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Something special Jackson helps Lakers develop dynastic attitude
Updated: Friday November 16, 2001 1:12 AM
The Lakers have won 30 of their past 31 games. They went 8-0 to end last season, 15-1 in the postseason and are 7-0 thus far this year. If you haven't picked up on it by now, this team is something special. In Chicago, Phil Jackson's championship Bulls teams came out each year and just annihilated their opponents the first six weeks. He's developing that same mentality with the Lakers. They're working on winning their third consecutive championship by starting early and intimidating other teams. Because of Michael Jordan's fierce competitiveness, this strategy was easy for Jackson in Chicago, but it was questionable if he would be able to get Shaq to buy into it. It certainly looks as if he has, though; they've really been impressive. The Lakers are showing signs of the same attitude those great Bulls teams had: They feel they can beat anybody. Once that fully takes hold, we'll see an exceptional team for a long time.
Nets using everything to their advantageNot only are the Nets are 6-1 and sitting on top of the Atlantic Division, but they're also playing some exciting basketball. Unfortunately, only 5,000 fans a night are enjoying the team's renaissance.
The problem is a geographic one. The area where the Nets are located, in northern New Jersey, has always been Knicks territory, and unless they have something resembling a championship run, that won't change. But the fans in that area are missing a great show, because these Nets are for real. They made a great move trading Stephon Marbury to Phoenix for Jason Kidd, and everyone is healthy for once. They also had a nice schedule early, and they've taken advantage of it. Strangely enough, their empty arena also could be a positive factor. As long as the fans there are making some kind of noise, it's a little bit of an advantage. Visiting teams are used to playing before big crowds, and a sparse audience can be disconcerting for them in certain situations. The Nets are likely to have that advantage until they show everybody they have a chance to go a long way in the playoffs.
Nuggets faring surprisingly well without McDyessThe Nuggets are a surprising 4-4, having beaten the Suns, Rockets, Raptors and Bulls. When they lost Antonio McDyess to a knee injury, it looked as if they would struggle, but Nick Van Exel has had other ideas. Van Exel has played some outstanding basketball for Denver. James Posey has played well, and Tariq Abdul-Wahad also has done some good things, but they're role players. Averaging 27 points and almost eight assists per game, Van Exel has carried that team. It would be nice for Nuggets fans if this team could hold down the fort until McDyess gets back around the All-Star break, but it that isn't likely. So many teams have improved and the Nuggets are in the West, where there are so many good teams. There just aren't enough easy nights on the schedule.
Kevin Loughery is a former NBA player and head coach. He appears each Sunday on CNN/SI's This Week in the NBA.
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