Why should anyone be surprised the Lakers find themselves in this predicament?

They have, after all, been headed here for months, a fateful rendezvous at the intersection of Hubris and Nonchalance.

For most of the season, it was almost as if the Lakers were playing under a sponsorship from the United States Postal Service. You know, mailing it in.

As a sizzling 16-1 start turned into a tepid 58-24 finish and only the second-best record in the Western Conference, the two-time defending champs have been nothing if not haughty in their conviction they are owed a third title.

From Shaquille O'Neal to Kobe Bryant to Phil Jackson to even newcomers such as Samaki Walker, their philosophy and attitude seem to have been bought at a lamp store. Just flip the switch and the light will go on.