The Lakeshow Continues While Warriors Take A Bow: Story of the Series
The Los Angeles Lakers have advanced to the Western Conference Finals of the 2023 NBA playoffs
Everyone loves a comeback story.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
When you think ‘underdog,’ Los Angeles seem like the least convincing choice to fill the role. Especially when they are home to two of the best players in the league, one of which is a generational talent who has rightly earned the title of ‘King.’ Yet for much of the season, The Los Angeles Lakers were exactly that. Frankly, many viewed them as worse. While an underdog usually has a slim chance of success, the Lakers were given no chance to even make the play-in tournament. Yet here we are, and the Lakers now find themselves one series away from the NBA finals.
Last night, the Lakers won game 6 against the Warriors and punched their ticket to the Western Conference finals. But this was much more than an average semi final matchup. This was a primetime matchup worthy of the Finals itself. A few years ago, it was. Most if not all basketball fans vividly remember the four year saga as LeBron and Stephen Curry met on the hardwood and battled for the right to sit on the throne of the NBA. While some decried those years as a period of time where the NBA was a foregone conclusion, the fact remains that there was never a dull game between either side. This series was no different, even with both men and their respective teams’ stars being much older. Father Time himself seemed to smile on this series, thus turning back the clock. If only for a time. And for that, we should all thank him.
Game 1 was a hard fought win for the Lakers on the road, with its two pillars LeBron and Anthony Davis anchoring the team and steering the ship through choppy waters. At first, pundits and analysts were quick to predict a Lakers series win if Davis and James continued to play at the level they did in the first game.
But then the Lakers would step onto the floor for game 2….and end up stepping on a Klay-more
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Game 2 would see the Warriors roar back into series with a near 30 point blowout. On that night the archers of the Golden State would fire volley after volley, the shadow of their arrows blotting out the moon. LeBron was passable, while Anthony Davis was the definition of passive. In that moment, the story of the series became apparent to me. Whichever team’s duo played better would be in the driver’s seat both for the individual games and the series as a whole.
Game 3 would see the Lakers’ take their turn to thrash the Warriors, beating them by thirty points. The stars of Los Angeles showed out once more, but they would find their light further brightened by their supporting cast. Notably D’Angelo Russell, one of the Lakers’ former draftees who has found himself back in ‘LaLa Land’ after several years Ain’t (that poetic?). This game also highlighted another key factor in this series: how much the Warriors depend on the three pointer. In game 2, they shot the Lakers out of the building. In game 3 however, they shot themselves out of the game. The three pointer is a double-edged sword: it will either bring salvation or sing you swan song.
Game 4 would illustrate this, as the Lakers would win by just three points. Despite making more threes than their opponent, the Warriors would miss many more as well. While the archers missed their marks, the Lakers would establish dominance in the paint. Brick by brick, inch by inch, the Lakers would built themselves up while the Warriors would crumble. The consistent excellence of Stephen Curry would not be enough to prevent the Warriors from falling behind 3–1 in the series. Some may argue about the referees, but the fact is this: one man alone cannot defeat an army.
Game 5 however would go to the Warriors, and for a moment there was a glimmer of hope. Golden State would once again maul Los Angeles, even with the amount of threes each team took and made being close to equal. But this would be the last gasp for the Warriors, and in game 6 the Lakers would finally vanquish the reigning champions. The majesty of King Curry would be overshadowed by that of King James, Anthony Davis, and the ascension of young knight Austin Reaves. It is far too early for any suggestions to call him the heir to the throne. But the young man has shone a hint of his potential.
With the reigning kings defeated, the Los Angeles Lakers look ahead to the Western Conference Finals. They will be granted some rest, but not much. And with the foe that awaits them, I suspect they will not be resting at all. The NBA is now guaranteed a new champion, and the final four of the tournament is almost solidified. Each team is racing towards the crown, but in the end only one team’s road will be paved with gold. Who will it be?
We can only wait and see.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
