The Best Lakers Squad I've Ever Seen

No one wants to see you fall more than when you're on the top.

That's what the 2000-2001 Lakers had to deal with. The newly-crowned champions had to deal with something the squad hadn't dealt with before: having a bulls-eye on their back every single time on the hardwood floor.

The team didn't know how to deal with the responsibilities and maturity that went along with being a champion. Just because the team won a championship didn't mean they were automatically more mature. What needed to be learned through experience was how to handle the newly acquired power and allure.

This was very well documented in the sudden emergence of the Shaquille O'Neal - Kobe Bryant feud. Both had something they never had and each wanted more, but both had different ideas on how to get it.

I hate to admit this, but I get bored with the regular season (I'm already bored with this season). Give me the playoffs, when and where the Lakers are supposed to be every season. But the regular season was what the fresh-off-a-championship team needed; time to figure out how champions were supposed to prepare and compose themselves on the court on a nightly basis.

This was the greatest Lakers team I saw play. Not because of the regular season, but for what they did in the playoffs. They ended that season on an 8-game winning streak and were the second-seed to the Spurs.

The 2000-2001 Lakers had a great mix of young and old. Horace Grant and Ron Harper, mixed with Derek Fisher and Robert Horry. A defensive-minded role player like Rick Fox, with always savvy Brian Shaw waiting for Phil Jackson's call.

LA didn't have an easy road ahead of themselves either. They faced the Portland Blazers, one year removed from a 7-game series against the same exact squad. After that, they were up against the division rival and upstart Sacramento Kings.

What was beautiful about this Lakers squad was the dominance the team could turn to... Shaq's in foul trouble? Kobe's ready to crossover Doug Christie then posterize Vlade Divac. Kobe missing his shots? Feed the Diesel and run them over.

This team was hungry. They were out for blood.

Then came my favorite series of all-time: the number one-seeded San Antonio Spurs versus the Lakers who were embarrassed in 1999 against them. Let me start on game 2, when any other team would have given up. They were down by double digits, lost their coach, and were away from home. LA had already stolen one, so it would have been understandable to pack it up and go home with a win in the pocket.

Nope, not this squad. This game shows why they are different than others. Resiliency. Bend, do not break. One basket at a time, determination. This team had learned all they needed from Phil during the season, they could take it from there: "we got you coach, take a shower." On the way home with a 2-0 lead.

Yes, home to the embarrassment party. Fisher dropping 3's, Shaq dropping no-look passes, and Foxy fastbreak dunks. These Lakers embarrassed the #1 seeded Spurs by 39 and 29 back at Staples.

After an Allen Iverson step-over, the Lakers dream of a perfect playoff was killed (*dead* when Chick said "good luck Tyronne, I'll send you a card" in regards to guarding Iverson).

But they went back on track to sweep them after the initial loss. 15-1. Four straight sweeps. Yes, I say four straight sweeps because they swept the Sixers after losing game 1.

Los Angeles repeating with an emphatic response to the regular season. Think about it, their 8 straight wins to end the season coupled with the 11-0 start to the playoffs gave them 19 straight in the most important time of the year. 19 straight!

When today's Lakers lose today I lose myself for a second... then I remember this 2000-2001 squad. A regular season to determine how to handle yourself as a champion, then rediscover why you have that feeling: Larry O'Brien was in Staples Center at the end.

Today's Lakers will not go 16-1 this year, but here's hoping they discover what the 2001 champions did: there's a reason why you're a champion, remind the rest of the league.

Ron Artest = a more skilled Rick Fox
Andrew Bynum & Pau Gasol = together might match Shaq's dominance, emphasis on might
Josh Powell = Ho Grant waiting on the bench for his call
Derek Fisher = Ron Harper
Kobe Bryant = an older, wiser, and better, well, Kobe Bryant
Lamar Odom = more skillful Robert Horry, one day he'll appear all of a sudden and win you a game or two.
Shannon Brown = Devean George
Luke Walton = Slava Medvedenko (sorry had to throw my man out like that)