Laker's supporting cast - over rated ?

[Silver Bullet]

Hate to say I told you so .... but does anybody still think this Lakers supporting cast is the best in the league.

Yeah. When they win the NBA Finals will you delete your account? It's not like Kobe is playing great in these games that are supposed to show how overrated his cast is. 7-17 with 2 points in the second half. That just seems like typical Kobe...when the going gets tough, he's suddenly nowhere to be found.

Maybe if he kept fighting then Gasol's 4th quarter explosion would have cut the lead to single digits instead of getting it to within 15. Also, mabye if Kobe was in Battier's area code on some of those 3's, the Rockets don't jump out to an insurmountable lead.

The Lakers defense was bad, but Kobe was a part of that. They're still going to win the series and they're likely going to win the Finals. When the Lakers cast plays great next game what are you going to say?

The Cavs have won several huge games with Lebron having horrible games. Jordan wouldn't have even 3 championships if his supporting cast had sucked, 1997 (>) Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 - Jordan and Pippen both had horrible games against the Pacers, the Bulls still won. I can give you a 100 other examples. Superstars can have off games and their teams do still regularly come out on top. At this point, If you are not willing to acknowledge that the Lakers supporting cast is extremely soft mentally, you are not an unbiased observer and likely a Kobe Hater.

[No Offense]

He's trying to down the competition while simultaneously trying to cover his a** in case the Cavs don't win the championship. Why not have some balls and stand behind your team? The way I see it, if you want to be a jacka**, or if you want to talk s***, why not just come out and do it instead of hiding behind a wall of cryptic words? Just my two cents..

Because my teams never win anything. When you see 6 of your teams lose in championship games/series in the last 2+ years, you start preparing yourself for defeat and take on a very pessimistic attitude. Plus, nothing is going to change the obvious matchup advantages L.A. has in Gasol and Odom. When things look their best in Cleveland sports, you know the worst is just around the bend...trust me.

What could be better than the Cavs winning the NBA title in the Q against that arrogant prick Kobe and the Lakers? Nothing...so it won't happen. This season will end with me staring blankly ahead just like all the championship runs have. You can see it from a mile away...I'm just not letting myself get blinded by the team success.

God I hate your attitude. Would it kill you to believe in this team?

[jzmagik]

Kobe fanboys are hilarious. Anytime the Lakers lose, it's because their team is overrated, how can Kobe be at fault for anything? He's the GOAT. Let's not give credit to other teams that beat the Lakers, no its because Kobe's team failed Kobe and couldn't get it done. Lakers should be 82-0 team if Kobe's cast weren't so overrated.

[BallersTalk]

Hate to say I told you so .... but does anybody still think this Lakers supporting cast is the best in the league.

Yeah. When they win the NBA Finals will you delete your account? It's not like Kobe is playing great in these games that are supposed to show how overrated his cast is. 7-17 with 2 points in the second half. That just seems like typical Kobe...when the going gets tough, he's suddenly nowhere to be found.

Maybe if he kept fighting then Gasol's 4th quarter explosion would have cut the lead to single digits instead of getting it to within 15. Also, mabye if Kobe was in Battier's area code on some of those 3's, the Rockets don't jump out to an insurmountable lead.

The Lakers defense was bad, but Kobe was a part of that. They're still going to win the series and they're likely going to win the Finals. When the Lakers cast plays great next game what are you going to say?

The Cavs have won several huge games with Lebron having horrible games. Jordan wouldn't have even 3 championships if his supporting cast had sucked, 1997 (>) Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 - Jordan and Pippen both had horrible games against the Pacers, the Bulls still won. I can give you a 100 other examples. Superstars can have off games and their teams do still regularly come out on top. At this point, If you are not willing to acknowledge that the Lakers supporting cast is extremely soft mentally, you are not an unbiased observer and likely a Kobe Hater.

Everyone has a right to an opinion just as you are.

Just because people don't believe the same things you believe, doesn't make them biased.

With that said, I think the Lakers have the most talented team in the NBA, hands down.

[kobeaki]

Kobe fanboys are hilarious. Anytime the Lakers lose, it's because their team is overrated, how can Kobe be at fault for anything? He's the GOAT. Let's not give credit to other teams that beat the Lakers, no its because Kobe's team failed Kobe and couldn't get it done. Lakers should be 82-0 team if Kobe's cast weren't so overrated.

no yr weaksauce haterism in rated just right...

the thread isnt about kobe, its about his cast, you see cast means the other players on his team, not him...

put the weed pipe down, d-bag.

[Silver Bullet]

Everyone has a right to an opinion just as you are.

Just because people don't believe the same things you believe, doesn't make them biased.

With that said, I think the Lakers have the most talented team in the NBA, hands down.

There's a difference between observations and opinions. Maybe you guys are not watching the playoffs, that is the only logical explanation for thinking this is the best supporting cast in the league.

[microfib4thewin]

Kobe went 4-25 and they still had a chance to win @ Utah....in comparison to other supporting casts in the league, i would say KG has the most help and most room for error with Kobe 2nd..and i think Dwight has similar help that Kobe has.

And Wade went 6-23 this one game and the Heat were still going to win it....

You can't use one or several games where a team is staying competitive despite their star struggling as an example. Without Kobe the Lakers are a 1st round team at best. It's like saying the 06 Heat didn't need Wade to get anywhere because they have great veterans and Shaq on the team.

[The Skyhook]

If the Lakers had the best supporting cast in the leauge we would be rolling through everyone like the Cavs are. We wouldnt be getting out rebounded and out hustled the way we are. Gasol and Bynum are both 7 foot yet they couldn't get any rebounds over guys a lot smaller then them. Remember in Utah when the Lakers let Boozer get 16 rebounds in the first half? Being lazy and not going for those rebounds that are right over your head makes you the best supporting cast? Getting wide open looks during a crucial moment in the game and missing that shot makes you the best supporting cast in the NBA? The best supporting cast leaves guys open almost every time? I wish guys on the Lakers would go for rebounds the way Birdman goes after them. I wish that the guys on this team would hit wide open looks like way Battier did tonight. If they could hit open shots Kobe would have a double double with points and assists. You guys got to get real. It not hard to see that your so called " Best supporting cast in the NBA" is not playing like the best supporting cast. They are playing like they dont care about winning a championship.

[CB4MiamiHeat]

Kobe went 4-25 and they still had a chance to win @ Utah....in comparison to other supporting casts in the league, i would say KG has the most help and most room for error with Kobe 2nd..and i think Dwight has similar help that Kobe has.

And Wade went 6-23 this one game and the Heat were still going to win it....

You can't use one or several games where a team is staying competitive despite their star struggling as an example. Without Kobe the Lakers are a 1st round team at best. It's like saying the 06 Heat didn't need Wade to get anywhere because they have great veterans and Shaq on the team.

its not based on 1 game..its based on what i saw all season.....when Kobe is on the bench Lakers put in a speed lineup get out and running and theyre pretty good offensively. They have plenty of players that can create their own shot and are the top rebounding team in the league. Kobe himself was losing Battier on defense, and he had more shots than points..this isnt a good example of the supporting cast being overrated since Kobe himself was part of the problem.

[JordansBulls]

Kobe scores 15 tonight and the other guys are considered overrated?

[eatyourchildren]

What we saw today was that effort is a big difference maker in the NBA. Yes, the Lakers have the most talented roster, but they don't give it their all every game.

Whether that's Kobe's fault, Phil's fault, I don't know.

[devirginator]

If the Lakers had the best supporting cast in the leauge we would be rolling through everyone like the Cavs are. We wouldnt be getting out rebounded and out hustled the way we are. Gasol and Bynum are both 7 foot yet they couldn't get any rebounds over guys a lot smaller then them. Remember in Utah when the Lakers let Boozer get 16 rebounds in the first half? Being lazy and not going for those rebounds that are right over your head makes you the best supporting cast? Getting wide open looks during a crucial moment in the game and missing that shot makes you the best supporting cast in the NBA? The best supporting cast leaves guys open almost every time? I wish guys on the Lakers would go for rebounds the way Birdman goes after them. I wish that the guys on this team would hit wide open looks like way Battier did tonight. If they could hit open shots Kobe would have a double double with points and assists. You guys got to get real. It not hard to see that your so called " Best supporting cast in the NBA" is not playing like the best supporting cast. They are playing like they dont care about winning a championship.

Maybe they just dont have a good leader to motivate them?

Motivation and energy are the jobs for team leader.

did you see what Shane Battier and Chauncey Billups did on Court?

watching the blowout by the Yao ming-less rockets just reminds everyone how unmotivated these lakers are.

it is a shame.

remember in the regular season game against the celts and cavs, the supporting cast of lakers really out played celts and cavs.

But now?

it is really not the responsibility of the supporting cast themselves, it is the job for the leaders.

by leader, i mean kobe. kobe has great skills, but he is way too arrogant and self-centered to be a good leader. Shane is way more classy and determined and respected.

good leader makes ppl around him good, thats jordan, lebron, shane. bad leader only complains about ppl around him. i have heard enough complains from kobe in the last six year.

LA is always the place most players want to go, a spotlight city. yet you can not get good supporting lineup in six staight years with argubly the best attacker on planet and biggest chance to win champion plus money, chicks, fame. that is just ridiculous

[devirginator]

Everyone has a right to an opinion just as you are.

Just because people don't believe the same things you believe, doesn't make them biased.

With that said, I think the Lakers have the most talented team in the NBA, hands down.

There's a difference between observations and opinions. Maybe you guys are not watching the playoffs, that is the only logical explanation for thinking this is the best supporting cast in the league.

so best supporting cast all year just turn out to be scrubs in playoff.

last year the excuse is bynum is out.

so this year will be bynum not only comes back to prove what a wasted bust he really is, but also drags down gasol, ariza and sasha.

last year fisher is too old to drive, this year he is way too old to even shoot.

while kobe remains the godly weapon on earth for almost 10 year, his teammates continue to suck. not only they suck, but also they faked to win 65 games in regular season and try to screw kobe by sucking in playoff when it really matters.

jesus christ, way to discredit other players just to hype up kobe.

[BallersTalk]

Everyone has a right to an opinion just as you are.

Just because people don't believe the same things you believe, doesn't make them biased.

With that said, I think the Lakers have the most talented team in the NBA, hands down.

There's a difference between observations and opinions. Maybe you guys are not watching the playoffs, that is the only logical explanation for thinking this is the best supporting cast in the league.

The Lakers are just having an off-series against a great defensive club.

Look how the three most important cast members (outside of Kobe) did against the Jazz.

Odom: 17.8ppg 11.0rpg 2.4apg 1.6bpg 62.7 FG% 50% 3PT
Gasol: 18.4ppg 9.0rpg 1.6apg 0.8spg 1.6bpg 58.6 FG%
Ariza: 12.0ppg 4.0rpg 4.2apg 1.0bpg 61.1 FG% 61.1% 3PT

Odom only took 11.8 shots/gm
Gasol only took 11.6 shots/gm
Ariza only took 7.2 shots/gm

That's pretty damn efficient. Yeah, Bynum's struggling, but he just came back from the injury give him time. Fisher's been shooting poorly. But he's a usually great shooter so he'll get it back eventually. Same with Sasha. Though, Vujacic doesn't get many shots anyway.

Not much to complain about.

[BallersTalk]

Everyone has a right to an opinion just as you are.

Just because people don't believe the same things you believe, doesn't make them biased.

With that said, I think the Lakers have the most talented team in the NBA, hands down.

There's a difference between observations and opinions. Maybe you guys are not watching the playoffs, that is the only logical explanation for thinking this is the best supporting cast in the league.

so best supporting cast all year just turn out to be scrubs in playoff.

last year the excuse is bynum is out.

so this year will be bynum not only comes back to prove what a wasted bust he really is, but also drags down gasol, ariza and sasha.

last year fisher is too old to drive, this year he is way too old to even shoot.

while kobe remains the godly weapon on earth for almost 10 year, his teammates continue to suck. not only they suck, but also they faked to win 65 games in regular season and try to screw kobe by sucking in playoff when it really matters.

[bjesus christ, way to discredit other players just to hype up kobe.[/b]

I know I'm new, but is that common here? Seems to be an ongoing trend. Could be coincidence though.

[Frosty]

The Cavs have won several huge games with Lebron having horrible games. Jordan wouldn't have even 3 championships if his supporting cast had sucked, 1997 (>) Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 - Jordan and Pippen both had horrible games against the Pacers, the Bulls still won.

See that's the thing, even when Jordan had a bad game he worked his tail off doing other things to get the win. Kobe tends to disapear and isn't even a factor.

Oh btw I think you are talking about 1998 ECF since 1997 only went 5 games. And his "bad" game was 28/9/8 and 5 of those 9 boards were offensive, the hustle stats you look for. Sure he was 9-25 but that statline would be cherished by Kobe fans.

His team was also considered mentally weak before they won it all. The second best player on his team bowed out with a "migraine" when the going got tough.

[microfib4thewin]

its not based on 1 game..its based on what i saw all season.....when Kobe is on the bench Lakers put in a speed lineup get out and running and theyre pretty good offensively. They have plenty of players that can create their own shot and are the top rebounding team in the league. Kobe himself was losing Battier on defense, and he had more shots than points..this isnt a good example of the supporting cast being overrated since Kobe himself was part of the problem.

That was only happening at the beginning of the year. By the time Bynum got injured and Gasol had to play 40+ minutes a night the second unit was no longer playing uptempo. Near the end of the season the bench were getting outscored by the other team because Farmar and Sasha struggling finally caught up with them. No one could buy a basket and Farmar was getting burned on both ends of the floor. It didn't matter our backup bigs are better, when your guards can't do anything right there won't be any firepower. They are only the top offensive rebounding team, defensively they're only 12th in rebounding rate, which is a massive underachievement for a team with so much size.

Kobe's problem wasn't his shooting performance. People always look at that and assume, 'well, Kobe didn't shoot around 50% so it must be why they lost'. It's easy to make quick assumptions, but that doesn't mean it's true. The problem is they let an offensively challenged Rockets team score 29, when the defense isn't working Kobe is more likely to try and take over. 15 points is low, but he didn't play in the 4th and people would cite that as empty numbers even if he did play, so it's no win situation. The problem is he doesn't have the kind of leadership to motivate his team. The defense has been suspect after the first 20 games, he's still too focused on scoring, and he hasn't held himself accountable since.. ever. How well a team plays defense is a reflection of the coaching and the team captain. I don't think Phil will coach by the end of next year with his declining health and Kobe isn't helping.

[MasterRyu]

Agree. The coach and the team captain have to push the guys to play better defense. Kobe, should definitely set an example of at least shutting his man down. I mean, it wasn't like Battier was hitting impossible shots to get his 21 points. He was pretty much left wide open play after play. And for what? To double team on Scola?

[wreck]

After yesterday's game, I'm starting to think this thread has merit.

Gasol's supporting cast is definitely overrated.

Hopefully, Kupchak can bring in some more talent next year, and the team might finally be a legit championship contender.

[devirginator]

After yesterday's game, I'm starting to think this thread has merit.

Gasol's supporting cast is definitely overrated.

what an insight