The NBA’s 2013 Regular season came to a close on Wednesday night with the once-dominant Los Angeles Lakers dangling on a string with a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Jazz had to win in Memphis, and hope the Lakers would fall at home against Houston. The Rockets are in and had nothing to gain or lose so their starters didn’t play long or hard in the Lakers overtime win. Turns out LA would have been in regardless as Utah lost anyway. They make the playoffs although they move forward without Kobe Bryant for whatever is left of the season, and for maybe 80 or 90% of the next after tearing his Achilles.
As we move into the postseason, the question is, can anyone dethrone the world champion Miami Heat? If the regular season is any indication, the answer is not likely. So dominant have the champs been, that LaBron and D-Wade have basically been on vacation the past two weeks, picking and choosing when they want get in some sprints. Their swagger speaks they are on another level and there is no team flying at their altitude. Will Oklahoma City get another crack? Or is this finally the year that the other Los Angeles team gains some respect?
Most Valuable Player? Why even ask the question………
