West threats to Lakers are merely mirages

From the Laker's Beat Writer. Just the Spurs, hit the link for the whole piece.

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West threats to Lakers are merely mirages
Kevin Ding
The Orange County Register

...The Lakers just beat Oklahoma City in the teams' first meeting of this season. They visit Dallas for the first time this season Wednesday night. Next week, there's the Lakers' first home game against Utah, which has moved past Dallas in the West standings. The week after brings the Lakers' first home game of the season against San Antonio.

Do the Thunder, Mavericks, Jazz or Spurs stand as a real threat to the Lakers?

Not yet, they don't.


...The Spurs have definitely looked like more of a threat, but they're also viewing the regular season far differently than usual after a terrible start to last season. Both Dallas and San Antonio came in motivated to show their stuff early despite the age on their rosters – and the Spurs have been buoyed by the uncommon health that Oklahoma City enjoyed all last season. San Antonio has been able to play the same starters every game this season. (Oklahoma City missed just six Nenad Krstic games last season from its starting lineup.)

The Spurs' five-game lead on the Lakers is impressive but not convincing. Ultimately, neither sore-kneed Tim Duncan, no matter how great he has always been, nor undersized DeJuan Blair, no matter how hard he worked in the second half on Dec. 28 against the Lakers, is daunting inside against the Lakers.

"I watch a lot of their games that are on late," Golden State power forward David Lee said of the Lakers last week. "There is not one team in the league that has the same size, except Boston when they're healthy."

Boston is in the East. So are Miami and Orlando. Even Chicago and Atlanta.

That's still where the fear should lie for Lakers fans.

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http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lak...ason-game.html

He's right on a couple things: SA has been very fortunate with health, though you could say we're "due" for a healthy season with our stars after the past 2 seasons. Also we're not as big as LA, but I think we have enough size to not get killed by LA's bigs, and our overall guard rotation is superior to LA's and can help us win a series. We can hold our own or get slightly beaten by their bigs but our guards and wings are our advantage. That's why I think we have a good chance to beat LA.

And as far as Blair's lack of size, if he isn't performing the way he did in the last LA game, he won't see much time in a playoff series against them. The bulk of the minutes alongside TD will be Dice's, unless Bonner is hot and/or Splitter shows an ability to contribute.

He's right, haven't proven shit yet.

Keep the hits coming though. It's best to win under the radar anyways.

Only the Spurs could have half the losses of the Lakers at the midway point of the season, have bludgeoned them in their lone meeting and get no respect. Despite having a championship proven core. It's not like this is the Thunder, then I would understand the hesitation in anointing them legit contenders.

Their size is an advantage, no question, but this notion that it's the be all end all, is ridiculous. Did anyone say every single season from 97-03, "no one is a serious threat to the Spurs because no one has two big men the caliber of Duncan and Robinson"? No. So why are we supposed to pretend as if their size guarantees them victory? I don't get it.

It can be overcome. It's not about matching up with them inch for inch so much as it is having quality talent to throw at them and being able to exploit them in other ways. Fortunately for the Spurs, they possess both things. When I say quality talent, I'm talking specifically about the bigs. The Spurs didn't have trouble with them in '08 and '09 because they were smaller, it was moreso the fact that they didn't have enough talent amongst their bigs, in addition to being smaller. Now, they have quality talent. Not to the extent of the Lakers bigs, but enough that, in addition to their other strengths (which coincide with some of the Lakers biggest weaknesses), they should be capable of beating them.

And I'm tired of hearing about the Spurs "good fortune" and seeing Spurs fans apologizing for it. Did anyone give a shit when this team had "bad fortune" for a few seasons? No. Instead, they called them old and washed up. We heard little about the Thunder's "good fortune" until after the season last season. We never hear about the Lakers "good fortune". Something they've received more of than any team in the history of North American professional sports. Look no further than their '09 path to the championship, where virtually every other team with even a slight chance of beating them had arguably their best player injured. Yet every damn day all I hear about is the Spurs "good fortune". It's just another way to disrespect them and not give them the credit that they're due.

What a poorly titled article...

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Originally Posted by duncan228

From the Laker's Beat Writer. Just the Spurs, hit the link for the whole piece.



http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lak...ason-game.html

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He's as right as my left nut hanging higher than my right. Doesn't really mean anything......only the fact that hes trying to sweep laker fan's fear under the rug by simply dismissing the ailing truths. The Spurs are a scary team and they are coming to take that championship from you like Cartman tricking that kid into eating his murdered family. ...dont know what that analogy means exactly but that was a funny episode!

What an uninspired, unoriginal, and frankly speaking boring analysis.

Of all the variables that factor into predicting championship success, he (perhaps not surprisingly) chooses the single one where the Lakers have a clear advantage - inside presence.

That's about as trite as me arbitrarily using the spurs record as the single variable in an analysis and proclaiming that of all teams that have started 35-6 or better the majority have gone on to win the championship.

If I had to pick a single variable to hedge championship predictions on, the correct one to use is scoring margin, and the Spurs lead the league in that department up through the first half of the season. That's obviously more than enough to warrant being called a "threat" to the Lakers. In reality, that's good enough to proclaim that the Spurs are the strongest championship contenders of all teams in the league, let alone mere "threats" to L.A.

LOL DAVID LEE? does his opinion matter, dude sounds sour from riding RJs gonads

I hope the lakers feel this way also. It could be another Saints vs. Seahawks scenario. Goodness, laker fans(writers) are obnoxiously cocky as well. I guess all teams should stop trying to play and just bow down to the greatness of the masters. :rolleyes


Anyway, I believe. :flag:

Stupid article. Teams don't come out to lose. If a team can just decide to win and it happens, why aren't all teams doing it? Why didn't the Lakers do it? It seems like ignorance to declare that a team has a great record only because they care, as if other teams don't care. If that's the secret, fire all these overpaid GMs and coaches right now.

I'm going to be honest, the Fakers frontline size has ALWAYS worried me - even though the two teams haven't met in the postsesons sinc 2008. Any knowledgeable Spurs fan would have that worry, without needing to read this article.

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

Pretty stupid read tbh. Everyone knows the Lakers frontline is big and worrisome... but that doesn't translate into automatic wins.

What about how much deeper off the bench we are? Or how much better we are from behind the arc... They all have the same importance come playoff time.


Also, to say we aren't a "threat" is fucking retarded btw. Call the Lakers the better team or still the favorites (they are the defending champs and all) but to call the spurs a mirage of a threat is stupid, we are definitely a "threat" to them.

When the spurs beat the lakers again-it will be three blowouts in a row..

then maybe you will see the frontrunning bandwaggoners start to really worry about their overrated lakers...

I called Ian Thomsen (cnnsi) out on this same "old roster" shit about a week ago, via email.

Spurs: 9 under 30/4 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: TP,GHill,Gary,DB
Lakers: 4 under 30/10 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: Bynum,Brown

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Originally Posted by silverblk mystix

When the spurs beat the lakers again-it will be three blowouts in a row..

then maybe you will see the frontrunning bandwaggoners start to really worry about their overrated lakers...

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Calling a 2-time defending champion overrated:lmao:lmao:lmao

Spurfan idiocy knows no bounds.

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Calling a 2-time defending champion overrated:lmao:lmao:lmao

Spurfan idiocy knows no bounds.

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Guy, you do realize you are a Laker fan? A part of the fan base that gets C's in calculus WITH a tutor.

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

Guy, you do realize you are a Laker fan? A part of the fan base that gets C's in calculus WITH a tutor.

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you're a little salty today

The Lakers better view the Spurs as a REAL threat. The Spurs saw something in the Thunder's 7 game series with the Lakers last season. The Lakers are slow as hell in the backcourt and if you run at them, they don't handle the pressure well.

Fisher is DONE and has been for years, and blake has no chance of guarding Hill, Manu, or Parker. With all of the rest that Timmy and Dice are getting, and the way Bonner is shooting the three ball, the Lakers size can easily get negated by the Spurs pace.

There is still much ball to be played, and injury can strike at any time, but the Spurs are a threat to any team they face.

Artest has shown nothing this year, Fisher is slow as a sloth and Bynum's health is as much in question as any of the "old" Spurs, if not more so.

Watching the Lakers / Thunder game last night, the only reason the Thunder could not close that game out and get a win or force overtime is because they had no inside presence. I can assure you that TD can and will have breakout games in the playoffs if he remains healthy. By the way, have you noticed Timmy becoming much more proficient on this 15 footer?

Kobe has to actually guard someone now on defense...no playing of his man like he did when Bruce was here, so in a series, Kobe will slow down, much like he did last year. Turn Kobe into a volume shooter and it is anyones game.

With the increased quality of defense the Spurs are playing, coupled with their higher scoring offense, the Spurs are a very dangerous team.

I fully expect Splitter to be a more confident and better player come playoff time, and it isn't like Gasol overpowers his man with strength on the block, so you can toss Splitter on him and even if outclassed, Splitter can take something away from Gasol.

Bynum if healthy provides the hardest matchup for the Spurs, but again, if Bonner continues to shoot the three the way he has, that either makes the Lakers play smaller, or draws a big out of the lane.

The Spurs three guard lineup with Hill, Manu and Neal has been fantastic when used.

Blair is still a force on the boards and he is getting better offensively...oh yeah, and Anderson will get some D-League time to get conditioning back and rejoin the team.

Bottom line: This is a very different Spurs team than the Lakers have faced in the past, and while it is far too early to make any predictions about who will win if they face one another, it is not premature to say the Spurs will be a much more difficult out for any team this year.

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Originally Posted by callo1

The Lakers better view the Spurs as a REAL threat. The Spurs saw something in the Thunder's 7 game series with the Lakers last season. The Lakers are slow as hell in the backcourt and if you run at them, they don't handle the pressure well.

Fisher is DONE and has been for years, and blake has no chance of guarding Hill, Manu, or Parker. With all of the rest that Timmy and Dice are getting, and the way Bonner is shooting the three ball, the Lakers size can easily get negated by the Spurs pace.

There is still much ball to be played, and injury can strike at any time, but the Spurs are a threat to any team they face.

Artest has shown nothing this year, Fisher is slow as a sloth and Bynum's health is as much in question as any of the "old" Spurs, if not more so.

Watching the Lakers / Thunder game last night, the only reason the Thunder could not close that game out and get a win or force overtime is because they had no inside presence. I can assure you that TD can and will have breakout games in the playoffs if he remains healthy. By the way, have you noticed Timmy becoming much more proficient on this 15 footer?

Kobe has to actually guard someone now on defense...no playing of his man like he did when Bruce was here, so in a series, Kobe will slow down, much like he did last year. Turn Kobe into a volume shooter and it is anyones game.

With the increased quality of defense the Spurs are playing, coupled with their higher scoring offense, the Spurs are a very dangerous team.

I fully expect Splitter to be a more confident and better player come playoff time, and it isn't like Gasol overpowers his man with strength on the block, so you can toss Splitter on him and even if outclassed, Splitter can take something away from Gasol.

Bynum if healthy provides the hardest matchup for the Spurs, but again, if Bonner continues to shoot the three the way he has, that either makes the Lakers play smaller, or draws a big out of the lane.

The Spurs three guard lineup with Hill, Manu and Neal has been fantastic when used.

Blair is still a force on the boards and he is getting better offensively...oh yeah, and Anderson will get some D-League time to get conditioning back and rejoin the team.

Bottom line: This is a very different Spurs team than the Lakers have faced in the past, and while it is far too early to make any predictions about who will win if they face one another, it is not premature to say the Spurs will be a much more difficult out for any team this year.

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It only went to 6 games. Before people come back with the predictable "but you won it on the last second" reply, don't forget that LAL had a huge lead in Game 6 and fell asleep in the 4th.

I wonder why he left out the look at the Lakers themselves... This Laker team has no bench outside of Odom. Their guards are leaking defensively like a sieve, putting a ton of pressure on the bigs. Gasol either looks disinterested or worn out (I guess we'll find out which one it is later on).

This Laker team has taken advantage of the weakest schedule by far in the league. Played only 11 teams over .500 midway through the season, and have a record of 6-5 against them... they dropped more games against sub .500 teams than the Spurs lost total so far in the season. They're also not blowing out any team not named Cleveland, and they've been handed pretty big losses, even at home. Every team seem to have a shot at Staples these days.

Do they have room for improvement? Sure.
Do you give their vets the benefit of the doubt? Okay.
But things like the bench are alarming, imo. And they were a problem even before Barnes went down. They're even more noticeable now.

By the looks of Right Now, this Lakers team is simply not the same as the last couple of seasons, and they don't give an impression of being insurmountable anymore.

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

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Originally Posted by midnightpulp

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

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I'm sure it works well for insecure Lakerfans lurking in Spurs forums, tbh

What about the spurs big advantage at the point is than not worth mentioning it must some what level the scales a bit.

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Originally Posted by awktalk

What a poorly titled article...

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Was thinking the same thing. Looks awful.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

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Agreed. Even if Splitter is not where we think he should be, integrating him into the lineup is our best bet.
Bonner, Blair and Dice simply won't work.

The playoffs isn't called the second season for nothing. The Lakers are built for the playoffs. In a 7 game series, their front line advantage becomes even more deadly.
Beating them would require every option we have.

Nothing more than a "Homer Article" from an Orange County homer writer. The fact that LA fans (Lakersground.net) don't talk about the Spurs at all says it all........they be scared shitless!

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Originally Posted by ElNono

I wonder why he left out the look at the Lakers themselves...

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I'll bet he's already done several articles about what's wrong with the Lakers. After the season's over, he'll be able to write about how prescient he was regardless of how far the Laker go.

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Originally Posted by celldweller

Nothing more than a "Homer Article" from an Orange County homer writer. The fact that LA fans (Lakersground.net) don't talk about the Spurs at all says it all........they be scared shitless!

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They also don't talk about the Timberwolves...nice logic :tu

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

They also don't talk about the Timberwolves...nice logic :tu

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Timberwolves 10-32, Spurs 35-6 dumb ass.

Spurs age, lol lakers average age is older, and the average age of players getting minutes is older. Author dismissed, enjoy the remainder of the regular season lake fans.

didn't read the article but i assume it's about the spurs not being true threats. i agree, the spurs are playing well but whether they can play championship ball is still a big question mark. they are going to need defense and a big will really have to step up his play for the spurs to have a chance at the lakers.

The Lakers are not a bad team, but this season the Spurs are better.

The crux of the matter is this: do regular season results predict the playoffs accurately?

Of course it's going to be fans of the team with the best record who say yes, and other fans who say no. All wishful thinking on both sides, which again is all there really is to being a fan.

I think all those fans over in L.A. are playing the defensive after all the "uh-oh's" the TMZ crew over on ESPN is throwing at them.

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Originally Posted by celldweller

Timberwolves 10-32, Spurs 35-6 dumb ass.

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Jesus Christ you're dense...your logic is flawed/reversed. If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

The regular season is just an 82-game preseason, especially since pretty much all the teams make the playoffs.

The Celtics started last season 23-5 and went 27-27 the rest of the way. How'd they do?
The Lakers started 28-6 and went 29-19 the rest of the way (including losing 7 of their final 11 games). The Lakers ended up closing all 3 WC series out on the road too.

Like Capt. Bringdown said, they don't call it the 2nd season for nothing...

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Only the Spurs could have half the losses of the Lakers at the midway point of the season, have bludgeoned them in their lone meeting and get no respect. Despite having a championship proven core. It's not like this is the Thunder, then I would understand the hesitation in anointing them legit contenders.

Their size is an advantage, no question, but this notion that it's the be all end all, is ridiculous. Did anyone say every single season from 97-03, "no one is a serious threat to the Spurs because no one has two big men the caliber of Duncan and Robinson"? No. So why are we supposed to pretend as if their size guarantees them victory? I don't get it.

It can be overcome. It's not about matching up with them inch for inch so much as it is having quality talent to throw at them and being able to exploit them in other ways. Fortunately for the Spurs, they possess both things. When I say quality talent, I'm talking specifically about the bigs. The Spurs didn't have trouble with them in '08 and '09 because they were smaller, it was moreso the fact that they didn't have enough talent amongst their bigs, in addition to being smaller. Now, they have quality talent. Not to the extent of the Lakers bigs, but enough that, in addition to their other strengths (which coincide with some of the Lakers biggest weaknesses), they should be capable of beating them.

And I'm tired of hearing about the Spurs "good fortune" and seeing Spurs fans apologizing for it. Did anyone give a shit when this team had "bad fortune" for a few seasons? No. Instead, they called them old and washed up. We heard little about the Thunder's "good fortune" until after the season last season. We never hear about the Lakers "good fortune". Something they've received more of than any team in the history of North American professional sports. Look no further than their '09 path to the championship, where virtually every other team with even a slight chance of beating them had arguably their best player injured. Yet every damn day all I hear about is the Spurs "good fortune". It's just another way to disrespect them and not give them the credit that they're due.

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Fucking brilliant.

Well said.

^^ yup. TD 21 ftw.

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

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So...your presence on this board is proof that you view the Spurs as a threat, right?

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Originally Posted by Seventyniner

So...your presence on this board is proof that you view the Spurs as a threat, right?

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Yup...I think LAL is stronger and much better built for postseason basketball, but the Spurs are still a threat. They'd be insanely dangerous if they integrated Splitter into the game for some extended minutes, giving him valuable experience before the playoffs. Better to have a quasi-polished Center than a neutered one--especially against the Lakers.

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Jesus Christ you're dense...your logic is flawed/reversed. If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

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Whatever "so called" Laker fan who likes to spend his time posting in a Spurs forum.

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Yup...I think LAL is stronger and much better built for postseason basketball, but the Spurs are still a threat. They'd be insanely dangerous if they integrated Splitter into the game for some extended minutes, giving him valuable experience before the playoffs. Better to have a quasi-polished Center than a neutered one--especially against the Lakers.

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I know the conventional wisdom is that the game slows down in the playoffs and that running teams tend to fail (mid-decade Suns, of course). However, it can't be lack of rest preventing teams from running, because the playoffs have no back-to-backs.

It seems to me the only real difference between the regular season and playoffs is the ability to game-plan for a single opponent and the resulting adjustment/counter-adjustment chess match. Pop is obviously one of the best in the league in that department (though behind Phil imo), so when you say "built for postseason basketball", it can't mean just size. What does it mean, in your opinion?

And why would Splitter help so much? McDyess has been great, while Blair and Bonner are solid bench-level bigs. Plus, players in their first year with the Spurs have a history of under-performing in the playoffs; perhaps Neal is as far as Pop is willing to go.

i've stated from the beginning that Tiago would have to have a similar impact as Perkins does for the Celtics in order for the Spurs to threat the Lakers. still hasn't happened. i'm pissed. we've got a nice lead on everyone out West. no reason he shouldn't be getting groomed for when he will have to play. and he will have to play at some point. it would only make the Spurs better in the long run to give Splitter some more burn. Even Sean has mentioned in the broadcasts that he thinks Splitter has to play in order for the Spurs to contend. that's what i still think.

Splitter would help tremendously because he flat out excels more than Duncan in a number of areas that usually contribute to solid interior defense, lateral quickness being the key area.

Duncan's interior defense has markedly diminished and a lot of it has to do with a lack of lateral quickness.

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Originally Posted by midnightpulp

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

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U still here, bro?

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Originally Posted by Seventyniner

I know the conventional wisdom is that the game slows down in the playoffs and that running teams tend to fail (mid-decade Suns, of course). However, it can't be lack of rest preventing teams from running, because the playoffs have no back-to-backs.

It seems to me the only real difference between the regular season and playoffs is the ability to game-plan for a single opponent and the resulting adjustment/counter-adjustment chess match. Pop is obviously one of the best in the league in that department (though behind Phil imo), so when you say "built for postseason basketball", it can't mean just size. What does it mean, in your opinion?

And why would Splitter help so much? McDyess has been great, while Blair and Bonner are solid bench-level bigs. Plus, players in their first year with the Spurs have a history of under-performing in the playoffs; perhaps Neal is as far as Pop is willing to go.

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Solid post.

It means a number of things, imo.
Size is a big part of it to be honest...and not one-dimensional Joel Anthony size. :lol
When the game slow downs and you're playing halfcourt ball it's invaluable to have multiple guys capable of high% shots. Odom, Bynum, and Gasol give LAL an advantage that few other teams have. The Lakers don't rely on 3 point shooting to save them either(not saying SAS does, just saying).

Rebounding is also key in the playoffs--rebounding won us Game 7 of the Finals. I'm not sure what their regular season numbers are (not that I put a lot of stock in them), but I'd venture to say LAL is top 5 in boards and rebounding differential. Defensive fg% (especially 3pt %) is also key in the playoffs. Despite nonchalant play so far, I believe LAL is up their in both as well. Their intensity in those areas will only get better come playoff time--a safe assumption cause we see it every year they win.

The Spurs have definitely improved their bench and have reliable outside shooters, but the basket tends to get smaller in the playoffs. I remember San Antonio was #1 in 3pt fg% in 2001 (by a decent margin too iirc), but they shot 29% from there in the conference finals.

SA also lacks a lockdown defender (no, George Hill is not one), and Tim (although still effective on D), is not the defensive anchor he once was.

A little convoluted, but that's my general idea of playoff ball.

Forgot about the Splitter part. Splitter is needed for more than fouls (which is pretty much what Pop is using him for). If he can get minutes and build his confidence, he might be a decent offensive option--wouldn't it be nice to have another big that could make LA's bigs work on the defensive end?

The thing about SA and shooting 3s, it's not as though we are looking to shoot the 3 more necessarily. The only star player actively looking to shoot the 3 more is Ginobili.

Other than that, SA simply takes the shots that are given. If you are given a wide open 3 that's the simply the shot you take. The fact that the spurs are shooting more of them is a testament to their phenomenal passing, to be honest. Spurs field goal / assist ratios have been consistently high all season. We're moving the ball well and getting wide open shots. A lot of them happen to be 3s, but that doesn't mean we're actively looking to be a 3 point shooting team. It's simply what the defense has been giving us.

And Splitter's offense is better than most spurs fans give him credit for. He hasn't been given minutes or enough touches to ever fully gain a rhythm. That said, he's clearly making the most of his minutes. He shoots 50% from the field (4 PPG) and he has a very respectable PER for a rookie.

He also surprisingly gets fouled quite a bit when trying to make a post move. His hook shot is downright ugly, there's no questioning that, but that's not the entirety of his offensive game, and even with that ugly ineffective hook he still maintains 50% shooting from the field with extremely limited touches.

"Sore kneed" Tim Duncan.. That sounded very "sour graped" by the idiot writer. If Duncan who has played every game this season is "Sore kneed", what is Andrew Bynum?

Laker beat writers are so dumb.

No team goes up to a 35-6 record purely due to luck. And being healthy is part-good fortune and part- good work, atleast in the Spurs' case, who have managed the minutes of their players so effectively.

We will see in the post-season. I am holding to my prediction that I made in this forum early season - the Spurs are winning No 5. Midseason results have been eerily according to predictions - Spurs for title, Popovich for COY, Kevin Love for MIP, Blake Griffin for ROY (and Lebron not far away from MVP). But it is just midseason.

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Originally Posted by jestersmash

The thing about SA and shooting 3s, it's not as though we are looking to shoot the 3 more necessarily. The only star player actively looking to shoot the 3 more is Ginobili.

Other than that, SA simply takes the shots that are given. If you are given a wide open 3 that's the simply the shot you take. The fact that the spurs are shooting more of them is a testament to their phenomenal passing, to be honest. Spurs field goal / assist ratios have been consistently high all season. We're moving the ball well and getting wide open shots. A lot of them happen to be 3s, but that doesn't mean we're actively looking to be a 3 point shooting team. It's simply what the defense has been giving us.

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Come playoff time (if our teams meet), the backcourt will have a couple good games then the Lakers will pack the paint like we've seen countless times in the playoffs. Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Forgot about the Splitter part. Splitter is needed for more than fouls (which is pretty much what Pop is using him for). If he can get minutes and build his confidence, he might be a decent offensive option--wouldn't it be nice to have another big that could make LA's bigs work on the defensive end?

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You mean like an Antonio McDyess, whos got a damn good jump shot and is good defensively?


I love how everyone around Laker to Spur fan shits on Antonio McDyess.

The guy plays damn good defense has a very reliable jump shot 15 and out, his defense in the playoffs gets better (ask Dirk Nowitzki)


I just find it hilarious that he's grouped with Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair as these bigs who "Can't possibly guard the opposing big"

Funny thing is, you only see mirages when you are going crazy, or severely dehydrated.

Probably drank too much of the Lakers combined nut juice.

Echoing my frontcourt sentiments earlier, points in the paint is a pretty good indicator of playoff success as well. LAL lead the league last year in PIP, and they are #1 this year w/ a PIP differential of +14--surprising, since Kobe is in "fuck the triangle, just chuck it" mode. If they're already that good in the paint while playing uninspired, lord knows how they'll do in the playoffs.

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Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.

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Yeah, you bank on that and see what happens.

It'll be interesting to see how the Fisher vs Parker matchup goes and how it affects each team. I think that's one matchup that's too often overlooked by many Lakers fans, and things might get even more interesting if Parker ever truly develops his 3 point shot which he's been trying to do as of recent.

The keys will be, If Duncan and McDyess can play good D on their bigs, if Jefferson can hit his shots, Gary Neal same, George Hill same and Parker hits his mid range shots as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jestersmash

It'll be interesting to see how the Fisher vs Parker matchup goes and how it affects each team. I think that's one matchup that's too often overlooked by many Lakers fans, and things might get even more interesting if Parker ever truly develops his 3 point shot which he's been trying to do as of recent.

---

It's overlooked b/c it's pretty much a given that the opposing teams' PG's usually go off on Fish. Westbrook, Brooks, Parker, D-Will, Rondo (to an extent), and Nash have all feasted on LAL in the playoffs...but their production markedly decreases as the series goes on. Difference is the Lakers beat those teams up in the paint in all aspects.

Duncan and Dice are solid, bonner and blair, are ok but inconsistent, and splitter is there to give 6 fouls. Lakers have only 3 bigs, I have no doubt spurs will hold their own against them. Other than kobe, what other quality guards do the lakers have? Spurs have more than enough. This years laker team looks the least impressive of the last 4 years, each championship run gets harder and harder, don't think they'll do it this year. Its bound to end sometime.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cessation

Duncan and Dice are solid, bonner and blair, are ok but inconsistent, and splitter is there to give 6 fouls. Lakers have only 3 bigs, I have no doubt spurs will hold their own against them. Other than kobe, what other quality guards do the lakers have? Spurs have more than enough. This years laker team looks the least impressive of the last 4 years, each championship run gets harder and harder, don't think they'll do it this year. Its bound to end sometime.

---

Well then, I guess it's settled. Congrats fellas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Come playoff time (if our teams meet), the backcourt will have a couple good games then the Lakers will pack the paint like we've seen countless times in the playoffs. Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.

---

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Try (if you can) to think if the Spurs shooters were actually hitting their average from deep. The loss would have been much much worse. Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SenorSpur

I'm going to be honest, the Fakers frontline size has ALWAYS worried me - even though the two teams haven't met in the postsesons sinc 2008. Any knowledgeable Spurs fan would have that worry, without needing to read this article.

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

---

........... What is LA's weakness in a series though? Like Aaron Brooks? Guard play! Slashers who can kill Fishers old ass out there to the hoop! Spurs have just that so no mention of that there? Spurs hava LA's weakness too and quite a few of them! Hill, Gino and Parker will give them fits if they meet too, book it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xellos88330

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

---

The Lakers have played speedier backcourts in the past (including a fresher Manu and Tony in 04--and 08 for Tony), and it hasn't really changed your fortunes.

Speed kills. Good for you...at the end of the day they still have to make their shots. I'll take my teams' front court dominance over your teams' superior perimeter play any day of the week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xellos88330

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Try (if you can) to think if the Spurs shooters were actually hitting their average from deep. The loss would have been much much worse. Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

---

You clearly didn't read my post...every backcourt plays well against LAL in the playoffs, but none of them win...why is that do ya think? :bang

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EricB

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

---

key word.


If it's such a weakness then why hasn't LA lost? I'm being patient here, sooner or later ya'll will understand the value of a frontcourt.

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EricB

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

---

In the regular season. In the playoffs, take a look at the teams that bludgeoned LA in the Finals. Versatile, tall, long and skilled. No athleticism gimmicks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sean Cagney

........... What is LA's weakness in a series though? Like Aaron Brooks? Guard play! Slashers who can kill Fishers old ass out there to the hoop! Spurs have just that so no mention of that there? Spurs hava LA's weakness too and quite a few of them! Hill, Gino and Parker will give them fits if they meet too, book it.

---

Yeah fisher is shit and he gets constantly raped, and Kobe occasionally gets raped by more athletic 2-guards too. But why are still the Lakers back to back champions?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?

---

Commissioner David Stern when asked what would be the ideal NBA Finals?

"The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Los Angeles Lakers" and the gift of Pau Gasol ,

Go fuck Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

Laker fans, not enough of Mom's left tit or Dad's ballsack.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JWest596

Commissioner David Stern when asked what would be the ideal NBA Finals?

"The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Los Angeles Lakers" and the gift of Pau Gasol ,

Go fuck Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

Laker fans, not enough of Mom's left tit or Dad's ballsack.

---

Spoken like a true spurfan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Maybe next time, junior

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?

---

Because Gasol wasn't dead-legged and playing like a pussy like right now?
It definitely had nothing to do with Bynum's 7/7 ecstasy.

Home court advantage has proven to play a huge role for the Lakers too.

And you'll have to excuse me, but Fisher hasn't looked this done since ever.
Just two double-digit games in 27 games against the easiest schedule in the league?

Those miles in those legs do add up. And at least as far as Kome and Gasol is concerned, they're not getting that much rest either, considering almost every team seems to be pushing the Lakers to the last minute of every game.

Did you watch the entire Lakers/Thunders game or did you just watch the highlights? It was a solid win by the Lakers, and Kobe notably did not go into his chucking mode, particularly during the 1st three quarters.

He's always had the green light to shoot whatever he wants 4th quarter (well, he has the green light to do whatever the fuck he wants, really), but most importantly his 4th quarter stats have always been solid so those shots aren't really ill-advised. His chucking ways become a problem when he wants to go 1 on 1 all the time during the 1st three quarters, and that certainly wasn't the case.

I really doubt you watched the game if you think Kobe was going into "chuck" mode last night.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmtcsc

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

---

Right now there are worries but the goal is to get to the postseason healthy and playing well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmtcsc

Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

---

Were you watching the wrong game? Kobe had 12 shots and 7 ast

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmtcsc

Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.

---

With the cast that we have, I'm sure they're ready to take on the challenges :tu :tu :tu

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

You clearly didn't read my post...every backcourt plays well against LAL in the playoffs, but none of them win...why is that do ya think? :bang

---

They are injured. :lmao











































(you walked into that one) :toast

Meh.

The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champs and three-time defending Western Conference champs. Despite their "struggles", they're playing at a 59-win pace. They've got scoreboard. So what?

The Spurs are off to an historic start this year. Next year there may not be any NBA basketball. This could be the last chance to see our Big 3 play together. Enjoy the rest of the season and, if all goes well, the first two rounds of the playoffs. If the Lakers are waiting for the Spurs in WC Finals, we'll have plenty of time to talk about them then. For now, FTL.

The Spurs don't have a chance in hell to beat the Lakers in a seven game series...

You can break the whole laker team down and it doesn't matter. They have kobe...kobe is the best player in the nba, by far. No one on the Spurs is even close to him.

The Spurs HAVE to get bigger to win....Kobe will destroy any big lineup we have in the fourth quarter....

The Spurs record will be fool's gold if they meet the Lakers in West Finals... The Lakers win in 5.

Late.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Spoken like a true spurfan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Maybe next time, junior

---

Typical Laker nonsense. what you can't refute you push a smilie button....you don't see me on LAL fan sites seeking validation out of fear and trolling. Laker fans, the biggest bandwagon fans of them all. No doubt you're the local President.

Keep it up loser, be sure to claim Minneapolis Lakers championships as your own as well.

Fakers

Latest LG thread.

"and people on LG still dont believe that the NBA uses the lakers as a spring board for other teams. to at least make the game close."

"Phil should slam the refs at the post game and tell the media that video evidence of all the blown calls will be sent to NBA head office....and will be shared with the media as well. Embarrass the eff out of the NBA and put some heat on the refs.

"What's the worst that can happen, Kobe continues to get no calls"

"Pathetic performance by the refs. Drew, Kobe getting hacked without mercy."

"Refs knew Knicks couldn't score a bucket with Bynum in so they found the littlest of excuses to throw him out. Easily the worst reffed game of the season for Lakers."

"It's hard to believe there's so much corruption in the nba. It's a disgrace and a joke."

"now you see why the lakers will never go all out every single night and have to deal with this kind of bias officiating. its shameful."

It goes on and on and that's just one thread of many. Laker fans are so full of it.

Worst refereeing of the season

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmtcsc

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jestersmash

Did you watch the entire Lakers/Thunders game or did you just watch the highlights? It was a solid win by the Lakers, and Kobe notably did not go into his chucking mode, particularly during the 1st three quarters.

He's always had the green light to shoot whatever he wants 4th quarter (well, he has the green light to do whatever the fuck he wants, really), but most importantly his 4th quarter stats have always been solid so those shots aren't really ill-advised. His chucking ways become a problem when he wants to go 1 on 1 all the time during the 1st three quarters, and that certainly wasn't the case.

I really doubt you watched the game if you think Kobe was going into "chuck" mode last night.

---

We know Spurfan doesn't.:lmao Sorry, that was too good to pass up like, xello's jab.

As for the rest of your post, I'm glad your fellow spurfan was kind enough to point out your fail. You had a little of bad Kobe games to pick from this year, yet you chose a game he played exceptionally well in :rollin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JWest596

Typical Laker nonsense. what you can't refute you push a smilie button....you don't see me on LAL fan sites seeking validation out of fear and trolling. Laker fans, the biggest bandwagon fans of them all. No doubt you're the local President.

Keep it up loser, be sure to claim Minneapolis Lakers championships as your own as well.

Fakers

Latest LG thread.

"and people on LG still dont believe that the NBA uses the lakers as a spring board for other teams. to at least make the game close."

"Phil should slam the refs at the post game and tell the media that video evidence of all the blown calls will be sent to NBA head office....and will be shared with the media as well. Embarrass the eff out of the NBA and put some heat on the refs.

"What's the worst that can happen, Kobe continues to get no calls"

"Pathetic performance by the refs. Drew, Kobe getting hacked without mercy."

"Refs knew Knicks couldn't score a bucket with Bynum in so they found the littlest of excuses to throw him out. Easily the worst reffed game of the season for Lakers."

"It's hard to believe there's so much corruption in the nba. It's a disgrace and a joke."

"now you see why the lakers will never go all out every single night and have to deal with this kind of bias officiating. its shameful."

It goes on and on and that's just one thread of many. Laker fans are so full of it.

Worst refereeing of the season

---

I think you're on to something bro...this could be bigger than steroids in baseball. I'd contact your local congressman with your findings.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mel_13

Meh.

The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champs and three-time defending Western Conference champs. Despite their "struggles", they're playing at a 59-win pace. They've got scoreboard. So what?

The Spurs are off to an historic start this year. Next year there may not be any NBA basketball. This could be the last chance to see our Big 3 play together. Enjoy the rest of the season and, if all goes well, the first two rounds of the playoffs. If the Lakers are waiting for the Spurs in WC Finals, we'll have plenty of time to talk about them then. For now, FTL.

---

This is good. Much better than wasting my time trying to show Laker fans that the game is played with 2 teams, not just one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SequSpur

The Spurs don't have a chance in hell to beat the Lakers in a seven game series...

You can break the whole laker team down and it doesn't matter. They have kobe...kobe is the best player in the nba, by far. No one on the Spurs is even close to him.

The Spurs HAVE to get bigger to win....Kobe will destroy any big lineup we have in the fourth quarter....

The Spurs record will be fool's gold if they meet the Lakers in West Finals... The Lakers win in 5.

Late.

---

You're being a bit harsh bro:lol

w/ HCA LA takes it in 5, in 6 w/o.
but who knows, Spurs could have a bunch of guys channel their inner Jaren Jackson and have a career shooting series.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

I think you're on to something bro...this could be bigger than steroids in baseball. I'd contact your local congressman with your findings.

---

Spoken like a true Laker fan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion

Maybe next time, junior

You're a predictable and typical as a bowel movement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JWest596

Spoken like a true Laker fan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion

Maybe next time, junior

You're a predictable and typical as a bowel movement.

---

It took you 30 minutes to think up a comeback and you pull out the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense? Strong work. :tu


The bolded letters were an exceptionally nice touch...they really conveyed your feelings in this post.

You can continue with this act all you want. The fact of the matter is, you'd have to be a liar, an idiot, or both, to not see the similarities to '03 between the Lakers and Spurs.

If you still want to anoint the Lakers as the clear favorites, fine. But this pretending as if you're not the least bit concerned with the Spurs and they're going to be a cake-walk is more than the typical Lakers fan arrogance/ignorance, it's being in denial and delusional.

Speaking of that term "the favorites", they should be viewed as co-favorites at this point. The Spurs have been the better team this season and as such, figure to have home court advantage. The Lakers are the two-time defending champs.

It's funny, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, no one cared that the Spurs were the defending champs and the dominant team of the previous five years, the Lakers were instantly proclaimed legit contenders and in many cases, "the favorites". Here we are three years later, the Spurs have half the losses of the Lakers at the mid-way point, bludgeoned them in their first meeting, yet some are still hesitant to proclaim them legit contenders, let alone favorites or even co-favorites. This despite having a championship proven core.

Why the reluctance to anoint them, when there was no such hesitation with the Lakers?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TD 21

You can continue with this act all you want. The fact of the matter is, you'd have to be a liar, an idiot, or both, to not see the similarities to '03 between the Lakers and Spurs.

If you still want to anoint the Lakers as the clear favorites, fine. But this pretending as if you're not the least bit concerned with the Spurs and they're going to be a cake-walk is more than the typical Lakers fan arrogance/ignorance, it's being in denial and delusional.

Speaking of that term "the favorites", they should be viewed as co-favorites at this point. The Spurs have been the better team this season and as such, figure to have home court advantage. The Lakers are the two-time defending champs.

It's funny, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, no one cared that the Spurs were the defending champs and the dominant team of the previous five years, the Lakers were instantly proclaimed legit contenders and in many cases, "the favorites". Here we are three years later, the Spurs have half the losses of the Lakers at the mid-way point, bludgeoned them in their first meeting, yet some are still hesitant to proclaim them legit contenders, let alone favorites or even co-favorites. This despite having a championship proven core.

Why the reluctance to anoint them, when there was no such hesitation with the Lakers?

---

Oh I don't know...maybe cause there's a 2-time defending champion sleeping giant in the same conference. IMO.

lol JWest still lurking in this thread. Sup brah, crafting another genius comeback?

Like I said, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, the Spurs were the defending champs and had won three of the last five, but no one seemed to care. Why should the Lakers be afforded that respect now, when the gap between them, standings-wise, is more than it was in 08-09?

I'm not saying anoint them as clear cut favorites, but I don't see how they could not be co-favorites at this point. What more do they have to do to earn that title?

As usual, people were more than ready to jump on the Mavs bandwagon when they are going through their annual fools gold surge, yet many of those same people are reluctant to hop aboard the Spurs bandwagon.

okk, what a joke.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TD 21

Like I said, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, the Spurs were the defending champs and had won three of the last five, but no one seemed to care. Why should the Lakers be afforded that respect now, when the gap between them, standings-wise, is more than it was in 08-09?

I'm not saying anoint them as clear cut favorites, but I don't see how they could not be co-favorites at this point. What more do they have to do to earn that title?

As usual, people were more than ready to jump on the Mavs bandwagon when they are going through their annual fools gold surge, yet many of those same people are reluctant to hop aboard the Spurs bandwagon.

---

I hear what you're saying, but the situations are different. It's a personnel issue. The Celtics, Heat, and Lakers have all been anointed as favorites b/c of their big FA/trade splashes. Gaining an Allen, Garnett, Gasol, James, and Bosh makes bigger headlines than signing Gary Neal. People are hesitant to anoint them because--other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else, and the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else

---

it's been a while since the Big 3 have all been healthy... people forget how big of an "acquisition" that is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by honestfool84

it's been a while since the Big 3 have all been healthy... people forget how big of an "acquisition" that is.

---

Agreed, but time and recent history is not on their side...so naturally people would be hesitant or skeptical of them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

lol JWest still lurking in this thread. Sup brah, crafting another genius comeback?

---

Poor DudofaDynasty, poor alienated attention starved Laker troll looking for love in all the wrong places.

Play with your penis.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JWest596

Poor DudofaDynasty, poor alienated attention starved Laker troll looking for love in all the wrong places.

Play with your penis.

---

Want me to fire up the webcam for you, like last time?

Lakers as still a threat to the west is a mirage.

FACT.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Want me to fire up the webcam for you, like last time?

---

Fire away.
Your Mom says "Hi"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

I hear what you're saying, but the situations are different. It's a personnel issue. The Celtics, Heat, and Lakers have all been anointed as favorites b/c of their big FA/trade splashes. Gaining an Allen, Garnett, Gasol, James, and Bosh makes bigger headlines than signing Gary Neal. People are hesitant to anoint them because--other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else, and the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference.

---

The Celtics, Heat and Lakers all needed to add either entire cores or core pieces. The Spurs didn't because they already had a core; they just needed it to get healthy. They didn't need a whole lot else personnel wise from last season to this season.

We both know that if the situations were reversed, the Lakers would have long ago been anointed as favorites. The situations aren't 100% the same, but they're similar to '08. Now the Spurs are the team with young legs (some, at least), depth and firepower and the Lakers are the team that's old, slow and running on fumes, as the wear and tear borne of deep playoff runs has taken it's toll. Yet none of the so-called experts see that or are willing to admit it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

Agreed, but time and recent history is not on their side...so naturally people would be hesitant or skeptical of them.

---

a 35-6 record would disagree with the first portion of your statement.

i understand why people are hesitant or skeptical of them... they haven't made much noise in the playoffs since their last championship.

but to say they are a mirage? i think that's the silliest thing i've heard all day.

the Lakers are the Spurs' biggest threat in the West, and the Spurs are the Laker's biggest threat, likewise.

i can guarantee you 100% that neither team thinks less of the either team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DeadlyDynasty

It took you 30 minutes to think up a comeback and you pull out the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense? Strong work. :tu


The bolded letters were an exceptionally nice touch...they really conveyed your feelings in this post.

---

Brah, the West has been locked up by the Spurs and we're all just waiting to find out who were going to face in the first round.

In the meantime, good luck with the Lakers threepeating without HCA:flag: