Well the Lakers stumbled into the playoffs somehow and it certainly wasn’t because they earned it. The reason they secured a spot was probably due to the fact that Denver, the Clippers and Golden State don’t belong there either.
The team will enter game 1 (of the best of 7 series) with a healthy roster (unusual) and a hot shooting Kobe Bryant (not so unusual). So why are they playing some of their worst basketball of the season? If I knew the answer to that I’d probably be on their payroll.
If I look at the world realistically then I have to assume Phil Jackson knows a thing or two more than I do about the team. Of course looking at the world realistically would probably mean not caring about things like basketball but suffer with me for a bit..
Here are some reasons I have heard repeatedly as to why the Lakers are struggling:
- They haven’t been healthy all year and putting a full roster on the floor is causing chemistry problems
- Kobe and Llamar just can’t play together period.
- Kobe is losing faith in his teammates and as such has begun the cycle of not passing… teammates watching.. etc…
- They get paid too much and only want to do ‘C’ work in the first place
- They just don’t have the talent
- One thing is missing: Defense
Of course as go politics, so go sports… I’m sure you could make a huge list of arguments for and against each excuse listed above.
The bottom line however is that they just aren’t doing what needs to be done. Teammates all have pride as of course do coaches. Often winning something as a team means that a member (or more) of that team needs to put aside their personal goals in favor of the team goals.
In light of that, I completely support Phil’s decision to start Farmar at the point and bring the regular starter, Parker, off the bench. Parker seems to suffer from a willingness (or ability) to play defense and stop perimeter penetration which is exactly what is going to kill the Lakers in this series with the Suns.
Of course I don’t know if Parker is lax on defense because of a selfish motive … but Phil’s smart to turn personal pride (losing a starting position) into achieving a team goal.
Just my 2 cents - please chime in!
Update: BTW, my prediction before the series starts? The Suns in 6 games.
