Don't you think these 2 teams play the same? Both have great players but the teams don't know how to use them to win at a championship level. Both are innconistent. Both lose to teams they shouldn't...What do you guys think?Are the Lakers and Cavs legitimate contenders, or pretenders?
I would say they are both pretty close evenly matched teams. They both rely off one player. Which makes them pretenders...its called a team, not Kobe or Lebron
Right now they ar eplaying the same, but when Odom is healthy and playing like he was early in the season, then the Lakers are much more well rounded and Kobe is in a role that he excels at. The other difference between the teams is Phil DOES know how to use Kobe to win games, Mike Brown doesn't with LeBron.
Well both of these teams have a super star, and legitimate all-stars. Kobe and LeBron obviously the super stars, and Ilgauskas and Odom being the all-stars. I know it would be fun seeing these 2 teams in the NBA Finals, but I think that just one of them making it would be a miracle, as much as that kills me to say being a diehard Lakers fan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ Mar 11 2007, 04:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well both of these teams have a super star, and legitimate all-stars. Kobe and LeBron obviously the super stars, and Ilgauskas and Odom being the all-stars. I know it would be fun seeing these 2 teams in the NBA Finals, but I think that just one of them making it would be a miracle, as much as that kills me to say being a diehard Lakers fan.</div>I'm sorry man, but Odom is NOT a legitimite all star. He's never made the team in his career.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChuckTheD @ Mar 11 2007, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm sorry man, but Odom is NOT a legitimite all star. He's never made the team in his career.</div>I have to say that I agree. Although, I do think he could have made the team if had stayed healthy..that long stretch when he was out before (he's injured now too) hurt him but regardless he has never been an all-star. He puts up all-star numbers one night then scores like 8 points the next. The guy is too inconsistant.
Lamar Odom is an all-star caliber player though, if playing well enough...you guys get what I mean though. Kobe and Odom and LeBron and Illguaskas...
I say that they are around the same level, but I would go with the Lakers. Kobe has proven that he can do it before, and I like his 2nd option better in Lamar (if he can be there during the playoffs). Also, when healthy, they just play like a team alot better. Luke Walton has been out alot this season and he is very important to team chemistry. I just feel once they can get their team healthy, that they can compete in the playoffs...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ Mar 6 2007, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Don't you think these 2 teams play the same? Both have great players but the teams don't know how to use them to win at a championship level. Both are innconistent. Both lose to teams they shouldn't...What do you guys think?Are the Lakers and Cavs legitimate contenders, or pretenders?</div>I am going to say with Lamar Odom going to miss alot of games and the Lakers being in the West, that they are pretenders. This team is taking alot of injuries, and come playoff time I don't see the parts having played long enough with each other to gel. I really do see them as a pretender this year.However, I am calling the Cavaliers contenders for the fact that they are in the Eats. They proved last year, with pretty much this same team that they can play with, and beat the Pistons. Meanwhile the Pistons have lost Ben Wallace who helped to create alot of pressure defensively. The Bulls don't have a defensive player on the wings like Tayshaun Prince that can push and shield Lebron James towards Ben Wallace's sides like Prince would do alot last year, and I think that will help to create scoring oppurtunities for the rest of the team. This team proved last year it can already beat the Wizards in a playoff series. The Cavaliers have a good enough defense, and can score enough to be dangerous in the East and make it out of the East. Making it out of the East, it was proven last year how a star can push his team through a seven game series. With Lebron James on the team, I think he has the ability to push his team through a seven game series much the same way.
I think that the Cavs are contenders but the Lakers are pretenders. The Cavs are really on a roll right now and are just as good as any team in the East and with LeBron playing like he is they are a very tough team to beat. I would say the Lakers are contenders but the injuries have really hurt their team chemistry and I don't think they will be able to get it all together in time. Earlier in the season they were really playing well but injuries to Walton, Odom, and Brown have really hurt them.
True, but Luke and Odom will be returning shortly. So once we get those guys back our offence and defence will be better. Luke will create easier shots for others, and Odom can guard the bigs of the west like Dirk, Amare, Garnett, ect...
