Nothing's for sure. You can't just make a statement like "We'll win it next year" (I'm playing devil's advocate FYI) We really need to focus on team defense this off-season. Kobe and Pau are going to be busy in the olympics, but this will be the first time Lamar will be able to train in the offseason since 2005, so I'm excited for that. I think he will really work on his game. The team needs minor tweaks such as removing dead weight (Rad, Walton, Karl) and picking up players that we can call upon in the playoffs. We are still unsure on how Bynum will play next year. We can only hope he will resume where he left off before he got injured. Luckily, everyone on the team knows their role and will work on what they need to in the offseason. With so many up-and-coming teams next year (Portland, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando, etc) NOTHING IS FOR SURE. We can't just look at this season and be like, "Oh well, next year we got it." We're gonna have to work hard, VERY HARD. Also, keep in mind, this time last season...Boston was the worst team in the league, they made 2 major moves and now have a Championship under their belt. This will give a lot of teams hope that they can turn it around in a year with hard work and good coaching.
ill do you ever go outside the Laker forum? I think you should do that more often it is what makes S2 different from other LA forums, and the other posters are generally real cool imo.
nah I don't, I just have the Lakers forum bookmarked. I'll take your advice though, probably more so at the start of next year when things get crackin again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (illmatic @ Jun 19 2008, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nah I don't, I just have the Lakers forum bookmarked. I'll take your advice though, probably more so at the start of next year when things get crackin again.</div> When I started at JBB I had the same mentality. I'm glad I changed my mind, hearing the perspective of fans from different teams is important. You're limiting your experience here at this site; there are many fascinating forums to explore I hope you reconsider. This is the reason S2 kicks the shit out of those other LA-exclusive forums, overall. Bookmark the "View New posts" page, instead of our LA forum.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Jun 19 2008, 10:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (illmatic @ Jun 19 2008, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nah I don't, I just have the Lakers forum bookmarked. I'll take your advice though, probably more so at the start of next year when things get crackin again.</div> When I started at JBB I had the same mentality. I'm glad I changed my mind, hearing the perspective of fans from different teams is important. You're limiting your experience here at this site; there are many fascinating forums to explore I hope you reconsider. This is the reason S2 kicks the shit out of those other LA-exclusive forums, overall. Bookmark the "View New posts" page, instead of our LA forum. </div> THat's a real good idea, good lookin out
I agree with huevon. illmatic, you're a really interesting poster. I would love to see your thoughts and opinions on other teams, and on non-sports related issues as well. If you have the time, check out the off topic section. I think you'll like it Now, anyways, does anybody know when they're going to put up the Ira Newble exit interview? I know for a fact I'm not the only one interested
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 19 2008, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree with huevon. illmatic, you're a really interesting poster. I would love to see your thoughts and opinions on other teams, and on non-sports related issues as well. If you have the time, check out the off topic section. I think you'll like it Now, anyways, does anybody know when they're going to put up the Ira Newble exit interview? I know for a fact I'm not the only one interested</div> Anyone else think Newble looks like Farmar's older brother? lol. Anyways, I'd love to hear what he has to say too. I really hope we keep this guy man, it's such a damn shame that Radmanovic is our starting ****ing forward and Ariza and Newble just keep the bench warm. What do you guys honestly think about Turiaf? I think he's kinda losing his edge. In the beginning of the season, he looked REALLY good, but as the season went on (particularly after Drew went down) he really started sucking hardcore. I mean, I like his energy and his shotblocking, but he's ridiculous foul prone. I'm not willing to part ways with Turiaf just yet as I feel he was a unique guy and I really like him, but he needs to put major time in his game this offseason.
Turiaf doesn't seem like the same guy anymore to me; he definitely seems more expendable these days. He couldn't do anything for us on offense or provide an intimidating post presence. His defense was good in stretches though, but Ronny doesn't seem to give us as big of a spark anymore (I believe this is empirically supported as well).
I'm legitimately scared of what the Lakers are going to be like next year. With Bynum coming back, oh man. Barring a Celtic like offseason, the Lakers will be hard to pick against next year.
You guys will be contending for the championship no doubt, together with the Celtics. Then there's Cleveland, Spurs, PHX, Detroit, and Dallas. (the rest have a chance as well but those that I mentioned IMO have the greatest chance)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jun 19 2008, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm legitimately scared of what the Lakers are going to be like next year. With Bynum coming back, oh man. Barring a Celtic like offseason, the Lakers will be hard to pick against next year.</div> Why would they be the favorites and not Boston? I understand that Bynum's coming back, but Boston won this series pretty overwhelmingly when it was all said and done. Having Bynum may have pushed it to game seven, and who knows what would have happened from there, but the Celtics have a ridiculous lineup. They're starting to get older, but they're not going to suddenly retire or become too old to be productive next season. Besides, Rondo will be better, guys like Powe and Davis will be better, and they'll probably be able to sign one of the best players on the free agent market very cheap, like maybe a duo of Kurt Thomas and Beno Udrih, or something along those lines. It's funny looking back at the Gasol trade. It was such a rip-off that even Kobe had to laugh at it, but at the same time, I just can't ever see a team with Pau Gasol winning a title. He's one of the best players in the league, no doubt. I mean, I had season tickets to watch the guy for his first five years in the league, so I can appreciate his game, but I also know all the holes he has in his game - defensive, mental, strength, etc., and that can wind up hurting a team more than helping a team. What if the Lakers were able to package Odom and Gasol for a superstar? They'd shake the curse of Gasol and get rid of the Odom contract problems at the same time. Maybe something like Odom/Gasol/picks for Anthony/Camby would work.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jun 19 2008, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jun 19 2008, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm legitimately scared of what the Lakers are going to be like next year. With Bynum coming back, oh man. Barring a Celtic like offseason, the Lakers will be hard to pick against next year.</div> Why would they be the favorites and not Boston? I understand that Bynum's coming back, but Boston won this series pretty overwhelmingly when it was all said and done. Having Bynum may have pushed it to game seven, and who knows what would have happened from there, but the Celtics have a ridiculous lineup. They're starting to get older, but they're not going to suddenly retire or become too old to be productive next season. Besides, Rondo will be better, guys like Powe and Davis will be better, and they'll probably be able to sign one of the best players on the free agent market very cheap. It's funny looking back at the Gasol trade. It was such a rip-off that even Kobe had to laugh at it, but at the same time, I just can never see a team with Pau Gasol winning a title. He's one of the best players in the league, no doubt. I mean, I had season tickets to watch the guy for his first five years in the league, so I can appreciate his game, but I also know all the holes he has in his game - defensive, mental, strength, etc., and that can wind up hurting a team more than helping a team. What if the Lakers were able to package Odom and Gasol for a superstar? They'd shake the curse of Gasol and get rid of the Odom contract problems at the same time. Maybe something like Odom/Gasol/picks for Anthony/Camby would work. </div> That's fair. I may have exaggerated a bit when I said it would be tough not to pick them. I am just so impressed with what LA has to offer. Bynum will not only bring them toughness that they lacked, but very good interior defense and obviously the scoring. Like you said, Gasol is a good player, just too many holes. I think Bynum's game fills those holes pretty well. The Celtics would be my close #2 for next year, it's just really hard to repeat titles in any sport.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jun 19 2008, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's fair. I may have exaggerated a bit when I said it would be tough not to pick them. I am just so impressed with what LA has to offer. Bynum will not only bring them toughness that they lacked, but very good interior defense and obviously the scoring. Like you said, Gasol is a good player, just too many holes. I think Bynum's game fills those holes pretty well. The Celtics would be my close #2 for next year, it's just really hard to repeat titles in any sport.</div> Even with Bynum in the roster, Gasol's holes aren't just disappearing. Besides, Bynum is decent defensively, but can he cover Garnett for seven games? Garnett had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 dimes the last time the two matched up, and it resulted in a 19 point road victory for the Celtics. Bynum's not established yet. He's still a youngin, he still has inconsistencies and holes in his own game, and who knows how he'll even fully rebound from his injury next season? And what if Leon Powe emerges, or what if they get another lowpost offensive option via free agency or even trade this summer? Both scenarios are looking likely at this point. Bottom line is that Bynum will add a lot, but he's not going to completely cover for Gasol, and even if he did, that may not be enough to beat Boston in seven if they have home court advantage again (which I don't see why they wouldn't). Not to mention that it's up in the air whether or not they'll be able to make it out of the West again with the West doing nothing but getting stronger this summer.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jun 19 2008, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jun 19 2008, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's fair. I may have exaggerated a bit when I said it would be tough not to pick them. I am just so impressed with what LA has to offer. Bynum will not only bring them toughness that they lacked, but very good interior defense and obviously the scoring. Like you said, Gasol is a good player, just too many holes. I think Bynum's game fills those holes pretty well. The Celtics would be my close #2 for next year, it's just really hard to repeat titles in any sport.</div> Even with Bynum in the roster, Gasol's holes aren't just disappearing. Besides, Bynum is decent defensively, but can he cover Garnett for seven games? Garnett had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 dimes the last time the two matched up, and it resulted in a 19 point road victory for the Celtics. Bynum's not established yet. He's still a youngin, he still has inconsistencies and holes in his own game, and who knows how he'll even fully rebound from his injury next season? And what if Leon Powe emerges, or what if they get another lowpost offensive option via free agency or even trade this summer? Both scenarios are looking likely at this point. Bottom line is that Bynum will add a lot, but he's not going to completely cover for Gasol, and even if he did, that may not be enough to beat Boston in seven if they have home court advantage again (which I don't see why they wouldn't). Not to mention that it's up in the air whether or not they'll be able to make it out of the West again with the West doing nothing but getting stronger this summer. </div> But at the same time, it's going to be tough for Boston to guard both big men. KG will be forced to guard either Pau or Bynum at every point of the game (they would always have one of them out there in the playoffs), and that would take away from Garnett's offense because of how much more he would have to focus on defense. I see your point though. I think this is a situation where neither of us will be able to convince one another. Even though I'm right.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jun 19 2008, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08exitinterviews.html We'll win it next year.</div> +1, This guy thinks so too One thing i would like to point out regarding the Lakers current roster is that: 1. Without changing anything, they could contend for the Championship next season NO DOUBT. I could even say that they have the highest chances of winning it all 'just as long as the injury bug doesnt hit us during the playoffs' 2. The roster is totally flexible. We have tradable players other teams would kill to have e.g. Gasol, Odom, Walton, Radman, Mihm, Newble, Ariza and package them in getting new players like Artest for Odom, maybe S&T Brand for Gasol since Brand isnt too confident in resigning LOL(Brand's height wouldnt be too much of a factor with Bynum beside him, at least the toughness would be and upgrade over Gasol). So if ever the management decides to move some people, they could easily do so. I just hope they trade and sh*t in the offseason so the chemistry would be messed up in the middle of the battle.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23 @ Jun 20 2008, 05:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jun 19 2008, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08exitinterviews.html We'll win it next year.</div> +1, This guy thinks so too </div> Is that the same guy that let us lose Game 6 by 40 points? or maybe the guy that couldn't keep our team from blowing a 24 point lead? Look, I love Kobe, but let's stop that, cuz it's obvious one player can't do everything. We should make it to the Finals again next year, but it ain't gonna be easy.
<div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZ49CmPqTQE&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZ49CmPqTQE&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> Bynum talking about his status. He says he should start jogging early July...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23 @ Jun 20 2008, 05:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>One thing i would like to point out regarding the Lakers current roster is that: 1. Without changing anything, they could contend for the Championship next season NO DOUBT. I could even say that they have the highest chances of winning it all 'just as long as the injury bug doesnt hit us during the playoffs' 2. The roster is totally flexible. We have tradable players other teams would kill to have e.g. Gasol, Odom, Walton, Radman, Mihm, Newble, Ariza and package them in getting new players like Artest for Odom, maybe S&T Brand for Gasol since Brand isnt too confident in resigning LOL(Brand's height wouldnt be too much of a factor with Bynum beside him, at least the toughness would be and upgrade over Gasol). So if ever the management decides to move some people, they could easily do so. I just hope they trade and sh*t in the offseason so the chemistry would be messed up in the middle of the battle.</div> I agree with point #1, we don't have to change anything to be a title contender next year. However, #2 has some ridiculousness in it. Half of those players you mention are expendable on our part, but no team is going to want any part of them. Just to name them off - Walton, Radman and Mihm. No team in the right mind would want them. Two of them have horrid contracts (Radman and Luke) and the other, Mihm, is completely useless...but so is Walton. Point is, we don't really have a lot of tradeable assets except Odom's huge expiring contract.
