why are the lakers so soft??

[hater]

seriously, I don't mind them being soft. But this is beyond pathetic. why would anyone assemble this team of soft pussies.

they look like fools out there trying to play "hard" vs. nuggets.

[TampaDude]

Kobe is a great player...one of the best in the NBA...but he's got NOTHING for Melo.

[Spur-Addict]

Yeah, Melo is a bit too strong for Kobe down low.

[E20]

I think the only soft part is their frontline

Well, Pau is European bred. No offense, but that's what I normally see with players that are born across the sea and raised playing basketball their. Of course exceptions can be made (i.e TP/Dirk/others).

Andrew Bynum played well last night, but lack of playing time, also doesn't help he's knees aren't 100%. Lamar Odom is more of a finesse player.

[iggypop123]

the obesity of America is helping the black players of the nuggets and hurting the international laker players cause they are thin

[Banzai]

Did the "soft" label catch on when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol? I don't recall the Lakers being called soft before..but then again they weren't going anywhere in the playoffs from 05-07

[Spur-Addict]

the obesity of America is helping the black players of the nuggets and hurting the international laker players cause they are thin

There are obese black players on the Nuggets? :lol

[z0sa]

Denver's physicality is frustrating LA.

[eisfeld]

Physical teams like Denver create various disadvantages for the Lakers (for the Spurs too). Kobe and Ariza are tough enough to not being affected by being pushed around but guys like Sasha, Walton, Gasol, Fisher struggle against teams who play very physical. For Bynum it might be his kee holding him back...

[dmac]

There are obese black players on the Nuggets? :lol

Kobe has a fat head. So does he qualify?

[poop]

Physical teams like Denver create various disadvantages for the Lakers (for the Spurs too). Kobe and Ariza are tough enough to not being affected by being pushed around but guys like Sasha, Walton, Gasol, Fisher struggle against teams who play very physical. For Bynum it might be his kee holding him back...

exactly. this is the same thing the Celtics did to them last year. this is why it is so important in the NBA today to assemble a team that has not just talent but that is composed of physically large, strong, aggressive players. while white/euro players may be individually talented they will almost always have trouble with stronger, athletically superior, more aggressive black players.

[Spur-Addict]

Kobe has a fat head. So does he qualify?

No.

[jacobdrj]

Pau is softer than Kwame, who was their grit and muscle in previous seasons (like the one where Kobe choked it away against the Suns).

Bynum is hurt.

The Lakers would be better off playing Chris Mihm.

[hater]

exactly. this is the same thing the Celtics did to them last year. this is why it is so important in the NBA today to assemble a team that has not just talent but that is composed of physically large, strong, aggressive players. while white/euro players may be individually talented they will almost always have trouble with stronger, athletically superior, more aggressive black players.

Wait, you are saying if player is euro/international and white he is automatically soft?

Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, hell, even Matt Bonner are definitely not soft. Gasol's brother? also not soft.

that is a stupid generalization

[Allanon]

CIA Philip at it again. :bking

[Ginobilly]

Wait, you are saying if player is euro/international and white he is automatically soft?

Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, hell, even Matt Bonner are definitely not soft. Gasol's brother? also not soft.

that is a stupid generalization

The soft label gets thrown around too much these days. It's genetically impossible for Players like Gasol/Dirk/Tayshawn to up their intensity when they're tooth picks. Not everybody could have a physique like Lebron.

[E20]

Wait, you are saying if player is euro/international and white he is automatically soft?

Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, hell, even Matt Bonner are definitely not soft. Gasol's brother? also not soft.

that is a stupid generalization

They are different. They were not European bred. They are from South America and on the Western Hemisphere. All the argie and puerto rican players seen are not sfot.

[Morg1411]

CIA Philip at it again. :bking

Riiiiiiiiiiight :lol

[DrHouse]

I'm actually a little surprised DEN is getting away with all the touch fouls they have committed.

HOU plays tough D without fouling. DEN's D is more like Utah's where they hack the shit out of you on every play and force the refs to either call it or not. So far it has worked out for them.

[lefty]

Lamar Odom is german

[Spursfan092120]

exactly. this is the same thing the Celtics did to them last year. this is why it is so important in the NBA today to assemble a team that has not just talent but that is composed of physically large, strong, aggressive players. while white/euro players may be individually talented they will almost always have trouble with stronger, athletically superior, more aggressive black players.
racist thread

[resistanze]

exactly. this is the same thing the Celtics did to them last year. this is why it is so important in the NBA today to assemble a team that has not just talent but that is composed of physically large, strong, aggressive players. while white/euro players may be individually talented they will almost always have trouble with stronger, athletically superior, more aggressive black players.

Yes, those Negroids and their jungle-like physique and aggression can cause a lot of issues.

[Spursfan092120]

I'm actually a little surprised DEN is getting away with all the touch fouls they have committed.

HOU plays tough D without fouling. DEN's D is more like Utah's where they hack the shit out of you on every play and force the refs to either call it or not. So far it has worked out for them.
Dude..seriously? Blaming the officials already? The series just started. At least wait to see if you lose before you blame it on someone else. Nobody does more touch fouls or pushoffs than Kobe...fact....and when was the last time HE fouled out of a game?

[baseline bum]

LA has been considered soft ever since they traded Shaq.

[Red Hawk #21]

Lol, I remember me and someone having a heated argument if the Lakers were soft or not. The series vs Houston proves it, the Outlaws will expose the lakers as the soft pussies they are and Kobe will also be exposed as overrated.

[ploto]

Sasha has sucked.

[poop]

Wait, you are saying if player is euro/international and white he is automatically soft?

Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, hell, even Matt Bonner are definitely not soft. Gasol's brother? also not soft.

that is a stupid generalization

no, i said in general white/euro players are not as physical and strong. for example, vujacic, walton, gasol, etc. will get typically have a hard time against the nuggets, just like they were dominated last year by garnett/powe/perkins/pierce etc.

its simply an observable fact.

and hell yes bonner is soft.

[poop]

Yes, those Negroids and their jungle-like physique and aggression can cause a lot of issues.

theres always someone who brings racism into things :rolleyes

its funny how some people seem to think im 'racist' despite being an avid fan of the spurs and the NBA :rolleyes

[LnGrrrR]

Wait, you are saying if player is euro/international and white he is automatically soft?

Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, hell, even Matt Bonner are definitely not soft. Gasol's brother? also not soft.

that is a stupid generalization

Scalabrine is white and American and soft. Doughy soft. :lol

[Spursfan092120]

Scalabrine is white and American and soft. Doughy soft. :lol
http://www.seduttosicecream.com/ParchmentMailers/pillsbury_doughboy.jpg
SIGN HIM UP.! He's got a good wingspan..lol

[LakerHater]

http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2008/04-29/l042908_400.jpg

[Cry Havoc]

I am annoyed by terms such as "soft", "clutch", etc. They are vastly over-generalized phrases that cease to maintain a consistent meaning across people.

From what I can tell, most Phil Jackson teams are designed to be "soft". By that, I mean that he does predicate his offense on a dominant inside presence. Bulls fans might even recall that the Jordan-led teams weren't exactly "tough" on paper, which is why they had to bring in enforcers to play hard-nosed defense (Rodman, anyone?). A lot of non-Chicago fans do not recall that the first 3 Championships were not completely dominating teams, and were taken to 7 games several times, if memory serves. The 2000-02 Lakers only avoided that label because of the fact that Shaq was patrolling the paint.

To Phil's credit, it's a tough system to guard. Allowing the focus to be on the outside-in instead of how most teams operate gives you the chance to load up on shooters. This means you always have an influx of personnel to keep hitting jumpers. Other than Shaq, PJ has never coached a HOF inside presence, and he builds his team around players with well-rounded skillsets.

Calling the Lakers soft is kind of silly. They just aren't a post-oriented team. Gasol does play close to the hoop, but uses agility -- not power -- to score. Odom has never shown a predication to dominate inside, he likes facing the hoop. And Bynum is simply too young and too fragile (at this point) to be a dominant force inside.

On paper, the Lakers look like a strong, potent team with inside scoring aplenty. But their players seem to be content with playing off of Kobe's penetration ability. Oddly enough, Phil doesn't seem to focus on defense as a coach -- at all. He's just fortunate that he's had some incredible players who took it upon themselves to play good D. Aside from Bryant and Ariza, he doesn't have anyone who has a shutdown mindset on this team.