| 09 April 2010
No Kobe, and in a run of playing some of the worst basketball I've seen a Lakers team play in years... but for some last second heroics from Carmelo Anthony, LA might have even walked out of the Pepsi Center with a win. Despite the screaming on twitter from Laker-fans about Phil sitting Bryant - I thought it was a good move. Kobe's obviously not at anywhere near his peak, and LA simply need one more win to seal up the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs up to the Finals.
Additionally, I think that there are several players who need to put their hand up and be counted if LA are to do what they're here to do: win another ring. Pau Gasol and Ron Artest did just that, both putting in beastly-good performances. It wouldn't upset me for Kobe to be rested even further... I'm fine with Phil Jackson trying a few things out, and trying to get some of the peripheral guys some court-time running into the playoffs. We're going to need them to step up further.
Back to the game: the culprit in the loss was inaccurate shooting. Both Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic shot the second-most of the night - 12 shots. Both hit a deplorable 25%. Not that there weren't others doing the same. Odom & Fish were awful as well (1-6 and 2-11 respectively). FTs were actually pretty good for once.
The Nugz had another good night from out deep, shooting BETTER from outside the arc than within. Out of the 4 games LA have played them, that's happened twice now.
Perimeter defense anyone?
LA can be a monster defensively, and I believe come playoffs we'll see a different team entirely. Despite the 'L', I think LA got a bit of their anger going in this game.
And that's a good thing.
