<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Mmm beautiful Latinas from L.A. :mrgreen: </div> Latina, Persian, Indian, black and the all-too familiar Southern California blonde. . .diversity is good. :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sartre2025:</div><div class="quote_post">You're right. The Lakers suck for not breaking the Bulls 72-10 record; I'll have to find some way to live with that when the Larry O' Brien trophy gets hoisted in air by Shaq, Karl, Gary and Kobe. </div>When did I say they sucked? Grow up kid.
The injuries alone are enough to warrant a reason for the Lakers' "poor" season. Kobe, Shaq, and Malone were injured? I'm surprised we even won the division. Having 4 out of the starting 5 injured for a large part of the season is nothing to scoff at.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">That is a horrible list of excuses, litterally. Like Mel said, the true great teams find ways to win. I can't believe you put the "turmoils" on there. Whose fault is that? Its one thing to blame it on injuries but to blame it on turmoils is just ridiculous.</div> I am not making excuses, and I know the turmoil is their own fault, but that got in the way this season, be it got in the way a lot or a little, it got in the way.
Interesting point of view from the writer, however I think he's downplaying the fact the Lakers are still the favorite to win the title. The ultimate goal of all teams is to win the NBA Title and not to go after records for most regular season wins. I'm not sure what the article is trying to accomplish other than to sell newspapers by being controversial. It seems writers are always quick to build up our sports heros and teams and then to destroy them. No matter what an athlete or team accomplishes it's never enough for sports writers, critics, and hacks of the sports industry media. Shouldn't seeing this Laker team fight through their adversities to still win a title be good enough for a fan of the NBA? The Lakers have provided plenty of entertainment to Laker fans, Laker haters, and even the casual NBA fan. He's also overlooking the fact all teams bring their A game against the Lakers. The Lakers were deemed the paper champions before the season started, and along with the status was a huge target to beat them. The Lakers were the measuring stick for the rest of the league this year, but despite winning their division, defeating this year's MVP, and a chance to win a 4th title in 5 years, this still isn't MEMORABLE enough in this writer's eyes. Gimme a break.
From where I sat he ackowledged (if not in so many words) that the Lakers were only potentially four games from the title, and despite their troubles are still hot favourites to take out the Championship. However at the same time I feel he makes a valid point that they haven't done it with the class of Magic's Lakers or Bill's Celtics, they're not admired the same way as Isiah's Pistons were etc. While I doubt you'd find many who don't respect them deep down, it's a fact it'll probably go down as one of the uglier Championship teams, and they haven't maintained a lot of class throughout the season. Of course it's a mute point to argue between Laker fans and outside fans; one group will likely agree with the article, while the other will take the view that coming through these problems just makes it an even better achievement.
I can keep a level head about the article and give a non-biased opinion on the article. According to the ratings a lot of people are following the Lakers run at this year's championship. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers' 100-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night was the highest-rated NBA playoff game ever on cable. The game was seen in 6 million households, second only to the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in most-watched NBA games on cable. The All-Star Game was watched in 7.1 million households.</div> His claims this team isn't classy is beyond me. What have the Lakers done to be deemed "unclassy?" Yes they've had internal fights and they've played dirty at times in the playoffs. But all the past teams mentioned above have had the same problems. The reason we hear so much about the Laker problems is because the media is in love with them and they are constantly under the microscope. Los Angeles is one the largest media sources in the United States, thus the endless coverage of the Lakers. Not to mention ESPN is owned by Disney, which is, you guessed it in Los Angeles.
That's what makes the Lakers the Lakers! They are entertainment along with great basketball. The Spurs and all their hoopla couldn't stop them. Kobe's trial couldn't stop them. Gary and all his crap or Karl for that matter. Phil doesn't get enough credit for being able to handle the most radical personalities in league history. He isn't just a good coach b/c he has had some of the all time greats. He's good because he takes people and molds them into champion, not just winners. That gets over looked all too often, and it is sad. Oh well. Lakers Golden State next year
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">When did I say they sucked? Grow up kid.</div> He is 28 years old.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">He is 28 years old. </div>My point was he was acting like a kid. Back on topic, I think Shogun is right. The Lakers are americas team whether you love them or hate them because of all the egos on that team.
Anyone who thinks that this team won't be a memorable championship team is insane! Whether self inflicted or not, this Laker team has gone through more crap than any other team in recent (maybe even all of) history. Yes much of it they brought upon themselves, but a lesser team would have completely folded. Two things that are always remembered are talent and drama, and the Lakers are overflowing with both. I would have liked the Lakers to have played a more consistent season (would have done my heart better) but they are 4 wins from a championship. Hell I'd rather have this 'dissapointing' season over San Antonio's second round loss 'great' season, or even the TWolves first round exit streak breaking, 7th game winning, KG MVP 'awesome' season any day.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting los:</div><div class="quote_post"> I would have liked the Lakers to have played a more consistent season (would have done my heart better) but they are 4 wins from a championship. </div> When you board a rollercoaster, do you want it to be a thrilling or placid experience? You want it to be exciting and (if you've never rode it before) unpredictable; that's what Laker fans have been put through. Despite the unforeseen variables of rampant injury, legal troubles and interpersonal squabbles, the Lakers rose to the occasion and have triumphed in the most dramatic season in NBA history. Sometimes a heart attack can be a good thing; Fisher's 0.4 shot gave me 10 of them.
You really can't use the injuries to key players as the reason why they didn't do better. A lot of teams had injuries to their key players as well. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">THey didnt even have a chance to to be considered one of the best all time, lets look at what has happened: Kobe's Trial Malone's Injury Turmoil between Kobe and Shaq Turmoil between Kobe and Phil Turmoil between GP and Phil Kobe's injuries and the other little things we dont hear about. I know if none of this happened we would of been the best team in the league, and one of the best all time.</div> Those aren't the primary reasons. We all know that some of their players are prima donnas. This team will never be one of the best of all time. On paper? Yes. But they don't have the drive of something like the MJ led Bulls wherein they play each and every game like it's the game 7 of the NBA Finals. It seems as once they get running, they'll slow down a bit then when they're in trouble, they'll start running again. Just imagine if they decide to "keep on running" each and every game.
The Spurs, T-Wolves & Pacers all had more wins in the Regular season then the Lakers. But the only way their going to the finals is if they buy a ticket. The Regular season doesn't matter as long as you get in the playoffs. Is this team one of the best ever? Yes. Name another team that has won this many championships in such a short time. rocket & pistons fans say their teams were great when they went back to back. We're about to get 4 out of 5. The problem is other than the Spurs there is no real competition and the east is a joke.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">You really can't use the injuries to key players as the reason why they didn't do better. A lot of teams had injuries to their key players as well.</div> It was nowhere near the extent of which the Lakers felt the injury bug. The first timet the starting "real" starting five played together was about two months before the playoffs. You've also got to remember, at one point we had a developmental player starting on our team.
I'm not a Laker fan by all means.I Find the Lakers to be a very entertaining team,as well as a very competitve team.I'm a Kings fan as you can tell,but i won't knock the Lakers like everyone in the whole world does...Wheither or not you love or hate the Lakers,you can't deny that they love to win,and will do whatever it takes to get the job done,and you have to respect that,but there's some things that i don't like about the team,but hey that's life. Overall,i believe as long as the Lakers have solid coaching,and great playing there gonna be very sucessful in the long run,wheither or not you like how they do it or not!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">My point was he was acting like a kid. </div> I know. I was mocking him.
