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April 23, 2006
Ross Siler: What a strange, strange game
Just got back from the arena here in Phoenix and I'm still thinking about the game this afternoon. I'm left wondering whether the Lakers should be as encouraged by it as their comments suggested or if they should be frustrated by losing a very winnable game.
They had the right idea slowing the game and feeding the ball inside. It seemed like things started falling into place in the third quarter, with Lamar getting doubled in the post and starting to find open shooters.
But there's no way Kobe should have taken only 10 shots heading into the fourth quarter. I can't believe the Lakers lost a game in which Raja Bell - - the primary defender when it comes to stopping Kobe - -played 10:21 in the second half because of foul trouble.
There were three places in that game where I had a strange feeling about what was happening. The first was at the start of the second quarter when the Lakers were down 10 and Kobe was doing anything but taking over. That's what he does.
The second was at the end of the third quarter when Brian Cook hit one open jumper but couldn't knock down two others as Kobe gave up the ball in the face of a double-team. Those are shots that he hits probably between 60 or 70 percent of the time.
The third was in the fourth quarter when Kobe went up for two shots and missed them both. One was a turnaround jumper after posting up Leandro Barbosa. The other was a 19-footer after he crossed over Barbosa and pulled up. Those are his patented shots and he missed them both.
Then again, it was Smush's playoff debut and Sasha's debut. It was the first time (I think) Kwame or Luke ever had started in a playoff game. There was a lot of experienced gained out there.
Posted by Ross Siler at April 23, 2006 08:45 PM