Three Little Things That Can Throw off Lakers

[da_suns_fan]

Richard Jefferson a mistake? Yes, because KT, Bowen and Oberto were so much better than him. The Spurs did risk a lot taking on a head case like RJ and letting go of proven talent.

No, because the Spurs put all their eggs in one basket by agreeing to take on a one-dimensional player with a huge contract who doesnt fill any of their needs.

[da_suns_fan]

How's Robin Lopez working out for you?

Robin Lopez sucks. And?

[iggypop123]

there is only 1 thing that can throw off the lakers. injuries. thats it. they won not at 100% last yr but you dont want to go into a finals at less than full strength

[DJB]

Robin Lopez sucks. And?

Your entire franchise sucks. Quit talking about other teams when the one you represent tanked harder than the anic. ing suns, lmao.

[da_suns_fan]

Your entire franchise sucks. Quit talking about other teams when the one you represent tanked harder than the anic. ing suns, lmao.

Well I didnt know that the Suns "tanked". Im not sure you understand what that means in an NBA context.

Regardless, I can change my team affiliation. If Im da_Celtics_fan, would that change the fact that Richard freaking Jefferson aint gonna matter against Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom?

btw - Gratz on coming up with a new definition of "talking ". Im stating my opinion, jackass. Dont get your panties in a wad because you dont like it.

[da_suns_fan]

there is only 1 thing that can throw off the lakers. injuries. thats it. they won not at 100% last yr but you dont want to go into a finals at less than full strength

I'd agree with that.

[completely deck]

Whats funny is the media is giving the Lakers all the motivation they need. We should be the favorites, but they way the media is writing it, it seems we're the underdog. I love it when they say Artest is going to go Jihad in LA.

Shut the up

[all_heart]

The Spurs would have to get KG to be on par with the Lakers. I give Spurs fans ten games before a small minority starts admitting that Jefferson was a mistake.

Yea right, wishful thinking on your part. You'll be surprised how just a couple talented players can close the gap significantly.. and add in a healthy Manu. The Lakers bench is going to get exposed big time this year.

[tlongII]

The Lakers and their fans know who their biggest threat is. I'll leave it at that.

[Agloco]

Well, the biggest X-Factor for the Lakers this year is Ron Ron. lol @ Lakerfans who don't comprehend that:

Whats funny is the media is giving the Lakers all the motivation they need. We should be the favorites, but they way the media is writing it, it seems we're the underdog. I love it when they say Artest is going to go Jihad in LA.

He's off to a great start by laying out his plans for becoming a professional boxer in about 4 years time. Sign of a really focused mind........

He's not gong Jihad, just boxing. But hey, what's the difference right?

[daslicer]

I actually think this is the last year the Lakers will be favored to go the finals. I don't think they will be able to do it next year because its literally impossible to go to the finals 4 times in a row during this era due to injuries and trades. They have already gone 2 years in a row I would say this is the last time if they do before either trades,injuries,free agency happens and the league adjusts to them.

[da_suns_fan]

Yea right, wishful thinking on your part. You'll be surprised how just a couple talented players can close the gap significantly.. and add in a healthy Manu. The Lakers bench is going to get exposed big time this year.

Wait..so I WANT the Lakers to have the talent gap?

If the Lakers lost Odom, I would have said that Spurs had a pretty good shot of dethroning them.

But I just dont see it happening now. Theres too much talent and basketball IQ in the front court and back court. And Richard Jefferson was NOT the answer.

[21_Blessings]

The Lakers and their fans know who their biggest threat is. I'll leave it at that.

A driveby shooting grazing the Lakers team bus?

[j.dizzle]

The Lakers and their fans know who their biggest threat is. I'll leave it at that.

The Lakers biggest threat is that nobody on the team falls into Bynums knee again

[Culburn369]

I actually think this is the last year the Lakers will be favored to go the finals. I don't think they will be able to do it next year because its literally impossible to go to the finals 4 times in a row during this era due to injuries and trades. They have already gone 2 years in a row I would say this is the last time if they do before either trades,injuries,free agency happens and the league adjusts to them.

tee, hee.

[all_heart]

Wait..so I WANT the Lakers to have the talent gap?

If the Lakers lost Odom, I would have said that Spurs had a pretty good shot of dethroning them.

But I just dont see it happening now. Theres too much talent and basketball IQ in the front court and back court. And Richard Jefferson was NOT the answer.

I don't care what you want.
Obviously any team that loses a quality player will go downhill, especially w/out a decent backup. You can't possibly be talking about the Lakers bench, sure they got a good core group but that's about it. RJ is a quality player so I don't know how he doesn't help the Spurs. So it sounds to me like you were just talking at that point.

[da_suns_fan]

I don't care what you want.
Obviously any team that loses a quality player will go downhill, especially w/out a decent backup. You can't possibly be talking about the Lakers bench, sure they got a good core group but that's about it. RJ is a quality player so I don't know how he doesn't help the Spurs. So it sounds to me like you were just talking at that point.

Well I dont doubt RJ is a "quality" NBA player. My thoughts are that his arrival completely removes the Spurs from the Bosh discussion for next season (or any othe marquee free agent) and thus, they are putting all their eggs in one basket.

Further, in the areas where the Spurs needed help (playmaking, rebounding, capable role-playing), Jefferson fills none of these needs. He's a pretty weak creator of offense and does better finishing for others in an up-tempo system.

Further, Tony Parker likes to finish himself and isnt known for setting up teammates. Ginobili is very good and drive and pitch but then we're just talking about three point shooting. In addition, Jefferson's numbers are going to come way down this year as his number of shot attempts will go down. Given his bloated salaray, he'll be pretty much un-tradeable for anything other than expiring contracts.

Personally, I thought the Spurs should have gotten after Ariza which would have filled the rebouding and role-playing needs while leaving them with enough cap space to be a player in the free agent market next summer.

We'll just have to wait and see.

[Flux451]

Ron's problem isn't that he's crazy (which he is). Ron's craziness has never really hurt his team...and yes, I think Ron going into the stands at the Palace was a perfectly normal human reaction.

Ron's problem is that he's been a ball-hog, ball-chucker and ball-pounder in the past. If he can get past this part of his game, he'll be a great fit. This is up to Phil, Kobe and Ron.

Injuries to Bynum or any other key Laker players can certainly derail a championship run, but that can happen to any team.

Kobe, Pau, Fisher are all very professional players, I doubt motivation is much of an issue for them. Odom generally cruises anyways but he has alot of heart and steps up when needed. TheMachine and Farmar all had sucky years, they'll be fired up this year. Shannon Brown is still a nobody that wants to be somebody. And Phil of 3x 3-peat fame is probably the best player motivator in the NBA.

Good take.

I think the same about Artest. I am curious to see what happens when the game is on the line. I know the stipulations will vary but I wonder if he will really listen to Kobe when he feels its Artest time. When you watch the Lakers, there really aren't a lot of ill-advised shots going on. Vujacic is a person that comes to mind but his PT was not around last year. Artest must keep his ball chucking to a minimum.

I think he will be a target for some opposing players trying to get under his skin, but I think, mentally, he will be 70/30 on the court. Where 70 is controlled by Phil/Kobe and 30 by the bright lights of LA and becoming a celebrity. We saw how that changed Rodman.

[all_heart]

Well I dont doubt RJ is a "quality" NBA player. My thoughts are that his arrival completely removes the Spurs from the Bosh discussion for next season (or any othe marquee free agent) and thus, they are putting all their eggs in one basket.

Further, in the areas where the Spurs needed help (playmaking, rebounding, capable role-playing), Jefferson fills none of these needs. He's a pretty weak creator of offense and does better finishing for others in an up-tempo system.

Further, Tony Parker likes to finish himself and isnt known for setting up teammates. Ginobili is very good and drive and pitch but then we're just talking about three point shooting. In addition, Jefferson's numbers are going to come way down this year as his number of shot attempts will go down. Given his bloated salaray, he'll be pretty much un-tradeable for anything other than expiring contracts.

Personally, I thought the Spurs should have gotten after Ariza which would have filled the rebouding and role-playing needs while leaving them with enough cap space to be a player in the free agent market next summer.

We'll just have to wait and see.

One of the Spurs problems was scoring droughts, RJ should help alleviate this. While he won't put up big numbers, he'll contribute on both sides of the ball, so big numbers aren't really required. It's not like Bowen and Udoka were scoring and rebounding machines. As far as rebounding, Dice and some young guy named Blair will help that.
As far as next year's free agency, the Spurs most likely weren't going to land an over the top player. Spurs are in a win now mode. RJ will be fine, so will the Spurs.

[Culburn369]

Where 70 is controlled by Phil/Kobe and 30 by the bright lights of LA and becoming a celebrity. We saw how that changed Rodman.

How do you splain Rodman changin' in San Antonio?

[DPG21920]

No, because the Spurs put all their eggs in one basket by agreeing to take on a one-dimensional player with a huge contract who doesnt fill any of their needs.

You have no idea what you are talking about. I guess that comes with being a Suns fan and watching that garbage team with that garbage front office.

Adding RJ might not be enough to beat the Lakers, but that does not mean it was a mistake.

[Flux451]

How do you splain Rodman changin' in San Antonio?

The Madonna relationship, headbutting fools, sitting down on the court during a game, refusing to leave after being ejected. He changed a lot after Detroit. He was one of the bad boys but in SA he went south for sure.

It was a product of environment and personal issues combined. I am sure Artest won't follow suit. It was an extreme scenario I put out there.

[2Cleva]

Adding RJ might not be enough to beat the Lakers, but that does not mean it was a mistake.

Agreed.

[hater]

the 4th thing:
ty white hotel workers

[Culburn369]

the 4th thing:
ty white hotel workers

Though the cad did ring/sans Daddy in spite of your 4th thing.

tee, hee.