Kevin Garnett plays basketball with the same passion that Hendrix played the guitar. At times his eyes close and he beats on his chest to admonish his accomplishments and beats on his own head to punish his defeats. He screams and yells into the crowd, in an attempt to get himself jacked up for the game. He was previously, as Jay Z would say, "A man who wouldn't crush a grape in a fruit fight," but tonight he proved otherwise helping to thoroughly dismantle my beloved Lakers in a close out game that will soon be forgotten by many Laker fans.
I have to admit my utter disappointment at the lack of competitiveness the Lakers showed this evening. Instead of swinging the ball, getting aggressive on the boards, taking a charge, playing the passing lanes and consistently stepping up to hit open jump shots, the Lakers looking to force the issue, instead stood around flat footed on 3 point attempts and played defense with their arms instead of their feet and their body. They must have forgotten that Jesus Shuttlesworth has game, Ray Allen was left completely open making 6 three-pointers. Defensively the Laker defenders went underneath screens instead of through them.
Kobe Bryant remains a player I highly respect. He played the game like an assassin, but found himself overwhelmed knowing he had to play the Big 3, who were nearly as talented as he. Right now, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, as brilliant as they were all season, don't belong in a conversation for the upper echelon of players in the league. Unfortunately, Kobe does not belong in the same conversation as Michael Jordan. He is the greatest player of our generation but he failed to have - even one Jordanesque moment during the finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers will return next season, and will be tremendously better. They may need to add an interior, physical presence, and some veteran players who will not allow easy layups. With the return of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers will have a stronger front line. If Lamar can find a way to finish some of the...and 1's he got this year instead of and...maybe, he'd be more formidable. I am an optimist.
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its not your FAULT! much like a battered wife or maligned family member of an addict- the LAKER fan was punished for loving. The finals really came down to two words; heart & team work. Too often we assume that a team game will have these concepts down. too often we are mislead by a promse of one star who has at times outshined them all. Kobe is a great player. He is a marginal team captain. The NBA tried to give him his moment this season along with the MVP trophy (that rightfully belonged to one chris paul). And yet Kobe fell just short....again. Eventually you will have to consider that Kobe for all of his skill doesnt have the factor that would propel him to Jordan-status....He cannot MOTIVATE like Mike could. (Hell Mike got the Wizards to when games in his forties!!!) I think once the Laker fans embrace this carnal knowledge THINGS will get better for them. But for now this is the LONGEST summer.....(bring back Showtime!)
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