Lakers' 87-78 Game 2 victory over New Orleans Hornets featured a reliable supporting cast
With the Staples Center crowd cheering during each swing of momentum as if it were an elimination game, Lakers forward Lamar Odom stepped onto center court.
He had just accepted the award as the NBA's sixth man of the year, but it's conceivable that the enthusiasm also represented a boost of support to a team that played Game 1 of its first-round playoffs match-up against New Orleans with the intensity of a regular-season game in mid-January. The scene provided a good illustration of Phil Jackson’s motivational tactic Wednesday during morning shootaround that the announcement of Odom's award a day before Game 2 served one specific purpose.
"The reason that they made sure Lamar had this award was this could be the last time he plays today in front of his whole team," Jackson said with a smile. "They want to make sure that award gets to them at the right time and to go out and prove them wrong."
Jackson was up to one of his usual Zen tricks, and the Lakers laughed at the tactic. But it provided the framework for how the Lakers wanted to change their play after a game featuring poor post play by Pau Gasol, Odom and Andrew Bynum, inconsistency in defending the pick and roll, a bench continuing its inconsistency and an overall effort that suggested the Lakers don't believe the playoffs have actually started.
The Lakers' 87-78 Game 2 victory over the New Orleans Hornets didn't exactly provide a turnaround from everything that had gone wrong in Game 1. Kobe Bryant, Gasol and Derek Fisher combined for 28 points with a seven-of-29 combined clip. The game also featured a third quarter in which both teams were scoreless for a 3:21 stretch. But there were plenty of areas that helped offset that, an encouraging sign for a team looking to take back control of the series.
On Bynum's locker-room chair sat a book titled, "The New Psycho-Cybernetics," which stresses positive thinking and details how to achieve goals faster with more efficiency. Consider it a foreshadowing of Bynum's 17 points on eight-of-11 shooting and 11 rebounds, which helped offset Gasol's two-of-10 clip for eight points.
The contrasts of the two couldn't have been greater. The Lakers' philosophy in getting the ball inside early worked for Bynum because he was efficient with his touches. Bynum squared up, dribbled left past Aaron Gray and finished up with a left-hander on one play. A post-up on Emeka Okafor resulted in Bynum hitting a bank shot, and another showed him backing Okafor with pace and ease before finishing with a left hook. He returned on defense and disrupted a passing lane. And after catching a lob from Matt Barnes and finishing in the lane, Bynum pumped his fist in delight.
"I get my touches where they are," he said, "and try to do the best I can with them."
The same couldn't be said about Gasol.
Bryant fed him two consecutive entry passes in the first quarter and the second pass resulted in Gasol posting up, performing a baseline spin move and finishing with a lefty hook. But instead of carrying that momentum forward, Gasol appeared flat and shaky with his shot. Credit Gasol for going four of four from the free-throw line and for his increased aggressiveness in getting into the lane. Once he received the ball, however, he seemed too tentative and deliberate in finding his shot.
Gasol has shot four of 19 from the field in the first two playoff games, a formula that won't be sustainable in future games. For now, however, the Lakers can benefit from the fact that Bynum had a coming-out game that suggests he'll continue the offensive and defensive prowess that defined him during the Lakers' 17-1 run after the All-Star break.
"He really carries things pretty well," Jackson said. "We're really confident in him having a good game. We think we can play at a higher level even than this."
The Lakers’ bench provided energy
When Odom entered the lineup at the 4:35 mark of the first quarter, the 18,997 people at Staples Center gave him the standing ovation they usually bring, a ritual that Odom had earlier noted at his awards ceremony that evening, when he wanted to leave the trophy at the scorer's table. He actually decided to place the award across from aisle 2 on the main concourse until the end of the game, and then plans to give the trophy to his son, Lamar Jr. But the reason why the fans usually give him a rousing ovation is the reason why no one should be worried about a rare off performance in Game 1. He finished with 16 points on eight-of-12 shooting and seven rebounds, a huge improvement from the 10 points on three-of-six shooting and one rebound he posted in Game 1. His performance featured all the coast-to-coast layups, mid-range jumpers and drives to the basket you'd expect out of Odom.
But this effort was a little different. It also featured a resurgent bench in Steve Blake and Barnes. After two days of practice and finishing pregame warm-ups, Blake returned to the lineup and dished out five assists in 17 minutes, 53 seconds after missing the past three games because of chickenpox. He didn’t appear tentative whatsoever, organizing an offense that featured him throwing entry passes to Odom and stopping in mid-step on a fast break to find an open Odom behind him.
Meanwhile, Barnes benefited from the three-day stretch between games, which allowed him extra treatment on his surgically repaired right knee. His eight-point effort on four-of-four shooting resembled the play he had shown before his lateral meniscus tear three months ago, in which he slashed to the basket, made hustle points and became physical. The latter part resulted in a flagrant foul on Barnes with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter on Trevor Ariza, a call Barnes strongly questioned. On a night when Bryant had two airballs and Fisher drove the break and missed the basket in three separate instances, it's a stepping stone if the bench can produce this kind of effort.
The Lakers defense strengthened
A two-hour film session on Monday pointed out various tendencies in how the Lakers failed to defend the Hornets' pick-and-roll plays, with Jackson arguing at least 35 of the 70 plays New Orleans ran featured the Lakers in the wrong defensive sets. The Lakers appeared more organized in Game 2, limiting the Hornets to 39.1% shooting, forcing 16 turnovers and a multitude of switching on Chris Paul, including Fisher, Bryant, Blake and Ron Artest. The result entailed Paul finishing with 20 points on five-of-11 shooting and nine assists, a severe drop-off from the 33 points and 14 assists he posted in Game 1. Paul still did his damage, but had he not converted on two three-pointers when Bryant was out of position, his stat line would actually read a three-of-nine clip. The Lakers improved in funneling drivers away from the lane, resulting in the team finishing with eight blocks.
-- Mark Medina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, celebrates with forward Ron Artest, right, as guard Derek Fisher looks on during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday in L.A. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / AP
This isn't a good time to go back and rehash the Trevor Ariza deal, but the man looked better in a Laker uni playin' both ends of the floor extremely well.
We won with Kobe and Pau playin' sub Kobe and Pau. A good sign.
Andrew, Andrew, Andrew... incredible....nice for him to be gettin' more end game minutes. His consistency makes ya wish Phil at least gave the LO, Pau, Andrew lineup half a chance in the regular season.
Posted by: VMan | April 21, 2011 at 01:30 AM
Paula gasoft is soft. Kobe is a 'black earthworm' , and fisher is the 'comedic bulldog'.
Go celts!
Posted by: Jejemon | April 21, 2011 at 01:51 AM
btw:
It's great to go to a Laker playoff game... but ... aside from the "luxury" part of a luxury box, you might as well be sitting in your living room where you don't have to pay for parking. They're more suited to the regular season when the Lakers are blowin' out New Jersey and they're serving enchiladas. Playoff intensity evaporates on it's way up to the luxury suites. You don't rub elbows, you don't chest bump, and hi fives are tepid because the hi fivee is usually attending they're first NBA game.
Basketball and fans in seats... that formula didn't need fixing.
Posted by: VMan | April 21, 2011 at 01:57 AM
Jejemon you live with your name and the team that you support,you all suck and the Lakers will demolish your smelltics if we meet in the final this time it will be 4-1.
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | April 21, 2011 at 03:33 AM
@LAKER TRUTH : thanks for the amazing article on Andrew
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1184609/1/index.htm
I marveled at the quote: "What Los Angeles noticed was the gray matter."
It is nice to know a little bit about Andrew.
Having read all books written by Wilt Chamberlain I see some similarities between the 2 centers.
Wilt also liked to master everything in life, like he said. He customized a car during about 10 years or so. He customized an eccentric house, etc.
But the maturity achieved by Andrew, understanding what the team needs from him is noticeable. And at the age of 23 or 24?
Posted by: TidalWave | April 21, 2011 at 04:21 AM
The Lakers defence still needs some improving,looking at the game they need to put more hands closer to cp3's face completely distracting him thus throwing him of his focus when he launched the ball for a 3 pointer or a pass to his partner.Gasol have to play without fear and be a little more focus using his foot movements in the post to attacked the basket.Lakers have to attacked the basket more accurately,i saw on 3 occassions one following the other where Lakers got the ball down court and were not able to score.Even DFish got a clear opportunity on a lay up but didnt score thank God the Lakers got back the ball and we scored.We have to play more aggresively on defence and working the triangle offence because its going to be a slug fest but the Lakers have to take care of the ball and becareful of fowl troubles.Any way i think in these games too many soft fowls are being called by referess in the Nba now.
Posted by: ninja | April 21, 2011 at 04:29 AM
If Lakers win the next game big time Friday in New Orleans then i can say if we are able to come out victorious in this series.Tighten up Lakers you are the 2 times defending champion Steve Blake and Matt Barnes need their rings.
Posted by: ninja | April 21, 2011 at 04:34 AM
Good win! 15 W's to go.
NEXT!!!
LAKERS ALL DAY!!!
Posted by: JovBatz24 | April 21, 2011 at 05:41 AM
"I don't agree that 'We don't have anything to lose,'" Mbenga said. "We have the game to lose. We have the series to lose. We're going to come in Wednesday to win. We didn't come in here to steal one game. We came here to win two games. We're a good team. We want to win this series and we think we're going to win this series."
It's funny that new orleans thinks they've got a chance ... Mbenga must think 34pts and 13asts from cp3 is going 2 wreck Bryant and the Lakers ... Y'all will lose the series ... it's just a question of when
New orleans intends to make our road to the 3peat a tough one ... I guess we should say thank you cuz looks like we need some more practice
Please don't mind how we pursue glory, don't take it personal, this is just what d lakers do ...
What do we play for? Rings rings and more rings!!
Posted by: segeboy | April 21, 2011 at 06:12 AM
It scary to think that Lakers win the game with both Kobe and Pau had subpar game lastnight.It wont be like that all night this Hornets team will look like a highschool team if Kobe and Pau will have their A game.To all playoffs team be very afraid we will destroy you all the way to threepeat...
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | April 21, 2011 at 06:48 AM
Thanks to the Hornets who provided excellent reminder to the Lakers they can be beat. Lakers, play hard all games, all the times, thats the only road lead to 3-peat!!!
Posted by: CTran | April 21, 2011 at 06:49 AM
Normally at this time all this Lakers haters or trolls are posting a lot of nonsense here if we lose,but now we win last night and they gone back to hiding again.hahahahahaha.lol
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | April 21, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Lamar!!! They can clamp down on Kobe and Pau, but how do you clamp cown on Lamar? You can't! He is the human mis-match. Too fast for the big guys! Too big for the small guys!
Drew!!! He is looking so good it is scary - for other teams!
Our guards shot 6 of 25...
Ron Ron stepped up and played great as did Matt. Blake missed his 2 shots but managed to run the offense and get some assists. The rest of the team struggled obviously.
This effort was barely enough to beat NO. I don't think it would beat anyone else however. Certainly not OKC, Chicago, Miami, or Boston.
One game at a time...
I am a Lakerholic.
Posted by: Lakerholic | April 21, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Fisher- 3 blown easy layups. 2/9. Barnes 4/4 12 minutes. Maybe he can start instead of Paula.
Fisher-Take one for the team and STFD. D=Down.
We are talking about the David West less NO Hornets here. Not the Thunder.
Hey Mitch. We need Jarret Jack. You had your chance.
Next year make some trades so we can go 70-12 and 16-0 in the playoffs like I thought we would after the great start by Pau and the bench.
Pau can't be tired. He is too slow to be tired.
Andrew was the beast we thought he was. He needs 25 touches a game.
Kobe who? Oh yeah, one great dunk and that was all he did last night.
I miss Magic.
Paula is gone next year unless he gets his head out of his culo.
I am tired of his lazy culo play.
Shannon Brown? 0/4. One dunk a year doesn't get it down son, and wipe that smirk off your face.
Boston and Chicago could very well be 0-2 right now. They look bad also.
Posted by: Michael Dills | April 21, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Posted by: Michael Dills | April 21, 2011 at 06:54 AM
---------------------
drew needs to pound it more i think.
agree with fisher and jack comments... love fish but sometimes he really does have to STFD. dont necessarily agree on jack, but a quicker PG for 1 on 1 D is pretty good. doesn't have to carry the scoring load.
pau isn't going anywhere... he just got punked two games in a row by ugly dudes named landry and grey. he'll show up sooner, hopefully lol
brown mamba got a trey in the fourth if i remember correctly.
i knew celtics/knicks were giong to be close games. i'm surprised w/ chicago though. i thought they'd punk the pacers pretty hard. good playoffs so far tho
BALLIN, UHH SON!
Posted by: soshibo | April 21, 2011 at 07:27 AM
Adrian Palomar -YOUR A COMPLETE BOZO.
Posted by: Tell the Truth | April 21, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I see vacation coming in the stars, this team is primed for ELIMINATION soon. And you see the writing on the wall, but continue to roll till the wheels come off....which is the second round. ENJOY
Posted by: Tell the Truth | April 21, 2011 at 07:32 AM
That was hard to watch. Waited until today for commenting so I could lay down after the game last night and calm down. Ariza is too accustomed to Kobe and will be a problem all series.....apparently on both ends of the court. I was incredulous with Kobe and his horrid 3pt closeouts last night! Caused potentially 9 point swings with his bad 3pt defense! Very uncharacteristic. His attempt to play Paul sometimes I believe led to his lack of energy (legs) to make open shots the rare times Ariza let him have them.
Have lots to fix if we are going to get game 3, which I also consider a must win game!
Blake was helpful to harrass Paul. RA had a very good game as did LO.
Free throws seem to be a new problem for Kobe - what's up with that! And do the Lakers actually take shooting practice anymore!? (Where's my nitro............)
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 21, 2011 at 07:33 AM
LakerTom,
Wow, that was a long post. I thought JJ was back. Congrats on your boy, Bynum, I think you should be proud this time to be referred as BynumTom. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 20, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Is this Bynum's PAPA? I though he's a creepy old asian guy, I can be wrong.
EG- I first though you were the comments of reason, now you're just the comments of an bitter old clown anti-troll post. CHANGE IS GOOD.
Posted by: Tell the Truth | April 21, 2011 at 07:51 AM
What up Laker Nation,
Good win. Excellent defense led by Kobe. Drew was dominant. LO shined. Ron and bench was good.
@Truth - Thanks for posting the AB article. It was a good read.
@LT - another subpar game for Pau. So yes I'm more concerned...but still worried about him not turning it around. I think he tried to initiate contact a little too much yesterday. He just needs to play his game.
Posted by: LRob | April 21, 2011 at 08:22 AM
The formula to another championship is simple, it always freakin amazing how the Lakers and other teams screw it up. You got arguably the 3 best big men in the world.... YOU POUND IT IN EVERY FREAKIN PLAY
It's ok if they have a bad game, but you keep doing this. WHY? Because nobody beats this team 4 times in a series if you do this every time.
POUND THE BALL INSIDE!!!
Posted by: hiphopcop | April 21, 2011 at 08:41 AM
I'd worry if Kobe and Gasol played well and the rest did not. We KNOW they will be back so this is actually a good sign for the Lakers in the long run.
Posted by: LakerPeace | April 21, 2011 at 08:42 AM
tell the truth your a complete disgrace to everybody here.Shut up haters...
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | April 21, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Tell the truth=your just a lousy bitter haters and will always be a loser....
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | April 21, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I really thought that the Lakers would need a wakeup call for the 1st series. I just didn't think it would be the first game. Lets hope they heed the wakeup call and go get that 3peat.
Posted by: Headshots Los Angeles | April 21, 2011 at 09:08 AM
It was pleasing to watch the Lakers shore up their defensive intensity in the 3rd qtr where both teams were struggling to score. Our defense allowed us to maintain the lead and control the tempo. Allowing Bryant, Artest, Blake, Fisher to harrass Chris Paul all game paid off. Chris Paul is so skilled that he probably doesnt care who guards him, but atleast it made him think twice about things.
The Hornet's role players did not show up as they did in game 1 and that was the difference. LA need these type of games and situations to wake them up. Think Rockets of 2 years ago, and OKC of last year.
Posted by: Black Mamba Disciple | April 21, 2011 at 09:31 AM
JeJemon have your clets win back to back titles and then talk... with ugly ass shemigal looking rondo, gay allen, and crybaby pierce. Typical Boston low life. Understandable... you're from Boston LMFAO. But keep hating, keep hating
Posted by: steez | April 21, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Hey Ricky... When's your idol Pau going to wake up and smell the playoffs?
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 21, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Tom- My apologies for this past comment, I was wrong.
Posted by: Tell the Truth | April 21, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Wow, good thing the bench finally showed up with Pau & Kobe have poor offensive games. I've been down on "The Brick" all season but 5 assists I'll take. Nice to see Barnes get some buckets...LO was a monster. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Kobeayashimarue | April 21, 2011 at 02:59 PM