duncan228
05-23-2008, 01:28 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-big-comebacks-2050015-not-a
Lakers: Big comebacks not a recipe for success vs. Spurs
By ART THOMPSON III
EL SEGUNDO — The Lakers' Game 1 victory Wednesday over the San Antonio Spurs can be viewed two ways. The Lakers spotted the Spurs a 20-point third-quarter lead, then came roaring back to overtake the defending NBA champions.
Or the visiting Spurs pounded the Lakers into near submission to forge a 20-point lead, only to wilt under the Lakers' defensive pressure and succumb to fatigue, which resulted in a 3-of-21 field-goal shooting performance in the fourth quarter.
Either way, the Lakers realize they cannot afford to fall behind by double-digit margins to the Spurs in this series, which resumes Friday at Staples Center.
"We can't live that way," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "We can't expect to come back and win a game, every time you put yourself down by 20 points. The Spurs don't play at a pace that allows you to work yourself back into a game. You play against Denver, Phoenix or Golden State…some of those teams that play at a higher pace, you're going to have more possessions and more shot opportunities, and maybe you can get back into a game on a regular basis. Against the Spurs, once you get behind, it's difficult to come back against them. So we were fortunate, and we understand that's definitely not the recipe for success."
Lakers forward Lamar Odom pinpointed the reason the Game 1 loss likely would not have any residual effects on the Spurs' psyche.
"They're champions," Odom said. "I watched (the Spurs series vs. New Orleans) where they didn't even come close in New Orleans. Then in the seventh game they just busted it wide open. You're going to expect a challenge from them at all times. They're well coached and have great players. And we expect them to come out and try to hit us hard in Game 2."
League MVP Kobe Bryant, who had his prints all over the Lakers' rally, scoring 25 of his 27 points in the second half, said the key to the comeback was the Lakers' defense.
Despite the disappointment the Spurs must have felt, Bryant said Thursday that he did not expect to face a shell-shocked opponent in Game 2.
"They've been through so many wars, they've been through enough battles to know that one game is one game," Bryant said. "I think that they have confidence in that they were able to build a 20-point lead and they're looking forward to try to do that, again."
Sasha shines
Playing a prominent feature role in the Lakers' comeback was guard Sasha Vujacic, who played a career-high 31 playoff minutes. That included the entire fourth quarter, alongside Bryant and Fisher, who also did not leave the game in the fourth quarter.
Although Vujacic only scored two of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, on a pair of free throws, his trademark defense, which can be annoying to opponents, was instrumental.
"He didn't have the greatest offensive game," Coach Phil Jackson said, "but he played fine. He energized our defense and he played a good game."
Bryant said he has seen the progression in Vujacic's game over the past four seasons.
"He's really developed as a defensive player," Bryant said. "When he first came here, we were a little undecided on where to play him, whether he was a point guard or whether he was a shooting guard. He's really grown into his role. He accepts it and I think defensively is where he's really grown, because he takes the challenge of guarding a guy and taking him out of his comfort zone."
Grading curve
When asked what grade he would give the Lakers for their Game 1 performance, Bryant answered that it would be an F in the first half and an A in the second half. Would that equal a C, Bryant was asked?
"I guess so," he said, "if you want to average it out."
Odom was more expansive in his evaluation, giving the team a D for the third quarter, a C-plus for the way the Lakers began the game and an A for the way the team closed it out.
"We passed the test, the first test," Odom said.
Lakers: Big comebacks not a recipe for success vs. Spurs
By ART THOMPSON III
EL SEGUNDO — The Lakers' Game 1 victory Wednesday over the San Antonio Spurs can be viewed two ways. The Lakers spotted the Spurs a 20-point third-quarter lead, then came roaring back to overtake the defending NBA champions.
Or the visiting Spurs pounded the Lakers into near submission to forge a 20-point lead, only to wilt under the Lakers' defensive pressure and succumb to fatigue, which resulted in a 3-of-21 field-goal shooting performance in the fourth quarter.
Either way, the Lakers realize they cannot afford to fall behind by double-digit margins to the Spurs in this series, which resumes Friday at Staples Center.
"We can't live that way," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "We can't expect to come back and win a game, every time you put yourself down by 20 points. The Spurs don't play at a pace that allows you to work yourself back into a game. You play against Denver, Phoenix or Golden State…some of those teams that play at a higher pace, you're going to have more possessions and more shot opportunities, and maybe you can get back into a game on a regular basis. Against the Spurs, once you get behind, it's difficult to come back against them. So we were fortunate, and we understand that's definitely not the recipe for success."
Lakers forward Lamar Odom pinpointed the reason the Game 1 loss likely would not have any residual effects on the Spurs' psyche.
"They're champions," Odom said. "I watched (the Spurs series vs. New Orleans) where they didn't even come close in New Orleans. Then in the seventh game they just busted it wide open. You're going to expect a challenge from them at all times. They're well coached and have great players. And we expect them to come out and try to hit us hard in Game 2."
League MVP Kobe Bryant, who had his prints all over the Lakers' rally, scoring 25 of his 27 points in the second half, said the key to the comeback was the Lakers' defense.
Despite the disappointment the Spurs must have felt, Bryant said Thursday that he did not expect to face a shell-shocked opponent in Game 2.
"They've been through so many wars, they've been through enough battles to know that one game is one game," Bryant said. "I think that they have confidence in that they were able to build a 20-point lead and they're looking forward to try to do that, again."
Sasha shines
Playing a prominent feature role in the Lakers' comeback was guard Sasha Vujacic, who played a career-high 31 playoff minutes. That included the entire fourth quarter, alongside Bryant and Fisher, who also did not leave the game in the fourth quarter.
Although Vujacic only scored two of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, on a pair of free throws, his trademark defense, which can be annoying to opponents, was instrumental.
"He didn't have the greatest offensive game," Coach Phil Jackson said, "but he played fine. He energized our defense and he played a good game."
Bryant said he has seen the progression in Vujacic's game over the past four seasons.
"He's really developed as a defensive player," Bryant said. "When he first came here, we were a little undecided on where to play him, whether he was a point guard or whether he was a shooting guard. He's really grown into his role. He accepts it and I think defensively is where he's really grown, because he takes the challenge of guarding a guy and taking him out of his comfort zone."
Grading curve
When asked what grade he would give the Lakers for their Game 1 performance, Bryant answered that it would be an F in the first half and an A in the second half. Would that equal a C, Bryant was asked?
"I guess so," he said, "if you want to average it out."
Odom was more expansive in his evaluation, giving the team a D for the third quarter, a C-plus for the way the Lakers began the game and an A for the way the team closed it out.
"We passed the test, the first test," Odom said.