I don't mind the small ball, just because we didn't lose the lead because of our small ball... this was clearly the least of our concerns. We stopped playing period. If we were actually playing and ended up losing the lead like we did, then sure I might look at this small ball thing, but this factor was the least of our problems.
They were getting easy looks before we went small, so this is kinda of irrelevant to me at the moment.
it took away the biggest advantage the celtics had had through 7 quarters. Size and strength inside.
lakers strength is perimeter shooting. Playing small allows the Lakers to throw out 4 of those guys with out any of them having to defend down low.
Play to your strength, not the other teams strength.
If it were just that easy. We stopped playing period. I'll tell you one thing though, with Powe in there this wouldn't have happened because he never stopped playing, he had a ton of energy he was never complecent. This had more to do with what the mindset of the players in the floor had than if we were small or big.
Lakers were 5 for 7 if not mistaken before Powe got taken out. That's all I'm saying.
It has a lot to do with it.
1) Lakers took controll of the boards when the Celtics went small.
2) KG was the only low post player on offense. Lakers just double him and force out side shooting
3) Can't clog the lane. Allows Lakers to penitrate and kick.
If Celtics stay big, even if the Lakers hit their outside shots, Celtics control the boards. There is that open 2nd big man near the hoop. celtics score more, keep it from getting that close.
By my calculations they only got 1 offensive rebound to our 1 offensive rebound. The difference in the defensive rebounds can simply be attributed to us missing more shots than them and losing our desire to play. It's that simple. It's not like they were getting second chance points left and right.
Edit: Actually, I think we had one more offensive rebound.
It's actually funny how we keep playing awful 4th quarters regardless if we're big or small. Don't you think there's actually something else going on here than wether we played small ball or not? Like, whe players stop playing?
