Well, they do. But it could be even worse.
The C's are a defending conference champion, and a team that many picked to be back in the NBA Finals, and suddenly they're seeing that dream wither away with two quick losses in the second round. Now they're facing a must-win Game 3 with their season on the line. But they're not the only team in that boat — that very specific, quite depressing boat — and they're not even the worse off.
The Lakers are the ones in real trouble.
They're the defending champions twice over, and they went into this second-round West playoff series against the Mavericks with all the swagger in the world. With good reason, too. Phil Jackson's got his 11 rings, Kobe Bryant's got his five, and this year's team is deep, dangerous and determined to get another.
No one gave Dallas a chance — no one except the Mavs themselves, who strolled into the Staples Center and stole back-to-back games from the champs in front of 19,000 of their own fans.
On paper, you look at the Lakers' two losses and they seem forgivable. Game 1, they had in hand for most of the way, but a couple of late execution mistakes and a missed Kobe buzzer-beater led to a tough loss. In Game 2, their execution was fine, but they just couldn't hit a shot. The Lakers finished the game 2-for-20 from 3-point range, including 15 straight misses to start the game.
All correctable mistakes.
But then you actually watch the games, and common sense tells you the Lakers' issues are seated deeper than that.
The Lakers have lost their focus and their composure. When Ron Artest clotheslined J.J. Barea in the final minute on Wednesday night, you could see it. They were coming unhinged. They weren't just losing games — they were losing their minds. Now Artest is suspended, and the Lakers are in disarray going into Game 3.
Andrew Bynum addressed a throng of reporters on Wednesday to talk about "trust issues." These Lakers can't play together anymore. They can't make passes on offense, and they can't help each other out on D. They may have more talent and a better coach than anyone in this league, but the pieces have suddenly stopped fitting at the worst possible time.
Now the Lakers are heading to Dallas. If they can't win at least one there this weekend, their season is over. Everyone ridiculed the Mavs' chances of competing for a title this spring — they were soft, they lacked the championship know-how, and they'd never found a suitable second banana for Dirk Nowitzki — and yet here they are. They're the ones going strong, and the Lakers are the ones crumbling.
Last year, we saw the dream Finals matchup again: Lakers-Celtics. This year, both teams are in danger of coming up short.
The C's are still alive. They're coming home, they're still focused and determined, and they've got three days to rest up for Game 3. They can bounce back.
Can the Lakers? Maybe not. Their chances just took an elbow in the noggin.
What do you think of the Lakers' chances to repeat? Share your thoughts below.
