Monday, January 3, 2011

Lakers booed as Grizzlies rout them at home

Article Tab : Kobe Bryant is defended by Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of their game at Staples Center on Sunday.


LOS ANGELES – Phil Jackson cited lack of focus. Kobe Bryant cited lack of energy. Pau Gasol cited lack of togetherness.
For a two-time defending NBA champion team, the Lakers sure are lacking some basic basketball ingredients.
The Memphis Grizzlies exposed the Lakers, 104-85, at Staples Center on Sunday night.
"Just about every category, we got outplayed," Coach Jackson said of the Lakers (23-11).
The Lakers' lack of teamwork was evident in their assist-to-turnover margin of 13 to 20. Memphis' was 30-10.
Bryant tried to turn up the energy in the third quarter with his offensive attack, but there was considerable defensive slippage at the same time. The Grizzlies wound up with 28 fast-break points to the Lakers' five, reflective of the Lakers' worsening transition defense.
"You play bad defense at home, on the road, at the park ... you lose the ballgame," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said.
Odom remained confident, however, in the Lakers' long-term prospects, saying: "Not worried. We know what we got."
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins agreed, saying: "It doesn't matter that the Lakers have 10 or 11 losses at this stage in the season. It doesn't matter if they pound everybody into submission at this time of the season. They will be there when the season is over, competing for a championship."
On Sunday night, though, Staples Center fans booed the team that wasn't competing at all.
"I would've booed," Lakers center Andrew Bynum said. "I would've been mad."
The Lakers have lost three of their past four home games by 16 points to Milwaukee, 19 to Miami and 19 to Memphis. Jackson acknowledged how uncharacteristic it is for the Lakers to be noncompetitive to the end at home.
"They have a right to boo," Bryant said of Lakers fans.

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