7 Things NOT To Focus On Concerning the Lakers Losing

#7. Ronny Turiaf’s Rebounds Statistics

In 6 games, of which he played roughly 60 minutes of game play, Ronny Turiaf tabulated FOUR rebounds. 6 games, 10 minutes a game average, 4 total rebounds. 0.667 rebound’s a game. 0.0667 rebound’s a minute. The guy is 6 foot 10 and weighs 250 lbs how the hell do you not grab a rebound?? This proved to be the demise of the Lakers as they were outrebounded and out-hustled throughout the series. Shame on you Turiaf, maybe if you saved that energy and intensity you blew dancing like an idiot white kid on the sidelines while Kobe did all the work, the series would’ve been yours.

#6 Speaking of idiot white kids, let’s not focus on Luke Walton

As hard as it will be to do so, please forget about Luke Walton’s epic performance in game 1, where the ageless wonder PJ Brown grabbed a rebound over him, by tippy toeing to grab the ball. Why was this possible? Because Luke not only couldn’t jump, but didn’t even bother to try. Oh and to add salt to the wound, he fouled PJ Brown right after that, putting him on the line and putting the Celtics out of reach in the closing minutes of the game. Shame on you Bill for producing a seed that is this incapable.

#5 Trevor Ariza’s minutes

Ariza averaged 8 minutes a game, yet he shot above 50%, played solid defense, had only one turnover in all 5 games he played, and didn’t pick up too many fouls. Prior to his injury he had proven himself as the better defensive guard of the Lakers’ staff. Yet, in the playoffs, when Allen and Rondo were clearly owning the Lakers’ guards, he was sitting on the bench. I’d like to hear Phil Jackson’s reasoning.

#4 Derek Fisher needs to retire

…or at least come off the bench. It’s ridiculous to think he could actually keep up with Rondo. It’s even more ridiculous to think that he could defend against Ray Allen. Because of the matchups he had on defense, he was too exhausted to put up good shots or drive to the basket, let alone see the doctor for a new hip replacement. And I understand why he is in, Farmar isn’t mature enough yet, and there really isn’t anyone else; but things like this should probably be thought about before entering the playoffs.

#3 Sasha Vujacic

Game 6, when it didn’t matter anyway because the Celtics ripped ‘em a new one, was the ONLY game where Sasha didn’t think he was playing NBA Jam Tournament Edition and had the 3 point icon under his belt. It’s awfully nice that you lit up the scoreboard in ONE game, but that doesn’t give you the right to go 1-10, or 1-6, or any other abysmal number. It’s the NBA Finals, a single individual, unless on fire, should not be shooting wildly from the 3 point line, especially when he’s shooting less than 30%

#2 Kobe Bryant’s Defense on Paul Pierce

Umm…wasn’t he defensive player of the year? I know that he wasn’t matched up Paul Pierce throughout the series, but the times that he was, are you kidding me? How are you KOBE BRYANT and you are slipping on a Paul Pierce cross over. Please, stop making fake videos with a has been “jackass” group, and work on your D over the off season buddy. Oh yeah, and reading Harry Potter to your kid before the biggest flop of your life; that’s cute.


#1 The Zen

So there’s a little thing in the entertainment industry called a “sell-out”. A performer, who was once legit and true to their work, that sacrifices all of that for money and fame. Jurassic 5 is a famous sell out. So is Phil Jackson. With the Bulls, you didn’t hear shit about the Zen or any amazing philosophy. Even die hard Bulls fans barely knew what the triangle offense was. With the Lakers, he had a beautifully large gift; Kobe and Shaq together. Shaq and Kobe both needed to be doubled up and so that left the game 3 on 1…kinda easy to win don’t you think? Then it went to his head, so did the money, and so did Phil Jackson’s credibility in my books. When you are up by 24 points and you lose, that’s called being out coached. When you have a double digit lead in 3 games, and lose 2 of them, that’s called being outcoached. When Ray Allen drives straight, and right past one defender, and there is no 2nd defender or big man in the middle to block the layup, that’s called being outcoached. Phil Jackson, there is no other way to put it man; you were outcoached. The Lakers were favored to win this series, and it wasn’t even close. All the analysts are probably idiots; but even still, Phil Jackson’s techniques and strategies just didn’t seem to be brilliant.