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.

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.

One Win Away From Destiny For Lebron And The Miami Heat

Even with his legs cramping up, Lebron still found a way to will in a huge 3 pointer late in the game that put the Miami Heat up to stay.  “I wanted to find a way to contribute even with my body giving up on me.  I had to find a way, I owed it to my ballclub.” James said following the win.

Lebron and the Heat are now up 3-1 with history on their side.  No team in NBA finals history has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the championship.  Losing against the Mavs in the 2011 finals seems to have taught the Heat all kinds of lessons on what it takes to win a championship.  “We stumbled last year and for me personally I struggled late in games against Dallas.  We now know what it takes to win a game in the finals with the experience we gained last year.” James said.

The young Thunder team made costly mistakes down the strech.  The biggest mistake may have been Westbrook fouling Chalmers after the jump ball with 17 seconds left when Miami only had 5 seconds on the shot clock to work with.  “I had a meltdown, I didn’t realize the shot clock didn’t reset.  I cost us the game.” Westbrook said following the loss.  Westbrook had a fabulous shooting game scoring 43 points on 20-32 shooting but it came in defeat.

“It’s not over yet man.  We have to come out and leave everything we have out on the floor thursday night.”Durant said following the loss.  The Thunder raced out to a 17 point lead only to see it vanish in seemingly the blink of an eye. 

The Thunder will need another strong start in game 5 if they want to give themselves a chance.  “We can’t let our foot off the gas pedal thursday night.  If we do then were done, we have to continue staying aggressive and give ourselves a chance at bringing this series back home.” Harden said.

Being down 3-1 looks like a death sentence for this Thunder team.  Being up 3-1 for the Miami Heat feels like destiny for Lebron. 

Will Lebron finally get that elusive first championship ring?  Will Durant and Westbrook will the Thunder to a win and force the series back to OKC?

The Time Is Now For The OKC Thunder

Thirty teams have been down 3-1 in the NBA finals, and all thirty teams have lost the series.  OKC Thunder face a must win in game 4 if they want to avoid becoming team number thirty-one.  Kevin Durant has been hampered by foul trouble the last 2 games having to take on the burden of trying to guard Lebron James.  “He’s a tough cover, he’s very physical and im reaching a lot right now and I have to stop reaching.” Durant said following the game 3 loss.

Sixth man of the year Jeff Harden has essentially been non existant the first three games of the series.  For the Thunder to have a chance of knotting the series at two games a piece Harden will have to come alive on offense.  Harden’s biggest strength is his playmaking but his scoring is needed in this series.  “My shot’s just aren’t falling right now.  I need to do a better job of getting to my spots where I can be successful with putting the ball in the basket.” Harden said following the game.

Westbrook continues to be judged for all his shot attempts in the series and has no plans to stop shooting anytime soon.  “I will continue getting my shots up and staying aggressive.  It’s what I have done all season and it worked, why would I stop now?” Westbrook said.  Westbrook clearly has the advantage over Chalmers with his speed but he is still settling for jumpers.  If Westbrook can make it a priority to get to the basket consistently it will begin to open things up for Harden and of course Kevin Durant.

Game four will be the turning point in the series one way or the either.  After game four the Heat could be up 3-1 and one win away from the championship.  Or the series can be tied at 2-2 with a game 6 being necessary back in Oklahoma.  Either way game 4 will be the most pivotal.  Miami was up 2-1 last year before losing the last 3 games of the series.  Will Miami learn from past failures and put a strangle-hold on the series and the championship?  Or will Durant and the Thunder fight and claw their way to a 2-2 series tie?

Preview For Game 3 Of The 2012 NBA Finals

One could argue game 3 is the most important game in a series being tied at 1 game a piece. The series has now shifted to Miami for the middle 3 games and is now a best of 5 series.  Miami dealt the Thunder their first home loss of the 2012 playoffs and now has the chance to try and win the series at home.  Only twice in NBA history has a team won all 3 middle games at home in the finals.  The 2004 Detroit Pistons and the last team to do it which was the 2006 Miami Heat.

There is still a lot of question marks going into game 3.  Will Westbrook keep forcing the issue?  Will Lebron continue his stellar play from the first 2 games in OKC?  If this series has taught us anything so far it’s that no lead is safe.  Miami got off to a strong start in game 1 taking a 13 point lead before losing the game.  Again in game 2 Miami took a 17 point lead before hanging on for a narrow 4 point win they had to have.

We know both teams can score and score in a hurry.  With Kevin Durant fully aware of the moment I expect him to continue staying aggressive in South Beach and will his Thunder team to at least 1 win.

For Miami it’s quietly been the story of Chris bosh having a huge impact.  In just his 5th game back from injury he said a 16 point 15 rebound effort in the game 2 in.  Bosh has made his presence felt on the inside all while getting himself back into game shape.  If Shane Battier can keep connecting from the 3 point line Miami will prove to be a tough team to beat.

Game 3 will be all about the role players.  Who’s role players will show up and have the bigger impact?  Derek Fisher is playing in his 8th NBA finals and hasn’t made the impact we have grown accustomed to over the years.  Will playing on the road force Fisher to come out a little more aggressive for his young Thunder team and make an impact?

History shows when the series is knotted up at 1-1 and the winner of game 3 takes the 2-1 series lead, more times then not they win the series.

Man On A Mission: Lebron James 2012 Playoffs

Eager to erase the bitter ending to the 2011 playoffs, Lebron James has been spectacular in leading the Miami Heat back to the finals for another shot at his first championship.  Hard to believe this is already the 9th season in the NBA for Lebron and he is only 27 years old.  Coming straight out of high school, James has always been held to the highest expectations and possibly unrealistic expectations.  Even before stepping foot in his first official NBA game the “experts” were saying Lebron would be better then Michael Jordan.

This is Lebron’s 3rd time in the finals in his quest to win a championship.  When he first signed on with the heat he went on the record to say “we’re not gonna win 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6 championships but 7.”   With that infamous quote he added even more pressure to himself that has been placed on him since draft day in 2003.  James first finals appearance in 2007 ended in a sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.  The criticism after that series was that Lebron needed to develop his jumper otherwise he would be easier to defend.  After the Heat lost last year in 6 games against Dallas, the criticism was Lebron needed to improve his post game and show up in the 4th quarter.

Only 2 games have been played during the 2012 Finals between OKC and the Heat, and Lebron has answered the bell so far.  Despite Miami losing game 1 of the series Lebron delivered 30 points including 7 in the 4th quarter.  Lebron again answered the bell in game 2 during the 4th quarter scoring 32 points including 6 in the 4th quarter while going a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.  For the Heat to win this series they will need Lebron to continue playing like a man on the mission the way he has the entire playoff run of 2012.

They have always said to be a champion you must learn to fail.  Maybe Lebron has finally learned after failing more then once?

Lakers Sent Home In 2nd Round For 2nd Year In A Row

The aftermath of the 106-90 loss to the OKC Thunder saw the Lakers losing in the second round for the 2nd consecutive year.  Bryant set the tone early in game 5 scoring 15 points before finishing the game with 42 points.  Kobe trilled to will the Lakers to a win and the series back to LA for a game 6 but it wasn’t meant to be this season.

Every time the Lakers made a run, the Thunder made a bigger one seemingly striking the Lakers with daggers and big baskets and big plays. ”I’m not fading into the shadows,” said Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers. ”I’m not going anywhere. We’re not going anywhere.”

By the start of next season Kobe Bryant will be 34 years old entering his 17 season in the league.  It’s not to say his window could be closing but maybe this core has finally run its course.  There was a trade on the eve of training camp that would have sent Pau and Lamar packing in exchange for Chris Paul that got vetoed by the NBA.  So from the start of the season it seemed like this would be a trying season for the Lakers.

The Laker’s never truly bought in to Mike Brown’s new offensive approach after taking over for hall of fame coach Phil Jackson.  Towards the end of the playoffs you saw the Lakers running more and more of the triangle that had brought them so much success over the years. 

Where the Lakers go from here is anyones guess at this point.  They know what they need, but how do they go about it?  They need a better bench, they need a better point guard and someone who wont be so easy to defer to an aging Kobe Bryant.