Posts Tagged "lakers"
Jun15

Winning Championships: Better To Win, The Hard Way Or Any Way?

Posted at 4:51 PM • No Comments
Thanks for coming back! I appreciate your viewing.

NBA & NHL TrophiesWith the Lakers wining the NBA championship in 5 games against an outmatched opponent and the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup in 7 games against a strong Detroit team that beat them last year in the finals it begs the question, is it better to win a title the hard way or the easier way?

Depending if you are a player or a fan you may have a different response.  As a player, you could argue that Pittsburgh beating the Red Wings after losing to them last year is very satisfying.  It allowed them avenge a tough loss in game 7 in 2008 and also have that extra boost from having to work hard for it.  Winning in 7 also gives an added meaning to it.  The Lakers did come back from losing last year’s final but not against the team that beat them (Boston Celtics).  It wasn’t much of a battle most of the series despite the close scores in a couple of games.  But does that take away from the accomplishment?  Would it have been more meaningful if the team with the best regular season record (Cleveland) was competing against them?

So which is the better way to win?  I believe either way works.  Winning is winning, both feel great.  It just depends on how great it’s perceived.  For example, when the Red Sox finally won the World Series in 2004 it was amazing.  It was even better that they went through the Yankees but even if they hadn’t Boston fans and players would have still felt great.  In a similar example, when Roger Federer won the French Open this year do you think he cared that he didn’t have to beat Rafeal Nadal to win?  No way, he just wanted to get the title.  Would it have been maybe a little sweeter if he had beat Nadal? Sure but it doesn’t change anything.

When you are competing, winning is what it is all about.  You cannot assume that your competitors should play well enough just so you can go against them in the finals.  You need to do your job, if your hopeful opponent cannot then let them worry about it.

For a player it is more about getting the victory, for the fans and pundits it is sometimes about the path.  The lesson to be learned is when you have a chance to win just enjoy it.  Let the fans argue about its worth because as a player you still had to earn it by doing your job, winning.

For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the right of the homepage.

Jun8

NBA Finals Games 1&2 Wrap-Up: Coaching Mistakes or Being Outplayed?

Posted at 12:18 PM • No Comments

After watching the Lakers dismantle the Magic 100-75 in Game 1 and then a 101-96 loss in overtime for the Magic a few questions need to be answered.  Being down 2-0 is a really tough spot because now there is an enormous amount of pressure on Orlando to win game 3.  They lose game 3 and the party’s over.  An issue that has been brought up is whether this is due to coaching mistakes or being outplayed.

Why was Stan Van Gundy so hesitant to call timeouts in game 1?   Was he trying to let his team play through their shooting issues?

While I am not sure why Van Gundy waited so long, from a mental standpoint in a game 1 of a final this was the wrong decision.  The inexperienced team (Orlando) needs to take it easy and slow things down.  Use timeouts, set-up your offense, use an extra pass, etc.  They were shooting bricks and let LA run the floor all night.  The coach needs to allow his players to regroup.  Also structuring more set plays may take pressure/nervousness away from the players because less thinking is needed.

Result: Coaching Mistakes

Offensively the Magic have disappeared, especially their top players.

The Magic looked confused and got out of how they had played during most of the playoffs.  That’s on the players.   Commentator Jeff Van Gundy keeps repeating that it’s a “make or miss league” (which seems obvious; what sport isn’t? Is there a sport where you can consistently miss and still win?) and with that logic if you are not shooting well then you, as a player, need to do something different.  Dwight Howard especially needs to re-evaluate his offense.  He is getting plenty of touches but has only taken 16 shots in two games.  He’s scored 29 points total.  That’s on him, not coaching.

Result: Outplayed

Why has the defense has been inconsistent for the Magic ?

In game 1 Redick held Kobe Bryant scoreless the first three times he defended him one-on-one and then did not play again in that game.   No one else stopped him.  Maybe people were getting tired but that is why you have a bench.  Use your subs, if they are not producing what are you waiting for and when they are, leave them in the game.  Coaching is about being adaptable.

In game 2 Orlando held the Lakers to 15 1st quarter points (they also only scored 15) but then gave up  25, 23, & 25 points respectively in the following quarters before overtime.  That says poor shooting more than good defense.

Result: Both

These are just a few issues in the first two games that need to be addressed going forward.  Championships are difficult mentally and physically.  It’s up to both the coaching staff and players to make adjustments.  In this case the coach has to help put the players in a position to win, regardless if the players are pros or not.

For more information about mental performance as well as overall athletic performance enhancement check out our websites. The links are on the right of the page.