Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Aug 27, 2007 13:41:26 GMT -5
Injuries Define Lakers Playoff Run
At the midway point of the season this year, the Lakers made a trade for Jermaine O'Neal - a player they Lakers believed would make them an unstoppable force in the league. That turned out to be hardly true as O'Neal's presence only ruined what chemistry the team had built early the first half the season.
The Lakers struggled to find their poise throughout after the trade. They played merely .500 ball until the last 20 days of the season. Then after not experiencing any injuries at all throughout the season, the bug finally bit them when Lebron James would miss most of the first round.
It was rivalry series that the Lakers had to face without James - a rivalry series against the Blazers. All seemed well after the first two games which the Lakers won quite handedly. But doubt started to creep in after Portland defended their homecourt. Could this Laker team really beat the Blazers without Lebron James?
Fortunately for Laker fans they did, winning the following two games. The clincher was one of Lebron's two shining moments in the playoffs that were marred with injury.
Next up came the Timberwolves who looked to pose a serious threat with their frontline of Curry and Duncan. But the injury bug for the Lakers seemed to be over now that Lebron was back.
Wrong!
It was the young sophomore point guard's turn, Mike Conley Jr, to take his place on the inactive list. He played game one sparingly but had to miss the rest of the series with an injury himself. And yes even though the Lakers won game one, the fans in Los Angeles yet again had doubt creep in their minds. The point guard position is of course the most important spot to fill.
Luckily for the Lakers, they found a way with their versatility and depth. Lebron James ran the team's offense for the rest of the series. And not surprisingly, he executed well. And remember how I said he had two shining moments in the playoffs? Well his second shining moment came in the clincher against the T-Wolves where he dimed up 16 assists for his team.
Next up for the Lakers was the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. They may not have had the same depth as last year's team but they presented a daunting task none the less. Fortunately for the Lakers Mike Conley's injury had cleared up and he was ready to go head to head with Jameer Nelson. This would be the series that the Lakers would go full strength.
Wrong yet again!
Jermaine O'Neal ended up hurt and would miss a substantial portion of the series. Losing Jermaine against Zaza and Pau? That had to spell the end for this Laker run.
But it didn't. Depth once again was a savior for this team as they went on to defeat the defending champs and advance to the final round.
Lakers and Hawks - both teams at full strength. You'd think that with the Lakers talented starting five this would be easy for them especially with the advantage at center against Nazr Mohammed. Definitely after they got served a spanking in game one. Game two was no different. And Game three well that definitely signaled that this thing was over after....you guessed it right...
Another injury.
And this time to the Lakers most important player, Chris Bosh. A sweep was in order was it not? Surprisingly no. In fact the Lakers ended up winning their only two games of the series without Bosh. But again, another series short for the Lakers as they saw Atlanta walk out of Los Angeles with the trophy.
At least the Lakers can be proud of this run as compared to their last one. They didn't choke away this championship.
At the midway point of the season this year, the Lakers made a trade for Jermaine O'Neal - a player they Lakers believed would make them an unstoppable force in the league. That turned out to be hardly true as O'Neal's presence only ruined what chemistry the team had built early the first half the season.
The Lakers struggled to find their poise throughout after the trade. They played merely .500 ball until the last 20 days of the season. Then after not experiencing any injuries at all throughout the season, the bug finally bit them when Lebron James would miss most of the first round.
It was rivalry series that the Lakers had to face without James - a rivalry series against the Blazers. All seemed well after the first two games which the Lakers won quite handedly. But doubt started to creep in after Portland defended their homecourt. Could this Laker team really beat the Blazers without Lebron James?
Fortunately for Laker fans they did, winning the following two games. The clincher was one of Lebron's two shining moments in the playoffs that were marred with injury.
Next up came the Timberwolves who looked to pose a serious threat with their frontline of Curry and Duncan. But the injury bug for the Lakers seemed to be over now that Lebron was back.
Wrong!
It was the young sophomore point guard's turn, Mike Conley Jr, to take his place on the inactive list. He played game one sparingly but had to miss the rest of the series with an injury himself. And yes even though the Lakers won game one, the fans in Los Angeles yet again had doubt creep in their minds. The point guard position is of course the most important spot to fill.
Luckily for the Lakers, they found a way with their versatility and depth. Lebron James ran the team's offense for the rest of the series. And not surprisingly, he executed well. And remember how I said he had two shining moments in the playoffs? Well his second shining moment came in the clincher against the T-Wolves where he dimed up 16 assists for his team.
Next up for the Lakers was the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. They may not have had the same depth as last year's team but they presented a daunting task none the less. Fortunately for the Lakers Mike Conley's injury had cleared up and he was ready to go head to head with Jameer Nelson. This would be the series that the Lakers would go full strength.
Wrong yet again!
Jermaine O'Neal ended up hurt and would miss a substantial portion of the series. Losing Jermaine against Zaza and Pau? That had to spell the end for this Laker run.
But it didn't. Depth once again was a savior for this team as they went on to defeat the defending champs and advance to the final round.
Lakers and Hawks - both teams at full strength. You'd think that with the Lakers talented starting five this would be easy for them especially with the advantage at center against Nazr Mohammed. Definitely after they got served a spanking in game one. Game two was no different. And Game three well that definitely signaled that this thing was over after....you guessed it right...
Another injury.
And this time to the Lakers most important player, Chris Bosh. A sweep was in order was it not? Surprisingly no. In fact the Lakers ended up winning their only two games of the series without Bosh. But again, another series short for the Lakers as they saw Atlanta walk out of Los Angeles with the trophy.
At least the Lakers can be proud of this run as compared to their last one. They didn't choke away this championship.
