I'm a Laker fan, and I'm a Kobe fan as well but on top of that, I'm a Raptor fan at heart. Therefore, the Lakers come second to Toronto, which is my hometown. But nonetheless, L.A is also my favourite team because I've always enjoyed watching them play, even before the championships came. Now, I will take the alternate road for this one and ask you this question as a Raptors fan rather then a Lakers fan: Would you rather be 14-12, (semi) struggling, being an average team with Kobe as the leader [scoring, passing and everything] or would you rather be 10-11 games above .500 like you would most likely be if you still had Shaq on your team? Would you rather have a Kobe/Shaq duo still or are you happy with it just being the Kobe show? The reason I bring this up was because when the Shaq trade went down, MANY Laker fans proclaimed that they are better off without Shaq etc etc yet the Lakers are the ones who are struggling right now. Face it, they are an average team. I know Kobe still has time to build a championship team around him in the years to come but if we're talkin about the present times then Kobe/Shaq on the team automatically made you guys contenders wheras with Kobe, you guys are just average at best. So, do you now regret trading Shaq away? Or are you happy having to see the kind of games that Mcgrady and Pierce had to see beforehand where one game would be won and the next wouldn't? Personally, as a Kobe fan, I want to see him shine and thrive (like he is doing) but I know in my heart that he will not win that great of games with the supporting cast he has around him right now. He needs a point guard first and foremost. The Lakers aren't going anywhere without one. I want to see Kobe shine, I want him to shut up all of his critisizers (sp) but everything that they predicted was going to happen is slowly unfolding, and that's a bad thing. They predicted this was a team that would barely be able to keep it's head above waters i nthe West and thats what we are beginning to see here. It's the Kobe show literally and that's not necessairly a good thing if we only have 4 of the other players watching one man do iso's on the right wing on a defender all game. As a Laker fan, I would much rather see Shaq on the team or a Kobe/Shaq duo rather then see Kobe trying to do it all by himself. Yes, Shaq was a liability sometimes, Yes there was constant bickering and drama but have things really chanegd? Last year and the years ebfore, there was drama...but the Lakers were feared, they were contenders and most of all, they were winning. This year, they are still winning (somewhat) but they are not contenders and many people just see them as an average team that is inconcsistent. So really, is this the way you wanted (or expected) it to be? What are your thoughts?
Well, I'll make this simple and quick. Two years now, Shaq and Kobe haven't been able to get it done. Both were at fault. Why go another two or more years and pay Shaq more, if we aren't going to go anywhere? And the big man is declining (and before anyone says otherwise, just admit it...he'd still weigh 355 lbs in LA). So, yes...Shaq leaving was great. Kobe is running the show and only getting better. Right now, the Lakers aren't in rebuilding mode...they are in learning mode...and that means Kobe also. Things can only get better in Los Angeles...but with Shaq, they were getting worse, and we weren't going to win another ring...simple as that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Things can only get better in Los Angeles...but with Shaq, they were getting worse, and we weren't going to win another ring...simple as that. </div> So you are much happier believing your team can win later on down the road then actually seeing them suceed in the course of a season like you would be with Shaq? Every team's fanbase believes they are going to be "good down the road". Ask any Raptor fan for the expectations they had after 2001. Things don't go the way you plan it. I'm not saying the Lakers will slip into oblivion in the West because I believe they will still be in the playoff hunt, but with Shaq on this team, you wouldn't be in the hunt, you would be at or near the top. And that's the question I'm stressing. You're saying that you're happy with Kobe leading and the Lakers being inconsistent because it's good in the future and that even with Shaq you wouldn't win a ring....Well, with Shaq, you would be closer to winning a ring then you are now. So you'd rather see Kobe struggle while leading the Lakers then the Lakers winning as a team? This isn't a Kobe/Shaq thing, it's about the Lakers winning and being contenders and with Kobe at the forefront, they aren't contenders. Yes, it's only his first year leading, yes he is in learning mode but even a 355 lbs Shaq (like you stated) is more effective then a 200-something Chris Mihm anyday.
honestly, as much as i hate shaq because of his attitude which he showed poor sportsmanship towards kobe in the christmass game, i wouldnt say regret, but of course i would like the shaq and kobe duo more, simply because they win games..with this team, i doubt lakers are gonna make it pass the second round of the playoffs (the max they would go) i always loved the intensity going on in the playoffs, shame i will miss that for the next couple of years.
Um...here's my question: what's the difference between making it past the first round and making it past the second round? Malone wasn't coming back, and Payton isn't doing much of anything. Shaq and Kobe would hit the second round this year and would be faced with the Suns, the Wolves, the Spurs, possibly the Mavs and Sonics...and these are teams that could in fact beat the Lakers (with Shaq and Kobe). We almost lost in the second round last year. Point is...losing in the playoffs means you lost...first round, second, WCF's or Finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">Um...here's my question: what's the difference between making it past the first round and making it past the second round? Malone wasn't coming back, and Payton isn't doing much of anything. Shaq and Kobe would hit the second round this year and would be faced with the Suns, the Wolves, the Spurs, possibly the Mavs and Sonics...and these are teams that could in fact beat the Lakers (with Shaq and Kobe). We almost lost in the second round last year. Point is...losing in the playoffs means you lost...first round, second, WCF's or Finals.</div> i kinda meant the deeper in the playoffs you go, higher the intensity is
If Shaq were still in LA, he would be 370 lbs plus, not rebounding and blocking shots as well as he is now, and complaining about Kobe shooting too much. Now that he is in Miami, he's playing great basketball. The kind of ball he I haven't say him play since 2000. IMO, if Shaq played the way he's playing for the Heat as a Laker we would be going for our 6th ring now. He's found motivation in Miami and now they are a contender. I glad he's not a Laker. If he was we would be a better team, but we wouldn't win a title. The Lakers won't win a championship, but we are a good young team that will get better down the road.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thisbejgz:</div><div class="quote_post">i kinda meant the deeper in the playoffs you go, higher the intensity is</div> No, I know what you were saying...I wasn't directing my question to you...just to everyone.
I think it was good to trade SHaq because we may have gotten one or two more championships, but then would end up like the Bulls and have everyone leave or retire and have to rebuild from scratch so i say that i can live with the Lakers playing like this as long as they continue improving
I'm happy that its Kobes team and there is no Kobe/Shaq. When Shaq was at Lakers they still had problems now Shaq doesnt have to worry about Kobe ballhogging.
