The roster that ended the season adds Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza who really wasn’t
The roster that ended the season adds Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza (who really wasn’t back despite playing a bit in the last two series). That’s like having a top-three pick and a mid-first rounder already having proven NBA ability joining the squad Both upgrade the defense considerably … inside and out. In addition, they will likely re-sign Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf .. at least Vujacic. And, who knows, they may be able to deal Luke Walton or Vladimir Radmanovic They have only two players over 30 (and one is Kobe) That’s a young team that now has championship experience … and all the motivation it needs from watching Boston’s disgraceful and classless celebratory behavior down the stretch of Game Six.And the Finals weren’t exactly the dismantling as many have portrayed. That perception is largely because of the meltdown in Game Six (in Boston, where the Celtics were nearly unbeatable). The Lakers won two games in the series, after all.They weren’t swept away like the Cavaliers in 2007.
The Lakers should have won Game Four, of course (up by 20 with 18 minutes left) and Games One and Two were winnable by either team .. Boston prevailing, as always, on its home court. Nevertheless, Boston was certainly the better, MORE EXPERIENCED and more poised team … but not a great team by historical standards (3-9 on the road in the playoffs).In the West .. San Antonio will be no better and no worse Golden State? .. Worse Denver? .. Worse Phoenix? .. Worse Utah? .. Same as this year New Orleans? .. A little better Houston? … Has a shot, but that McGrady/Yao combination still spells playoff elimination Portland? .. Better, but too young to win the West. The Blazers replace the Nuggets in the top-eight seeds, though. Other than the Blazers, the non-playoff teams in the West this past season will still be the lottery teams next year.So the Lakers have the inside track right now in the West for 2008-09. The East? Pistons? Cavs? Magic? Raptors? HEAT? Bulls? Bucks? Wizards? Am I leaving anyone out?.
We have a great running game, a youthful QB with a swagger all his own, and an Offensive Line that keeps both working well.We have a corner game, that will make people afraid to throw against us.We have an Owner, who isn’t afraid to think outside the box, on plans….or for that matter, be worried about Cole’s comments.Raider on, Nation.. If you are going to spend time reading my work, then I believe that it is important that you know who I am. This is most likely the last time I write about myself, but I feel that it is an important introduction to my column I am a sports fan. I enjoy the competition not just against other people, but against myself.
