So what do the Los Angeles Lakers need to do to improve in Game 2 vs. the Thunder?
A brief list:
1. Do not be terrible
2. Defend jumpshots better
3. Have Pau Gasol act like an NBA player
4. Work the ball inside to draw more contact and get to the line
5. Again, do not be terrible.
That pretty much covers it.
The Lakers were annihilated in Game 1 by a Thunder team that had an offensive rating above 130. That’s on par with the offensive efficiency of the Death Star. Thermonuclear weaponry does less damage. They need a complete and total change in Game 2 to survive. They need to challenge on the perimeter pick and roll more, attacking the ball handler and on the pull-up jumper. They need to rotate better to find the shooters. They left Kevin Durant open in the corner for three at one point, for crying out loud.
The ball has to go to Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol more. Gasol can get his shot over Serge Ibaka when he wants it. He’s got to be aggressive and not just wilt away from the action. Kobe Byrant had an off game, but most of his looks were shots he makes at least at a 40 percent clip most nights. It’s unlikely he’ll have another night like that. Ramon Sessions was a hot mess, and needs to set the tone with aggressiveness. He need to push the ball, but has to do so without messing with the Lakers’ slow-it-down pace.
Have I mentioned they need to not play terribly?
For the Thunder, just do that. What you did in Game 1, just do more of that. Because that worked well. They need to hit shots it the big key. When their mid-range game is wet, there’s just no way to stop their offense. They have too many weapons. James Harden needs to have a more efficient night, and Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka need to do a better job on rebounding, but that may be unavoidable. Bynum and Gasol are just too big.
This is a big game. If the Lakers make a strong showing, it can give them momentum going back home to try and wrangle control of this series. A win, and no one will remember Game 1, all of a sudden the Lakers will be in position to steal this series by holding serve. But another blowout loss, another destruction at the hands of the Thunder?
That big red “Panic” button is going to start glowing red hot, screaming “PUSH ME!” to everyone in Hollywood.