Will the Lakers still be a championship team next year?

Kobe in 2011-2012 = Washington Wizards version of Michael Jordan

He's slipping badly due to age/mileage. Sure, his jumper will keep him "elite" for a few more years but his defense is falling off hard and sooner or later he won't be able to get by anyone off the dribble. Ask Ray Allen how aging players who rely solely on their jumper do in the NBA night in and night out.

 

Replace Kobe with Wade on that Laker team and they beat Boston in five or six games at most in last year's Finals.

 

if kobe can put up 20-21 pts on 45% shooting like MJ did with the wiz, the lakers are still contenders. pau gasol will get a bigger chunk of the offense and he clearly can handle it. he takes 13 shots a game and he shoots 55%, facing double teams more than we think. the roles will simply be reversed as pau will take over for another 2-3 years, before the lakers need to find another star.

the lakers won last year without a "dominant" kobe outside of the middle 2 playoff series. and they did it v. 2 very good defensive teams (thunder, celtics).

the lakers will be fine for another 4-5 years. they'll be title contenders even if kobe declines.

 

Excellent points although I think they need to retool anyway. Their PG situation is still horrible and I'm not sold that Gasol can sustain his efficiency as "the man" despite his fantastic numbers as second fiddle.

Keep in mind that Gasol is also on the wrong side of 30 (as are Artest and Odom) although I doubt he will fall off much in the next few years considering he relies on athleticism about as much as Luis Scola does.

I still maintain that unless the Lakers bring in another very good player this is their last year to sniff the NBA Finals.

 

gasol's game is based on finesse like tim duncan, so i think he can sustain this kind of production for another 4 years.

with kobe putting up 20, and the fear factor that will always persists with kobe, gasol will never be truly "the man." however, he'll get "the man" type of shot attempts and he'll continue to do well.

but yes, i do agree the lakers need to retool in anticipation of kobe's decline. PG is one of their weaker positions and they need someone else to handle the ball so kobe can do less, and just focuses on scoring.

getting ron artest was huge for the simple fact that kobe rarely had to defend last year. he coasted for 80% of the season and most of the playoffs on that end of the floor. that will be crucial for the future.

and it all comes down to bynum. if he stays healthy, they could still win with kobe getting 19-20 points a game.

but we will see. knowing the lakers, they rarely have down years. at most, in 6-7 years, they'll miss the playoffs 1-2 years and then get another star. it's the lakers.

 

you don't know that. zero evidence.

 

Kobe has the best work ethic of anyone in this league and he's obsessed with basketball. He will work hell bent to make sure he's in Top 5 MVP shape in the regular season and I think you can book that for the next 3 years. He'll be fine. No one is married and dedicated to the game like he is. If you throw on obstacle at it, even if its an injury, he'll find a way to stay top of the game but more importantly makes the team championship quality

 

Ok, we'll all be back to this thread and have trash talking rights if you are wrong . By the way, I disagree with ya .

 

Lol, so the finals MVP and still deemed by many as the best player in basketball is slipping badly?

There's no arguing he's past his defensive prime, but some could argue he's even a better basketball player today then he was back then due to maturity and his killer work-ethic.

I don't understand where people are basing his "decline" as a player. Hell, after that knee-drained he was back to playing at that top tier level, now he has Knee Surgery - come next season the haters will be silenced again.

 

athletic prime*

 

After that knee was drained he was back to playing at a top tier level, until he had to actually play a team that defends well (Boston). He's still a top player, but he's not as consistent as he once was. That's why people are saying he's declining.

 

I also think Kobe will decline more.

He should save his body during the regular season and let Gasol and Bynum take more of the load. Even if it means he's not longer the clear "alpha dog." If he wants another ring, he'll have to check his ego a bit.

 

No way MJ (w/ the wizard's) could finish games like Kobe Bryant last year. Kobe'still the best player in the NBA. Ridiculous comparison

 

We base his decline by watching him play. He is physically unable to do the things he did routinely just a few years ago. It is actually quite obvious to anyone who is unbiased.

 

Learn to read. I "2011-2012" Kobe. That would be next season, not last season.

 

Wait, did you mean this upcoming season or next next season?

 

Not if we get a line-up like this.

Brooks
Martin
Melo
Scola
Yao

 

As long as Kobe is on your team for the next 3 years, you are a contender. Easily.

 

Fixed.

 

Kobe/Any Legit Big-Man.