Los Angeles Lakers forget what playing championship basketball is like, begins playing 'whoops, we just got knocked out by the Nuggets basketball'

Tyler on 05 23, 2009

The Lakers biggest problem so far this playoffs has been a lack of defensive intensity. Their piss poor pick-n-roll defense has led to easy baskets for the Nuggets. So far in the Western Conference Finals, the leading suspect has been Kobe Bryant. Phil Jackson has chosen to use some cross matching techniques in order to achieve better match ups defensively. This, combined with Bryant’s lack of concentration, has allowed Chauncey Billups free reign of the floor, especially in open court situations. LA’s frontcourt has also proven a leading culprit with their inability to properly hedge Billups on the aforementioned pick-n-rolls. The Lakers must put forth a better on-the-ball defensive effort coupled with active help defense to prevent lay-ups.

Perhaps most importantly, and peculiarly most surprisingly, the Laker’s offense has been lackluster at best. Derek Fisher has gone 6/22 in this series from the field and has shown to be undersized and too slow for Denver’s guards. How much longer will his veteran leadership make up for his lack of performance in these playoffs? Pau Gasol, despite his 17 rebounds, did not establish himself on the offensive or defensive end of the floor. Offensively this has led to indecision and unsatisfactory shot selection from the rest of the Lakers. Can the Lakers push past the Nuggets on the performance of Kobe alone? Without any help (Where is Lamar Odom?), I think not.