| 19 April 2010
The Purple & Gold blog's Ezra joined me for a bit of a discussion about the LA/OKC series...Don (With Malice): I think that this is where we see the pay-off for the last month for LA. They should be well-rested and re-energised - ready to being their title defense.
Sure, Durant's going to get his, and LA are going to have to find a way to stop Westbrook - because Fish won't be able to... but like-wise, OKC aren't going to be able to stop Kobe, nor can they combat the Laker-bigs (yes, I'm assuming that Bynum's back, and will impact)... and I believe that Ron will be able to give KD some "welcome-to-the-playoffs" moments.
Phil's already in KD's head - if he weren't, Durant could have simply shrugged off the zen master's comments about FTs.
I think the Thunder have come an amazing distance, but LA end this in 5.
Ezra (The Purple And Gold Blog): If the Lakers establish their dominance early and not lose their focus and intensity that much, they'll make the Thunder remember that 1-12 record they have against them.
Can't say enough about having a new guy who is a veteran, has playoff experience, and as talented as Artest join the Lakers. Ron will be fine.
Bynum is playing Sunday and will come out firing. Kobe will probably play possum very early then when he studies enough of the Thunder defense he'll start swinging away.
As for Fish? He'll get his chance early before the Lakers go into Defcon 2, if need be. As long as he doesn't go underneath screens, he'll do fine. Westbrook isn't a good shooter. He relies more on his athleticism and attacking the rim to get his points. That makes him a whole lot more predictable to defend.
Lakers in 5 as well.
WM: I can't pretend that there isn't a part of me that isn't a little nervous given the way the Lakers have played over the last 3 weeks, but I do believe that the reason for that lies in taking it easy for that time - getting healthy for the playoffs. I also think Phil experimented a little more with the bench during that time.
On Ron: when focused, Ron's made life VERY hard for opposing swingmen - including Kevin Durant. It's an accepted fact that playoff basketball is more physical than the regular season... I can't see that this would be any different.
Whilst on KD, I'm really surprised that he engaged Phil in "discussion" so readily. I thought someone would've warned him!
TP&GB: I don't remember Scott Brooks coaching in the playoffs or even going up against Phil in the post-season at all.
The Thunder, including their coaches, have little to no playoff experience. So how can they foresee any mindgames from the master to warn their superstar about?
As for the Lakers, I've seen them struggle and string together wins heading into the playoffs with almost the same result. I don't get into the worry (or praise) department until I see them play in the playoffs.
This team is built for the post-season more than any team outside the Spurs. As for #37, Ron has been there before. The guy is very competitive and knows what he can contribute to any team. I just don't like how he misunderstands Phil when he says that he needs to be more involved on offense rather than what PJ actually means...you're not contributing on defense so might as well work on your shots.
If physicality is what the Lakers need, Artest can certainly deliver.
WM: Yeah, but surely they've watched before. It's amazing: every year Phil does this - try to get in the head of opponents. I'm just astounded how easily it happens.
Durant would've been far better off just shrugging it all off with a "Phil talks a lot, doesn't he?". It would've gotten a laugh from the press, and everyone would've moved on.
Do I think that this will upset Durant's performance during the series? Not hugely so... but he's obviously angry - and that will probably mean he'll take a few ill-advised shots - couple that with Ron's defense and it should be tough on Durant. Artest's done a pretty good job on KD this season, and I believe Ron will play some pretty nasty D on KD. That's the thing too: OKC will have to double Kobe at times, whereas Ron allows LA to put single coverage on Durant.TP&GB: With Artest, it's hard to tell if he's banged up or simply waiting for the playoffs. He's too tough of a customer to let his little pains get in the way of himself and the team. But I don't doubt he'll give Durant plenty of headaches.
One would think that for as long as Phil has been doing this in the league that people will catch on. But PJ knows his game. He chooses his target and his words carefully to get a response. Kevin could've just said: "So does the rest of the league. What else is new?" and move on.
But will Phil's remarks affect him? Not sure. Maybe on certain situations like you mentioned where he forces some shots, but Durant is a team-oriented kind of guy.
However, if the Thunder needs him to make shots (because the rest of the team isn't cutting it on offense) but Artest is doing a great job defending him. Then perhaps we'll see the mindgames take affect. Other than that, I'm not holding my breath.
WM: Oh I think it's obvious already that Phil's comments have affected Durant. He's angry, and stated he felt "disrespected". Durant should realise - "It's just business, nothin' personal."
The player I'm most worried about from the Thunder isn't Kevin Durant... but Russell Westbrook. No way on earth can Fish defend him.
TP&GB: We'll see if it's still bothering Durant on Sunday. But I'd rather have Ron do something about giving him bad games than some mental games.
Westbrook (like Durant) was on a tear heading into the playoffs, but he'll soon find out the post-season is a different beast entirely. The Lakers will have something planned for him also.
But I never underestimate Fish when it comes to the playoffs. The guy always finds a way to pull through even against the toughest matchups. I don't expect him to stop Westbrook, but I don't think he'll let him just do whatever he wants on the floor. As long as he uses his experience and doesn't go underneath screens too often, he'll be fine.
I'm more worried about guys like Billups, Williams, Kidd, and Parker to be honest.WM: That's a good point, I'll worry about other guys once we get past OKC!
I think that as long as they're all cognizant of what's working, then LA should be able to do just that: get past OKC.
I think that as long as they're all cognizant of what's working, then LA should be able to do just that: get past OKC.
And "what's-going-to-work" in my opinion is for us to pound it in to the bigs. ESPECIALLY the bench unit. We have to work the inside/out option. Every play should go through the paint, and LA's bigs. Green/Krstic/Ibaka/Collison are going to have some very long days at the office.
As long as LA can contain Durant to an extent (and Ron means LA don't have to double him), limit Westbrook and pound the inside, the Lakers will win. In 5.
TP&GB: Absolutely.
One of the reasons for their struggle was not trusting the Triangle enough when things aren't going their way. Too many guys are freelancing, including Kobe. They have two guys in the paint (and sometimes three depending on the opposition) that commands double-teaming. Might as well use them.
I also would like to see the perimeter guys dive to the basket when one of the bigs has the ball and the defense are paying too much attention inside.
