[Video] Dwight Howard Lakers Preseason Debut Highlights (10.21.12)

I had the Thunder in the Finals last year like any sane observer.

This year could be different. The Thunder are only getting better but I'm leaning towards LA to make the Finals.

That's where it will end. The Heat repeat. Ray Allen. Rashard. And a rejuvinated Wade prove to be too much for the Lakers.

 

Oh....so you're picking the lakers out of the west now?? Hmmmmm. So, I suppose I'm going to get on your bandwagon since you're the super genius and got it right last year.

 

If you saw the end of the game, the Lakers might encounter the same problems in crunch time that the Heat faced in 2010/11. The ball was passed around and the stars took turns trying to be clutch, and failed.

We'll see.

And the Lakers literally have no bench. Could be a huge factor. Nash/Kobe/Pau can't log 35+ minutes in an 82 game season and expect to go all out for the playoffs.,

I'm still picking the Thunder. Younger, deeper, more athletic..., unless the Lakers get a legit bench.

 

I never said that I was.

It wouldn't surprise me to see them losing to the Thunder also. It's more of a toss-up.

Let's see if Nash can stay healthy. We all know that Westbrook is gonna tear him a new one come playoff time.

 

They're just playing around. They've got 82 games to gel and figure out all htat stuff. And besides that, you've got one of the best playmakers that ever bounced a basketball and one of the best big shot makers to ever step foot on the court playing for the same team.

 

the fakers got old tired legs and are ripe for injuries to every player in their starting lineup. add to that the fact that their bench sucks. add further that their head coach is a damn fool. i'm goin w/ the thunder...

 

Good points.

Jopat, if you wanna crown em, then crown their ***. :grin:

 

Nobody gets crowned until they earn it. Just trying to keep the spirit of Jimmy the Greek alive and well.

 

Problem is those said players have to play 82 games just to get into the postseason. Kobe and Nash are the most important part of that team and they will have their minutes watched closely. The Lakers have. Zero bench.

 

That's what you said about the Spurs/Lakers last year out west about beating OKC. Matchups aren't facing one another on paper.

Dwight is a huge upgrade to dethrone the Heat, but Lebron/Wade have had HUGE HUGE games v. a Dwight Howard-led defense.

Lebron v. Artest is a huge mismatch. Watch their games the past 2 years. And their wing defense is poor. Have you not watch how the Mavs and Thunder destroyed them the past 2 years? The Heat will have a field day now, esp. with their 3pt shooters.

Kobe still has it, but will he have it in June? He has had great starts to the season, but big minutes have really destroyed his games late in the season and into the playoffs. Kobe has been above average, instead of great, the past 2 playoffs. And with their bench sucking, I don't expect Kobe to play less than 36-38 mpg. Therefore, expect Kobe to decline as the season wears on.

You have to predict how teams fare LATE in the season, not based on their play right now or in November or in January. The Lakers are OLD. And with this bench right now, they will look older when April/May rolls around. So let's not think about June.

On the other side, the Heat are deep. Ray will allow Wade to play 30-31 mpg, and thus reduces his chance of being injured. Lebron is built like a tank. They have 3pt shooting EVERYWHERE, the Lakers' biggest weakness. IF Dwight gets in foul trouble, the Lakers' interior D is done.

The Lakers have to think about getting by OKC first. Their bench is seemingly worse than last year, which is unthinkable. And they got older, which is unthinkable. Brown will have his hands full trying to control the minutes of his backcourt, or else they will run out of gas by March.

 

I did see the game. The Lakers have been trying to win the past 2 pre-season games. Did you see the intensity of the players? Nash looked pissed he missed that floater. And Dwight was yelling at the refs for a non-call. Even the Lakers broadcast team acknowledges Brown was trying to win the last 2 pre-season games.

And Nash is 38. Kobe is 34. Lots of mileage under those legs bro.

 

I predict 6 or 7 All-Stars outta LA this year. This is getting ridiculous.

 

LOL WUT

 

I think he meant including the Clippers.

 

Ugh... Super teams like this just piss me off... Yes I'm jealous... Starting 5 is ridiculous but the bench, not so much...

 

a funny

I got Golden State winning it all (73-9) book it!

 

Murray y u no get dwight!?

 

This. I predict at least two of the 5 starters will miss extensive times, including the playoffs, because of injuries. And their bench sucks.

 

How do you guys think any bench would look if you put all 5 bench guys in there? of course they'd struggle. From regular season onwards either 1 or 2 of the Big 4 will play alongside the bench and they will look much better.

 

no -- in crunch time its still clear who is going to get the ball -- Kobe --- dwight is not clutch at all he can easily be fouled, Gasol tends to shrink in those situations and Nash can make the play and has been clutch but he will also defer to kobe (though i feel Nash may start a play in the clutch but Kobe will be finishing it)

its not like the heat where both Wade and James were used to being the 'man' taking that last second shot -- on the lakers its really just Kobe and nash and even then Nash was more of the playmaker for that last shot -- not the shot taker



Their bench is atrocious this morning on LA talk radio they were saying it should be better once Jordan Hill comes back -- yes the lakers are relying on Jordan "The Man" Hill being their best bench player which is laughable.

But as the year progresses i am sure Jamison will get comfortable in his role and play a lot better, Blake isnt a terrible backup PG

but if Brown is worth anything as a coach I am sure he'll figure a way to probably play Gasol more with the bench as a guy who can facilitate the offense sort of how they did with Odom previously.


The thunder are younger but I am going to go with the Lakers if they meet up again barring any injuries but the Thunder are the biggest threat to the Lakers right now.


and the moment the lakers starting 5 get it all together i am sure they wont need to log heavy minutes because they'll be blowing out the other teams