World Series Preview

The Sox will win in 5 or less. It pains me to say it, but it’s true and everyone knows it. The Rockies have one, and only one, shot, and that is to somehow take one of the first two games in Fenway. Otherwise, they will realize their magical, mystery tour has run its course and that they are no match for this actual professional baseball team they are facing. Right now the Rockies have forgotten how they needed to win 21 of 22 games to make the playoffs and become the National League representative in the World Series. I don’t mean they have forgotten that they won that many games, rather I mean they have forgotten that they were playing in the lesser division occupied by AAAA teams with no discernible quality opponents. Now they are facing one of the best teams in the grown-up portion of the MLB. And not just one of the best teams, but I would say the best playoff team in the bunch.

Obviously, having Beckett pitch at least twice in a series gives a team an outstanding opportunity to win, but there is also the way this lineup confronts the playoffs and big moments in games that puts it above other playoff teams. They are baseball’s version of the Lakers between 2000-2002 (and it hurts me to no end to write that). During the regular season this group of guys got by on their talent against the lesser teams to get into the playoffs, ala the Lakers coasting through regular season discontent and boredom. Upon arriving at the playoffs, both teams woke up and turned it up to 11. Both teams have their Big Two (Shaq, Kobe v. Papi and Manny). One cannot win without the other, but together the pairing is capable of taking on all contenders. Manny coasted all season, living in his own world and vacationing for 24 games with a less than severe injury. However, once the playoffs started there hasn’t been a more locked in player. He is unstoppable right now. Papi is slowly crumbling and looks suspiciously like Mo Vaughn, but currently the guy is a wrecking ball dismantling opposing pitchers.

Plus, the Sox have their supporting cast members all of whom play to their strengths and know their roles. Mike Lowell is their version of Derek Fisher. Steady, smart, and only capable of thriving in certain environments (Fenway). Kevin Youkilis is Rick Fox. Although he probably could not pull off a threesome in a movie, Youk does the little things a team needs to win and is a grinder. Fox realized that he could build a niche for himself with the Lakes as a gritty tough-minded defender who knocked down the occasional three. Varitek is Big Shot Bob. Both are clutch and by this point in their careers seemingly on their last legs. Of course, now Horry is vying for his seventh title, so Varitek could have some more fuel in the tank. Coco Crisp is Devean George. Fans don’t know if either player has talent, but they swear they’ve seen flashes of something that could be talent. Finally, J.D. Drew is Glenn Rice, each a version of a worthless, high-paid player (for the sake of the other members of these teams, Lindsay Hunter is Pedroia and B-Shaw is Lugo. Madsen is Ben Affleck).

The key element of that Laker squad was its ability to flip the switch at important times in games, seasons, and especially during the playoffs. It was uncanny how they would appear utterly lost for vast portions of games. Then without much fanfare the momentum would swing and they would jump all over the opponent just when it appeared all was lost. Only during the 2001 campaign were they locked in for the entire playoffs as they went 15-1 and crushed everyone, yet even that season they needed a regular-season ending 8 game win streak to earn a solid playoff seeding. Boston has exhibited this similar ability over the course of these playoffs. In the Halo series they toyed with them in Game 2 until Manny homered to win it, and then systematically crushed their spirit in Game 3 for the sweep. Against Cleveland, the Sox fell behind 3 games to 1 and appeared to be finished. Yet, quickly, efficiently and ruthlessly, they won the next three games by a combined score of 30-5.

The Sox have successfully followed the Lakers format of dominating when it matters and barring the Rockies pulling off a Piston sized upset, the Sox will win another title. Hopefully, the Sox will also follow the Laker blueprint for rebuilding after the glory days have passed.

Trade Kobe

Dear Laker Front Office:

Please trade Kobe Bryant.

Please ship this malcontent to another team, so we may be rid of the non-stop soap opera and get back to what matters: winning basketball games. He complained about not being the Alpha Dog while Shaq was in town. He pouted about the treatment he received from Phil in his first tenure with the team. He forced the Lakers to trade Shaq by filing for free agency. And now he complains about not having adequate talent around him to win a title. Nothing can please Kobe, and even when he gets what he wants he changes his mind and blames everyone else for creating his mess.

Please stop being blinded by his jaw-dropping highlights to realize that he is all flash and no substance. Yes, he scored 81 points in a game and has the uncanny ability to knock down game-winners, but he has won all of 4 playoff games in the post-Shaq era. His teams have finished 7th in the division the last two seasons and been sent home in the first round of the playoffs both times. And it could be argued that there is more collective talent on these teams than there was on the championship squads. Currently, he is surrounded by Odom, Bynum, Turiaf, Walton, Evans, Crittendon, Farmar, Fisher, Radman, Mihm, and Brown. Those championship teams had Shaq, Fisher, Fox, Horry, Green, Shaw, and Devean George. Oh, and I forgot about Madsen. With the exception of Shaq, the young talent surrounding Kobe now is arguably as good if not better than the savvy veterans on the championship teams. If he is as valuable as he outwardly should be, he would be able to take this group of young, talented players and move them beyond the first round. In fact, he seemed poised to do just that last season as the team started 26-13. Then the injuries mounted, the wheels came off, and the painful off-season began. A true leader, a selfless teammate, and a team legend would have carried the team through the injuries, through a disappointing first-round exit and vowed to come back stronger, more committed, and more supportive of the team the next season. Unfortunately, Kobe lacks such leadership skills. He is not capable of carrying teammates. He is only adept at bashing them to fans outside of supermarkets, in the media, and also behind closed doors. I don’t question his unparalleled desire to compete. I question his ability to lead, to support, and to be a teammate. Without those skills all we are left with are memories of an 81 point game against Toronto and first-round flameouts against Phoenix. Individual triumphs and team failures.

Please realize that the only way to win another championship is to begin by trading the best player in the game.*

* = any trade must be for a player or group of players from Phoenix, Dallas, Washington, or Chicago as mentioned in an article on ESPN.com. Any trade involving the Lakers acquiring crappy players is not acceptable.