Are we short one quality big?

[0HeadAche0]

i really feel that it wont be a problem against most teams but i reckon if we were to go up against the celtics. their size is superior to ours and if bynum gets into foul trouble, we might struggle to give the proper rest to pau and odom. is odom big enough to guard some of the looks the C's might give us?

i mean we have probably the best big man rotation going, in terms of talent but the drop off in talent behind them is realistically miles behind. thats the main point. im not sure i trust caracter, joe smith or theo ratliff. its different to last year because mbenga could bang and is better than any of them above, plus the celtics are now bigger than us, so its not the 09-10 celtics we'll be playing

[CX44]

How are they better inside? Shaq looks done, Perkins is injured, Wallace is gone, and who knows if J Oneal will play anymore this year.

[CowsMoo]

worried about getting out of the west first.

[TyCobb]

Lamar Odom. Pau Gasol. Andrew Bynum.

We're in good hands.

[crimsonkb24]

Mbenga better than (healthy) Ratliff ? I don't think so bro

[crazyeights]

It's a valid point, but I think the Lakers are stuck with Joe and Theo to cover that role.

[DubaLakers]

A quality big? Theo Ratliff. Yes.

[chefy]

A 100% healthy Celtic's frontcourt does match up well against us, I'll be honest. Laker's advantage would be frontcourt versatility, they don't have a lamar odom in their frontcourt. Lakers have the ability to play up tempo ball with the combo of Pau and Odom. I think will be fine if we play the right way and execute well. Maximizing our Big's potential/talent would be the key IMO.

[laduane1]

What we have is what we have. We need to give Joe Smith a few minutes just to see what he has left in the tank and to get him in some playing time. Same with Theo when healthy.

[dub81]

How are they better inside? Shaq looks done, Perkins is injured, Wallace is gone, and who knows if J Oneal will play anymore this year.

Shaq ain't yet bro. He looks pretty good for a 38 year old. Put up 24 the other night.

[aussie_laker]

i'd say we a short a serviceable big who can bring an X factor quality in one or two games throughout the playoffs. The reserve bigs we have are only useful for giving Gasol, Bynum, Odom a rest

[stunnar0b]

bynum just needs to get back in shape and we're be good to go. hopefully bynum isnt skipping practices due to wear and tear on his knees.

[lilbendapimp]

We good. The Lakers have the BEST "TEAM" in the NBA. Just wait till we get healthy.

[slifersd]

i'd say we a short a serviceable big who can bring an X factor quality in one or two games throughout the playoffs. The reserve bigs we have are only useful for giving Gasol, Bynum, Odom a rest

I think that's exactly why they brought in Ratliff and Smith. These veteran bigs might not look like much but their experience could help them be the difference maker in one or two playoff games when everything counts. They might be old, but so was PJ Brown and he practically shut down Gasol.

[Dr Aki]

there's not going to be another serviceable big.

anyone we get isn't likely to get any PT as long as bynum, gasol and odom are healthy, therefore we're not going to spend any more than necessary.

we're not about to spend more than the the vet's min for any other big.

[CX44]

How are they better inside? Shaq looks done, Perkins is injured, Wallace is gone, and who knows if J Oneal will play anymore this year.

Shaq ain't yet bro. He looks pretty good for a 38 year old. Put up 24 the other night.

He's avg 10pts and 5rbs both career lows. Sure can he put up numbers at times but over a season and deep into the playoffs he can't do it anymore. Besides it was 23pts against Charlotte who start Kwame Brown with Nazir Mohammad bakcing him up. Not exactly two quality C's in this league. Bynum has dealt with some injuries but I would take him over both of the other two.

[DEEP3CL]

Boston doesn't have superior bigs...that s***t is a myth, I agree with CX44 and CowsMoo. J.O'Neal is finished and if guys think Perkins is going to come back and do what he did better think again. As far as Shaq, don't over react to his occasional out burst. It's like going to pee........it's gotta happen some time. And Like CM said we need to worry about handling our own business first.

[Nett]

The Lakers will be okay...

[0HeadAche0]

Boston doesn't have superior bigs...that s***t is a myth, I agree with CX44 and CowsMoo. J.O'Neal is finished and if guys think Perkins is going to come back and do what he did better think again. As far as Shaq, don't over react to his occasional out burst. It's like going to pee........it's gotta happen some time. And Like CM said we need to worry about handling our own business first.

this is quite stupid. well done.

j o'neal maybe finished but hes their backup to their backup when perkins gets healthy. big baby gave us all sorts of problems in the finals. kg is better than he was last year and shaq is a big body that will look to pick up fouls on bynum. if bynum gets two quick fouls. then we have to go odom and gasol for extended periods vs their size.

obviously id take odom, gasol and bynum over shaq, perkins and kg. however they've got glen davis as their fourth big and we have joe smith as it stands right now. plus if bynum gets injured and can only play limited minutes or gets in foul trouble, gasol vs shaq or perkins doesnt really fill me with hope.

[chyau.00]

lakers have BY FAR BY FAR the best bigs in the entire league.

and you want one more? lol

why not get an extra shooting guard while you are at it?