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How far would the Lakers go if they didn't have Kobe?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by crossover, Dec 26, 2009.

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  1. crossover

    crossover Member

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    So discussing between me and my friends... I think the Lakers last year or this year would still be top contenders even if they didn't have Kobe.

    They say nah and talk about having to put either Ariza or Artest or someone from the bench at SG but I personally think it's minor and they are still that deep and that good. Part of this came about because of my Kobe-hate because I just think he's always had it so easy to win his rings, as great of a player he is. Thoughts?
     
    #1 crossover, Dec 26, 2009
  2. plutoblue11

    plutoblue11 Member

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    No "f--kin' way, the Lakers would barely make it out of the 1st Round without Kobe, they're best player would be Pau Gasol who is a good PF, but definitely not a #1, especially in the playoffs. His production would certainly go down, if teams put primary focus on him. Kobe does alot of carrying with that team, and probably one of the only reasons that they kept them from getting eliminated in the playoffs.
     
    #2 plutoblue11, Dec 26, 2009
  3. sbyang

    sbyang Member

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    Looks like you've made a good self diagnosis.

    But if you ever want argue that Lamar Odom is more important than Kobe, goto Wayne Winston's site and have a look. You can really impress your friends with that one.

    http://waynewinston.com/wordpress/?p=90
     
    #3 sbyang, Dec 26, 2009
  4. Shroopy2

    Shroopy2 Member

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    They would be okay. They could be like Pau Gasol on the Grizzlies good, but nothing more.

    They would not be top contenders. And Phil Jackson would have a meltdown if he had to coach without the league's top player on his team for once.
     
    #4 Shroopy2, Dec 26, 2009
  5. Gakatron

    Gakatron Member

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    Depends which Pau year on the Grizzlies you are talking about. They would make the playoffs for sure but then be fish food for someone like Denver.
     
    #5 Gakatron, Dec 26, 2009
  6. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    OP, starting off I'll be nice and just say this: You are out of your mind and have little understanding of NBA basketball. Without Kobe, the Lakers would have no heart or soul. They would be better than the Cavs without LeBron, but that isn't saying much at all.

    Shroopy2, I completely agree with you. IMO, PJ had several mini-meltdowns with Kobe on the roster before they got Pau.
     
    #6 A_3PO, Dec 26, 2009
  7. durvasa

    durvasa Member

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    They would be a lottery team. Gasol/Bynum/Odom are nice, but the Lakers wouldn't have good enough guard play. It would be very unbalanced.
     
    #7 durvasa, Dec 26, 2009
  8. saleem

    saleem Member

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    1st round at best.
     
    #8 saleem, Dec 26, 2009
  9. Severe Rockets Fan

    Severe Rockets Fan Takin it one stage at a time...

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    If the Lakers didn't have Kobe then they wouldn't have Phil Jackson and most of the guys on the team...BUT...If they all decided to stay and hypothetically 'work it out' just 'because'...I'd say they'd probably make it to the second round, maybe the conference finals once they spent Kobe's salary on a decent star player.
     
    #9 Severe Rockets Fan, Dec 26, 2009
  10. OldSchool34

    OldSchool34 Member

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    Lakers would be a playoff team without Kobe and I wouldn't expect anymore. Pau Gasol was never a good leader in Memphis, but he was always a productive player. He never won a playoff game in Memphis, not one game until he came to the Lakers. Kobe is the heart and soul of the team and he carried that team to win the championship last season. They would probably reach the 2nd round, but I wouldn't think they would go any farther than that. He is just too much of the team.

    It's like the Steelers without Troy Polamalu, if any of you know football. They're still a good team and they still have solid players, they are just missing their biggest piece.
     
    #10 OldSchool34, Dec 26, 2009
  11. crossover

    crossover Member

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    Kobe is the heart and soul because Kobe is ... well Kobe. But I suppose what I meant is that I think the same that has happened to the Rockets or the Kings would happen to the Lakers. Taking instances where Kobe was out for a while is not the same as considering the Lakers where Kobe is not a part of the team.

    You still have Phil Jackson, you still have Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Artest/Ariza (last year) and a veteran like fisher. And then you have a ton of guys who are very good role players. I still contend that roster would step up and with Phil Jackson as coach would end up developing into a strong contender w/o Kobe. It's all speculation and guesses... but I think there is a lot of stigma here. If someone told me Memphis hired Phil Jackson as coach, then brought on board Bynum, Gasol, Odom with mediocre guards, I would personally think they would develop into something pretty good.
     
    #11 crossover, Dec 26, 2009
  12. david_rocket

    david_rocket Member

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    Not a top contenders, they would lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs without Kobe, or they even could lose in the 1st round.

    without Kobe, they would not get the superstar treatment on one of their players. Gasol would be the best player, but not good enough.
     
    #12 david_rocket, Dec 26, 2009
  13. baller4life315

    baller4life315 Member

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    They would be MUCH worse and the complaining/whining factor would be down significantly. In other words: no fun. Not that I wish the Lakers any form of success but I like having them out in front as a measuring stick. And oh, were we so close last year.
     
    #13 baller4life315, Dec 26, 2009
  14. pmac

    pmac Member

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    I think their size and length would still be an issue for opposing teams. If they maintained an elite level of defense, which i think would be very possible, then they would more than likely still be a playoff team. From there it would depend on matchups but I could see them being competitive.

    With that said, I don't think that diminishes what Kobe has accomplished with this team. It's not like you can just replace him with any wing and win titles. The other two great wings in this league (Wade and Lebron) would have more chemistry problems with this team as they are no where near as capable of jumpshooters or post up players. They need more space on drives that would eliminate some of the Lakers bigs' effectiveness. Part of what makes Kobe so good is that he can mesh with such a good team and add to its potency without taking away from anyone's game.
     
    #14 pmac, Dec 27, 2009
  15. joegoroxy

    joegoroxy Member

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    of course the lakers wouldn't go far w/o Kobe, the team was built around him! there really isnt much to discuss
     
    #15 joegoroxy, Dec 27, 2009
  16. josh_is_white

    josh_is_white Member

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    they would be in bout 6th-8th place
     
    #16 josh_is_white, Dec 27, 2009
  17. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    I hate Kobe myself. He has had it easy(er) winning his rings, but your method of approach really didn't do you any favors trying to prove that.

    The strange thing about the Lakers is that outside of Kobe they have zero drive collectively. I don't think Fisher/Odom/Artest/Bynum/Vujacic/Walton would be a top 7 team in the West just because they're all useless unless they're playing off a star.

    So yes, Kobe is what drives the team, but Kobe couldn't do it without guns around him and they couldn't do JACK without him.
     
    #17 napalm06, Dec 27, 2009
  18. B1llzzz

    B1llzzz Member

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    they would not win 30 games
     
    #18 B1llzzz, Dec 27, 2009
  19. adoo

    adoo Member

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    i personally think that u don't know basketball.
     
    #19 adoo, Dec 27, 2009
  20. TheMacster

    TheMacster Member

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    Look at last night's game against the Kings, when KB was hurt and not able to produce, they were struggling and Pau choked twice at the FT. line.


    Then Kobe was the man again in double OT and willed them to victory.


    Pau makes them a championship team.
    but,
    Kobe is the Lakers.
     
    #20 TheMacster, Dec 27, 2009
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