Lakers vs. Thunder Game 4 (Fourth quarter 8:33): Thunder 91, Lakers 70
Kobe Bryant started the fourth quarter on the bench. Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton were on the floor, along with Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom. Andrew Bynum was the only starter playing. Not surprisingly, not much was happening for the Lakers.
Odom, who had seemed to come to life late in the third quarter after a mostly invisible 2 1/2 quarters, was active for a bit, but the Lakers couldn't make a run.
Time is running out quickly for the Lakers, and the Thunder doesn't appear to be feeling an awful lot of pressure.
--Mike James
Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant argues a call during Game 4 on Saturday night in Oklahoma City. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Disinterested? Check
Unprepared? Check
Content to be outworked? Check
I blame Phil and the coaching staff. I want Byron Scott in here next year. Time for Phil to hang 'em up.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe Town | April 24, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Lakers should be ashamed of themselves for that pis$ poor performance in game 4.
Posted by: Shrine | April 24, 2010 at 09:03 PM
I thought I would never say this, but yes Phil has to go next year. I don't think the players respect him anymore. His suave act is getting old and is not helping. I'll even take Clemens. He has a more commanding personality.
Posted by: Laili K | April 24, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Nice work PJ. You are getting owned. Most overrated coach ever.
Posted by: hungryneck | April 24, 2010 at 09:06 PM
I'm a Laker fan, but they deserve to lose tonight after not playing their star players the whole 4th quarter. No Kobe, No Gasol, No Artest and No Fisher. The gave up!
Posted by: Darren Tunstall | April 24, 2010 at 09:06 PM
I know OKC is a young team, but wtf???? R we not the defending champs. Can we play like we are champs.... Not worried, I know we will win the series, but can we play with some heart. Let's GO LAKERS.......
Posted by: alf | April 24, 2010 at 09:10 PM
As a fan, I feel so used!
Posted by: Darren Tunstall | April 24, 2010 at 09:12 PM
As a huge Kobe Fan...Sorry Kobe I don't buy your explanation of not taking one single shot in the 1st quarter do get everybody involved and infact not taking a single shot until 9 minutes left in the 1st half...This reminds me of Kobe not shooting the ball in the 2nd half Vs Phoenix in the playoffs! Again for Kobe to take 10 shots in the whole game 2nite as opposed to 29 shots in Game 3?? Sorry I'm not stupid and neither are the other Laker fans. They will still win this series but they are in trouble from here on out and we're only in the 1st round..Ughh!
Posted by: Peter | April 24, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Disgracefull. This is exactly the way they played at the end of the regular season. Seems the zen-master has lost his touch. How do you motivate a bunch of millionaires? And this core will be around for years. Thunder in 6.
Posted by: Skip | April 24, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Lakers are going home early this year! Buss and Kup should have really though about it before signing Kobe to that extension, especially knowing that King James will be available after this season.. Kobe is so done!... Actually this whole Laker team is so done... Go Thunder!!!!
Posted by: Ray | April 24, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Do you laker fans not understand that Kobe Bryant is a pure scorer who cant deliver against good defenses. He just doesnt fit in on the team level. Over 14 seasons and he still doesnt know when to shoot and when to pass. He wasnt acting selfish or putting on a hissy fit, he just doesnt know how to balance his offense with Odom/Gasol/Bynum.
Posted by: Marcus Deal | April 24, 2010 at 10:23 PM
The Lakers were a discrase the way they have been playing but game 4 against the thunder was a joke. I am a huge fan but when you are the deffending Champs that was pathedic!!! What the hell was Phil thinking? No one was attaching the rim and settleing for three's or a jump shot. I'm no coach but come on (stevie wonder could have seen that) All this Kobe is not 100% then get off the court. One sad and disapointed Fan..........
Posted by: Mike Ohly | April 25, 2010 at 06:46 AM