"You are a very important player that requires a specific game plan"
Less than 24 hours away from Armageddon The apocalypse The most important game ever the Celtics-Lakers game and we're starting to get into some more specifics. Specifically what the Lakers feel like they need to do to stop the C's.
"They had a tough one [Friday] as well," said Bryant, referring to the Celtics loss to the Suns in a game where both head coach Doc Rivers and forward Kevin Garnett were ejected. "I’m sure they’ll be looking to come in on Sunday and seek a little redemption, but we’ll be ready to."
When asked what the biggest challenge Boston presents is, Bryant did not point to any member of Boston's Big Three of Garnett, Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
"It’s [Rajon] Rondo," Bryant said. "He’s the catalyst, he makes things go at both ends of the floor. Kevin, obviously he’s the captain defensively, but Rondo’s all over the place with his play-making ability and I think that’s the biggest challenge."
I'd rather have no Rondo than an ineffective Rondo… and that's actually a compliment.
No Rondo means guys can adjust their games… Pierce can be a distributor, guys will have to create more of their own shots, Nate will have to play the uncomfortable role of distributor… etc. Ineffective Rondo means guys are expecting Rondo to be Rondo-esque and not getting it. That throws off everyone's offensive rhythm.
When you walk into a McDonald's, you know what to expect. But if you walk into the Capitol Grille and they throw a Big Mac at you, you're not gonna be happy. If you know what's coming, you can deal. If you're surprised by something much crappier than you expected, it can completely discombobulate you.
That's what the Lakers will try to do. They might try to do with Kobe on Rondo defensively… which I will welcome. They might try to do it with some sort of zone. But we know that their focus will be to take Rondo and his distribution out of the mix offensively, and hopefully turn that into defensive frustration as well. Succeeding will go a long way towards an LA victory.
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