2009 Lakers vs 2015 Warriors

[DFish24]

Who takes it in 7?

2009 Lakers (65-17)
G-Derek Fisher
G-Kobe Bryant
F-Trevor Ariza
F-Lamar Odom
C-Pau Gasol
Bench: Bynum, Brown, Walton, Farmar, Vujacic, Powell

2015 Warriors (67-15)
G-Stephen Curry
G-Klay Thompson
F-Harrison Barnes
F-Draymond Green
C-Andrew Bogut
Bench: Iguodala, Livingston, Ezeli, Lee, Speights

[1987_Lakers]

Hmm, I have a hard time seeing Fisher guarding Curry, he would get torched, I see LA switching Ariza on Klay and Kobe on Barnes. Lakers have a better frontline with Gasol & Odom, Warriors have MUCH more depth as a team, that Lakers team didn't really have a bench. I would probably go with the Warriors because of their balance and depth.

I just realized that other than Kobe/Ariza/Gasol that entire Lakers roster is no longer in the NBA, that is pretty creepy considering it's only been 6 years and the Lakers weren't really an old team.

[Cleverness]

Who takes it in 7?

It wouldn't be in 7... Warriors in 5:pimp:

[DMAVS41]

I'd go with the Lakers if I had to...probably too close to call, but they'd have the best player in the series and I think the triangle would control the tempo enough to thwart the Warriors offense of pace and space.

Wouldn't be easy and is probably about as close to a toss up as you get.

[9erempiree]

Lakers easily.

Did you guys not see how close the Cavs were with the injuries?

Lebron doesn't play for the Lakers so Iggy won't be having any big series.

Kobe Bryant. Unstoppable that year. If people thought Lebron had a good series, try guarding Kobe 1on1. Put two or three guys on him and he will find the bigs.

[SexSymbol]

Seems like every time this type of thread is made everybody goes with the older team.
So me too, 09 lakers all the way

[9erempiree]

Mozgov tore them a new one with Lebron.

Pau with Kobe's polished game and ability to shoot anywhere on the court is going to kill that Warriors team.

Plus the Lakers, played a real slow tempo game, half court playoff style ball >>>>> small ball.

[SecondFiddle]

You mindless FOOLS!!! Kobe Bean Bryant would check Curry, resulting in a lot of 4-20 shooting nights for curry. Gasol would destroy Green in the post resulting in GS abandoning the small line up. Ariza would crowd Thompson forcing him off the three point line, resulting in contested 2 pts, instead of open 3 pointers. 2009 Lakers in 5. I'M BRINGING SEXY BACK!!!!!!!

[JohnnySic]

That Lakers front line would crush GS. Warriors better be making their shots, otherwise they lose.

[9erempiree]

The X factor would be Kobe. I don't see anyone on this Warrior team that is going to contain him. If they dare him to shoot, it's over. If they double and triple team him like other teams in the Finals, then he will find the Forwards with his great vision and passing and we are not talking about Lebron kick-outs, we are talking about assisting them in a lay up or dunk.

[Jameerthefear]

Warriors in 7. I think Iggy could stop Kobe enough while the Lakers have no one to guard Curry.

[Xiengqichess]

Not sure who win but for sure the Warriors would not defend Kobe like they did with Lebron.
Or just ask Alwin Gentry.

[raprap]

The Machine will be living rent free on Currys head all series. So Lal in 5.

[Kobe_6/8]

Average Gamescore

20.4 Regular season
17.9 Finals
2015 Curry

19.4 Regular season
22.8 Finals
2009 Kobe

19.7 Regular season
24.6 Finals
2015 LeBron

22.1 Regular season
23.4 Finals
1997 Jordan

20.0 Regular season
21.4 Finals
1998 Jordan

17.1 Regular season
18.2 Finals
2008 Garnett


True veterans know how to turn it up a notch in the playoffs. Let's see Curry do that before we put him on a pedestal.

[TheBigVeto]

Warriors would sweep the Fakers.

[Mr. Jabbar]

neither team has lebron so both could potentially win in a finals series

[Prime_Shaq]

Lakers frontline would eat Warrior's small ball lineup but Curry would light up Fisher so bad and if Ariza has to check Curry then Klay goes off.

[Jacks3]

Prime Kobe destroys whoever they put on him, Pau kills their small-ball lineups. Lakers in 6.

[Fallen Angel]

I'd take the Warriors in 6.

People assume Kobe would lock down Curry but I don't think Kobe can consistently contain Curry with his handles and shooting ability.

On the other hand it would be interesting how the Warriors guard Kobe and who guards him. Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes couldn't contain Kobe in the high post, so eventually in the series they would start Iggy exactly how they did in the 2014 NBA Finals.

If the Warriors were to downsize to contain Kobe and start Iggy then they would be risky and send Bogut to the bench. Harrison Barnes would have the responsibility to guard Lamar Odom and Draymond Green would have to contain Pau Gasol. I don't think even the 2009 Lakers could contain the Warriors on offense because of how their frontcourt would get stretched to the three point line while at the same time the Warriors bigs are able to pass and go off the dribble.

Pau Gasol could get his just like how Timofey Mozgov got his, but Kobe Bryant (just like Lebron) would get the itch to want the ball go through him instead of the man with the obvious mismatch.

The Lakers would play pick and roll defense against Curry and Green the same as how the Cavaliers played it: trap Curry, allow Green the pass, allow him to make the play. Then you add that since the Lakers would play Lamar Odom (not a shotblocking threat) at the PF position then it would be easier for Green to attack the rim at will instead of him dealing with Tristan Thompson (a shotblocking threat).

[PickernRoller]

The Lakers in 6.

[ImKobe]

Warriors have to stay honest on D or they get burnt by Ariza/Pau like the Magic did in 2009, big reason why Kobe has these high assist series is because they focus their defenses on stopping him and it leaves his teammates with wide open looks, which is how Ariza went crazy from deep and Pau was so efficient.

Lakers front court is better, Bogut/Green/Lee can't handle Gasol/Odom/Bynum in a 7 game series. Kobe would torch Klay like he has in his later years.

Guarding Curry isn't that big of a deal. Sure, he'll go off in some games and kill us from deep in the 4th, but it's a waste to put your best defender on him because if he's making 3s, it doesn't matter.

Phil's superior coaching, Kobe's leadership and the talented front court are good enough to beat them.

[ClipperRevival]

I'd take the Warriors in 6.

People assume Kobe would lock down Curry but I don't think Kobe can consistently contain Curry with his handles and shooting ability.

On the other hand it would be interesting how the Warriors guard Kobe and who guards him. Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes couldn't contain Kobe in the high post, so eventually in the series they would start Iggy exactly how they did in the 2014 NBA Finals.

If the Warriors were to downsize to contain Kobe and start Iggy then they would be risky and send Bogut to the bench. Harrison Barnes would have the responsibility to guard Lamar Odom and Draymond Green would have to contain Pau Gasol. I don't think even the 2009 Lakers could contain the Warriors on offense because of how their frontcourt would get stretched to the three point line while at the same time the Warriors bigs are able to pass and go off the dribble.

Pau Gasol could get his just like how Timofey Mozgov got his, but Kobe Bryant (just like Lebron) would get the itch to want the ball go through him instead of the man with the obvious mismatch.

The Lakers would play pick and roll defense against Curry and Green the same as how the Cavaliers played it: trap Curry, allow Green the pass, allow him to make the play. Then you add that since the Lakers would play Lamar Odom (not a shotblocking threat) at the PF position then it would be easier for Green to attack the rim at will instead of him dealing with Tristan Thompson (a shotblocking threat).

Love how you don't even mention a guy as impactful as Bynum. No bias there.