Kobe Era Lakers Hypo (2000 to 2013)

[sp6r=underrated]

Replace the following Lakers bigs

2000 to 2004: Shaq
2005: Mihm
2006-2007: Kwame
2008-2013: Pau Gasol

with

Spoiler:

In 2007, he still has his major injury. Since Shaq isn't there the trade to acquire Odom never happens

1. How do you think the results change year to year? There is a lot less speculation involved from 2000 to 2004 since the Shaq trade shook everything up so much.
2. Do you think LA becomes a more or less attractive free agency destination for other player?
3. How do you think the replacement integrated into Phil's schemes?
4. How do you think he plays off of Kobe on and off the court?

[LAL1947]

I think you left out some necessary pieces of info in this hypothetical game. In order to play, it would be nice to know:

1) Who replaces Robinson on the Spurs from 2000-2013?
2) Where does Shaq go from 2000 to 2006/2007?
3) Do the Lakers get to use the salary saved to obtain other players? I could do a lot with the savings.
4) And just clarifying... we're getting 24YO DR in 1999-00, correct?

Shaq's salary:
1999-00 $17,142,858
2000-01 $19,285,715
2001-02 $21,428,572
2002-03 $23,571,429
2003-04 $24,749,999

Robinson's salary:
1987-88 $1,046,000
2002-03 $10,500,000

[sp6r=underrated]

I think you left out some necessary pieces of info in this hypothetical game. In order to play, it would be nice to know:

1) Who replaces Robinson on the Spurs from 2000-2013?

For purposes of this hypo the Spurs have a guy just as good as 2000-2003 Robinson with a different name.

Important to remember we're only talking about Robinson being missing for four season. One of em, 2000, Duncan missed the playoffs, in 2002 Robinson had a massive injury problem missing most of the playoffs and was totally ineffective when he did play. So we are only talking about 2001 & 2003 which really shakes up the playoffs.

2) Where does Shaq go from 2000 to 2006/2007?

Shaq doesn't exist.

3) Do the Lakers get to use the salary saved to obtain other players? I could do a lot with the savings.

Assume The Admiral is on a rookie contract than getting maxed. Maybe the final 2 yrs he's on a non-max.

4) And just clarifying... we're getting 24YO DR in 1999-00, correct?

Yeah, he enters the NBA at the same age. And doesn't try to re-enlist when the wars start, which I think is a real possibility with the 25 yr old David.

[ardee]

2000: 2nd round exit. Rookie Robinson was great but that team began and ended with peak Shaq.

2001: Championship. 1991 Robinson was actually incredible. I think him and 2001 Kobe will pull off the title, though it would be a lot harder than IRL.

2002: 1st or 2nd round exit, Robinson got hurt.

2003: 2nd round exit to Spurs. Robinson helps a lot on defense but gives up a lot on offense as compared to 2003 Shaq. Same result.

2004: Championship imo. Shaq got destroyed guarding PnRs in the Finals and Robinson would help a lot on that end. I also think there would just be less drama surrounding the team in general, Kobe would be less stressed out and probably plays better in the Finals.

2005: Lose in WCF. Assuming Kobe plays as he did IRL, I can see the team being good enough to be contenders but not beat the Spurs.

2006: Championship. 2006 Kobe and 1996 Robinson? Shut down the league.

2007: 1st round exit. Same as IRL, Robinson got hurt.

2008: Championship. 1998 Robinson was still easily a top 5 player in the league. Pair him with MVP Kobe and it's another dominant run.

2009: Championship. It would be a different looking team compared to IRL, obviously, but I think 1999 Robinson was still amazing enough on defense and Kobe great enough on offense to win the title. Just don't see those two losing to the Rockets, Nuggets or Magic.

2010: Lose in Finals. We won that by the skin of our teeth, and I think the difference between 2010 Pau/Odom/Bynum and 2000 Robinson alone is enough to probably make the difference here.

2011: Lose in 2nd round.

2012: Lose in 2nd round.

2013: Might not make the Playoffs if Kobe gets hurt.

So 5 titles: 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

[ardee]

To add to this: Robinson is probably the perfect big man to pair with lead guards like Kobe/Jordan/Wade. Can score when needed but makes his primary impact on defense. Very low maintenance, great teammate. He and Kobe would flourish together and I think he'd work fine in the triangle.

[LAL1947]

2010: Lose in Finals. We won that by the skin of our teeth, and I think the difference between 2010 Pau/Odom/Bynum and 2000 Robinson alone is enough to probably make the difference here.

I didn't follow this. Wouldn't we line up with Fisher/Kobe/Artest/Pau/Robinson?

[ardee]

2010: Lose in Finals. We won that by the skin of our teeth, and I think the difference between 2010 Pau/Odom/Bynum and 2000 Robinson alone is enough to probably make the difference here.

I didn't follow this. Wouldn't we line up with Fisher/Kobe/Artest/Pau/Robinson?

Robinson is replacing Pau as per OP, and there would be no Odom either since the Shaq trade never happened.

[LAL1947]

2010: Lose in Finals. We won that by the skin of our teeth, and I think the difference between 2010 Pau/Odom/Bynum and 2000 Robinson alone is enough to probably make the difference here.

I didn't follow this. Wouldn't we line up with Fisher/Kobe/Artest/Pau/Robinson?

Robinson is replacing Pau as per OP

Oh, oops! Missed that.

[An Unbiased Fan]

In 2010, a Odom/DRob/Bynum frontcourt rotation is still great. In fact 00 DRob's numbers mirror 10 Pau's