[kobez2417]

Yes, we beat them a week ago without Kobe. Yes they are injury ridden. Yes they seem puzzled with their recent waiving and signings of Jackson and Tmac. Yes they've exited the playoffs the last few years in an almost choking fashion. None of that matters. The Lakers have to come in with a force that's going to send ripples throughout the league.
This L.A squad is far from done even without Kobe and all has the opportunity to claim greatness with a victory of the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers have had previous success and more or less know what San Antonio is all about: no hero-ball, disciplined defense and extraordinary ball movements. This series isn’t about X’s and O’s as much as it is about the Lakers digging deeper to tap into the potential that seemed sky high at the start of the season. Here’s how



A. The Dwight-Pau Connection

Coming into the playoffs, the Lakers have won 10 of 11 games and 3 straight without Kobe. Dwight and Pau, once deemed incapable of playing with each other, are playing together better than ever. Pau has used his high I.Q. to confuse and deceive defenders to make passes and break down defenses in a way that can’t be prepared against. Dwight has been the main beneficiary of such passes and coming off of a back injury, is finishing better than ever. According to Synergy Sports, Howard is converting 77.1% of his field-goal attempts off cuts. On the flip side of things, Dwight has absolutely locked things up defensively the last couple games holding the Spurs to 37% shooting and the highest offensive scoring Rockets to 90 points .

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVqM1De3T2A)

Bottom line Pau and Dwight will be much more talented than any 1-2 frontline punch in any given scenario and have to use their connection to absolutely dominate. The Spurs are no exception: To counter Mr. Fundamental, the front line of L.A. has to match his discipline and focus on the defensive end and absolutely dominate on the offensive end.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD1CbToPhCk)

B. Steve Nash

Steve Nash has missed the third of the season with a hamstring injury, but is planning to play Game 1. Yes, he’s not going to shut down Tony Parker nor do we need him too. Yes, he’s not going to be able to play heavy minutes. Yes he’s not going to be able to run at full speed. But let’s remember why he was brought here in the first place: Steve Nash simply needs to do what he does best and that’s more of this:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpXLUm2wakI)

Pau Gasol has scored on 76.7% as the roll man in the pick-and-roll and Howard is converting on 79.2%.

Bottom Line: Steve Nash doesn’t need to run fast, jump high, or play shut down defense to control the game. With the ball in his hands in the minutes he plays, he just needs to do what he’s done best over the years

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ukefAz-wro)

C. The X-Factor

After a couple days to look at extensive tape in the lab, one thing is obvious: The bench has been inconsistent. What has been even more inconsistent is the expectations of the bench. Earl Clark, Antawn Jamison, and as of late, Steve Blake have shown flashes of what the Lakers desperately need and all deserve to make the playoff rotation. But of those, who is going to get the bulk of the minutes:

The Positioner
With a heavily talented roster even sans Kobe, the dirty work has to be done by someone. Someone who realizes there is going to be opportunity when playing when playing with guys with terrific passing abilities and is going to use that to his advantage. Someone who is going to read the weaknesses on the team and fill in, put his head down, and get the work done. Someone who isn’t distracted by comparisons to a glorious past and is ultimately focused on the now:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=5qeslFJRo_Q)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=fOkXbVxwXoM)