Apr 28 2009
Lakers Round One Playoff Grade
The Lakers have disposed of the Utah Jazz in 5 games in the first round of the NBA Playoff’s. Not bad. Not that good either.
What seemed to plague the Lakers all year long reared it’s ugly head again in the playoff’s. The Lakers build double digit leads (sometimes into the 20’s) only to see them disappear as the game goes on. Luckily for the Lakers, they also were able to fight it off. The same thing they did time and time again during the regular season giving them 65 wins. I just don’t think they will be able to do the same when they meet Cleveland in the finals.
Overall Grade: B
Player notes: Shannon Brown has been playing out of his mind. A great little surprise for the Lakers. Kobe learned thathe can win by drawing the defense to him and dishing to his teammates. Lamar Odom had a monterous round 1. Let’s hope that continues. Andrew Bynum will play a bigger role the deeper we go into the playoffs. Pau Gasol did what he needed to do. Game in and game out. The bench needs to step it up more.
