I wouldn't consider that a nosedive. He's playing considerably less minutes and alot of guys just play better when they start. I'd say their chances are possibly better than last year. Their path to the finals will only be easier this year and they have a healthy Ariza. The celtics are a year older and have depth issues and they'll likely have an even tougher battle with the Cavs in the eastern conference finals.
how has Odom taken a nose dive? he plays 27 minutes a game as opposed to 38 minutes when was the 3rd player on the team, now he's a bench guy, it won't be hard for him to revert back to his starting role and contribute. Odom started playing 40min a game when Gasol came for the last 35 games, his field goal percentage hovered around 60% and averaged 15 and 10 along with 4-5 assists. Regardless, I dont see anyone challenging the Lakers, they're still better than the Rockets,Hornets,Nuggets,Jazz,Mavericks,Portland. The only team that could challenge is probably the Spurs.
Rockets got massacred at Staples, the lakers come in waves, the Rockets can't hang with them. I dont recall Artest shutting down anyone this season and the Lakers have better chemistry than the Rockets.
Just like how we couldn't hang with them at home minus Artest and McGrady? Oh wait. The Rockets are very much in it in the West. Can they stay healthy and get it done? Unlikely. But to argue they don't have a chance is very premature.
They certainly have a chance. Theyve proven to be a tough out at home, and theyve proven they can go in to a tough arena and get a win(the Garden, Dallas). They just have to stay healthy and get a set rotation and develop an identity. This long stretch of home games gives them a good chance to do that before the stretch run.
The Lakers championship dreams take a huge blow. Even if they let him on the court (which I doubt), Bynum won't be much of a factor in the playoffs. Effective now, the Spurs are the favorites in the West. After them, I'll have to think about it. You can rationalize and argue total talent all you want, but I doubt the Lakers have the moxie to recover from this and make the Finals. They aren't a mature enough team. Before this injury, there was no team in the West that could have beaten them in a 7-game playoff series.
Frankly I car could car less about that overrated "bynumite". Compared to the rockets, lakers know nothing about injuries.. Since this is happening to the lakers, they're probably trade one of their scrub for another allstar..
How about trading Sasha for a decent big? Or why not Brad Miller? I think he would be PERFECT for the triangle offense, great fit in LA and a deeper bench once Andrew comes back. Lamar for Brad? Works for both teams.
Naw this the lakeshow we're talking about, they're gonna trade sahsa for King James.. C'mon everyone knows that jesus is a lakers fan..
Rockets seriously need to win a first round series before talking about challenging the Lakers. The Lakers are still the best team in the league, apparently people are forgetting that they have a player by the name of Kobe Bryant who can single handedly win games, they still have Gasol their second best player who has been stellar since he joined the Lakers and their bench is still one of the best in the league and they have depth unlike any other team with backup Centers and PF's.
Charlie Rosen giving the rockets some props now that Bynum is hurt http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9166410/Lakers'-road-to-title-much-tougher-without-Bynum
They were the best team in the conference last year without Bynum. They arent that different of a team.
He didn't say conference, he said league. They weren't the best team in the NBA before Bynum's injury. If you just look at the West, it's now debatable between the Lakers and Spurs. I would definitely give the edge to the Spurs but I can see why someone might believe the Lakers are still better.
