Lakers may have the last laughby Eric WilliamsBryant and Jackson a team Yes, the Miami Heat are still playing and the Los Angeles Lakers had their season abruptly halted nearly two weeks ago in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the high-powered offense of the Phoenix Suns, but when it comes to comparing the respective possibilities for each franchise fielding a championship caliber team, the Lakers probably aren't as far behind the Heat as most people might think. It was widely assumed after the blockbuster trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat two seasons ago, that the Heat, with O'Neal and superstar-in-the-making, Dwayne Wade, would contend for a championship title much sooner than the Lakers, who were in the process of rebuilding their entire roster around Kobe Bryant - and without former head coach, Phil Jackson at the helm. While the Heat did meet the Detroit Pistons in last year's eastern conference finals - and the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade - this season has been a totally different tale for both franchises. I wrote in my NBA preseason column that I thought the Heat would take a step backwards this year with the acquisitions of Antoine Walker and Jason Williams and that certainly appears to be the case. The resignation of head coach Stan Van Gundy (whether forced or not) was a blow to the team I think that was been amazingly understated, maybe because of Riley's reputation. At any case, the Heat are a team that appears to have almost as many holes as it does answers at this point. Of course it helps to have two superstars in O'Neal and Wade, but the Heat will still have to go through the Detroit Pistons to make it to the title series. The Lakers, on the other hand, overachieved mightily this season and gave the Phoenix Suns all they could handle before bowing out in the seventh game of the opening round. With the return of Phil Jackson, and the dominant play of Bryant, the Lakers had a resurgent season that they have to feel good about going into the offseason. "We have to make some large decisions about this team, about who stays and what we build our team around," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "But we feel comfortable that we have a nucleus and that we can go from there. Hopefully, we can find some additional pieces that will make us a little bit better next year." The Lakers, who have been off the mark the last two seasons with their free agents signings, will look to acquire either a starting guard or power forward and possibly both. The Lakers will have the No. 26 pick in the NBA Draft as part of the O'Neal trade, as well as the standard salary-cap exceptions available to each team in the league. They will have a midlevel exception worth around $5 million and a biannual exception worth $1.75 million. There will be several veteran point guards and power forwards available that would be able to make a big difference on a team that is clearly in need of some leadership at the point and a low post banger. The Lakers had better spend their money wisely though. Just last season, they picked up one of my most favorite players in the league in Aaron McKie when they could have had Raja Bell instead. They also went out and signed Vlade Divac two seasons ago and that move turned out to be a total failure. They are also still handcuffed with Brian Grant's enormous contract until after next season, so if they are to improve on this year's promising season, they had better be on the mark with their free agent acquisitions. The Heat will also have some decisions to make, although not as many as the Lakers. O'Neal was noticeably slower this season than at any time in his illustrious career - and the end is apparently in sight. He should have at least three or four more seasons left so, that isn't Miami's most pressing need. What the Heat still need is a backcourt partner to pair with Wade. If Pat Riley truly believes that Jason Williams is the answer, then I can unequivocally say, that he is sadly mistaken. Walker also has seen better days and is nearing the end of his productive days as well. Miami does have Udonis Haslem, Wade and O'Neal as their core, but they will still need to address their backcourt. Gary Payton is near the end of his career and the Heat really need to begin looking for a new point guard as well as a backup to Wade at the "two." The loss of Alonzo Mourning due to an injury earlier this season, left the Heat without any interior defensive presence, so that is an area they may need to shore up as well. At this point, I'd have to realistically say that the Heat are probably a little bit ahead of the Lakers as far as fielding a championship caliber team, but not by much. After the Lakers highly publicized breakup - and last season's ensuing season, O'Neal appeared to firmly have the upper hand in his personal vendetta with Kobe Bryant. Now, Bryant and the Lakers are showing signs of, not only resuscitating the past success of one of the league's most storied franchises - but of beating the Miami Heat and Shaquille O'Neal to the championship punch. Stranger things have happened, that's for sure. Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun and syndicated freelance writer who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15 EST on www.BetUSradio.com. Contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com. --- by BetUSradio at 1800-sports.com on May 15, 2006
Sportsbook Babes
Featured
|
|
© 1800-Sports.com
1998-2008. All rights reserved.
Information contained in this Web site is intended for recreational purposes only. Access to information contained in this Web site is void where prohibited