Kobe “The Greatest Finisher in the Game” Bryant’s 4th quarter performance:
5 minutes 23 seconds, 1-6 FG, 2-2 FT, 4 points, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 BLK
Lebron’s 4th quarter performance:
6 minutes 22 seconds, 5-7 FG, 1-2 FT, 12 points, 3 REB, 0 AST, 1 BLK
Granted, there was a lot more to the game than that. Most of all, it seemed like the Lakers - for a second time - couldn’t match the Cavs’ intensity down the stretch, didn’t know how to handle the physical play, couldn’t “make love to the pressure,” in the parlance of Stephen Jackson, when it came to winning time.
This was the case despite that A) Mo was in a suit, B) Jamario was in a suit, C) the Cavs had practically no time to change the game plan from what they would’ve used had Mo been available, D) Cavs shot only 33.4% 3FG, E) the Lakers had all their players available…I could go on.
The point is, the Cavs are 2-0 against the Lakers — the exact opposite of their record in the season series last year. It doesn’t determine anything for the future, but if you try to tell me it doesn’t represent progress…well, I’ll bet that you also think Kobe is the MVP of the 4th quarter.
-T
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