04/12/2009
Why I’m Mad At The Lakers!
Ok, what was that?! This was a must win game. Portland, in Portland was a game to prove that the Lakers belong. What happened? And more importantly this could spell trouble in the second round of the Western conference playoffs. There were a couple of things that stood out to me. The main one is heart.
I said it last season and I’ll say it again, “no herat, no glory!” Someone else other than Kobe is going to have to step and demand the ball. That’s right I said someone other than Kobe. Odom has to be the one. But I don’t think his pyche can stand up to Kobe’s. This will have to change. Lamar, take over! Show Phil that you are Robin to Kobe’s Batman. Gasol, bless his heart, is to finesse to stand up to Kobe.
This is not pushing the panic button. I’m just getting my finger ready. The button’s cover has been removed. My finger is inching torwards the panel.
The other thing I noticed is Portland is in the Laker’s heads. 8 straight losses to a team they sholud be manhandling is defeating. Mentally, the Lakers have to find something that will allow them to believe they can beat this team. One thing thay can look to is their home record. Best in the West, it should put asside any psychosis they may have. There’s nothing like home cooking.
Some other things that figured into the loss last night, Phil was not coaching. It makes a difference, believe it or not. There were several substitution that Rambis made that Phil would have done differently. Rambis also played the starters too long in spots. It look like he didn’t even try and find an X factor off the bench to tilt the balances to the their favor. Mbenga would have been perfect. I would have even thrown in Yao, the 6’9 phenom guard to see if he could mix it up.
Something’s has to change if they want it all. They are capable and should be able to. I can’t take another disastrous finish to another brilliant season. Nor can Phil and Kobe.
04/10/2009
Why I Like The Lakers
Here we go again. The NBA playoffs are about to start and hopes are high. Last year around this time, I was loudly proclaiming the Lakers would win the championship. Truth be told, I wanted it but I really did not feel it in my gut. Especially after I saw the Celtics dismantle the Lakers on Christmas day ’07. I was really scared for my team but couldn’t let on. When the Lakes lost, I suddenly developed 2 herniated disc and missed the next 6 weeks from work. It was only after I returned that a few of the Celtics fans let me have it. But the lapse of time softened the blows a bit.
This year is different. I absolutely feel it in my gut, heart and toes that the Lakers will when the Championship. Let’s look at all of the strengths:
- Kobe has been pacing himself. MVP of the regular season will probably go to King James and deservedly so. Kobe won it last season but missed out on what he truly wanted, a ring without Shaq. I truly believe MVP is not a goal for him. So a lot of energy that would have gone into trying to win it was reserved until the playoff. He’s still in the conversation and 3rd in scoring. But his sights are set on a higher prize.
- Bynum is back! I have to admit I was worried when he went down. Last night’s game versus the Nuggets showed what he means to this team’s chances of winning it all. 20 minutes, 17 points, 6 rebs and his presence was undeniable. Bynum in the starting line up means Odom comes of the bench with the second unit. Odom is key to the continuity of the second unit. Gasol has help now down low. Say what you want, Gasol is a finesse player not a power one. With Bynum’s power, Gasol can go back to what he knows best, making other big men look silly trying to guard him. This twin tower duo is straight sick.
- The best bench in the NBA. Not only is it the best it is also the deepest. Odom, Farmer, Vujucic, Powel, Walton, Shannon Brown, Mbenga and Josh Powell are all quality role players. They could all probably start on another team. I’m waiting on the 6’9 guard Sue Yun to get some minutes. They also compliment the person they are substituting for as well as offer Phil a plethora of match up choices. You know how Phil likes to match up.
- Slight dip in Western competition. Honestly, this is not the West of last season. Shaq didn’t even make the playoffs. There are only 2 teams that can match up with the Lakers in a 7 game series the Jazz and the Hornets. But this might not matter as much because the Lakers will have home court throughout the Western playoffs and Utah is an awful road team. The Hornets are missing to many pieces as the playoffs start that they may not make to the Western Finals. Houston you say, well, will they ever convince us that they are not choke artists like Dallas, I think not. Portland is not experienced enough to beat the Lakers in seven. The Lakers will be in the Finals.
And this is why I like the Lakers. No other NBA team has made me feel this way since the Shaq/Kobe Lakers and the MJ Chicago Bulls. It is inspiring to see a team play ball like this. I’ve never been into the star element of the NBA. I like teams. I was impressed with the Celtics but I don’t like the Celtics. And it looks like Cleveland will take care of that for me this year. On another note, what is this Kobe hate all about? I don’t understand it. There are those who will not get behind the team because they don’t like Kobe. Well get use to not liking him more. This is the year of the Lakers. Kobe, Phil, Gasol, Bynum and the rest will gladly give you more to not like.
