My take on Kobe and the Lakers in Game 1

[Dro]

Well it startled me, as probably everyone else that Kobe came out looking to pass the ball. But here's what I think Phil Jackson's through process was...

The Suns had two options regarding Kobe coming into the game:

1. Let Kobe get his, but prevent everybody else from producing

2. Try to contain Kobe and make the other players beat you

Both of these scenarios involved Kobe taking shots. That's what the Suns expected. I don't think anybody (including D'antoni) expected Kobe to only take 7 shots in the first half.

So what Kobe did was distribute the ball and not force any shots. And I'd say it worked well...the Lakers played their best game of the year against the Suns (not including the game Nash didn't play).

So the question is, will the Lakers come out in Game 2 with the same strategy, or will Kobe be looking to get 35+? I think it worked very well for the Lakers, and as a Suns fan, I HOPE Kobe comes out forcing shots.

Your thoughts?

[Colin]

So, there's a Phoenix thread, and a Lakers thread for this series. Why couldn't this go in one of them?

[Drex]

Because it's his take on Kobe.

[Amphatoast]

this should be merged to the " Suns Playoffs Thread: First Round vs. Lakers" thread

[Drex]

Wouldn't it be better if this get merged with the Lakers thread? He's talking about Kobe & the Lakers.

[Matthew]

So, there's a Phoenix thread, and a Lakers thread for this series. Why couldn't this go in one of them?

Colin, shut up. This is actually a decent thread. Would you rather another thread with 60 + braindead replies on a new team logo for dallas or memphis?

Dro, I didnt watch the game, its downloading now. Kobe isnt that selfish of a player, he's as smart of a player as nash, but they dominate in different ways. Kobe knows to help his team he has to score, and i expect him to make more than 7 shots next game. If the lakers only lose by 5 with kobe only making 7 shots, pheonix is in trouble, even being up 1-0.

[Moop_Moop]

So, there's a Phoenix thread, and a Lakers thread for this series. Why couldn't this go in one of them?

Colin, shut up. This is actually a decent thread. Would you rather another thread with 60 + braindead replies on a new team logo for dallas or memphis?

Dro, I didnt watch the game, its downloading now. Kobe isnt that selfish of a player, he's as smart of a player as nash, but they dominate in different ways. Kobe knows to help his team he has to score, and i expect him to make more than 7 shots next game. If the lakers only lose by 5 with kobe only making 7 shots, pheonix is in trouble, even being up 1-0.

I think the reason the Lakers did come that close to winning was because Kobe only put up seven shots in the first. He let other guys get into it, and luckily, they executed for the most part.

As for the bolded part, I disagree. When Kobe puts up his usual 25-30 shots, he seems to have a knack for freezing up the offense, and having the whole team stand around and watch him go one on five. I don't think that can beat the Suns. It seems to me the best way to stick with them is to feed them their own medicine, and that's getting the whole team involved, and moving the ball to mix up their defence.

[Matthew]

Interesting take, but I dont agree on it wholey. A younger Kobe, even with shaq, would dominate possesion and that would indeed freeze up the offense. This version, with phily jackson understanding how to allow a superstar guard like kobe (and mj) to involve everyone and still have his primary guy score at will is where the difference lies.

Kobe, from the games ive seen this season, doesnt dominate the basketball. When he shoots, its almost always after making one or two passes in that possesion first, and he has some fairly unselfish players around him too. even when he drops 50, 60, or even 80 points, his teamates got their touches as well.

Its just that certain games when kobe is on, and his teamates are struglling, it looks from the boxscore alone that he freezes them out. thats not the case. all the lakers need is a consistant performance from the supporting cast, and kobe to make more than 7 shots in the game. this is going to be a good series

[Colin]

Colin, shut up. This is actually a decent thread. Would you rather another thread with 60 + braindead replies on a new team logo for dallas or memphis?

I'd rather have one thread discussing one topic, as opposed to two-three threads discussing one topic. It's just just less mess on the board.

I just don't see why we would have good discussion about the same topic in multiple threads.

[Matthew]

Its a different topic, albeit very similar. When you have "nice and neat" threads for each series, you also get alot of mindless spam within those threads.

[J@3]

So the question is, will the Lakers come out in Game 2 with the same strategy, or will Kobe be looking to get 35+? I think it worked very well for the Lakers, and as a Suns fan, I HOPE Kobe comes out forcing shots.

If Kobe shot anywhere near .500 tonight Phoenix lose. If this is the same pattern for every game during the series, I think it's more likely Kobe will shoot a better clip than someone like Tim Thomas getting 22/15 or whatever it was.

[kingtrobe807]

i think the main reason the lakers lost with this game plan is because of their transition defence....lakers looked really slow

[Blue Nugget]

Colin, shut up. This is actually a decent thread. Would you rather another thread with 60 + braindead replies on a new team logo for dallas or memphis?

I'd rather have one thread discussing one topic, as opposed to two-three threads discussing one topic. It's just just less mess on the board.

I just don't see why we would have good discussion about the same topic in multiple threads.

Are you the forum police or something?

[1CenT]

for the lakers to win, their defence has to be better, kobe needs to shoot over .500, sumtimes when he is assertive, he usually shoots like, 11/18 or something, or like 9/16
his teammates still involve in the offence they had in game 1...

Lakers weren't sharp enuf, they had the right gameplan... Lakers have to really play near-perfect for them to beat the suns.. also suns have homecourt-advantage, i'll say suns in 4 or 5... even if its a 4-0 or 4-1 ending, the games will be closer and closer..

But i am assuming at least 1 game, suns will be hot, and blowout the lakers

[Colin]

Are you the forum police or something?

Who the fuck are you? Where did you come from?

[Jackal]

Ehm...calm down lads.

Green Lantern, Matthew had Colin covered and explained the situation to him so you intervening was uncalled for.

Colin, don't get worked up, he tried to get a shot in but you've been around long enough to know to ignore stuff like zhat. Now everyone group hug & a on me.

[SFSports]

I think he should only pass....Anybody seen Celtic Pride?

If you haven't, you should.

[Drex]

WTF Jackal? You're telling people to calm down

[Colin]

Colin, don't get worked up, he tried to get a shot in but you've been around long enough to know to ignore stuff like zhat. Now everyone group hug & a on me.

I saw this insult comedy thing and was ready to bust a few out. I was just waiting for someone I could tee off on. But you win...

[BIG GREEN]

Now everyone group hug & a on me.

We having a wet T-shirt contest?

[Axel]

Your logic is flawed, Dro. The Suns can't simply let Kobe "Get his" and guard everyone else for the simple fact that they can't guard anyone else. They just don't have the bodies to cover guys like Kwame, and Odom. Marion is the only one who can guard either of the two, and he can't guard them both.

Luckily though, the Lakers played as near perfect as I have seen them play and they still couldn't pull it out.... and I definetly think the Suns can play better than they did...

[Dro]

Your logic is flawed, Dro. The Suns can't simply let Kobe "Get his" and guard everyone else for the simple fact that they can't guard anyone else. They just don't have the bodies to cover guys like Kwame, and Odom. Marion is the only one who can guard either of the two, and he can't guard them both.

Luckily though, the Lakers played as near perfect as I have seen them play and they still couldn't pull it out.... and I definetly think the Suns can play better than they did...

In 3 out of 4 games played by the two teams in the regular season, the second-highest scorer on the Lakers had no more than 17 points. So yes, I believe that the Suns can let Kobe get his and stop the rest of the Lakers.

[Axel]

True, but what I'm alluding to is that the Lakers are more intent on feeding the post than during the regular season. I still think the Suns will win the series in 5 games, but if game one proves to be an indicator of what the series will be like, it appears Kobe wont be taking 30 + shots a game. The only real reason the other people didn't score a lot during the regular season is because Kobe didn't share the ball.

Hopefully though Kobe will try to take over the game w/ long jump shots leading to fast break opportunities.