Game Rewind: The Bench Must Hate Leads – Lakers 100, Knicks 90

I finally figured out what is wrong with the Laker bench.  It isn’t a lack of talent, balance or discipline.  No, it is something much simpler: the bench hates big leads.

Shannon Brown protests the ball, but the bench couldn’t protect the lead.

I know it seems a bit far-fetched but how else can you explain the bench playing so poorly that they let a 24-point lead evaporate in a matter of minutes, thus forcing Phil Jackson to re-insert his starters, who should’ve been resting, so that the Lakers did suffer the embarrassment of choking away such a massive lead to the lowly Knicks.  This isn’t exactly the first time this has happened this year either, or even the second.  It has gotten to be such an epidemic that even Lamar Odom is being sucked into participating in the bench’s shenanigans.  How else do you explain LO scoring a combined 18 points on 7-for-21 shooting with 7 turnovers in his three games coming off the bench.

And a good thing it was the Knicks serving as the opposition tonight, otherwise the Lakers ight have had some real trouble on their hands.  A team that actually knew how to play defense or actually take smart shots (seriously, since when is Wilson Chandler good enough to go 5-for-20 without getting yanked for taking so many bad shots) might have erased the Laker lead entirely by the time Phil Jackson woke up and realized what was happening.

Funnily enough, the Laker post-game crew touched on this topic and made a passing mention of whether or not it was time to start worrying about the bench.  This question is only just being asked now?  I know they are paid to be Laker honks, but have they not noticed that bench mob have been playing like bench bums the entire season?  Tonight’s game was just the most extreme example of their ineptitude.  It is most definitely time to start worrying, though it isn’t quite time to start panicking.  We can all do that in another 10 or so games of the Lakers having Lamar Odom come off the bench.  If his presence can’t turn this sad sack group around, then it is high time some heads start to roll.

• I know the Knicks lack size but, bahjezus, a 60 to 36 rebounding margin?  That is redonkulous and the Knicks should really be ashamed.
• I predicted Derek Fisher would set a new season-high in point and he only tied it instead, but nonetheless Fish should be commended for his performance in this game as he easily had his best game of the season scoring 12 points on 50% shooting while adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists.  Even if the bench weren’t playing like crap the Lakers definitely need a lot more nights like this from Fisher going forward.
• It is almost like Kobe doesn’t even have to try to light up the Knicks, after scoring 34 points on 14-for-20 shooting, the only question that even comes to mind is how did he ever miss six shots?

Lake Show Outtakes:

• Shannon Brown gets a “pick a nickname contest”?  There are two things wrong with that.  For starters, nicknames can’t be forced, they must happen organically.  But more to the point, shouldn’t he have to accomplish something of note besides throwing down the occasional impressive slam dunk?  Right now the only nickname that suits brown is “overhyped.”  (also, it should be noted that the options in the FSW poll are absolutely terrible nicknames.)
• Could someone please have Pau Gasol tutor Bynum on passing out of the post?  I know Drew can actually do it, he just ignores that option.  It was downright embarrassing when he had that one second quarter possession where he was posting up in a double-team and blatantly ignored Jordan Farmar wide open for three on the wing for at least five seconds.

Tags: Andrew Bynum, bench mob, Derek Fisher, Game Rewind, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, New York Knicks, Pau Gasol, Shannon Brown