Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers not worried about loss to Oklahoma City Thunder – NBA News
The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on game 2 of their Western Conference Semi Final series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, even after being blown out in game 1.
The Lakers lost 119-90 to OKC in an almost one sided affair on Monday night. Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Russell Westbrook finished with 27, as the duo combined to shoot 18 of 31 from the field. Pau Gasol had only 10 points and 7 rebounds and Kobe finished with 20 points on the night.
However, the Lakers seem un-moved by their loss and are aware of the things they need to do in order to secure a victory in game 2.
"We're a team that doesn't get down when we get blown out. We've been blown out a bunch of times this season, blown out last series a couple times. We're used to dealing with that” said Bryant after practice at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday.
The Lakers had lost 5 games by 15 points or more in the regular season, including 2 defeats by a margin of more than 20 points against the San Antonio Spurs. They also lost game 6 of their Western Conference first round series to the Denver Nuggets by 28 points. However, they did bounce back from that loss in game 7 to deliver a convincing victory and take the series. Now the onus is again on LAL to bounce back.
"They came out, took us out back and whooped us. It's on us to make adjustments, to make changes and come back with a better effort — and we will” added Bryant
The Lakers failed against the pick and roll offense that allowed Durant and Westbrook to find open looks, and they took advantage of the situation.
The Lakers had traded their long time point guard Derek Fisher to land Ramon Sessions in the mid-season. Fisher now plays as a backup guard for the Thunder. In Sessions, the Lakers have a young point guard but he still lacks the defensive capabilities to defend the likes of Westbrook and Durant. Plus, the Lakers big men in Gasol and Bynum have been inconsistent throughout the post season. In game 1 against the Thunder, Gasol only managed 10 points. He needs to find his momentum if the Lakers want to hold the Thunder.
OKC coach Scott Brooks was in a good mood as he talked to media persons after team practice, joking about the wardrobe choice of his point guard Russell Westbrook at the post game press conference after game 1. However, he did have a serious announcement to make, when he informed those present that Kendrick Perkins would be a game time decision for game 2 after re-aggravating his hip injury during game 1.
"He is as tough as they come and he wants to play, but if he's not ready to play, we won't play him” said Brooks referring to Perkins.
While the Lakers make some adjustments in their game plan to stop the Thunder offense, the Thunder also realize that the Lakers are a team rich in both talent and experience, and Kobe has a habit of coming big in playoff games. It will be an interesting game 2 and will show how well the Lakers have prepared themselves for the Thunder as their current game plan cannot give them a win.
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