Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Happy Mother’s Day!
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in the desperate position of being in of 0-3 hole. The three-peat bid is on life support. The core of the Purple and Gold are in their 30’s and looking old and worn out. These are cold hard facts, but this writer still believes that as bad as it looks this series is not over. History tells us that you cannot come back from this deep a deficit. 98 teams have tried and failed, but if someone actually does it, the history books will have to be re-written.
The Lakers problems are on the defensive side and call me crazy, but the deficiencies are correctable. In a perfect world, the Lakers would hold a 2-1 series advantage seeking to take a commanding 3-1 advantage this afternoon. The difference between that dream and the reality that has played out has been the Lakers in-ability to closeout a games.
The Lakers received and wasted some inspired performances from Andrew Bynum. Kobe Bryant has been solid and Lamar Odom has stepped his game up. To avoid elimination, everyone wearing a Purple & Gold jersey needs to step their game up and do more. They have to play better defensively. There isn’t one good reason that proven shooters such as Dirk Nowitski, Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic are given space to take an uncontested shots.
It is imperative that the Lakers control the tempo of the game, communicate on defense, do a better job defending the screen and roll play, quickly rotate out to open shooters, take better control of the basketball, get back in transition and execute. They have to utilize excellent ball and player movement to find a high percentage shot going to the basket. The front line has to be aggressive offensively, dominate the painted area, win the points in the paint, and rebounding battle.
We’re all proud Lakers fans and no one wants to see the run end without the Lakers putting up a fight. It is now or never. This is the most important game of the year. They have to play a smart game with energy and a sense of urgency. Laker Nation is expecting the best performance of the year.
Every great accomplishment starts with the first step. It is my belief that the Lakers take the first step today and secure a much-needed win on Mother’s Day.
Starters
Lakers: D. Fisher, K. Bryant, R. Artest, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Mavericks: J. Kidd, D. Stevenson, S. Marion, D. Nowitski, B. Haywood
Tip-off: 12:30 PM PST
Television -
- Los Angeles: ABC
- Dallas: ABC
Radio -
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
- Dallas: ESPN 103.3 (Bob Ortegal & Chuck Cooperstein)
Injuries -
Lakers:
- Devin Ebanks (Stress Fracture, Left Tibia) Out
- Theo Ratliff (Left Knee Surgery) Out
Mavericks:
- SF Caron Butler (Ruptured Patellar Tendon, Right Knee) Out
SG Dominique Jones (Right Foot Stress Fracture) Out
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