On the surface it seems like the same situation for the Los Angeles Lakers as a year ago. Towards the end of last season the Lakers had a dominant trek through the Western Conference playoffs and had gone 12-3 in the postseason before being pitted against the Boston Celtics. The Lakers would go on to lose in the finals, 4 games to 2, and after getting steamrolled 131-92 in game six on Boston’s home floor, serious questions began to rise about the Lake Show.

At this present time the Lakers again find themselves knocking on the door to the finals but it seems to be a completely different story this time around. This Lakers team, despite showing chinks in their armor against Houston in round 2 and Denver in the Conference Finals, isn’t just happy to be in this spot; they’re on a mission to win everything.

           
In last year’s NBA Finals Kobe Bryant didn’t play particularly well, scoring 25.7 points per game on under 41% shooting. Not horrible numbers at all but certainly not the MVP level many were anticipating from him. But the problem wasn’t just Bryant, it was the fact that Lakers were bullied at both ends of the floor by Boston. The Celtics were a veteran lead team that was hungry for the win and they simply wanted it more than Los Angles, with the Lakers’ lack of grit and toughness standing out.

           
After winning Gold at the Beijing Olympics last August, Bryant reportedly texted his coach Phil Jackson and told him that while that mission was complete he was ready for the next step; an NBA championship. Bryant didn’t go into this past season disgruntled or upset, he instead was focused, primed, and ready for something bigger.

           
The results were apparent, as the deep and talented Lakers tore through the regular season with a 65-17 tally, showing glimpses of greatness and more importantly, togetherness along the way.

           
In the playoffs the Lakers started fast, dispatching the Utah Jazz in five games before facing an unexpected give and take battle with the Houston Rockets. Despite being without Tracy McGrady and losing All-Star center Yao Ming in game three, the Rockets showed serious heart in extending the Lakers to seven games before being blown out accordingly in game seven.

           
Next up for Los Angeles were the Denver Nuggets, a rugged crew who had shown great chemistry, thanks in part to the addition of Chauncey Billups and the maturation of Carmelo Anthony. The Nuggets went hard at Los Angeles early, splitting the first four games before running out of steam and surrendering in six.

           
While some point to the Lakers’ do or die battles against Houston as Denver as serious problems it should be noted that Los Angeles finished off both squads with landslide victories. One of the key concerns the Lakers showed was an apparent lack of urgency, but when motivated and geared up they seemed like a well-oiled machine and their offense flows beautifully when they are clicking.

           
In the Finals the Lakers again have another talented Eastern Conference foe to reckon with, this time in the form of the Orlando Magic. Despite losing All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson earlier in the year to injury, the Magic’s other three stars, Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis have all come up huge in different situations. This Magic team will certainly present a test, as they are young and more importantly, ready for the moment.

           
With two explosive offensives on the floor together, the 2009 NBA Finals will be sure to entertain. Nothing will come easy in this showdown but what one of the telling stories underneath everything is the new attitude of the Los Angeles Lakers. This isn’t just a team happy to be there, and they are instead out for blood. Nothing short of a championship will satisfy L.A. or their die hard fans and finding out whether or not they can make that premonition a reality is going to be high drama for all involved.

 

Questions and Comments can be sent to Chris at Trimond@aol.com