On to the next one.....

When asked what was going thru Kobe’s head when he sank a jumper in the corner while Brando Roy’s hand was in his face he simply said “ Make the damn shot!” That was only 2 of Kobe Bryant’s 22 points. 10 of those points coming in the 4^th quarter that helped lead the Lakers to an 80-84 victory over the Portland Trailblazers. But the end of the game wasn’t indicative of how the Lakers played.

On a wet and rainy afternoon in LA just minutes after the pregame meetings and walk thru the Lakers learn the league has suspended Andrew Bynum for the next 2 games. The staff had expected to hear something Saturday if a suspension would’ve been handed down. I’m sure they practiced each scenario, but learning your stating center and #1 defensive threat these days won’t be playing only hours before the game is unsettling to put it mildly. But as the champs have done so many nights before they tied up their laces, made sure no knifemen were in the building, and took the floor.

Lamar Odum started for Drew as he has many times in the past. In the first half the Lakers looked just as wet and soggy as my raincoat. The “Bynum less” middle was being riddled by Portland. There was no block party tonight! And surely no one to do the dirty work on the glass.  Lamar and Pau both allowing too many rebounds and points in the paint. By halftime the Lakers were out rebounded 23-18. Not only were they loosing the paint game, but Nicolas Batum had 19 points in the first half! They really needed that seeing as that Lemarcus Aldridge started off very slow. At times they whipped the ball around so fast it left the Lakers looking dazed, confused, and old. Their rotations were so slow you could actually see them NOT coming!  But don’t think defense was the only thing ailing the Lakers. Offensively they also left a lot to be desired. The Blazer coaching staff must’ve done their homework because everyone knows the zone defense is our kryptonite! Instead of making quick passes and dribble penetration the Lakers were lost in translation with no communication and turnovers.  They totally went away from their “inside out” game. Jacking up a dismal 3-17 from outside. By halftime the Lakers limped to the locker room down by 4.

The 2^nd half was a bit more interesting. Portland started running their offense thru LaMarcus Aldridge’s half court sets and Wallace was a beast on the boards. But the Lakers started driving to the hoop and made a few free throws. Unfortunately they were still down by 7 going into the 4^th until Matt Barnes heaved a half court shout to beat the buzzer changing 7 to 4 in a heartbeat. Mr Mo was back on our side!! In the 4^th LeMarcus continued leading Portland’s offense and Marcus( “he’s still alive?” )Camby was crashing the boards. The Lakers were making their shots but Portland still was ahead with 6 minutes remaining. Then just like that the tides began to turn. Andre Miller had two turnovers in a row. Attribute that to him just having an off night or Fish making 2 big defensive plays at the end of the game as he’s done soo many times in the past. I choose the latter. This ignited the champs sending them on a 41-2 run for the last 5 minutes of the game. Marcus Camby went down with another ankle sprain (who didn’t see that coming) which left the paint wide open where we ended up being plus 18 for the 2^nd half. The Lakers also as a whole tighten up on D holding the Blazers to only 5 points in the last 6:30. Our big guys didn’t have a GREAT game but they got it done each having a double double. Pau logging a whopping 45minutes. The Lakers ended with 4 players in double figures, but I think we all can say it was the vetrans who brought us home. Fish with those 2 steals that converted into 4 points. The one from the red hot Batum resulted in a 17 footer that rocked the Staples Center to its core. Then the Black Mamba strikes again shooting over Brandon Roy followed by the chest pumping, hand slapping, jersey pulling , potty mouth Kobe that has been distant as of late. Could it be because of the injuries that he never talks about, the fouls that hardly ever go his way, the suspension on his young center, or was he  simply sending a message to a possible first round play off opponent? Whatever the reason I’m glad he decided to let the league know “We are the champs and we aren’t going anywhere!!! The Road to the Ring will always come thru Figueroa.

In conclusion in a game where because of no Drew we were out rebounded 45 to 35 and gave up 21 2^nd chance points, Portland bowed out after a hard fought game. But for the Lakers in the words of Jay-Z it’s “On to the next one”. Check out the photo of the whiteboard from the locker room after the game:

Couldnt have said it better myself :)