Lakers to cruise once past Kings

The Kings are the toughest team that the Lakers will face, a fact demonstrated Sunday afternoon in the third game of the best of five series which the Lakers lead, 2-1.

The Kings were down most of the game but battled back in the fourth quarter behind the dominance of forward Chris Webber and the 3-point shooting of guard Tony Delk. They went on an 18-2 run in that quarter and took the Game 3, 99-91.

Assuming the Lakers put away the Kings, their next opponent will be either the Phoenix Suns or the team that everyone thinks can beat the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Phoenix is a better than average team but no match for the Lakers, especially without injured point guard Jason Kidd.

Tim Duncan's injury status is still questionable for the Spurs, but it looks like, thanks to Duncan's heartless effort, the team won't make it past the first round anyway.

That leaves the Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz.

Every man on Portland's roster is a factor, which means fatigue is not. They have all the necessities except a dominant go to guy and a headband that can fit Arvydas Sabonis.

Utah has been the Laker killer in the last few years.  They are older then the Cro-Magnon Era but can still dominate with the pick and rolls, outside shooting and favoritism from referees.

In the Eastern Conference, forget about it. The NBA Finals will be more lopsided than a Duke-College of Charleston game. The best team in the East is no match for the worst team in the West.

Laker Shaquille O'Neal had the best regular season of his life and will no doubt be given the MVP Award. He led the league in scoring and was second in rebounding. That domination has already continued into the playoffs.

Teammate Kobe Bryant, instead of turning into the next Michael Jordan, is turning into the next Magic Johnson. He passes, scores, plays defense and keeps his cool when he needs to.

All this and the Lakers should bring Los Angeles its first professional sports title since Jack Nicholson came to Laker gmes in between his breaks from playing the Joker.

Greg Hanson is a print journalism major at LBSU