Some people here, including me at times, need to come back down to reality and realize the adversity the Lakers have faced. This team has been absolutely injury-riddled. Remember how good we were about two months ago, before Kwame, Luke, and Odom went down? We were battling for a top 4 seed. We've lost Kwame, Luke, and Odom all for more than 20 games this year. Kwame is our post defense, plain and simple. Bynum's not ready for playing 25-30 MPG and it took a toll on him. Essentially, this is his rookie year, having barely played last year. The loss of Kwame really depleted our front court. Another knock to our front court is Turiaf's constant back problems. He is an active role player that has had a flared up back affecting his play. Odom? Remember how well Odom was playing before the injuries? He hasn't had confidence since spraining his knee. In the game he looked good after spraining his knee, he tore his labrum. He hasn't had a rhythm for over two months, how can we expect him to be 100% effective? I know I've knocked him numerous times this year, but we need to give him time to get used to the NBA game again. Let's not forget to mention what he went through in the off-season. Luke Walton...our glue man. We lost him to a sprained ankle and tendinitis for almost three months. He creates, scores, and rebounds. He plays decent defense, as well. He's our third best player. His loss was arguably bigger than Odom's. Vladimir Radmanovic came into the season needing hand surgery on his shooting hand, but Phil asked him to put it off, so he did. When he finally started getting into a groove, he separates his shoulder. This year, we've had our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th options out all at the same time. Our 2nd leading scorer, our glue man, and our post defense. Why do people expect us to win constantly without those pieces? Kobe can only do so much. I can't recall a team who has suffered as many key injuries as the Lakers. It's very clear why we've dropped to the 7th seed, we haven't had the players to support Kobe while our key players were down with injury. Do I need to mention Chris Mihm? We've also had nagging injuries to Kobe, Mo Evans, and Brian Cook. Mo and Cookie are two of our key role players. Now look at our "role players". Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic, Aaron McKie, and Shammond Williams. Now, McKie and Shammond barely saw time in the first hald of the season, but since seeing time, they've played decent ball. Now...Smush Parker? The guy is a joke. I'm sickened when thinking that I actually stuck up for him. He's an immature punk. If he gets yanked, he verbally assaults Phil, he is as streaky as Will Ferrell in Old School. This kid wouldn't see 10 minutes per game in over 90% of the lineups in the league. Yet, he's our starting PG. Sasha's a pesky defender, but that's about it. He's had some bright spots this year, but he's still very inconsistent. All I'm saying is, this team has been plagued by injuries and has terrible talent around Kobe. Yet, when we were healthy, we were one of the best teams in the league. Now that we've got everybody back and healthy, we need to give the team time to mesh together again. We saw it for 24 minutes last night against Denver, but Odom and Luke ran out of gas. Give the team 2-5 more games to mesh together, and then judge them.
Im certainly not giving up on this team. Been with them through thick and thin for over 20 seasons. I think most of our posts are out of frustration. We all know this team can win and beat anyone in the NBA. It frustrates me when you see our Lakers play with no heart.
Injuries have taken a toll on this team, no question. We were playing great early on in the season with everyone healthy, but when was the last time we played with a full squad? Never. Guys are falling down like flies, which is the biggest reason why we have endured all our losses. You've made a lot of good points in your post Mamba. When all our players get back healthy, who knows what we can do? I'm most positively sure none of the top seeds in the West want to face us, because they know we have the opportunity of pulling off an upset. We've already beat teams like the Suns, Mavs, and Spurs in the regular season, so there's no telling what will happen in the playoffs. Me, personally, I've just endured so many losses recently I've completely forgotten what it was like to win, which is why I'm so frustrated. <div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Im certainly not giving up on this team. Been with them through thick and thin for over 20 seasons. I think most of our posts are out of frustration. We all know this team can win and beat anyone in the NBA. It frustrates me when you see our Lakers play with no heart.</div> I agree with Trench. It just sucks to go out and watch guys like Smush Parker or Brian Cook give no effort what-so-ever, like they don't even care. It's also frustrating to watch Kobe Bryant's body language in the past couple of games. It seems like he's given up on this team. If this team was giving it their 110%, I'd have no problem with all the losing. But the thing is, they haven't, and that's what frustrates me the most. They don't seem to try at all on defense, and they make bone headed plays time and time again. Not to mention all the stupid turnovers Smush has committed, and how Kwame Brown can't catch a ball to save his life, or make an uncontested layup
I don't think Kobe's body language is representing him giving up, I think it represents him being physically and mentally defeated. He didn't start the season at 100% and his stamina isn't at what it's always been. I just get the vibe that he's defeated and is waiting for the team to pick up.
I certainley havent gave up on this team, sure i had high hopes after the first 2 months, i expected this team to be in the 5th spot. When i posted a poll on what spot the Lakers might be, many people on Justbball said they will be 4-6. No lower then 6. But this team showed then are back by the 1st half, so im happy there back. Now we just have to get a winning streak going, our schedule looks quite easy. We still have Hope. GO LAKERS!
I'll give them the exception of yesterdays lost to denver because the return of walton and odom. Now, where home and second game w/ the guys back. if they don't win tonight, then I might have more trouble sleeping at night.
Hold on a sec, WE ARE GIVING UP? Nah mayne, it's the Lakers that have given up, so once they STOPPED CARING, I stopped caring, straight up. If no one out there gives a crap about giving it 110% and showing some heart, then why should I keep revolving my life around the Lakers? Before I would skip going out, or change my schedule around to catch the Laker game, or record it and come home and watch it at 1 am. I don't care if the Lakers lose, I care when they don't show any effort, or play any defense whatsoever (BECAUSE I know they are capable of it, I've seen it before) So someone send me a PM once the Lakers start hustling, playing defense, and showing some god damn effort on the court instead of acting like a bunch of overplayed athletes who are not earning their salary. I rather watch March Madness and see some people THEIR A** OFF instead watch these Washed UP Lakers. [/rant]
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hold on a sec, WE ARE GIVING UP? Nah mayne, it's the Lakers that have given up, so once they STOPPED CARING, I stopped caring, straight up. If no one out there gives a crap about giving it 110% and showing some heart, then why should I keep revolving my life around the Lakers? Before I would skip going out, or change my schedule around to catch the Laker game, or record it and come home and watch it at 1 am. I don't care if the Lakers lose, I care when they don't show any effort, or play any defense whatsoever (BECAUSE I know they are capable of it, I've seen it before) So someone send me a PM once the Lakers start hustling, playing defense, and showing some god damn effort on the court instead of acting like a bunch of overplayed athletes who are not earning their salary. I rather watch March Madness and see some people THEIR A** OFF instead watch these Washed UP Lakers. [/rant]</div> I hope you caught the game last night bro or at least the highlights, Kobe didn't give up. Hopefully this sets a spark in this team and they get some confidence back.
I'm not giving up. I realize the adveristy this team has faced, and it's nearly unmatched by any team in the league. The fact that these guys are still in playoff contention is amazing to me though. No team in the playoff picture out West (except NOK) has gone through the injuries we've had. I personally think we can still make some noise in the playoffs, because HOPEFULLY by then we have a healthy team. If this squad is healthy, they've shown what they can do. If we're healthy and playing well by playoff time, I think we can give any team in the Western Conference a headache in the first round. My only real complaint right now about these guys is the fact that they've been playing rather uninspired ball. The fact that they had two losing streaks of 6 and 7 games respectively shows that. If we can find our niche again and this team garners some confidence, I see no reason why they can't finish out the season strong. They're finally getting healthy (somewhat), and I think it's just a matter of time before they start playing better.
