WESTERN CONFERENCE
SEMI-FINALS
GAME 4
THUNDER LEAD SERIES 2-1
(2) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
vs
(3) LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Sat 05/19/2012 – 7:30pm (PST)
TNT
STAPLES CENTER
For the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder…
For your Los Angeles Lakers…
While yesterday’s win is still keeping me excited and focused on game 4 and I’m hoping our squad does the same. I’m hoping last night’s win taught them that while the Thunder are truly a team that’s blossoming and arguably may be the better team since they have stars hitting their primes, a focus that is seemingly unfathomable and a tenacity that is sincerely admirable, however, if the playoffs were all about talent and the regular season, teams like the Cavs and Heat of 2010s, or the Blazers of the 2000s. It’s about match-ups, it’s about who exploits any match-up advantages they have to a point where the opponent can’t stop the bleeding.
Last night showed me that while this team is usually lacking in heart, focus and the grit to pull out a victory, last night was different. I don’t expect this Lakers team to run the Thunder out of Staples, mainly due to their weak mentality (focus and poise), however if they can play like they did yesterday and just keep pushing the ball inside, I like our chances to even up this series and take the momentum in the series. Pau MUST stay aggressive like he was yesterday, even if he’s missing some shots, I like how he was going hard almost every play. I loved the moment where Ibaka is hugging Pau, meanwhile Pau is looking down to him with what seemed like a smirk. Ibaka is an awesome shot blocker, however, once Pau starts dazzling him with the many moves in his arsenal, Ibaka can’t do much with his thin frame and size compared to Pau. Bynum also I liked, however, I want him to bulldoze his opponents more, I keep feeling he’s holding back. It’s time to unleash that as Bynum surely is ready to dominate Perkins, Ibaka and Collison.
Ron Artest missed some threes but I still feel a major positive came from him simply shooting the ball, it seemed other guys were more confident in taking shots (namely Blake). The supporting cast must continue to do just that, support! I’m loving Artest’s defense and feel this alter ego of MWP is being shelved for the playoffs. It’s time for physicality though obviously not trying to injure players, just letting them know that this Lakers squad is gritty, hungry, and motivated yet poised, tactical, and multi-dimensional. Sessions must continue to drive in the paint as he seems to pass well if no shot is there, which I REALLY REALLY want to see more of. I felt if our guys were hitting some shots during those plays, it’d have been a real good run, however, it’s ok, the shots will fall long as we keep our defense tight and keep that hot potato moving!
KEYS TO THE GAME:
You’ve heard me say four words A LOT and that’s for a reason.
1 – Heart = If this team comes out with the heart that a champion has then I’m positive this series will go back to OKC 2-2 with the Lakers pumped up to play game 5. Every run OKC makes is a hit we must be ready to take without falling apart as they will surely make a few runs during the game. Their must be an unwillingness to be put down from each and every player, for those from the title years to look in the mirror and remember what it took to hold that sweet title in their hands again and for those looking for their first title, to look in the mirror and decide how they want to remember this post-season. If they’re ok with mediocrity then fine, but if not they must put on their Spartan helmet and be ready for war, be ready to dive on the floor and cut up your elbow, stay ready so you never have to get ready, and mostly just leave everything you got, everything, leave it out there and we will surely be standing victorious at the end.
2- Grit = Kind of goes with heart, but it’s all about the little things when controlling momentum. You have go after loose balls, box out well and be ready to beat your opponent to the rebound, staying in front of your man and going around screen instead of simply trying take the easy way out, fouling on fast breaks and easy bucket attempts to make them have to make TWO free throws and not get ANY easy buckets.
3- Focus = Why are we here? If not for a title, why are we here? Why not just spend more time with our families and enjoy as much time with them and doing other activities before the new season starts. If the one and only goal isn’t to win a title then why bother?! This Lakers squad is talented and experienced enough to win it all however, the question for me is simply, which Lakers team comes out, the Official Kobe Fan Club where popcorn is distributed to all players not named Kobe so that they may all have something to eat while watching Kobe go to work or the Los Angeles Lakers, recent title winners and now are already being overlooked in favor of other emerging powers. However, focus, will squash that as NO TEAM can handle the offensive skills of an aggressive Pau and Bynum.
4- Poise = We should never try running like the Thunder do, while some plays turn out good for us, usually we just play into their game and fail to keep up once the tempo is consistently at a fast pace. We must settle down, feed our bigs have shooters moving and ready and some one ready to cut. Keep that ball moving and trust each other, it’s the only way to beat at team that’s arguably better than you. They will get excited, angry, and probably disillusioned at some point, but nevertheless they must maintain their composure and just keep on steady rollin.
5- Us = Every fan at Staples must be yelling and on their feet for our team. We’re facing an opponent who blistering fast and agile and wants our heart at their next meal so must we need every ounce of energy from every fan to be fed into our squad. We must be behind them 150% just as every player not named Kobe should be behind Kobe 150% ready to win it all. It may seem that just one of us yelling isn’t enough, but when everyone at Staples is yelling and we at home are too, we too are completely focused and leaving it all out there for our squad. This is the playoffs, where there are countless tales of the Lakers, we have the chance to help add to one of the golden eras of the Lakers history, the 2000s and forward. We must scream and remember our first taste of being a crazy Lakers fan, we must remember that and go back to that mind state where we don’t think we’re going to lose because we believe in our team. If we think like that and hopefully our team does as well, who not named The Avengers, can stand up to us?!?!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BTeWyRTF60[/youtube]
EYES ON THE PRIZE
GAME 4
A game at a time
Fultz, Ball or Bust
