NBA Playoffs
Jason Spears
Issue date: 4/14/04 Section: Sports
The 2004 NBA Playoffs are all about one team this year, the Los Angeles Lakers. Weather or not if they win or lose it will be the biggest story of the year in NBA Basketball. They have the best starting five ever formed in the NBA.
Three returning superstars from a stint that brought L.A. three consecutive championships make up the main core of a team that will settle for nothing less than the best. The most dominate center in the league Shaquile O'neal, Kobe Bryant, who is having personal problems, but playing some of the best basketball of his career, and Rick Fox one of the best defenders to play the game have proven essential for a fourth Lakers run.
In the off season the Lakers picked up two future Hall of Famers to complete their powerhouse. Karl Malone, who played for the Utah Jazz for eighteen seasons and is second only to Wilt Chamberlain for the most career points scored. Last, Gary Payton rounds out this dream team with his intense defense and great court vision. And on the sidelines it can't be forgotten who's leading this great Lakers team into battle.
Phil Jackson, who is one of the most respected coaches in the league, has melded several star powers into a cohesive machine.
By building such a great team this year the Lakers have put quit a deal of pressure on themselves to win the 2004 NBA championship. Having picked up two veterans who are surely going to be Hall of Famers and.
Still the Western Conference is so strong the Lakers will not dominate the playoffs. In the end the fact of the matter is that a five or seven game series the Lakers can beat any team in the NBA.
Nothing against the Kings or the Pistons who both have great teams and a good chance to win it all this year, but this is the year Karl Malone and Garry Payton hold the trophy high above their heads as confetti falls from the rafters.
For right now 2 stars who have never won a championship look for that opportunity and 2004 is the year that Karl and Payton bring Los Angeles its 4th championship in 6 years, and perhaps the making of one more L.A. dynasty.
Three returning superstars from a stint that brought L.A. three consecutive championships make up the main core of a team that will settle for nothing less than the best. The most dominate center in the league Shaquile O'neal, Kobe Bryant, who is having personal problems, but playing some of the best basketball of his career, and Rick Fox one of the best defenders to play the game have proven essential for a fourth Lakers run.
In the off season the Lakers picked up two future Hall of Famers to complete their powerhouse. Karl Malone, who played for the Utah Jazz for eighteen seasons and is second only to Wilt Chamberlain for the most career points scored. Last, Gary Payton rounds out this dream team with his intense defense and great court vision. And on the sidelines it can't be forgotten who's leading this great Lakers team into battle.
Phil Jackson, who is one of the most respected coaches in the league, has melded several star powers into a cohesive machine.
By building such a great team this year the Lakers have put quit a deal of pressure on themselves to win the 2004 NBA championship. Having picked up two veterans who are surely going to be Hall of Famers and.
Still the Western Conference is so strong the Lakers will not dominate the playoffs. In the end the fact of the matter is that a five or seven game series the Lakers can beat any team in the NBA.
Nothing against the Kings or the Pistons who both have great teams and a good chance to win it all this year, but this is the year Karl Malone and Garry Payton hold the trophy high above their heads as confetti falls from the rafters.
For right now 2 stars who have never won a championship look for that opportunity and 2004 is the year that Karl and Payton bring Los Angeles its 4th championship in 6 years, and perhaps the making of one more L.A. dynasty.
