The Phoenix

"United we can get over..."

Willie Hutch - Brother's Gonna Work It Out

Basketball is an unfair game. It's the type of contest that even when you give your best effort...you still lose. Nothing in this league happens overnight, so as the Lakers continue to play on, their first round opponent will be back next season in full force.

Degree of difficulty

Kobe Bryant has endured through an extremely rough season, and while he presses on through all the injuries, I find it interesting to hear that people believe his career is over. I don't feed into who is better, or the best...basketball on this level is a business and the bottom line is about winning. Nevertheless he finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Lake Show are the reigning champions and if their fearless leader has anything to do with it, they will capture this year's crown. Bryant is sure to show and prove, and when Russell Westbrook needed a hand in his face, Kobe Bean expressed interest in applying the necessary pressure.

There are two things I learned from the Lakers/Thunder series:

• The OKC Thunder have no fear, what they lacked in this round was depth in the front court, and playoff experience. They will add to their roster this summer, and next year every team needs to be on alert.
• The Lakers have all the tools to repeat, however they do not always play to their strength. As they move forward, I believe they will make the necessary tweaks to return to their superior form.

As for everything going on back east...two words: Orlando Magic

Photo: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images