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Lakers take place among greatest playoff teams
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
PHILADELPHIA -- Fifteen and one.
That's never been done before, and that's why that playoff record puts the 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers among the elite teams of all time.
Their inconsistent regular-season record denies them a position of all-time great teams overall. But 15-1 in the playoffs? That may stand a long time.
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Almost perfect
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Year
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Team
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W-L
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Pct.
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2001
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L.A. Lakers
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15-1
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.938
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1983
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76ers
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12-1
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.923
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1999
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Spurs
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15-2
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.882
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1989
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Pistons
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15-2
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.882
|
|
1991
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Bulls
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15-2
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.882
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|
1971
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Bucks
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12-2
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.857
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|
1982
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L.A. Lakers
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12.2
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.857
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1996
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Bulls
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15-3
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.833
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1986
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Celtics
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15-3
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.833
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1987
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L.A. Lakers
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15-3
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.833
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1950
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Minn. Lakers
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10-2
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.833
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This very well could be the makings of a Laker dynasty with more titles to come. You've got two main guys in Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant who can almost carry the team by themselves.
O'Neal proved he's certainly the most dominant player in the league. His game just keeps escalating in all phases -- as a defender, a rebounder, a shot blocker -- and he has a complete arsenal of offensive skills. As long as O'Neal and Bryant are with the Lakers, they're always going to be in contention.
The chances for a three-peat are very good. They have some players waiting in the wings. They feel very confident about Stanislav Medvedenko as a backup forward, where they also like rookie Mark Madsen to play. Point guard Tyronn Lue has also shown that he can be a contributor. I don't think Ron Harper will play next year, but Phil Jackson has guys ready to step in.
In the series-clinching Game 5 win, the Lakers withstood an early surge by the Sixers, who held a three-point lead after one quarter for their first lead after any first period in the series.
The Lakers, however, kept their poise. They only had three turnovers in the first half and stayed in their game plan. Kobe struggled early with his individual offense, but he found ways to contribute with his rebounding and his assists.
Derek Fisher was magnificent. He was 6-for-8 on 3-pointers, played good defense on Allen Iverson and was very safe with the ball (as always). Rick Fox also made a big contribution with 20 points.
The Lakers just stayed in their team game in Game 5. Their team defense was excellent. They kept the Sixers to 41-percent shooting, kept their turnovers under control, especially in the first half -- they had only three turnovers in the first half that was good for just two Sixers points. They became a little bit unraveled in the second half as the Sixers put on their defensive pressure, but the Lakers wound up with only 12 turnovers for the game.
It was another valiant effort by the Sixers -- they just came up short. They weren't as talented nor as deep of a team as the Lakers. They weren't as experienced, either. But they showed tremendous heart and effort.
Iverson put on a great performance with a game-high 37 points. Shooting 14-for-32 doesn't sound terrific, but he had to battle one, two, even three defenders on most occasions. He got some help from others, like Tyrone Hill, who finally had a good game with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Dikembe Mutombo was solid, but he seemed to tire over the course of the game. Eric Snow was very good as well, but Aaron McKie still struggled. For the Sixers to win, they had to get scoring from their key guys. McKie is certainly one of them and he just wasn't able to do it, shooting just 3-of-7 for seven points.
Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay is a game analyst for ESPN Radio and a regular contributor to ESPN.com. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Stuart Scott and Dr. Jack Ramsay break down the Lakers' victory in Game 5.
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