Lakers Thread

[Andrew]

I'd still put San Antonio in that short list of teams that could give the Lakers trouble myself, health pending. New Orleans has surprised me this year, they're not doing horribily but I thought they'd be pushing 60 wins too. Not that it matters in the Playoffs of course, as we've seen so many times before as long as it all comes together at the right time it doesn't matter if a team doesn't have homecourt advantage or lost the season series.

[Fresh8]

In the West, the Spurs are still the biggest threat to LA. After that, I wouldn't want to face Utah in the second round.

As for the East, Orlando and Boston are the teams I think capable of posing a challenge. I feel like Cavs would be the team LA could beat comprehensively.

[Matthew]

Odom would be the difference against Cleveland. If Bynum comes back, that could mess up the whole rotation and Cleveland could definitely beat the Lakers.

As for the spurs, after their inability to even challenge the Lakers in staples, I can't see anything to tell me they can beat L.A. in the playoffs this year.

[NovU]

Sure the Lakers are the favorites. But Gasol is still soft as hell. there was a reason he couldn't win a single playoff game, especially him as a main man in Memphis.

BTW, Bynum should be rusty coming from an injury just before the playoffs. He won't have much time to get back to 100%. This will be interesting.

[Martti.]

He's knee looks fine carrying women in the playboy mansion

[buzzy]

lmao, random much?

[BIG GREEN]

Lakers have a good chance to win the title..no question.,..about as much of a chance as the spurs, celtics and cavs. I still don't see why people think the lakers would dominate the cavs in the finals because they won one game in cleveland this year considering the cavs have been beating them more often than not since lebron has been in the league. I mean, just last season the cavs beat the lakers twice in the regular season...people seem to have short memory. Once again, I pray it's lakers vs. cavs in the finals..it will be glorious.

[benji]

Does Kobe try to take over and use an absurd number of possessions while shooting poorly (see: most of 2008 and 2004 Finals) or does he keep his role as it was during the season where the Lakers offensive attack is balanced and devestating.

Same with LeBron. I'm not talking about at the end of a close game, I'm talking about jacking up 20 shots in the first half kind of thing.

Of course it will be mind-numbing as the media turns it into LeBron vs. Kobe ignoring how good the rest of the teams are.

Personally, I'd rather see some Lakers/Jazz vs. Magic action in the Finals. Not saying they will get there or favorites or anything, just the three teams I'd rather watch.

[Lamrock]

The Magic making the finals would be the coolest thing ever. Despite being on the verge of a 60+ win season, I don't think anyone expects them to.

[Matthew]

Why would that be so cool?

[Lamrock]

Because Boston and Cleveland are the only East teams considered contenders. Almost as cool as the Clippers/Lakers series would have been in 2006 if they hadn't blew it.

[shadowgrin]

And Orlando has swept the lakers this year, for what thats worth.

And the Charlotte Bobcats swept the Lakers too!
If they could only steal the eight seed from the Bulls and make it all the way to the Finals, the Lakers are toast.

He's knee looks fine carrying women in the playboy mansion

Bynum is pimpin'

[Fresh8]

"We didn't give them much of a battle, knowing we have to play them again," said Utah Coach Jerry Sloan. "It looks pretty bleak. . . .

"They have a terrific team. They have guys who can pass the ball, do about anything you ask a team to do. They've got guys who can make big shots, who just know how to play the game, make the game look simple. . . .

"We're just like a little dent in the road, far as they're concerned. They're very comfortable playing against us and obviously should be."

Jerry Sloan doesn't sound too confident about his team... but perhaps these are all mind games

[shadowgrin]

There're no mind games with Sloan. He really says it like it is. The Jazz suck right now.

EDIT: grammar nazi in my head

[Fresh8]

Shannon Brown is playing more than Jordan Farmar. I thought that would stop after the regular season ended but Brown shopt the ball well today.

[shadowgrin]

Farmar can't match up to Deron's strength, that's why Phil is using the bigger and more athletic Shannon.

[Fresh8]

Not to mention that Farmar is injured. However, my main point was that Jax rarely plays guys who haven't been in his system for a while. Look at past guys who have joined the team mid-season and struggled to get playing time. What's more is that Brown was considered a throw-in to match salaries. I'm just pleased he played well in Game 1

[shadowgrin]

Guys like who, Pau Gasol?

[Fresh8]

Pau Gasol is an all-star, he's different.

Guys like Adam Morrison and Jim Jackson.

[Kbryant8]

Farmar can't match up to Deron's strength, that's why Phil is using the bigger and more athletic Shannon.

You are right, LAL doesn`t have anybody at the PG spot who could stop Deron,, thats the biggest minus. I`m still pretty sure that the series will go to 5:1 for LAL. Shannon is the best choice for LAL to put him against Deron.

That Kobes last buzzer try was stupid

[Fresh8]

Kobe didn't have time to get off a better shot but I wish they would have drawn up a play for Fisher.

Kobe had been missing all night long... forcing too many shots.

[bee-boy]

after tonight's game... Kobe is GOAT

[Angelo]

after tonight's game... Kobe is GOAT

definitely

[Andrew]

I wouldn't go that far but on that point we'll probably have to agree to disagree. He sure looked unstoppable though.

[Fresh8]

Yeah, I wouldn't call Kobe goat either... He is still one of the most prolific scorers in basketball's history

I'm going to pull out the 'Jordan would not have let the Lakers lose in game 3' argument because I'm still a bit mad we lost that one!