Shock of Laker Fans Overcome by Wonder: Where to Place Blame

How ironic that Pat Riley gets the NBA coach-of-the-year award right before his coaching (or lack thereof) contributed greatly to the Lakers’ downfall against Phoenix.

Example A: Games 1 and 3 are lost because Riley double-teams Kevin Johnson with the men who are guarding Tom Chambers and Jeff Hornacek. Solution: Double-team Johnson with the man guarding Kurt Rambis. Riley finally does this in Game 5. What took him so long?

Example B: Games 4 and 5 are lost because Riley has Byron Scott “guarding” Johnson instead of Cooper. With Cooper on Johnson in the fourth quarter, the Lakers take a five-point lead. Riley substitutes Scott and puts him on Johnson, who scores eight of the Suns’ final 14 points.

I’m a six-year season-ticket holder whose seats were just converted to Senate Seats next year with a raise in price from $14.50 to $60 per game. I’m more upset about Riley’s defense than the 400% increase in ticket price.

DON KARR, Agoura