Final thoughts, and a blog swap
UPDATE: Jerry Sloan confirms that Mehmet Okur won't play today, and isn't sure when he will. CJ Miles went through the pregame shoot, and talking to him in the locker room, he says he'll play. No surprise, since Miles practiced Saturday. The Lakers medical staff was testing Jordan Farmar's foot, and during his pregame confab Phil Jackson said he hadn't determined yet if Farmar will play. I suspect he will, but might be limited. As you were.
The Playoffs. Theeeey're heeeeeeeeere.
I think by now we all know the drill for this series by now. The Lakers are simply too long for Utah. Carlos Boozer, who found himself matched up against both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in Tuesday's win for LA, can't guard either one. Dude blocked .2 shots a night this year, and isn't going to improve that figure against a pair of seven footers. Kobe (Bryant) can be effective in the high post and below. Lamar Odom is a tough cover for the Jazz and was very strong against a better Utah squad in last year's incarnation of this series. Assuming the Lakers don't get lazy and jumper happy, they'll be fine. They're the better team, on both ends of the floor.
Still, to have three home teams (Boston, San Antonio, Portland) lose Saturday is a nice reminder that even the best teams have to show up and play. The Jazz may be disappointing, but they don't suck and won't lay down.
For a few final thoughts, just as we did last year with team bloggers around the Interweb, I got a little information from John over at SLC Dunk. To read my response to him (with a Lakers-centric POV- don't worry, no state secrets were revealed), click here:
- Jump on them early - The biggest advantage here is that the Jazz don't have the defense needed to make a sustained run if they get behind. Their offense is good enough to make a couple of semi-runs, but they lack the defense needed to make the big stop. As a result, they can often narrow the gap on a big deficit, but they can't get over the hump.
- Make the Jazz take jumpers outside of their offense - Utah's offense is based on off the ball movement and backdoor picks designed to get layups or shots close to the basket. That has been Sloan's philosophy forever. When they're forced to take jumpers that aren't in the flow of the offense, they get into trouble.
- Take it to them inside - This applies on both ends of the ball. The Jazz have no defensive presence inside. Against a team like the Lakers with Gasol, Bynum, and Oden, it becomes even more apparent. Andrei Kirilenko is great on help defense, but other than that you won't find much resistance. This will result in either an easy bucket or a foul. On the offensive side, Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap are bothered by longer players. The Jazz also get a lot of points on put-backs and offensive boards. Bigger players will be able to neutralize that.
- Let them hang around - Though they haven't shown it recently, when things were going well for the Jazz, they closed out games when they were ahead late and made comebacks late when they were down. The last thing the Lakers want is for the Jazz to gain some confidence and know that they can play with them.
- Let them get comfortable in the offense - When the offense is
clicking, there's not much that can be done to stop it. You'll know if the Jazz
are getting their way if they're getting a lot of layups and put-backs and
getting shots in rhythm. You have to knock them of their routes and fight
through picks. If Deron Williams is able to drive on his defender, he's going
to finish, get to the line, or find the open man most of the time. If Deron is
able to do what he wants, it makes the team very hard to stop.
- Turn the ball over - The Jazz are 34-15 when their opponent has at least 15 turnovers. In addition to getting another offensive possession, where the Jazz are very efficient, it usually leads to a fast break when Deron Williams is at his best in finishing or creating an easy bucket for someone else. He has some very capable finishers in Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, and Carlos Boozer. And like you mentioned, the fast break takes away any size advantage the Lakers have.
Thanks again to John for the insight.
Finally, for those of you looking for a theme song, this could be a good one.
We'll be live blogging (of course) from Staples tomorrow, so everyone should plan on stopping by. Finally, finally, finally the freakin' playoffs are here.
BK
woooooooo!
Posted by: never | April 19, 2009 at 01:53 AM
Go Lakers....Lakers Time
Posted by: Argos | April 19, 2009 at 01:57 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
BONJOUR GUYS,
We count on our team to show the love, the strenght and the will to bring our goal which is the championship on June.
There is no lesser team in the playoff, therefore we want our Lakers plays his A+ game for each serie.
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS= OUR PASS FOR JUNE'S PARADE.
May God, the Spirits and the Angels illuminent our Team and allow us to bring the positive energy to the players and our Coaches' Staff. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Mucho amor para todos
Shekobe Forever
Posted by: SHEKOBE | April 19, 2009 at 06:13 AM
FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
BREAK A LEG, GUYS
GAME 1= WIN
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | April 19, 2009 at 06:15 AM
I really feel like the Lakers will take the Championships this year. I didn't feel that way last year. If Houston can take out Portland, if Boston loses, and if Orlando can take out Cleveland, there's no other team that can seriously threaten a healthy and focused Laker team.
This is it...
Posted by: troy | April 19, 2009 at 07:01 AM
just hope the lakers keep out of foul trouble... specially AB fish. agree to all your points. think the lakers might take this in 5 maybe 6 if they're kind lol
Posted by: justin | April 19, 2009 at 07:08 AM
I know it is game day and everybody already commented about the Saturday games. But my head is spinning from watching all 4 games yesterday. (Ok, maybe it was the margaritas.) Thank god for DVRs & fast-forward.
I just became a Bulls fan for this series. That overtime win in the "gahden" was SWEET! Also loved Doc Rivers' outburst "I don't want to answer questions about why KG was not on the bench" Blah, Blah, Blah. And that old crotch massager Ran Allen was 1 for 12 - DEEE-LICIOUS.
Then there's those "scary-good" Blazers. To paraphrase the old saying. . . I guess the Blazers are Brandon Roy and a bunch of suck.
Somebody tell those losers that you hold the parades/rallys after you win.
Lastly, am I the only one who thought that Portland "Rip City" thing referred to the, ahem, flatulence problem in the "Rose Garden" from all those rabid Blazer fans?
Anyway, Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: olf | April 19, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Good morning World. Here come the Lakers! This is our time, this is our year.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 19, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Hey it's finally here! The Lakers run for the title 2009. Last year was fun, a bit of a surprise. This year is serious business, and it started when that ugly last game ended in Boston.
It will come down to defense. The nLakers have so many offensive weapons, they are so rich in floor skills, and they run an offense which is so flexible that teams really just have to pick their poison in defending it.
Defense is where this team could get into trouble. Utah and Deron Williams is a good place to start. Time to play tough D, and to play position D, taking away the lane and preventing him from getting his teammates going. Gambling on D (this means you Kobe and Trevor) gets you in trouble against a disciplined team like this. But good solid D can create turnovers, runouts, etc.
I hope Drew is in good enough game shape/mindset to play the pick and roll, that will be key.
No Okur will make this easier, he won't be dragging Pau or Drew outside.
Also let's see an inside out offense - go to Pau and Drew and establish dominance down low, and let the perimeter game come off that.
And - let's get the bench running again. That is how they played when they were the best bench in the NBA, and it is the asnwer to Farmar's woes. Let's get Drew recounding and tossing those outlets to get Jordan and Lamar and Sasha out on the break. And Lamar grabbibg boards and going end to end.
It the Lakers do these things they can sweeeeep this Jazz team. The only way the Jazz stay with the Lakers is if the Lakers don't play D right, and are selfish and impatient on offense.
This is the Lakers series and they should just come out and take it.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | April 19, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Hold the fort.. Lakers.
STEP ON THE NECK AND..STOMP!
TAKE NO PRISONERS!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: ChicNstu | April 19, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Here... we... go.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 19, 2009 at 08:29 AM
All right, it's Playoff time!!!
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: lakersMR | April 19, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Turnovers and free throws are the key to winning this thing.
GO LAKE SHOW!!
LIGHTS OUT!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 19, 2009 at 08:36 AM
C'mon, aint nobody touching our Lakers this year. The Celtics had emotion somehow on their side last year but our guys are just too tough this time around. If Kobe wants to take over the game he will. As long as the others are playing good ball , he won't have to. It's nice to know we can always resort to Kobeball if we need it. Go Lakers!!!
The GH-4 Effect
Posted by: Scott Snyder | April 19, 2009 at 08:40 AM
" THE MAILMAN ALWAYS DELIVERS ON SUNDAY "
Posted by: KARL MALONE | April 19, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Sunday whites for a Game 1? Couldn't ask for anything better.
Time to get it firing on all cylinders.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 19, 2009 at 08:48 AM
On another note...
"Too hurt to play and too frustrated to watch, Garnett took refuge in the locker room after the first half while his teammates rallied from an 11-point deficit. "
NOW WHO WOULD DO THAT...????????
Just goes to show you that he only supports his team when they're winning.
How would that make the Laker team feel if Kobe was sitting out and decided to go watch the game in the locker room.
Garnett... YOU'RE AN ASS!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 19, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Game Day, whoo! Prediction: Lakers 106 Jazz 91
Go Lakers!
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | April 19, 2009 at 09:01 AM
its midnight here across the globe, the game will be 3am here and im not planning to miss it.
Go Lakers!
Bring the championship back to LA!
Posted by: maeve08 | April 19, 2009 at 09:07 AM
ok...ok....i have a message for the supposedly super scary Trailblazers...u know the Trailblazers that had Hollinger predicting them a 40%+ favor to win a championship...u know the Trailblazers that LA should be watching out for....well my message is this...
WELCOME TO THE PLAYOFFS
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
P.s.
tell your coach BSPN will not win your games for you....just cause you beat LA at home on the back end of a back to back and long road trip doesn't grant you success in said playoffs. Get blown out by 25+ plus point at home 24hrs after a city wide celebration does not a champion make.
P.s.s.
Try envisioning all the Rocket players with Laker jerseys on that may help
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 19, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Garnett was being disruptive during the timeouts [trying to be a coach] So he was sent to a corner in the locker room for the remainder of the game for disciplinary purposes.
Garnett was very emotional, he was about to lose control.
I think he was in tears.
Posted by: ChicNstu | April 19, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Good morning all!!! Laker day is here. As long as we execute the way we should we should be fine.
Hey everyone, what would be a good phrase or nickname for our "big three"? Cactus Berry asked this in one of his earlier posts and wanted to find a different moniker other than the "big three". Can't wait to see what fans come up with. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Nemaia
"THE TRIFECTA"
Posted by: ChicNstu | April 19, 2009 at 09:28 AM
THE THREE AMIGOS...???
Posted by: keifo | April 19, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Lao Tzu said: A Journey to a Thousand Miles starts with a Single Step.
It means one step at a time, one problem at a time.
The journey to O’Brien trophy starts today with Utah Jazz, it is our first small step leading to the parade. No more self-doubt, no more if’s but when are we going to finish the journey? At the same time, no more cockiness with all kinds of rosy predictions and scenarios, let’s just do it. These are the Lakers fans that stuck with the team in times of distress and anger from the 2004 meltdown that broke the triangular pact of PJ, Shaq and Kobe. These are the Laker fans that absorbed the frustrations in inclusion of the undeserving from a Coach who quit at the midstream, from the players who did not understand the Laker standards, from the fans who are proud to play in the playoffs, still the loyal and true fans stuck with this team through thick and thin with patience and resolve that someday we will overcome our inadequacies. We are the much maligned team when Kobe ranted once summer which followed his miraculous showmanship in getting his coveted MVP with just fingers functioning. In the last Finals we are the laughing stock and to this very day, leprechauns’ come and post in this blog remind us of the 39 points deficit on the last game in June. In fact, one of them used it as his nom de guerre in this blog. We can’t stand that insult anymore reminding again and again of that debacle, writers intrigued the Laker nation that we will never win it if we can’t do it this year and yet, they love to write about the Lakers. ABC and David Stearns put the Lakers in the centerfold of their NBA Playoffs coverage on a Sunday high noon in the Pacific because without the Lakers, the NBA is boring! We are the real deal. The Laker fans’ passion is the lifeblood thats insurmountable. We pay the price beyond reproach in the midst of recession just to patronize our Laker basketball.
This is it, please no more mercy, no more charity, this is our time.
Therefore, I summon all bloggers who are wary, unwielding with self doubt to start believing. If your name is called in the Mamba24 roll call, you cannot be a fence sitter, you are identified as a Laker fan. You are in this journey on to the O’Brien trophy. We will not accept any other kind of concessions except the parade. No satisfaction, no peace in our hearts without the Championship in LA
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 19, 2009 at 09:38 AM
How the Jazz can win in four.
Game 1: The Lakers carry a 37 point lead into the fourth quarter. Kobe, Pau and Lamar are on the bench with ice packs on their knees when J Farmar enters the game. He immediately begins driving to the hoop with reckless abandon or jacking up threes on his way to a 1 for 21 shooting night. Jordan refuses to leave the court when Brown is sent in as a substitute. A flummoxed Jackson simply shrugs and decides to let the team play through it. Incensed, Vujacic begins hounding Jordan with full court pressure. The tension escalates between the two and in what will be the first of many firsts this series both players foul out while guarding their own teammate. D-Will hits a desperation three pointer as time expires and the Jazz win by one.
Game 2: Furious at his teammates, Kobe decides to take over the game from the outset, often taking wild off-balance shots while quadruple-covered, at other times hoisting three point attempts before crossing half court. He shoots 7 for 57 with 21 turnovers. 11 of the turnovers are the result of Kobe trying to inbound the ball to himself. Jazz win by 21. After the game, Jackson says, “I felt Kobe’s shot selection could have been a little bit better and he could have been a little more patient.”
Game 3: In a master stroke of zen by Phil Jackson, he has the team participate in a campfire sing along on their day off. Harmony restored, the Lakers take the floor with more love and positive energy than ever before. Sadly, it is all for naught as the refs have other ideas. Saddled with foul trouble right from the start, all five starters and LO average only seven minutes on the court. In another first, Sasha Vujacic is issued a personal foul while sitting on the bench. As the ref explained, “I didn’t like the way he was looking at Deron.” DJ Mbenga also registers a first, being issued a personal foul simply for entering the game. Despite a valiant effort from Brown, Ammo, Powell and the rest, the Lakers are unable to overcome the 59 to 3 free throw disparity and lose by 9.
Game 4: A freak snowstorm proves too tempting. Accompanied by former teammate V- Rad, Kobe, Pau, LO, Trevor, Josh and Sasha all head for the ski slopes and are injured simultaneously in a ski lift accident. Having received a very stern lecture from the Commissioner about the value of a Kobe/LeBron finals the officials are determined to right the wrongs of the previous game. In another first, the league allows the Lakers to adjust their playoff roster. Sun Yue, Coby Karl and Chris Mihm are added. In addition, Rambis and Shaw also suit up and contribute some solid minutes. In keeping with their mission, the refs issue Boozer three personal fouls simultaneously as he sets up for position at the tip off. D – Will is issued an offensive foul for intent to charge while dribbling at the top of the key. AK 47 is assessed fouls on two different occasions because of his hair. Unfortunately, it is not enough. Ammo’s buzzer beating three pointer rims out and the Lakers scrubs lose to the Utah bench by two – 48 to 46.
Posted by: VoR | April 19, 2009 at 09:46 AM
WTF? The game will start at at around 4am here in the Philippines. Cry cry cry T_T
Posted by: grail | April 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM
20 point blowout...
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I had a bad nightmare that Kobe got a weird calve injury during the playoffs and it ruined the Lakers chances..Im so glad I woke up to realize it wasnt real.LOL
Kobe is durable, he shouldn't get hurt!
Lakers have no excuses..Time to win!
Posted by: zen | April 19, 2009 at 10:04 AM
GO LAKERS!
Victory 1 of 16 today!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | April 19, 2009 at 10:04 AM
How about our, "Really, Really, Really Big 3" ?
Posted by: Laker Larry | April 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM
We need to keep an eye on Sasha today. If PJ's theory about him being an 11: o'clock shooter is correct, he could have a huge day.
Go Sasha!
Posted by: Laker Larry | April 19, 2009 at 10:08 AM
For our Big Three I like "The Six Cajones."
Posted by: SBPimp | April 19, 2009 at 10:17 AM
VoR,
"D – Will is issued an offensive foul for intent to charge while dribbling at the top of the key."
Now that, my friend, was the best of a very, very, funy post. Great job!
Posted by: Laker Larry | April 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM
MY LAKERS PLAYOFF WISH LIST…
* KOBE BRYANT – I would love to see Kobe reprise his role and play from the Olympics, focusing on defense and accepting the challenge to guard the other team’s best player. He’s the only Laker player with the size, strength, and quickness to guard Deron Williams. With their huge size and length advantage inside, the Lakers don’t need Kobe to dominate on offense. The smart move is to pound the ball inside to Drew, Pau, and Lamar.
* ANDREW BYNUM - I’m looking for Drew to be a dominant force inside on both offense and defense. To do that, he needs to take his game and energy up another notch and show the world that he is the Next Great Lakers Center. No more single digit rebounding games. No clumsy careless cheap fouls. Chase every rebound and contest every shot. No layups and no dunks for Utah. Dominate, dominate, dominate. Wire to Wire.
* PAU GASOL - I would like to see Pau show basketball fans everywhere how tough he is as well as how good he is. I consider him to be the best power forward in the game today and probably also the best passing big man in the NBA. With Drew in the low post, Pau should have a field day facing up on the high post, where he can take a free throw line jumper, attack the rim, or feed Drew in the low post. Pau is automatic double-double.
* DEREK FISHER - I think Derek will be very strongly motivated to have a great series against the Jazz. I’m looking for him to be more patient on offense, knowing we need to feed the ball into the post to play inside-out basketball rather than casting off long jumpers early in the shot clock. I also want Fish to avoid trying to drive into heavy traffic where he cannot get back in time in transition defense. He should be our free safety.
* TREVOR ARIZA - I want to see Trevor play smarter and more aggressively on offense, not settling for outside jumpers and 3-point shots. He also needs to take care of the ball and not make careless passes. Knowing he is not a great passer, his teammates need to play big and seal their man so that we avoid turnovers. Defensively, I want to see Trevor stay between his man and the basket rather than always gambling on making a steal.
* LAMAR ODOM - I’m looking for Lamar to ignite the bench mob and the Lakers running game. The Jazz are a good matchup for Lamar and I think he will fill the stat sheet for he Lakers. His midrange game has been great as has his drives to the hoop and post ups. Drew’s injury in a way was a blessing for Lamar because it gave him the opportunity to remind everybody how good he was and how invaluable he is to this Lakers team. He will the NBA Sixth Man of the Year next season – and while playing for the Lakers.
* SASHA VUJACIC – I want to see Sasha slow down one beat, focus on getting the ball inside first so that Drew, Pau, and Lamar can dominate or feed the ball back outside for an easy wide-open 3-pointer, the only type I want to see Sasha take during the playoffs. On defense, I want Sasha to back off one beat and stop the frantic senseless fouls on players who are so far from the basket that they present no danger. Patient and smart.
* SHANNON BROWN – I’m hoping that Shannon shows this series that he is for real. We have needed a big defensive oriented guard and Shannon looks like he might fill the bill. While neither Shannon or Jordan may end up as the Lakers next starting point guard, we do have a trio of players who can address a wide range of matchups at point, including a proven 3-point shooter in Fish, a fast break small and quick guard in Farmar, and a big physical defensive guard in Shannon. Not as good as all in one guy but also not bad.
* JORDAN FARMAR – I would like to see Jordan also slow down and just enjoy this opportunity to play on the sport’s biggest stage. Quality not Quantity. Most importantly, take care of the ball, shoot when you are open, penetrate when you have a chance, and hustle and scramble on defense. Display some of the UCLA pedigree and give the home town folks reason to root for a home town boy. Like with Sasha, patient and smart.
* LUKE WALTON – I want Luke to show the entire world that there ARE slow white guys with no lift who CAN play who are not named Larry Bird. Get in the zone, Luke. Use that wide body. Don’t eat leather but if you do don’t let it bother you. Hit the corner 3 and make the extra pass. Show your high basketball IQ. Make your Daddy proud.
The rest of the team, root like hell because these are the only 10 who are going to play.
JMNSHBO!
DNFTT!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 19, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Laker Tom,
Spot on. If the 10 guys you describe show up it will be a laugher.
Tom the Lesser
Posted by: Tom Daniels | April 19, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Pay attention Ak,Bk, we have ODOM not ODEN.
Posted by: RIZZO | April 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM
When we reach the finals, I would love to see Phil unveil the triple towers at tip-off, and watch the faces of LBJ and his cast of characters....not to mention the reaction from Van Gundy and Jackson on ABC.
Posted by: ShowtimeTake2 | April 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
just got to my seat right behind the utah bench. lakers are warming up on this side of the court which means sloan has again decided to flip which baskets teams traditionally play towards. pj has criticized it many times. he believes that opting to have your team playing on your half of the court in the second half is a sign of weak coaching and lack of confidence in your team.
machine shoot 3 point off back rim and bouncy off drew head while he practice free throw.
the atmosphere inside staples is decidedly unenthusiastic. I'm wearing my "the journey begins" t-shirt that they handed me at the front door. hopefully others in the lower bowl will do the same.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Loved Upset Saturday. Let's make this Lockdown Sunday.
Posted by: Jesterguru | April 19, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Haha, first championship without shaq reference already, and we're only like 10 seconds into the PREGAME SHOW!!! haha
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: gokobego | April 19, 2009 at 11:32 AM
It's the quest to the Championship time Laker fans.
Let's remain humble and let the team do the talking.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: socalife | April 19, 2009 at 11:40 AM
If off to the lucky barstool.
Let's win this one.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 19, 2009 at 11:42 AM
fo, fo, fo, fo
got 14 rings
time to get 1 mo'
Posted by: Vman | April 19, 2009 at 11:51 AM
The Trinity, for our big 3
Posted by: RIZZO | April 19, 2009 at 11:53 AM
(Razdizzle Stands on his second floor balcony overlooking the beautiful city of Angels).
It's 11:59 in the morning on the day of April 19th, 2009.
(Razdizzle sticks out his chest, clinches his right fist and begins to pound on his upper left chest in fast repetitions as he shouts...)
LOS ANGELES! ARRRRRREEE YOOOUUUUUU RRREEEEEAADDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Posted by: RazdizzlefoShizzle | April 19, 2009 at 11:58 AM
This is our time of the year!
Some intro...
http://tinyurl.com/cg5efv
Who better to start off this journey than Chick?
Go Lakers! Win, win win!
Posted by: Faith | April 19, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Go Lakers!
Great team victory.
Bench played well. Fantastic play from Brown.
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | April 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM
I'll probably get struck by lightning for this, but by no means am I being sacreligious ... but maybe an appropriate name for our big 3 is "Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" ~ respectively, Kobe, Bynum, Gasol.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | April 19, 2009 at 04:37 PM
I think there must be someone out there who's thought of this already. Shannon Brown has a new game-name in our house. It's Downtown Shannon Brown! Awesome and promising, eh?
Posted by: Doll | April 19, 2009 at 05:25 PM
BK
Great thread but I think you meant Odom and not Oden. Don't want to be picky but the intenon your part was good
3 Take it to them inside - This applies on both ends of the ball. The Jazz have no defensive presence inside. Against a team like the Lakers with Gasol, Bynum, and Oden, it becomes even more apparent. Andrei Kirilenko is great on help defense, but other than that you won't find much resistance. This will result in either an easy bucket or a foul. On the offensive side, Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap are bothered by longer players. The Jazz also get a lot of points on put-backs and offensive boards. Bigger players will be able to neutralize that.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 19, 2009 at 09:35 PM