Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) I expect Kobe to play big today. He's pissed as hell and there's no one to stop him . Hopefully another +10 pts win
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) Kobe Bryant had a career worst game and the officials didn't allow Bynum to stay on the court, but the game changing moment IMO happened at the start of the 4th quarter. The coaching staff didn't learn from last season Luke Walton is not a matchup option with Matt Harpring on the court. The Jazz went right to work attacking Luke on the offensive end with Harpring. 1. Jazz used Harpring to screen both Sasha & Walton taking them completely out of the play while Korver shot jumpshots. This puts the Lakers in a 4 vs. 5 situation. 2. Once the shot went up Harpring darted for the offensive glass and Walton was steamrolled to the hardwood because he couldn't box Harpring out. Game Flow If you look at the game flow chart for the start of the 4th quarter you'll see the run Utah went on to take momentum and negate the 12 point lead the Lakers had. The rest of the Jazz fed off of Harpring's energy and the crowd became a factor to intensify Utah's focus on this game while the Lakers choked down the stretch. I was also disappointed with Gasol on a few possessions. He wasn't as assertive like the first two games where he was able to overwhelm Boozer and Milsapp in the post. Gasol was timid and waited for the hard double team to come from the blindside. Gasol was looking for the ref to bail him out when he lost possession of the ball instead of catching the pass in the post and making his move to the rim. I know Gasol likes to survey the defense, but he should be the one dictating the play and not reacting to it. The playoffs is all about adjustments and Utah made its one and only adjustment (until Okur comes back) available to them in Game 3 by altering their starting lineup. The Lakers will have to counter this move and I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers start Odom ahead of Bynum in today (Game 4). I also want to see Josh Powell get a look today ahead of Walton. This is going to be another physical contest and Powell is one of our better bangers in the paint. He has a nose for the ball and could give us much needed second chance opportunities. His mid-range jumper will keep Milsapp or Harpring honest and Powell isn't going to allow Harpring to shove him on his ass. Walton shouldn't see any minutes in this series because he's a two-way liability and doesn't give us a favorable matchup.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) Kobe looks good. Travel on the Lakers. Why the fuck didn't anyone run to Drew with the shot clock running out? How dare they leave him at the three point line.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) Odom missed Drew on the pick and roll. Fish fouled.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) Kobe lookin good. Came out aggressive, yet he missed arguably his easiest jumper of the night. I hope he doesn't cool off.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) I think Fisher's career is about over. He's approaching 34 or 35 and really tailed off at the end of this year.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) Odom, Pau and Ariza look off - sync tonight... damn! We should close out the series tonight by going up 3-1!!!
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) He just needs to play smarter, he's been frustrating in this series.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) This series? He's been frustrating for a long time now.
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) What the hell kind of lineup is on the floor? Fisher, Sasha, Kobe, Walton, and Gasol?
Re: Lakers vs. Jazz Series Thread (Lakers up 2-1) I think Kobe's start could come back to hurt the team. He came out aggressive and the team just watched. Walton knocks down a pair.
