Nov 24, 2000
NBA BASKETBALL on
InsideHoops.com - - - - -
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Los Angeles
Lethargic
By MICHAEL S. LEWIS
Los Angeles—Before the season even began, most
semi-intelligent basketball fans agreed that at the end of the season,
the Los Angeles Lakers would be standing atop the Pacific Division of the
Western Conference. Sure, Los Angeles would be challenged by the
Blazers, but in the end, the strength, energy and youth of the defending
champs would prove too much, even for a team as deep as Portland.
The first 10 games of the season have painted a
vastly different picture, however. The Lakers, at 6-4, are third
in the division behind the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
This year’s squad has definitely not come out of
the gates as hungry for wins as they did last year. Against West
Coast rivals like Sacramento the Lakers pulled out a squeaker in the final
moments of an over-time game (a game in which Kobe Bryant finally became
the hero he’s supposed be every night). But against teams of lower
caliber, the Lakers have tended to play at level far below championship
caliber.
In their November 19th game against the Chicago
Bulls, the Lakers edged out a team in a contest that should have been “no-contest.”
Los Angeles’ play prompted even Shaquille O’Neal to say, “We should have
blown this team away. We played down to their level.” Horace Grant
added, “The energy level is low right now, I don’t know why.”
The truth is, no one knows why. With seven-eighths
of the season to go, it doesn’t bode well for the Lakers’ fortunes if they
are already experiencing fatigue. If it’s lack of motivation or even
injury that’s making Los Angeles look like they’re playing in slow motion,
we all may see why dynasties like the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics
are so uncommon.
One thing is for sure - with teams like Sacramento,
Phoenix and Portland in their division, the Lakers can little afford to
let up. They may have won last year, but this year is no sure thing.
If Shaquille is slowed by an injury, players like
Grant, Bryant, Rider and Harper need to step up. In order for Kobe
Bryant to assert himself as a real NBA force, he needs to be able to break
out O’Neal’s shadow from time to time. Phil Jackson knows how important
these kinds of performance will be to his young shooting guard’s confidence,
his career, and the strength of the team.
When the Bulls made their first charge at the NBA
championships, Jackson would constantly test the team by taking Jordan
out at critical junctures of games throughout the season. This strategy
allowed Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant to develop into the kinds of players
able to operate well even in the absence of their legendary teammate.
Jackson needs to find someway to work the same
magic with the Lakers. Right now, smelling salts might do the trick,
or a splash of cold water in the face. If he doesn’t come up with
something soon, the Lakers are going to be looking up at more than just
Phoenix and Sacramento. There are many other teams that have no problem
with defending champs playing down to their level.
