Empty the Bench

By: Christopher Thell

One down. Fifteen to go.

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago no one in Lakerdom knew exactly what to expect from the Purple and Gold and their subsequent run to the Finals was a delightful surprise (although the horrid way it ended in the Game 6 massacre dampened much of the goodwill that sweet run had engendered).

This year, expectations have risen to a fever pitch, and nothing less than a championship will suffice for Lakerland.

After cruising to a 65-17 regular season record and winning the Western Conference by 11 games, Lakers fans have to believe that this Lakers team, finally blessed with full health, is poised to win it all.

And on an opening weekend when two of the four teams with a legitimate shot to hoist the trophy lost Game 1’s at home, The Lakers did nothing to dispel the notion that this title is theirs to lose.

True, they got sloppy in the 2nd half, twice allowing Utah to close to within 9 points, after racing out to a 22 point halftime lead, but they managed to hold on for a 13 point win, 113-100.

Seemingly every Laker contributed in the first half, with the Lakers shooting 66% as a team from the field. Pau Gasol notched 10 points and 7 boards, Odom chipped in with 9 points, and Trevor Ariza broke out with 12 first half points, including 2-3 from beyond the arc.

After getting his teammates involved early, Kobe Bryant scored nine consecutive points right before the half ended, dishing out his fifth assist to Luke Walton for a corner three with 23 seconds left that put the Lakers up 62-40 at the half – game effectively over.

The truth is that as brilliant as Deron Williams is, the Jazz are completely outmatched. This series should be over in a maximum of five games.

Yawn…

Wake me when it’s over.

Now, a second round match-up between the upstart Blazers or the Ron Artest/Yao led Rockets – that’s must see TV. The Lakers well documented woes winning at The Rose Garden and the two teams burgeoning dislike for each other would give a Blazers/Lakers series a particularly nice edge.

Until then, I’ll be paying attention, enjoying the ride and thankful for the trip, but like embarking on a long cross-continent flight: sure, it’s great to take-off, but I just can’t get excited – yet.

One down. Fifteen to go.

The popular Postcards From LA series is back for a 2009 Lakers run at the NBA Championship. As long as the Los Angeles Lakers survive through the 2009 NBA playoffs, Empty the Bench’s West Coast correspondent Christopher Thell will be submitting a local fan’s take on his beloved Lakers’ postseason trials, tribulations and successes.