Indeed, the Lakers are Kobe’s Lakers.  He is the unquestioned leader and he believed that running “his” team would lead to the championship.  Today we find that it is true, though I’m not so sure a healthy Boston Celtics team would necessarily foster the same result.  The Lakers of 2009 are quite different from the Lakers 0f the early 200o’s.  Obviously, one major difference is the leader of that team was Shaq.  Kobe was only playing second fiddle at that time.  That is important because the Lakers of old were a team of Phil Jackson’s image, the triangle offense, with Shaq in the middle, Kobe playing the versatile guard and Derek Fisher running the point.

As we know, the Lakers were in shambles after the spat between Shaq and Kobe at the end of their run.  Both wanted the lead role, but there can be only one.  The Lakers chose Kobe over Shaq for the obvious reason of age and for future considerations.  They bet on Kobe’s potential on bringing more championships, but early on it looked like a failed plan.  Shaq came to the Miami Heat (by way of trade) and soon won a championship with Dwayne Wade.  Kobe meanwhile languished in mediocrity and even missed the playoffs.  Luckily Lamar Odom came from the Shaq trade that paid dividends this year.

However, that would later change.  It basically happened when Kobe demanded a trade out from the Lakers the summer before last.  He believed the Lakers did not have the right pieces around “him” to win a championship.  Luckily, Mike Kupchak (and possibly Jerry West back in the shadows) traded for Trevor Ariza (from Orlando) and Pau Gasol (from Memphis), teammates who do not necessarily need leading roles to win.  Rather than asking for the ball, they played crucial supporting roles (steals, rebounds and some points) that eventually allowed allowed Kobe to win one without Shaq.

“KobesLakers” is also evident in the Lakers style of play.  Though they generally played the same triangle offense as before, one could see that at times the Pick and Roll and Isolations were mixed in.  Kobe normally took over in the 4th quarter.  He would “jack up” shots that sometimes were not high percentage, but were for him they amazingly were.  The Lakers played more loose with the structure of the triangle.  Kobe as recently seen on Tv would do some of the “coaching”  as well.  So Phil won his tenth championship by allowing Kobe to essentially run the Lake Show.

So in this small synopsis, Kobe won because the system and the Laker teammates around him played second fiddle.  Though their were some ill-advised shots and missed free throws by the “man”, allowing Kobe to be “Kobe” eventually led to a championship.

I would like to say that this type of thinking is unique and odd for sure.  KobesLakers got the job done and Los Angeles will have a parade tomorrow.  The question that I’d like to bring up is, how long will KobesLakers last?  Will it go on after Phil Jackson retires (because you know it looks like there’s nothing else to prove for him and he looks tired out there with his achy hip)?  That will be the true testof KobesLakers basketball when Phil leaves.  Maybe Kobe will be a “player-coach” like Bill Russell.  It looks as though he might be already.

Whatever will happen, the present is for celebrating.  Are you taking notes LeBron and the Cavaliers?

Courtesy of mmksportbasketball from Webshots.com

Why did he take that shot?  Why the double screen?  Phil should’ve drawn up a different game plan for the last shot!

Oh hey!  Its me and I guess I’m back again.  If you don’t already know, both jadamusss and Iare diehard Lakers fans.  So you might think that this blog posting might be a tad bit “biased,” but whose really objective in their analysis of sports these days.  Most of analyst make their decisions based on their gut and then throw in stats that fit their agenda.  Like I said, Kobe should’ve taken a better shot!

Since we’re on the subject of shots, I thought we’d go over the West and do a subjective analysis.  It should be consensus that the Western Conference plays better basketball and with a style that is easy on the eyes.  The Eastern Conference is all about scrappy and sometimes ugly play marked by stout defense.  The West plays for great shots, aka finesse plays and generating these shots through fastbreak generating defense.  Let’s see which games are must see and who is predicted to win by yours truly (again, in order of worse to best; see The Beastly East):

San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks:  What do you get when you add Jason Kidd to Tim Duncan?  Really old people!  These teams play slow and solid basketball, but you have to admit Dirk Nowitski has some fantastic shots (sometimes).  Like I said, they play slow basketball and Dallas should have never traded away Devin Harris.  Old basketball means it doesn’t matter which team gets past the first round.  They’ll be killed by their next opponents (Denver or New Orleans) who play speedy basketball.  I would like to guestimate that the Mavs take this series because the Spurs cannot replace to loss of Manu Ginobli.

Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Hornets:  This is the next game up the chart of excitablility.  The both play a brand of basketball that is brash and is dependent on streaky offensive runs.  If this was last year, I’d give the nod to Chris Paul and the Hornets, but they have been lukewarm for some odd reason this year.  Therefore, my pick  are the Nuggets with better play from the PG position (Chauncy Billups) and having a better defense with the Birdman, Chris Anderson.

Portland Trailblazers vs Houston Rockets:  This series might go seven games.  It’ll be fun to watch the young Blazers meet with the veteran play of Yao Ming and the Rockets; a clash of styles.  With the addition of Ron Artest, PG play from Aaron Brooks and the lost of Tracy McGrady, you have formidable play from the Rockets that might take them past the first round.  If that is any hint, let me say it louder:  Rockets will win this series!  Also, I have vested interest because the Lakers can handle the Rockets better then the Blazers.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz:  The king and current ruler of basketball, Kobe Bryant, along with his Laker teammates will take this one.  I’m not biased either.  Even though the Jazz play a bland pick and roll game, I still put this game atop the leaderboard because of beautiful style of basketball the Lakers play.  Its like watching the Brazilian soccer team in the World Cup: just pure beauty and finesse.  Okay, I’m a serious sports analyst, the Lakers will win!  Haha, okay, I’m really not, but just watch. They shall win.  If you don’t believe me, just ask the experts.

Go Lakers!

I’m sure you’ve noticed as certainly I have.  The Celtics seem to be losing games left and right just as fast as Chris Paul dishing dimes.  They’ve lost 7 of their last 9 games with the latest being to the formidable Cleveland Cavaliers.  Though they are a worthy opponent, some of Boston’s losses have come against lowly teams such as the Warriors, Bobcats and Knicks.  It is as if they are content with the championship title they have.

Though I’m not personally against the man, I think the Celtics won the championship last year because the talent level (KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce) was able to overcome the deficits in coaching, and that’s the “truth.”  I know what I’m saying is controversial, but  if you don’t believe me then check out his coaching performance.  Before Danny Ainge’s blockbuster trades, the Celts either couldn’t make the playoffs or get out of the first round.  Doc’s tenure with the Orlando Magic couldn’t get them out fo the first round either.   If the Celtics didn’t win a championship last year, Doc would’ve been looking for a job right about now.  Not like he needs to because an NBA salary would’ve provided more then enough even if he was fired, unless he pulled a “Michael Vick.”  Doc is a respectable and classy person, but  make no mistake he was definitely on the hot seat coming into last season.

You know Phil Jackson wouldn’t have let his team slide this badly during the season and all the Lakers have are Kobe and Pau Gasol as the only legitimate stars.  The Celtics have 3 with a budding 4th in Rajan Rando.  I’m calling it and you hearing it from me:  If the Celtics can’t get their act together come All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Doc might have coached his last championship.  I’m not saying that he’ll lose his job this year, but I doubt the Celts reach the Finals again with this Doc and lineup with the rest of the league getting younger and better.  So it leads us to this question: Is there a Doc-tor in the house ?  Maybe the Celtics instead need Hugh Laurie.  Enjoy the win while it lasted Doc Rivers.