 |
| LOS ANGELES LAKERS: THE PRESSURE IS ON |
With the big signing of Dwight Howard and hall of fame point guard Steve Nash, the news shattered the predictions about the Lakers not only making it to the post season but rather was one of the highest favorites to win the NBA Championship. On paper, the facts and stats looked almost slim to none to teams competing and matching up against the power house Lakers. The beginning of the season the Lakers was lead under the direction of Coach Mike Brown by which many say wasn't giving a fair opportunity due to the slow start by the lakers. After Brown was released there became a bigger surprise behind the curtains for Lakers , the return of Phil Jackson. The thought of Jackson coaching the stars on this Laker team would definitely be a sight to see, but surprisingly some great things are not meant to be. Jackson due to a couple of demands in the negotiations Lakers management decided to put their trust in Mike D'Antoni. The impact of Lakers signing Mike D'Antoni was considered by many as a lost in the category of leadership to take this Laker team to the next level. Kobe Bryant was simply thrilled about playing for D'Antoni considering what he knows about him personally on a competitive level. Of course many analyst predicted the Lakers would not play well and would not be a top contending team in the west due to the drastic move of acquiring D'Antoni. The question was never doubting would the Lakers perform on the offensive end, by rather on the most important end which is on the defensive end. Which is why the Lakers are still in the bottom of the standings in the western conference this season.
Pressure is riding high on the management of the Los Angeles Lakers Organization. The biggest question is what is the costly problem in this franchise this year. To have the best starting five in the NBA as well as great players coming off the bench, the winning formula for Laker nation remains unknown. The combined efforts of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol is not consistent and quite frankly looks almost as if they aren't even seriously competeting. Its understood by many saying Dwight Howard is not completely healed, but in the words of Shaq, " If your good enough to put on the sneakers and dress, then your good enough and to play.'' Bryant, is having another great year almost averaging 30.1 points a game this season. He at times seems a bit more upset than what he is showing and I believe he has every right to be considering Pau and Dwight and the leadership of Steve Nash is not consistent. The bottom line is not about whether Bryant shoots 28 plus jumpers a game but its the reason on why he has to. The Lakers have never been known to play great defense in this generational era, but one would think this season with the very aggressive Metta World Peace, and a defensive player of the year in Howard these things would rub off on the entire team. The defense in Los Angeles has yet to be shown on a nightly basis. As mid season in the approach, things for the Lakers must change in a hurry, due to the strong pushes by other teams of securing a guaranteed playoff spot in the post season. With being five games behind even for a balanced record, the wining formula needs to arrive in Los Angeles fast for the struggling franchise, or the pressure will definitely arrive in the off season.
Larealsportsworldjournalism.blogspot.com
Rust College Sports Nation
1-10-13
No comments:
Post a Comment