Krikorian: Lakers ran into a better team

Kobes A Whiny Lil Bitch wrote:

<quoted text>
OK first off, I disagree with you on the Lakers improving more then any team in the West aside from Portland. I see the Clippers expecially if they can sign C/PF Josh Smith from Atlanta (cause of Barron Davis) and the Rockets if they can re-sign Carl Landry, Arthor is as good as advertized and Yao is healthy for the whole season both improving in the West more then the Lakers.
Secondly, last season as much as I hate to admit it I think Cleveland could have been A better team then Boston. The only reason Cleveland could have lost to Boston in the NBA playoffs, was because Boston had home court advantage. So I pick them to go to the finals in the East next season, but I hope I'm wrong.
And on my final note, if the Lakers want to have any chance at winning the NBA title or posibly even going back to the NBA finals, they are going to have to get a good SF, because Radmadavic and Walton are not the answers at that position.

Well first I don't know how You manage to skip the part where I wrote "So far", meaning up to this point during the off season, what happens between now and tip off is whole different story.

Honestly I do hope the clipps are able to get Josh from Atlanta to fill the void, and if not may pull the trade with NY, to see they can Zach R. but I don't think even with him and davis they can take the Lakers out in a seven game series.

Houston, well we have to agree that Arthor is wait and see first and even with Yao back they need get pass Utah first before they can think about the Lakers.

See the Laker getting back Bynum is big of upgrade it creates a domino effect.

The reason for that is cause Bynum not only upgrades the Center position but he upgrades the PF position and SF position and not only the starting line up but bench as well.

Bynum would play Center, meaning Pau can move now to his natural position at PF and Odom can move now SF, also with Pau playing also some minutes at Center meaning turiaf the back up center can now play Back up PF where is his natural Position.

Also the Lakers are getting back Ariza their starting small foward who is a great defender and slasher, who would move to back up SF where he would an awesome improvement over Luke or vlad.

Which means that Sasha and Kobe can now concentrate in playing SG do not need to be moving to SF to cover for Luke and Vlad getting out play in that position.

See Bynum coming back to the team creates a bigger upgrade them Yao in houston or Josh with the LAC.
Now they will have better Center, a better PF, a better SF and better bench at those positions too.

The Laker could use a more physical player but it doesn't need to be Artest.

Kobes A Whiny Lil Bitch wrote:

<quoted text>
OK first off, I disagree with you on the Lakers improving more then any team in the West aside from Portland. I see the Clippers expecially if they can sign C/PF Josh Smith from Atlanta (cause of Barron Davis) and the Rockets if they can re-sign Carl Landry, Arthor is as good as advertized and Yao is healthy for the whole season both improving in the West more then the Lakers.
Secondly, last season as much as I hate to admit it I think Cleveland could have been A better team then Boston. The only reason Cleveland could have lost to Boston in the NBA playoffs, was because Boston had home court advantage. So I pick them to go to the finals in the East next season, but I hope I'm wrong.
And on my final note, if the Lakers want to have any chance at winning the NBA title or posibly even going back to the NBA finals, they are going to have to get a good SF, because Radmadavic and Walton are not the answers at that position.

Sorry I forgot to add something about Your cavs/ Celtic's comment.

I honestly think the Celtics beat the Cavs cause they were a better & deeper team, home court did help, but I don't think it would had changed the result, cause then the same argument could be made about the 76ers & Celtics.

So, far the Cavs are not making any moves while LB is watching other teams in the east making big improvements for next season.
They better do something before LB packs for the big apple.

I think Boston should worry more about the Raptors then the Cavs.

Boston last season already had problems matching with Toronto & they just got a lot better on paper at least, they are like 2 players away from being legit contenders in the east.

If they can land a solid back PG and some one like artest or wells for their bench, they could be Boston worst nightmare in the season and playoffs if they meet.

After all this is a game of match ups they don't need to be a great team just need to match well.

A healthy Orlando team could do some damage, I don't know how much better Washington will get with a healthy Arenas.

The pistons needed a better coach I don't know if they got one now, but they have different one for sure.

Also what about the 76ers with Traitor Brand now in there line up, that is a big up grade right there and they took The Celtics to 7 games without him.

You are giving to much credit to LB, I don't think it was him the reason why they went to 7 games, but more the Celtics were in the process of finding them selves in the post season.

rrenault wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, on paper he is a good fit for the Lakers, and Phil's style of player like a rick fox, but with better offense, but he is head case.
Most important he is on last year of a contract and he is looking for a big pay next season, so this is a guy with his own agenda to get as much as possible, not to fit a role.
The Lakers need him to be a role player, but being role player is not going to help him get the type of contract he wants.
Another thing sacramento is not offering Miller, but instead one of their big fat long term contracts and that's where there is problem for the Lakers.
The Lakers are giving up talent plus cap relief to sacramento for a fat contract that will eat their cap and hit them twice as hard in the Luxury tax, plus a talent that they only need him to play as a roll player and could leave after next season and leave them with a fat contract or ask for too much money for the role that is required of him.
Also next season Bynum's contract is up and that could create an issue since they may not be enough money around for both of them.
That's why I hope they don't cause he could cripple these team really bad.

What is Sacramento offering you for Odem aside from Artest cause that's how I understood the trade, Odem for Artest and some other over priced long term guy?

rrenault wrote:

<quoted text>
Sorry I forgot to add something about Your cavs/ Celtic's comment.
I honestly think the Celtics beat the Cavs cause they were a better & deeper team, home court did help, but I don't think it would had changed the result, cause then the same argument could be made about the 76ers & Celtics.
So, far the Cavs are not making any moves while LB is watching other teams in the east making big improvements for next season.
They better do something before LB packs for the big apple.
I think Boston should worry more about the Raptors then the Cavs.
Boston last season already had problems matching with Toronto & they just got a lot better on paper at least, they are like 2 players away from being legit contenders in the east.
If they can land a solid back PG and some one like artest or wells for their bench, they could be Boston worst nightmare in the season and playoffs if they meet.
After all this is a game of match ups they don't need to be a great team just need to match well.
A healthy Orlando team could do some damage, I don't know how much better Washington will get with a healthy Arenas.
The pistons needed a better coach I don't know if they got one now, but they have different one for sure.
Also what about the 76ers with Traitor Brand now in there line up, that is a big up grade right there and they took The Celtics to 7 games without him.
You are giving to much credit to LB, I don't think it was him the reason why they went to 7 games, but more the Celtics were in the process of finding them selves in the post season.

Well, you have your opinions and I have mine. Your's all seem more supportive except for one so I'm only going to argue with you on that one. And that is Detroit, I don't think coaching had much to do with them going down against Boston last season in the playoffs in 6 games. I think it had more to do with age since every one of their starting 5 guys except for Tayshaun Prince are well over 30.+ Lindsay Hunter & Ratcliff are both well over 30. And before the draft Detroit did address their aging team as a concern when they tried to trade Chauncie Billups and Rasheed Wallace to Golden State for Barron Davis. And that's why I don't see Detroit making the post season next year.

Kobes A Whiny Lil Bitch wrote:

<quoted text>
What is Sacramento offering you for Odem aside from Artest cause that's how I understood the trade, Odem for Artest and some other over priced long term guy?

Well they are offering Artest and Kenny Thomas for Odom and some else, more likely some one in the salary ampunt of luke walton.

Kobes A Whiny Lil Bitch wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, you have your opinions and I have mine. Your's all seem more supportive except for one so I'm only going to argue with you on that one. And that is Detroit, I don't think coaching had much to do with them going down against Boston last season in the playoffs in 6 games. I think it had more to do with age since every one of their starting 5 guys except for Tayshaun Prince are well over 30.+ Lindsay Hunter & Ratcliff are both well over 30. And before the draft Detroit did address their aging team as a concern when they tried to trade Chauncie Billups and Rasheed Wallace to Golden State for Barron Davis. And that's why I don't see Detroit making the post season next year.

Well I have to disagree with You simply cause 3 seasons ago age would had not been the issue, but still they had the same results.

What about when they played against miami and cavs, Miami was not a better team on paper then the Pistons and neither were the Cavs.

I do not know how much You know about Saunder, but he is the type of coach that he gets as far as his team's talent takes him.
He does not make adjustments same problem he had with the wolves as well.

Do I think the Pistons are going to be one of the top team is east next season? if they do not make any moves yes or if they do, not an stupid one.

Are they going to have as good of record as the past season? no, some teams already improve enough to give Boston and Detroit problems.

Does a new coach would get them past boston? I do not know I would have to see how good the coach is, but the players are still good enough for at least 2 more seasons.
Any team that is a legit contender would turn away any of those players, they would welcome every single one of them, that means they are not too old.

rrenault wrote:

<quoted text>
Well I have to disagree with You simply cause 3 seasons ago age would had not been the issue, but still they had the same results.
What about when they played against miami and cavs, Miami was not a better team on paper then the Pistons and neither were the Cavs.
I do not know how much You know about Saunder, but he is the type of coach that he gets as far as his team's talent takes him.
He does not make adjustments same problem he had with the wolves as well.
Do I think the Pistons are going to be one of the top team is east next season? if they do not make any moves yes or if they do, not an stupid one.
Are they going to have as good of record as the past season? no, some teams already improve enough to give Boston and Detroit problems.
Does a new coach would get them past boston? I do not know I would have to see how good the coach is, but the players are still good enough for at least 2 more seasons.
Any team that is a legit contender would turn away any of those players, they would welcome every single one of them, that means they are not too old.

Well, your entitled to your own opinion and I'm entitled to mine. Now personally I don't think the age of a team ever slowly gets to them year by year. I think it just hits them like a big storm of bullets when the team least expects it. Just like it did to the Colts (I know yeah yeah off topic) in 2002 and the STL Cardinals in the MLB last season. Which is also why I do not think the Patriots will be going to the playoffs next season even though that is off topic too. But your entitled to your own opinions, I'll admit they are strong.

ODOM WALL wrote:

GET RID OF ODOM......NOW

How bout the Lakers trade Lamar Odem to the Pacers for PG-Jamaal Tinsely, SF-Shawnie Williams, and G-Marquise Daniels? It's A fair trade, I eyeballed it.

PS.
Who's hot the Celtics, who's not the Patriots.

Mathias D wrote:
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.

Did you even watch the Finals? The Lakers are a good Western Conference team, which means they are good amongst their own. Running, no defense playing teams, the West is full of them.

If you knew basketball you'd know the top 2 teams in the NBA were the Celts and Pistons in that order with 3rd possibly being the Cavs then Lakers, but from 2nd to 3rd there is a big drop off. The top 2 won't change this year.

The real rivalry is Celts vs. Pistons, has a lot of history as well. Lakers vs. Celts sounds good but Lakers have no backbone, collectively.

Oh My god, EVERY SINGLE CELTICS FAN (unless they actually like the Lakers) should see this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Now Boston, who's hot the Celtics who's not the Patriots!!!!!!!!!!

Dondo Capo wrote:

Mathias D wrote:
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.
Did you even watch the Finals? The Lakers are a good Western Conference team, which means they are good amongst their own. Running, no defense playing teams, the West is full of them.
If you knew basketball you'd know the top 2 teams in the NBA were the Celts and Pistons in that order with 3rd possibly being the Cavs then Lakers, but from 2nd to 3rd there is a big drop off. The top 2 won't change this year.
The real rivalry is Celts vs. Pistons, has a lot of history as well. Lakers vs. Celts sounds good but Lakers have no backbone, collectively.

What this was an ignorant comment, about a simple opinion.

The question is did You watch the finals?
Did You know the teams playing?
Sure the best 2 team last at the end of the season were the Detroit and Boston.
Those 2 were playing with a full squad.

Boston is not going to be the same team from last season and either will be the Lakers.

The Lakers now will start the season with full squad something they lack in the finals last season and is a HUGE improvement.

By the way pls don't insult the league, but even thinking the cavs were the 3rd best team in the league last season, no way no how!

Lakers, S.A., N.O., Utah and houston were better teams than the Cavs.

The Lakers will be pick to win the west.
Just by getting their players back they are making a bigger improvement to their squad than any Western and Eastern team not counting the Raptors and this moment in the off season although Houston and Portland could be tie for a close second.

You said the Lakers have no back bone just cause they were bunch of Young guys that overachieve this last season? relax, it takes some seasoning to get it mix right.

I'm not saying the Lakers will win the West, cause no one knows how the health of a team will play out during a season.
But they will be pick to win the west and there is good reason for that, You figure it out.

Like there is no warranties the Celtics, Pistons or Cavs will come out the east either, but they will pick the Celtics and Pistons as the first two,I am sure the cavs are not going to be the 3rd pick.

Sure Detroit and Boston have good history, so do the Lakers and Portland,so what but the real rivalry off all time is Los Angeles vs Boston. Everything else is just a good series.

They will be the pick to win the West, because for one they are the defending Western champs and 2nd they are the most popular team in America that's what the fanbase wants to hear.

Real Rivalry of all time, you mean in the 80's 20 years ago? Or you mean in the 50's & 60's when their were like 14 teams in the league. Yeah real rivalry you have to wait every 20 years to see it go down. Keep chugging the Purple and Gold kool aid and keep getting let down.

Plus the Laker fans always have excuses, especially about injuries, Byron and Magic, Worthy one year, Malone in '04, now Bynum who was trade bait last year now he's the missing piece
to title.

the lakers will always run into a better team as long as kobe bryant is their star.

Dondo Capo wrote:

They will be the pick to win the West, because for one they are the defending Western champs and 2nd they are the most popular team in America that's what the fanbase wants to hear.
Real Rivalry of all time, you mean in the 80's 20 years ago? Or you mean in the 50's & 60's when their were like 14 teams in the league. Yeah real rivalry you have to wait every 20 years to see it go down. Keep chugging the Purple and Gold kool aid and keep getting let down.
Plus the Laker fans always have excuses, especially about injuries, Byron and Magic, Worthy one year, Malone in '04, now Bynum who was trade bait last year now he's the missing piece
to title.

Actually all of them 80's ,50's and 60's. No matter if they were only 14 teams, the other 12 teams had an equal shot at making to the finals is not the L.A. or Boston fault their front offices couldn't get it done.

Hey is not the Lakers fault that it took Boston 22 years to make it back to the finals.

You called missing main players an excuse, I see as a fact and Bynum was a big missing part for the team is like if Paul Pierce really had gotten injury in the series and the Lakers went on to beat them all of Boston would had been saying they lost cause they were missing Pierce, just the same thing and it would had not been an not excuse just a fact.

By the way saying that Bynum was trade bait a year ago only showed how much You don't know about the Lakers, Bynum was never trade bait, but instead a lot teams were asking for him, that's a big different. Cause the Lakers turned down any trade that included Bynum.
Also Bynum 2 years ago to Bynum this past season are 2 different players.

People that don't know the Lakers don't understand the full effect of Bynum presents in the team, he's just not an up grade at Center, but the PF and SF positions get up grade as well as does the bench and this is just from him showing up, not to mention his improve game skills.

Yes, You are right You could say they are the most popular team in America and also the rest of the world.
At least in the past 8 years no NBA team has sold more merchandise then the Lakers in the U.S. and around the globe.

Yes, I bleed Purple and Gold, but You are wrong they do not keep letting me down, they may not have the most titles, but they are the most successful franchise in the NBA.

Pls name me a bigger rivalry in the NBA then Boston vs Lakers?

DorianGraysBlues wrote:

the lakers will always run into a better team as long as kobe bryant is their star.

Wow!

what a bunch of hater none sense.

I'll name a bigger rivalry Spurs vs. Lakers. That's one how about Celtics vs. Pistons, Pistons vs. Bulls those are rivalries.

Celtics vs. Lakers is so one sided it couldn't be called a rivalry. Unless you mean they have played each other in series - a frequent matchup is better.

Through history Boston has kicked Lake Shows butt.
Just truth don't try and spin it in a positive way.

Calling BOS vs. LA a rivalry is like calling Bills vs. Patriots a rivalry, yeah they play each other a lot, but one wipes the other all over the field.

Open your eyes RRENAULT! Don't make me get specific stats.

GO USA 4 GOLD! YES

Dondo Capo wrote:

I'll name a bigger rivalry Spurs vs. Lakers. That's one how about Celtics vs. Pistons, Pistons vs. Bulls those are rivalries.
Celtics vs. Lakers is so one sided it couldn't be called a rivalry. Unless you mean they have played each other in series - a frequent matchup is better.
Through history Boston has kicked Lake Shows butt.
Just truth don't try and spin it in a positive way.
Calling BOS vs. LA a rivalry is like calling Bills vs. Patriots a rivalry, yeah they play each other a lot, but one wipes the other all over the field.
Open your eyes RRENAULT! Don't make me get specific stats.

Open my eyes?
To what Your non sense?

Plsss L.A. vs S.A. plsss that barely started 9 years ago and that's how old the rivalry is.

Yeah Detroit vs Boston nice try, but since You are talking about one sided this one just the same and as I recall it took place in the 80´s.

Piston vs Bulls that was in the 80'´s as well and it wasn't even bigger then Lakers vs Celtics in the 80's.

That is like me saying Lakers vs Blazers and Lakers vs Kings are bigger rivalries then L.A. vs Boston. what a joke!

Yes, I am aware the Boston won most of the meetings, but L.A. still the most successful franchise in the NBA as fan that all You can ask if the tittle was not brought home. 60 seasons 29 finals appearances beat that!.

What makes L.A. vs Boston bigger than anything else is that is about number 1 against number 2 all time in championships won and all those great finals they had even if Boston won most of them.

That no other teams had played in the finals against each other more them 2.

So, do not tell me to open my eyes about stuff You do not understand.

The ones I mentioned were back and forth not just pillow biting by the Purple and Gold, your team is now I believe 14-15 in the Finals, if you are a Laker fan you'll say "we are so competitive we are always in it."

If you aren't, you say "Damn they lost that much, I thought they were great".

If you look at their record vs. the Celtics you'll really be embarassed.

What I said is the matchup is too one sided to be called a rivalry.

Enjoy this last year you guys will get worked by teams in the West this year.

Pistons Celtics went back and forth. Pistons Bulls back and forth and always for the trophy.