Kobe Bryant missed a last-second jump shot and fell one assist shy of his first triple-double of the season, scoring 27 points and grabbing career-high 16 rebounds. Bryant, who shot 11 for 24, has 16 career triple-doubles. “I just wanted to get a good look,” Bryant said. “I wanted to raise up, put enough arc on the ball. It felt pretty good, it just came up a little bit short.” Bryant took an inbound pass from Luke Walton but his fadeaway jumper rimmed out as the Lakers lost for the second time in three games, 105-106 Pau Gasol scored 22 points, Andrew Bynum had 21. Jordan Farmar, who scored 17 points, praised Bryant’s efforts. “He’s the best finisher in the game, that’s what he does,” Farmar said. “He lives for those moments. We’re happy to have him in those situations, we just don’t want to put him there too much." I have a feelin that the Cavs might meet Lakers in the Finals. Hope Lakers would defend their title & win again in the Finals, 2010.
This game, pitting the best team and the best player in the East against both counterparts in the West, certainly lived up to expectations. If one game in midseason cannot definitively decide who’s the best of the best, it certainly looks as though the Cavs have the stuff to stuff the Lakers.
And the essence of that “stuff” is power.
Here are the particulars:
Even though Shaquille O'Neal tossed up three bricks and had a shot blocked, his strength absolutely intimidated Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. L.A.’s defensive game plan called for Shaq to be played — and contained — by a single defender. But with Bynum AWOL and Gasol playing as if he were made of straw, the Lakers were compelled to double-team Shaq, a tactic that was shredded when the Diesel neatly delivered the ball to dive cutters and open perimeter shooters.
LeBron James didn’t have his shooting shoes on — he was only 7-for-19 from 15 feet and beyond — but he made the shots he had to make, including three consecutive buckets in the fourth quarter. Also, even though the Lakers switched on virtually every high screen/roll that involved LeBron, they still couldn’t prevent LBJ from turning the corner and storming to the rim.
Early in the game, James powered his way through three defenders and registered an easy layup. And he was still ready, willing and able to overwhelm any and all defenders in the endgame. LBJ, who finished with 37 points, is simply too young, too strong and too competitive to ever get tired.
On the several occasions when James was guarded by Kobe Bryant, the King of Cleveland blitzed the basket with minimal resistance. No contest here.
Otherwise, Anthony Parker made a pair of critical treys and also played physical, chest-to-chest defense against Kobe.
J.J. Hickson’s relentless hustling resulted in layups, loose ball recoveries and terrific defensive rotations.
Zydrunas Ilguaskas had trouble finding the basket, but his late-game double-teaming of Kobe helped to shut down L.A.’s offense.
In the end, Cleveland’s power advantage wore the Lakers down. Moreover, the Cavs routinely made clutch plays at both ends of the court.
Up until crunch time, the Lakers were mostly able to counter the Cavs' strength with slickness. For example, if Gasol torched Hickson in the low post, he was subsequently forced to endure disadvantageous face-offs against either Shaq or Anderson Varejao when Bynum picked up too many fouls.
In the first half, Kobe was 7-for-12 from mid and long range. True, he had trouble getting to the rim, but his jumpers were falling consistently enough for him to score 20 points before the intermission. However, having to furiously battle for every shot while getting out-muscled by Parker and James eventually took its toll. In the second half, Kobe missed eight of the 10 jumpers he lofted and wound up with “only” 31 points on 12-for-31 shooting overall.
Whereas Ron Artest was expected to bang on equal terms with LeBron, Ron-Ron played unusually soft defense: going under screens whenever possible, never trying to deny LBJ, rarely making forceful contact and not even fouling James hard. In the absence of the aggressive, macho defense that has characterized his career thus far, Artest exhibited severe diminishment of his lateral movement.
The Lakers' screen/roll defense was inadequate, but this has been a continuing problem. More surprising were their deficient baseline rotations. Weak-side screens and skip passes easily generated uncontested shots for the Cavs' baseline shooters. All game long, the Lakers failed to make adjustments here.
And what can be said about Gasol’s performance?
Only that he wimped out. Getting a pair of attempted layups blocked with the game on the line. Missing two free throws that could have knotted the score with 23.8 seconds left in the game. And generally tiptoeing around the Cavs' bigger, stronger, tougher bigs.
If the Cavs made plays when the game was up for grabs, the Lakers didn’t make any.
So which of the Lakers was the primary culprit?
Kobe can’t be blamed for getting worn down. Neither can Gasol be faulted for playing with more finesse than power. And after 10 1/2 seasons of throwing his weight around, it’s only natural Artest has lost his quickness.
The onus falls on Bynum. For being totally reactive and never forcing the action. For reverting to the tentative and confused state of his early seasons. And, mostly, for playing scared.
Assuming they will come out of the West, the Lakers have to hope and pray that either Boston or Orlando can terminate Cleveland’s season some time in late May.
3 days after losin to Cavs, Kobe cant make miracle happen with 1.2 second on the clock.
The Raptors hosted the Los Angeles Lakers for their third game into an eight-game, 13-city road trip.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 10:13 PM
.:Haikal #08:. @ 10:00 PM
Tuesday, was kinda sick. At class always felt very warm, stomach pain, stomach growlin, diarrhoea, dizzy, sleepy. So, didnt concentrate on lessons. End school, wanted to go to 320, but Mom sms me asked me to go my grandmother house cause Dad not workin and at my grandmother house. So went there. Reached there, straight away on air-con then accidentally slept sia, walao, dont want sleep one lei. Before went to turm on the air-con, took thermometer & took temperature, 36.6. Then 4 hours after I woke up was 37.6 sia. But the next day I still went to school.
On Wednesday, went 320. Me Terence saw Hui Shi Vermelle Yun Xuan headin to Hong Kah Sec. Then Terence ask me follow him. So I did. Waited for Sharon to dismiss. Saw Azan Amos Adrian Hakim Hisyam Hafiz Eileen Arvind Praveen many more. Then headed to 320. Then Terence send Vermelle home. I think Sharon shout " So sweet " & " Hold hands la ". LOL. Saw Kino playin match with Wincoln. Then Kino won. I next team, play with him then he dont want play liao but I was leadin him 3-0. While I was playin alone saw Benard headin to bbt then suddenly I felt dizzy sia. Kept on shootin & scorin. Then saw Amira Zahirul in Fuhua uniform. Ask Kino for an extra shirt, he dont want lend. Idiot sia, cause my uniform already dirty with the basketball dirts on it. Played match, Yuhua vs Jurong Ville. Kino like dont want play sia. Jump on him, to block, but then hit his hand. Like that only must scold vulgar sia he. Playplayplay, saw 4 Jurong Sec. Jing Han Marcus Jia Hao & dk spell the name. Played vs Fuhua Sec, purposely lose cause got next team liao. Then they vs Jurong Ville plus me. Of course lose la. Then went home.
Next day, after school, me Terence Hui Shi Sharon Vermelle went to bbt then met Ophelia Chloe there. Then to basketball court, no one, so played basketball. Played ABC with Vermelle Terence Hui Shi. Haha, then Marcus came, played match with him. Lost to him 7-6. Then was late when I reached home. Lied to Dad said got NCC briefin. My CCA is NCC sia. I WANT CHANGE LA !!!
Yesterday start of school till the end was bearin with my diarrhoea. Then Mom sms say meet outside Shuqun Pri. Put back there, then to Teh Tarik to shit. On the way, saw Hui Shi Vermellewaitin for bus. After to Teh Tarik, felt better. Then went home. Have NCC trainin at 0230. Before goin to school, vomitted cause after the swimmin lesson, felt sick till today. Was kinda late when I reached school, everyone was already at the venue. I ran there and sat beside Terence. Our " coach " was in Sec 3. Siao, they all say vulgar sia. Played Musical Charis. I wasnt the winner la. A smaller guy was the winner. Haha. Played Captains Ball, lose 2 times. The " coach " asked me " Hey, what CCA are you in durin primary school ? " I said basketball. " " No wonder la, your passin skills is style sia." he said. I said " No la, normal only." Then he get distracted. One of the " coach " is called Haikal too, haha. Then kept on talkin then 0515 trainin end.
Went to watch NBA at my grandmother house. Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls. Bulls won after 2 overtimes. D.Rose with 37 points. Then went to 320. Then played 5 on 5 with Jurong Juniors. Theres small guy, point guard. I didnt get the steal but when he attempt to lay-up, I block him usin my left hand. Haha, nice (: Then Kim fastbreak 2 times. I run but hit the hand 2 times. Aiyo, didnt get to block him. But nevermind. Saw Sharon, shes goin bbt. Then to prata shop. Food came, Jonathan called say hes at Gek Poh so he want me play Lan with him. So I eat quickly. Shout at Kino ask him get the ball pass to me so I can train my shootin, he act blur only. I train him, now dont want train me back. Wtf sia. Quite late when I reached Gek Poh. Played then home.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 9:56 PM
Then today went 320 with Terence, walked from school to 320. Not too far. Then went to bbt, then Sean came. Went to checked whos on the court, saw Justin. Then, me Sean Terence played there. Played awhile, Syahiran came & played awhile too. Then Terence went home. 2+, 3+, Kino came. Justin Jefferson & somemore was there. Jefferson elbowed my hand, pain lei. Then to Prata shop. While eatin saw HongKah pupils. Sharon was one of them. After eatin, wanted to play basketball but suddenly it rained. So went home after that.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:35 PM
Then to 320. Saw Kim & gang, Nikki Kino Sean & dont know who else. Siao, Nikki look so weird. Then played basketball, blocked Kim & Darren followed King James style. Block from behind of from the side. I was from half court then run like King James usually does. Run jump & blocked Kims shot. Damn nice, usin left hand. Tomorrow CCA Orientation, dont know what CCA choosin sia. Hockey? NCC ? NPCC? Confusin. Bet with my parents if next year I get into express stream, I can go to Pioneer Sec cause beside school only & I can join basketball. So must study hard sia, kk, done here.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 10:52 PM
.:Haikal #08:. @ 11:44 PM
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