Pick your X-Factor
BK and I are at Staples right now, doing a little scouting of the Lakers' potential second round opponents. Of course, the Lakers gotta get past Phoenix first in order to play either the Clips or Nugs. Obviously, Kobe's gotta play his game (and play it well) or this team ain't going no place. But even the sickest of players need a little help come playoff time, and Kobe's no exception. It's up to Bryant's teammates to bring it this series. Which brings us to the $1,000,000 question.
Of the entire supporting cast, who absolutely, positively, hands down, period needs to step it up the most?
Is it Kwame Brown, who reportedly will be fed early and often in order to exploit Phoenix's softer middle? Maybe it's Lamar Odom, whose versatility and quarterbacking plays a huge part of Kwame's ability to do his thing in the first place? Does it all come down to Smush sticking with Steve Nash? The Lakers' bench has been erratic all season. Will Devean George's playoff experience and triangular knowledge make him the second unit's all-important anchor? Or does that honor actually belong to Brian Cook, the most reliable scorer among the subs (unless you consider Chris Mihm even more dependable)? But lest we forget, the Lakers are the underdogs. When it comes to fighting big odds, encouragement never hurts. There's no better cheerleader in the league than Ronny Turiaf. Maybe it all comes down to the power of his enthusiasm and sideline dancing.
Then again, perhaps the mystery man is someone yet to be mentioned.
Give us the who and why. And while you're at, how about a prediction for the series. Who's the winner in how many games?
AK
Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom both need to continue what they are doing for us to have a shot against Phoenix.
This series is very possible and Lakers could pull an upset if Kwame, Lamar bring it every night.
1. 12/8
2. 16/10/6
Posted by: Keven | April 22, 2006 at 08:42 PM
This is a little off topic but if you are looking to get jazzed up for the game you should make sure to watch some of the previous Laker championship videos...I wonder if maybe some of the new guys looked at those games to get a feel for how they need to perform in the playoffs.
It sure got me pumped up!!!! I showed the 88 championship video at lunch on Friday to some of my students and they can see just how much of a Laker fan I am...Go Lakers!!!!!
David Gago
East Bakersfield High School
Posted by: David Gago | April 22, 2006 at 09:14 PM
Am I the only one who thinks the Suns are getting really touchy about the fact that some people have chosen the Lakers to win the series? They reacting exactly like they would on the basketball court: They're going on the offensive. Nash's quote is interesting, talking about how Kobe has guarded him at the end of games but that Nash seems to have survived it. Is it possible the Suns are overconfident? If so, that would be good for the Lakers. Very, very good.
Posted by: greenpaz | April 22, 2006 at 09:15 PM
thank god we didnt get the 8th seed lol. or else that could've been us not the kings.
Posted by: Keven | April 22, 2006 at 09:19 PM
It will be Laker football
Kobe at Wide Receiver
Lamar at Quarterback
Kwame at OL / DT
Smush Special Teams (Kick returner)
Luke at TE
Bench: Devean George at Strong Safety, Sasha at Cornerback, Jim Jackson at fullback, etc.
Posted by: trifecta | April 22, 2006 at 09:21 PM
I don't believe that Kwame inside stuff for a minute. Lamar, Kobe, then Kwame. Kwame will get his points off of misses and dump offs. Then he'll get fed. I actually believe we are going to win big.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 22, 2006 at 09:26 PM
the key is goin to be on the defensive end. kobe doesnt have to average 45ppg to win the series. the series will be won or lost the defensive end. theres no reason KB cant average 15 rpg in this series. i wouldnt be surprised seeing sasha gettn alot of minutes tryn to dee up on nash (like lue got back in the 2001 finals against AI)
Posted by: matt | April 22, 2006 at 09:31 PM
No one player stepping up is going to get the Lakers into the second round. At least 2 of those guys need to step it up, and that being said, it probably neeeds to be Lamar and Kwame. With Kobe on the outside, Kwame in the middle, and Lamar throwing the rock to whoever is open, the Lakers should be able to get it done on offense.
Defensively, everyone needs to step up. Guys like Diaw, Barbosa and House will burn you if you give them the opportunity.
My prediction: Lakers in 6. I think they'll steal one of the first two then take care of business at home.
Posted by: Hunter805 | April 22, 2006 at 09:32 PM
Here's my opinion on what's going to happen.
Devean George and Kwame Brown are going to have "equally effective" big games. Notice how I put the quotations? I explain that after the game.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 22, 2006 at 09:35 PM
oh, lakers in 6. win the first game, drop the second, then win three very tight ones.
Posted by: matt | April 22, 2006 at 09:37 PM
Lakers 4-0 or:
Lakers 4-1
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 22, 2006 at 09:40 PM
I said it once, I'll say it again.
The Lakers will win more games and reach another level when Kobe gives up the ball to a wide open teammate in the 4th quarter than deciding to go against double-triple teams. If Michael Jordan could learn how to pass the ball, then Kobe Kobe can too. This roster isn't as bad as everyone thinks. We're one true defending powerforward and Kobe giving up the ball to reach another level. Next season will describe to us if Kobe Bryant has learned how to make his teammates better. Let's hope the time will come soon when he learns that no matter how talented you are, this is still a team sport not an individual sport. I hope he will learn because the quicker he learns, the quicker we will get better as a whole. And thus, redeem franchise glory.
Posted by: Keven | April 22, 2006 at 09:41 PM
Because Kobe Bryant is playing serious team ball, look for Kobe to average anywhere from 40-50 points for this series. Why? Because when other player are involved in the game they will demand attention leaving Kobe one on one with whoever! NO ONE CAN STICK KOBE ONE ON ONE!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 22, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Well, maybe not 40-50 because if he did that it would be a close game. If we win big Kobe will be on the bench for the 4th quarter. So, his average might not be that high.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 22, 2006 at 10:05 PM
This is so exciting, our first playoff game since 2004.
Anyway, the key offensively, is to have 3 way threat. Kobe in the perimter, Kwame in the middle, and Odom in between. Smush needs to be a sleeper in this game, he has the potential to really give Kobe open shots or drive against Nash, who is not as good on defense as he is on offense. And Walton needs to have a great passing game mainly, but when left wide and I mean wide open, drive to the lane or if it is closed, shoot.
Against the 3, will be Bell, Marion, and Diaw. Bell against Kobe, Marion vs Odom, and Diaw matching up with Kwame. Bell is a descent defender but not a good one like Bruce Bowen. Kobe will have his hands full, but if he draws as much double teams as he can, he can pass it and give his teammates opportunity. And when his teammates do good, he can get his own opportunites. Just wait, you'll have your chance, if Odom and others drag their own doubles and maybe forces Bell to help, Kobe will toast them from the outside or up the lane. Odom will probably have the most trouble. The don't call Marion the Matrix for nothing. Marion does have an excellent defense that is very good against most Forwards, whether they be Small or Power. The only way he could really be a good scoring option is that his teammates and especially Kobe gets as much double teams and forces Marion to do so as well. He also needs to take any weaknes in Marion and when he senses a good opportunity, drive to the basket and hit that rim. Marion will play good defense but if he drives more and don't charge, then he has a real chance to go against the Matrix.
The real key here is Kwame Brown. Kwame's size is really the key since the Suns has a hole in their interior defense. Normally Stoudamiere or Marion would do that but with Stoudamiere out and Marion guarding Odom, the Kwame has a big opportunity to dominate the paint. Grant and Diaw are no much physically for Kwame. Also with the rise of his confidence, Kwame can now take better opportunity of his gifted body. While he probably ain't as fast or talented as Kobe, he should see how Kobe drives to the basket. And when he does, dunk it, don't go for layups since most layups done by Kobe are nothing short of exceptional. Yea he's a good post player but if he can drive, so much mismatches occurs. Kwame should also get Odom's moves to the basket. Odom and Kwame has similar height and Weight so while Kwame is better at the post, the way Odom does it should also create mismatches. Kwame doesn't have to twist and hit fadeaway like Kobe does, even if he's next to the post. Simply, if he is attacking the post, then drive to it quickly, and then twist and dunk. If he does the post moves or maybe even drives to the post, then it'll force the post to be guarded more and have less people on the others.
The Key people in this game:
1) Kwame Brown- Mismatches and taking oppurtunities
2) Kobe Bryant- Showing why he's MVP while getting as much double teams to let others score. He does that it later makes less coverage on him and let the MVP chants begin.
3) Lamar Odom- Going through Marion. Ain't an easy task but it needs to be done. And make opportunites early to force Marion to go to play help defense and thus creating his own opportunities.
4) Smush Parker- Sleeper. Maybe not the best defender on Steve Nash but hey, Nash is isn't as flashy on defense as he is. Smush is very underrated and when they fall for double teams, he'll be the sleeper factor.
5) Luke Walton- With LO against Marion, Luke will be against James Jones. Jones is a good sixth man but not an ideal starter. Walton, while not a real flashy person, should get around Jones and get the ball to the best open people. When double teams occur to the others, heck Luke can score as well. Probably the most underrated person in this game. Let's just hope he gets support from his old Arizona teammates. I just hope that they'll still say Luuuuuuukkkkkkkeeeee.
6) Brian Cook- outside perimeter threat
7) Sasha Vujacic- defense must annoy Nash as much as possible. Annoy Nash or Barobosa, makes the game more winnable. Just don't become an offensive threat yet.
8) Jim Jackson- knowledge of how the Suns play really. He is a pretty good person of the bench and will hopefully be great against his old teammates.
9) Aaron McKie- descent defender. If Smush or Sasha can't get Nash, the Mckie would. Mckie is only 32 and still has some juice in it. He knows how to defend against most guards so he'll have to try to slow down Barbosa and Nash.
10) Ronny Tufiaf- when things go wrong, there is nothing like red bull to help your team. He is the energy bunny battery and will keep going and going and going. Nothing better to win a game than energy, even if it comes of a batter.
11) Devean George- the only other one besides Kobe to have significant playoff experience under Phil Jackson. Cook nor Walton really played that much. Also needs to lead and not to be a liablity.
12) Phil Jackson- he helped lead the Lakers back to the playoffs. He needs to help this inexperience group to play with intensity and youthfull energy, something the Suns don't have as much.
13) Chris Mihm- not 100%, but when Kwame needs a rest, he'll have to do the some role playing as Kwame had done.
14) Andrew Bynum- May be a kid but if Chris isn't really himself and Ronny is out of energy, nothing like to have a kid who is probably the biggest in our team to dominate. Hey he has the captain teaching him. If Mihm proves to be too injured still, put in Bynum. He's tall and agile, something we really need to dominate.
Let's win it Laker team. May we emerge victorious.
Lakers in 6.
Posted by: arthas (Tom Brady) | April 22, 2006 at 10:29 PM
This is gonna sound crazy, but it's our only chance to win. Remember back in 2001 and 2002 playoffs, when Rick Fox just brutalized Peja Stojakovic every time we played the Queens? Well, we're gonna need to do that again. The way to take Nash out of the game is to be physical with him. And the guy to do that is...Sasha Vujacic. Sasha is fast enough and energetic enough to keep pace with Nash, but not important enough for it to matter if he gets in foul trouble.
You heard it here first. Matchup genius that he is, Phil Jackson wil put Vujacic on Nash, and Sasha will own him.
Lakers in 6, losing games 2 and 5.
Posted by: Jack | April 22, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Only 1 guy. Lamar Odom. He can do great things, qhen he wants. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Jorge Delgado | April 22, 2006 at 10:35 PM
I think that Devean George can play a big part in this series if PJ uses him to guard Nash at times. Nash is more clever than quick and I think that Devean has the foot speed and quickness to stick with Stevie. His size will give Nash a problem. Sasha can help in much the same way. Whoever guards "the reigning MVP" has got to be physical with him. This series is going to come down to defense. Kobe has got to lead his teammates on the defensive side of the court as well. He has got to show Mr. Bell that he (Kobe) is a bona fide defensive player in addition to being unguardable. I look for this series to go six games with the Lakers winning. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Suns win the first game, but after that look for the Lakers to make the necessary adjustments and take over.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 22, 2006 at 10:38 PM
I think Smush Parker needs to get involved in the offense early because if he doesn't, he would have an even tougher time guarding Nash. If Parker can get into a rhythm, it will make Nash guard him a little more. But regardless, it's important to get everyone involved early, especially Kwame and Lamar.
Some of our players have a tendency to drift out of the game when they can't make a few shots, so it's important to have Kobe passing more than he does scoring in the first quarter. It seems from looking at regular season games that whenever Kobe records around 8-12 assists (which does not happen too often), the Lakers win.
I really like what Hubie Brown says in his broadcast, (just to paraphrase) when the team executes and plays well in a system, basketball becomes an easy game to play. And if the Lakers can execute and plays solid transitional defense, they can beat the Suns.
I believe Devean George will be a factor coming down the stretch when Kobe has to take a rest. He knows the offense and is not afraid to take big shots. Another X factor could be staying healthy for the Lakers, not to let one particular play bring about injuries.
Control the pace (not necessarily slowing it down too much), stay close to the three point shooters, and the Lakers will come out with a win.
We'll be all watching closely... It's time to make a statement.
Posted by: JJ | April 22, 2006 at 10:56 PM
The Lakers will win more games and reach another level when Kobe gives up the ball to a wide open teammate in the 4th quarter than deciding to go against double-triple teams.
---
like a few weeks ago when he dished to Odom (miss) at the end of the game and then Luke Walton (miss) at the end of overtime?
Thanks for comin' out.
Posted by: mike (canada) | April 22, 2006 at 10:57 PM
I so excited about tomorrow! I have faith. Lamar and Kwame need to continue what they've done the past month. Sasha needs to annoy Nash, and make whatever shots he gets. Everyone needs to play defense.
I'd love to say Lakers in 4 or 5, but I'll take 6 or 7 also. MT, I hope you're right about 4-0. That would be absolutely amazing. You've been right about other things (i.e., Kwame), so I trust your judgment.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JF | April 22, 2006 at 11:03 PM
I think the x-factor...(unfortunately) will be Smush...I think lately, you can see what LO will give you, Phoenix has seen what Kwame can do...but Smush in most cases hasn't really shown the player he is offensively and defensively. I'm not saying he's going to be the new scoring Kobe...or the Kwam as a defender...I'm saying he's an x-factor in that if he does his job adequately be it okay defense on Nash or 6 points (open made 3s after drive and give...or exploding) it's going to make a difference, it's all the more that Phoenix has to pay attention to on the offensive end. Plus if he does his job, then he could very well tire out Nash, or at least piss him off to the point where Nash would be out of the game (mentally).
Lakers in 6. ;-)
This is totally unrelated also but with Kobe's scoring explosions...it just seems to me that it's no longer impossible to score 61 in the playoffs...I think he will...and it'll come in a win (most likely ;-)
Posted by: Faith | April 22, 2006 at 11:08 PM
AK, you were asking for the X factor, right? Well, for the Lakers to win or at least competitive, the first team has to lead the pace while slowing down the tempo of the game, that's given. I will choose "the bench" as the X-factor when either LO & Kobe is not playing or Kwame gets into foul trouble, George, Mihm, Sasha and Cookie (including JJ and Mckie) have to pick up the slacks and keep the Lakers competitive. Mike was right, Kwame will get his share but not the go-to-man, it should be Kobe, Lamar and if I may add Mihm (hopefully, he's well enough to execute those turn around pivot shots.) Based on percentage of accuracy these are the best Lakers shooters inside. Kwame could be used as decoy cuz' his big body could box-out two Suns players. Now if the bench could not contribute, it'd be a long day in chasing the Suns.
The local Phoenix radio sportstalk announcers are predicting a short series 4-0 or 4-1 because of speedy Steve Nash and jumping jack Shawn Marion. Let's see....
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2006 at 11:12 PM
Let your prayers be heard in Game 1.
Chances of us winning game 1
35 percent.
Posted by: Keven | April 22, 2006 at 11:20 PM
I'm winning all my regular season losses back on this series -- the savings, the house, (my daughter's pony). Maybe the Lakers shouldn't be favorites but anyvbody who thinks the Suns are 3 times more likely to win this series than the Lakers, well they are just nuts.
Lakers just have to stay with their men when the Suns are whipping the ball around in the half court set offense. Then on offense they have to take so many short high percentage shots that the Suns get a minimum number of rebound-fast-break points.
Kwame will need to move that larger butt of his down the court fast in transition situations and when he gets tired then Chris Mihm will have to come in and move his smaller butt down the court just as fast.
Posted by: Guity | April 22, 2006 at 11:21 PM
I think Kwame dominating downlow will be something that will help beat this suns team, mainly because if we work from the inside out it will definitely open up our perimeter game. more attempts for kwame would be good and it would mean less chances for long rebounds which would lead to fastbreaks.
one thought thats kind of off-topic. im not sure if this type of zone defense is allowed because i havent seen it in any of the games i've watched yet, why dont we try a 3-2 zone against this team, since they do have 3 pt. shooters and they're weak down low anyway. just a thought
Posted by: basketballfan8 | April 22, 2006 at 11:39 PM
Kwame needs to step up the most
Posted by: griOt | April 23, 2006 at 12:36 AM
good luck lakers. you can DEW it!!!!
Posted by: griOt | April 23, 2006 at 12:37 AM
KwameKwameKwame... even though all the lakers will be going inside, he should have a fairly easy time. Look at last sunday's game, he was 3/10, basically off of missed layups and putbacks. You could see he wasnt looking as frisky as he did the game before or the game after vs N.O. Kwame should have a layup -- a dunk drill going on in the paint.
Posted by: Mike | April 23, 2006 at 12:50 AM
LAKERS BLOW SUNS OUT ON SUNDAY! NASH IS GOOD, BUT HE IS SURELY NOT ELITE. THE SUNS WILL BE PUMMLED.
Posted by: CASEY | April 23, 2006 at 01:16 AM
We need Von Wafer big time.
Oh, you were being serious.
It's like people said earlier in the season, Odom needs to step it up. He can do the most for the team to help them win.
His extra core strength training has helped his finishes from short range tremendously. He's the mismatch upon which we really need to capitalize.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 23, 2006 at 01:42 AM
Keven,
Come on man, where's your faith?!
I think Lakers in 6 or 7. I see the Lake show winning one of the first two, then the two home games, then eventually winning, but I think it might take 7 games.
Posted by: Benjamin | April 23, 2006 at 01:49 AM
My X-Factors are Aaron Mckie and Jim Jackson.
Posted by: Jim | April 23, 2006 at 02:26 AM
Wow! The optimism is really flowing here. And that's a good thing. I, on the other hand, do not believe we'll take this one. C'mon, we have a looong way to go still and this'll be a good experience for the kids and maybe we'll make some noise next year.
Phoenix - LA: 4-1 (damn that hurts...)
But on a more posistve note, you might remember I predicted a monster game from Kobe in the playoffs. I'm sticking by that, so at least we'll have some entertainment...
Sam "X-files" Cassell next year? Hmmm, intriguing thought. Probably won't happen, but it would be nice with a solid guard with playoff experience.
GO LAKERS - make me eat my crap oozing words!!!
Posted by: Andy L. | April 23, 2006 at 05:21 AM
Assuming that Kobe will play great, Lamar is the key. He needs to be aggressive offensively; he is the only other Laker who can consistently (when he wants to) create his own shots. That will create opportunities for everybody else. And those people (Brown, Parker, Cook, Walton, Mihm, George) NEED to hit the open shots they get.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 23, 2006 at 06:30 AM
I think the real X-factor is LO. He is going to have to score points, and try to shut down Shawn Marion. I think the best way for him to stop Marion is on the offensive end. If he plays in the post a lot he has a weight/height advantage over Marion, which means Marion would have to work harder on defense and wouldn't have the energy he needs on offense. And if we're lucky this same strategy will get him in foul trouble, and take him out of the game completely.
Posted by: Weave-Man | April 23, 2006 at 07:28 AM
Smush needs to step up the most. On defense.
Posted by: Lil P P | April 23, 2006 at 08:12 AM
If the question is, "Who has to kick it into overdrive in order to win?"; absolutely, positivlely with out a doubt it has to be Smush.
If Smush plays 'out of his gourd' defensively and offensively, I think it will make the game (and series) much more winnable. Everyone else still has to play their collectve A game, that's for sure. However, if Smush can slow down Nash and punish him offensively, it will make things easier for everyone else.
Somehow I think Kwame will get his, and it is strange to feel that sort of confidence for him. Where I see a big opportunity for an "X-factor" is in the play of Luke (I agree with who-ever mentioned this above). If
Posted by: Coopers Socks | April 23, 2006 at 08:14 AM
Welcome to the Lakers Driving School hosted by your friendly neighborhood Suns. Today you will learn how to drive around in rhe paint.
Watch highlights as Smush posts up nash on his way for a dunk
Learn how to get Nash into foul trouble, Sasha on a post-up? Pick 'n Roll to put Nash on Kobe
And of course watch the entire Laker squad drive to the lane for either a lay-up or kick-out.
Learn how to shoot open threes when nobody is covering you because they are triple-teaming Kobe.
Laker will steal this first game and be the first visiting team this weekend to win a game.
Posted by: Brandon | April 23, 2006 at 08:30 AM
As much as a laker fan that i am, people are talking a lot of nonsense and living in general cloud 9. Yes we have the ability to beat the suns. No one can question that. But come on guys stop talking like the Suns are Portland in purple...the white boy with long hair is most likely going to be the first back to back guard MVP since MJ and they have a slightly dominating force in the Matrix. In my view this is not about if the Lakers can step it up to beat the Suns, its if the Suns brick the 3s and tire themselves out by game 3. If Phoenix play like they have all season...it really doesnt matter what game Kobe Lamar or Kwam brings to the court. The higher you get the harder you fall. And no Mike we really are not going to sweep the Suns.
But dont get it twisted...Lakers for life.
Posted by: 8UK | April 23, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Hey 8UK,
I know you want the Lakers to win but you're drown by the optimism from all these blogs. It's all anxieties with frenzied optimism to succeed against all odds. Sometimes when a boxer is proven weak and a rookie, it's all heart and the will to win that counts. If it can cure cancer why not win a basketball game? Forgive all the hyperbole, cliches and super excitement for the day.
We're all on a Laker Fever!!!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 23, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Hopefully Sasha can come in and annoy the hell out of Nash. BUT Sasha must not shoot 3s like he loves to do! None of the Lakers should get too 3 happy.
Kwame please have good hands today!
Posted by: nyla | April 23, 2006 at 09:25 AM
Personally, I think the key player might be Ronny Turiaf. Everyone is talking about Kwame, but in the past he has had the most trouble with smaller, quicker rebounders. The Lakers will need multiple rebounders to control the boards.
Also, I don't like what I am reading about how to guard Nash. When Smush says he wants to body him, I just cringe. Nash is from the Sam Cassell school, and will flop everytime he is touched - and most importantly, the refs will call it. I think the way to play him, is to back off him a bit, keeping between him and the basket - but be ready to close out on him if he decides to shoot.
Posted by: Roger B | April 23, 2006 at 09:31 AM
I like the fact that the BLoG has mentioned almost every player on the team. Phil's done a good job of getting guys minutes and according to the blog, anyone of them could step up and do something today. I like it. It could happen.
I think Phil is going to spring JJ and McKie on them ab it more. Vets are going to get minutes unless the kids are playing large. Nash has to guard somebody and that might be McKie in more minutes than Phoenix has seen him. I love plot twists and that would be a good one.
It's about the 4th quarter today. If we win it, I think we win the series. Free flowing shots stop dropping in crunch time and it doesn't get more crunch than now. Goo Lake Show
Posted by: Vman | April 23, 2006 at 10:05 AM