Down But Not Out For the Lakers

05/14/2009 Brian Bills
    The Los Angeles Lakers lose to the Houston Rockets 85 to 90 in a game where they never held the lead at any time. Let me tell you exactly why the Lakers lost, lack of preparation and no intensity to start the first quarter. Not to diminish the excellent game the Houston Rockets played, but the Lakers are a rhythm team that was never allowed to get into their rhythm because of the early deficit they found themselves in. That to me is lack of preparation because if you fail to plan you plan to fail.

    There was one disappointment I had with the lakers other than the fact they they played loose and soft in the first half. That was the fact that Pau just kind of stood around and let people dribble around him, under him, through him. That has got to stop. I don't like Pau to help on trapping Brooks at the high post either. Somebody quicker and smaller should help off of Hayes to trap the ball and get it out of Brook's hands. Pau started doing what he should have done in the first half when he put Scola in the shaker and made a few of his short baby hooks.

    Luke Walton could not hit a shot to save his own life. I like his quick hands and aggressive play but I really would rather see somebody else in there besides him. Either that or Jackson should design some set plays to have Luke feed someone else. Houston employed short quick passes and the pick and roll to obliterate our defense. That cannot happen again on Sunday. Film is the key, it should have already been the key before this game. They should have been looking at game four film before this game.

    Was there any doubt that Houston was going to come out and throw the kitchen sink at the Lakers? They are fighting for their lives and they are a tough team when backed against the wall. OK enough about that, the reason you are reading this article is because you are down in the dumps and you are looking for a silver lining around that dark cloud of a game the Lakers played. Here it is, "It ain't over till it's over". This isn't the first seven game series the Lakers have found themselves in on a championship run and it won't be the last. Some teams you match up better against than others. That's not an excuse, but we have a difficult time with small quick teams that play the pick and pop and the pick and roll.

    I looked around at all the message boards before this game and saw Lakers fans already looking on to the Denver series for the WCF. I think that's what the Lakers were doing too. Big mistake. Just like in game five I expect the Lakers to come out more focused in game seven on their home floor. Forget about the bad calls, forget about everything, this is it, you are the team of destiny, you are the deeper team that earned the right to move on with a much better regular season record. No more messing around, it's time to get in there and get it done. Odom is the one guy in the Purple and Gold that gets a pass from the tongue lashing that Phil Jackson is going to be putting on his team for the next few days. Lamar played like a stud tonight soaring high above the rim to snatch down rebound after rebound. That no doubt will play to the psyche of the Rockets as they prepare for game seven.

    The Lakers to a man must ask themselves this question, "Do I really want it all, and if so how bad do I want it?" I hope they answer that question with a resounding "Yes" and "I would be willing to do whatever it takes". Hang in there Lakers fans, it ain't over till the fat lady sings and she's still in the back room scarfing down chicken wings.