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Subject: The State of the Lakers
Posted by: jedman
- Sustainer [40746414] Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 00:33
I am not a Lakers fan, but having League Pass this year I have seen a lot of their games and quite frankly, I just don't think they are a very good team this year. Their offense is very stagnant. Kobe is trying to distribute more, but nobody can make a shot consistently. Their defense is just pathetic, giving up lots of easy hoops and not working very hard. It seems to me they are thinking people are just going to roll over and play dead since they are the "vaunted" Lakers, but it's not happening. The more they self-destruct, the more teams are going to realize they are very beatable. Unless they make a miraculous about face, I don't see them making it past the first rounds of the playoffs, let alone defending their title. Just wanted to start some discussion about this, because I am shocked at how bad they look so far this year. |
| 2 | R
ID: 38426220
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 01:33
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I dont get how a championship team, maybe dynasty, can get so bad so quickly. They basically have the same team so it makes no sense. I too have noticed Kobe is trying to distribute more, but IMHO, the Lakers are better when Kobe and Shaq hog the ball. You think its bad now, but i think its gonna get even worse, especially with Shaq pointing fingers at everyone.
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| 3 | xpdurmind
Donor
ID: 9922123
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 01:34
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If they keep this pace they will not make the playoffs. The only person not worried about the Lakers is Phil Jackson. He keeps saying to wait until after Christmas...I do believe that if they make the playoffs they will be tough to beat due to their experience.
I've been a Laker fan for as long as I can remember,and If they get trashed on Christmas day, I would think Phil was talking about Lottery picks!
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| 4 | xpdurmind
Donor
ID: 9922123
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 01:51
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2 more points:
1.Defense.There is none besides Shaq clogging the middle and Kobe when he decides to expend his energies at that end. The lakers are a step slower rotating. They're blowing coverages and teams are taking advantage. Once they get their D together all will be well.
2. The lakers are not as deep as a lot of the teams currently out there. Their role players are not cutting it. They signed George to a multi-year deal and expected him to be the energizer. He hasn't delivered. S. walker and Fisher are getting older,but not better.Madsen!Medvedenko!Rush! Enough said.
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| 5 | Dunkenstein
ID: 249534
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 02:02
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I'll agree that the Lakers are playing incredibly uninspired basketball at this time. I would, however, like to point out that they are only 3 1/2 games out of eighth place and actually only 5 games out of third place in the Western Conference.
I think PJ knows what his team is capable of, and knows there's still plenty of season left to make the playoffs.
That being said, I don't think they will be as good as they were the last three years, and both Sacramento and Dallas are definitely improved. I'm a long time Lakers fan, but I'm skeptical that they'll be able to get past Dallas and/or Sacramento at playoff time, especially without home court advantage against either.
Then, next summer, it will be time for Mitch Kupchak to prove he is a worthy successor to Jerry West. In my opinion, he hasn't done squat to improve (or even maintain) the quality of the team West left him.
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| 6 | clach
ID: 4112529
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 02:51
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I think the only serious game they played this year was against Dallas.
Evrybody know what's happened.
When you are a three-champions and Shaq has just finished his pre-seasons, it's very difficult find motivations.
That said, Sac almost beat them last year and this year they look better.
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| 7 | SmackDown
Donor
ID: 41127418
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 02:58
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Sorry I think they not only make the playofs but will Finally lose in the Western Conference Final to either SAC or DAL! I agree with xpdurmind where the "D" is the Key! Isn't this the reason MJ Left the game after they won 3 straight titles? He felt his intensity was not going to be there for him to perform to the level he has been. So he walked away. The Lakers will kick it in gear when they feel the pressure and I suspect X-mas day when they play the Sacramento "Queens" will be that possible turning point! Please mark my words though...They will definetly make the playoffs! 84 games in a season and they have played 26 so far leaving 58 games left. Lets say they go 38-20 in that time ...I beleive that places them like 48 - 36 then that places them at around a .600 winning percentage. and currently there are only two other teams above .600...SAC and DAL! Note: If the Queens beat them badly on X-mas day then I take all of this back!
Thanks You
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| 8 | SmackDown
Donor
ID: 41127418
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 03:02
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clach
"That said, Sac almost beat them last year and this year they look better."
In my mind they DID BEAT LA Last year. They certainly out played them. two games...Bryant plowing over Bibby (NO CALL) for a steal and the game where Horry's heroic 3 pointer kept them from going down to SAC at 3-1 versus an even series. I think that was the 4th game? I just fely SAC got robbed by that shot and definetly horrible foul calls in another!
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| 9 | clach
ID: 4112529
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 03:11
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Smackdown:
Thats' why the Lakers have made a 3-peat.
Because they win also when the opponents play much better.
Because they can make unbelievable comebacks, like in the game you mentioned, or this year against Dallas or 3 years ago againts Portland in game 7.
Because they are able to make 3p shots in last second, while others missing
That's the difference between champions and great teams.
I don't like talking of referees, it's known they helped the strongest, but if perhaps they can decide a match, even they can't decide a series.
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| 10 | KnicksFan
Donor
ID: 3974252
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 03:11
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There are 82 games in a season. Your whole theory goes up in smoke. :)
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| 11 | R
ID: 38426220
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 03:13
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lol
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| 12 | DissFunkShun
ID: 31015120
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 05:43
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Speaking as a native Chicagoan & lifetime Bulls fan, never underestimate the power of Zen. Yes the Lakers do look absolutely pathetic right now. Even Shaq has been caught lately with his feet nailed to the floor on defensive rotations. Will they miss the playoffs? Not a chance! The Lakers are only one Phil Jackson Zen-induced motivational speech from turning everything around in an instant. Phil is a master motivator & this is just going to be another notch on his belt when they finally do come around. Although I don't think they will win it all again, I can see them making some noise in the playoffs.
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| 13 | culdeus
Donor
ID: 461027711
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 09:07
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You don't even have to be all that good to make the playoffs. Utah makes it in annually don't they? One quick run to get them around .500+3gms and they'll be hanging around the 6-8 seed range. The West just isn't as deep this year.
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| 14 | Dude
ID: 19411413
Wed, Dec 18, 2002, 10:47
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All but 2 teams in the western conference have 10 losses or more, so I'm not sweating it at all. They should be burried right now with their recent play, but there still in the hunt with an eternity to go. Every year it's the same talk about their "fat cat" syndrome (a little worse this year), but as long as they make the playoffs w/ a healthy Shaq/Kobe, I think they'll be fine. They're defense will pick up. Biggest problem is lack of a shooter. Fox/Horry/Walker & especially Fisher are all bricks. They'll pick someone up later in the year. I'm not completely delusional, they are in bad shape, but too early to panic with all of the parity in the west.
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| 15 | Dave R
Leader
ID: 47635299
Thu, Dec 19, 2002, 08:59
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as the Lakers are playing the Nets tonight and I realize this a local twist, I thought this is article was interesting
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| 16 | chuckwagon
ID: 431056817
Thu, Dec 19, 2002, 10:33
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did anyone think this is on purpose? If they suck enough, many they can get Lebron. Think about how unstoppable that team would be...
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| 17 | jedman
Sustainer
ID: 40746414
Thu, Dec 19, 2002, 21:51
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The Lakers are now tied with my Warrriors as the most pathetic team in the Western Conference. Unbelievable! I repeat what I said above, their defense is just horrendous, so lazy. I just don't think they will be able to all of a sudden turn it on. I can't see anything positive about them at this point of the season.
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| 18 | Dave R
Leader
ID: 54449116
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 07:56
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article in the paper today after last nights game
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| 19 | Dave R
Leader
ID: 54449116
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 09:39
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another lakers article.
Take it for what its worth and this is from NJ paper
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| 20 | MyLakers
ID: 13782314
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 11:25
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I have to say, as a life time Laker fan, I am deeply disappointed this season. The front office didnt do anything to improve in the off season, shaq decides to wait until the last minute to have his surgery, the role plays are rolling over. All I honestly want from my teams is a good honest effort, front office and on the court and at least a first round appearance in the playoffs. I dont know that we will get any of it this year. To top it all off, a guy I was respecting is now pointing fingers in the press and making accusations. Wheter true or not it is BUSH to do this on the airwaves.
MyL
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| 21 | PJ
ID: 47137284
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 20:40
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The cynic in me cannot not help but think that the Lakers tanking this year is part of a grand conspiracy to be in the draft lottery this year. Doesn't matter which seed they get.
Just watch. They will be the 11th seed in this year's draft lottery but after the ping pong balls stop bouncing ...presto... they end of up with the first pick of the draft and end up selecting Lebron. Wouldn't David Stern want it any other way?
;-)
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| 22 | cRABkilla
ID: 11062022
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 23:40
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Yet i am proven right again, rick fox is the worst player in a laker's uniform if not one of the worst ever! my lakers are struggling, and they need to but a package together with fox, samaki walker, and fisher, and get some new faces in on the lakers. shaq is missing easy ass turn around shots, and is getting called for every foul when he isn't triple teamed.
Hey mitch, what about fortson? since the managment has let everyone else: kenny thomas, posey, rodney rodgers, keon clark, oakley and the list continues, pass us by, fortson! or someone at least, the lakers need some reguvination! enough chances with mitch richmond, and isiah rider, ac green, horce grant, lets get someone in there that wants to win a championship, and that is willing to do it. It might have worked with sorry free agents before, but now that teams got the zone defense down, you need to make a move.
fortson isn't wanted in GS, we need someone that can bang in the paint, he doesn't need to score, and jsut wants board, what else do you need?!?
So mitch, get working so we can keep the dynasty alive. i've wanted to see fox and samaki gone for a long time now, do it, and through fisher in there, cuz he isn't doin' ish either.
fox, fisher, samaki, (take ur pick or all please!!!) for:
- fortson (luggage)
-camby and howard
-how about portland? (daniels, mighty mouse, davis) and would be a good fit
There has to be something you can think of, get a third party involved, please mitch do something we beg you!
This was all typed out of irritation and being pi$$ed at the lakers and all the haters, need to tell it to someone. thanks for taking you time to hear me out.
cRABkilla
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| 23 | 2PaC
ID: 15944301
Fri, Dec 20, 2002, 23:52
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i agree, they need to make a change, i personally don't
like fisher on that team the most
i say keep horry, he is a must keep
fox i like too b/c he can knock down the jumper and he's
a very fluid player plus he's a veteran
samaki walker when with SA i thought would be
amazing pick up for the lakers, but he seems stiff, and
can't make anything around the basket....
so i'd get rid of fisher and samaki, and maybe/maybenot
fox for better shooting/passing point guard and a more
athletic PF
i'd also think about trading deveon george, he just does
not have any kind of outside shot at all
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| 24 | cRABkilla
ID: 141151216
Sat, Dec 21, 2002, 07:00
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devon george is the second comming of fox, fox lost whatever it is he thinks he has, two years ago
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| 25 | DWetzel
ID: 30353118
Sat, Dec 21, 2002, 09:11
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The math is stating to look bad for the Lakers.
They're 10-18 over 1/3 of the way through the season. Let's give them a .500 record over the next 12 games, as they start to work their way out of whatever it is that is allegedly afflicting them. That puts them at 16-24.
Now, let's say they find that old Laker magic and go on a 55-win pace the rest of the year. That lets them finish up their season at 28-14. Total record: 44-38. Is that enough to make the playoffs in the Wesern Conference? Maybe, but I don't think so. At best, it means a trip to Sacramento for three games of a 5-game series. Followed by a road trip to Dallas, if they get lucky.
Either the Lakers have to pick it up very soon, or they're watching ping pong balls in June.
And I don't see any useful trades available. The main reason the Lakers are playing bad is the lack of defensive effort from everyone on their team, especially the role players. To you budding NBA GMs out there: would you like to trade with the three-time NBA champs that you've been trying to knock off, and take some of their aging role players who won't put out defensive effort for a coach who has more rings than Barnum and Bailey combined? And, by the way, who are overpaid?
Didn't think so.
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| 26 | clach
ID: 4112529
Mon, Dec 23, 2002, 19:53
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Once again looks all Kobe "selfish" fault
Do you guys agree with these theory?
I know Kobe doesn't like triangle offense
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| 27 | cRABkilla
ID: 11062022
Mon, Dec 23, 2002, 21:59
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anyone get a chance to read teh new slam? kobes' featured in it, and i think it coudl change the views of a lot of haters as to who kobe is, check it out
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