How far do you think the Lakers will end this season? I think there going to be a 6 seed in the playoffs and make the second round of the playoffs.
If they get Malone back, 4th seed...Western Conference finals. Come on guys...disagree. You know you want to I'm just very optimistic, and when I see a lineup like this: PG - Payton/Vujacic SG - Kobe/Rush/Fox SF - Odom/Butler/George PF - Malone/Grant/Walton/Cook C - Divac/H. Grant/Medvedenko It makes me think.
why would malone return to a team that isn't going to win a championship anytime before he retires. aren't the spurs a better option. don't get your hopes up.
I say they get the 5th seed out wst and they make it to the western conference finals. IMO because they actually have a better team right now then they did last year. Odam can play the position that malone did if he doesnt return better than malone can right now. Butler, Odam, Grant, and Divac can more than make up for the scoring shaq gave the team they can go far. I just dont say finals because I want the wolves to be at the finals, but it is possible for them to get there. They lost the most dominating player in the game, but gained 2 young stars in return, a vetern that can hit the boards, and a great passing big man that has lead the league in assists at his position. They can be imo what the kings were those years that the lakers eliminated them a very deep talented team that if things go there way they may be able to go far. They just need a couple guys to step up like cook and walton. Then if there rookie performs well and payton returns to his all star form it will be a team to be contended with. Also cant forget what made the team look like this Kobe is still there and he can give you 30 points a night if he is playing well and average probable 32 for the season if he gets enough shots. Then they have a hall of fame coach in Rudy T and are going back to the old showtime offense that will allow them to get points alot easier and quicker then the triangle would. If they can sign a free agent or two to fill out the team its possible they can go far.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post"> Butler, Odam, Grant, and Divac can more than make up for the scoring shaq gave the team they can go far.</div> jus remember pure skillz 1. its 4 players making up for one 2. odom grant butler played in an easier confrence when they made those stats 3. they had a LOT more possesion of the ball than they will have in the lakers They should rank in at 6th or 7th and will have a hard time making it past the first round of the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">why would malone return to a team that isn't going to win a championship anytime before he retires. aren't the spurs a better option. don't get your hopes up.</div> Because he isn't going to look even more unprofessional going to another team that he "believes" will go far in the East.
how is it that I don't mention the heat yet you feel as if I'm saying he will go to the heat? is that the best argument you can make after being shot down by reality?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">jus remember pure skillz 1. its 4 players making up for one 2. odom grant butler played in an easier confrence when they made those stats 3. they had a LOT more possesion of the ball than they will have in the lakers </div> I agree with you for the most part that they were in the east a much easier conference when they put those numbers up, but its not like they didnt play western teams. Its like Jermaine Oneal alot of people say he plays so well because he plays in the east, but if you look at the stats you will see he averages 19.7 points against the east while scoring 22 against the western teams. Also its not like this will be the first time odam and grant will be playing out west. Odam was a clipper just a season ago so he is very familiar with the teams out west. Not to mention alot of free agents from the east were signed by western conference teams this season. Like Martin for example they should actually have an advantage now because odam nows the west and eastern players well. Also Grant did play for the blazers before so he knows what it takes to compete out west. He will also be omving to his natural power forward spot and not have to play center like he did for the heat. Also I believe that Butler stats will go up a little its not like the west is dominated by small forwards they have alot of good ones, but butler knows what it takes to be good with all the times he faced ron artest and another year experence he will be good to go. You are right they wont have as much time with the ball as they did in miami now that they are in LA, but that will actually help them even more because they wont have to feel the pressure of having to hit every shot. So they can get into the flow of the game.
Jus because you played in the east, it doesn't mean you won't do good out west. Talent is talent, and Odom and Butler obviously have a lot of it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">how is it that I don't mention the heat yet you feel as if I'm saying he will go to the heat? is that the best argument you can make after being shot down by reality?</div> Haha...how was I "shot down by reality" when what you said wasn't reality? And...assuming Malone won't go to the Lakers, he'd either retire or go to the Heat...but, like I said, it would be a stupid move by Karl to go to Miami. Heat fans believe that they stole our "top" player, yet they didn't...because Shaq isn't our top player anymore, not since 2001 in fact. Also, we took the Heat's only decent players, leaving Wade all by himself...and there was a reason Jones was traded from the Lakers: it was because Shaq ran him out, and don't think he doesn't remember. What I'm saying is this: don't come into a Laker discussion and say, "Don't give your hopes up" and claim that the Lakers won't win a championship...because nearly every Heat fan I talk to believes that they actually have a chance in the East, which actually... well...just don't give your hopes up.
lol youre one to talk about going into other teams forums and shooting them down. Btw, how is it that I don't mention the heat yet you feel as if I'm saying he will go to the heat? is that the best argument you can make after being shot down by reality? And I didn't say the Lakers won't win a champion, you're just twisting my words. I just think that they won't do it before malone retires. BUT I think they could do it before Kobe's contract expires. You can cry all you want but you make no valid argument
lol youre one to talk about going into other teams forums and shooting them down. When I say don't get your hopes up, I'm talking about malone returning to the lakers. I'm not trying to shoot down lakers fans, but when you respond with "Because he isn't going to look even more unprofessional going to another team that he "believes" will go far in the East.", that proves you have no legitimate argument as to why he will return and you just go for the easy flame. I'm just telling you theres not a high chance of him returning, and to start thinking of a lakers w/o malone, as a worst case scenario, when factoring the lakers roster and how they rank against other teams Btw, how is it that I don't mention the heat yet you feel as if I'm saying he will go to the heat? And I didn't say the Lakers won't win a champion, you're just twisting my words. I just think that they won't do it before malone retires. BUT I think they could do it before Kobe's contract expires. You have a right to your """""Opinions""""" and I won't take this flame war any farther, but I'll leave you with this: Chances of malone returning to the lakers are slim, but there is a chance. And getting back to the thread topic, I think the lakers rank 6th or 7th and will have a hard time getting past the first round. sry for everyone putting up with us
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">lol youre one to talk about going into other teams forums and shooting them down. When I say don't get your hopes up, I'm talking about malone returning to the lakers. I'm not trying to shoot down lakers fans, but when you respond with "Because he isn't going to look even more unprofessional going to another team that he "believes" will go far in the East.", that proves you have no legitimate argument as to why he will return and you just go for the easy flame. I'm just telling you theres not a high chance of him returning, and to start thinking of a lakers w/o malone, as a worst case scenario, when factoring the lakers roster and how they rank against other teams Btw, how is it that I don't mention the heat yet you feel as if I'm saying he will go to the heat? And I didn't say the Lakers won't win a champion, you're just twisting my words. I just think that they won't do it before malone retires. BUT I think they could do it before Kobe's contract expires. You have a right to your """""Opinions""""" and I won't take this flame war any farther, but I'll leave you with this: Chances of malone returning to the lakers are slim, but there is a chance. And getting back to the thread topic, I think the lakers rank 6th or 7th and will have a hard time getting past the first round. sry for everyone putting up with us </div> :thumbsup: Just a debate, that's all it is
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">:thumbsup: Just a debate, that's all it is </div> :thumbsup: Agreed. Damn I love basketball
They might make the playoffs but I dont think they can contend with the dominant teams in the West,the teams like the T-Wolves and the Kings are better IMO. The Lakers front court is very week defensivley,when the play the Wolves who will guard KG Vloppy Divac?This is why the Lakers wont go that far in the playoffs there front court is to week.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">They might make the playoffs but I dont think they can contend with the dominant teams in the West,the teams like the T-Wolves and the Kings are better IMO. The Lakers front court is very week defensivley,when the play the Wolves who will guard KG Vloppy Divac?This is why the Lakers wont go that far in the playoffs there front court is to week.</div> Actually imo there fron tcourt is realitively strong espcially if they resign malone. They will then in there front court have malone, odam, butler, grant, and divac all those players at the peak of there career would have probable been the best front court avaliable, but at this point in grants career he is solid front court person same with malone. Odam and butler are still in there prime so they are very good for the lakers front court. Then divac can still pass like he could in his prime so he is still very good when the lakers play the wolves to guard KG they will have to go by roatitions meaning double and triple teams like most teams would except for the spurs imo all teams should guard KG like that. IMO no team has an answer for KG all they can do is try to contain him by double teams and all of that because he is the mvp and is 28 so he is in his prime right now the only player that can compare is Tim Ducan.
I'm saying there starting front court would be Karl Malon and Vlade,you know Vlade isnt even a respected defender anymore,Karl Malon is still strong and can be a defensive presance but he now ha
I'm saying the Lakers starting front court would be Karl Malone and Vlade,you know Vlade isnt even a respected defender anymore,Karl Malon is still strong and can be a defensive presance but he now has bad knees and that always takes a demminsion of your game away so i tihnk that will hurt him as a defender.Brian Grant is the same as Karl Malone except he could be a little better,Odom isnt strong enough to ghuard the big men in the east IMO.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakerland:</div><div class="quote_post">Jus because you played in the east, it doesn't mean you won't do good out west. Talent is talent, and Odom and Butler obviously have a lot of it.</div> I have to disagree with you a little here. if you beat your man in the east who is really there to stop you. but if you beat you man in the west (this past year) you have Tim Duncan ,KG ,Shaq, Dampier and Yao to block or change your shot compared to the East. plus you face this guys four times a year not 2 times.
