Kobe, Drew, Pau, Ramon, Metta, Matt, Steve: We a Team, Baby!

Posted by: lakeshowsd on Apr 20, 2012 - 01:25 AM
lakers-blog

I just wanna bring everybody together and say that I'm pumped up about the playoffs, which are just around the corner. Even though we're not a top seeded team, this Laker team has been so much more fun to watch and see them grow when compared to last season under the great Phil Jackson. There's been a lot of bumps along the way, and it hasn't always been pretty but it's been a wild ride with all the drama any Laker fan could ever hope to expect.

Here are some of the positives about this roller coaster 2011-12 season:

1) Kobe has still got it in a lot of ways. Is he as good as he was when he was 28, 29, or 30? No, but at age 33 he's still one of the top 3 to 5 players in the game today. That's an amazing feat after 16 years in the league and after all the injuries and countless playoff minutes logged. For Kobe to still be right there in the discussion for MVP speaks volumes about his greatness. I've also enjoyed how Kobe has mentored Bynum in a sense and you can see the influence he's had on our young star center. Bynum is starting to play with the kind of fearlessness and confidence that Kobe displays and you can tell Bynum feeds off of Kobe's killer mentality. I see some similar qualities in their approach to the game, and Kobe has continued to show tremendous leadership this season.

2) Drew is for real. Nobody has grown more as a player than Andrew Bynum this season and for the first time in his career, most Laker fans are beginning to believe that this young man could be a franchise player worthy of building a dynasty around. He's just a monster to handle on the block and he impacts the game in so many ways that it's downright scary at times. It's exciting to anticipate what he'll do in the playoffs and how much better he'll be next year.

3) Pau Gasol has had a wonderful bounce back season and I commend him. Not only has his defense improved a bit from the non-existent D he played last year, but Pau has accepted his role as the 3rd option behind Kobe and Drew for much of the season. He's flourished in his role as that 3rd guy; the "James Worthy" of the bunch. Pau didn't make the All-Star team this year but he's had just as much impact as any All-Star and his numbers have been right on par with what we've seen for his entire career. Furthermore, I've been very pleased with how Gasol has handled himself in light of all the trade rumors and he's behaved like a true professional at all times. Go Pau!

I just wanna try to bring the LTB together as we head into the playoffs. I know we are often divided but it's time to set aside our differences and support this Laker team. Whether you've been reppin Bynum all season long, or reppin Kobe nonstop from day 1, we need to recognize that the Lakers must have both of these guys dig down deep and put forth every ounce of greatness they possess in order to win a title this year. The same can be said for Pau, Metta, Matt, Steve, Ramon, coach Brown, and the rest of our guys. Because in the end, we a team, baby and we're gonna win or lose as a team! Go Lakers!