Laker fans should be concerned: Cleveland has the Lakers number

[ezau]

Flashback!!!!

Heard the EXACT same comments last year.

Though I wish we had the opportunity to rest Kobe, I think the home court advantage over the East is the key. You are correct. if they were a 4th seed in the West I do not see an issue. I still think they would win the west. But against the more physical East teams IMO the home court plays a huge role.

I see your point. The best option for the Lakers right now is to sit out Kobe against light opponents. At least, those banged up fingers can get some rest once in a while.

[TD 21]

This Cavaliers team is starting to remind me of the '03 Spurs. They clearly don't have a legit number two guy for a championship caliber team, but what they do have is the best player in the league having arguably his best season, all the while being surrounded by a big, deep roster. James is playing at such a high level at this point, that he seemingly is capable of dragging this team to a championship. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that the Lakers can't beat the Cavaliers in a series, because I think that's nonsense, but this is one of the few teams with a player not just at, but above Bryant's level and they have the length to deal with the Lakers front line. On top of that, in this current game, they handled the Lakers without their second option.

[DazedAndConfused]

If I had to put my finger on it I would say the Lakers are lacking the fire and motivation they had last season. The Cavaliers definitely have it, I don't think they have gotten over the sour taste Orlando left in their mouths.

I will start legitimately worrying about this Laker team if I don't see them ramping things up post ASB. They have to start matching the intensity of other contending teams if they want to win these kinds of games.

The Cavs are a legitimate contending team this season and they have improved since last year. They have as good a shot as anyone at winning it all. But let's not crown them yet, they had an equally impressive regular season last year and that amounted to jack in the playoffs.

Don't sleep on a healthy Boston team.

[TD 21]

If I had to put my finger on it I would say the Lakers are lacking the fire and motivation they had last season. The Cavaliers definitely have it, I don't think they have gotten over the sour taste Orlando left in their mouths.

I will start legitimately worrying about this Laker team if I don't see them ramping things up post ASB. They have to start matching the intensity of other contending teams if they want to win these kinds of games.

The Cavs are a legitimate contending team this season and they have improved since last year. They have as good a shot as anyone at winning it all. But let's not crown them yet, they had an equally impressive regular season last year and that amounted to jack in the playoffs.

Don't sleep on a healthy Boston team.

The Celtics are reminding me more and more of the '08 Spurs. They lack depth, they're aging, injuries are starting to mount, but here was the '08 Spurs saving grace: their big three were playing at a higher level than the Celtics big three is this season. Garnett has plummeted as a player and Allen is essentially a spot up shooter at this point. Having said all that, I can't dismiss them as a top four le contender.

[DazedAndConfused]

The Celtics are reminding me more and more of the '08 Spurs. They lack depth, they're aging, injuries are starting to mount, but here was the '08 Spurs saving grace: their big three were playing at a higher level than the Celtics big three is this season. Garnett has plummeted as a player and Allen is essentially a spot up shooter at this point. Having said all that, I can't dismiss them as a top four le contender.

With a reasonably healthy Garnett the Celtics can beat the Cavaliers.

They are the only team in the NBA that can actually shut down Lebron James.

[KidCongo]

If I had to put my finger on it I would say the Lakers are lacking the fire and motivation they had last season. The Cavaliers definitely have it, I don't think they have gotten over the sour taste Orlando left in their mouths.

I will start legitimately worrying about this Laker team if I don't see them ramping things up post ASB. They have to start matching the intensity of other contending teams if they want to win these kinds of games.

The Cavs are a legitimate contending team this season and they have improved since last year. They have as good a shot as anyone at winning it all. But let's not crown them yet, they had an equally impressive regular season last year and that amounted to jack in the playoffs.

Don't sleep on a healthy Boston team.

I was watching the Spurs 07 championship DVD, the Cleveland part anyway, every Tony Parker lay-up was slow torture then I got to the Lakers 09 DVD but only watched part 1 of that where Fisher I think was talking about the Lakers having a sour taste in their mouths from the loss to Boston. How through training camp they were all tense etc.

I get that feeling from this Cleveland team, just that bitter memory and they don't ever want that feeling again like the Lakers after their loss.

I'm feeling pretty confident it will be a Cleveland vs LA finals.

[Mr.Robinson]

Gasol looked terrified defending Shaq.

[DazedAndConfused]

The Laker bigs were flat out pussies tonight.

I'm extremely pissed at Gasol.

[TD 21]

With a reasonably healthy Garnett the Celtics can beat the Cavaliers.

They are the only team in the NBA that can actually shut down Lebron James.

I agree. But in saying that, don't underestimate how far Garnett has fallen as a player and for as much as people pulled this with Duncan in the past year, how comes it's not brought up nearly as much with regards to Garnett? You know, the fact that he seemingly can't stay healthy anymore.

They could in '08, just like the Spurs could in '07. But this isn't '08 and it isn't '07 anymore. I doubt the Celtics could now. James is better now than he was then, Pierce has less energy now than he had then and Posey is not around to serve as the second James defender. Allen (Tony) is an erstwhile, but undersized defender.

[TheMACHINE]

I'll worry about Cleveland when and IF they meet us at the Finals.

[ChrisRichards]

This Cavaliers team is starting to remind me of the '03 Spurs. They clearly don't have a legit number two guy for a championship caliber team, but what they do have is the best player in the league having arguably his best season, all the while being surrounded by a big, deep roster. James is playing at such a high level at this point, that he seemingly is capable of dragging this team to a championship. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that the Lakers can't beat the Cavaliers in a series, because I think that's nonsense, but this is one of the few teams with a player not just at, but above Bryant's level and they have the length to deal with the Lakers front line. On top of that, in this current game, they handled the Lakers without their second option.

Bingo.

I think this is the team that brings Lebron and the city of Cleveland a championship. If Lebron fails to at least bring a healthy Cavs team to the Finals then he has no excuse anymore.

[namlook]

I'll worry about Cleveland when and IF they meet us at the Finals.

There is a good chance the Celtics or Magic will take them out and none of this Cavs/Lakers talk matters.

[TheManFromAcme]

Lakers competed last night unlike X-mas day. Pau did play like a little girl and I am not going to make excuses for the lad also.

This game was won the last minute of the game and though I am concerned for the lack of testicular for ude the Lakers are playing with, there is still no reason to press the panic button.

The Laker have the muscle to compete and pose a formidable front line just as well. They are going to have to use this advantage to it's fullest.

I am still not worried though.

[F_U_Buddy]

I have money riding on the Cavs this season dawg.

I won $20 tonight with the Cavs winning. I would of had $40 if they had won by 10 or more points.

I have a $10 bet that the Cavs will land Jamison.

I have a $50 that they will finish with the best record in the league.

I now have $200 on them winning the entire thing.

By far the post of the year IMO...so funny this almost made me spit my Protein Shake on my screen.this cat is holding it down with $10-$50 bets..and a whopping $200 on the grand ing prize...I needed that laugh it's been a while since a good laugh...dude is a ing high roller reminded me of when I was betting on games with petty cash in the 3rd grade.

As for ChrisRichards...this guy is on a ing roll...I love the sky is falling facade...perhaps he can share with us just where his man ace DWhistle fits into the equation. Dude I know you're happy and but slow down don't prematurely ejaculate yourself like that in front of the board...you should try to stay in it for a "minute"...but go ahead Laker haters bust nuts on themselves all the ing time anyway...

I could have swore we saw this last year from the Cavs...Best Record in the League...they pretty much swept and stormed the first 2 rounds and sitting fat and bored until they got their asses handed to them by Orlando...So no I'm not buying the bootleg you're selling...

Kobe played decent....even though not his standards...and rest assured it wasn't because of Cavs defense...Kobe scored at will and only missed because he missed not anyone locking him up...but the bigger question is: "Does Lebron have the balls to win a le?" Like I've said in past times these types of wins are simply consolation prizes for everyone that didn't finish first place last year.

[MiamiHeat]

Yeah, I wanted to see a great battle between the Top 2 players in the game but watching Kobe shoot and miss those akward jumpers (5/21 in the second half) was difficult to watch. Lebron on the other hand was attacking and shooting jumpers at will (12 pts, 2 blks, 3 rebs in the last 6 mins)


For the sake of entertainment, I hope Kobe's health situation gets better. I want to see him and Bron battle it out in the Finals at a decent rate, because IMO this is the LAST year Kobe will be this close to Lebron in terms of value, impact and skill. Next season Bron will only get better and Kobe will have another year on his timeclock.

Are you shocked that a lot of people actually agree with you?

I mean, here you are 'trolling' fake opinions, which you want to make fun of, yet instead you must find yourself shocked that people actually agree

Kick in the pants to wake you up to the truth?

Welcome to reality

[MiamiHeat]

Yup. I thought Kobe was playing the best ball of his career early this season. 30 PPG, 49% Shooting, 5 rebs, 4 assists and 2 steals per game was pretty good. And he kicked it up another notch by hitting 3 Game Winners in less than a month.


But reality kicked in..

Kobe is a career 45% FG shooter.

He has never even sniffed 50%. Reality was going to kick in, like it or not, come or high water. He's just not an efficient player, and his shot selection makes me want to puke. Falling down fadeaways with 2 guys in his face... yeah, sometimes they go in. Most of the time, they don't.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe is such a great player. I dont understand why his fanbase have to make up all these excuses for him. Great player, aweful fanbase.

You hit the nail on the ing head.

If Laker fans would just say "He's a great player!" and leave it at that, you wouldn't have so many people chiming in to kick the laker fans with reality.

Nope, instead it's ridiculous bull like Kobe > MJ!! or Kobe better scorer than MJ! or Kobe most clutch player evAR!!! Kobe GOAT!

Dumbass fan base.

[Ghazi]

There is a good chance the Celtics or Magic will take them out and none of this Cavs/Lakers talk matters.

Doubt the Magic can beat Cleveland again this year.

Boston is still the best team in the East if they're healthy IMO... but that's a really, REALLY big if... and not having home court against Cleveland which appears like it'll be the case really hurts them too.

[MiamiHeat]

That's just typical Laker fan behavior. Most of them are pretty ridiculous when it comes to the Kobe adoration

I totally agree with you, it is ridiculous.

I could never blindly defend a player like that.

I call Wade's ass out all the time. As soon as he starts acting like a prima donna, whining for fouls instead of GETTING BACK ON DEFENSE, and like that, I will curse his ass out and encourage fans to let him know to pick his up

The NBA Players work for the league, and the league works for ME! Entertain me, es. Players better deserve their hype or I think all fans should let them have it.

[ChrisRichards]

The NBA Players work for the league, and the league works for ME! Entertain me, es.

[MiamiHeat]

Are you shocked that a lot of people actually agree with you?

I mean, here you are 'trolling' fake opinions, which you want to make fun of, yet instead you must find yourself shocked that people actually agree

Kick in the pants to wake you up to the truth?

Welcome to reality

[ChrisRichards]

You hit the nail on the ing head.

If Laker fans would just say "He's a great player!" and leave it at that, you wouldn't have so many people chiming in to kick the laker fans with reality.

Nope, instead it's ridiculous bull like Kobe > MJ!! or Kobe better scorer than MJ! or Kobe most clutch player evAR!!! Kobe GOAT!

Dumbass fan base.

Word

[The Gemini Method]

Swore if you go by the premise of the this thread--you'd blame Kobe for the loss. Every single thread coming out of here places the blame solely on him. Even if he did go 12-31, it doesn't excuse the lack of heart shown by the remainder of the roster. It's easy to roll on the Lakers when they get beat, but its hard to deny that some of these suckers who constantly obsess over a certain Laker player have the taste of his prick in their mouths more than Vanessa Bryant.

With that being said, 7 of 9 wins does compute to an advantage if you want to play it that way. However, none of those victories have came in the playoffs. Where champions are made and not in January. The Cavs beat the Lakers twice this year--they've also lost to the Celtics and are 1-2 against the Charlotte Bobcats. What does this mean? It means nothing right now because there is still a ton of basketball to be played, still chances for teams to make moves, so yeah, the Cavs got the regular series from us. Let's see the remainder of the season play out before you anoint a champion.

[TheManFromAcme]

Swore if you go by the premise of the this thread--you'd blame Kobe for the loss. Every single thread coming out of here places the blame solely on him. Even if he did go 12-31, it doesn't excuse the lack of heart shown by the remainder of the roster. It's easy to roll on the Lakers when they get beat, but its hard to deny that some of these suckers who constantly obsess over a certain Laker player have the taste of his prick in their mouths more than Vanessa Bryant.

With that being said, 7 of 9 wins does compute to an advantage if you want to play it that way. However, none of those victories have came in the playoffs. Where champions are made and not in January. The Cavs beat the Lakers twice this year--they've also lost to the Celtics and are 1-2 against the Charlotte Bobcats. What does this mean? It means nothing right now because there is still a ton of basketball to be played, still chances for teams to make moves, so yeah, the Cavs got the regular series from us. Let's see the remainder of the season play out before you anoint a champion.

Word

[TheMACHINE]

There is a good chance the Celtics or Magic will take them out and none of this Cavs/Lakers talk matters.

Heck...even maybe Atlanta