Lakers Still Hold Edge Over Fortified Spurs

[poeticism707]

The one thing that no one is mentioning is that Artest has never been able to guard a healthy Gino. Gino is too quick and crafty for Artest. That means Kobe will still spend time guarding him.

Another thing not mentioned was that Ariza was the primary defender on Parker. It's been said that the best way to guard lightening quick PGs is with fairly quick, long agile defenders, like Ariza. Therefore, Artest is stuck guarding Jefferson while Kobe has to choose between Parker and Gino. That's a matchup that work in favor of the Spurs in a HUGE way.

I'd give the Lakers the edge based on the fact that they ended last season as the best team and this season hasn't started yet. But it's going to be a long season, and the offseason isn't even done yet. Let's save the observations for November at the earliest.

+1000

I've been stressing that about how well Ariza guarded Parker for A WHILE NOW, and it's very under-represented in discussing matchups.

Put simply, the Lakers now have NO ONE that can guard Parker, at all. Artest can't, Kobe can't, Fisher DEFINITELY CAN'T, Farmar can't, Sahsa can't, etc. They have no one: Parker, the Spurs youngest proven player is going to carve the Lakers defense into SHREDS. The more the Lakers rotate to try and stop him, the more that will open up Manu/Jefferson to go ballistic because Kobe/Artest are no longer guarding them.

The Lakers, by letting Ariza walk, have made a HUGE MISTAKE: Parker might average 40ppg in a series with the Lakers, and it wouldn't surprise me. Or the Lakers will try to trap/double team him, leaving the 3 point shooters open.

Which is what the Spurs were built for.

[Nathan Explosion]

When comparing the Lakers and Celtics, I think Laker fans should be worried. The Celtics are one of the few teams that can matchup size with size, and have the advantage. The Lakers can throw out Bynum, Gasol, and Odom (assuming he re-signs) if they want. The Celtics can counter with Perkins, Sheed, and KG.

I'd give the Celtics the slight edge on those matchups.

Then you'd have Kobe and Fisher vs Pierce and Rondo. Kobe is the better player but Pierce can punish Kobe in the low block wearing him down. And does Rondo vs Fisher really deserve a comparison?

[Taking it to the Hole]

I can't wait until the NBA releases the 2009-2010 Schedule. I want to know when we play the Lakers, so we can all finally see how we match up.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the NBA gives us an inordinate amount of back-to-backs again.

[Nathan Explosion]

Oh, and in my last post, I forgot a guy named Ray Allen. I think the guy's a little , but that little can shoot lights out.

[cd98]

For some reason Bynum has a 20 point 10 rebound game against the Grizzlies, follows with a 14 point 9 rebound game against the Clippers, and all of the sudden the Lakers are acting like he is right up there with Kareem, Shaq, and the other legendary Laker big men.

Yet when he gets relegated to the bench in the playoffs, where the talent is that much better, the Laker fans talk about his potential.

Kind of reminds me of Dampier, actually.

[Nathan Explosion]

The only thing worse than comparing Blair to Malik Rose is comparing Bynum to Dampier.

[cd98]

Lakers looked so - so in getting through the West last year. Look closer. The heavy weights in the Western Conference all had injuries to key players that led to a poor post season performance. Which explains LA's relative ease at winning the west and why they got to play the Nuggs instead of a good team in the WCF.

Injuries: See Utah (Boozer barely back, Okur, and Williams at first half of season), Mavs (Howard missed lots of games), Spurs (Ginoboli missed half season/playoffs); New Orleans (Paul injured, Chandler, Peja), Houston (Yao/McGrady). Makes for an easier passage to the finals, no?

[cd98]

The only thing worse than comparing Blair to Malik Rose is comparing Bynum to Dampier.

Not as distant as you'd think. You see, Dampier had enough good games that people thought he had potential to be the best center not Shaq. That's why he got a huge contract.

Then, he continued to show the same inconsistent play until finally settling on being an average center in the NBA (which means you suck, but you're 7 feet tall and somewhat mobile).

Bynum has enough good games to make you think he's worth the contract L.A. gave him. But then you watch the playoffs and see that he's not getting any minutes. Especially against Houston when Yao was down. That should have been his series to dominate. Why wasn't he? Because he is overrated. Hard for some to accept, but what exactly has he done to show he's not Eric Dampier?

[iggypop123]

id love if both teams were at full strength. i believe a 100% bynum is a bigger deal in the matchup than a 100% manu

[Nathan Explosion]

Not as distant as you'd think. You see, Dampier had enough good games that people thought he had potential to be the best center not Shaq. That's why he got a huge contract.

Then, he continued to show the same inconsistent play until finally settling on being an average center in the NBA (which means you suck, but you're 7 feet tall and somewhat mobile).

Bynum has enough good games to make you think he's worth the contract L.A. gave him. But then you watch the playoffs and see that he's not getting any minutes. Especially against Houston when Yao was down. That should have been his series to dominate. Why wasn't he? Because he is overrated. Hard for some to accept, but what exactly has he done to show he's not Eric Dampier?

I know the comparison between Bynum and Dampier is a fair one. That's the sad part. That's why I said while I didn't like the comparison between Blair and Malik was being made, I think comparing Bynum to Dampier is even worse, for Bynum that is.

[cd98]

Wasn't Bynum 100% in the playoffs this past season?

[cd98]

I know the comparison between Bynum and Dampier is a fair one. That's the sad part. That's why I said while I didn't like the comparison between Blair and Malik was being made, I think comparing Bynum to Dampier is even worse, for Bynum that is.

My bad. It's the limitation of communicating ideas in writing. It's especially hard to catch sarcasm.

[romsho]

Not sure if I should thank you or cuss at you for this.


Fine


We haven't seen the best of Ron Artest for years now, people have forgotten how good he can be given the proper coaching. When Ron's on top of his game, he's unstoppable in the post and a lock-down defender, especially in tandem with Kobe. My guess he and Kobe will combine for the best perimeter duo in the NBA.



I can understand your viewpoint. Bynum hasn't done jack for 4 years except show flashes of dominance. But that's why I'm betting this is his year to put it all together.



I think Blair's gonna have a good rookie season but c'mon, Odom would destroy both Blair and Boner.



Agreed

That's just it about Artest...he doesn't really live in the post now. He has become alot more of a three point shooter, with a bad shot selection. It's easy to think all of a sudden thats going to change because of the influence of Phil and Kobe, but Ron really doesn't roll that way. He will be great at times, and much of the time he will frustrate the out of the rest of the team with basketball that just is not smart. I don't think changing Ariza out for Artest is a big upgrade...Ariza is younger, faster, more athletic, and is a better defender than Artest at this point in their careers, and fits within the Lakers team concept. We'll see, but Ron is not a role player. Watch tape of last season's Rockets. That is what you are getting.

[HarlemHeat37]

Way too early to tell..Lakers obviously have the advantage, that's the respect they'll get as defending champions..

I want to see how our guys look in the SL, because they can potentially give us a significant advantage over LA's weak bench..we'll see if they can show some good potential for the regular season bench..

[Cant_Be_Faded]

It's going to be a great matchup, I think the Lakers still hold the edge with Odom/bench

Tony Parker >>>>> Fisher
Manu << Kobe
RJ<<Artest
Duncan >> Gasol
McDyess << Bynum

Blair/Boner <<<<< Odom
GHill/Mason/JV < Farmar/Brown/Machine
Finley > Luke

quite possibly the stupidest method for evaluating matchups, props

[sabar]

Lakers and Spurs have a massive drop off in talent from the starters to the role players. Crazy to think how the teams would look if contracts of people like Sasha/Luke/Finley/Bonner went to other players. Not great players, but good role players. All these players have had pretty big struggles in recent history.

[DrHouse]

I'm just not terrified at the thought of playing the Spurs. You can sit there and run through your little player by player comparisons until you're blue in the face but the reality is that Phil Jackson's teams have usually had the upper hand over Pop when the talent levels were equal. This is a team that Jackson has proven he can beat time and time again.

This is going to be the strongest Laker team since '01. Internal improvements to Bynum, another year of chemistry with the core, and the addition of Artest is going to take this Laker team to the next level. The Spurs as constructed probably wouldn't even beat last season's Lakers, expecting them to take down this upcoming team is wishful thinking at best.

And we are all operating under the assumption that Duncan and Ginobili's bodies will hold up until the playoffs. A humongous IF at this point in their careers.

[elbamba]

The Spurs look like a powerhouse team. It might just come down to health. If both teams are healthy I like our chances. We have 4 guys who can go for 20 points a night, obviously they won't do it every night but it will be nice to know that there are several players capable of posting those numbers.

We got younger with a solid draft and retaining two players from last year. We hopefully get to see Ian.

We got a center, though I wanted Zaza. I like our prospects.

[elbamba]

I'm just not terrified at the thought of playing the Spurs. You can sit there and run through your little player by player comparisons until you're blue in the face but the reality is that Phil Jackson's teams have usually had the upper hand over Pop when the talent levels were equal. This is a team that Jackson has proven he can beat time and time again.

This is going to be the strongest Laker team since '01. Internal improvements to Bynum, another year of chemistry with the core, and the addition of Artest is going to take this Laker team to the next level. The Spurs as constructed probably wouldn't even beat last season's Lakers, expecting them to take down this upcoming team is wishful thinking at best.

And we are all operating under the assumption that Duncan and Ginobili's bodies will hold up until the playoffs. A humongous IF at this point in their careers.

Its also a pretty big "if" that Bynum steps up the way you think he will next year. His past says otherwise, he is injury prone and has decided to eat up a 10-11 million dollar contract.

You will also learn what happens when a key player decides to play for his national team for consecutive years. I have heard that Pau is going to play for Spain again this summer. We liked Manu playing when he was 25 for his national team. That changed when he turned 30, which is what Gasol will be this year.

You also make a big assumption that Artest will step in and mix well with the chemestry of the team. That has not been the case for most of his career. Maybe he gets distracted playing in LA, certainly you would agree that there is plenty there to distract. Lets see how Kobe and Artest gell, I don't know that Kobe will have the effect over Artest that Jordan had over Rodman.

Lets wait and see. But the last time LA said they weren't worried about the Spurs was the time the Spurs ended the threepeat.

[barbacoataco]

This article was poorly written, and I think the writer was far less familiar with the Spurs and Lakers than most of the posters on this board. I think the Lakers have the advantage over everyone right now. But if they wind up losing Ariza and Odom that will weaken them.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks Artest is better than Jefferson. RJ has way better stats, is also a very good defender, and has the added benefit of not being crazy. I think some of you don't watch that much Eastern Conference, but Jefferson is on the same level as Artest. He isn't as famous, because he hasn't made an ass of himself many times in public.

Richafrd Jefferson 57 win shares in 571 career games.
Ron Artest 44 win shares in 604 career games.

Any type of statistical analysis will show Jefferson to be the better offensive player, and Artest's defense is overrated and not as good as it was.

[poeticism707]

This article was poorly written, and I think the writer was far less familiar with the Spurs and Lakers than most of the posters on this board. I think the Lakers have the advantage over everyone right now. But if they wind up losing Ariza and Odom that will weaken them.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks Artest is better than Jefferson. RJ has way better stats, is also a very good defender, and has the added benefit of not being crazy. I think some of you don't watch that much Eastern Conference, but Jefferson is on the same level as Artest. He isn't as famous, because he hasn't made an ass of himself many times in public.

Richafrd Jefferson 57 win shares in 571 career games.
Ron Artest 44 win shares in 604 career games.

Any type of statistical analysis will show Jefferson to be the better offensive player, and Artest's defense is overrated and not as good as it was.

Agreed!

[z0sa]

The only thing stopping Spurs from another Finals appearance is a worse Lakers squad that went 16-7 last playoffs. 16-7. The 2003 Spurs with one all-star, Tim Duncan, went 16-8. That's how Kobe, Pau, and the 'phenomenal' talent around them stepped up.

LA has proven nothing, literally NOTHING by winning 09. Another trophy, no one can take it away and props for basically showing up to play since no one else had a chance due to injuries.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

when did RJ turn into MJ????

Artest >> RJ

offensively hes not and his footspeed is not what it was 6 years ago on defense. they rebound at the same rate but jefferson is a better scorer both percentage and totals wise.

In fairness RJ has not been a good defender the last couple of seasons but Pop seems to think that more a focus thing over a ability thing. RJ is certainly more agile.

I think calling it a wash is fair even before you factor in Artest's emotional and mental makeup.

[DAF86]

when did RJ turn into MJ????

Artest >> RJ

No. Wait 'till the season starts and you'll see that RJ > that overated chucker.

[DrHouse]

Would you rather have Ron Artest @ $6 million or RJ @ $14 million?

For what the Lakers need, Artest is seemingly a perfect fit. A bulldog defender to throw at the bruising SF's that give the Lakers fits (Pierce, Melo, Lebron, etc.). Artest may not be as quick as he once was but he is still one of the league's best defenders. Having Kobe and Ron on the perimeter will definitely give the Lakers an intimidating defensive presence they have not had in a long time.

I couldn't care less what RJ brings to the Spurs because in my mind it doesn't matter what other teams are doing. As long as the Lakers retain their core and the youngins keep improving the Lakers will remain the best team in the NBA.