For the past two games, the Los Angeles Lakers have looked every bit as good as fans, analysts, and management expected they would at the start of the season. It may have taken 40 games, but the Lakers finally look like a contender.
However, before “gushing” over the Lakers, fans would be wise to just smile and hold off on planning the parade.
Beating the Oklahoma City Thunder is a massive boost to morale, confidence, and the fan base. Still, it is only one win. The Lakers are still 19-25 and four games back of the final playoff spot. LA may resemble a playoff powerhouse, but this team is still 5-15 on the road with seven straight losses.
That all seems a worry of the past, however, as the team belief is currently strong with the Lakers. Now, they have a spirit forming, and the signature win over an elite team to back it up.
Along with Kobe Bryant having more assists (14) than shots (12) the Lakers also played some strong defense the last two games. LA held the Jazz to only 84 points last Friday. On Sunday, they held the highest scoring team in the National Basketball Association under 100 points.
Stop it. It has only been two games.
It is easy to get carried away because every Lakers fan has been waiting for this team to finally wake up. Now that they look like the unstoppable force everyone hoped for, it is time to take a step back and see what happens.
As Dwight said after the win on Sunday, “Don’t gush; just smile.”
