NBA Playoffs 2012: LA Lakers' Takeaways from Game 4 Loss to the Thunder

The Lake Show suffered another gut-wrenching loss at the hands of the Thunder on Saturday. L.A.’s late collapse was frighteningly similar to the Game 2 loss in OKC on Wednesday, which raises questions about their ability to perform in crunch time. The loss leaves the 16-time NBA champions with their back against the wall heading into Monday’s showdown in Oklahoma City. 

Here are some Lakers’ takeaways.

Sessions' Disappearing Act

The Lakers were firing on all cylinders early on. Ramon Sessions started the game attacking both Russell Westbrook and the rim, resulting in four buckets on five attempts in the paint. The Lakers point guard went on to attempt only one shot in the second half, and it was 22-plus feet from the basket. 

It’s hard to tell if the Lakers went away from Sessions in the second half or if he stopped being aggressive, but either way he has to get more touches. When he attacks it forces Westbrook to be exert more energy on the defensive end, and it provides another dimension for the Lakers’ offense. 

Fourth Quarter Woes

As a die-hard Lakers fan, it was almost unbearable to watch the team’s offense in the fourth. The meltdown last night was almost identical to the one in Game 2. And, just like in Game 2, Kobe Bryant and Mike Brown were almost entirely responsible. 

Ultimately what determined the game was shot selection and distribution. That may seem like a surface observation, but it accounts for almost all of the Lakers’ fourth-quarter struggles. 

In the final quarter, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol put up a measly two field goals and attempted zero free throws. The Lakers' supporting perimeter duo of Steve Blake and Metta World Peace went 3-for-8. 

Bryant, on the other hand, had three free throws and forced up 10 shots, making only two of them (that includes the worthless shot he hit at the buzzer when the game was already decided). Aside from the problem I have with Kobe resorting to his 1-on-5 mentality in the fourth, he really got away from where he succeeded early on. 

Bryant was extremely efficient and effective in the first three quarters, going 10-of-18 from the field and 11-of-14 from the charity stripe. He was much more patient and assertive than in games past. He got to his spots in the post and challenged Ibaka and Perkins repeatedly in the paint (the final minutes of the second featured Kobe taking the ball to the chest of Ibaka and Perkins three times, resulting in five points).

Kobe even put on a Hollywood-esque acting performance, luring Harden and Durant into several silly, off-ball fouls. 

You can’t blame the Black Mamba for attempting to take the game over. His efforts through three quarters supported his plan, but unfortunately this plan never came to fruition. 

Simply put, Kobe should’ve come to the realization that he had gone cold, and started deferring—or at the very least, looking—to Bynum, Gasol and World Peace for help. 

The Lakers really went away from what allowed them to develop and sustain a solid lead through three quarters. Kobe began operating in his own system, trying his all-too-familiar hand at what Henry Abbott likes to call “hero ball.” Hero ball makes for a glamorous show for the fans, but is an extremely ineffective way to win a basketball game—especially in the playoffs. 

If the Lakers have any shot at making history and coming back, they’ll have to work as a unit through all four quarters. When everyone is involved offensively, the points, defense and energy will follow.