Facts and Figures
I came across a couple interesting stats today. According to Stats LLC, when the Lakers lead a playoff series 2-0, they are 35-1. The only time the Lakers have won the first two games of a series, then lost was 1968-69, when they lost to the Celtics in seven games.
Also, when the Jazz trails a playoff series, 0-2, it is 1-9 alltime. Recent history is a bit more kind. Utah beat the 2006-07 Rockets in seven games after trailing 0-2.
“A lot of the talk on the blog after the loss centered on Kobe’s game, whether his often isolation heavy play and missed shots “cost the Lakers the game.” I think that’s way too strong an assessment. Kobe’s fourth-quarter play was a big part of the Lakers making a run and beyond that, it’s a team game. Unless it’s a game of one on one, no single player loses a basketball game. I do think, however, that it’s fair to question Kobe’s judgment down the stretch. I really admire how much pain he was willing to play through, but he also needed to recognize the physical limitations his bad back placed on him. Moreover, his teammates were hitting shots and moving the ball around is what got them back into it. Kobe went away from that too often and shifted into “do it myself” mode, even after it clearly wasn’t working. He needed to accept the reality of his situation instead of fighting it. And while, again, this hardly lost the game for the Lakers, it played a role in them not winning it.” - Andrew K. of LA Times Blog
Written many times and even brought up within the past posts, Kobe’s decision making process is his greatness weakness. It’s glaring. It showed it’s head in the most crucial moments again tonight. Like the 3 consecutive poor plays from Game 3, Game 4 was the same.
That’s why Kobe fans can always chant MVP all day and all night long. It won’t change the facts. Very very poor decision making by Kobe in OT.
2-15 shooting in the 4th quarter and OT. That’s clutchness for you. Thank god for Lamar’s putback to tie the game.
But who comes out and ruins the teams chances with high basketball IQ plays? You guessed it.
Since it seems yours truly isn’t the only person on this planet to think Kobe’s decision making process on the court has a lot left to be desired considering; he’s the supposed best player on the planet, the supposed best player in the clutch (when’s the last time he hit a game winning shot? Phoenix in the playoffs?), best closer and leader (2-15 shooting in 4th and OT), isn’t it time for supposed Lakers fans (Kobe fan club) to take off the rose-colored lens and see and admit Kobe’s faults?
Don’t know when the Lakers are going to win another championship. Decision making is most important trait of a leader. And since we all know Kobe’s decision making process is piss-poor at best, what chances do the Lakers have?
Written over and over again. Don’t expect this problem to go away. The elephant in the room is always there. Covering your eyes doesn’t mean it’s not there. Denial doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Unfortunately, for many, ignorance is bliss.
This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last when Kobe’s decision making process come at the Lakers expense.
-Jeffs Aho
What about when the Lakers led the Suns 2-0 (going back to the Forum) and lost the series in '93?
You should probably add the proviso that this stat only applies to 7 game series.