Yes, everyone in the basketball world right now is talking about the Miami Heat and their fourth straight loss to a quality opponent. It happens, and I'm frustrated. We learned nothing new from Sunday's Heat loss at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. The Heat are disjointed, they've yet to play well together. Its the same song and dance we have been doing most of the season. People are really missing the relevant story.
Something else happened Sunday in San Antonio that was a lot more of a declaration to the NBA world than the Heat's defeat. In case you hadn't noticed, the Los Angeles Lakers actually showed up to play yesterday. Not only did they show up to play, they absolutely handed it to the San Antonio Spurs, the best team record-wise in the NBA. This game was more of a blowout than the 99-83 final score would even dictate. The Lakers led by 32 at one point in the 3rd quarter. They jumped out early and didn't let the Spurs back into the game.
Could it be that the LA Lakers that we've been waiting for all season have finally arrived? I've been hard on them for most of the NBA campaign, and I think rightfully so. The Lakers have looked very disinterested at times, they have very few big wins this season and haven't been the toast of the Western Conference. To be honest, they've been outplayed by both the Spurs and the Mavericks most of the way. However, that may finally be turning around. Not only did the Lakers jump out in front, the given circumstances of their victory were just that much more of a statement.
Kobe Bryant shot an efficient 48% from the floor, while still taking 25 shots. Overall, the Lakers shot 47% and only surrendered 6 turnovers against one of if not the best defense in the NBA. Their 26 assists made for a fantastic assist/turnover ratio of 4.33. In fact, LA looked like the defensive standard setters last night. San Antonio shot 36%. Tony Parker was their only starter in double figures. Ron Artest essentially deactivated Richard Jefferson, who had 1 point. Tim Duncan had a +/- of -29. On the other side, Andrew Bynum was big. He pulled down 17 rebounds.
The resounding victory also came on San Antonio's home floor, where the Spurs had won a franchise record 22 in a row. Furthermore, this wasn't a back-to-back for the Spurs, and they don't play again until Wednesday. There's no way they took the night off, let alone when you consider the fact this is a Gregg Popovich-Tim Duncan led team playing a major playoff competitor. The Lakers have now also won seven straight games and may be getting hot at the right time to make a statement and ride their wave into the playoffs.
Sunday was just the beginning of the Lakers getting their mettle tested though, they play the Heat, Mavericks, and Magic all within the next seven days. The Orlando game is the only home one. I think at least showing up with the same competitive fire to win these games is the statement the Lakers need to make to really prove themselves going into the playoffs. With that, they can really resolidify themselves as the ultimate force to be dealt with in a Western Conference that's seen them either lose their way or not take anything seriously all season.
Then again, they may not feel the need to prove their own ability to themselves. Maybe Sunday was enough, maybe they think they can just continue to cruise their way into the playoffs and then turn it on. With most teams, I wouldn't subscribe to that theory, but after a night like last night, the Lakers may have convinced me they are capable of just that sort of thing. If nothing else, the contrast of the three games the Lakers and Spurs have played this season really draws me to the idea of a Lakers-Spurs 7 game series this May.
What's the baseline?
The Lakers haven't gone anywhere, they've just been taking it easy, a luxury that they may actually have and utilize. People have questioned the Lakers ability to come back and win a third straight Western Conference Title, and rightfully so. They've looked lackadaisical all season. After a night like last night though, I think its fair to say the Lakers are far from dead in the water. Watch them this week. It will say a lot about their team.
No comments:
Post a Comment