[croco]

Asking the obvious since the other threads have gone a bit away from that question. Contenders, pretenders, best team in the West, still not quite there ?

[HallOfFamer]

I put them a notch below the Spurs and Celtics. I'm really anxious to see Bynum back out there now, see how dangerous this team is at full strength. If they gel like I'm hoping they do, then WOW..

[TakaraJinRoh]

When I watched the Lakers this year, the only thing more obvious is that the Lakers need a player that can score down low.


I think if you really follow them, you'll see why they lost a lot of games and there are nights were they are very questionable. Phil Jackson at times has insisted numerous times to put players like Luke Walton and Radmanovic in the post. And wow, what a terrible decision to do.



They tried Kwame Brown and forced that issue too and it just ends up in a turnover parade. Its no secret that when Bynum started giving them 20 and 10 in 60% FG they were playing .700 ball.



Giving LA two capable big man to patrol the paint is not fair. They have one of the deadliest clutch performer in Kobe whose load will be much easier and LA now have other players like Fisher,Vujacic and Farmar who can knock down huge shots at their disposal.



Barring injury, I dont see any reason why they will lose in a title match. Phil is already a proven coach. all he ever needed are more capable pieces and now he has it.

[g-dog-rice#2]

They were already a top 10 team. Now they are for sure a top 5 team, if not top 3.

Think about it. They have the defense to play the Suns. Amare won't be able to dominate as much with Bynum and Pau patrolling.
Duncan won't be able to guard both Bynum and Pau.
They now have the toughness to bang with the Pistons.
They even match up with the Celts now.

I really like the Laker's chances, if they can just stay healthy and get the players on the court to mesh with each other.

[DQ for 3]

Can a game-by-game watching Lakers fan tell me this, do they still run a true triangle offense? With Pau/Odom and soon Bynum alongside Kobe, you can open yourself up to so many more opportunities (in my opinion) than what you've been doing. You can create an obvious mismatch with basically every team outside of Detroit/San Antonio/Boston, the premier defensive squads.
I've watched maybe a handful of games this season for a few minutes, but can't recall if Phil is still running that strong.

Also, if I'm LA, I don't make a Odom for Kidd deal that some have talked about - Fisher is a great fit for less money, if you get Kidd, your probably paying into the luxury tax. This team is good enough if things gel, I wouldn't make that extra move and risk more money to win now when you are sitting pretty right now.

[TakaraJinRoh]

Lakers does not run the triangle as efficient nor conventionally like the Bulls did, they are a notch lower than that of the Shaq era triangle as well. One adjustment Phil needed to make was put Kobe on the post just like how he used MJ back in the day, but with Bynum and Pau clogging that lane now, that really isnt going to be an issue any further.


The Lakers have progressed as a team in running the triangle. The key here is that Kobe's been very willing to pass and on top of that his teammates are actually making those wide opened shots. the addition of Fisher has also helped them in utilizing the system even further. Experience and knowledge is a must when playing the system. Fisher has both.


You should watch the Toronto game right now. The Lakers are showcasing a very good execution of triangle and yet Kobe's still having a career night (39 pts with 9 mins left)

[Drewbs]

Originally Posted by TakaraJinRoh

Lakers does not run the triangle as efficient nor conventionally like the Bulls did, they are a notch lower than that of the Shaq era triangle as well. One adjustment Phil needed to make was put Kobe on the post just like how he used MJ back in the day, but with Bynum and Pau clogging that lane now, that really isnt going to be an issue any further.


The Lakers have progressed as a team in running the triangle. The key here is that Kobe's been very willing to pass and on top of that his teammates are actually making those wide opened shots. the addition of Fisher has also helped them in utilizing the system even further. Experience and knowledge is a must when playing the system. Fisher has both.


You should watch the Toronto game right now. The Lakers are showcasing a very good execution of triangle and yet Kobe's still having a career night (39 pts with 9 mins left)

Until Kobe breaks the 90 pt barrier, there is no such thing as a career night for him.

[TakaraJinRoh]

The way he's playing tonight it looked like he was going to push for 82.

[Drewbs]

Finally having a legitimate title contender around him must've put a huge bounce in his step for the game tonight.

[Avalanche]

Im not convinced they will have championship caliber defence as of yet

[gi0rdun]

Let them play a few gam