| 27 December 2009
There's been an influx of proclamations of "DOOOOM" post LA's loss to Cleveland, but I have to say, I'm not overly worried.
Why? Doesn't mean that basketball enthusiasts all over the world misread LA? Doesn't it mean that they're not as good as we thought?
No, what all of it means is that
a) the Lakers had a bad game. It happens. They went in their not taking the Cavs seriously enough - and that was evident from the comments they made prior to the game - stating that they didn't see a rivalry between themselves and Cleveland.
b) teams lose games. Simply a fact.
b) teams lose games. Simply a fact.
c) it also means that some people are guilty of a knee-jerk reaction in regards to this loss.
- Was it an important game? Yes, but clearly more so for Cleveland than the Lakers.
- Does it mean that the games won before over quality opponents don't mean anything? Hell no. Let's have some perspective: all teams lose games. All teams lose focus at times. With LA, if they lose focus against lesser teams, they can still get the win. Against teams like Cleveland? Nuh-uh. LA lost TWICE in December. Just 2 times.
- Do you really think that Phil & Kobe won't bounce back from this? Other coaches might struggle to have the trust of the players post a some-what-unexpected loss, but if there's ONE coah in the league that won't have that problem, it's Phil Jackson. Kobe too - you think he won't be (and have all others) completely focused?
- Was it an important game? Yes, but clearly more so for Cleveland than the Lakers.
- Does it mean that the games won before over quality opponents don't mean anything? Hell no. Let's have some perspective: all teams lose games. All teams lose focus at times. With LA, if they lose focus against lesser teams, they can still get the win. Against teams like Cleveland? Nuh-uh. LA lost TWICE in December. Just 2 times.
- Do you really think that Phil & Kobe won't bounce back from this? Other coaches might struggle to have the trust of the players post a some-what-unexpected loss, but if there's ONE coah in the league that won't have that problem, it's Phil Jackson. Kobe too - you think he won't be (and have all others) completely focused?
d) The refs let A LOT go in that game. To be sure, that went both ways. But I do believe that in the refs swallowing the whistle, that favoured Cleveland. Shaq was allowed to play a very bruising game, and given their respective physiques, it helps LeBron over Kobe, that's for sure.
No, LA'll be fine post that loss.
Was it frustrating? Absolutely. For fans, coaches, and players alike.
But in all honestly? I think I'll be a little more worried if they go out and lose tonight's game against Sacramento... but even then, not hugely so.
