Lakers Thread

[Andrew]

Jackson has also reiterated that he's one of the best closers in the game today, which is something I think we can all agree on. I think it's also a case of him missing big shots being a bigger story than making them; the assumption is there that he'll make the gamewinning shot or rack up twenty points in the fourth to take over the game as he's done so many times in the past and when he doesn't, it comes as a surprise and grabs people's attention.

[Jackal]

Page three? Come on now.

I watched the game vs Atlanta and Shannon Brown seems to fit right in, as if he's been there since forever. Morrison on the other hand, not so much. Nice triple double by Gasol, I didn't even realize he had 10 assists. And god damn is Odom a beast or what when he wants to be?

[Fresh8]

Chris Mihm was traded to Memphis for a Draft Pick. I havent checked the details yet though.

I liked Chris Mihm in LA... was actually hoping to see more of him on the floor for the Lake Show.

[Bruce]

It looks as if the Lakers sent Mihm to the Grizzlies with a little bit of cash to pay off the rest of Mihm's contract, in exchange, the Lakers get a protected 2nd rounder from Memphis. What this gives that Lakers is $2.5M savings because they far beyond the luxury tax threshold.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next thing the Lakers did was buyout Adam Morrison's contract or trade him for an expiring contract.

[Jackal]

That sort of sucks, Mihm always looked like he was trying his level best. He's pretty awful, but he really seemed to try. I think they should've held on to him just a bit longer, atleast till after the post season.

On the topic of big men, I like Powell too, he's a downgrade from Turiaf...but he comes in and tries. Seems out of place at times and has a bit of difficulty finishing, but he does have range on his jumper.

[Bruce]

but the bottom line is $2.5M for a twelfth man isn't really being cost effective. The Lakers have Gasol/Odom/Powell and soon Bynum to rotate at the PF and C positions. So a minimum money kind of guy like Mbenga fits the bill better as a back-up C. I really like Powell too, better than Turiaf actually. Turiaf tends to get a lot of cheap fouls from trying to block too much, and can't use his body to bump with other bigs on defense. Sad thing though is Powell's contract is expiring, and I don't think he will re-sign for as little money as he is getting now.

That sort of sucks, Mihm always looked like he was trying his level best. He's pretty awful, but he really seemed to try. I think they should've held on to him just a bit longer, atleast till after the post season.

On the topic of big men, I like Powell too, he's a downgrade from Turiaf...but he comes in and tries. Seems out of place at times and has a bit of difficulty finishing, but he does have range on his jumper.

[Angelo]

The reason might be this

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

That probably didn't help matters. Not exactly the kind of video you want finding its way onto the Internet.

[Jackal]

Hmm, back to back losses by LA, not a happy camper.

LA's bench is really out of sync with each other, this isn't the bench I'm used to watching. Walton also has been making some questionable plays as of late where-as he's usually a very intelligent player. Looking forward to the next game.

Nice effort by Shaq, it's still a pleasure watching him play.

[shadowgrin]

That probably didn't help matters. Not exactly the kind of video you want finding its way onto the Internet.

Kobe probably was the one holding the camera.

[Drex]

Hmm, back to back losses by LA, not a happy camper.

They're unraveling, I say.

[Jackal]

I don't know if that was seriously meant, but if it was meant the way I perceived it...you're a bastard.

[Drex]

What? I'm dead serious

[Jackal]

Well they avoided the three in a row loss once again, didn't get to watch the game but nice numbers from Odom despite only scoring 2 points.

This team has the talent to win it all, I'm just hoping they have the heart too.

[Andrew]

With or without Bynum, I don't think anyone in the West could be favoured to beat them four times out of seven though a healthy Spurs team probably still has the best shot. Orlando's the only Eastern power that's really seemed to have their number this year so if you're a Lakers fan you've got to be feeling pretty good about their chances as the postseason looms.

[Jackal]

Indeed, the Spurs are one of the teams I can't not respect, not like I dont respect the other teams, but the Spurs just seem to step their game up come playoff time every time. Helps having the best power forward of all time, I guess.

[Andrew]

Injuries have hampered the Spurs this year though and even though some other players have stepped up and they've put together the second best record in the conference to date, that could be their downfall in the postseason. Not to discredit the Lakers' strength last year but the WCF were pretty one sided with Ginobili's effectiveness limited by his injuries, the one game the Spurs won in that series was the one game Ginobili played well in, preventing them from blowing the lead with an extended dry spell in the second half. If they're still battling through injury problems come Playoff time then things look even better for the Lakers.

[NovU]

I mentioned about could-be-permanent Ginobili's ankle problem last season, and like I expected, he has been having issues with his ankle all season long. That's why I was so low on Ginobili, claiming that Tony was rather more valuable than Manu. Now, if the Spurs and Lakers meet in WCF, I think it will be like a dejavu unless something miraculous happens with his ankle. Another reason I was so keen on idea of bringing in Carter to test he can boost the team to another level.

Nevertheless, they still are contending seriously.

[Andrew]

I thought the problem was that he reinjured the ankle in the Olympic tournament, which put him on the shelf at the beginning of the year. In any case, the threat the Spurs pose to the Lakers certainly depends greatly on their health and in particular being able to rely on Ginobili giving them that boost off the bench.

[Fresh8]

The Lakers have home court for all of the Playoffs until they reach the Finals and if they face the Cavs there. I say this because I'm fairly certain the Lakers will make it back to the Finals this season; I see the Spurs/healthy Jazz as our main threats. Although Cleveland might end up with the better record (and yes, my vote goes to LeBron for MVP), I'm feeling comfortable with the Lakers facing off against the Cavs even without homecourt advantage. Does anyone else share those same sentiments?

I'm actually feel pretty confident about the Lakers' chances against Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, San Antonio... the teams I expect to be the major contenders for a title tilt.

However, while on championship chances, why didn't Pau Gasol take more shots in the loss to Atlanta? Guys like Pau and Lamar have to not disappear like they did in the last NBA Finals series (but we already knew that!).

[Lamrock]

The Lakers are certainly the favorites to win it all. If Cleveland manages to beat Boston, the Lakers will be champions. The Lakers swept the series, handed Cleveland their sole home loss and are arguably a better team.

Lakers/Celtics is another thing, but I think homecourt advantage and the Celtics winning last year will get the Lakers over the hump in 7.

[shadowgrin]

They will lose to the Spurs in the West. Mark my words.

[Matthew]

So your pick = favourites? That's nice.

The Lakers could have a really tough run getting back to the finals. They could have to play Utah and New Orleans in back to back series, and their inability to guard an explosive playmaker in pick and roll situations has been exploited this year.

[Andrew]

I still think their championship hopes could fall apart in the Finals without home court advantage but right now I'd still pick them to come out of the West. It might not be as easy as it would first appear given the lead they have on the rest of the conference but I do still favour them to at least reach the Finals at this point.

[Matthew]

I think anyone would be nuts to say they aren't the favourites to come out of the west, but they could really run into into trouble against Utah and New Orleans. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Portland, those teams wouldn't scare me too much if I was the Lakers, but as I said before, Williams and Paul usually terrorise Los Angeles.

Also, don't forget that last year Boston won a game in the finals in staples, and won all 3 in Boston. Home court or no homecourt, if they take one in LA and win all 3 at home the Celtics win again. And Orlando has swept the lakers this year, for what thats worth.