L.A. Lakers: No Sense of Urgency

One of the story lines from Game Three of the Lakers - Spurs playoff series is that this is a matchup of youth versus experience. The Lakers were thrashed in Game Three: 103 - 84. It was a convincing win for the Spurs.

The argument that the Lakers are young and inexperienced simply does not wash. The Lakers starting lineup is not that inexperienced:

• Kobe Bryant 11 years as a professional
• Derek Fisher 11 years as a professional
• Lamar Odom 8 years as a professional
• Pau Gasol 6 years as a professional
• Vladimir Radmanovic 6 years as a professional

From that starting lineup, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher have been on multiple championship teams. These Lakers starters do not lack for experience. These players know how important it is close out a series and not to allow the opposition to regroup.

As for the Lakers bench, Sasha Vujacic is in his third year and Jordan Farmar is in his second year. Jordan Farmar, with just two years experience, managed ten points and three rebounds in under nineteen minutes of playing time:

link: Game Three: Spurs - Lakers

The reason that this was not even a close game was that the Spurs played with greater intensity and urgency. Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich is too good a game manager to allow a critical Game Three to slip by quietly. Game Four is in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 27. Although the Lakers have a two games to one advantage in the series, the pressure is on the Lakers to prevent the Spurs from building more momentum. The Spurs have proven to themselves that they can beat the Lakers in this playoff series. Now, it will be a test of whether this is a championship Lakers team. It will not be a matter of experience as much as it is a matter of desire. Who wants the win - and the series - more?

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
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