Playoff Around The Rim: June 19
By Eric Karabell
ESPN.com
VIEW FROM THE ROAD
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LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal. Staples Center. The Lakers' defense.
There you have it, a couple of reasons why the Lakers will close out the
NBA Finals on Monday with a win.
Can Indiana win? Well, sure, if the Pacers shoot 55 percent from the field and
Kobe Bryant goes 4 for 20 from the floor, anything's possible.
It's almost crazy to say it, considering the sheer numbers he's putting
up in this series, but Shaq almost needs to be even more dominant in Game 6. Maybe his teammates won't forget about him, as they did during
the third quarter of Game 5. From there, it's up to Shaq to reaffirm why
he's the MVP of the league and this series. In 45 minutes per game, he's averaging 37
ppg, while hitting 62 percent of his shots and averaging 18 rebounds.
To read more about what our NBA columnists think going into Game 6, click here for more Mitch Lawrence, click here David Aldridge and Frank Hughes.
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VIEW FROM THE FANS
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I think that this series was really over after Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Portland and L.A. have been the class of the NBA this season. I do think that Indiana has shown that they have no quit in them but as far as them winning three in a row against the Lakers, I just don't see that happening. This one's over Monday night and let the dynasty begin.
Chad
Mattoon, Ill.
I really don't think L.A. will close out Indiana in Game 6. A lot of people are underestimating the Pacers. If Reggie and Jalen show up, it is going to be a long night for L.A. Kobe can't check Jalen without getting into foul trouble. If the Pacers drive to the hole and get Shaq in foul trouble they could possibly win two in L.A. I think L.A. will win the series, but it will be in seven games. One reason is L.A. will just be on fire in Game 7. The other is the Pacers will be burnt out from the past four games.
Mal
New Orleans, La.
The Lakers seem to think that all they have to do Monday is kill 48 minutes and the title will be given to them. They are saying that the homecrowd is their edge, but I can't recall the last time the home crowd was allowed to be on the floor during the game helping block shots, shoot jumpers, make free throws. The Pacers didn't get that concession, they just kicked the Lakers' butt up and down the court, winning two out of three games. What I saw in Indy was the Pacers playing like they deserved to be the champions of the NBA. The Lakers need to play Game 6 like they have played the opening games of the series, where they are 11-2. They need to play like a team that wants the title, not a team who thinks by showing up they deserve it.
Ken Whelan
Sacramento, Calif.
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We all know how good the Supermen in the NBA Finals are. Shaquille O'Neal is having one of the greatest performances by a leading man in Finals history. Reggie Miller started slowly, but he's been good for 25 or more points since leaving L.A.
But you can certainly make the point that without Kobe Bryant and Jalen Rose adding their scoring punch, the Lakers and Pacers -- on most nights -- can't win.
Rose
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Kobe took over Game 4 and Jalen Game 5 and there's no doubt that their teammates realize the importance of them shooting well.
"It's very important for both guys," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "Jalen has been a big key to their success. A proven second scorer along with Reggie, and people always know Reggie has the ability to carry a team, but when you get at least 20 from Jalen they are so much more effective. And for our team, we have three guys with Shaq, Kobe and Glen, and we're obviously a much better team when they score."
That's not to say that the Lakers and Pacers can't win without these guys scoring, but it's a lot easier. The Lakers would not have won Game 4 unless someone took over after Shaq fouled out. And even when he did, it took someone taking the shots, directing the team and making the key play with 5.9 seconds left to play to win it. How important was that overtime effort by Kobe? The Lakers could be down 3-2 now.
"Sure, we can win without Kobe, but as long as Kobe is just being Kobe, it makes a huge difference to us," Brian Shaw said. "It brings a lot of attention to him and opens things up for everyone else."
Rose made sure the Pacers won Game 5 by draining threes and scoring 20 points in the first half. Remember, unlike Shaq and Kobe, where a significant difference in points is the norm because Shaq scores so much, Rose and Miller normally score about the same.
"We've won a few games when I didn't play my best basketball, and we've won a few when I have," Rose noted. "I know I will be aggressive, win, lose or draw. It's all we have. Do or die."
Other thoughts
Anyone wondered where this series would be had the Pacers won Game 4? That was the game that Shaq fouled out of, Kobe took over, Jalen was horrible. Now you remember. "We've kicked ourselves in the butt talking about that Game 4 loss a lot," Rose said. "Game 2 as well. Coming in people were talking sweep. But we could be up 3-2."
Don't overrate the fact the Lakers lost by 33 in Game 5 back at Conseco. On a team of veterans, nobody cares whether the loss was by 3 or 33. "You know, it only counts as one game," Ron Harper said. "Our mood is just fine. I don't see anyone in here sad. We could have lost by 200 points. So what." Now if they had lost by 200, that would have made for a story.
There was a mass exodus out of Indianapolis on Saturday. Only 24 or so of those people were players. Since there are reporters at the NBA Finals from more than 40 countries, you can imagine the media is well represented. And most of them figured the series wasn't going back to Los Angeles. So pardon your local newspaper writer covering the series if his story on Saturday was a little more angry than normal.
Stat of the day
One franchise is going for its 12th NBA championship. The other has never won one. So today's stat is pretty simple, actually. Overall, not a whole lot of teams have been able to say they have won an NBA title. A total of 53 franchises have won the prize, but more than half of that total is from two franchises. So here are the eight NBA franchises that have won more than one NBA title. Note that the other eight were won by eight different franchises.
NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS BY FRANCHISE:
Boston Celtics, 16, last one in 1985-86
Minneapolis-L.A. Lakers, 11, last one in 1987-88
Chicago Bulls, 6, last one in 1997-98
Philadelphia-Golden State Warriors, 3, last one in 1974-75
Syracuse Nats-Philadelphia 76ers, 3, last one in 1982-83
Detroit Pistons, 2, last one in 1989-90
Houston Rockets, 2, last one in 1994-95
New York Knicks, 2, last one in 1972-73
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