that's a good one. i'll say 04 Kobe over the current one. Out of shape Shaq still over Dwight. I think Pau right now is better than Malone at the time. 04 Payton- current Nash.... i'll say Nash. Overall, it feels pretty much even. But i think this current team should have less ego / chemistry issues.
The current Lakers are better. Besides the fact that Malone and Payton were washed up by that point, that team didn't play like a team. The current players complement each other well--Howard covers up for everyone on the defensive side--which Shaq couldn't do. Nash has a much better ability to blend his teammates strengths than Payton and has a better outside shot. There's no one that'll fight Kobe for the alpha dog status, which pretty much tore apart the Shaq-Kobe Lakers.
Really? I don't think it's even at all. 04 Kobe and 04 Shaq are better than current Dwight and Kobe...but the problem is Payton and Malone were already washed up and living on their names alone at the time, while Gasol and Nash are still serviceable. Shaq and Malone were also the same player back then, both guys who relied on their strength and athleticism to power their way in the post. Dwight and Gasol, oth have a complementary game, Gasol can operate in both the post and mid-range while Dwight excels in rebs and D.
yeah, that was my first thought when i saw the thread, i was getting ready to go pro-80s, and then i saw the pictures. i'd love to see an in-shape Shaq on current team btw. this team looks built for someone like him. give it to Shaq, draw a double, kick out to a jump shooter.
Someday there's gonna be whole all-star teams going to play for the same NBA team, finding stupid sign-and-trade, "tax" cap loopholes to do it.
lol Phil Jackson is on the first picture too. Also There are no pictures off first glance of them without MWP
Shaq > Howard washed up Malone < Gasol prime Kobe > old Kobe washed up Glove < still good Nash Phil >>> Mike Brown The players are a wash. The coaches are the difference.
Haha, this. Pau Gasol ain't got NOTHING on Bavetta. Did you see that second half turnaround he orchestrated in Game 7 against the Trailblazers? That's where real superstars are made
Seconded. That's the biggest single difference in these squads. In a 4 on 4 game, I'll take 2012. Faster, more athletic, better passing. 2004 Lakers vs 2012 Lakers head to head in a 7 game series, I'll take 2004, easily. Likelihood of 2004 Lakers winning it all vs Likelihood of 2012 Lakers winning it all, tough, but I'll take 2004. I know they got spanked by the Pistons, but I don't see 2012 LAL taking down Miami, and at least their big four was healthy for the finals, 2012 squad still has to prove that.
