My Thoughts On The 2007-2008 Lakers

131-92. While that is nothing more than the Championship clinching score for everyone watching and covering these Finals, that is the score that will indeed be burned into the memories of the players on this Lakers squad.

I know that the Celtics deserved to win this championship, and it would be stupid to say that the Lakers matched even an ounce of the desire displayed by the Celtics, obviously. What I don't understand however, is people doubting this Lakers team regarding next year, and whether or not they can come back to this point again, and maybe capture thier own championship. The only team that I fear from the West are the Hornets and Jazz, and that is only because of Deron Williams and Chris Paul. However, neither of those teams will have the hunger for redemption that this Lakers team will have next year. Nor will they have the experience that this team has just gained. Additionally, I don't fear the likes of the Spurs (their window is closed), Suns (ditto), and the Rockets (T-Mac is involved - nothing more needs to be said). Portland? I need to see them make the playoffs first. Taking all that into consideration, why would it be difficult to bet on the Lakers climbing back to the top next year?

Let's break this down, shall we? Some points that people seem to be forgetting in the midst of all this Celtics-talk:

1. Kobe Bryant played these entire playoffs with a broken pinky. He literally taped 2 of his fingers together and shot the ball this way throughout the playoffs. I don't know if any of you have ever played a sport with ANYTHING broken (I know I haven't), but I doubt that it's easy. Nevertheless, he was the driving force in leading the Lakers to Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

2. Pau Gasol had never won a playoff game, let alone a series, in his career before coming to Los Angeles. In his first playoff run (and that is an understatement), Gasol had his ups and downs, but you're kidding me if this experience didn't make him stronger as a player - or perhaps even as a person. Regardless of the amount of scrutiny and criticism he faced, I feel that Gasol did a decent job overall, especially considering that while he is a veteran of the league, he had never, EVER faced the amount of pressure and scruntiny that he did during this Lakers run. Experience plays a factor in every player's career, and when you finally taste what winning is like, you obviously want to win more. Being so close to the top, there is no way that Gasol doesn't push himself even harder next year and utilizes his experience from this disappointment.

3. The Lakers 'Bench Mob' (and role players) were absolutely horrible in this series, no doubt. But what people fail to see is how young this Lakers team is. Aside from Derek Fisher, Kobe is the only one who is relatively "old" (and he's only 29); the rest of this team is full of up and coming players. Think about it. If the Lakers managed to get this far relying on such a young bench as they did, then there's no denying the amount of experience and (hopefully) motivation that these Finals will give to the Lakers bench. The one player that I have complete faith in is Sasha Vujacic. I know a lot of people hate him, but that kid has heart. He's the same guy that couldn't get minutes a couple of years ago because he could never make shots in a game...and look at him now. He's known as a sharpshooter (or a Machine!), and he's a mortal lock to shoot it when he gets the ball. Whether or not it goes in doesn't matter to him; in that respect, he's very similar to a young Kobe (albeit a lot less talented), and I admire that.

I'm telling you right now, he will be a force to be recokoned with (in a Steve Kerr kind of way) in the future, and this was a great, and MUCH NEEDED experience for him and the Lakers bench. Having seen numerous interviews with these Lakers, the starters have often said that most of the Lakers bench consists of "gym rats", and seeing how far they've gotten this season, I don't doubt for a minute that this unique Bench Mob will be back next year hungry to redeem themselves.

4. The most important thing, however: Failure. The Lakers failed....and they failed miserably. However, people seemed to have forgotten that this inexperienced Lakers team had to defeat gigantic demons such as the Jazz and the Spurs (not exactly easy teams) in order to get to the point they did. It is something that they should be commended for.

This Lakers team was not supposed to be here. Kobe Bryant was not supposed to be in Los Angeles, nor was he supposed to be the MVP. The Lakers bench was not supposed to be considered one of the best benches during the regular season, and throughout most of the playoffs. Lamar Odom was not supposed to have a great year. Andrew Bynum was not supposed to be a force, and the Lakers were not supposed to make the playoffs. While they clinched the playoffs, they were not supposed to be the number one team in the West in a year where every seed won over 50 games. The Lakers were not supposed to get past the Jazz. Or the Spurs. When they were finally SUPPOSED to beat the Celtics, they melted. But that's okay. They were not supposed to be here. Next year, they are.

Failure teaches you a lot of things, and it introduces you to a lot of things; namely motivation, desire, and hunger. In sports, failure is perhaps the greatest thing that could happen to a player or a team, because when you fail, you want to never experience that feeling again. When you lose by 39 AND lose your championship dreams at the same time, you DEFINETLY don't want to experience that feeling again. Success can never come without tasting failure first, and it tastes that much sweeter when you eventually overcome your adversities....just ask KG, Pierce and Allen.