Lakers Exposed? Finally?

**mateen** · 01-21-2003, 03:52 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
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.

<hr /></blockquote>

Most teams had one star? If you were following the NBA back then you would know this is not the case. You could say the same thing about 2003, most teams have one star except the really good ones.

Watered down in the 80's? You mean when there were less teams? Today's NBA is more watered down, with all the expansion teams and whatnot.

Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

And Shaq dominate Kareem? I really like Shaq, but to say he'd dominate one of the top two centers of all time because he's bigger has no bearing. Robert Traylor is bigger than Kareem, would he dominate him too? Shaq couldn't dominate Yao.

**mateen** · 01-21-2003, 03:52 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
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.

<hr /></blockquote>

Most teams had one star? If you were following the NBA back then you would know this is not the case. You could say the same thing about 2003, most teams have one star except the really good ones.

Watered down in the 80's? You mean when there were less teams? Today's NBA is more watered down, with all the expansion teams and whatnot.

Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

And Shaq dominate Kareem? I really like Shaq, but to say he'd dominate one of the top two centers of all time because he's bigger has no bearing. Robert Traylor is bigger than Kareem, would he dominate him too? Shaq couldn't dominate Yao.

**DONOTDELETE** · 01-21-2003, 04:29 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

**DONOTDELETE** · 01-21-2003, 04:29 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

**Da_Czar** · 01-21-2003, 04:48 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
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.

<hr /></blockquote>

i am sorry yankee pride but you are a little off here in my opinion i don't mean to be condesending in any way and we are all entitled to our opinions but have you ever seen the young kareem get down???? he was one of the most dominating forces on both sides of the floor in the history of the nba. Kareem is the reason they disallowed the dunk in college basketball...

they made no such rule change for shaq. kareem was a devastating defender because he had a combination of size and strength (he wasn't no punk) and he could jump out the gym, if you look at some of the old pictures his head is level with the rim on some of those blocks and sky hooks, and he was 7'2 267 that is no stick figure... were talking the college national player of the year for 3 years straight.... shaq is strong but when have you seen him play against another 7'2 guy that jumps higher is no punk and is just as tall????

please don't let shaq's domination of will perdue, raef lafrentz, ben wallace , and zydrunas illagauskus fool you. the old time players get the respect they deserve cause they kicked a$$ and took names agaisnt other great players. kareem is one of the only centers i know of that had guards on the perimeter pump faking at 17 ft cause kareem could take one step and smack it out of bounds.

imho

**Da_Czar** · 01-21-2003, 04:48 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
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.

<hr /></blockquote>

i am sorry yankee pride but you are a little off here in my opinion i don't mean to be condesending in any way and we are all entitled to our opinions but have you ever seen the young kareem get down???? he was one of the most dominating forces on both sides of the floor in the history of the nba. Kareem is the reason they disallowed the dunk in college basketball...

they made no such rule change for shaq. kareem was a devastating defender because he had a combination of size and strength (he wasn't no punk) and he could jump out the gym, if you look at some of the old pictures his head is level with the rim on some of those blocks and sky hooks, and he was 7'2 267 that is no stick figure... were talking the college national player of the year for 3 years straight.... shaq is strong but when have you seen him play against another 7'2 guy that jumps higher is no punk and is just as tall????

please don't let shaq's domination of will perdue, raef lafrentz, ben wallace , and zydrunas illagauskus fool you. the old time players get the respect they deserve cause they kicked a$$ and took names agaisnt other great players. kareem is one of the only centers i know of that had guards on the perimeter pump faking at 17 ft cause kareem could take one step and smack it out of bounds.

imho

**mateen** · 01-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

<hr /></blockquote>

Where did you hear this? Can you provide a link to an interview or something? I'd be really surprised if this was the case.

I talked to him once about today's NBA, and he said that back in his day there wasn't any "whose-team-is-this" garbage, they just loved to play.

**mateen** · 01-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

<hr /></blockquote>

Where did you hear this? Can you provide a link to an interview or something? I'd be really surprised if this was the case.

I talked to him once about today's NBA, and he said that back in his day there wasn't any "whose-team-is-this" garbage, they just loved to play.

**aholbert32** · 01-21-2003, 05:08 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

<hr /></blockquote>

Where did you hear this? Can you provide a link to an interview or something? I'd be really surprised if this was the case.

I talked to him once about today's NBA, and he said that back in his day there wasn't any "whose-team-is-this" garbage, they just loved to play.

<hr /></blockquote>

I have heard multiple quotes about this from Magic. I think Magic even referenced it on his Sportscentury episode. Ill see if I can find a quote on the net.

If they would have talked about this to the press while they were playing and if there would have been news outlets like ESPN broadcasting the fued everyday...it would have been as big as Kobe and Shaq.

**aholbert32** · 01-21-2003, 05:08 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Comparing Magic/Kareem to Shaq/Kobe? Wow. When did they fight over who's team it was? The press may have been writing about who's the man, but it wasn't between those two.

<hr /></blockquote>

They definitely DID have "disputes" about who was gonna be the team leader. I've heard Magic talk about it himself.

<hr /></blockquote>

Where did you hear this? Can you provide a link to an interview or something? I'd be really surprised if this was the case.

I talked to him once about today's NBA, and he said that back in his day there wasn't any "whose-team-is-this" garbage, they just loved to play.

<hr /></blockquote>

I have heard multiple quotes about this from Magic. I think Magic even referenced it on his Sportscentury episode. Ill see if I can find a quote on the net.

If they would have talked about this to the press while they were playing and if there would have been news outlets like ESPN broadcasting the fued everyday...it would have been as big as Kobe and Shaq.

23 · 01-21-2003, 05:13 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

Regardless, the 80's teams would eat the teams of today up alive. These guys have the worst shooting percentage in decades. Talented or not, even teams like Denver would have had you a little nervous in the 80's.

23 · 01-21-2003, 05:13 PM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

Regardless, the 80's teams would eat the teams of today up alive. These guys have the worst shooting percentage in decades. Talented or not, even teams like Denver would have had you a little nervous in the 80's.

**CMH** · 01-22-2003, 12:16 AM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I can see the argument here with my statements. And I agree with what you all had to say.

I would agree with what you all said about Shaq vs. Kareem, teams having one star or two star players, etc.

THe issue I have is that I really really feel that today we give far too much credit to the "legends" of the league.

I think they were great players, but for some reason people hold them to this high standard. Like no one today could be as great as them.

Shaq may be dominating the league against guys like Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, and Arvydas Sabonis, but at least today there are more bigger, taller guys in the league that can hold him down. When Robinson was younger, he was extremely tough against Shaq. Same for Ewing and Olajuwon.

Who did Kareem have to battle? Wilt Chamberlain? That was about it. Two dominating centers in the league that played each other maybe four times a season. Ofcourse their stats were ridiculously high. They had no real competition.

Hey, like I said, I understand your arguments. I'm not gonna say that you are guys are crazy. B/c I agree with what you all say. I just feel that at the same time, we need to let go a bit.

Kareem, for example, was a great player, but the standard we hold him in is as if no one center could ever be as great as him. I just can't accept that.

**CMH** · 01-22-2003, 12:16 AM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

I can see the argument here with my statements. And I agree with what you all had to say.

I would agree with what you all said about Shaq vs. Kareem, teams having one star or two star players, etc.

THe issue I have is that I really really feel that today we give far too much credit to the "legends" of the league.

I think they were great players, but for some reason people hold them to this high standard. Like no one today could be as great as them.

Shaq may be dominating the league against guys like Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, and Arvydas Sabonis, but at least today there are more bigger, taller guys in the league that can hold him down. When Robinson was younger, he was extremely tough against Shaq. Same for Ewing and Olajuwon.

Who did Kareem have to battle? Wilt Chamberlain? That was about it. Two dominating centers in the league that played each other maybe four times a season. Ofcourse their stats were ridiculously high. They had no real competition.

Hey, like I said, I understand your arguments. I'm not gonna say that you are guys are crazy. B/c I agree with what you all say. I just feel that at the same time, we need to let go a bit.

Kareem, for example, was a great player, but the standard we hold him in is as if no one center could ever be as great as him. I just can't accept that.

**Jsupastar** · 01-22-2003, 09:53 AM

Re: Lakers Exposed? Finally?

YankeePride_YP: How old are you? You obviously have no clue what you're talking about. Kareem's career spans 20 years and you can say was that he only played against one other great center!? Let me throw some other names at you: Wes Unseld, Dave Cowens, Moses Malone, Robert parish, Willis Reed, Bill Walton, Artis Gilmore, Nate Thurmond. I don't know if you know this, but back in the day they didn't have 29 NBA teams. So those players played one another at least 7-8 times per year. Today you may face a player of the same caliber, in your own conference 4 times and then face scrubs for the rest of the way. IT'S ALOT EASIER BEING A CENTER TODAY THAN IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO. get the facts!

Lakers Exposed? Finally?

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