Will Kobe stay in LA to try for 6 rings or will he bolt in 2009 for $50 million?

[baseline bum]

Bynum.

Beyond Kobe + Bynum, this Laker team is also alot more talented than the 3peat Lakers and young enough to contend for a ring until Kobe's contract runs out for a possible Kobe total of 9 rings.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, I'd be happy with some dominance this year to start.

So you're saying Bynum will be one of the 10 greatest players of all-time and better than Kobe?

LA's supporting cast in the three-peat is so underrated.

- Greatest clutch shooter in playoff history in Horry
- Lockdown defensive SF in Fox
- Fisher shooting out of his mind in 2001
- A vastly underrated physical defender and clutch shooter in Harper
- Rice, one of the greatest scorers in the league on that 2000 team
- Phyiscal defensive big in Horace Grant on the 01 team

The only somewhat weak supporting cast that team ever had was the 02 team, which was still saved by Horry's heroics.

[JMarkJohns]

That's what you get with ass Laker fans. They have that sickening sense of en lement, and the distorted view that championships are easy to come by.

It disgusts me...

[Brutalis]

For the sake of the league and copy cats, I hope he stays.

[Allanon]

You simply assume too much. You assume a sustained level of great TEAM play by Kobe. You assume no physical setbacks to and continued improve of Bynum. You assume a bit too much from aging and unproven role players. What of Odom? His contract is almost through... You assume chemistry. You assume health.

If it was so easy, why couldn't they win it last year? And don't say Bynum is all that's needed because you have no idea how he'll respond to his new team, and how hid body will respond to his procedures.

All of this is speculation and assumption of course. I'm not saying they WILL, I'm saying they have very good chances.

Injuries, etc, happen throughout the season, you don't count them in because what would be the point of predictions then. Of course their season can get derailed by injury.

Celtics are a formidable team, they have 3 of the top 25 players. Lakers also had 3 of the top 25. Celtics won, that's not surprising.

The Lakers now have 4 of the top 25 players in the league (guys who are still improving and not close to retirement) and one of the best benches. Their coach has 9 rings and they have an established leadership.

Given the current team, I don't think it's crazy or "en led" to think they'll win a championship this year. I would think it's a huge disappointment and letdown if they don't. Is this so crazy?

[monosylab1k]

All of this is speculation and assumption of course. I'm not saying they WILL, I'm saying they have very good chances.

What basis whatsoever do you have to think they have a good chance at winning a third le, and Kobe's sixth, by 2011?

Saying "I like our chances this year" and saying "I like our chances to three-peat" are two very different things.

[Allanon]

What basis whatsoever do you have to think they have a good chance at winning a third le, and Kobe's sixth, by 2011?

Saying "I like our chances this year" and saying "I like our chances to three-peat" are two very different things.

The Lakers are a team in their prime with a young, ready bench. Fisher's the only old guy and Farmar/Sun Yue are waiting. Everybody knows Kobe's the leader so they have good chemistry. They aren't going down hill any time soon, they'll only get better.

It's like the 2000 Lakers, everybody assumed they'd continue winning, or the 3 peat Bulls. Nobody's going to assume a team in their prime would go downhill for no particular reason.

[monosylab1k]

This is why I ing hate Kobe knobslobbers. It's not enough to say "he's the best in the league" and "he's the best since Jordan"......no, now they have to speculate about how good his chances are at a goddamn six-peat like there's any possibility whatsoever of that ing bull happening.

[baseline bum]

All of this is speculation and assumption of course. I'm not saying they WILL, I'm saying they have very good chances.

Injuries, etc, happen throughout the season, you don't count them in because what would be the point of predictions then. Of course their season can get derailed by injury.

Celtics are a formidable team, they have 3 of the top 25 players. Lakers also had 3 of the top 25. Celtics won, that's not surprising.

The Lakers now have 4 of the top 25 players in the league (guys who are still improving and not close to retirement) and one of the best benches. Their coach has 9 rings and they have an established leadership.

Given the current team, I don't think it's crazy or "en led" to think they'll win a championship this year. I would think it's a huge disappointment and letdown if they don't. Is this so crazy?

4 of the top 25? Wow. Where do Odom and Gasol fit on this list?

LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Tim Duncan
Dwight Howard
Dwayne Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Tracy McGrady
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Deron Williams
Yao Ming
Carmello Anthony
Tony Parker
Joe Johnson
Chauncey Billups
Elton Brand
Chris Bosh
Al Jefferson
Manu Ginobili
Brandon Roy
Kevin Durant
Baron Davis
Gilbert Arenas
Ray Allen
Josh Smith
Kevin Martin
Andrew Bynum
Rip Hamilton
Josh Howard

[angelbelow]

if kobe is offered 50 million hes leaving LA.

[Allanon]

This is why I ing hate Kobe knobslobbers. It's not enough to say "he's the best in the league" and "he's the best since Jordan"......no, now they have to speculate about how good his chances are at a goddamn six-peat like there's any possibility whatsoever of that ing bull happening.

I never said 6-peat

I said his chances are good to win 3 out of 6

It's not just about Kobe, if it was Dirk, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, <insert megastar> with this team, I'd say the same thing.

[Allanon]

4 of the top 25? Wow. Where do Odom and Gasol fit on this list?

LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Tim Duncan
Dwight Howard
Dwayne Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Tracy McGrady
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Deron Williams
Yao Ming
Carmello Anthony
Tony Parker
Joe Johnson
Chauncey Billups
Elton Brand
Chris Bosh
Al Jefferson
Manu Ginobili
Brandon Roy
Kevin Durant
Baron Davis
Gilbert Arenas
Ray Allen
Josh Smith
Kevin Martin
Andrew Bynum
Rip Hamilton
Josh Howard

Pau > Al Jefferson
Odom > Josh Howard

[baseline bum]

So since they had 3 of the top 25 last year, then Kobe can be blamed for losing it all with his ty play in the Finals, right?

[Allanon]

So since they had 3 of the top 25 last year, then Kobe can be blamed for losing it all with his ty play in the Finals, right?

Yes.

[baseline bum]

Pau > Al Jefferson

Pure comedy!

Odom > Josh Howard

There's 31 names on the list

[Allanon]

Pure comedy!

What? You think Al Jefferson is better than Pau Gasol? How is he better?

There's 31 names on the list

Odom > Josh Smith

[baseline bum]

What? You think Al Jefferson is better than Pau Gasol? How is he better?

In every possible way.
+ Better scorer on the block. Jefferson is pretty much unguardable down low.
+ Better rebounder
+ Very young with tons of upside
o Equivalent defender

[baseline bum]

Odom > Josh Smith

Yeah... I'm sure the Lakers would have a lot of luck offering him to Atlanta for Smith in return.

[Allanon]

In every possible way.
+ Better scorer on the block. Jefferson is pretty much unguardable down low.
+ Better rebounder
+ Very young with tons of upside
o Equivalent defender

Even with all that, and being the main man on a scrub team, Jefferson scored only 2 more ppg and 2 more rebounds than Pau in 2 more minutes. While Pau with fewer minutes scores almost the same with a much higher field goal percentage.

[KidCongo]

I never said 6-peat

I said his chances are good to win 3 out of 6

It's not just about Kobe, if it was Dirk, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, <insert megastar> with this team, I'd say the same thing.

LeBron pushed the Celtics further without any "top 25" talent.

[Allanon]

Yeah... I'm sure the Lakers would have a lot of luck offering him to Atlanta for Smith in return.

Sorry but Josh Smith is a one dimensional player. He can score and block shots but that's about it.

Odom can pretty much do anything. He scores 3 points less than Josh Smith but he adds in more rebounds, assists and far fewer turnovers.

[Allanon]

LeBron pushed the Celtics further without any "top 25" talent.

Agreed...as did the Hawks.

LeBron, Pau, Bynum, Odom, Fisher would just as easily dominate the NBA.

I'm not saying that the Lakers are going to win because Kobe's a god, I'm saying the Lakers will win because they have a bad-ass team.

Most importantly, they got another Franchise player (Pau) for the price of the Lakers 11th best player.

They cashed in like bandits in their lottery year with #10 Bynum and #something with Farmar. Sasha was also another great pick.

They traded in ineffective Mo Evans & Brian Cook for a supersub in Trevor Ariza.

[JamStone]

Sorry but Josh Smith is a one dimensional player. He can score and block shots but that's about it.

I don't agree with that comment, but that's at least two dimensions.

[Allanon]

I don't agree with that comment, but that's at least two dimensions.

I editted it afterwards, I forgot he also blocks shots...2 dimensions it is.

How do you feel about Josh Smith? Versatile all around great player or another good scorer?

[JamStone]

I'd take Josh Smith on my team any time. But, I do think he needs to be surrounded with skilled players. He's still raw even now, but he's a playmaker. Lamar Odom is definitely more skilled than Josh Smith. I'd sit on the fence with this particular question. I wouldn't have a problem either way if someone was arguing either was better than the other.

[BUMP]

Dear Allanon,




Don't you have to win one, before you think about three-peating?

















Sincerely,

The Celtics