Why Bother Playing the Season at all?

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

November 2001

I wish I could say I was looking forward to this NBA season with great anticipation; but, I'm not. The reason is quite simple: the Lakers are going to win their third straight championship. I know about the subplots: Michael Jordan's return to the game and all the numerous individual matchups (MJ vs. Kobe; MJ vs. Air Carter; MJ vs. The Answer; etc.) we'll witness. It's true MJ's return is only a part of the story for the 2001 - 2002 season; and, a lot of other questions will be answered. However, in the end, it's all about Shaq, Kobe, and "Big Chief Triangle" (Phil Jackson, for those of you not in the know). If that's true, then why bother playing the season at all? I'm glad you asked.

Obviously, the Lakers are the definitive favorite to win the championship; but, far too many things can occur before their crowned once again. First and foremost, one or both of the league's BIG TWO could suffer a season ending injury; and, the race for number one would open wide. If an injury occurred, then, the media, led by Phil Jackson (of course), would claim the champion should have an asterisk placed next to their name because they didn't have to defeat the Lakers at their best. Whatever.

Second, the Lakers' regular season boredom could actually have a negative effect on them this post-season. Since, everyone has given them the title, Shaq and Kobe (the rest of the team, too) are bound to go through a period of boredom where the team goes through a period of losses. I'm sure the Lakers will be bored during this regular season because they went through their "bored phase" last season. Of course last season also had the added bonus of dissension between Shaq and Kobe to stir the part much more. I don't believe Kobe is tired of winning rings, yet; so, he won't rock the boat and complain about the offense not going through him like he did last season. However, since he's only 23, Kobe will tire of the Lakers' being described as Shaq's team or even Shaq and Kobe's team one day. When the day arrives that Kobe wants his own team, then the "stuff will hit the fan".

(By the way, it's so nice of Shaq to say he's going to do everything he can to make sure Kobe wins the regular season MVP award this year. Isn't that special.)

A third bump in the road before LA wins it all again is the competition. Sacramento truly believes they have the firepower to dethrone the Lakers. Good for them. I admire their confidence. The Kings do have a very good offensive team with enough scoring threats to counteract LA';s super scoring duo. As long as Peja Stojakovic can handle Rick Fox's physical defense, the Kings could be right.

Another opponent is the San Antonio Spurs. If the Spurs have any pride whatsoever, they should be on a mission of redemption in order to ease the pathetic taste they left in the mouth of basketball observers last season when they rolled over and died versus the Lakers in the playoffs. Yes, I know Derek Anderson was injured and Sean Elliott was a shell of his former self; but, those two don't account for the passive performances exhibited by Tim Duncan (or as a colleague calls him -- Dunk on him) or David Robinson (Mrs. Robinson).

The irony involved with defeating the Lakers is the "other" Lakers are the ones that come through in the clutch situations. Derek Fisher shot lights out from the three point line during the playoffs. Derek was so deep into the "zone", he could have made those 3s with his eyes closed.. In addition to Fisher, "Mr. Playoffs" Robert Horry always steps up his game when it's most needed. If any or all of the other Lakers struggle or simply play their usual game, then the chances of beating the league's "Dynamic Duo" improve.

While the East's top teams may not be as strong as the West's top guns, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Toronto, Charlotte, and / or Orlando could give the Lakers some fits, too. Therefore, despite the opinion of many, the NBA's race for the championship is not a foregone conclusion. If things always worked out like we expect, then life would be boring and unimaginative; and, the Houston Roundball Review would actually have a lot of subscribers and not just people who call in to ask me questions on the radio.