Los Angeles Lakers
It’s feels like it’s been a long playoff series. Even though they didn’t go 7 games, after some of their losses, I’m sure I wasn’t the only Lakers fan to wonder if they were goin to make it. After their last loss, I was thinking there was a pretty good chance there was going to be a game 7 in LA. But last night, the Lakers looked good. They reminded me of the team we have seen this season. Durring the playoffs, we only saw a glimpse of what the Lakers are capable of. Everyone seemed to have bad nights and struggle with bad shots and free throws. The only question was who or how many of them were going to have a bad night. But last night, we saw what the Lakers can do, when they are all playing, like we know they can. I was particularly happy to see D. Fish nail his shots. It’s been a while since he has had a good night and if you’ve followed the Lakers over the years, you know what Fisher is capable of. It wasn’t so long ago that he hit the clutch shots, at the end, that won it for them. And Lamar Odoom was looking good as he brought it to the hole and was even smiling. Lamar anf Pau both scored 20 points. Even Luke Walton was hitting his shots, including a long jumper in the forth, that I thought was a 3 pointer, but turned out to be a 2. And Shannon Brown should be given a lot of credit. The Lakers had a comfortable lead most of the game. However, towards the end of the 3rd, it looked like the momentum had shifted and Denver was making quite a run and catching up fast. Then Phil sent in Shannon Brown, and he scored and it was as if the Lakers were re-energized and put the Nuggets run to an end. And what can you say about Kobe. If it wasn’t for him, the Lakers wouldn’t even smell victory this late in the season. Kobe showed why he should have been the MVP this year. He was constantly talking to his teammates like he was their coach, offering up advice when ever needed. At one point, Pau was on the ground after he took a hard foul. Kobe leaned over to Pau who was still on the ground, one could only guess what he was saying but it was probably related to not getting mad, but getting even and hit his next 2 free throws.
After the game, the Nuggets coach, George Karl, was quoting as saying “I think Jesus would have had a hard time guarding Kobe.” While on the subject of George Karl, I might feel some pity for Denver, if it wasn’t for some of Karl’s remarks. Most notably, when he was complaining about the calls the refs were making, or not making. Blaming the loss on the ref’s is pretty lame and it sends your team the wrong message. If you want to win, figure out what your team can improve upon and don’t waste time complaining about “bad” or “non” calls. There was plenty of times Denver wasn’t called for fouls too. I saw Kobe get fouled plenty of times and the whistle never sounded. The Lakers won this last game because they out played the Nuggets, plain and simple. Maybe Karl should look at the score again, 92-119. They didn’t just lose, they got beat bad. How many bad calls do you need to get beat like that?
This was a win the whole team can be proud of. Everyone contributed and when they do, it leads to victory. And victory was on Pau Gasol’s mind.
This is the Laker team that can win the championship. This is the team I’ve been waiting to see, the team we’ve all needed. A team, worthy of being called The World Champions. When Kobe can count on the rest of the team, and they are knocking them down, the Lakers are unstopable. Let’s hope this is the Laker team that shows up Thursday and for the rest of the games, and their bi-polarism was cured. What would be more fitting for them to win another championship on this, their 30th trip to the finals. Phil can finaly have a ring for all of his digits and become the coach with the most championships, ever.
