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Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers missed shootaround Thursday in Denver before Game 6 against the Nuggets with gastroenteritis (stomach flu).  His status is uncertain although the team expects/hopes that he’ll be available tonight in LA’s second-straight opportunity to eliminate the Nuggets.

Denver gave a gutsy performance on Tuesday, beating the Lakers 102-99.  The series stands at 3-2.  If Game 7 is needed, it will be on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Bryant playing below 100% can be a double-edged sword for the Nuggets.  It might negatively impact his performance or may do quite the opposite.

Regardless the night for either team will not be “easy.”

Much was made of Laker center Andrew Bynum’s comment the opponents often fold if hit hard early in an elimination game.  It did provide something for the Nuggets to rally around, but was it really a factor?

Did Denver suddenly decide to play their most aggressive, passionate game because of Bynum?

“When you’re in a situation that we’re in now where it’s win or go home there’s no time for excuses or saving energy. You just have to do it,” said Denver guard Arron Afflalo about his team’s effort in Game 5.

Can they do it for another 96 minutes?

“We don’t have a choice,” said Afflalo.

It doesn’t matter what anyone inside or outside the Denver organization says.  After falling down 3-1, the Nuggets need to play 144 minutes of effort basketball, on both ends.  They’ve gotten through 48.

Their defensive game-plan is sound.  Constant double-teams on Andrew Bynum with the duo of Corey Brewer and Afflalo charged with as much single-coverage on Kobe Bryant as possible.  Perhaps that’s easier with Kobe sick – perhaps not.

Center JaVale McGee, after his career game on Tuesday, pointed out the Denver philosophy on Bryant.

“It’s really hard to stop Kobe,” said McGee.  “Kobe’s a great player but if we stop the bigs then we can let Kobe do what he do, and that will really help us out. If everybody has a good game then it’s not a good chance that we’ll win.”

When Gasol is in for Bynum at center, he’ll receive the same treatment of double-teams with the Denver defenders crowding the paint.

How do the Lakers deal with the Nuggets’ scheme?  Hit open jump shots.

“They were daring us to take outside shots. We had wide-open shots that we couldn’t make and we have to keep shooting and hopefully they will go in because that’s what they’re doing right now,” said Coach Mike Brown.  “They’re backing way off of some of our guys and saying OK let me see you make this shot and right now we’re not doing it.”

They’ll be there for Gasol out high when he’s at four next to Bynum.  Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake both hit huge shots in Game 4 and Ramon almost hit an even bigger one at the end of Game 5.

“Our supporting cast really has to help out Pau and Andrew in particular in loosening up the defense,” said Kobe.  “You saw the defense tonight, they just sat in Pau’s lap, they sat in Andrew’s lap and we weren’t able to knock down shots and make them pay. We have to do a much better job in knocking down some of those shots, timely shots and in turn that will free up Pau and it will free up Andrew.”

Devin Ebanks hit shots in the series opener but hasn’t done much since.  Matt Barnes is struggling through an ankle injury and has shot a paltry 27.5% from the field.  Even Jordan Hill, perhaps the most productive bench player for the Lakers, has only shot 39.3% from the field.

The problem for the Lakers, be it against Denver or in future series should they advance, is that outside of the trio of stars the role players are shooting a combined 37.3% from the field.

They’re not making Denver pay for collapsing on Bynum and alternately Gasol, which makes it harder and harder for LA to get the kind of inside touches they need to run their offense affectively.

“I think that when we play in the playoffs especially the deeper we get teams are going to say hey, Kobe ain’t beating us or Andrew ain’t beating us,” said Brown.  “That’s kind of what Denver said from the beginning and that’s why Andrew gets double-teamed quicker than any other guy I think I’ve seen so far in these playoffs.”

The solution is simple but the Lakers haven’t quite been able to get it done, at least not for four of the five played.

“Other guys are going to have to step up and make shot,” said Brown.  “

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Join HOOPSWORLD’s Newsline Editor Mark Nugent for his weekly chat this Thursday at 6pm EST.  Mark is based out of Chicago and covers all things NBA so get your comments and questions in early.

jayjay

Who says no? Cavs package their 24th, 2nd rounder and take on Warrick and get the Suns 13th pick?

Mark Nugent

The Suns are unlikely to give up a lottery pick in a deep draft. So I doubt the financial savings would be worth it to them.

Wil

Mark, I don’t buy the Nicks are better off without STAT arguments. Seriously would you rather have Amare or any of the other Nick bench players? I do agree that Melo and STAT need to figure out how to co-exist and that Woodson (if he keeps the job) needs to figure out how to better use them, but this concept of taking away players is a poor use of stats and a cop-out. Thoughts?

Mark Nugent

I don’t think Amar’e is the same player any more. I don’t trust him and if the Knicks could trade him without having to take back long-term salary I would do it. I firmly believe the Knicks cannot be a serious contender with STAT and ‘Melo. Neither is willing to play defense, which they proved during the Knicks series. I like Amar’e, but he is a 5-8 million a year player now, not a 20 million a year player.

Matt O

Hey Mark, the Hornets are in a great position this offseason. If they can keep Kaman and Gordon, what do you think is out there value wise for Okafor? With 2 lottery picks I can see them picking up Marshall and T Robinson… Surely Okafor can bring in something that may help. A back up SG and SF would be a huge help right?

Mark Nugent

The Hornets are starting over completely, I believe they will let Kaman walk, but will keep Gordon. I think they will build the team around Gordon and their two lottery picks this year. I believe they will draft at least one big man and then likely one perimeter player. But it will all depend on where the two picks end up. I think Okafor has some value, but he still has a large contract and with the new CBA, very few teams will be willing to take on that kind of money for an average big man. So I guess the Hornets end up keeping Okafor for at least one more year.

Raptor fan

Jonas valanciunas – rotation player, all star, or superstar?

Mark Nugent

I think at worst a rotation player, at best a starter on a good team. I don’t see him being an all-star though, but he is very young and hasn’t played stateside yet, so anything is really possible.

HoopsFreak!

Mark, greetings from Australia!

Big fan of these chats you all at Hoopsworld post every week, great look inside the minds of some NBA Journalists..
Anyway onto my question..

Im a OKC fan, and i was wondering how James Harden doesn’t start, yes i know how the NBA works where you need scoring punches off the bench, Jason Terry, Manu Ginoboli, etc etc..
But they all can (and have) started in the past, why do teams play one player who starts 16mpg and the bench player 30mpg.
Always wondered, thanks for you time.

Mark Nugent

Glad you like them. I can’t speak for everyone here at HOOPSWORLD, but this is my favorite part of working for HOOPSWORLD. I love doing the chats.

The Thunder site needing scoring off the bench, but what I truly believe is with Westbrook and Durant starting, there are not enough shots to go around in the starting lineup. When Harden started a few games this year the Thunder looked terrible because no one knew who should shoot the ball. Harden plays most of his minutes as the main offensive player and then shares that job the last 8 minutes or so of every game.

Personally, I think Harden is going to have to start next year or the year after if the Thunder really want to be a dynasty.

calvinzero

To those who will be free agent this summer, who do you think will be prone to sign to other teams?? Why do you think so? Thanks Mark. You know, that it is an earlier Q but it is already one of the center of talks inside the NBA besides the thrilling playoffs. Right?

Mark Nugent

I think Deron Williams leaves Brooklyn and heads to Dallas. But that is the only star on the free agent market. I think the restricted guys all stay put, because they almost always do. Other than Williams, any moves that happen this offseason will likely be small moves.

AJ

I have 2 things totally unrelated.

1. why do u guys (the site) cover the raptors? seriously im tired of reading questions regarding derozan and bargnani and the draft etc. they wont make the playoffs in the next 10 yrs im sorry.

2. what do u think about the lakers trading pau for younger cheaper talent. landry? milsapp? and can kobe re-do his deal to free up space and get help? kob’ already got his money and pau should re-do his or get traded. i can see drew needing his big payday. lakers have no bench because kobe is getting 30 pau 19 and drew 16. mill/yr not ppg.. long i know but thanks for ur time man…

Mark Nugent

HOOPSWORLD has a reporter in Toronto, and he is a very good reporter. So he covers the Raptors and whichever teams come into town.

Kobe most likely cannot re-do his deal, because the NBPA would never allow it. They are very picky when it comes to players contracts, since that’s why they are there in the first place. I don’t think Pau for Landry or Milsap is an upgrade, and the Lakers are in win now mode with Kobe’s age, so I expect Pau to be there next season.

Jazzfan

Mark thanks for your time, Raja Bell and CJ Miles each took some shots at Ty Corbin citing his “communication skills”, do you think this is anything to be concered bout or is it just a case of a couple of players that struggled and lost playing time and are still sore about it?

Mark Nugent

I think it is a couple of players that struggled all year and I think it’s something to be concerned about.

Maurice

Should the bucks use the amnesty clause on Drew Gooden and try sign JaVale McGee or Spencer Hawes for $9-$10 million a year or should they go after Chris Kaman for $7 million

Mark Nugent

The Bucks currently have some 58 million in contracts for next year, if they amnesty Gooden they have about 51. That’s not really enough to sign any major free agents. Either way the Bucks will have essentially the MLE. Which isn’t enough for any centers.

maurice

I think Tobias Harris can be a scoring “3″ in this league in 2-3 years what do you see his potential as

Mark Nugent

I like Harris, I think he’s a solid player. I think he is meant to be a 3 in the league. I see him as a potential starter, but I don’t think he has all-star upside.

Marcus

What positions do the bucks have to address this offseason and can they do it

Mark Nugent

They need a center. And i doubt they can get it. I like Jennings, Ellis, the Dunleavy/Harris/Delfino platoon is decent, and I like Sanders/Mbah a Moute/Ilyasova combo at the four. But there center right now is Gooden and Udoh. I don’t like Gooden at all and thought he was a bad signing. I like Udoh, but he’s more of a backup then starter.

Charlie

Allen Iverson is my all time favorite player. When I say this everyone points to the

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Lang GreeneLang Greene Email Print 0

The Indiana Pacers find themselves in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season after eliminating the sixth seeded Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

The team will now face the second seeded Miami HEAT in the Eastern Conference Semifinals which begin on Sunday May 13.

To most on the outside looking in, reaching this level of success after such a long drought would make the season a triumphant campaign in and of itself but Pacers feel their journey is only beginning.

The HEAT are the consensus favorites to eventually send Indiana packing, but the Pacers aren’t backing down from the challenge

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