Hollinger: next year's Lakers could be one of the best ever

timebandit · Post #1 » by **timebandit** » Fri May 9, 2008 3:14 pm

Mr. Bandwagon is just trying too hard but the truth is the truth!!!
Hollinger: FACT.

These were the three best teams in the West this year, and all three teams have every reason to believe they'll be better next year.

In the Lakers' case, they could be unbelievably good. Between getting Andrew Bynum back, having another year of Kobe and Pau in their primes, and surrounding them with all the other quality young talent (Farmar, Ariza, Turiaf, et al), the sky's the limit. If everything breaks right, next year's Lakers could be one of the best teams ever.

New Orleans has a great young nucleus with Paul, West and Chandler. The Hornets just need to keep them healthy and find some quality role players, especially in the frontcourt, and they'll stay near the top.

Utah is kind of between L.A. and New Orleans. The Jazz have young stars in Williams and Boozer and more depth than the Hornets, but not quite the ridiculous upside that the Lakers possess.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... est-080508

joe.linnen · Post #2 » by **joe.linnen** » Fri May 9, 2008 3:31 pm

not being rude, but we already knew that. Just think about the line-up for next year.

Fisher/Bryant/Odom/Gasol/Bynum

Farmar/Vujacic/Walton/Radmanovic/Turiaf

Ariza/Karl/DJ

djericho · Post #3 » by **djericho** » Fri May 9, 2008 4:58 pm

I'll withhold my opinion until after the FA season plays out. I don't doubt it tho, Mitch has made a believer out of me.

DowJones · Post #4 » by **DowJones** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:24 pm

You have got to be kidding me. This team only has 1 true all-star. Bynum, Pau and Odom are good players that can fit their roles nicely, but best ever? Not a chance in the world.

Dexmor · Post #5 » by **Dexmor** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:34 pm

1 allstar? Bynum if healthy (which I personally don't believe will happen but that is another story) that would make 1 Pau if he makes the actually game or not is a 19 9 guy and Odom plays every single aspect of the game well. He may not be the best but players like him are as rare as it gets.

Erik Eleven · Post #6 » by **Erik Eleven** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:36 pm

If the whole squad is healthy, I can easily see 60-65 wins being a possibility.

The Laker Kid · Post #7 » by **The Laker Kid** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:36 pm

I didn't know that. Thanks for the update.

Italianhanger · Post #8 » by **Italianhanger** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:38 pm

DowJones wrote:You have got to be kidding me. This team only has 1 true all-star. Bynum, Pau and Odom are good players that can fit their roles nicely, but best ever? Not a chance in the world.

odom has always been borderline allstar but after finding his niche as the third option i wouldnt be surprised if he finally does make the final push to be an all star....a full season with kobe, Pau is back to all star form, he will easily get in....bynum if he hadnt gotten injured this year i think he wouldve been one of the players who got snubbed this year but would admit he needs another strong season, come next year we might have 4 out of the 5 starters being all stars...kobe is not only an all star but he's a living Laker legend

Crooked-I · Post #9 » by **Crooked-I** » Fri May 9, 2008 5:38 pm

True, I just hope the injury bug doesn't hit us. 70 wins next season :bowdown:

Erik Eleven · Post #10 » by **Erik Eleven** » Fri May 9, 2008 6:17 pm

There's no reason why the Lakers wouldn't pull off a Detroit next season

That Nicka · Post #11 » by **That Nicka** » Fri May 9, 2008 7:14 pm

said it before, and I'll say it again: I think the Lakers have a shot at 70 next year..

Sportfan · Post #12 » by **Sportfan** » Fri May 9, 2008 8:30 pm

Lakers are something like 28-4 this season when Gasol plays more than 3 minutes. That is a 87.5% winning percentage. If you extrapolate that over 82 games you would win..71.75 games. And this is without Bynum and Ariza and with Kobe and Fish playing hurt. 6 of the wins are also in the playoffs.

KB20 · Post #13 » by **KB20** » Fri May 9, 2008 9:35 pm

Erik Eleven wrote:If the whole squad is healthy, I can easily see 60-65 wins being a possibility.

QFT

Tommy Trojan · Post #14 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:29 pm

Erik Eleven wrote:If the whole squad is healthy, I can easily see 60-65 wins being a possibility.

yeah 65 to 68 i think

PapDaddy · Post #15 » by **PapDaddy** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:40 am

IF the Lakers get to the Finals this season, and win 60 plus next season, there's absolutely no way in hell in Kobe being the ONLY All Star on this team. No chance. Gasol would be definite. Odom would make a strong case. You could also argue that IF Bynum did not get injured this year and continued his impressive play, he COULD have been considered for the All Star reserves.

I dont know about being one of the greatest teams ever, but 60 plus wins next year should be the goal, as far as the regular season goes.

bastosbruddah · Post #16 » by **bastosbruddah** » Sat May 10, 2008 2:57 pm

DowJones wrote:You have got to be kidding me. This team only has 1 true all-star. Bynum, Pau and Odom are good players that can fit their roles nicely, but best ever? Not a chance in the world.

if drew didn't get hurt, he could've been an allstar this season. pau will be an allstar next year. this team makes everyone look good. lamar will have a legitimate chance as well.

timebandit · Post #17 » by **timebandit** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:10 am

Would be even better If we were the healthiest team ever!!!

DowJones · Post #18 » by **DowJones** » Mon May 19, 2008 1:20 pm

-Yao Ming
-Dirk Nowitzki
-Tim Duncan
-Amare Stoudemire

Those are 4 big men that are locks for the All-Star game next year unless they are injured. That leaves 2 spots-3 at the MOST-for other forwards/centers. How will the Lakers possibly get all 3 in (Gasol/Odom/Bynum) in?

Odom is almost a lock not to make it. He just is. He will be our of position at SF anyways and he will fade into the background as Bynum gets more healthy. Bynum will average about 12 and 11 next year, not enough to move him past a big guy like West or Boozer. Gasol is the only other Laker that I think can make the all-star game.

xxjunkyxx · Post #19 » by **xxjunkyxx** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:19 pm

don't forget the upcoming of the blazers when oden comes back... ohhh man, what a season that will be O_O

EAST is forever weak

nuff said.

timebandit · Post #20 » by **timebandit** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:45 pm

xxjunkyxx wrote:don't forget the upcoming of the blazers when oden comes back... ohhh man, what a season that will be O_O

EAST is forever weak

nuff said.

Not worried about the Blazers cuz Oden is going to be a bust like he was when he played in the pre season!! Oden = The next Sam bowie :rofl:

As two NBA basketball referees walked through the countryside, they noticed some tracks. First said, 'Deer tracks?' Second said 'No, bear tracks.' However, the conversation ended abruptly when a train hit them