Lakers Defense Has Bryant Unhappy

It's a series now. Just when everyone had the Phoenix Suns left for dead, the Suns bounce back in a resounding fashion to take two games at home.

"They have a great bench." -
Bryant on Phoenix reserves.

And Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was none to happy with his team's showing despite another excellent game in which he contributed 38 points, 10 assists and 7 boards. But it's all about the team with Bryant.

After the game, Bryant was thoroughly questioned about his team's performance both offensively and defensively. Bryant was obviously agitated at the outcome and some of those at the presser wanted to aim the finger toward the Lakers offense. To Kobe, there was no doubt. It was LA's defense failed them in Game 4.

"Our attention needs to be on the defensive end -- period," Bryant said. "That's second-chance opportunities. Their bench came in and gave them a big boost in getting balls back and getting them extra possessions. We've got to cut that stuff out."

Bryant was also asked if he needed help offensively and Bryant stayed the course as far as the Lakers lack of defense, and he's right. You have to have a defensive stop every once in a while. The saying goes that defense wins you championships and Kobe does own a ring...or four, so he knows what it takes. He even cited that his team gave too much attention to the Suns' zone and not enough to their own defense.

Frye finally broke out of a slump
in Game 4 to add 14 points and
6 rebounds.

Add that the Lakers had no such answer for the Phoenix bench that amassed an insane 54 points, and you have a Suns victory. Don't forget that Phoenix also won the rebounding battle, 51-36. The Lakers bench only managed 20 points and 15 of those were from Lamar Odom. Yes, the Lakers bench isn't the deepest and the Suns go 10 deep in their rotation. All 10 Phoenix players were in double figures in minutes played and Suns head coach Alvin Gentry has a tremendous feel for his club. Only three of the Suns starters played 30 minutes or more.

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson looked in a different direction.

"We thought we could come in here and get a game, and unfortunately you know we weren't up to the task. But we outscored them from the field I think both games, shot better than they did, did a lot of things very good and it still wasn't enough to win the game. They beat us at the foul line both nights, and that's the difference in the margin of the game."

Kobe says defense and Phil says free throws. Who's right?

Actually, both. The defensive stops were not many, and the Lakers were once again frozen by the Suns zone defense negating any movement to the hoop. Phoenix is showing a willingness to drive the lane and the Lakers are showing some tentativeness in such. All Phil has to do is invent a Laker way of penetrating the zone. He is the best coach in NBA history, right?

Piece of advice. Don't rely on the 3 so much. The Lakers took 33 three-point shots in Games 1 and 2 combined. Result: two wins. In Games 3 and 4, a total of 60 three-pointers. Result: two losses. See a pattern here?

If you're a Suns fan, think about this. Phil Jackson is 46-0 lifetime when his team holds a 2-0 lead.

After Games 1 and 2, Lakers fans were chanting "We want Boston!"

I think they may want to take care of the Phoenix Suns in this series first.

Sports Dabbling in Politics

It seems like overnight the debate on the new Arizona immigration law has grown substantially...in the sports arena.

You've obviously heard San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez state he will protest the 2011 All-Star Game if he's selected to go if the law is not repealed. Gonzalez has even suggested pulling Spring Training out of the state. You've also heard about the open letter Rev. Jesse Jackson submitted to MLB commish Bud Selig to pull the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona.

Unless there's some movement in Arizona's
controversial immigration law, Selig may be
pressured to move the 2011 All-Star Game
out of Arizona.

Bud Selig is slowly feeling the fire and the questions and pressure will continue to mount especially now in the wake of Sarver and Nash expressing concern. The MLBPA had already issued a statement in severe opposition. The union has to protect their membership seeing that 28% of the majors and 48% of those in the minors are currently or are potential future members. For the MLBPA to take this stand is not shocking one bit.

You can now add Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver to those opposed. According to the blog BrightSideoftheSun.com, Sarver expressed his opposition and why his Suns will bear jerseys that say "Los Suns" during tomorrow night's playoff game.

"The frustration with the federal government’s failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law. However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."

Did I fail to mention that this also coincides with Cinco de Mayo?

The criticism doesn't stop with Sarver. Steve Nash has also supported the opposition.

"I think the law is very misguided. I think it is unfortunately to the detriment to our society and our civil liberties and I think it is very important for us to stand up for things we believe in," Nash said of the bill. "I think the law obviously can target opportunities for racial profiling. Things we don't want to see and don't need to see in 2010."

This is not a political blog, but I do feel this needs to be brought to our attention. I'm not going to claim I know all about this controversial law. I don't. I do know that this law could have ramifications across the sports world.

With Sarver and Nash, it sheds a little light on how just a couple of those associated with the NBA feel about this law. It won't be long now before other athletes take a stand if they're in Arizona or not.

I knew it wouldn't take long for another sport besides baseball to make a statement on either side of the debate. This may seem like Selig could be forced into a decision he really doesn't have to immediately make.

Remember when the state of Arizona refused to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national holiday? The NFL threatened to pull the Super Bowl from the state. After the issue had a "cooling down" period, the state's stance was reversed and the Super Bowl was permitted to be played in Glendale.

That might be all Selig needs to do. Issue a statement declaring the MLB could pull the All-Star Game if the law is not properly restructured, if not totally repealed. If not, then hastily name a new National League city to host the 2011 event.

I say hastily because sometimes the commish can move a tad slow.