Kidbasketball20
10-09-2014, 06:04 PM
Barring injuries to key players the Lakers will win the season series vs. the Rockets, finish with a better overall season record, or both. It will most certainly will be close. Let's examine the teams:
PG: Lin/Nash vs. Bev
Advantage: Lakers
Not even close. Bev has virtually zero playmaking abilities, and his only offensive weapon is as a spot up 3 shooter. Lin can drive to the basket on a similar level to James Harden (more on in a minute) and is a terrific playmaker.And anyone with a brain knows Bev's D is highly overrated (and Lin's highly underrated). Nash is old, but still will serve as a great mentor and backup playmaker for Lin in terms of minutes.
SG: Bryant vs. Harden
Advantage: Lakers
Kobe looked like a man possessed during the 1st preseason game, and provided he can stay healthy he looks primed for a major bounce back year. Harden may be an All Star caliber stat padder, but his defensive liabilities negate any positives he has on offense by far. He is the worst starting SG in the league defensively, and he will suffer greatly without the help of Lin and Parsons to help with spacing.
SF: Henry/Young vs. Ariza
Advantage: Rockets
The Lakers SF depth is young and athletic, but still needs some time to mesh. Ariza is a proven lock down defender, although limited offensively and a major downgrade from the potential they had with Chandler Parsons. Still this one gives a slight edge to the Rockets.
PF: Boozer/Randle vs. T Jones/D-Mot
Advantage: Lakers
T Jones is an incredibly overrated PF. He looks fantastic against sub par PF's, but was completely out of his depth going against stud PF's like Aldridge during the playoffs or regular season. He is a perennial mediocre PF. The mix of Boozer and Randle is gonna be a major shock to the league. Boozer has a lot to prove, and looks both motivated and in shape to run Pick n Rolls with Lin for the season.
Randle looked pretty solid in his pre season debut, and will undoubtedly be in contention for ROY, or at least be a major help to the Lakers bench.
Center: Hill/Davis vs. Howard/Scrubs
Advantage: Rockets
This goes to the Rockets, but not by much. Hill is an elite rebounder and underrated offensively. His defensive skills need much improvement, but this at 27, his peak might be here. Howard is a beast when he's not being a *****/complaining about calls but his leadership and max deal leave a lot to be desired. While he was one of the few to show up in the playoffs last season, not having Asik around will be a major detriment to the team overall. He has a lot to prove, if not more than Harden.
Coaching: Scott vs. McHale
Advantage: Lakers
McHale is proven to be the worst coach in the league. How he has yet to teach a lick of defense to James Harden over the past 2 years is a mystery to me. The team has no leadership, no team chemistry and was completely outcoached last year in the playoffs. Even moreso than Harden's defense, Kevin McHale is the worst part of the Houston Rockets and is 100% the scapegoat for their future failed season.
Scott is an above average coach who preaches defense. Perfect for this Lakers team.
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Get at me trolls (Cocaine80s, Jameer, SmooveA.), and we'll see who is right in the regular season. :applause: :applause: :applause:
PG: Lin/Nash vs. Bev
Advantage: Lakers
Not even close. Bev has virtually zero playmaking abilities, and his only offensive weapon is as a spot up 3 shooter. Lin can drive to the basket on a similar level to James Harden (more on in a minute) and is a terrific playmaker.And anyone with a brain knows Bev's D is highly overrated (and Lin's highly underrated). Nash is old, but still will serve as a great mentor and backup playmaker for Lin in terms of minutes.
SG: Bryant vs. Harden
Advantage: Lakers
Kobe looked like a man possessed during the 1st preseason game, and provided he can stay healthy he looks primed for a major bounce back year. Harden may be an All Star caliber stat padder, but his defensive liabilities negate any positives he has on offense by far. He is the worst starting SG in the league defensively, and he will suffer greatly without the help of Lin and Parsons to help with spacing.
SF: Henry/Young vs. Ariza
Advantage: Rockets
The Lakers SF depth is young and athletic, but still needs some time to mesh. Ariza is a proven lock down defender, although limited offensively and a major downgrade from the potential they had with Chandler Parsons. Still this one gives a slight edge to the Rockets.
PF: Boozer/Randle vs. T Jones/D-Mot
Advantage: Lakers
T Jones is an incredibly overrated PF. He looks fantastic against sub par PF's, but was completely out of his depth going against stud PF's like Aldridge during the playoffs or regular season. He is a perennial mediocre PF. The mix of Boozer and Randle is gonna be a major shock to the league. Boozer has a lot to prove, and looks both motivated and in shape to run Pick n Rolls with Lin for the season.
Randle looked pretty solid in his pre season debut, and will undoubtedly be in contention for ROY, or at least be a major help to the Lakers bench.
Center: Hill/Davis vs. Howard/Scrubs
Advantage: Rockets
This goes to the Rockets, but not by much. Hill is an elite rebounder and underrated offensively. His defensive skills need much improvement, but this at 27, his peak might be here. Howard is a beast when he's not being a *****/complaining about calls but his leadership and max deal leave a lot to be desired. While he was one of the few to show up in the playoffs last season, not having Asik around will be a major detriment to the team overall. He has a lot to prove, if not more than Harden.
Coaching: Scott vs. McHale
Advantage: Lakers
McHale is proven to be the worst coach in the league. How he has yet to teach a lick of defense to James Harden over the past 2 years is a mystery to me. The team has no leadership, no team chemistry and was completely outcoached last year in the playoffs. Even moreso than Harden's defense, Kevin McHale is the worst part of the Houston Rockets and is 100% the scapegoat for their future failed season.
Scott is an above average coach who preaches defense. Perfect for this Lakers team.
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Get at me trolls (Cocaine80s, Jameer, SmooveA.), and we'll see who is right in the regular season. :applause: :applause: :applause: