Seriously, what the hell is wrong with the Lakers?

[xellos88330]

They open the Grammy road trip looking like they are putting the pieces together finally and then they shit 2 bricks in a row. This seems to have been the trend for their season.

I am awefully concerned about the Lakers because that is the team the Spurs were supposed to beat the piss out of in the WCF, but it is looking more and more like the Lakers won't even meet them there.

So LakerNation, what exactly is wrong with the team? Is it chemistry? Pieces aren't fitting into the system properly? I personally do not believe that the Lakers are "coasting" because Kobe Bryant is ultra competitive. He can't stand losing. Neither can Fisher.

Is there something fundamentally wrong with the Lakers this year? B2B champions with largely the same core, should be able to repeat that dominance during the regular season right? I keep expecting them to right the ship after a couple solid wins, but then they sink it within the week.

So for those of you who watch every Lakers game, what is wrong with the team when they are on the court?

[William Hung]

Pau: fatigued
Kobe: bone on bone
Bynum: just "doesn't know man"
Phil: doesn't give a fuck because this is his last season

[NRHector]

they are older than the Spurs

[HarlemHeat37]

- Their size advantage on offense is being negated by the fact that Kobe is the only playmaker on the perimeter + the fact that they have horrible perimeter shooters..opposing teams aren't hesitating to focus more down low, allowing their mediocre shooters to beat them..the Lakers' best shooter(Blake) is scared to shoot..

- They get virtually nothing from 2 of their 5 starters(Fisher, Artest)..

- They are only able to play 1 style of tempo, due to the lack of versatility on the roster..this could change when Matt Barnes returns, since he's a hustle/energy players, and the Lakers' bench played better when he was in the lineup..

- Their perimeter D is mediocre, which puts their bigs in bad position on D..Artest is still a good defender, but Kobe roams, in an effort to conserve some energy for the playoffs, while Fisher/Blake don't give anything on D..

- They are slow, which obviously affects them in numerous ways, but particularly the movement on offense..Fisher and Artest are very limited players, they don't allow the Lakers' offense to cut/slash/play off-ball to it's maximum potential..

- Gasol has regressed heavily from the last few seasons and earlier in the season..this is a guy that was easily a top 10 player in the NBA the last 2 years, and now, he gets outplayed a lot of the time..

A lot of their problems are fixable though..

[Koolaid_Man]

Yaaaawwwnnnnnn

[InRareForm]

Quick Backcourts expose this team easily, I think Thunder last year in playoffs was a microcosm preview of this of things to come.

Pau has regressed/is tired (lol)

Kobe is older, while he has it superstar hot streaks, he doesn't have that explosion that made defenses get frustrated a lot. Now it seems teams are using their athletiscm to swipe the ball away or get better position on him.

overrated bench, they miss barnes.

[InRareForm]

LakerHater Porn thread btw

[xellos88330]

Yaaaawwwnnnnnn

Of course the dumbfuck shows up. In case you haven't noticed, this is a thread asking REAL Laker fans and frequent watchers their input on things the Lakers could do to improve. Are you seriously that retarded? Besides, I wouldn't even want to troll Laker fans. The Lakers are doing a helluva better job than I ever could.

Now go back to bed before luva finds you awake and beats you again. :toast

[NRHector]

Of course the dumbfuck shows up. In case you haven't noticed, this is a thread asking REAL Laker fans and frequent watchers their input on things the Lakers could do to improve. Are you seriously that retarded? Besides, I wouldn't even want to troll Laker fans. The Lakers are doing a helluva better job than I ever could.

Now go back to bed before luva finds you awake and beats you again. :toast:lol

[xellos88330]

- Their size advantage on offense is being negated by the fact that Kobe is the only playmaker on the perimeter + the fact that they have horrible perimeter shooters..opposing teams aren't hesitating to focus more down low, allowing their mediocre shooters to beat them..the Lakers' best shooter(Blake) is scared to shoot..

- They get virtually nothing from 2 of their 5 starters(Fisher, Artest)..

- They are only able to play 1 style of tempo, due to the lack of versatility on the roster..this could change when Matt Barnes returns, since he's a hustle/energy players, and the Lakers' bench played better when he was in the lineup..

- Their perimeter D is mediocre, which puts their bigs in bad position on D..Artest is still a good defender, but Kobe roams, in an effort to conserve some energy for the playoffs, while Fisher/Blake don't give anything on D..

- They are slow, which obviously affects them in numerous ways, but particularly the movement on offense..Fisher and Artest are very limited players, they don't allow the Lakers' offense to cut/slash/play off-ball to it's maximum potential..

- Gasol has regressed heavily from the last few seasons and earlier in the season..this is a guy that was easily a top 10 player in the NBA the last 2 years, and now, he gets outplayed a lot of the time..

A lot of their problems are fixable though..

Thanks! From what I saw from the Spurs/Lakers matchups thus far, I definitely picked up on the bolded part. I didn't realize there were that many more issues though. That team has a lot of work to do after the ASB.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Yaaaawwwnnnnnn

My thoughts exactly Too Kool

[Def Rowe]

It's a smoke-screen to make other teams feel more confident when they face the Lakers in the playoffs.

[Koolaid_Man]

Of course the dumbfuck shows up. In case you haven't noticed, this is a thread asking REAL Laker fans and frequent watchers their input on things the Lakers could do to improve. Are you seriously that retarded? Besides, I wouldn't even want to troll Laker fans. The Lakers are doing a helluva better job than I ever could.

Now go back to bed before luva finds you awake and beats you again. :toast

YAAAAWWWWNNNNN SHIT AND PISS....:sleep

[xellos88330]

It's a smoke-screen to make other teams feel more confident when they face the Lakers in the playoffs.

Isn't that counter intuitive? Why would they want to face a confident team in the playoffs? I have always been a firm believer that morale is a dangerous thing in competition. I would think the Lakers would love for the NBA teams they face in the playoffs feel like they have no chance in hell. Makes better sense right?

I don't think it is a smokescreen man.

[TD 21]

- Their size advantage on offense is being negated by the fact that Kobe is the only playmaker on the perimeter + the fact that they have horrible perimeter shooters..opposing teams aren't hesitating to focus more down low, allowing their mediocre shooters to beat them..the Lakers' best shooter(Blake) is scared to shoot..

- They get virtually nothing from 2 of their 5 starters(Fisher, Artest)..

- They are only able to play 1 style of tempo, due to the lack of versatility on the roster..this could change when Matt Barnes returns, since he's a hustle/energy players, and the Lakers' bench played better when he was in the lineup..

- Their perimeter D is mediocre, which puts their bigs in bad position on D..Artest is still a good defender, but Kobe roams, in an effort to conserve some energy for the playoffs, while Fisher/Blake don't give anything on D..

- They are slow, which obviously affects them in numerous ways, but particularly the movement on offense..Fisher and Artest are very limited players, they don't allow the Lakers' offense to cut/slash/play off-ball to it's maximum potential..

- Gasol has regressed heavily from the last few seasons and earlier in the season..this is a guy that was easily a top 10 player in the NBA the last 2 years, and now, he gets outplayed a lot of the time..

Excellent analysis.

To be succinct, they're old, slow, running on fumes and limited. If they can't overwhelm teams inside, then they really can't win any other way. Barring a catastrophic injury, I'm not going to entirely rule them out, but I'd go as far as to say that I'd be surprised if they, not only won the championship, but got past the Spurs. Not shocked, but surprised.

I still think the Lakers end up with the 2 seed, but if they don't, having to win three rounds against one good - very good team and two great teams without home court is asking way too much. Even with home court, I don't think the Mavs can beat them, but they'll probably push them as hard as they've been pushed by anyone in the West since the arrival of Gasol. That series will probably take a lot out of the Lakers, so that when they do make it to the Spurs, they're in trouble before it even begins. Similar to the '08 Spurs going into the Conference Finals.

About a month - month and a half ago, I was still giving them the benefit of the doubt with respect to "who should be the favorite to come out of the West?". I said they should still be considered co-favorites. Not anymore. They should be a clear second to the Spurs.

[Stringer_Bell]

They're an aging team with no depth, they are bound to struggle on the road in b2b against quality opponents. Odom can't save them forever, I hope they're able to make a blockbuster trade so they can't make any excuses.

[DazedAndConfused]

3 time Finalists and repeat NBA champs get a pass during the regular season. I understand that Spur fan knows nothing about this since his team has never once even made repeat Finals appearances. It's OK, pay attention and learn. The Lakers are not interested in burning themselves out to get a good regular season record. They are confident they can win on the road, and their record over the last 3 years has shown they have every right to be.

Right now the Spurs aren't even on the Laker's radar. They've dispatched your team countless times in the playoffs, the real enemy is Boston and always will be.

Remember this, Phil OWNS Pop.

[Def Rowe]

Isn't that counter intuitive? Why would they want to face a confident team in the playoffs? I have always been a firm believer that morale is a dangerous thing in competition. I would think the Lakers would love for the NBA teams they face in the playoffs feel like they have no chance in hell. Makes better sense right?

I don't think it is a smokescreen man.

I just think a Phil Jackson coached team likes it when the opponent is jawing at the mouth all the time, in an immature fashion... and then becomes befuddled when the pressure is really on.

Bonzi Wells... J.R. Smith say hi.

[xellos88330]

My thoughts exactly Too Kool

Got no beef with you. Friendly advice though, I don't think Kools rep is something that you would want to coattail off of, unless you aspire to be as big of a dumbfuck.

[024]

i dunno, it's actually pretty scary that they can play this poorly and still easily end up with the #2-3 seed in the WC.

[Koolaid_Man]

Got no beef with you. Friendly advice though, I don't think Kools rep is something that you would want to coattail off of, unless you aspire to be as big of a dumbfuck.

YAAAAWWWWWWWNNN SHIT, PISS, and scratch my BALLS...:sleep

[HarlemHeat37]

Excellent analysis.

To be succinct, they're old, slow, running on fumes and limited. If they can't overwhelm teams inside, then they really can't win any other way. Barring a catastrophic injury, I'm not going to entirely rule them out, but I'd go as far as to say that I'd be surprised if they, not only won the championship, but got past the Spurs. Not shocked, but surprised.

I still think the Lakers end up with the 2 seed, but if they don't, having to win three rounds against one good - very good team and two great teams without home court is asking way too much. Even with home court, I don't think the Mavs can beat them, but they'll probably push them as hard as they've been pushed by anyone in the West since the arrival of Gasol. That series will probably take a lot out of the Lakers, so that when they do make it to the Spurs, they're in trouble before it even begins. Similar to the '08 Spurs going into the Conference Finals.

About a month - month and a half ago, I was still giving them the benefit of the doubt with respect to "who should be the favorite to come out of the West?". I said they should still be considered co-favorites. Not anymore. They should be a clear second to the Spurs.

I agree with most of this, but I don't think LA ends up with the #2 seed..they will end up at #3, or even #4 IMO, but probably #3..

I also won't count them out, but their positioning is one of the primary reasons I would be surprised if they win the title..it has only happened a few times in NBA history, where the NBA champion had to go through 3 straight series' without HCA, which is what it appears the Lakers will have to go through during these upcoming playoffs..

Also, like you said, their competition is much more difficult this year..the Mavs and Spurs are easily better than any West playoff team the Lakers have encountered since the Gasol trade, and even OKC is just as good as any of those other teams(not better, but just as good IMO)..

If an old LA team with a lot of mileage can go through 3 straight series' without HCA, and win the title, they would have definitely earned their place in history..

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

YAAAAWWWWWWWNNN SHIT, PISS, and scratch my BALLS...:sleep
:lol

[xellos88330]

3 time Finalists and repeat NBA champs get a pass during the regular season. I understand that Spur fan knows nothing about this since his team has never once even made repeat Finals appearances. It's OK, pay attention and learn. The Lakers are not interested in burning themselves out to get a good regular season record. They are confident they can win on the road, and their record over the last 3 years has shown they have every right to be.

Right now the Spurs aren't even on the Laker's radar. They've dispatched your team countless times in the playoffs, the real enemy is Boston and always will be.

Remember this, Phil OWNS Pop.

So you are not concerned at all with any of the potential weaknesses that other posters have mentioned at all?!?



Geez, ignorance must be bliss. :rolleyes

[DJ Mbenga]

offense. in the first 4 games of the road trip the lakers shot 38% from 3. since then its been something like 13 %. the problem is with long shots comes long rebounds. it might as well be a turnover cause that equals an easy layup for opponents. then comes the turnovers themselves. the lakers are their own worst enemies gifting the ball to the team. what good is it to barely win the paint when you get destroyed from the perimiter.

[Trainwreck2100]

The bad teams smell blood in the water and want to take out two years of aggression

[TD 21]

I agree with most of this, but I don't think LA ends up with the #2 seed..they will end up at #3, or even #4 IMO, but probably #3..

I also won't count them out, but their positioning is one of the primary reasons I would be surprised if they win the title..it has only happened a few times in NBA history, where the NBA champion had to go through 3 straight series' without HCA, which is what it appears the Lakers will have to go through during these upcoming playoffs..

Also, like you said, their competition is much more difficult this year..the Mavs and Spurs are easily better than any West playoff team the Lakers have encountered since the Gasol trade, and even OKC is just as good as any of those other teams(not better, but just as good IMO)..

If an old LA team with a lot of mileage can go through 3 straight series' without HCA, and win the title, they would have definitely earned their place in history..

I'd be mildly surprised if they end up as the third seed, but very surprised if they end up as the fourth seed. Whether they finish second or third isn't that meaningful, though, because as I alluded to, I think they'll beat the Mavs either way.

Yeah. This is the season where the Lakers can really cement their place in history as an all-time great team. It's like the Spurs in '07. Winning that fourth took them to another level. All of a sudden, dynasty was thrown around.

As an aside, with the way things are shaping up, this could be an all-time playoffs in the making. Potentially, lots of good match-ups. Bulls-Knicks, Thunder-Hornets, Mavs-Lakers, Spurs-Thunder, Celtics-Magic, Heat-Bulls, Spurs-Lakers, Celtics-Heat, Spurs-Celtics. These are all either likely or, at the very least, distinct possibilities.

[JamStone]

4 things I think are at the heart of their issues:

-Ron Artest won a ring, now he's back to a pouting space cadet because he doesn't get enough primary or even secondary touches and he gets a lot of the criticism by Phil Jackson and fans

-Pau Gasol allows Kobe's selfishness and ball dominating ways affect his game. In some ways, it's been good that Pau would defer to Kobe. But this season, that deference has also led to passivity. Needs to be a better balance of staying aggressive while still being able to play with Kobe's ego. I think Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher are the only two players on the Lakers who truly know how to stay aggressive and be able to play with Kobe.

-Fisher is done. Blake is not much better. The point guard position is a huge exploitable disadvantage that teams with above average point guards can very much take advantage of.

-Andrew Bynum is more concerned about his self envisioned impending superstardom as the Lakers go-to guy than he is about actually putting in the work and having the right approach so he can actually get there.


Yeah, I know I'm an admitted Kobe apologist and Kobe shares plenty of blame because of his selfishness. And yes he's slowing down. But I see it this way. The past two years, Kobe played a little bit better in terms of trusting his teammates, but not that much better than in other years. He was still an egomaniacal bastard who would still go blackhole mamba at a whim. The last two years have been more of a testament to his teammates learning and being able to play with Kobe than Kobe trusting his teammates. Kobe will always be Kobe. Even when his body shuts down, he'll be going mamba in the fourth quarter of a close game. He's still going to be an asshole. What has happened this year is that his teammates are sick of the act or they're just not as good as the last few years.

Counting the Lakers out would be naive. But it's pretty apparent that the Lakers have to work their asses off both physically and mentally as a collective team to get back to where they were the last couple seasons. It will be tough. Not impossible, but they better find a way to fix their issues soon. I don't think there is a "switch" they can turn on for this current Lakers team. They can't get Carmelo, but they might need to do something in terms of making a significant roster change.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

I'd be mildly surprised if they end up as the third seed, but very surprised if they end up as the fourth seed. Whether they finish second or third isn't that meaningful, though, because as I alluded to, I think they'll beat the Mavs either way.

Yeah. This is the season where the Lakers can really cement their place in history as an all-time great team. It's like the Spurs in '07. Winning that fourth took them to another level. All of a sudden, dynasty was thrown around.

As an aside, with the way things are shaping up, this could be an all-time playoffs in the making. Potentially, lots of good match-ups. Bulls-Knicks, Thunder-Hornets, Mavs-Lakers, Spurs-Thunder, Celtics-Magic, Heat-Bulls, Spurs-Lakers, Celtics-Heat, Spurs-Celtics. These are all either likely or, at the very least, distinct possibilities.

Only the Spurs can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series right?
:lol

[mikeschy55]

I think the problem with the Lakers is that Kobe only goes through the motions until playoff time or 4th quarter.... you can say that about a lot of them really, it's just kind of obvious with Kobe sometimes IMO. As long as they have a healthy Kobe/Bynum/Gasol and one the great coaches of all time, they'll always be a contender come playoffs.

[xellos88330]

Only the Spurs can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series right?
:lol

From my standpoint, no. As the Lakers currently stand, they could possibly be outed a majority of the playoff bound teams, which includes the Mavs.

[jjktkk]

Only the Spurs can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series right?
:lol

The Mavs and Spurs have a shot, a good one imo.

[ezau]

Good points by Harlem, Jamstone, and TD21. The only thing that I disagree with is the idea that the Mavs can't beat this Lakers team. I know that that it's easy to throw that choke smack when you talk about the Mavs, but thinking that they'll fold again this time around is just plain crazy.

The Mavs have the size, quickness, and defensive capabilities to beat any team in the West in a seven-game series. IMHO, the problem that they have is the two-guard position. With the re-rentry of Beaubois into the lineup, the Mavs are gonna be a scary matchup in the playoffs.

[xellos88330]

Good points by Harlem, Jamstone, and TD21. The only thing that I disagree with is the idea that the Mavs can't beat this Lakers team. I know that that it's easy to throw that choke smack when you talk about the Mavs, but thinking that they'll fold again this time around is just plain crazy.

The Mavs have the size, quickness, and defensive capabilities to beat any team in the West in a seven-game series. IMHO, the problem that they have is the two-guard position. With the re-rentry of Beaubois into the lineup, the Mavs are gonna be a scary matchup in the playoffs.

Yea, Beaubois is definitely the speedy guard that can fill it up and cause Blake, Fisher tons of headaches. It all really depends on if he can get in shape and is as good as advertised once he is getting steady minutes.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Don't forget a possible Butler cameo come playoff time.

[timtonymanurich]

3 time Finalists and repeat NBA champs get a pass during the regular season. I understand that Spur fan knows nothing about this since his team has never once even made repeat Finals appearances. It's OK, pay attention and learn. The Lakers are not interested in burning themselves out to get a good regular season record. They are confident they can win on the road, and their record over the last 3 years has shown they have every right to be.

Right now the Spurs aren't even on the Laker's radar. They've dispatched your team countless times in the playoffs, the real enemy is Boston and always will be.

Remember this, Phil OWNS Pop.
___________________

Aw.... how CUTE! You think you're making a point! Think again black mamba sucka! Phil doesn't OWN Pop, Joey Crawford BLOWS Phil and Kobe at the same time. Then the likes of Fake Show Fans show up and suck up the residual semen and butt-cum from Gay-boy Joey and Kobe's latest rape case and pin it on the ho's promiscuity. The only thing the Fakers really DON'T get a way with is despite their winning ways, they are the red-headed-step-child of the NBA. Period. The only ones that like LA are the immediate fans and family members of the bastard child that is LA.

Talk about being OWNED.

[DazedAndConfused]

Anyways, I'll let you crickets keep chirping. You will understand come playoff time why Laker fans aren't really all that worried.

[rmt]

Good points by Harlem, Jamstone, and TD21. The only thing that I disagree with is the idea that the Mavs can't beat this Lakers team. I know that that it's easy to throw that choke smack when you talk about the Mavs, but thinking that they'll fold again this time around is just plain crazy.

The Mavs have the size, quickness, and defensive capabilities to beat any team in the West in a seven-game series. IMHO, the problem that they have is the two-guard position. With the re-rentry of Beaubois into the lineup, the Mavs are gonna be a scary matchup in the playoffs.

Agree with this. I do think that the Mavs are a better matchup against LA than Spurs. The have size in the front court and when Roddy comes back, quickness that might give LA trouble. Against the Spurs, the matchup is not bad as SA has a good back court and speed (Parker and Hill). I'm hoping that Dice can do as good a job on Dirk as he did last year.

For us Spurs fans, hopefully Mavs and LA get #2 and #3 seeds and beat each other up in a long, tough series before the Spurs get the winner. But LA is the defending champion and IMO is still the team to beat. Boston's defense is great and they're so deep. SA does not match up well against them at all.

[TD 21]

They don't have a go-to perimeter scorer for a championship caliber team. In recent NBA history, it's proven that, unless you have '94 and '95 Olajuwon or '99 and '03 Duncan, you can't win without that. And no, even if Butler not only miraculously recovers, but get's back to where he was, he's not of the caliber necessary to play that role on a championship team. I'm talking about a scorer/play maker along the lines of Bryant, Ginobili, Wade, Pierce, James, etc.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I think they are still better than they are playing record-wise. Honestly I'd rather them get knocked off by someone else than play them in the playoffs.

[jjktkk]

Don't forget a possible Butler cameo come playoff time.

I wouldn't get my hopes up of Butler returning to his previous form. Not this year.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Butler would be rusty as hell if he came back in the playoffs.

[Ashy Larry]

It's the same thing they did last year. Many forget the same questions were asked when they limped into the playoffs going 3-7 and really playing shitty. Then it just hit them and once the playoffs started, they really buckled down and focused especially on the road (Clinched in OKC, Utah and PHX)

I won't put too much on it because maybe they're bored, maybe they're getting older or maybe this is the beginning of the end. If so, I can't complain especially in these past three years.

Their perimeter shooting is horrible and even though they know this, they still will shoot missiles from three point range instead of going to their strength which is supposed to be their size. If they limit themselves to ten three pointers per game, they'll be fine.

Defensively, they don't really play until it's needed. They fart around for three quarters, get down fifteen and then decide, let's play defense. They usually correct that once the playoffs have started and every possession count.

And finally, Barnes is missed. Once they can set that eight man rotation meaning more Barnes and less Artest and Walton, they should be prime for at least one more run. And Phil, Shaw, Clemons, Hamlin and the Rifleman will have them ready for the playoffs no matter what the seed is.

[silverblk mystix]

Regular season refs,tbh....

Playoff refs are all Stern henchmen and will always give the lakers a better chance...

[ElNono]

It's the same thing they did last year. Many forget the same questions were asked when they limped into the playoffs going 3-7 and really playing shitty.

Come on Larry... this is nothing like last year... They had HCA in the West locked up by the time they started coasting, and Bynum was out at the end too.
This Lakeshow team has been consistently bad against top teams, and even mediocre against middle/bottom of the pack teams. It's been an all-season thing. They've been trying to have that statement game, which most thought it was the Boston win last week, then they went back to dropping turds.

I pretty much agree with HH and Jammie assessments. A lot of you guys didn't like Farmar because he was a selfish chucker, but those quick legs did help to stay in front of top PGs.

We'll see what happens when Barnes comes back.

[Rummpd]

It this enigmatic LAL squad does somehow go onto win the NBA finals I will give them their props as honestly I think their chances are pretty low with 4 teams including two in the West - Spurs and Mavs that are deeper, equally if not more talented 1-10 in the probable playoff rotations, and just as motivated to win the title and both may well have the HCA over the LAL..

[ElNono]

3 time Finalists and repeat NBA champs get a pass during the regular season. I understand that Spur fan knows nothing about this since his team has never once even made repeat Finals appearances.

The Spurs know a thing or two about knocking down three-peat champs and making them cry though...

[TampaDude]

From my standpoint, no. As the Lakers currently stand, they could possibly be outed a majority of the playoff bound teams, which includes the Mavs.

Yup...before the season started, we were all worried about the Lakers in the West, but now it looks like the Mavs are better than the Lakers. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a Mavs-Spurs WCF.

[u4lakers14]

Yeah. This is the season where the Lakers can really cement their place in history as an all-time great team.

ya, to consider the lakers as an "all-time great team" after winning just 16 championships would be crazy.

are you legally retarded, or do you just bootleg it under the radar? :lmao

[Cry Havoc]

The Lakers are not interested in burning themselves out to get a good regular season record.

Is that why Kobe played 35+ minutes last night despite being "bone on bone" AND having flu like symptoms?

[Venti Quattro]

They just got figured out by teams. It always happens in a competitive league.

[cheguevara]

Pau: fatigued
Kobe: bone on bone
Bynum: just "doesn't know man"
Phil: doesn't give a fuck because this is his last season

pretty much spot on.

Also, Artest wants out, he is pissed at his teamates and Jackson for ridiculing him.

and Odom, is beasting but how long can he go for? he's exherting himself since the FIBA worlds. if he keeps it up until playoffs he gets my repects

[cheguevara]

having said that. The lakers will be fine until they face the mavs. It will take some heroic effort on their part and some old fashioned choking from mavs to get them past that series. (both pretty likely)

but they will be dead tired when they have to face the Spurs on the road.

[Mr. Body]

Mavs look pretty fierce. I'm curious to see how the Spurs-Heat and remaining Spurs-Lakers games go.

But the OKC-Utah-Phoenix run to the Finals for the Lakers last year looks nothing like it will look this year. If they have to face both Dallas and San Antonio, I don't see any possible way they'll make it through.

[pookenstein]

ya, to consider the lakers as an "all-time great team" after winning just 16 championships would be crazy.

are you legally retarded, or do you just bootleg it under the radar? :lmao

Come on, you can't be that stupid. Or can you? He was not talking about the franchise but about "Post-Gasol-gift"-Team.

[Ashy Larry]

Come on Larry... this is nothing like last year... They had HCA in the West locked up by the time they started coasting, and Bynum was out at the end too.
This Lakeshow team has been consistently bad against top teams, and even mediocre against middle/bottom of the pack teams. It's been an all-season thing. They've been trying to have that statement game, which most thought it was the Boston win last week, then they went back to dropping turds.

I pretty much agree with HH and Jammie assessments. A lot of you guys didn't like Farmar because he was a selfish chucker, but those quick legs did help to stay in front of top PGs.

We'll see what happens when Barnes comes back.

When you look at it, it is like last year. Losing to teams they should stomp, half-assing and pretty much disrespecting the league with their play. I do think they can't flip the switch like last year because contrary to some Laker fans saying they stomped the Celtics, they basically won in the last five minutes of the game and outscored them by four.

It is mental with these guys and the fact that they are a year older and probably not as hungry with the exception of Bean, it could spell disaster. I can't explain why they don't take these lesser games more serious. That's really the difference between the Lakers and the Spurs. The Spurs will play the Kings and think they're playing the Celtics. The Lakers will play the Kings and think, ho hum .... then get worked at home. Lakers win those games against the lesser opponents, they're probably sitting there with eleven losses. Hopefully, they can get their heads out of their asses in these last two months.

[bostonguy]

Lakers will be fine. They are still winning the west. This road to a 3 peat is going to be the most brutal run for them, but IMO they still have what it takes to get the job done.


Mavs don't have anyone outside of Dirk that can consistently score in a 7 game series against the Lakers.

Spurs frontcourt will have to crash/control the boards and win the rebounding battle consistently if they want to have their most realistic shot at beating LA 4 times.

[FkLA]

Lakers just suck. Ive been saying this for months tbh.

[ezau]

These guys are just tired and not that hungry anymore. Every great team has to come to grips with that fact.

One year ago, I already pointed out that the mileage and wear and tear will eventually catch up with the Lakers.

Three straight Finals appearances will eventually bust out even the best athletes out there. Add to that Kobe's appearance in the Olympics and Odom/Gasol's participation in the Worlds and you've got yourself a very, very tired core.

[kobe4life]

The lakers are going to be fine when it matters. It sucks to be a spurs fan knowing that you guys will win 60 plus games but at the end of the day it won't matter once you guys play the lakers in the playoffs. I'm going to enjoy seeing the meltdown in this forum after the lakers crush the spurs in the playoffs. I hope the spurs get to 70 wins it would be nice to see them go down as the first team to win 70 games not to win a title.

[cobbler]

The lakers are going to be fine when it matters. It sucks to be a spurs fan knowing that you guys will win 60 plus games but at the end of the day it won't matter once you guys play the lakers in the playoffs. I'm going to enjoy seeing the meltdown in this forum after the lakers crush the spurs in the playoffs. I hope the spurs get to 70 wins it would be nice to see them go down as the first team to win 70 games not to win a title.

Yep! They just never learn. I am glad they are getting the HCA. Gonna be all that more precious listening to the excuses then. :toast

[Yorae]

Sorry but the Spurs are not winning 70. Smarten up.

[jestersmash]

Steve Blake is demonstrably and objectively one of the worst players in the NBA. Blake's estimated wins added = -1.9, good for 2nd worst in the NBA

Derek Fisher is demonstrably and objectively one of the worst players in the NBA. Fisher's estimated wins added = -1.4 (that's negative 1.4), good for 7th worst in the NBA

Ron Artest is an offensive liability and doesn't appear to care given that he's financially set and he's already won a ring

[Sean Cagney]

They're an aging team with no depth, they are bound to struggle on the road in b2b against quality opponents. Odom can't save them forever, I hope they're able to make a blockbuster trade so they can't make any excuses.

You are a SPURS fan and you hope they make a blockbuster trade? Are you serious? LOL I want them to stay put and fail, what the hell you want them to get better? :lol:lol
The lakers are going to be fine when it matters. It sucks to be a spurs fan knowing that you guys will win 60 plus games but at the end of the day it won't matter once you guys play the lakers in the playoffs. I'm going to enjoy seeing the meltdown in this forum after the lakers crush the spurs in the playoffs. I hope the spurs get to 70 wins it would be nice to see them go down as the first team to win 70 games not to win a title.

They will not win 70 games this year, and you LA fans etc. thought the same thing in 03 when they got dethroned, I heard this all year long as well.

[Banzai]

You are a SPURS fan and you hope they make a blockbuster trade? Are you serious? LOL I want them to stay put and fail, what the hell you want them to get better? :lol:lol

They will not win 70 games this year, and you LA fans etc. thought the same thing in 03 when they got dethroned, I heard this all year long as well.

Both Lakers and Spurs dethroned one another.

[TE]

I hope the Lakers start winning some games that way they can be seeded either number 2 or 3. If they fall to 4 then shit, the Spurs have a whiplash date awaiting for them.

[baseline bum]

I hope the Lakers start winning some games that way they can be seeded either number 2 or 3. If they fall to 4 then shit, the Spurs have a whiplash date awaiting for them.

Yeah, LA then Dallas back-to-back would suck. I hate to write LA off; I have picked them as huge favorites these last couple of years, but they just look a lot like that 03 team that was out of gas this time around. Plenty of time for them to correct it, but the West looks like it's going to be a dogfight; especially after Dallas gets something for Butler's expiring.

[phyzik]

here we go, I might be giving Lakaluva and Koolaid a rise in their pants, but its the truth....

There is not much wrong with the Lakers IMHO....

The media is just panicking because of the success of the Spurs and you fools are falling for it, its just the same as when any other troll falls into the same trap that the "spurs are done".... Im not joking or trolling either.... hear me out.

Lakers are 38-18 for the top spot in the Pacific devision.

They have a respectable 68% win ratio.... They are pretty much winning 2 out of every 3 games. That puts them around 55-56 wins for the season.

Now, does that put them in "elite" status?

No, of course not.

I just think that the decline of the Lakers is extremely over-rated. they are in decline, sure, but no more than the Spurs where in recent years.


















Still though................... LOL LAKERS!!! :lmao

[DazedAndConfused]

What's funny is people act like this is somehow abnomal for this Laker team. Look back to last season and you'll see some eerie parallels.

For whatever reason, this team only shows up when absolutely needed to. I don't like it, but it's how it is and how it will be as long as PJax is coaching. I can't argue with the man either, he's got 11 fucking rings.

Let me repeat that Spur fan. 11 Fucking Rings. Put that into perspective before you create your little jackoff troll threads.

[baseline bum]

What's funny is people act like this is somehow abnomal for this Laker team. Look back to last season and you'll see some eerie parallels.

I see they were playing at a pace 4 games ahead of the current squad last year even though their strength of schedule is still in the bottom 5 so far.

[ezau]

I guess people are just not accustomed seeing the Lakers not on top of the West at this point of the season.

For the past three years, the West has been a cakewalk for the Lakers and then all of a sudden, they're staring at an 8.5-game advantage by the Spurs in the standings.

[jjktkk]

What's funny is people act like this is somehow abnomal for this Laker team. Look back to last season and you'll see some eerie parallels.

For whatever reason, this team only shows up when absolutely needed to. I don't like it, but it's how it is and how it will be as long as PJax is coaching. I can't argue with the man either, he's got 11 fucking rings.

Let me repeat that Spur fan. 11 Fucking Rings. Put that into perspective before you create your little jackoff troll threads.


No need to get so butthurt. The OP wanted to debate what is wrong with the Lakers. Their not playing like the Lakers of last year, close, but they do have some issues that need addressing.

[xellos88330]

What's funny is people act like this is somehow abnomal for this Laker team. Look back to last season and you'll see some eerie parallels.

For whatever reason, this team only shows up when absolutely needed to. I don't like it, but it's how it is and how it will be as long as PJax is coaching. I can't argue with the man either, he's got 11 fucking rings.

Let me repeat that Spur fan. 11 Fucking Rings. Put that into perspective before you create your little jackoff troll threads.

This isn't a troll thread. I have already stated before that there is no reason to troll the Lakers. They are doing a damn good job of owning themselves without anyone elses help.

You can however decide to contribute to the thread with some actual basketball talk and none of this "Lakers will be fine" talk. What will they need to be fine in the post season? That is the question being asked.

[Buddy Holly]

Anyways, I'll let you crickets keep chirping. You will understand come playoff time why Laker fans aren't really all that worried.

Because they're so bad whoever plays them has an easy go pass to the next round?

BTW, will bump this thread with that quote when the Lakers are bumped out of the playoffs.

Future me will be smiling, won't you future me?

[Buddy Holly]

Spurs frontcourt will have to crash/control the boards and win the rebounding battle consistently if they want to have their most realistic shot at beating LA 4 times.

Spurs have won both games this season without controlling the boards. The boards won't be too much an issue with the Spurs shooting percentage being so good.

Hell, when the Spurs need to crash the boards they do, just ask Dice.

[BoricuaCJA]

What's funny is people act like this is somehow abnomal for this Laker team. Look back to last season and you'll see some eerie parallels.

For whatever reason, this team only shows up when absolutely needed to. I don't like it, but it's how it is and how it will be as long as PJax is coaching. I can't argue with the man either, he's got 11 fucking rings.

Let me repeat that Spur fan. 11 Fucking Rings. Put that into perspective before you create your little jackoff troll threads.
uMaD? The stretch were you guys weren't winning many games was close to the end of the year when you already have home court in the west. This is different b/c you guys been doing it in the middle of the season. Also you guys have a terrible record against the elite teams.

[Mr. Body]

Lakers' schedule is placed in odd relief because the Spurs are doing so well. But did they get blown out so often last year? There's been several games more than I'd say is usual where they just weren't competitive.