by edrouant on May 11, 2012 updated May 11, 2012
The LA Lakers look like they could be fading fast in this series against the Denver Nuggets. With Kobe Bryant ailing the Nuggets have now pushed the Lakers into a Game 7, an idea I would have thought impossible just a few weeks ago. Bryant put up 31 points in this game, but at the end he had some pretty harsh words for his teammates who he obviously felt failed to step up when he was down on his game.
That kind of discord can’t be good for the harmony on the LA Lakers. Unless in some weird way it can serve as a motivational tool. Basically Kobe Bryant has thrown down the gauntlet in front of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Looking at the situation the Lakers key player was absolutely right in being upset. Gasol was a pitiful 1 for 10 and Bynum only 4 for 11. With those kinds of numbers you shouldn’t even be on the court.
So what happens now? The Denver Nuggets come to the Staples Center one game away from pulling off of a major upset. The Lakers appear to be hanging on by their fingernails. They can either rise up or end their season in shambles. Stay tuned because this is going to be interesting.
by edrouant on May 10, 2012 updated May 10, 2012
Apparently having the best record in the Eastern Conference sucks in some situations. In this case, it’s the Chicago Bulls absolutely abysmal luck that makes the whole thing so bad. Running amok through the NBA regular season did the Bulls absolutely no good. In fact it’s probably made this whole playoff scenario much more painful to watch from the point of view of a Chicago Bulls fan. When Lady Luck turns her back on you, you’re just screwed.
The Chicago Bulls were quite clearly the class of the Eastern Conference the whole season and put up 50 wins, playing at a high level for months. Just prior to the playoffs it would be hard to make a case against the Bulls winning the Eastern Conference and advancing into the NBA Finals. But disaster strikes and dreams go out the window. In this case the loss of Derrick Rose has reduced the Chicago Bulls from top contender to outside possibility. It’s not over yet, but the Bulls are facing elimination in Game 6 againts the Philadelphia 76ers.
Of course this is all going over very well in Philly. The Bulls loss is the 76ers gain as they shoot for their first playoff series victory in almost a decade. From there anything can happen as I’m fond of preaching but seriously. could it be anymore painful for Windy City roundball fans? It was all in the palm of their hands and one second later it slipped away. It hurts, and the consolation of being the best team in the Eastern Conference up until that moment, only makes it harder.