After A Disappointing Loss

Are they Lakers finished? Is there any way for them to come back from this? Can they dig themselves out of this hole that they dug? Can they come back from a 3-1 deficit? Or is it all over for our golden team? These are some of the questions I mulled over the days that followed Game 4. I have complete faith that the Lakers can still win the championship, but words can't express how difficult it will be for them to bounce back from this tragedy. It's improbable, but not impossible.

Before I talk about my issues with this game, I would first like to congratulate the Boston Celtics for finally beating the Lakers this series. They won Game 4 after they were down by 24 points in the third quarter. They did a really good job locking down the Lakers. But they also had help from the Lakers. they practically handed the game over. They had a 24 point lead halfway through the game, but just lost that Laker fire that they always had at their arsenal. I couldn't believe what was happening as I watched them slowly but surely lose that comfortable advantage they managed to place themselves in the first and second quarter. One of the issues that haunted the Lakers in the last couple of years was their inescapable ability to lose a very comfortable lead. I haven't seen them do much of that this year, especially after acquiring of Pau Gasol, but the moment they felt they had the win, they just as quickly lost it. I still don't fully understand how they did it, but it hurt me tremendously as I sat there and watched them bury themselves in a 3-1 hole that is very hard to get out of.

As much as I am disappointed with this loss, and with their second half performance in Game 4, I still have a lot of confidence that they can seriously win this series. They have the talent, the have the leadership, and they have an MVP performer at their disposal. Phil Jackson might just be one of the greatest coaches of all times. He has the respect and attention of the entire Laker squad. I really believe he can lead them to victory. The weapons that the Lakers have are uncountable. Sasha Vujacic has had good games and bad games, but has been the most reliable off the bench in the playoffs and throughout the year. His main issue is consistency. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol have been the most disappointing to me this series. Pau Gasol irritates me with his unaggressive style of play. He has to use the anger and frustration he has during these games to his advantage, otherwise they will be his and the Lakers' downfall. Lamar Odom, to me, has not been as disappointing as I have heard from other fans. He has made minor mistakes, but his biggest issue has been staying out of foul trouble. The only other big issue for me has been the continual play and appearance of Luke Walton. I seriously despise Luke Walton. I feel he brings nothing with him on the court at all. After every game, his main stats are fouls and turnovers. I had hoped that after Trevor Ariza came back from his injury, Walton would see more of the bench. My hopes were obviously in vain, as I see more of Walton than anyone should. 

The last, final, and most important piece of this Laker team is of course Kobe Bryant. What can I say about Kobe Bryant that has not been said about the greatest basketball players of all times. He is the best, hands down. He has to find a way to continue playing how he did in the Staples Center, only do that in the Boston stadium. He plays tremendously well at home, virtually unstoppable. And it's not just his individual performance that puts the Lakers on top, it's his team play. If the Celtics somehow find a way to stop Bryant, which usually involves three to four Celtic players, Kobe has a tremendous 6th sense for finding the open man. The big key for Bryant to finish off this series is for him to keep driving to the basket. He is incapable of missing lay-ups, no matter who stands in front of him. When they crowd the middle after he drives, he can easily find the open man for the three-point shot, or the cut man for an easy lay-up or dunk. They've played extremely well all season, and if they want to take the cake, they have to keep that style of play up and remain unbeaten.

The Lakers have the ability to be the best, but they have to have the mindset of being the best. If they can do that, then they can't be beaten. Game 5 is on tonight, it's either win or go home for our Los Angeles Lakers.