L.A. Lakers Missed Closing Time in Game Three

There are singular moments that give a glimpse beyond the public persona of a player. Game Three was high drama. If the Orlando Magic had lost the game, it would have continued a finals losing streak to seven games. It would have put them three games behind the L.A. Lakers, with almost an impossible task of winning four games in a row for the NBA championship.

The Magic didn’t lose. The Magic made history. Game Three was the first finals win in the history of the franchise. They shot a remarkable seventy five percent (75%) from the field in the first half. There are time when a team will not shoot that in practice, without a defence. The Magic ended the night shooting over sixty percent (62.5%).

Even with that offensive efficiency, the Magic could not distance themselves from the Lakers. The Lakers had a seventeen point first quarter performance from Kobe Bryant, with an amazing seven for ten shooting. And some of those were ‘how-did-he-do-that‘ amazing. The Magic and the Lakers were tied with two minutes and forty second left in the fourth quarter.

One would think that the advantage would be with the Lakers. Kobe Bryant is reputed to be the very best ‘closer’ in professional basketball. However, in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant missed a layup. For the night, he made five free throws in ten attempts. Kobe Bryant is not a fifty percent free throw shooter. And then, in the last moments of the game, Kobe Bryant tried to dribble through a double team and lost the ball.

However, what was memorable and telling was what happened after that turnover. The play resulted in a foul shots to the Magic and Pau Gasol flat on the court. Pau Gasol went to the floor to try to secure the ball and keep the possession. He was unsuccessful and he laid on the court.

Kobe Bryant did not go help up Pau Gasol. He did not go over to console his team mate. Kobe Bryant simply walked away. He ignored Pau Gasol on the ground.

Perhaps Kobe Bryant was exhausted. Perhaps his focus was elsewhere. Perhaps there are a myriad of reasons and excuses to explain the behaviour. Nevertheless, Kobe Bryant walked away from a prone team mate who had fought for a possession. Is that how one leads? And whether the L.A. Lakers win or lose the NBA championship, that one moment speaks volumes.

Catherine Forsythe