Last night, the Western Conference Finals began, and thus began, for this blogger, one of the most anticipated NBA series in a while. As someone who appreciates good, sincere, enthusiastic basketball, and someone who often needs something to watch as the night grows dark, I've greatly enjoyed watching this year's version of the Phoenix Suns come together. For those who know this blogger's ideals, you also know that I stand squarely behind Kobe Bryant in the everlong debate on the best player in basketball. It's crazy how many times in the past few years that I've heard someone say that the argument is over; and this claim has come in both directions, from debaters in each camp. However, that is another post. Needless to say, watching Kobe Bryant in the playoffs is another great pleasure I take part in. I was really interested to see what the Suns could put together when taking on the powerhouse that is the LA Lakers. The BOMB and I both saw the West coming down to these two, though we each have our own story from here. As I viewed Game 1 (on DVR a couple hours after most did), these are the points that came to mind, and could have a lot to do with how this series will go.
The Lakers just seemed in control the entire time, save the first few minutes of cold shooting. This was a game that was not close, and even though it didn't end close, it wasn't as close as it ended. Everytime the Suns showed a spark, the Lakers were there to smother it, before it ignited anything larger. There is a point to be made about Phil Jackson leaving Kobe Bryant in to start the 4th quarter. This could be looked at as a security measure for Jackson. It was clear, however, that it wasn't. It was simply Jackson's version of Zombieland's Rule #2: The Double Tap. Putting Kobe in to make the kill shot early in the 4th enabled Jackson to rest his players the rest of the quarter as the Suns lie dead. The game got as close as 12, I believe, as the second stringers fought it out, but Alan Gentry new better than to take it as a sign of anything but a negligible sway in the wind pattern. The last thing he wanted was to force Phil to put his #1 back in and disparage the Suns further. Gentry let Steve Nash sit the entire 4th quarter, knowing his chances were better with a rested Nash going to Game 2, then to try to make a run against the Lakers at the end of Game 1. As clear as the domination of Game 1 became, it was never more than a single game of a series. We have to look within the game to determine if this is a sign of what's to come.
Guarding Kobe Bryant
The Suns had no answer defensively for Kobe in this game. He dropped 21 in LA's 31 point 3rd quarter, all but delivering the crushing blow then. The Suns tried a few match-ups to try to get to Bryant, but nothing was working.
Grant Hill began the game on Bryant, and as sound as Hill is fundamentally on defense, he doesn't have the quickness to guard Bryant square-up on the outside. He can limit Kobe's newly emphasized post-presence with his discipline and intuition, but he was helpless on the outside. Hill just isn't quick enough to stay square at the 3-line, and because of this he needs to give Kobe a cushion, which unless Bryant goes cold, is asking for an outside shooting barrage. Hill ended up ineffective and in foul trouble.
Jason Richardson was another option guarding Bryant. Richardson still has the quickness to move with Kobe, and his length and agility can be helpful trying to affect outside shooting, but he doesn't have the defensive pralice of Hill. Richardson is not a stopper, and lacks the discipline and basketball IQ defensively that allow him to take full advantage of his physical tools. He is a little slow reacting to screens and doesn't have the confident mind to deal with Kobe's post game. Richardson probably did the best job of the 3 as, like I said, he has the quickness, and was able to stay out of foul trouble, so he, at least, did not hurt the Sun's offense.
Jared Dudley was the third man to try to take on Bryant. Dudley has a very solid knowledge of the game, he has the size to take on the smaller Bryant inside, the quick hands to disturb the dribble, and the tenacity to move with him outside. However, Bryant made Dudley look like he was still a rookie. Duds was jumping at every little shot fake and shoulder roll that Kobe threw at him. If Dudley is going to guard 24, he is going to need to be confident in his sports sense and film study, to try to avoid biting at the fakes. The result left Dudley piling up fouls as well.
It certainly seems that, save an injury or a tremendous off night, the Suns are going to need to double Kobe. I imagine, the best way to do this would just be to play zone against the Laker offense. This will allow for the option of a constant rotation of the 2nd defender, it will give the Suns less trouble with picking up off of screens and it will effect the entry passes into the post. Yes, this will open up the outside shooting, but the Lakers are not the best 3 point shooting team in the league. That honor belongs to the Suns themselves. The Suns would love if Ron Artest could rediscover his love for jacking 3s. There is some worry that Derek Fisher could heat up, but you are going to have to take your chances. If the zone is overly successful, the Lakers have the option of putting together a line-up that adds Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar or both to the floor, to improve shooting, but we'll see if it gets to that.
Inside Play
This is what everyone was looking at coming in. The Lakers are HUGE inside, and the Suns don't have the man power to contend with that. Lamar Odom went for 19 pts and 19 reb, playing 31 minutes to Andrew Bynum's 19. Odom obviously can dominate inside, which renders Bynum almost unnecessary, being Odom and his quickness are better suited to contend with the internal defensive rotations needed to defend Phoenix. Pau Gasol added 21 pts of his own, and if you watched him collect baskets, he didn't look troubled doing it. Amare Stoudemire's one block was impressive, but he seems to only be serviceable in a help-defender role. This can be useful against the slashing ability of Kobe Bryant, but he is not able to affect the inside game of Odom and Gasol. Channing Frye can't play if he's not hitting 3's because he is worth too many negative points defensively. The key for the Suns is the improving health of Robin Lopez. He is the one man that may be able to stand up inside. He certainly doesn't have the ability to dominate inside, but he may be able neutralize one postman and at least make it easier. The other key is, again, trying to deny with a zone. With the presence of Kobe Bryant, the Suns are unable to double inside, so keeping the ball out may be the only choice.
The Suns Offense
This is the one area where I'm going to say, "Game 1 is only Game 1".
Grant Hill 1-5
Channing Frye 1-8
Jared Dudley 1-5
These numbers are not going to read like this every game. If the Suns start shooting, it might be the best defense they can come up with. Steve Nash was effective, putting up 13 pts-13 ast in only 28 minutes. The Suns were also effective at the 2-Guard with both Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa contributing offensively. However, we all know that Kobe Bryant has the ability to lock down if need be. I believe the Suns will score more in games to come and they are going to have to if they aim to push this series to the brink.
The Power of Flight
Shannon Brown has it.
All in All
I still think this series has some distance to it. We've yet to see the Suns play at home, and Kobe doesn't play every game the way he played Game 1. It just seems like there is too much to overcome for the Suns to pull this one out.
-APT
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