Column: Lakers-Warriors series is too pretty and polite for one side
The Lakers' second-round clash with the Warriors has been more like a
meeting of a mutual admiration society than a playoff bout — which gives
smaller, swifter Golden State an advantage
>Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball as Golden State Warriors
guard Steph Curry defends during the first half of Game 2 of their
Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By MIRJAM SWANSON | mswanson@scng.com | Southern California News Group
PUBLISHED: May 5, 2023 at 4:13 p.m. | UPDATED: May 5, 2023 at 4:17 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/05/05/swanson-lakers-warriors-series-is-too-pretty-and-polite-for-one-side/

Mirjam Swanson is a columnist for the Southern California News Group,
focused this time of year on the Los Angeles Lakers.

What do you get for a series that has everything? One that’s steeped in
star power, in history and prestige, so abundant with shot-making and
shot-blocking and basketball savvy?

Some beef, perhaps?

Or just a sprinkle of antagonism.

A dash of vitriol.

Because without it, the Lakers are cooked.

If the bigger, stronger Lakers’ edge is dulled, if they’re not going get
amped and out-physical the Warriors, they’re going to have a heck of a
time cutting through their fast-paced attack. They’re gonna get run out
of the gym, as they were in a 127-100 Game 2 loss up in San Francisco.

After Tristan Thompson made his Lakers’ debut, coming off the bench for
the fourth quarter with the Lakers down 30 points, he likened the
second-round best-of-seven series – now tied 1-1 – to a boxing match,
telling reporters at Chase Center: “We won the first round. They won the
second.”

OK, but why has this matchup – going into Game 3 in L.A. on Saturday –
felt more like a meeting of the mutual admiration society than a fight?
More like a professional retreat than even a competitive pick-up game at
recess?

Before the series started – the first between the teams since 1991 –
LeBron James tipped his cap to Steph Curry: “I have nothing but the
utmost respect.”

And then, once the game began, we saw the two old pals share a jolly
laugh in the middle of it, while waiting to check in at the scorer’s
table in the series opener.

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Nothing but respect between Steph Curry and LeBron James as they both
wait at the scorer's table to check in ✊
[video]

7:42 PM · May 2, 2023
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Even Draymond Green, the Warriors’ resident pot-stirrer, has been
effusive in his praise for the Lakers and James: “We have a great
relationship that lies off the floor,” he said in an Andscape.com story
that detailed his desire to split from his own team for a night in
February to witness James set the NBA’s all-time scoring record. (Green
didn’t, at Coach Steve Kerr’s behest).

Even after mollifying Anthony Davis on Thursday, holding the Lakers’
star center to a meek 11 points and seven rebounds, Green’s only
statement came in the form of a compliment: “A.D. is an incredible
player, man,” he said during an NBA TV interview. “Future Hall of Famer.
NBA 75, all of those things.”

I believe all of it. Much respect to all that respect.

But at this point, the sixth-seeded Warriors are petting the bear.
Bringing him tubs of honey. Wheeling your neighbor’s leftover-filled
trash can and depositing it at the front door of his Crytpo.com Arena cave.

Fattening up the big guy and getting him sleepy so Steph can hit him
with one of his nighty-night gestures once Golden State has tucked the
Lakers in for hibernation.

Kerr’s squad knows what it’s doing. Since 2015, the NBA Finals-or-bust
Warriors are 19-0 in playoff series against Western Conference
opponents: They’ve got every angle covered.

And in this instance, they’re penning love letters for the
seventh-seeded Lakers to post on their bulletin board. Tossing bouquets
of those proverbial flowers like grenades.

The Lakers can’t let themselves be bromanced.

They’ve got to look at their buddies on the other side and find
something not to like.

No, there’s no Kevin McHale over there. No Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo or
Raja Bell. There’s not even a Dillon Brooks.

No need for a clothesline; no one wants more chest stomping and it’d be
great to have a series without a single below-the-belt incident.

But the Lakers need to play as if there had been.

Certainly, what happened Thursday was human nature. The team trailing in
a series is going to have more outward motivation entering Game 2. And
who thinks it’s wise to run the first few miles of a marathon at an
all-out sprint?

But against these defending champions, the marathon might turn into an
800-meter dash if the Lakers try, for even one more game, to save their
energy, to save themselves.

If they’re doing anything but getting in Curry’s face and making him
feel them for every second he’s on the court – whether he’s handling the
ball or not.

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If Davis can’t ferment the ferocity to knock Green off his spots – as in
Davis’ spots.

If they don’t go crashing, on the boards and toward the basket, earning
necessary free throws that help on the scoreboard and in setting the
table defensively, too.

Golden State isn’t going to poke anyone this series, so the Lakers will
have to look under their own hood, at their own internal combustion
engine, and find a spark – or at least conjure some faux outrage to fuel
them. Manufacture some disdain for the team that wants to take away
their shot at a championship.

Because a prettily played series is to the Warriors’ advantage. Anything
but a rough and rugged basketball rumble means Golden State runs roughshod.

But if the Lakers can find their way to force some fury, then they’re
cooking. And, c’mon, that version of this series? It would really be
something for fans to salivate over.

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Mirjam Swanson | Clippers and NBA
Clippers and NBA writer