Do You Remember the Time?

Tell me if this sounds familiar: A Laker team with a dominant superstar with the ability to take over games and was considered the best player in the NBA, a wily veteran with championship experience and a penchant for hitting big shots, a 2nd unit that knew how to hit big shots and could be trusted in long stretches, and an undeniably talented young prodigy with an intense work ethic and staunch killer instinct.

Yes, this describes the Laker team in 1999 that won its first championship in the Shaq, Kobe and Phil Jackson era.

What's that you say? You're right, this could also describe this year's Lakers team. Kobe replaces Shaq as the superstar, Fisher instead of Horry as the big shot veteran, the second unit led by Farmar replaces the one led by D. Fish, and Bynum over Kobe as the blossoming kid out of high school.

Nobody has really said this yet, but there are so many similarities to that squad that began its three championship run, to the one that is on the cusp of one now. Fisher, Kobe, Phil and the coaching staff are holdovers from that team (including Shaw off the bench), and eight years later it looks like the Lakers have rebuilt admirably.

The comparisons are everywhere, but the key this year, like the key that year, is the young prodigy.

Bynum has the competitive, eff the world attitude that Kobe had and still has. There is a major buzz about this talent, who like Kobe was drafted out of high school late in the lottery. Sure they play different positions, but that legendary nature to be the best inside both. Bynum hired his own personal trainer on his own accord and has an attitude that can be seen in his play. He wants to make the big play and dominate on both ends of the floor. Does anyone remember that time when got dunked on Shaq and ran back down the floor and spun right by him and dunked one of his own? I do. This is why Bynum is a special player. We didn't know it then, but Bynum has the ability to do that all the time, and oddly that Shaq would be doing that all the time.

There are definitely small differences; this Lakers team is much younger and less experienced, there's no way this team wins 67 games, nor will they be a favorite going into the playoffs.

Still, there are so many things to like. They have the same coach and system, they have Kobe, they even have the dislike between their two best players (Kobe and Bynum).

If they make their run, I believe they will have to beat the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, closing the door on that franchise like they did with the Portland Trailblazers in the 1999-2000 season.

Winning in the playoffs, something that has been unfamiliar to Laker fans.


Note: I generated this blog in my head on friday, and only got the chance to write it today. Good news and bad news that happened since then: The Lakers are in sole possession of first place in the West, but Andrew Bynum is hurt. He's going to be out 8 weeks, and hopefully he'll reach the same form he had pre-injury. Otherwise, I'm an idiot for jumping on the Bynum hype and jinxing the entire season.