ FANS…tie game
Mark says
The Jazz are in BIG TROUBLE!
Koudos to the Lakers.
Tremble says
Deron…. “Yea, it was a bad foul.”….. loser, have some class and tell the truth
Bill Bridges says
I think I like this Pau/LO/Luke/Kobe/Sasha lineup.
Anonymous says
I really like having Vujacic in the lineup with Kobe.
Mark says
I’m going to stop commenting… I think I’m Jinxing the Jazz.
Enjoy the rest of the game. You Laker Fans are the Classiest Fans around on the Blogsphere.
Tremble says
Anyone know what happened to Kobe’s back?
Nik says
Vujacic is really stepping up in this one.
laughing hard says
At least the Jazz fans won’t be able to complain about the referees this time around…
Bill Bridges says
Tweaked his back landing after a turnaround j.
AM says
Once we cracked our magic deficit number of 4, we were finally able to tie the game. Tough call on the Sasha block, but great play from Luke to Kobe afterwards. Which white guy on the floor was a high school QB again? Also, 82games.com is not going to count that Kobe shot as “clutch”, but it most certainly was in my book, and could affect the outcome of the game, if the Lakers can put together a solid second half.
Also, I love how Lamar has been going around telling everyone to keep moving the ball and pulling them away from the officials as soon as they think about starting to whine. The foul calls are going to come in the second half if we stay aggressive in getting to the hoop. Finish at the rim and hit free throws and we can pull this one out!
TCO says
Good call by Phil on using out late game lineup in the 2nd where we could have lost the game.
However, I really think Farmar needs to regain his confidence. I think we’re going to need him in the long run.
Ap says
This is amazing. We have to come out and COMPLETELY demoralize them. We need to get up by 10 points EARLY. Then we can close this one out….can’t allow them to get their confidence back.
Hansoulfood says
Kobe = Warrior
laughing hard says
57 — He landed a little awkwardly from a jump shot… there was no contact or anything — he just landed on one foot.
Hansoulfood says
About Farmar, Deron Williams is a tough cover for most people. Williams and size and strength so he’s gonna get beat. But I’ve seen him improve a little in his on ball defense today. He really needs to make some shots or get some defensive plays to boost his confidence.
Matt M. says
Re: Sasha over Farmar.
It IS about time, but I like what Phil has done. Moving Sasha directly into his back-up role would only diminish Farmar’s already dwindling confidence. Hopefully he finds a way to play through this.
Hansoulfood says
Is Turiaf automatically suspended for the next game?! I will be fuming if he is.
Bill Bridges says
TCO. This is not the late game lineup . That one has Fish instead of Luke. This one has not been seen this series (I think). Farmar is -12 , Sahsa +10. Sit Farmar at the end of the bench. Fisher/Sasha can handle the point. You can’t sit Boozer because you will need him and he’s your horse but you can sit a scared sub.
laughing hard says
Sasha has four inches on Williams, and he plays him much more tightly on the perimeter. Farmar/Williams is not a good matchup. I would expect to see Kobe play Williams for some time in the second half, as well.
Is Sasha really 6-7?
Matt M. says
68 – it’s not an automatic suspension, and it’d be SHOCKING if he gets one.
laughing hard says
68 — Not automatically, the league reviews the contact to gauge the severity of the foul, and the fact that Turiaf was making a play on the ball, and that the fall wasn’t belligerent should keep him from being suspended.
Emma says
No lasting damage on Kobe, I hope?
I don’t think there’s any demoralizing this Jazz team. They’re not the Denver Nuggets. We just have to continue to play hard.
Also, Turiaf’s ejection not only means losing his presence on the block, but also losing his presence on the sidelines. I don’t know about you guys, but I loved seeing Turiaf’s basket celebrations and just his energy on the sidelines in general. I’m sure the Lakers will miss that as well 🙁
Bill Bridges says
Great piece on Mbenga. We’re gonna see him in the second half. I’m looking forward to it.
Snoopy2006 says
When Vujacic is on, he’s incredible. He came into the league as just a shooter but now he can take his man off the dribble. We need him to play 20 minutes in the 2nd half.
I think I see Phil’s thought process a little, even if I don’t agree with it. He likes to use Sasha as that little burst of offense and energy in the beginning of the 2nd when Kobe is sitting. Plus he likes to let his players play through rough times without taking timeouts, and I think the same philosophy applies to Farmar–he wants to see him play out of his slump.
But enough is enough. This isn’t a playoff slump, this has been going on for months. We have the luxury of having a great 3-guard backcourt, we don’t necessarily need Farmar for these playoffs. Most playoff teams prefer a 3-guard backcourt anyway.
Great story on Didier (I refuse to use the name Mark Cuban gave him lol) at halftime. Kind of puts things in perspective.
Warren Wee Lim says
Kobe is grimacing every turn down the floor. Am I glad I have on my side and not Crybaby LeBron.
Also, that white guy who played QB is so “clean”.
I am disgusted with the officiating so far and they took out Ronny too? I must give it to that French guy… he acted very well. I could see he didn’t have an ounce of regret. Stern knew there was no intent.
samy says
Great piece about benga! Amazing man. Turiaf’s walking in his idols/friends (kobe) footsteps with this BULL ejection.
Bill Bridges says
74. First of all it wasn’t a flagrant anyway. BUT if they rule it so, he might get suspended because the hit was after the whistle. What we forget is that the foul was on Sasha at the perimeter. Maybe Ronny didn’t hear the whistle but this is why he was hit w/ the flagrant and why PRice was so peeved.
j. d. hastings says
Jordan Farmar… IS THE MOLE!
Warren Wee Lim says
Ap, Kobe’s back, Ronny’s ejection, Fish’s 3 fouls and Luke’s jammed hand is all your fault!
You could have waited for me you know…
laughing hard says
Nice feed from Gasol to Radman — hope to see more of that
Nik says
clear path foul…?
lakergirl says
GASOL needs to get his head in the game….
Bill Bridges says
Inspired by Zach and Vanessa lakergirl?
lakergirl says
82. Who do you those that you speak of?
lakergirl says
82. Who are those that you speak of?
cant get my head in the comments..
Anonymous says
Injured players, obectionable ejections, and calls that make the Jazz’ treatment at the Staples Center look favorable…
STILL, a 4 point game at EnergySolutions.
We know who the better team is.
GO LAKERS!
Bill Bridges says
I have a daughter going through her highschool musical phase… nevermind
Nik says
Totally agree 85.
Snoopy2006 says
Yes! That’s what I want to see from Gasol, in that last play in the 3rd quarter. Just took the ball, didn’t wait, spun decisively and put in the hook. He has that ability, he just has to stop thinking pass all the time and just take over the game like that.
Kobe is a warrior, pure and simple. The way he’s playing right now reminds me of Michael Jordan when he played with the Wizards. Works in the high post, very controlled, surveys the floor and waits for an opening. His patience is incredible.
Tremble says
If we lose it’s because we can’t make any free throws.
Emma says
I never thought I would see a High School Musical reference on FB&G…
lakergirl says
86. I know who they are, never seen the muscial tho. I rather watch a laker game
Bill Bridges says
At least Farmar’s consistent
Nik says
consistent at losing the ball out of bounds
lakergirl says
Whats up with the Harpring/Walton fued?
Damn whats up with these fouls…
j. d. hastings says
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a worse game/ series played than what Farmar is doing. What happened to this kid?
Bill Bridges says
Not many cleaner blocks than Mbenga’s on Millsap. No contact except Millsap’s elbow in Mbenga’s ribs
Snoopy2006 says
Kutch is scary when he gets hot. Sasha has kept him under wraps the entire series but tonight he’s just feeling it.
Bill Bridges says
98. He’s been cooling down since the All star break. I though he hit 0 degrees at the end of the season. But now he’s nearing 0 Kelvin.
Goo says
Luke, don’t watch SportsCenter today..you’ll be glad you didn’t
Nik says
all ball? what about the push in the body?
Zach (85) says
No flagrant on Walton from the obviously pissed off Price?
BS…
Snoopy2006 says
Wth? Why was Walton moving so slowly? That was a momentum-changing play right there. Somewhere Bill Walton is screaming at his TV “Throw it down son!”
And then Fisher can’t run the fastbreak. We look hopeless tonight. So many failed chances.
Zach says
Does this mean the lakers get free throws now?
Bill Bridges says
Walton got hit on the head and pushed . This is possibly the worst called game I’ve ever seen.
Nik says
Walton was looking for a 3 point play, obviously he got neither….
j. d. hastings says
Missed opportunities in transition. Luke is so slow he always lets the defense catch him and he NEVER goes straight up with it. Then a terrible 3 on 2. Fisher IS a point guard right? Shouldn’t he know how to run the break?
Bill Bridges says
Only 19 fouls on the Jazz. Against the laws of physics.
lakergirl says
Kobe is hurting
Nik says
I am not sure we can pull this one out, Kobe is really hurting!!
lakergirl says
Our bench looks defeated….we miss Turiaf
Anonymous says
Why are they giving the reach-in fouls now when they haven’t given them the whole of last 2 games. Just to prove that the officiating is fair! I hate NBA officiating…
j. d. hastings says
Kobe won’t be able to shoot us back into it with his back, but he can still break down the defense and let other guys’ shots bring us back. He’s showing that with Fisher. But that doesn’t mean anything without stops. Just play solid and try not to foul.
AM says
How many times is ABC going to play Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” going into a commercial?
Snoopy2006 says
Are the Jazz in the penalty? If so, 3 FTs can cut the game to 5. Of course the way we’ve shot from the line tonight we should be praying for one.
We NEED to get Sasha open. Everytime he’s open it’s automatic.
AM says
Can Fish’s hot shooting cancel out the Korver effect??
Nik says
yes, yes he can!!
Hansoulfood says
Kobe mouthing off muth…..on Mother’s Day?! hahahahha
Bill Bridges says
I thought he stepped on the line. Is the line backcourt?
Kaifa says
Only my eyes? I say clearly on the line.
Snoopy2006 says
Damn it I missed the last play. How did we tie it up?
lakergirl says
*Dont wanna jinx it*
Bill Bridges says
OF course Williams travelled before the foul on Fish
pw says
We are real lucky if we can pull this one out….
AM says
Two LO threes is asking for too much. 🙂
Fish tried to drop it off too low. One more chance to tie it up …
laughing hard says
LAMAR ODOM
lakergirl says
I dont want us to play over time 🙁
We need a steal….
AM says
Bill Bridges: Williams may have traveled, but the replay also showed Kobe grabbing his shorts to pull him off slightly balance (giving the Jazz a taste of its own medicine), so that may cancel out. Good fortune or smart play by Boozer to be in the right spot.
UCR Mike says
These types of games make me love and loathe playoff basketball.
Nik says
it looked like williams lost the ball to boozer right before his foot touched the ground.
Hansoulfood says
Is this the first time Lakers actually made a good offensive play out of bounds with seconds left on the court?
Snoopy2006 says
Kobe’s hurt, and we’re in ESA. They have the advantage in OT. We can pull it out if 2 things happen: 1) Kobe musters up enough energy to drive, and we find Sasha and Fish, and 2) get to the FT line (and make them).
Bill Bridges says
Pau and Fish with 5 fouls. That charge on Williams called a block on Gasol looming large.
pw says
Great play by Sasha
lakergirl says
Kobe needs to stop shooting…just facilitate…
AM says
Wow. Korver was pivoting around the half court line after the tip. Apparently not a backcourt violation, even though both feet went into the front court at one point and one went backcourt on the pivot …
AM says
I don’t like the Lakers’ offense in the OT. Too Kobe-centric, even though the Mamba is clearly hurting. What happened to Fish’s hot hand? Odom at the rim? Pau? Sasha?? (Good lineup, though.)
Hansoulfood says
Uh….how about the Boozer push?!
Nik says
Where was the foul on Lamar on that one?
TCO says
Boozer stuck out his elbows on that play. Bad break for the Lakers.
TC says
Geez…Kobe just needed to facilitate the last three minutes.
AM says
After posting my last comment, I realized that they’re running the Kobe-Gasol P&R, as Bill Bridges and others have been calling for, but Utah is doing a good job of taking away the pass to Gasol. Still, I think they should’ve gone away from that …
A couple of deadly offensive rebounds given up to the Jazz on the defensive end, and a soft foul by Lamar for the AK47 and-one, unfortunately.
laughing hard says
Come on, Kobe…
Nik says
Ok Ok, Kirilenko had more contact on that play than on that dunk. That’s definitely a foul…
Anonymous says
hey kobe pass the ball!!!!!!!!!!!
j. d. hastings says
The really painful thing about this to me: We don’t go into over time if we hit one more of our free throws in regulation.
nomuskles says
that Boozer play in the back was pretty blatant. Lakers missed too many free throws this afternoon. And Lamar needed to not foul Kirilenko on that same play.
mrbic says
kobe pass the ball next ot please
lakergirl says
The lakers cant go home and be super confident. I dont want to hear all the talk about “we were in it”, yeah you were in it but you didnt win it. Winning is what counts…
Have a nice day yall…peace!
Hansoulfood says
this sucks….and I thought they were gonna win on my bday too….
nomuskles says
This is the first game I’ve felt like complaining about the referees. The Price block on Luke was a foul in his lower back right after Mbenga had a clean block that was called a foul. The Boozer “screen” which was more like a hockey cross check. and then the Turiaf foul on Price which ostensibly is caused by Price playing after the whistle (not necessarily Ronny playing after the whistle).
nomuskles says
and one more, the fisher block on williams to end the third quarter that was called a foul when it wasn’t.
chibi says
how boozer gets away with all those shoves is sickening.
I don’t know what Kobe was thinking down the stretch. It’s not like Fisher and Odom were struggling from the field. Jesus Christ.
j. d. hastings says
I can’t buy into blaming the refs here. Yeah the calls were going Utah’s way, but they were due for it at home. The fact is, any of our missed free throws during the game wins that for us. Those same refs gave us our 10-11 more chances to get that point than we took advantage of.
And that could cost us because back injuries don’t get better overnight.
Anonymous says
that walton miss fast break dunk turned out to quite costly. what was he thinking on that play?
Bill Bridges says
45 – 25 FT difference. Take away the 8 near the end and it is still a travesty. Strangely, I fee no pain as the Donaghys obviously had interest in the action. The line was about Jazz + 4 – 5 last time I checked.
Gotta give props to the intrepid Laker fans wearing their Malone LAKER home jerseys at courtside.
Let’s hope Kobe’s back heals quickly. Keep him away from Vitti and he should be fine.
Snoopy2006 says
I’m with 157. The one knock other people have against Laker fans is we’re too arrogant, and I think we saw some of that after last game. There were too many comments along the lines of “Stop overreacting, this still isn’t a series, our guys will play better…”
To be honest, I’d rather overreact than be cocky. Yes, Kobe was hurt. Yes, there were questionable calls that went against us. Yes, we missed FTs. But you can’t make excuses. Who knows what will happen in the next game? Korver could explode. Kobe could still be hurt. Vujacic and Fish might be off. Kirilenko might have one of his freakish offensive games. Boozer might score more than 14 points.
We’ve shown a disturbing inability to get stops when we need them. It’s not an aberration. Maybe we’re simply not good enough to stop one of the best offensive teams in the league. In that case we need to Phx it up a bit and focus on the offensive end (while still playing as solid D as we can).
Nik says
We all should be getting a little bit worried because Kobe just doesn’t look the same out there when he is injured like that. He was trying to take over the game. The end result was just painful to watch.
Andre says
Kobe cost us the game today. His shot was off all day. He should have looked for Fish, Odom or Gasol.
Scot says
I’m so disappointed with the Lakers’s play in OT. It’s difficult to criticize Kobe after his MVP season, but he HAS to recognize his own physical limitations when injured and move the ball. What happened to the so-called “trust” in his teammates that won him the MVP? Other problems: (1) Farmar is a disaster; (2) Fisher has lost his mind the last 2 games with the early fouls; (3) The pathetic FT shooting is inexcusable. I take no solace in another “we played poorly and only lost by __” defeat. We lose 2 more close games and we’re out. If Kobe’s injury is more than fleeting, this could be a 6-game series loss.
nomuskles says
what a sucker punch of a loss that was. le sigh
b says
i agree andre…..it just seemed like he wanted the glory of carrying his team while injured….but we all saw how that worked out….
TCO says
167. When it comes down to it, we were still in the game. I still can not believe Boozer was not callled for elbowing Fisher to the floor. But I suppose there is a reason why the NBA has the biggest home court advantage. Refs need to stop being so influenced by the enviornment.
Snoopy2006 says
I love Kobe, but I had a feeling he would shoot us in the foot tonight. His one weakness: he’s so good he thinks he’s going to make a shot every single time, even if he hasn’t hit a single J all game long. I agree with all the comments on here – if he had facilitated we might have won. But then again, we can’t pin it all on him. He gave it up a few times in OT and Vujacic and someone else made bonehead plays.
Bottom line, we didn’t seem to have any championship poise on the road in overtime (aside from Kobe and Fish).
Matt M. says
Agreed on Kobe (in OT). I’ll defend him to no end but he lived up to the criticism tonight. And in OT of a playoff game no less… :\
TCO says
I dont mean to come across as saying we should be satisfied or anything. We need to start hitting out FT’s and we need to watch out for Okor on the elbow extended.
Bill Bridges says
Yes. Kobe should have passed in OT. But I think Gasol’s missed dunk had something to do with forcing Kobe to try to will the game home by himself.
LakerFan says
odom shoulda took over in OT
Matt M. says
One thing to not lose sight of in this loss….Lamar with some CLUTCH plays. Great to see.
Hansoulfood says
To 175 – agreed….Lamar is a good enough ballhandler. He can take Utah’s bigs off the dribble and Kobe should have been the decoy.
Underbruin says
The thing that bothers me, though… LAL’s offense late in games seems to be Kobe-iso. Every time down the floor, they were looking for him in that mid-post, and he just didn’t have the speed/explosion to get past Kirilenko and finish like he normally would. The team has to be more assertive WITH Kobe – Fisher in particular needs to be willing to throw the ball to the opposite half of the court and let Kobe decoy AK.
Bill Bridges says
Phil in his press conference when asked about Kobe shooting in OT said that Kobe was looking for teammates but that his teammates “bailed” on him. I also thought they just gave him the ball and stood around.
91601guy says
It wasn’t all Kobe’s fault. How about Pau’s blown dunk and Sasha’s turnover? That said, it would have nice to give Lamar a shot to see what he could do.
TCO says
Off the ball cuts also seem to be non existant on late game Kobe isos.
pb says
I thought for sure we would take at least one in Utah, but we had a few bad breaks. If Kobe was fully healthy, we would have won, but that’s just an excuse right now. We didn’t play smart in OT, especially Kobe. As many have said, we needed to run the offense, especially with Kobe not being able to shoot jumpers or take it strong to the hoop (think dunk here not layup with no life that got blocked by AK). Pau played well but he had his share of mistakes, like setting pick on Fish rather than flashing to stop DWill or missing a reverse dunk. Sasha hit some early shots, but he’s no playmaker. Fisher needs to play 1st quarter like he did in the 4th. Odom was the warrior who really carried us in the end.
The most disturbing part of the game is obviously Kobe’s injury. I hope it’s a just a tweak, but back injury is something that doesn’t heal too quickly. If it’s not a major injury, Kobe will be able to play through it. I just hope that our bench will give us more life, provided that Ronny is not suspended for the next game, which he shouldn’t be.
p.s. Luke really needs to learn to make running layups, not stop in front of the hoop and jump straight up layups.
p.p.s. I really don’t like that Harpring guy. He’s really annoying as a player. But I’m sure Utah fans say that about Sasha Vujacic.
Mike D. says
Kobe did a good job in the end at the 4th, overtime while he shouldn’t have shot those shots still the rest of the team was just standing there and making him do 1 on 1.
Really need to ship Vlade in the offseason or at the very least make him be part of the bench. Starter and played 14 min sheesh. My favorite Martian just loves being on Mars while the rest are on Earth. Like Kwame Brown, doesn’t really make so much effort while being a started and ironically voiced his displeasure while being a Supersonic about not being a starter.
Jordan Farmar can’t really understand whats been happening with him. Guess when his confidence goes down his game is nonexistant,. Only 4 points in Game 2 and in 1,3,4 been held to Zero points. He has to get those confidence can’t wait for the next damn game, even Sasha in his 1st playoff experience did better than Jordan at the point. And most of the time Jordan is going against Ronny Price not Deron Williams. Today was a bit more understandable since Fish was in foul trouble but can’t always depend on Fish not getting in foul trouble. He has to step up and start hitting shots and be willing to make contact because the more and more he’s going to be less confidence and the more and more Kobe/Fish/Pau/Lamar will have to go back in there and play for the entire game.
Refs were very questionable though I feel the same way that the Jazz were due. Just let this one go.
Have to make the shots anyone not named Lamar/Pau/Sasha/Fish. Otherwise Kobe will just fire away with difficult shots.
AM says
Instead of blaming Kobe, I’m gonna blame the free-throw shooting. In a game that goes to OT, there are obviously many single plays on both ends that could’ve made the difference, but only one type of play where the refs aren’t a factor (other than getting you to the stripe in the first place).
chris h says
couple things to point out to our thread on the game…
1) the flagrant on Ronnie should not have been called, Deron himself said it was because it “was after the whistle” …??! hasn’t nayone heard of “continuation”??? Ronnie was doing the right thing, and it was Price who kept advancing trying to get “contijuation”! all Ronnie did was what all pro ballers know to do, stop the layup, don’t allow continuation. he went for the ball, not any part of the head or was in anyway a malicious action.
if he gets a suspension, it’s time for a class action to Stern and committee…
2) that block on Luke by Price was a killer for us, almost an impossible thing to recover from. we had a duece, no doubt about that, what was Luke doing??! looked like he stumbled, or mishandled, but when I replayed it, no…so why did he slow down like that? the result was a block by Price, and a huge momentum changer, and the crowd, etc…well, almost impossible to bounce back from.
but I guess I was wrong, we did manage to get it to OT…
at the end of the day, we are a better team, and am pretty sure we’ll get game 5.
PJ needs to show the team that clip of D Will clapping and head bobbing like, “that’s right, we own ’em” that should be a great motivator.
Bill Bridges says
I don’t blame the free throw shooting. LO and Kobe got the misses tonight. You just can’t rely on Lamar to make all his free throws. Not as bad as Shaq. But you just have to be glad when he gets to the line. He has poor form with his right foot behind his left , off balance, and inconsistent. He’s been missing FT’s all year. Can’t blame him for missing them this game because in all other facets he was was a monster.
Kobe. No follow through because of the back. Even so, you knew that on his and-one in the fourth that he would hit the free throw. So no, I’d rather blame the non-call on Kobe’s layup at the end of regular time.
lakerfan101 says
Don’t worry Ap or Warren Wee Lim about the timing of the 1st post, there were alot of reasons we could not take the game but it all boiled down to 5 minutes at the end. It’s a 3 game series now and two are at Staples. Hope Kobe will be OK that’s the main concern for me now.
Go Lakers…
tonystarks says
Bill Bridges,
u see what happened with 5:24 left in the first half? Phil put in lineup of Vujacic, Kobe, Luke , Odom and Pau and we then go on a strong run to end the half. U called it man, that lineup was gold. Hopefully we’ll see more of that with Farmer struggling .
Mamba was trying pretty hard to have his MJ-flu game. Yes he’s earned at least one bad playoff game, but that overtime was pretty bad.
All OT, with Scrotum and Fish playing out of their minds, we go with Kobe isos? Yes, no one else may have asked for the ball, and yes, there was no movement/cuts. But Kobe isos when he’s obviously at 75% (if that) aren’t going to win any basketball games. He tried to pull an MJ but he came off looking more like T-Mac against AK.
Mamba, we love you man. Can’t say enough about your toughness and your desire to win. But why are you falling to ground in pain after you take some ridiculous contested 1-on-1 jumper? Twice? If your playing hurt, gotta rein that nonsense in. Anywhoo, if you’re at 100% that game, there’s no doubt we win. If we run any semblance of an offense in OT, we win that game. We got stops all game, constantly pulling to within 2 or 3, we just couldn’t get over the hump. That loss was an oucher…
Bill Bridges says
Chris, someone else mentioned, and I agree with him that Luke was trying to draw an and -one. He probably saw that Price was coming and wanted to draw the foul. The fact is that he got fouled. But not by enough to draw the call, not with these officials, and not in Utah. A huge momentum changer. The Jazz came right back and Millsap dunked.
Bill Bridges says
Kobe giving press conference…standing up. says he’ll definitely play Wednesday.
pw says
Don’t grade the game by the last few minutes or the OT. This game was lost with 4 minutes left in the 4th and we were down by 10. It was a miracle that we came back.
nomuskles says
I was just reading the Jazz blog that Kurt linked to in the post and they are just as upset by the refs over there as we are. They love the ronnie price block on luke and hate fisher. They also think Kobe was faking the back injury for dramatics to be more like Jordan.
M0nkeydump says
Odom played extremely well for the most part, except his free-throws, obviously. Odom has never been a great, or consistent, free-throw shooter, which is why half the time he goes to the line I expect consecutive misses. Solid game from Odom, that kind of contribution, including the late game clutch 3-ball and put back, should not be overlooked, despite poor free-throw shooting.
We would not have even been in the position to take it to overtime without Fisher’s three 3-pointers. Kobe may be more clutch, but Fisher is clearly the better spot up shooter from long range. I felt that during overtime, with Kobe obviously bothered by his discomfort (hesistant to say injury), he should have been looking to involve his teammates. Unless I’m mistaken, Kobe called for the isolation plays, not a result due to to his teammates “standing around.”
Defense. Did Lakers not get the memo that said Okur is capable of raining 3-pointers all day? Everytime during the game Okur is left for a wide open mid-range or 3-pointer shot, I asked my cousin, “*** ****** damn it! Do they not know he can shoot that?!” I would rather Boozer take a close range shot contested by two Laker bigs than to allow Okur those wide open looks.
Lakers have one of the deepest bench in the league, when they show up. Walton played fairly well, but I chose to switch his contributions with Radmanovic, a starter that played horrendous. So really, besides Walton, our bench was completely outplayed by a single player on the Jazz: Korver. Korver got hot late in the 4th quarter, and there is really nothing you can do about those type of players. By that, I mean shooters that specialized in running around back screens and picks to get quick, effective shots off (think Rip Hamilton, Reggie Miller, Peja Stojakovic).
The Ronny ejection was preposterous. It was a good, clean, hard playoff foul. Was it Ronny’s fault that Price’s legs went further than his upper body and landed on his side? Ronny didn’t cause the gash on Price’s head, the floor and gravity did. Did anyone else find it hilarious that Harpring sprang to the referee pleading for a flagrant foul immediately after Price fell down, as opposed to checking if his teammate was alright? Almost like tattle-telling. Also, why did the referees even replay that play on their monitor, if it was clearly a clean foul and they still chose to eject Ronny?
Refereeing was horrible as usual in Utah. Game 3 and 4 have been the only games I’ve watched in the playoffs so far, out of every single nationally televised games, that led me to think the game was fixed, somehow, or that the referees had a different agenda in their mind besides a fair game.
Did anyone see Harpring get called for an offensive foul for an phantom elbow on Vujacic? I laughed pretty hard. Sasha sure is a good actor.
All in all, mediore defense, bad refereeing, bad free-throw shooting, and reverting back to “Kobe show” late in overtime cost us the game. What’s even more upsetting is that even including all those factors, Lakers had a good chance to take home a 3-1 lead.
On a side note, D-Will’s spin around Fisher and fadeaway jumper on Gasol at the end of the 4th quarter was pretty. Lakers played good defense on that possesion, and D-Will still made it. What can you do, right? I’m sure many teams feel the same way about a lot of shots Kobe make.
Hope the injury (*yeek!*) isn’t too serious, and Kobe and Co. bounce back from two close losses and win a game in dominating fashion in Staples Center on Wednesday.
The Fanalyst says
This loss is clear and simple, and could have been prevented. Warren Wee Lim should have gotten the first comment post. If so, we’d be taking this thing 3-1 back to LA. On this blog, we just need better execution and communication…
kwame a. says
Phil made some critical errors, namley going with Vlad to start the 3rd and Farmar as Fish’s sub when Fish got 4 fouls. The team had just had its best spell (in the 2nd quarter) with Sasha at the point, why would Phil go back to Farmar.
Anyway, I know nobody cares about moral victories and ‘if this, if that’ but we turned the ball over 20% of their possessions in one game and missed 11+ free throws in the other, yet nearly won both. I hope we come home and take care of business, that’s pretty much all we can ask for.
kwame a. says
Also, of all the damn series to not have Bynum….bygones.
gasolgasol says
didn’t sasha do the best on d. will? why did coach stick with my boy jordan? he needs to get back to his slash spot up style. he is playing without confidence.
sasha’s better to pester d will I think. the fouls on fish were tacky and cheap. a lot of calls were bad both ways, obviously no one wants to hear about ref kookery and home court favor but its not going away.
kobe has to get everyone going in the first. it gets them all a touch and a spark and zen master knows they need those keys.
free throws could have won it too, but kobe and lamar bricked. they need to develop a two man game. all the best teams have killer two man games. our two best(?) players don’t move well off each other.
next one’s ours.
AM says
Ironically, if Luke had stayed on the ground a bit longer than he did, Price might’ve jumped on his back. Even still, as Bill Bridges pointed out, Luke got hit in the head and had a hand in his back, but was not going to get that call going up that softly. Bad decision by Bill’s son.
I must say, after re-watching the fourth quarter, that Jordan and Mbenga were involved in every play in a negative way during that stretch where Utah got the big lead back. In one particularly unfortunate sequence, down by 6 after LO’s three-point play, Farmar let Price go backdoor on him, get the pass, then get an and-one from Mbenga. On the other end, Jordan lets a Lamar pass go right through his hands out of bounds. Then, Jordan fouls Millsap on an offensive rebound. Millsap misses the second, Okur gets the board, back to Millsap for the Mbenga block/foul (the replay shows hand on arm — sorry DJ fans). Really missed Turiaf there. All the while, Korver is on fire.
In OT, Gasol made a great, quick move to get past Okur but missed the dunk, and Sasha didn’t give up the ball early enough on a P&R with Pau, ending up under the basket and passing out to nobody. Other than that, it was Kobe isos and a lack of movement. A couple of times, he was double-teamed, and nobody even faked a cut until Kobe had already decided to take it on his own. Only once did I really see him jack up a shot without at least waiting for a better opportunity to develop (a three attempt over Kirilenko).
On the defensive side, Utah executed one scheme almost perfectly to beat us. (Hubie had a great explanation of this as the game was going on.) Williams and Boozer ran the pick-and-roll on one side of the court, forcing Lamar or Pau to stay in the lane under the hoop as the other big showed on Williams. Meanwhile, Okur would make his way out near the three-point line on the weak side, and the ball would go to him instead. Neither Kobe nor Sasha closed out, so Lamar or Pau had to run from way under the basket, and couldn’t make it in time. This burned the Lakers about three times in the extra period. The one time the ball actually went to Boozer on the P&R, Lamar and Pau sandwiched him and forced a turnover.
In a game this tightly contested, things like the Turiaf ejection and Kobe’s injury played a huge role in the outcome. With Turiaf getting better blocks or fouls instead of the and-ones from Mbenga, along with rebounds and at least the threat of offense, and with Kobe hitting one more shot or one more free throw that he left short due to his declining performance as the game went along, the game could’ve been ours.
Well, hopefully Kobe can rest up and the home court will bring Jordan and Vlad (M.I.A. tonight) better results and we can put the pressure back on the Jazz for Game 6.
Craig W. says
I was really upset by this loss, until I thought about the series for about 15 minutes. Then I realized…
Only Fish and Kobe have ever been through anything beyond the 1st round. Walton was a rookie and didn’t really play and Ira was a reserve with Cleveland. The first 6 games of these playoffs really didn’t teach our other players much because we won them all. It is only when you put what you think is everything on the line, and the other guy still beats you, that you realize you have to dig down deeper. Lamar and Vlade have not been pressure players so the problems were to be expected. We also shouldn’t be surprised by Pau because his experience didn’t force him to get very tough down low. Farmar is still only in his second year and Sasha has performed quite well, based off his experience.
Now we are battle tested and probably ready for anything. Pau has no illusions, Lamar has found what he can do in any tough situation and what he has to improve on this summer (see Rick Barry), Vlade – well I hope Ariza can adjust to this rough play, Farmar is coming home and should see some improvement.
While this is not what I wanted, I think our team can take something from these two tough losses and toughen up ourselves. At least we were able to come back on the Jazz in both games and I don’t think they, or their fans, expected that. I think they thought they would win by double digits like we did in L.A.
If we do what we are supposed to at home, we should be in better shape for either the Spurs or Hornets.
pb says
Regarding the refereeing, I felt that the refs try to give the aggressors the benefit of the doubt. Anytime someone went to the basket weak (Luke, Boozer layups), the blockers didn’t get called. When the player went hard for a dunk (Price, Milsap), they got the call against the defenders. I think the Lakers got fewer FTs today because Kobe didn’t go to the basket as much due to his back injury. Pau also didn’t get few calls when he went to the hoop, but it’s pretty hard for refs to call fouls in Utah unless there’s some bleeding (even if it’s caused by the floor). We don’t want to be like Dallas and blame the refs for causing defeat. We need to overcome refs’ general incompetency. Plus, as I posted in other comment, the calls do even out in the long term.
As far as Vlad and Farmar are concerned, they need to really focus on making hustle plays. Everytime they make a mistake or miss a shot, I see them hang their heads and not get back on D, allowing Utah to get easy baskets. If their shots aren’t falling, they have to contribute in other ways. I feel like they are letting their offensive struggle to affect their defense as well.
Finally, although my ideal scenario of winning one of game 3 or 4 via barrage of Fisher 3s and Kobe’s game winning bucket didn’t pan out, I still feel confident about our chances. It’s 2 out of 3 now, but we have two games at home. Definitely, game 5 is a must (That’s an understatement). We need our bench to show it’s mettle and our Staples crowd to really show that LA fans can be just as supportive as Utah fans without resorting to classless acts.
lakerfan101 says
I don’t like to bring up negative stuff at our Lakers but that adjusted ‘+/-‘ stat was again in the negatives for us and in the positives for the Jazz. The 1 for 10 in the 3pt shot stuck out also, for you know who.
chris h says
PJ stayed with farmer when he was down because he doesn’t want to yank him right after a mistake and shred his confidence. PJ is thinking more than 1 game, and he knows what he is doing…(9 rings?) so bear with him while this is going on.
one day in the not too distant future, ol’ Jordan might drop a 3 and save the day and we’ll all be praising him, so just remember these days too.
AM says
I think Jordan’s primary issue is a slump from the three-point line. He’s lost all confidence in that shot, and Utah is giving it to him. When he then tries to drive it inside, he’s not big enough or strong enough to deal with the physicality and length of guys like Millsap, Kirilenko, Boozer, Harpring, etc. On defense, he can’t keep up with Williams, whose eyes light up like Christmas trees as soon as Jordan checks in. Then, when Price is in the game, Price’s confidence has him moving a step faster, and we all know about Jordan’s lack of lateral movement and tendency to relax and ball-watch when his man doesn’t have the ball.
I mean, look at what Williams does to the smaller Chris Paul, who’s often hailed as the second coming of point guards. Jordan has a bright future, but he’s no Chris Paul. I hope he can shake his slump and regain his confidence, but it won’t be easy if he has to do it against D-Will. Fish needs to help him out by saving some of his fouls for the second half, even if it means giving up a bucket here or there in the first.
Kurt says
New game review post up
Snoopy2006 says
203 – Sorry, but I won’t be praising him even if he does hit a game winning 3. If Phil was playing Sasha in place of Farmar, we might have won games that we ended up losing. It’s not that Farmar is having no effect on the game – he’s having a negative effect. Not so much tonight, but lately he’s been forcing up bricks and can’t finish at the rim. His defense on D-Will allows Deron to get into a rhythm so he’s hot even when Fish gets back. Granted, D-Will is a tough cover for anyone, but Farmar seems particularly ineffective defensively.
I agree, though, that none of us on this site have half the basketball knowledge that Phil Jackson has. He truly is a master at adjustments and a great tactician. I expect him to make all the necessary adjustments, it will be up to the players to execute.
I’m glad Phil yanked Radman quickly. If he can’t hit the three, he really can’t affect the game in any other way.
LakerFan says
I hate to say I told you so about FARMAR but I TOLD YOU SO GUYS
jpatts says
Hey what’s up with the ref in Boston in game 2? He seems to be calling a lot of fouls on the Lakers and hardly any on the Celtics, is that a hometeam thing? Shouldn’t the officiating be a little more balanced? Just wondering seems a little biased if you ask me.