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<< Previous Next >> -------------------- June 15, 2004 Eastern revival?
The Detroit Pistons unlikely command of this year's championship (3-1) has an unapologetic Laker supporter as myself deep in a hoops think tank wondering how the present circumstances are possible. It was supposed to be all Lakers. Not to say the Pistons were supposed to play the red carpet to the Lakers celebrity walk to victory, but whatever threat they were to pose was never expected to be of this magnitude. It was clear that defense is a huge part of taking control of games but you'd have never imagined the Lakers would be so affected. It's like thiefs stripping away a Mercedes. The Lakers just look depleted of all resources. But Seriously Phil Jackson has never once lost a finals series. Then now maybe L.A will unleash its secret weapon to win game 5. Whatever it might be. It's hard to have to predict a Pistons' victory, because I'd like to believe the Lakers have something left, so I predict another game in Los Angeles. On Kobe's shot selection, if his teammates were at least converting their opportunities I think he would've made the wise judgment of finding the hot hands among them. I'd rather see a struggling Kobe trying to win a game than his teammates chipping bits of paint off the iron. The saddest part in all this is Karl Malone's inability to perform. It's ironic that when the moment for which he came to L.A for is finally here he's can't seize it. However I still can't get over the Pistons' play. Indiana was a tougher opponent for Detroit than the Lakers are. If you factor in the fact that L.A outmatched the Spurs and the Timberwolves but are being manhandled by Motown, does that mean (gasp!) the East is back? No more JV label? Such an interesting thought, but we'll need to see how the realignment (November 21, 2003) affects divisional dynamics. << Previous Next >> Back to 2003-04 archive © 2001-2004 H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m, All rights reserved Terms of service Privacy policy Contact |
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