| 25 May 2009
Looking ahead to game 4 of the Denver/LA series, the main reason the Lakers are up 2-1 - as discussed in my pre-game 5 Reasons - is their capacity to self-destruct. Well... that and Kobe Bryant.Taken from the aforementioned piece:
"... without a doubt Denver are a side whose emotions can run rampant and boil over to the degree that it will hamper their on court efforts."
Now, this series is far from over, and Denver aren't in a huge hole - LA are exactly where LA would be if they'd merely held serve... but there have been elements in both of the games that they've lost that would indicate that they haven't come as far as we first thought - at least in their ability to not let the game spiral out of their control.
From the opposite side of the scorer's table, LA haven't really had a game yet where they've been able to stamp their authority on it. Largely, they've fought hard, and ridden Kobe at the end. That is a positive tho' - with both aspects: the Lakers have been able to keep the game close, and Kobe's been able to live up to his reputation as the game's best closer.
Excellent.
Trevor Ariza's been pretty good. I'm not sure if anyone other than Kobe could do a better job on Carmelo Anthony... and I'd prefer Kobe not to have to do that for an entire game, especially in Denver's high altitude.
But I really hope that sooner - rather than later - the rest of LA turn up for a whole game, rather than in just fits 'n' spurts. Phil got very active last game, it's been a while since I've seen him patrol the sideline in a non-game-7... hopefully he gets a little more creative in his coaching than what we've seen thus far these playoffs. Getting very involved during a game isn't normally his style, but maybe throwing a different look at Denver might be interesting. Like... start someone not named Derek Fisher at point? Or throw out that Cerberus front court that LA-fans have been dreaming about all season long (Bynum/Gasol/Odom), even if just for a few minutes. I mean, just cry havoc, and let slip that particular dog of war (to paraphrase the Bard)!
Additionally, this talk of LA having "stolen" a game or two is complete and utter BS. They play the game for the full 48. They don't stop with a few minutes to go. The winner is the team with the most points at the end.
Pretty simple really, and in reality - no games are 'stolen'. You win, or you don't.
Hopefully if game 3 taught the fans of LA that if nothing else, wait until the end before crying "THE SKY IS FALLING!" (this, aimed at some of the fans attending the TLN liveblogs!).
Not over until it's over... and even tho' the closeness of these games is hell on the fans, I wouldn't have it any other way. By gods, it's exciting.
Whatever happens in the planning and strategizing from the two teams, I expect game 4 to be no less than what's preceded it. A hardly-fought, brutal contest. Neither team appears too concerned about where they play. Denver brought it to the Staples Center (where the displaced WWE Raw event will take place same time! I don't normally care, but can someone let me know how the LA vs Denver 5-on-5 goes? And the McMahon-vs-Kroenke match?), and LA took it right back to them at the Pepsi Center. LA could certainly win game 4. And doing so would be a wound that Denver may not recover from.
Now... let's hope it's so.
