GOING TO NEED MORE THAN ZEN... or how the Lakers can beat the Celtics

NOT JUST AN X's & O's GUY

The Motrin challenged Boston Celtics are primed to deliver a knockout blow right at the doorstep of Hollywood's elite.  For Game 6 in LA, I wouldn't be surprised to see Homer Simpson sitting courtside.  For the Los Angeles Lakers, the finals have certainly reached the "D'oh" point.

So far, Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers has not only out-coached The Zen Master, he's won the motivational battle as well.  The Celtics have bought into the team concept, content to live with contributions from whichever player in green and white steps forward to capture the moment.

For the Lakers, no matter how much he tries to get his teammates involved, it seems to always come down to Kobe Bryant time.  The bad news is, Bryant can't do it alone and the Celtics are making him work very hard for the majority of his points.

As each game passes, the Celtics seem to expose more and more of Ron Artest's basketball IQ.  He has mental lapses and lacks confidence in his shot.  His free throw shooting has become almost Shaq-like.  For Game 5, Paul Pierce made him look like the Invisible Man on defense.

Rajon Rondo's athleticism has been a nightmare for the Lakers.  He pushes the ball up the floor, plays sneaky tough defense and his rebounding skill for a 6-1 point guard is just sick.  Bryant gives him a license to kill from the outside but somehow Rondo still manages to make it to the hoop, giving the Lakers bigs all kinds of problems. 

JACKSON NEEDS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

The Lakers are certainly a different team with 7-footer Andrew Bynum in the lineup, but his bum knee limits his time and production and drastically changes the method by which LA can attack and defend.

So what is Phil Jackson to do?  First off, he has to get more comfortable playing his bench.  To mix it up and give the Celtics a different look, I would start Lamar Odom in favor of Artest and let the agile 6-10 forward chase Pierce around.  Pierce is not overly quick and when he tries to back a defender down, it's effective but not pretty.  That step back or turnaround jumper would have an added degree of difficulty over the outstretched arms of Odom.  At the opposite end, I'd either clear room for Odom to take the 6-7 Pierce to the hole or post him up.

How to handle Rondo?  He's an excellent leaper as well but the Lakers have 6-4 Shannon Brown who can get up as well.  If nothing else, I'd combine him with Jordan Farmar in order to throw bodies at Rondo to wear him down.

The Lakers also need to clear space in the middle.  Boston only respects Bryant and Derek Fisher from the outside, but Sasha Vujacic has demonstrated confidence in his long range shot and Brown and Farmar have been known to nail a 3-pointer.  With the Celtics spread out, Pau Gasol becomes a dangerous piece down low and if Bynum can play through the pain, the Lakers would be in position to exploit the inside.

Spell Odom with Artest and then let him get physical with Pierce.  Also, to get Artest going offensively, the Lakers need to set back screens so he can break free for layups.  Artest hurling up trays only reduces the Lakers effectiveness in the paint.  He's a space eater as well and should be playing more inside where his physical nature will have more of an impact.

Now add in a lethal dose of a not so worn out Bryant and the Lakers have a blueprint for winning back-to-back titles.

That, at least, is my two cents worth for getting the Lakers over the top.  Is the Cleveland job still open?

LeBron lets talk...

KOBE BRYANT - THE GREAT DIVIDE

Where is the love?

When discussing the NBA's best player over the past several years, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground.

You either love or hate Kobe Bryant.

I can understand the love.  Bryant is fiercely intense, always engaged on the court.  He demands the best of himself on both ends of the floor.  At times, he makes the incredible look routine.  With each postseason appearance and NBA Championship ring, he creeps ever so softly into the Jordan discussion.  He may never be crowned with the "Best Ever" label, but Bryant definitely owns property in the neighborhood.

You'd expect a player with those attributes and drive to be cherished and admired by all who claim to be students of the game. You don't necessarily have to root for Bryant, but you should  at the very least, respect his talent.

So why the hate?  Especially it seems from women.  Is it totally based on the 2003 Colorado incident when he was accused of sexual assault?  A case that prosecutors dropped after his accuser was unwilling to testify.  Of course, she later brought a separate civil suit against him that was settled out of court.  One only needs to read the details of the case to make a judgement on what possibly happened that night.  But since there was no one else in the room that night except for Bryant and her, it became a he said, she said regrettable moment in their lives.

I would like to know how many women would stay with their man if they truly believed he was a rapist?  Sure, the financial cost to Kobe was astronomical.  There's never been an account of how much the civil suit was settled for.  He lost a number of endorsements (only to eventually either gain most back or get new ones).  Bryant also did what all guys do when they really have to apologize to the wife.  Nothing says I love you like a 4 million dollar ring.  To this date, Vanessa is still Mrs. Bryant.  Guess Kobe had to wait on purchasing the big screen TV that year.   

Is the hate because Kobe isn't outwardly fun loving as say Dwight "Superman" Howard?  If that's the case, and he's judged as being unapproachable, too bad.  There's no law that says Kobe has to kiss babies and pose for photos.  If he isn't on Facebook or didn't accept your friendship request, get over yourself.  If Kobe doesn't Tweet, perhaps he realizes he doesn't have to brag or boast or let you into his world.

Is it that Bryant sometimes gets on his teammates for not giving more when they should be leaving everything on the floor?  Michael Jordan certainly required the best from his supporting cast and they were better for it.  A lot of people and players in the league didn't like Jordan either.  Six rings and the Hall of Fame later, guess we know who dominated that era. 

When Kobe Bryant walks through the tunnel to take the court, I wonder if the lyrics of a popular song are   looping through his head.

So hate on but guess what

I feel like I can't miss

I know they want me to fall

But ain't nothing bigger than this

So just pass me the ball

You know you looking at a...

Winner

Winner

Winner