<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PHOENIX ? Looks like anything can't happen in the playoffs, after all, at least not for the Lakers. That illusion is only available to participants. The only way the Lakers will be heating up this postseason is by sitting in the sun in Cancun or Aruba or wherever they're vacationing. After all their triumphs, this is a major stunner for the organization and its fans ? or at the least the ones who have been in denial or hibernation. Anyone who was surprised to find the Lakers eliminated in Tuesday night's 125-99 rout by the Suns hasn't been paying attention or has been living in a dream. If that's you, this is your wake-up call. Make the playoffs? Humble as that goal was, the Lakers didn't come close. Forget eighth place, which is too far away to even think about, they're six games out of ninth. Who gets eliminated on April 5? In the old days, Shaquille O'Neal would just be rounding into shape now, Kobe Bryant would be rejoining the program and Phil Jackson would be dropping the "What, me worry?" pose to remind everyone it was time to get serious.</div> Source
