I think Barkley got it right on the Lakers' loss. They went away from what was working in the 1st half, namely slowing down the pace and getting it into Bynum. Instead Kobe shot the ball too much and put up some horrible shots while doing it. They've got no one but themselves to blame.
The strategy is obvious, but execution has been inconsistent all season long for LAL. It was clear in the second half, both those 7 footers were tired and dejected from having to bang with Perkins and Ibaka all night long (pause). They weren't even trying to establish low post position.
And like Batmon suggested, Mike Brown is to blame as well. During the course of the season, it became OK for Gasol to completely remove himself from the paint most of the time. Anybody not named Dirk Nowitzki should not be allowed to step out beyond 10 feet.
In summary, Bynum and Gasol's efforts were pathetic in the second half. You can't blame Kobe for that. Kobe is Kobe, he's gonna take his shots (good and horrible). The bigs gotta ACTIVELY and ADAMANTLY ask for the rock in good low post position. I saw half-hearted efforts from Bynum about two times in the second half. And again, Pau passing the rock in a wide-open situation is such a bad look. Kobe actually called him out on that.
Jon Barry argued that was the call playing of Brown that had Gasol play the high post.
Gasol is too weak and slow now to even get the ball at the high post position! At this point, his ass is pretty useless. I'd rather have a dude like Kenyon Martin over him.
Besides that doesn't excuse him from passing up a wide-open 10 footer on the baseline!! That shit was pathetic.
That was bad. I wince when I see that on reply. He could have done some serious damage.
And then the wink afterwards. At least we won't be seeing that fuckwit on the court for a good long while.
Im torn on Halem. I like the retaliation to Hansbrough's flagrant but it definitely was a flagrant two and he deserves to be out a game.
Agree with Steve Kerr:
Hansbrough - Borderline F2
Haslem - Definite F2
But damn their passing was disrupted by Miami's pressure.
None of the Pacers can consistently create off the dribble.
George should be able to shake and bake on the perimeter.
Hill is a good combo guard and Collison is good pg but I think this is where the upgrade has to happen.
Someone who can breakdown the defense and feed the interior and still feed Granger on the perimeter.
This was a learning exp. Young dudes looked shook when the "heat' was on.
Shouldnt happen next year against anyone.
But damn their passing was disrupted by Miami's pressure.
I would argue they passed sloppy all series, shockingly so. Hibbert and West need to exert their presence more in the paint.
basically they went away from what worked for them: Bigs who miami had no answer for and lost a chance to capture that magic in a bottle and carry it through the playoffs
No way. It will be much better than Spurs/Sonics. C's beat the Heat 3 out of 4 in the regular season. Rondo is playing well, and Bosh is out indefinitely. Let's see what Wade and James can do. I'm excited.
id like to agree, but if wade and james lock in completely, no aging celtics are stopping them. rondo is going to have to have a consistent series at megastar levels if the celts are going to pull it off.
Re: Celtics vs Heat.
I dunno, there are just so many players that annoy me on both teams.
Also, I thought the no-superstar Pacers/Sixers series would have been great.
Comments
Gasol is too weak and slow now to even get the ball at the high post position! At this point, his ass is pretty useless. I'd rather have a dude like Kenyon Martin over him.
Besides that doesn't excuse him from passing up a wide-open 10 footer on the baseline!! That shit was pathetic.
As far as guards go, these dudes just proved they are elite.
And that OKC defense is underrated. Perimeter defense is excellent and Perkins and Ibaka did their thing.
Next round should be fun to watch.
Who is this?
Nice clean smack across the shoulder without injuring the guy.
He hit him in the face as well.
Pittman on Stevenson was not needed.
And then the wink afterwards. At least we won't be seeing that fuckwit on the court for a good long while.
b/w
"S-O-F-T"
b/w
Haslem out for game 6
Agree with Steve Kerr:
Hansbrough - Borderline F2
Haslem - Definite F2
Pittman only 3 games??
i need that red liberty bell hat that Iverson rocked.
But damn their passing was disrupted by Miami's pressure.
None of the Pacers can consistently create off the dribble.
George should be able to shake and bake on the perimeter.
Hill is a good combo guard and Collison is good pg but I think this is where the upgrade has to happen.
Someone who can breakdown the defense and feed the interior and still feed Granger on the perimeter.
This was a learning exp. Young dudes looked shook when the "heat' was on.
Shouldnt happen next year against anyone.
basically they went away from what worked for them: Bigs who miami had no answer for and lost a chance to capture that magic in a bottle and carry it through the playoffs
If Bosh was there Wade and LeBron would have the same amount of touches.
I highly doubt Bosh would have been as impactful as those two were.
He wasnt there so whatever. Coulda woulda shoulda shit.
Well, Wade and Bron had to put up monster numbers in those close out games.
If they were playing a better defensive team, they might have lost.
Bosh makes them a clear favorite.
cosign
No way. It will be much better than Spurs/Sonics. C's beat the Heat 3 out of 4 in the regular season. Rondo is playing well, and Bosh is out indefinitely. Let's see what Wade and James can do. I'm excited.
spurs okc is gonna be very interesting
If it continues this way, this series will be a classic.
I dunno, there are just so many players that annoy me on both teams.
Also, I thought the no-superstar Pacers/Sixers series would have been great.
Spurs look mad sloppy. OKC's got a good game plan here.
Ginobli was Ginobli
Derek Fisher, 6-7!?!?!!!?!
I would hate to be a guard having Durant guarding me. 6'9" with a 7'5" wingspan
Spurs looked sloppy as hell in first half. Second half calmed down
Coach Popovich "I want to see some nasty!"
Jackson got up into Durant's face on D
2nd half the pace slowed down a bit and was more to the Spurs' liking. When the speed changed that was it, the Spurs were going to win