Dysfunctional Lakers On the Brink

Added on May 05, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

Uninspired. Lackadaisical. Flat. Fatigued. These aren’t words normally used to describe the Los Angeles Lakers, but after falling apart for the second straight game against the Mavericks in their Western Conference Semifinals series, the two-time defending champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory: on the brink of elimination.

The 2010-11 Lakers have been an up and down team for much of the season. Despite finishing as the number two seed in the West, they seem to lack the killer instinct and intimidating aura of previous contending squads. Age and injury has crept up fast. Head coach Phil Jackson’s zen-like powers have faded. Kobe Bryant’s late game heroics have disappeared.

Andrew Bynum says there are “trust issues” plaguing the team. Nobody is helping each other on defense. Fingers are being pointed. Pau Gasol has lost his game. Ron Artest has returned to his bonehead ways. Derek Fisher has become a non factor. The three-peat seems to be slipping through their ring-filled fingers.

On the bright side, their opponents haven’t exactly been the picture of postseason dominance over the last few years. Since advancing to the NBA Finals in the 2005-06 season, the Mavs have failed to get past the Conference Semifinals round. For as much talent and money thrown at the roster by owner Mark Cuban, meeting expectations remains a daunting challenge.

Are Phil and Kobe really ready to bow out? Has their bag of motivational tricks finally sprung a leak? Will an 0-2 hole heading to Dallas provide the necessary jolt of inspiration? At this point, none of these questions are easy to answer.

It’s difficult to gauge how the Lakers will react on Friday night. They aren’t functioning as a cohesive team right now and may be without Ron Artest, who will likely be suspended after nearly decapitating Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea at the end of last night’s loss.

It’s hard to fathom guys that have won together for the last three seasons suddenly don’t trust one another. Then again these are the Lakers. Hollywood’s team. Drama and angst follow wherever they go.