<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">we cannot beat good teams without Shaq.</div> I think we can, the role players just need to step up. It easier to win wit Shaq, but I dont think we NEED him to wins a couple games as long as the role players do there part. We need Shaq to win in the playoffs. Im dissapointed LA lost, they should have played better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Spurs are led. The three peat Lakers were led. This year's Lakers are not led, but rely. There's a difference. If there ever was a time I truly enjoyed Lakers play, it'd be during the second and third championship runs. I enjoy seeing the duo lead the team. They had good starters, two greats, and a strong bench - and to me, a strong bench is very, very important. But what does the bench this year produce? (other than Slava) Nothing. They barely get to play... even those that were once starters. Basically, what I'm getting at is the Lakers seem to have more troublee playing through injury than any other [high caliber] team in the NBA, and comboed with their reliance upon their Big Four, it could still be great, but more likely than not, it could become a very ugly picture for them. And spare me your lecturing. I still pertain to the current topic on hand, and as long as I do, I'll post whatever I feel like posting. I began with speaking on the loss (although I admit, it was provocative), and it was taken and dragged out, so it becomes a debate. And on another note, The Best Damn Sports Show Period is a great show. Really is what the name implies.</div> Are you still rejoicing over your 2003 title, or are you just a typical Laker hater? Yeah the Laker championship runs of 2000, 2001, and don't forget 2002 were excellent, but what else is new about this Laker bench? Back in the Laker championship runs, we barely had a bench that could score on a consistent basis. But I'll tell you what....the bench the Lakers have now is far better than the ones we had the last 3 championship seasons. The Lakers have trouble playing through injury? I would like to see you play with a bad ankle or a calf muscle and run up and down the court and tells me how it feels.
Well I'm not surprised about this loss because us Laker fans knew it was coming. 106-90, our first three game losing streak of the season, I know media is trying to stir up some nonsense, and oh yeah maybe these crazy people can stop talking about the 2004 Lakers breaking the 1996 Bulls record of 72-10, because it's not going to happen. Now on to the game analysis..... I'm hearing a lot of criticism about Gary Payton, and you know what...I'll have to take out all my frustration on him. I don't know what he's doing out there, but he looked simply like an old rusty point guard. Like a has-been. As I check his stats here, he played 30 minutes, went 6-12, and scored 13 pts??? Gary, we have 2 starters that are out nursing their injuries, it'll be up to the success of you and Kobe to lead this team to as many victories as you can, and you just score 13 pts? Hmmmm....definitely not the Gary Payton I know. Kobe, well he just scored 20 on 8-17 shooting, and was contained all night by Latrell Sprewell. Devean George and Slava, combined 8 pts. With that kind of performance, you might as well sit on the bench and watch the game. Because that is a disgrace. I'm very happy with the production of Brian Cook last night. A nice 16 pt effort. Hopefully we can see more of this as the season rolls along. Well tonight will not be an easy one for both Kobe and the rest of this Laker team as they travel to Colorado to face a highly-energized Nuggets team. And who knows how the crowd will react to Kobe?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Depth:</div><div class="quote_post">I think we can, the role players just need to step up. It easier to win wit Shaq, but I dont think we NEED him to wins a couple games as long as the role players do there part. We need Shaq to win in the playoffs. Im dissapointed LA lost, they should have played better.</div> Woah! DO you really think role players can fill the big guy's shoes? I don't think so man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">Woah! DO you really think role players can fill the big guy's shoes? I don't think so man.</div> Well with the production of both Slava and Horace Grant combined 7 points total, our role players are just simply garbage right now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you still rejoicing over your 2003 title, or are you just a typical Laker hater? Yeah the Laker championship runs of 2000, 2001, and don't forget 2002 were excellent, but what else is new about this Laker bench? Back in the Laker championship runs, we barely had a bench that could score on a consistent basis. But I'll tell you what....the bench the Lakers have now is far better than the ones we had the last 3 championship seasons. The Lakers have trouble playing through injury? I would like to see you play with a bad ankle or a calf muscle and run up and down the court and tells me how it feels.</div> Firstly, I was referring to the team playing through injury. Not the individuals who are hurt. Second, I have played with a hurt calf and a bad ankle. I've played with broken fingers, and it's not that big of a deal. For Malone, I can really understand (he's what? 40 something?), but Shaq's still a younger guy (in my eyes) and shouldn't be out as long as projected. Second, I'm not rejoicing over any title for the Spurs. Although I would love to see it, I don't think they'll be going all the way this year. As far as the bench goes, this year's bench has more talent and overall experience, but the older bench had more heart, determination, and more play time over the season to help them get integrated into the Lakers' play system.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Firstly, I was referring to the team playing through injury. Not the individuals who are hurt. Second, I have played with a hurt calf and a bad ankle. I've played with broken fingers, and it's not that big of a deal. For Malone, I can really understand (he's what? 40 something?), but Shaq's still a younger guy (in my eyes) and shouldn't be out as long as projected. Second, I'm not rejoicing over any title for the Spurs. Although I would love to see it, I don't think they'll be going all the way this year. As far as the bench goes, this year's bench has more talent and overall experience, but the older bench had more heart, determination, and more play time over the season to help them get integrated into the Lakers' play system.</div> When you talk about a team playing through injury, you have to be talking about Malone and Shaq because mostly the rest of our Laker players have been healthy all season. I really do hope you understand about Malone because he's in his 40's and soon enough, that wear and tear starts happening. Let Shaq be out for a number of games, Laker fans want him at 100% rather than at 75%. Wow, from a Spurs fan saying that they might not repeat is very impressive.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Spurs are led. The three peat Lakers were led. This year's Lakers are not led, but rely. There's a difference. If there ever was a time I truly enjoyed Lakers play, it'd be during the second and third championship runs. I enjoy seeing the duo lead the team. They had good starters, two greats, and a strong bench - and to me, a strong bench is very, very important. But what does the bench this year produce? (other than Slava) Nothing. They barely get to play... even those that were once starters. Basically, what I'm getting at is the Lakers seem to have more troublee playing through injury than any other [high caliber] team in the NBA, and comboed with their reliance upon their Big Four, it could still be great, but more likely than not, it could become a very ugly picture for them. And spare me your lecturing. I still pertain to the current topic on hand, and as long as I do, I'll post whatever I feel like posting. I began with speaking on the loss (although I admit, it was provocative), and it was taken and dragged out, so it becomes a debate. And on another note, The Best Damn Sports Show Period is a great show. Really is what the name implies.</div> Actually 'rely' and 'led' are very similar in basketball terms. Are you trying to tell me the Lakers didn't 'rely' on Shaq and Kobe when they were by themselves? And what was so 'strong' on their bench when the 3peat happend, besides Horry? Lets see, they have more trouble than any high caliber team playing through injury? Hmmm...how many teams have one of the best Centers in NBA History, 300 pound 7"0 dominant center missing? It's not that we have nothing, it's just that without Shaq that takes a big chunk out of our lineup, and I mean really big. Listen, if you hate the Lakers just leave, why do you come in here just to hate? It's obvious because you already said we will not win the NBA Championship, hell, we may not, and then again we might win it, but to just completeley put them out of the picture is insane. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Firstly, I was referring to the team playing through injury. Not the individuals who are hurt. Second, I have played with a hurt calf and a bad ankle. I've played with broken fingers, and it's not that big of a deal. For Malone, I can really understand (he's what? 40 something?), but Shaq's still a younger guy (in my eyes) and shouldn't be out as long as projected. Second, I'm not rejoicing over any title for the Spurs. Although I would love to see it, I don't think they'll be going all the way this year. As far as the bench goes, this year's bench has more talent and overall experience, but the older bench had more heart, determination, and more play time over the season to help them get integrated into the Lakers' play system.</div> LMAO, big Spurs fan, and doubting there chances of winning it all this season? Do you even watch your team? Let Shaq be out, let Malone be out. I want them back 100%, I would love to win but it's no rush, even though we aren't winning games at the momment. Were making the playoffs, and we'll need them fully healthy to make a championship run.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Firstly, I was referring to the team playing through injury. Not the individuals who are hurt. Second, I have played with a hurt calf and a bad ankle. I've played with broken fingers, and it's not that big of a deal. For Malone, I can really understand (he's what? 40 something?), but Shaq's still a younger guy (in my eyes) and shouldn't be out as long as projected. Second, I'm not rejoicing over any title for the Spurs. Although I would love to see it, I don't think they'll be going all the way this year. As far as the bench goes, this year's bench has more talent and overall experience, but the older bench had more heart, determination, and more play time over the season to help them get integrated into the Lakers' play system.</div> LMAO, big Spurs fan, and doubting there chances of winning it all this season? Do you even watch your team? Let Shaq be out, let Malone be out. I want them back 100%, I would love to win but it's no rush, even though we aren't winning games at the momment. Were making the playoffs, and we'll need them fully healthy to make a championship run.
