Knotted up
The playoffs are supposed to be a grind, a titanic struggle filled with dramatic highs and lows, and plenty of tension. For six games, the Lakers didn't really have that. Fair to say now, after Utah beat them 123-115 in overtime on Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City to knot their W.C. semifinal series at two games apiece, that the playoffs have officially arrived. We've got drama (a big comeback late in the fourth followed by a flat OT), concern (Kobe Bryant tweaked his back in the first quarter, and played in obvious pain throughout), and a touch of controversy (did Kobe abandon his teammates as Utah took control in the OT, or was it the other way around?). The Lakers played from behind most of the day on Sunday, both on the scoreboard and from a personnel standpoint, once Ronny Turiaf was lost after a very shaky flagrant two call on a hard foul he delivered to Utah's Ronny Price.
Turiaf's ejection helped contribute to what was a big advantage in bench production for the Jazz, which contributed to the hole LA found themselves in. Only a big push in the last 4:21 of the fourth, when they erased a 12-point Utah lead, got them into the extra frame, but then things unraveled on both ends for the Lakers.
Kobe took seven shots in the extra frame and made one, prompting some to question whether the ball was moving enough. Phil Jackson said the supporting cast was too deferential. The supporting cast
didn't seem to agree. Perhaps the Lakers were simply outplayed by what was, at least for those five minutes, a better team? Either way, the box says Kobe finished with a gritty 33/8/10, supported by a monster game from Lamar Odom (26/13, with three blocks), and good work from Fish and Gasol.
We'll all learn more lessons on Wednesday night, when the series returns to L.A. Kobe says he'll play, which assuming he can make it happen (you gonna bet against it?) would be one monumental bright spot for the Lakers. Unfortunately for them, Deron Williams seems to be back on track for the Jazz. The turnaround that started in the second half of Game 2 continued yesterday, when he blew up for 29/14, and showed he is truly an elite PG (really, was anyone still questioning that?). Derek Fisher did what he could against him and at times even gave Williams trouble, but he's a tough cover on the best day, and with Fish again saddled with foul trouble the Lakers didn't have anything else on the utility belt to defend him.
The focus on Game 5? Back. As in back to L.A., and, more specifically, Kobe's. With the series returning to L.A., it's important to remember that the Lakers still have that home-court advantage, one of a few things still working in their favor. They'll need to return to the dominant inside game, though, if the Lakers want to emerge with the W.
Edwin,
I'm not religious and I'm sure a kind lord would be willing to forgive an occasional slip-up with his name.
I was just trying to be funny and suggest I could see His greater purpose and that He was obviously a Laker fan.
Perhaps I didn't communicate that intent.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 13, 2008 at 02:52 AM
This series is far from over. But we saw what we all saw in game 1 of the Denver series and that's "Kobe being Kobe". I care not to hear the falderal about Kobe getting the Lakers to OT or the fantasy that his teammates "dumped" the loss in his lap in overtime.
This was Kobe being Kobe. Even after 3 or 4 bricks and blocks, the Lakers were only down a bucket and he who accused those of dumping, called a play where Kobe handled the ball out of a time out. Kobe didn't set a screen, or run a cut, he dribbled and dribbled and dribbled and cranked up a shot looking for a whistle.
It is complete nonsense to blame anyone but Kobe for the horrendous overtime in game 4, well except for PJ who could have called plays for the sizzling Fish or LO or Sasha - but let's all defend Mr. 1st Team All Defense and move on to Wednesday where we are primed for a quick 12 point deficit and the uphill struggle this series has become after two blown steals in Utah.
M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P ! ! !
Posted by: diesel_100 | May 13, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Laker Fans Be Scared!....This Jazz team just won 2 games. They know now they can beat the Lakers and have alot of confidence going into game 5. I'm am very nervous ! Kobe is injured and our confidence shaken. This is the same Jazz team that won a game 7 in Houston last year. And they have'nt been playing to the top of their game yet and they still got 2 on us.....We'll see how the Lakes respond......The pressure is on the Lakers! If Jazz bench gets going ,we are in trouble!
Posted by: Flex | May 13, 2008 at 02:29 PM