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More Laker Positives from Game 5

Our Game 5 Recap looked at the good, better, and best good, bad, and ugly of the Lakers' 40-point blowout of the Rockets in L.A. last night. But believe it or not, there were positives from this game that we still haven't even touched on. The list seems almost endless; look at almost any category, and the Lakers had the advantage.

Timbo is out for the weekend, so instead of The View from Houston, let's just do a quick review of the multitude of things that went well for the Lakers last night.

Star-divide

There's so much here, I could write about it from here to the start of Game 6 – so instead, we'll do this in list format, and we'll keep the commentary to a minimum, letting the numbers speak for themselves.

  • Intensity & Effort – up 25 at half, the Lakers didn't "play soccer"... they continued to be aggressive, made it 40 to end the third, earned the starters a rest, and didn't even let up in garbage time. Now that's a good effort.
  • Defense – The Rockets on offense read like this: 32.6% from the field, 35% effective field goal percentage, 41% true shooting percentag.
  • Forced Turnovers – 18 Rockets turnovers, which the Lakers turned into 24 points. 12 steals (8 in the first half).
  • Blocks – 7 blocks (6 in the first half, 3 for Gasol.
  • Rebounding – Lakers were +7 on the boards.
  • Offense – Balanced, making threes but still attacking the rim. 56 points in the paint (+14 to the Rockets' 42).
  • Pace – Lots of steals = 24 fast break points (7 for Rockets). 118 points overall, 64 at half time.
  • 3-Point Shooting – Took only 13 threes, made 46.2% of them. Closed out on shooters, held Rockets to 17.2% from long distance. Rockets took more than twice as many threes (29), but made one less (5).
  • Free Throws – By attacking the basket, the Lakers earned 36 FTAs, making 28 of them. They managed to keep Houston off the line: the Rockets were 15-16 from the stripe. Overall, Houston committed 7 more fouls than LA.
  • The Bench Mob – 47 points on 16-34 shooting (47%), 6 steals, 24 rebounds, 4-7 from three, 11-13 from the line, lots of pluses and no minuses in the +/- column. Starters were able to rest the entire 4th quarter.
  • Pau Gasol – Shot 5-9 from the field, had 16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, zero turnovers. Very aggressive on both ends of the floor.
  • Trevor Ariza – 5-8 overall, 50% from deep, 13 points, 3 assists, 3 steals. Very active defense, really attacked the rim.
  • Andrew Bynum – 5-6 shooting, 4-4 from the stripe, 14 points, 6 rebounds, great defense, plenty of changed shots... and only 2 fouls! All in 20 minutes of play.
  • Kobe Bryant – 10-19 shooting, not too many outside shots, got to the basket at will, 5-6 from the line. 26 points (1.4 points per shot!), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block... without even playin gin the 4th quarter.
  • Lamar Odom – Only took 3 shots, but wasn't even expected to play. 5-6 from the free throw line (!), 10 points, 6 rebounds in only 19 minutes.
  • Jordan Farmar – 4-7 shooting, 2-2 on three-pointers, 12 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and only 1 turnover. All in only 22 minutes. The Kid is back.
  • Luke Walton – Didn't score a lot, but didn't cause a bunch of boneheaded turnovers either. 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and only 1 turnover. Hit both free throws.
  • UPS Air – Brown had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and zero turnovers in 17 minutes.
  • Josh Powell – Not afraid to shoot the ball in garbage time. 4-7, 10 points... helped protect that magic number 40.
  • DJ Mbenga – His first playoff minutes, one heck of a block, and a monster dunk, all of which thrilled the crowd.  Heeeeyyy youuuuu guuuuuyyys!!!
  • Ron Artest – 4-15 from the field, 1-7 from three, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 turnovers, only 1 assist.
  • Shane Battier – 2-7 from the field, 5 points. 1-4 from downtown. Couldn't guard Kobe.
  • Aaron Brooks – 4-11 from the field, 0-3 from deep, 2 assisst, 2 turnovers, 1 rebound. Wasn't able to do much driving and dishing.
  • Kyle Lowry & Chuck Hayes – Combined for 3 defensive rebounds, and 6 rebounds overall. Combined 4-13 for 8 points. No steals, no turnovers.
  • Brian CookWhat a bargain.

I know, I know... practically the entire Lakers roster was in the positives, in some way or another. What can I say? When they're all that good, it's our job to recognize it!

The only bad I could find: Derek Fisher just can't keep up with Aaron Brooks (all 4 of Brooks' baskets came against Fisher); Sasha Vujacic is still worthless (missed both three pointers, had three times as many fouls as baskets in 14 minutes); the Rockets grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. But with so many positives, it's hard to get upset about such a short list of negatives.

I think I speak for all of Lakerland when I say that if the Lakers continue to play like this, they'll bring home a championship in June. All in all, a victory to relish.

As far as I'm concerned, no drug can provide a high that could compare to a dominating Laker performance like this one.

0 recs  |  Comment 32 comments |

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The Lakers were fined $10,000 by the NBA because Kobe Bryant wore headphones around his neck during his postgame news conference Sunday after Game 4 in Houston.

Players are not allowed to wear headphones, according to the league’s policy on proper attire in interview settings. Teams, not players, are fined in such situations.

Thats a lot of money..

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 5:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Another example of Kobe's bad behavior!

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on May 13, 2009 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He did it again in game 5

Are they going to get fined again?

by Sideout11 on May 13, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

After Game 5 in his post game interview he didn’t have them on. I’m sure being fined $10,000 gets the message across to all players.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh

they must have been showing a replay of game 4 then because when I looked over at the tv he had them on

by Sideout11 on May 13, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m sure those headphones were worth half as much.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on May 13, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Beats

Those are sickest headphones ever.

by chrisbeomsuh on May 13, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn… that was an old-fashioned Los Angeles beatdown. Hopefully the Rockets will get it together at home, and we’ll then have a nail-biter for the seventh game.

…Right, guys? :)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on May 13, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Supposedly, if we finish off the Rockets in Game 6 then the WCF will start on Sunday. If not and we go to a Game 7, then the WCF will start on Tuesday.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 7:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

that is correct

Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers

lakers lead series 3-2

by TexasHoosier on May 13, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

“Beat LA” chants in the Denver crowd.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 8:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry Denver fans but

Lakers will beat Denver

by BrittneyM on May 13, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lakers did what they had to do

This Rocket Team is too short, this is an unfair match(like me playing 1 on 1 with my 6 year old brother) and the Lakers played like it in game 5 and I hope they play like it in game 6. If they continue to be this dominate they will bring home the gold. I just can’t wait to see game 6, lets see if the Lakers can blow Houston out at home.

by BrittneyM on May 13, 2009 8:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Question for everyone...

Which team has more grind, more toughness, more thug in them? Houston or Denver? Who will be a tougher opponent for the Lakers?

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on May 13, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Denver is probably more “tough” and has more “thug in them” (if that means what I think it means)
I thin Houston has more grind though..

Denver will be the harder opponent because they get to the FT line A LOT and their offense is one that can match our offense. They run a lot too and like to get out on the fast break etc. It will be a hard series to get through. (given we still do have to win 1 more game against the Rockets)

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not to think past Houston...

..but if the Lakers do face the Nuggets and they treat the Nuggets the way they did the Rockets they will not make it to the Finals. Just a couple of things that concern me:

if the the Lakers had a tough time against A. Brooks at the PG position, what do they think Billups is going to do. Brooks required speed at the defensive end. Billups will require more than than to defend.

Toughness is my biggest concern. Denver in my opinion is the toughest team in the playoffs right now. That Lakers cannot play the same type of errogant type of “we can turn it on at any time” against this team.

I love the Lakers but I am just being realistic. The Lakers obviously have more talent but do they have the toughness to match up against Denver?

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on May 13, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It all depends on which Lakers team shows up. Predicting which will show up is almost impossible.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also have to take into consideration.. Will Bynum finally “get it” in the Nuggets series?

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It is getting too draining

to wonder which Laker team will show up or if Bynum will live up to that mentality of, “if Bynum played last year we would of won” mentality. He hasn’t showed any promise of that at all…

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on May 13, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think he was better in Game 5. There really is no way to predict which Lakers will come out. Thats why they play the games.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If the Lakers want to go home then I expect...

them to play Denver better but I don’t know, I’m just hopeing , it will be a sad day if the Lakers lose to Denver, it’s a must they play with effort each night or they won’t see the NBA finals, I hope they realize tat before it gets too late for them to turn it around.

by BrittneyM on May 14, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I Love Inside the NBA with TNT.

By the way, Charles picked Denver to win the series against us.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 9:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Interesting..
Andrew Bynum rarely speaks with the same sugarcoated spin his teammates often do, so it was no surprise to hear him address the Lakers’ recent inconsistency with trademark candor after Wednesday’s practice.

Asked how to predict the level of concentration and intensity the Lakers will display during tonight’s Game 6 in Houston, Bynum said the best gauge is usually how the team practices the previous day.

“Some days we’re really lackadaisical in practice the day before the game, and then the first quarter of the game, we do the same thing,” the young center said. “We know we have to cut that out.”

http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_lakers_14.41fa141.html

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 10:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Truth

only two type of people tell the truth and drunk and a child. Bynum fits only into one of those. How could any other Laker deny what he said? As I said before, Denver is not the Rockets. They might actually dare the Lakers to play with the same attitude.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on May 13, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fun fact:

The Staples Experience is a lot of things: late-arriving crowd, “I Love LA,” courtside celebs. It’s also the NBA’s most inhospitable host during playoffs. Since Staples opened, in 1999, visitors have won just 16% (12–61) of games — and that’s Lakers and Clips.

by intuitive on May 13, 2009 11:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Something tells me

that that has more to do with the teams and less to do with the fans (although the I’m sure the tacos play a huge role)

by Sideout11 on May 14, 2009 12:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I read that last night in ESPN the Mag...

Im guessing thats where you found it too.

Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers

lakers lead series 3-2

by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Vujacic worthless?

I dunno about that man. He hasn’t been hitting threes well, but he still takes pride in his defense and hustles out there. It’s not like teams are leaving him open and he’s clunking all jumpers. He still spaces the floor for us and is a solid backup to Kobe even when his shot is not falling.

His shot also falls a lot better when he’s in more spot up shoot situations. This has more to do with team ball movement than his indvidual play.

What other back up shooting guard would you want for the team?

by Justin N. on May 14, 2009 1:09 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

When I say he's still worthless...

I don’t mean overall, ever. I mean that he’s still in his slump.

I don’t buy his defense for a minute. Getting us into the penalty before the 9-minute mark is NOT good defense.

And he’s been missing wide open, spot up threes, not just contested threes off the dribble.

No one wants to see him start hitting threes more than me. If he could start hitting again at last year’s clip, I’d even live with his propensity for absurd, stupid fouls. But he’s not hitting shots anymore, and his “defense” consists of using up all of the Lakers’ team fouls in under 4 minutes. So right now, and until he finds that shot again, he’s been worthless in my eyes.

16...15...14...13...12...11...10...9...
Strength & Honor

by Josh Tucker on May 14, 2009 4:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

He also has tunnel vision on offense and his “defense” is just a barrage of fouls.

"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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