Championship? uh, Not So Fast...

LakerFanSince84 · Post #1 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:01 am

Everyone has anointed the lakers as the NBA Champions already, but I have many concerns that still loom over this laker team. I'm not sure if you all seen the Interview of Bynum during Sunday's game against the Mavericks, but I'm REALLY starting to doubt that he'll be back this season. The swelling just will not go down and he sounded as if he suffered a setback.

The Lakers may be able to make it to the finals without Bynum if they get back Chris Mihm, Ariza, and Radman in time for the playoffs. If they run into Boston in the Finals, then Perkins, PJ Brown, Big Baby and Garnett will be too much for a thin Laker front court.

We shouldn't have signed Mbenga for the Season, that guy is worse than Kwame Brown(Yes It's TRUE). PJ Brown was on the market, Jamaal Magloire was too, Hell I would've even snatched McCoy from the D-League at the Expense of Coby Karl. I know a lot of you like him, but at the cost of a big man I would've dropped him in a heart beat. Below are my concerns, that the Lakers aren't paying enough attention to:

1. Toughness in the front court
2. Rebounding
3. Defense (mainly around the perimeter)
4. Bad Shot selection (Relying heavily on the 3-point shot)

Pau was not brought in to play the center position, and although he had 14 rebounds last Sunday, he hasn't shown consistency with his rebounding at the 5 spot. He'll get punked against the Celtics on the boards.Both Gasol and Odom have done a lot, but my concern is whether it'll be enough.

I hope we can get it done!

8'sReverse · Post #2 » by **8'sReverse** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:08 am

Good points... but I'm not everyone.

DreamOn · Post #3 » by **DreamOn** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:10 am

i agree. idont think we can even make it that far (NBA Finals) without our front line playing huge. We have to get through the Spurs. Bynum will be very needed against them.

LA-LA-Land · Post #4 » by **LA-LA-Land** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:12 am

DreamOn wrote:i agree. idont think we can even make it that far (NBA Finals) without our front line playing huge. We have to get through the Spurs. Bynum will be very needed against them.

+3 (coz he has to get through thomas duncan and oberto)

doozyj · Post #5 » by **doozyj** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:12 am

Not sure what to make of your thread? You are bringing up names that will have almost 0 effect on the outcome, DJ, Mihm, Coby, Kwame, PJ, Magloire??? huh?

We have a high percentage 3 point shooters, Lakers need to capitalize on it when we have the open shots.

Post #6 » by **Slava** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:16 am

Its all about the match ups and if Bynum learns to use his length against Kurt Thomas and Gasol takes Duncan outside, iwe could abuse that team and LO has to step up whenever needed in the playoffs, which he's pretty adept at.

I like our chances and I'm going to stick by my prediction right after the Gasol trade that we are going to be the champions. Kobe will not let us lose easily. His will to win has gone a couple of notches higher right now if that is even possible in any way.

Tommy Trojan · Post #7 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:28 am

IF we get Bynum and Ariza back healthy than no team in the league can stop us. You are talking about loosing your starting center and maybe your 6th man. That is a lot in this mighty mighty West.

slifersd · Post #8 » by **slifersd** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:38 am

This might be just me but isn't it possible for Bynum to come back even when he is not 100%? Even if he is not 100%, he can still be very effective for us down the low block.

Post #9 » by **crazyeights** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 7:41 am

IMO Bynum doesn't even need to score, except maybe on put-backs. He needs to be there for rebounding and as a defensive anchor.

numbas · Post #10 » by **numbas** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:06 am

even if bynum doesnt come back this year when ariza and vlad come back theirs no reason they dont have as good a shot as anybody?

LakerFanSince84 · Post #11 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:09 am

doozyj wrote:Not sure what to make of your thread? You are bringing up names that will have almost 0 effect on the outcome, DJ, Mihm, Coby, Kwame, PJ, Magloire??? huh?

I'm talking about front court depth; players that can play meaningful minutes. Turiaf is forced to play back-up Center because Phil has no faith in Mbenga. Mbenga is horrible, if you knew that when he was under 10 contracts, why sign him for the remainder of the year? We are giving up far too much size when we go to the bench, and IF bynum doesn't come back, we'll be in big trouble during the 2nd round of the playoffs and beyond!

Chris Mihm's Career is over

LakerFanSince84 · Post #12 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:10 am

j-far wrote:Its all about the match ups and if Bynum learns to use his length against Kurt Thomas and Gasol takes Duncan outside, iwe could abuse that team and LO has to step up whenever needed in the playoffs, which he's pretty adept at.

I like our chances and I'm going to stick by my prediction right after the Gasol trade that we are going to be the champions. Kobe will not let us lose easily. His will to win has gone a couple of notches higher right now if that is even possible in any way.

You're assuming Bynum will be back, I'm not ready to bank that his return is certain. If he doesn't come back, then how would you re-evaluate the team?

LakerFanSince84 · Post #13 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:14 am

numbas wrote:even if bynum doesnt come back this year when ariza and vlad come back theirs no reason they dont have as good a shot as anybody?

REBOUNDING!!! TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOU MUST REBOUND AND DEFEND. During the Win Streak, we haven't played a team as Physical as Boston, Detroit, and San Antonio. I think that's why we lost to Portland...their size made all the difference with rebounding. We have been tired too....but that's not the point

Intensity · Post #14 » by **Intensity** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:16 am

IF bynum doesn't come back, we are going to need Pau to step up more. Although he's been a great addition. I want him to be more aggressive. I know he is still trying to feel his way through on "kobe's" team. But I would like to see him call for the ball more, and not look to pass so quickly. I would love to see a 30 and 10 game from him, he's definitely capable.

That Nicka · Post #15 » by **That Nicka** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:17 am

LakerFanSince84 wrote:Everyone has anointed the lakers as the NBA Champions already, but I have many concerns that still loom over this laker team. I'm not sure if you all seen the Interview of Bynum during Sunday's game against the Mavericks, but I'm REALLY starting to doubt that he'll be back this season. The swelling just will not go down and he sounded as if he suffered a setback.

The Lakers may be able to make it to the finals without Bynum if they get back Chris Mihm, Ariza, and Radman in time for the playoffs. If they run into Boston in the Finals, then Perkins, PJ Brown, Big Baby and Garnett will be too much for a thin Laker front court.

We shouldn't have signed Mbenga for the Season, that guy is worse than Kwame Brown(Yes It's TRUE). PJ Brown was on the market, Jamaal Magloire was too, Hell I would've even snatched McCoy from the D-League at the Expense of Coby Karl. I know a lot of you like him, but at the cost of a big man I would've dropped him in a heart beat. Below are my concerns, that the Lakers aren't paying enough attention to:

1. Toughness in the front court
2. Rebounding
3. Defense
4. Bad Shot selection (Relying heavily on the 3-point shot)

Pau was not brought in to play the center position, and although he had 14 rebounds last Sunday, he hasn't shown consistency with his rebounding at the 5 spot. He'll get punked against the Celtics on the boards.Both Gasol and Odom have done a lot, but my concern is whether it'll be enough.

I hope we can get it done!

1) If Bynum doesnt come back in time for the playoffs this team is not good enough to beat San Antonio, let alone make it to the finals

2) Bynum said himself he should be out an additional 3 weeks which would make his comeback date somewhere around April 1, still with plenty of time to get him integrated and acclimated before the playoffs

3) Even if we didnt sign Mbenga, I doubt we would have had a shot at PJ Brown or Magloire... besides, once Bynum comes back Mbenga is nothing more than a 3rd stringer... If Mihm comes back he's possibly out of the rotation... I doubt Brown our Magloire would come here to play behind Bynum, Pau and possibly Mihm

4) Jalani McCoy? HA!

5) No one has anointed the Lakers champions just yet, we all know that we still have a long ways to go... Lets just take it one game at a time, and have faith.. We can do this

LakerFanSince84 · Post #16 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:19 am

slifersd wrote:This might be just me but isn't it possible for Bynum to come back even when he is not 100%? Even if he is not 100%, he can still be very effective for us down the low block.

You definitely don't want to do that with a knee injury. Those type of injuries can potentially end a career; we saw what happend to Kristic and Arenas when they came back too early from knee surgery.

Intensity · Post #17 » by **Intensity** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:20 am

The only people who have annointed the lakers champions are the BSPN announcers, and so-called "sports intelligencia" writers. Even the most Homer of all homer LA fans know that it's a whole new season when the playoffs start. (at least, they should) As for me, I'm thankful we are legit contenders again. And not praying to make the playoffs like the last few years.

LakerFanSince84 · Post #18 » by **LakerFanSince84** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:26 am

That Nicka wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

4) Jalani McCoy? HA!

Maybe that was a reach...lol. Everyone has anointed the Lakers as Champions Such as Van Gundy, Bill Walton, Barkely, Kenny Smith, etc...

I wish folks were still on the Celtic bandwagon, because the lakers are still the 5th youngest team in the league. Now they're the hunted, I'm sure Kobe and D-Fish have their hands full on keeping them focused.

That Nicka · Post #19 » by **That Nicka** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:35 am

LakerFanSince84 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Maybe that was a reach...lol. Everyone has anointed the Lakers as Champions Such as Van Gundy, Bill Walton, Barkely, Kenny Smith, etc...

I wish folks were still on the Celtic bandwagon, because the lakers are still the 5th youngest team in the league. Now they're the hunted, I'm sure Kobe and D-Fish have their hands full on keeping them focused.

Oh, I thought by everyone you meant everyone here on RealGM... Yeah, we have been getting mad props from various analysts, but Phil and Kobe will keep our boys level headed

Post #20 » by **Slava** » Tue Mar 4, 2008 8:40 am

LakerFanSince84 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

You're assuming Bynum will be back, I'm not ready to bank that his return is certain. If he doesn't come back, then how would you re-evaluate the team?

That'd be a big blow but he's started practising on the court which is a pretty positive sign.

The Suns did well with Amare out for a season and we're a much stronger squad than that team so I'd still give us a fair chance but no longer favourites.