Cru’s Corner: Lakers vs. Nuggets (Game 3 11/01/08)

It Doesn’t Have To Be Pretty

More than likely still remembering the sweep in the playoffs last year, the Nuggets came into this game with a bit of fire that they usually don’t have. Some of that enthusiasm was due to the Lakers coming to town, some was it being their home opener, and some from this being Carmelo’s first game of the year.

You didn’t need to see the uniforms, only the game play to know the Lakers were playing the Nuggets. It was downright ugly most of the time, never having the flow of the first 2 wins, but in the end, it’s another W nonetheless.

In the 1st quarter, Andrew’s using that length really well again tonight. He did well in letting his arms do the work instead of leaving his feet unnecessarily. The first couple of offensive boards were impressive as he was often going up within 2 or 3 guys and corralling the board with no problem. Bynum did great in limiting the Nuggets to a one and done offense. If the Nuggets had the guts to get inside on the Lakers, which wasn’t that often, they had their shots altered by Andrew’s presence or they were pushed into a lower percentage attempt.

Problem was, once Andrew let his arms start thinking on their won, the reaches, slaps and flailing came in big chunks, making him sit for most of the game. Oddly, Andrew used his length well for boards, but also let his length take away from his game too as he tried to let his arms do what his footwork should’ve been doing.

Offensively, Andrew has to recognize a mismatch quicker. When he had a smaller man on him tonight, he would try to beat them with quickness, rather then just backing them down. He has to play to his defender’s inability better.

2 takes to the hoop for Derek within the 1st quarter was great to see. The drive has been a nice element of his game to see wake up. Fish was flat out solid.

Kobe came out a touch more aggressive tonight, as he got himself involved in the offense far earlier than he has in a while. Its not a bad thing, in fact changing things up like that can keep your opponent on their heels.

Kobe worked off of screens and curls sharply. Come the 4th quarter and surprise, surprise, Kobe went to work simply burying any shot from anywhere against anyone (including a beautiful step-through for a lay-up) as he dragged the Lakers to the win.

As indefensible as Kobe can be, there are moments when you see Pau and wonder if there are many ways to defend him as well. His incredible array of offensive weapons was on full display tonight – from short jumpers, to cuts for lay-ups, to tip-ins, to nice screen and rolls. When the Lakers were looking for some kind of flow Pau kept them up and running amidst a really damn sloppy game.

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