The way I see it, you look at the other team, and your team, asses the abilities and weaknesses. Then you start who you choose vs their starters....See how it works, who is hot, who is not getting it done. As the game goes in to the 2nd quarter, you can see good defense matchups, and other things that are working.
By the third quarter, some matchups are set. In this case, Steisma had Bynum contained. No more free roam in the paint, no backing anyone down, no easy inside points. It was PROVEN to work.
Peitrus had become our X man....The lakers really didn't have an answer for him, as he is our best altheletic guy at that size, and his outside, and new inside game, proved to be strong. He also showed some great defense on a star, Kobe, always hard to defend.
You must also realize that coaching in the last 2-5 minutes is the toughest part of the game. It is too late to learn it by then, if you don't already know it. It is all a coming together of all you knowledge, and ezperience, and instinct. It happens way too fast otherwise.
Doc had it all set, but he pulled steamer AND peitrus. What then happened....The guys they were covering came alive and scored most of the game winning points. Both Bynum and kobe did it. All those now easy rebounds for the lakers that they werren't getting when steam was in. Bass did not score in the last 5...kg would still be in. Even if he put steam in and out, to keep them off their guard...but no, he didn't even trust his own eyes. Then you saaw what happened. Bynum owned Bass, which would be standard "go to" anyway, a 7 footer good center on a 6'8" forward....usually the go to mismatch anyway. That is how we lost.