Lakers confirm their bad moment also falling in Charlotte

06/03/2010 0:00:00

Two games in less than 24 hours. Overtime, travel and little sleep. No excuses. This time the Lakers didn't play a matched game. They didn't leave everything to the end. On this occasion, looked tired and lost and were swept by Charlotte in the second half (98-83), which makes it very difficult to fight for the best record in the league.

Second straight loss in two consecutive nights. In Miami was due to leaving it for the end, but in Charlotte they weren't able to reach the final with choices. Earlier, in a match full of turnovers, 20, and bad percentages, they were down by 17 points in the third and 20 in the fourth quarter.

Lakers are playing bad, and it is perhaps the lowest point since Pau arrived to the team. Remember that since that moment, 1 February 2008, they have not lost three straight. They are now closer than ever to do so. Not only because the next rival are the Magic in Orlando, but because playing like this, even though this team is used to give their best in difficult times, it is almost impossible to beat almost any team.

This defeat in Charlotte itt is no coincidence. After the All Star Lakers do not play well, have won games -even against Denver- but alwasys suffered and have lost more than necessary. On the road have lost 12 games, as many as in all of last season. Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to win, extending the distance between them and now it's almost impossible to come with options to the final games to get the best record in the league. Mathematically it is still possible, but after what was seen in Charlotte, better forget about it.

Of course, itsn't a coincidence, bad play coincides with bad performances by Pau. We'd been days saying he wasn't right, despite before Miami he did other things good apart from bad percentages. In these two consecutive nights has proven to be somewhat confused, probably because he is sore throat, and the team pays it. If Pau does not play well, Kobe decides he must take full responsibility for the whole match, and that's not always good for the team. Without Pau, it lacks a great option. But not everything is Pau's fault, the team is not the same as before the All Star, interestingly, and perhaps not accidentally, when Kobe was injured.

The first quarter was matched and even the Lakers won it by 3. It seemed another example of leaving everything to the end. But from the second they felt tired and out of the game. They began to add turnovers to shot badly and see how the Bobcats were better and up by 6 at the halftime, and it could be worse. After the break it was all the worse. The turnovers followed, as many as 20, and the percentages were horrible, 29 of 80, 36% of 2, and 3 of 18, 17% of 3-point. Free throws weren't so good neither, 12 of 20.

Charlotte began to run and score and the difference went to 17 points in a dismal start in the third quarter that sealed the win after a 16-1 run. The Lakers could not get up from that hit, even though they came to be 10 down, but never less, and entered the final quarter with a 12 points deficit. But it was a mirage, because the local escaped again, to 20 points. The Lakers made 57 points in the last three quarters. Bad attack, precipitation in the passes and poor defense as well.

Kobe tried a miracle as always, but stayed in the attempt, with 26 points after 9 of 21 shooting, 0 of 4 three pointers and 8 of 9 free throws. Pau was considerably worse, with 11 points after a strangely wrong again 5 of 14 attempts, plus 1 of 1 in free throws. Follow well in rebounding, had 13, but not enough for someone who has demonstrated much more. His 3 assists and 1 steal also were nothing compared with the 3 turnovers, even with 4 fouls in 42 minutes of suffering. His two turnovers and two blocks suffered illustrated his impotence. The physical has much to do. The injuries and the All-Star break when he was better have made it difficult to restart again. He doesn't want excuses, even if he suffers sore throat.

Bynum was irregular again. Frist dominates, and then leaves the game, but the fouls and Phil Jackson don't give him continuity. Had 14 points after 3 of 9, plus 8 of 11 free throws and 10 rebounds. Fisher and Artest, again without producing on offense, 3 and 2 points respectively. From the bench Farmar was the leading scorer with 12 points, while Odom had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers, sadly leading this stat inside the team, which also sent him many minutes to the bench.

The Bobcats won their first game since Jordan bought them, he witnessed that, as usual Lakers allow to rivals, his team made a great game. The most complete was the All Star Wallace, 17 points, despite starting with 0 of 6, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, while Stephen Jackson led the scoring with 21 points. As usual against the Lakers also emerged players who made the game of his life, this time Augustin off the bench with 12 points and 5 assists. A quality reserve as Thomas was also important with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Charlotte is another damn rival for the Lakers despite its lack of history in the NBA. It's not like Portland, but is ready to be. But no excuse. Neither fatigue. The team is wrong and should reconsider. They will talk about it these days. Back to team play, passing the ball well, better shooting, better defense and get more aggressive on games whoever the opponent. Many things to improve collectively and individually, also for Pau. There is time to do it until the playoffs. With the best record in the league almost forbidden (46-17), should perhaps consider to reach the playoffs ready on shape. To win in Orlando on Sunday could mark the start of the necessary change. Losing would be a symbol of the end of two very good years and the beginning of an era of doubt, and could become a crisis. But this team has quality and credit enough to prevent the third straight loss.