Did the Lack of Teamwork or Pressure Bring the Lakers Down?

Did the Lack of Teamwork or Pressure Bring the Lakers Down?

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the series, 4-1, in game 5

Many feel like it was just not the Lakers year. Others feel like they had a tough competition, but could it have been because of the pressure? The lack of communication and their simple mistakes was what cost the Lakers the series.

Two costly mistakes in two different games were what destroyed the Lakers chances of going into the NBA finals.

It was Game 2 at Oklahoma City with three seconds left and the Lakers were down by one. World Peace inbounded the ball to Steve Blake. He shot a three pointer with Westbrook guarding him. The fans held their breath. That shot could’ve cost the Thunder the game. Blake missed the shot and the crowd went wild. Game 2 went to Oklahoma. The series became 2-0 Thunder.

It was Game 4 at Los Angeles with 33 seconds left. Westbrook lost control of the ball and Blake stole it and passed it to Pau Gasol. The game was tied and a shot was crucial to not go into overtime. Because of a bad pass, Durant stole the ball and shot a three, which he made. The fans were quiet as Kobe Bryant missed two more shots. Another win slipped out of the Lakers’ grasp. Game 4 went to Oklahoma. The series became 3-1 Thunder.

Not many were shocked when the team with 15 championships in franchise history and a star player with 5 rings swiftly exited the playoffs with a 4-1 series defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “The team used to be hungry for championships. You could tell by the way they played, but it’s been different the past 2 years,” said Jared Reed. The Lakers not only didn’t make it further than the second round this year, but they also lost against the 2011 champions, the Dallas Mavericks, in round two of the 2010-11 season, with a 4-0 defeat.
            The way the team played as a whole this season was a disappointment to all Lakers fans. When it was the fourth quarter, the team would play as if they were confused. Throwing forced shots, bad passes and unnecessary fouls were just the least of it. The look on Bryant’s face after Steve Blake missed the potential game winning three pointer in Game 3, said it all. Kobe was supposed to take that shot, but because of the lack of communication, Blake did what he thought was best and it cost the Lakers the game. “The team just got some new players, so they have to adjust together and play as a team,” said Jared Reed. “The team needs to step up and work hard,” said Blake Ling, an Oklahoma City Thunder fan. For example, in Game 3, Gasol seemed as if the game was the least of his worries. Eventually, the Thunder stopped guarding him and carried on to double team Andrew Bynum. “Gasol and Bynum need to step it up. They can play as a team,” said Jared. “Their past championship records prove it.”

But could the difference in the way the team has been playing be explained by the fact that the star player is going through too much pressure? “The team is relying on Kobe too much,” said Hayden Kamaakala. His frantic shots in the 4th quarter showed his desperation to pull a comeback in the playoffs. He was averaging 30 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the playoffs; which was a little higher than his averages during the regular season. “Kobe remains great and steps up in the playoffs,” said Mihir Palan. “Right now, Kobe is carrying the team and it’s all on him because he’s the only one scoring.” Everyone knows the team cannot win with only Kobe’s determination.  “We’re not going anywhere,” Bryant said. “It’s not one of those things where the Bulls beat the Pistons and the Pistons disappeared forever. I’m not going for that (stuff). I’m not fading into the shadows, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not going anywhere.”

Kobe Bryant averaged 30 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the playoffs

Maryam Rezaie

Word Count: 661

Credits to NBA.com