NBA Finals Game Six: Lakers Desperation Keys Victory

[Erick Blasco]

Like night and day, the Los Angeles Lakers performed a complete 180 from their horrid exhibition in Game Five of the Finals, to their scintillating 89-67 victory at home over the Boston Celtics in Game Six.

 

Why were the Lakers able to win so easily?

 

• Because the Lakers were dedicated to executing the triangle. Instead of having Kobe Bryant isolate while his teammates stood around and watched, all five Lakers on the court were passing, cutting, and moving harmoniously. Because of this, help defenders couldn’t zone in on Bryant, while Boston couldn’t compensate for all the motion on the court.
• Because Kobe’s trust in his teammates and the offense was on full display. Despite only three Bryant assists, how many passes did Kobe make that led to an assist pass from someone else? Otherwise, Kobe took advantage of any Boston help mistake by getting to the tin, made his share of difficult shots, abused Rajon Rondo when Ray Allen couldn’t match up, and continued his all-around terrific Finals performance—9-19 FG, 1-4 3FG, 7-7 FT, 11 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL, 2 TO, 26 PTS.
• Because Kobe attacked quicker with the ball by Bryant, and with less dribbling. Boston couldn’t lock in their defense since Kobe was attacking before they could get set.
• Because Pau Gasol played with more force. He was always moving into open areas, drawing Celtic defenders then passing to the vacated teammate. He was also more assertive attacking the hoop, and attacking loose rebounds, while his defense was stellar throughout. After a timid Game Five, he put up a monster of a Game Six—6-14 FG, 7-7 FT, 14 REB, 9 AST, 3 BLK, 2 TO, 17 PTS.
• Because the Lakers were madmen on the boards. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Kobe Bryant were simply more determined to rebound the ball than the Celtics were.
• Because with Odom playing forcefully on the glass, he was more in sync on offense and more alert on defense, as opposed to being the invisible man for most of the Finals.
• Because Ron Artest punished the Celtics for helping off him—6-11 FG, 3-6 3FG, 15 PTS.
• Because the Lakers backup guards played with confidence—7-16 FG, 2-6 3FG from Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, and Shannon Brown.
• Because the Lakers over-helped on ball penetration and made it extremely difficult for the Celtics to score at the rim.
• Because the aggression and focus level the Lakers played with on defense was much better than their inept defense of Game Five.
• Because the Lakers dared Rajon Rondo to beat them, but he missed layups, turned the ball over, and was a non-factor on offense.
• Because the Celtics didn’t match the Lakers’ energy level, especially on defense and on the boards.
• Because the Celtics seldom reversed the ball or made extra passes, devolving their team offensive approach rich with weak-side action into simple two-man games.
• Because Kendrick Perkins suffered an unfortunate first quarter knee injury, limiting the Celtics overall defense, rebounding, and toughness.
• Because Rasheed Wallace was plagued with foul trouble and didn’t have the touch—0-7 FG, 0-6 3FG.
• Because the Celtics ran far fewer Paul Pierce screen/rolls than they did to great success in Game Five.
• Because Nate Robinson and Glen Davis made poor decisions throughout.
• Because Tony Allen continues to be as bad on offense as he is good on defense.
• Because Sheldon Williams saw daylight.
• Because average offensive performances from Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett aren’t good enough to overcome a lack of defensive and rebounding effort.
• Because the Lakers played desperate to win, and because the Celtics played with the comfort of having a Game Seven to fall back upon.

Now the hoops world gets treated to a basketball crown jewel: A Game-Seven, winner-take-all, final contest with the championship on the line. The perfect end to a thrilling season!

[His Greatness]

Erick, you still got LA?

[Erick Blasco]

Erick, you still got LA?

 

Yeah, I think LA takes this in Seven.