Seems to me that if the Lakers traded Kobe or sent him to the D-League, they'd be the best team in the league.
phil has commented on this before. <object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ycvDSjmq1D0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ycvDSjmq1D0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object> the lakers will still be fine.
You know: there are other arguments I could make. Defenses are capable of making Kobe beat them, thus more shots. For instance, I have always thought the best defense against the Spurs is make Duncan beat you. Try to stop the others. Duncan doesn't like to shoot a lot, so it takes them out of their game. Do you realize that Duncan would shoot 3 to 4 more FGAs per game in losses. For instance, in 2002 (his first MVP year), he averaged 17 FGA per win and 21 per loss? Does that mean anything? no
Maybe it was their record the year before, but they were 1st in the West the season they traded for Gasol BEFORE the trade happened.
Tell the Celtics that Artest is not capable of being a difference maker at this point. They would have another championship if that was true.
with big man included. even phil jackson agrees more pau => better. kobe will still get his, but he shouldn't need to jack up 20+ shots with a team this deep. NO NEED AT ALL.
Just a thought, but I wonder how much Kobe's recent offensive surge has to do with all of the recent recognition Pau has been getting. Numerous articles on how Pau is now the most important player on the Lakers and should be a viable MVP candidate could be the reason why Kobe is trying to reestablish himself as the alpha dog and first option. Regardless, the timing seems pretty coincidental.
I've seen some of the more asinine comments in this thread... don't know if some of you are serious or not.... but they're equivalent of me saying the Rockets wouldn't have won a championship if Michael Jordan was in the league the two years he retired.
Ah, the old injury excuse. The Celtics wouldn't have a 17th banner if the Lakers had Andrew Bynum in the 2008 Finals.