Matt On Sports

I Love To Hate 'Em...

Posted by Dave Hanna

Up 2-0, the series may not go past game 5. Last year, after the Spurs knocked the Lakers out there were vows that they would be back. Both Shaq and Kobe reacted emotionally after being eliminated. One got the sense they would be back with a vengeance. With the off-season moves, Shaq in particular boasted about having an arsenal now. It seemed the old "diesel" would be back! All of that now seems long in the past. A team that many thought would easily capture the title this year is only two games away from facing elimination in the second round. A team that has three possibly four (five if you count the coach) hall of famers on it wasn't even favored going into this series (Spurs were -140 favorites). What's wrong with the Lakers then? - Desire. Only Karl Malone is playing with any passion. Shaq had an impressive game 2, but he is not the monster Shaq of yesteryear. There were no growls or fist pumping. Just a workman like performance, which was good, but not eclectic. Contrast that with Parker, who is making this series his own personal reality show, and you get my point. - Kobe. He has had a mediocre playoffs as far as Kobe standards go. Yes he did make some big shots against Houston and had that 3rd quarter in game 1 against the Spurs, but the reality is he has been held in check most of the way. Houston's double teams and Bowens defense have made Kobe work far harder than he is used to. He has not responded and was a non-factor in game 2. Kobe of course has a lot of issues. Forgetting his rape trial for a moment, the one more subtle issue is where Kobe is going to be playing next year. Is his heart really into this team? I don't think it is. - Coaching. You can buy into Jackson's 9 rings or not. I don't buy it. He is good at getting his big ego stars to play but he is not an X’s and O’s guy. Van Gundy proved once again why he is one of the games elite coaches, coming within two baskets of taking a 3-1 lead against the Lakers in round 1. If Gundy had smarter players, the Lakers could have been sitting at home right now. You can see the Spurs have a game plan when they play, you don't see any real plan with the Lakers. Its either pound the ball down low to Shaq or let Kobe create. Defense? Oh that is next. - Defense. The only reason game 2 got close is the Spurs shot under 30% in the 3rd quarter. This was not due to the Lakers’ defense, most of these shots were wide open off the pick and roll. The problem was they were shooting 3 pointers and you simple can't expect to shoot 61% from that far. The misses combined with a mini outburst by Payton got the Lakers back in it. But it was only a matter time before the Spurs clamped down like they did in game 1. The Lakers cannot stop Parker. Duncan can score whenever he wants too and the other role players all get wide-open looks. Malone and Payton are simply too slow to match the defensive effort of the Spurs, and Shaq only will give you so much, that is if he makes it down the court in time. Kobe has to work so hard on the offensive end that he does not have the energy for defense. If defense wins Championships, the Spurs are going to win back-to-back titles. It doesn't seem fair to talk about the Lakers. After all it is the Spurs who are up two games to none! But the Lakers are the glamour team here. They are the team with the bigger stars. They are the team you either love or love to hate. Personally I love to hate them. My only worry now is who do I cheer for or against after the Lakers are eliminated?

May 7th, 2004

Dave Hanna is a regular contributor and Junoir Writer for Matt_On_Sports.com