As a Laker fan...

[ClubLakers KB8]

I just want to say, you guys suck!

Just kidding.

Incredible series. Your franchise has a buttload of potential. Durant is already the 3rd best player in the NBA (albeit with some postseason struggles), and I think the rest of the team will come around soon. The team did a great job representing the city, and as I said to a friend earlier, if you don't have a title in 5 years I'll be shocked.

Ibaka is a stud. Develop him.

You're the new San Antonio. Keep your heads up.

[dream_catcher_9]

Appreciate it. Lakers showed that they are a Championship team when they needed to be. Game 5 with the blowout, and in tonight's game Gasol made a winning basketball play.

[danidr]

Orlando fan here, again, and I agree. Taking the Lakers to a Game 6 (and almost to a Game 7) as a 8th seed is a great feat by itself. Durant and Westbrook will keep improving, and you guys will look even scarier in the west.
As ClubLakers said, you'll win a title in the next few years. Too much talent on your team for it not to happen. Congrats for your playoff run, you've shown everyone how serious your team is.
Looking forward to meeting you guys in the regular season and who knows, maybe one day in the Finals too

[happypedro12]

Second all these thoughts, OKC played LA just as tough if not tougher than Orl did last year IMO. Durant, Westbrook, and even Harden are great. Loved the slam on shannon brown and with one more big (Bosh? just spitballin) and maybe some other small tweaking u guys will become elite. Its a lot easier to pull for opposing Conference teams and the Thunder have def. become my west coast fav. Good season.

[Tekkenlaw]

I'm not sure I see the Lakers beating the Thunder again in the playoffs unless LA makes some nice signings and draft picks in the next 2 years. Thunder have cap space and multiple first rounders they can use to improve. Lakers pretty much have the mid-level and a 2nd rounder or two. Though, for the Lakers the mid-level will go pretty far.

[wiff]

I'm not sure I see the Lakers beating the Thunder again in the playoffs unless LA makes some nice signings and draft picks in the next 2 years. Thunder have cap space and multiple first rounders they can use to improve. Lakers pretty much have the mid-level and a 2nd rounder or two. Though, for the Lakers the mid-level will go pretty far.

Wow someone who is honest about the Lakers. I posted something of the same effect on the Lakers board and (no surprise) everyone ripped me for it.

No doubt right now your team is the defending champs that speaks for itself. Your SG-C are the best in the NBA and you have a great 6th man. But your starting PG and bench leaves much to be desired.

I think now that Dallas and the Nuggets have been bounced you guys have an easier road to the finals. But how long can your team keep it up? Eventaully all good things have to come to an end.

Of course you guys will always get free agents but with what cap?

Even "Showtime" had to come to an end. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the playoffs shake out for you guys.

[DEEP3CL]

Of course you guys will always get free agents but with what cap?

Even "Showtime" had to come to an end. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the playoffs shake out for you guys.

See wiff you answered your own theory. The Laker just don't have down periods for too long. See we saw the same excitement from Portland fans, King fans and Suns fans, but some how some way those teams faded. Portland is still there and nobody will leap them once they return to full strength.

I get your excitement about your team and deservingly so, they're good. But in this game it finally comes back to money, can Oklahoma city continue to support a pro team over the long haul ? Will Clay Bennett shell out the money on free agents ?

And the team has to spend reasonably in terms of keeping it's own, yeah it's easy now to say "we're young and will be around"........truth is your whole team is playing on their rookie deals. When it's time for extensions that's where things can spiral down hill.

See I've seen the game long enough to know how it ends, a lot depends on Bennett. So far he hasn't had to spend but when the time comes will he ?

[slick_watts]

See wiff you answered your own theory. The Laker just don't have down periods for too long. See we saw the same excitement from Portland fans, King fans and Suns fans, but some how some way those teams faded. Portland is still there and nobody will leap them once they return to full strength.

They will have a down period when Kobe retires, he's approaching 45,000 minutes; it'll be sooner rather than later. Kings and Suns are completely different situations from OKC. Portland is comparable, but who knows what happens with the health of their players.

I get your excitement about your team and deservingly so, they're good. But in this game it finally comes back to money, can Oklahoma city continue to support a pro team over the long haul ? Will Clay Bennett shell out the money on free agents ?

It's the only pro sport in town, much like Portland and San Antonio. Good fan base. Marketable star. I don't see why it should be difficult for the team to do fine in OKC.

And the team has to spend reasonably in terms of keeping it's own, yeah it's easy now to say "we're young and will be around"........truth is your whole team is playing on their rookie deals. When it's time for extensions that's where things can spiral down hill.

Two young pieces (Russ and KD) plus whatever third core player comes around in FA or trade (or within). It's the core that matters.

See I've seen the game long enough to know how it ends, a lot depends on Bennett. So far he hasn't had to spend but when the time comes will he ?

That is the million dollar question. Wouldn't it be silly to purchase and move a team if you're not willing to keep the team competitive? You don't have to spend crazy money like the Lakers to be successful, Utah and San Antonio are two examples of contenders that only recently paid any luxury tax. Spending a lot of money also doesn't mean automatic success - see the Knicks or this year's Mavericks.

We have a shrewd manager and an ownership group worth a couple billion. OKC will be fine.

Finally.. you seem like a good poster but your 'I've been there, done that' old man routine comes off as a bit condescending sometimes. Just sayin'.

[joe.linnen]

I'll be honest I said 5 I was hella wrong. I love watching this team play so young but so damn good. I want you gus to get theta defencive center this off-season and really make some noise next year. I really do love this team. I love the Lakers with all my heart, hell I even cry when we lose, but I have another team that I can watch other than the Lakers and Spurs now. The respect I have for the Spurs I have for the Thunder and I have mad respect for the Spurs. The Thunder are gonna be great next year and to be honest I really do want to face you next year until one of the later rounds

[DEEP3CL]

Actually slick.......I'm only 41, that ain't old but I get the gist of what you're saying. The reason it's condescending is because I pull no strings and cut no corners. I only come off like that because all these young gunners think the NBA is suddenly going to change because they watch it. Things have gone the same for damn near 60+ years........how has it changed other than the money ? But player movement is still cut throat, if they wanna leave they leave.

I call it for what it is. I've been told all my life that I'm too blunt, but thing is this slick I get guy's respect from a lot of boards. But I don't mind the critique.......I got thick skin bro ! LOL

Anyway back to the dicussion.....

I really don't see a down time when Kobe leaves simply because if things go the way it's suppose to, Bynum should be stepping into the "franchise" guy. And yes OKC's situation is a lot different than the Kings and Blazers, your team is younger. Portland is young to but they just shredded off some baggage in Outlaw to the Clips, but they still have some issues money wise to deal with.

You're also right about the core guys, that is all that matters and you have it with KD, Russ J.Green and Harden. I was going to include Ibaka but teams are going to come hard for him.....hell I hope my Lakers do the same.

But I still hold judgement on Bennett, yes it would be foolish not to spend after moving. But slick, that seems to me the gist of the whole deal. I mean I don't have all the facts as far as the Seattle situation other than knowing he couldn't get a new arena. But it seems to me he could've made money in a city like Seattle. I guessing the cost of living is much lower in OKC, and I wondered how that correlates to making money there.

Bottom line is the Thunder have arrived, I have no problem saying that. If they continue to do things right they'll stay in the top 5 in the west for a long time...............but to think my Lakers will just fade off the face of the NBA is funny at best, even when they've fallen they found a way back.

They always do, it's the reason I never worry about them long term.

Anyway slick, looking forward to the battles in the next couple of seasons should be fun.

[wiff]

You really think Bynum is going to lead your team to the promise land once Kobe fades away?

Really?

Bynum can't stay healthy.

I've watched the NBA for quite a while too. I'm 37 and once you have three core pieces you can be good for a long time.

Durant is as good as they come. Russell Westbrook is going to be an All-Star. I think with the new cba OKC will be able to hang on to Ibaka and Harden. I feel if anyone is the odd man out that is going to be Green.

All four of those guys are 21 or younger. A players peak typically is from 27 to 30. That's 9 years of playing together.

So when I say that I don't think the Lakers will advance farther than the Thunder for the next decade, I mean it. Sure large part of that happens to fall in the lap of Clay Bennett. And if he decides to pay for a winner. But I absolutely thinks he follows the mold of the Spurs franchise. Pays enough to compete but doesn't spend out of control like New York.

Every franchise has their woes. Look at Boston a few years back. Or New York today. Yours are right around the corner. Kobe is only getting older. Artest is slowing down Fisher can't keep anyone in front of him, Gasol still has a few decent years left, and Bynum will be good if he can stay on the court, but do you really want to count on Bynum to be healthy?

Kobe bryant will be 32 in August 32. He is signed to the fattest contract. The Lakers will be paying him 30mil when he is 35 years old. HAHA. OMG that is absolutely nuts. That same year Gasol will be getting paid 19mil and he will be 33. You really think at that time they will be winning rings?

Now since you have seen it all before tell me how productive do you think Kobe Bryant will be at the age of 35? That same year Durant is going to be 25.

Personally I think we are already seeing Kobe slowing down. And once he loses another step it's done for the Lakers. Other than Bynum your whole roster is on the wrong side of the time line. Just the opposite for OKC.

It also looks like Artest has started to slow down a bit too. And he is on the hook for 7 mil for the next 4 years as well, trust me he won't opt out.

I think your team was very fortunate that they had an extra day in between games to get rest because they all needed it.

At best you have one more year to edge out the Thunder but then it's all Thunder for the next 8-10 years.

Deal with it!

[So Gutta]

I like the Thunder, they're a REALLY cool team (Durant + Westbrook = awesome), but they still need a center. Until they get a decent big man with a legit post game, they won't win a championship based on the history of the league. Bynum is a top-5 center at 22, and Gasol is in his prime.

[joe.linnen]

I don't want to face off with you guys at all, unless we make some changes. Westbrook is a monster, Durant and Green were monsters too. I just want you guys to get a real big man and both our teams can be number one and number two in the conference.