If you can pick just one of 'em, GP or Malone for the Lakers, which one would u pick and why? Who's more important etc..
Definitely the Mailman. He's instrumental to matching up against other power forwards and preventing them from having huge games as they've had in the past against the Lakers. He's also a very good backup to Shaq. As we've seen in this series, Malone holds his own against Yao. We are no longer relegated to holding leads only when Shaq is on the floor. Although not as effective as Shaq, Malone holds the paint down very well. Lastly, when he plays well, his ability to step out on gaurds is a tool that we can use to help our gaurds stop the pesky pick and rolls, something that has ALWAYS hurt us.
There's no question Malone is more valuable to the Lakers...PHil isn't even confortable putting GP in the fourth quarters....Undertakernv hit the rest on the nail....in a powerfoward conference, the Lakers have always been weak at that positiion....Malone finally solidifies it for them
I would take Karl Malone in a heart beat. Karl Malone still posses a veteran leadeship that Gary Payton dosent seem to have anymore. Face it. Gary Payton is done. He can't guard people like Francis, Kidd, Iverson, Parker, Bibby, Davis etc... He cant guard none of those quick talented guards. Look what Francis is doing to him in the series. But you have Karl Malone, who still a decent defender. He's provides toughness and another thing is that he's playing on the west. Shaq wouldnt mind having someone as big and powerful as Malone to back him up against the West big men.
Karl Malone definitely. As everyone saw in Game 4, he can still play this game effectively even at 40 years of age. Gary payton still might have some game left in his tank, but he's not being effective when it matters the most. His benching in the 4th quarter leads up to the bricking of shots he's been doing recently. Plus with what notmuchgame said, we've been horrible at the power forward position. And with Malone being there, it gives us relief.
Malone is much more important to the Lakers success than Payton. Prime example is their record with him and without him. With him they went 30-9 on the year if I'm correct. So, without him that would make them 26-17. They need him more than Payton to win the championship. Mainly because they do need a power forward, and, without him, they really don't have one. If they didn't have Payton, that would mean that Fisher would be starting and he is an excellent player in his own regard. I mean, he was the starter during the Lakers threepeat. So, in essence, Malone is more important. Without him, the Lakers won't win a title this year.
Malone as far as helping out on D.. but GP for Offense..malone has to work a lot harder than GP does in Offense.. Derek fisher should start..as i said 1 million times earlier..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe0826:</div><div class="quote_post">Malone as far as helping out on D.. but GP for Offense..malone has to work a lot harder than GP does in Offense.. Derek fisher should start..as i said 1 million times earlier..</div> I still don't think Fisher should start over GP, because eventhough GP has not played as well as he could IMO, he still has played better than Fisher. Payton seems to me like he isn't trying or doesn't care a lot of the time, and still does put up better numbers and plays better D. Fisher still has his work ethic thing going, but his shot has been way off all year and still gets burned on D. Back to the question: I'd definitely take Malone over Gary, simple because he's just the better fit for this team anyway. He has actually lived up to his word of not complaining and being a role player, unlike Gary who has complained about minutes and shots all year. Gary also seems much lazier on the court this year, whereas Malone still running around the court like he was 18 years old. Gary needs to step up and actually work like he did in games, like he did in Seattle.. He can be a much more effective player than he is right now. Malone is just great.
Malone. He at age 40, is a dominant force in the paint. Good post players are hard to come by today, but the Lakers have 2. Payton's age has caught up with him, he is no way near the player he used to be. Also Payton has been struggling with his shots lately and this is not what you want in the playoffs. Malone really wants a ring, he will go out and give his all every game and wont complain. Malone played like he was 28 in his last game.He is a very important to the Lakers chances of another championship.
Who would pick GP over Malone unless ya hated Malones guts. I feel like everybody else who posted on this thread. Malone is just much more valuable especially since the LA has been weak at the 4 which seems like forever.
Personally I don't really like Payton regardless of how good he is. True he's a great passer and good defender, not as much as before but he still does it well. He just seems to not be as good a scorer, whereas Malone never really faltered. One thing I'll give him though, I don't usually like brash guys, but this guy is fearless, I like his attitude, it's good for the team. I'd always have my man, Karl "The Mailman" Malone, myself. He has and still "delivers." That latest performance proved it, it's hard to believe he's still so strong and good at rebounding no matter how old he was. He still has the effort, I feel he has the biggest drive, since had abandoned Utah. He just wants to win. A guy giving up salary for that is a real hero, although poor Sloan suffered from that. He's got real experience and leadership at his side, and much to my surprise, is a nice guy most of the time and has a pretty nice attitude to the game. He and Kobe go good together.
Malone most def. The old man dropped 30 points against the Rockets, and he's one of the key pieces to the Lakers winning a title. GP is a great point guard, but i think all if us are getting sick of his constant bitching. La has enough problems, he doesnt need to add to em.
