It is March 29, 2012 and the Pacific Division leading (31-19) Los Angeles Lakers face the Northwest Division leading (38-12) Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers were able to rely on shooting guard Kobe Bryant down the stretch to beat the Golden State Warriors 104-101 on a “Magic” day in L. A. Former Laker Magic Johnson has just become the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers by buying the team.
There has been a lot of surprising talk in L.A. recently, suggesting that Lakers’ head coach Mike Brown might be losing the team. Brown raised eyebrows for recently benching both of his All-Stars, Bryant and center Andrew Bynum. This would not be an issue if a record-setting coach like former Laker H.C. Phil Jackson or dynasty-building San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Gregg “Pop” Popovich had benched players of their talent and popularity. But Brown is not as tenured as Jackson or Popovich nor has he had their level of success. Additionally, he is in the process of managing egos as much as strategy in his first year as head coach of the Lakers. As a matter of fact, there have been a few instances where it appears that Bynum is “testing the substitute teacher,” so to speak.
Contrary to popular belief, the Bynum benching was for more than his ill-advised three-point shot.
Call it a lack of focus or an attempt to prove something, but it appears that Andrew Bynum is feeling himself. The fact of the matter is that he has been outstanding on both ends of the court this season and a reliable force in the paint. Unfortunately, he has not been producing consistently defensively or on the boards. Where Bynum was previously averaging 13 rebounds per game, in the last five he is averaging only 6.4.
There are 16 games remaining in the regular season. Tonight the Lakers embark on a stretch of highly important contests (the Thunder twice, the Spurs three times) with playoff implications.
Tonight’s game will be emotional with the return of Oklahoma’s Derek Fisher to the Staples Center. The events of the past few weeks show what the loss of the point guard’s leadership has meant to the locker room. One has to believe that if Fisher was still wearing a purple and gold jersey, he would be able to reel in everyone on the team and keep them focused and in line. The task now falls on Bryant & power forward Pau Gasol to provide leadership. Both can handle it.
The Lakers trail the season series with Oklahoma City (0-1) after winning last season’s series (2-1). L.A. has actually taken the last six season series from the Thunder. They have gone 8-2 in their 10 games against OKC, but the Thunder snapped the Lakers’ eight-game home winning streak on April 10th of last year. The purple and gold are 15-9 all-time against Oklahoma City at the Staples Center. The Thunder are arguably the most talented, balanced, athletic team in the conference.
Oklahoma City is 7-3 in their last 10 games and are 4-0 since acquiring Derek Fisher. They have a 16-8 record on the road, 9-2 against their division and an impressive 28-9 record against the Western Conference.
The Thunder are solid and athletic defensively and L.A. will have to pound the ball inside to Bynum & Gasol. The west coast team must do solid job of moving the basketball and moving bodies to find high percentage shots.
The Lakers have to slow down the combination of OKC small forward Kevin Durant, guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden – the group is averaging 69 points, 17.1 rebounds, 13 assists and 4.21 steals per game. It is imperative that L.A. small forward Metta World Peace stay out of foul trouble and force Durant to make difficult contested shots.
With the Thunder’s big three being difficult to stop, L.A. must ensure that with their primary focus on them, they don’t inadvertently make someone else on their opponent’s team a star. The Lakers need to play with a high energy level and sense of urgency; defend, make precise passes, limit their turnovers and receive a consistent contribution from their reserves.
This is a playoff game. The Lakers must match the intensity of the Thunder. L.A.’s guards have to stay in front of Westbrook and Harden and force both to shoot contested jump shots.
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Thunder: R. Westbrook, T. Sefolosha, K. Durant, S. Ibaka, K. Perkins
Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: TNT
- Oklahoma City: TNT
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Oklahoma City: 640 AM & 98.1 FM (Matt Pinto)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Jordan Hill (Sprained MCL, Right Knee) Questionable
Thunder:
- Daequan Cook (Sprained Right Knee) Out
- Eric Maynor (Torn Right ACL) Out