Season Over for LA

Another Lakers season ends in disappointment. The Suns, once again, dominated in game 5. Nash did not play his best, but the Suns played like a solid team. Stoudemire played well, Barbosa was huge off the bench, and Marion played his game. The Lakers came out soft. They looked defeated before they even tipped off. Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom came to play, but that was about it. Defense was lacking and the Suns took advantage. Bryant and the Lakers complained on every call which frustrating me. I am sick of seeing the players complain, especially when they have to get back on defense as fast as possible with the Suns running offense. It was a disappointing end to a frustrating season.

One can only hope the Lakers organization makes many personnel adjustments. Kobe needs another by his side or the Lake show is going to be in the same place next year. Phil's last season better end well or he might be gone and the Lakers may collapse with Mitch Kupchak in the front office. Jerry West is available...maybe a West/Laker reunion?

The Awakening

The last few weeks have been depressing. I have not been able to maintain my writing because of it. I was so sick to my stomach; the last thing I wanted to think about was the terrible play of the Los Angeles Lakers. Tonight, the Lakers have awakened which in turn created an awakening in me as well. Discussing the past would be pointless. The new team that emerged tonight was the team that has been on the side of the milk carton since late December. The deep and impressively ranked team that dominated has returned from hibernation. Kobe Bryant dropped 45, Lamar Odom threw in 18 points and grabbed 16 boards, and Kwame Brown had several crucial dunks in the 3rd quarter to add to his 19 points in the game. More importantly than the scoring from other players other than Kobe, the team defense is what allowed the Lakers to get back in this game. Holding the Suns to 89 points is incredible. Success in game three was crucial to shift the momentum.

Game four will be equally as important. In order for LA to win, they must continue to have balanced scoring and great team defense. I look to see Luke Walton come out and have double figures and Smush Parker will be looking to break out of his slump. Parker had some crucial fourth quarter minutes in game three that will boost his confidence for the rest of the series.