The Cavaliers have been dominent at home this season, a perfect 23-0 at home and completely blowing teams out in Cleveland. But today was a different story. After beating the Celtics in Boston last Thursday night, the Lakers follow-up their big win with yet another big win beating the Cavs 101-91. Kobe Bryant showed us why he is the ultimate competitor playing through a nasty flu and getting IV’s at halftime. Even then he still finished with 19 points and hit a huge turnaround jumper in the 4th quarter against Lebron James that went so high it almost hit the ceiling.
Stepping up in place of Kobe today was Lamar Odom who had a huge game. His statline read something like this… 28 points, 17 rebounds, 2 Assists and 1 block shot. He was critical to the Lakers success today as he and Pau Gasol dominated the paint and set the aggressive tone for the team.
Lebron James ended up with a near triple double with 16 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. But the difference was the Lakers were able to keep him in check all day long. He shot only 5-20 from the field and showed that outside shooting is still his big weakness.
Great game overalll. Great to see the Lakers as hungry and motivated as they are. There are a few things we learned from this game that I would like to point out:
1) Lebron’s Outside Shooting (a.k.a Lebrick)
Lebron James as gifted as he is, still has obvious problems with his outside jumper. Particularly just inside the 3-point line. The Lakers forced him to beat them from the outside in which he showed that he obviously cannot. It’s still ridiculous to compare Lebron James to Kobe Bryant when his outside shot is so horrible.
2) Cleveland’s Offensive Woes
The Cavs are definitely a good defensive team at home, but offensively they are streaky. If that jumpshot or 3-point shot is not going down, Lebron James ends up having to do everything himself. They are a little bit like the Spurs in how they go in offensive droughts during games. The Lakers used these periodic droughts to catch up in the game and eventually take the lead.
3.) Lakers Dominate Cavs In The Paint
Even without the big man inside Andrew Bynum, the Lakers were still able to dominate the paint against the Cavs with Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol and a little bit of help from Mihm & Powell. The Lakers were scoring so much in the paint it actually made the Cavs defense look very bad from time to time.
4) Lamar Odom Can Still Play!
A very good sign for Lakers fans. Lamar Odom for the second game in a row played like an all-star. Like we all expect him to play. There were times in the season where I wondered if Lamar Odom still had game and if he could help the Lakers. He has proved that he is extremely valuable to the Lakers since Bynum has gone down with injury.
5.) Kobe is still the Best Player On The Planet!
Oh yeah and one more thing. Kobe Bryant is still the best. So all you Lebron followers need to settle down and just wait until Kobe’s retirement to crown your favorite player as the games best. To be sick with the flu, throwing up before the game, getting IV’s at halftime, and to still outscore your so called MVP Lebron James. Is it really even a debate as to who’s better?
By the way…. here is that ridiculously sick turnaround shot Kobe Bryant had over Lebron James towards the end of the game. What a shot!!!
