[CbobbyB]

They haven't played a game with Bynum and Gasol in the lineup...so the answer is NO

[TakaraJinRoh]

Originally Posted by essbee

who's arguing about Rodman's contribution? as already said their supporting cast became great when he joined the Bulls. Before he got there it wasn't, the players we're talking about were ALL MEDIOCRE, from Caffey to Cartwright to Craig Hodges and everybody in between. The idea that Jordan never won anything without a great supporting cast is retarded because he won championships before rodman got there.

What's retarded is stating that Jordan never left a great suppoting cast.


The Bulls post Jordan was so good they won 55 games and made it to the semis. If thats not a testament of how good the Bulls are even without Jordan, I dont know what is.


I dont know how you can win this argument. Jordan-less Bulls in the 90's was no championship calibre team, but everytime your team can win 50+ games and advance in the playoffs then its a given that team is just a star way from going deeper in the postseason.


In hindsight, I cant see any perimeter driven team like LA with Kobe and Wade in Miami winning a whole lot of games if their star player is MIA in a full season much more reach the playoffs.

[futuristxen]

They SHOULD be good.
But then I thought Odom would be a good compliment to Kobe. There's no telling what kind of player Gasol will turn into playing next to Kobe. The most dangerous thing about Gasol is his offense. But that might be somewhat mitigated by the lack of touches he's going to get.

He's also very opinionated and open with what he thinks. What if he doesn't like Kobe or get along with him?

There's a lot of variables.

And they still are going to have problems with the Spurs.

Spurs have the bigs to defend Bynum and Gasol. Neither of which is going to stop Duncan. Bowen can still guard Kobe. And everything else is the same.

It may give Kobe a leg up or it may not. We'll see how he uses him. I don't know if he'll be the role player leader that Karl Malone was as a Laker though.

[Avalanche]

Remember when anyone hyping up the C's was told to shut up because they hadnt played a game together yet?

I do

[TakaraJinRoh]

Originally Posted by futuristxen

But then I thought Odom would be a good compliment to Kobe.

I think he is. And it has nothing to do with Odom not getting his fair share of touches. Even when he's given the green light, Odom just doesnt have it in him to capitalize in his role.


Odom is just not a second option type of player, not even third from my observation this year. He regressed and has came to a point where his basketball intentions and desire is questioned.

[TakaraJinRoh]

Originally Posted by Avalanche

Remember when anyone hyping up the C's was told to shut up because they hadnt played a game together yet?

I do

Haha yeah. thats so true.


Keep in mind though, the Celtics situation is very much different. We're talking about a major overhaul in their roster. LA was already playing well and their key players are left untouched. So essentially the difference obviously is just swapping Kwame for a better piece.


The fact that Kwame has'nt done anything positive for them this year, even Gasol with just 12 and 7 is going to do wonders for their team.

[futuristxen]

Originally Posted by TakaraJinRoh

I think he is. And it has nothing to do with Odom not getting his fair share of touches. Even when he's given the green light, Odom just doesnt have it in him to capitalize in his role.


Odom is just not a second option type of player, not even third from my observation this year. He regressed and has came to a point where his basketball intentions and desire is questioned.

I think it's in Odom's best interest to try and get traded. He was good for the CLippers. Great for the Heat. But as soon as he started playing with Kobe and Phil Jackson, his game fell off. He was playing REALLY great over in Miami.

I think he'd work good on teams like the Warriors, Raptors, and Hornets. But obviously none of those teams is trading for him. he'd probably even work out in Chicago.

[ElMarroAfamado]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

Jordan never won a damn thing without a great supporting cast. Big or small is irrelevant. Pippen is an all-time great.

[Sir Patchwork]

Originally Posted by Avalanche

Remember when anyone hyping up the C's was told to shut up because they hadnt played a game together yet?

Adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the worst team in the league is a reason to take a wait and see approach.

Adding Pau Gasol to the best team in the west (before Bynum went down) is a reason to raise already high expectations.

[thug_immortal8]

The lakers team without pau would have been a contenter against the spurs. They might have taken them to 6 games maybe 7, i don't see how they can't win 4 out of 7 now that they've improved this much.