Word: kobe
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...hype. In the late '80s, the Detroit Pistons devised a defensive scheme called "the Jordan rules" to slow down His Airness. So in the same vein, to give Boston coach Doc Rivers and his team a fighting chance, here is a version of what can be called "the Kobe rules," culled from some of the best minds in the game...
...Kobe is unstoppable everywhere, but he's really immortal on the fast break, so if nothing else the Celtics need to get back on defense. "Make him play five-on-five basketball as much as possible," says former NBA point guard and current ESPN analyst Greg Anthony. He'll hit those crazy fade-aways and spinning layups in the half-court game, but even for Kobe, those shots are measurably more difficult, and physically draining, than dunks and open threes on the fast break...
...Boston's point guard, Rajon Rondo, is a scrappy player, and loves to fish for loose balls and offensive rebounds under the basket. But against Kobe, that could be a a very costly error for a point guard, who is usually expected to be the first defender back. "You want to be more disciplined than usual," says Anthony. "Pick your spots to be aggressive." When playing an explosive team like the Lakers, you're going to have to make sacrifices. What does Boston need more, a few loose balls for Rajon Rondo, or the brakes on Kobe Bryant? If they...
...Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics double- and triple-teamed LeBron James, holding him to just 36% shooting in that series (including a truly awful 19% in the first two games, both of which Boston won). So Boston should do the same thing against Kobe, right...
...Wrong. Cleveland runs a junior high school offense - give it to LeBron and get out of the way. The Lakers, on the other hand, run the "triangle" set, which relies on pinpoint spacing and smart cuts to the basket to create openings for Kobe's supporting cast. So if you needlessly double-team him, Kobe will find the open man. Unlike in years past, Kobe is willing to pass the ball, and he does it quite well, thank you. Part of his newfound generosity is due to the fact that he now has All-Star-quality teammates in Pau Gasol...