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Friday, April 28, 2006
Sayson: When the ‘Zen Master’ casts his spell
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – Phil Jackson’s return as Lakers coach has once been described as a journey from “Zen Master to Zen Disaster.” Indeed, such tragedy was shaping into reality yesterday when the Lakers met the Suns at the US Airways Arena for Game 2 of their series.
With a 2-0 deficit staring him in the eyes, Jackson summoned his inner genius and devised a wicked plot that derailed a freewheeling Phoenix team that led the league regular season in scoring (108 ppg), a perimeter-oriented crew that loves to play the 3-ball and blows opponents with their fastbreaking ways.
Jackson employed a plan that would harass Steve Nash. He sent a taller line-up to play the wings and made sure hands were in the faces of Phoenix’s 3-point gunners. And Jackson made certain to slow the pace, deliberately melting the shot clock at every possession.
The end result was a 99-93 masterpiece, a classic taming of the Suns.
After surrendering 39 points in a 107-102 Game 1 loss, LA sealed the checkpoints on the paths that often lead to Phoenix fastbreaks. They controlled the boards, 39-35, and their big guys dominated the paint (36-28) by simply imposing their physicality against the undersized Suns.
Reigning MVP Steve Nash managed 29 points and nine assists, but the tenacious Lakers defense pushed him into exhaustion. Nash made six turnovers under duress and he took 17 shots, five more than in Game 1. Nash is a facilitator, not a scorer. When he becomes a scorer, the other Suns are less likely to flourish.
As Nash struggled, so did his peers. Phoenix made just 33-of-78 field goals (42.3 percent) and they sank a woeful 9-of-27 3s (33.3 percent). And though the Suns were perfect from the stripe, their 18 free throws were 14 less than they made in Game 1.
Once again, Kobe Bryant proved that he need not score 50 for the Lakers to be successful. But No.8 had to do a little bit of everything, which he accomplished with both gusto and flair.
Bryant finished with 29 points on 12-of-24 shooting. He grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists. He also had a steal, four fouls and four turnovers in 44 minutes of action for the Lakers, who shot 38-of-75 from the field (50.7 percent) and 9-of-16 from three-land (56.3 percent).
Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom played superbly for the Lakers. They hit 13-of-20 shots between them, combining for 33 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Every time the Suns made a little run, the Lakers pounded the post, and when the double teams came, the wide open outside shots poured, which explains LA’s high-percentage conversation.
All-Star Shawn Marion was assigned to guard Odom, who is two inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than the Suns forward. The match-up wore down Marion, and it showed in his sub-par outing on offense. Marion tallied just 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
Tim Thomas, who had 22 in Game 1, was also slowed down by the Lakers. After making 8-of-10 shots in the opener, Thomas had only as much daylight as Dracula, missing 8-of-12 field goals. Leandro Barbosa, who also starred in Game 1 with 15 points, was held scoreless.
Game 3 of the Suns-Lakers series shifts to the Staples Center on Friday (Saturday morning in RP). Momentum is obviously on the Lakers’ side, but if the Suns rediscover themselves and shoot lights out like they’re capable of doing, Phoenix should be able to regain homecourt advantage.
For now, though, Phil Jackson is at ease, plotting his next move. And that is most worrisome for the Suns.
DA BULLS. The Bulls host the Heat in Game 3 of their series today at the United Center, an event I will cover on-site as an NBA-credentialed writer.
While I am very pleased with Shaq’s dominance in Games 1 and 2, I share this city’s optimism that the Bulls will win today. The baby Bulls are younger, fresher and more energetic than the veteran Heat.
If the Bulls don’t trail behind early, like they did in Miami, they will be fine. Watch for Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich to light up the stats.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 28, 2006 issue)
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