Knowing that, a concern arises: timing. This crackdown comes at the beginning of what is sure to be one of the Lakers more emotional seasons in years. As is always the case, the defending champion is the team to beat. That is the Lakers’ reality this season, but doubled. Unless you’re a Lakers fan, any scenario other than a three-peat is an acceptable one—even if your team isn’t the overall victor.
The Lakers are public enemy number one. Players and opposing fans will harbor that attitude and be gunning for them, leading to inevitably electric, charged atmospheres. Games, plays and fouls will be intense, meaningful and…emotional. Additionally, it’s Phil Jackson’s final season as, not only the Lakers head coach, but as a coach at all. He’s vying for a record 12th NBA championship. If victorious, all twelve will have come in the form of three-peats.
Remembering to control every hand raise, eye roll and foul-rebuttal will be a difficult task for all players, but even more so for the Lakers. And whether or not it will affect the season, in regards to performance, suspensions and for the fans—watchability—remains to be seen.
It’d be interesting to do another audience poll, this one of Lakers fans, to find out if the new idea of better game—the one prohibiting emotional reactions to calls—is the one they actually wish to see.
