I know there is enough threads about what could've happened, what could've been done.... but what about Karma. I guess if you proscribe (prescribe?) to it like I do... I think the Lakers maybe exhausted all the good karma they had in getting past the Western foes. Look at what happened prior to the beginning of season: Malone/Payton sign for little to nothing. Next day, Kobe is charged with rape... and then the season continues this see-sawing. Lakers play as a team for 21 games, then well self implode. Malone goes down. But Lakers bench steps it up. Kobe does too. And then the playoffs, we face Tony Parker and his Frenchie ass and well that was just karma waiting to happen. KG got his due in his army statement.. and well Francis/Ming are too young to have much of any karma. Anyways, the Pistons by Brown's near-saintiness alone had loads of good karma and well that was the final factor. Lakers lose in 5, albeit much struggle or karma left. As individuals, Payton was jawing for time, for more ball, Kobe and Shaq played selfishly, and Malone injured.... all the karma was spent.
