Los Angeles Lakers - What Gives?

The Los Angeles Lakers after winning 9 in a row have since lost two in a row; they have not lost to quality teams either.

So what gives?

I could easily point out the lack of effort by several key players, just as easily as I could knock Kobe Bryant for not handling the ball well. Pointing fingers is the easiest road to take; however, it’s not productive and doesn’t really quantify the issues, mainly because it singles out people who are part of a bigger puzzle.


Make sense?


Any who, at this point, I see one way Phil Jackson can turn this recent lack of effort by the team into a positive one heading into the playoffs. Simply put, Phil must rest as many starters as possible as often as possible. Unfortunately, Phil Jackson earlier today when asked about sitting the starters said (and I paraphrase):

 “No I will not be resting the starters, because they rested during the game.” 

Those that know Phil know he often drops humorous quips filled with sarcasm and truth. As a fan though, I am hoping his statement was filled with much more jest than truth, because I would much rather see the likes of Derek Fisher, Bynum, Kobe, Odom, and Gasol well rested for the title push. I don’t expect them to actually miss games parse, but at least for quarters within a game, now that would suffice.

Either way, I’m not panicking, and I guess I should trust Phil Jackson’s judgment – and I will. To be honest, I just hope the Lakers draw New Orleans in the first round. They’d be a great warm up.

                            

That’s my $0.02 on a team that’s had more up’s and down’s this season than Colossus at Magic Mountain.

(Image found at lakersblog.latimes.com)

Posted in: Los Angeles Lakers,NBA,Sports