Defining

Let’s face it. This was huge. It was not the biggest game for the Lakers in the past four years. That designation is reserved for an elimination game in the coming playoff series against either the Spurs or Hornets or the NBA Finals thereafter. It was, however, the most important victory for the Laker franchise in the past 4 years. The 4 years since Shaq left and the years immediately succeeding that departure where the Lakers flirted with mediocrity.

Its not hyperbole to say these types of victories are the ones that define teams. Playing in the most hostile arena in the NBA, the Lakers were not content to rely on the home-court advantage and wait for home-cooking on Sunday back at the Staples Center. They do what all good, aspiring to be great, teams do… they took care of business, finishing off their opponent by ruthlessly ripping the heart out of the Utah Jazz last night in Salt Lake City, a place where the Jazz had lost only 4 games all season, 108-105.

The Lakers doubled, last night, the amount of victories the 2nd round road team now has in these playoffs. The record now stands at 2-22. And they accomplished what two other conference semi-finalist teams, the New Orleans Hornets and Boston Celtics, could not: Game 6 victories in the opponent’s arena. This bodes well. Again, this was huge.

With this victory, the Lakers officially put it all behind them: Eagle, Colorado, Kobe’s video cell phone rant, the supposed lack of leadership in the front office, questions about Mitch Kupchak’s competence as a GM, Kobe’s trade demands…. Stick a fork and more in all of that. Its done…over with. Living in the moment and leaning forward towards their next most important victory.

For now, the Lakers can now sit back and relax, rest and treat some of their aches and pains and watch the Hornets and Spurs beat each other up in their Game 7 on Monday night.