Kobe and his struggles in the Finals (ESPN article)

[wdleehi]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=KobeBryant-080606

But the last time Bryant played in June, he shot 38 percent during the Lakers' five-game loss to the Detroit Pistons in 2004. It was an ugly and ill-fated attempt to prove he could be the No. 1 guy and wrest control of the team from Shaquille O'Neal.

Now even more so, he's the focal point of the defense rather than a dangerous weapon alongside Shaq. Once again we're seeing what happens when the league's best defense locks in on the league's best player, especially when that player is oriented on the perimeter. The defense wins.

"They're not going to give him much of an opportunity to break down their defense off of dribble penetration," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "So he's going to end up in a situation where he's taking more catch-and-shoot opportunities when he's coming off of cuts and coming off of screens and catching and shooting the basketball. That's something he's going to get used to as the series goes on. He's so great at breaking down defenses off the dribble. The Celtics' defense just doesn't allow that type of play."

Bryant's shot chart showed only two attempts in the paint in his 24-point night. He made one, missed one -- a much better percentage than overall, when he made about one of every three shots he put up. In fact, his 9-for-26 performance in the Finals opener, a 98-88 loss to Boston, continued the woeful shooting against the Celtics in the two regular-season games and leaves him at exactly 33 percent against Boston this year (24-for-72). For Boston's defense, that's even better than the 35 percent shooting they extracted from LeBron James during seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Kobe vs. really good defense when he is the focus hasn't been good for the Lakers.  Hope the trend continues.

Also, I love how none of the Celtics defenders ever say anything to the media to fire Kobe up.  Instead saying things like 'he missed shots he normally makes'. 

[RockinRyA]

sounds like lebaby to me.. u know, lebabys comments after game 1.. guess what, he didnt shoot for more than 50% in any game of the cle-bos series

[ma11l]

Kobe gave zero credit to the Celtics D in his presser last night.  It was all him missing the "bunnies".  I don't remember too many bunnies that he missed.  I remember Pierce with one leg and Allen all night being up in his grill forcing into tough shots.  He made a few, missed a lot.

[Cman]

Kobe gave zero credit to the Celtics D in his presser last night.  It was all him missing the "bunnies". 

Him missing bunnies and "a few balls bouncing their [Celtics] way".  Basically, he attributes the loss to bad luck on his part. 

I think one thing that was key in terms of the Cs defense was getting back on D early to prevent fast breaks, which held the score down.  The only time in the playoffs the Lakers scored less than they did last night was in their 84-103 loss in San Antonio.

[thirstyboots18]

It seemed to me that the Celt Defense kept Kobe shooting outside shots....didn't give him too many clear paths to the basket.  Then, late in the game, he was tired and the long shots were not falling.  Good D wins.  Don't wake that sleeping tiger, let him think he had an off nite so the same defensive plan will work again.  Kobe always think the outcome is controlled by HIM....good or bad.  Good Team play by the Celts last night!

[BballTim]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=KobeBryant-080606

But the last time Bryant played in June, he shot 38 percent during the Lakers' five-game loss to the Detroit Pistons in 2004. It was an ugly and ill-fated attempt to prove he could be the No. 1 guy and wrest control of the team from Shaquille O'Neal.

Now even more so, he's the focal point of the defense rather than a dangerous weapon alongside Shaq. Once again we're seeing what happens when the league's best defense locks in on the league's best player, especially when that player is oriented on the perimeter. The defense wins.

"They're not going to give him much of an opportunity to break down their defense off of dribble penetration," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "So he's going to end up in a situation where he's taking more catch-and-shoot opportunities when he's coming off of cuts and coming off of screens and catching and shooting the basketball. That's something he's going to get used to as the series goes on. He's so great at breaking down defenses off the dribble. The Celtics' defense just doesn't allow that type of play."

Bryant's shot chart showed only two attempts in the paint in his 24-point night. He made one, missed one -- a much better percentage than overall, when he made about one of every three shots he put up. In fact, his 9-for-26 performance in the Finals opener, a 98-88 loss to Boston, continued the woeful shooting against the Celtics in the two regular-season games and leaves him at exactly 33 percent against Boston this year (24-for-72). For Boston's defense, that's even better than the 35 percent shooting they extracted from LeBron James during seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Kobe vs. really good defense when he is the focus hasn't been good for the Lakers.  Hope the trend continues.

Also, I love how none of the Celtics defenders ever say anything to the media to fire Kobe up.  Instead saying things like 'he missed shots he normally makes'. 

  We really only played bad defense for about 6 minutes in the 2nd quarter, not the entire first half.