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Kobe has already proven himself a greater player than Shaq, who has never won a ring since getting divorced from Kobe.
Yes, it was the perfect storm for them as strong teams suffered injuries.
No, whatever wall comes their way, they'll run right through it.
Depends on if they are able to keep their prized free agents.
Depends on if Colonel Phil stays on as coach, without him, no chance.
that the Kobe Bryant Led-Lakers has finally done what Tim Duncan has done his entire career, led a team to a le as the pre-eminent #1 option. Timvp said it best, this team was the one that had the most balance out of the final 4 contenders and it showed. While I hate the result, and will now have to put up with Forum Blue & Gold flags up and down the Southern California Freeways that I drive, I got to give credit where it's due. No longer are they known as 7 seasons ago, they are now the 2008-2009 NBA Champs.
However...I did add a poll below and am curious to see how it will flesh out.
Kobe has already proven himself a greater player than Shaq, who has never won a ring since getting divorced from Kobe.
Already all over the place even down here in diego---their coming out of the woodwork. me, haha.
Too many variables to answer.
Boston looked poised to defend its le starting this year 27-2. Then they kinda faded, KG got hurt, ran out of team, etc.
When I look at the Lakers though, I just don't see the stuff of dynasties really, it hinges on Bynum though IMO.
I recall the Mavericks losing in 2006 and watched their center, Erick Dampier, get bullied around by a bull in a china shop named Shaquille O'Neal.
THAT IS ALL.
No way...
They have a good 2-3 yrs
Ariza will stay, Lamar will walk, so it comes down to Bynum really. If he stays healthy and can play decent ball I think the Lakers can repeat but I'm just going to enjoy this one for a while.
Just remember....as great a player as Kobe Bryant is, he didn't win his fourth ring until the Lakers FO surrounded him with quality players like pau gasol, lamar odom, trevor ariza, etc. Shaq won his 4th ring w/Dwayne Wade as a teammate. Though it's forgotten, Kobe & Shaq probably wouldn't have won as many without a great supporting cast.
it seems to me that you can have superstars (ie LeBron James) but if you don't have quality around you, you won't get too far.
The way I see it, the Lakers have to be the favorites and I think that if Bynum can mature and stay healthy, they may repeat even if they lose Odom (b/t the two, I think they'd keep Ariza and let Odom test the market)
They're probably the favorites to repeat if they can keep Odom and Ariza. The Spurs look done, the Cavs don't have the talent, and Orlando and Denver don't have the coach. I think we could see a Boston-LA rematch next season, which could go either way.
Honestly I think there are plenty of teams who have the talent to beat the Lakers but the problem is none of them have the coaching or mental toughness to get it done. Having personnel that has actually gone all the way I think helps alot. These teams Houston, Portland, Denver, and whoever else need to get over the hump. If they could actually beat L.A in a series just once then the vodoo would be broken and the skys the limit after that. Otherwise they will never escape that shroud of uncertainty.
Kobe was the de-facto number one option in 01/02 as he was the closer when it mattered.
By the way, Kobe would have gotten out of the first round against the lowly Mavericks if he had a Tony Parker on his team.
Not if he was injured to the point where he couldn't give 100% plus.Kobe was the de-facto number one option in 01/02 as he was the closer when it mattered.
By the way, Kobe would have gotten out of the first round against the lowly Mavericks if he had a Tony Parker on his team.
Not if he was injured to the point where he couldn't give 100% plus.
i agree %100
duncan>kobe
I disagree with that last part....I would say Kobe + Duncan + great role players + excellent coaching = championships!
i agree %100
duncan>kobe
That sounds about right!
See, I knew someone would try that again. See, the big interior presence laid down the foundation work in the 1st 3 quarters. Without that foundation work, closing with daggers wouldn't be possible. All it would've meant is that Kobe is shooting to try to keep the game score respectable instead of winning.Kobe was the de-facto number one option in 01/02 as he was the closer when it mattered.
Also, when it comes to Duncan, he is the DE FACTO number 1 option regardless of who wins what because he anchors both the offense and defense with the attention he commands.
Sorry but that wasn't work with Kobe. As Kobe and Shaq traded games as the number 1 option in 01/02. The REAL NBA FINALS in 01 was against hte Spurs and Kobe was easily the best player in that series. Downplay him all you want, but you can't fault Kobe for being drafted on a team next to Shaq. Even a young Jordan would have been forced to take a backseat to the Big Ego if he was in Kobe's place.
Do you even remember the 01 WCFs? The Spurs were playing with Terry Porter as Point Guard, Antonio Daniels as Shooting Guard, and Danny Ferry as the Small Forward.The REAL NBA FINALS in 01 was against hte Spurs
DRob was hurt, even had to get an epidural, and Tim was playing 1 against 5.
Some Finals, a 4-0 sweep and I saw it live. It cost a lot and to see it go down like that wasn't pretty to watch at all.
So you were saying. There is a reason that this is the 1st time KBB got the Finals MVP, and also a reason that his powerplay for Finals MVP in 2004 resulted in a 5 game sweep.
One and done. The Spurs will probably surprise everyone and win the championship next year.
Cry more about it. The Spurs stomped to by the Lakers, they were easily the 2nd best team in the NBA that season. The real NBA finals.
Here we go......
Why get into a pissing contest about which team's accomplishment/win/playoff run was better? Why in order to praise one you have to put down or disregard what another team's accomplishment?
Both teams in their runs met the ultimate challenge & succeeded = championships!! Lakers are the champs; no need to quibble about this/that/blah, blah, blah.....
To me, whatever the Lakers do from this point on will never take away what the Spurs were able to accomplish this decade. Our time may be over but I'm proud of our guys!!
See this statement is premature. In fact, I'll use what LAL Fan said last year but replace with Spurs.Our time may be over but I'm proud of our guys!!
If only we had a healthy Bynum and a healthy Ariza, we'd of won the le.
If only we had a truly healthy Duncan and a healthy Ginobili, we'd of won the le.
Go for 11 Dr. Phil!!!!!!
Difference is your team got bounced out in the first round this season and the Lakers did reach the Finals last season.
You can't win the le just by winning the first round, you have to make it to the finals at least to have a shot at it.
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