Are the Lakers still 'legit' title contenders?

Post #1 » by **Flash3** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:12 pm

Earlier on in the season (pre-Bynum injury), you had many analysts/experts calling the Lakers title contenders, and rightfully so.

Now, with the latest news of Bynum's injury status, are the Lakers still up there in terms of legitimately competing for the Finals?

NetsForce · Post #2 » by **NetsForce** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:20 pm

If the Jazz are then the Lakers are.

zen_4_10 · Post #3 » by **zen_4_10** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:21 pm

I think they have as good of chance as any team in the west to get to the finals or knocked out in the first round.

The west is just that crazy - but if the Lakers take playing defense seriously they should be considered one of the favorites to make the Finals.

I personally think the East will win the title this year though if either the Pistons or C's make it (which one should).

carrottop12 · Post #4 » by **carrottop12** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:35 pm

Their perimeter defense is a real concern I believe.

y 2 a B · Post #5 » by **y 2 a B** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:36 pm

Yes.

Especially when Bynum and Ariza get healthy, they are scary. The have probably one of the most tallest front courts in the West (Bynum/Gasol/Odom) and you have the best player on the planet along with a very productive bench.

Not to mention a HOF coach. If I were to pick a team to win it all this year, Lakers would be my choice, with Boston right behind them.

sarah42 · Post #6 » by **sarah42** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:37 pm

yep on the perimeter defense, but you can say that about every team except the celtics, pistons, spurs and rockets.

is bynum not coming back? imo, he needs to take care of it. to be out that long, without surgery is amazing. he obviously wants a long term contract, and the only way he's going to get is is he takes care of himself and doesn't push it.

conleyorbust · Post #7 » by **conleyorbust** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:44 pm

They might have some matchup problems that they wouldn't have had with the big guy holding it down but they aren't out of it by any means.

They still have two star performers, Odom who has been great for them in terms of being a real "do it all" guy, a deep enough bench with a lot of shooters, and a top-tier coach.

I wouldn't say they were the favorites to come out of the west like I would have if Bynum were functioning. I don't see them beating Boston in a series with the squad they have right now. Still though, they have as good a shot as anyone in that conference.

floris_ · Post #8 » by **floris_** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:44 pm

No. You can't tell me with a straight face that Gasol can be the difference between a first round exit and playing the finals.

p.s. dont give me that crap about an excellent bench or filler like Fisher.

Post #9 » by **semi-sentient** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:47 pm

I say no.

I think injuries have really kept us from establishing chemistry, and in the playoffs that will matter. My opinion could change depending on how things go in our final 4 games, so we'll see. I don't think Bynum or Ariza are going to really factor in this year, and that hurts our chances due to the current defensive issues that we have. However, maybe our guys will step up and play better.

WadeKnicks2010 · Post #10 » by **WadeKnicks2010** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:54 pm

their three best players are not 100% healthy

Kobe
Gasol
Bynum

Their roleplayers aren't that healthy either, like Trevor Ariza..

You don't win with THAT many injuries, especially when you weren't that good to begin with last season, or the season before that..

Gasol was a big pick up, but he doesn't suddenly make you into a team that can survive those huge losses.. In fact, no team in the recent era can suffer all these injuries to their stars and s till win rings.. Look at the Spurs with Duncan hobbling in 06 as an example when their team was still at their peak.

Post #11 » by **Flash3** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:08 pm

y 2 a B wrote:Yes.

Especially when Bynum and Ariza get healthy, they are scary. The have probably one of the most tallest front courts in the West (Bynum/Gasol/Odom) and you have the best player on the planet along with a very productive bench.

Not to mention a HOF coach. If I were to pick a team to win it all this year, Lakers would be my choice, with Boston right behind them.

That's the reason why I asked this question.

Bynum is NOT healthy, and doesn't expect to play for the foreseeable future (next 2 weeks, or so). -- He's been out for quite some time, and if you bring him back mid way through the post-season, it can really cause some chemistry issues, granted he has yet to play much alongside/with Gasol.

BobbySura · Post #12 » by **BobbySura** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:08 pm

any team with kobe is a contender.

that said, i don't think this is their year.

technologic · Post #13 » by **technologic** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:10 pm

BobbySura wrote:any team with kobe is a contender.

that said, i don't think this is their year.

not true.

Post #14 » by **Flash3** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:11 pm

BobbySura wrote:any team with kobe is a contender.

that said, i don't think this is their year.

You aren't a contender with 1 great player, let alone 2.

You need a team, and right now Kobe and the Lakers just don't have their entire team , healthy and contributing.

sarah42 · Post #15 » by **sarah42** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:16 pm

i wonder what their cap situation is or will be next year.

having kobe, pau, andrew and lamar = an owner willing to shell out a lot of money.

when is andrew due for a new contract or extension?

tms386 · Post #16 » by **tms386** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:18 pm

sarah42 wrote:i wonder what their cap situation is or will be next year.

having kobe, pau, andrew and lamar = an owner willing to shell out a lot of money.

when is andrew due for a new contract or extension?

Bynum is still on his rookie contract for next year. They can give him an extension, but I think they'll wait.

Magz50 · Post #17 » by **Magz50** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:37 pm

They won't win this year.

Milan24 · Post #18 » by **Milan24** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:04 pm

sarah42 wrote:i wonder what their cap situation is or will be next year.

having kobe, pau, andrew and lamar = an owner willing to shell out a lot of money.

when is andrew due for a new contract or extension?

I think it is going to be less then the Celtics.

Post #19 » by **LLcoleJ** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:05 pm

sarah42 wrote:i wonder what their cap situation is or will be next year.

having kobe, pau, andrew and lamar = an owner willing to shell out a lot of money.

when is andrew due for a new contract or extension?

Their cap will be up there but I dont think that is a worry from Buss. Drew is still on a rookie deal and will get an extenstion that will kick in the following year. Odom is an expiring deal next year,so we will see how he plays with everyone and how they all look together before anything major changes.

Buss has said recently that money is not a motivating factor for him anymore, as he has made enough. He wants ring(s).

That being said, I dont think they are favorites to win it this year by any stretch but I think they can be in the mix.

DEEP3CL · Post #20 » by **DEEP3CL** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:18 pm

Magz50 wrote:They won't win this year.

Spurs won't neither.

Yeah I said IT.