Lakers Thread

[Fresh8]

Lakers are killing it right now. I want to see what you guys think of Kobe Bryant's MVP chances? If the Lakers can win at least 65 games, can Kobe win MVP? I guess it depends on how well the Cavs do over the season because right now LeBron James is killing it. But at the end of the day, what matters most is who wins the major hardware at the end of the postseason!

[NovU]

MVP chances for both Lebron and Kobe are at the peak I assume, but according to the recent MVP awards trend, it's likely to go to the best player on the best team, which is Kobe(13-1 to 13-3 of Lebron). However, my vote goes to Lebron at the moment. He's putting up not only amazing numbers but also the team is looking really good. Kobe obviously having better supports is another reason.

[Andrew]

My guess is that the media would probably give LeBron the nod this year if the Cavs keep winning since Kobe has the superior team, was the MVP last year and isn't having his most impressive season as an individual (though part of that can be attributed to the Lakers' depth and dominance thus far, so it's not like he isn't capable) but having said that, Kobe will certainly be in the discussion and if he's not the MVP, he'll finish top three in the voting.

[Oskar]

If the Lakers continue that way, and if they even win 70 wins, then I'm quite sure it'll be Kobe.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't be so sure, it doesn't always go to the player on the team with the best record. If the Cavaliers continue at their current pace as well (they're 14-3 as of this post) and set a new club record, with the way LeBron is playing I could see the media's line of thinking being that it's LeBron's year since Kobe got the nod last year, similar to Karl Malone winning the MVP award in 1997 over Michael Jordan despite the Bulls winning 69 games (though Malone and the Jazz did have a fantastic season that year).

[[Q]]

jesus, they look unstoppable right now. i watched them man handle the raptors the other night. despite the raptors playing very well, the lakers still would pull away to an eventual blowout.

i gotta say improvement from bynum is pretty noticable now. he went from big lumbering uncoorinated waste of a pick (remember he was picked over DAnny Granger.) to a decent inside scoring option and a solid help defender in the middle. imo he's still not deserving of $10+ million yet though.

[Jackie Kong]

I still can't believe Pacers last play against the Lakers tonight. The ball was going around the basketball until the time was up, lol.

[Mandich]

jesus, they look unstoppable right now. i watched them man handle the raptors the other night. despite the raptors playing very well, the lakers still would pull away to an eventual blowout.

i gotta say improvement from bynum is pretty noticable now. he went from big lumbering uncoorinated waste of a pick (remember he was picked over DAnny Granger.) to a decent inside scoring option and a solid help defender in the middle. imo he's still not deserving of $10+ million yet though.

Yes they do look unstoppable, but all this comments and compliments on the Lakers are really getting them. Man, they lost to the Pacers! That very often happen to great teams in playoffs, remember Dallas-Warriors. The Lakers can't get complacent or else they'll lose the 1st seed in the west.
And for Bynum, He and Gasol are turning into twin towers. He has a really solid D and knows how to finish around the hoop. I didn't know he has a 10+ salary thought. Too much in my opinion.

[NovU]

Eastern teams have winning record against the Westerns by noticeable margin. It almost seems like any East teams have a potential to beat West on any given night. And young superstars like Lebron, Wade, Dwight developed while West's superstars like Amare took a step back.

[[Q]]

man, its a shame caron missed that 3 to beat the lakers. it wouldve been like justice or something for them trading him for kwame

[Fresh8]

Kobe, Farmar, Odom, and Ariza are having a 'steals' contest to see who accumulates the most this season. Jax isn't happy about it.

Who do you think will win?

[erik_twism]

I think it´s going to be kobe, because he will get more playingtime then the others, but Ariza is going to be close.

[Andrew]

Kobe, Farmar, Odom, and Ariza are having a 'steals' contest to see who accumulates the most this season. Jax isn't happy about it.

Who do you think will win?

No harm done so long as it doesn't compromise the defense, though you can certainly understand where Jackson is coming from. I think it will come down to Kobe and Ariza, Kobe's playing time giving him the edge but Ariza is garnering an insane amount of steals given he's only playing half the game. I wouldn't be surprised if Ariza continues to lead the team throughout the season.

[The X]

Phil just doesn't want the player's gambling on defence & going for steals & leaving their teammates hanging, rather than playing good team defence....makes sense....a contest on most deflections is probably a better option....although probably not as glamorous....

[Fresh8]

No harm done so long as it doesn't compromise the defense, though you can certainly understand where Jackson is coming from

I agree with Jax hey. He even said something about Kobe going for steals and ending up with nothing and compromising the defence. It has its pros and cons though. If it makes the players hustle on defence more than they do, then perhaps it's good. Obviously, they got to be smart about it.

[Andrew]

True, it depends how they're going about the contest. If they're going out of their way to pad their stats for the sake of a friendly contest then that's certainly bound to compromise their team defense. If they're just playing their game and comparing their stats afterwards then it's probably not as big a deal.

[Cloudy]

Disgusting and disappointing lost to the Kings tonight. Lakers allowed opponents to score more than 30 in the 4th quarter for the past 4 games. The defense from the beginning of the season has to come back! Ariza should go back being himself as a small role player not a scorer. Phil needs to set better lineups in crucial situations instead of letting the bench try to learn and sort things out. I guess this team still needs to acquire one or two more defensive players, this team can score... but what happened to the defense?

[Andrew]

It happens though, sometimes the weaker teams get the better of the top teams. A bit of a scare against Phoenix yesterday though, if not for Vujacic breaking out of his shooting slump they could have lost to a shorthanded and struggling team, particularly with Kobe having an uncharacteristic performance. They've been dominant up until now though, I would expect they'll regain that form sooner rather than later. As it stands, they were still able to take care of business in the fourth quarter against the Suns after stumbling a bit in the third.

[NovU]

all lakers loss came from sub par performing teams. pacers, pistons, kings... i'm sure lakers can manhandle these teams if something bigger was on the line.

[Andrew]

Quite likely, if it were a playoff series I don't like those teams chances of winning four out of seven (the Pistons would probably have an outside shot, their chances would probably be more favourable than Sacramento or Indiana). But like I said before, it happens. No one's gone 82-0 yet and sometimes the underdog gets one over the heavy favourite. It would arguably be a bigger concern if the Lakers couldn't take care of business against stronger teams on a regular basis, teams they're more likely to face in the postseason.

[Fresh8]

I am quite worried that the Lakers are finding it hard to put away mediocre teams and hold onto leads... We're still winning and some may argue that the end justifies the means but the means in which the Lakers are winning by are troublesome. Anyone else share my sentiments?

A Bit off topic: Anyone find it funny how Marbury was at the Lakers-Knicks game?

[Andrew]

At some point it might become a worry but you look at some of the dominant teams of the past and some of the teams they lost to admist winning 60+ games and the bad and mediocre teams seem to have a tendency to take a few wins here and there. Maybe it's a lapse in concentration or the inferior team feeling under less pressure being expected to lose, but it happens.

I think it's actually more a concern when a team like the Lakers lose to stronger teams they're more likely to face at some point the postseason. Barring a major collapse, the Lakers will be in the Playoffs as the number one seed, no one wins every game so they're bound to drop a few they probably shouldn't. Their talent alone will take care of business through the regular season where there's a larger mix of inferior teams on the schedule but if they can get the job done against the teams that are likely to stand in their way in the West and any team likely to come out of the East, you have to be satisfied with that. Maybe it does become a concern if they start losing a lot of winnable games but if you're a Laker fan I wouldn't be worried just yet.

[Fresh8]

I guess Boston have had similar struggles too... and yes, it is a long season. I just want the Lakers to chase that 70-12 record so every game counts! And can't wait till Dec 26 (Aussie Time)... Boston v LA.

[Andrew]

You don't want them to beat 72-10? I don't, but then I'm a Bulls fan so that goes without saying.

[Cloudy]

Celtics almost lost to the Hawks last night, I was standing on my couch praying in the final seconds for that Joe Johnson FT to fall. But damn, the Celtics escaped a close one from Hawks again. Go Lakers!