Lakers Exposed? Finally?

[MJPac]

Well....it's no secret that the NBA championship will definitley be won by the Westerbn Conference this season, but after three seasons it's almost questionable to whom is actually going to win it. Rather than just say the Lakers, we now have other teams who actually have a chance this year. The Mavs? Kings? Or will it once again be the Lakers? I mean c'mon, once Kobe and Shaq enter the Playoffs, it's trouble for the opponent. But I think that this year, the Kings in particular are prepared for the challenge, if not already looking down upon the as of now far inferior Lakers.

But the question is, were the Lakers of the last 3 years ever THAT great? Or was it just the result of a watered down league, and now that there are teams able to compete with them, their path to victory is hindered a bit.

People went as far as to say these Lakers were one of the, if not THE best team in NBA history!! How can anyone say that? In my opinion, these Lakers would fail miserably against both 3-Peat Bulls Teams, The 80's Celtics, as well as the 80's Lakers. How is Kobe and Shaq any better than Magic and Kareem, with Worthy as well? To say that the Shaq-Kobe Lakers are the best of all time is pushing it don't ya think?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
But the question is, were the Lakers of the last 3 years ever THAT great?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

YES, they were that great. Going 15-1 in the playoffs and winning 10(or whatever it was) consecutive playoff road games are not the result of a "water downed" league. The teams that are watering down the league don't make the playoffs, and that's where the Lakers have shone, not during the regular season against the crap teams. Anyways, greatest of all time? No, not yet, but they are up there and after they win their 4th title in a row they'll be even higher up there.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
But the question is, were the Lakers of the last 3 years ever THAT great?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

YES, they were that great. Going 15-1 in the playoffs and winning 10(or whatever it was) consecutive playoff road games are not the result of a "water downed" league. The teams that are watering down the league don't make the playoffs, and that's where the Lakers have shone, not during the regular season against the crap teams. Anyways, greatest of all time? No, not yet, but they are up there and after they win their 4th title in a row they'll be even higher up there.

[Whaaaazuuuuup]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
How is Kobe and Shaq any better than Magic and Kareem, with Worthy as well?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

HELL NO! Shaq and Kobe are fun to watch for a short period of time before you start seeing one wanting to out do the other. i can't sit and watch them play for a whole 48. they're the same thing every game, ISO!!!! no team work. no strategy.

MAGIC worked the team like a master! Kareem, Scott &amp; Worthy knew their roles and played them to a T! that's why the SHOWTIME era was so fun to watch. it was never really about one guy....

[Whaaaazuuuuup]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
How is Kobe and Shaq any better than Magic and Kareem, with Worthy as well?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

HELL NO! Shaq and Kobe are fun to watch for a short period of time before you start seeing one wanting to out do the other. i can't sit and watch them play for a whole 48. they're the same thing every game, ISO!!!! no team work. no strategy.

MAGIC worked the team like a master! Kareem, Scott &amp; Worthy knew their roles and played them to a T! that's why the SHOWTIME era was so fun to watch. it was never really about one guy....

[aholbert32]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
How is Kobe and Shaq any better than Magic and Kareem, with Worthy as well?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

HELL NO! Shaq and Kobe are fun to watch for a short period of time before you start seeing one wanting to out do the other. i can't sit and watch them play for a whole 48. they're the same thing every game, ISO!!!! no team work. no strategy.

MAGIC worked the team like a master! Kareem, Scott &amp; Worthy knew their roles and played them to a T! that's why the SHOWTIME era was so fun to watch. it was never really about one guy....

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

You know so little about the lakers oof that time. Yes Scott and Worthy did play their roles but Magic and Kareem were constantly battling about who was the leader of the team and who the offense could run through. The difference between them and Shaq and Kobe was Shaq and Kobe took their problems and aired them in the press. Magic and Kareem didnt.

[aholbert32]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
How is Kobe and Shaq any better than Magic and Kareem, with Worthy as well?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

HELL NO! Shaq and Kobe are fun to watch for a short period of time before you start seeing one wanting to out do the other. i can't sit and watch them play for a whole 48. they're the same thing every game, ISO!!!! no team work. no strategy.

MAGIC worked the team like a master! Kareem, Scott &amp; Worthy knew their roles and played them to a T! that's why the SHOWTIME era was so fun to watch. it was never really about one guy....

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

You know so little about the lakers oof that time. Yes Scott and Worthy did play their roles but Magic and Kareem were constantly battling about who was the leader of the team and who the offense could run through. The difference between them and Shaq and Kobe was Shaq and Kobe took their problems and aired them in the press. Magic and Kareem didnt.

[CMH]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I think we are too quick to give too much credit to the "legends" of the league.

I'm sorry, but I doubt Kareem could battle Shaq in the post. Kareem would have his points just b/c his hookshot is defenseless. But Shaq would destroy Kareem in the block. He is too strong and too big. He'll just shove Kareem out of the way.

I think the league was more watered down back in the 80's then now.

Most teams had only one star player. Now teams have at least two. The talent level has gotten better.

Yea shot percentages have gone down, but you can thank the 3 point line, better defenses, and new rules for that.

The real measure is in the bench. While most teams in the 80's had maybe one real star on the team (with the exception of the most dominant teams) they all had a strong bench. If not all, at least much stronger than the benches today.

[CMH]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I think we are too quick to give too much credit to the "legends" of the league.

I'm sorry, but I doubt Kareem could battle Shaq in the post. Kareem would have his points just b/c his hookshot is defenseless. But Shaq would destroy Kareem in the block. He is too strong and too big. He'll just shove Kareem out of the way.

I think the league was more watered down back in the 80's then now.

Most teams had only one star player. Now teams have at least two. The talent level has gotten better.

Yea shot percentages have gone down, but you can thank the 3 point line, better defenses, and new rules for that.

The real measure is in the bench. While most teams in the 80's had maybe one real star on the team (with the exception of the most dominant teams) they all had a strong bench. If not all, at least much stronger than the benches today.

[ShaKobe]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I think that the Lakers are one of the greatest teams ever. THE greatest, most definitely not. But I don't know how you can win 3 championships in a row and not be considered a great team. Do you consider the Rockets or Pistons great teams? But they only won 2 titles back to back.

As for being watered down, I don't think the L is watered down at all. There is a lot of great talent out there. More so than ever before. They just don't know their fundamentals too well. But the stars do, and as it was said above, every team has at least one star.

And finally, as for the Lakers winning it all? Dunno. It's all up in the air. Mavs and Kings are also definitely in the running this year. We'll see when the time comes. Goooo Lakers!!!

[ShaKobe]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I think that the Lakers are one of the greatest teams ever. THE greatest, most definitely not. But I don't know how you can win 3 championships in a row and not be considered a great team. Do you consider the Rockets or Pistons great teams? But they only won 2 titles back to back.

As for being watered down, I don't think the L is watered down at all. There is a lot of great talent out there. More so than ever before. They just don't know their fundamentals too well. But the stars do, and as it was said above, every team has at least one star.

And finally, as for the Lakers winning it all? Dunno. It's all up in the air. Mavs and Kings are also definitely in the running this year. We'll see when the time comes. Goooo Lakers!!!

[Freelance]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

Take last year.

Aside from the Kings, who'd they beat worth a crap? The Nets? Please. The Nets are an average to below average team in 1990.

[Freelance]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

Take last year.

Aside from the Kings, who'd they beat worth a crap? The Nets? Please. The Nets are an average to below average team in 1990.

[Graphik]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I gotta agree with MJPac, they won those titles cause the league was watered down. U could predict them winning the title b/c there was no comp out there for the lakers. I dont know abot the 80's, but the 90's they would'nt have had a chance in the playoffs. They would be eliminated by the Jazz every year. The league is just now starting to pick up in balance between teams but 2-3 years ago, it was the Lakers in the beggining of the season till the end.

[Graphik]

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I gotta agree with MJPac, they won those titles cause the league was watered down. U could predict them winning the title b/c there was no comp out there for the lakers. I dont know abot the 80's, but the 90's they would'nt have had a chance in the playoffs. They would be eliminated by the Jazz every year. The league is just now starting to pick up in balance between teams but 2-3 years ago, it was the Lakers in the beggining of the season till the end.