Kobe-like Patrick gives Energy an extra boost

Back To All News | Previous Thread | Next Thread

By Chris O’Leary, FreelanceJune 15, 2009

While the Los Angeles Lakers were toasting their NBA championship victory in Orlando on Sunday, the Edmonton Energy were channelling Lakers of the past and present in their 120-107 victory over the Vancouver (Wash.) Volcanoes.

J.R. Patrick, who showed up prior to the game wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey, was Kobe-like, picking his spots in his 18-point, three-rebound effort.

Will Funn’s routine near-triple-double (25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists) was reminiscent of Magic Johnson.

Manning the middle, six-foot-10, 270-pound Energy centre Kevin Shand did a great Shaquille O’Neal impression in the fourth quarter, en route to a 10-point, four-rebound and three-block outing.

"Kevin Shand was a monster tonight. Just an absolute monster," Energy coach Paul Sir said.

"I thought his play ... I thought he and Will (Funn) and Steve (Sir) really carried the load and then Skouson (Harker) and J.R. (Patrick) came on strong towards the end."

And just like O’Neal claims that he always makes the free throws that matter, Shand was clutch down the stretch, going four-of-four from the line with the Volcanoes breathing down the Energy’s necks.

"Kevin’s technique is actually very, very good," Sir said. "When he gets his rhythm he’s a very good free-throw shooter and (Sunday) he seemed to settle in and get his rhythm and down the stretch he really knocked them down."

The Energy did another solid job in defending Vancouver centre Bryson McKenzie. The International Basketball League’s leading rebounder had 11 points and nine boards.

Clifford White’s 30 points led the Volcanoes, who now sit at 12-5 this season. Edmonton improved to 14-2.

"Kevin really nullified the big kid (McKenzie)," Sir said. "He wasn’t much of a factor, we did a really nice job on him."

Although they appeared on their heels at points early on, the Energy controlled the score for most of the first half. Steve Sir scored 15 of his game-high 31 in the first 24 minutes, leading his team to a 54-50 edge.

The game started to get away from Vancouver in the third quarter. Funn found his way to the basket at will, keying a 12-2 Edmonton run. A string of technical fouls against the Volcanoes dug them into a deeper hole. Guard Porter Troupe fouled Sir on a three-point attempt, then got a technical for arguing the call with 5:03 left in the frame. Vancouver coach Theo Evans picked up a technical with 3:37 on the clock for continuing to argue. The free throws and sound Energy defence gave them an 88-74 lead going into the fourth.

Vancouver got within four points midway through the fourth, but couldn’t get any closer.

Evans admitted that the third quarter outbursts hurt his team.

"I think it hurt us, but at the same time we had to do something," he said. "The refereeing was really bad. I think at that point it was 9-1 (in Edmonton’s favour) on fouls."

"The third quarter was definitely where we got hurt. That’s where they stretched their lead. Fourth quarter we came back and got it close, but the third quarter killed us."