Forget all this Talk of a Dynasty

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

June 2000

Congratulations to the LA Lakers for winning their 12th NBA championship in franchise history. Now that my one pleasantry to Phil, Shaq, Kobe, and the fellas is out of the way, I want to dismiss this media talk of a dynasty in the making. Dynasty?! This squad has one title and people are foretelling a dynasty! Give me a break!

First of all, I'm not belittling the accomplishment of the Lakers because winning a championship is very hard work. A lot of various factors have to work in your favor plus you still have to perform when necessary. However, prophesying is a dynasty is way too soon.

Yes, the Lakers defeated all their playoff opponents on the road to the 2000 title; however, what a bumpy road. Before the playoffs started, some media types were wondering if this Lakers team could be stopped at all once the postseason began. Remarkably, some were declaring the Lakers "invincible". Thankfully, two first round losses to the Sacramento Kings squashed any talk of invincibility.

LA is a team of two superstars and 10 role players. (Yes, Glen, on this team you were a role player. Just ask your wife. Fortunately for you, Mr. Rice, you'll be playing elsewhere when next season begins.)

I disagree with many who believe Shaq and Kobe are the top two players in the league. Shaq is obviously the most dominant force in the game today; but, Kobe isn't the second best player. The way opponents went at him throughout the playoffs proves that. Portland's Bonzi Wells had a field day against Kobe for the majority of that series.

Kobe is a great young talent who still has a lot to learn about the game. It was comical how writers were proclaiming him the "Next Jordan" after his 28 point performance in Game 4 versus Indiana; yet, those same writers were conspicuous by their silence when Kobe went 4 for 20 and scored 8 in Game 5.

Kobe is not the second best player in the game. How quickly some forget: a healthy Tim Duncan is the 2nd best player; and some people would argue Tim, not Shaq, is the most complete player in the league.

A few media types have rightly described the Lakers as a "flawed champion". The Lakers were the top defensive team in the league during the regular season; but, the Indiana Pacers carved through the vaunted Lakers" defense like a hot knife through butter in the NBA Finals. Heck, if the Pacers could grab a damn rebound, they might have won Game 4.

Let's not forget, the gag job the Blazers choked up in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. A dynastic team doesn't fall behind by 15 points in the fourth quarter at home. Obviously, LA overcame that deficit; but, depending on your perspective, LA either made a great comeback or the Blazers simply cracked under the pressure. (It's clear which viewpoint I believe.)

For all the talk of a Lakers Dynasty, next year's squad may be better than this year's title team. Even so, that doesn't guarantee the Lakers will win a title next season. The Blazers could be better and the Spurs (Tim Duncan willing) could be better, also.

There was no talk of the Rockets or Pistons being a dynasty and both of those teams won back to back titles. Therefore, Shaq, Kobe, et al. have to win 2 more titles for any dynasty talk to have legitimate merit as far as I'm concerned.