I have to go with GP. Malone has been a huge suprise but GP runs this team, offense. It all starts with him. His defense is going to force numerous TO's as well. GP is irreplacable.
Malone, and the explanation is simple. Malone is more of an improvement on Horry than GP is an improvement of Fisher.
I was talking with a fellow Laker buddy, and the concensus amoung us on this topic is that Malone is better statistically, and for a 40-year-old is GREAT, but Payton is the one that sets him up and pushes the tempo, allowing him to get easy buckets. Malone also makes sweet passes to GP on cuts. Either way, we need both players.. Do you agree with the above theory? ^^
To be honest Malone is not only more important but he is playing like an MVP contender right now.His points may not be right up there with the other top guys but he is having a great season under the backboard while finding his man so well for a big man.He to me is a BIG reason why the Lakers are at the top of the conference.
Too hard to say. Kobe would usually have to push the ball with Fisher at PG last year, but now he has Payton which saves him some energy, and break into more fast breaks. Then on the other hand, Malone is getting a double double every night, playing solid all around ball. In the long run, I would have to go with Payton, His ability to dish off and make tough transition baskets, and FINALLY we can actually shut down a PG in the playoffs. Gotta go with my man Payton.
I have to say GP. The Lakers are able to get out in transition a lot more, leading to many easy baskets. I think that that's one of the reasons why they've improved this much this year. Also, when you look at it, you'll see that the Lakers have gotten torched repeatedly by point guards of teh other teams. Let's face it, you can't really hope to stop a Tim Duncan or a Chris Webber. However, players like Mike Bibby and Troy Hudson should be stopped and prevented from becoming serious offensive threats, like they were the last two years. With GP and his great defense, that would never happen.
I think there both Important! Its like the "Gold 5" You got players that could waste anyone! They both help the team alot with payton setting the tempo and Malone moving slowly down the court and getting you 15 points a game!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">I was talking with a fellow Laker buddy, and the concensus amoung us on this topic is that Malone is better statistically, and for a 40-year-old is GREAT, but Payton is the one that sets him up and pushes the tempo, allowing him to get easy buckets. Malone also makes sweet passes to GP on cuts. Either way, we need both players.. Do you agree with the above theory? ^^</div>Yes I do. They are both important, that is obvious. Being that the PG is the leader and the offense starts with him, I feel GP is more important...but not by much.
I could argue either way on this question. However, I feel Malone has been more important for the beginning of the season. Malone has given the Lakers a scorer in the post aside from Shaq. He is also more valuable, because the next person off the bench at PF is a huge dropoff from Malone. At least with Payton you have Fisher, and worst case you can have Kobe bring the ball up and initiate the triangle. Malone's size is also a plus for the Lakers, and his ability to pass and find the cutters. He is the perfect compliment player for Shaq and the Lakers. He can hit the mid range jumper, shoots a high percentage from the FT line, enforces the paint, and is unselfish with the rock. Come post-season, Payton will be a major factor for the Lakers. They have not had a PG who can hang with the other guards in the league offensively or defensively. Payton will control tempo in the playoffs and put tremendous pressure on opposing guards. You can flip a coin and know which ever comes up you win. Both have been outstanding for the Lakers thus far.
Malone because GP has yet to fit in the triangle. The bulk of his points and assist come in transition, and that won't happen in the playoffs.
I'd have to say GP. We were all wondering if there'll be enough shots for the 4 stars. GP did wonders running the show. I know y'all gonna say that Malone gives some assists too but in the world of basketball, the PG mans the wheel.
I honestly cant pick one. They are both doing great right now and if one of the 2 werent here, it would affect this team greatly.
Gary payton definitely. He's a guy that can score, can run the fastbreak, and he plays defense. He was named to the All-Defense team for a reason. Plus, he makes the Lakers a running team, something we haven't seen in a while.
They're both important and it's hard to seperate them. Before this season the Lakers got exploited at PG & PF especailly in the playoffs. But I'd say Malone is more important, he's doing more statistically, and without him LA would be very weak at PF, with no Horry or Madsen. He's putting up double double often, and even got a triple double. Payton is really helping LA aswell however.
