Payton & Malone Set Tone In Kobe's Absence <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The new-look Los Angeles Lakers didn't need Kobe Bryant to do what they always do against the Dallas Mavericks. With Gary Payton leading the fast break and Karl Malone providing plenty of everything, the Lakers put aside their squabbles and defeated Dallas at home for the 26th consecutive time -- 109-93 Tuesday night. "Well, they're awesome," Dallas coach Don Nelson said. "Even without Kobe they have enough firepower to dominate the league." Payton had 21 points and nine assists, and Malone added 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to barely miss the fourth triple-double of his career. Both received standing ovations when they left in the fourth quarter, with Bryant among those lavishing the two newcomers with applause. Shaquille O'Neal, Derek Fisher and Devean George -- three of the holdovers from last season's Lakers -- each added 16 points. "Unbelievable. All that firepower. We've got cannons, rockets, missiles, you name it," Lakers forward Bryon Russell said. Bryant, engaged in a public feud with O'Neal, sat out because of soreness in his surgically repaired knee and did not join his teammates on the bench until the end of the third quarter. At that point, the Lakers were already receiving a standing ovation, and the crowd cheered even louder as Bryant was shown on the main scoreboard. Wearing a red T-shirt that clashed with the Lakers' gold jerseys, Bryant sat alongside O'Neal for the start of the fourth quarter and stayed on the bench for the rest of the game. He said he and O'Neal had patched things up. "We're cool. We talked this morning. He said what he said, I said what I said. We put it behind us," Bryant said. "Shaq and I are going to move on, be teammates and help this team to a fourth title."</div> Full Story Box Score
It looked good for the Lakers. The real question is will the ball move as fluidly/freely when Kobe comes back. Will he be content getting 5 or 6 assists a game and getting only 20ish points. Will PJ let him take over a bit more, dominant the game some, and really choke out opponents? The other interesting thing about the team is their ability to exploit holes in teams now. Is a team weak at SG? Send Kobe at them. Weak at PG? Send GP. The team is stacked with some of the best in 4 positions, and these guys, on any given night, could drop 30 points, with two guys able to drop 40 on any given night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Manu:</div><div class="quote_post"> Will he be content getting 5 or 6 assists a game and getting only 20ish points. .</div> No, but I do not think that there will be a problem. In the heat of the battle of words between Shaq and Kobe, Kobe claimed that "he has been playing down his game for years" and that he would do anything that Phil Jackson asked him to do. After reading his full Shaq attack, it is very obvious that he is a very intelligent player that understands the strategy of the game very well. (The quotes from Kobe's telephone interview w/ Jim Gray can be read here: http://www.ericmcerlain.com/offwingopinion...ives/002579.php ) Karl Malone and Gary Payton have also said similar things in the past. I know that Malone clearly stated that he did not come to LA for solid stats. The reason that the four of them are playing with each other is for one reason: a championship. I have no doubt that all four of them will assume their respective roles on the team. If they want personal glory, then they could easily leave at the end of the season. I think that the claims that the team will fall apart is not a realistic concern. I mean...Dream Team I in 1992 was 10-fold stronger than this team and they raped the world.
Ken, great point. At the same time, even last season, posting career numbers, he was itching. I just hope this isn't the straw that (further?) broke the camels back.
GP:- Finally After the years of hard graft @ seattle, along with the bucks, it'll be nice to see GP with a title shot. After the career he has had it would be good for him, along with Malone, to wrap up their careers with some gold. Deserved i think we'll all agree. I follow Seattle for years, the Rainman/payton connection was truly awesome. Shame at how shawn has ended up, though he still shows a sparkle occasionally. But does L.A. have a sustainable team? Seems to me they have alot of careers that may end with the team.New blood anyone? this is my first post guys, so be gentle!!!
Well you brought back a very old thread but other than that I think you made some very good points. Welcome to JBB. The Lakers may not have a store of young developing talent to draw on but as they proved during the off season there are always options. There's something about playing for the Lakers that is very appealing to many players and I think will be for years to come.
