The NBA preseason is getting into full swing and it's time to start em up for hopefully another great Laker year. Could this be the year Phil knocks off Red? Mark this thread for all your Laker talk as a possible return to the Finals is on the horizon.
Good News/Jubilation
+ Bynum is back and he looks stronger than ever. Nuff said
+ Fisher/Kobe/Odom/Gasol/Bynum or possibly even Odom as a 6th man
+ Most of the young nucleus is still together and this time with playoff game experience under their belt.
+ Josh Powell is impressing in camp with his energy and rebounding prowess. Possible Ronny replacement?
+ Sun Yue is finally ready to hit the D-League to do more than just stuff dunk attempts.
+ Chris Mihm is healthy as he was when he posted 10 and 6. May see time at PF as well.
+ DJ Mbenga has impressed with his jumpshot. Coaches say it's the kind of offensive progression that Ronny went through.
+ CJ Giles is an intriguing prospect out of Oregon State. Good wingspan and shotblocking ability. Solid hook shot and jumper, not a lot of inside moves so possible PF? Possible headcase but Phil's no stranger to em (Isaiah Rider, Rodman, etc). Sorta like a Steven Hunter.
Bad News/Concerns
- Kobe's finger still hasn't gotten the surgery it needs and sources say his shot's been off because of the pain and numbness.
- Can Powell also replace the shot-blocking ability and team glue Turiaf provided?
- Will the lineup work and can Odom be a 6th man?
- Still no defensive swingman who can also shoot the 3 at the same time.
- Outside of Powell, no other PF is a solid rebounder and stout defender.
- Not a lot of moves.
- Mitch still has a hard-on for undersized 6'5 tweener guards.
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
Lakers look stacked on the front end, the back end doesn't look as deep to me as last year though.
Bynum playing alongside Gasol and Odom is just huge. Those three guys are long, tall and can rebound effectively. Bynum also brings some much needed toughness to the front line that was exposed in the finals.
I think Kobe should have gotten the surgery as I think he will end up getting it sometime during the seaosn anyway, and Fisher is a year older and had a career year last year.
Havign said that, I think Jordan Farmar is going to have to step up and be the player he has shown he can be at times, all the time. He, Ariza, Walton are going to have to play well in order for L.A. to get back to the top.
I simply don't trust Mihm's lower half, Mbenga as any type of option or Sun Yue as a rookie.
The good news for L.A. is that the Clippers got smaller, the Warriors got slower and the Suns got older. That leaves the Kings...who did nothing of any substance standing in their way of another division title.
Look for the Blazers, Rockets and Jazz to be right their with L.A. at the end with the Spurs, Mavericks and Suns behind them. -
:woot:
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It's a Laker love fest in the Heat thread.
LOL.
we all pick the Lakers to win it all this year.Regan21286 likes this. -
Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
That was my original thought when they picked up Gasol last year, that THIS year would be the payoff. But for some reason, I am having second thoughts now.
Maybe pre-season jitters. :hi5: -
Mbenga can be a solid defensive option on the 2nd unit to give Gasol and Bynum a breather. A 2nd team of Mbenga, Powell, possibly Odom, Vujacic, and Farmar should be able to keep up the energy that our bench provided last year. That was key. Sun Yue's going to the D-League anyways but he showed some flashes in the Olympics. -
anyway i cant wait for opening night. should be good -
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I heard some chick was stalking Luke Walton....I was just wondering if she
was hot????? -
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Getting kinda worried seeing Bynum come off the bench. Some are saying Phil doesn't want to reveal his hand yet and then there are others saying chemistry issues. Bynum hasn't looked too bad so far. And still can't find anyone other than Vlad who can shoot the 3.
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-TbWNDmJsA]YouTube - Jordan Farmar SICK Off The Backboard Pass To Ariza!! Raps Vs LA[/ame]
Nice dunk by the two former Bruins....on another former Bruin. Ariza and Farmar are really developing some nice chemistry on the fast break. -
leeeeeeeeeeeeets get it
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
96-76. 20 point blowout to start the season off right.
Bynum looks rusty and I hope Oden isn't hurt too bad. The guy is ultra talented but appears to be fragile as all get out.
Hopefully L.A. can make it 2-0 tomorrow. :up: -
Oden is a BUST. At best he's a decent rebounder. He going to be a poor man Mutumbo with constant injuries.
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
38 point blowout of the Clippers. All 12 Lakers scored at least four points and the Lake Show is an easy 2-0. :D
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
I think they will be better than last year. I still m aintain that Brand screwed them big time. Camby is a defensive presence who will help out when he gets back. The second half of the seaosn will be better than the first I think.
I didn't realize that that starting lineup was the FIRST time those five had played together ever. They will need time to develop chemistry. -
Looks like this is the Laker's year if they can stay healthy, and have Bynum to help out down low.
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the teams loaded thats for sure.
Glad to see Walton buried on the bench. Felt he was a weak-link last year.
This team still needs to be physical and agressive. -
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
Walton wa sinjured a bunch last year. He has looked good in the few minutes he has played so far this year. I agree though, he shouldn't be playing ahead of some of the other guys.
When Luke Walton is your 10th or 11th option, you have a good team. Ariza, Vujacic, Farmar, Odom, are all better than him at this point. Inevitably,, someone will get hurt or dinged up and Luke will be there to pick up the slack. He is good to have around. -
Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
3-0. :D Nuggets were game, but Kobe turned it on late and took it in the fourth. Bynum is looking really good on the defensive side of the ball, which is really what they need him to be right now. They have enough offense from Kobe, Gasol and Odom.
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Ok, who's the sore loser who rated this thread down? It's ok to be jealous. :pity:
Bynum's shoulder injury isn't too bad so he'll still play. Still trying to find his niche in the offense which is expected but he's still providing that low post anchor we sorely needed.
And Ariza's discovered a 3 point shot. He's currently the league leader in 3pt FG%. There's another spot I thought we needed to fix because getting an outside shooter with defense at the SF position (ala Posey) was sorely lacking during the playoffs. Walton lost confidence in his shot plus bad D, Vlad can't play D and will likely have minutes at PF, Odom isn't reliable outside, and Vujacic should really just guard PG/SG's.H.Moody likes this. -
Actually,I've been somewhat impressed with Vlad Rad's D during the first 3 games.In PJ's offense you do understand what he's trying to do with Vlad at the 3? Right? -
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We'll we're 4-0 and we're absolutely hosing opponents by an average score of 20.7 pts. I'll take it, but still not saying much since 2 of those games were against the Clippers. Huge weekend coming up for us. HOU,@DAL,@NOH,Detroit in a 5 day period should let us know how good we really are.
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
5-0. A 30 point blowout of the Rockets caps off an excellent first five games for the Lakers. :D And to think, everyone wants to crown the Rockets the team to beat...:lol:
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It looked bad in the first quarter but our bench showed why this team is heads above all others. Farmar's tearing into backup PG's like he did against amateurs in Wooden.
Nuggets just waived McDyess. I think he could be someone who can do what Powell does and better. -
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Got sloppy early again with Dallas. But Trevor Ariza is like a human Red Bull. I always thought he should've stayed in UCLA to bulk up and refine his game but I guess 1 year with the Lakers works too. And Kobe's still a top closer.
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go suns :)
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
That doulbe move that Kobe dropped on Diaw wa a thing of beauty. I usually gloss over crossovers and one on one matchups, but I had to rewind that one a few times. Excellent win by L.A. They seem to be firing on all cylinders right now. The key for them is to stay healthy and keep on keeping on.
The offense will be there, keep the commitment to defense and they will go far. -
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