The LA Lakers have the 4th best record in the entire NBA and it seems the majority of NBA fans have forgotten how good they actually are. I don't think people realize how bad their roster really is, It's border-line horrible. Kobe Bryant doesn't receive the credit he deserves for being a great leader, I would love to see any other NBA star have the same success with the same roster.The two most important positions (PG, C) on an NBA roster are the major weak spot for the Lakers. They have a bad starting point guard and a young/inexperienced center. It's nearly impossible to win without a solid player at those spots.
I definetly agree and they are underrated. We have the NBA's 4th best record even with all the injuries we have had this season.Chris Mihm - Out for SeasonAaron Mckie - Back SpasmsRonnie Turiaf - Had hip problems (Not to mention his heart problems last season)Brian Cook - Split his thumb open and then sprained his ankle later onVladamir Radmonovic - Sprained his shooting hand and then sprained ankle.Lamar Odom - Torn MCL and is still outKwame Brown - Had surgery and missed over 10 games to begin season and recently sprained his ankleKobe Bryant - Had surgury on knee and then sprained ankle.
They are 5-5 in the last 10(not sure when Odom was out) but undefeated with Kobe injured. I give credit to Phil Jackson. It's not like Kobe has become such a great passer and is making everybody great, he hasn't even reached what he did last year, yet. Others are just stepping up and have improved themselves after a year of learning the triangle. Luke Walton has actually played pretty well and Andrew Bynum has been a surprise. The supporting cast is better than before, still great, but much better than last year's. Of course I won't take away all credit from Kobe, he is looking to have a better season than last year now that he's getting closer to 100% and finally with the supporting cast helping out the team record will be good enough to give Kobe the MVP this year.They have the 5th best record in the league though. I think they are rated just fine, as a good team that might reach the 2nd round. I don't see them as anything more yet.
I don't really think that L.A.L are underrated, or by all means Overrated.When you got a guy like Kobe on your team, your going to be a team that is going to be a team that is going to make the playoffs. Even tho, they just did last season but, still, they made it.I think Kobe is sharing the ball much more this season and that is VERY key to the main reason they are the 4th best team in the NBA.Kobe makes teams double him and that leaves players open for shots and I think he is starting to get that down and thats why this team is going to be hard to beat.
I don't stick much with the Lakers since I don't get to see most of their games in Canada, but when I watch a few Kobe does a lot of stuff that you would of noticed last year. He's trusting in his teammates a lot more, and he isn't trying to force up shot when the defender won't let him get an easy bucket. He passes to his teammates with open looks since teams are trying to shut down Kobe and then they get an easy bucket and the help defense is too late to come. But I think the Lakers aren't going to be when Shaq was in his prime there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Jan 3 2007, 04:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They are 5-5 in the last 10(not sure when Odom was out) but undefeated with Kobe injured. I give credit to Phil Jackson. It's not like Kobe has become such a great passer and is making everybody great, he hasn't even reached what he did last year, yet. Others are just stepping up and have improved themselves after a year of learning the triangle. Luke Walton has actually played pretty well and Andrew Bynum has been a surprise. The supporting cast is better than before, still great, but much better than last year's. Of course I won't take away all credit from Kobe, he is looking to have a better season than last year now that he's getting closer to 100% and finally with the supporting cast helping out the team record will be good enough to give Kobe the MVP this year.They have the 5th best record in the league though. I think they are rated just fine, as a good team that might reach the 2nd round. I don't see them as anything more yet.</div>Nope. Majority of the team improved their own games. PJ didn't bring that.Also, kobe is playing better triangle ball this year. Much Much better. His effeciency is up big time, he is shooting 48% this season.edit: Our roster isn't bad. It might look that way on paper but when you see them play, you see they are underrated.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melo061 @ Jan 2 2007, 11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nope. Majority of the team improved their own games. PJ didn't bring that.Also, kobe is playing better triangle ball this year. Much Much better.</div>Agreed. Kobe is not doing as many isolation plays anymore and is just playing in the flow of the offense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think Kobe is sharing the ball much more this season and that is VERY key to the main reason they are the 4th best team in the NBA.</div>Well last season the roster sucked, they didn't deserve the ball. It comes hand in hand. Bryant will pass to people who can contribute. You saw it in the playoffs. you saw it this season. Saw it during the 3 peat. Kobe isn't like lebron who passes to teamates who brick day and night (donyell marashall).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melo061 @ Jan 3 2007, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nope. Majority of the team improved their own games. PJ didn't bring that.Also, kobe is playing better triangle ball this year. Much Much better. His effeciency is up big time, he is shooting 48% this season.edit: Our roster isn't bad. It might look that way on paper but when you see them play, you see they are underrated.</div>The coaching staff gets players to improve their own game, it doesn't come magically. You yourself said the Luke Walton is nothing without the triangle and I'm sure that offense is a big reason why they are playing well, especially with PJ teaching Kobe how to pass.Agree with your edit.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Well last season the roster sucked, they didn't deserve the ball. It comes hand in hand. Bryant will pass to people who can contribute. You saw it in the playoffs. you saw it this season. Saw it during the 3 peat. Kobe isn't like lebron who passes to teamates who brick day and night (donyell marashall).</div>Well then it might've been smarter to pass more anyway since LeBron's team was better last year when Kobe wasn't passing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Jan 3 2007, 02:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The LA Lakers have the 4th best record in the entire NBA and it seems the majority of NBA fans have forgotten how good they actually are. I don't think people realize how bad their roster really is, It's border-line horrible. Kobe Bryant doesn't receive the credit he deserves for being a great leader, I would love to see any other NBA star have the same success with the same roster.The two most important positions (PG, C) on an NBA roster are the major weak spot for the Lakers. They have a bad starting point guard and a young/inexperienced center. It's nearly impossible to win without a solid player at those spots.</div> I would just like to point out that the PG position in the Lakers triangle offense isn't that demanding, you don't need a great player there. Just someone who doesn't make mistakes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Jan 3 2007, 01:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I definetly agree and they are underrated. We have the NBA's 4th best record even with all the injuries we have had this season.Chris Mihm - Out for SeasonAaron Mckie - Back SpasmsRonnie Turiaf - Had hip problems (Not to mention his heart problems last season)Brian Cook - Split his thumb open and then sprained his ankle later onVladamir Radmonovic - Sprained his shooting hand and then sprained ankle.Lamar Odom - Torn MCL and is still outKwame Brown - Had surgery and missed over 10 games to begin season and recently sprained his ankleKobe Bryant - Had surgury on knee and then sprained ankle.</div>Yeah, that's the killer right there. The Lakers really need to get healthy. They are a good team, but they need to have guys like Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown healthy. A healthy Vlade would be very helpful as well (even know I don't think he's that good of a player at all, just another oversized international shooter who can't do much else).But I see people giving a lot of credit to Kobe for being such a great leader. Yes, that credit is due, but you have to give a bundle of credit to Phil Jackson and the coaching staff. Why? Look at that team. They aren't overly skilled, they aren't a bunch of athletic freaks, but what do they do well as a team? PLAY DEFENSE. Every coach in the NBA preaches defense at some point, but Phil Jackson is one of the only coaches that is successful with it. That's the thing I love about Phil, he gets everybody to play defense. When Phil Jackson coaches a player for an extended period of a time, he is either a better man-to-man defender or a better team defender when Phil is done with him.Are the Lakers underrated, though? I don't think they are underrated by a large margin, but they do sometimes get a bit underestimated because they don't have a team full of athletic wizards and talented players. That is a TEAM right there, though. They all play together on both ends of the floor, they have one of the best coaches ever, and they have a great supportive fan base. Not to mention, the best player in the world leading them. The Lakers are a good team, and I'm happy that they have had a pretty good year so far. They NEED to get healthy, though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melo061 @ Jan 3 2007, 02:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well last season the roster sucked, they didn't deserve the ball. It comes hand in hand. Bryant will pass to people who can contribute. You saw it in the playoffs. you saw it this season. Saw it during the 3 peat. Kobe isn't like lebron who passes to teamates who brick day and night (donyell marashall).</div>Roster was not the best last season, but some shooters still could of made some shots. Kobe just felt like he was the only one on the team that could do anything. He is that just that good, where he DID ever thing. This Season he is starting to get there are 4 other players on the court with him and he is starting to be a great team player. Question is, can he keep it up...Sometimes a superstar has to know when to take over and when not to dish out a pass and take it your self. That is something LeBron James still needs to work on.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Jan 3 2007, 02:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The LA Lakers have the 4th best record in the entire NBA and it seems the majority of NBA fans have forgotten how good they actually are. I don't think people realize how bad their roster really is, It's border-line horrible. Kobe Bryant doesn't receive the credit he deserves for being a great leader, I would love to see any other NBA star have the same success with the same roster.The two most important positions (PG, C) on an NBA roster are the major weak spot for the Lakers. They have a bad starting point guard and a young/inexperienced center. It's nearly impossible to win without a solid player at those spots.</div>I agree that the Lakers are underrated, but how do you say that they have a border-line horrible roster? Lamar Odom is a pretty damn good 2nd option, and besides him and kobe, you are completley filled with role players. Luke Walton, Smush Parker, Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar, Vladimir Radmonivic, Maurice Evans, and Ronny Turiaf are ALL players that can go in an contribute alot. They are very deep, and they have everything a team needs IMO. I dont think they have been getting the credit that they deserve because this is the first season that they have done this well. As for Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio, they have been good for multiple season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jan 3 2007, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree that the Lakers are underrated, but how do you say that they have a border-line horrible roster? Lamar Odom is a pretty damn good 2nd option, and besides him and kobe, you are completley filled with role players. Luke Walton, Smush Parker, Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar, Vladimir Radmonivic, Maurice Evans, and Ronny Turiaf are ALL players that can go in an contribute alot. They are very deep, and they have everything a team needs IMO. I dont think they have been getting the credit that they deserve because this is the first season that they have done this well. As for Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio, they have been good for multiple season.</div>The Lakers team is filled with inexperienced youth. They might have the most Inconsistent team in the entire NBA. You never know what you're going to get from certain players.Kwame Brown- Extremely inconsistent, Makes a lot of stupid mistakes, Gets in foul trouble to often. He seems to disrupt the Lakers offense sometimes. I have only seen the Lakers a few times this year but that's what I saw from him.Andrew Bynum- Young and inexperienced, Your starting center shouldn't be 19 years old.Jordan Farmar- He's a rookie, His defense is below average.Brian Cook- Good shooter, Nothing else.Maurice Evans- He's a good player, I like him. He's the energizer off the bench.Smush Parker- He's one of the worst starting point guards in the league. Ronny Turiaf- I love Turiaf as well. He plays with a lot of heart. His offensive game could use a bit of work but it's coming along.Vladimir Radmanovic- Inconstancy at it's finest. He doesn't have a defensive bone in his body.Sasha Vujacic- Another Inconsistent player. He's a horrible shooter.Luke Walton- He's a pretty good player, He's very smart and has great court vision. He's becoming a better scorer.
^ Co-sign with that, it's either they play good basketball or horrible basketball. Luke Walton has been steeping up though, it looks like he can be consistent at this point.But are the Lakers as a whole underrated? I think they are a little bit. You could view them as a good team, or an average team with lucky wins. It's all on how you look at it for them to be underrated.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 4 2007, 03:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, that's the killer right there. The Lakers really need to get healthy. They are a good team, but they need to have guys like Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown healthy. A healthy Vlade would be very helpful as well (even know I don't think he's that good of a player at all, just another oversized international shooter who can't do much else).But I see people giving a lot of credit to Kobe for being such a great leader. Yes, that credit is due, but you have to give a bundle of credit to Phil Jackson and the coaching staff. Why? Look at that team. They aren't overly skilled, they aren't a bunch of athletic freaks, but what do they do well as a team? PLAY DEFENSE. Every coach in the NBA preaches defense at some point, but Phil Jackson is one of the only coaches that is successful with it. That's the thing I love about Phil, he gets everybody to play defense. When Phil Jackson coaches a player for an extended period of a time, he is either a better man-to-man defender or a better team defender when Phil is done with him.Are the Lakers underrated, though? I don't think they are underrated by a large margin, but they do sometimes get a bit underestimated because they don't have a team full of athletic wizards and talented players. That is a TEAM right there, though. They all play together on both ends of the floor, they have one of the best coaches ever, and they have a great supportive fan base. Not to mention, the best player in the world leading them. The Lakers are a good team, and I'm happy that they have had a pretty good year so far. They NEED to get healthy, though.</div>No. Since phil jackson has been in la, numerous of player said phil never focusses on d. Phil has said numerous time that he thinks good defense comes through good execution on the offensive side. Gary payton and Jimmy jackson have said publicly that phil doesn't work on defense. Also, you can see it on the court. Phil makes no adjustments to us being murdered by the pick and roll. Also, when we are getting killed by double penetration instead of putting a duo of shotblockers guess what lineup he puts out there? Vlad rad and Brian cook. Absolutely pathetic. PJ clearly has not worked on defense this season. Not with his stupid defensive schemes he has brought out.
Of course the Lakers are underrated, Kobe has proved that he can do what matters, make his team better and not knock up the stat sheet like a crazy Mofo. This has resulted in a possible all-star season from Odom when he comes back (Meh, he would have one if he was in the east), the emergence of Andrew Bynum who many believe is one of the most talented youth in the NBA and the continued improvement of other players on their team not to mention a legendary coach. Now they have the fourth best record and continue to improve. I think second round is definetely in the picture for Los Angeles this year although they will need to fight for it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Jan 3 2007, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Lakers team is filled with inexperienced youth. They might have the most Inconsistent team in the entire NBA. You never know what you're going to get from certain players.Kwame Brown- Extremely inconsistent, Makes a lot of stupid mistakes, Gets in foul trouble to often. He seems to disrupt the Lakers offense sometimes. I have only seen the Lakers a few times this year but that's what I saw from him.Andrew Bynum- Young and inexperienced, Your starting center shouldn't be 19 years old.Jordan Farmar- He's a rookie, His defense is below average.Brian Cook- Good shooter, Nothing else.Maurice Evans- He's a good player, I like him. He's the energizer off the bench.Smush Parker- He's one of the worst starting point guards in the league. Ronny Turiaf- I love Turiaf as well. He plays with a lot of heart. His offensive game could use a bit of work but it's coming along.Vladimir Radmanovic- Inconstancy at it's finest. He doesn't have a defensive bone in his body.Sasha Vujacic- Another Inconsistent player. He's a horrible shooter.Luke Walton- He's a pretty good player, He's very smart and has great court vision. He's becoming a better scorer.</div>You need to watch them more often then. I dont care if Jordan Farmar is a rookie. He is a very good shooter and he handles the ball well. He doesn't force shots which I absolutley love about him. When he is open, he takes them, and he is very deadly. Kwame Brown may be inconsistent at times, but he is very physical on the defensive end which I love, he is a good rebounder, and he knows how to finish with authority unlike alot of big men in this league. And Kwame Brown is the starting center, not Andrew Bynum. Smush Parker may be one of the worst starting PG's in the league, but IMO, the Lakers are one of the deepest teams at the PG position. Jordan Farmar and Vujacic can both come in and do a decent job. When one of the PG's isnt playing well, others step up and fill the void. I agree with you completly about Walton, Evans, and Turiaf.You can say that this team is inconsistent, but I dont think that they mind too much considering they are the 5th seed in the West.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jan 3 2007, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You need to watch them more often then. I dont care if Jordan Farmar is a rookie. He is a very good shooter and he handles the ball well. He doesn't force shots which I absolutley love about him. When he is open, he takes them, and he is very deadly. Kwame Brown may be inconsistent at times, but he is very physical on the defensive end which I love, he is a good rebounder, and he knows how to finish with authority unlike alot of big men in this league. And Kwame Brown is the starting center, not Andrew Bynum. Smush Parker may be one of the worst starting PG's in the league, but IMO, the Lakers are one of the deepest teams at the PG position. Jordan Farmar and Vujacic can both come in and do a decent job. When one of the PG's isnt playing well, others step up and fill the void. I agree with you completly about Walton, Evans, and Turiaf.You can say that this team is inconsistent, but I dont think that they mind too much considering they are the 5th seed in the West.</div>I am siding with Ballerman here.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jan 4 2007, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You need to watch them more often then. I dont care if Jordan Farmar is a rookie. He is a very good shooter and he handles the ball well. He doesn't force shots which I absolutley love about him. When he is open, he takes them, and he is very deadly. Kwame Brown may be inconsistent at times, but he is very physical on the defensive end which I love, he is a good rebounder, and he knows how to finish with authority unlike alot of big men in this league. And Kwame Brown is the starting center, not Andrew Bynum. Smush Parker may be one of the worst starting PG's in the league, but IMO, the Lakers are one of the deepest teams at the PG position. Jordan Farmar and Vujacic can both come in and do a decent job. When one of the PG's isnt playing well, others step up and fill the void. I agree with you completly about Walton, Evans, and Turiaf.You can say that this team is inconsistent, but I dont think that they mind too much considering they are the 5th seed in the West.</div>Farmar's not a good shooter. FG% is very misleading, he is an average shooter.Kwame isn't a good rebounder. Again, how many times does he fumble rebounds. With the body he has, you would think he would rebound better but at times this season even kobe has outrebounded him. Also, I've noticed he gets some boards because he misses easy shots. He isn't a good rebounder. Also, kwame once this season dunked it numerous times with authority. How many times has he missed lay ups this season where he should've dunked it.. The only time he dunked it consistently in a game was against indiana. Most of the time he is missing lay ups.Also, sasha vujacic has been trash for most of the season. Only lately has he come in and has been a +.
