I'm sorry but............. The Lakers are a great team and a contender when healthy

[QUOTE=KG215]I agree. I think the 7 and 8 spots are pretty wide-open (OKC, Spurs, Clippers, Grizz, Rockets, Warriors will finish 1-6 in some order) and the Lakers are one of the teams that can challenge for either spot. But Griff is trying to selling them as contenders and I don't see that being a possibility.[/QUOTE]


injured top to bottom they were a 7th seed

fully healthy theyre a 7th seed?

common man. howard wasnt that much of a difference maker. he was a distraction and a cancer more than he helped this team

nick youngs better than metta

i dont see it

Lakers are definitely more athletic now at the expense of defense though.

No one will ever know how that team could have done last season.

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]you assuming all of the worst possible outcomes is no different than me assuming all of the best possible outcomes[/QUOTE]

Not really, I'm just guessing that old players who have showed significant declines already won't all of a sudden turn back the clock. It usually doesn't happen that way, particularly at 40 like Nash. I've also watched enough basketball to know that when players are well into their 30s and already missing a lot of games due to injuries, it's likely that will continue. It's just a part of aging.

As for Kobe, I'm not making an assumption either way. As I said, wouldn't surprise me if he comes back strong and averages 25, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he shows a significant decline.

[QUOTE]in reality i'm sure there will be set backs next season. but not even half as many as last year. theyel have a better record[/QUOTE]

A better record is possible for best case scenario, I mean they only went 45-37 last season and won't have the same distractions, but I also wouldn't bet on a better record than last season. I don't see this as a 50 win team.

[QUOTE]mettas defense was trash last year and howard gambled and had no timing either on d... they were coasting on rep. the whole team barely defended. they all were lazy on d... i say the less big names you have the more hustle you give. i think this team will take pride this year in giving 100% on defense[/QUOTE]

A D'Antoni team giving 100% defensively is not likely. Even when Pringles had contending teams in Phoenix that wasn't the case. Besides, the Lakers just don't have good defenders. When you don't have a good defensive coach or the personnel, chances are you're going to be bad defensively.

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]injured top to bottom they were a 7th seed

fully healthy theyre a 7th seed?

common man. howard wasnt that much of a difference maker. he was a distraction and a cancer more than he helped this team

nick youngs better than metta

i dont see it[/QUOTE]
And the 6th and 8th seeds from last year got better and will be at least 3-5 games better than they were last year. I think all of those 6 teams (OKC, SAS, LAC, MEM, GSW, HOU) will win 50+ games. I don't think the Lakers are a 50 win team.

So yes, fully healthy they're a 7th seed, and they're certainly not a contender.

[QUOTE=KG215]And the 6th and 8th seeds from last year got better and will be at least 3-5 games better than they were last year. I think all of those 6 teams (OKC, SAS, LAC, MEM, GSW, HOU) will win 50+ games. I don't think the Lakers are a 50 win team.

So yes, fully healthy they're a 7th seed, and they're certainly not a contender.[/QUOTE]


i got it like this

#1 SAS 60 wins
#2 OKC 59 wins
#3 MEM 56 wins
#4 LAC 55 wins
#5 HOU 54 wins
#6 LAL 52 wins
#7 GSW 50 wins
#8 DEN 49 wins

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]i got it like this

#1 SAS 60 wins
#2 OKC 59 wins
#3 MEM 56 wins
#4 LAC 55 wins
#5 HOU 54 wins
#6 LAL 52 wins
#7 GSW 50 wins
#8 DEN 49 wins[/QUOTE]
:oldlol:

Ok, so a 52 win 6th place team is a great team and a contender?

[QUOTE=SpecialQue]They may not be contenders, but I do think this Laker team is a lot better ON PAPER than people are giving it credit for. I'm optimistic. I'll even do an avy bet that they'll be in the playoffs.[/QUOTE]

Bro I thought we wasn't responding to trolls?:facepalm

[QUOTE=KG215]:oldlol:

Ok, so a 52 win 6th place team is a great team and a contender?[/QUOTE]


i said when healthy. i'm predicting 52 wins cause i think theyel have some set backs


if kobe/pau/nash are all healthy come playoff time. theyel be better than their record shows

if they all played the entire season fully healthy with lots of minutes each. they could be a 58-59 win team easy

but they wouldnt make it. they have to play a sanantonio style save their best for last type season

[QUOTE=TheReal Kendall]Bro I thought we wasn't responding to trolls?:facepalm[/QUOTE]

:(

They didn't upgrade at coach or owner.

As long as you have Antoni (no D) and that imbecile Jim Buss, they will sabotage any semblance of a competitive team the Lakers could field. Sorry. Even Kobe isn't enough to overcome that.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILCWwzyIEY[/url]

Kaman and gasol in dantoni's system.... Thats all...

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]i got it like this

#1 SAS 60 wins
#2 OKC 59 wins
#3 MEM 56 wins
#4 LAC 55 wins
#5 HOU 54 wins
#6 LAL 52 wins
#7 GSW 50 wins
#8 DEN 49 wins[/QUOTE]

those wins... kidding me right?

LAL might even land a fortunate 8th seed, Utah is out of the equation so they ll have to battle against Dallas, Portland and Wolves, so i'd say it's pretty open.

Contender? Hell no. Tanking? You won't, so no future star getting to LA.
2014 FA? Just a dream.

Difficult times ahead for you guys.

They will be contenders if Kobe doesn't come back. Nash running the show with Meeks, Young, Gasol and Kaman will be great, but Kobe will ruin the team chemistry with chucking his way to all-time leading scorer.