If at the beginning of the season we would ask Kobe Bryant if in the
playoffs the Lakers would be considered together with Boston as the
favorites to win the championship, probably Kobe would say that we were
insane and to leave him alone, while he was searching for another
ballclub. But with the development of Bynum and later with the Gasol
trade, here they are, with most power than never. Don't forget that the
Lakers are 27-5 since Gasol joined the team! But most important than
that is that the team looks unstoppable in the playoffs: 6 games, 6
wins and 6 spreads covered. Kobe is the new league's MVP and he is
helping his team mates to improve. However I think the Lakers are yet
to struggle and surely they will end up struggle somewhere.
The Lakers in these six playoff games just needed to care about the
offense and we are yet to watch a playoff game where their defense is
actually tested. In other words, we are yet to see the Lakers having to
play an ugly game in order to win, in where their defense will need to
be at their best in a match against a team like the Spurs, Boston,
Detroit or even Cleveland. Until now this hasn't happened. In the six
playoffs games they have played until now, the Lakers have always
scored more than 102 points, to an impressive average of 115 ppg! We
all know the mythical expression that the championships are won thanks
to the defenses, but until now the Lakers have just won games thanks to
their attack. They really need a real test to their defense. Will that
just happen in the final against Detroit or Boston?