LAKERS vs HEAT (PRE-GAME REPORT)

DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! Maybe if I say it enough times, these Lakers will hear me. We know this team can play it, we know because we’ve seen it! There are theories that because of the teams with perimeter shooting big men, spreads out our defense keeping our big guys(Bynum & Gasol) out of the paint, thus, easy penetration for the opposing teams’ smaller guards. But in the last game against the Knicks, there was no excuse. They lit us up with 3-pointer, after 3-pointer, after 3-pointer. With hardly any threat in the middle, except for David Lee(but who the duck is he?).

Starting our four game road trip, we face NBA’s scoring leader Dwayne Wade(28.0 PPG) and his Miami Heat. After a Championship season with Shaq in 2006, the team fell with trades and injuries. But now, with a healthy Wade, the acquisition of Shawn Marion last season, and the pick up of Michael Beasley(Miami’s 2nd pick in 2008 NBA draft), they’ve almost won more games in nearly a third of a season, than they did the whole 2007-2008 regular season(which was a miserable 15 wins). But even with the NBA’s scoring leader, elite forward Marion, and ROTY prospect Beasley, in my opinion, are still not contenders for a run in the Finals.

The Lakers with a two day rest coming off a nail biting win over the Knicks, now more than ever need to pick up their game. If they’re not careful, Miami’s big three can become big trouble for us. If Kobe can hold down his USA teammate Wade like he did Redd, then better for us. Bynum needs the ball early and often in this game, with the lack in their center position. Gasol and Odom could have their hands full with Marion and Beasley, while even battling sickness. But I expect good things from “Mr. Consistent” and “The GOODS”.

Defense is key in this game. Why you ask? Defense gives us leads and therefore gives our starters more rest in the last two quarters of the game. And tomorrow we go back to back facing Dwight Howard and his Orlando Magic. And after that? We got the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. And even after that?!? Another back to back with New Orleans on Tuesday. I can’t even stress what comes after that… did someone say Christmas Game? Need I say more?