Credit the resolve of the Phoenix Suns, who miraculously escaped from L.A. via Tim Thomas' three-pointer that would have made even Snake Plitzkin proud. Pundits can blame Kobe, they can blame Smush, they can even blame Kwame for his flying Walenda defense against Thomas on that final shot. But one man lost Game Six for these Lakers... and his name is Phil Jackson.
Flashback to the third quarter, where the Lakers consistently failed to pass the ball into the post. Certainly, the Zenmaster has realized that thoughout this series, he's had a tremendous advantage down low. Lamar Odom has essentially neutralized Shawn Marion this entire series. Yet, the Lakers never fed the ball inside that quarter, allowing Phoenix to keep the game close. The Lakers also failed to put defensive pressure on Marion and Barbosa, who, at that point, were both in foul trouble. Already undermanned with Raja Bell serving a one-game suspension for clotheslining Kobe Bryant, the Lakers could have forced D'Antoni to go deep into his bench. Instead, the Lakers offense opted to run east-west and gather the bulk of their points from the perimeter.
In order to have ANY chance whatsoever in Game Seven, the Lakers cannot deviate from their gameplan. They must exploit their size advantage and control the tempo the entire game. Missed perimeter jumpers only fuel the Suns offense. Anything less than steady, consistent high-percentage offense from the Lakers will leave only one L.A. team playing in the Staples Center next week.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
