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Lakers handle Grizzlies without Gasol and Bynum: Five thoughts
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Kobe did whatever he wanted against the Grizzlies Friday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers were without big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but still managed to handle the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night, 114-98. Only fitting that the Lakers get free tacos the night DJ Mbenga starts.
Kobe Bryant torched OJ Mayo and the Grizzlies all night long (41 points, 19-30 shooting in 33 minutes), and helped put the game away for good when he returned in the fourth quarter. Phil Jackson said of Kobe after the game:
This is a guy that sees a weakness in a team and exploits it, and tonight they [the Grizzlies] didn't want to seem to put the finger in the dike; they just let the leak continue.
Whatever the Grizzlies did wasn't working, as Kobe got 41 of the easiest points he's had in his career. Here are my five thoughts:
No Bynum? No Gasol? No problem. Despite not having their two premier seven-footers, the Lakers were able to dominate the glass on both ends of the court. DJ "Congo Cash" Mbenga started the game at center and established his presence with authority, pulling down nine boards in the first quarter alone. With the exception of being posterized by Rudy Gay in the third quarter, Mbenga gave the Lakers exactly what they needed: rebounding and defense (they could do without the 15-foot jump shots, but you take the bad with the good).
Powell is the new Sasha. Lakers big man Josh Powell made yet another three-pointer this game, making him 3-5 on the year. For comparison's sake, Sasha Vujacic attempted his first three-pointer tonight, and has yet to make one this season. The Lakers tried out Adam Morrison for a stretch in the first half, but he appeared a bit timid and didn't see any more minutes. So with that it would appear that Josh Powell is actually the Lakers' biggest three-point threat off the bench. Scary thought. I asked J.P. about his improved three-point stroke after the game, and this is what he had to say:
It's something I've been working on to try to spread the court a little bit more, and of course people are not used to seeing me out there so that's a plus for myself because it gives me the time to just shoot and, you know, knock 'em down.
Love the confidence but, if he keeps this up, defenders won't be leaving him alone anymore.
We talkin' bout the game...not practice. Disgruntled guard Allen Iverson made a big to-do earlier this week when he criticized coach Lionel Hollins for bringing him off the bench. I had some doubts myself about how Iverson couldn't be one of the five best players on the Grizzlies. After watching the team, however, I have to agree with Hollins. OJ Mayo and Mike Conley are a young, athletic starting backcourt. We all know the Grizz aren't going to the NBA Finals any time soon, so why not get them as much run as possible and get them used to starting? Plus, if Iverson buys into coming off the bench he can lead the reserve unit by doing what he does best: anything he wants.
Fisher coming on strong. Starting point guard Derek Fisher had his best game of the season, scoring 11 points and dishing out 7 assists. Fisher's jumper looked good, and more importantly he was under control. Fisher has a tendency to put up some ill-advised shots which can lead to fast breaks for the other team. Tonight he looked solid, and if that jumper keeps falling it will be a welcome change from last year's regular season.
Return of the bench mob. Flashes of 2007-08 ran through my head when I saw the bench come on the floor tonight. The Lakers saw big time production from their bench, led by Powell and Luke Walton, and they managed to push the lead in the fourth quarter. Ron Artest, who had a great game overall (19 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), played with the second unit quite a bit. He provides a somewhat reliable scoring option but more importantly, he solidifies the group defensively. Here's what Jackson had to say about the bench after the game:
Luke [Walton] had assists, made some plays and helped them out. The defense was active; that's part of it. They ran the offense relatively well, which has been a little bit of a problem for the past few games.
That being said, they did do this against the Memphis Grizzlies bench. Oh well. Baby steps, right?
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