<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Born into the Lakers with Shaq? Check this out... Kobe was drafted in 1996...and his rights were traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac on July 11th, 1996. Shaq signed as a free agent to the Lakers on July 18th, 1996. Who was there first? KOBE. </div>edit: 7* days though right? Well either way, my point is, not that who was there first, but just to say that Kobe has had Shaq around for most of his professional career, minus when shaq was injured. "You never know what you have until it's gone". Wade will appreciate the fact that Shaq will take the load off that he has to carry into every game. Kobe is going to find out how much pressure is on him to be the main producer for the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WadeDynasty:</div><div class="quote_post">Kidd?? Since when kidd is a Laker? Include Kidd in lakers roster when he IS a laker. So you saying Kobe+maybe Kidd + Odom + malone would be better in the wild wild west? I know u are rooting for lakers and i respect that but your team doesn't look that strong either....especially in west.</div> Well, tell me why they won't be good in the West then? Is it because they don't have a center? Well... the Spurs don't have a center, either...Rasho? Timmy is a PF. The T'Wolves' center is Olowokandi/Ervin Johnson. Garnett is a PF. Point is, the only threat as far as centers go is Yao Ming, but who's to say that they will even play the Lakers in the playoffs? The Lakers have Odom now, and if they do get Malone (okay, IF) and Kidd...then expect them to pretty much destroy the West with ease. By the way...I'm not trying to argue with anyone...just debating. It's my responsibility to start a debate about Shaq because even though he was a part of the Lakers' championships, he's disrespected Kobe and now the whole Lakers organization (considering all the weight he suddenly lost because he actually worked this off-season)...and I really don't care for him anymore. To be honest, I never did anyways. :thumbsdow However, I have alot of respect for Dwyane Wade and even for Dorell Wright coming into a situation that may cost him any role on the team next year...but we'll see.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">edit: 7* days though right? </div> Yeah, just proving a point though. Nobody can say that Kobe "was born into the Lakers with Shaq" because he wasn't, technically. Plus, it's not like the Lakers gave up anything for Shaq...but they did give up Vlade for a kid who nobody thought was worth a top 10 pick in the draft.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">considering all the weight he suddenly lost because he actually worked this off-season</div>Did you see the thread in the heat forum? If so what did you think (post on the thread) <div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, just proving a point though. Nobody can say that Kobe "was born into the Lakers with Shaq" because he wasn't, technically. Plus, it's not like the Lakers gave up anything for Shaq...but they did give up Vlade for a kid who nobody thought was worth a top 10 pick in the draft.</div>Oh yea that was by far a steal, Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant, pfft, any day!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, tell me why they won't be good in the West then? Is it because they don't have a center? Well... the Spurs don't have a center, either...Rasho? Timmy is a PF. The T'Wolves' center is Olowokandi/Ervin Johnson. Garnett is a PF. Point is, the only threat as far as centers go is Yao Ming, but who's to say that they will even play the Lakers in the playoffs? The Lakers have Odom now, and if they do get Malone (okay, IF) and Kidd...then expect them to pretty much destroy the West with ease. By the way...I'm not trying to argue with anyone...just debating. It's my responsibility to start a debate about Shaq because even though he was a part of the Lakers' championships, he's disrespected Kobe and now the whole Lakers organization (considering all the weight he suddenly lost because he actually worked this off-season)...and I really don't care for him anymore. To be honest, I never did anyways. :thumbsdow However, I have alot of respect for Dwyane Wade and even for Dorell Wright coming into a situation that may cost him any role on the team next year...but we'll see.</div> Umm....I never said "center" lol Tim is PF yes but which laker will match up against Timmy? against KG? Before you prove that, tell me why you would include kidd in the "maybe" lakers lineup to compete against the "reality" heat line up? Do you need kidd in the lakers lineup to prevail heat lineup? You had to include Kidd cuz without kidd there weren't as good as the Heat?
Without Kidd, they can still beat the Heat. The problem lies within the Heat's offense...will Shaq be able to switch, because Wade wouldn't be able to run the triangle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Without Kidd, they can still beat the Heat. The problem lies within the Heat's offense...will Shaq be able to switch, because Wade wouldn't be able to run the triangle.</div> Where did "kidd" come from anyways? If that's the case, the heat are Shaq, Garnett, ron artest, wade, jason williams.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting EcinPC:</div><div class="quote_post">Where did "kidd" come from anyways? If that's the case, the heat are Shaq, Garnett, ron artest, wade, jason williams. </div> There were reports of Kidd listing the Lakers as a team he wanted to be shipped to, and it seems funny how Los Angeles keeps stacking PG's as if they were building up for a trade for Kidd. I only heard about the Heat possibly getting Williams...not Artest or Garnett, that would never happen.
The lakers have kobe and Odom wow... Who would stop Shaq... Vlade would have a heartattack, odoms half his weight, and Grant would lose his knees in the process... Wade could potentially shut Kobe down... seeing as Prince shut hium down, not the Pistons defense... Prince. To the point Kobe was shooting bricks like crazy... 33% FG. You see Wade's defense at the olympics? It was stunning... best perimeter defender on the team!!! And who said the Heat would run the triangle... just cause SVG looked at other offenses involving big men, doesn't mean it's the triangle... could be something different.. prolly will be something different. The lakers will be VERY and I mean VERY lucky if they make it too the playoffs this year.
Wade's defense was good, but his offense was pretty weak. There's gotta be one more guy with the ability to lead the team with Shaq, and Wade won't cut it playing like he did in the Olympics. By the way, Wade has no chance of shutting down one of the best one-on-one players in the NBA, and don't say he's not...because that would be stupid. Wade isn't even close to being what Kobe is, so Shaq/Wade won't ever be like Kobe/Shaq, no matter how many more years Shaq plays.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting EcinPC:</div><div class="quote_post">Where did "kidd" come from anyways? If that's the case, the heat are Shaq, Garnett, ron artest, wade, jason williams. </div> HAHAHA tru tru great post
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The lakers have kobe and Odom wow... Who would stop Shaq... Vlade would have a heartattack, odoms half his weight, and Grant would lose his knees in the process... Wade could potentially shut Kobe down... seeing as Prince shut hium down, not the Pistons defense... Prince. To the point Kobe was shooting bricks like crazy... 33% FG. You see Wade's defense at the olympics? It was stunning... best perimeter defender on the team!!! And who said the Heat would run the triangle... just cause SVG looked at other offenses involving big men, doesn't mean it's the triangle... could be something different.. prolly will be something different. The lakers will be VERY and I mean VERY lucky if they make it too the playoffs this year. </div> They may not be able to shut down Shaq, but they will be able to shut down the OTHER Heat players. Much like what Detriot did with LA in the Finals. Vlade will most likely defend Shaq and a quicker, much atheltic Shaq will score on him, yes. But the other players on the Heat squad aren't that good. And Wade (even though he's one of my favourite players) is not exactly "unstoppable" yet. His defense is above average yes, but I doubt he can shut down Kobe. You said somethign about "If Prince can do it, why cant Wade?"...Well, I'm paraphrasing but that was the gist of it. Let me remind you that Prince is 6'7 or 6'8 and has a really long wingspan. Kobe has a couple of inches on Wade as well he is stronger and probably just as quick. Putting Jones on Kobe would be a safer bet then putting Wade on Kobe. The only player that the Heat have that the Lakers will NOT be able to stop is Shaquille O'Neal. The rest of em are stoppable. Kobe also has a better supporting cast around him. Lamar Odom, Butler, Vlade, Atkins and maybe Malone is a better cast then Wesley Person, Haslem, Jones and Wade. Before anyone predicts who's gonna win or lose the 25th matchup, keep in mind that BOTH Kobe and Shaq qill be playing thier best that day. But it will be because of the supporting cast that the winning team will win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wade's defense was good, but his offense was pretty weak. There's gotta be one more guy with the ability to lead the team with Shaq, and Wade won't cut it playing like he did in the Olympics. </div> This brings me to another point. Wade thrives in the full court, fast break offense, does he not? With Shaq in now, and demanding the ball every single time down, Wade will have to adjust to the "give Shaq the ball and let him touch it 9 times on every possession or else he'll start whining about not getting enough touches" offense. I think that the Shaq/Wade duo will resemble Shaq/Penny somewhat more then the Kobe duo. They will be sucessful yes, but I dont think they're at championship level just yet.
Spawn, I think me and you have hit the nail right on the head. I don't see why the Heat are suddenly believing that Shaq will bring this team a championship, when he couldn't get the job done with Kobe, Payton, and Malone...and a bench that is MUCH better than the Heat have. Who are you guys going to rely on when Shaq picks up his 5th foul at the beginning of the 4th quarter? LOL...put in Doleac or Zhi Zhi, and hope that Wade can "jump out of the building" about 20 times before the game is over...because a guy like Ben Wallace will feast on the Heat backups, and will probably have fun inviting Wade into the paint also. But, whatever...I forgot...Shaq is a new man, and will never foul out of a game, and will never miss 10 free throws in the 4th quarter, and will never get injured...although in the last two years, those are the highlights of his declining career.
What are the Lakers gonna do when Kobe gets injured, or fouls out, or loses his rape trial... Give it to Odom in the Wild West? Point made, end of discussion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">What are the Lakers gonna do when Kobe gets injured, or fouls out, or loses his rape trial... Give it to Odom in the Wild West? Point made, end of discussion.</div> Haha...point made? Okay, take out Shaq and take out Kobe. The Lakers would destroy the Heat... "Point made, end of discussion."
Well just so you all know, new reports have come that Kidd won't be playing till December, so first I don't know if the Lakers would still want him, and if they did get him he wouldn't be playing for a while. Also about the Kobe going to jail thing, I wouldn't joke too much, it's not looking too good for him right now, and all those who thought it was over, well it's not.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">The lakers have kobe and Odom wow... Who would stop Shaq... Vlade would have a heartattack, odoms half his weight, and Grant would lose his knees in the process... Wade could potentially shut Kobe down... seeing as Prince shut hium down, not the Pistons defense... Prince. To the point Kobe was shooting bricks like crazy... 33% FG. You see Wade's defense at the olympics? It was stunning... best perimeter defender on the team!!! And who said the Heat would run the triangle... just cause SVG looked at other offenses involving big men, doesn't mean it's the triangle... could be something different.. prolly will be something different. The lakers will be VERY and I mean VERY lucky if they make it too the playoffs this year.</div> Maybe you didn't watch the NBA Finals, because the Pistons exposed Shaq and the Lakers in the series. The Pistons played Shaq straight up and focused on shutting down the rest of the Lakers. They forced the Lakers into low percentage shots, closed out on open looks, and put pressure on the ball so the Lakers were always fighting against the 24 second clock. They showed the rest of the league you don't need to stop Shaq to win. You just need to stop the players around him. Shaq was able to dominate in the first half of each game, but the big man wore down in the second half and didn't work for position. He also stopped playing defense and wasn't aggressive at all rebounding the basketball. The Pistons got second and third shots against the Lakers time and time again. This season teams are going to focus on shutting down Wade and Jones. The Heat will have a strong regular season, but come playoff time, teams are going to clamp down on the Heat and they won't have the depth to get through the Pistons or Pacers.
