Written by: Keith Henderson
When the opening week of this NBA season wrapped up on Halloween, it was only fitting that the Lakers were playing at a level that could be called “scary good.” As we get closer to Thanksgiving, and they continue to carve up and serve the opposition, Lakers fans everywhere are feeling very festive.
Okay, I’m out of cheesy holiday references. Here’s the real story on what has made the league take notice, after an off-season and pre-season that curiously pushed the back-to-back champs under the radar.
For the first time in many years, the Lakers are getting important contributions from top to bottom. It’s truly a team effort, and not a one or two man show. All of the guys look like they made a commitment to the mission, and to each other. It’s as if they want to be sled dogs in this Iditarod of a season, as opposed to being the sled that’s pulled along for the ride.
The “top dog,” if you will, is still clearly Kobe Bryant, but it’s no longer necessary for him to expend ridiculous amounts of energy on the offensive end, just to keep the Lakers competitive on a nightly basis. Contrary to popular belief (that is, the opinion of legions of naysayers), this balanced attack is what Bryant has wanted all along.
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This 2010-2011 model of the Lake Show is thorough; thoroughly efficient and entertaining. Pau Gasol has been in ‘attack mode’ from the start, consistently using his skills in the post, instead of settling for jumpers. Ron Artest looks more comfortable in his role, and the lost weight has actually made him a quicker defender. Shannon Brown kept his word, after stating in his comments, during last season’s exit interviews, that his focus in the offseason would be on improving all areas of his game. As a result, Brown is showing that he’s become more than just a dunker. Lamar Odom looks like he finally understands that he is a nightly matchup problem, when his desire matches his immense talent.
Fisher’s vocal leadership, and a batch of solid newcomers (who seem to have picked up the system nicely, I might add), make this a stacked deck. And, Bynum still has yet to return.
For every fan excited, and increasingly more confident, about the possibility of a third straight title, there are probably 20 non-fans waiting to see if L.A. will win, just for the opportunity to make the kinds of divisive comments that they’ve made in the past.
You’re familiar with those myths. They’re so overused that you can fill in the blanks… “____ only won that ring because of ____.” To let them tell it, one player, alone, was responsible for bringing titles 12, 13, and 14 to Staples Center. That antiquated line of thinking deserves an antiquated reply: Hogwash. Teams win championships, and a combined effort is the definitive proof that no one man is capable of doing it on his own.
It’s wonderful to see the cohesion. Those who aren’t Lakers fans have this misperception that we just want to see Kobe go for 80 every game, at the expense of the rest of the team, as if that’s what makes him great, and the team fun to watch.
Wrong. We marvel at the singular excellence of number 24, but when all five cogs in the machine, at any point in the game, are in sync, it’s a beautiful thing. The fact that we, along with every dude in an opposing jersey, know exactly where the ball is going in the clutch, just adds to our excitement and their dismay.
As it stands now, the Lakers are 9 – 2. If they keep this up, the City of Los Angeles might seriously have to consider re-naming Figueroa, “Championship Way.”