Lakers aging before our eyes?

[Rummpd]

Eh, they're 8-2 in their last 10 and on pace to win 59 this season. The only reason the media is killing LA this year is because the Spurs are on a 70-win pace.

The Lakers may well win 59 or more but they have also played the softest possible schedule so far and in reality are playing more like the 5-6 seed in the West and have benefitted by getting Bynum back and heading into a tougher part of their schedule (finally).

Time will tell if they are really improved and make a run at the Spurs for the top seed still. They play less back to backs than the Spurs but both teams have tough stretches ahead including meeting 3x (including the 2nd to last game of the season, which by the way is one of the few Lakers back to backs left other than the LAL- Thunder game tonight).

[baseline bum]

The Lakers may well win 59 or more but they have also played the softest possible schedule so far and in reality are playing more like the 5-6 seed in the West and have benefitted by getting Bynum back and heading into a tougher part of their schedule (finally).

Time will tell if they are really improved and make a run at the Spurs for the top seed still. They play less back to backs than the Spurs but both teams have tough stretches ahead including meeting 3x (including the 2nd to last game of the season, which by the way is one of the few Lakers back to backs left other than the LAL- Thunder game tonight).

There are plenty of examples of veteran teams who just can't handle the grind of an 82-game season every year but who are still nightmare matchups that kill in the playoffs. See the 95 Rockets, 01 Lakers, 05 Pistons, 07 Spurs, and 10 Celtics for some examples. They still have Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum, and are still going to do some damage in May at least.

[Giuseppe]

s/bells, if we "do some damage in May at least" that leaves you fine fellows & the WC in the .

[Rummpd]

There are plenty of examples of veteran teams who just can't handle the grind of an 82-game season every year but who are still nightmare matchups that kill in the playoffs. See the 95 Rockets, 01 Lakers, 05 Pistons, 07 Spurs, and 10 Celtics for some examples. They still have Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum, and are still going to do some damage in May at least.

No one is ruling out the LAL as they are still a very strong, well coached, and talented team; however to be fair remember how tested they were last year by the Thunder and a tip in by Gasol won them a key game - their margin of superiorty last year was not as strong IMO as many made it; and the Spurs are improved, as the Mavs (when healthy and if Roddy Beaulois can provide a spark) and the Thunder/Jazz and potentially others could potentially win a series against the LAL if they slip even a little bit. Yet if you go on Lakersground.net or other sites most LAL fans seem to still think it will be a cakewalk for the LAL in the playoffs.

Time will tell for the WC seedings and the playoffs, but right now happy to see the SAS team looking down on the LAL with a 6 game in the loss column margin.

[Killakobe81]

LOL i never put an asterisk on 99 why would i here ...best team wins. Spur fans arethe ones here whining about how "lucky" the Lakers are (mid, ahem) ... you win the le no excuses explanations or apologies necessary ...

[ezau]

The lakers are pretty much the aging porn star. Yeah you WERE hot....yeah a lot of ppl wanted you. Do you got one last good ride in ya? Maybe...

But do ppl want to see you in action. No. The only thing drawing crowds is your name.

Aging porn star? Nina Hartley comes to mind LOL