The Lakers: This Year's 2004 Detroit Pistons?

[RJM]

Think about it. We're bearing a striking resemblance to a certain surprise NBA Champion (Detroit Pistons) from a few years back.

Hall of Fame Coach

2004:

2008:

Major Trades

2004: Rasheed Wallace to Detroit from a bottom-dwelling (but young) Atlanta Hawks/Portland Trail Blazers team. The Pistons needed someone consistent to pair down low with a top-ten all-star caliber Center in Ben Wallace. The two would become "The Wallace Brothers" en route to an NBA Championship. Also, they would be known for the toughest post defense in the league during their run.



2008: Pau Gasol to Los Angeles from a bottom-dwelling (but young) Memphis Grizzlies team. Growing tired of Lamar's constant failures as a second scoring option and the injury to Andrew Bynum, Mitch pulls a deal giving up trash & Crittenton for an all-star in Pau Gasol. Gasol's midrange and versatile game will mesh well with Bynum's post game. The two will then team up to form the second coming of the Twin Towers. Defense will be rampant as both players can defend the post with efficiency.




Depth

2004:


2008:



Team Leaders

2004:


2008:



Defensive Specialists

2004:


2008:


Dream Team (#1 Seed) To Beat

2004: Los Angeles Lakers (Indiana Pacers)



2008: Boston Celtics (San Antonio Spurs/Dallas Mavericks)



-Both teams (once assembled) were all but "guaranteed" the title before the season even started. Both teams were(?) shocked/upset miserably in the Finals.

Anyone here see what I'm talking about?

[YiYaoYue]

DJ defensive specialist? put kobe picture in there instead.

[EiRON]

LMAO @ DJ being a defensive specialist. I love the guy. I think the Lakers should keep him. But the guy is foul prone and won't probably be a Laker come playoff time.

[J Rob]

I really like the thread.

Its very well done and I couldn't help but notice the similarities myself.

However, like its been said, get rid of Mbenga for Defensive Specialist.

Dude probably won't even be on the playoff roster.

Put Bynum and Kobe up there...at the very least Kobe.

[RJM]

I couldn't help but notice the similarities either...could this be our year?

[snaquille oatmeal]

you are reaching here.

[RJM]

How far? The NBA Finals? I mean we were almost unbeatable before the Bynum injury, and now that Gasol is added (with no visible subtraction), we're even better!

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

I think what he means is comparing this team to the Detroit Pistons team.

That team had the greatest known starting 5 without an all-star.

Chanucey Billups a point guard who rarely turns the ball over and has a legitimate 3pt shot to streach defenses. Richard Hamilton being the 2 guard that could run all over the gym. Tayshaun Prince with his length and athletic ability alone. Offensively that team may not have scored 100, but they were the most effficent offensive team I've seen in my 7+ years of watching basketball. Including when Kobe-Shaq handed us a near sweep in 2001.

Defensively, you had 2 shot blockers in Ben and Rasheed wallace. Hamilton and Prince and Billups locked down the perimeter, there's a reason that team went 9+ games without allowing a team 70 pts.

This team is a great basketball team but will win games quite differently from the 2004 Pistons. It's more of a younger 2004 Lakers squad with a mature Kobe.

[ImmortalD24]

Kobe is the only leader.

[RJM]

You are severely underestimating the effect Fisher's presence has had in Los Angeles this season.

[snaquille oatmeal]

also, the Pistons were not really clicking until Sheed came on board. Sheed really helped that team gel. the Pistons didn't have an injured core player. the Lakers were already clicking without Gasol. I could go on.

[Slava]

Nah Pistons were the ultimate underdog, a typical Larry Brown team playing hard defense and getting no recognition whatsoever. Everyone expected the Lakers to steam roll and sweep them in the finals.

This Lakers team is typical Phil Jackson team. Big, long and very talented players, some big names and the best player in the game on it. We won't be the underdogs that they were not even when we play the Cs.

[wezbo]

The Lakers are more of a Offensive Version of the 04 Pistons

[Mamba Venom]

Lakers have tried to become a more even ended team after the fall to Detroit.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

If we can beat the spurs in the Playoffs. Then anythings possible. I cant wait for us vs the suns!!

[MAMBAEMD]

Good thread.
I see similarities in some areas but there is a major difference.
That Pistons team was a defensive stopper. They could shut people down.
We haven't even seen what this Lakers team will be like since Gasol hasn't played and Bynum won't be back for another 6-7 weeks.
If the Lakers play defense like that Pistons team, I think we win the West and we'd be favored to win the title.

[J Rob]

Don't read too far into this.

Just take it at face value.

We're obviously a very different team than the 04 Pistons.

However, the point is that one trade for a PF changed them from a middle of the pack playoff team to a champion.

I only hope Pau has the same effect here in L.A.

[hermes]

so we're going to win it all this year