How much time do the Lakers have to win a title?

[B-Scott]

Lakers have the making of a dynasty. I think they can contend for the next 7 years

[andyhop]

It depends on whether Kobe is grown up enough now to accept being the side kick how long their window with this group lasts because I'm not sold on him yet accepting that the team is based around Bynum in a few years time.

[EHL]

Barring unforeseen injuries to their core group (Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, Odom), 5 years is the minimum. That's assuming that Bryant is able to roughly maintain his current output/impact at age 30, 31, 32, and 33. That's 4 years plus this season. Given that he doesn't rely on his athleticism or quicks nearly as much as his skill, I'd say that's pretty reasonable. There is the argument about mileage, but it hasn't slown down guys like KG at 31 nor did it slow down Moses Malone. There's more evidence that age is more significant than mileage when trying to determine when a player will decline.

But even if you assume Bryant only maintains his peak until 32, you absolutely have to take into account that Bynum will keep improving (he's 20), in addition to guys like Farmar (21) and Ariza (22). In other words, even when Bryant starts declining in his mid-30's, I think the Lakers will have enough firepower to withstand that inevitable decline depending on how much Bynum and Farmar continue to improve.

[Jordan23Forever]

I think salary, not age, is the biggest factor. I mean, how do Laker fans think that they'll be able to keep Kobe @ max, Gasol @ near max and then Bynum at what he's going to be worth on the open market in a year or two? Further, how do they know that said players (aside from Kobe) will do what's best for the team and not for themselves? Maybe Bynum in 2 years says to himself "hey, I'm pretty damn good; I deserve a lot of money and my own team." Ditto for guys like Farmar/Ariza (more so the money than having their own team). You never know.

Barring these sorts of issues, I'd say their window is 4 years after this season. I don't see Kobe being very effective at age 34, to be honest. Maybe if Bynum absolutely blows up into a 25/12/3/55% player and Kobe can just be part of the supporting cast (think: 20-22/5/5), but not Kobe the way he is now.

[Deuce33]

I agree with 5-7 years. that's about as long as Kobe is expected to play for.

but since most of the core is still very young, once kobe is gone the Lakers should still be pretty competitive.

Gasol, Bynum, Farmar, Turiaf, Sasha, Ariza should all still be here. Shaw will probably be coaching at that time. Odom is probably going to be gone in 2 years time unless he agrees to re-sign to a smaller contract(7-8mil).

the present AND future looks good for the Lakers. they may not win the title this year though, but next season anything less than a championship is a disappointment.

Even smaller than that, he's not worth 7-8 mill a year.

[Deuce33]

It depends on whether Kobe is grown up enough now to accept being the side kick how long their window with this group lasts because I'm not sold on him yet accepting that the team is based around Bynum in a few years time.

Wrong, In 3-5 years time this will STILL be Kobe's team. You can be sure that won't change.

[Deuce33]

I think salary, not age, is the biggest factor. I mean, how do Laker fans think that they'll be able to keep Kobe @ max, Gasol @ near max and then Bynum at what he's going to be worth on the open market in a year or two? Further, how do they know that said players (aside from Kobe) will do what's best for the team and not for themselves? Maybe Bynum in 2 years says to himself "hey, I'm pretty damn good; I deserve a lot of money and my own team." Ditto for guys like Farmar/Ariza (more so the money than having their own team). You never know.

Barring these sorts of issues, I'd say their window is 4 years after this season. I don't see Kobe being very effective at age 34, to be honest. Maybe if Bynum absolutely blows up into a 25/12/3/55% player and Kobe can just be part of the supporting cast (think: 20-22/5/5), but not Kobe the way he is now.

What seriously makes you think Kobe won't be "very effective" at age 34? what made you come to that conclusion? I'm just curious. He uses more skill than athleticism,has arguably the best work ethic in the league. And now he has such players as Gasol and Bynum to take alot of the load off of him. Hell the guy even uses Tim Grover( Michael Jordans trainer) now.

To me, Kobe has always been a project. You can't really tell with him honestly because he's soo damn good at adapting enough to stay effective. You can tell he has lost a step though athletically but has vastly improved his skillset to become even better and more effective overall. If Kobe avoids major injuries I can honestly see him staying "very effective" for a very long time.

[TonyMontana]

It depends on whether Kobe is grown up enough now to accept being the side kick how long their window with this group lasts because I'm not sold on him yet accepting that the team is based around Bynum in a few years time.

Your funny .............. Specially the part about Kobe accepting that the team is based around Bynum in a few years
Ya OKAY

[Alex_De_Large]

Kobe Bryant will start getting old with 33 years old, so they have 4 years more to win it.

[ImmortalD24]

The Lakers have an 8year window imo, it all depends on Kobe's health.

[Dtown84]

Three years to win a title, they are definitely young enough to be competitive for up to about 8 years. But unless this team has serious playoff success within the first 3, there will be changes to them.

[andyhop]

-= original quote snipped =-


Your funny .............. Specially the part about Kobe accepting that the team is based around Bynum in a few years
Ya OKAY

If in 3 or 4 years time Bynum isn't the number 1 guy in LA then the Lakers future is nowhere near as bright as you think.

[dockingsched]

^^agreed. if bynum can't take over as the number one in a few yrs with kobe into his 30's the future isn't THAT bright.

[JordansBulls]

3-5 years.