Not really...You're gonna base you opinions off of who is getting touches in the preseason? In that case Kobe will be our 4th option. You guys cant have it both ways. Dominant C of the last 10 years or 3rd scoring option? I acknowledge Oden will need to get acclimated to the NBA game to show what he can really do but if he is good as you say he is then he should end up being the 1B scoring this year behind Roy by the 2nd half of the season. I love how everybody is clinging to that "Bynum isnt motivated" thing. That was said when he was 17. We are gonna base what he will do off of what scout said when he was 17?!? Dont even try to quote Phil questioning his desire. Phil is the king of talking down players in the media. So now when he work hard in the offseason after an injury its only because he wants to get paid...right. Might as well say that about every player in the league.
This is what makes Greg so unique. He can be a dominant center while only being only the 3rd option on offense. This is also what makes the Blazers so scary... Bill Russel was never the focal point of his team's offense - but he was the dominant center of that team and you had to adjust to him - and that's why the Bill Russel Celtics were such a scary team. The Blazers really arball shooters and the 2nd wave oe a pick your poison team. If you do not double Greg - he will dunk on you and dunk on you and dunk on you. If you do double him - this leaves Roy or Aldridge open. If both of them have a bad day - you still have to contend with the bevy of long-ball shooters and a bigger, stronger 2nd unit than your team will have.
There is a reason they went to the finals last year... and there is a reason they have as big of a chance to win it all this year as anyone. The Lakers however have a much shorter window of being scary - since Kobe is not on the upside of his career.
Things change every year in the NBA. Who really knows whats going to happen. "Windows" are what lesser teams talk about. Farmar is looking more and more like a wannabe Tony Parker every day, Pau was an all star in his last fully healthy season, Bynum is probably gonna be a several time all star, Kobe knows how to adjust his game. "Window" is a BS term
So, let's try to see if I can rephrase your post via none Lakers colored glasses: 1. No one knows the future. Check. 2. Windows are for losers. (Microsoft disagrees). 3. Farmar is a wannabe. Check. 4. Pau was an all-star 3 years ago. Check. 5. Bynum could be an all-star multiple times. Can't make this argument and give it any weight while also making point #1, now, can we? 6. Kobe knows how to adjust his game. Adjust to what? To not being a dominant player and being dominant in short spurts? Yes, he can - and it works when his teammates are better than him as was shown in the Olympics - but other than Bynum - who really is going to be a star on this team in 2 years when Kobe turns 32 and has 3 million miles on him? The Lakers should do everything in their power to win now. They are going as far as Kobe is taking them, nothing more, nothing less. If you choose to ignore the elephant in the room - it is your right. Don't come crying to mama however when you step in a basketball sized turd...
10-15, 23 Pts, 8 Rebs, 3 blocks, 2 Assists, 1 steal, 29 min tonight (and 2 of his misses were when they passed it to him and the shot clock was expiring)
pretty damn impressive. Of course, who the hell does OKC have in the post to defend Bynum? Petro? Collison? Riiiiight lol. I can't wait to see Oden and Bynum go head to head. That's going to be a sweet matchup.
Now THATS a game. I watched the first QTR. He plays much better w/ Kobe in there. I know Kobe hardly played though. I was impressed with what I saw. I was def. not "underwhelmed" lol...
