Lakers 06-07 Season Thread

[Sky]

kobe's got the jimmy arms. you can get that in your arms... like you wouldn't believe.

It really is pretty bad. He did it once and he got dinged, I didn't think he would really do it again. Then, knowing the league was already watching him, he pops Korver in the mouth. This is not smart play from Kome.

Plus the Lakers are dropping like flys and giving Denver and LAC every chance they can get to pass them in the rankings. They're like 3-13 in their last 16 games. WOW

 

[OCBucksFan]

It really is pretty bad. He did it once and he got dinged, I didn't think he would really do it again. Then, knowing the league was already watching him, he pops Korver in the mouth. This is not smart play from Kome.

Plus the Lakers are dropping like flys and giving Denver and LAC every chance they can get to pass them in the rankings. They're like 3-13 in their last 16 games. WOW

There's some problems and honestly, I couldn't even begin to figure out how to fix them. Phil Jackson for all his Zen bullshit doesn't seem to be doing much other than sitting on the side lines with his arms folded across his chest, Kobe Bryant is just going back to old habbits, jack the ball up 40 times a night and hope for the best and the rest of the team seems content to watch the opposing teams do layup practice during games.

Jerry Buss is going to have to do some major changes, I won't say getting rid of Shaq was a foolish idea, but I will say that players who leave the Lakers are having more success than those staying.

 

[Sky]

Well, with Odom out I will admit that puts a big hole in their lineup. And like you said, many of the players brought into fill roll positions aren't panning out. Likewise, Kome is not becoming one of those players that makes his teammates better (kidd, jordan, nash). He gets his fair share of assists but you certainly don't see a mediocre player becoming great under his reign.

They were talking about bringing Pippen back but I haven't heard anything lately. It will be interesting if he comes back but I think this team is beyond saving at this point. They will be lucky to make the playoffs.

 

[OCBucksFan]

I don't see how Pippen will help, the major problem is the horrible contract situations they are in. I think they have 2 contracts that expire in the next couple years and one of them is Luke, a player we should keep.

There's been a lot of opportunities, but Buss doesn't want to go into the luxury tax, however, with people like Cuban out there he's going to need to if he wants to constantly compete for a championship. Living in Orange County, I have watched the Lakers since we moved here 20 years ago, and in that time there's expectations of any Lakers team. I don't think they should win it every year but I do think they should be a threat, and at this point they aren't, they are a bad basketball team with very little hope in the playoffs.

When Like and Odom get back hopefully we'll see some better basketball, however at this point, they are bad. I also don't see how two players returning is going to make them start playing defense again.

 

[Flocka]

Kobe should join UFC.

 

[Sky]

I don't see how Pippen will help, the major problem is the horrible contract situations they are in. I think they have 2 contracts that expire in the next couple years and one of them is Luke, a player we should keep.

There's been a lot of opportunities, but Buss doesn't want to go into the luxury tax, however, with people like Cuban out there he's going to need to if he wants to constantly compete for a championship. Living in Orange County, I have watched the Lakers since we moved here 20 years ago, and in that time there's expectations of any Lakers team. I don't think they should win it every year but I do think they should be a threat, and at this point they aren't, they are a bad basketball team with very little hope in the playoffs.

When Like and Odom get back hopefully we'll see some better basketball, however at this point, they are bad. I also don't see how two players returning is going to make them start playing defense again.

Frankly I wonder what happened to this team. Starting about two weeks before the AllStar game they turned to crap. They have lost a lot of close games and I'll agree that one or two players is not going to make the difference. It has to be a team decision with the majority of your bench players contributing (on one end of the court or the other).

Also, how come Buss is unwilling to go into the luxury tax? It isn't like they don't have the revenues to cover the overage and that town falls in love (all over again) every time they do well. To me, it would be a much more financially beneficial decision to drop some big bucks on another player. Kidd might have been good but I thought a bigger PF or C would have been the real key to the equation.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Frankly I wonder what happened to this team. Starting about two weeks before the AllStar game they turned to crap. They have lost a lot of close games and I'll agree that one or two players is not going to make the difference. It has to be a team decision with the majority of your bench players contributing (on one end of the court or the other).

Also, how come Buss is unwilling to go into the luxury tax? It isn't like they don't have the revenues to cover the overage and that town falls in love (all over again) every time they do well. To me, it would be a much more financially beneficial decision to drop some big bucks on another player. Kidd might have been good but I thought a bigger PF or C would have been the real key to the equation.

True, they were doing very good prior to the all star break, they were what? 13 games over 500? And a force. Now they are two games over 500 and 4 games from being knocked out of the playoffs all together.

Another thing, I understand how valuable a 7'+ center is in the league but it still doesn't make sense why Bynum is so untradable.

As for the Luxury Tax, be happy, Buss used to be all about not going over the Salary Cap, now at least he's learned he has to get around that. I think his opinion is that he's never had to go over before, why should he now. Part of me agrees with that but part of me also realizes there are other teams who will pay whatever it takes to win. In the past that hasn't mattered but now I don't see anyone stopping the Mavericks.

 

[Sky]

True, they were doing very good prior to the all star break, they were what? 13 games over 500? And a force. Now they are two games over 500 and 4 games from being knocked out of the playoffs all together.


Another thing, I understand how valuable a 7'+ center is in the league but it still doesn't make sense why Bynum is so untradable.


As for the Luxury Tax, be happy, Buss used to be all about not going over the Salary Cap, now at least he's learned he has to get around that. I think his opinion is that he's never had to go over before, why should he now. Part of me agrees with that but part of me also realizes there are other teams who will pay whatever it takes to win. In the past that hasn't mattered but now I don't see anyone stopping the Mavericks.

You got it right when you say the Mavs are doing whatever it takes. But on the Bynum issue, Buss must forecast something great to not trade him away. While I don't think Kidd would have helped the Lakers win the championship this year I also think Kidd would have made the team a lot better than Bynum is making it. Granted, we have to give the kid time to progress but frankly, I don't see it in him yet.

I heard an interview with Kareem a few weeks ago and he said Bynum is going to be the next dominant center but I don't know what is convincing him of that. Yes maybe he has the fundamentals and learns quickly and shows great potential but there are dozens of big men out there who had the same predictions made of them. This is why the NBAs rule is so necessary. Just imagine if Bynum had gone to college (even if only for one year). He could have used, practiced, and developed his skills in a much more teachable environment.

Instead, by entering the NBA, he is facing such a steep learning curve that any fulfillment is way down the line in his career. I know Kome, KG, and the like turned out to be great picks they are the definite minority.

 

[OCBucksFan]

If they make the Kidd deal and get past the first round of the playoffs fans see progress, and that's good. They didn't make the trade and if they have another 6 game skid they are likely to miss the playoffs all together, that's not progress and pisses off the fans :(

I will say I have faith in Buss, all franchises have down years and we've had a few in a row but prior to that we had a few great years. Buss has always done everything in his power to get a championship to LA, I have no doubt he will do so again, I just get frustrated seeing this Laker team playing without pride or desire.

 

[Sky]

If they make the Kidd deal and get past the first round of the playoffs fans see progress, and that's good. They didn't make the trade and if they have another 6 game skid they are likely to miss the playoffs all together, that's not progress and pisses off the fans :(

I will say I have faith in Buss, all franchises have down years and we've had a few in a row but prior to that we had a few great years. Buss has always done everything in his power to get a championship to LA, I have no doubt he will do so again, I just get frustrated seeing this Laker team playing without pride or desire.

I really dislike Kobe but I feel for you man. The Lakers are a great part of the NBA and when they are down there is less excitment in the league.

 

[Sky]

Man OC, what happened last night. They finally got Odom and Walton back and they still played like crap.

I really figured with all of this NBA vs. Kobe crap he would have gone off and drop 50 or 60 on some team. Instead, it looks like he might be going the other way.

 

[Sky]

Man OC, what happened last night. They finally got Odom and Walton back and they still played like crap.

I really figured with all of this NBA vs. Kobe crap he would have gone off and drop 50 or 60 on some team. Instead, it looks like he might be going the other way.

And there it is

 

[OCBucksFan]

And there it is

Hehe, yeah, him dropping 65 Saturday was nice to watch, I hate it when our games come down to that however, due to the fact that it just turns into people passing to Kobe instead of taking wide open shots.

Yesterdays game was a result of that, granted the Lakers won, but they probably shouldn't have. They were up by like 16 going into the fourth quarter but started just trying stupid shots. Kobe started getting double teamed and the rest of the team couldn't buy a basket.

But a win is a win and after our recent record I'll take what I can get

 

[Sky]

Hehe, yeah, him dropping 65 Saturday was nice to watch, I hate it when our games come down to that however, due to the fact that it just turns into people passing to Kobe instead of taking wide open shots.

Yesterdays game was a result of that, granted the Lakers won, but they probably shouldn't have. They were up by like 16 going into the fourth quarter but started just trying stupid shots. Kobe started getting double teamed and the rest of the team couldn't buy a basket.

But a win is a win and after our recent record I'll take what I can get

Thats a good point. It really doesn't improve your team. While it must be something to watch him go off and drop 40,50, or 60 throughout the season I don't think it helps the team.

Everyone loves to have a player like that but you hope he doesn't have to do that too many times in a season. I think it hamstrings any development by the younger players and reduces the chemistry between your team. It isn't like the Lakers won...but instead, Kobe won. Frankly, Odom is the only player complete enough and old enough to not be phased by that IMO. I think the other players probably come to a point where they don't have to deal with the pressure to come through in the clutch and therefore never develope that mindset.

They will probably make the playoffs but the Lakers need another player to make this a real team. Someone who can help Kobe but also help create an environment where everyone can work and succeed together.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Thats a good point. It really doesn't improve your team. While it must be something to watch him go off and drop 40,50, or 60 throughout the season I don't think it helps the team.

Everyone loves to have a player like that but you hope he doesn't have to do that too many times in a season. I think it hamstrings any development by the younger players and reduces the chemistry between your team. It isn't like the Lakers won...but instead, Kobe won. Frankly, Odom is the only player complete enough and old enough to not be phased by that IMO. I think the other players probably come to a point where they don't have to deal with the pressure to come through in the clutch and therefore never develope that mindset.

They will probably make the playoffs but the Lakers need another player to make this a real team. Someone who can help Kobe but also help create an environment where everyone can work and succeed together.

Agreed, and it won't help that much when they get to playoffs. I think Luke Walton has gotten too comfortable with that style as well, he's always looking to pass to Kobe even when he has the opportunity to shoot.

Odom may be mentally mature enough to handle this but if you look at how he played at the beginning of the season when Bryant was out you'll see that he's a totally different player now. His production drops so much when Kobe is on the court and it's frustrating. However, I didn't come into this year with real high expectations.

Have we improved over last year? I feel we have but not much, last year was 100% the Kobe show, this year is about 75% the Kobe show.

So we're moving forward which I am optimistic about. Odds are we'll be out of the playoffs after the first round, but it gives the fans and ownership a better idea of what changes need to occur.