Lakers look pretty good to me. I think they will make the playoffs and Kobe has a good chance to win MVP this year. Kobe hit the game winner in OT last night and tonight they are losing to the suns but the don't look too bad. If Odom and those guys can learn the triangle, the Lakers should make the playoffs. That Parker guy that they have running the point looks pretty good to. I think hes from the CBA? Maybe?
No mention of Smush Parker? He's playing great ball lately.... i hate watching the two teams i hate play.. i had to deal with it twice already.. Denver vs lakers now Suns vs lakers... i dont want either to win
Y'know, I always did think that Smush was a good, NBA caliber player. Haven't seen him in quite a while though. Why is he just now getting a real chance?
With a frontline of Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm, the Lakers aren't going anywhere. This is a soft jump shooting team, and that's not gonna make it in the WC. My bold prediction: Phil Jackson will quit midway through the season.
No way. Phil and Kobe both are too competitive and hard headed to quit. They will make it. I predict them to finish 6th or 7th in the west. If kobe and odom can play similar to jordan and pippen in the triangle, then sure, Mihm and kwame can be equilavent to bill wennington and luc longley. we will see.
Aside from the fact they were on pace to go 82-0 after 1 game, I see nothing to indicate this lakers team can hope for more than slightly over .500
I guess I'll be rooting for the suns... only reason I hated the suns were becuase of amare/s. hunter/qrich/jj being arrogant.. right now i have no reason not to like them... barbosa is getting better and i didn't know diaw had handles
These Lakers are nothing like the Jordon's Bulls. Aside from the lack of talent, overall this Laker team does not have the same defensive mentality. Everyone raves about Jordan and Pippen's "d", but let's not forget that Rodman and Harper were very effective defenders as well.
I agree. Ecept for the part about Phil. He's not turning down that money in year 1. Sure in the East they could make the playoffs, who can't? But we used to have the best back court in the league and a better front court than they have now, yet we only cracked the 8 spot once. The trade Odom and Brown rumors will start flying around before the all star break. These big market teams need to learn you have to draft and have patience to build a winner.
I wouldn't compare them to the bulls, but I wouldn't ever underestimate Phil Jackson. I think he can get Kobe playing to his full potential. Kobe is heating up by the way, down by seven and he has 35 with 4 minutes to go.
When did we have the best backcourt in the league? I really don't want to turn this thread into a Steve/Cat b****fest, so please don't say it was them. BTW, who the **** is Smuch Parker. Is this guy for real or is he on a Ronald Murryish type tease.
exactly why will they make the playoffs?? they are still an AWFUL defensive team. they gave 122 points to a team that is without 3 of its top scorers from last year. unless phil decides he wants to run and gun and get away from his half court triange offense, this team isn't going to get over .500. this team SUCKS. i know they beat denver on the road but i have a feeling denver isn't going to be as great as everyone thinks, yeah denver will win it's division but they wont have more than 48 wins or so. the lakers are STILL not going to be the best team in their own town for the 2nd straight year.
Ahead of the Lakers, I'd put (in no particular order): 1. Houston 2. San Antonio 3. Phoenix 4. Dallas 5. Denver 6. Sacramento 7. Seattle So, I guess they have a shot at the playoffs. But, they'll be fighting with Memphis, Utah, Golden State, and the Clippers for that last spot. They'll beat out the Clippers, who are accursed, but I wouldn't favor them over the other 3.
Parker is turning out pretty solid. Aside from that, this is still Kobe vs. everybody that it's been before. Can he have the impact that is needed to make the playoffs that way? Maybe. But there isn't enough to say that they are likely to get far without that happening. And, damn, Nash is absolutely incredible. Watching - who is it, Kenny Thomas? - take Amare's spot, and how Nash is just setting him up is a sight to behold. I have no problem with Nash's MVP win.
Kinda makes all the people claiming that Amare was an MVP candidate look silly. Kurt Thomas rolling to the basket for layups may not be as flashy, but it's almost as effective.
