How come nobody talks about how easy the 2009 Lakers playoff run was?

[Lensanity]

With all the criticism of LeBron easily steamroll ing a weak Eastern conference why is there never any mention of the 2009 Lakers? That had to be the weakest championship run in NBA history, no?

They faced a mediocre 2nd seed Denver team in the WCF with minimal firepower outside of Melo. Then they faced a cupcake Magic team in the Finals led by Dwight Howard and Hedo ****ing Turkeyglue. If KG didn't get hurt the Celticd would have steamrolled through the playoffs and beaten the Lakers in 5 or 6 games.

This is an asterisk championship. The league was unbelievably pathetic. The 2000 championship was rigged (Portland got screwed), 2002 was obviously rigged, 2009 was a cakewalk and 2010 was rigged. Kobes only authentic ring was 2001, and that was thanks to Shaq.

What a fraud :lol

[Droid101]

With all the criticism of LeBron easily steamroll ing a weak Eastern conference why is there never any mention of the 2009 Lakers? That had to be the weakest championship run in NBA history, no?

They faced a mediocre 2nd seed Denver team in the WCF with minimal firepower outside of Melo. Then they faced a cupcake Magic team in the Finals led by Dwight Howard and Hedo ****ing Turkeyglue. If KG didn't get hurt the Celticd would have steamrolled through the playoffs and beaten the Lakers in 5 or 6 games.

This is an asterisk championship. The league was unbelievably pathetic. The 2000 championship was rigged (Portland got screwed), 2002 was obviously rigged, 2009 was a cakewalk and 2010 was rigged. Kobes only authentic ring was 2001, and that was thanks to Shaq.

What a fraud :lol
Let me guess, you were what, about 7 at the time?

That Denver team was really, really good. And the Magic boasted the best D in the league (that's what wins championships, right?).

Anyway, you were too young to understand.

[JohnnySic]

1987 Lakers had the weakest run. Beat 3 shiit teams out west and then and then an injury decimated Celtics team in the Finals.

The '08-'10 period was weird. The only team capable of beating those Lakers teams in a series was the Celtics with a healthy KG, which they didn't have after '08. The Magic could not, the Cavs sure as hell could not, and no team out west could.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Who has beaten more 50+ win playoff teams?

Kobe during the 2009 season

or

Lebron during his entire career

:confusedshrug:

[GimmeThat]

Because there's no such thing as a prime Kobe.

[Mr. Jabbar]

2010 was not only in the west but they faced one of the best defensive teams ever in the 2010 celtics. kobe is proven champ, unlike lejoinme

[AirBourne92]

that 09 team had less depth than any team in recent history

kobe is like a chess master war general on the court


he knows how to maximize his roster and win

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Not to mention prime LeBron was one lucky shot away from getting swept by that "cupcake" Magic team.

:oldlol:

[Genaro]

Lakers beat Jazz 48 wins, Rockets 53 wins, Nuggets 54 wins and Magic 59 wins.
Enough said.

[Droid101]

Lakers beat Jazz 48 wins, Rockets 53 wins, Nuggets 54 wins and Magic 59 wins.
Enough said.
Nuggets win total was super deflated too. Melo missed almost 20 games, and they traded for Billups half way through the season, and they improved by every metric after the trade. Full season of Billups and Melo that year and their record would have been even better.

[tpols]

Because half of ish wasn't even born yet

[Akrazotile]

Nuggets win total was super deflated too. Melo missed almost 20 games, and they traded for Billups half way through the season, and they improved by every metric after the trade. Full season of Billups and Melo that year and their record would have been even better.


Check Melo's career stats and numbers in the playoffs.

Beating a Melo team in the playoffs is not exactly a crowning achievement.

[Droid101]

Check Melo's career stats and numbers in the playoffs.

Typical response from the failed extra. How's the bankruptcy going? Mama still paying your bills?

That team was very good. Just because Carmelo hasn't been on any good teams since is irrelevant.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Check Melo's career stats and numbers in the playoffs.

Beating a Melo team in the playoffs is not exactly a crowning achievement.

http://i.imgur.com/LJmAadu.png

:confusedshrug:

[Legends66NBA7]

I remember how many people (online, not here exactly) were picking the Nuggets and Magic to win. Both were better than their record would indicate.

What if Jameer Nelson never got hurt ? You got 3 all-stars and Hedo playing out of his mind. bench was pretty good too. Nuggets were the 2nd best team in the playoffs, very potent team offensively and off the bench. Very good bigs too. Rockets situation was unfortunate, though. That would have been a great series if T-Mac and Yao weren't hurt.

[ClipperRevival]

2009 Nuggets were a very good team. Some experts thought they would beat LA. Melo was on a roll prior to that series.

And LA might've faced Lebron in the finals but they got upset by the Magic. So you have to call it like it is. LA beat who got to the dance.

[The Iron Fist]

Gasol and Fisher were the only other consistent starters. The rest, lol. Even having Derek Fisher as your starting point guard is a joke.

Thats why.

[Droid101]

2009 Nuggets were a very good team. Some experts thought they would beat LA. Melo was on a roll prior to that series.

Yessir.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FrvPKHvHcKg/VUKplUXMvJI/AAAAAAAAunU/rhSiLkQDnNc/w308-h336-no/Ca1pture.PNG

****ing Abbott. Kobe living rent free in his little mind forever now.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZYWIzimcQQ/VUKpq3x6W3I/AAAAAAAAun4/fzMccggAwmI/w307-h342-no/Capture.PNG

[ClipperRevival]

Gasol and Fisher were the only other consistent starters. The rest, lol. Even having Derek Fisher as your starting point guard is a joke.

Thats why.

You are kidding right? Ariza was huge for us in the 2009 playoffs and so was Odom, playing some of the best ball of his career. What Laker fan can forget the 2 steals Ariza got against Denver?

[Real14]

Mods?

[kennethgriffin]

1st round - utah jazz 48 wins
2nd round - houston rockets 53 wins
3rd round - denver nuggets 54 wins
4th round - orlando magic 59 wins


basically 4 teams with 50 wins



in one playoff run



meanwhile in lebrons entire 12 year career hes beatin 5 total

[kennethgriffin]

and 2010

1st round - okc thunder 50 wins
2nd round - utah jazz 53 wins
3rd round - phoenix suns 54 wins
4th round - boston celtics 50 wins


also 1 less than lebrons entire career

[J Shuttlesworth]

On a side subject, the Warriors might have an easy route to the WCF. Pelicans? Playoff virgins. Grizzlies without Conley? Meh... they're basically getting a free ride to the WCF unless conley is able to come back 100%

[Showtime2001]

With all the criticism of LeBron easily steamroll ing a weak Eastern conference why is there never any mention of the 2009 Lakers? That had to be the weakest championship run in NBA history, no?

They faced a mediocre 2nd seed Denver team in the WCF with minimal firepower outside of Melo. Then they faced a cupcake Magic team in the Finals led by Dwight Howard and Hedo ****ing Turkeyglue. If KG didn't get hurt the Celticd would have steamrolled through the playoffs and beaten the Lakers in 5 or 6 games.

This is an asterisk championship. The league was unbelievably pathetic. The 2000 championship was rigged (Portland got screwed), 2002 was obviously rigged, 2009 was a cakewalk and 2010 was rigged. Kobes only authentic ring was 2001, and that was thanks to Shaq.

What a fraud :lol
http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/76/76977c629c67bf3a50e1cf426821ff9340f228f0074b2d0931 1ab03c24d80e61.jpg

[Optimus Prime]

Apr 2015

Please don't feed the troll alt.

:facepalm

[Optimus Prime]

Yessir.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FrvPKHvHcKg/VUKplUXMvJI/AAAAAAAAunU/rhSiLkQDnNc/w308-h336-no/Ca1pture.PNG

****ing Abbott. Kobe living rent free in his little mind forever now.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZYWIzimcQQ/VUKpq3x6W3I/AAAAAAAAun4/fzMccggAwmI/w307-h342-no/Capture.PNG

Abbot is like what would happen if an ISH LeBeta Stan got to write on ESPN.

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[Bosnian Sajo]

Nuggets win total was super deflated too. Melo missed almost 20 games, and they traded for Billups half way through the season, and they improved by every metric after the trade. Full season of Billups and Melo that year and their record would have been even better.

What are you talking about? They traded for Billups 3 games into the season. He was in Denver for 80 games.

[Hey Yo]

Why is Orlando's "number 1 defense" and their W-L record brought up from Lakers fans now when all we hear from them and Western Conference fans how weak the East has been over the years?

So now all of a sudden Kobe stans want to point to how tough an out the Magic were, but at the same time say the Cavs and LeBron choked against the same team?

Contradict much?

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Why is Orlando's "number 1 defense" and their W-L record brought up from Lakers fans now when all we hear from them and Western Conference fans how weak the East has been over the years?

So now all of a sudden Kobe stans want to point to how tough an out the Magic were, but at the same time say the Cavs and LeBron choked against the same team?

Contradict much?

The East as a whole were weak
The Cavs did choke
The Magic did have the #1 defense

All three statements are true :confusedshrug:

[Magic 32]

2009 Nuggets were very very good.

Allthough what I remember most from that series was Dahntay Jones trying to injure Kobe every other game.

[Droid101]

What are you talking about? They traded for Billups 3 games into the season. He was in Denver for 80 games.
My bad, selective memory. Melo still missed 16 games.

[ArbitraryWater]

It was easy.... people should be open to admit it.

****ing Boozer/Williams Jazz.... Artest Rockets (lmao), Melo with his only WCF ever, then one of the worst finals teams ever...

no hate though. Lets stay classy.

[Hey Yo]

The East as a whole were weak
The Cavs did choke
The Magic did have the #1 defense

All three statements are true :confusedshrug:
Thanks for another example.

[the_troof]

Boston was 27-2 at one point that year
Would've hammered LA in the finals if KG never gets hurt

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Thanks for another example.

of your lack of reading comprehension?

Specifically what is the contradiction?

:confusedshrug:

[COnDEMnED]

People on this board were saying "Orlando swept Lakers in regular season, easy Orlando championship". It only became "easy" when people on this board realized they were stupid and guessed wrong. That series was closer than many like to admit. One or two avoided bonehead plays and the Orlando magic would have been tied 2-2 or up 3-2. (Choked Dwert free-throws, missed inbounds dunk by Courtney Lee, giving Derek Fisher enough room to make a Hail Mary three at the end of the game).
Meanwhile......
http://http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag241/Anonymous_camo/jameer2_zpse7e2590b.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/Anonymous_camo/media/jameer2_zpse7e2590b.jpg.html)
http://http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag241/Anonymous_camo/Jameer1_zps303920be.jpg (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/Anonymous_camo/media/Jameer1_zps303920be.jpg.html)

[Optimus Prime]

2009 Nuggets beat the "best PG of his generation" Chris Paul by 58 points in the playoffs, tying an NBA record for a whooping.

But dat easy run doe.

:durantunimpressed:

[JUDGE WITNESS]

2010 was not only in the west but they faced one of the best defensive teams ever in the 2010 celtics. kobe is proven champ, unlike lejoinme

you a fool man but you funny as hell :lol :lol

[TheMarkMadsen]

2009 Nuggets beat the "best PG of his generation" Chris Paul by 58 points in the playoffs, tying an NBA record for a whooping.

But dat easy run doe.

:durantunimpressed:

i see multiple posters ITT calling the Nuggets week who are same people in the Chris Paul threads saying shit like

"how is da 2nd best point guard eva supposed to beat dat Nuggets team doe, dey was too good, he was expected to loose"

[MiseryCityTexas]

With all the criticism of LeBron easily steamroll ing a weak Eastern conference why is there never any mention of the 2009 Lakers? That had to be the weakest championship run in NBA history, no?

They faced a mediocre 2nd seed Denver team in the WCF with minimal firepower outside of Melo. Then they faced a cupcake Magic team in the Finals led by Dwight Howard and Hedo ****ing Turkeyglue. If KG didn't get hurt the Celticd would have steamrolled through the playoffs and beaten the Lakers in 5 or 6 games.

This is an asterisk championship. The league was unbelievably pathetic. The 2000 championship was rigged (Portland got screwed), 2002 was obviously rigged, 2009 was a cakewalk and 2010 was rigged. Kobes only authentic ring was 2001, and that was thanks to Shaq.

What a fraud :lol

Don't forget an already past his prime in his early 30s dues to a max contract, and instantly became a scrub after he left the roids alone Rashard Lewis.

[DMAVS41]

Because half of ish wasn't even born yet

:applause:

[EllEffEll]

Rockets situation was unfortunate, though. That would have been a great series if T-Mac and Yao weren't hurt.

It was a great series, at least from my perspective ;~) As it was, Commander Chuck gave the Lakers fits at 6'6". Lakers would have really had their hands full with a healthy Yao. That series made me want Artest on the Lakers, and then. . . . . :pimp:

2008/09 was the beginning of the end for McGrady.

I was OK with the fact that Houston knocked out the Trailblazers in the first round. The Lakers had matchup problems with Portland, and Portland had their number even more when playing in Portland.

[plowking]

Lakers beat Jazz 48 wins, Rockets 53 wins, Nuggets 54 wins and Magic 59 wins.
Enough said.

Can I just mention a few things?

Okur was injured for the Jazz, and he was a big part of their success. Clearly they aren't as good as 48 win team without him. The guy was putting up 17/8, their second leading scorer, and their best 3 point shooter.

Secondly, the Rockets were missing both Yao Ming for 4 games and Tracy McGrady that series against the Lakers.

The only healthy team they beat was the Nuggets, and then they faced one of the worst finals opponents outside of the 07 Cavs in years.


Is that a fair assessment?

[Lebron23]

Put the 2012 Miami Heat in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. They are going to destroy the western conference, and the 2009 Orlando Magic in the playoffs.

[plowking]

The East as a whole were weak
The Cavs did choke
The Magic did have the #1 defense

All three statements are true :confusedshrug:

Not exactly.

The Magic had a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers.

Magic beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals.

That isn't really debatable.

Since this is clearly a comparison thread, do the 2012 Heat beat all the teams that the Lakers beat to advance to the finals in 09?

[sportjames23]

Let me guess, you were what, about 7 at the time?

That Denver team was really, really good. And the Magic boasted the best D in the league (that's what wins championships, right?).

Anyway, you were too young to understand.


:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[sportjames23]

Who has beaten more 50+ win playoff teams?

Kobe during the 2009 season

or

Lebron during his entire career

:confusedshrug:


Ouch.

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

2009 Western Conference was easy? You idiot.

[plowking]

Ouch.

I don't get it since the answer is Bron.

[Doranku]

Not exactly.

The Magic had a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers.

Magic beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals.

That isn't really debatable.

Since this is clearly a comparison thread, do the 2012 Heat beat all the teams that the Lakers beat to advance to the finals in 09?

So the '09 Magic were "one of the worst finals opponents in years", yet they were able to beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals and had "a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers".

Man, they must've gotten super lucky!

[plowking]

So the '09 Magic were "one of the worst finals opponents in years", yet they were able to beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals and had "a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers".

Man, they must've gotten super lucky!

Well that is the logic people use when they say that Bron hasn't beat 50 win teams. Most of them get knocked out too early. Not his fault.

[monkeypox]

Well that is the logic people use when they say that Bron hasn't beat 50 win teams. Most of them get knocked out too early. Not his fault.

The fact that LeBron only beats Kobe by one or so is why it's an ouch. You consider on top of that when you adjust the season records to reflect the strength of the conference, some of LeBron's 50+ teams drop below 50, while some of Kobe's sub 50 teams go above 50. Specifically when you consider that the weak East teams get to play each other more often vs the West teams. When you adjust for that... it's even more of an ouch.

[Doranku]

Well that is the logic people use when they say that Bron hasn't beat 50 win teams. Most of them get knocked out too early. Not his fault.
:biggums:

I'm pretty sure that's literally never happened. Like ever. :oldlol:

[livinglegend]

Lakers beat Jazz 48 wins, Rockets 53 wins, Nuggets 54 wins and Magic 59 wins.
Enough said.

Jazz and Rockets had huge injuries.
Actually, Rockets would beat them if fully healthy.
Nuggets had a career loser leading them.
Magic were inexperienced.

[livinglegend]

The fact that LeBron only beats Kobe by one or so is why it's an ouch. You consider on top of that when you adjust the season records to reflect the strength of the conference, some of LeBron's 50+ teams drop below 50, while some of Kobe's sub 50 teams go above 50. Specifically when you consider that the weak East teams get to play each other more often vs the West teams. When you adjust for that... it's even more of an ouch.

Are you retarded? The playoffs are about matchups, regular season wins don't mean a lot.
How many wins did 2010 Celtics have in regular season?

[Ne 1]

Seriously? The '09 Nuggets were arguably the most talented team in the league, they gave the Lakers a good series and beat Dallas despite Dirk playing incredibly well. The '09 Rockets were also a deep team stacked with talent, took the Lakers to 7 games without McGrady or Yao for half the games. That shows you how deep that team was.
Aaron Brooks/Kyle Lowry
Tracy McGrady/Shane Battier
Ron Artest/Shane Battier
Luis Scola/Carl Landry
Yao Ming/Dikembe Mutombo

[ArbitraryWater]

Seriously? The '09 Nuggets were arguably the most talented team in the league, they gave the Lakers a good series and beat Dallas despite Dirk playing incredibly well. The '09 Rockets were also a deep team stacked with talent, took the Lakers to 7 games without McGrady or Yao for half the games. That shows you how deep that team was.
Aaron Brooks/Kyle Lowry
Tracy McGrady/Shane Battier
Ron Artest/Shane Battier
Luis Scola/Carl Landry
Yao Ming/Dikembe Mutombo

Dallas was a one-man-show, Dirk played out of his mind with zero support, if not for the refs missing the foul to end game 3, that series would have gone 6-7 games, even...

please, the Rockets were missing Yao and Ariza, they were absolutely undermatched and took them to 7.. why do you even list those guys? Pathetic. You can admit it.... its okay.

[livinglegend]

Seriously? The '09 Nuggets were arguably the most talented team in the league, they gave the Lakers a good series and beat Dallas despite Dirk playing incredibly well. The '09 Rockets were also a deep team stacked with talent, took the Lakers to 7 games without McGrady or Yao for half the games. That shows you how deep that team was.
Aaron Brooks/Kyle Lowry
Tracy McGrady/Shane Battier
Ron Artest/Shane Battier
Luis Scola/Carl Landry
Yao Ming/Dikembe Mutombo

They were also missing Mutumbo in the last portion of the series.
If you take away T-Mac, Yao and Mutumbo, this is barely a 30 wins team.
And nuggets were not the most talented team in the league.
As long as you have Melo leading your team, your team sucks.

[ClipperRevival]

Not exactly.

The Magic had a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers.

Magic beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals.

That isn't really debatable.

Since this is clearly a comparison thread, do the 2012 Heat beat all the teams that the Lakers beat to advance to the finals in 09?

And that's why it's not fair to call the Magic a weak finals team. They beat supposedly sexier and superior teams in the playoffs and EARNED their right to be there.

[HOoopCityJones]

I don't get it since the answer is Bron.

Only in his stans delusional mind. :roll:

[Eric Cartman]

Not understanding why people call that Magic team weak.

They beat Boston and Cleveland back to back.

Prime Dwight surrounded by elite shooters, plus Hedo with some of the best playmaking seen in the 21st century.

[Legends66NBA7]

Not understanding why people call that Magic team weak.

They beat Boston and Cleveland back to back.

Prime Dwight surrounded by elite shooters, plus Hedo with some of the best playmaking seen in the 21st century.

And they didn't have Jameer Nelson either during those wins, who was playing his best basketball before the injury.

IIRC, some thought the Magic would win the chip because of what happened in the head to head regular season matchup. I think it would have been a lot closer in the Finals if Nelson played at full strength

[BlackWhiteGreen]

So the '09 Magic were "one of the worst finals opponents in years", yet they were able to beat two 60+ win teams on the road to the finals and had "a far harder run to the finals than the Lakers".

Man, they must've gotten super lucky!

Like the best team in the league losing their best player and STILL only losing to the Magic in 7? Something like that?