.......or, is next season the year for the Kings to finally put it all together and dethrone the champs?
twikoff
06-13-02, 10:33 AM
can they? yes, most definitly
will they? pretty good chance... depending on off season moves by both the lakers and kings
any other team is going to have to make some major changes to compete with these 2
SnoopDogg
06-13-02, 10:54 AM
God I hope not.
Big Quasimodo
06-13-02, 11:02 AM
Originally posted by twikoff
can they? yes, most definitly
will they? pretty good chance... depending on off season moves by both the lakers and kings
any other team is going to have to make some major changes to compete with these 2
:thumbsup: I actually thought that Lindsay Hunter, Rock Richmond, and Samaki Walker were great additions, but they really didn't do too much this year. I am hoping the Lakers can add a bona fide starter in some veteran that wants a ring and will sign for the minumum.
The way the NBA has usually worked over the past 20 years is that you gotta finish a close 2nd at least once before the torch is passed. Kings did that this year. It remains to be seen if the Lakes can hold them off again. If they keep their nucleus together, and the Lakers stay pat, they will challenge the Lakers next year again, and it may be their turn.
Course, I wouldn't ever bet (or root) against the BIG MAN!!!!
I think next year is the Kings year. All great teams have had to experience heartbreaking failure before they can experience success (ie Maryland college bball). The Kings were a Robert Horry miss away from beating the Lakers. I think next year is their time.
sexy_overlord
06-13-02, 12:25 PM
Originally posted by AndyCapps
Go Pacers!
Hell yeah! With Hurricane Harrington back, they're going to kick some ass! Hopefully they'll get rid of that bumbling idiot Austin Croshere and get a basketball player instead.
If not the Pacers, it'll be the year of the Grizzlies.
das Monkey
06-13-02, 12:38 PM
No. While they played excellently in the play-offs, this was the first season of the past 3 where they weren't the best team. Sacremento knows they were the better team and <I>should</I> have knocked them from the play-offs. I don't expect them to make the same mistake twice. The Lakers should be commended for holding off the charging Kings, but I don't see them repeating that feat. It's one thing to keep winning championships when you're better than everyone else; it's harder when there's enough talent to beat you on another team.
das
movielib
06-13-02, 12:43 PM
Originally posted by das Monkey
No. While they played excellently in the play-offs, this was the first season of the past 3 where they weren't the best team. Sacremento knows they were the better team and <I>should</I> have knocked them from the play-offs. I don't expect them to make the same mistake twice. The Lakers should be commended for holding off the charging Kings, but I don't see them repeating that feat. It's one thing to keep winning championships when you're better than everyone else; it's harder when there's enough talent to beat you on another team.
das
I won't argue with that. But for next year, a lot will depend on what each team does personnel-wise in the off season. I know the Lakers realize they need to upgrade some of the supporting cast and I'm sure they will attempt to do so. Almost all the nonstarters are free agents and they can let them go and try to get better and more complementary players.
I think the Laker bench will look very different next year.
El Scorcho
06-13-02, 12:48 PM
Originally posted by movielib
I think the Laker bench will look very different next year.
But does the bench *really* matter all that much? I don't think so. :)
movielib
06-13-02, 12:56 PM
Originally posted by DTSC
But does the bench *really* matter all that much? I don't think so. :)
I do.
das Monkey
06-13-02, 01:04 PM
Originally posted by movielib
I do.
I do too. The bench is everything, especially with the Lakers. I know the worshippers in the "Shaq is My God" congregation may think otherwise, but without the roleplayers, he's not going to get all his points, and the bench is a large part of that. You get him the ball down low, and he's going to pound it home, but if you don't have good entry-pass players, and guys who can make the big shot if you triple team Shaq, then you're screwed.
<B>movielib</B>, like you said in the other post, I think the Lakers understand this and will make some changes to strengthen themselves against the Kings next season. If not too much changes, I give the edge to the Kings. If there are some overhauls to either squad, then obviously, I have no idea what could happen.
das
Dubya
06-13-02, 01:16 PM
Originally posted by BigDave
Nope... ABC wants new blood. ;)
Yeah with ratings being so bad for the finals the scriptwriters will have to put Sacramento over the top next year ;)
El Scorcho
06-13-02, 01:18 PM
Please -- the bench is completely interchangeable.
I'm not talking the other 3 that compose of the starting five, I'm talkign players like Brian Shaw, Medvedenko, Hunter, etc.
All you need to do is find a few players who can hit a wide open 3 or take up space in the middle for 5 minutes a game. Dime a dozen in the NBA.
The Lakers are Shaq and Kobe and a bunch of average ball players who end up looking better than they really are. This situation is really no different than Chicago's situation was, except maybe for the inclusion of a premium rebounder in Dennis Rodman.
WhattheFFF
06-13-02, 01:21 PM
nope, it's all Kings next year
Mike_AA
06-13-02, 01:42 PM
As a Laker fan, I want to see 4. I heard Kobe saying how he knew the Lakers were vulnerable this year, and he and all the other guys will be training and working out much earlier this year.
It also comes down to off-season moves. Lakers will probably lose Hunter, and Walker...the Kings will make some moves too. However, next year will be amazing. The Kings are gonna bring everything they've got and then some....the Lakers will have a tough battle next year, but there is no doubt that these two teams will be facing each other, again, in the Western Conference Finals.
Gallant Pig
06-13-02, 02:14 PM
It depends on who stays and who goes.
This should be the list of who stays:
Shakobe
This should be the list of who could possibly go:
Everyone else
If they get better supporting players they could be tougher next year.
CharlesC
06-13-02, 02:41 PM
DTSC, I was thinking the same thing. Since when does the bench consist of everybody except Shakobe? :lol:
The real bench is only there to give the starters a rest and not blow the lead totally.
movielib
06-13-02, 02:56 PM
Originally posted by Gallant Pig
...
If they get better supporting players they could be tougher next year.
That's what I'm hoping for. There have to be a lot of good free agent role player types who want to win a ring and would be willing to take a salary that would keep the Lakers under the salary cap.
Big Quasimodo
06-13-02, 03:03 PM
Originally posted by movielib
That's what I'm hoping for. There have to be a lot of good free agent role player types who want to win a ring and would be willing to take a salary that would keep the Lakers under the salary cap.
Like I said, it looked like they got them last year (Rock, Samaki) and they kind of sucked......I hope they get better ones next time.
I'll tellyawhat, though, Devan George could improve leaps and bounds. He shows some serious potential to be a contributor and has more athleticism than Fox/Horry and can knock down the occassional 3 too.
monkeyboy
06-13-02, 03:04 PM
Originally posted by CharlesC
The real bench is only there to give the starters a rest and not blow the lead totally.
that may be what you're definition of the bench is, but i think that's a bad way to look at it. the kings can bring in a few 'bench' players and they're still a top contending team, that's why they're so damn good. some of their 'bench' players could easily be starters on other teams. you want your bench to be comprised of those types of players, not just filler. that's when a good team becomes a great team. i think the lakers need to replace walker for sure. richmond can go away too, but i think the lakers don't really need much. if some guys step up next year (hunter, george) and have better stats, i think the lakers have a good shot at getting 4. it looks like bibby will stay with the kings, so you know they'll be right in the hunt.
CharlesC
06-13-02, 03:41 PM
Well my definintion of the Laker's bench. I agree with you, a good bench will be just as much an influence as the star players. I think if you look at bench scoring in the Western Conferance finals you'll see a pretty big discrepency.
Gallant Pig
06-13-02, 03:44 PM
The Lakers bench is shaq and kobe. Shaq can sit if kobe is in and kobe can sit if shaq is in.
movielib
06-13-02, 03:47 PM
Originally posted by Big Quasimodo
Like I said, it looked like they got them last year (Rock, Samaki) and they kind of sucked......I hope they get better ones next time.
I'll tellyawhat, though, Devan George could improve leaps and bounds. He shows some serious potential to be a contributor and has more athleticism than Fox/Horry and can knock down the occassional 3 too.
I also thought they would be a lot better than they turned out to be. I agree they should probably try to keep George.
DVDHO
06-13-02, 05:52 PM
Richmond had one of the worst seasons for a laker ever,he averaged 4 points a game this year and played 11 minutes total in the finals,Lakers will get rid of this chump,Devin George did great in the finals so they will keep him,all they need to do is replace someone for Richmond and there money.
Kings need a decent 3rd Center to foul Shaq when needed and there money,with a healthy Staokavich there money and can beat LA when healthy,Kings would have won the series if he was healthy since he was the 2nd leading scorer for the Kings and they still almost pulled it off,Kings are champs next year if healthy.
BT
06-13-02, 07:06 PM
Will Devean George leave the gravy train for Free Agency? He might.
I hope Mitch stays. :) I think that if he stays he could see more minutes next year in a Ron Harper-type of role with the team. He already has a year of learning the offense under his belt and would definitely want to play more in the playoffs.
I'm wondering, who's available that would be a good fit for the Lakers?
-BT
damn_skippy
06-13-02, 07:15 PM
Yes they can. But they better be ready for a tough road ahead. They will have to be consistant. I trust Phil, Shaq, and Kobe to know what to do.;)
Decker
06-13-02, 11:41 PM
Sure they can. I agree it'll be tough. The big question will be the Kings. Will they respond to this heartbreak by becoming tougher and better, as Jackson's Bulls did in '91 after being dominated by the Pistons for the previous 2 years, or will they implode and slide backward from the brink of greatness like the Portland teams have been these last 2 seasons? We'll see. One thing's certain : In Bibby they have a star and a leader. As good as C Webb is, he didn't fit that roll and I always felt they wouldn't be on top with him in charge. Everything is different now.
As for the off-season, it'll be interesting to see. You never know when some bonehead owner will make an incredibly stupid trade that will shift the balance of power in the league (Bibby for Williams? Kidd for Marbury? WTF?)
bears35
06-14-02, 12:12 AM
I hope the Lakers do. Being a Jordan hater I'd like to see them do something the Bulls didn't, win 4 in a row. Of course I'd still have to hear "the Bulls would have won 8 in a row had Jordan not retired".
I think they can. Kings seem like their biggest challenge, but C Web will have to start showing up in the 4th quarter.
vdadlani219
06-14-02, 02:33 AM
Originally posted by bears35
I hope the Lakers do. Being a Jordan hater I'd like to see them do something the Bulls didn't, win 4 in a row. Of course I'd still have to hear "the Bulls would have won 8 in a row had Jordan not retired".
It's funny cause it's true, they would have won 8 in a row had Jordan not picked up a bat and a glove.
Either way, this Lakers team isn't better than either of the Bulls 2 3-peat teams. This Shaq/Kobe squad isn't even the best Laker team.
MJKTool
06-14-02, 02:38 AM
Like there's any doubt? :confused:
Jackskeleton
06-14-02, 04:13 AM
Not only can they. They will. :)
tygloalex
06-14-02, 04:46 AM
Nets in 7 in 2003. You read it here first!
JCJF10
06-14-02, 12:39 PM
Originally posted by twikoff
can they? yes, most definitly
will they? pretty good chance... depending on off season moves by both the lakers and kings
any other team is going to have to make some major changes to compete with these 2
This year was an excellent opportunity for the Kings next year is another.
Until we see what each team does on the player personnel side it's very tough to say.
When that is settled who knows how healthy either of these teams will be for the playoffs.
The Odds are way, way, waaaaaaaay against the 4-Peat but I'd love to see it happen.
:D Thanks for a Great Run Lakers!!!!! :D
JCJF10
06-14-02, 12:48 PM
Originally posted by DTSC
But does the bench *really* matter all that much? I don't think so. :)
It would have if they could have made a contribution.
The Lakers will need more help from the bench in order to do it again.
This year was an excellent opportunity for the Kings next year is another.
Until we see what each team does on the player personnel side it's very tough to say.
When that is settled who knows how healthy either of these teams will be for the playoffs.
The Odds are way, way, waaaaaaaay against the 4-Peat but I'd love to see it happen.
:D Thanks for a Great Run Lakers!!!!! :D
Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.
MJKTool
06-14-02, 12:54 PM
BLING, BLING, BLING.......BLING?
JCJF10
06-14-02, 12:59 PM
Originally posted by DTSC
Please -- the bench is completely interchangeable.
I'm not talking the other 3 that compose of the starting five, I'm talkign players like Brian Shaw, Medvedenko, Hunter, etc.
All you need to do is find a few players who can hit a wide open 3 or take up space in the middle for 5 minutes a game. Dime a dozen in the NBA.
The Lakers are Shaq and Kobe and a bunch of average ball players who end up looking better than they really are. This situation is really no different than Chicago's situation was, except maybe for the inclusion of a premium rebounder in Dennis Rodman.
I agree but I'd like to keep Shaw around because he seems to have a calming effect on the team.
As for Walker, Hunter, Madsen and Medvedenko I'd need to see big improvements from those
guys to feel OK about them sopping up roster positions.
I'd be surprised if Mitch R. doesn't retire. I find it really sad that he didn't really play a role
in winning his only ring after having such a solid NBA career.
JCJF10
06-14-02, 01:02 PM
Originally posted by Big Quasimodo
Like I said, it looked like they got them last year (Rock, Samaki) and they kind of sucked......I hope they get better ones next time.
I'll tellyawhat, though, Devan George could improve leaps and bounds. He shows some serious potential to be a contributor and has more athleticism than Fox/Horry and can knock down the occassional 3 too.
Sadly it sure sounds like Devan George is looking for the big paycheck and I can't blame him. :(
MJKTool
06-14-02, 01:04 PM
Originally posted by JCJF10
Sadly it sure sounds like Devan George is looking for the big paycheck and I can't blame him. :(
He sure sounded like it on his interview that night didnt it. I think he will easily go the way of Tyrone Lue.
JCJF10
06-14-02, 01:12 PM
No one has brought up the SBT Factor!!!!!! :eek:
(Shaq's Big Toe)
Without the SBT Factor this year the Lakers would have won 659 more games! (Ok.... not that many but 5-6 more :D )
JCJF10
06-14-02, 01:14 PM
Originally posted by MJKTool
He sure sounded like it on his interview that night didnt it. I think he will easily go the way of Tyrone Lue.
It sounded even worse.... he implied that the Lakers not picking up his option would be a factor in his final decision.
:(
Bubbs21
06-14-02, 01:26 PM
I think the Kings, due to experience (if they keep everyone) and the Sonics (If they get a decent center) will both beat the Lakers next year.
JCJF10
06-14-02, 01:35 PM
Next season is a new season and another opportunity for others teams to emerge. It's a fresh piece of blank paper so know one knows who will do what and how these moves will improve their team’s chances. Injuries might be an even larger unknown.....
But If I was forced to bet right here right now....
I'd bet it will come down to the Kings and Lakers. The only question would be will they meet in the Conf. Finals or earlier in the playoffs. (other teams may challenge these two but one of these two will win it all)
El Scorcho
06-14-02, 01:36 PM
Originally posted by JCJF10
I'd be surprised if Mitch R. doesn't retire. I find it really sad that he didn't really play a role
in winning his only ring after having such a solid NBA career.
Mitch will most likely retire. He's got no game left, his quick first step is now nonexistant. All that being said, I'm happy as hell that he won a ring finally. So many years of suffering on bad teams...
JCJF10
06-14-02, 01:39 PM
Originally posted by DTSC
Mitch will most likely retire. He's got no game left, his quick first step is now nonexistant. All that being said, I'm happy as hell that he won a ring finally. So many years of suffering on bad teams...
Me too I just really reeeeeally wish he had a little gas left in the tank for this year so he could retire knowing he contributed to a Championship team more than Walker, Hunter, Madsen or Medvedenko. :(
MJKTool
06-14-02, 01:57 PM
Originally posted by JCJF10
Me too I just really reeeeeally wish he had a little gas left in the tank for this year so he could retire knowing he contributed to a Championship team more than Walker, Hunter, Madsen or Medvedenko. :(
Mitch did contribute more than those 4, and thats not saying alot, is it.
devilshalo
06-14-02, 04:29 PM
For the Kings, I think it's a matter of signing Bibby. That's the key for them (and as another poster stated, for Webber to show up down the stretch).
The Lakers starting 5 are locked. I just hope they give Richmond's money to Shaw. Really sucked that he was put on waivers and signed to a smaller deal. Please pay Mr. Dependable asap.
With the 3-peat out of the way.. bring on the Quest for Cuatro. :D
JCJF10
06-14-02, 04:45 PM
Originally posted by devilshalo
For the Kings, I think it's a matter of signing Bibby. That's the key for them (and as another poster stated, for Webber to show up down the stretch).
The Lakers starting 5 are locked. I just hope they give Richmond's money to Shaw. Really sucked that he was put on waivers and signed to a smaller deal. Please pay Mr. Dependable asap.
With the 3-peat out of the way.. bring on the Quest for Cuatro. :D
I say bring Shaw back for as long as Shaw wants to come back! :up:
Si Si! Quatro es muy Bueno! :D
MJKTool
06-14-02, 04:47 PM
Originally posted by devilshalo
I just hope they give Richmond's money to Shaw. Really sucked that he was put on waivers and signed to a smaller deal. Please pay Mr. Dependable asap.
Right on! :up::up:
isamu
06-14-02, 09:04 PM
Asking this question is like asking if you'd get a boner watching Anna Kornikova naked!
I am willing to bet any amount of money the Lakers will fourpeat next year GUARANTEED!!! If you have a paypal account email me and we can make a bet right now! I can't to see someone bump this thread at the end of next season and say "HOLY CRAP! Isamu hit the nail right on the head playa!!"
I don't care how good {nut}Sac gets! No one can stop Shack! As long as he's in the league, they will win more rings than they can put on their fingers!
j00 heard it here first Ladies 'n Gents!
BTW...that asian Laker Girl is one of the hottest chicks I've ever seen in my life! Anyone know her name?
devilshalo
06-14-02, 10:31 PM
Originally posted by isamu
BTW...that asian Laker Girl is one of the hottest chicks I've ever seen in my life! Anyone know her name?
I heard she was in some coffee table book ;)
isamu
06-14-02, 10:55 PM
Originally posted by devilshalo
I heard she was in some coffee table book ;)
MORE DETAILS...MORE DETAILS...MORE DETAILS...:D
Or were you just being sarcastic?:(
WhattheFFF
06-14-02, 11:06 PM
nope, next year it's all Kings
The Cow
06-14-02, 11:33 PM
Originally posted by WhattheFFF
nope, next year it's all Kings
The Kings starting 5 :
Buy: