Were Celtics intimidated by Lakers size?

[Change]

If there was one tangible thing that threw the Celtics off their gameplan, it had to been Laker ginormous frontline. It happened to OKC, Utah, and Phx. Lakers size has a way of intimidating opponents. But I never thought Celtics would be the next prey. Then it became a mental thing afterwords.

All of the sudden KG turnaround shot is getting blocked, Rondo gets his shot blocked multiple times in one play, Perk takes a second too long to finish inside, TA fumbles the ball.................. The second guessing starting to pile up every-time they go inside. The play the sums it up was when KG missed two easy wide-up bunnies inside. You can dismiss it as 'age' or 'injury', but it to been more than that. Rarely anyone blocks KG's shot, and the thought of getting it blocked must have creeped in his mind. KG got intimidated by the size.

Now it all mental, the Seed was planted early. C's didn't adjusts well in game, but hopefully they can make the adjustment in game2.

[Spicoli]

If there was one tangible thing that threw the Celtics off their gameplan, it had to been Laker ginormous frontline. It happened to OKC, Utah, and Phx. Lakers size has a way of intimidating opponents. But I never thought Celtics would be the next prey. Then it became a mental thing afterwords.

All of the sudden KG turnaround shot is getting blocked, Rondo gets his shot blocked multiple times in one play, Perk takes a second too long to finish inside, TA fumbles the ball.................. The second guessing starting to pile up every-time they go inside. The play the sums it up was when KG missed two easy wide-up bunnies inside. You can dismiss it as 'age' or 'injury', but it to been more than that. Rarely anyone blocks KG's shot, and the thought of getting it blocked must have creeped in his mind. KG got intimidated by the size.

Now it all mental, the Seed was planted early. C's didn't adjusts well in game, but hopefully they can make the adjustment in game2.

I agree. It definitely affected Rondo. He was going up really "weak" against the Lakers. I mean, he was pretty much just flipping shots up there, and the Lakers were just swatting it right back down. Rondo needs to attack the front of the rim, and stop trying to go up and under like he was doing in game 1.

[Chris]

The C's definitely need to make some adjustments for the Lakers length (we certainly heard enough about it last night), but I don't think it is a huge concern.  Rondo was making some really weak attempts, and I think he was more concerned with trying to get the foul at times, rather than finishing the basket.  With crisper passing, and movements, I think the length won't be that big of an issue. 

[celticinorlando]

length is a real concern

[eddietours]

but Wallace also  block Gasol

[ManUp]

I think it's the poor play from our perimeter players that made the Lakers size such an advantage.

Offensively the Lakers guards were either blowing by us or getting (questionable) touch fouls. When one of our bigs stepped up they would either put the shot up knowing one of their bigs was in position for the O.board while our guys were out of position or they'd complete a short pass for the easy 2. It doesn't help that Gasol is a great interior passer.

Defensively they were packing the paint. Rondo wasn't going up weak, atleast not in in the first half, they just had a lot of Lakers in the paint. Under the basket he'd avoid one defender just to run into another. With Ray being in foul trouble no one really had to be defended on the perimeter. We were 1-10 from 3, KG probably hit one 18-footer the entire game and Ray the only guy knocking down shots early was glued to the bench.

We can handle 1 guy playing free-safety, but not two. I think our only run came when Nate, Ray, and Pierce were playing the 1, 2, and 3. Pierce did a good job stopping Kobe's penetration, Nate kept his man honest and ran our sets, Ray did a good job getting open off screens, but still a lot of shots weren't falling. We need better perimeter play if we're going to deal with LA's size.

[Bynum4MVP]

I've seen threads about KG, Ray and PP but haven't seen much talked about Rondo.

Didn't really seem like Rondo was in the game at all yesterday.  Kobe guarding him 7 feet away seems to have stopped his penetration and he doesn't want to take a jumpshot (I think he had 2 jumpers off screens which he made).  But he didn't take advantage of the space Kobe was providing him on the perimeter.

I don't know if Rondo wasn't driving due to the size behind Bryant or the 7 feet of separation which wasn't allowing him to beat his man of the dribble.

[ManUp]

I've seen threads about KG, Ray and PP but haven't seen much talked about Rondo.

Didn't really seem like Rondo was in the game at all yesterday.  Kobe guarding him 7 feet away seems to have stopped his penetration and he doesn't want to take a jumpshot (I think he had 2 jumpers off screens which he made).  But he didn't take advantage of the space Kobe was providing him on the perimeter.

I don't know if Rondo wasn't driving due to the size behind Bryant or the 7 feet of separation which wasn't allowing him to beat his man of the dribble.

The best way for Rondo to beat that defense is to run the sets and move without the ball. It worked early, but wasn't as affective when Ray was sent to the bench. Tony doesn't create the same openings, and your not going to beat size or that type of defense by running straight into it. It also doesn't help that Tony's man can play him the same way Kobe plays Rondo.

[celticinorlando]

losing ray was a killer. that threw a wrench in everything and put tony allen in the game