January 13, 2008 was the last time Pau Gasol was a visitor at Staples Center.
As expected, the Staples Center crowd gave Pau Gasol a standing ovation before the Bulls-Lakers game on Thursday night. Gasol admitted to being overwhelmed.
"I didn’t know what to expect. It was emotional. I am thankful to the fans who I played in front of for so many years. It was a great experience. I think it was incredible what I experienced here and what I was able to accomplish. It was very special that group of guys, that group of coaches. We did amazing things."
Two hours later, he broke those fans hearts. His tip-in tied the game, one in which the Bulls always played from behind. It sent the game into overtime #1.
In overtime #1, the Lakers offense was cover your eyes horrible. The ball stayed on one side of the floor, no one moved and shot selection was worthy of an “F”. But, Jordan Hill’s mid-range jumper tied the game 106-106. With time running out, Derrick Rose went for the duplicate of his Tuesday night game winner against the Warriors, a step back jumper. It missed.
Jan 27, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) battle for a rebound during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
In overtime #2- let’s call it the Jordan Hill show. He made a beautiful block on Derrick Rose. He hit a mid- range jumper to give the Lakers a five point lead. He went up high for a key rebound with 36 seconds left. This, while playing 42 minutes.
Even Wesley Johnson did something worthwhile. He threw in a floater at the rim. The Lakers missed one shot in the second overtime and beat the heavily favored Bulls by five points, ending their nine game losing streak and ruining Gasol’s homecoming party.
But it shouldn’t have come down to two overtimes.
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Before the last 89 seconds of regulation, the Lakers played a solid game. They had six players in double figures (Jordan Hill, Wayne Ellington, Jordan Clarkson, Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis and Jeremy Lin.) They didn’t allow the Bulls to go on a big run. They were strong in the paint. The Lakers played harder than the Bulls, they took care of the glass and didn’t get burned defensively.
But, their ball movement was horrendous. The point guard, whether it be Jordan Clarkson or Jeremy Lin, dribbled ten seconds off the clock before running the offense- which was problem number two. The offense was stuck in some 1980’s time warp.
And then there was that last 80 seconds. With a rookie handling the ball, one who would play 43 minutes, Tom Thibodeau threw the kitchen sink at Jordan Clarkson in the back court. It overwhelmed him. It led to two turnovers, a Jimmy Butler layup, a Jimmy Butler three, a Derrick Rose bucket and the Pau Gasol tip in.
The first question is why? Why not insert Jeremy Lin as a second ball handler? Why not let Wayne Ellington bring the ball up, he is capable enough?
Because, the Lakers believe Jordan Clarkson is their future and they want to develop him. The only way that can happen is if he plays crucial minutes, similar to rookie Kobe in 1997, tossing up those air balls at Utah.
"“It’s going to help him grow up”, Bryon Scott said. “He’s going to continue to learn. He wants to do well.”"
The second question is, explain that offense? What exactly is Byron Scott trying to accomplish by having the point guard dribble incessantly? No one moves without the ball. It sticks to whoever has it and then they have to take a hurried shot that has little chance of going in.
Still, the Lakers overcame all of their mistakes and the spectacular play of Jimmy Butler. The Bulls were down a perimeter shooter, no Mike Dunleavey, and they didn’t have enough offense and only shot 41%. They just couldn’t make shots in the second overtime. Derrick Rose, for the first time in his Bulls career, did not have a speed advantage over a Lakers point guard. Clarkson is not as good as Rose but he could keep up with him. Rose got roasted a couple of times off of Clarkson’s moves.
It was a good win as the Lakers head out of town.