If I was a betting man, I would refrain from mocking the Los Angeles Lakers and getting them upset. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Sunday. There has been some heated words exchanged since the 2009 championship series. Some of the laker players called the Orlando Magic team a bunch of puppies. The Orlando Magic team came out fighting and barking like pit bulls on Sunday. Especially, Matt Barnes with his physical play against Kobe Bryant. The Magic got some revenge from loosing the NBA title.
However, The three straight losses is something the Lakers have not experienced since Paul Gasol arrived a few years ago. There is a growing belief that Los Angeles Lakers is beatable and vulnerable. Other teams are starting to attack the interior, and finding ways to frustrate Paul Gasol and the Lakers front line. There is little doubt that Kobe Bryant is a superior player and playmaker. The last three games Kobe has taken 30 more shoots, and the Lakers has fallen in each game. I don't know if there is a correlation to Kobe shooting woes, but his teammates must be involved in order for the Lakers to repeat.
In addition, I think Kobe and the Lakers need to find some balance and flow to their offense. A lot of times the Lakers get caught up in watching Kobe perform. "It's like Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five". Sometime, Kobe is doing all the carrying and taking the tough shots.
Next, In the playoffs and loosing three straight can be a early exit for any team. The post season will be no problem for the Los Angeles Lakers to make. The Dallas Mavericks are three games behind and to prevent another loss, the Lakers must refocus there attention on defense and moving the ball around the horn a few times. The three losses could be contributed to toughness or some players are getting tired of being in the back seat. I know Paul Gasol, Bynum, Odom, and Artest would like more touches.
Also, It might help if Kobe start trusting his teammates more. Especially, since a lot of teams are doubling up on defense against Kobe, and forcing the ball out of his hands. Other Lakers have to be more assertive and not afraid to rub kobe the wrong way. Some players are afraid of upsetting the leader of the team. It will help if Paul Gasol start demanding the ball more often, and start showing more of a leadership roll. The Lakers are the Western Conference Elit team, and Denver and Dallas is a close second. There is no other team other than the Blazers and Nuggets that are close in talent. And sometime good teams become complacent and begin thinking they're invisible.
To conclude, A true Championship team will go back to the drawing board, and focus on the small tasks. It's the little things that make the difference in close games. I'm sure Kobe, Phil, and the Lakers organization understand the importance of being willing to sacrifice stats for exchange of a NBA title repeat. Everyone has to be aboard, and expect nothing less from the 15th man to Kobe Bryant. The ship must sail on the same path as last year. All Championship teams have there up's and down's. I know Kobe will find a way to achieve greatness again, and reclaim his title as Champion.
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Dewayne N Penney
Basketball Fanatic
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