In the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent, disappointing 95-92 loss to the surprisingly decent Indiana Pacers, we learned what’s going right with the Pacers and what’s going wrong with the Lakers.
That 3-point loss does not tell the whole story. The game started off contested; the Indiana paced the Lakers for the 1st quarter, and then in the 2nd, the Pacers took about a ten-point lead, which the Lakers cut to 51-45 at halftime. After the Pacers opened the 3rd on an 8-0 run, in which the Lakers looked like they were running in cement, the Lakers never led again. In the 3rd, the Lakers battled back to gain the momentum going into the 4th quarter. Despite Kobe Bryant’s sensational effort in the game, 41 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists; the Lakers lost their second straight. In both games the league-leading scoring Lakers were held to under 97 points. In the loss to the Pacers, Bryant’s 41 came on 14/33 shooting, 42.4%.
More than what the numbers will tell you, Bryant looked fantastic. His jumper was on; he even hit a 30+ foot 3-pointer from straight away. Although that used to be no big deal, Bryant has had trouble hitting his long-range 3’s this season. Leading the fast break early in the game, Bryant challenged himself and slashed into the lane against a taller defender. He also made multiple fade away jumpers as seems to be his style now.
For the Lakers, though, this game showed too many weaknesses. Again, the bench did not provide enough support as they were outscored again 24-14. Overall, the effort was lacking, from the starters in particular. The general concept of an offensive scheme seemed absent. Transition defense, as always, was a huge problem as the Pacers had numerous fast break opportunities.
Going into this game, I knew the now 5th in the East 8-7 Indiana Pacers were a better ball club this season. Before the Lakers, the Pacers topped the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat (in a 93-77 blowout), Atlanta Hawks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice). Not only that, but in the win versus Denver, the Pacers won by 31 points, running away with a 144-113 victory.
Sunday night when I sat down to watch the game, I did not expect the Indiana Pacers to take out the champs, practically stomping on their throats and strangling the life out of them at the start of the 3rd quarter.
Here’s how the Pacers have been so successful:
- By now, most people are aware of the improvement of Roy Hibbert, who is putting up good numbers. Against the Lakers, Hibbert led his Pacers in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
Hibbert in 2010-2011 (15 games)
| 16.1 ppg | 9.6 rpg | 2.13 bpg | 48% FG |
- What is surprising is that Pau Gasol got dominated by Hibbert, aside from blocks where Gasol had the advantage.
In the Lakers’ 95-92 loss
| Player | Pts | Rb | Bl | As | TO | Eff. | FG |
| Hibbert | 24 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +6 | 9/13 |
| Gasol | 13 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -4 | 5/15 |
- This was the second straight game that an opposing center torched Gasol. Against the Jazz, Gasol faired better, 21 points and 11 rebounds, but he gave up 20 points and 8 rebounds to Al Jefferson. Also, Jefferson finished with a much higher efficiency rating, +14 to Gasol’s +2.
- The Pacers play together and they hustle. This may be coaxed along by Coach Jim O’Brien’s extra hustle chart in the locker room that counts charges, tips, and other hustle plays.
- The Pacers are young, long, and athletic (starters in bold):
| Darren Collison (PG) | 6’0 |
| Brandon Rush (SG) | 6’6 |
| Danny Granger (SF) | 6’8 |
| Josh McRoberts (PF) | 6’10 |
| Roy Hibbert (C) | 7’2 |
| Jeff Foster | 6’11 |
| Solomon Jones | 6’10 |
| Tyler Hansbrough | 6’9 |
- Their length and athleticism are causing turnovers for their opponents
The good thing for the Pacers’ opponents is that they are not mature enough on offense to take care of the ball. That they also commit plenty of turnovers keeps them at about a .500 or average team, but watch out if this team learns to take care of the ball!
For the Pacers to take that next step, Collison will have to develop more quickly.
After showing flashes of brilliance with a 20-assist game and a triple-double last season with the New Orleans Hornets, Collison has had trouble finding his place as the point guard and on-floor leader in Indiana. This season his numbers are:
| 13.9 ppg | 4.3 apg | 1.2 spg |
His steals are up a little, but his assists are down from 5.7 apg last season. If you crunch the numbers further, Collison has typical young-player struggles, like turnovers and playing as well on the road as he does at home (17 ppg at home; 10.5 ppg on the road). Collison’s maturation as a point guard will keep this team surpassing expectations.
Last year, people were comparing Collison to his former Hornets teammate Chris Paul. This season, Collison (4.3 apg) is on-pace with former UCLA teammate—and Nets’ backup point guard—Jordan Farmar (4.4 apg). Even so, the Pacers are on pace to make the playoffs, but just imagine what they could do if Collison becomes more consistent.
R.S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
