What would prime Kobe and the Lakers do in this Eastern Conference era?

[9erempiree]

I honestly think they go to the Finals every year and knowing what we know, since they did play in the championship, it is possible to win it every year.

We've already seen 20th season Kobe lead the Lakers into the playoffs before tearing his achilles tendon. Imagine what prime Kobe would be doing in this era.

[LJJ]

Which Lakers? Prime Kobe and these Lakers? First round. Prime Kobe second fiddling to prime Shaq? Win the league.

[sportjames23]

I honestly think they go to the Finals every year and knowing what we know, since they did play in the championship, it is possible to win it every year.

We've already seen 20th season Kobe lead the Lakers into the playoffs before tearing his achilles tendon. Imagine what prime Kobe would be doing in this era.


http://i.minus.com/ibt5rkSLZgBum.gif

[HelterSkelter]

Are you seriously trolling at 330 in the morning?



(don't flip it to me, I'm not from the US)

[Cocaine80s]

Lose to Lebron

[aj1987]

Are you seriously trolling at 330 in the morning?



(don't flip it to me, I'm not from the US)
Doubt OP is from California.

To answer OP, since Kobe historically struggles against the East, he'd basically be 2nd round fodder. With Shaq, they'd be like the '60's Celtics.

[9erempiree]

Are you seriously trolling at 330 in the morning?



(don't flip it to me, I'm not from the US)

not trolling but there is a reason why I am considered the greatest member on ISH.

It's my dedication and plus I am enjoying some 805 beer.

[Lebron23]

0 Finals Appearance. Kobe historically struggled against eastern conference team in the NBA Finals.

[PickernRoller]

I honestly think they go to the Finals every year and knowing what we know, since they did play in the championship, it is possible to win it every year.

We've already seen 20th season Kobe lead the Lakers into the playoffs before tearing his achilles tendon. Imagine what prime Kobe would be doing in this era.

Almost guaranteed a Final appearance every-year barring injury since 00 (that includes the Shaq days). Lakers would of solved Detroit's puzzle playing them more and expecting them in the playoffs. Hec it went 6 with everything involved.

[Quickening]

Prime Kobe was missing the playoffs and first round exit

[PickernRoller]

Prime Kobe was missing the playoffs and first round exit

Not in the Eastern conference.

[ImKobe]

Kobe would have 10 titles if he played his career out in the East with the teams he was handed.

Put Lakers and Cavs in separate conferences. Does Lebron even sniff a Finals run without running to Miami? :kobe:

[pauk]

Prime Kobe? You mean like when he was at his best physicaly & statistically etc. meaning between 25 & 29? Well at that age:

2004-05 - Missed Playoffs.
2005-06 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2006-07 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2007-08 - Lost to a East team.

[ISHGoat]

Prime Kobe? You mean like when he was at his best physicaly & statistically etc. meaning between 25 & 29? Well at that age:

2004-05 - Missed Playoffs.
2005-06 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2006-07 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2007-08 - Lost to a East team.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Ether-%28general%29.png/1024px-Ether-%28general%29.png

[G0ATbe]

So 81be gets to team up with:

Clarkson
Randle
Butler
Okafor

Instead of :facepalm Kwame Brown:facepalm and :facepalm Smush Parker:facepalm

And the only thing keeping him from a finals appearance is a team of overpassing role players and the greatest choker of all time?:biggums:

Would be the easiest championship run of Kobes career.

[ImKobe]

Prime Kobe? You mean like when he was at his best physicaly & statistically etc. meaning between 25 & 29? Well at that age:

2004-05 - Missed Playoffs.
2005-06 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2006-07 - Lost 1st round to Suns.
2007-08 - Lost to a East team.

04-05 missed 16 games, Odom was injured as well, new coach and no system, bunch of scrubs with no experience nor skill

05-06 no help outside of Odom, hits the go-ahead shot and another one to put Lakers up 3 with less than 30 seconds to go in Game 6, teammates give up wide open 3 and the better team prevails in the end

06-07 - even worse roster against a Suns team with a healthy Amare, no contest

07-08 lost to a stacked Boston squad with 3 HOFers with Bynum injured, Ariza not in the rotation

[Prometheus]

Almost guaranteed a Final appearance every-year barring injury since 00 (that includes the Shaq days). Lakers would of solved Detroit's puzzle playing them more and expecting them in the playoffs. Hec it went 6 with everything involved.

No it didn't. It was a five game series, and only one of Detroit's wins was close.

The only game the Lakers won was in overtime. LA got absolutely destroyed in that series - it was almost as bad as '14 Spurs/Heat.

[The Iron Fist]

0 Finals Appearance. Kobe historically struggled against eastern conference team in the NBA Finals.
:biggums:

5-2 in the finals is struggling?:facepalm

what is 2-3?

[HOoopCityJones]

:biggums:

5-2 in the finals is struggling?:facepalm

what is 2-3?

The Goat struggle. :confusedshrug:

[Optimus Prime]

Well, the East has been terrible for like 15 years, and Kobe already lost to the Pistons and Celtics so...

13-2 Finals record?

:kobe:

[Cold soul]

Kobe would destroy that conference most likely another ring and few more trips to NBA Finals.

[ShawkFactory]

Well, the East has been terrible for like 15 years, and Kobe already lost to the Pistons and Celtics so...

13-2 Finals record?

:kobe:
11-13 Lakers beat the 11-13 Heat?

They'd likely have one more finals appearance (2003) and that's it. Kobe would be 5 for 8.

Who knows though, the Cavs in 2010 matched up better with the Lakers than with the Celtics so maybe we'd see 4 out of 7 for young Mr. Bryant.

EDIT: They don't make the finals in 2004. So make that 4 for 6. Playing for the East would hurt Kobe and the Lakers over the past 15 years.

EDIT part deaux: They don't make the finals in 2008 either. 4 for for Kobe and the Lakers.

[livinglegend]

:biggums:

5-2 in the finals is struggling?:facepalm

what is 2-3?

He said Kobe, not Lakers.
You should use Kobe stats if you want to make a point.