Lakers

[scottie]

It's pretty much Lakers then everybody else in the west isn't it?:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings?season=2009&group=conference&seasontype=2&standType=standings

Very impressive at 14-1. How the heck can opposing teams defend a front line of two 7-footers with Bynum and Gasol's abilities? Bynum has been the difference.

[TripletDaddy]

Plus Odom, who is almost a 7 footer.

The lakers are a l-o-n-g team. Ariza, Odom, Gasol, Bynum, VladRad....

They are about to head out on a 3-game roadie. If they can win all 3, I think this team can be something really special.

Another scary thought....the lakers are 14-1 and Kobe and Gasol's minutes are DOWN from last year. Not only is this giving the bench valuable PT, but it is giving Kobe and Pau rest time for the second half of the season. Last night, Kobe and Gasol basically sat the entire 4th quarter.

PS I know this will sound weird in a Lakers thread, but I have been prompted to type the following: "Anything Glenn Beck says is gospel." I don't know why I have received this prompting, but maybe sometime in the future it will become clear to me.

[Surfah]

This team is scary good. I already told my brother-in-law that this Lakers team will win at least 65 games this year.

As DDD noted their length is unmatched. And they're bigs aren't stiffs either. Gasol, Bynum, VladRad, Odom, and Ariza can all run the floor. This is also a huge advantage that this Lakers team has also, they're not constrained to one style of offense. They can run with any team in the league and grind it out with half court sets. They all pass incredibly well and they clog the paint and closeout extremely well on the perimeter. Then there's the bench. They are deep. Luke Walton has gone from third option to tenth. The Lakers second team can maintain if not extend any lead they get. In fact they have sparked many runs that have brought the Lakers back into the game or put the game away. This team is an exciting team to watch.

[LiveCoug]

They are scary good and I hate them. Oh how I hate them. I am excited for the "3rd place in the Northwest Division" banner that the Jazz will hang from the rafters next May.

[TripletDaddy]

They are scary good and I hate them. Oh how I hate them. I am excited for the "3rd place in the Northwest Division" banner that the Jazz will hang from the rafters next May.

if it makes you feel any better, pretty much this entire team will be back next year and the year after.

[Surfah]

if it makes you feel any better, pretty much this entire team will be back next year and the year after.

You think LO will be back? I am thinking that the Lakers need to try and work something out to keep him. He's got 6th man of the year potential and is working out great leading Farmar and the 2nd team. Plus he's still getting plenty of time with the starters.

[il Padrino Ute]

The Lakers are evil.

[TripletDaddy]

You think LO will be back? I am thinking that the Lakers need to try and work something out to keep him. He's got 6th man of the year potential and is working out great leading Farmar and the 2nd team. Plus he's still getting plenty of time with the starters.

I do, but I hedged and said that pretty much the same team would be back.

The question is whether he will take the pay cut. I think they will offer LO around 8-10M a year to stick around. He is pretty entrenched in life in LA, and has stated that his desire is to stick around. He is being a great solider coming off the bench...compared to what knuckleheads like Starbury are doing, LO simply shows up and goes to work. The Lakers would love to keep him, but at a cheaper price. He never really blossomed into a max guy, but is fantastic as a 3rd option...or a 4th, as the case may be.

If the Lakers win the title, I think Lamar will be more interested in taking a pay cut to stick around. This team has the ability to be in the title hunt for the next 4-5 years if it keeps its core pieces together.

PS You are correct about 6th man. Esp if Manu keeps getting injured. Kobe's MVP trophy is now out the window and will likely go to LeBron, but who cares. I think Kobe understands that his reduced minutes is better for the team. He hasn't made so much as a peep even though his scoring is down from previous seasons.

[cougjunkie]

Kobe has proven that he is the ultimate teammate:

[TripletDaddy]

Kobe has always been a good teammate

[Sizzle]

Kobe has always been a good teammate

Agreed.

[TripletDaddy]

Agreed.

That doesnt mean Kobe was bad. Keep in mind, she bent over backwards for the guy, so clearly he was doing something right.

[Surfah]

[Donuthole]

That doesnt mean Kobe was bad. Keep in mind, she bent over backwards for the guy, so clearly he was doing something right.

The reports I read said she bent over frontwards too.

[Surfah]