Damn, Kobe is on my fantasy team and he was shut down in a big way. Just another chapter in what is a very unpredictable season thus far (Clippers over Indy by 40?!) but it's imperative to get that first win on the board, and the Grizz did it with style.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ezra:</div><div class="quote_post">You can always count on "Air Ball" Bryant to come through when you need a win.</div> Good game by the Grizzlies. It's about time they got a W.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post"> Good game by the Grizzlies. It's about time they got a W.</div> He's referring to when Kobe got an airball on a 3 pointer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">He's referring to when Kobe got an airball on a 3 pointer.</div> That was hilarious! They showed that on SportsCenter and I started cracking up! Nice win by the Grizzlies. Next the Lakers will lose to the Magic this Friday!
If my count was right, there were five of them. One, I could see... Five is an event, to be celebrated, parallel to the birth of Christ. 11-10-04.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">going to happen a lot this year because the Lakers are going to do bad.</div> If you're saying that because of their record...it's not showing. The Grizz are 2-5...yet I still predict a playoff spot. The Lakers have started off 4-4 so far, not bad for a brand new team IMO. New coach, only one returning starter, new offensive and defensive strategies, new coaching staff...and Vlade is injured...so 4-4 is pretty good. Just thought I'd throw that in there. :thumbsup:
I don't think being a brand new team should be an excuse, these players have had some time to get things together, and they aren't the only ones who have had changes in the lineup. Also having new strategies shouldn't be a factor either, Boston, Toronto, Philidelphia etc all had coaching changes too, and new systems implemeted. I think Divac coming back will help, but I don't think being brand new team should be a defining factor, they just aren't executing well. The 4-4 isn't bad, but considering their wins came against the Rockets without Tmac, the Hawks, Hornets, and the Nuggets which was a decent one except for Voshon going down, it isn't that impressive, they just need to get things together.
I agree, the Spurs were disassembled after their first ring, yet they were still a contender. Saying that the Lakers are a new team is just making excuses. Especially when part of your new team is a championship coach.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, the Spurs were disassembled after their first ring, yet they were still a contender. Saying that the Lakers are a new team is just making excuses. Especially when part of your new team is a championship coach.</div> The Spurs weren't disassembled that bad. The returning Lakers are Kobe, Walton, Slava, Cook, George and Rush...out of those, one is a starter, three are injured, and one isn't getting but 10 minutes of playing time. Plus, I have NO IDEA what's wrong with the shooting, either. Even Kobe is shooting bad. However, from the way it sounds, it seems like everyone wants me to say, "Yeah, it's because we lost Shaq...that's why." Well, that's not the way it works...otherwise, the Heat would be 7-0 right now...but they aren't. I think there was enough proof last year that no matter who's on your team, they can't win if they are unable to play together...team ball. The Lakers were stomping through everyone, but it was because of two guys that played together for 8 years, 3 rings...Shaq and Kobe. It's going to take Shaq and Kobe a couple of years to get used to other players, and giving up the ball to different guys now...so their success isn't measured by how long they'll be apart (which will be forever), but how long it'll take for them to develop chemistry with their new teams. Everyone talked trash on the Sonics because they didn't have a big man capable of Shaq-like stats...but Allen, Lewis, Ridnour and the others are off to one of the best records in the league. 8-10 games into the season, you can judge any team...but not accurately...because any team could fail or succeed greatly within the next 72 games or so...right? Grizzlies fans better hope so, and I believe the Grizz will bounce back from their poor start.
I agree you can't judge from so few games but I don't think the problem is a new system and new players, look at the Celtics, they got an influx of rookies, and a lot of new players too, and they have adjusted pretty quickly. Look at Philly, they also got a new coach, Iverson moved to points, GRob isn't even there, Samuel Dalmbert was moved to the bench, and so was Willie Green, and their were only 2 remaining starters with AI and KT, and KT has sucked for some reason, but they're fine. I think the Lakers just need to get the injuries out of the way and execute better, and also use Odom properly, I think some of his skills are being wasted right now, and they can get doing good, but those shouldn't be excuses.
