Since we have now gotten through the all-star break, and we're looking at contenders in the West, I personally feel that the Lakers are perhaps being overlooked by many. Sure, Philadelphia has won their good share of games (against a Eastern-laiden schedule, but still impressive), the Kings have appeared VERY dangerous, and the Spurs and Blazers are continuing to play well. But we, especially as Rockets fans, should know best that you can NEVER underestimate the defending champions. In my opinion, there are few teams that I would hate facing more than the Lakers in a series, if any. But my thoughts aside, what do you all see coming from this team? Is the Shaq/Kobe distraction too much for this team to handle? For some reason I've assumed the position of Laker apologist (NOT something I'm excited about), and, if I had to pick an NBA Champion right now, they would definitely be a MAIN consideration for me. They still have the most unstoppable dominant big man since Dream of the mid-90s, and still one of the most talented guards (if not the most fundamentally sound) in the NBA. Horace Grant was a nice addition as well, IMHO. Bottom line: Will this team repeat as Champions, as many believed (myself included) would happen at the beginning of the season? My opinion: Yes. But I'm an uneducated punk from Utah. Comments? Ideas? Flaming? ------------------ Jazzkiller
The Lakers are lacking the chemistry, defensive intensity, and focus this year. The Rockets struggled during their second title run because of injuries, the Lakers because of personnel turnover and ego. The Lakers don't have a bench, and they don't have a pure shooter to open things up like Glen Rice did. That is why I think the Spurs are the best team. They are a world championship team, and the only thing that kept them from possibly repeating is an injury to Duncan. So you can throw them in that category of "Heart of a champion". I mean think about it , Shaq is unstoppable, so is Tim Duncan. The Spurs can shut down Shaq, and now Derek Anderson can help on Kobe. They are deeper and more sound then the Lakers, and they have been their before. Portland is dangerous, and the Kings are a sleeper team. My favorite is the Spurs, I think they'll win their 2nd title in 3 years. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
The lakers don't fall under that 'heart of a champions.' they won their first championship mostly because they were so much more talented than everyone else, they didn't have to pull together and overcome injuries and such the way the rockets did. ------------------ Someone who is about to admonish another must realize within himself five qualities before doing so (that he may be able to say), thus: In due season will I speak, not out of season. In truth will I speak, not in falsehood. Gently will I speak, not harshly. To his profit will I speak, not to his loss. With kindly intent will I speak, not in anger. -from the Vinaya Pitaka
lakers may not be doing so hot right now, and the spurs and sixers are getting all the hype but believe me, the lakers will be there in the end. ------------------ http://www.democrats.com
I still don't think they're anywhere near as good as they were last year. The loss of glen rice and derek fisher (i think he's still injured) have really hurt the team, as have the further aging of ron harper and horace grant. ------------------ Someone who is about to admonish another must realize within himself five qualities before doing so (that he may be able to say), thus: In due season will I speak, not out of season. In truth will I speak, not in falsehood. Gently will I speak, not harshly. To his profit will I speak, not to his loss. With kindly intent will I speak, not in anger. -from the Vinaya Pitaka
RocksMill, I agree, the spurs are the team that might take the title. They are pretty deep. With no injuries they look like: Robinson/Walker' Duncan/Ferry Elliot/Someone Anderson/Jackson Johnson/Daniels. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
Actually Malik Rose (who is averaging 10 and 6) would back up Duncan and Ferry would come off the bench behind Elliot. Also, Terry Porter usually backs up Anderson 1st. Jaren is usually the third option at the 2. And don't forget Steve Kerr. So it goes more like this: Robinson/Walker Duncan/Rose/Ferry Elliot/Ferry/Rose(currently rose plays 3 because of injuries) Anderson/Porter/Jackson Johnson/Daniels/Kerr Man, they're even deeper than you thought. ------------------ The season's halfway over...and I still need that keg of Pepto-Bismol. [This message has been edited by AstroRocket (edited February 18, 2001).]
dc--I agree. It was not my intention to imply that the Lakers had the "heart of a champion" like the Rocks of 95. But basically, IF the Lakers can overcome the Kobe/Shaq problem, that team is still EXTREMELY formidable. When the playoffs come around, I still look for the Lakers to be extremely tough. ------------------ Jazzkiller
I just don't see how the Lakers can beat the Spurs if the Spurs are on their game. Duncan and Robinson consistently shut down Shaq. Meanwhile the Lakers have no one that can shut down Duncan. Horace Grant does little to off set that twin tower matchup. Derek Anderson is athletic and he can keep Kobe under control for the most part. Then who else do the Lakers have? Robert Horry? Rick Fox? Ron Harper? Tyronne Lue? I definitely like the Spurs. I don't know how people can say the Spurs are getting hype. They are former world champions. People forget that. They've been there before, and they won their title even more convincingly then the Lakers. The Spurs may not have flash, and highlight dunks, and big time marketing and the NBA hype machine behind them like the Lakers, but they are world champions and can do it again. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 19, 2001).]
DA would probably share defensive duties on Bryant with Elliott. DA is the Spurs' best 2 man since, well, Ice I feel. Willie "Baby Kemp" Anderson was good, but DA has more range on his shot. We'll have to see what happens...what has been a problem this season has been injuries and a lack of intensity, at time, earlier in the season. ------------------ It's a cool site, this clutchcity.net
Spurs and Blazers will play in the Western Conference finals for the real NBA championship. Spurs will win in 7 IMHO. Then the Spurs will finish of the 76ers or Heat or Knicks or Magic or who ever the East sends as Dessert for the Spurs. Of course the Finals will only go 5 or 6 games at best. A sweep would not surprise me. The CBA...I mean the East teams suck. ------------------
You know, I hope the Spurs and the Laker's meet in the playoffs! The outcome will be the the Spurs on top. I'm still pissed when Jackass said the Spurs should have an asterick by their name because of a short season. But we all know if Duncan was healthy and 100% the Spurs could have easily repeated. ------------------ TheMugg
That was the standard rotation. Since Rose and Elliott have been out, Walker has taken Rose's spot, though Popovich does use Ferry sometimes as the backup 4. The Spurs have gone to a 3 guard lineup recently with Anderson at the 3, and it has worked relatively well to help replace Elliott's production on offense and defense. Rose did start some at the 3, and did pretty well. JJ is DOA. Actually, Derrick Dial and Ira Newble (yep, household names) are ahead of JJ in the rotation. JJ is about the 5th option at the 2. That's right for the most part. Porter does play some point as well. Usually the Spurs go with 2 ballhandlers on the court at the same time...like Daniels and Porter, though DA has pretty decent handles himself. This is a deeper team, a more athletic team, a younger team, and a more offensively balanced team than the '99 title team. Of course, the West is that much more loaded this year than ever. [This message has been edited by MrSpur (edited February 19, 2001).]
Man, That is just sad. Jaren has really fallen off since the '99 playoffs. And I thought Elie had gotten bad. The Spurs would've been better off with him staying over this goof. ------------------ The season's halfway over...and I still need that keg of Pepto-Bismol.
