Krikorian: Lakers ran into a better team

I fully agree with you on Walton and Radmanovic. Those two kill them right now ... and at the team's weakest position. However, a 6-10 3-point shooter may be someone that has value to other teams. On the other hand, I can't imagine that Walton could be moved. I have to challenge your implied praise of Garnett. The Lakers didn't have trouble with Garnett ... not on the Boston offensive end. In my mind, he is very overrated. He is the cornerstone of the Boston defense. But, he hadn't won anything being the number 1 man ... because he isn't suited for that role. He isn't good enough or of sufficiently strong character. He needed someone much better than him as a teammate in that role ... and that was Paul Pierce. And, I wish SOMEONE would comment on Garnett's disgraceful behavior during the 4th quarter of game 6. Back to the Lakers ... I think the "respected analyst" who commented that Bynum and Gasol together will hurt the team on both ends is just another of the many anti-Laker media who were (are) reveling in the Boston victory. Gasol and Bynum both run the floor very well, Gasol is not a purely low post player, and Bynum is not the kind of center (at this point) who needs to receive the ball in the post and back in, etc.(la Kareem). The bigger question is Bynum's ability to stay healthy (as you pointed out), and Odom's role (SF, SG at times?, backup PF?). With this present roster, Ariza's ability to stay healthy is very important too.

I agree with you 100% Dougie, another great job or writing!

The changes the Lakers need to make are minimal. If the league would suspend this nonsense of officating playoff games as if the rules of basketball no longer apply, the young inexperienced Lakers would be champions right now and we would be talking about a dynasty.

Walton and Radmonivich are fine for the regular season. With a healthy Ariza and Bynum, the Lakers start Bryant, Fisher, Odom, Gasol, and Bynum. With everyone playing their "natural position". The bench would then consist of Sasha and Farmar at guard. Ariza and Walton/Radmonivich at small forward, Turiaf at power forward and Chris Mihm at center.

The Lakers will be (again) the most versatile team in the league. Able to play small and quick or tall and long. Their versatility is able to overcome everything BUT playoff officiating.

All things being equal, even in the difficult Western Conference, the Lakers could win 60 games next year. They should expect to be back in the finals. IF they insist on getting "tougher", see if they can trade for Ron Artest...or just let Ira Newble actually play in a game.

They exceeded everyone's expectations this year...let's not panic because we lost to the dreaded, hated, cheating, Celtics.(smile)

I blame the league, but I have to admit, for the long term health of the NBA, it was better for Boston to win this year. Their refs need to be not employed by the NBA. It is a shams so many games are impacted by horrible officiating.

I meant shame, but sham works too!

I just wish ALL Lakers fans and their players and coaches could be man enough to admit being beaten by a better team rather than make excuses.

The Lakers aren't making excuses. Nobody expected them to be in the playoffs, never mind the Finals. And the only excuses I heard were last year by the Celtics when they won a whopping 24 games out of 82. Celts with that ancient team are one and done. Lakers are young and on the rise for the next 6 seasons. I'm not worried.

I thought they were F--ken brilliant!

Hey Doug you and the Downey flush need to hook up. The state says you both can get married now

I don't know what Mitch was thinking about the Luke and Redo deal. Everytime Luke touches the ball I stop breathing, that kid has no game. We can trade both of them for a quality player that will produce night in and night out. I feel you Kobe on that.

beach cities wrote:

I just wish ALL Lakers fans and their players and coaches could be man enough to admit being beaten by a better team rather than make excuses.

My bad. I forgot to congratulate the Celtics. I felt they were the better team, and the only team in the East the Lakers would not beat. Not could not, would not.

I have always liked Doc Rivers (even when he was a player) and respect Kevin Garnett for his loyalty to Minnesota. I like Paul Pierce, who has always killed the Lakers. Ray Allen you can keep. PJ Brown is a hack, as is James Posey and Kendrick Perkins.

The Celtics were built for playoff basketball...defense first, and make up for athleticism with physical play. They did great.

I think the league is ecstatic that this "rivalry" has been renewed...it would not have been if the Lakers had won the series. I have been watching playoff basketball too long to buy the league company line. Good for the Celtics, great for the league. i am looking forward to next year already!

Fine incite from Mr. Kirkorian.

And now, my two-bits:

The Triangle Offense has outlived it's usefulness. The Pistons handled it when they won the Championship and so did the Celtics. Phil Jackson hamstrings the front office in who they should look for because the first question to be asked of a prospective player is, "can they play in the Triangle?"

That is just ONE of the reasons that you will not be seeing Ron Artest coming to L.A.

Gasol was a surprise in that he adapted to the Triangle rather easily. Don't forget how much Kobe hated the Triangle during Phil's FIRST stint as Laker head coach. There is a reason for this.

Jackson has NEVER been considered a defensive coach even though he had great defensive players in Rodman, Pippen and guy named Jordan. When he has a player who is always the Irresistible Force, he doesn't have to worry about his team being the Unmovable Object. Oh well.

One Celtic defensive player did not beat the Lakers. It was a team commitment to playing hard-nosed D that pulled it off. Conversely, no one player will turn the Lakers into a team capable of clamping down the way the boys in green did.

Jackson also helped show Jerry West to the door and even though the Lakers won after his departure, his fingerprints were all over the trophies.

When P.J Brown hangs 'em up for Boston, they will have a spot open on their roster. Don't expect the Celtics to merely bask in the glow all summer long.

Ainge is on a roll and I'm sure there are a whole bunch of quality guys coming into free agency that would rather play for an existing Champion than for a bushel basket of Wannabe's.

Let your imagination flow freely for a moment and envision Artest playing for Boston. Now, that would be fun to watch. For some, that is.

oops. not INCITE (from the always provocative Doug Kirkorian) but INSIGHT. proof readers on strike.

I always laugh out loud at "experts" who think they know more about basketball than Phil Jackson. Those nine NBA titles didn't just fall into his lap.

For those haters who say that Phil just goes where the good players are and steps into a title, consider the fact that Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen, Shaq, & Kobe never won squat until they were coached by Jackson.

We were beaten in the Finals by a better team. Period. That won't always be the case. I can't wait til next season either.

My attention now turns to my long suffering Oakland Raiders.

All about nothing wrote:

Hey Doug you and the Downey flush need to hook up. The state says you both can get married now

I don't think that's funny!

celtics wrote:

Lakers got SPANKED!
I'm so glad! f- kobe

Enjoy it now. You're one and done with that geriatric team. Lakers will own the NBA for the next 6 seasons. I'll shine on your juvenile remark about Kobe Bryant.

Dennis the Menace wrote:

<quoted text>
Enjoy it now. You're one and done with that geriatric team. Lakers will own the NBA for the next 6 seasons. I'll shine on your juvenile remark about Kobe Bryant.

You mean that "exemplary teammate" Kobe Bryant? The punk Kobe Bryant? The-"I'll Never, Ever, Not In Million Years Be Michael" Kobe Bryant?

You mean the guy that can't win without Shaq?

Hey, Kobe: "Tell me, how does my *** taste?"

Melanie wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean that "exemplary teammate" Kobe Bryant? The punk Kobe Bryant? The-"I'll Never, Ever, Not In Million Years Be Michael" Kobe Bryant?
You mean the guy that can't win without Shaq?
Hey, Kobe: "Tell me, how does my *** taste?"

Ah!! I see you're one of those ladies who's into coprophagia.

We like Kobe Bryant just fine. Last I saw, Shaq was sitting at home during the playoffs after getting snuffed by the Spurs who got snuffed by the Lakers.

Then Shaq made that hood rat rap that got his reserve badges lifted by law enforcement administrators who were disgusted with him.

Dennis the Menace wrote:

<quoted text>
Enjoy it now. You're one and done with that geriatric team. Lakers will own the NBA for the next 6 seasons. I'll shine on your juvenile remark about Kobe Bryant.

Yes, the Lakers will be a better team next, season they will own the west for the next 3 years they may have to share the last 3 with Portland.

Portland right now has more talent in their team than the Lakers.
The only thing the Laker have on them, right now is experience give them 3 more years and they will be force.

Next season Boston may be as good at it is right now, or less it all depends if now that they won their title they will still have hunger for more.
Not as easy as it looks since only one team has done it the last 9 years and I am talking about back to back titles.

For that other guy writing about Artest to Boston are free agent...IS JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

If Boston wants him they will have to give some thing up, cause he is not going to Opt out for less money.

Melanie wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean that "exemplary teammate" Kobe Bryant? The punk Kobe Bryant? The-"I'll Never, Ever, Not In Million Years Be Michael" Kobe Bryant?
You mean the guy that can't win without Shaq?
Hey, Kobe: "Tell me, how does my *** taste?"

Ha ha ha funny!

But then again what can we expect from some one that doesn't know anything about basketball, is not like You were going to write some thing with any inside to back up her nonsense.

rrenault wrote:

<quoted text>
Ha ha ha funny!
But then again what can we expect from some one that doesn't know anything about basketball, is not like You were going to write some thing with any inside to back up her nonsense.

At least Melanie didn't pick the Lakers to beat the Celtics, or claim that Kobe was better than Michael.

Looks like she knows more about hoops than you do, huh?

Hey, Kobe, tell me how does my *** taste?