All together now…1, 2, 3, jump! Collectively, that’s what every Laker fan is screaming out loud to anyone that will listen. News outlets everywhere are reporting that Andrew Bynum will be out 8-12 weeks with a torn MCL. If this sounds all too familiar, we’re pretty much right back where we started one year ago. Last year, if memory serves, the Lakers weren’t in first place in the Western Conference and if they were, it surely wasn’t by 6 games. So is it time to panic? Sell off those season tickets? Ride the Clipper broken down, rusted over, missing spokes, horses, driver and cargo band wagon? No, its not. You want to know why? History.
History tells us that barely one year ago to the day, the Lakers found themselves in the exact same position with four major differences.
1) Pau Gasol: The Lakers were already one of the best teams in the league without the Spaniard and adding him several weeks later, spurned the team’s success all the way to the Finals. The pessimist would insist that Gasol ignited the team and was the reason for their success, and his presence now doesn’t provide that much needed boost of new energy. I’ll argue that the Lakers are better off with a Gasol who has one year of triangle offense, a thick playoff run, Finals experience and his second All Star birth under his belt.
2) The Bench mob: Perhaps more than any other reason for the Lakers holding it together after Bynum’s injury last year, was the inspired effort of Sasha, Jordan, Vlad and the rest of the bench. The pessimist would probably argue that they were playing on another level last year and they’re not the same bench anymore. Can’t disagree. But they also were playing without Pau Gasol for half the season and by default, had much more playing time to hone their skills. If anything, last year’s bench has proved that through adversity, they excel. Why should this year be any different?
3) Lamar Odom: Once more, we look to history to tell us a player in a contract year usually puts up numbers that far exceed his previous production. Add the massive chip on Odom’s shoulder after being demoted to the bench and you have one serious recipe for a guy with something to prove. For all the inconsistency that is Lamar Odom, much like Kobe, his passion and work ethic are tops among the NBA. We’ve been waiting so long for Odom’s production to meet his talent. Well, no time like the present. Speaking of Kobe…
4) The Reigning MVP: Above all the other reasons I believe the Lakers will survive and thrive without Andrew Bynum, is Kobe Bryant. No one plays better, harder, tougher and with more purpose in the face of adversity than Kobe. Having actually been the cause of Bynum’s injury to boot, nothing Kobe does the rest of this season will surprise me. Triple figure point games? Hextipple-doubles? Making opposing players cry? Single handily forcing NBA organizations to shut down? What’s the limit? You think you’re pissed right now? I can’t even quantify the level of rage Kobe must be harnessing at this very moment. To the rest of the NBA, be afraid. Be very afraid.
Most would agree that Kobe is probably second in the MVP voting right now. The obvious argument is that Kobe has more talent around him than LBJ. So what happens when the Lakers lose their center and Kobe is forced once more to shoulder the load? I believe this will be Kobe’s finest hour. I believe that while he is obviously one of the greatest ever, the rest of this season will cement him as legend. Fear not Laker fans, you are in the best possible hands. And as that commercial says…”There can only be one.” Is there anyONE you’d rather have?
Now more than ever, Fear the Mamba.
