"When you're the favorite team, you have to come out against the smaller teams and dominate in the early rounds of the playoffs." (sic).
That was, more or less, Shaquille O' Neal's pre-game quote before the game 1 of the Lakers/Blazers game tonight. One of the most dominant players in NBA history, with four rings and six NBA Finals appearances to his credit, was calling out everyone on the Lakers with the possible exception of LeBron James. It's the playoffs: time to step up; time to dominate. Time to live up to the billing, and time to start earning the pay the Lakers franchise gave you to attain banner #17.
But the Lakers came out flat. They got out of the gate against the hungry, something-to-prove Blazers, like they were still dreaming in the beds in their fancy bubble hotel rooms. It's time to wake up. I don't think they were cocky prior to the series, but if they were, this 100 to 93 loss should humble them somewhat.
Here are some quick thoughts about tonight's game:
-LeBron was solid, but the main advantage we have is that no one can guard James (or AD), especially down low in the post. Shooting stats for LeBron? 1 for 5 from 3 point land, 8 for 15 otherwise. His 17 rebounds and 16 assists were great, but a loss is a loss. I know father time has caught up with LeBron a bit, but I'd rather see him a little more aggressive, especially in the 4th quarter.
-Anthony Davis went to the free throw line 17 times (but only made 12 of them), and he grabbed 11 boards. Fine. But am I the only one who's waiting for this kid to step up and take his toughness level up another notch? Oh there were flashes of what he could be, but Davis has already stated he doesn't want to play the 5 position. However, when it comes to the playoffs, you gotta leave it all on the floor, and do what's best for the team.
I don't like seeing him camped out on the three point line. There aren't many players as big and quick as he is. Chris Webber made a good point during the TNT broadcast tonight (or was it Stu Lantz on Spectrum?): when Davis gets the ball, he needs to strike quick and be aggressive getting his shot. He can't wait for the double team. Especially when LeBron is on the bench.
-Kyle Kuzma did about everything he could tonight. I really liked his aggressive attitude. Not bad for a player who has been roasted over the coals by fans and media for not being the reliable 3rd guy the Lakers need. He had 14 points and 8 boards off the bench, and played some decent defense. It was a solid performance for a player with no playoff experience.
-The bench, minus two key guards in Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo, played decent. Dwight Howard has to keep his anger an ego in check, and Caruso needs to grow up a little faster. Other than thought, I didn't think they played that bad.
-It's just one game, but Danny Green and KCP need to be a little more productive as our starting guards (4 for 21 from the floor, 2 for 13 from beyond the arc).
-In the playoffs, and during crunch time, for my money, I want the stars shooting the ball most of the time. LeBron was aggressive, but in the 4th quarter, during money-ball time, I though he passed up on too many key opportunities. Other than Anthony Davis, he should be only passing to the other players out of a double-team, or if they are wide open.
-Davis's shot selections: Offensively I compare him, somewhat to Hakeem Olajuwon. A big man with decent ball skills (probably better handles than Hakeem) with good speed, and great moves. If he gets the ball down low, or within 15 feet of the basket, neither Nurkic or Whiteside have a chance of stopping him. And if the double team comes, the team has to do better than 5 for 32 from three point range.
-The 1st and 4th quarters: the Blazers outscored the Lake Show in both of these key quarters. They were outscored by 16 points in the the 2 quarters combined. You don't win championships starting off slow and finishing the same way.
-Typically when you out rebound, out assist, out steal, and have 18 more shots than your opposition, it's a good bet you're going to win the game. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for the Lakers.
All that being said, it's just game one.
We, the card-carrying members of the Lakers fandom, have been here before. In the first game of the 1985 NBA Finals, the Celtics beat the Lakers by 34 points. This on the heels of the Lakers losing to the Celtics in 7 games in the 1984 Finals. However the Lakers persevered and beat Boston in six games.
It's still early in the playoffs, and early in this series. It's the best out of seven, not the best out of one.
A few of the veterans have been here before: James, Green, and Javale McGee. Even Howard has been to the Finals. They have weathered the storms, and the Damian Lillard's of the world.
For the newbie's, including Davis (only 14 playoff games to his credit), it's time to step it up. You don't earn the best record in the West, and then fall flat in the playoffs
I do have one last criticism, and it's for the coaching staff: go to your strengths. The three point line has not been a consistent strength for us all year. Draw up some schemes to get the ball to your best players on the best spots on the floor. If those two guys are draining shots, and the double teams force them to pass the ball, our other players should get more wide open looks.
I expect the Lakers to come out with a better game plan in game 2, and more realistic point of view as to this series. There's a reason that no one in the West wanted to face a now full-strength Portland team in the first round: they can be spoilers.
This series is going to be a dog fight. I expect the Lakers to adjust accordingly.
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