Basketball IQ

June 8, 2008

Bryant must defend every posession

After game one and even after game two, Phil Jackson likes the shots Kobe is getting. Unfortunately, so do the Celtics. Boston's defense has turned Kobe into a jump-shooter. He's getting bodied, pressured, doubled, and crowded away from the painted area.

Normally this would be a non-factor since Kobe is such an accomplished scorer. However, this series is different and it’s most likely traced to the Laker's defensive end. The Celtics are the first matchup the Lakers have faced that forces Kobe to defend an explosive scorer on every possession. No longer can he roam and gamble. He's now forced to either chase Ray Allen or bang with a physical Paul Pierce.

Chasing Ray Allen is draining for Bryant, when considering he must also carry the offense. Battling Pierce is dangerous because of Pierce's ability to draw fouls. But I think the latter is the better alternative, Kobe is smart enough to pressure Pierce without getting into foul trouble and Pierce isn't as active as Allen off the ball. As an added bonus, Bryant is probably the Laker's only adequate defender against Pierce.

In either case, its imperative Bryant stays on the floor and has enough energy to carry the offense.