Stunning loss leaves several Lakers in limbo
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-18 07:07

While the newly crowned NBA champions Detroit Pistons mapped out their parade route on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers looked ahead to an uncertain future.

Stunned by the Pistons' total domination of the best-of-seven final series, which they won 4-1, the Lakers' last hurrah was a muted failure.

Their roster of All-Stars and future Hall of Famers had swaggered into the Motor City expecting to earn coach Phil Jackson a record 10th title while cementing their place among the NBA's great dynasties by claiming a fourth championship in five years.

But in the immediate aftermath of the Pistons' ruthless 100-87 game five dissection, a glorious Lakers era appeared over as the Tinseltown team prepared to go their separate ways.

Jackson, known as the Zen Master for his ability to create calm in the chaos that has surrounded the Lakers locker room, looked ready to lead the exodus when he said on Tuesday there was only a "slim chance" he would be back as coach next season.

Clearly, a tumultuous offseason awaits Lakers owner Jerry Buss.

Kobe Bryant could be headed to prison or a new team next year, depending on the outcome of a sexual assault trial.

Karl Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history and probable future Hall of Famer, is pondering retirement after taking a pay cut to join the Lakers for a shot at a title that has eluded the 40-year-old throughout his 19-year career.

'A different summer'

Gary Payton, another potential Hall of Famer who signed on for the same reasons as Malone, is almost certain to move on and Shaquille O'Neal wants to renegotiate his contract, saying he will do what is best for him.

"This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people," said O'Neal. "Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone is going to do what's best for them, including me.

"We haven't made those decisions yet.

"I'll always do what's best for me and I'm not sure where the organization wants to go from here. It's all business," he said.

Bryant and O'Neal formed one of the most successful NBA partnerships, but their relationship was often strained.

The two players always had a clear understanding of what their combination of rare talents could produce, however, and would not outwardly reject the possibility of continuing to play together.

"I don't know, I can't answer that right now," said Bryant, when asked if he had played his last game as a Laker. "I loved playing for Phil and playing with Shaquille.

"I think we got a lot of great things accomplished despite our differences that we've had in the past.

"We played extremely well together, we had an incredible run...I would not be opposed to playing with them forever, but it's not up to me," he said.

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