Bynam was a big reason for the Lakers' success this year. Without him they are back to the old Lakers again, with a perimeter-oriented offense and Kobe jacking up 30+ shots every night. It has been proven over the last couple of years that this is not a winning formula. I predict a scoring burst by Bryant over the next month or so, but the Lakers' record will be no better than 500.
It really depends if they can get a veteran big to back them up at this moment. I think I read somewhere that they have one open spot in the roster and are looking to add either Webber or PJ Brown into the mix. If webber is picked up, then their offense won't be as stagnant as it was yesterday with Kwame Brown being the only interior presence.
Who would you rather have and which one of these are really just helping the team win? Bron scores 51/8/9 going 18-28 fg Kobe scores 48/2/2 going 21-44 fg
Kobe's team won with those numbers, so what is your point? Either way you look at it, the lakers won, because of what he did. Who cares how many shots he took. The team won.
In case you missed it, Kobe hit his last 3 shots, including the game-winner below with 0:04 left in OT. I don't like the guy, but with some help from their bench, he basically carried the Lakers on his back to the win against the Sonics. I was ready to cave in my monitor. We can only dream that Tracy McWeakfish would shoot 47% from the field.
Point? That LeBron is more efficient, gets his teammates involved and doesn't have to hog the ball take an outerworldy amount of shots to accomplish the same thing against a weak team. Seattle should've never been that close to LA in the first place, but you go ahead and see if he keeps this up why the Cavs end up with a better record than LA. It might win you a game here or there against some weak teams, but when the real teams come to play he can shoot 40 times all he wants, they won't win.
Didn't the Cavs play against Memphis? And had to go into OT against them just like the Lakers went into OT w/ Seattle? I'm confused as how you're trying to make this into a "LeBron's numbers are more efficient ergo Kobe sucks" Remember kids: Kobe is specifically a scorer; LeBron has to do EVERYTHING in order for the Cavs to win.
How often do you watch the Cavs? LeBron has the ball in his hands A LOT more than Kobe does during an average game. Besides AI and Nash, nobody in the NBA does more dribbling than LeBron. I'm not going to argue that LeBron isn't on the verge surpassing Kobe (or already has passed him). But with Bynum out, Kobe will have to step up his production for them to win, especially when Odom and Luke Walton don't even bother to show up. When Bynum was in the lineup, the Lakers were fairly well balanced. Seattle shouldn't have been able to keep up with them but that's a reflection on the other Lakers starters (Odom, Walton, Kwame), not Kobe. Plus Collison played out of his mind. I've never seen him play that good before
Say what you will, but LeBron has played and outplayed Kobe in every category besides points the last 2 seasons including the clutch (last 5 minutes of a game)... Give the man his props for keeping his teammates involved instead of blaming them even though that supporting cast is weaker.
As of today: Lakers 26-11 Cavaliers 20-18 Now, you tell me who is doing a better job of helping his team win?
I don't really care to get into this argument, but Lebron has been injured for 5-6 games. And he hasn't had a teammate step up like Bynum. And don't anyone dare mention Big Z or Hughes or whomever. You clearly have not watched them in the past 3 yrs if you bring up their names. They are the two most dominating players right now, and I don't think that will change for a long time.
Werd, Lebron has the worst supporting cast in the league. Look at all the other superstars and you won't be able to name a single guy that has a crappier supporting cast than LBJ.
I've defended LeBron in this forum more times than I can count. He deserves the props he gets for carrying that sorry bunch of misfits he has for teammates along with that pathetic organization I hope he leaves when his contract expires. But you don't have to demean Kobe to pump up LeBron. Both are great players and probably LeBron has taken over as best player in the NBA. What I'm saying is Kobe was awesome against the Sonics and was the reason the Lakers won. You will see a few more of those games now that Bynum is down. And I'm still mad the Lakers won.
LOL, This is a Rockets board sir. You won't see many cheering on other teams. Me personally, I hate the Lakers and Kobe. Honestly, I hate any major city with two teams. Kobe is a great player but that doesn't mean I have to like him. The only recent Lakers I ever liked was Shaq.
I agree LeBron does deserve recognition for what he does. Him signing that short contract extension should have Cavs management in stitches soon enough when the end of it comes around. I wasn't demeaning Kobe, but my issue with him is his selfishness and his fanboys incessant blindness of blaming his teammates for everything, as if he never ever makes mistakes or does things the wrong way. I think Kobe is top gun in todays league. I don't think he's the best because I reserve that title for Tim Duncan, but I take nothing away from his game. He's super freaky and when he's on, forget it. That all said, LeBron is far more efficient and a much better team player whom I'd rather have on my team anyday.
