I’ve got good news and bad news.
First, the good: the Lakers worked all season to earn home court throughout the Western Conference playoffs, and now, they need it. There have been 101 seventh games in NBA history, and the home team has won 81 and lost only 20. The Lakers will be big favorites to win on Sunday, and if they do, they’ll have home court again in the conference finals against Denver.
The Nuggets have become kind of the "hip" pick now, with ABC’s Mark Jackson to become the latest expert to jump on Denver (Charles Barkley did it last week). But the facts are that the Lakers have had Denver’s number over the past few years, beating the Nuggets all seven times they met last year, and three out of four this season. If the Lakers can get to the next round, I’m sticking with LA.
Now, the bad news: the Lakers just aren’t right. I have no explanation as to how a team that beat the Rockets by 40 points on Tuesday could look so bad two days later. I wrote in my last blog that it’s common for a good team to take a few games off, even during the post season. But two games in four days? Against a team that is missing its’ two best players?
There is no other way to look at this other than to say that the Lakers are broken. I know that the Celtics needed seven games to beat both Atlanta and Cleveland last year on their way to a title. But it’s not the fact that the Lakers are losing that is bothering me. It’s how they’re losing.
Andrew Bynum played 19 minutes in game six and scored zero points. Pau Gasol played 43 minutes and was outscored by Luis Scola, 24 to 14. Aaron Brooks, playing mostly against Derek Fisher, outscored him 26 to 2. Other than Kobe Bryant, the Lakers can’t seem to score, or stop the Rockets from scoring. They’ve lost three of six games to Houston after winning all four meetings during the year.
It’s almost as if they are mentally exhausted, which I hope isn’t true. I have no idea what is going to happen on Sunday, but I will tell you this: I won’t be surprised by anything.
Enough of NOT blaming Kobe Bryant! He has stated that this is His team. He is the leader of the team. Yet he continues to pick and choose when and where he will take over the game. How about at the first tip-off? Make your presence known that from the top that the game has to go through number 24? This crap that he is ready is all crap. Take charge when youg et on the plane. Or when you leave the lockerroom at the Staples!. Be a leader. at every moment, not at the 6 minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Posted by: mitchell tabaldo | 05/15/2009 at 11:07 AM
If Derek Fisher don't come from the bench, I agree they will loose to Denver, may be they may even loose game seven with Rockets.
Posted by: tt | 05/15/2009 at 01:21 PM
Yes, I'm glad we have home court on Sunday! I thought this series would be done by now. I watched every single game this season. It hurts to see this team play sometimes. They always keep you for entertainment. I know lots of people are embarass that the Lakers have no energy or heart to play, but I really do think the Lakers would like to win at home. This team has to find some consistency or somewhat rhythm. Are we expecting too much from this Lakers team??? I know basketball is a game of runs. I just didn't know it could get really ugly. I still have faith in L.A. to get it done!!Please tell Fisher not to wear the Headband!
Posted by: Rina | 05/15/2009 at 01:46 PM
All I can say about dealing with the present laker squad is to be patient.
I think the Lakers will win Game 7 the same way they did Game 5. I also think that Nuggets-Lakers series will definitely be 6 games and probably 7 games. Will the lakers have enough gas for Cleveland?
Posted by: Mohammed | 05/15/2009 at 09:02 PM