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Kobe-less Lakers too tall a task for Spurs

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Lakers 98, Spurs 84: April 11, 2012

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) fights for a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers’ Devin Ebanks (03) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) gets a reverse layup against Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) and Metta World Peace (15) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) attemps a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown (center) talks to his players Ramon Sessions (07) and Devin Ebanks (03) during a pause in the game against the Spurs in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) contends for a rebound with Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (center) smiles whiles sitting out the game against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) attempts a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Devin Ebanks (03) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) ponders an official’s call during their game against the Spurs in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) and Manu Ginobili (20) apply defensive pressure against Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant applauds his team on the floor during their game against the Spurs in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Bryant did not suit up to play due to a shin injury. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich appear less than pleased by his team’s play against the Los Angeles Lakers at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) gets a steal against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) attempts a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) takes a hard foul by Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Patty Mills (08) gets pressure from Los Angeles Lakers’ Steve Blake (05) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) puts up a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (17) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Laker’s Metta World Peace (15) during the game against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ James Anderson (25) attempts a shot over Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions (07) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) defends against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) and Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace (15) meet to chat after their game at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Jackson and World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) played together on the Indiana Pacers in 2004. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Silver Dancers perform during a timeout in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

There was a moment, late in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 98-84 ransacking of the Spurs on Wednesday night, that told the tale.

Pau Gasol missed an 8-footer, and he and Andrew Bynum spent the next 30 seconds trying — and trying again — to tap it back in.

The Lakers didn’t get points on that trip, but it was their relentlessness — on the boards, in the paint, on the road and without star guard Kobe Bryant — that sent the Spurs sprawling to a meek defeat that ranked as their most lopsided at the ATT Center this season.

“They beat us to death,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “There’s nothing else you can say about it.”

Given the way the Spurs ended last season — manhandled by Memphis in the first round of the playoffs — it was alarming to watch the Lakers’ muscular frontline lead the way to a 60-33 rebounding advantage.

Bynum, the Lakers’ 7-foot center, had 16 points to go with a career-best 30 rebounds, and did everything but steal the Spurs’ milk money.

Gasol, a fellow 7-footer, added a 21-point, 11-rebound line that paled next to Bynum’s field day.

The Lakers (37-22) limited the Spurs (40-16) to one offensive rebound — on a Tony Parker putback with 7:33 left in the third quarter that was the All-Star point guard’s second and final field goal.

L.A.’s ownership of the glass was doubly concerning, considering the aforementioned Grizzlies are headed to town tonight in hopes of handing the Spurs their first three-game losing streak.

“They had a lot more guys play better than we did,” said Tim Duncan, who had 14 points but just two rebounds. “Not to simplify it too much, but that’s the bottom line.”

It can be folly to ascribe too much significance to one game, but the season’s first meeting between these two Western Conference contenders seemed to signal a shot across the Spurs’ bow.

The Lakers, who also got 26 points and five 3-pointers from Metta World Peace, never trailed past the 3:16 mark of the first quarter and led by as many as 26.

It all combined to enliven the sizeable Lakers’ portion of the 18,581 fans who packed the Spurs’ home arena.

“It was kind of embarrassing,” Manu Ginobili said. “We didn’t play well enough, or hard enough, to beat them.”

The Spurs’ 11-game winning streak, halted Monday when Popovich declined to bring Duncan, Parker or Ginobili to Utah, seemed a remnant of the past.

Even without Bryant, out for the third straight came with a sore left shin, the Lakers proved powerful enough to body-slam the Spurs, who three days earlier were perched atop the West standings.

Bynum became one of five players in Lakers history to grab at least 30 rebounds in a game, joining a Hall of Fame list that includes Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan and Elgin Baylor.

He came within three of matching the Spurs’ rebound total by himself.

“I think we’ve got matchups against this team that are favorable for us,” Bynum said. “They have to come double the pick-and-roll. We finally have a point guard (Ramon Sessions) who is getting into the paint, makes floaters and collapses defenses. A lot of ways to attack.”

Not only did the Lakers’ size bar the Spurs from the boards, it made life hazardous for guards entering the paint. Parker, especially, had a rough night, going 2 of 12 for four points — though he did rack up eight assists.

“I played very bad,” Parker said. “I just missed shots.”

Despite Wednesday’s outcome, the second-place Spurs still lead L.A. by 5 1/2 games in the West. With Oklahoma City’s loss to the Clippers, the Spurs remained within a game of the top spot.

There is plenty of time for the Spurs to regroup, and given their sterling record, reason enough to write off Wednesday as “one of those nights.”

But for 48 minutes, the Lakers were bigger, stronger and tougher than the Spurs. This one is going to leave a mark.

“They beat us in every facet of the game,” Popovich said. “It was really a poor performance, execution-wise and competitiveness-wise.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Mike Monroe: Now we know what caused Mavericks’ chemistry woes

While the Spurs surged to the top of the Western Conference standings in recent weeks, the Mavericks were sliding in the opposite direction.

The very day the Spurs eased past the Thunder and into first place by mere percentage points, the Mavericks were beaten on their home court by the 11th-place Trail Blazers and dropped into seventh.

Now we know what happened to befoul the chemistry that had been so important in Dallas last spring when a magical playoff run produced the Mavericks’ first NBA title.

It was Lamar Odom’s fault.

What other conclusion can be drawn from the decision by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson to send Odom on an early vacation?

The Mavericks didn’t cut him or trade him, and they will pay the remainder of his $8.9 million salary for this season.

They simply told him they didn’t want him around any longer.

That is harsh reality, months in the making.

When commissioner David Stern nixed the trade that would have sent Chris Paul from the Hornets to the Lakers in December, many Lakers fans had mixed emotions.

Combining Paul with Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum would have given Los Angeles a Big Three to rival Miami’s. But it would have come at the expense of the league’s longest frontline, one that had been dominant enough to produce two NBA titles.

Both 7-foot Pau Gasol and the 6-10 Odom, the 2010-11 Sixth Man Award winner, would have left the Lakers’ roster in the deal Stern refused to approve.

Stung by the knowledge his team had been willing to trade him, Gasol acknowledged hurt feelings. Then he went about playing power forward like an All-Star.

Odom didn’t get time to sort out his feelings. Just hours after the Paul trade was blown up, the Lakers sent him to the reigning champion Mavericks for a trade exception and a first-round draft pick that was protected through the first 20 selections in 2012.

Did Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak know something about Odom that made what seemed a great grab by the Mavericks something less? Had Odom’s fragile ego surfaced during his time with the Lakers?

The end of Odom in Dallas likely will improve the Mavericks. He had not been the skilled big man whose career averages of 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists invited comparisons to pre-injury Danny Manning. Or occasionally to Hall of Fame Lakers point guard Magic Johnson.

Instead, he put up the worst numbers of his career. Worse, he didn’t seem to care, and Mavs fans noticed. He was routinely booed when he entered recent games, including the Mavs-Spurs game in Dallas on March 17.

Cuban on Tuesday confirmed his halftime confrontation with Odom in the locker room in Memphis that prompted the banishment. It was the final straw after waiting for production that might have outweighed the distractions that Odom brought with him from L.A.

It may turn out to be the Spurs who benefit more from the Odom-to-Dallas trade than either team involved in the deal. Gregg Popovich always fretted about matching up against the Lakers’ length, and Odom was part of that.

Now the Lakers don’t have Odom, and the Mavericks must rediscover their own winning chemistry in the two-plus weeks that remain in the regular season.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Twitter: @Monroe_SA

Five quick takes: Why deep bench should have Spurs surging for playoffs

As he watched Gregg Popovich alternate his players Wednesday night almost like a grandmaster would play a chess board, Spurs television analyst Sean Elliott couldn’t keep from raving about the Spurs’ deep bench.

Popovich used Wednesday’s 117-112 victory almost like a laboratory, utilizing 11 players in the first quarter alone.

Elliott raved at one point that the Spurs’ bench could be better than the team’s starters. And while that bit of hyperbole might be a little exaggerated, deadline trades and free agent-signings have placed this team in a better position heading into the latter part of the season and the playoffs than in recent memory.

Spurs captain Tim Duncan agreed he’s never had a supporting cast throughout his team like this one.

“This is as deep as I’ve ever had a team here,” Duncan told reporters after the Spurs’ victory in Sacramento. “We’re using everybody possible. And that’s been great, especially in the condensed season.”

For the first time since the trade deadline, Popovich had a complete roster at his disposal. And he got contributions from throughout his bench, which outscored Sacramento 55-20 in Wednesday’s game.

Manu Ginobili came off the bench to score a team-high 20 points in his first back-to-back game since recovering from a hip flexor. Tiago Splitter produced seven points and six rebounds, all coming in a productive stint in the first quarter. Gary Neal shot his way out of a recent slump by hitting all four shots in the second half for 13 points after missing his first four shots. Stephen Jackson scored six points in 16 minutes in the second half when he received most of the playing time. And Boris Diaw didn’t score, but he grabbed four rebounds,dished off two assists and was a pest defensively.

“I really trust that unit,” Ginobili told FOX Sports Southwest. “We’re going to hustle and we’re versatile, we’re long and we can switch a lot. I think whenever we get used to playing with each other, we have a very special unit.”

That development could be the best part of this late-season transformation. The Spurs’ depth should make them more ready to withstand injuries like Ginobili’s late broken arm that helped derail the team’s playoff chances last season. If a starter goes down with an injury this season, the Spurs are better able to overcome the absence.

“I’m really excited about how we’re playing now,” Ginobili said. “I think we’re going to make things happen.”

The transformation will continue over the final 17 games of the regular season as the Spurs prepare for the playoffs. It should have them more ready than in any season since their last championship in 2007.

Here’s a look at a few other takes from a game where the Spurs’ offensive production bailed them out in the second half for a tough victory against the pesky Kings.

Patty Mills gave a strong demonstration of what he can bring coming off the bench as a backup to Tony Parker. Mills hit a deep corner three and was determined to push the pace when he was out there. He’ll be a useful part of the rotation very soon.
DeMarcus Cousins has the kind of talent that had Duncan raving after the young Sacramento center challenged him with 25 points and 11 rebounds. But as far as complaining and scowling, it looks that Cousins has taken the honor of the NBA’s surliest big man that has been vacant since Rasheed Wallace retired.
The early development of Kawhi Leonard has been greater than the Spurs could have ever imagined during his rookie season. And his 18-point, nine-rebound effort Wednesday might have been one of his best games of the season. He was disruptive on defense, more comfortable and controlled on fast breaks and confident shooting when he had his opportunities. And after he gets a chance to work with the team this summer and a full training camp, he could get scary good very quickly.
We run a weekly survey of power rankings from the NBA writers around the nation each week to gauge what the national perception of the Spurs is. I’m curious to see what they have to say after five victories in the last six nights, including the first back-to-back-to-back sweep for the team in 34 years. The Spurs don’t have the NBA’s best record at this point of the season. But they are playing the best basketball in the league. It will be interesting to see if that is reflected in anybody’s rankings early next week.