The Lakers were down by 12 entering the fourth quarter.  The Spurs had all of the momentum.  Kobe Bryant was the only player knocking down shots for the Lakers. 

    So why was he on the bench?  Phil Jackson is a phenomenal coach and I usually don't question his decisions, but I cannot understand why Kobe was not in the game.

    In the three-minute stretch to start the fourth quarter, the Spurs reserves, led by Manu Ginobili, expanded their lead from 12 to 17 points.

    Overcoming a 12 point lead in 9 minutes is doable for a team with Kobe Bryant on it, but 17 points is pushing the envelope.

    The other four Lakers starters outside of Kobe shot 14 for 41.  Phil Jackson typically rests Kobe the first four minutes of the fourth quarter so he'll have fresher legs to close out the game. 

    However, Jackson has been indiscriminate with that policy.  Keeping Bryant out of the game for that crucial stretch eliminated any chance the Lakers had of winning that game.

    Phil Jackson's decision was not the prime reason the Lakers lost though.

    Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol underperformed.  The Spurs' Big Three manhandled the Lakers, and Bruce Bowen was able to keep Kobe off of the line. 

    However, despite all of their mistakes in Game 3, the Lakers still had a shot to win the game. 

    Yet, there Kobe was, sitting on the bench.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?