Lakers earn plenty of blame for Game 5 loss to Denver [Web links]

Game stories

--The Times’ Mike Bresnahan explains why the Lakers failed to close out in their 102-99 Game 5 loss Tuesday to the Denver Nuggets. Bresnahan also reports this interesting nugget. “The Lakers were privately seething over seeing Denver use a laptop computer in their huddle during a 20-second timeout with 19.9 seconds left to play. NBA rules forbid the use of such devices in the huddle, which won’t change the final score but can carry a hefty fine of up to $250,000.”

--The Denver Post’s Benjamin Hochman focuses on how the Nuggets absorbed the Lakers’ late-game rally.

--The Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding mentions that Kobe Bryant’s comeback effort isn’t enough.

--The Daily News’ Elliott Teaford credits Bryant for leading the Lakers’ comeback. But the Lakers had dug themselves in too deep of a hole.

Notebooks

--The Times’ Bresnahan talks to Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who said that how the Lakers finish in the playoffs will largely dictate how he approaches free agency.

--The Daily News’ Jill Painter notes Mike Brown’s amusement regarding the theory that the Lakers should extend their first-round series with Denver so Metta World Peace wouldn’t miss any games in the second round against Oklahoma City.

Sidebars

--I highlight Kobe Bryant’s comeback effort in the Lakers’ loss to Denver.

--The Times’ Ben Bolch credits JaVale McGee and Arron Afflalo coming through in Game 5.

--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks about what it’s like to be an ESPN.com columnist.

--NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper explains how Denver has suddenly come back in the series and believes in its ability to win Game 6.

--The Denver Post’s Chris Dempsey highlights the Nuggets contention that they were within the rules to have a laptop with them during the game. Dempsey also focuses on the production from Arron Afflalo and Andre Miller.

--Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins details the Nuggets’ scrappy play.

--Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears details how the Nuggets used Bynum’s quote as motivation.

Columns

--The Times’ Bill Plaschke calls the Lakers’ loss embarrassing and believes it provides further concern on how they would face the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.

--ESPN.com’s J.A. Adande charts McGee’s progress.

--CBS Sports’ Ken Berger argues the Lakers have no shot in going far if they can’t improve their outside shooting.

--The Daily News’ Vincent Bonsignore argues Bynum shouldn’t have mentioned how easy it was to close out games.

--Ball Don’t Lie’s Kelly Dwyer believes the Nuggets are proving they’re capable of beating the Lakers.

--The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla argues the Nuggets have superstars too.

--Fox Sports West’s Joe McDonnell believes Bynum looked foolish about believing a closeout game could be easy.

--The Orange County Register’s Jeff Miller argues no one should blame Brown for the team’s playoff inconsistencies.

--Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell provides a running diary of the Lakers-Nuggets game.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne believes Bynum should’ve backed up his strong words with his play.

--The Orange County Register’s Mark Whicker believes McGee is proving he’s no pushover.

Blogs

--ESPN Los Angleles’ Brian Kamenetzky breaks down the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets.

--Sports Illustrated’s Zach Lowe explains how the Nuggets are challenging the Lakers.

--Silver Screen and Roll’s Dexter Fishmore looks at how the Lakers made their closeout game look pretty hard.

--Forum Blue and Gold’s Darius Soriano breaks down the Nuggets’ effective defense on Denver.

Tweet of the Day: “The @Lakers played like all they had to do was show up to beat the Nuggets. Didn’t see any intensity or fire until the last 5 minutes.” -- MagicJohnson (Lakers legend Magic Johnson)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: “I am truly disgusted with Andrew Bynum. On any given night, you have no idea what you are going to get from this guy. He shows very little heart, passion, pride and to say he is self-entitled is going easy on him. No doubt he has immense talent, but when Javele McGee is looking like Wilt Chamberlain out there on some plays against you it is time to come to a conclusion about him.” -- riskyrants