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Another Bad Sign

May 27th, 2009 · No Comments · Basketball, Kobe, Lakers, NBA

On top of the ad lib national anthem.

Lakers are down 10-6, Kobe Bryant has the ball near the three-point arc. Holding it out behind him.

Dahntay Jones reaches around and knocks the ball loose, beats Kobe to it and goes the length of the court … and blows the layup against Kobe’s defense.

But here is the really bad sign …

None of the Lakers could be bothered to trail the play.

Trevor Ariza was the only Laker even at midcourt when Jones missed his shot. Had he (or Fisher, Ariza or Gasol) been running hard, they take that rebound and go the other way.

Instead, the ball comes off, Jones regains it and Ariza finally shows up — in time to foul Jones, who made one of two free throws.

The point to this? Down 10-6 in Game 5 of the conference finals, the Lakers couldn’t be bothered to sprint back on an open-court play. And it cost them a point, and a foul on Ariza.

When are you going to chase that play, if not now?

Makes me wonder about their energy and dedication to winning this.

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