Try as they might, the only team stopping the Lakers next season is the Lakers

[xellos88330]

It's not necessarily about "fearing a team." Who were the Lakers afraid of when they traded for Gasol? Did they have to be afraid of another team to trade for him? Sometimes, moves are made because they make the team better. The really good teams in the league continually try to get better, even when they win. Richard Jefferson doesn't address the size mismatch against the Lakers. The Spurs acquired RJ because he makes them better, not because they are afraid of the Lakers. Were they afraid of Trevor Ariza and that's why they got a small forward? Come on. Some moves are made and designed to make a team better and not necessarily a reaction out of fear of another team.

Nice take!!!

[Killakobe81]

It's not necessarily about "fearing a team." Who were the Lakers afraid of when they traded for Gasol? Did they have to be afraid of another team to trade for him? Sometimes, moves are made because they make the team better. The really good teams in the league continually try to get better, even when they win. Richard Jefferson doesn't address the size mismatch against the Lakers. The Spurs acquired RJ because he makes them better, not because they are afraid of the Lakers. Were they afraid of Trevor Ariza and that's why they got a small forward? Come on. Some moves are made and designed to make a team better and not necessarily a reaction out of fear of another team.

Agreed fear is a poor wording choice but used here by others ..i just used piggy-backed on that comment.
I'm just stating that we are the champs they need to matchup with us, and if health was all that was needed by teh Spurs and others then why the need for a deal ? Yes you want to get better but it's still a business ...ading RJ's salary means they realize they need more firepower to topple Lakers

[Unforgivable]

lol House refusing to answer M>S's question.

[TheManFromAcme]

Congrats to the Spurs for picking up one of many hopefully good pickups to get this little rivalry going again. That's all I am hoping for. Besides, what fun would it be for me, Laker-guy, to live here in S.A. and not have fun to bash and get bashed. It's all good.

[TheManFromAcme]

I don't think the issue is so much "fear" as teams know that they have to improve to compete with the Lakers. I think most fans here know or should know the Lakers are right now the team to beat...despite all the schoolyard "my team is better than yours" blather that goes back and forth.

The Spurs are 2 years removed from a championship I would tend to think that the Spurs like winning championships and will do or attempt to do what it takes to get there again.

That's why to say they are completely done is just plain stupid. They won a LOB 24 months ago. Sure, more mileage on these guys but a seasoned core nonetheless. Can't overlook that.

[JamStone]

If anything, I think the Lakers need to make some moves to improve their team. Since the Shaq-Kobe Lakers, NBA champions haven't been able to repeat. And, this Lakers team is not the same type of dominant team the Shaq-Kobe teams were. They didn't have to go through Boston or San Antonio, who could have reasonably tested them much more than the teams they faced in the playoffs. And, a Yao-less and McGrady-less Rockets team blew them out by what like 40 points in a game. While Fisher had a solid NBA finals, the Lakers would be smart to find a quicker point guard Phil or whoever coaches would actually trust with major minutes who is capable of defending the Aaron Brooks and Chris Pauls at least adequately.

There's no doubt that teams are trying to strengthen their rosters to try to match-up better to the Lakers. But, teams are always trying to get better. Like I said, the Lakers should be trying to get better too.

[Banzai]

Sorry House, but your Lakers don't have enough size to deal with us.

[mytespurs]

Agreed fear is a poor wording choice but used here by others ..i just used piggy-backed on that comment.
I'm just stating that we are the champs they need to matchup with us, and if health was all that was needed by teh Spurs and others then why the need for a deal ? Yes you want to get better but it's still a business ...ading RJ's salary means they realize they need more firepower to topple Lakers

Of course. The Spurs know they need to get better if they want to compete not only with the Lakers but the rest of the top dogs in the West.

I just don't acquaint that with "fear". I acquaint with the cost to be competivie to compete against the top team for the ultimate goal and that is to win championships.

[mytespurs]

That's why to say they are completely done is just plain stupid. They won a LOB 24 months ago. Sure, more mileage on these guys but a seasoned core nonetheless. Can't overlook that.

We're certainly an older team and we need to get younger & better. But I don't think we're quite ready to be shipped to the scrap heap just yet.

[DeadlyDynasty]

First off. Phil is 4-1, not 3-1 vs. Pop. Second off, Spurs can't count on Manu and Tim being healthy, just like we cant count on Bynum being healthy. Spurs defense is very suspect when it comes to TP, RMJ, Jefferson, and Bonner, et al. Even Timmy's no longer the force he once was on the defensive end. That's the biggest difference with the Spurs the last couple years--their defense.

[Killakobe81]

I agree the Lakers should ALWAYS try and improve ....But I think that if Fisher and or Brown develop they along with Fisher could be enough to repeat ...Would i love a btter PG option one that could do a reasonable job of combining their strentghs? Of course ...but i think they can win again irregardless of a strong dominant PG ...the best PG that made a Conference Finals was Billups Rafer, Mo and Dfish are all limited but have trheir strengths. Unlike in College PG is overrated ...playmakers at any position means a wHOLE lot more which is why Kobe, Melo Lebron and even Turkoglu/Howard (neither were great but together the were dominant) where there as the final 4 teams ...

And i am not saying this Lakers team even with a healthy effective Bynum are as good as those Shaq/Kobe led Laker teams. But we had a young Dfish and old heads Shaw and Ron Harper at PG. Besides the BIG 2 the rest of guys were all role players And although neither gasol or Pau are close to Shaq Kobe is better now just not as athletic ...If we are healthy and hungry enough I think we repeat doubt we 3 peat (that chance was missed last year) but i think we have at least one more le left (3 FINALS runs in a row) and maybe another 1 before Kobe is done ....

As for the Spurs they can not be taken lightly even BEFORE their deal ....but it has been two straight years they have been dismissed pretty easily out of the playoffs they have to improve and their mangement sees that and are responding kudos ...
Butthe yahoos on here that make excuses about injury excuses for their losses are some of the same ones that mock the Rockets for their injuries you can't have it both ways ...you play the card that are dealt. I could also whine about hamstring injuries stoping the Riley 3peat but Pistons won no excuses ...

[JamStone]

With the Lakers' primary concerns involve trying to find a way to keep both Odom and Ariza, they might be hard pressed to re-sign Shannon Brown, who is also an unrestricted free agent. He might not got any huge offers, but even part of the MLE might be too high for the Lakers to match if they are counting every penny to re-sign Odom and Ariza. Fisher and Farmar are serviceable. But, defending quick point guards is an issue the Lakers desperately need to address. A team that is actually really good and has a quick, young point guard would give the current Lakers team fits. The Lakers saw that with Brooks. Tony Parker on a better Spurs team would be crazy trouble for the Lakers. And if the Celtics kiss and make-up with Rondo, he would be for both Fisher and Farmar to contain.

[Killakobe81]

With the Lakers' primary concerns involve trying to find a way to keep both Odom and Ariza, they might be hard pressed to re-sign Shannon Brown, who is also an unrestricted free agent. He might not got any huge offers, but even part of the MLE might be too high for the Lakers to match if they are counting every penny to re-sign Odom and Ariza. Fisher and Farmar are serviceable. But, defending quick point guards is an issue the Lakers desperately need to address. A team that is actually really good and has a quick, young point guard would give the current Lakers team fits. The Lakers saw that with Brooks. Tony Parker on a better Spurs team would be crazy trouble for the Lakers. And if the Celtics kiss and make-up with Rondo, he would be for both Fisher and Farmar to contain.

Agree with this but we have overcome this before ...quick PG's even in the MAgic era gave us trouble.
Bynum is the key he stays healthy we are a dominant team even with our PG limitaions we have a stronger inside game and better help vs quick PG's ...

[Killakobe81]

Rondo is good not great evertyone slobbered on him for his 1st round series vs. Bulls but Magic series showed his flaws ...

[Killakobe81]

Also i disagree with Jamstone a bit ...I think the Lakers feared/Respected Spurs so they had to get Gasol or they would not of been able to get past them even WITH a diminished Manu ...

[DenDen]

I don't give a . the day kobe retire is the day lake ain't winning no more..

[Spur-Addict]

This thread is looking worse and worse by the day.

[mingus]

what's with all this "fear" bull ?

the Lakers don't fear the Spurs and the Spurs don't fear the Lakers. both teams have got the best of each other over the years at least twice (LA winning 4 times, and the Spurs winning 2 times) .

the Spurs made this move to keep them in contention with not only LA but the rest of the team that were more talented than them (Denver, Portland, Cleveland, Magic, etc.).

[Agloco]

I wouldn't be too y DrHouse. There is alot more off season to go. If the Spurs make one more big move (there are alot of indications that there will be), the Lakers will be in some serious trouble. They would HAVE to get Odom, and Ariza back and hope for a favor or two from another team.

Great,

Somewhere Jerry West just smiled.

[Agloco]

First off. Phil is 4-1, not 3-1 vs. Pop. Second off, Spurs can't count on Manu and Tim being healthy, just like we cant count on Bynum being healthy. Spurs defense is very suspect when it comes to TP, RMJ, Jefferson, and Bonner, et al. Even Timmy's no longer the force he once was on the defensive end. That's the biggest difference with the Spurs the last couple years--their defense.

+1

Throw everything else out of the window and there you have it.

Even Dr. House had it right: Show me a good Spurs frontcourt first.

The RJeff trade helps the perimeter defense quite a bit, but the interior is nowhere near what it needs to be to make a serious run at LA.

[resistanze]

Insecure thread of the week.

[Cry Havoc]

+1

Throw everything else out of the window and there you have it.

Even Dr. House had it right: Show me a good Spurs frontcourt first.

The RJeff trade helps the perimeter defense quite a bit, but the interior is nowhere near what it needs to be to make a serious run at LA.

The Spurs are one post player away from having the best 1-5 lineup in basketball, maybe on offense AND defense (not counting Manu as a bench player in this regard). Seriously, if your 5th best offensive option is someone like Rasheed Wallace, what does that say about the efforts other teams are going to have to make to stop San Antonio? If the offense scores a lot, it gives our defense a chance to get back and run our half court set, which is much better than our transition defense.

[BlackBellamy]

Uhhgh, I'm sorry Champ. I think I ate your chocolate squirrel.

[DrHouse]

The Spurs are one post player away from having the best 1-5 lineup in basketball, maybe on offense AND defense (not counting Manu as a bench player in this regard). Seriously, if your 5th best offensive option is someone like Rasheed Wallace, what does that say about the efforts other teams are going to have to make to stop San Antonio? If the offense scores a lot, it gives our defense a chance to get back and run our half court set, which is much better than our transition defense.

Tim Duncan and Ginobili are not the players they one were. TD is not even the best PF in the game anymore. Stop living in the past.

[urunobili]

Insecure thread of the week.