Teams like the Lakers just coast in the regular season, and then "flip the switch" when the playoffs starts. There's no "momentum", no "hot teams" in today's NBA. It's just about getting the job done early, and then coasting. Phil Jackson has turned it into an art form. The Bulls used to do that all the time, too. Just another thing to dislike about the NBA these days.
Teams have always coasted once they have nothing left to play for. Jackson's Bulls and Lakers have often been so far ahead of the rest of the pack that they didn't have to fight for seeding.
I believe this is what happens when a team "Gets over the hump". Learning how much it takes to win an NBA championship, and once you have experienced that, teams are able to play with more confidence, and more poise. Folks talk about home court advantage. Most teams that have been in the finals the last few years have been teams that have had to win on the road in the playoffs. Once you have done it once, you know you can do it again, and what it takes. Boston rolls into Cleveland and toughs their way to a win. LA rest their players until the playoffs, and then starts rolling. San Antonio scrapes into the playoffs and outs Dallas. They will probably make an adjustment and win game 2 vs PHX IMO.
I am not sure the Lakers have turned on any switch. They have won at home, but they have not blown anyone out. We will see what happens in Utah. But I guarantee they won't get the same calls in SLC. Having said that, things seem to be lining up well for them. (OKC-never been to the playoffs, Utah-without 40% of their starting rotation, Lebron- banged up??) There really is no good experienced team they will face.
Yea I will actually be really surprised if they win in Utah. But they can if they play to their strength, their huge front line.
Why...honestly there couldnt be a worse matchup for the Jazz of the teams that are left....We are way too tall, get rebounds we wouldnt if their team is healthy....If (decent sized if)the Lakers play to their potential this series should be a sweep
DaRizzle I hope you are right because I hate the jazz more than I hate the lakers. (and that is saying a lot) But the "playing to their potential phrase' is getting old. Yeah they should be kicking the Jazz' asses. So why aren't they? They have not shown any reason to think they are the great team that every one thought they were when they added Artest. They did earn the home court advantage during the regular season. And that's a good thing because I think they will need it. Game three is huge. My guess is it goes 5 games ,or 7 games depending on game 3.
I think what bothers a lot of people more is Lakers Success.. and THAT is the reason they hate the NBA.. If someone is so far ahead that they can afford to coast before the playoffs... good for them and they have earned that right. I for one wish we would have been able to coast, that way maybe Roy wouldnt have been playing and got hurt in LA... then maybe we would still be playing.
