Crucifido’s Corner - Lakers vs. Sonics

Let The Fans Tell The Story

As I sat behind the basket watching this Laker team dismantle, let back in then finish off the Sonics, I couldn’t figure out if I was happier about the win or happier about the way they won – again.

At one point in the 2nd half the Laker home crowd began to chant. But it wasn’t the typical, ”KO-BE, KO-BE”, it was “O-DOM”, then “RO-NNY”, then “LUUUKE” and that’s when it hit me. This is one heck of a team.

Even the normally fickle L.A. crowd couldn’t decide just who the focus of the team and their adulation was. That’s nothing but a good thing. Yeah sure I know, the season is, but it’s a rare site to watch a team truly play as just that. The chemistry on and off the court speaks of this and the win / loss column is showing the beginnings of the same signs. This is a Laker team for the first time in a while.

There were a couple moments in a truly amazing first quarter run that the Staples Center atmosphere became more electric then it had been in quite some time. Passing, leading to beautiful shots, defense leading to breaks, breaks leading to more passing and more beautiful throw-downs. It was something that gave you both chills and hope for a young Laker team that seems to be rounding into shape possibly sooner than expected by most.

It’s getting harder to keep these articles short when everyone that steps onto the court plays as they have been for the opening 3 of this season. I’ll do my best – let’s run through some of the points of the game…

Andrew – 3 games into it and you can see the frustration come out a bit for Bynum. In the first half of the game, though he wasn’t putting up big offensive numbers, there was something Andrew was doing that was more valuable than any scoring binge he could go on. In the 1st quarter (where he played the bulk of his minutes, Andrew changed 5 shots. That’s something that is pretty dang good for a second year center that really hasn’t established a reputation in the league yet. While Andrew learns how to play basketball on the NBA level, if he can step in and provide that kind of defensive intimidation, a much needed section of the Laker defense will be served.

He also did a good job of getting to his post position quickly again last night. As soon as the first half court set started he found his spot right away. For some reason or another, the Lakers veered away from that (possibly because of the fluidity they were showing moving the ball around the perimeter against Seattle’s porous defense) but Andrew has to learn to not get too down about it. The game has ebbs and tides and sometimes you may not be the hub of each play. There were a couple times he walked back to the bench with his head down a bit, but he can’t do that. If you’re not contributing to the game in one facet, then contribute in others. In a round about way he did that, without even knowing it, simply by playing strong stand-up defense in the middle.

Ronny – What was to say about that performance but awesome, perfect, strong and inspiring. All along I’ve (and others) have contested that the Lakers are in need of that intimidating defensive presence on the inside, someone who’s main focus is defense and rebounding. I didn’t really think that player existed on the squad quite yet, but seeing Turiaf develop so rapidly, maybe that player the Lakers have been looking for is here already. Again it is really early to anoint someone as the missing piece, but as far as the first 3 games go, Turiaf is exactly what the Lakers need.

Kobe – The big return of the game’s highest impact player was more successful than not. You could definitely tell (especially from the close vantage point where I was) that Kobe was more frustrated by the lack of explosion in his legs than in pain. There was no grimacing, or straining to get his legs to move, it’s simply a matter of getting back into game shape. So that worry should be off of everyone’s head. I thought he did an excellent job of not pushing himself into the on court chemistry the Lakers have developed. He more tried to integrate himself into their play style and it worked pretty dang well. It was a quieter offensive output from Kobe, but until he gets into game shape, there should be no problem with him contributing the way he did. Defensively he was huffing and puffing a bit keeping up with Allen, but he did a decent job. Until his lateral quickness comes back into form, he’s going to have a little trouble getting around screen sets for shooters, but all in all he was pacing Allen well.

Lamar - Another absolutely impressive outing for Odom. The best part of the game, he didn’t defer to Kobe or tone down his aggression on either end of the court because Kobe was back out there. He stayed the same headstrong player he was in the first 2 outings. He’s missing a fair share of his little shots, but that’s merely a concentration issue. There was a couple times where you could see he was playing the whistle more than finishing the shot first. With the amount of times Lamar drives inside, he looks for the foul a lot. That’s fine, but more importantly he has to keep his eyes on the goal before looking to see if the refs have their whistle at the ready. Aside from that, Odom is doing a fantastic job. Lamar should also look to use his improving outside shot to free up his inside game. Too many times Lamar was forcing he ball into traffic when one more pass or a step back jumper would have done the job. Defensively, he is helping out so effectively. The struggle of finding the middle ground between help and sticking with his man has been found. He’s coming off of shooters a bit too much (as are most of the Lakers)_ to dive down inside for boards or middle help, but as the center situation begins to solidify through health that should subside.

Smush – If there’s one thing we’ve learned already is that Smush’s lateral defensive quickness hasn’t improved a bit. He’s obviously established himself that same reputation with opposing guards as well. Not but 5 minutes into the game you could see the Sonics move the ball through wherever Smush was defensively. If they switched someone onto Smush or if the point stayed with him, It was a matter of one sidestep to get around and get a play going. If Smush is going to be a part of this team for the long haul, he has got to find a way to keep up with his man better. Whether it be through training or through giving his man a touch more space so he can operate, he must find a way to improve that immediately. Offensively, I love what Smush is doing. Gone are the forced drives into heavy traffic or the barrage of unwarranted threes. He’s picking his role out to a T right now – taking the shots when they’re there and moving and passing when he should be somewhere else.

Luke – Just like Ronny there’s not much to say but – wow. Even on the defensive end in this game Luke was great to watch. Along with Lamar his defensive help recognition was admirable. The hustle off the ball was, as always, there, but Luke settled into a groove in this game like he hasn’t before. He seemed to be everywhere he need to be for the Lakers and everywhere the Sonics didn’t want him to be. I don’t expect that kind of scoring output from Luke (as should nobody) every night, but what a weapon he was. At one point he became the low post presence, which was both unusual and incredible to see. His hustle became strength on the inside and often Seattle looked at a loss as to how to keep him from getting to the ball.

A couple points to look for next game:

* Keep close to shooters and when possible make them put it on the floor. Now in the case of a pure shooter like Allen it can’t simply be stopped, but in most cases the Lakers are fading off of the corners (again) in favor of helping inside. Once again, due to the lack of faith on the inside defense, but also simply from not keeping their peripheral vision in tune. The help on the inside is good, but giving up easy opportunities in the same spots every game will kick them in the butt sooner rather than later.

* When shots go up, you have to assume that every shot is a miss. I know in some games (with faster teams) players look to release as to get a break chance. But all 5 guys can’t release. You have to have at the very least 2 guys looking to stay under the board and get the ball. Almost every Laker, when Seattle made their run, was getting out from under the basket before the board was secured. Second chance opportuniti4es are one thing, but giving away as many dunks and lay-up second chances as they did in the second and third quarter has to be curbed.

* The offense falls stagnant when cutting discontinues. When the Lakers become befuddled by a team’s run, you can see the cuts break off right away. Why they fall out of their offensive scheme is anyone’s guess, but they can’t simply stand around and hope they get free from their man. The triangle is at its best when everyone is active off the ball and looking to get to where they need to be. The “Pass & Watch Kobe” show that takes place from time to time has to be eradicated. Cut and stay in motion.

So another lengthy article, but I love writing about his team. They’re fun to watch and honestly it’s a joy to see a Laker team come together like these guys are. The bond, unselfishness (to a fault sometimes) and fun they’re playing the game with infectious. It’s exciting to see the team grow into a contender. Though they may not be there yet, they’re certainly heading in the right direction.

Veteran ClubLakers member crucifido writes nightly player analysis for each game of the Laker season.

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