My take on the Lakers is that they never could just turn it on. The first year they won the championship they were focussed from day 1, maintaining a high level of play throughout the season, but did tend to show signs of complacency at key moments in the playoffs as they hadn't learned what it takes to win a championship at that point. They eventually did get the job done albeit a little ref aided and they built on that in future years. Year 2 they came in to the season very complacent and were not playing much better than they are now(only they had a healthy Shaq from day 1). I recall that season as they went through period of struggle prior to the return of D Fisher(who missed the entire season up until that point in late March of April) the odds on them to win the champioship jumped to 6-1. Derek Fisher came back, this team went on an unbelievable run that started in early April that kept building and building(they did not turn if on overnight) and D. Fisher played at a level he never did prior or since. They dominated through the playoffs as their role players were players were all feeling it and that was the most impressive Laker team for that short stint from April until the championship. Last season the Lakers were sort of on cruise control, not really complacent, not really focussed, by the playoffs Sacramento had caught up to them ability wise and if not for some serious choking by every King other than Bibby, not to mention that flukish 3 pointer by Horry the Kings should have been Champions last year. They clearly showed throughout the series they were the better team.
We are now at a point where 2 teams (Dallas and Sacramento are on par with the Lakers(even when the Lakers are on top of their game-which they are obviously not). Only the Lakers of the playoffs 2 seasons ago were clearly better than the these two teams right now. Now the problem for the Lakers is drive, they just do not have the will to win that they have had in the past and Age, very few acquistition have just left this team full of ageing role players. More importantly, Shaq is not even close to being Shaq. Sure he can still dominate with his strength, but his range is currently gone, his lift is currently gone and he isn't even close to being the player he can be. The Laker role players feed off of Shaq and Kobe. When Shaq and Kobe have it going, suddenly Fisher and Fox start hitting wide open shots, when they do not you see clanks. Are Lakers done, I highly doubt it. Actually, I was very impressed with the Lakers for 2 1/2 quarters yesterday and I think it is an effort they can build upon. Lakers big problem this season has been showing up. But for the first 2 1/2 quarters yesterday they were playing with a lot of step in their game and played better than I have seen them play all season other than the 4th quarter of the Dallas game. Do not forget they lost to a "loaded" Sacramento team who hasn't stopped thinking about the Lakers since being eliminated. Can the Lakers turn it on and become the team they were 2 seasons ago, not a chance, can they turn it on and become the team they were last season, I would say so. Will they? Remains to be seen. Has a lot to do with desire and how much they want to or feel a need to.
