March 23, 2009

Getting It Done

LO and the Lakers pulled through in two close contests against Golden State and Chicago on Thursday and Saturday, squeezing out victories both nights to rebound from a tough 94-93 loss to Philly earlier in the week.

LO was instrumental in the Lakers' two wins over the weekend (Getty Images).

STAT STUFFER
The Package stuffed the stat sheet against the Warriors in the Lakers’ 114-106 win, posting a line of 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

On Saturday, No. 7 mirrored Thursday’s performance with another 16-point effort. He also added five boards and three steals. But while his output was the same, his role in the game was different.

ROLE REVERSAL
While the Lakers had to stave off a comeback attempt against the Warriors on Thursday, they became the ones playing catch-up against the Bulls as they headed into the fourth quarter facing an 87-81 deficit. Needing a spark, Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson decided to switch up his substitution patterns, revisiting a familiar lineup. PJ inserted Lamar into the second unit to start the fourth quarter, a role Pau Gasol has filled since No. 7’s transition to starterdom.

RETURN OF THE BENCH MOB
The Bench Mob caught on fire, sparking a 21-6 run to start the fourth quarter that would help the P&G cruise to a 117-109 victory over Chicago.

From the Kamenetzky Brothers’ Lakers Blog:

“In a decidedly redemptive performance, easily the strongest burn for that group in a while, the unit of Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Josh Powell, and Sasha Vujacic blew the Bulls out of the water to the tune of a 21-6 run before Kobe and Pau Gasol re-entered the game with 6:24 to play.”

Fan bloggers from the Forum Blue and Gold Blog agreed that Odom’s addition to the Bench Mob made the difference:

“1) Farmar played great in the fourth quarter because he was on the floor with Odom – something we’ve all been saying for a month. Farmar is effective when he doesn’t have to worry about directing the Offense, and can focus on scoring. PJ should just have Odom play with the second unit from now on – even if they’re giving up some height.

2) Speaking of Odom – how great was it to see the pure joy he reacted with after Kobe’s game winner? Another reason why he’s great to have on the team.”

“Good move by Phil to play Odom with the bench. Gasol has been playing too many minutes anyway. I get the feeling that Odom won’t mind playing some more minutes, and it won’t affect him in the long-run. He should be fresher than Gasol, since he came off the bench (1st half of season), and didn’t have to play in the off season.”

NEXT UP
LO and the Lake Show travel to Oklahoma City tomorrow to face the Thunder at 5 p.m. PST on KCAL 9. Tune in to see whether LO will once again play the dual roles of starter and ringleader of the Bench Mob against the Thunder.

RELATED STORIES
Lakers 117, Bulls 109: Seconds, please (LATimes.com, March 21, 2009)
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/03/lakers-117-bull.html
Jordan Farmar Tribute (Forum Blue and Gold, March 22, 2009)
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/03/22/jordan-farmar-tribute/