Lakers' Toughness Never an Issue

There's a good chance that at some point during the NBA Finals -- or likely before they even start -- there will be talk of whether or not the Lakers are tough enough to win a championship.

And there should be that kind of talk. But it wasn't even an issue against the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers are going to their second consecutive NBA Finals because their big players were more skilled and more talented than the Nuggets' big players were tough and physical.

RoundCast: Who Do the Lakers Want to Face?

After the Rockets proved the Lakers could be pushed around a little bit, it seemed inevitable that the Nuggets would try to do the same in the Western Conference finals. And why not? On the surface, Denver seemed to have the personnel for it.

Kenyon Martin certainly likes to think of himself as a tough guy, and Nene and Chris Andersen appeared burly enough and athletic enough, respectively, to challenge the Lakers more than Houston ever did.

But the Nuggets never went after the Lakers like Houston's Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes went after L.A. And without that edge or physicality, the Nuggets' front line was little more than an overmatched group on the short end of the talent scale.

We found out that nobody on Denver's front line could match up with Pau Gasol one-on-one, and that when Lamar Odom was ready to go he was a matchup nightmare. Even Andrew Bynum chipped in a little bit here and there.

The Lakers always had something going on up front -- or always seemed to know they could get something going on up front if they needed. Even when Gasol "complained" about wanting his team to go inside more, it came after he scored 21 points in 35 minutes in Game 4.

In other words, even when things supposedly weren't going well for the Lakers, Gasol was still scoring quite nicely and efficiently, too. With a little more conscientiousness and focus in that area, the Lakers got results with a big game from Odom in Game 5 and a monster game by Gasol (20 points, 12 rebounds, six assists) in Game 6.

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DENVER - MAY 29: Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs teammate Kobe Bryant #24 in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Sasha Vujacic

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DENVER - MAY 29: Kenyon Martin #4 of the Denver Nuggets waves to the crowd after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs 119-92 at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenyon Martin

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Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) is congratulated by Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl after the Lakers' victory in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals basketball game in Denver May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell (UNITED STATES)

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant hugs Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (facing camera) after the Lakers defeated the Nuggets to advance to the NBA Finals, in Game 6 of their NBA Western Conference Finals basketball game in Denver May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony reacts at the bench in the final seconds of their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals basketball game in Denver May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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DENVER - MAY 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant

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DENVER - MAY 29: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers react in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Pau Gasol

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DENVER - MAY 29: (R-L) Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shakes hands with Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets after the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 119-92 in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Chauncey Billups

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DENVER - MAY 29: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs teammate Sasha Vujacic #18 in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Sasha Vujacic

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DENVER - MAY 29: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shakes hands with head coach Phil Jackson as Bryant is taken out of the game in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant;Phil Jackson

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At no time in the series was Gasol ever slowed down or taken out of anything he wanted to do. There were short stretches where Martin and Nene were effective, and I seem to remember Andersen helping early in the series, but they never consistently had any kind of advantage.

One thing Scola, Landry and Hayes proved in the Lakers' series with Houston was that they could hold their own against Gasol. Scola could bother Gasol just enough to get him a little out of sync; Hayes had quick enough feet to stay in front; and Landry was a nice combo of quick and strong.

Only when that was established could the Rockets begin to push the envelope by getting more physical. And it worked to a certain extent. But Denver couldn't provide the same resistence -- Gasol was too good offensively against the Nuggets and it showed.

Attempts to bang and body Gasol came off as desperate, because it was obvious he couldn't be handled with single coverage. Put it this way, if Martin doesn't know by now that Gasol has a nice left hand, he'll never get around to figuring it out.

Martin was supposed to be the one getting inside Gasol's head. Never happened. Instead, Martin was reduced to little more than a scoffer, smirker and shaker of the head by series end.

Are the Lakers too soft to win an NBA title? We'll find out soon enough. But against the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, they were so skilled that toughness didn't matter.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-30-2009 @ 1:35AM

mcjesus666 said...

i don't care what any one says...... I've been saying all year that the lakers don't want to see orlando in the finals. They were swept by the magic during the season and the match ups are difficult to say the least. Forget home court, I thing the cavs are the better match up.

5-30-2009 @ 3:14AM

SweetyPoo said...

mcjesus666 you are wrong, really wrong. The lakers can match up with the magic because lamar odom can guard either one of the magic's forwards. If Bynum or gasol can guard howard without the help of a double how are those shooters supposed to get open again? By the way in both of the Magic's victories the Lakers were on the second day of back to backs. Both games were decided by less then 5 points, and jameer nelson was in uniform for both. Where does the Magic offer matchup problems for the lakers? You think Ariza can't guard Hedo or Rashard after having to deal with Melo? You need to think before you post stuff.

5-30-2009 @ 6:25AM

demzrdopes said...

Melo is soft. If Denver is going to do anything, they need to get rid of that moron K Mart. He's a cancer on that team..

5-30-2009 @ 7:48AM

Bryan said...

hlcoop thanks for your comments.

Nothing more satisfying than hearing the bitter irrational comments of a hater/loser after the Lakers raped your team.

now go back to the room you share with your mother/sister(who are the same person because you are clearly retarded), and cry.

5-30-2009 @ 7:51AM

Neither the Cavs nor the Magic are a physical team. Therefore toughness will not be an issue next series either.

Cavs will be an easier matchup, but unlikely.

Magic will be tougher to beat, but will be beaten nonetheless

5-30-2009 @ 10:57AM

orlfrd said...

The Magic are the better team. They should advance, but I don't think the refs, or the NBA will allow that.

If anyone has been watching the games, the refs have been going all out to fix the outcome. The NBA is freaking out because Lebron is losing. The refs have been cheating so much for Lebron that it's redicules.

I've never seen a more obvious attempt to fix a series before.

5-30-2009 @ 10:58AM

cabinetec said...

HICOOP62 its people like you with your rediculous assenine coments that make REAL basketball fans sick. You know abslolutely NOTHING about the game or the players. Your the Jerry Springer Joke of the sports world. Why dont you find another way to show your ignorence and stay off this type of blog . This is for basketball fans not moronic blubbering idiots

5-30-2009 @ 11:33AM

bigmick489 said...

Who ever thinks the Lakers dont want to face the Magic? You must of bumped your head? They would get home court advantage, against them. They dont care if they play King Kong, for home court advantage, 2 game sweep during the regular season. doesnt mean a thing now, Lakers are hot, and Magic are cold

5-30-2009 @ 6:39PM

cpbr2000 said...

wow..how do you guys come up with all this stupid stuff ?its not even about basketball ..its so stupid its not even intelligent talk..The Lakers ARE THE BEST TEAM WITHOUT A DOUBT..They are young and will return to the finals for many more years..They need to sign ODOM though..he is so talented..ALL THE WAY LAKERS