They did slip - they've been slipping for years. Their bench is also really bad on D. Jamison, and the backup point guards. On top of it, Dwight is slower than usual. Also, there's a huge effort issue. They are the worst defense in the league in transition, and age can explain some of it but this goes way beyond age. Add lack of focus on the coaching end. Dwight in particular is suffering because of that imo. He was used to a great dfensive system and coaching in Orlando. This year he was left to be the boss on D and he failed. A ton of bad body language on defense after breakdowns. just an all around cluster****
It's 100% haterish. Kobe is playing great. He simply has underperforming teammates, his team has no chemistry, the wrong coach for their personnel, and no depth. Kobe ain't perfect, and he does turn into a full blown chucker sometimes, but people saying that he is "the reason" the Lakers are sucking is just ridiculous. There are so many other factors, and Kobe at least brings it every night.
LOL more excuses. Aren't the players suppose to respect and listen to their own coach, regardless of who it is? I mean, that's how this player/coach thing always worked, right? People act like Phil Jack wasn't the coach of the Lakers when they got their asses swept by the Mavs
I totally agree that chemistry and leadership is the issue, but to say Dwight doesn't care is off base.. Kobe has a great work ethic and drive, but he has a HUGE ego problem... Let's see he had issues with Shaq, Pau, Bynum and now Howard.. Anytime any of these guys get some type of spot light or recognition Kobe has an issue and then the drama starts. T_Man
The Lakers are picking it up lately, sure the just lost to OKC, but it was pretty close down the stretch. They aren't winning a ring this year for sure but they are not playing terribly either.
Partly it is age. Some of their players are just a bit slower than at their peak, and in the NBA a split second is magnified and makes a big difference. Partly it's because of chemistry. The individual players' games and styles just don't go together well. It's like cooking and some ingredients just don't go together well. Partly it's because of injuries. Lakers sure havd a lot of them this year. Partly it's because of egos. Today in the NBA, everyone is so stat-conscious. Players in general are more concerned with their performances in terms of stats than doing what it takes to win (play unselfish and play defense; see San Antonio).
They are bad on defense because Kobe is old, Artest is old, Gasol is old and injured, Nash is really old and can't defend, Jamison is really old and can't defend, Howard is playing hurt, they have no backup center, and they haven't had their whole team together basically all year.
According to some people in the GARM it's all on Dwight. As much as I want this Lakers experiment to fail, I don't think it's fair to judge them on the first season, more particularly the first half. Not to mention all the injuries and new coach. It takes time for a new team to gel. We have the same situation here. Their problem is they're old and have a small window of opportunity unlike us. Primarily their defense sucks big time. Kobe would rather not win titles instead of sharing the spotlight with Shaq. Everyone knew egos would clash between him and Dwight as well. They knew it too, if all those rumors swirling in the offseason were true. They're on a roll though, and winning solves everything. But the chemistry is very fragile and there's enough time this season for another drama filled clash to break it up.
The wrong coach, too many egos, no team chemistry, and your main guy (Kobe) is the only guy in the league that can shoot 6/24 in a game and then blame the loss on everyone else. I've never seen such a mediocre team get so much media attention, it's absolutely sickening.
Kobe is playing great offensively. Well actually, he is shooting the ball great, offensively. There is more to offense than just scoring. For half the season Howard and Nash were sending subtle shots (not so subtle ones from Howard) for Kobe to share the ball. You mention chemistry issues, well Kobe is a big part of that. Are you saying he hasn't played a big role in them not coming TOGETHER offensively? There is also this other side of the court and Kobe has been pathetic defensively for the majority of the season. LA's main problems have been defense and turnovers (which Kobe also struggled with for the beginning of the season). So please spare us the "Kobe is playing great and others suck" angle. Kobe's play has been an issue this season as well. Guys just like to focus on what he is scoring and ignore everything else. It's hilarious how someone can clown Howard about what he is bringing offensively but completely ignore that Kobe gave such a poor effort defensively this season that Nash and Mike D of all people were calling him out for it (they switched him on the ball because he was loafing off the ball).
That small tirade, sounds rather hateful and bitter, very much in the tone of anti-Kobe person ... BUT all of what you said is very true. The Lakers have players that are not in molded to kiss Kobe's expensive, top 10 all time ass. I felt like it was one of several reasons why the Lakers were willing to part with Andrew Bynum, outside of his injuries and attitude problem. He did not want completely defer to Kobe, because of his well-versed offensive acumen. Some thought that Howard would be alot less demanding with the ball... Funny, isn't it.
You can talk about it until you are blue in the face. But they are simply too old which has caused them to be injured more and slower. And the one player that is in there prime is Dwight Howard and he is coming off back surgery and now has an injured shoulder.
Mainly age - both in being a step slower and in feeling like they've paid their dues and don't have to put in all-out effort like they used to. As mentioned, they're the worst team in the league when it comes to defending the fast break. They're also one of the worst in terms of rotating on defense in the halfcourt. Up and down the roster, they've been horrible in those two aspects. They'll look better in the postseason if they get in. Not night and day, but better.
they have no depth at all. Nash isn't even that good firstly. His impact just isn't there anymore. They only have 2 all stars but no bench and poor defense.
I wouldn't say D'Antoni is the problem with the Lakers. More like he was the wrong choice to fix their problems. The parts just don't fit together well.
Why are the Lakers so bad? Easy, because they are a horribly constructed team and they are too damn old.
