Can the Los Angeles Lakers retain their Crown this year?
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in the history of NBA. Boasting a total of 16 NBA World Championships and some of the finest players
in the league over the years, the Lakers have become a dynasty; few in the sporting world can match. At the close of this regular season, they stand on the brink of a 2nd three-peat under legendary coach Phil Jackson. Jackson and the Lakers already
have their name etched in the history of basketball, but will there be another feather added in their combined illustrious cap?
One would have to be a brave soul to bet against it. At present, the Lakers are armed with one of, if not the best, rosters in the league. They have a balance about
them, one that not many other teams in the league possess. In Kobe Bryant they have the best player of his generation. Kobe may have had his critics over the years, but with time the ‘Black Mamba’ has silenced them all and has become the one player, who can
actually be compared to the iconic Michael Jordan himself.
In Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum, the Lakers have two prolific big men, who can not only take the game right to the throats of the opposition but, also give the Lakers
the sort of post protection that could prove decisive in the playoffs. The rest of the defense is marshaled by Bryant himself, ably supported by the likes of Derek Fisher and Ron Artest, who was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2003-2004.
On the offensive end, the Lakers boast of a unit that has intimidating presence on the inside and good shooters on the parameter. Lamar Odom is a reliable scoring
outlet and the brilliant Kobe Bryant can virtually turn a game on its head anytime. All of this, points to a potentially unstoppable mix of talent, ability, flair and execution. The Lakers’ 55-25 record in the league this season, which propelled them to 2nd
place in the Western Conference, is a sheer testament to that very fact.
What the stats fail to tell us though is that this team has looked uninterested and not really up for the games often this season. However, it has become a sort of
custom for the Lakers. They like to keep a low profile throughout the regular season, but once they get the sight of the playoffs, they literally become a perpetual juggernaut.
The Lakers main weakness though seems to be a quick, explosive point guard unlike their major rivals Boston Celtics. The Celts have a lethal weapon in the form of
Rajon Rondo. However, in the Western Conference, only San Antonio Spurs seem to be a rival that can trouble them and they have seen off their challenge often before. The free scoring Dallas Mavericks could also stretch them but the Mavericks always seem to
fail in the playoffs.
The East can provide tough competition. A number of teams there have championship pedigree. The Boston Celtics are the reigning Eastern Conference Champions. Miami
have the star power of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Orlando Magic are led by the powerful Dwight Howard. Then there’s the case of the sensational Derrick Rose and his resurgent Chicago Bulls who look like the best team in the league right now.
Barring Boston though, none of these teams have the big game experience that the Lakers possess. They have been there before; they know what it’s all about. If Boston
doesn’t win the Eastern Playoffs, the Lakers will face a team that is new to the finals. In that situation, this team full of veterans who are multiple time NBA Champions already, will be at a distinct advantage. Teams coming to the Finals for the 1st
time can often crack under the pressure.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson has also provided his team with an extra motivation to win this year. The legendary coach, who is looking for an unbelievable 4th
three-peat, is set to retire this year and the players are ultra-motivated to send him off with another Championship ring. Kobe and Fisher have publicly expressed their desire in this regard.
This Lakers team has the tools, it has the know-how. In Kobe it has the star and in Phil Jackson’s pending retirement, they have the motivation. As stated earlier,
it would take a brave soul to bet against them.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and has nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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