Top Five Reasons The LA Lakers WON’T Win A NBA Title This Season

Regardless of LA winning on a buzzer-beater in Game Six at Oklahoma City to advance to round two of this year’s NBA Playoffs, the Lakers’ end is drawing near.

The Thunder almost rumpled three straight times at the Ford Center with LA in town, but last night’s nail-biter was not-to-be for OKC head coach Scott Brooks and his never give up team.

However, with Kevin Durant and his Thunder teammates nearly pushing Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers to the brink of elimination in the opening round, I highly doubt the reining champs will be winning another title in 2010.

From their arrogant attitudes to their constant complaining to their coach’s possible final stand in LA, the Lakers won’t be taking home a NBA Championship come season’s end.

And LA may be heading home not even representing the Western Conference if Bryant and his cocky counterparts continue playing the way they have been.

Let’s raise a glass to hoping that trend DOES continue; because I’d love nothing more than to see the reining NBA Champs be taken down (and the sooner, the better).

In fact, the joy I’d have as an avid sports fan may be even greater than watching owner Mark Cuban’s face when his Mavericks lost to the Spurs.

Can you imagine what head coach Phil Jackson will say if LA loses before the Finals?

Here’s five reasons why the Lakers won’t be making it back-to-backs in 2010...

1. LA Is Beatable, And They May Not Even Make It To The NBA Finals

Yes, you read that right.

As much as the NBA and commissioner David Stern may be having wet dreams about a Kobe Bryant against LeBron James matchup, it once again will not happen this season.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit to see LA fall in the West: whether that be to the Utah Jazz or the winner of the Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs series.

The Lakers are very much so beatable this year, and they’re beatable in the playoffs as well (someone just needs to teach them a lesson and beat them at Staples Center).

Will that someone be the Utah Jazz? Phoenix Suns? San Antonio Spurs?

I don’t care who it is, as long as it’s not LA advancing to this year’s NBA Finals; and what’s so exciting to me is that the Lakers have proven time and time again that they are beatable in 2010.

Although Utah is just 1-3 against LA this year, hopefully they can bring some underdog musical magic to Staples Center when the Lakers and Jazz begin their series matchup tomorrow afternoon on ABC.

Can the Jazz knock off the Lakers and send Bryant, Jackson and company home for the summer?

Absolutely, especially in a Western Conference that reminds me more of NCAA basketball every single day: with so-called upsets occurring on a seemingly yearly basis in the NBA’s elite conference.

It will take a lot to take down the defending champs.

But it can definitely happen…

2. Round Two Upset Alert: Yes, Call Me Crazy But I Am Cheering For Utah

Maybe 2010 is finally the year for Carlos Boozer and the Utah Jazz to get past Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers.

As mentioned in the prior slide, the Jazz may be just 1-3 against the Lakers this year, but at least Utah has beat LA once (which is more than some teams can say).

Utah also appears to be much stronger this season compared to 2009, and they may even be primed for a run at the Western Conference Finals if they can bring their A-game to LA’s Staples Center tomorrow afternoon for Game One.

Plus, will year number three be a lucky charm for the Utah Jazz?

After being knocked out of the NBA Playoffs the past two years by LA, the Jazz are due a win in this conference rivalry.

I can’t believe I am actually admitting this as a Houston sports addict, but I’ll be cheering for the Utah Jazz this postseason for the very first time in my entire life…

3. Even If They Get Past Jazz, Spurs Still Stand In LA’s Way In West

No matter what you may read, the San Antonio Spurs will be facing the winner of the Utah Jazz vs. LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

And the Spurs have a damn good chance of taking down LA (if Utah can’t).

As much as I may personally dislike Mark Cuban and the Mavericks, Dallas had a really good team this year; and San Antonio took them down.

The Spurs can (and will) do the same thing to the Lakers in 2010.

This year especially, San Antonio has a spark unlike anything I’ve seen in prior Spurs’ clubs; and they’re on a mission to win it all.

So, even if Kobe Bryant and company manage to somehow squeak by Carlos Boozer and the Jazz, they still have the big three in San Antonio (plus a superb bench and team of remarkable role players) and head coach Gregg Popovich standing in their way.

And if that ends up being the case, here’s all I can say: goodbye, LA…

4. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson’s Final Year In LA Will Be Title-Less

This very well may be head coach Phil Jackson’s final year at the helm of the LA Lakers; and if that’s the case, he’ll be heading elsewhere without a title on his resume in 2010.

I know a lot of people have a lot of praise for Jackson and his coaching ways, but I just don’t see it.

Not only do I rarely see Jackson doing much coaching at all, but he’s always had a superstar and a group of overrated co-stars on every team he’s ever coached.

That may change in 2011 (and I’m sure his record next season may prove that he doesn’t have a star on his new team); regardless of where he goes after this year, mark my words: Jackson won’t be bringing home a NBA Title to LA this season.

From over-hype to arrogant attitudes, Jackson and the Lakers will be heading home with empty hands come season’s end…

5. The Entire Team Complains Every Time They Are Called For A Foul

… And no whiners like that deserve to win a NBA Championship, especially a group of so-called men led by a so-called star like Kobe Bryant.

Are we certain, in fact, that Ron Artest is even human; let alone a “man?”

I digress.

The point of the slide is LA’s constant complaining; and you won’t have to look far to find it.

Next time you are watching the Lakers play, just WATCH.

Every single time a foul is whistled on LA, there’s an immeasurable amount of argument from almost every player on the hardwood (and Kobe Bryant likes to get involved almost like clock-work).

It’s time for someone to take down the LA whiners; Bryant and his hated Lakers need a wake-up call, and I’d love nothing more than a summertime Christmas gift from any team in the Western Conference…

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Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]