| 03 April 2009
So, over the last few Laker games I've participated in (on and off - depending on my schedule) some live-blogging with The Lakers Nation (wave goes out to fido, Jonny & the guys)... and some reading of various forums around the traps, and I've discovered as a fanbase, we're not overly happy with what we've got.
And that really, really surprises me.
The bench isn't good enough. The bench is crap.
The team's lazy.
The coaching's terrible.
We can't win without Bynum.
Sheesh... That's not to say everyone's like that, definitely not. But there's a definite feeling of 'unsatisfied' permeating the atmosphere. And it's totally unnecessary.
Many fans of other teams would laugh to hear a Laker-fan bemoaning "bench quality"... "team application"... "coaching".
LA have been much better than the Lakers of last year (at least, thus far). More wins already, and a better roster. A few games buffer in record to Boston/Orlando (The LeBrons still have to get past them to make the Finals - just as we have our hurdles!). Won the West, and there's 10 games back to the next best. Trevor Ariza's playing. And Andrew Bynum to come back this time around.
Sure, Bynum's not going to be what he was, but he'll be a damn nice addition to the bench, and will rest Pau Gasol at center.
I get that people were disappointed with losing two consecutive games on the road... especially the Charlotte game (LA never seem to come fully prepared for the Bobcats - what's the deal with the hoodoo they hold?). But it's the end of a long season, and a more lackadaisical approach is especially likely to set in just prior to that final push towards the playoffs.
The Lakers now have a day off, then a home game against Houston (c'mon Ron-ron, open your yapper again!). 7 games to go, only 2 on the road, and a mix of tough ones (a particularly heady back-to-back with Denver/Portland!) and supposed "gimmes".
I honestly believe that that's when LA are at their best: when there's a mix of opponents, and there's a clear focus of what needs to be done.
Time to set the table.
