Agreed totally. This has been my stance from the start of the series and unless something dramatically changes, will continue to be my stance. Why double a jump shooter?
Why double team when he's not hurting you with dribble penetrate and getting others involved, but instead jacking up contested 17-18 footer with a hand in the face? WE WANT HIM TO DO THAT.
Let Kobe continue to jack up shots against tough defenses the stats don't lie, jump shooters never win a series. Plus, we don't anyone else with confidence on the Laker's. We are in Odom and Bynum's head. We need a couple of hard fouls on Gasol and he's a wrap. All they have left is Kobe. However, anytime he drives to the bucket, we should give him a hard foul to remind him to stick with his jumpers.
You have to pick your spots when double-teaming Kobe, and if you do it, you have to do it with the intention of getting him to pick up his dribble and stop rather than being able to throw the ball while on the move. When he picks up his dribble, you can better dictate where he has to go with the ball. If you don't, he distributes the ball to a spot on the court where he wants it, giving him the advantage.
I think you live with percentages. Lakers have an able bench. They are more dangerous when Kobe opened it up for them. Maybe double him in crucial stretches, but I'll live with him shooting jumpers as the basic strategy.
I don't think we should double team Kobe. I think Battier did a good job, Kobe just hit some tough shots. However, I think that Battier should deny Kobe from getting the ball so often. I saw him do a little of this late in the fourth quarter. Shane stayed IN FRONT of Kobe instead of behind him, which prevented Kobe from getting the ball a few times. I think Battier should try that more, but he's doing well so far. He is playing a lot of minutes and he isn't falling for any of Kobe's mental games.
Yao's defense against Gasol was terrible ...that's why he got in foul trouble. He was not prepare. He needs to step up his game.
So who does Yao guard then? Do you really want Yao trying to defend Odom on the perimeter? There's a reason why Yao doesn't guard the Memo Okur's of the world.
I have to disagree. Ariza, Farmar, Vujacic, Odom, Walton (although he's been down this year), and Brown are all pretty dangerous from 3 if they have time to get their feet set, so I don't want anyone rotating off of them. Gasol has a strong mid range game is a very capable passer, so I'd hate to see him popping wide open off of pick 'n rolls. Odom is very versatile and has great passing ability for a player his size. The last thing I want is him getting open and having room to initiate the offense. Basically, from what I've seen, the Lakers play incredible team offense when given the opportunity. They make great cuts, they move the ball well, they're unselfish, they're versatile, etc. etc. Maybe if Kobe goes for 40 again and we lose, then it's time to look at alternative strategies, but for now I'm more comfortable letting Kobe put on a show while we attempt to hold everyone else in check.
that's why they're called "great" players. they make tough shots. i still won't double kobe. right now, only gasol and him are playing well. nobody else is. don't give them any hope.
No need to double him. As Hollinger said, he's only shooting 42-43 % from midrange this year and he hit some really tough shots last night.