Once the Los Angeles Lakers had been officially defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Facebook and the forums on ProSportsDaily.com began to light up like a Christmas tree with words that blamed Kobe Bryant for the loss in Game 2. While I'm not sure if I wholly agree with everything other fans had to say about Bryant, let's take a look at the plays down the stretch that would allow people to have formed such a strong opinion.
Kevin Durant's steal and dunk. With just 1:50 left in the game, and the Lakers holding a five-point lead, Bryant had possession of the ball on the wing. He then attempted to lob a pass to a posted-up Pau Gasol, but it was Durant who easily stole the pass and ended the breakaway with the dunk.
I will admit that it was a poor decision by Bryant. No matter how talented I was, I would never attempt a weak lob pass with Durant guarding me. At 6'9'' and being as long as he is, Durant easily made the play and made Bryant look foolish. Kobe, how about a pump fake and then a bounce pass like they taught us in grade school next time?
Steve Blake's pass to Bryant. Then on the very next possession, with the Lakers up three, Blake made a pass to Bryant which went out of bounds and was initially called Laker basketball due to a "touch" by Russell Westbrook. Reviews would show however that Westbrook did not touch the ball and that Bryant simply let the pass go through his arms.
This one is difficult for me to blame completely on Bryant. Blake saw Westbrook closing in and probably should have let Bryant run backdoor before making a pass so close to the sidelines. It almost looks like what happened was that Bryant felt Westbrook coming and was expecting some sort of foul. In similar fashion to how wide receivers coming across the middle hear footsteps and shrink, Bryant did the same. You have to catch those ones Kobe. Take the contact; the worst that happens is you get fouled.
Kobe Bryant's missed three-pointer. With the Lakers now down one, and 36 seconds left to play, Bryant picked up a pass off the floor for a step-back three-point attempt. The ball hit the back rim and the Thunder recovered the ball.
There was only about four seconds left on the shot-clock and Bryant had to get a shot off, so I don't fully blame him for taking a three-pointer with the Lakers being down only one. However, given his history of making big shots, I expected with every ounce of faith that Bryant would sink the basket. Perhaps with four seconds left on the shot clock, he could have tried to advance the ball and get fouled in the lane, but we'll never know the answer to that.
In looking at these plays and the Thunder's 9-0 run to end the game, I can't completely place blame on Bryant's miscues. Sure he had turnovers and missed shots, but on the other end, the two baskets that would give the Thunder the lead was a layup by James Harden and then a short shot just outside of the key by Durant. In the end, the Lakers' defense failed when necessary and despite the offense's miscues, the defense should have been able to hold things together.
Do you blame Kobe Bryant for the loss in Game 2 or was it truly the defense who failed the Lakers in the end? Perhaps Steve Blake should have made that open three-pointer with 5 seconds remaining in the game?
David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.
You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp
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