Trumped Again By The Lakers

[mystargtr34]

I'm only going to make one post, since as I said in the other thread, I can't be in a thread with Laker fans for too long, they disgust me as human beings..

It seems like only casual NBA fans are worried, because they see the name "Ron Artest"..it's a Home Run or Strikeout move..personally, I love it..the Lakers were the defending champs and would be favored either way, but they take a risk by adding a guy that has problems fitting in with teams due to his horrible style and mentality..

here's some points about this thread..

-I don't know why anybody is ting on Capt. Bringdown or the Ghost dude..he's en led to his opinion..he always plays his gimmick very well, as you see in every thread..everybody is en led to their opinion, so who gives a ?..

For Mr.Bringdown though..the Lakers always have an advantage over the rest of the NBA, so it's much easier for them to re-build or get better..they're the #1 free agent destination in the NBA, which has shown throughout time, since that has been the main reason they've had such a successful run..it also took them 6 years to win another le, and a panic move from Mr.Stern after Kobe asked for a trade..

-We aren't far behind if we get 'Sheed or 'Dice and add another important piece on the bench..LA is stacked with their starting lineup, but their bench is pretty weak..our bench has a number of potential guys, so we have a lot of room to grow..we must acquire a legit starting big man first though, and the matchups will be fine IMO..

We have nobody to guard Kobe, but incase everybody hasn't noticed, Tony Parker has grown into a superstar..as bad as our matchup against Kobe could be, their matchup of Fisher guarding Parker is even worse..the rest of the matchups really aren't that bad, I feel very comfortable with them, assuming we get either 'Sheed or 'Dice..

-Artest is no longer consistently a good defender, he's above average in general..anybody that watched the Rockets this year would have seen that, and I've noticed that most Rockets fans share the same thoughts as I do..he was routinely torched by most perimeter players, forcing Battier to play them..as Artest's offense has improved and as his age has went up, he's gotten worse defensively..he's a guy that was significantly helped by the handchecking until it was outlawed in 2005..

The Rockets were #2 and #3 defensively in the 2 years prior to Artest..they were 4th this year..so not a drop-off, but they clearly didn't get better defensively, which is what people expected with such an "elite" 2-man defense..

it's different in LA..Artest will have another year of slowing down, and Kobe is nowhere near Battier defensively..Kobe gets voted in on the all-defensive team every year, but hasn't shown that he can play consistent defense in years..add in Fisher's horrible perimeter D, and nothing will change..

-the Lakers had an extremely easy road to the Finals last year, similar to the Spurs run in 2007..they faced a Utah team that was riddled with injuries and chemistry issues, and missed Okur for half the series..Houston team without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Dikembe Mutombo, forcing them to rely on Ron Artest and Aaron Brooks for scoring, and relying on 3 big men that are under 6'9..a Nuggets team with arguably the worst IQ for a WCF team ever, that lost 2 games in the series off the same exact inbound play involving the exact same players..and an inexperienced Orlando team that was basically missing it's All-Star PG due to injury..

while they clearly deserved their le because they were the best team last year, this year is going to be much tougher..Spurs got better and potentially healthy, Boston is potentially healthy and will add another piece, Cleveland added Shaq and potentially another piece, and Orlando still has plenty of time..Denver still has time to make a move, and Portland probably will too..it's going to be a much tougher year..

-Artest is mostly an offensive player nowadays, despite the reputation..any offense that takes away from Kobe or Gasol is fine by me, especially from an inefficient chucker..it also takes away from the growing Bynum, and as we've seen, Bynum doesn't play defense or rebound unless he gets the ball a certain amount of times..

-Ariza is a guy that causes problem with his athleticism and length..that's part of the reason LA was great last year..their quickness and length..Artest is slow and mechanical, which helps our style of play..

so that's my reasoning..agree or disagree if you want, it doesn't really matter to me..Spurs have to continue the same process to improve our team like we need to, and ignore this move..

I don't understand Laker fans though..why are they such s bags?..

They cheer for an alleged rapist that throws teammates under the bus and snitches on his teammates..they buy his merchandise, and make their kids wear it..they buy tickets to see him..

They cheer for an adulterer with HIV..

Now they're embracing the addition of a guy that beats innocent women, and abuses cute, innocent animals..

What the is wrong with these people?..I like posting on the Spurs side of this forum and I try avoiding the NBA forum as much as possible, so it would be nice if these Laker fans weren't allowed on this side..they're probably going to give my CPU a virus, being the dirtbags that they are..

Wearing a Lakers jersey is the same thing as wearing the Nazi Stastika..you're idolizing the same type of people..

Not sure about the Nazi stuff but i agree with 99% of your post.

[MarHill]

And what has San Antonio accomplished lately? Oh that's right. First round exit to the worst Dallas team in years despite having HCA.

The window was closed, Jefferson might have creaked it open a bit but then Artest just slammed it shut once and for all.

Good night, SA.

Again, people like 21 Blessings never speak in full context of the situation. He only spins to his Purple-n-Gold worldview!

The Spurs lost in the 1st round for first time in 9 years. (You seem to forget that fact) The Spurs played without Manu and TD one leg. I don't care who you are....if you don't have all your bullets you are not going to win.

Even if the Lakers had Kobe and Gasol on one leg....they wouldn't have the beat Mavericks.

Also, the Lakers had their own down period from 2005-2007 and Kobe was begging to leave LA. Then the FO made a trade for Gasol and your team is relevant again.

It happens to all good teams.....nobody wins every year.

The Spurs have decided to address their situation by trading for a small good SF and are still agressive to getting another big.

Remember....it had seven years since the Lakers won it all and only 2 years for the Spurs. And their down 2 years result in avg of 55 wins, a division le, WCF and first round playoff exits......

So before considering slamming the door shut on the Spurs...please use their entire context of the situation when you are taking a dig at the Spurs!!

[Spursmania]

Again, people like 21 Blessings never speak in full context of the situation. He only spins to his Purple-n-Gold worldview!

The Spurs lost in the 1st round for first time in 9 years. (You seem to forget that fact) The Spurs played without Manu and TD one leg. I don't care who you are....if you don't have all your bullets you are not going to win.

Even if the Lakers had Kobe and Gasol on one leg....they wouldn't have the beat Mavericks.

Also, the Lakers had their own down period from 2005-2007 and Kobe was begging to leave LA. Then the FO made a trade for Gasol and your team is relevant again.

It happens to all good teams.....nobody wins every year.

The Spurs have decided to address their situation by trading for a small good SF and are still agressive to getting another big.

Remember....it had seven years since the Lakers won it all and only 2 years for the Spurs. And their down 2 years result in avg of 55 wins, a division le, WCF and first round playoff exits......

So before considering slamming the door shut on the Spurs...please use their entire context of the situation when you are taking a dig at the Spurs!!

Furthermore, Posters like 21 Blessings are never taken seriously.

[Medvedenko]

If the Spurs can stay healthy and pick up a decent big I say they are even with the Lakers. However, if and and a big if is Bynum. He will be the difference maker out there in my opinion. People are sleeping on him considering he came back from injury into the playoffs only to be treated like a rookie out there. He'll have more time this year to develop as we'll have another (Ron) shot creator out there with the second unit if need be. Still, the spurs got better and being that I've been on this board for 5 years, I kind of had a soft spot for the spurs. It's good for the league when they're doing well.

[completely deck]

You really think Ron Artest will be "second unit"? Please. His ego couldn't handle that.

[kbrury]

I don't think Artest would mind coming off the bench as long as he got enough minutes.

[TheManFromAcme]

Again, people like 21 Blessings never speak in full context of the situation. He only spins to his Purple-n-Gold worldview!

The Spurs lost in the 1st round for first time in 9 years. (You seem to forget that fact) The Spurs played without Manu and TD one leg. I don't care who you are....if you don't have all your bullets you are not going to win.

Even if the Lakers had Kobe and Gasol on one leg....they wouldn't have the beat Mavericks.

Also, the Lakers had their own down period from 2005-2007 and Kobe was begging to leave LA. Then the FO made a trade for Gasol and your team is relevant again.

It happens to all good teams.....nobody wins every year.

The Spurs have decided to address their situation by trading for a small good SF and are still agressive to getting another big.

Remember....it had seven years since the Lakers won it all and only 2 years for the Spurs. And their down 2 years result in avg of 55 wins, a division le, WCF and first round playoff exits......

So before considering slamming the door shut on the Spurs...please use their entire context of the situation when you are taking a dig at the Spurs!!

I hear ya MarHill. Not all Laker fans are closing the door on the Spurs.
I still felt this last season that playing the Spurs with a totally healthy roster was still the ultimate guage for us and still do to this moment. Manu, Tim and Tony and now with the addition of RJ and possibly a "big" should (going to have to definitey bring a average to above-average guy) bring you back to that level. I still have you guys above the Blazers. Our losses to them are all mental. I don't buy the mis-match arguments. Look at Orlando. They beat us during the regular season and they lose in the finals.

Going to be a of a season. Like I mentioned before; Many have Manu as now officially injury prone. My belief is that if he is, he's going for his last moment of glory and give it his all no matter what the consequences are.

We shall see. Lakers-Spurs WCF 2010. Book it.

[xtremesteven33]

Fisher
Bryant
Artest
Gasol
Bynum



Parker
Ginobili
Jefferson
Duncan
Wallace


looks like a wash IMO

[Medvedenko]

You really think Ron Artest will be "second unit"? Please. His ego couldn't handle that.

I do think Ron will start, but will anchor the second unit with Odom when Kobe and Pau go to the bench. That's where he'll get his minutes as the go to guy. The Lakers kind of struggled and had to keep Pau or Kobe in at all times due to the lack of offensive punch. Odom and Ron will help. Oh and I would not count the spurs out by any stretch. Too much TD, and my boy Manu to count them out.

[DrHouse]

The difference between the Spurs and the Lakers is that the Laker core is all in their prime right now. They just won a championship as well, let's not forget that. They were not the team that lost in the 1st round to Dallas despite having HCA. That was the Spurs, that loss IMHO shows just how far SA has dropped in a few short seasons.

The Spurs have two aging stars who are definitely on the downhill of their respective careers, especially in terms of health. Can the Spurs withstand a brutal regular season and draining post season? Given their track record these past two seasons I think that is a legitimate question to ask.

[Muser]

The difference between the Spurs and the Lakers is that the Laker core is all in their prime right now. They just won a championship as well, let's not forget that. They were not the team that lost in the 1st round to Dallas despite having HCA. That was the Spurs, that loss IMHO shows just how far SA has dropped in a few short seasons.

The Spurs have two aging stars who are definitely on the downhill of their respective careers, especially in terms of health. Can the Spurs withstand a brutal regular season and draining post season? Given their track record these past two seasons I think that is a legitimate question to ask.

[Mugen]

The difference between the Spurs and the Lakers is that the Laker core is all in their prime right now. They just won a championship as well, let's not forget that. They were not the team that lost in the 1st round to Dallas despite having HCA. That was the Spurs, that loss IMHO shows just how far SA has dropped in a few short seasons.

The Spurs have two aging stars who are definitely on the downhill of their respective careers, especially in terms of health. Can the Spurs withstand a brutal regular season and draining post season? Given their track record these past two seasons I think that is a legitimate question to ask.

more never before heard insight from dr. got.

[z0sa]

that manu block on wade was sick. Mason (pre-PG try to do too much thanks Pop) nailing that shot effortlessly was icing on the cake.

[Muser]

that manu block on wade was sick. Mason (pre-PG try to do too much thanks Pop) nailing that shot effortlessly was icing on the cake.

Yeah man, I put it up to show people that he's still a beast .

[NewJerSpur]

So the Spurs go from Michael Finley to Richard Jefferson. The Lakers go from Trevor Ariza to Ron Artest. And the Lakers trump the Spurs? They're not even garuanteed of getting better, while the Spurs changed the entire dynamics of their team.

To trump the Spurs they'll need to swap Fisher for Devin Harris.

Agree with everything here....only problem is I heard from special sources that the league might allow the Lakers to trade a couple of autographed Jersey's from past players to the Nets for Harris. Take it for what it's worth.

[TD4THREE]

The difference between the Spurs and the Lakers is that the Laker core is all in their prime right now.

The Spurs have two aging stars who are definitely on the downhill of their respective careers, especially in terms of health. Can the Spurs withstand a brutal regular season and draining post season? Given their track record these past two seasons I think that is a legitimate question to ask.

So Manu is old and washed up at 32, yet Bryant who's 31 is in the prime of his career? Of course Laker fans would love to believe that Tim and Manu are done,but I'll believe it when I see it on the court.

[z0sa]

So Manu is old and washed up at 32, yet Bryant who's 31 is in the prime of his career? Of course Laker fans would love to believe that Tim and Manu are done,but I'll believe it when I see it on the court.

Yeah i guess he never heard of Magic coming back to play in '92 (or '96 for that matter) or Kareem playing til he was 52 or so at a high level. Not surprising a Lakerfan wouldn't know his team's history.

[DrHouse]

So Manu is old and washed up at 32, yet Bryant who's 31 is in the prime of his career? Of course Laker fans would love to believe that Tim and Manu are done,but I'll believe it when I see it on the court.

Manu does not have the body that Kobe has. He hasn't shown any ability to stay healthy these past two seasons while Kobe has played just about every game. You can't compare the two.

And Duncan's remaining athleticism is dwindling. He's no longer the intimidating presence he once was defensively and he can't carry the load on offense as he gets noticeably tired at the end of games when he has to do too much.

I can't name any Laker core player that suffers from any of these problems. They are all in their primes and in peak athletic condition. That's the difference, look at the facts and you'll see that you are wrong and I am right.

[z0sa]

"That's the difference, look at the facts and you'll see that you are wrong and I am right"

even when you accidentally say something that's factual, everyone ignores it.

[Spurs_210]

The difference between the Spurs and the Lakers is that the Laker core is all in their prime right now. They just won a championship as well, let's not forget that. They were not the team that lost in the 1st round to Dallas despite having HCA. That was the Spurs, that loss IMHO shows just how far SA has dropped in a few short seasons.

The Spurs have two aging stars who are definitely on the downhill of their respective careers, especially in terms of health. Can the Spurs withstand a brutal regular season and draining post season? Given their track record these past two seasons I think that is a legitimate question to ask.

Either your really ignorant or have no idea what your talking about. When the Spurs went to WCF they could very have beaten the Lakers had Manu not got injured or a call get blown. Not to long ago Lakers where no threat and Kobe was begging for a trade. Maybe you don't remember since you hadn't yet to board the bandwagon. Sure the Lakers made an upgrade but not where they need it. The PG position is still a big weakness and where they need an upgrade. Spurs on the other hand fix one major problem and soon will fix another. Now the teams are more at an equal level and we can expect more games like the first meeting this year which will definitely be fun to watch.

[EmantheSpursFan]

Manu does not have the body that Kobe has. He hasn't shown any ability to stay healthy these past two seasons while Kobe has played just about every game. You can't compare the two.

And Duncan's remaining athleticism is dwindling. He's no longer the intimidating presence he once was defensively and he can't carry the load on offense as he gets noticeably tired at the end of games when he has to do too much.

I can't name any Laker core player that suffers from any of these problems. They are all in their primes and in peak athletic condition. That's the difference, look at the facts and you'll see that you are wrong and I am right.

Thanks for jinxing the lakers

cant wait to see kobe go down with bad ankles and D fish randomly exploding while inbounding a ball!

[Spurs_210]

Manu does not have the body that Kobe has. He hasn't shown any ability to stay healthy these past two seasons while Kobe has played just about every game. You can't compare the two.

And Duncan's remaining athleticism is dwindling. He's no longer the intimidating presence he once was defensively and he can't carry the load on offense as he gets noticeably tired at the end of games when he has to do too much.

I can't name any Laker core player that suffers from any of these problems. They are all in their primes and in peak athletic condition. That's the difference, look at the facts and you'll see that you are wrong and I am right.

Weren't you complaining during the Nuggets series about Fisher being to old? Your comparing the bodies of Manu and Kobe? When its really their game that is the difference. Kobe is a jump shooter so naturally he will not get hurt as often compared to someone who's game is to attack the rim.

[DrHouse]

Weren't you complaining during the Nuggets series about Fisher being to old? Your comparing the bodies of Manu and Kobe? When its really their game that is the difference. Kobe is a jump shooter so naturally he will not get hurt as often compared to someone who's game is to attack the rim.

Which only further proves my point. Manu's style of play will make it much more likely that he injures himself at some point in the season.

Of course either team could suffer a major injury, but the Spurs are much more likely too because of the age and health of their players.

And finally the Spurs were never on LA's level this past season or the one before it. They never were. And it's going to take more than RJ for them to get there, they need another major piece in the frontcourt alongside Duncan.

[Spurs_210]

Which only further proves my point. Manu's style of play will make it much more likely that he injures himself at some point in the season.

Of course either team could suffer a major injury, but the Spurs are much more likely too because of the age and health of their players.

And finally the Spurs were never on LA's level this past season or the one before it. They never were. And it's going to take more than RJ for them to get there, they need another major piece in the frontcourt alongside Duncan.

Ignorance is bliss... Did you not watch that series? Had Manu not got injured or the blown call that shift momentum to the Lakers. It could have gone either way.

[TD4THREE]

Manu does not have the body that Kobe has. He hasn't shown any ability to stay healthy these past two seasons while Kobe has played just about every game.

That's nice,but my argument wasn't about Manu's abilty to stay healthy. It was about Manu still being an effective player if he can stay on the court. Which is a question mark, but no player is guaranteed to make it through a season, I could sit here and bring up Bynum's injury issues and say there's a good chance he'll blow out his knee again next season, doesn't make it a fact.

he can't carry the load on offense

We'll then it's a good thing that he won't have to.