During the postgame press conference, though visibly upset, Kobe Bryant repeatedly delivered the company line: We’re not concerned, and we just need to get through this and start worrying about the Nuggets. This, despite the superior team being pushed to the limit by a squad that’s playing without its two biggest stars.
Phil Jackson had similar feelings following Game 6, and believes the Lakers won’t have any problem closing this thing out on Sunday afternoon.
From the AP:
Like Bryant, Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson tried to put a positive spin on his team’s predicament.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “We are just going to go out and play. It’s our home court and it’s what we play for. We play a different game on our court, and that’s pretty obvious to see.”
Maybe they’re right, to a degree. After all, not too many people expect the Lakers to lose on Sunday.
But even if they do win, and advance to face Denver in the conference finals, there’s definitely cause for concern (though Phil and Kobe would never admit it.)
With the competition getting stiffer as the postseason moves along, the way this team has played up to this point doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
