| 07 May 2009
Wow... now that was a battle. LA finish game 2 with a win, splitting the opening 2 at the Staples Center with the Rockets. And *battle*'s the right word.
A day off (ceasefire?), then head to Houston's Toyota Center for a resumption in ... umm... "hostilities". The big question: can the Lakers steal one out of the 2 games behind enemy lines?
Game 3 looms, and the Lakers have a few concerns going into it. Namely, Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. Kobe should be fine.
His 'elbow' happens whilst they're jostling for position, seconds before that Ron-ron's giving pretty much as good as he got. Kobe might get fined for it, but Stu Jackson's let far, far worse go these playoffs. Ron got ejected for taking particular exception to it, and getting way up in Kobe's grille. The reaction that Ron gave to not getting the call was renaissance Artest... as was the throat-slitting gesture.
What will be interesting will be how Artest plays in game 3 on Friday. Will he come looking for game, or looking for revenge. The former's a flat-out baller, and is the main reason why the Rocket are right in the hunt for this scalp. The latter? I'm kinda hoping he turns up - because that guy's a nutcase, and Houston are far worse off if Ron-ron is intent on 'settling the score'. However, if it's that guy - Kobe better have eyes in his back.
Now... Scola/Fisher. It began with a lot of jawing, a few techs, then a moment of indiscretion from Derek Fisher. Rockets fans/Laker-haters will tell you that it was an EXTREMELY dirty play, and that Fisher elbowed Scola.
But looking in depth at the hit Fish layed on Luis Scola, 2 things are immediately apparent.
1. Fish meant to make sure he hit him.
2. Scola flopped.
Fish definitely lined up Scola, he looks down-court, and leans his shoulder into Scola. But the way it first appears is far, far worse than it actually was. Luis Scola sells the contact, and sells it well.
If a player is hit the way Scola falls was 'reality', then that player would be assisted from the court. But Scola's up and fine to play within seconds of taking the hit... so I think we can bury the reaction that ol' Luis gives the initial hit.
There was no elbow involved in the play either. Fisher's elbow does come up, but well after the contact's made (as the animated gif clearly shows).
I do believe that Derek Fisher will be watching Game 3 in a suit tho'... and maybe that's not entirely a bad thing.
- Teams often seem to play better when there's a cause to fight for, and if the Lakers can get indignant about a Fisher suspension (should he get one), then great.
- I've definitely liked what Farmar/Brown bring to the table this series more than what Fish does. Fish's really struggled to keep up with Brooks/Lowry thus far.
LA'll be fine with a more physical (dirty?) tag. It's amazing how fast those who aren't Lakerfans oscillate on this issue. It's really a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" issue.
First, LA are too soft. Now they're overly physical and dirty.
Can't be both folks.
Anyway, this series is really turning into a good one, and I'm pretty confident that LA will be able to take one of games 3 and 4 at the Toyota Center. LA play best when they've got their backs to the wall, and they came out guns-a-blazin' in the first quarter of game 2, and finished well in the 4th. The crowd in Houston will give the guys in purple (sorry: "forum blue"!) a rousing welcome, ample opportunity to fire up.
Continue with that thematic, and hopefully LA can finish game 3 a game up on Houston.
Some things I'd like to see:
- Kobe continuing to slash to the basket. He's MUCH better when he takes a more aggressive role.
- Continued aggression on defense - especially interior defense, and not just in spurts. Turn the Rockets into a jump-shooting team... or as much as we're able.
- Continue to abuse Yao's lack of mobility/speed. Gasol looked REALLY good against Yao at times in game 2. It's a given that there'll be no second defender helping out when it's Yao: use that.
- The bench has come under fire a lot this playoffs, and rightly so. It's well overdue to have a good performance. Game 3'd be nice...
Friday/Sunday: Houston. Leave with a split there. And back on track.
Worth noting that for Friday's game, I'll be over at TLN doing some liveblogging - come in and enjoy the fun!
