Are Lakers Fans Worried?

Even though the Boston Celtics have a two games to zero lead in the NBA Finals, something tells me that even Lakers fans aren’t really worried quite yet. With the schedule the way it is, the Lakers have three straight home games to try to even up the score, and then possibly head back to Boston up 3-2. Even as Boston routed the Lakers in Game Two for 3 1/2 quarters, I don’t feel a sense of urgency. What I sense is that Lakers fans think Kobe Bryant is going to make it all better. Isn’t that what MJ would do?

But in my opinion, they should be worried. Boston has outplayed them since the third quarter of Game 1 on. Paul Pierce is playing like how you’d expect Bryant to play, since Bryant has a few rings to show that he’s been there before. Bryant had a terrible first game and an uneven second one. Late in the second half of Sunday’s game, he finally started to look comfortable on offense, but there wasn’t much pressure to succeed when you’re down by so much. I think we’ll see a much better Kobe tonight though. It’s almost a given that the Lakers will win tonight according to most fans. It’s almost like it’s scripted to be that way. I am very anxiously looking forward to see how Boston comes out. If they come out fast and hard, there could be some unhappiness in So Cal.

Give it up for Leon Powe. Nice to see a Bay Area guy having big games on the biggest stage.

Here’s what some of my fellow basketball bloggers had to say about the happenings in the first two games.

ShavedAsian: The Lakers were well on their way to evening up the Series until about 4 minutes into the game, when they subbed in Luke Walton for the “P.P. Stopper” Trevor Ariza.  Kobe has been too passive early in the games, deferring to teammates and settling for perimeter shots.  That might have worked in the earlier rounds against lesser teams, but this is the Finals.  You’re not going to get the same output from role players like Vujacic (sorry Eddy).  He needs to make a statement early in the games, much like MJ would in the Finals.  From what I saw in the final quarter, it looks like Kobe is just about to turn the corner, and this is going to be an entertaining series.  Lesson Learned:  Never awake a sleeping rapist!

HJ: I am seeing that Gasol should get the no defense player award.  The drive that Powe took to the basket and Gasol just got out of the way?Powe?s not that scary.  Leon Powe dominating is not a good thing for the Lakers. Even though Powe is a good player, he should not be scoring so easily.  He had like 4 easy dunks!  I thought they had a chance to come back, but I had no idea what play the Lakers were trying to run at the end. They used way too much time.  SWEEP IN LA FOR LA!

Eddy Zucko: Never wake a sleeping Slovenian. Vujacic is going to blow up in L.A. Mark my words, J. Vujacic will do his best Leon Powe impersonation. Leon Powe? Really? The guy’s got worse knees than Patrick Ewing. No way he has a game like that again in this series. We all know Cal guys can’t win an NBA championship. L.A. in 6 games.

Update: I nearly forgot. Rivalries never die.