okay, so the lakers had a good game against houston, probably the best game ever in the playoffs. they escaped with a 118-78 win over them, and gained the lead in the best-of-seven series. Typical reaction: "now that's what i'm talking about!" however, i think that it's not really much of a statement. it is more of a reminder that the lakers have to play with energy if they really want to grab a championship.
and from here on, we discuss the different problems that kobe and co. must face not only in this playoff series, but in the next season, and the next after that.
let's start with the obvious, team-wise. the lakers have been playing inconsistently during their past 10 playoff games, and we could push this back even to their last 10 or so regular season games. blowing off huge leads, unable to shove off their opponents' leads, soft plays that resort to poor outside shots, less rebounding efforts, and with defense that lets aaron brooks and deron williams penetrate only to have them find three-pointers that could get it in. what have happened to them? we started with the season being number 1 in both sides of the court (having the most scored points and the least points allowed). their first games were leads of 20 and more. but in spite of that, they ended the season with only the second best record and having the most lopsided defeats, including that against Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
is it about the bench? or kobe scoring less and passing more? or the frontcourt (with special mention to C Andrew Bynum) not being strong enough to fight with boards and inside scores? Individually, the Lakers are strong, but couldn't they be collectively stong? can't they handle their own strengths and work together, or the other way around, that they couldn't unleash this strength because of too much confidence and pressure from their fans and from themselves.
yet there is their master phil, who always has a trick or two to pull off when times get more difficult. they blew one at home, they got back at the toyota center with one good win. they lost at game 4, but had this big game 5 win. he always tells the team not to worry, but I agree that they shouldn't listen and instead focus on the team play that they had during the regular season.
of course, there are the individual players who have to find their game. the lakers big three (bryant-gasol-odom) shouldn't have a problem with this, as they have gone over this last season. they should have the strength and determination to lead this team and bring out the full potential of everyone. however, bryant needs to distract the defense with greater effort, and, well, pau and lamar should really work hard, be tough, and muscle their way inside the basket. The only other player that has been working so hard was Trevor Ariza, who manages to poke the ball and score points off turnovers, as well as provide scoring opportunities from beyond the three-point arc.
and then there was Andrew Bynum, who a moment ago was just branded as the difference for this championship team. but now, what he just contributes are low scores and boards, and a lot of fouls (take note that the lakers had more fouls than the rockets in their 5-game series). he also admits that he was still not yet ready to handle the physical and mental pressure that the playoff games has brought upon him. we know that the MCL brought him problems, but still, it's about time that he bring his A-game into the court, especially during these times when they needed him most.
And for the rest, they have to improve. Derek Fisher looks like he has to really run fast and defend well, because Aaron Brooks has already left him behind a number of times. Good thing Jordan Farmar was there to take the responsibility of handling Brooks both in offense and defense. Sasha has to oil himself up because he has been getting bad shots in open spots, and that would be very difficult. Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga need to beef up and play as real Centers and Forwards that they are. Luke Walton and Shannon Brown seem to be in good shape, and could provide more strength in shooting and defending. And Adam Morrison? He's for the next season.
In the end, it boils down to teamwork and the power to express their hunger for the crown to win. It has been 7 years, and the Lakers need to win a ring or three before Kobe and Phil retire. If they could play the same level as they were during their best playoff games, then there should be no problem getting to the Finals and facing LeBron James and the Cavaliers (I'm assuming now...), and they could win over them in five or six games.
But as a few friends I have said, it is a good thing that the Lakers play more than ten playoff games. Both wins and losses should by now be their learning experiences and reminders that they have to play at the maximum level. It could help them straighten and strengthen themselves up for the difficult stages to come, namely the Denver Nuggets, with a strategic offense that could equal the Lakers', and LeBron James (who hungers to put the Lakers down because of soiling their home record and blowing their lead), or the Celtics (who shouldn't be underestimated), or the Magic (whom the Lakers really couldn't defeat.
Game time, everyone. What do you think?
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