West threats to Lakers are merely mirages

[DeadlyDynasty]

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, depth and firepower and the Lakers are the old, slow team, that is running on fumes. Yet none of the so-called experts see that or are willing to admit it.

Not the case with 2 of your 3 best players. Manu is 33 and Tim is somewhere around there too...and Tim (even though he's still one of the better bigs in this league) has definitely showed signs of decline these past few seasons (especially defensively). I know you're going for the media disrespect angle, but it's going to take more than 41 games to undo the perception that's been created over the last 3 years. I think they are legit enough and deserve more respect, but I also think LAL is class of the conference.

[ezau]

By the way, Deadly Dynasty is just trolling the out of Spurs fans. No need to take her seriously.

[IronMexican]

What do you guys expect?

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

What happened to ELE?

[DeadlyDynasty]

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.

I meant recent as in the last 3 seasons, not this season, tbh. I didn't call the Spurs a mirage, nor did I say I agreed with the article. My first post in this thread was a response to some who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

[DeadlyDynasty]

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

Good luck re-animating that corpse you sleep with.

[ezau]

Good luck re-animating that corpse you sleep with.

Brah, just look at the record and tell me which team is on top. Spurs dominating the league/conference they're supposed to dominate.

And oh, Lakers look really good sniffing the Spurs' ass in the standings

[DeadlyDynasty]

Brah, just look at the record and tell me which team is on top. Spurs dominating the league/conference they're supposed to dominate.

And oh, Lakers look really good sniffing the Spurs' ass in the standings

When is the 35-6 banner being raised? I'd hate to miss that game.

[ezau]

When is the 35-6 banner being raised? I'd hate to miss that game.

We'll do it the same day we unseat the Lakers in the playoffs. Don't worry DD, it's just a couple of months away. And yes, you need to be there when that happens

[JWest596]

My first post in this thread was a response to some who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

versus a Laker troll who chimes in on SpursTalk with "the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference."

Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick....Laker s.

[DeadlyDynasty]

versus a Laker troll who chimes in on SpursTalk with "the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference."

Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick....Laker s.

Ok, so if only the minority thinks the Lakers are better then why is everyone here crying about no respect from the media?

[honestfool84]

I meant recent as in the last 3 seasons, not this season, tbh. I didn't call the Spurs a mirage, nor did I say I agreed with the article. My first post in this thread was a response to some who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

ahh. this silly bantering (not necessarily you) is annoying. i don't see why opposing fans can't just get along, and discuss.

[DeadlyDynasty]

We'll do it the same day we unseat the Lakers in the playoffs. Don't worry DD, it's just a couple of months away. And yes, you need to be there when that happens

Good for you, buddy...if you don't have dreams, what do you have, right?

[JWest596]

Ok, so if only the minority thinks the Lakers are better then why is everyone here crying about no respect from the media?

"everyone"?

nice try .

[DeadlyDynasty]

ahh. this silly bantering (not necessarily you) is annoying. i don't see why opposing fans can't just get along, and discuss.

I tried. However, opposing viewpoints are met with disdain when they interrupt the blissful harmony of this utopian season.

[DeadlyDynasty]

"everyone"?

nice try .

The semantics and technicalities defense...sick burn, scooter.

[SenorSpur]

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.

^

All This

If anyone watched the playoff series versus the Suns, that's all the evidence anyone needs to know just how far Duncan's defensively abilties have diminished. Let's not fool ourselves. Having as much frontline support to aid Duncan - on both ends of the court - becomes more crucial with every passing year. That's where the a solid contribution from Splitter would help.

[JWest596]

I tried. However, opposing viewpoints are met with disdain when they interrupt the blissful harmony of this utopian season.

So " " is an endearing name in LALA land?

Laker to the bone.

[DeadlyDynasty]

So " " is an endearing name in LALA land?

Laker to the bone.

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 Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

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

That was your first post directed at me in this thread. You weren't civil, so I decided to slap you across the face (like I'm still doing now). Jester and honestfool have been pretty much civil, and it's been good debate. You've been a rambling and incoherent mongoloid, and thus, you've been treated as such.

[SenorSpur]

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.

Despite their recent home win over the Thunder, the Fakers clearly struggled keeping the young, fast Thunder guards out of transition. Much in the same way they struggled keeping up with the Spurs, a few weeks ago.

The Fakers are and old, plodding team. The offseason additions (Steve Blake, Matt Barnes) have also not improved them very much either. THis team still struggles with quickness and getting back in transition. That fact certainly isn't going to change come playoff time. However, their deliberate half-court pace is tailor-made for the slow-down nature of playoff basketball.

Still, there's no doubt the Spurs have enough firepower to give them significant trouble in a series. I just don't know how much that firepower will offset the Spurs clear size disadvantage along the frontline.

It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out in May and June.

[UnWantedTheory]

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.

I am relatively certain we are each others only compe ion, at this point, on the road to the Finals. There is no mirage, as we are as legit a contender at this point as the Lakers...At least that is what our record indicates. We should not be taken lightly, but neither should the 2 time defending champs. We can all point out the pros & cons of each team, which is fine, but we are both legitimate threats for a championship. Just leave it at that.

But the article was obviously written by a Laker sports writing homer...

[DeadlyDynasty]

^

All This

If anyone watched the playoff series versus the Suns, that's all the evidence anyone needs to know just how far Duncan's defensively abilties have diminished. Let's not fool ourselves. Having as much frontline support to aid Duncan - on both ends of the court - becomes more crucial with every passing year. That's where the a solid contribution from Splitter would help.

Bingo. Where's the harm in giving Splitter some extended run in the regular season now? The Spurs are 6 games up and LA has a tough stretch coming up. He can't possibly be bad enough to cost you guys multiple games, so why not give him some valuable experience and confidence?

[Venti Quattro]

DD channeling his inner HH37 on. Tee, hee

[honestfool84]

Bingo. Where's the harm in giving Splitter some extended run in the regular season now? The Spurs are 6 games up and LA has a tough stretch coming up. He can't possibly be bad enough to cost you guys multiple games, so why not give him some valuable experience and confidence?

this. though i wouldn't want to lose any ground to the Lakers until we have home court advantage throughout the playoffs....

Splitter should be getting 18-20 minutes a game right now. i would love to see him starting after the All-Star break.............

[DeadlyDynasty]

DD channeling his inner HH37 on. Tee, hee

sans the chugging of LBJ and KG

[DeadlyDynasty]

this. though i wouldn't want to lose any ground to the Lakers until we have home court advantage throughout the playoffs....

Splitter should be getting 18-20 minutes a game right now. i would love to see him starting after the All-Star break.............

It would be the prudent thing to do, but Pop is a stubborn SOB