Archive for the ‘Laker Chronicles’ Category
So, here we are; Western Conference Champions.
To say it was unexpected is a blatant lie, and to further imply that this will be an easy series would be an even bigger one.
Not only did the Orlando Magic turn the tables on the highly publicized “Kobe vs. LeHype” theory (I guess, Nike will have to shelve those Kobe and Lebron puppets for later exploitation), but they made it look easy. The Cleveland Cavaliers were tough, but their nucleus (and a big one at that), was Lebron. A team centered around one player often crumbles if antagonized, and that is what ended up bring Cleveland’s run to a screeching halt, and resulted in their eventual collapse under the pressure.
Many would like to say the same for the Lakers, stating that, the Lakers are constructed from the foundation of the Black Mamba, but that is only dictated by one factor: Who decides to show up when it’s game time.
With the eve of Game 1 looming larger and larger on the horizon, Laker veteran and current assistant coach, Brian Shaw (Oh, and did I mention that he also does scouting for the Magic?) came forth and said, “I feel like we have to be concerned about doing what we do.” His reasoning subtly underlines the issues that plague the Lakers the most, and will eventually be our Golden Ticket if diminished.
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Is anyone else witnessing the obvious mediocrity inscribed in the Lakers’ performance as of late? I hate to say it but, it’s almost as if we have no heart; no love and appreciation for the game.
Sure, the Lakers were plagued with an unpleasant altitude, an inordinate amount of poor officiating (regardless of the remark that “poor officiating is a loser’s lament” as proclaimed by Coach Van Gundy after Game 4), and a bloodthirsty Denver team still bemoaning their loss in Game 3, but it isn’t as if we met the challenge.
Our aggression and intensity has been consistently undermined in this series by the Nuggets’ presence in those areas.
Where are we?
We can hardly keep a significant lead, much less come back easily from a deficit, and our intensity turns up a notch as the minutes remaining in the game begin to dwindle into scarcity (not as soon as necessary to say the least).
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Another series brings, positively enough, a blank slate, wiped clean of the ridiculousness of the last series, and itching to be filled with the knowledge required to overcome the Denver Nuggets’ in the Western Conference Finals.
Despite constant regular season victories when pitted against Denver, the Lakers learned from Houston that the implications of postseason can alter the entire façade that a team is normally built around.
Game 1 calls for us to proceed with caution, our overconfidence dragged on a series much longer than necessary, and we should be playing with the same urgency as any team that steps foot on the court with us. We will not have an accurate idea of how to play against Denver, until we complete Game 1.
Denver’s usual starting clique is led in scoring during the Playoffs by small forward Carmelo Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups; both have been averaging over 20 points per game. That, in itself, is a force to be reckoned with, not to mention Nene and K-Mart who are considered to be quite formidable foes in the paint.
But it isn’t as if the Lakers don’t have a complete defensive match with every one of those players.
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During the most hectic time in the NBA, it is normal for tensions to run high, and lately, it has caused a ruckus.
The physicality in this series versus the Rockets is quite possibly the most dominant feature of the match-up. The intensity makes for an emotionally rousing experience, especially for the fans.
Sure, it sucked when Fish got ejected for sticking it to Scola, but the Rockets’ needed to be put in their place. They came into this series with an air of overconfidence. There is no humble pride about Houston, and that is observable in their cocky line-up headed by Ron Artest, who by the way, looks like the biggest tool with that mohawk adorned with the Rockets’ logo.
The only player on that team that doesn’t reek of a false sense of accomplishment is Yao Ming, who left Game 3 limping on a sore ankle (a potential bonus for the Lakers in Game 4?). Despite the commentative remarks that Houston is one of the “best defensive teams in the league”, I would beg to differ.
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Upon stepping foot on Utah’s home court, it was obvious that the battle was mostly with the overzealous Jazz fans. “Hostile crowd” was a common phrase throughout our romp in Utah, but as passionate as fans can get for the home team, it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t step up and play the game.
After a disappointing defeat in Game 3, the Lakers came back with intensity to overcome the Jazz’s aggressive audience and head home for Game 5.
The Zen Master made a significant change in the line-up by starting Lamar Odom for Game 5 and Game 6 over Andrew Bynum, a good choice considering the fact that Bynum is definitely not at 100% yet. His average field goal percentage in the series against the Jazz was weak (a big man averaging only 5 points per game is not a good sign, especially in post-season), while Odom was averaging a double-double per game.
Although bringing Odom to the starting line for Game 4 and Game 5 might have been mere strategy, it will give Bynum the rest he needs to heal fully, so that when we head to the next series, Lamar can facilitate further for the bench, and Bynum can continue with Pau down low for some Twin Towers mayhem (you know you’re excited for Bynum to be back at his best).
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While watching the NBA Playoffs preview this week, a startling revelation began to form in my mind.
During the entire synopsis of the bracket conducted by ex-ball players/coaches/etc., our Los Angeles Lakers were only mentioned for about 10 minutes, and the dominant themes were Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. While the seasoned veterans bantered about the “sure things”, the “big comebacks”, and the teams to beat, it became more and more apparent that the Lakers’ arrival in the playoffs was not headline news.
Their presence in post-season is expected, and foreseen as no big surprise. A colleague brought up another speculation, “Where is all the magic this year?”, and to an extent, I have to agree. The Lakers of the 2007-2008 season sailed all the way to the Finals in quite possibly the most aggressive playoff race in NBA history. We rid ourselves of those that did not necessarily fit the “Laker mold” (for example, our fumbling friend Kwame Brown), and laid the foundation for what appeared to be another potential Laker Dynasty.
With the addition of Trevor Ariza and Pau Gasol, as well as, the re-signing of previous Laker great Derek Fisher, the concern surrounding Kobe’s departure from the Lakers began to subside. Despite a bumpy start, the new line-up quickly gained strength. Their growth as a team during this period brought a spark in the Lakers that I hadn’t seen in quite some time (I would say since Shaq left, but that is merely opinion).
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As the Lakers finally get their groove back after a grueling 7-game road trip, Laker fans received a pleasant surprise to begin the Nuggets game. Andrew Bynum, who has been out with a torn MCL since January 31st, was back in the starting line-up along with Kobe, Fisher, Ariza, and Gasol. It was somewhat shocking to see him dressed down, ready to play.
Phil Jackson and others have been highly publicizing his recovery, but I definitely didn’t anticipate a return prior to the playoffs!
Before game-time, Phil relayed to Bynum to take it easy, and “let the game come to him”. In 21 minutes of play, Bynum racked up 16 points and 7 boards, solid statistics for a center that was attempting to be ginger with a recovering injury all game. But Bynum wasn’t the only Laker cleaning up the glass. Pau Gasol conjured 19 rebounds against Denver, which brought him a new career-high.
Andrew’s arrival to the starting line once more bumped Lamar Odom, who has been a constant starter since Bynum’s injury, back down to second unit. The threat to his playing time was obviously taken to heart, because he came off the bench with the intensity of a player who wanted his starting slot back. As soon as he came in for Bynum in the first quarter, he hit a 3 pointer, blocked a shot, and was penetrating enough to draw contact and go to the line for some easy points. Definitely the type of pick-me-up Odom’s going to need to contribute early in games if Bynum still isn’t 100% by post-season.
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