After a highly unsuccessful road trip (most of us predicted we would be above .500, we may actually finish below .500 if we lose tommorow) I know many of us may be experiencing some panic. The thing that frustrates me the most is the inconsitency of this team. What type of team are we? Are we a top team in this league? Or are we just another "playoff" team? We've shown we throughout the season that we are capable of beating teams like the Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns. But we have also showed throughout the season that we can lose against teams like the Bobcats (twice), Hornets (twice), Bucks, Pacers, and get blown out by the Grizzlies. So do we need a change? Is this team capable of being one of the top teams in the league? Or was our quick season start just "luck?" Personally, I just don't know. At times this season, the team will look like real contenders, and at times this season, the team will look like just another playoff team. But the bottom line is, we have probably been the most unluckiest team in the leauge, injury wise (second to the Hornets). We started off the season without Kobe Bryant and Kwame Brown. When Kwame Brown returned, Lamar Odom went down. When Lamar Odom finally returns, Luke Walton goes down. I don't think we can detirmine what type of team we really are until we see this squad play at full health. When was the last team our team played together? When was the last time everyone was healthy? This is what makes it so difficult. Do we need a change? Or is our losing just due to the fact of our injuries? Are we going to stay pat? What's Mitch gonna do?
Wow, its surprizing that the Lakers would have the 2nd best record in the East, but are 6th in the West.
Yeah injuries have been a big factor to the current crisis but we also have played better than last year when we had everyone playing. I do call for a trade to help kobe. A player that will be consistent night in and night out. I just finally gave up on Odom, he will never be an all-star nor the second option to a team. Just a roll player.
<div class="quote_poster">Pablo23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah injuries have been a big factor to the current crisis but we also have played better than last year when we had everyone playing. I do call for a trade to help kobe. A player that will be consistent night in and night out. I just finally gave up on Odom, he will never be an all-star nor the second option to a team. Just a roll player.</div> Odom was terrific before his injury. Ever since he came back though, he just hasn't been the same. He's reverting back to Lamar ODumb.
Yeah injuries have been a big factor to the current crisis but we also have played better than last year when we had everyone playing. I do call for a trade to help kobe. A player that will be consistent night in and night out. I just finally gave up on Odom, he will never be an all-star nor the second option to a team. Just a roll player.
We don't need Lamar Odom to be an All Star. The All Star game is a bunch of bull crap anyways. All we need is for him to become a good complimentary player to go along side Kobe Bryant. He's shown in the beginning of the season that he has the potential to become the complimentary player. Lamar Odom has the potential to be one of the top players in the league. He can score (when aggressive), rebound, pass, and make plays. He can do it all. It's just the matter of him finding a way to get it all together. In the beginning of the season, he was playing great. But ever since the injury, he just hasn't been the same. Whether that's just due to rust, I have no idea. But we need the Lamar Odom from the beginning of the season back
Definitely injuries imo. Like Mark Jackson said on ABC, he could even tell that Odom wasn't 100%. Give Odom time, give Kwame + Luke time, and wait for Mihm to return at full health. Add on the fact that Bynum(our starting C) is 19 years old, and our back up PG is a rookie. Inconsistency is to be expected Brian. I feel your pain, I really do. I injured my hand by slamming my fist on the floor today() because of stupid plays by the Lakers, and B.S. calls.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, the road trip was a complete failure. I'd welcome Jason Kidd in open arms any day.......</div> Hell no one said I wouldn't. Just saying that injuries are hurtin' us. I think shape posted that we are 10-9(10-10 now) without Kwame. Butter fingers' defense really did/does matter.
<div class="quote_poster">The One & Only Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hell no one said I wouldn't. Just saying that injuries are hurtin' us. I think shape posted that we are 10-9(10-10 now) without Kwame. Butter fingers' defense really did/does matter.</div> Yeah, I feel you. Before, the Lakers were holding fort with all these injuries, but now, it's starting to take its toll. We have been extremely unlucky with injuries all season long. Let's hope that things fall in place after the All-Star Break. I can't stand all this losing!!!!!
To answer all your questions...Yes, we do need a little change, especially the pg position. Currently, I don't believe we're a top teams in the league, not even at 100% fully healthy. The only way we can get back to the top is add another good player. If you look at these top teams, they have at least 3 all-star caliber players. Also our quick season is not luck, more like an easy schedule. We're definitely a better team than last year, but not one of the top yet, still one level below.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, the road trip was a complete failure. I'd welcome Jason Kidd in open arms any day.......</div> If we get Jason Kidd, we'd also have to give up alot, which I don't think is a wise decision, looking at his age, and his contract. People need to realize this team's incosistency has alot to do with injuries. This team will be fine.
Injuries? We can't blame everything on injuries. We've lost to Charlotte twice, New Orleans twice, and other terrible teams. Our inconsistency problems aren't because of injuries, it's because of players like Odom, Smush (who's been playing great ball lately), Bynum (playing decent, lately), and the rest of the role players just not showing up. We're asking Kobe Bryant to distribute the ball...and score. He can't do both. When he scores too much, people complain, when he focuses on distributing...nobody shows up. We really need to do something about Odom, he's our "second" option. In the Cleveland game, he shout 1-6 from three (why the hell is he shooting threes? He should be in the post) and had 11 points and 11 boards. I love the 11 boards...but his three pointer came when in the closing minutes of the game...when we already lost. So basically, he gave us 8 and 11. I expect that out of Kwame, Turiaf, and Bynum....not our second option.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Injuries? We can't blame everything on injuries. We've lost to Charlotte twice, New Orleans twice, and other terrible teams. Our inconsistency problems aren't because of injuries, it's because of players like Odom, Smush (who's been playing great ball lately), Bynum (playing decent, lately), and the rest of the role players just not showing up. We're asking Kobe Bryant to distribute the ball...and score. He can't do both. When he scores too much, people complain, when he focuses on distributing...nobody shows up. We really need to do something about Odom, he's our "second" option. In the Cleveland game, he shout 1-6 from three (why the hell is he shooting threes? He should be in the post) and had 11 points and 11 boards. I love the 11 boards...but his three pointer came when in the closing minutes of the game...when we already lost. So basically, he gave us 8 and 11. I expect that out of Kwame, Turiaf, and Bynum....not our second option.</div> I wasn't blaming everything on injuries, but it does have alot to do with this team struggling.
<div class="quote_poster">Eternal Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If we get Jason Kidd, we'd also have to give up alot, which I don't think is a wise decision, looking at his age, and his contract. People need to realize this team's incosistency has alot to do with injuries. This team will be fine.</div> The Lakers are over the rebuilding process. Their a piece away from being major contenders. Jason Kidd is that peice. Jason Kidd versus a Lamar Odom is a no brainer. Kidd brings more to the table than what Odom can ever bring. The Laker has a chance to win big in the next couple of seasons. Kidd still has a few years left. Despite everything that has been said about him before the season with his age and injuries, Kidd has answered back strong with his play on the floor. I'm seeing a big push with Kidd in the next couple of seasons. The Lakers has an opportunity to go deep now. The addition of Kidd can only bring them closer to their goal of a championship.
