EG Blog: The Cart goes behind the Horse

What a difference a week can make eh? Last week I was trying to show people that the doom and gloom feel wasn’t half as bad as last year and that we’d be alright with this squad once the injury woes eased a little.

This week’s tale is a cautionary one, but of course up-beat. How can you not be upbeat about the addition of Pau Gasol, arguably the best non USA player (I have to say arguably, there’s a fair few decent ones now – Yao Ming, Dirk Diggler, Ginobli is always there in discussions even if you don’t include team-mate Tony Parker – yes, I do think Tim Duncan is American or the argument would fall flat at the first). Either way Gasol is certainly within the third tier of top players in the game (let’s be honest he’s not in with the Kobe, LeBron, Duncan crowd, and there’s a whole bunch of players above him to be called second, BUT he’s still all-star talent no doubt and a huge upgrade over Kwame and a good reason to feel real positive right now.

Okay, I did my little dance, much to the amusement of my loved ones, on hearing the news on Saturday (Friday to those in the Northern Hemisphere I guess). I phoned my Boston supporting friends over in Europe to arrange a meeting for the NBA Finals, I tried to fight my way into ClubLakers along with the other fans, media outlets and those ready to get on the band-wagon.

But then I remembered the season that was supposed to be the best of all when we signed not only Karl Malone, but also Gary Payton – a few years back, similar dance.

The NBA is buzzing over the trade. LA is the team they all love to hate and I’ve heard conspiracy theories all over the place (if that’s the case they’d better look real close at the Boston/Minnesota raping last Summer). Everyone is jumping on the ‘most talent’ best in the West argument right now like we have a God-given right to the finals where we can rekindle the rivalry with Boston who’ll also be there.

Just as the doom-merchants do nothing but spread negativity, we can’t get carried away with ourselves at this point and risk the most important lesson required to make true champions – humility. “What are you talking about Ed?” I hear you cry, humility isn’t in the arsenal of champions. Well, I’ll tell you this much, there isn’t a sure thing in sports and you better respect your opponents and know your own limitations if you want to achieve true lasting greatness. Okay, whilst I type this the ‘perfect season’ is coming to its natural conclusion in the gridiron world I presume (7-3 a minute ago). But every game and every opponent must be given its due credit and respect if you want to earn the victory. The old Boston team was a master of knowing their opponent and handling them the way they needed to be handled (remember Jordan’s early days?). The respect isn’t the type of respect where we hold our opponents above what they are it’s just knowing what they are capable of and doing what is necessary to overcome them.

Last year we had a perfect example of that in the Dallas – Golden State series. It wasn’t just that Dallas didn’t study their opponents in the series or took them too lightly (though they surely did). Also the Warriors knew how good the Mavs were and worked out what they needed to do and believed in themselves. I preach the power of BELIEVE a lot, but in order to believe something you have to really believe it!?! Okay, not explained too well, but belief doesn’t work if you doubt yourself, you must know your strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your opponents if you are going to overcome them in more than just a battle of wills.

So what does this mean for our team? Go out and win lots of games please, the talent is there, you have arguably the best player in the world and a stellar supporting cast. But remember you can only advance through the regular season one game at a time, and the playoffs one round at a time, game by game.

If the team can gel, and I can see no reason not with the addition of a humble star and proven winner (Spain, not the Grizzles) like Gasol, we really could challenge right now.

Oh – and I don’t think Boston will beat Detroit in a 7 game series all things being equal. My reasoning is the chemistry that Detroit has built and Boston’s weak spot is Detroit’s strength (Billups). Of course by that argument we may have trouble with San Antonio if we, and they, get that far!

Now please disregard and go win a title Lakers!