Swanson: Lakers-Warriors series is too pretty and polite for one side
What do you get a series that has everything? 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 Stephen 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.
Nothing but respect between Steph Curry and LeBron James as they both wait at the scorer's table to check in pic.twitter.com/TEcKKJ1KQq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 3, 2023
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: “AD 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 leftovers-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 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 at 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.
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 up 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.