Keys to winning game 5

[Tommy Trojan]

Here the keys I think we will need to win game 5.

After listening to ESPN radio this morning and listening 570am after the game I think we will need to improve this areas for us to win.

Please add what you think we should do to win the game.

First Fish needs to stay away from foul trouble, it is very obvious when Fish goes out they make a run and that swings the momentum around in their favor.

Second when Jordan comes in he needs to swing the ball and play defense. This guys has become worse then Spush in playing D. (upon ESPN some of the Laker players had concern when Farmar enters the game because we does not pass the ball around and hangs on to the ball too long, also he makes very poor decisions with the ball this has been brought to Phil during this series from different players on the Lakers team)

Three we need to get the whole team involved from the beginning that will stop their fast break points. Going back to key number 2, ESPN had a stat that when Fish was in the game compared when Farmar was in the game how much more fast break points we gave up when Farmar was in there.

To sum it up:

1) Fish stay out of foul trouble
2) Farmar play D, swing the ball and make wise decisions with the ball
3) Stop their fast breaks.

[Erik Eleven]

I'm not going to think about game six until we've taken game five.

[Tommy Trojan]

I'm not going to think about game six until we've taken game five.

Typo fixed

[Erik Eleven]

Ah! I seriously thought you took game five for granted, hence my reaction. Sorry about that.


Here are my keys:

1) Limit turnovers, which will automatically lead to...

2) ... better pressure defense.

3) Defensive rebounding will limit second chance points and FT attempts which both have allowed them time to set their defense in the last two games. Defensive rebounding is also the mother of fastbreak ball and thus easy baskets.

4) Fisher is setting the tone with his intense defense early in games which is smart because he forces the refs to set the tone for the game. All players must do the same thing at the on-set of next game, not just Fisher. It's extra effective on the home court because they'll hesitate to give him those calls at home. As this series gets deeper, I also think the refs allow them to play more and Fish will not get those same calls.

I expect the Lakers to shut Utah down on Wednesday, and I expect them to finish it in six, on the road. Farmar is bound to pick it up a notch. Then, we'll hopefully have Ariza returning soon so we can compete with the best in the defense department once again.

[That Nicka]

1) Kobe needs to play from the free throw line and below... No settling from outside jumpers and at the absolute most he should only attempt 2 threes

2) force the refs to make the call by attacking the basket. (in game 4 we weren't getting the same calls that we did in games 1 and 2 so we started settling for jumpers)

3) Keep Lamar involved

4) Start Luke

[LAKESHOW]

just convert and execute down the stretch. thats the difference between championship teams and contenders.

and we are in dire need of experience in that area. and next year, we will have it. but i want it now!

currently, we are just not getting those last couple of bounces here or there down the stretch of games. or we get the breaks, and then we are not focused on the execution of our offense.

and the proof is there these past 2 games. winnable. very very winnable games. the window is there, the door is wide open, but we aint walkin thru it.

now if we keep on giving those types of opportunities to utah, it'll come back to bite us.

so its simple. get those last 2 minutes under control and focus on what jax knows best, the execution of his offense in late game situations.

[The_Cut]

kobe needs to be healthy and ready to go = THE KEY to win game 5

[Leonidas]

defense for 48 minutes...
take care of the rock
and for pete's sake give jordan a book to read.

[djericho]

This is as close to a must win for the lakers now. I thought Utah would hold @ home and now the lakers must do the same.

I'm thinking maybe have sasha switch and defend, He's pesky and can get on players nerves (ask Melo)

Must clean up boards, we need to go big. start Turiaf have Mbenga come in off bench at center or even have time against Okur. have Radmanovic come for offense.

Apparently Jazz think they've come up with answers to the lakers, the bench has shown they could step up, now it's a must.

Go Lakers!

[chefy]

defense!

execute
get gasol involve early in the game, make his presence be felt, make your FTS!!!!!!

[hermes]

fisher needs to stay on the court
lamar needs to play like he did in game 4
pull a SA and slow everyone else down and let deron go
has defense be said yet

[doozyj]

We need to attack the basket, draw some fouls early on Boozer.

[dennis_mora91]

My keys

1) Kobe

[TruSkool]

keep fisher in the game
make lamar do more damage
dont let gasol dribble, dribble-turnover
box out
limit 2nd chance opportunities
rebound rebound rebound
execute

(i have a feeling lamar is gona have a bad game 5)

feelin like the lake show is in some trouble...seems like the cockiness bit us in the ass and its really hurting

[hermes]

i don't really think cockiness had much to do with it, utah is unbelievable at home, those games were fairly close we just made to many mistakes to win

[Dexmor]

My keys to winning game 5

1. Kobe has to be healthy and be over the back problem.

That's it.

[djericho]

Right now Lakers are their own worst enemy.

If they sit around and watch Kobe, they lose. If they don't seal off their guy and give up offensive rebounds they lose. If they don't attack the basket and get their bigs in foul trouble, It's a loss.

Except for playing physical and fouling, I don't see anything Utah has done to take the lakers out of their game. The Team has to knuckle up and play.

[KB20]

The execution has to be perfect, offensively and defensively.

Offensively we have to play like game 1 against Denver but with Kobe having a good game. Of the handfull of Lakers' games I've watched this season, that was my favorite. Lamar and Pau were awesome, Luke got out of his funk, and that was one of Farmar's last average-great games of the season. If Kobe's not ready to play his game then other guys have to step it up.

Defensively, I like the Spurs approach. Shut everyone down and force Deron to score. If we let him make plays for others then we'll get caught up in that and he will score even more easily. We played him pretty well in the 1st 2 games and we have to continue that.

Also, I'd like to add that if we lose this game I will be devastated and there is a good chance I become insane.

[3-Pt_Shooter]

Well, obviously if Kobe's back is healthy he will make sure that we don't lose the game... but here some more keys to winning game 5:

1) Use Kobe more as a facilitator than a primary scorer.
2) Employ the same strategy that SA is using versus Chris Paul - play Deron straight up and make him try to score and shut down the other utah players.
3) Get Sasha in the game more - he should have played more in game 4.
4) Be aggressive and drive to the basket. Don't fall in love with the 3-point shot. Force the refs to make foul calls.
5) Take care of the basketball.

GO LAKERS!!!