Y13 [EN]: Chapter 123

Y13-123

00123 2010-2011 Semi-Conference Final
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Frankly, when comparing team compositions, coaching experience, head-to-head matchups between star players, or positional battles, Dallas didn’t have many advantages. The Lakers clearly had the upper hand in several areas.

“However, even if our opponent is the Lakers, the playoffs are a different beast. And we are the Western Conference champions from the regular season. We are by no means inferior to the Lakers. The experts’ predictions are just that—predictions. Their accuracy rate isn’t as high as you might think.”

Coach Carlisle continued with further explanation.

“We are well aware of the problems the Lakers have shown in the second half of the season: the recent slump in form of their starters, mental issues, and inconsistent team defense. We need to exploit these weaknesses, and if we do so effectively, we can beat the Lakers.”

The players nodded, seeming to understand a bit better. It was common knowledge among all NBA teams that the Lakers, who had been dominant after the All-Star break, had suffered a sharp decline in the final eight games, recording one win and seven losses. They were showing a lack of composure, which was uncharacteristic of a defending champion.

However, perhaps due to their star power, Lakers fans were dismissively saying, ‘They’re veterans, they’ll step up when it matters.’ For example, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, who had been playing so well, consistently showed signs of decline in the second half of the season. In particular, Pau Gasol, who was considered the league’s top power forward before the season, wasn’t driving inside and instead lingered on the perimeter, and his defense was no longer a threat.

Moreover, Andrew Bynum’s mental issues, the team’s key center, were also contributing to the problem. Bynum’s physical condition and determined play were suitable for the triangle offense [a strategic offensive style emphasizing spacing and player movement], but his increasingly apparent mental issues were causing internal strife.

Perhaps because he debuted in the NBA at the young age of 17, fans often ridiculed Bynum’s incomprehensible behavior as ‘childish mentality.’ Bynum was often criticized by the media for playing as he pleased. He would play well when he was in a good mood, but if he didn’t feel like playing, he would openly engage in passive play, shooting ill-advised three-pointers with plenty of time left on the shot clock, and his flailing elbows during games were appalling.

Among the most talked-about issues was the confirmed story that he was refusing to be coached by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The LA Lakers had a system in place where their big men would hone their skills and receive know-how under the guidance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With 38,387 points, he held the record for the most points in NBA history and was a legend of legends, possessing all the essential skills a big man should have—rebounding, blocking, and even a jump shot. In particular, his skyhook [a high-arcing shot released near the basket] was his signature move.

Since before Bynum, the Lakers’ big men had grown under the guidance of this legend, and that was the driving force behind the Lakers’ growth. However, Bynum had at some point begun to openly refuse and argue with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s coaching. In light of this, it was undeniable that Andrew Bynum’s performance would also have some impact on the Lakers.

“Chandler, Haywood. If you exploit Andrew Bynum’s mentality well, you can shake him up on the court. If you give him some stimulating trash talk along with appropriate provocative hand-checking [illegally using hands on an offensive player], you can make Bynum crumble on his own.”

Before the season, Haywood was the starter and Chandler was the backup, but by the middle of the season, their positions had been reversed. Haywood himself admitted that he was not performing as well as Chandler this season, and he had been discouraged for a while after losing a conflict with Coach Carlisle. However, he had regained his focus from the second half of the season, and the two men looked at each other and nodded slightly. Coach Carlisle told the players about the last of the Lakers’ vulnerabilities.

The weakness in point guard defense. The Lakers’ point guards were Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. Both were decent point guards for the Lakers, but their defense was like an open door. Even though Kidd was slow, if Barea, Youngjae, or Terry were matched up against them, their penetration was easy. Originally, Kobe and Artest would guard the opponent’s star swingmen [a player who can play multiple positions], but in Dallas’s case, if Kobe guarded the point guard, Fisher would have to guard either Youngjae or Terry, and if Artest guarded them, he couldn’t stop Marion’s post-ups [offensive plays near the basket]. In the end, they had to accept that Fisher or Blake would be beaten.

Moreover, the triangle offense was supposed to start with the guards having possession of the ball, but because Derek Fisher’s dribbling and penetration skills were poor when he had the ball on the wing, Kobe often initiated the offense. However, Fisher had often hit big shots, and he was the Lakers’ best three-point shooter in the regular season at 39.6%. Despite his poor defense, Fisher’s big shots, three-point ability, and leadership allowed him to be the undisputed starting point guard.

Because the players’ teamwork was not at its peak, the Lakers suffered many losses compared to their star-studded roster, and the Dallas Mavericks felt they had a chance. The Lakers were gradually weakening compared to the past. Above all, their slowness due to age was one of their weaknesses.

“The Lakers are a traditional powerhouse. But even a traditional powerhouse can be beaten. This first game is crucial to the success of the semi-conference finals, so let’s make sure to win it.”

“Yes!”

May 2, 2011

American Airlines Center, Dallas.

[Hello. This is Marv Albert of TNT, broadcasting the first game of the semi-conference finals (playoff round 2) between the LA Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. With me is Steve Kerr for commentary.]

Steve Kerr smiled and acknowledged Marv Albert’s greeting, then began to talk briefly about the game.

[Hello, this is Steve Kerr. Semi-conference finals! It’s a very exciting matchup. This is the first playoff match between these two teams in 23 years, a whopping 8,248 days! All the predictions that came out before the game were based on data! Now that it’s time to open the lid, I can’t help but feel nervous and excited! It’s the first time since the 1988 Western Conference Finals, when the Dallas team led by Mark Aguirre and Derek Harper lost to the Showtime Lakers led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and AC Green in a 3-4 reverse sweep. In other words, none of the players from that time are playing now.]

Marv Albert was taken aback by the staggering 23 years and nodded in amazement.

[Oh, it’s been a long time indeed. It’s hard to believe that these two teams, which have been consistently strong for over 10 years, haven’t met. These two teams meet San Antonio so often, though.]

[Haha, that’s right. Dallas is probably sick of San Antonio. It’s a never-ending Texas rivalry.]

[By the way, ESPN reports that all the panelists predicted the Lakers would win. On the other hand, our own Charles Barkley, after much deliberation, predicted Dallas in 6 (winning in the 6th game = 4:2) on Inside the NBA today. He said that Dallas has more mismatches than the Lakers. What do you think, Kerr?]

Steve Kerr was not one to make predictions easily. He tended to make judgments based on accurate data and the situation at hand, trying to minimize mistakes, which is why he was praised for his analytical skills in commentary. Steve Kerr pondered for a moment and then cautiously opened his mouth.

[Haha, I’m really curious to see if Barkley’s curse (=Pele’s curse) [a humorous reference to a tendency for Barkley’s predictions to be wrong] will come true. Personally, I’m leaning towards Dallas. The LA Lakers showed a disappointing performance in the New Orleans series and struggled more than expected, and it was revealed that Kobe is playing with an injury. On the other hand, Dallas showed a stronger-than-expected performance and won 4-2 against Portland, who were missing Brandon Roy due to injury. If you look closely at those games, Dallas’s losses were narrow, and their wins were big.]

Steve Kerr took a sip of water and continued.

[It feels like the two teams’ momentum is clashing. Dallas has often felt soft in the playoffs and has easily slipped up, but this season they are showing a tougher play, which is why I think Dallas will win in 6 or 7.]

[You’re referring to Coach Phil Jackson’s pre-game interview about Kobe’s injury. The fact that Kobe’s ankle injury is having a big impact on his play. Even though he is minimizing team practice and focusing on treatment and rest due to significant pain, there is a big difference between how he feels and his actual performance. The Kobe in the New Orleans series was still the Kobe we knew, but it was obvious to all the fans that he was heavy and slow!]

As the commentators continued their heated discussion, the players listened to the coach’s final instructions and prepared to go out onto the court.

‘Yoon, good luck! And… I hope I can be a source of strength in Yoon’s journey to the top. So, don’t give up, Yoon.’

Youngjae, encouraged by Emily’s cute cheer, blurted out, ‘If we make it to the finals, will you come to see the game?’ Emily promised to come if they made it to the finals.

“Kobe…”

To do that, he had to overcome Kobe Bryant, the legend who was warming up in the distance. To stand on the conference finals stage, and then the finals stage.

[Dallas can put three players on Kobe as markers: Yoon, Brewer, and Marion. Among them, Yoon stands out with his sharp steals and accurate predictions! Brewer has quick hands, and Marion shows strong power and tenacious defense. How much Kobe can score against these three different styles of defense will be one of the Lakers’ concerns.]

[A matchup between the Lakers, who have strengths in inside scoring, rebounding, and height, and Dallas, who have strengths in outside shooting, steals, and speed. Both teams have clear strengths and weaknesses. Dallas has a better regular season record, but the Lakers are not far behind in detailed stats. Now, let’s take a look at Steve Kerr’s 3 Points.]

As the corner within a corner named after Steve Kerr began, he glanced at the charts and skillfully began to explain the positional matchups between Dallas and the Lakers. The TV screen showed the detailed numbers.

[The first point is the matchup between the two teams’ power forwards, Nowitzki and Gasol. Nowitzki, who averaged 10 points in the fourth quarter in the first round, and Gasol, who averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 42% shooting in the playoffs, will determine the outcome of the game. The second is the rebounding battle. It is necessary to be wary of the Lakers’ strong rebounding and second-chance points. Dallas’s rebounding is not that good. The third is the bench battle. The Lakers’ bench, with the exception of Sixth Man of the Year winner Odom, has been disappointing throughout the season, failing to adapt to the triangle defense. On the other hand, J.J. Barea, Jason Terry, Corey Brewer, Peja Stojakovic, and Brendan Haywood are faithfully playing their roles as Dallas’s engine, adding their own colors to the team.]

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

★Thanks to those who gave me advance reservations, recommendations, comments, and coupons!!

＠I heard that Dallas is bringing in McGee after Deron, lol. It seems like we can recreate the Paul-Deron rematch and the 서조던 동맥기 rivalry [a Korean term referring to a rivalry where one player is seen as a threat to another’s status], lol… I wonder if McGee can be rehabilitated, even with Carlisle, the rehabilitation factory manager. He saved Barea, Peja, Cardinal, Mahinmi, Wright, Charlie V, Jefferson, etc., but there were also some he couldn’t save…

＠This season, the West will likely be the six powerhouses of GSW, OKC, SAS, MEM, HOU, and LAC, with NOP, PHX, SAC, and DAL fighting for the two playoff spots. Utah, Minnesota, and Portland still need their players to grow more… I think the Lakers and Denver will be at the bottom. This is just my personal opinion. Looking at the NBA community, it’s almost the same as what many people think. Honestly, if you take away the fan sentiment, the views are almost the same.

magara, 컵속의컵, 1234567890123/// I understand how you feel. I felt the same way when I was a reader, lol.

찬란한유산/// This time, I wrote from the perspective of a fan rather than a stiff article, haha.

오마리온, 쿤다라, 킹덤브라더스, 사라질영혼, misscherry, 캐바밤, 센븬/// Thank you for your comments today!! Everyone, be careful on the rainy roads~

ㅎ0ㅎ/// In that case, the writing outside of the game will be like that ㅠ.ㅠ

멋대가리없는영웅/// I remember that he wasn’t very consistent throughout the season due to injuries. There was a lot of talk about him receiving the Defensive Team award this season. But considering that he received the All-NBA team award without much fuss, I think he was still in the top 3 SG [shooting guard] position in the league, even though he was declining. Kobe’s play style is such that his efficiency is not as good as that of the all-time players throughout his career. His MVP share is not high either. I think he was closer to consistently maintaining the top level rather than having an overwhelming prime.

Aㅏ잉여롭다/// Yes. That’s right. If you know other sports, it will be easier to understand, but let me explain based on the NBA only. There are 15 teams in each of the two conferences, East and West. Among them, the top 8 teams in each conference play in an 8-team tournament, and the two conference champions play in the finals. All of this is called the playoffs. To put it simply, it’s like you said, it’s just a few good teams playing.

zigichacha/// OKC actually faced Dallas in the conference finals. If Dallas wins? The next series will be against OKC, haha.

슈팅스타트/// That’s right. It felt a bit like a castle in the sky. The actual regular season record didn’t show the end-of-the-world force. Gasol was also a bit disappointing besides Kobe, but the experts thought that their true value would be revealed in the playoffs. At the time, most experts picked LA to win. Even among Dallas fans, there were many who thought they would lose if they looked at it objectively without fan sentiment.

-DarkANGEL-/// It was the end of the Kobe-Gasol back-to-back era. In addition, Jackson’s shabby ending… He wanted to retire after winning 3peat [winning three consecutive championships], but the players’ condition was too bad.

야베스/// Hmm. I made a mistake in organizing my words in the previous 리코멘 [Korean word for recommendation]. I’m sorry for not writing it neatly. If you look at 리코멘, it says that if they can’t do well, they move teams. Honestly, even in Major League Baseball, they keep the core players until their 5th or 6th year. Even small markets like Tampa Bay, Oakland, and San Diego. For example, David Price, Adrian Gonzalez, and the Oakland 3 series. Salary adjustment is after 3 full years, but it’s not easy to exceed 4 to 5 million at this time. Usually, the period when the salary becomes burdensome is around the 4th or 5th year. After 6 years, it’s FA [free agency]. Of course, there are many trades in Major League Baseball even during service time because there are many rosters and minor league players. However, most of them are not core players. They keep the core as much as possible and sell them when they really can’t make money. These days, even small markets have salaries of over 60 million.

Since the NBA is a soft cap [a salary cap with exceptions that allow teams to exceed it under certain conditions], good rookies are unconditionally signed to rookie scale (4 years) + extension contract (4-5 years). Since the maximum is limited anyway, and the minimum salary cap must be filled. Philadelphia judged that Macawill was useless in their future plans and sold him. Useless players are traded or released even during their rookie contracts.