Really Rondo?

I have not seen a better two game stretch by this Lakers team, or by any team for that matter, at least in the regular season, during my 26 years of existence, then what I just witnessed this past week.  First the Lakers lose to the Charlotte Bobcats at home in overtime, then, half way through this grueling six game road trip, they lose Andrew Bynum to another knee injury.  The one thing this Lakers team seemed to lack last year was toughness, but they showed resilience by defeating the Celtics in Boston, in overtime, despite missing 12 free throws and seeing Kobe go 10-29, and 0-4 in OT, on a back end of a back-to-back.  Then they went into Cleveland, who won their first 23 home games this year, only to see Wally Szczerbiak (3-3 from threes in the first half), Mo Williams (6-13 in the first half), and Zydrunas Ilguaskus (5-8 in the first quarter) go off in the first half, while LeBron was blanketed by a number of Laker defenders.  The Lakers were down 10 at half, but, with the help of Lamar Odom’s 15 point, 10 rebound third quarter, they took a five point lead going into the fourth.  Kobe Bryant was sick and sat out most of the final quarter, but the Lakers reserves did what they have been doing all year long; they extended the lead and the Lakers pulled off the improbable.  The most impressive stat outside of the Lakers dominance in the paint, had to be the 30 points allowed in the second half.  Go figure, the offensive team defeated the defensive team by outplaying them on the defensive end.

No team has defeated two teams with +.800 records on the road this late into the season, according to ESPN.  Now the Lakers are looking at the best record in the league; they swept Boston and Cleveland-their two most likely opponents in the Finals-giving them the tie breaker for home court.  Even if the Lakers do not get a healthy Bynum back by the Finals, it is looking more and more likely that they are stronger physically and mentally than last year.  With the addition of a healthy Trevor Ariza, and the strong play of Pau Gasol, the Lakers look tough to beat in a seven game series, not to mention Lamar Odom, who just put in by far his best performance of the year (28 points, 17 rebounds).  The only thing that could knock the Lakers off course this year is another injury to a key player, or a trade that drastically improves an opponent.  With Amare Stoudemire seemingly on the block, a number of teams could become potential threats to the Lakers dreams of a championship.  Imagine Portland teaming their young squad up with a force like Amare, or the Spurs finding a way to pair Rasheed Wallace up with Tim Duncan.

The Lakers made a statement that they will not be pushed or bullied and that the only way to beat this team come playoff time is to out-perform them on the court, and I do not think anyone in the league comes close to matching up on pure talent alone.  The Lakers have the best coach, the best player, arguably the best starting lineup, and by far the best depth of any team in the league.  It’s a proud day to be a Lakers fan indeed.  Now the key will be to stay focused, as there are still 32 games remaining and only a half game up on Boston, and a game and a half lead on Cleveland.  It should be one hell of a finish to the season.