This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

[DTX3]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

I don't what games you guys have been watching, Sasha Vujacic is basically the second coming Pistol Pete. The coaches just hate him for some reason.

We all know JJ is the real second coming of PP.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

I don't what games you guys have been watching, Sasha Vujacic is basically the second coming Pistol Pete. The coaches just hate him for some reason.

My bad, I forgot Sasha and JJ = Pistol Pete. What a wonderful place OS is at times.

The triangle is holding Sasha back!

I don't recall the last time I've seen the female dog make a layup, much less a layup in traffic. I don't recall the last time I've seen the dog isolate on the wing, freeze his defender with a couple dribbles and hit a jumper in rhythm.

[TMagic]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

TMagic:

It's not about the Lakers cast being bad. I think we've all said that they are good. The issue is that cast matches up poorly with big, defensive squads at times, and the elite teams are all big and defensive. If they had more physicality overall, they'd be a real favorite to win, but as it is right now they have a big weakness.

Their strength(shooting) is strong enough to overcome that weakness, but it's still a hole they have to fill. The good news is they are a very young team, so guys like Ariza and Farmar can develop into what they need to be. They would still do well to get a PJ Brown, Kurt Thomas type of guy who can rebound, defend in the post, get nasty and make 17 footers.

Last year's Celtics, the Lakers of past years and the Heat team had an ideal supporting cast, imo. That's what I'm comparing it to, and in that sense, I agree with Hmcoy that this cast is a little overrated. They put up big numbers against bad teams and that inflates people's opinion of them. Good, but not great. I wouldn't put too much stock into their style of play, because their style is a biproduct of their personnel.

Yeah. I definitely think they could benefit from a Kurt Thomas/PJ Brown type coming off the bench.

But I do feel like the Lakers will be a different team this year in the playoffs compared to last year.

I think that Pau has definitely got tougher this year. I think he'll play much more tough in this years playoffs than last year.

Bynum's return gives them even more size and length inside as well. I don't think he has any problem getting physical. He appears to take things really personal on the court and won't just allow someone to bully him. With him being healthy, Odom doesn't have to play the PF position as much.

Ariza being healthy gives the Lakers solid defense and scrappiness off the bench.

Lakers won't have any trouble out West. They only have to deal with Orlando, Boston, or Cleveland as far as their supposed "weakness" is concerned.

They've gone 2-2 against those teams beating both Cleveland and Boston in their only meetings.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Lakers won't have any trouble out West. They only have to deal with Orlando, Boston, or Cleveland as far as their supposed "weakness" is concerned.

If you mean in the playoffs, slow that roll. Come on now, a healthy S.A. and N.O's team are good for 7 games a piece.

[TMagic]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

If you mean in the playoffs, slow that roll. Come on now, a healthy S.A. and N.O's team are good for 7 games a piece.

I was referring to their "toughness and defense" being a weakness for them. I don't think that will be an issue at all for the Lakers when playing any team out West. Just those teams in the East.

[Muzyk23]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

We all know JJ is the real second coming of PP.

no no no guys

Lebron has handles like AI

Lebron is a better scorer than Mj - at the age of 24

[Bornindamecca]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Re: ExC and TMagic,

I think both of you guys' points are valid. Ariza and Bynum does make a difference, but the West is too tough to count anyone out. We're speaking about a situation where both teams play well in a matchup, and if Ariza and Bynum play their games, the Lakers should make it to the Finals.


But against the East, even if they play well, defense may be a real issue. The top 3 teams in the East are big, they rebound, and they play great D. Lamar, Odom and Bynum need to FIX IT.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Re: ExC and TMagic,

I think both of you guys' points are valid. Ariza and Bynum does make a difference, but the West is too tough to count anyone out. We're speaking about a situation where both teams play well in a matchup, and if Ariza and Bynum play their games, the Lakers should make it to the Finals.


But against the East, even if they play well, defense may be a real issue. The top 3 teams in the East are big, they rebound, and they play great D. Lamar, Odom and Bynum need to FIX IT.

I'm not scared of the Magic, no homer/hate.

Live by the three, die by the three. L.A. would have Farmar back, meaning Jameer wouldn't be so open late in the game against an exhausted Fisher.

[shadymouse]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

A healthy Spurs team can still win a championship. IF the Celtics happen to make the finals again the Spurs match up the best. Kobe's supporting cast isn't strong enough.

[Muzyk23]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

A healthy Spurs team can still win a championship. IF the Celtics happen to make the finals again the Spurs match up the best. Kobe's supporting cast isn't strong enough.

you can say it about a bunch of teams

[shadymouse]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Not Really I think pierce is to much of a problem to handle at SF for a lot of teams. Kirelinko could do ok, so can Battier, or Artest, or Bowen. I think those are the only people who can probably guard him without having to need a double. And the teams their on have good versatile Big Men, and i think that's what their weakness is. Once you get them seperated ann spread out they can't really clog the paint like they would like to, which is why teams have trouble beating them cause they can't score inside and they have to rely on jumpshooting and there's really not many good shooting teams.

And that's y i said the lakers dont match up well because even if they get the celtics defenders isolated who going to score off the dribble besides Kobe. Jazz have - Deron and Brewer. Rockets have - Healthy T-Mac, Artest, Rafer, Brooks and Wafer. Spurs have - Parker and Ginobli and that Roger Mason Dude.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Utah and Houtson?

Guess you missed last year's playoffs even when L.A. was missing Bynum. I'm not saying Utah wouldn't have a chance, but your logic is way off.

I'm just waiting on Houston to get healthy before I make any judgments.

[shadymouse]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

What does L.A. beating Utah have to do with Utah Matching up Better with the Celtics?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Your last few posts have been confusing.

I don't know how Boston's title chances were brought into a thread about the Lakers' supporting cast.

[shadymouse]

Re: This thread isn't about Kobe, so don't start with that

Because i said Lakers Supporting cast isnt strong enough yet to me to knock out the defending champs in a 7 game series. And the Celtics would be the main team people are going to bring up until the Lakers could beat them in the playoffs.