What is wrong with the Lakers?

[John Corn]

Here's what I dont understand: 7 Laker players' scoring totals are higher than last year, but it's odd, Shaq's totals are down from last season, almost all of them, yet he's the one complaining about the team. Fewer PPG, fewer reb, more TO, more PF, fewer assists, lower FG%, lower FT%......why is HE complaining?

[Mike]

Mr. I make 100 million a year but wait until it's almost training camp to have surgery because he's scared knowing full well that would hurt the team O'neal should not be talking trash about his teammates until a) the real answer comes out on the wait of the surgery (probably because he could wait because he's Shaq and who cares anyway attitude) b) his own numbers improve.

Basically, the whole team sucks. No one is rebounding. Why with three championships seems to be the attitude? Horry is playing "horry"ble. Medevenko (sp?) can't shoot, can't rebound. Madsen is a joke. Basically, the team sucks. We will be lucky to make the playoffs. Even if we do, it's 7th or 8th seed and we get Sacramento, San Antonio or Portland in the 1st round and then that's it. Either Kobe or Shaq should get traded to free up money and get some better players especially from the bench. I vote to trade Shaq even though that would hurt. Kobe is just too young to trade.

[Chris Blount]

The arrogance of the team are catching up to them. Forget about the playoffs. It's already over for them this year.

[Gemini365i]

Maybe the officials are not giving him any more of that "preferred treatment" anymore. You can't trade Shaq, because without him, there will be NO MORE championships for a long time to come!

Kobe can't do it all, even scoring 44 points in a game, The Reason the Lakers have won those championships has been because of Shaquille. Not The coach, SHAQ ALONE!

Without him, it's over already! Next season they will get it together. With Kobe and Shaq, that's the team to beat. Besides, Kobe is just too damn good for the NBA period!

JE

[James_F]

We'll see in April how they look. Until then these guys are just jerking around. I'll tell you this, I wouldn't want to play them in the first round 5 game series.

[Timco]

When I watch them, the things that stand out the most is the lack of defensive pressure and alot of mental mistakes (poor passing, standing around.) Their focus is off and there will be an incident that rallies the troops and they will be back for another run at the championship. You just wait and see.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by James_F
We'll see in April how they look. Until then these guys are just jerking around. I'll tell you this, I wouldn't want to play them in the first round 5 game series.

But James.. don't you have to make the playoffs first??
At the rate their going, doesn't look promising! Last night they looked bad again. And the new uniforms are ugly... :hi:

[Mike]

What was up with the new uni's? They were disgusting.

Last year's 8th place team in the WC playoffs was 44-38. LA Times has been publishing what the Lakers will have to do the rest of the season to equal that mark assuming the 44-38 record is good enough for the playoffs this year or even if it's worse. Lakers would have to go 33-19 now to match that. They will be lucky to be 19-33. Even if the Lakers finish 7th or 8th then they get toasted in the 1st round. Lakers need a major trade by the deadline. You have to free up money. If it's this year or next, it needs to be done. Only way to do that is trade Kobe (to Memphis???) or Shaq back East closer to home in Orlando (if that is where he still lives now that he's married). I can't see the Lakers trading any of those guys within the conference. That would be really stupid! Lakers bench needs help. Not 100 year old Horace Grant or 102 year old Harvey Grant. The Lakers need young talent off of the bench that can compete with the Kings, Sonics and especially Mavericks.

They have no money under the salary cap unless the contracts of the two are restructured or you trade one of the stars. So you keep Kobe and Shaq?? For what reason? To win more championships? Jeanne says okay let's change your contracts to get some quality guys here. If they agree then you can do it. You can't trade Fox or Rush or Fox/Fisher in a trade. For what? Scrap on another bench?? A main star or somewhat main star needs to be traded soon by Mitch and company. I wouldn' t be surprised to see Memphis in the deal somehow.

Lakers stay put then it's just the Clippers in the playoffs come April and the Lakers are home watching more games of another champion of the Angels defend their title in the wacky American League. Lakers will be lucky to win 35 games this year unless something drastic happens.

[Mark Holtz]

(Coming from the closet Kings fan)

Heh. You look at the current records, and even the LA Clippers, who also play at the Staples Center, have a better record than the Lakers. Maybe the Lakers are too dependent on Kobe and Shaq, and don't have a well rounded team.

Look at the other teams in the western conference. Dallas has a good season last year, but noone expected them to take permament residence as the top team in the NBA. The Eastern conference is also coming up stronger this year than last.

I think part of it is also attitude. The Kings are having fun with the game, from the pre-game dance to the community relations. The Maloof brothers, who own the Kings, make themselves available to the media, and, for this past Wednesdays matchup, spent $30,000 for courtside tickets rather than be content with the owners box. They show their support.

But, then again, look at how far teams can rise and fall. The Chicago Bulls ruled the NBA, but ever since the team was dismantled, they have been has-beens.

[James_F]

Originally posted by Chris Blount
The arrogance of the team are catching up to them. Forget about the playoffs. It's already over for them this year.

Originally posted by HarryD


But James.. don't you have to make the playoffs first??

1/2 game behind Houston for 8th place. Again, told you so. :rolleyes:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/standings

[marko]

7 game first round playoff onw, things change quickly.

[Timco]

Slowly but surely, they are winning the games that they should. Kobe was amazing! He is just putting the team on his shoulders and making everyone else look like rookies. Of course, Denver does have alot of rookies.....

[John Corn]

Kobe EXPLODES for 51 in 3 quarters!............:eek:

[James_F]

Gee, might need to get to Vegas and put some money down before the odds go down.