A Chance At History-2012-2013 LA Lakers

This season was supposed to be the beginning of another Lakers Dynasty. After back to back seasons of losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs the Lakers did something about it. The Lakers went out and acquired Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to go along with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

Dwight Howard is coming off of back surgery and has not looked like himself all season. The Lakers stumbled out of the gates with 0-8 record in the pre-season and a 1-4 strart to the season that cost Mike Brown his job.

LA flirted with the idea of bringing back legendary coach Phil Jackson before coming to the conclusion that a Mike Dantoni and Steve Nash reunion could actually work better. The Lakers find themselves in 10th place at the all-star break with a record of 25-29.

The talks of winning 60, 70 games and dominating to the championship are long gone. Now the hard truth is “Will the Lakers even make the 8th seed?” Bryant and the Lakers will most likely need to finish the season with a 20-8 record to get the projected 45 wins it should take to qualify for the playoffs.

There is a chance at history for these Lakers this season, both good and bad. They could become one of the biggest flops in NBA history by missing the playoffs or they could finish the season strong and win the championship without home-court advantage.

“I have seen signs of life the last few weeks. Guys have to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror and think about how badly they want this.”-Bryant recently said. Kobe knows at 34 years old in his 17th season that his time is limited. “I still believe we can win the championship this year. Everyone else has to believe as well.”-Bryant said.

For the last 28 games of the regular season it’s now or never for these LA Lakers.

2012-2013 Lakers-A Team In Search Of It’s Soul

On the heels of a 3 game losing streak and a 9-13 record to show for it, the Lakers are stumbling.  Actually if you include the Lakers 0-8 pre-season record they are 9-22 with the roster that was expected to crush teams on their way to the trophy this year.

It’s been rough waters so far this year, and that is with the easiest part of the schedule played so far.  The Lakers stand with a 7-6 home record and a 2-7 road record and show no signs of figuring it out anytime soon.  The big acquisitions this year were Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.  Many felt the core of Kobe/Dwight/Pau and Nash would easily roll through the season.  The former 2-time MVP nash who has never suffered a serious injury has played 1 game this year since he broke his leg in the 2nd game of the season.

Mike Brown was let go after a 1-4 start to the season and was replaced with Mike D’antoni.  Before D’antoni was hired it was widely assumed that bringing back in Phil Jackson would be a formality to the championship puzzle.  Lakers management felt with this core that D’antoni could bring “Showtime” back to the Lakers and would be the better fit ultimately. 

The odd man out in the new offense has been Pau Gasol.  Gasol who has been out the last 6 games because of tendinitis in both of his knees has been made into a jump shooter.  Ever since Gasol was brought to the Lakers in 2008 his brilliant post play helped bring the lakers to 3 finals appearances while winning 2 of them.  Gasol is most effective as a post player and is now being used the wrong way as a 17 foot jump shooter. 

Kobe Bryant, now 34 in his 17th year in the league is averaging nearly 30 points a game in the new offense.  Stats say when Bryant scores 30 or more points the Lakers record stands at 1-10.  Stats may show 1-10, but the games show Bryant as the only one willing to fight and claw each every possession during every game to do whatever it takes to win the game. 

The way the team has been constructed 9-13 is simply a shocker.  This Laker team continuosly finds a new way to lose each and every game.  Lack of energy,effort,defense you name it.  Of course this team wasn’t going to come jumping out of the gate at 22-0 but no one could have expected a struggle like this.

“Im not OK with this.  I knew it would be a process but I am not seeing the will and determination that I expect to see.  This is one of the most frusterating times in my entire career.” Bryant recently said to ESPN.  “Everyone has to dig deep and find that determination inside of them that says we can get this done and we will get this done.  Come hell or high water I will do whatever it takes to win ball games and figure this out, because if not then why the hell are we even playing?” Bryant continued.

It’s a long season and Steve Nash and Pau Gasol are both on the shelf.  There is 60 games left for this LAker team to hit their stride and peak at the right time.  As Kobe said everyone has to look into themselves and dig deep and find the will and determination to pull through this and come out on top. 

The title of Phil Jacksons last book read as “A team in search of it’s soul”.  It’s obvious Phil Jackson isn’t walking back through the door, so maybe everyone should read the book. 

In Kobe Bryant I believe.  As for the rest of the ball club they have to believe in themselves first.

2012 Champions, SF Giants

The Giants had just won the division by 8 games and looked poise to make some noise in the playoffs.  An old friend in Dusty Baker and the Reds had different plans of their own for the Giants in the first round.  After taking the first 2 games in San Francisco the Reds looked ready to send the Giants packing for an early exit in the playoffs. 

With a change in the first round format this season the first 2 games were played in San Francisco and the last 3 games were played in Cincinnati for the best of 5 first round series.  No team had ever come back from 0-2 and won the final 3 games on the road to advance. 

With Tim Linceum struggling he was demoted to the bullpen.  In his newfound bullpen role, Lincecum would find his footing again and would be a valuable bullpen pitcher throughout the playoffs.

The stage was set for the Giants to make history.  Hunter Pence, a mid season acquisition from the Phillies stepped up and gave the speech that saved the Giants season.

Third base coach Tim Flannery posted on his facebook page what he could remember from the heart felt speech. “get in here, everyone get in here..look into each other eyes..now! look into each others eyes, I want one more day with you, it’s the most fun, the best team I have ever been on said the Reverend Hunter Pence. ” and no matter what happens we must not give in, we owe it to each other, play for each other, I need one more day with you guys, I need to see what Theriot (jerry) will wear tomorrow, I want to play defense behind Vogelsong because he’s never been to the playoffs..play for each other not yourself, win each moment, win each inning, it’s all we have left”…………for me an old coach it moved me like I have never been moved before…purity, real, passion, soul. the last of the holdouts this Pence..no arrows being shot, no hey look at me, no spotlight on me, no dance but “play for each other”…honor the game the game honors you..don’t know where and when it ends, but tonight I was proud to be together as a team, in a hostile environment, with just us..brothers that play for the name on the front, not the name on the back.

The Giants would go on to capture game 3 in extra innings and force game 4.  The Giants raced out to 6-0 lead in game 5 thanks to a Buster Posey grand slam and just like that, they made history.

All playoffs long it felt as if the Giants played better on the edge with their backs against the wall.  The Giants quickly fell behind 3-1 against the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals.  What happenned next was truly destiny for the Giants. 

Barry Zito, the 127 million dollar bust for the Giants was set to start game 5 to try and save the Giants season.  Many people were already writing the Giants Obituary.  Zito came out in the game 5 with everything to prove.  Not only was it the biggest game of the season but it was the biggest game of Barry Zito’s career.  Zito looked like his old self out there and was simply masterful.  He pitched 7 and 2/3 innings of shut out baseball while striking out 6 and allowing just 6 hits in the Giants 5-0 victory.

The Giants forced the series back to San Francisco for game 6 and won in the pouring rain in game 7 behind Matt Cain and Sergio Romo.  Just like that San Francisco became a team of destiny.  To go through 2 epic playoff comebacks in the same year is truly remarkeable. 

Barry Zito started and won game 1 of the world series behind a record setting night by Pablo Sandoval who hit 3 home runs.

The Giants would go on to sweep the Detroit Tiger to win their 2nd championship in 3 years.  This Giants team is truly special and has all the makings to be a factor for years to come.

The LA Lakers 2012 Season In Review

The Lakers had just come off a dissapointing 2nd round sweep in 2011 at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks and had also lost coach Phil Jackson to retirement.  Ex Cavs coach Mike Brown was brought in to replace coach Jackson, in large part of his defensive mindset.

LA was poised to make a bold move on December 8 to shake up the roster and bring Chris Paul to the Lakers.  The deal had gone through with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom as the center pieces to the trade.  Quickly after the trade had gone through David Stern had decided to veto the trade due to “basketball reasons.”

December 8th cast a dark cloud over the Lakers season and changed the season.  Lamar Odom now felt hurt that the Lakers would even try to trade him after seven seasons and wanted out.  Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for cap relief and the Lakers getting nothing in return but a draft pick.  Pau Gasol was now messed with knowing that he could be traded away so easily as well.  As a result Gasol played tentative throughout the season never really able to find his confidence that made him an All-Star level player.

The Lakers stumbled out of the gate, losing their first 2 contests and remained inconsistent for the first couple months of the season at 20-14.  During the All star break the Lakers traded away long time Laker Derek Fisher and were able to acquire the younger and quicker Ramon Sessions.  It was a shock to see the veteran Fisher get traded away, but the Lakers viewed this as a move for the future.  As a result the Lakers got quicker with the addition of Sessions but definetely lost the experience of Fisher.

LA finished the season with a record of 41-25, good for the number 3 seed in the west.  The Lakers opened the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, with a 2-0 lead and even went up 3-1.  With the Lakers unable to close Denver out in game 5 or 6, the Nuggets forced a deciding game 7.  After escaping game 7 the Lakers found themselves matched up with the Thunder.

After a frusterating series against Oklahoma City where the Lakers lost in 5 games, many around the league were saying the Lakers should be blown up. 

Kobe Bryant just completed his 16th season in the league and will now be age 34 enterting his 17th season.  The front office has their work cut out for them if they want to preserve the remaining seasons for one of the greatest Laker players of all time.

Once again Pau Gasol is being shopped around.  Ramon Sessions has decided to test free agency and is unsure of returning to the team.  Bynum made his first all star game but showed signs of immaturity throughout the season.

The front office has said they want to keep the core of Kobe/Pau and Bynum intact but anything can happen.  If the Lakers can hit a home run, expect them to.  LA settles for nothing else then winning championships.

Reflecting On 2012 NBA Playoff Teams Part 1

The 2011-2012 NBA season was almost a season that never was. The lockout shortened season reduced the number of games from 82 to 66 and opened on Christmas day. Christmas day featured the defending champion Dallas Mavericks get blown out at home by 30+ by the Miami Heat that proved to be an indication of what kind of season Dallas was in store for.

Fresh off the 2011 NBA Championship the Dallas Mavericks started the season missing the pieces that helped make them champions. Mark Cuban opted not to resign Tyson Chandler, JJ Barea and other key role players, instead holding out for the prized 2012 free agents. The Mavs dealt a draft pick to the Lakers for Lamar Odom which everyone thought would be a steal for the Mavericks. Lamar Odom turned out to be a dissapointment as he was never able to get over leaving the Lakers and was eventually turned away by the Mavericks in april. Dallas stumbled out of the gate, starting the season 0-3 highlighted by 2 straight blow-outs to begin the season. Dirk and the rest of the team struggled to regain their hunger and focus that won them the championship the season before. As a result it turned out to be a very inconsistent season finishing 36-30 earning them the seventh seed in the west. The Mavs faced off with the OKC thunder in the first round, a team they had beat in 5 games in 2011 to reach the finals. Eager to erase the pain of being so close to the finals, the Thunder took it to the Mavs on their way to a 4-0 sweep of the Champs. Going into the off-season Dirk and the Mavs have a lot of work to do if they want to stay competitive for Dirks final years as he approaches the age 34. Mark Cuban has his eyes set on Deron Williams AND Dwight Howard. It remains to be seen if Mark Cuban will be able to create his own “Big 3″ in Dallas.

The Chicago Bulls finished number 1 in the East for the second year in a row behind Rose on their way to a 50-16 record. Chicago has a great season in 2011 on their way to 60 wins before losing four straight against the Miami Heat. Experts picked Chicago all season long to come out of the east thinking that the Bulls would be able to fall back on the experience of 2011 and get out of the Eastern Conference. The Bulls added veteran guard Richard Hamilton in the off-season thinking he would fit perfectly with Rose in the back court with his solid mid-range jumper. Hamilton and Rose battled injuries all season long, and resulted in the Bulls having to nearly change their line-up on a nightly basis. While it built the depth of the team it still was a worry if the Bulls could remain healthy. Chicago started the play-offs matched up with Philadelphia in the first round, in a series the 76ers wanted. With 2 minutes left in game 1 and the Bulls on their way to a win, Rose drove to the basket and tore his MCL. With Rose now out for the remainder of the play-offs the dynamic quickly changed in the East. Philadelphia took care of the Bulls in six games in a dissapointing ending to a promising season for the Bulls. Rose and the Bulls will look to re-group and get healthy as they enter the 2012-2012 NBA season.

The “old” San Antonio Spurs finished the season on a 10 game winning streak with a 50-16 record, good for the number 1 seed again in the West. San Antonio re-aquired Stephen Jackson during the season and Boris Diaw with gave them a much needed boost. Ginoboli and Duncan were the healthiest they had been in recent seasons and Parker was in the midst of his greatest season in his 11 year career. The Spurs looked lke a team poised to win their 5th NBA championship since 1999. The Spurs swept the Utah Jazz in the first round followed by another sweep of the Los Angeles Clippers in their second round. Going into the conference finals the Spurs were riding high on a 18 game winning streak with many experts calling them team “unbeatable”. San Antonio faced off with the OKC thunder in the conference finals and won the first 2 games at home extending their franchise winning streak to a stunning 20 games. The Spurs had been in this same position before back in 2004. Back in 2004 the Spurs were riding a 17 game winning streak and were up 2-0 on the Lakers in the second round before they shockingly lost the last 4 games of the series to end their season. This season OKC won the last 4 games of their series against the Spurs to once again surprisingly end their incredible season.

 

Kevin Durant And The Thunder Will Be Back

It may hurt like hell right now for Kevin Durant and the rest of the Thunder but they will be back.  They just ran into a team that was on a mission and on a road to redemption.  ”I just wanted it so bad man, it hurts a lot.  We have a great team and a great coaching staff.  We will feel the pain together and we will get back in the gym and get back to this stage.” Durant said following the game 5 loss.

Durant had a fantastic playoff run, but in the end they lost to a better team right now.  Durant had the task of trying to cover Lebron in the finals while trying to match his offensive output.  For most of the series Durant was struggling through foul trouble, limiting his minutes on the court.

“It’s a learning experience, When we get back i will not let this moment get away from my team again.” Durant said.  It’s not like the Thunder got dominated in the series, because they didn’t.  One game was a blow out, otherwise the whole series was played very close.

Sports can be cruel to you and be the greatest gift of all to a competitor.  It’s the will and the passion of an athlete that forces them to evolve as a player and learn from past failures and mistakes.  They have always said you must learn to have your heart broken before you can become a champion.

“I hope this is the last time my heart gets broken.  We were so close to knocking out Dallas last year and to finally get to the finals, I dont want to lose again.”Durant said

Don’t worry Kevin, you and your team will be back in the finals for years to come.  OKC is still very young and their window is now wide open for more playoff success.

Lebron Realizes His Destiny, Finally An NBA Champion

“It’s about damn time man, It’s about damn time.” Lebron said moments after winning his first NBA Championship.  It has been a long 9 years in the NBA for Lebron who came in with surreal expectations of how great he truly could be.  Since arriving into the league in 2003 the bar was set so high that experts felt James could make the impossible seem possible.  After 2 previous trips to the NBA finals which ended in losses for Lebron, he finally has a chance to call the trophy his along with the finals MVP trophy.

“I had to regroup after losing last year to Dallas.  I had to get back to playing the way i did when I was in Cleveland before I came to Miami and played with anger.  When I play with anger the game isn’t fun for me so I had to get back to playing the way I did when I was having fun.” Lebron said after the game.  The 2012 playoff run was one of the best individual playoff performances in the NBA history.  James recorded 2 triple doubles alone during the NBA finals along with his other jaw dropping stats.

You have to wonder now that Lebron finally has that elusive championship and has figured out how to win one, how much more can he possibly has by the time his career is over.  Yes he is 9 years into his career but he is only 27.  With Dwayne Wade 30 years old he has officially passed the torch to Lebron as the leader of the Miami Heat.  Wade has done the torch passing gracefully and without hesitation because it’s the right thing for the Miami Heat team.

This Miami Heat team played their best basketball with their backs against the wall in the playoffs.  They trailed the Boston Celtics 3-2 before dominating game 6 and finishing them off in game 7.  A Round earlier against the Pacers the Heat were staring down a 3-1 deficit before winning the last 3 games to advance.  They fell behind the Thunder 1-0 and almost gave game 2 away before winning the last 4 games to be champions.

There was a different energy this season about the Heat this year.  Last season they played with a chip on their shoulder and a sense of entitlement.  This season they went about things in a very workmanlike way and just played the game with purpose.

Miami now has the experience, and all the tools to dominate the league for years to come.  The way the Heat were constructed has them firmly in the drivers seat for a good 5 year period.

Congratulations Lebron and Chris Bosh on your first ring, and to Dwayne Wade on your second ring.

They say defending your title is a lot harder then winning your first one.  Let’s see if the Miami Heat have a dynasty on their hands.