Hollywood Hope?

One month ago from today, Lakerland fell to to a state of mediocrity that it is not accustomed to.  They stood at 14-11 coming off a loss to the surprising 76ers. Although the team managed to squeak one out against arch nemesis Boston, any optimism was quickly deflated when Jeremy Lin torched L.A's backcourt with a 38-point game.


The same gripes and complains reverberated louder than ever in Hollywood.

Fisher is too old, Gasol is inconsistent, the bench is non-existent, too many minutes for Kobe, and Bynum's knees will always be in question.

Fast forward to today, the Lakers are 23-14, winners of 8 of the last 10 games, coming off a stellar performance against the Miami Heat.  Granted, Chris Bosh did not play and the Heatles are a different animal when their Big Three are on the floor together. Still, it is no easy feat to string W's in the NBA, regardless of who is missing on the other team's lineup.  They are sitting pretty above the Clippers in both the Pacific Division and the number 3 spot in the Western Conference   If their recent play is any indication that the Lakers have finally found themselves, there is no reason not to believe this team might go farther than previously expected.

They may even have a shot at the title this season.

Yeah, I said it.

Even if they decide not to make a trade and go to war with the current roster,I believe they have what it takes.  Here is why:

1) D -- The playoffs is a pressure cooker. All of sudden that rim is smaller, defense is tighter, and those easy shots you get in the regular season, are much tougher to create.  The Lakers have been playing grind it out, East-coast style ball all season, their Offense might hiccup at times, but the D has kept them in games. Come playoff time, Defense is what you go to war with.

2) Experience -- younger and more athletic teams like the Thunder, Grizzlies, and the Clippers will run circles around the Lakers.  However,  the core of the roster has gotten it done before.  Veteran savvy, in most cases, trumps youth and inexperience.  It may not matter to some, but to me, it counts for something.

3) Size -- There are very few teams in the league today that can handle LA's size up front.  Each of the thirteen post-Michael Jordan era champions had atleast one or two bigs that can get it done in the paint.

Pistons (04) Ben and Sheed Wallace
Heat (06) Shaq
Celtics (08) Perkins/Garnett
Mavs (11) Chandler/Nowitzki
Spurs ( 99, 03, 05, 07) - Robinson/Duncan
Lakers (00, 01, 02, 09, 10) Shaq/Gasol/Bynum

Last time I checked, Bynum is healthy and having an All Star season. Gasol's numbers are down, but he is still one of the better forwards in the league, averaging a double double.  If those two can continue to dominate the paint, come playoff time, Lakers will be a tough draw for any team.

and last but not least...

4) Kobe Bean Bryant -- The league's most ruthless winner.  Can anybody say otherwise?  What he now lacks in speed and athleticism, he makes up for in smarts and savvy.  You just cannot count out a team with this guy on it.  If he decides to play to the Lakers strength inside, not jack up ill-advised 25-30 shots a game (though he will make them more often than you think) and really pick his spots, oh boy...

Assuming there will be no overhaul of the roster with a big trade, there is hope in Tinseltown.  False hope?  Perhaps, but hope nonetheless.