I know the Mavericks beat the Lakers in 4 in 2011 but I didn't know what to take from that series......At the time, it felt like Kobe was hurt, Lakers were tired from 3 straight trips to the Finals and that was just an anomaly. There was still hope going forward to me as a fan.
Kevin Durant's game winning 3 in game 4 of the 2012 Western Conference Semis was the true end of the Lakers to me and that hurt me because I knew in my heart they'd never be the same. Even with later additions of Dwight and Nash I didn't feel good about the Lakers going forward.
Lakers had a pretty big lead in this game and OKC came back and just ended them. That was the game and series in which I saw boys become men. Although they played the Lakers tough in 2010, they were too young and the Lakers closed it out in 6 with Pau's game winner.
Durant's game winner and Westbrook's 37 just felt like I was watching the next dynasty emerging and there was nothing anyone could do about it.....
Kobe and Pau were washed in a league full a young men.