Finals are child's play for L.A.
Maybe the real NBA finals was the classic seven-game series between the Lakers and Kings. Thus far in the actual finals, the Nets have not proven to be much competition for the two-time defending NBA champions. It appears as though the Lakers are well on their way to a three-peat.
By Jared Spinelli Sports Central Columnist
Child's play.
That's what the Lakers are feeling after Games 1 and 2 of the NBA finals. The New Jersey Nets simply are not putting up much of a fight.
Celtics coach Jim O'Brien said that the West would be in for a "rude awakening" in the Finals against the Nets... so far, O'Brien couldn't be much further from the truth. Truth is, the Lakers have been playing with the Nets.
Shaq and company build up a large lead, then sit down the stars, as the reserves fared their luck against the Eastern Conference champions. And when the Nets would make their run, in would come the stars, and just like that, the Lakers would close them out. Same old story.
The Western Conference finals, where the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings in seven games, appear to have been the Lakers' toughest challenge in the playoffs. The Lakers players even seem to be breathing a sigh of relief in the Nets series. The Kings gave them all the Lakers could handle... the Nets haven't even given the Lakers an ounce of uneasiness.
Shaq is not at 100 percent, health wise. Probably won't be again. However, even if O'Neal were to be at 15 percent, he'd still be better than Todd MacCulloch. Shaq is averaging 38.0 points per game! He's a man among boys in this series, and nobody can stop him. Nobody.
Even if the Nets decide to go all out to stop Shaq in the upcoming two games (the Nets won't win one, in my mind), that will leave Kobe Bryant to explode... and it will happen. That's the problem with the Lakers: You stop one, you can't stop the other. And if you stop one, and the other has an off night, there is always a role player ready to step up (i.e. Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher).
The Lakers are slowly fading out their dynasty. This year, they weren't nearly as good as they were two years ago. Next year, they probably won't be any better than they are now. However, it doesn't matter. They still got it done. They are on their way to a third straight NBA championship.
For every NBA fan, we're wishing the Kings were in the Eastern Conference.
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
Child's play.
That's what the Lakers are feeling after Games 1 and 2 of the NBA finals. The New Jersey Nets simply are not putting up much of a fight.
Celtics coach Jim O'Brien said that the West would be in for a "rude awakening" in the Finals against the Nets... so far, O'Brien couldn't be much further from the truth. Truth is, the Lakers have been playing with the Nets.
Shaq and company build up a large lead, then sit down the stars, as the reserves fared their luck against the Eastern Conference champions. And when the Nets would make their run, in would come the stars, and just like that, the Lakers would close them out. Same old story.
The Western Conference finals, where the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings in seven games, appear to have been the Lakers' toughest challenge in the playoffs. The Lakers players even seem to be breathing a sigh of relief in the Nets series. The Kings gave them all the Lakers could handle... the Nets haven't even given the Lakers an ounce of uneasiness.
Shaq is not at 100 percent, health wise. Probably won't be again. However, even if O'Neal were to be at 15 percent, he'd still be better than Todd MacCulloch. Shaq is averaging 38.0 points per game! He's a man among boys in this series, and nobody can stop him. Nobody.
Even if the Nets decide to go all out to stop Shaq in the upcoming two games (the Nets won't win one, in my mind), that will leave Kobe Bryant to explode... and it will happen. That's the problem with the Lakers: You stop one, you can't stop the other. And if you stop one, and the other has an off night, there is always a role player ready to step up (i.e. Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher).
The Lakers are slowly fading out their dynasty. This year, they weren't nearly as good as they were two years ago. Next year, they probably won't be any better than they are now. However, it doesn't matter. They still got it done. They are on their way to a third straight NBA championship.
For every NBA fan, we're wishing the Kings were in the Eastern Conference.
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
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