They were always the team to beat. Last year was theirs to take, unfortunately they imploded for some reason.
They imploded because Kobe is not as explosive as he used to be and became a jump shooter. Similar to McGrady but just later in his career. I think everything is down hill from here on out for Kobe as he has to many miles in his career.
Who does Denver want from their roster? Unless they are talking Bynum or Odom, Denver is not interested... A package of blake and walton won't get it done.
From what I saw, they imploded because Pau sucked balls in the playoffs. This is a legit 7 footer, playing 36 minutes a night, shooting 42% from the field, scoring only 13 ppg, and getting torched by Dirk. Don't get me wrong, Kobe's getting a tad older and slower, too, but the Lakers dominance rests with its frontcourt combo of Pau, Bynum and Odom.
Not the way they ended the season and limped into the playoffs. Everyone and their moms knew Fisher was a HUGE liability offensively, and that was true. Their PG position SUCKED. Although Kobe was not dominant, the Lakers can win with Kobe playing that way (they did several series the year before). The problem was their PG position sucked on both ends. And their best post player had mental issues ALL playoffs. The Lakers would have dismantled the Mavericks this year if Pau decided to show up. But he did not show up in the first or second round.
But the two prior years the Lakers lost some awful home games late in the season and people questioned their playoff mettle. This year however, their chemistry never recovered, Kobe's decline raised it's ugly head and he couldn't produce enough for both backcourt positions. Lakers will be among the favorites next season but they need a talent infusion at PG to win it all.
But you can see that this year that the Lakers "tried" to get that back before the playoffs started. They have lost A LOT of statement games throughout the season that they wanted to win. And that was due to a lot of holes (poor PG play, and poor bench)--and that was also due to Kobe's decline. But the Lakers could have still gone far in the playoffs in Pau had his head on straight. Kobe produced "enough" in the playoffs (although vs 1-on-1 defense), but Pau was so bad that it killed them. I have the Thunder as the favorites right now in the West, pending their improvements both individually and team-wise. But if the Lakers somehow can shore up that PG position (and Felton would be a huge upgrade), I have them on top again in the West; there is no way Pau sucks like that again in the playoffs next year.
eh. its a good thing the lakers didnt win over mavs this year. the heat would have gotten their first ring.
He took/made 3 baskets around the rim this year, his lowest of his career. There was a reason that Kobe did not face a single double team in the playoffs. The Lakers may win with Kobe shooting jumpers IF Gasol is his usual dominant self and the Lakers shore up that PG position. But the lack of double teams from Kobe will put more and more pressure on the rest of the guys to create/make plays.
He took 79% jumpers in 09, 85% this year. And the main reason is that Lakers have less fastbreak now and he has less layups. I don't see much difference on how he played half court. And no, Kobe's doubled more than LeBron in playoff. Kobe went to low post and he's gonna get doubled there. It's Lakers pathetic 3pt shooting that hurt. Kobe may lose a step, but he's good enough to lead Lakers to another championship.
dude, rewatch any youtube highlights or actual videos. Andrew Bynum got doubled more than Kobe Bryant.