After the Lakers were able to dispatch the San Antonio Spurs last night many feel that Los Angeles has regained their championship form. Modern day sports never ceases to amaze me, as one good win has a team on the championship fast-track, and one bad loss means the team should shut it down and think about next year. For the Lakers this morning it is the former, as they used an all-around effort last night to out-muscle an ailing San Antonio team. However, there is still a missing piece in the Lakers quest to complete the championship puzzle. In fact, I think there are two crucial pieces left that need to fall into place.
The performance last night by the Lakers was certainly something to feel positive about. Kobe Bryant played his most efficient game in a long time, Ron Artest played solid defense and frustrated the Spurs, and Lamar Odom did just about everything even with his sore shoulder. The thing that must be remembered though, is that these aren’t your Spurs of yesteryear, or even last year. The Spurs are falling fast, and with a record of 42-28 they are only half a game ahead of Portland for the eighth sport in the Western Conference. This is a team that the Lakers should beat, as the ability of the team doesn’t mirror the reputation of the team logo. Even though last night’s win was an impressive one, the Lakers will face much more difficult opponents a month from now.
While last night’s game may be a possible match-up in the first round of the playoffs, the second, third, and fourth round opponents the Lakers face will be much more difficult. Those potential match-ups are going to test the Lakers much more than the aging San Antonio Spurs, and the Lakers will need to have their full arsenal at hand if and when they advance in the playoffs.
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