Mike Brown, Kobe Bryant urge Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum to deliver – NBA News
Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown and star player Kobe Bryant have softly sent a message to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum that they need to do more and step up if the Lakers are going to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The comments came in the post game press conference following the game 6 loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Denver defeated the Lakers 113-96 to force a game 7 in Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant had a sore stomach in the game and missed morning practice but played the game and scored 31 points for the night. He was however, not assisted by his fellow big men, Bynum and Gasol. Moreover, the Lakers allowed the Nuggets 113 points, owing to poor defense in transition and not protecting the paint area.
After the game, coach Mike Brown said:
“We’re going to need more out our two bigs. They’re our second- and third-best players. We’re going to need a lot more out of those guys in order to win the series. But not just scoring wise. Defensively. Defensively to follow the game-plan discipline and do it with some effort and some energy and really just lay it out on the line.”
Bryant was also of the same opinion when asked about the performance of Gasol and Bynum. He defended the claims by his coach and said:
“Of course I agree with that. I talked with Pau a little bit after the game and I’ll speak with Andrew as well. It’s one of those things where psychologically you have to put yourself in a predicament, in a position, where you have no other option but to perform.”
The call by coach and star players is not surprising as Pau Gasol has been having a terrible series so far. The All Star player is averaging 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this series, significantly lower than his season average. His free throw percentage is also down and he is finding it difficult to make it to the free throw line. In his last 3 games, he has not taken more than 2 free throw attempts per game.
In game 6 against Denver, Gasol managed 3 points off 1 of 10 shooting. Andrew Bynum has been relatively more consistent than Gasol but he needs to put in more of an effort in the form of defense in order to help his team achieve their objectives. His 16.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this series does not shed true light on his defensive effort, particularly in game 6 when the Nuggets were able to penetrate at will in the paint.
With game 7 in Los Angeles, Kobe knows what he needs to do as he has been in situations like these before. Gasol and Bynum need to find their footing and contribute on a bigger level, more at par with their talent and status in the Laker team.
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