[911pcars]

The Lakers look to be second best to the Celtics this season. 2nd best teams don't suck if you consider the other teams that didn't make it or you happen to have exceedingly high expectations, and unless you're a part owner or a rabid, die-hard fan, it's just a game. However, I too felt sick when I saw the huge lead evaporate, then worse when LA couldn't respond with their own run to regain it.

So far, LA doesn't match up well with Boston. Gasol is more of a big power forward than a center. He can't guard Garnet, and Garnet owns him on defense. A healthy Bynum would have helped on D and rebounding. Next year.

For the next game, the Lakers have to be on their game for the entire 48 min. No lead is safe unless they're up by 40 points, and even then, they have to continue playing smart. They'll have to overcome the emotional let down of the last game; keep ahead of Boston, then close it out. If they can do that on Sunday, anything is possible.

Bryant isn't M. Jordan, nor is Magic or Bird. No one is. Does that make them chumps? Does anyone think Jordan could have won with 4 stiffs? It's easy to criticize sitting on our keysters.

One game at a time, but three more (1 home, 2 away) is looking improbable.

Sherwood