GAME 4 LAKERS @ NUGGETS 6:30/9:30 ET ABC/KCAL SUNDAY

[semi-sentient]

Just finished watching the game and I have to say that we are very lucky to be going back up 3-1. There is no way that we can play that poorly in the 4th quarter against OKC and expect to come out on top. I'll take it, of course, but our execution is trash.

I don't like the way that Kobe has played the past two games (17 3's in 2 games...? holy crap). Screw the shooting percentages -- he's taking a lot of poor quality shots (not including the bailouts), being careless with the ball, and stalling the offense for long stretches. He's going to have to play a lot better once we face the Thunder if we're going to have any chance of winning.

Barnes has got to show up as well. He's been completely non-existent in the series.

I guess we can give Blake a pass for hitting a couple of big shots in the 4th quarter, but seriously, overall he's been trash in this series. He showed up in the 1st quarter in game 1, then did very little until the 4th quarter of game 4? Man this guy sucks balls.

Other than that, Hill had another nice game. This guy has been awesome for us.

Edit: Gasol has played nicely as well, which is comforting given how poorly he performed last year in the playoffs. I guess Bynum's offense has been alright as well, but both of these guys need to pick it up defensively. Since game 1 it seems like the Nuggets have been getting to the basket with relative ease and getting pretty much anything they want. If it weren't for their outside struggles this would be a very different series, so this is something that we absolutely have to clean up.

[Sedale Threatt]

Yeah, I hate to say it, but I'm not hugely invested in this year's playoffs because we're such a long shot. Have a hard time seeing us advance past the second round, let alone win the whole thing. Oh well -- trying to taking joy in the little moments, like Danilo Gallinari's flop failure.

[semi-sentient]

... like Danilo Gallinari's flop failure.

Yeah, how embarrassing for Nuggets fans. I'd be pissed if I were them. That idiotic flop basically allowed the Lakers to play 5 on 4 and led to that huge 3-pointer -- all while he was rolling on the floor faking that he got hit in the throat. I can't think of a worse possible time to flop.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just finished watching the game and I have to say that we are very lucky to be going back up 3-1. There is no way that we can play that poorly in the 4th quarter against OKC and expect to come out on top. I'll take it, of course, but our execution is trash.

I don't like the way that Kobe has played the past two games (17 3's in 2 games...? holy crap). Screw the shooting percentages -- he's taking a lot of poor quality shots (not including the bailouts), being careless with the ball, and stalling the offense for long stretches. He's going to have to play a lot better once we face the Thunder if we're going to have any chance of winning.

Barnes has got to show up as well. He's been completely non-existent in the series.

I guess we can give Blake a pass for hitting a couple of big shots in the 4th quarter, but seriously, overall he's been trash in this series. He showed up in the 1st quarter in game 1, then did very little until the 4th quarter of game 4? Man this guy sucks balls.

Other than that, Hill had another nice game. This guy has been awesome for us.

Edit: Gasol has played nicely as well, which is comforting given how poorly he performed last year in the playoffs. I guess Bynum's offense has been alright as well, but both of these guys need to pick it up defensively. Since game 1 it seems like the Nuggets have been getting to the basket with relative ease and getting pretty much anything they want. If it weren't for their outside struggles this would be a very different series, so this is something that we absolutely have to clean up.

semi-sentient, I think maybe the main reason the series isn't 2-2 is the play of both Gasol and Hill. Pau and Jordan Hill more than neutralized Kenneth Faried on the boards in game 3. Faried rushed layups and missed some key chip shots in the third quarter, I think because of pressure from taller players. Pau and Hill have gotten to the hoop and most of all, they have blocked out. Faried is an area rebounder but the Laker bigs, Gasol and Hill fundamentally kept Faried from using his quicks to get to be ball. No easy dunk put backs as a result.

Pau and Jordan Hill have been key the to the Lakers being up three to one IMO, semi-sentient.

[DrewBynum77]

nice to see you here, ccj. I'm gonna be at w's board a lot next year hehe.

kobe passed off a lot of 3s in the 3rd quarter lol.

I even thought he wanted to expose blake, but he was just trying to give him confidence, sessions too.

he only took one bad 3, that was in the 4th quarter where he could've posted up bynum.

btw, he attacked the basket the 2nd half of the game but it seems refs agreed to not call foul on perimeter players (only mcgee, bynum and hill got FTA). He should do this against OKC, if we beat Denver, because OKC without its perimeter players shooting 20+ FTs combined they can't beat anyone, so kobe and sessions need to keep putting pressure on the refs so they can get FTs by attacking their bigs too...

[milesfides]

Kobe's taken a TON of bail out shots. A TON.

Our offense is terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

The only time it's good is when the other team doesn't play defense, and Pau's remarkable big-man passing skills or Kobe's creativity gets us some easy baskets.

We have only one basketball play.

Try to post Andrew, option 1. If that's denied, reverse the ball and set up Pau or Kobe in the post. So predictable.

The reason why this is (Please Use More Appropriate Word) is that we have no overplay options.
Defenses simply sag in and soft double the post to deny the entry pass or hard double when it gets in there.

The shot clock is winding down by now. And you know what happens. Ball finds Kobe. Kobe takes a tough shot.

Sure, Kobe might take a couple heat checks a game, but that's from any elite scorer. I think his shot has been off the past couple games because he's tired as the game goes on. Whether from the altitude or whatever, he just hasn't sustained the energy that he showed at Staples.

But I think Kobe's overall play even in Denver has been solid, if not inspired. It's more a lack of energy than bad shot selection, imho. Take away the Mike Brown bail out shots, and his FG% would be very respectable.

Of course Kobe could play better, he could be more patient. Pau could be more aggressive. Andrew could be more composed and be a consistent defender and rebounder. But really, those three guys are NOT costing us games.

It's our bench.

Jordan Hill has been our best bench player. Blake and Barnes just don't have enough to be consistent. Blake defers too much, Barnes shot has always been streaky (and he has a sprained ankle which prevents him from getting the hustle baskets).

But Denver's bench has been killing ours...and that's going to be even bigger problems against OKC, and if we get past them, SAS.

That's why I think Sessions needs to spearhead the 2nd unit and keep us afloat when Kobe + Bynum sits.

If we win the championship, it's going to have to be because something radical happens to our bench.

[Sedale Threatt]

... like Danilo Gallinari's flop failure.

Yeah, how embarrassing for Nuggets fans. I'd be pissed if I were them. That idiotic flop basically allowed the Lakers to play 5 on 4 and led to that huge 3-pointer -- all while he was rolling on the floor faking that he got hit in the throat. I can't think of a worse possible time to flop.

Oh, but that wasn't all. He also flopped on Blake's 3 as well. So that's TWICE he went to ground on a crushing 3 in the final minute. Even Chris Paul is like, Damn, bro, show some restraint.

[DrewBynum77]

Kobe's taken a TON of bail out shots. A TON.

Our offense is terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

The only time it's good is when the other team doesn't play defense, and Pau's remarkable big-man passing skills or Kobe's creativity gets us some easy baskets.

We have only one basketball play.

Try to post Andrew, option 1. If that's denied, reverse the ball and set up Pau or Kobe in the post. So predictable.

The reason why this is (Please Use More Appropriate Word) is that we have no overplay options.
Defenses simply sag in and soft double the post to deny the entry pass or hard double when it gets in there.

The shot clock is winding down by now. And you know what happens. Ball finds Kobe. Kobe takes a tough shot.

Sure, Kobe might take a couple heat checks a game, but that's from any elite scorer. I think his shot has been off the past couple games because he's tired as the game goes on. Whether from the altitude or whatever, he just hasn't sustained the energy that he showed at Staples.

But I think Kobe's overall play even in Denver has been solid, if not inspired. It's more a lack of energy than bad shot selection, imho. Take away the Mike Brown bail out shots, and his FG% would be very respectable.

Of course Kobe could play better, he could be more patient. Pau could be more aggressive. Andrew could be more composed and be a consistent defender and rebounder. But really, those three guys are NOT costing us games.

It's our bench.

Jordan Hill has been our best bench player. Blake and Barnes just don't have enough to be consistent. Blake defers too much, Barnes shot has always been streaky (and he has a sprained ankle which prevents him from getting the hustle baskets).

But Denver's bench has been killing ours...and that's going to be even bigger problems against OKC, and if we get past them, SAS.

That's why I think Sessions needs to spearhead the 2nd unit and keep us afloat when Kobe + Bynum sits.

If we win the championship, it's going to have to be because something radical happens to our bench.

Very good points miles. Well said!

[Edrees]

I think Kobe does need to work on spot up shooting a little more. I've seen him get the ball with some space but he takes a dribble before the shot, and by the time he finishes the dribble and gets the shot up he's got a hand in his face. I've seen that several times in this series, I can't figure out why he doesn't just shoot immediately? I'm talking with 4 seconds left on the shot clock he dribbles until there's 1 second then takes the shot, despite being midly open when he first caught the ball.

I hope you aren't counting those ones when referring to bail out shots, because those are pretty decent looks if he just catches and shoots.

[snaquille oatmeal]

In the Lakers' locker room afterward, Sessions was asked about Gallinari being dropped by Gasol's screen. As he was getting dressed, Bynum listened from a nearby cubicle to the question and couldn't resist chiming in with a falsetto voice: "Soccer swag!"

[milesfides]

I think Kobe does need to work on spot up shooting a little more. I've seen him get the ball with some space but he takes a dribble before the shot, and by the time he finishes the dribble and gets the shot up he's got a hand in his face. I've seen that several times in this series, I can't figure out why he doesn't just shoot immediately? I'm talking with 4 seconds left on the shot clock he dribbles until there's 1 second then takes the shot, despite being midly open when he first caught the ball.

I hope you aren't counting those ones when referring to bail out shots, because those are pretty decent looks if he just catches and shoots.

Because that's not Kobe's role. Historically or the present. He wants to create a higher percentage shot or create a shot for his teammates. He'll hold the ball in the triple-threat position, take a jab step or two, see how the defender reacts, then he'll pull up or drive, for his own shot or his teammate.

That's the thing about Kobe, he doesn't have as much tunnel vision as critics say. If, at the last second, a teammate makes himself open, Kobe will interrupt his move at the last moment to drop the pass. Recently, the dump off the Bynum comes to mind, when Kobe could have forced a layup, he whipped a pass around the defender at the last moment to Bynum who flushed it. I think Kobe's long "assist window" is one of the most underrated parts to his game, which is why I'm always upset at teammates that just stand around, whether out of awe or anger. Just keep moving, make yourself available, and Kobe just may hit you with a spot-on pass. Odom became pretty good at this, and now Matt Barnes (although they both make the same cut - straight down the middle - when their own defender turns his head to cheat on Kobe).

Lastly, it must also be a comfort thing with Kobe, because spot-up shooting has been so rare with him (never really played with a better playmaker). So I think he's also comfortable going into his own rhythm, for example his fadeaway, Dirk fadeaway, or reverse fadeaway - he takes dribbles to initiate those moves. He practices these things, prides himself on the isolation moves, and quite frankly, this is how Kobe probably defines himself, even as a preteen. I'm guessing 8-year-old Kobe was not practicing catch and shooting as a role player, ever, in his entire life.

So, when there's 4 seconds left on the clock and Kobe has to take a bail out shot, I think Kobe doesn't catch and shoot because of his historic role, natural game, and the logic of increasing his opportunities and his teammates.

Although if Kobe accepted that kind of role, he could easily play past 40 at a high level.

[Edrees]

I agree with you, but I don't think he has to change his role and make up spot up shooting his primary role at all, that's not what I'm saying. I just mean in situations when he gets the ball at the last second and has a semi open look he should do it, rather than taking a crazy shot. He is shooting a low percentage and some of it is his because of that, and some of it's because of real bail out shots that are forced on him. Kobe seems to pride himself in being able to score in many ways. I don't see how he wouldn't be godlike at spot up shooting if he just practiced it. He wouldn't have to take as many bail out shots and his percentage would increase. I don't think you should blame the rest of the team if they supply kobe with a pretty good look with 4 seconds left on the clock, that's not a bail out shot by any means for many NBA players. If it is for Kobe then that just means its a weakness in his game, not that it's Mike Brown's systems fault.

If you give that shot to Carmelo or Durant and they shoot immediately for the open look, then I think you CAN blame kobe for not being able to do that.I only raised the idea as a counter to the concept that Kobe is getting too many passes at the end of the clock with no good look by pointing out that this is partly his fault for his inability/lack of desire to take a spot up shot.

[semi-sentient]

But I think Kobe's overall play even in Denver has been solid, if not inspired. It's more a lack of energy than bad shot selection, imho. Take away the Mike Brown bail out shots, and his FG% would be very respectable.

Considering how poorly Kobe played against the Nuggets in the regular season he's had a fantastic series so far. On the bailout shots, his FG% would be more than respectable. Let's say he's gone 1-5 on average in the first 4 games. That would put his FG% at around .481 for the series if you exclude those. Heck, he might actually be worse than 1-5 because I can't really think of any that's he's actually hit.

[miggs]

I think Kobe does need to work on spot up shooting a little more. I've seen him get the ball with some space but he takes a dribble before the shot, and by the time he finishes the dribble and gets the shot up he's got a hand in his face. I've seen that several times in this series, I can't figure out why he doesn't just shoot immediately? I'm talking with 4 seconds left on the shot clock he dribbles until there's 1 second then takes the shot, despite being midly open when he first caught the ball.

I hope you aren't counting those ones when referring to bail out shots, because those are pretty decent looks if he just catches and shoots.

Because that's not Kobe's role. Historically or the present. He wants to create a higher percentage shot or create a shot for his teammates. He'll hold the ball in the triple-threat position, take a jab step or two, see how the defender reacts, then he'll pull up or drive, for his own shot or his teammate.

That's the thing about Kobe, he doesn't have as much tunnel vision as critics say. If, at the last second, a teammate makes himself open, Kobe will interrupt his move at the last moment to drop the pass. Recently, the dump off the Bynum comes to mind, when Kobe could have forced a layup, he whipped a pass around the defender at the last moment to Bynum who flushed it. I think Kobe's long "assist window" is one of the most underrated parts to his game, which is why I'm always upset at teammates that just stand around, whether out of awe or anger. Just keep moving, make yourself available, and Kobe just may hit you with a spot-on pass. Odom became pretty good at this, and now Matt Barnes (although they both make the same cut - straight down the middle - when their own defender turns his head to cheat on Kobe).

Lastly, it must also be a comfort thing with Kobe, because spot-up shooting has been so rare with him (never really played with a better playmaker). So I think he's also comfortable going into his own rhythm, for example his fadeaway, Dirk fadeaway, or reverse fadeaway - he takes dribbles to initiate those moves. He practices these things, prides himself on the isolation moves, and quite frankly, this is how Kobe probably defines himself, even as a preteen. I'm guessing 8-year-old Kobe was not practicing catch and shooting as a role player, ever, in his entire life.

So, when there's 4 seconds left on the clock and Kobe has to take a bail out shot, I think Kobe doesn't catch and shoot because of his historic role, natural game, and the logic of increasing his opportunities and his teammates.

Although if Kobe accepted that kind of role, he could easily play past 40 at a high level.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Lastly, it must also be a comfort thing with Kobe, because spot-up shooting has been so rare with him (never really played with a better playmaker). So I think he's also comfortable going into his own rhythm, for example his fadeaway, Dirk fadeaway, or reverse fadeaway - he takes dribbles to initiate those moves. He practices these things, prides himself on the isolation moves, and quite frankly, this is how Kobe probably defines himself, even as a preteen. I'm guessing 8-year-old Kobe was not practicing catch and shooting as a role player, ever, in his entire life.

I remember reading somewhere that when he came back to the states from Italy that it used to be part of his practice routine to take shots riding his bicycle from half court towards the corner three.

[miggs]

Lastly, it must also be a comfort thing with Kobe, because spot-up shooting has been so rare with him (never really played with a better playmaker). So I think he's also comfortable going into his own rhythm, for example his fadeaway, Dirk fadeaway, or reverse fadeaway - he takes dribbles to initiate those moves. He practices these things, prides himself on the isolation moves, and quite frankly, this is how Kobe probably defines himself, even as a preteen. I'm guessing 8-year-old Kobe was not practicing catch and shooting as a role player, ever, in his entire life.

I remember reading somewhere that when he came back to the states from Italy that it used to be part of his practice routine to take shots riding his bicycle from half court towards the corner three.

[KB24TBOTB]

Lastly, it must also be a comfort thing with Kobe, because spot-up shooting has been so rare with him (never really played with a better playmaker). So I think he's also comfortable going into his own rhythm, for example his fadeaway, Dirk fadeaway, or reverse fadeaway - he takes dribbles to initiate those moves. He practices these things, prides himself on the isolation moves, and quite frankly, this is how Kobe probably defines himself, even as a preteen. I'm guessing 8-year-old Kobe was not practicing catch and shooting as a role player, ever, in his entire life.

I remember reading somewhere that when he came back to the states from Italy that it used to be part of his practice routine to take shots riding his bicycle from half court towards the corner three.

Wtf?

[KB24TBOTB]

Kobe's taken a TON of bail out shots. A TON.

Our offense is terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

The only time it's good is when the other team doesn't play defense, and Pau's remarkable big-man passing skills or Kobe's creativity gets us some easy baskets.

We have only one basketball play.

Try to post Andrew, option 1. If that's denied, reverse the ball and set up Pau or Kobe in the post. So predictable.

The reason why this is (Please Use More Appropriate Word) is that we have no overplay options.
Defenses simply sag in and soft double the post to deny the entry pass or hard double when it gets in there.

The shot clock is winding down by now. And you know what happens. Ball finds Kobe. Kobe takes a tough shot.

Sure, Kobe might take a couple heat checks a game, but that's from any elite scorer. I think his shot has been off the past couple games because he's tired as the game goes on. Whether from the altitude or whatever, he just hasn't sustained the energy that he showed at Staples.

But I think Kobe's overall play even in Denver has been solid, if not inspired. It's more a lack of energy than bad shot selection, imho. Take away the Mike Brown bail out shots, and his FG% would be very respectable.

Of course Kobe could play better, he could be more patient. Pau could be more aggressive. Andrew could be more composed and be a consistent defender and rebounder. But really, those three guys are NOT costing us games.

It's our bench.

Jordan Hill has been our best bench player. Blake and Barnes just don't have enough to be consistent. Blake defers too much, Barnes shot has always been streaky (and he has a sprained ankle which prevents him from getting the hustle baskets).

But Denver's bench has been killing ours...and that's going to be even bigger problems against OKC, and if we get past them, SAS.

That's why I think Sessions needs to spearhead the 2nd unit and keep us afloat when Kobe + Bynum sits.

If we win the championship, it's going to have to be because something radical happens to our bench.

Just finished reading your input on this thread and I must say I like your posts. They were very insightful and you actually took your time to explain your thoughts thoroughly. Very much impressed

[milesfides]

If you give that shot to Carmelo or Durant and they shoot immediately for the open look, then I think you CAN blame kobe for not being able to do that.I only raised the idea as a counter to the concept that Kobe is getting too many passes at the end of the clock with no good look by pointing out that this is partly his fault for his inability/lack of desire to take a spot up shot.

Because Kobe is trying to make a play. Carmelo and Durant are not the kind of playmaker Kobe is. Kobe has a long "assist window," so 4 or 5 seconds for him is a long time. How many times do you feel Kobe panics or rushes because of a lack of time?

Guys like Carmelo or Durant will most likely just pull up for the shot, so they're prone to shoot it. You can't blame them; Durant can pull up for the shot at any time because of his height. Melo also has length, but more than that, he has a quick release. So these guys may tend to just shoot faster, whereas Kobe likes to keep his options open, and use his footwork to create a higher percentage shot for himself or his teammates.

But make no mistake - these are tough situations for all players. Nobody is very good at crunch time (aside from maybe a couple catch-and-shooters, but that's a different story).

The thing that sucks about the Lakers is that these situations are way too often dumped on Kobe's lap. Under Phil Jackson's triangle offense, which is really a read offense without set plays, lacking capable playmakers (such as Scottie Pippen or a younger Ron Harper), Kobe was forced way too often in those situations. And now under Mike Brown's predictable offense with a flawed roster (lack of reliable three-point shooters), Kobe finds himself in that situation too often as well.

But it is what it is, and Kobe hasn't shied or complained. He does what he does. He could be better, but there's a reason why he is so widely respected in those situations; he's not afraid of them and he steps up to the challenge, and when you consider the alternatives, you're grateful you have a player like that.

Moreover, Blake and Sessions hitting those shots were big, because with Kobe, trust is a big factor in his decision-making.