Mike Lupica said on ESPN's The Sports Reporters yesterday that (I'm paraphrasing) "there have been times when Kobe's team was the better one in the series and they came up short." Um, what is he talking about??
In the Kobe Era, I can only recall one time that the Lakers were the better team and were eliminated in the playoffs. 2004.
In 1997 (second round) and 1998 (Conference Finals), LA lost to the top seeded Jazz. In 1999, they lost to the top-seeded Spurs in the second round. The Lakers won the title in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2003, the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs beat the 5th-seeded Lakers in six.
In the Kobe Era, I can only recall one time that the Lakers were the better team and were eliminated in the playoffs. 2004.
In 1997 (second round) and 1998 (Conference Finals), LA lost to the top seeded Jazz. In 1999, they lost to the top-seeded Spurs in the second round. The Lakers won the title in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2003, the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs beat the 5th-seeded Lakers in six.
In 2004, yeah LA was spanked by a supposedly inferior Pistons team in the Finals. In 2005, they missed the playoffs. In 2006 and 2007, Los Angeles lost to the 2nd-seeded Suns in the first round (obviously LA was seeded 7th). Last year, the Lakers lost to a Boston Celtics team who had home court advantage in the Finals.
People forget that in 2004, the Lakers won only two more games than the Pistons did during the regular season (56 to 54).
Also, in the Kobe Era the Lakers have beaten higher seeded teams in 1998 (Seattle), 2001 (San Antonio), 2002 (San Antonio, Sacramento), 2003 (Minnesota) and 2004 (Minnesota). Also, in their three-peat LA beat the No. 1 seed in the East all three years (Pacers, Sixers, Nets).
So, Mr. Lupica, please do some research before vomiting things out like that.
People forget that in 2004, the Lakers won only two more games than the Pistons did during the regular season (56 to 54).
Also, in the Kobe Era the Lakers have beaten higher seeded teams in 1998 (Seattle), 2001 (San Antonio), 2002 (San Antonio, Sacramento), 2003 (Minnesota) and 2004 (Minnesota). Also, in their three-peat LA beat the No. 1 seed in the East all three years (Pacers, Sixers, Nets).
So, Mr. Lupica, please do some research before vomiting things out like that.
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