Even without Shaq, the Lakers still look good (on paper)

Lamar Odom as third string SG???

 

I think they look pretty good, but it could be just me wanting them to do well. Not sure. On paper though, they're pretty tough. I wouldn't think that many teams have two 7-footers like that who can produce (Mihm not that impressive, but as a backup C, not bad at all). I see their swing positions as tops in the league, and their frontcourt very solid as well. With Odom and Divac's passing, point guard isn't as big of an issue.

 

Butler... Odom would start at SF for around 90% of the teams in the NBA, maybe more if I start looking at teams rosters.

 

Odom played PF all last year.

Fakers starting 5:

PG: Atkins
SG: Kobe
SF: Butler
PF: Odom
C: Grant

Malone is a FA btw.

 

same with me. they have names at most positions (like divac and grant and malone if he signs), but just how good those names will be is the problem. it seems if i looked at other teams i would see a lot of guys that i think "hey that guys an ok player" and then maybe i'd realize the lakers really don't have that much after kobe and odom. but then again, kobe is awesome and assuming odom is like last year, he's no joke either. possibly the best 2/3 combo in the league (who else tops that?) with a frontcourt that might at least have some size and decent skills. not title material, i don't even think homecourt material, but a 6th seed or so shouldn't be out of the question. and when some of those contracts go away they should have a shot at adding real talent around kobe/odom, assuming they get along. part of me is torn between not wanting to see rudy coach karla (hurts even thinking about it) and the fact karla is still pretty decent and valuable and would most likely make them better.

 

Not this year. Divac is the starting C. Grant or Malone is the starting PF. Supposedly Malone has said that if he plays anywhere, it will be in LA.

 

Odom will probably play some point-forward this year. It will be awesome watching Odom, Malone, and Divac show off their interrior passing skills. Too bad Kobe will never give them that chance.

 

chicago lite anyone??

Grant is the hard nosed rebounding defending PF that HOrace was

Odom is the all-purpose SF that Pippen was

Kobe is carbon copy of MJ. Same skills, bad attitude though. Like a clone project gone wrong.

Divac is the past prime center that cartwright was with medvendenko being wennington and mihm being a bit stiff like longley.

Okay okay i'm just joking. On Paper they look formidable. I wouldn't count them out but definitely would be interesting to see. I think we match up fine with them though

ward/sura/lue > banks/atkins
t-mac=mcgrady
JJ<odom
howard/taylor>grant/medvendenko
Yao>Divac

 

I'm assuming you're referring to the trade. I don't think that it solved any of their rotation problems, and if Banks doesn't pan out I think it slows down their rebuilding process.

Atkins is a class act and a solid player, but should not be starting on a playoff team. Marcus Banks was outplayed by non-roster players in the summer league, going an entire game without a single assist in significant minutes. He may have played point guard in college (and looked good in a weak conference) but he lacks the mentality to play the position in the NBA. He will likely be a bust in LA.

Mihm is a very good offensive rebounder who, unlike Lakers legend Travis Knight, shows some nice post moves when matched up with weaker, less physical centers. Thing is, he hasn't shown any improvement since being drafted, and if you replace him with Jelani McCoy the Lakers have the same record. The only reason Ainge protected him in the expansion draft (over a good prospect like Brandon Hunter) is that as a 7-footer he had trade value, and he he cashed in.

I predict that the Lakers' record will drop by 10-15 games. I hope Kobe Bryant is happy.

 

is Karla officially on their roster?

 

I certainly hope t-mac is as good as himself.

 

Look, I've been a fan of the Lakers since I was little. My favorite player was James Worthy, and I rooted for the Lakers all through the 90's to the three peat. With that being said, yes the Lakers lineup looks good on paper, I still think theyre missing an important piece : A LEADER. Shaq was the leader of that team, the players , sans Kobe, looked to him, and they would follow. As good as Kobe Bryant is, and he is DAMN good, he is no leader.

This team reminds of the Portland Trailblazers of the late 90's , with a little less talent. But hey, maybe Bryant will develop into a leader , now that he is on his own.

But he could just as easily, and maybe more likely, just turn into another Pippen.

 

The lakers... no chance... odom is a versatile pf, but he will not be able to match up with the likes of garnett, c webb, martin, etc... he is better suited for the sf position. Kobe will try to take over and i honestly believe that this will be a t mac in orlando type of situation. He'll win the scoring title but at what cost... I know their roster is way better than orlando's roster was, but two years ago they made it to the playoffs. They wont make it past the first round...

 

Games are not played on paper. I can't believe that any Lakers fans (who cling to sanity) believe this lineup, which I doubt can crack the top 8 in the West, is an upgrade over Shaq Daddy. Kobe is a ball hog, Vlade, Grant and Malone have seen better days, Chucky Atkins is not exactly a marquee point guard and Lamar Odom tends to disappear quite a bit. This bunch would be lucky to make the playoffs. Very lucky.