After reading the Hoopsworld.com article about my Lakers, I got to thinking about defining moments. It's hard to keep these moments in your memory when we are innundated with so much visual content. As I was reading the article, I'm thinking, yeah, we got the pieces, but can we get over the hump this year and win it all. All of factors come to mind....Stars are born in the playoffs, health, the bench, home court advantage....I love our squad, but can we do it? Can we do it with the talent, or will we have to rely on the unparalled will, heart, and desire of a superstar? There is only one bona-fide superstar on the Lakers, let's make no mistake in that. Paul Gasol is a great, great player. This year's playoffs can make him a superstar. The defining moment that came to mind for me is Game 7, 2000 Western Conference Finals....down by sixteen, getting thumped, Kobe going 1 on 4, Nicholson's pissed, Laker Nation is HEATED, those jerks Pippen, Sheed, and S.Smith smirking and talking 'ish...then Shaq dove into crowd to get a loose ball, and then it started...scratching, gnawing....and then it happened...."The Lob". In my mind, that play does right down there with "The Catch", "The Drive", or any other famous "The......" that exists...here's a tight reminder of the good ole days to get you ready...everybody in LA start putting the flags on the whips now!.....I am so ready for this I can taste it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY06eaFaplw&NR=1
Seriously though, no body is winning diddley this year unless the celtics manage to choke. The championship goes through Boston in 08, hate to say it but their team is made for championship. Lakers still young, I love our chances next year.
On the surface, you are right, but if you look at it...all the Cs are really "guaranteed" is the east. If I remember correctly, KG, PP, and Ray haven't won jack yet. The stakes are higher obviously in the playoffs, so I am thinking this is one of those anything can happen years...I can easily see the Cs being thoroughly frustrated with the plodding, consistent, boring, winning Spurs. Pressure and expectations are X factors that no one can really quantify. Thanks for your comments!
The Celtics are solid but, again, I have to remind everyone that this current Celtics unit has never been together for a playoff run before. Even if it's just the East.
On the other hand, teams like Detroit, the Lakers, and San Antonio have nuclei that have gone through the wars over the last several years. That's a huge intangible that one cannot overlook.
Look at the Lakers of 2003-04. They brought in Mailman and The Glove, had a top seed in the West, and lost in the Finals because they did not know how to overcome adversity since they hadn't gone through it before with that particular group of core players.
It's going to be Lakers or Spurs vs. Pistons in the Finals as much as we'd like to see Lakers-Celtics.
We'll have to wait til next year for the leprechaun to go to Hollywood.
I think the Celtics are the favorite, but
I also think my Lakers can beat ANYONE when rolling. If Mr. Momentum is wearing purple and gold, there WILL be another parade down Figueroa THIS year (and the next few years) The health of our bigs will also be a determining factor, although I don't forsee the chemistry or "blending in" of Gasol and Drew as a problem.(most others do) They're like peanut butter and jelly. I know they haven't played a minute on the court together, but, as a pick-up basketball player, I just know, that when it works, it just works...period. Their styles should blend seamlessly. Gasol isn't a true post player...Drew is. Gasol is a great 8 to 16 foot jump shooter and passer who roams AROUND the basket area, he doesn't fit the typical power foward mold. In contrast, Drew IS a true center...back to the basket, low post guy, who in the end may be Hakeem like with his post moves (if he develops a sky-hook it's ####ing OVER). Lamar is an "in the shadows" player that should compliment both the trees perfectly. The rebounding possibilities are UNREAL. This team is dangerous...if not this year, the next five WILL bring a few rings. Hurry back Andrew...the FANS love you.
LAKERS IN JUNE.
Don't count out the Spurs yet either.
Last edited by BleedPRPL&GLD on April 4th at 4:16 PM.
OK folks...no, that's not me. It's my granddad, RIP. I look nothing like him, except for the nose, which EVERY member of my family has the same one....
