NO PLAYOFFS FOR THE NEW LAKERS THIS YEAR ?

[fred.cad]

Apparently a lot of people (especially espn.com journalists) believe the lakers will not even make the playoffs this season !

Now i agree of course that losing Big Mama Shaq and mr Zen was NOT a good thing but i think that trading the old payton, the one who was consistently bad in the playoffs 2004, for mihm, atkins and jumaine jones is for the best

i think now that it is kobe's team and so KOBE will dominate this season "a la michael jordan" way, in a spectacular fashion.... averaging over 30 pts and going for forty a lot of games...
I view Lamar Odom as his "Scottie Pippen" as he'll rebouding, defending, score some big buckets and most importantly be an emotional leader... he was like that at this year olympics !!
Chris Mihm and/or Divac will be his Luc Longleys
Brian Grant => rodman ,..... well okay maybe not for that one
and there is caron butler, chucky atkins, jumaine jones,george,rush ,walton.....

don't you see it coming ???? IT'S KOBE YEAR !!!!!

NO PLAYOFFS ? NO WAY !!!!!
THE TITLE ? WHO KNOWS.... THE SPURS AND THE WOLVES ARE BEATABLE....

[TheFranchiseKing]

First Round Tops!

[Sauru]

kobe will either dominate or just blow it. he will either prove to be a leader or prove that he was not as good as people think he is(people who compare him to jordan). even if he averages 32 a game it wont mean anything, if they aint winning. he has a good enough team to make the playoffs so if the lakers dont make it, then its a huge flop of a season and it has to rest on kobes shoulders. you cant argue that this season is all on kobe win or lose, this is what he wanted, so if they do great he deserves all the praise and if they miss the playoffs then it best be him getting the blame, no matter his stats.

[Jay-Peso]

I think we might have a new Magic like last year. Maybe Kobe will do what t-mac did last year.

[.]

Lets not forget that ESPN is anti Lakers since I remember. I dont give a ish what they think about my favorite team because it will be something negative anyway. If they dont think the Lakers will reach the playoffs, what makes them think that bum teams like Phoenix, Utah etc will?!?

Kobe is really focused on being a good teamleader. Is probably the hardest working player in the NBA at this moment, even Rudy said this: "I've had other hard working players in the past. Hakeem was phenomenal, Clyde was phenomenal, this guy is in another galaxy" < No explanation needed I guess. He did seem TO passfull during the last 2 games, not taking makeable shots etc, so I hope this fear for being called selfish wont turn out in something bad, he must keep in mind that he is the #1 scoring option and perhaps the best scorer in the league.

The Lakers trade for Chris Mihm, Chucky Atkins and Jumaine Jones has been a steal so far to me. Mihm is playing better then ever, excellent on the defensive end, his inside and outside shots are falling...he will have a career year this season while Payton is sucking in Boston right now and is getting slower and slower. At first I thought Mitch Kupchak did a terrible move with that trade, but so far it looks like a steal. I like Chris Mihm ALOT. I did expected more from Chucky Atkins at the point guard, and that is the only position where the Lakers may find trouble in the upcoming season. Sasha isnt strong enough to get big minutes and forces to much turnovers. Tiere Brown did play very good against Seattle so maybe he will get alot of minutes at the point.

Caron Butler is also playing very well. A good outside shooter and is very good at running the break, something we will see alot this year from the Lakers. He says hes feeling 100% healthy, and the reason why he didnt have a good second year, was because of the injury. He might even get a starting job at the Small Forward while Lamar Odom will play PF so that Brian Grant will back him up and Chris Mihm will backup Vlade Divac.

The Lakers have a very deep team and like I said, I dont see Phoenix and Utah get a higher winning % then the Lakers will. It will probably take some time to glue together a team, so they might start the season with a below .500 ranking. But once they get used to eachother, and play on their full potential strenght, they CAN win alot of games.

I will be happy if they can get in the second round of the playoffs, I dont see them compete in the Finals or WCF unless San Antonio meets Minnesota in the first or second round.

ESPN is just garbage and I really dont give a shit about their opinions. They can fuck themselves.

I think we might have a new Magic like last year. Maybe Kobe will do what t-mac did last year.

I really really really dont see the Lakers doing as bad as Orlando did. The Lakers have ALOT more depth then that sorry ass team had last year, and from what I have seen a better teamleader who wont give up that easy as Tracy McGrady did. Im not saying T-Mac is a bad player, but lets be serieus here...he was terrible last year as a team captain.

[Alcoholic]

I been watching the preseason games, and it seems a lot of these players are pretty good. Chris Mihm has been playing excellent, it kind of makes me wish the Lakers never resigned Divac.

Caron Butler is pretty good, I like his shooting, and that little pass fake, but I don't really like how he attacks the rim. It's like he just throws himself and ends up out of control like a lot of bad rookies do, instead of actually making an acrobatic shot that tony parker or kobe does.

Chuky Atkins is a good player, and Sasha Vujaic (sp?) continues to please me. He's is a great player, and it would be cool if he could start with Kobe. I still don't know who should really take the PG position, but Sasha is pretty good, though sometimes I saw him make some mistakes..

Brian Cook... all I have to say is WTF!!!!!!! This guy changeD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He had 17 points in the last preseason game! This guy has really worked hard. I hated his guts last year, but this year things might change (note the work might). He has an often flat, low jumping shot, but it's quick release and it goes in a lot so far, and he had some nice post moves and ball handling for a PF. I also heard he gained 20 pounds..

Jumaine Jones looked fine. T Brown was doing great, but he has to watch out for some of those mistakes that can make or break you. At first I didn't see why Tony Bobbitt was so highly praised by the coaching staff, but then after some games I saw he is pretty good. Kind of like T Brown, he can pull up and knock down those jumpers. Lamar Odom is Lamar Odom.

Kobe......... it's Kobe, what can I say. To be honest I really didn't like the first game. Kobe almost had 40 points, and they lost to Seattle. It was like he was too cocky, he was at the 3 point line, and he would just jack up shots, but they would go in (not in the end though..). However in the 2nd game I saw a drastic change. Kobe didn't nearly get as many touches, and it showed what the other players trying to make the team could do. Same with the 3rd game. I don't know if Kobe is sharing the ball more or the coaching staff is forcing Kobe to give the newer guys a chance, but you can see how good the rest of the team is. Hopefully Kobe realizes this and will work as a team with them in the season.

[Old School Fool]

I saw the King-Lakers Game. It was decent.

[Jackal]

but i think that trading the old payton, the one who was consistently bad in the playoffs 2004, for mihm, atkins and jumaine jones is for the best

You mean the same old Payton that dropped 21 points in 26 minutes on the Bulls? You mean the Payton that has a shit load of experience? You'd rather have Chris Mihm (?), Jumaine Jones (pff) & Chucky Atkins opposed to Gary Payton? A former All Star, an experienced & a HOF type player?

Gehehe, alright...it's your choice.

i think now that it is kobe's team and so KOBE will dominate this season "a la michael jordan" way, in a spectacular fashion.... averaging over 30 pts and going for forty a lot of games...

I think Tracy McGrady had a "Michael Jordan" type season last year. He averaged the type of numbers you predicted Kobe will average this year. Hehe, so easy to be like Mike.

I view Lamar Odom as his "Scottie Pippen" as he'll rebouding, defending, score some big buckets and most importantly be an emotional leader... he was like that at this year olympics !!

You were either smoking weed while typing this post or are too blinded by love. Scottie Pippen = HOF. Lamar Odom isn't even at All Star level yet. Comparing Odom to Pippen is almost as big an insult as comparing Kobe to MJ is.

Scottie Pippen's long arms was a gift on defense, Odom isn't anywhere near that type of defense.

I almost sharted myself when I read you had the balls to compare Odom to Pippen.

Chris Mihm and/or Divac will be his Luc Longleys

You guys over-rate Chris Mihm, why do you tend to do that? Because he plays for LA suddenly he's a moderate to ok player? Please, he's just another big body.
Divac? If Shaq was getting old & injury prone what do you think Divac is? Young & athletic? Sure, his passing will be a plus but he's no supasta.

Brian Grant => rodman ,..... well okay maybe not for that one

I'm glad you saw the crap in that one yourself.

and there is caron butler, chucky atkins, jumaine jones,george,rush ,walton...

Caron Butler won't become much more than he already is. Chucky Atkins? Be serious, it's Chucky Atkins, he's not bad but he isn't great. Jumaine Jones is a bench player, nothing more. Devean George is inconsistant. Rush won't get enought PT to blossom. He happens to play the same position as Bryant. Walton? He's just moved further into the list. How many SF's does LA have at the moment? Odom, Butler, George, Jones, Walton. How will they all get to play?

don't you see it coming ???? IT'S KOBE YEAR !!!!!

I don't see that coming, I do see a fist coming into your face if you use those arguments in a sports bar.

Yes, Kobe year it is. It's going to be a great statistics year for Kobe. It's not LA's year. It won't be a pretty season for LA. Second round tops & that's being generous since I'm a LA fan.

THE TITLE ? WHO KNOWS.... THE SPURS AND THE WOLVES ARE BEATABLE....

Posting that line in Caps Lock won't make it come true, as hard as you try, it won't happen.

The Spurs & Wolves are beatable, very much so. Not by LA though, not with this team. With Shaq on the team they had nightmares with Tim Duncan. Who's going to stop Duncan now? Bryant? (Hehe) I think not. Odom? Please. Divac? Hehe, that put an instant smile on my face, Divac falls down after Duncan gives him a nudge.

Lets not forget that ESPN is anti Lakers since I remember. I dont give a ish what they think about my favorite team because it will be something negative anyway.

Really? Just like everyone is anti Kobe, eh?

Kobe is really focused on being a good teamleader. Is probably the hardest working player in the NBA at this moment

The name is Kevin Garnett, not Kobe Bryant.

even Rudy said this: "I've had other hard working players in the past. Hakeem was phenomenal, Clyde was phenomenal, this guy is in another galaxy" < No explanation needed I guess.

Hehe, being Kobe's coach I'd be sure to say some nice stuff about him. I remember one coach who's without work because Kobe Bryant didn't like him. Oh wait, he's just trying to sell books. Silly me.

while Payton is sucking in Boston right now and is getting slower and slower.

Payton didn't seem to suck that much against the Bulls.

I know me & you are quite well on MSN but this really amuses me. All of us were so giddy about Malone & Payton joining. At the time we could only sing praises for these two. Why? They chose LA & were part of LA, that's why. Now that they've moved on from LA, they suck. Right now you hope Karl stays with LA. Once he says he won't, he'll suck.

Hypocrite.

ESPN is just garbage and I really dont give a shit about their opinions. They can fuck themselves.

ESPN, World Wide Leader In Sports. Bunch of fuckers.

[NNpF]

This is a 'make or break year' for Kobe. No matter how well he plays all the losses and not making the playoffs will be blamed on him. Laker fans better hope he is prepared to finally run a team by himself.

[.]

The name is Kevin Garnett, not Kobe Bryant.

Note the "PROBABLY" which I said, I know this isnt based on facts but opinions, thats why the probably. I know Kobe worked harder this offseason then Garnett because I don’t remember reading how Garnett gained 15 pounds of muscle or calling all his teammates 2 weeks before trainingcamp to start working out. I have no idea what Garnett has done this offseason, besides rejecting a Dream Team spot.

Really? Just like everyone is anti Kobe, eh?

Or just like everyone who says something nice about Kobe is a Kobe jocker.

Hehe, being Kobe's coach I'd be sure to say some nice stuff about him. I remember one coach who's without work because Kobe Bryant didn't like him. Oh wait, he's just trying to sell books. Silly me.

Philip chose to get out, he said that if the Lakers would resign Kobe, that he would be gone because he didn’t like coaching Kobe. Kobe said that he wouldn’t mind playing for Philip again, don’t blame this on him, Philip made his choice and now hes gone (thank god), so now poor Philip has to write books to make some money because that mean rapist made him lose his job.

Payton didn't seem to suck that much against the Bulls.

I know me & you are quite well on MSN but this really amuses me. All of us were so giddy about Malone & Payton joining. At the time we could only sing praises for these two. Why? They chose LA & were part of LA, that's why. Now that they've moved on from LA, they suck. Right now you hope Karl stays with LA. Once he says he won't, he'll suck.

Hypocrite.

First of all, what the hell has MSN have to do with this? Because we get along does that mean that I cant have different opinions then yours or something?

Yes I was happy when we got Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but I among with most if not all Laker fans expected alot more from them, specially from Gary Payton. It doesn’t have to do with the fact that he is not a Laker anymore, its just that since his season with Seattle and Milwaukee he sucked, he had some good games, but in overall he sucked. I don’t care if you disagree with that, but I think he sucked. Period. I at first didn’t like the trade with Boston, until the preseason was underway and GP didn’t show any improvement since last year, meanwhile Chris Mihm is playing better then ever. The Lakers got the best of the deal right now, it might have been better if they could get Marcus Banks instead of Jumaine Jones, but still....Kupchak 1 – 0 Ainge.

Now that they've moved on from LA, they suck. Right now you hope Karl stays with LA. Once he says he won't, he'll suck.

Who said that? Me? I don’t remember saying anything like that. I admit I never liked Karl Malone as a basketball player. But since he played with the Lakers, I saw him play alot and I read about him in articles alot more. I gained alot of respect for Karl Malone and he has became 1 of my favorite players of all time, even if he signs elsewhere. Stop making stuff up.

Caron Butler won't become much more than he already is

Why not? He is young, has alot of potential and he is healthy. What will stand in the way to make him a better player?

You guys over-rate Chris Mihm, why do you tend to do that? Because he plays for LA suddenly he's a moderate to ok player? Please, he's just another big body.
Divac? If Shaq was getting old & injury prone what do you think Divac is? Young & athletic? Sure, his passing will be a plus but he's no supasta.

Chris Mihm has played better then Gary Payton this preseason so far, how is he overrated? He deserves every credit of it. He has been playing alot better then I expected from him on both ends of the court, specially on the defensive end. He is not a star player and Im not expecting star performances by him, but so far he has showed to be more then "just another big body".

[Jackal]

Note the "PROBABLY" which I said, I know this isnt based on facts but opinions, thats why the probably.

Even when using probably Garnett seems like a harder worker, that's just me though.

I know Kobe worked harder this offseason then Garnett because I don’t remember reading how Garnett gained 15 pounds of muscle

I guess he had to get himself in shape. If I recall correctly he did miss quite a few practices last year due to his case. Garnett is in quite perfect condition. He didn't seem as pooped as Bryant did in the Finals vs Detroit.

He was almost wagging his tongue in pursuit of Richard Hamilton.

calling all his teammates 2 weeks before trainingcamp to start working out.

Probably because Garnett already has a team he gels with. He needn't call them 2 weeks before trainingcamp to work on their "chemistry".

I have no idea what Garnett has done this offseason, besides rejecting a Dream Team spot.

You're talking about the same dream team spot Kobe rejected due to his rape case? Yeah, I remember that. Shame Bryant couldn't have made the team. They'd definately have won gold then.

Or just like everyone who says something nice about Kobe is a Kobe jocker.

Hmm, I don't think we're that hurried to jump the gun on Kobe lovers. Scubilete is known to praise Kobe, Matthew has praised Kobe, I've praised Kobe. We're not jocks, people like Micchy Boy (no offense), yourself & The_Game are jocks.

Philip chose to get out, he said that if the Lakers would resign Kobe, that he would be gone because he didn’t like coaching Kobe.

Gehehehe, Philip, so formal.

Anyways, have you ever stopped to think WHY Phil didn't want to coach Kobe? It's because he does whatever it is he feels like. His way, it HAS to be his way. I recall you telling me how much of a bitch Allen Iverson was for not doing what his Coached asked him to do. I recall you telling me the coach is the one in charge. Yet when "Philip" asked him to do stuff & Bryant brushed it off you find a way to defend that. That's what I call jocking.

Kobe said that he wouldn’t mind playing for Philip again, don’t blame this on him

Naturally he wouldn't have a problem playing for Phil, he wouldn't do whatever Phil said anyways.

Philip made his choice and now hes gone (thank god)

You're probably one of the biggest morons or biggest blind Kobe fans, ever. How in heavens name can you be grateful that one of the, if not the best, coach in basketball history left your favorite team? This comment just goes to show your ignorance. You'd rather have an egotistical asshole opposed to a fucking team.

so now poor Philip has to write books to make some money because that mean rapist made him lose his job.

You frigging ignorant person. Phil Jackson isn't a moron, he's been in the basketball business long before Kobe Bryant has. He's probably got money set aside in the amount you'd probably only dream of earning. You've once again shown your ignorance & shown the limit you're willing to put yourself out to embarrassment with such an ignorant comment. He doesn't need money to live off of, that guy has money you can't begin to imagine. Nine rings, nine. If he sold those only he'd have more than enough money.

Atleast you got the rapist part correct.

First of all, what the hell has MSN have to do with this? Because we get along does that mean that I cant have different opinions then yours or something?

If you had the ability to comprehend phrases written in english you'd see I was implying the same thing. I didn't want you to think I'm playing a bigshot on the forums & being a nice person on MSN. I'm sure you'll think this way because you've on numerous occasions told me of Matthew's behaviour. "Yeah, he's all nice & compliments Bryant when he's on MSN & on the forum he acts tough so that his internet buddies will like him." Say it isn't true.

Yes I was happy when we got Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but I among with most if not all Laker fans expected alot more from them, specially from Gary Payton.

Guess not everyone's a Kobe Bryant.

It doesn’t have to do with the fact that he is not a Laker anymore

The type of person you are, I'd say it has everything to do with it.

Kupchak 1 – 0 Ainge.

Hehe, you're a regular comedian. I like how you didn't address the 21 point performance. Kupchak is the biggest idiot since Ainge, that's saying something.

Who said that? Me? I don’t remember saying anything like that. I admit I never liked Karl Malone as a basketball player. But since he played with the Lakers, I saw him play alot and I read about him in articles alot more. I gained alot of respect for Karl Malone and he has became 1 of my favorite players of all time, even if he signs elsewhere.

Before Malone played for LA, you didn't give a flying fuck about him. BECAUSE he played for LA, you respect his game, you read about him BECAUSE he played for LA. No other reason. Shows how open you are to other players. Unless they aren't part of LA, you couldn't care less.

Stop making stuff up.

I'm just going on what I know about you. You were too sore to comment on the last game of the Finals last year because you admitted to only liking to comment when LA won, you didn't like to comment when they lost. Sore loser.

Why not? He is young, has alot of potential and he is healthy. What will stand in the way to make him a better player?

There's a limit people reach, they don't become better than that. That's just the way it is.

According to you, that three year old kid that can make a bunch of baskets is going to be THE best player ever. He's young, healthy & he's got potential? What will stop him from being the best ever?

Chris Mihm has played better then Gary Payton this preseason so far, how is he overrated? He deserves every credit of it.

BECAUSE he plays for LA. Had he played elsewhere you'd not give him his due, that's just how you are. Payton played well in Boston yet you keep stressing on how much he sucks. Did I say hypocrite already?

He has been playing alot better then I expected from him on both ends of the court, specially on the defensive end.

That's because Kobe's taking 26 shots, he doesn't have much opportunity to play on the offensive end now, does he?

[Cee_em_bee]

Missing the playoffs is an unlikely Scenario for the Lakers.. It could happen but I doubt it will..

I know Kobe's willing to do whatever he has to do to win. (ohh dear, Excuse me for my Kobe dickriding )
Playoffs or no playoffs this will be an exciting Laker team

[.]

I dont have the time to quote everything, so I will just do it this way.

"I guess he had to get himself in shape. If I recall correctly he did miss quite a few practices last year due to his case. Garnett is in quite perfect condition. He didn't seem as pooped as Bryant did in the Finals vs Detroit.

Kobe made the finals, Garnett didnt. Also, Im talking about the offseason here, why are you bringing up the finals?

"You're talking about the same dream team spot Kobe rejected due to his rape case? Yeah, I remember that. Shame Bryant couldn't have made the team. They'd definately have won gold then. "

Kobe was trying to make it to the Olympics, Garnett didnt. Anyway, fuck Garnett....this is a Lakers thread.

"Gehehehe, Philip, so formal.

Anyways, have you ever stopped to think WHY Phil didn't want to coach Kobe? It's because he does whatever it is he feels like. His way, it HAS to be his way. I recall you telling me how much of a bitch Allen Iverson was for not doing what his Coached asked him to do. I recall you telling me the coach is the one in charge. Yet when "Philip" asked him to do stuff & Bryant brushed it off you find a way to defend that. That's what I call jocking."

Kobes ego is very hard to coach, Im not saying hes perfect. But PLEASE, Kobe didnt make Philip go away, Philip said last night that it was because of some situations within the Lakers organisation, not Kobe. Simply not playing a game because your coach tells you to start from the bench, is ALOT worse to me then taking shots when you are not suposed to do. Tell me Im wrong, I dont give a crap.

"Naturally he wouldn't have a problem playing for Phil, he wouldn't do whatever Phil said anyways."

funny guy

"You're probably one of the biggest morons or biggest blind Kobe fans, ever. How in heavens name can you be grateful that one of the, if not the best, coach in basketball history left your favorite team? This comment just goes to show your ignorance. You'd rather have an egotistical asshole opposed to a fucking team."

I will not continue this conversation if you will call me a moron or whatever, that just shows how pathetic you are.

Im grateful that Philip helped the Lakers get their 3 rings from 2000 to 2002, but he has changed as a coach since then. He never took time outs when they needed it, he started playing with scrubs while the team was behind by 15+ points, from the bench it didnt seem like he showed alot of interest in the game, it might be just me tho. Im happy if a coach leaves when he is not motivated towards his team. Rudy T looks like he is.

"You frigging ignorant person. Phil Jackson isn't a moron, he's been in the basketball business long before Kobe Bryant has. He's probably got money set aside in the amount you'd probably only dream of earning. You've once again shown your ignorance & shown the limit you're willing to put yourself out to embarrassment with such an ignorant comment. He doesn't need money to live off of, that guy has money you can't begin to imagine. Nine rings, nine. If he sold those only he'd have more than enough money.

Atleast you got the rapist part correct."

That part was meant sarcastic, which is what you like dont you?

"If you had the ability to comprehend phrases written in english you'd see I was implying the same thing. I didn't want you to think I'm playing a bigshot on the forums & being a nice person on MSN. I'm sure you'll think this way because you've on numerous occasions told me of Matthew's behaviour. "Yeah, he's all nice & compliments Bryant when he's on MSN & on the forum he acts tough so that his internet buddies will like him." Say it isn't true. "

Well, I certainly get the idea that you are acting "cool" on the forums and being Mr nice guy on MSN. If you have the guts to offend me here by calling me a moron or whatever, then do the same on MSN...oh wait, other people cant see our conversations so there is no need to act cool. Dont you ever ask me again to make some banners for your pathetic site if you keep up like this

Me and Matthew are cool on MSN, but I will say it again. On MSN he is alot nicer about Kobe then over here. Im sure he knows it aswell.

"The type of person you are, I'd say it has everything to do with it. "

That just shows that you dont know me at all.

"Hehe, you're a regular comedian. I like how you didn't address the 21 point performance. Thumbs Up Kupchak is the biggest idiot since Ainge, that's saying something. "

hehe, youre not funny. I also like it how you didnt notice Chris Mihms 6 bocked shots, 17 points and 13 boards during the games in the preseason, yet you call him "another big body" and not even a "ok player".

"Before Malone played for LA, you didn't give a flying fuck about him. BECAUSE he played for LA, you respect his game, you read about him BECAUSE he played for LA. No other reason. Shows how open you are to other players. Unless they aren't part of LA, you couldn't care less. "

So your story basicly says that Im more interested in the Lakers then any other team in the league. Correct, I follow the Lakers alot more then the other teams. If Malone never signed for the Lakers, I would probably didnt give a shit about him. But Ive learned alot about him and now I respect him. So what?

"I'm just going on what I know about you. You were too sore to comment on the last game of the Finals last year because you admitted to only liking to comment when LA won, you didn't like to comment when they lost. Sore loser."

Im a sore loser because I didnt comment on the game when the Lakers lost the championship , once again it shows that you dont know me at all. Please stop asuming things about me if you are not sure about it.

"There's a limit people reach, they don't become better than that. That's just the way it is.

According to you, that three year old kid that can make a bunch of baskets is going to be THE best player ever. He's young, healthy & he's got potential? What will stop him from being the best ever? "

Players can always improve their games, specially when they have the same potential and age as Caron has. Look at Jermaine O´Neal, Michael Redd, Tracy McGrady etc. If we were a few years back from now, Im pretty sure you would have said the same thing about those players.

"BECAUSE he plays for LA. Had he played elsewhere you'd not give him his due, that's just how you are. Payton played well in Boston yet you keep stressing on how much he sucks. Did I say hypocrite already?"

Maybe, Im not the type to follow every team like that, I judge from what I see with my own eyes, and I see that Chris Mihm is playing very well and Imo better then Gary Payton. I dont mean that Gary Payton sucks, I said that because I know he can do better then that, 21 points in 1 game against the Bulls doesnt impress me, not to long ago he was avaraging those numbers.

"That's because Kobe's taking 26 shots, he doesn't have much opportunity to play on the offensive end now, does he?"

And yet he has been avaraging 11.3 points per game while he is a scoring option behind Kobe, Lamar and Caron. And Kobe only takes 16.75 shots a game as the main offensive player, meanwhile he has almost 6 assists a game. If you think he doesnt give other players much opportunity on the offense, you should seriously do some homework.

[air gordon]

wow look at the rainbow of colors

lost angeles got the better end of the deal based on a few preseason games?

payton scored 21pts.. on the BULLS. i'll give payton credit though. doc rivers probably wouldn't be starting davis over welsch if he thought payton was unable to run

[.]

I said the Lakers got the best out of the deal so far , I might be wrong when we are in the regular season, but for now there is no doubt on my mind that the Lakers won this trade.

[air gordon]

kupchak should be named executive of the year after the killer 04 offseason/05 preseason he's had

[Sauru]

few things here from a boston fan...

1. mihm is junk. a couple preseason games wont change the fact that he is junk. wait til the games count and you will see why we got rid of him.

2. payton was locked up in the triangle. that is not a point guards system at all. now i am not saying he is gonna be the payton of old all over again in boston, but i do think he will have a better season than last.

3. the deal was ok for both sides until we got banks back. if the lakers were able to keep banks the trade would not have looked so bad to me.

4. kobe has all the talent in the world, but so does mcgrady and he didnt win anything in the east. talent alone is not enough. now kobe has a much better team than mcgrady had last year. this lakers team has to make the playoffs imo, they just got to many good players not to. now if they dont, like i said before, the blame has to rest on kobe no matter what he is averaging.

5. about the odom and pippen thing. odom is no pippen by any means but i dont think thats what you meant.i kinda took it as he will fill the same role as pippen did and i could possibly go for that, if you did intend to compare odom to pippen then i am sorry, but you are way off.


6. "Kupchak 1 – 0 Ainge." i will be the first to admit that ainge has made some dumb ass moves in his short time in the front office but this is not one of them. if payton has a great season or a junk season it dont much matter. right now payton is cap space for next offseason and that makes him highly tradable if the celts so choose to go that way, or they can keep him and use the sace themselves. on the other hand payton could have an solid year and really help this team while helping develope our young points. Kupchak on the other hand based his entire team around kobe who was not even the best player on the team. he traded away the best center in the nba(by a long shot imo) for 3 ok players. now i like odom, he is one of my fav players, but what they got for shaq is insulting. they should have stuck to the dallas deal. of course we all know why they didnt do that right? cant have shaq come back and haunt you by keeping him in the west. this was a bad move imo so i would reverse those scores.

[Matthew]

To clarify my stance on Kobe:

1. I think the guy is a total talent, also an asshole at times, but he needs that. I respect that he isn't sitting around sulking saying "why isn't shaq here", but instead he is trying to get things done

2. If I take a shot at kobe, its just to piss off his fans . I don't hate Kobe, but I hate a portion of his fan base, the ones that refer to the accuser as a "bitch" and sofourth.

3. Believe it or not, I bought a kobe jersey not too long ago. I havent worn it, and I doubt I will... but if that isnt a sign of respect, I dont know what is...

[.]

I agree. Kobe is a huge talented player, but he can be a asshole sometimes.

[Alcoholic]

I want what the rest of Los Angeles wants... and that's another championship.

Complete BS...

[Stevan]

Matthew stop turning every topic into a Kobe flame!!!

3. Believe it or not, I bought a kobe jersey not too long ago. I havent worn it, and I doubt I will... but if that isnt a sign of respect, I dont know what is...

WHAT! I don't even know who you are anymore!...

[J@3]

I have no idea what Garnett has done this offseason, besides rejecting a Dream Team spot.

Punched a rookie

[Stevan]

Punched a rookie

And people say Kobe is trying to be like Mike! KG... desparately trying to get that ring

[Matt]

haha, yeah.....and who can name that rookie off the top of their heads?

I'm betting on 45 wins for the Lakers and pushing somebody in the 1st rnd to 6,7 games.

[Alcoholic]

I know! Rick Rickert!!!!!