Split in the Big Easy

Boy the Champs just don't like to do things easy do they? It's not rocket science; control the boards, don't give second chances, very high percentage of the time, you WILL win. The one advantage the Lake Show have against everyone else according to "experts" is their size. How in the hell do you employ two seven footers, a versitale 2 inches short of 7 feet All-Star caliber player, a physical feisty forward, and two pretty good rebounders in Mamba and Barnes, AND still lose the rebounding battle, hell CP3 had double digit rebounding when none of the Lakers bigs could, are *$*&$ kidding me! Simple recipe, attack the paint with your bigs, control the boards, do not let CP3 dictate the offense, on wins he's averaging 14.5 assists, 10 rebounds, he's actually averaging a triple double in wins! In losses he's dishing out only 8.5 with 4 rebounds, like I said, it's not damn rocket science.

Game 3 was nice and balanced even with Mamba going off for 30 points, 4 other players joined him in double figures, and Ron Ron added 9. The Spaniard finally got to double figures and finished with a triple double, Bynum went down yet again, but was able to also finish with a double double, super sub LO almost joined them with 14 points and 9 rebounds. The Lakers set the tempo early and were able to counter all Hornets runs. The game was actually more competetive than the scores show. CP3 was contained assists wise but still finished with 22 points on 9/13 shooting. The Hornets also didn't get much from the bench 9 points, game 1 heroes Jack only chipped in 2 points and Gray missed his only shot contributed 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul in 7 minutes. Easy? Not really, but a recipe they could definately follow and close up the series. Speaking of which....

Everything they did good on game 3 went to shit on game 4. The chumps came out strong in the first taking a lead even with their best player not scoring a single point, then with momentum on their side and seeming to have taken control of the Hornets, the Lakers went to snooze mode and were on the downside of a 20-3 run that started in the 2nd quarter as they had taken the lead by 9. Mamba was held scoreless the entire first half. With the exception of Captain Ron, the whole Laker team stunk it up. CP3 all 6 feet of him had a game high 13 boards, the chumps high for the game was 9 from 'Drew. Gasol and Odom combined still had less rebounds than Chris Paul, Unbelievable and downright embarrasing. Former Champ Ariza continues his stellar play on both offense and defense really pestering Mamba and not letting him get to his sweet spots. The play of Gasol, Odom and the bench has really been pathetic though. You expect from 'Drew who has been inconsistent, not from an All-World player who many consider the best at his position. I hope he can get finally get his head out of his ass and come through in game 5, the same for Odom, and even Mamba, who suddenly looks mortal.

Player of the Game: Mamba in game 3, CP3 for game 4.

X-Factor: The Spaniard, game 3, finally hitting double figures. Trevor Ariza, game 4.

Should Have Been Benched: Off season key aquisition bad boy Matt Barnes contributed more fouls than anything else in 12 minutes, might as well play Luke at least he's a good passer. Super sub Lamar Odom played anything but super and might as well have been sitting 1/7 shooting, 4 boards, nothing else, no assists, steals, blocks.

Laker Hater: Fan favorite 2 years ago, now a thorn on their ass, Trevor Ariza is currently averaging season highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and assists. Maybe it's the fact players raise their game in the playoffs, or maybe it's because he's facing his former team. Either way thanks for showing up precisely now, Ariza, hater.