Post-game discussion of Lakers-Magic NBA Finals Game 3

[RedBlackAttack]

Redick has actually done a better job on Kobe in this series than Pietrus, which is incredible. Pietrus has been a complete and utter dud in these Finals. He lacks intensity and he is playing like he is completely overwhelmed by the stage. That doesn't just apply to his horrible defense (going for every ball fake), but he has been nonexistent offensively. It doesn't even looks like he wants the ball.

[Fatal9]

Bryant has historically only struggled against taller/long defenders like Prince, Posey etc.

Putting Starks, Payton, Dumars on him would be suicide.

[wang4three]

He's putting too much pressure on himself mentally. He's acting and reacting too fast and needs to calm down and just play defense. That said, I think he's doing an all right job. Kobe's just making really really tough shots.

[juju151111]

Bryant has historically only struggled against taller/long defenders like Prince, Posey etc.

Putting Starks, Payton, Dumars on him would be suicide.

Putting prince, Posey,Bowen,artest, piece, and marion on Mj is suicide. They just can't keep up with his speed. Mj already schooled Posey,piece,marion and Artest when he was 39/40 with sergery ridden knees. lol Is this a joke?? Also Mj doesn't struggle against Dumars,payton, and starks. He avged 40 on Dumars like in every game. Also fatal here is a Bruce Bowen quote on who the toughest he had to guard. "Michael Jordan. He really had an infectious personality with his teammates. He gave guys courage when they wouldn't have had it. Kind of like Kobe and his will right now." LOL Try again

[Bodhi]

Your right. They should double team Gasol and leave him wide open.

Well you've heard the stat, when Kobe takes less than 20 shots Lakers are undefeated. So obviously if you let Kobe take every shot, you have a good chance against the Lakers.

[Micku]

for real brahs he playin out of his mind.

loosey goosey!!!!

"My name is Kobe, and I'm hungry. *growls*"

[LA_Showtime]

Well you've heard the stat, when Kobe takes less than 20 shots Lakers are undefeated. So obviously if you let Kobe take every shot, you have a good chance against the Lakers.

One of the most misleading stats out there. It doesn't take into account that Kobe sat out a lot of fourth quarters, his teammates were struggling, etc.

[Younggrease]

He's putting too much pressure on himself mentally. He's acting and reacting too fast and needs to calm down and just play defense. That said, I think he's doing an all right job. Kobe's just making really really tough shots.

Thats the catch 22 with Kobe...seems like no one ever plays bad defense on him. Its always he is making tough shots.

These are the shots Kobe is picking...Pietrus is putting him off his spots, his contests are too slow and his disicipline is horrid. This is a great player making a mediocre player make mistakes

[RedBlackAttack]

Well you've heard the stat, when Kobe takes less than 20 shots Lakers are undefeated. So obviously if you let Kobe take every shot, you have a good chance against the Lakers.

LeBron had virtually the same exact statistic. It means nothing. Of course, if the rest of the team is struggling, the superstar is going to take more shots. Then again, the rest of the Lakers weren't really struggling offensively in that first half. Actually, quite the opposite...

Kobe was just on fire, but you have to wonder if he is going to fall in love with that jumper and keep firing it up in the second half or if he will go back to distributing in the third quarter like he did (smartly) to open the game.

[rknine15]

I thought they(Petrius, Lee) were doing any excellent job on Kobe he was just making some extremly tough shots. If they continue to defend Kobe like that they should be fine... Kobe will cool down in the 2nd half.

[RedBlackAttack]

I thought they(Petrius, Lee) were doing any excellent job on Kobe he was just making some extremly tough shots. If they continue to defend Kobe like that they should be fine... Kobe will cool down in the 2nd half.

Nope... Pietrus' lack of discipline and going for nearly every ball fake has continued through the first two games and into this one. He has also allowed Kobe to get deep post position several times.

Lee was doing a better job, but he just doesn't have the size to contest Kobe's midrange jumpers.

[DonDadda59]

Pietrus guarding anyone is a bad idea. For w/e reason this guy earned a rep as a solid defender while Lebron was dropping 40/8/8 on his head, many times in 1-on-1 situations at the top of the key. This guys has horrible footwork, poor positioning, bites on every pump fake, and just lacks any sort of intensity.

[RedBlackAttack]

Pietrus guarding anyone is a bad idea. For w/e reason this guy earned a rep as a solid defender while Lebron was dropping 40/8/8 on his head, many times in 1-on-1 situations at the top of the key. This guys has horrible footwork, poor positioning, bites on every pump fake, and just lacks any sort of intensity.

I found that fascinating, as well. Somehow, Pietrus was getting a rep as a semi-LeBron stopper when James was pretty much destroying him every time he was matched up one-one-one. The fourth quarter of Game 5 of the ECF was one of the most embarrassing ownages I have seen. LeBron was waving off screens, posting up Pietrus 25-feet from the basket, and killing him on every possession.

Pietrus did, however, have a huge impact on the other side of the floor. He has been virtually non-existent offensively in this series and the guy looks flatout scared to me.

[DetroitPistonFan]

Put JJ Redick on Kobe. He's the Kobe stopper!

[DonDadda59]

when are the dumb ass Magic players going to realize that you aren't going to block Kobe's jumpshot? Just let him pump fake, smother him, and put your hands up... force him to chuck.