Well, in theory, every team has a chance to do it until they lose their 11th game. So, they do have a shot at it. Will they do it? I doubt it, but I do think they can push anywhere from 66-70+ wins. They have one of, if not the best, starting five in the NBA. They have the ability to go 10-12 deep on any given night. Their defense should also be much improved this year now that Bynum is back and healthy. Oh yea, Kobe Bryant still plays there too, and he alone gives them a shot to win a game on any given night. So, while I doubt they do it, they have a pretty decent shot at it, as long as they stay healthy. And for the record, the Lakers are as good as people say they are. Just go back and watch their first two games and you can see how good they are.
So far 9 teams have the chance and the number of teams that will break the record is 1: The Toronto Raptors. Now, lets get serious. No team will break the record. The Celtics you could maybe say are the closest, but they won't. Not team has what the Bulls had, even when the Mavs came close. I think the closest win margin will be 63 games by the Celtics and I'll take a stretch and say the Raptors could win 55.
I'd like to think so, but I doubt it. I'm hoping we can get to 70 wins, but losing 12 games in the western conference is not likely. My realistic guess is around the 60 wins range, hopefully. Maybe they'll surprise me and win all 82, I dunno
I don't think so this year. Probably around 65 wins. But if they get Gordon next year, which they might have a strong chance at getting, I think they will be one of the greatest teams ever.
You do realize you're talking about Kobe Bryant? He's the ultimate competitor in the NBA, he doesn't take games off.
Lakers will NOT win more than 60 games. They'll get close around 60 but in a league where almost all the teams are getting better and playing at a higher level of competition, it's almost impossible for any team to win more than 60. So I will say NO.
A lot of teams got better, but some teams took a step back. The Suns won't be as good this year with their new system, the Nuggets won't be as good without Camby, the Warriors won't be as good without Baron and without Monta for the first 30 games, the Spurs will struggle to score for the first couple months without Manu, etc. Unlike all those aforementioned teams, the Lakers got better when Bynum came back. I figure, they won 57 games last year without Gasol for part of the year and without Bynum for part of the year, and with neither of them being there at the same time. If they an do that, I see no reason why they can't win 60+ this year. The starting five is just as good and the bench is even better with Odom going to a 6th man role and with Farmar, Ariza and Sasha continuing to progress.
He wont want to, but knowing the ultimate goal is the title, they will probably do it. I'd do the Same for Bosh, or Jose.
I suppose. The only way he takes a game off is if Phil tells him to, and he didn't last year, despite a mangled pinkie. The only way he takes time off is if it's near the end of the season and they have the Pacific Division wrapped up.
That's exactly why, i think you guys will wrap that division up early and rest Kobe up to the last week of the season then get back into motion. That is what i meant by my original post. I should have made it more clear. Kobe is a beast, i know he'll never voluntarily sit out.
No record for them, the West is too strong. I think they are capable of hitting 65 wins, though. And the Lakers want home court throughout the playoffs. Their goal is to have the best record in the league, not just their division. I don't expect them to rest players until they've locked that up.
