This has been a strange series for the first 4 games, but game 5 finally played to form. In most of the other games, a supporting role player carried the day. Derek Fisher was dared to beat the Celtics and he did, with a drive that split 3 players in game 3. Big Baby Glen Davis put a woodshed whipping on Lamar Odom in the fourth game.
So last night, the series came to form. A star, Paul Pierce, carried the day. But more than that, all three of the Big 3 played strong. For the purple, only one showed, Kobe. Doc Rivers has said in the timeouts that we are getting good looks, don't panic. In game four, I didn't believe him till the second half. In game 5 I believed him for the whole game. The Celtics set good picks and made good dive cuts off screens. They played as a team, got every loose ball. They were, as Tony Allen said, "fully engaged". The Lakers meanwhile made the final score look close thanks to a third quarter when Kobe scored 19 straight points. And they were bad shots. Fade away jumpers from beyond the 3 point line are not exactly high percentage, I don't care who is taking them. Plus one on four basketball is a losing cause. It looks like the only option they have at times, but when the other players watch, it slows the offensive flow. Yes I marvel at his athleticism, but I wonder where his team mates are. And Ron Artest is a total liability on offense. It would be nice to see Gasol show up again and have Odom show up at all. With Bynum very limited in mobility, this series is shrinking quick for the Lakers. Still, as Yogi said, "It ain't over till it's over."
No comments:
Post a Comment