In ‘04, the Lakers were down 2 games to 0 to San Antonio, having lost the 1st 2 games of the Western Conference Semifinals. In his pre-game speech, Jackson, who himself was a free-agent, said something to the effect of "This very well might be the last time each of us is together….so let’s go out and make sure we leave it all out on the court".

The Lakers swept the next 4 games, winning the series in 6 games, and made it all the way to their "World Series" (the NBA Finals).

(I spent 30 minutes trying to find a link).

I know it’s not his style, but Torii needs to schedule a players-only meeting, and make a similar speech….impressing on his teammates that he is not about to go gently into that good night…and he is NOT about to let any of them let his last season as an Angel be one that ends in September.