5. Experience
Aside from Eddie House, who did win a title with Boston in 2008, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas who experienced mild playoff experience with LeBron James, the bench in South Beach have combined to play only 177 playoff games. Kobe has played 22 more games than that by himself. Adding in House and Ilgauskas brings that total to 304, while the Lakers Bench Mob have a total of 372 games under their belt.
There’s no question the Lakers current roster members have experienced the ultimate highs and terrible lows that come with the post-season. Wade and James are the only Heat starters who have experienced more than their share of playoff games while the Lakers have a storied duo in Fisher and Bryant, who have experienced all five titles with each other. Adding in Bynum, Gasol and Artest and you have a confident formula for playoff success.
When you begin to examine the coaches on each side, you start to see how much of a landslide the battle is. But in Erik Spoelstra’s defense, Coach Phil Jackson dwarfs all NBA coaches in both accomplishments and physical stature. In what he said is his last hurrah, there is no doubt that Phil will pull out all the stops and utilize his players in the Triangle to the maximum. There is a reason the man accounts for more NBA titles than any other head coach.
It is hard for any brand new team like the Heat to pull everything together and find themselves winning a title after their first year together. There is no doubt this is one of the more talented teams in NBA history, but for three egos to come together and expect to mesh together right away is somewhat far-fetched.
The Lakers have a veteran club with experienced pieces and abundant talent. Mitch Kupchack heard the cries of fans all over and got the exact pieces the Lakers needed to reform the bench and fill the necessary holes that will allow the Lakers to re-emerge as title favorites.
There should be no doubt in Laker fans’ heads that we will be playing clear into June like we have during the past four years. Even if it does come against the Heat: sleep well knowing that the Lakers are the ones with the upper hand. This union in Miami may have been one for the history books, but when all is said and done there is no doubt that the Lake Show will leave Dwayne and Company as nothing more than that: history.
