Analysis: Game 1

by Sideout11 on Apr 20, 2009 7:46 PM PDT

So the Lakers won game one over the Jazz pretty handily. They did squander much of a 22 point halftime lead, but the game never really seemed in doubt, especially with a deadly Kobe Bryant on the floor. Of course, that did not stop Phil Jackson from having this to say:

"We're not going to win 15 games if we play like that. This is a time of the season where you look for improvement."

While he has a point in that dropping a big lead against Cleveland or Boston (who Chicago is giving all they can handle) simple would not fly, the fact remains that Utah is not either of those teams. It would be nice to see a high level of focus like we saw in the first half each for all 48, but it simply is not required against a wounded Jazz team that came into the playoffs limping. Also, we know from the regular season that the Lakers can bring it against the big boys, so I am not too worried about our play from last night, and I think PJ is just up to his usual mind games.

There is some good news buried deep within the Jazz second-half comeback, and it is that whenever they got close, the Lakers went on a run to put the game back out of reach. There was no repeat of the Clippers or Kings games from the regular season, suggesting that maybe this team (or at least Kobe) is developing that killer instinct against lesser opponents.

Now some of the positives and negatives...

Positives

The Bench Mob broke out of their slump. They outscored the Utah bench 33-31, and everyone who played except Jordan and Sasha scored. Even with no points, Farmar looked more comfortable out there and made a nice block and great pass to Odom for a dunk. If we continue to get this kind of production off of the bench, this will be an easy series for the starters.
Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown. Both of them had spectacular games, with TA setting a career playoff high in points and UPS having a perfect shooting night from behind the arc. Not that I would call these players X-factors, but if the Lakers are getting this kind of offensive and defensive production out of them every night, the rest of the league needs to watch out.
Rest. All of the starters played 40 minutes or less, which will have a huge impact in later rounds. While I expect the starters on the floor more in game three, quality bench contribution will continue to be huge. We all saw what a rested Kobe did on the fourth last night.
The Fast Start. When the Lakers jump out to a huge lead, it gives the bench more minutes and has the potential to discourage namy teams (thought obviously not the Jazz), I'd rather the other team have to play from behind for 35 minutes than be locked in a dead heat the entire game.

Negatives

Fouls. Obviously the Jazz are looking to be aggressive, and as the Lakers learned last year, you can't back down to an aggressive team. While the Lakers have plenty of bodies to throw around, foul trouble might become a concern once the series shifts to Utah. So long as the Lakers match the Jazz's intensity and continue to ge to the line themselves, I think that we will be ok.
Carlos Boozer. I think everyone expected a big game from Deron Williams, but Boozer's offensive explosion was not something many people predicted, giving his injury status. While the Lakers were obviously able to overcome his 27 point effort, an effective Boozer could spell trouble for the Lakers if and when Mehmet Okur returns.
Rebounding. The Lakers gave up way to many offensive and defensive rebounds, especially considering our size advantage. I think that this goes back to focus, but it is something that needs to change in a hurry.
Blown Lead. It's never good to blow a large lead, but again I don't think that this is something to worry about. The Lakers will pick it up once the competition gets better.

All in all a very good effort from the Lakers. They were not perfect, but they did not need to be. If they play like this and continue to build momentum towards the second round, then a 15th championship will begin to look even closer.

Remember, Game 2 tips off tomorrow at 7:30 PST on TNT

Go Purple & Gold!

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Nice analysis sideout

Despite the things they need to improve on not a bad start…….need to get better though. While the Lakers were able to get the lead back once it got close, they do need to keep the intensity and focus up so as to avoid this to better teams. I am all aboard on the rebounding. Especially being out rebounded on the offensive side 20-7. This needs to be lower as to keep Utah’s second chance points to a minimum.

I think the Lakers will take what Jackson says to heart and give a more complete game on Tuesday. I am glad the game is televised on FSW so I can listen to the Laker announacers.

GO BRONCOS IN 2009 AND BEYOND!!

Lakers lead Utah 1-0

by weazel on Apr 20, 2009 9:26 PM PDT reply actions

Game 2

I just hope game 2 isn’t as sloppy as these last two games with the Jazz have been.

The negatives (fouls, rebounding, and blown lead) coupled with Utah homecourt advantage are what make me believe that the Lakers won’t be winning 2 in a row at Utah. I hope I’m wrong, but right now it’s hard to see it with this level of play (at this point) by the Lakers. The playoffs are a long season in itself so there’s still a lot left to be seen and probably some holding back.

I'm not in denial, I'm just selective about the reality I choose to accept.

by lab_mouse on Apr 20, 2009 9:28 PM PDT reply actions

What has bothered me about the Lakers

And continues to bother me, is our inability to put teams away, or, to hold onto leads. The Jazz have been a thorn in the side of the Lakers in the past, and continue to be troublesome. Complacency could very well be a problem in game two. I’m just glad that there’s finally a Lakers site on SBN. Lets Go Lakers!!!!!

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Apr 20, 2009 10:46 PM PDT reply actions

I'd say the coffin was pretty close to nailed.

The Jazz never got within nine. I think the Lakers that showed up against the Clippers or the Sixers in March would have lost that game. This was a playoff game, however, so they didn’t even let them get close despite the Jazz catching fire in the third. Part of the reason the lead diminished is because the Lakers simply were not going to shoot 65% all game.

Lamar Odom said they should have won by 25 and been playing Adam Morrison. Kobe pointed out, like I did, that the lead never dropped below nine. I think Kobe knows that you can’t be in 6th gear 100% of the time because you’ll end up like Boston (just wait).

by Justin N. on Apr 20, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

And when I say like Boston...

I mean like on a cocaine binge. Sure it’s amazing for a little while, but the after effects on your body when you do eventually come down are devastating.

For some it may be worth it…not the Lakers though.

For the record, I don’t have anything against cocaine binges ;)

by Justin N. on Apr 20, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions

by Gils_Keloids on Apr 21, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nice job...

I agree with everything you said.

I have always said that rebounding and free throw shooting are the 2 keys to victory. We must rebound the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was shocked to see Boozer had 27 points. They were the most quiet 27 I have ever seen. His points in my opinion didn’t have any impact on the game.

by LVElephant on Apr 21, 2009 8:37 AM PDT reply actions

Playoff Observations

Can’t make it to the game? Want to know what Staples Center is like during the playoffs?

… Sasha Vujacic hitting the floor after running into a moving screen set by a smiling Carlos Boozer. Phil drawing on his clipboard during a timeout. The moans from the crowd when Luke Walton shoots. The cheers he gets when he makes a shot. How effortless Kobe shoots the ball… More here: http://steveodesignedge.wordpress.com/

by dEDGE on Apr 21, 2009 9:40 AM PDT reply actions

That Kobe fade away shot

is an absolute beauty. Sets up the defender, turns around, fades, and nails it. There can’t be a more “in your face” shot than Kobe’s fade away. Nailed a solid one this past game, even fired up himself.

by Jello Is Jiggling on Apr 21, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

My take

Honestly, I didn’t take too much out of the blown lead because I thought the second half was just a bit of returning to the mean. The Jazz are not as bad offensively as they were in the first half, and the Lakers are not as good offensively as they were in the 1st half. I don’t have the actual stats to back this up, but I think the Lakers were 6/7 from three point range at one point, with most of it coming from UPS and Ariza. That isn’t likely to hold up over 48 minutes.

Yes, you could tell the effort wasn’t supreme in the 2nd half, but this game wasn’t really ever close. The surprising offensive struggle for Deron was offset by the surprising offensive success of Boozer and Harpring. The only real difference between this game and the last game of the regular season was that the Jazz didn’t give up down the stretch. They fought to the end, and if you look at the two teams in their current state, just over double digits seems exactly right.

What does concern me about this game is that Boozer put up a strong performance. If that continues throughout the series, you know D-Will won’t have too many more bad games, and that gives the Jazz back the strong one-two punch that makes them so formidable on paper. The Jazz were able to put all three of our very good bigs in foul trouble, enough to get Josh Powell some minutes while the game was still in doubt. Not trying to bag on Josh, but I was certainly hoping to avoid having him play significant minutes with the game on the line in the postseason. Even with the double digit victory for the Lakers, I felt like this game was much more a blue-print for how the Jazz want the game to go.

by C.A. Clark on Apr 21, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions