and are my pick to win a championship over whoever comes out of the East. One of these two teams should go to the Finals provided they remain injury free. Portland has the perfect team to punk Miami, big athletic wing players (Wallace, Matthews, Batum), great point guard play, a post up big and good interior defense to match the perimeter D. They are a complete team and they are playing at a very high level. I would take them over Miami or Chicago in a 7-game series. The Lakers are going to be there provided they stay pretty much injury free. They're gonna get better defensively. They're doing okay offensively. If Bynum stays healthy they would be stupid to trade him for Howard, at least before the end of the season. Howard's post up game is miles behind Bynum. Bynum is also very good defensively, maybe not Dwight good, but very good nonetheless. And the Lakers with the Odom TPE, could add a nice piece or two. Mike Brown is going to have their D in choke out mode by the end of the season. They are a better team than Miami also. These two teams are better than the best in the East right now.
If only Wes Matthews was Brandon Roy, they would be the favourites to win the title along with miami.
My feelings also. No way both Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby last the season and the Blazers are thin up front. It would really help if they did something about that. If the Lakers keep their roster intact, they ain't going to the finals. In fact, they won't make the WCFs. I'd put them behind the Blazers, OKC, Nuggets and Clippers. Bynum looks awesome right now, but can he produce like this the entire season and playoffs? We don't know yet. Same for Kobe. They can't ride the 3-legged monster all year. It's a mistake to use the start of the season or a couple of games now to project the playoffs. The West is wide open.
Portland is a dangerous team b/c they're so deep and balanced. OP is correct that this team could win the West "if" these players play at this level. But we'll see how this team keeps playing, and they always seem to get an injury that stunt their season. But 2 stats do favor them. Pt differential is +8.5, and rebounding differential is +5.1. They play tough defense all-around with their athletic wings, and they finish up their defensive possessions by rebounding. They have size all over, and have 2 guys who can get their own shots in the 4th in LA and Crawford. I completely underrated this team going into the season. I watched the game v. the Lakers yesterday and was very impressed. The Lakers. They have too much Kobe Bryant. It seems like he wants to stunt Bynum's growth or something. Kurt Thomas had no business guarding Bynum and the Lakers went many times ignoring the guy. Kobe needs to understand Bynum is actually good now, and he isn't who he once was. Until Kobe makes this offense more 60-40 inside-outside, the Lakers are not going to be much better than they are right now, which is pretty average.
Portland coming out of the west? Portland over Miami or Chicago? I want what you are having these days, you must have a double rainbow in your office view.
OKC or Denver will perform better than the 4-4 Lakers team this year. and one of them will beat the Lakers in the 2nd round to make it to the Conference Finals
You forgot somebody. I agree that it will definitely be one of these 3 teams though. Just imagine if Brandon Roy was fully healthy.
I think they would be a completely different team, with the Roy of old. The team right now is all team first; if they had Roy, he would probably have the ball in his hands a lot and change their offense possibly for the worst.
If they had a healthy Roy and Oden Portland would be nuts. But they don't... So, they will fall down to earth eventually.
Hate to say it, but for as great as Roy was, this team is better. The key is Felton running the show and then Portland's bench is electric. I've seen every team in the league 3 times or more, watched complete games. I don't have to watch 60 games into the season to know who is going to be the class of the conference. Barring injuries and trades, both of which are likely to make a difference this season, these are the top two teams irregardless of record. The next two are San Antonio and OKC followed closely by the Clippers and Memphis. Dallas may (or may not) make the playoffs but they are at best the 7th best team in the West and they very well could fall out of the playoffs altogether. San Antonio was in the same class as the Lakers and Blazers until Manu got hurt. They could still make a run at the Finals of he gets healthy. If you are writing off the Lakers because of Kobe's age, injury, or selfishness, you are making a mistake. They are one year removed from being champions and they've lost Lamar. But they still have the ability to add a piece or two and they are going to be tough as nails, especially defensively by the end of the season. Sure,it's early. But some of these teams have a history (Lakers/Spurs) and some of these teams, you can see what they are (Blazers). If you're worried about the Blazers front court, the center spot, don't forget Przybilla is still out there,.along with other very bigs. Portland can very easily add a veteran big man for a championship push. You have to be able to see how teams are going to develop.
so you are saying Kobe's injured, selfish, and getting older. check. you mean June 2010? that's irrelevant at this point. they got swept out of last year's playoffs and that team got worse and older. they may have improved their defense but as long as Fisher is their starter and World Peace is their 6th Man they are going nowhere. I can't project any moves they might make or whether they can stay healthy or not.
Yep, one of these two teams. I'll give the edge to the Lakers since they're still learning the system and Kobe and Bynum look terrific
I couldn't agree with you more, but if the Lakers can use the trade exception to get a decent starting PG, that would make up for Odom. But I would still have them as 4th/5th best. If K-Mart hadn't played like a dog, the Rockets could have beaten the Lakers despite Kobe's 37 and Bynum's 20/20. Kobe won't be averaging 30+ points/game in the playoffs no matter how good his knee feels.
really, Kobe looks terrific? I'll give him the credit of playing like a warrior through pain, but his injury is bringing down his game and he is forcing too many shots, not looking to be a facilitator for his team, which shows he doesn't trust his new teammates. he's also shooting 7-37 from 3 point land so far this season.
Obviously the wrist is bothering him a ton, but he is moving a lot better than last year. Yeah, he has had a couple of bad shooting nights, but he looks good
