One of the constant belittling remarks against these Lakers has been that they don't play defense and that their sweep of Denver was simply a matter of who scored more points.
While I just have to state to all the haters out their WATCH JUST ONE LAKER GAME with open eyes and you'll see a team that not only plays defense, but plays defense in all areas.
Against the Utah Jazz it was said that this flaw will become apparent. Well lets take a look shall we. In the first two games of the series the Lakers Have held the Jazz to a combine 41% from the field. They also have closed up their favorite weapon the 3 pt. shot to the tune of 40% shooting. Considering that Utah is a powerful offensive rebounding team and has shown that in this series just prove the defense the Lakers are playing. Utah has taken 55 more shots then the Lakers and still find themselves down 2-0.
Then there is the other defense factors, such a Block Shots. The Lakers have become a shot blocking monster this series with 17 rejections and there have been other shots not blocked but diverted and turned into either air balls or turnovers.
There is also the fact that this Laker team also has a matching 17Steals. If it wasn't for their own turnovers these games would of been blow outs.
The Jazz have played in a state of desperation and have the look of a deflated team. A team that can't play defense. I THINK NOT!.
Of course the first games have be played at Staples so if the Jazz are going to do anything in this series is going to have to be in the next two in Utah.
But don't be too sure a change of venue will be enough to equal this series out. For in the first two games the Lakers have managed to not only knock down their shots at an incredible combine average of 51%, but when the foul happy Jazz have sent them to the line the Lakers have converted 82% of their foul shots.
To make matters worst for the Jazz the Lakers are becoming deadly beyond the arc hit at a 57% rate. All this looks pretty doubtful for the Jazz to overcome, but they are a proud team and WILL win one of the next two. Why would I say that instead of say a sweep? Mainly because I have tickets for game five and would like to see them win this series at home. Selfish yes, but since the San Antonio vs New Orleans series will more that likely go at least 6 games it give us just enough time to establish a game plan for the Hornets!! Sorry Spurs but your run is OVER!
The scary thing about the Lakers is how complete and balanced they are in all aspects of the game.
You want to play physical? L.A. can do that. Ask the Jazz.
You want to run up the score and run-n-gun? L.A. does that with precision and does it well. Ask Denver and Phoenix, who the Lakers were a combined 10-1 against all season long including the playoffs.
You want to slow down the game and play half court? The defending champs have gotten a taste of that against the Lakers this season and lost twice. The Jazz, who love to execute their offense to perfection, are 1-5 against L.A. this season.
You want to have a block party? Gasol had five in Game Two and seldom used Ronny Turiaf had four in Game One.
You want to play Kobe one-on-one and not double him? He'll score 81 on you no problem or get to the line 23 times.
You want to double Kobe and let the others beat you? The Lakers will average 115 a game on ya like they've done in the playoffs so far.
I am a graduate of UCLA, though I attended AU for one year on a baseball scholarship. Served my active duty time in the Air Force mainly overseas in Turkey and the Philippines. Upon my honorable discharge I remained in the Areospace field as a sub-contracto r in Fixture Stuct., which allowed me to travel and work on projects such as the Stealth and the C-17. After losing most our aerospace contracts to oversea's competitor Aerobus, I returned to California (Orange County) and now oversee my remodeling company.
I'm a avid fan of all Los Angeles Sport teams and have knowledge through my father of the teams history from his moving From South Dakota, to Cleveland, to New York and Finally to Los Angeles. Brings the Clev. Rams, Minn. Lakers, and Dodgers with him, to hear him tell it.
