The game was close throughout and the lead went back and forth all evening. It could have been an exciting game between two opponents playing their hearts out. It COULD have been that kind of night, but it was far from it. The Lakers could have given this game away. They gave Philadelphia every opportunity to steal one from their own homecourt, but the defending Champs did enough to win tonight.
Their version of enough, however, was barely watchable.
On a night where Kobe played facilitator to the tune of eight assists, both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol produced an impressive set of double-doubles (20-13 and 23-11 respectively) and five Lakers scored in double figures — the flow and energy of the game could have been a lot more exciting than troubling. Instead, turnovers, which the box score indicates was 10 but on-air stats reflected about 14, seemed to occur every other possession.
The Lakers were throwing passes that were constantly deflected, stolen, and scored from; they committed THREE shot clock violations and the defense? The term “Defending” Champions” might take a hit after tonight’s effort, or lack thereof.
The Lakers might as well have laid a red carpet to the basket because the Sixers walked right up to it with little to no resistance… the entire game.
Lucky for the Lakers, the crowd refused to leave, staying and cheering with every shot made, waiting, just waiting, for signs of life from their team. Yes, the Lakers won tonight and true, they hold the best record in the West and the second best record in the NBA, but games like this are worrisome.
D-Fish missed three layups in a row, standing not one foot from the hoop. Kobe’s shot looked flat. There was just little to no defense to be found.
Denver is coming to play the Lakers on Sunday. The hope is for a good old-fashioned battle between two exceptional teams. If tonight is any indication of the Lakers’ state of play at this moment, however, that Sunday game could be one really long afternoon.
Pre-Game Thoughts: Joey Crawford is officiating. I hope Andrew keeps his mouth zipped.
Half-Time Thoughts: Eight turnovers already. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.
Most Thoughtless Player(s) of the Game: Every set of players on the floor who allowed the Sixers to run right to the basket, which means everyone in a gold uniform was guilty.
Most Thought-filled Player(s) of the Game: The 7-footers played like 7-footers tonight, chipping in 43 points, 24 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks. However, their man, Dalembert lit the centers up with 24 points.
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