Big, bad Lakers are back

By Patrick O'Neill Sports Central Columnist

Lock your doors. Put your children to bed. Why? Because the big, bad Lakers are back. In fact, the giants of the West didn't go anywhere at all. They've been here all along, going through the motions and lying in wait. Somewhere between all the public doubt and the defiling of Shaquille O'Neal's 20,000th-point ball, this sleeping giant of the Western conference finally awoke from hibernation and it's mad as hell.

When a team struggles, no matter how good they are, people begin to doubt them. Two months ago, many highly esteemed sports writers doubted they could win the West. Some even doubted if they could win a series or even get in for that matter. Gentlemen, in all the hoopla, you forgot one thing -- we're talking about Shaq and Kobe Bryant who, when motivated, are unstoppable.

It's understandable that people want to see parity in this league, which makes it easy to hate the Lakers. Hate them all you want, but whatever you do, don't count them out. These is the three-time defending NBA champions we're talking about. The Kings and Spurs are phenomenal clubs with all the talent in the world, but they are not champions nor will they be this year.

People's doubts about the Lakers center around the fact that they have no supporting cast, and in truth it isn't very impressive. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Shaq and Kobe have been surrounded by this same supporting cast throughout their championship run, and it hasn't stopped them before. The hope dwindles even further for the rest of the league when you consider that the supporting cast is hitting their stride. That's right, these also-rans are beginning to contribute around their two superstars.

Over the past 10 games, the Lakers are 8-2. In those past those games, they have dismantled Dallas twice, taken care of Phoenix and Houston who are clawing and scratching foe every win they can get, and most recently rocked the Kings. What makes it so impressive is the way the "spare parts" have played during this span.

Most notable of the group has been Derek Fisher, who has been averaging over 12 points a game and five assists during the run. On the defensive end, he has averaged over two steals a game, which included two 5-steal performances.

Devean George has really stepped up his game during the run, averaging seven points and almost five boards a night. He dropped in 15 against Phoenix and led the way the next night against the Mavs, contributing 21.

Crafty veterans Robert Horry and Rick Fox continue to just cruise along and play their part. They have combined to average 15 points over the last 10, highlighted by Fox's 16 and Horry's 17 and 10 rebounds in an April 8th victory over the reeling Mavs. During this span, the foursome has averaged nearly 35 a night and have been playing more inspired ball.

We haven't even begun to talk about the big two, because they continue to do what has come to be expected of them -- dominate. Shaq is the most dominating player in the history of the NBA. The key word is dominant, he may not be the best of all-time, but no one from any era has been as physically dominant as him. It is easy for a player to get disinterested when you win as much as he has, and earlier this season, this appeared to be true. He wasn't in shape, and a lot of nights it appeared he may have been dogging it.

Now, however, he has purpose, he is an angry man, and the Kings are the targets of that anger. There is no way Shaq will allow his team to lose to Sacramento and Shaq's will is stronger than Chris Webber's or Mike Bibby's. He now has more motivation to win than any year since his first title win, because for the first time, he has a real rival and the Kings are a legitimate threat.

Over the past 10, he's averaging 29 points and 11 boards, and is clearly ready for the playoffs. Kobe continues to play amazing ball beside the big guy. He has averaged an unconscious 27-7-5.5 line over the last 10 games. Kevin Garnett has been phenomenal and Tim Duncan is as good as it gets, but this year, Bryant has just gone about his job and been outstanding. Quite simply, it's MVP time for the worthy star.

The bottom line is that the Lakers will either play the Mavs, Timberwolves, or Trailblazers in the opening-round. Before Don Nelson, Flip Saunders, and Mo Cheeks go to bed tonight, they should be sure to say a little prayer and hope they don't draw the Lake Show or it will be a quick exit for their squads.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.