Lessons to Be Learned From Finals: Part I

I hope that this year’s NBA finals drove home these valuable lessons for the Lakers:

1. With all the distractions on and off the court (and in the front office)--and without your big guy--you can still beat the odds, go all the way to the finals, and play a magnificent game on pure heart and guts.

2. Two superstars--one suppressing his ego to maximize the other’s strengths--can play together and win it all.

3. You don’t need a high-priced glamour coach to win.

PERLA MANAPOL

Newbury Park