L.A. Lakers and Long Range Problems
- 1
- Add a Comment
Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, called Game Five of the playoff series with the Houston Rockets a “great win“. Coach Jackson complimented his team’s 118-78 win as “a terrific effort“. Perhaps that can be translated to mean the Lakers stayed focused throughout the game and did not squander a big lead. It was a decisive win over a smaller but determined Houston team.
A quick glance at the box score shows that every one of the Lakers in uniform scored and contributed to the 118 points. No starter for the Lakers played more than thirty three minutes, so there was some efficiency in the team scoring. However, a closer look at the game statistics show some long distance problems.
Derek Fisher played eighteen minutes and, as the starting point guard, he contributed two point and two fouls. The disturbing statistic is that Derek Fisher made only one of six shots. The Lakers offense needs a three point threat in order to spread the opposing defense and create more open space to the basket. Usually, Derek Fisher contributes more on the offensive end. The coaching staff say that they are not concerned about this temporary shooting slump.
The second unit for the Lakers is shows similar shooting problems. Sasha Vujacic has not shot the ball well during the regular season. His shooting problems have continued into the playoffs. In Game Five, Sasha Vujacic made one shot in five attempts. He had more personal fouls (3) than points (2). A twenty per cent shooting efficiency is not what is expected from the Lakers three point specialist on the second unit.
It may be said that the Lakers have ample offense, even with two of their guards having problems. That is difficult to dispute in light of a forty point victory over the injury ridden Houston Rockets. However, as the Lakers are expected to advance, teams will look to exploit this shooting weakness and give Derek Fisher and Sasha Vujacic open opportunities for jump shots. One of the keys to stopping the Lakers may depend on how well defenses exploit these shooting difficulties. It is just more pressure on Derek Fisher and Sasha Vujacic.
Catherine Forsythe
One Comment
Shabash Morton
May 14th, 2009
at 12:07pm
You also have to look at the minutes contributed by Farmar/Brown, which obviously cut into Fish/Vu time. Farmar/Brown are better at stopping dribble penetration, as again, Brooks was contained like he was in Game 3. Brooks will score more point with Yao out for the rest of the playoffs, but I think the job Farmar/Brown did on him is comparable to the Game 3 shutdown. Though the 3-ball shooting has been suspect, during these first two rounds, the frontline size difference favors the Lakers big men (Gasol, Odom, Bynum), so dumping the ball inside should be done at a premium. Too bad that only Gasol has played well on a consistent basis during this current series.