Rising from the grave: LA Lakers

LA Lakers, the star studded team, is facing its worst crisis of all time. With the star studded roster of the Lakers, the fans expected to see a super season after acquiring the ‘Superman’ at the center, but the critics have always debated on the kind of situation the Black Mamba and the party are facing. It is a customary for the western conference to have Lakers in the conference playoffs. More than a custom, it has now become the question of pride for the Lakers.

The last two wins for the Lakers against Thunder and Jazz is what was expected of them throughout the season. They had all the raw materials to built the strongest empire of victories this season. Then what was the problem? Was it the acquisition of too many superstars in a single team? Or was it because of the injuries that struck the Lakers? Here are the few points to denote what kept Lakers from having their super season.

• The loss of players due to injuries has been a major factor. Nash, one of the fittest old timers and undoubtedly one of the best point guards of this generation, Gasol, one of the most versatile big men, Howard, whose career has been through many injuries, Griffin, who played a key role in the team last season in the absence of Derrick Fisher and Hill, one of the dynamic and explosive big men of the league who is pretty much out for the season – have all been injured at some point.
• Immature understanding on the court between Bryant and Howard. It was rumoured from the start of the season that these two would not be able two play alongside with their superstar egos clashing.
• Rotation adjustments for Gasol as the star forward is coming off the bench this season because according to coach, Howard and Gasol cannot play alongside at the same time on the court to give their best.
• Free throw conversion trouble is one of the major match changers for the Lakers. With Howard missing more than 5 free throws in most of the matches, the team is seen struggling all along the season.
• In last 10 matches, leaving the immediate wins, Kobe had missed far more field goals then he had converted. The ball-hog star can be considered one of the important reasons for the team’s losses.

Then what actually happened in the last two games that has changed the way games used to be played by the team in purple and gold? Well there is a very simple answer. The Mamba stepped up. No, not in his shooting percentage but in the way the team game is played. The fans witnessed something that was rarely seen before in the career of Bryant, the sharing and caring of the ball. It not only led to a better overall team performance but the scorers such as Jamison and Duhon also showed their worth. Even Nash got a chance to show why he is one of the best shooters of the league. Thus, all the above mentioned problems have a solution, temporary or permanent, that we will shortly see.