The Lakers inability to make shots in the 4th quarter cost them another home game at Staples Center. Overall, they played well as a team. They hustled, they moved the ball, they had good team concepts. Their bench had 37 points. But basketball is about making shots. The Lakers starting front court had 20 points and 18 rebounds. The Grizzlies starting front court had 45 points and 24 rebounds.
Nov 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) goes up to block a shot by Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Young was supposed to be the dominant scorer when Kobe was off the floor. With the Atlanta game being the exception, he has been disappointing. Coming into Wednesday’s game, Young was averaging 11 points, far less than his 18 points a game last year in the same role. His shots are mostly hitting the front rim. He has never been a rebounding guard/forward, nor someone who is looking to pass the ball. He admits he is going through a rough period but refuses to make excuses about not having training camp or a preseason. “My shots will fall next game, got to stay positive.”
Kobe Bryant continues to struggle from the perimeter in the 4th quarter but he said his legs felt good against Memphis. He didn’t help the Lakers but he didn’t hurt the Lakers with his isolation.
It was a close game against the best team, record wise, in the NBA. But the lack of offensive options has hurt the Lakers all year. They were outscored late 11-1. That one point was a Jeremy Lin free throw.
The Lakers defense was decent all game long but they had no answer for Mike Conley in the paint nor Marc Gasol. The Lakers gave up the 20 footer to Gasol who dominated the Lakers in the 3rd period when the Grizzlies scored 34 points.
Kobe’s 4th quarter usage rate was lower than usual. Other players had opportunities to make plays but they just couldn’t cash in. That is the irony that hovers around the Kobe vs. his teammates dilemma. His teammates want more balance and yet when given the opportunity they either hesitate, defer, miss or run from the ball. The best player in this game was Ronny Price who played with a reckless pace and finally had shots to go in.
Jeremy Lin had his opportunity to make something happen with the ball in his hand late in the game but he bailed at the last minute and handed off to Kobe. The irony was predictable. Lin complained about Kobe’s usage against Denver but he refused to make the play himself, to either be the good guy or the bad guy.
There was a moment in this game in which Kobe hurt his finger. He couldn’t dribble the ball and Gary Vitti had to tape it up. Afterwards, Kobe smirked when reporters asked about it. “I played with a broken finger before. A jammed finger is nothing.”
The Lakers are 3-12.