Suns vs. Lakers, Game 2 Preview
Game 2 of the Suns/Lakers playoff series tips off tonight and there's little doubt that this game will look much different than Game 1 did in Phoenix. Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson thought the Lakers had the best chance if Kobe helped get the other players involved in the offense. While it worked pretty good, it didn't get them the win and Kobe's not too happy about it. I expect to see Bryant take a larger role in the offense and resume his ball-hogging style that we've all become accustomed to. I like Kobe, so that's not really a stab at him... it's the truth. Other than Lamar Odom, the rest of the team kind of stinks.
The Suns will be trying to take a 2-0 lead in the series heading to Los Angeles for games 3 & 4. I look for Nash to be more involved in the offense (more than just the 1st quarter this time), and for Tim Thomas to struggle a lit bit more than he did in Game 1, when he scored 21 pts and rarely missed any shots.
In related news, information has leaked that Steve Nash will likely get his 2nd consecutive league MVP award in the next few days.
It was announced yesterday that Mavs rookie coach Avery Johnson won Coach of the Year, and deservedly so. Kudos to Mike Dunleavy in Los Angeles for getting the Clippers into the playoffs, but Johnson really changed a primarly offensive team into a defense-first team. My other 2005-2006 award picks are here... (didn't pick a coach - oops).