Observations from Last 2 ORL-LAL Games

dingclancy · Post #1 » by **dingclancy** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:01 am

I watched both regular season games from my recording and here is what I observed. Take it for what its worth.

* Pau Gasol was guarded by Dwight Howard AND double teamed. It was obvious that their game plan was to shut down Pau moreso than Kobe. They doubled hard, sending a Magic player from the wing. Gasol will naturally pass the ball for hockey assists. Lakers found open shooters like Vlad and Sasha. Bynum and Odom have very makeable shots that did not go in.

* They played Kobe straight up. It seems like they are more concerned with the inside-outside game than Kobe getting his.

* The reason why Lakers lost both games was because of Jameer Nelson's penetration. That's it. This is one flaw that killed them big time. Hedo, Shard and their three pointers were getting great looks from Nelson and most of the points they got were from clutch plays by Jameer. Jameer was the best player for the Magic in those games.

*The Lakers are content in giving Dwight single coverage and the Lakers have more control of the game when the Magic decide to take it to Dwight. It is important to note that when DH gets the ball he does not manufacture open threes against the Lakers. It was always Nelson's play that got the best of the Lakers.

*Even if DH gets doubled, the Lakers rarely double from the wing. They always send the other big man to guard Dwight to keep the perimeter in check. Dwight will have to make lots of interior passes, something that he is not comfortable doing. That is why Stan resorted to Jameer's dribble penetration.

*The Turk pick and roll, did not and will not work in the Finals. In the last two games, the Lakers just switch it up and that was the last of it. There is no such thing as Rashard ISO, or Turk ISO. Those matchups do not work well for the Magic.

* Kobe played from the top and got his shots in rhythm. There is nothing in the tape that showed me Pietrus can shut down Kobe. But Kobe relented and took poor shots that he should not be taking.

* Lakers also got killed with poor transition defense. Magic got those home run threes easily.

* Lakers got outrebounded big time.... again because of Jameer's penetration. That was really the superstar element.

From my observations, I believe Jameer is the missing piece. He brought something to the Magic offense that Alston and Johnson will never bring in the Finals.

This will be an OFFENSIVE series. These two teams cannot guard each other. Lakers will have to depend on inside play and the Magic should make the effort to get in transition. I want to see how Lakers do without Nelson. The Lakers shied away from Pau even though that was the formula that was working for them. I think Lakers are not dumb enough to make those same mistakes. Less Kobe, more Gasol.

iamworthy · Post #2 » by **iamworthy** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:16 am

Nice break down. Question? How was the the lakers intensity in both games? I know one of the games was a back-to-back. Was the intensity the same like when we played in boston or cleveland this year? I cant remember.

dingclancy · Post #3 » by **dingclancy** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:22 am

iamworthy wrote:Nice break down. Question? How was the the lakers intensity in both games? I know one of the games was a back-to-back. Was the intensity the same like when we played in boston or cleveland this year? I cant remember.

The first game was a back-to-back coming from a loss and Wade owning Kobe.
Second game was also intense being at home and remembering the loss in Orlando.
I am not sure if both games were as intense as those against the Celtics/Cavs. We were far less disciplined in these Magic games though. We got beat in transition, lost in pick and roll D, Kobe taking too many shots.... Vlad Rad moments... the typical Lakers "what are you doing??!!!" game. :lol:

dingclancy · Post #4 » by **dingclancy** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:32 am

I forgot to add. It was those decisions in the clutch that killed us. We just died with Kobe's bad shot, then on the other end, Jameer was just taking it to us. If all games will be close, we have to do better in finishing games.

KObe Bryant · Post #5 » by **KObe Bryant** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 6:29 am

Good Observations. I'm sure the Lakers are also reviewing this and sure that The Magic will adjust from all their mistakes. Therefore, We also have to adjust while they do.

Rubynator · Post #6 » by **Rubynator** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 7:08 am

I've watched the 2nd game it was intense. I remember Dwight elbowing Gasol in the head and Gasol punching Dwight in the stomach. I LOL'd

Jordan-esque · Post #7 » by **Jordan-esque** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 9:24 am

Hollinger wrote an article on 6 Keys that the Magic exploited the Lakers with.
(Can't post the article since it's Insider)

1) Jameer Nelson averaging 28 ppg.
(Fisher needs to pray to God ASAP)

2) Dwight Howard at 16 rpg, out-rebounding Andrew Bynum at just 2 rpg.
(For every 1 rebound Bynum gets, Howard already has 8)

3) Pau Gasol struggling, averaging 12 ppg against Rashard Lewis.
(Gasol though played well at Center; averaging 30 ppg when guarded by Howard)

4) Vladimir Radmonavic playing well against the Magic, but is not here anymore.
(Radmanovic averaged 12 ppg and 55% 3-point shooting)

5) Kobe Bryant getting his points, but becoming a volume jump shooter.
(Bryant averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists per game, but needed 83 FGA)

6) Lakers having the Magic shoot a lot of 3's.
(Lakers gave Magic their 3-point shots which they hit 43% of the time)