No four-peat for Lakers

By Steve Goldstein Sports Central Columnist

When the Lakers won their first of three consecutive championships, they came very close to losing to Portland in Los Angeles in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

They came back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to pull the series out.

Something similar happened in last year's battle with Sacramento, as every King -- except point guard Mike Bibby -- disappeared when it counted.

The Kings seem to have learned their lesson. They're saying all the right things about why they didn't beat the Lakers, and there's no reason for them to go back to the drawing board -- at least not on offense.

Regardless of the late-game failures of Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, and Doug Christie, the Kings have more than enough offensive talent to outscore the Lakers.

When healthy, Webber, Bibby, and Stojakovic are a potent offensive trio. Vlade Divac, Hedo Turkoglu, Doug Christie, and Bobby Jackson are all typically reliable on offense. The key is in improving the defense.

The Kings took a major step forward last season. Many people expected a true shootout between Sacramento and Dallas in the second round.

It may have gone that way for three quarters in each game, but then the Kings clamped down on Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, in particular.

The Kings will never be able to stop Shaquille O'Neal, and Vlade's flopping only seems to make Shaq more powerful. The Kings need to stop worrying so much about Shaq.

Although Sacramento is more effective with Divac in the game, he's usually in foul trouble, whether it's against Shaq or most other centers.

Scot Pollard can use up his six fouls. Even Lawrence Funderburke could foul Shaq, if the ridiculous Hack-A-Shaq is put into effect. If not, then the Kings are better off playing O'Neal one-on-one.

As the old saying goes, "Shaq is going to get his points. Concentrate on stopping the other guys."

Robert Horry is clearly a clutch shooter, but he's not a consistent shooter, and he's not confident driving to the basket. Tighter defense on Horry will make entry passes to Shaq more difficult.

The same theory applies to everyone else on the Lakers except Kobe Bryant. He, too, will get his points, but Doug Christie's physical play can throw Bryant off.

From the first player to the 12th player, the Kings have better talent than the Lakers. They have inside and outside scoring and solid defense from their guards.

Rather than emphasize a weakness -- not being able to guard Shaq -- the Kings are better off focusing on their potent offensive capabilities and on stopping Horry, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, and anyone else Los Angeles brings off its bench.

Though we're still four months away from the beginning of the NBA season, the Kings should be the favorites for the league title, not the three-peaters from Staples Center.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.