NBA Pre-Season. Lakers pwn u!!111

[CrOnO_LiNk]

Well, well, well.... I can't wait to see how many people are going to try and kill me for this thread.

As you all know (I hope), the pre-season games for the NBA started 2-3 days ago.

So, let's jump to the conclusion, we all know who the winners are, right? =-D

Yep! Shaq, Malone, Payton... Whoa. :banana:

(Also, let's try and keep the Bryant case out of this thread, please.)

[Joeiss]

I see great things from the West, as always.

The Twolves and the Mavs are amazing too... But I think if Kobe plays, Lakers will win another title.

[Morpheus1]

Lakers got killed last night, even with Shaq, Payton, and Malone getting more minutes

[Acebot44]

So they lost....not really a big deal

There is no use in arguing against the almighty Lakers. They will dominate with OR without Kobe.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

So they lost....not really a big deal

There is no use in arguing against the almighty Lakers. They will dominate with OR without Kobe.

I LOVE you man! I completely F***ING LOVE you! :beerchug:

Yeah! They lost one pre-season game, no big deal. Besides, the 3rd string was playing most of the time. They won the first pre-season game against Golden State.

Pre-Season= Useless practice fun.

[Morpheus1]

There is no use in arguing against the almighty Lakers. They will dominate with OR without Kobe.

HA! I don't think they will win 70 games with or without Kobe, and the only way I see them winning the title is WITH Kobe. Don't have too much faith in your team's ability, because all they can do is dissapoint with such high expectations set up for them.

Just be warned

[Acebot44]

I appreciate the warning.

I never said anything about 70 games and they dont have to win 70 to dominate. All they need to do is get to the playoffs.

Also, I believe that they dont have to have Kobe to win the championship. If he plays (which he hopefully does) then there is no doubt that they will win it all....if he doesnt play then they always got GP to fill in the role of SG and bring D Fish back to guard. Medvedenko, Rush, and Pargo seem very much improved this year. George will play his role as always. Bryon Russell and Horace Grant are solid vets. Karl will get the boards. Luke will get the open shoots and some passes and they always have Fox to look forward to coming back sometime next year.

[Morpheus1]

Kobe is argueably the best all-around player in the NBA. Kobe makes every player on his team better, while at the same time dominating himself. Gary Payton could never fill his role on the team. You could ask any owner/coach in the NBA, if they had Kobe on thier team they would never trade him away for Karl and/or Payton because he is much more valuable. If Kobe doesn't play, that's what the Lakers did, trade Kobe for two older less talented players who don't even completly understand the triangle offence yet.

If Kobe doesn't play, they lost half the reason they made it to the western conference championship last year. Karl and GP are good players, but thier best years are behind them while Kobe seems to get better and better with each season. You could even put Shaq in the same category as Karl and GP, he's not young either, and he has been on a spiral down. (You may not think it can happen to Shaq, but a awful end to a great carreer happend to all the best centers in history[few exceptions])

If you want to admit it or not, Kobe is a huge factor next year, not some replaceable element. Without Kobe (in my opinion) they don't have a realistic chance at beating the Mavs, Kings, or Spurs in a 7 game series.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

HA! I don't think they will win 70 games with or without Kobe, and the only way I see them winning the title is WITH Kobe. Don't have too much faith in your team's ability, because all they can do is dissapoint with such high expectations set up for them.

Just be warned

Although I want Kobe in, I do believe they can win without him, but I wouldn't like them to win without Kobe. Obviously I want them to win regardless of who's in, but I really hope Kobe plays, it won't "feel" good without him...

The Lakers starters this year are down right amazing. They have 4 all-stars and Devon George who has improved dramatically.

Also, let's take a look at the bench. We got Fisher (if Kobe plays), Kareem Rush, Jannero Pargo (2 awesome rookies of last year have improved a lot), Slava Medvedenko (underated awesome Russian Laker), and former injured starter Rick Fox who will be making a come back soon.

Those 5 can easily play a decent game while the starters are getting some time on the bench or if they're fouled out.

But other than those 10 Lakers, the third string sucks. That's why they lost to Golden State on the second pre-season game, they brought out the third string while Golden State still had some decent players in.

Kobe is argueably the best all-around player in the NBA. Kobe makes every player on his team better, while at the same time dominating himself. Gary Payton could never fill his role on the team. You could ask any owner/coach in the NBA, if they had Kobe on thier team they would never trade him away for Karl and/or Payton because he is much more valuable. If Kobe doesn't play, that's what the Lakers did, trade Kobe for two older less talented players who don't even completly understand the triangle offence yet.

If Kobe doesn't play, they lost half the reason they made it to the western conference championship last year. Karl and GP are good players, but thier best years are behind them while Kobe seems to get better and better with each season. You could even put Shaq in the same category as Karl and GP, he's not young either, and he has been on a spiral down. (You may not think it can happen to Shaq, but a awful end to a great carreer happend to all the best centers in history[few exceptions])

If you want to admit it or not, Kobe is a huge factor next year, not some replaceable element. Without Kobe (in my opinion) they don't have a realistic chance at beating the Mavs, Kings, or Spurs in a 7 game series.

Yeah, I can agree with that except your last opinion. Although it's an opinion, you never know. The NEW Lakers have only played 2 pre-season games with the same team. Until I see them play against the the Kings or the Spurs like a real season game, then I can tell if they have a chance or not... (But most probably, even without Kobe, I still think they have a chance).

Everything Morpheus said about Kobe is true, yeah, and I do agree with him, but if the Lakers lose him, may God have mercy on us. The real reason I want Kobe to be with the Lakers is obviously for them to win, but Kobe is my favorite basketball player, and I respect him as a ball player a lot. It's just really fun watching him play with his amazing skills. No offense to any Spurs fans, but watching Tim Duncan play last year bored me to death, but at least Kobe and Kevin Garnet had some "extra juice" in them while Duncan played like the dullest NBA all star out there. Just my opinion, but still, to get back on topic, I think they do need Kobe in there, but I think they still have a good chance of winning without him.

[The Germanator]

No offense to any Spurs fans, but watching Tim Duncan play last year bored me to death, but at least Kobe and Kevin Garnet had some "extra juice" in them while Duncan played like the dullest NBA all star out there.

That's exactly why I like Duncan. No flash, no cockyness, he just plays ball and in the end that's what it's all about. I hate the Lakers because of their personalities...I rooted for San Antonio because they gave me no reason to dislike them.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

That's exactly why I like Duncan. No flash, no cockyness, he just plays ball and in the end that's what it's all about. I hate the Lakers because of their personalities...I rooted for San Antonio because they gave me no reason to dislike them.

You serious?

All basketball players play proper ball, but everyone needs some personality regardless of what your job is. It makes it more fun for viewers and basketball starts themselves. Imagine if no one in the WWE had no personality, that would really suck. If Triple H wasn't the game, if the Rock didn't act like the people's champ, or if Stone Cold wasn't such a bas ass, the WWE wouldn't be as fun. Sure, you can't compare the WWE to the NBA, but seeing Kobe perform some awesome dunks or seeing Shaq complete the alley hoop is what makes the game fun for everyone.

I never see Tim Duncan scream, perform some cool moves, or even do something different than going in the paint and shoot. At least Shaq dunks like a wild animal to open everyone up. This is my opinion, and this is coming from someone who actually plays basketball, every team needs some personality.

[The Germanator]

I've played basketball too, so don't get all "this is coming from someone who actually plays basketball on me"...I think I admire Duncan because he has a personality more similar to mine. I'm calm and subdued, you don't need to yell or scream or make some funny face, or be a dick to be entertaining. I find all the double-doubles Tim puts up entertainment enough. I suppose we just see things different ways.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

I've played basketball too, so don't get all "this is coming from someone who actually plays basketball on me"...I think I admire Duncan because he has a personality more similar to mine. I'm calm and subdued, you don't need to yell or scream or make some funny face, or be a dick to be entertaining. I find all the double-doubles Tim puts up entertainment enough. I suppose we just see things different ways.

You've played basketball too?

Wow... :rolleyes:

Why are you getting all offended? No one in the NBA acted like a dick, except for Rodman, and he was an asshole. The Lakers don't have any of that crap, they just have personality that makes watching them fun. And just to let you know, I am serious about my game and I am no phycho when I play, just like every team, but watching the Spurs do the same thing over and over just bores me to death.

That's how I see it.

[The Germanator]

You've played basketball too?

Wow... :rolleyes:



You were the one to bring the issue of personal basketball history...so I should be rolling my eyes...

Anyway, I'm not even a Spurs fans, I just like them better than the Lakers. Getting back to the season, the Sixers and the big dog Glenn Robinson are gonna beast up the east, word up.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

You were the one to bring the issue of personal basketball history...so I should be rolling my eyes...

Anyway, I'm not even a Spurs fans, I just like them better than the Lakers. Getting back to the season, the Sixers and the big dog Glenn Robinson are gonna beast up the east, word up.

No, I said "wow..." because you got all offended by me saying "this is coming from someone who plays basketball".

So fine, let's get back to the season...

[Mushlafa]

Im sure everybody in this thread prolly plays ball... i for one play ball and see that you have pretty low ball IQ to think that the lakers dont have any bad personalities for one :) ... The lakers are good dont get me wrong but they're not a shoe in for the title... minesota has got a legit shot at the title Cassel, Sprewell, Sczerbiak (sp?), KG, and olowakandi ... is a pretty damn good team. Kings and mavs too and spurs ofcoarse.

[The Germanator]

How about Lebron last night? I must say he looked pretty nice.

[Mushlafa]

I must say the mans got some serious court vision. How about vc 39 points opening game? *crosses fingers* i hope he stays healthy....