Consider this:
The Lakers dominated the Celtics at times. They won two games, should have won Game Four, and could have won Game Two in Boston, almost coming all the way back from the same deficit the Celtics came back from in Game Four.
Unfortunately, timing can seem like everything, and they played one of their worst games of the season in Game Six, and that is what people will remember.
Doesn't it seem as if Game Six was an untimely aberration, rather than a basis for analyzing the entire series? Isn't the more insightful question to ask why they were not able to play at a high level throughout the series, rather than dismissing them as no match for the Celtics?
Recall the Game One loss in 1985, 148-114. The loss was just as bad, but the timing was a lot better.
Next year, with the return of Andrew Bynum, the Lakers are a clear favorite to return to the NBA finals. His return will allow Pau Gasol to move back to power forward, which is his true position. The Lakers must also decide whether to trade or keep Lamar Odom, who in the NBA finals showed his true weakness, shooting.
The key to winning a title next year for the Lakers will be their ability
to play defense which they lacked against Boston.
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3 months ago
great article. you showed a true premise as a writer.
3 months ago
The Lakers lost because they couldn't get the rebounds.
But yeah, defensively, they've got a lot of lapses.
I've seen the Lakers play really good defense at some stages in the series. They were able to make stops but, unable to corral the ball from the opponent. That eventually diminishes your chances, and against the Celtics, it did, totally, fully, unfortunately.
That weakpoint was apparently pre-exposed during the Jazz series. But the Jazz are no Celtics. And luck didn't go the Laker way in the finals.
A quality center would have done it all for the Lakers.
Bynum's return would surely be a spark. But they still need to have a veteran big to back Gasol and Bynum up. Bynum is great, but you know, the guy still hasn't played for a full season and lacks experience.
We need more reinforcement. Brian Skinner is available. I hope Mitch thinks about all these.
3 months ago
I argree but Brian Skinner is not the answer. The lakers however need a lockdown defender shall id are say ron artest???
3 months ago
I AM A LAKER FAN BUT WILL ADMIT ......................
THE CELTICS ARE A LOT BETTER THAN THE LAKERS. PERIOD....PERIOD.
THEY CAME BACK FROM A 24 POINT DEFICIT AND WON.
THEY KICKED OUR ASS BY 39 POINTS IN GAME 6
BOSTON'S PLAYERS SUCH AS PERKINS AND RONDO WERE PLAYING HURT.
RAY ALLEN HAD FAMILY ISSUES.
BLAH..BLAH..BLAH...ADMIT IT WE LOST...SO SHUT UP AND LIVE WITH IT.
3 months ago
Yeah, I just don't see the Lakers as being even close to the team the Celtics are. I think it's wishful thinking when you say they "dominated". They had stretches, yeah, but this series was in the bag before it started. No consistent "D".
Also, I wouldn't count on Bynum being the "savior". From everything I've read, he had only 8 weeks of good play. Kendrick Perkins owned him during the reg. season too.
Lakers have A LOT of work to do. Plus, they need to worry about the Hornets, Jazz, and upcoming Blazers!
3 months ago
Here's what Bynum brings for the Lakers (and they could have used this in the finals):
Interior defense: all those layups would have at least been cut in half. Interior defense takes the pressure of perimeter defenders and makes for a more intimidating and effective defense
Interior offense: Bynum establishing an effective inside presence now frees up Pau Gasol who now does have to deal with a bulky center keeping him from scoring and Odom as well. Not to mention, when you have to worry about those three-- Kobe can now truly dominate as a timely scorer
Imagine all that in the finals. Bynum is not the savior, but he IS thier true center and he's pretty good and he would have made a huge difference. With Bynum, the Lakers are a way better defensive and rebounding team...which is what they lacked the latter half the season and in the finals and STILL almost won it all.
Who cares about the other teams next year. The Lakers handled the best of them last season and will definitely do it again this year
Celtics vs. Lakers '09 -- watch!
3 months ago
i think you are right that people are focusing more on game six, then the entire series, or the lakers' entire season. but you could also look at the final this way - the celtics won game 1, were up 24 with six minutes left in game 2, lost a close game 3 on the road when two of their best players didn't play well, dominated the lakers in the second half of game 4, lost a close game five on the road, and dominated game six. i think the sky is falling mentality some have with the lakers is a major over-reaction. i think the celtics are the better team. but the lakers need a few minor tweaks, nothing major. if bynum is healthy, and they can find a true small forward who can defend and make open shots, they become to many the clear favorite next year.
3 months ago
I agree with you stew they do need a true small forward because Lamar Odom cannot shoot well enough to play the position and the Lakers need another lock down shooter.
3 months ago
Man, if the Lakers could get Caron Butler back...Whew! There's your tough perimeter player right there.
3 months ago
all you bynum fans, just hold your horses bynum had a few good games. lets wait an see how he plays for a full season,before you decide how good he is.
2 months ago
Yup, Bynum will be key.
Now the Hornets look scary with Posey!!!!!!!!!!
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