Back to Boston

Peter,

I agreed with some of JVG and Jackson’s criticisms of the Laker defense (my only disagreement was with MJ when he bashed the defense on House’s spinning rainbow 3 that was nearly unguardable), but I wish JVG would have offered more by way of ideas to remedy the situation. The most glaring problem with LA’s approach is that they extend out 30 feet on Pierce, daring him to drive. Well, it turns out he’s one of the best in the business at drawing (and selling) contact once you get up on him. What he (maybe) doesn’t like is the uncomfortable feeling that many penetrators get when they are invited to shoot—I wish LA would give him some space and see how effective he is shooting 22 feet from the hoop with a hand slightly in his face, instead of shooting 20 FT’s, cashing in a couple easy dunks, and kicking it out to shooters after he’s deeply penetrated the lane. Even if he gets hot and makes a few in a row, the more LA can get Pierce trying to carry the load by himself, the less likely that Allen and KG will find any offensive rhythm.

On the flip side, Boston’s 1-2-2 zone (essentially what they did last night in the 4th) was a great counter to the Kobe Isolation sets that barely squeeked out a win. In today’s NBA, post-Illegal Defense Rule, it’s hard to just spread the floor and let your star operate. LBJ tries this and it usually doesn’t work, unless he goes nuts from 3, like Game 6 vs. Detroit, 2007. LA should stay away from that, if they want 4th Quarter efficiency.

Unless LA makes some adjustments (perhaps the Zen Master has better ideas than my own) I doubt they’ll live past Tuesday. The game gets rougher and uglier as it goes on, and LA’s beautiful starts turn into missed jumpers on offense, and missed blockouts on defense.

Van Gundy pointed out last night that a big difference in the Lakers vs. Boston defense is that Boston will take the charge, while LA tries and fails to block the shot. Allowing Pierce to penetrate enough, then trying to pick up a charge may work, but at this point in the series, I would make someone else beat me, because Pierce has shown when he’s in a zone, it doesn’t matter whether the shots are inside or outside. If Allen would have hit his three pointers in the fourth quarter, or KG had any consistency to his O-game last night, Boston takes the title. If I’m LA, I’m getting the ball out of Pierce’s hands and into Garnett’s, since KG will have his hands full with Perkins not available, and will probably again be gassed by the fourth. Start with Gasol or Odom in single coverage on him, then bring the double team late and force the lad to make a play.