Huh. Like a lot people, I did not see that coming. I did not see the Celtics winning that game. I certainly did not see them coming back from 24 points down to do it. I definitely did not see Kobe Bryant coming up flat in what might be the most important game of his career – until Sunday night. Bryant – who I suggested before the series began, though I wasn't the only one – was on a fast-track to pull even or take over from Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time (GOAT) wet the bed. That was his comment after the game. But he said “We wet the bed.” He's right, it's a team game. But there's no ‘we' in GOAT. If you want to thrust yourself into that conversation, you have to deal with the nit-picking, second-guessing and ridiculously high expectations that come with it. Bryant wet the bed. His teammates were just sharing the sheets. After Game 3 I broke down Bryant's first 10 possessions to indicate how he forced the hands of the referees to call fouls he was creating. I thought it would be interesting to see how such a prodigiously talented player with a flair for the big moment comes up squishy this time around by comparing the first quarter, which the Lakers dominated, to the fourth, where the Lakers were dominated..
First quarter:
* First touch…Bryant heaves a three in transition and misses;
* Bryant drive to the hole, fouled makes 1-of-2
* Bryant has a lane to drive, but decides to pass; picks up loose ball, drives again and finds Gasol, who comes through with an airball.
* Bryant catches the ball at the elbow, but Ray Allen does a nice job defensively and Bryant passes off.
(It's 16-6, LA and Bryant's done nothing, but Lamar Odom is going off)
* Bryant posts up, the double comes and he dishes to Fisher. It's now 22-7 with 4:17 to play.
* Kobe hits Odom for another assisted basket
* Bryant slashed to the paint for an early post-up and gets fouled; makes both.
* Post-up, double, dish to Gasol.
* Bryant penetrates and finds Ariza for a three
* Bryant penetrates and finds Gasol in the post for the foul.
So, the Lakers lead 35-14, the largest first quarter lead in Finals history, and Bryant has scored three points, all at the foul line. He has, however, rang up four assists and would have more if Gasol could finish. He's playing at a very relaxed pace, easily finding good targets and the result is an efficient Lakers offence – 11-of-17 from the field, with 10 assisted field goals -- and a big lead.
Fourth Quarter:
A quick note: The thing about the second quarter was the Bryant was still doing his drive and dish thing, but the Celtics – be it Posey or Pierce or Allen – were really working hard to takeaway his post-ups which is where he starts so many of his one and two dribble attacks on the basket. As well, when Bryant does square up, the Celtics are doing a much better job staying down on fakes. He does have six assists at the half.
Okay. Crunch time. You team has basically blown what was 20-point lead in the third quarter and you start the fourth up by a basket. If you're Kobe Bryant, what do you do, particularly after a third quarter where Paul Pierce blocked a turnaround (when has that ever happened?) and generally denied him the ball? This was aided by the fact that the Lakers basically forgot that Bryant was on the floor in the third. It was like they were playing Bizarro basketball, where they forget about Bryant instead of vice-versa. Many turnovers and terrible shots ensue. You wonder if Phil Jackson is allergic to calling for pick-and-roll action.
