So how do you prepare a team to play in EnergySolutions Arena, where the Utah Jazz was 37-4 in the regular season?
"Maybe gas masks for the motorcycle rider," said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, referring to the bear mascot who rolls around the Salt Lake City hardwood, revving his engine and the crowd.
Jackson was in a light mood after practice Thursday, and why not? His Lakers are up, 2-0, in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Jazz and they play Game 3 in Utah tonight.
Jackson admitted he used to take one serious measure for a game in Salt Lake City.
"I did wear ear plugs there one time," he said, "but the league has done something about the decibel level and I hope they hold true to that."
Most coaches believe the best way to quiet a vociferous crowd is to build an early lead, which can dishearten and silence the fans.
"I've always felt," said Jackson with a smile, "the best way is to sneak up on them and beat them at the end. I once had a team that had a 25-point lead in the first half and ended up losing the game."
Lakers forward Luke Walton loves the psychological lift of building an early lead in such a hostile environment, but he also knows the potential pitfalls. "When the crowd gets going you sometimes want to rush it and that can end up hurting the team. We've got to make sure we stay at our pace," he said.
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Historically, NBA teams down 0-2 in best-of-seven playoff series have won the series only 13 times. But this Jazz team performed the Houdini act last year, recoiling from that deficit to beat the Houston Rockets, with the capper coming in a Game 7 victory on the road.
"I think it will be a little different, just because we're at home, No. 1," Utah guard Deron Williams said Thursday at practice. "We just have to make a conscious effort to get off to a better start because that's basically what cost us both games. It was the second quarter in the first game and the first quarter in the last game."
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Kobe Bryant comes to Utah this weekend with the validation he has long sought by making the biggest leap of his high-flying career, from individual superstar to consummate team player. By winning the MVP trophy, Bryant has further altered his image.
It's fitting that his first road trip since getting the award should be to Salt Lake City because that is where his reputation first began to suffer.
