Lakers 121, Pacers 119: Curiouser and curiouser
January 10, 2009 | 12:26
am
To read more about this trip down the basketball rabbit hole, click below for the breakdown.
Three Good:
- Kobe Bryant: He only made three shots in the fourth quarter... but man, did they matter. There was a step back jumper from 20' with a 1:10 to go, giving the Lakers a three point lead. Then there was the dagger- a turnaround J over a somewhat helpless Jarrett Jack (Really, is there ANY reason Jim O'Brien didn't send a little help?) with three ticks to go, putting LA up for good. In between, Kobe also managed to hit three free throws. All told, over the last three minutes Kobe accounted for all but one of LA's points, and over the first three quarters, Bryant was outstanding. Entering the final frame, Kobe had 25 points on an efficient 7-13 from the floor (at one point, he was 6-9), with a season high 13 assists.
The distribution came in all shapes and forms, from a first quarter play when, rather than push up an available shot under the bucket, he kicked it to Vlad Radmanovic in the corner for an open three. Given how poorly Vlad had shot the ball over the last two games coming in, Kobe knew it was important to get him going Friday night. He found the guy who needed the bucket more. Kobe would feed Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on screen and rolls, and find available guys on penetration. With the Lakers down three ball movers, Kobe helped ensure the ball didn't go still, and 17 trips to the line say he stayed aggressive most of the night.
- The Bigs: It wasn't a perfect effort (Andrew Bynum should always have more than five boards in 30+ minutes), and no question the Pacers had some easy buckets, but overall Pau Gasol and Bynum had a positive impact on the game. They combined to shoot 17 for 23 from the floor for 41 points, including seven free throws. Gasol grabbed 11 boards and chipped in four dimes. In the fourth, Bynum split a double on the post and made a great feed to Trevor Ariza cutting hard to the bucket for an easy two. Bynum also worked hard early to get good position on Indy's Roy Hibbert in the early going, and showed variety in his offensive game: Some hooks, a couple nice jumpers from around the free throw line, and (thankfully) a smattering of dunks.
- Josh Powell: After the game, Phil Jackson again made it clear that when everyone is healthy, it'll be hard for Josh Powell to earn a lot of meaningful minutes. There just aren't enough to go around. But right now, guys are hurt, Powell has a chance to contribute, and he's taking advantage. He had 10 points in only 19 minutes, making five of the seven shots he took. Toss in a steal and a couple boards- both on the offensive end- and you get a nice run of contributions. As AK said to me earlier in the week when we were talking about him, there isn't a player on the squad who has taken more advantage of whatever opportunities that have come his way than Josh Powell.
BK
One Big Issue:
- Lamar Odom: For those of you looking for an illustration of how LO's absence hurts the team, tonight was a good one. The Lakers struggled mightily to defend Indiana's offensive combinations, especially their variety of screen and rolls. Odom may not be perfect, but he remains an underrated cog in the Lakers' defensive machine, and his combination of length and mobility is well suited to defend teams that use a lot of motion around the floor. Toss in his rebounding ability, and it's clear the Lakers lose a lot when he's out, even if Odom doesn't give fans what they want every night when he's in.
Big picture, the Lakers are going to struggle defensively while Odom is out, especially when you add in the absence of Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton. Yes, the latter are hardly outstanding individual defenders, but a huge part of team defense comes with precision built out of continuity. The Lakers are currently forced to use combinations defensively that haven't had time to coalesce, meaning breakdowns are inevitable no matter how hard guys play. For the time being, there are no simply "bad wins," or teams the Lakers should walk over, even a 13 win Indiana team playing without TJ Ford and Marquis Daniels. And certainly not over the next five games against Miami, Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, and Cleveland.
BK
Three Bad
- Sasha Vujacic: We'll start with the positives. He avoided getting another technical, whining after calls and the general nonsense BK and I spoke about during yesterday's podkast (Maybe hearing Phil Jackson describe him as a guy without a brain who "plays by the seat of his pants" before the game put The Face on his best behavior.) Unfortunately, the decreased demonstrativeness didn't translate into better across the board decisions. It wasn't so much that he went 3-12 from the field that I didn't like- but lest there be any confusion, I was in no way fond of that- but the way many of those misses came about. Sasha spent much of the night rushing shots, putting up the ball early in possessions without a big or two around for a rebound (much less not looking in said bigs' direction to move the ball inside and help create a better outside look). It's been abundantly clear since his rookie season that Sasha is often at his worst when playing at his most frantic. Machine must learn appreciation for time taking before eventual launch from far line.
- Defense: As one might suspect in a game where Indiana scored 15 points above their average and racked a 77% field goal success in the first quarter, this game didn't spotlight the Lakers at their finest when it comes to the whole "lock down" thing. But at least they offered sieve protection in a cornucopia of ways. Forgetting to guard the downtown stripe (Put it this way. A 1-8 third quarter from three took Indiana's overall percentage down to 36%). Letting various Pacers run back door plays like they were performing a basketball tribute to the Doors. Far too many Lakers taken off the dribble on a drive to the basket. It all came to an ugly head when Mike Dunleavy hit a game-tying three late in the fourth after a miscommunication between Vujacic and Vlad Radmanovic (In a nutshell, Vlad picked the wrong time to propose a switch). Thankfully, Kobe had a little somethin' somethin' left in him to put the purple and gold back on top for good. But that disastrous sequence more or less summed up the futility experienced by the Lakers while preventing Indiana points.
- Indiana's final possession: Jeff Foster gets the inbound,
does a couple of circles, then puts up a jumper about three feet short
of the rim. Had I have taken Foster's place, the only difference would
have been everyone expecting a blogger with zero NBA experience (and a
jumper that makes Charles Barkey's golf swing look smooth) to look completely frozen and lost. Otherwise, same result. Even as a Laker fan hoping for a
miss, that's painful to watch.
An odd note to wrap up an odd game: It's one thing keep Jamaal Tinsley away from the team while Pacers brass shops him. If he's that bad an influence, so be it. But the dude isn't even listed in their media guide. All lunacy and exile aside, I'm almost positive that Stephon Marbury is still in the Knicks' media guide. Darius Miles was in Portland's guide last year. It's literally like Tinsley doesn't even exist, even though he's actually on the Pacers. Believe me when I say, even with the most estranged of players and teams, this isn't something you see every day.
AUDIO
- Pau Gasol:Download pau_gasol_1.9.09.mp3
- Vlad Radmanovic: Download vlad_radmanovic_1.9.09.mp3
- Josh Powell:Download josh_powell_1.9.09.mp3
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_1.9.09.mp3
AK
" DEFENSE AND FLYING ELBOWS WIN CHAMPIONSHIP'S " THIS LAKER'S TEAM HAS NEITHER ! ! !
Posted by: KARL MALONE | January 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Jon K,
Darius Miles is signing another 10-Day contract with the Griz. To the best of my understanding, the Lakers don't have any imminent plans to bring someone else in. I think they're waiting to see how quickly it appears that LO will get back on the court. I saw him briefly yesterday and he said he was feeling better (although if I had to guess, he's not playing on Sunday).
Along those lines, Luke Walton doesn't appear to be limping anymore (compared to earlier), so maybe he's on a decent timetable as well.
At any rate, I haven't heard of any roster moves on the horizon.
AK
Posted by: kambrothers | January 10, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Jon K.
"he does have skills and intelligence which he brings to the team which make the Lakers better."
I think that should be the singular "Skill". Since it is pretty well established that passing is the ONLY above average skill he has. Running, jumping, shooting, and playing D, are all things he does poorly.
That is what I thought you were talking about, but I wasn't sure. Mainly because you have posted 3 or 4 times in the last week that you think Luke is a valuable player. And already again today. I knew your opinion, and wasn't sure why you were directing it to me again.
But that is cool, I appreciate your thinking of me.
Congratulations on your promotion to "Elite Blogger". lol
Posted by: Eric M. | January 10, 2009 at 11:34 AM
AK/BK,
Do you guys not like Laker girls or something?
Or, perhaps more importantly, do your wife/girlfriend not like Laker girls?
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM
AK,
Thanks. I appreciate the information.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM
now that's funny:
"Did you know they won't deliver your pizza if they hear you yelling like a lunatic at the top of your lungs for some guy to stop going back door all the time? "
that bit of sublime posting comes from our friend Lakerman420--(keep 'em coming bro)
I wonder what his inspiration is? (that's sacasm boy)...
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | January 10, 2009 at 11:40 AM
KARL MALONE,
Ummm... did you ever win a championship?
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 10, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Love Kevin Ding
"For someone whose shot selection has been a hot-button issue for so long, Bryant deserves some credit for what he’s doing now: He’s busting out, yet not one bit out of control."
Kob's the man!
Posted by: Faith | January 10, 2009 at 11:58 AM
AP News Release, Indiana
The Pacers are making serious efforts to corner the market on strange and bizzare looking white guys, hoping to fill their roster with them according to Pacer GM Larry Bird. " I think leadership and inspiration should be set by example and so I employ a hands on approach. As a former NBA poster child for freaky looking white dudes, I feel it's my duty to give as many of them as I can find an opportunity to play for the Pacers." said Bird from his pearch in French Lick.
The Pacers coach agreed, saying other than his Celtic connection, his only qualification for being hired by Bird was "my strange oblong shaped head and augmenting haircut".
Pacer fans can vote for their favorite Pacer player in the annual Fugly Pacer of the Year contest, the winner of which is imortalized in Conseco Field House's wall of shame located on the arena's outhouse walls.
Current vote getting leaders are Mike Dunlevy, Greg Foster and Troy Murphy.
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | January 10, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Well the game last night exposed something for me.
I've been down on the "ich" boys for quite a while but last night reminded me that Vlad is just erratic. At least he's worth playing some minutes on a good night - kudos to him for the steal and the three's.
Sasha on the other hand is just plain awful. He used to be able to make three's which redeemed some of his defensive and passing inadequacies, but even that's gone. Not only is Vlad besting him in 3-ball percentage, but so are Derek, Kobe, and even LAMAR! Why oh WHY are we paying 4 mil to a guy who's at best a 10-minute back up for Kobe. Coby Karl could have done that as well - and he's a better 3-ball shooter to boot. And Sasha at the point? A position that involves setting up teammates? Come on, that's like expecting the fox to guard the henhouse.
Can we ship his overpriced machine ass out (along with Vlad's) and get some money to sign a legit backup point guard and resign Trevor and Lamar who we REALLY need???
Posted by: Jay Jay | January 10, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I definately dont want start a Kobe/Jordan debate as i've had my fair share :) but i have to say that its pretty ridiculous to think that Jordan would score 40 ppg today.
1) If you can't see that Kobe is a superior offensive player then you really shouldn't consider yourself objective. Name one shot and tell me kobe does not have it in his arsenal. (as in above average at it)
2)You can say that Jordan played in the more physical defensive era where they allowed handchecking. And although i agree that defensive schemes are far more sophisticated now especially with zone defenses, that's not the point i would like to make. Jordan was possibly the most protected player in history. Touch him and it was a foul and everyone knew it. Get to close on his fadeway and it was a foul. So while his era allowed more physicality jordan NEVER saw it without the fouls called.
Just try to find more than a few clips of jordan being fouled without it being called.
I'm not afraid to admit that i'm one of the people who feels that in time Kobe will be recognized as the greatest ever. At the very least it will be debatable.
Posted by: EJ | January 10, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Why do I have to explain this too many times??
(Yeah it gets frustrating)
"the triangle worked
because everyone was hitting their outside shots so
Kobe didn't attempt to post up?"
Watch the Pacers game and compare that to the Boston game at Christmas. Were the Lakers so reliant on Kobe as much? Did the team require 13 assists from Kobe? No at Christmas they did not rely on Kobe Bryant to create. Even if they weren't hitting their outside shots ie Sasha after hitting his first few, the triangle offense would have worked since it would have given more opportunities INSIDE the arc. So NO the triangle offense worked because everyone was hitting their shots regardless of inside or outside. The Lakers last night did not use that much of the triangle offense because they relied on Kobe to give them 13 assists and him to set up. It doesn't matter if they are hitting inside shots the offense is meant for EVERYONE regardless if it's outside or inside. Man sometimes I feel you choose to ignore and keep belitte's it's importance.
The Triangle works if everyone is getting assists NOT one person like the Pacers game where Kobe racked up 13 assists.
"You seem to be making the case that the C's defense
worked because the Lakers didn't run the triangle
offense vs. the triangle offense didn't work because
of the C's defense."
Last year most of the playoffs it was more Kobe Bryant being relied on playing his MVP game and getting people involved instead of the whole team getting itself involved. Instead of ball movement, the Celtics made Kobe Bryant create opportunities for his teammates. The Spurs did the same thing but since they only brought single coverage against Kobe (Bowen) Kobe torched them for 50%+ shooting on 4 out of the 5 games of the series. The Celtics did the same strat except they used zone and doubled him more. It's not about people hitting outside shots, it's getting people involved and when that achieved who can be doubled??
Phil Jackson does the same damn thing to Tim Duncan so the strategy is not new. If you get Kobe Bryant involved early in scoring, the Lakers tend to be more reliant on him to be the distributor/scorer. And that's what the Celtics did: force him to be that. When he's trying to post up double team immediately. When he gets close to the paint which he did many times immediately double and force him into shooting over 2 defenders. When the Triangle was playing to the fullest ie the Christmas game, Kobe didn't face as much double teams because he did not accept the invitation to the double teams. Had he played the same way as in the Finals regardless of Bynum (offensively), he would have again faced a multitude of green. But no, everyone got involved in passing, when Kobe scored most time it was in better areas and had single coverage since he did not have to handle the ball and thus let him free to attack.
"If Kobe doesn't have the ball and sets up the
offense, the Lakers couldn't get the triangle working? "
Sorry that was a typo. If Kobe is forced to handle the ball he can not get into the positions that he would like to since he has to initiate the offense and run instead of focusing on the proper cuts and passing. In this case, that's where the personnel makes a difference. When Luke is out there (and Phil has hinted Lamar Odom), they are the strong side guard since they are a good passer and know to run the offense. That leaves Kobe to attack more and work without the ball. If Vlad or Trevor is with that team Kobe is forced to become strong side guard since Kobe is the better passer and runs the offense better than either one. So he cannot get into the best positions, he has to run the offense more from that position and not get into his sweet spots since the wing is the hardest position in the offense. So in this effect, for him to score and get his teammates involved he has to penetrate more and post him and that leaves him right into the the Celtics defense which is strongest against those moves.
Kobe not running the offense so much=easier opportunities for him to score and still be a playmaker.
"At the beginning of the season, Kobe often
didn't score until the second or third quarter. The
triangle offense seemed to be working fine."
At the beginning of the season it was the same thing as it is now: Kobe getting his teammates more involved instead of the triangle getting his teammates involved. To sum it, there is less the triangle in this formation and more Lakers reliant on Kobe. Last year especially when Pau came up the Lakers relied on Kobe's ability to create to win. Phil Jackson earlier this year said "we had a good lineup last year" since it suites Kobe's strengths more. Bynum-Gasol-Walton may not look as good as last year offensively but it does give Kobe a chance to score much more efficiently. Notice that at the beginning of the year Kobe's FG% looked very similar to last year since he had to set up his teammates and at the same times core. Now recently since Luke and LO went down that Kobe has to do the same thing and I'm guessing it might lower his FG%. When both were up and Walton in the starting lineup, Kobe only had one game where he did not shoot over 50%: New Orleans since Kobe did not have to set up the offense as much.
"As I look at all the posts you make, you
argue/disagree with just about everyone."
Nope I've agreed with them as well. Like Long Time Laker Fan, Laker Tom when it comes to the Clippers, Jon K. about Luke, and tons of others. It's when I disagree that I post rebuttles it seems like it. And besides are you suggesting that I should withhold my right to debate?
"Did you actually call Mark
Jackson an IDIOT for something related to basketball? "
When Mark Jackson calls Kobe Bryant/Lebron James/Dwyane Wade as better than Michael Jordan (he did that 2006, 2007, 2008) and thereby disrespecting MJ (none of those guys touch Jordan's territory) then he deserves to be an idiot. Or how him AND Rick Carlisle both compared Dirk Nowtizki to Larry Legend. Or Shaq to Russell. Sure Shaq is one of the top 10 players of all time but he did not have the same success as Russell when it comes to 11 rings. Or Manu Ginobili to Elden Campbell. Unlike you Hobbit who believes 100% what they say I don't go around and gobble that garbage that Dirk Nowitzki is in the same grounds as Larry Legend. Bird in his prime before his back injury would have served Dirk to Mark Jackson on a silver platter.
Nothing against Mark Jackson the man and player of course.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | January 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM
it is funny how some complain of rebounding by Bynum in this game, Pacers shot very well in the first 3 quarters and generally didn't cool off till last quarter, if they don't miss there ain't rebounds to grab and he wasn't in the fourth quarter
Posted by: Haha | January 10, 2009 at 02:34 PM
man i feel like lebron james has the refs david stern and the whole nba
on his side and if lakers meat them in the finals the refs will give the edge
to lebron n the cavs becuase they want him to beat kobe and get his first
championship. Even of kobe out beats him for the mvp they will give it to lebron.
I hope the lakers are playing there best through out the whole playoffs and for
sure in the finals specialy verse the cavs more than the cavs becuase right now
the nba is on lebrons nuts!! you can beat a team but u cant beat the refs
Posted by: omega | January 10, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I really don't understand this sport writer. When Lakers won over the Celtics last Dec, they say you cannot judge the Lakers as the best team because they won on their home ground and is expected of them. They have to win in Boston before they can be consider as the best. In the case of the Cavs, after their win over Celtics (1-1), they are now the Top Team and the best. In fact, they have not won in Boston this season.
Posted by: Butchiky | January 10, 2009 at 09:57 PM