Last year we would question the team when they played lazy, or uninspired basketball. Whether it be a win or a loss. I remember even when we were winning, but giving up like 110 points a night, the team was criticized for not stepping up and playing hard enough. We were too lazy and that would end up biting us in the ass. But whenever we played elite teams, the team stepped up and showed everyone what we were really capable of. But even then, that wasn't enough to give the team a pass for losing to the Bobcats, or giving up 110 points, or just playing lazy basketball. So the question is, now that this team has shown they are champions, and even improved in the offseason, will there still be the same outcries if it looks like we're being lazy and uninterested in the regular season? Or will you guys just say, well it's a long season, they're bored, just wait until the postseason.
Not too sure really. I would probably still be pissed off whenever we lose to a team due to lack of effort and motivation, but at the very least I know what our team is truly capable of. Though, I don't like to think that they can always turn the switch on when it comes to the postseason, just check the Houston series. I remember last season whenever LA won against a weak/non-playoff team by non-blowout fashion, I would get pissed. lol Any of you guys think we can mimic last year's early defensive brilliance for the first few games?
I think we can. Adding Ron improves our defense as well. I wonder if we can play consistent D though. Last year our defense showed up in spurts. We got stops when we needed them, but the majority of the time we played lazy. At least we stepped up big in the Finals, when it counts.
Hope it does happen. And I hope the addition of Ron's craziness gives the team something to be busy about so that they don't get lazy during the season. Yeah, in the Finals, the guy who stepped up the most on D has got to be Pau.
No free pass this year. If they lose a game due to lack of effort to a shitty team, it will be considered as ,what I like to call, "post-championship year syndrome". Where the hunger for victory has diminished and all goals have been achieved. The only players I see working/playing hard consistently will be Kobe (obvious), Artest, and probably Gasol. I see Odom, Bynum, Sasha, Farmar, and Puke playing the most half-assed. So, no passes will be given by the media nor the fans. Same thing we dealt with during the three peat years, a half asses Shaq.
I get pissed off every time the Lakers lose. It usually takes until after the season for me to sit back and really evaluate how they played. That said, I will always be pissed when we lose to the Queens or Bobcats, which we will inevitably do again next year.
