NBA Finals:- Part Deux

How myopic are the 'experts'. At first the Lakers were going to win it all, Kobe was going to score 30 ppg and the Pistons never going to break 75 points. Now that the Pistons are proving every one wrong and winning, just like I said they would (sorry couldn't resist that), everybody is coming out with how the Lakers obviously can't win and how they are all falling apart.

Wake up people.

Remember the 2nd round? Rember who was down 2-0? Remember who was supposed to win the championship then? Remember the point guard who scored a lot of points? Remember who won that series???

All you bandwagon jumper, calm down. Chill for just a moment before you trade your number 8 jersey for a 'fro wig. As so so soooooooo many people have pointed out the combined age of the 5 Laker starters is over 150. Yeah people that is a century and a half of Hall of Fame type experience and knowledge about the game (well almost all of it is anyway, but if the Pistons can lead this series then why can't devan george make it to the Hall of Fame?). You think this lakers team is just going to roll over and play dead? The Lakers have always been inconsistent. Fourteen points and 8 boards, you think that is the Desiel's A game?

Now here don't get me wrong. I want Detroit to win. I would love to see the Lakers humbled. But make no mistake it isn't going to be half as easy for the Pistons as so many of the 'experts' are predicting it will be.

I think now the only option for the lakers is to fight fire with fire. Or perhaps more accurately water with water. The lakers are going to look to turn on the screws on the Piston offence. To step up the defensive intensity. Just like they did against the Spurs. The Detroit offense has been inconsistent at best. It has also been heavely dependant on 2 guys Hamilton and Billups. The Lakers are going to shut these guys and that could win them not only the game but perhaps even the series.

Phil Jackson has not been known as the greatest strategian in the game but he is the Zen master. Motivation is what he does best. And if ever has there been a greater need for the Lakers to be motivated then this is it. He has got to get the Lakers to come out firing on all cylinders and keep doing that for the next 48 minutes. The fire in the belly that has been missing from the Laker game for the past 3 games has got to return.

Another problem the Lakers are facing is execution. Their finishing has been simply woeful in all this series. They are going to have to improve on that. Another thing wrong with the Lakers game is rebounding. When the Big Man gets 8 boards and Rip gets 7 you know something is wrong. The lakers know how to play ball they just seem to have forgotten how to.

My guess is that the Lakers bench is going to see a lot of playing time in this game. Payton will start the game but just barley (or maybe not at all). Phil Jackson will want to go more to Luke Walton who has to ability to go into the lane bring the defenders on to him and then kick the ball out to Shaq. Payton will be used more or less in spurts and increasingly as a body to throw at Chauncey while Luke gets some rest. Kareem Rush will also time on the hardwood. With Rush playing the 2 guard it lets Kobe play at the small forward spot and allows him go closer to the basket knowing there is another 3 point option for the team. Againg having a outside shooter will spread the Detroit defense which likes to clollaspe on players.

Phil jackson also has to realise that the triangle is working. Its just playing into the Detroits defensive scheme. He also has the perfect alternative at his hand. Malone. Gimpy knees or not Malone was one half of the most devestating pick and roll combination the NBA has ever seen. My guess is that Phil will use Slava and Karl to set hard picks, this bit is important as they have to hurt the skinny Prince and get him off his game, for Kobe and get him some daylight to shoot. Who knows if the real Gary Payton shows up (as opposed to the cheap imitation we have seen thus far) Jackson might even run a few high screens for him. But for that to happen Payton must want it to happen. In the triangle and amidst all these stars Payton seems to have forgotten himself. He has to remember that he too is a Superstar. He has got to demand for the ball ask for it. Want it not just hope for it.

Another tactic that he might want to use is to have Kobe drive to to the basket have defense collaspe on him and then try to dish the ball to Shaq for an alley, out to Rush at the 3 pt line or maybe to Luke/Malone/Slava/Gary/whoever for a mid range jumper. Kobe isn't going to like it but if he expects another ring then he is going to have to do it. Utlemately its going to be team play and execution that is going to ensure if Team Hollywood wins or loses this game and/or the series.

As far as the Pistons are concerned I see nothing much happening. They have won 2 games have home court advantage for 2 more games and thus far have beaten the shit of this pathetic lakers team. But Detroit has to look for offensive options it cannot just rely on itstwo weapons. And for that Rasheed Wallace has to stop collecting 2 fouls every 1st Quarter. Has to score some buckets as the Lakers defense will focus on shutting down the Pistons back court.

Last words :-

Go Pistons Go.