Kobe Bryant has the reputation as the best ‘closer’ in professional basketball. Over the years, he has said repeatedly that he can score at any time that he wants. Often, he has been the deciding difference in close games. There is no dispute about his talent or his sense of self confidence. He believes that he can win games in the last minutes of the fourth quarter.

There is a significant disadvantage to this notion of closing out games by relying on Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers may fall into a reliance on Kobe Bryant’s closing skills. As such, it may take away from an early sense of desperation. Indeed, in the post season play, the Lakers have overcome point deficits and won. It almost happened again in Game Two of the playoff series against the Celtics. On one hand, it may be a boost in confidence to know that there is a Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter. However, it may detract from a sense of urgency from the opening tip-off.

Game Three is a ‘must win’ for the L.A. Lakers if they are to make this series competitive. If the Lakers drop Game Three, the series essentially will have been determined… even if they do have the ‘best closer in the game’.

Catherine Forsythe