Solving the Zone Defense: Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol Must Take the Lead

It's not rocket science.

The Phoenix Suns' Game Three victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals was due to an inability to adjust to the Suns' zone defense, and the Lakers' 115-106 loss in Game Four bears parallel undertones.

The zone defense actually goes against the Suns' principles because they would much rather play at a faster tempo, but trying to defend the Lakers' in single coverage proved to be impossible for the Suns in the first two games of the series.

The Lakers' response to the zone has been typical, because an emphasis is placed on forcing offensive players to hit perimeter shots, and the Lakers obliged by jacking up 32 three point shots in Game Three and 28 in Game Four.

Attacking a zone defense with dribble penetration is the most common method of countering the gimmick scheme, and Kobe Bryant's two performances in Phoenix were a tutorial on how to do this.

Bryant accumulated 74 points, 23 assists, and 16 rebounds in Phoenix, and almost single-handedly rendered the Suns' zone irrelevant, except he has been missing some help in the post.

The second most common method of attacking a zone defense is with an entry pass to the high post, and even though this has been a constant option for the Lakers, they have failed to capitalize on it.

Gasol did score 23 points in Game Three and 15 in Game Four, but he found it tough to find shots in the fourth quarter of the latter when the game began to get away from the Lakers. 

Credit has to be given to the Suns' reserves who contributed more than 50 points in their best postseason showing yet, and forward Channing Frye managed to avoid NBA playoff notoriety by discovering his missing jump shot, which until Game Four had accounted for a 0-17 series from three point range.

The Suns' ability to punish the Lakers in the pick and roll also continued to be a problem, but one Los Angeles has decided it can live with, but they can't survive with players like Frye and Jared Dudley beatting them.

Although most pundits will applaud the defensive genius of Alvin Gentry for switching to the zone, the Lakers actually shot a better percentage from the field than the Suns, and only committed six turnovers.

But the Lakers 45.9 shooting percentage from the field was their lowest of the series, and the free throw disparity in the game can't be blamed on the oversight of the officials either.

One can expect for the majority of the official's decisions to go in the home team's favor, but the Lakers didn't help themselves by shooting 60 three pointers during their two game swing in Phoenix.

The Lakers' biggest advantage over the Suns lies in the paint and the triangle offense is a perfect weapon to counter the zone defense, but the Lakers, and definitely Gasol, must be more aggressive establishing position in the high post.

Bryant has shown the Suns have no answer for his response to the zone, and the only thing missing is a focused effort from Gasol in the post, and the rest of the Lakers following suit.

Phoenix's surprise strategy has enabled them to climb back into the series, gain pivotal momentum and confidence, and ensure a return to their home court for a Game Six show down.

Many felt this series would go no more than five games, and some people were foolish enough to predict a sweep, but the Suns' defensive adjustment is what defines the NBA postseason.

Phoenix has returned the Lakers' two game opening salvo in kind, and dared Los Angeles to find their own definitive moment in response, but there is hope to be found in the comforts of home.

Kobe Bryant's performances in Phoenix gave a hint as to how the Lakers will attack Phoenix's zone, it's just up to Gasol to back him up once the teams return to the court.