I bet MJ told Jackson if they try to beat their old record, he would have to kill him!! http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/n...jackson-no-chance-at-70-victories?eref=fromSI
Seems like a really simple concept but I never even thought of what they were saying about centrally located teams...that's interesting.
The travel time is not nearly as bad as the jet lag. 3 hours difference is a lot in terms of affecting the internal clock of your body.
Yeah it's good to live in the central region of the country. You can find cheaper seats to fly anywhere in the country.
I still think the Lakers have a small chance at 70 wins. It depends how much focus and consistency they bring every night. This could be a problem in Jan/Feb/Mar, especially if they have a huge lead on the 2nd best record in the West. They need something to play for and I don't know if even PJ can manufacture enough controversy to keep them motivated when games don't matter much.
What he said is true, but he should have added that their schedule is going to get a lot tougher at some point. I don't know how you all feel about Phoenix and Miami, but otherwise their upcoming opponents are weeeeak. Washington Milwaukee Sacramento Phoenix Sacramento Minnesota New York Miami then it gets much tougher... Orlando Memphis New Orleans Boston Golden State Utah New Orleans Portland New Orleans Indiana Miami Houston San Antonio Orlando Cleveland It'll be interesting to see how they come out of that 2nd stretch. It's pretty brutal. Personally I see at least 4 losses there, which would still be impressive.
Orlando Memphis New Orleans Boston Golden State Utah New Orleans Portland New Orleans Indiana Miami Houston San Antonio Orlando Cleveland Wow, thats murder's row. Only Memphis and GSW are genuinely weak. There are the Pacers who are known "elite killers"
I had the Lakers at 65 wins this season, and I still think that's where they'll end up. As far as the schedule goes, they've had the cushiest schedule in the west so far, outside of maybe New Orleans, so obviously it's going to get a LOT tougher once 2009 starts. And I never really thought of Midwest teams as having less travel time and all that, which is an interesting concept. But honestly, wouldn't that only affect the first game you're playing out on the road? They usually do East coast swings all at once, so after that first game, wouldn't you be used to the time differences? I think this is more of a factor as the year goes on, since the traveling takes a physical toll on the players.
Are we going to be asking this question every year now? Last year it was Boston. The sooner people realize that 70 wins is an extraordinary feat likely never to be duplicated, the better.
i respectfully disagree. the 1972 Lakers, even with a 33-game winning streak, can only muster 69 Wins. back then they had it easier, in terms traveling across time zones. East coast / West coast commute ~ 15 times no back-to-back games in differenct cities now, the commute is much more guelling the East coast /West coast commute is > 22 times a season > 5 back-to-back games in different cities .
If they roll like they are rolling right now and continue to build confidence and momentum then I think they have a strong chance. Many supposedly elite teams are struggling and trying to build chemistry right now. This is a good time to stockpile wins right now for them.
If they did win 70 games...wouldn't that diminish that accomplishment in your eyes a bit??? I mean...really?? The Lakers a really really good team. No doubt. Potential championship team, without question. But a team with the best single season record of all time?? If they did it, I think I'd be knocking it down in my own mind. Of course, the 2007 Mavs won 69 games (just one short), so that probably diminished all that talk in my mind, already.
I guess that would depend on what the definition of "big" is. It's just annoying that people think 70 wins is seemingly so attainable. It would be like in baseball, every year asking "will so-and-so hit .400?" after someone gets off to a hot start.
They were 67-15. That's actually tied for 6th best all-time. But what is amazing is they started out 0-4.
Well, I don't find it that annoying when people question it. Predicting it to happen would be different, though. Anyway, it was said about the Celtics and they came within 4 games. The Mavs came within 3 games. That's two teams in just the past 3 years that have flirted with 70, so I don't think the conjecture is that crazy. Especially considering how the Lakers have been flat out dismantling their opponents.
Good point but here's why they can do it: Look at the 06/07 Mavs, who went on a 50-5 run after starting the season 0-4 and finished 67-15. Without questions this Lakers team is more talented than those Mavs. IMO, this is a better comparison than using the 1972 Lakers. I agree it's unlikely but I won't rule it out just yet. I give it about a 10% chance. The travel is an issue but I think their main challenge is focusing from game to game once they open up a big lead in the standings.
To tell you the truth I could care less about 70 wins as long as we pick up good victories against elite teams and finish off the teams we're supposed to beat In an NBA season all teams are gonna encounter all the challenges...blown leads, being blown out, screwed by the refs, tiredness, etc etc....its just too hard to win at a 85% clip. I'd take a championship over 70 wins any day of the week
