I don't see why you think that. They just barely came back in game two, and have shown little signs of life other than that. I mean, Kobe did get shut down in two consecutive nights and one was a "must win" game for the Lakers. Even Shaq was stopped in game 3. The Lakers could have easily have been swept tho.
If Shaq got more touches I'd say they would have a better chance, but if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle. Thats just not how it happened.
again, isn't that all the Pistons doing? They single cover Shaq but shut everyone else down. People, like Kobe, get frustrated and start taking bad shots. Bad shots piss everyone else off, and the frustration multiplies. I give all the credit in the world to the Pistons (it doesn't hurt that Malone is hurt, but they were winning with him healthy.). In fact, it almost seemed that when Kobe had a decent shot, he felt a phatom hand in his face from Prince hounding him.
Let's face it, Kobe can be "hounded" out of his game. Bowen and to some extent doug christie have shown that.
I didn't mean they are or might be still in control. I meant they could have been. Otherwise, I agree.