Lakers: "Athletically, we're struggling. Especially against the younger teams." - Mike D'

[Latarian Milton]

I don't expect a 34 year old Kobe to play heavy minutes every game and play elite D, while being the number 1 offensive option and still handle point guard duties in Nash's absence.

But his defense has been subpar for awhile now, i don't know if he does it because he doesn't respect the player his guarding, to save energy etc. But i know he can play better defense than the one he's exhibiting right now.

you'll probably see the elite D back with him when really matters. he's been taking the duties of two positions on his own shoulder with piece of like duhon playing alongside him on the backcourt, and it's obvious he doesn't have much energy to use at the defensive end especially in recent games when he been playing with flu.

dude will play good D in some certain games but don't expect him to play it on a consistent basis tbh. _'Antonie's team may have 2 defensive liabilities out of the 5 and still win games against the lower half of playoff teams, it just doesn't work against elite teams like thunder and spurs. lakers will probably finish somewhere between 3rd to 7th depending on how soon nash is gonna return, and conference finals will be the ceiling for this team imho

[Killakobe81]

I respect the Spurs but recent history tells me they can be had come playoffs and I never worry about dem Clips. Okc and Miami we can't beat with this roster ...

[Killakobe81]

This. I saw him lick down Mayo up close (though Artest guarded him too). He also checked Wade effectively but got torched by Harden (last year). Team is slow ebanks beds to play some and we need a.faster pf. Too bad a younger Odom type isn't available

[Killakobe81]

1st round exit.

You should recognize one, how many have yall had the past 5 seasons ... Two?

[Raven]

laker FO and fans simply lack basketball knowledge, they keep thinking that a 10 on offense and a 0 on defense equals a 5-5 but it does not. Howard can't do as long as the laker backcourt can't stop anybody since it becomes a +1 for the hacking team at the worst case scenario.. The team is horribly built and it was obvious from the start, unfortunately some just couldn't see it.

[midnightpulp]

You should recognize one, how many have yall had the past 5 seasons ... Two?

Yep. As many as the Lakers had in the past 8 seasons. Cept we didn't miss the playoffs.

See, I can cherry pick years, as well.

[Killakobe81]

Yep. As many as the Lakers had in the past 8 seasons. Cept we didn't miss the playoffs.

See, I can cherry pick years, as well.

Just asking again you are the expert ...