Jossif Ezekilov
One of the more exciting series of an NBA first round that has been fun to watch has been between the Lakers and the Thunder. That series ended last night with a tip-in by Lakers center Pau Gasol with half a second left in the game. It was a heartbreaking loss for a team that played the defending champions so well. The Lakers move to the second round to face the Utah Jazz, and some questions linger about their ability to get back to the Finals this year.
Going into the playoffs, I don’t think many of the playoffs anyone believed the Thunder would pull a Warriors a-la 2007 but I don’t think the Thunder were underestimated either. After all, they won 50 games as a Western Conference team, they were the most improved team this year, and they boasted the Coach of the Year and the league’s highest scorer. I thought the Thunder could very well take it to a Game 7, but alas Pau Gasol had other plans.
The Thunder put in a strong performance for a team that boasted only one player (Nenad Krstic) in their main rotation with any significant playoff experience. Russell Westbrook played quite well. Kevin Durantlooked nervous and erratic at times, but no one can debate that he put in his all at both ends. Ron Artest just did the job he was hired to do, and KD just couldn’t spread the ball when he got trapped, one of the only knocks on his game.
The Thunder put in a good effort, and the Lakers showed they were the better team, but they also showed that they are not a sure-fire bet to waltz into the Finals. This is a team that looks bruised up and already looking weary. They are going into a series against the Utah Jazz, who know how to bruise and tire down a team in the playoffs. I don’t know if LA fans are worried, but they should be.
It starts and ends with Kobe Bryant for the Lakers and the guy is injured. Currently playing with a bruised knee elbow, a finger that never healed, and a full regular season of fatigue, Kobe’s game has been off this series, as he is shooting just above 40% FG. He is the go-to guy for Los Angeles and he needs to produce more for them. He got away with some sub-par performances because the Lakers front court was just too much for OKC to handle. That’s not going to be the case in Utah because the Jazz, despite their own injuries, have more experienced and better scoring big men in Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap. Kobe will need to be Kobe from here on out for the Lakers to advance, and that’s will be very tough down the stretch with all his injuries.
There are several other players that look like they’re playing hurt.
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