This is just for argument sake .... Assuming that Shaq's injuries (wrist, toe problem) gets aggravated during the playoffs and he's sideline because of these injuries. Can the Lakers still win it all ? I just want to hear opinions
Laugh. Of course not. Could the Bulls win without Jordan? It is the same in L.A. Kobe, the system, and knowing how to win would get them to the playoffs, maybe into the secound round, but that's it.
no way. kobe is a good player, But shaq makes the different with other teams, Kobe can't beat Dallas alone.
No, Shaq is their entire interior defense. Kobe does what he does very well, but the Lakers aren't built around him, it's built around Shaq. Robert Horry and Samaki Walker starting frontcourt? Horry's clutch but Kobe would need consistant solid play from the rest of the Lakers. Jordan couldn't win with that team in his prime either (no shaq)
Horry is a solid low post defender, as well as Samaki Walker. LA has some of the best man-to-man defenders in the league. LA would miss Shaq offensively and on the glass more than anything.
Just curious...which one of these great Laker defenders was guarding Antoine Walker tonight went he went off for 20 and Paul Pierce as he got 33... and who allowed Tony Battie...that's Tony Battie... to grab 15 boards? Points in the paint - Celtics 40 / Lakers 24. Samaki and Horry are terrible defenders who have Shaq saving their butts when they take chances!
What if it was the other way? What if Kobe was hurt instead. You guys think Lakers would be able to win with just Shaq?
No, I don't think they would win, but I think they would have a chance. Shaq is the type of player that can carry a team on his dominating shoulders, but I think teams like Sac, SA and Dallas would be too much for them. But without Shaq, they may not make it out of the first round.
Robert Horry a terrible defender? That's without a doubt the stupidest statement I've ever seen on the BBS. Horry is a MUCH better defensive player than Shaq.
Giving up points to Walker and Pierce is expected. Playing 1 bad game is also expected. Why don't you look at the season stats? Where the Lakers are tied for first in FG%. They are #1 in 3pt fg defense also. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...nba&seasontype=2&avg=pg&order=false&split=999 I guess common sense is too much to ask for.
Horry a better defender than Shaq? Put the pipe away for awhile. The Lakers can't even beat the Celtics when Shaq is out. If I mentioned on the BBS that I had a cousin playing professionally in Europe who was 7'2" & 320# and could play D like Shaq, I'd have to get another e-mail address to replace the current one being overloaded with inquiries. If I mentioned on this BBS I had a cousin who was Horry's size and has had knee surgery/problems, no one would so much as blink. By the way, since your so brilliant a basketball mind should we all be required to go back and re-read all of your 160+ posts so that none of us miss your insightful analysis?
Horry is a better man-to-man defender than Shaq. Shaq has a slight edge in help D, as he gets a ton of blocks, and changes a lot of shots against guards/forwards who drive. However, Shaq, is a very average man-to-man defender. Partly because he doesn't like to guard his man further than 5 ft from the basket. You are foolish if you don't think Horry is a good defender. You are also foolish for putting so much stock into what the Lakers do in the regular season. If you haven't noticed by now, the Lakers really don't give one iota about the regular season. You can look up their record against the top teams in the league, and it might be better than their record against the crap teams. The fact that you are basing 90% of your opinion on LA and its players on the Bos game proves that your point is pretty weak. LA has won the last 2 titles because of defense. Not just Shaq and Kobe. LA has the most good man-to-man defenders in the league. Come playoff time, you will see how asinine it is to base your opinions on LA over 1 meaningless (at least for LA) regular season game against the Clips without Shaq.
Is 2 games also expected? These amazing Laker defenders gave up 17 points in the previous game to TODD MACCULOCH. And KMart got 4 over his season average. Or maybe you consider Todd and Kenyon equivalent to Pierce and Walker? And the Sixers are number 2 and the Spurs are number 3. It's no coincidence that all of these teams have dominant defensive Centers. Observe further that with the exception of the Pistons, the bottom 8 3pt defending teams do not have dominant defensive Centers. Shaq's singular presence in the paint is what drives the Lakers success. Your alleged great 3pt defenders held the Nets to 25% but were beaten 58 to 32 in the paint (40-24 by the Celtics). You still want me to believe the reason for the Lakers success is rooted in 3pt defense? Shaq enables them all to take more chances defensively. Horry D >= Shaq D = common sense I take it your definitely not a math major.
