Kobe Bryant, the all-world Los Angeles Lakers
leader, went down with a torn Achilles on April 12 with only two games remaining on the schedule. Many considered Los Angeles’ playoff chances to have gone down with Bryant. But Steve Blake, Pau
Gasol
, and Dwight Howard led the Lakers
to two victories over San Antonio and Houston without their leading scorer to secure the seventh seed in the West.
Gasol
just put up a triple double on Houston to avoid playing Oklahoma City in the first round, now the Lakers
will face the Spurs in the opening round of the playoffs. Los Angeles has an opportunity to avenge its disappointing season and pull off the upset over the second seeded Spurs.
But, the real opportunity rests on the immense shoulders of Lakers’
center Dwight Howard. Howard has battled through injuries all year to play for L.A. and now he seems to finally be healthy. With Bryant out of the picture, Dwight now has a chance to win over the hearts of the Laker faithful and show the basketball world that he is still the most dominant center in the game. If Dwight can shut down Tim Duncan and will the Lakers
to a series win, the City of Angels will praise him.
The Boston Celtics rallied together and played great team basketball when Rajon
Rondo tore his anterior cruciate
ligament in February, now L.A. has a chance to do the same. While Boston dealt with a big injury early on in the season, the Lakers
are forced to address one heading into the playoffs. That may seem like a disadvantage, but there’s nothing like being the disadvantaged underdog to rally the troops. Mix that with the death Dr. Jerry Buss, the legendary former owner of the Lakers
, and you have enough to inspire a team to make a run.
And this isn’t just some team. The Lakers
are starved for depth and skill at the guard position, but their big men are as good as it gets. Dwight Howard is the game’s best center and Pau
Gasol
, although he was tragically misused by Mike D’Antoni
this season, is still one of the game’s most dominant post players. Steve Blake has shown that he can pick up the slack and hit some clutch shots. Metta
World Peace remains a lock down defender. Antawn
Jamison is capable and Jodie Meeks, while streaky, can provide some scoring.
It will be very hard for the Lakers
to defeat the Spurs, but San Antonio is depleted as well. Manu Ginobli’s
status is uncertain and Boris Diaw
is injured. Dwight matches up well against Duncan, and Pau
should play well against Tiago
Splitter and Dejuan
Blair. Tony Parker could very well wreak havoc on the Lakers
backcourt
, but you never know who will step up in the playoffs.
Bryant’s injury was extremely unfortunate, but it may be a blessing in disguise for L.A. It gives Dwight a chance to step up and take over the team during the most important stretch of the season. He will be a free agent at the end of the season and if Lakers
fans get a steady dose of Orlando-esque
Dwight in the playoffs, it will be hard for the big man to shy away from the screaming fans and bright lights of the Staples Center.
If the Lakers
want to keep Dwight, they better hope he performs swimmingly in the playoffs, because if he doesn’t they’re barely afloat chance of retaining him will most likely drown.
jm296009@ohiou.edu
