June 10th, 2008 – Dr. Dime

Kobe Bryant and company need to attack the rim more. Check.

Kobe came out to start this game with one intention in mind. Go hard to the rim, using his athleticism, and absolutely punish the opposition. And it worked. Kobe closed the game with 18 free throw attempts, only a couple shy of the number of attempts the entire Lakers team had in Game 2.

The Lakers need to get to the line more. Check.

The Lakers shot a whopping 34 free throw attempts tonight. The best part for LA fans, the Celtics shot only 22. With a 12 free throw disparity, there won’t be much complaining about the Zebra’s tonight in California.

Getting more assists will be important for the Lakers. Check.

Although it was a much lower scoring game tonight, the Lakers still managed to get almost as many assists as they did in Game 2. The difference tonight is that the Lakers and Celtics had almost the same number of assists. No more 11 assist disparity, with the Lakers on the short end (that equates to at least 22 fewer points off assists, wow!).

Kobe Bryant needs to shoot a better field goal percentage. Check.

12-20 from the field. I’d say that is a slightly better field goal percentage! However I must say that while watching the game, I was continually amazed at the defense of Ray Allen. He somehow is able to stay with Kobe through all the head fakes, changes of direction, and cuts to the hoop. And on almost every jumper has a hand right in his face. Great defense. And is he rewarded for his hustle and determination? Not tonight. How discouraging must that be to play amazing defense, but no matter how hard you work Kobe Bryant continues to score like you aren’t even there.

The role players on the Lakers need to step up. Check.

Sasha Vujacic: The Lakers second leading scorer tonight was a knock down jump shooter. This guy can flat out shoot when he’s on his game. Vujacic was 6-8 from the floor and 2 for 3 from long range. If there was any knock on his game tonight it was not taking enough shots. As a shooter when you start getting this hot you have to demand the rock. Derek Fisher, a guy with your experience should have recognized this and found a way to feed the fire. Besides shooting though Vujacic did a commendable job chasing Ray Allen around. Although Allen went off for one of his better games this series, it was more due to his hot shooting touch when Vujacic was screened out of the play, or when Kobe or another Lakers player was guarding him. Vujacic also showed his willingness to take shots under pressure, and make them.

The above are based on my boy Dr. Browntorious’ keys to the game for the LA Lakers in today’s preview to Game 3 of the NBA finals. And as happy as the Lakers fans nationwide are right now that their team pulled this series to within 1 game (Boston leads series 2-1) most people would assume from the numbers and adjustments that the Lakers ran away with it right? Not so much. But a win is a win. The Lakers won the game 87-81.

Dr. Dime’s Celtic Player of the Game – Ray Allen
(25 pts, 5-7 3pt, 5 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block)

Dr. Dime’s Lakers Player of the Game – Kobe Bryant
(36 pts, 12-20 FG, 7 boards, 2 steals)

The change of scenery definitely helped spark the Lakers competitive juices. They played much better tonight, especially Kobe Bryant. He was absolutely relentless taking the ball to the bucket. Lamar Odom missed a few dunks, but his mind and heart were also in the right place. Can the Lakers take the bumps and bruises it requires to sustain their high level of aggressiveness and attack in going to the hoop for the remainder of the games this series? Well Lakers fans better hope so…

Game 4 is Thursday, June 12th @ 9 p.m. EST in Los Angeles