Against any of the other top four teams in the Western Conference, the Lakers weakness is their pick and roll defense. The combinations of Mike Bibby and Vlade, Webber or Brad Miller, Nash and Nowitski, Parker and Duncan, and Cassell and Garnett are just too potent for Shaq and GP or Derek Fisher to contend with. Of course, the Lakers are still good enough in other areas to fend off the Maverick's, Timberwolve's and Kings' pick and roll attack. The only problem is, the Lakers are not up against those teams, they're facing the more athletic, disciplined and flat-out better San Antonio Spurs.
This is where coaching becomes a key factor. The days of saying "ok I have the best player(s) in the league, so it doesn't matter what I do, my team will win regardless" are long over for Phil Jackson. Throughout the 90's Jackson had immense talent, and the best two player combo Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (although it was mostly Jordan) to carry his team to victory. The trend continued with Shaq and Kobe, beginning in 2000. The only problem now is, Shaq is not the most dominant player in the NBA anymore. That title now belongs to Tim Duncan, who is being accompanied by the rising star, Tony Parker. Its time for Phil Jackson to out-coach his opponent, rather than just simply relying on his inherited talented squads.
How would I defend the pick and roll? Honestly, I do not know what the best solution is for the Lakers, I am not the head coach of that team. But I do know that status quo is not working, and hasn't been for many years. Kenny Smith suggested double teaming Tony Parker ("The Little Fundamental") and forcing him to give up the ball. I would suggest trying some kind of zone defense. Let Shaq camp in the paint, guard against penetration and have the athletic and long armed Deavon George and Kobe Bryant rotate the perimeter, along with either GP or Fisher. Would either of these strategies work? Who knows? But can it be any worse?
Its hard to bash Phil Jackson too much because the man has won a whopping 9 NBA Championships. However, I think its about time he earns his first.
