The closer the season approaches the more hype the Lakers are receiving to win the NBA Title. Vegas has as us as the odds on favorite to win it all with Bynum returning from injury. It feels like anything less than a title would be a huge letdown for the Lakers and their fans. How do you feel about the high level of expectations heading into this season? Lakers will have a target, a larger targer, every night because the Lakers are the gold standard for teams to measure up against. How will this pressure effect our players? Do you feel they are ready to elevate their production from last season or did most of the guys peek last year? Last season we all had low expectations for the Lakers and it was fantastic watching them exceed those expectations and then acquire Gasol in a late season trade. A lot of us were praying for Bynum to return for the post-season to put us over the top. Even without him, we made it to the Finals and after a rough series with Boston I think the Lakers proved a point and Kobe recaptured a lot of respect he had lost, capped off by winning the regular season MVP. What are your expectations for this upcoming season?
The Lakers have what the Celtics do not, assuming everyone's healthy - a big 4 instead of a big 3. Younger, too. The Celtics play defense as good as any team in history, and the Lakers' defense is not their strongest suit by any means. Does PJax use his Zen skills to get the team to that place where they focus on defense? Or at least gain the ability to turn it on when they need to? I only see the Celtics getting a bit better. The big three are likely to slow down a bit, but they're out there enough to get the job done. The young guys, especially Rondo, have serious upside. The teams may be an excellent match up, but Leon Powe is the difference maker. I love PJax and want to see him win. I'm a Chicago fan, so I'm not used to having this kind of expectation!
Celtics lost their catalyst off the bench when James Posey signed with the Hornets. I did like their draft selections (Billy Walker & JR Giddens), but I don't see either contributing much this season. Right now their only intriguing player off the bench is Tony Allen if he can stay healthy. It's hard to repeat in the NBA and you have to wonder how hungry the Big Three are after all the success they had last season. KG, Pierce, and Allen have never played that deep into a season and at their age it takes longer to recover. With Bynum back the Lakers will match up better size wise, but the key is still the Paul Pierce matchup if we get a Lakers vs. Celtics Finals repeat. Lakers didn't add anyone in the offseason to defend Pierce one on one. Odom is too slow, Kobe too small, Luke is too soft and Ariza too inexperienced.
High expectations don't bother me, instead, I've been missing it. I hate going into every season thinking, "if we can advance past the first round, it will be a success!" Seriously, that's just loser talk and belongs nowhere near Laker land. Obviously we started off last season without much expectations; anyone who predicted us to get as far we did would get fired. After the Gasol trade though, the expectations sky-rocketed, and we were immediately seen as contenders. The team had a lot of high expectations after the Gasol trade, and they did not disappoint. And I don't see any reason why they will disappoint us next year.
NO! I dont like high expectations because then anything less than a title seems like a disappointment. last season was on of the most fun seasons I can remember. So many ups and downs, so much unexpected. It was fun to have a team that I had no idea about how the season would play out. Now it almost seems like the regular season is a formality and all there is, is the playoffs.
I love the expectations and I hope the League is ready to get blasted by Bynum again. Hell, even if he gets injured again, if we can clinch that homecourt I love our chances anyway.
I have nothing against high expectations, I'm completely for them. Hopefully they'll help the players stay motivated throughout the season so we don't see a lull in their play (here's looking at you Farmar).
Hell no. I love the high expectations. That means the players are hearing it, too. With Kobe's mentality, he's loving this moment. With Bynum's eyes set on a championship, he is in the right state of mind, too. It's ours this year, baby! I'm glad Boston rented the championship, because we're takin it for the next few years.
I fine with the expectations. Every year I expect the Lakers to make the playoffs and win the entire thing. I love it. Now its just time to prove it to the haters and have them turn in their graves!!! haha
