by kblo247 on Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:12 am
Was there live for the game
Pau - I knew he was getting ready to go from shoot around because all he did for like 5 minutes was straight attack. Running jumping hooks, bank shots, corner 3's, layups off drop steps, and dunks. Interesting thing was that Kobe was the one rebounding for him throughout the whole stretch. He started out a little bit timid but got better as the game went on and really got his comfort zone on the glass. His D was ready from the start, but getting some bunnies opened up the bucked for him like cash opens up Jenna Haze's legs.
Kobe - was vocal from the sideline as you could see him pointing and gesturing to the guys on the bench about where Paul was going. He kept pointing to him and then illustrating it. He also yelled at Shannon for missing a post feed and could be seen m motioning the bounce to Drew. In the game he generally attacked off the dribble and in the post quickly. The big thing I saw that he didn't really do well was react to his big slipping the pick they set for him early as that was where his turnovers came from. Her had a way of silencing the crowd after every run in person, and he got standing MVP chants late in the game and after it ended to he made his way through the hall (I was chanting too). Will also say that the block he had on Landry can't be done justice on TV because he swatted that ball literally almost into the fifth row.
Lamar - He started off the game with a slight adjustment which saw him attacking the hornets bigs who were on him off the dribble. They cleared out space for him by setting picks before he got to the ball. Then when he got a small like Ariza on him, he signaled for the post up. He was the perfect swiss army knife in person. When the team needed him to be he put some pressure on the in bounds, drew fouls, scored, handled the ball, and rebounded by sealing his man on his right hip while grabbing the ball with the left extendo arm.
Andrew - Flat out beast. He was the biggest guy on the floor and he knew it. He held his own every step of the way and imposed himself on anyone who he was facing. When he felt I was a little bothered until I saw the in arena screen which showed him more trying to catch his wind than walk it off once he got up. It was like he breathed a big sigh of relief. He also was the best interior D once again and made a living on the glass.
Fish - It was good to see the old vet at work. Paul would be working the ref and Fish would come right over during stoppages and work them with his side as well. That T he got was bogus because while he threw an elbow, he also took 3 to the ribs on the possession before that with Paul constantly elbowing him and pushing him in the ribs to create separation. He had a good crossover to layup that left Paul in the dust. He also hit a big momentum killer. His D was good, but what was real good was that you could see him and the bigs be it Pau, Lamar, or Andrew talking about where the pick was coming from so he knew about it. His feet may be slow but his hands work well still. He was also the first guy out at halftime shooting jumpers. It was also nice to see Phil work the refs about Paul pushing off live during commercial breaks and showing what he was doing Derek, which resulted in there being less whistles after the 3rd.
Blake - His D was solid. He didn't look for his shot too much, but he did control the tempo and make the right play which is all you can ask from him or any PG in the triangle for that matter.
Barnes - The boxscore won't show it, but he was hustling. He was deflecting balls, getting boards, running the floor, and helping while recovering. The only negative I saw up close was that he is still limited moving left to right on both sides as seen when he blew the layup. Going forward and backward he is moving much better than he did in game 1 alone, and I love his grime Fox element.
Brown - I give him **** about being a chucker over making the right play on offense. I will say though that I have to give him credit for what he did Jack early in this game. He was not only shadowing Jack, but he met him to his sweet spots before he could get there especially in the first half. Because Jack is a rhythm guy he had a positive impact on taking him out the game imo and helping cut off the head of the proverbial snake.
Ron - Last but not least, there is the man from Queensbridge. Fotr as awkward and nonathletic as he appears he has great fundamentals. Watching him work on defense and always stay in perfect stance, box out perfectly for rebounds so that there is a better chance he or a teammate can grab them, and how he sealed his man away from the ball was beautiful. I smiled when he taunted the crowd.
