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.

Just Shut Up and Play!

A couple of funny observations from highly paid athletes. Instead of taking their "defeats" and dealing with them, they choose to air our issues through the media. But it should be this simple. Shut up and play what you're paid to do.

Case #1 involves Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez and his little feud with his manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Tuesday was an un familiar seat for Ramirez.
He should be in today's starting lineup.

In a Monday evening affair against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ramirez was going after a blooped ball into shallow left field. Ramirez couldn't get to the ball in time. When he tried to filed the ball, he accidentally kicked the ball into the left field corner. No big deal and I'm sure we've all seen the replay by now. It was Ramirez didn't do after that.

Instead of busting his rear end into the left field corner to retrieve the ball, Ramirez appeared to be lightly jogging to get it, an effort not appreciated by his manager. Gonzalez pulled Ramirez from the game for his apparent lack of hustle. Ramirez was none to kind to his skipper.

"He can do whatever . . . He doesn't understand that. He never played in the big leagues."

And Ramirez proceeded to throw his Marlins teammates under the bus as well.

"We got a lot of people dogging it after ground balls. They don't apologize."

The apology part is in reference to Gonzalez wishing Ramirez would apologize to his teammates for his poor effort. While Gonzalez could actually care less if he personally receives one, he does feel strongly that the Marlins as a team deserve such. As of yet, Ramirez has neither delivered that apology and appears in no way to waver from his stance.

What cannot be lost is the support a couple of Marlins players have for Gonzalez and the move to not only pull Ramirez on Monday, but to bench him on Tuesday. Dan Uggla seem to place himself in his manager's corner.

"I think Skip needed to do what he needed to do, which was take Hanley out of the game at that time. Does that mean we love Hanley any less? No, we have all made mistakes. We've all done things like, 'Oh, maybe I shouldn't have done that.' But you move on, you move forward you get past it."

What Uggla very well could be saying is this. You showed a lack of effort. Sit down and take your medicine. Get over yourself and play the damn game. Most importantly, shut up! Well, that's how I take it anyway.

And by the way, Ramirez is the highest paid player on the Marlins roster due to 6-year, $70 million contract and he is the face of the Florida Marlins. Act like it.

The same could very well be said of Phoenix Suns big man Amar'e Stoudemire and is Case #2.

Odom played a brilliant Game 1 and deserved
all praises for it.

During an interview yesterday, Stoudemire was questioned about Lakers "asset" Lamar Odom and Odom's 19 point, 19 board effort in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Stoudemire didn't exactly give Odom any props. Not so much as any ackonwledgment that Odom had a superb game. In fact, Stoudemire belittled Odom's effort.

"I'm not giving him no hype right now; he had a lucky game in Game 1."

I'd rather be lucky with a line like that Amar'e. What were your stats for the game? You managed 23 points which was a +4 in the scoring column (compared to Odom). Good, good. What's this? 3 rebounds? 3 freakin' boards was all? That's a -16! Plus, Odom only had one less rebound that the whole Suns starting five (20 to 19).

Another thing here. Stoudemire also talked of not having total focus. How can you not be focused playing the the conference finals? For the record, Stoudemire gets paid $16.4 million for not being focused compared to Odom getting $7.5 million for being lucky. Maybe Odom shouldn't be as focused. He could make more money.

I was always taught that rebounding isn't luck. It's effort and nothing else. You have to want the ball.

Odom could have taken Stoudemire's ball and run. But he didn't.

"So be it. Hopefully I can have another lucky one."

Way to take the high road, Lamar. Although I guess a great line or two would have been awesome for E! to put on your wife's show, but I'll take this classy move any day.

Amar'e - shut up and play. And don't forget, it's the Western Conference Finals. You need to be focused.