San Antonio, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Orlando. Those five teams represented what was arguably the Los Angeles Lakers most critical stretch of the season, and to say they were successful would be an understatement.
All of the games except Orlando were on the road and the Lakers went 4-1, with their only blemish coming at the hands of a Miami Heat team that were desperate for a win after dropping five straight games.
The Lakers blew San Antonio and Atlanta out, but in the third quarter of their contest against Dallas star guard Kobe Bryant went down in a heap with what appeared to be a badly sprained ankle.
Obviously, the injury looked a lot worse than it really was, because it hasn’t prevented the Lakers from establishing themselves as clear favorites to reach their 4th consecutive NBA Finals series.
The Lakers have arguably been the league’s most dominant team since the All-Star break, but that little nugget of knowledge has been over-shadowed by the emergence of the Chicago Bulls in the East, and the continuing trials of the Heat.
Chicago, with an 8-1 record since the All-Star break is perhaps the only team that rivals the Lakers during that period, and the attention is deserved since their performances have carried them to the top of the East.
Miami, on the other hand, is caught in between moments of greatness, and periods of head-scratching ineptitude.
The Heat looked like true contenders in a win over the Lakers, and a dominant victory over the Spurs, but then came last night’s strange home loss to Oklahoma City.
But while the eyes of the NBA are turned East, the Lakers have began to resemble the team that marched to their second consecutive NBA title last season, and Bryant’s ankle has been a non-issue along the way.
And it’s not just the fact that the Lakers have been winning games, but how they have looked doing so.
The Lakers’ victory over the Spurs was decided by halftime, and against the Mavericks, Los Angeles seized the lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it.
The victories over Atlanta and Orlando were both of the double-digit variety, and in each the Lakers showed their ability to close out opponents.
Motivation was a key issue earlier in the season, but the Lakers clearly are playing with a goal in mind, and their focus, particularly that of center Andrew Bynum has been impressive.
Bynum looks healthier than he has in two seasons, and it shows on the court, as he has averaged more than 12 rebounds per game since the All-Star break, and he has controlled the defensive interior for the Lakers.
Bryant’s offensive game has not been up to par thus far, and some of that may be a result of his ankle injury and the inability to get lift on his jumper.
But if Bryant’s ankle is bothering him, then it hasn’t had a negative impact on the Lakers because their play on the court suggests they have transitioned to playoff mode.
The tide of opinion has once again shifted as media outlets such as ESPN and CBSsports.com have re-installed the Lakers as favorites to reach the Finals once again.
I’m not sure if I buy the flip-flop opinions of national media figures, but the Lakers sure do look the part.
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