Nanz
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:27:34 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 5, 2008 22:27:34 GMT -5
Tonight was Pau Gasol's debut as a Laker and its was pretty impressive as the Lakers won by 15 against the Nets. He scored 24 Pts (10-15 shooting) 12 Rebs, 4 assists on a night where Kobe was held to only 6 points.Cant wait for Bynum's return to the lineup, they are gonna OWN!!!!
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steve
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Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:32:40 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 5, 2008 22:32:40 GMT -5
It really worries me, as a lifelong Laker-hater I can't stand to see them do well. But with Kobe-Pau-Bynum, I'm afraid they might become the 2nd best team in the NBA behind Phoenix. That might even be challenged.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:41:51 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 5, 2008 22:41:51 GMT -5
The Lakers are the best team right now with the addition of Pau Gasol. Only the spurs should be ranked ahead of them and they havent been playing well but they are the Spurs. The lakers this season are 2-1 againts the Suns and that one loss came when bynum was already hurt. Now they add Gasol... i dont know how you could say that the suns are better than the lakers even now with bynum out .
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:42:36 GMT -5
Post by Dan on Feb 5, 2008 22:42:36 GMT -5
They will probably win the west. I am not a Laker hater, so this does not bother me. Knicks suck, what ever.
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:42:50 GMT -5
Post by aaronjh on Feb 5, 2008 22:42:50 GMT -5
I think it's too early to rank anyone ahead of anyone in the West. Bynum's healing behind schedule, but the Lakers figure to be pretty damn awesome if he can return. I wouldn't put Phoenix above Utah, San Antonio, New Orleans or Dallas. Dallas was looking amazing until the Detroit game. Lots of teams have the speed or size to play with Phoenix right now. I think they caught onto that and that's a big reason why they (idiotically) are considering adding Shaq. But I would never consider Phoenix the best team in the West right now. Great regular season team always, but they look completely vulnerable this year.
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 22:44:04 GMT -5
Post by aaronjh on Feb 5, 2008 22:44:04 GMT -5
I mean, just look: Phoenix is 14-12 vs. the West. They're just not elite in their conference at all anymore.
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PB
Starter
Houston Astros
"I always thought trains were safer than planes..."
Posts: 767
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:00:08 GMT -5
Post by PB on Feb 5, 2008 23:00:08 GMT -5
Lakers are 18-8 in their own conference, there's a lot to be said about that. We'll have to wait and see if Bynum is the same player after his injury.
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PB
Starter
Houston Astros
"I always thought trains were safer than planes..."
Posts: 767
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:02:03 GMT -5
Post by PB on Feb 5, 2008 23:02:03 GMT -5
Lebron had a great game against the Garnettless Celtics; almost a triple double.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:15:34 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 5, 2008 23:15:34 GMT -5
Pau Gasol.. does anyone understand what this guy brings to the table? i mean please lets add an all star who goes out and gives you prety much 20 and 10 everynight. Lakers are great and they were 17-5 before Bymun got hurt in theri conference AND without Gasol. Please even without Bynum right now they are still better than suns and a top team in the conference.
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steve
Starter
Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:16:29 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 5, 2008 23:16:29 GMT -5
I know the records don't line up, and I could easily be wrong. But just by watching Steve Nash and the Suns, I would see them beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. Of course it's not really worth debating right now, we have no idea what will happen. Who knows, maybe Eli Manning and the Giants will win the finals.
As for the Spurs, they are playing uninspired basketball and I don't see them making any kind of run. They usually have a "down" year after winning the finals, and this is what I see happening to them right now.
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steve
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Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:17:11 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 5, 2008 23:17:11 GMT -5
But yes the addition of Gasol to the lineup is very intimidating.
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:23:27 GMT -5
Post by aaronjh on Feb 5, 2008 23:23:27 GMT -5
I know the records don't line up, and I could easily be wrong. But just by watching Steve Nash and the Suns, I would see them beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. Of course it's not really worth debating right now, we have no idea what will happen. Who knows, maybe Eli Manning and the Giants will win the finals. As for the Spurs, they are playing uninspired basketball and I don't see them making any kind of run. They usually have a "down" year after winning the finals, and this is what I see happening to them right now. Lakers took the Suns to 7 two years ago, even though last year wasn't as great. Still, I see them as a better team.
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Nanz
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 5, 2008 23:33:21 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 5, 2008 23:33:21 GMT -5
I know the records don't line up, and I could easily be wrong. But just by watching Steve Nash and the Suns, I would see them beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. Of course it's not really worth debating right now, we have no idea what will happen. Who knows, maybe Eli Manning and the Giants will win the finals. As for the Spurs, they are playing uninspired basketball and I don't see them making any kind of run. They usually have a "down" year after winning the finals, and this is what I see happening to them right now. Lakers took the Suns to 7 two years ago, even though last year wasn't as great. Still, I see them as a better team. The giants reference is not really fear considering its a one elimination game ,where anything can really happen,not a 7 game series. The suns have nobody and i mean nobody that can stop either Gasol or Bynum yet alone both. Not to mention the lakers have so much depth in every position while the suns have pretty much just barbosa. Also lets not forget Kobe is still on the team and also Odom who is a hell of player and a mismatch every time. I know anything can happen and all but the lakers are the better team right now and they will be a much better team in 8 weeks with bynum.
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masej
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Chicago White Sox
"We might as well just win this game." -Adam Jones
Posts: 488
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 0:12:55 GMT -5
Post by masej on Feb 6, 2008 0:12:55 GMT -5
maybe suns will get shaqqqq
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PB
Starter
Houston Astros
"I always thought trains were safer than planes..."
Posts: 767
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 0:15:47 GMT -5
Post by PB on Feb 6, 2008 0:15:47 GMT -5
The suns may get the black genie...KKKAAAAZZZAAAMMM
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steve
Starter
Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 0:26:34 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 6, 2008 0:26:34 GMT -5
maybe mohammed the prophet will come down and help the suns overcome pau gasol.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 1:02:27 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 6, 2008 1:02:27 GMT -5
Nice the Suns could get a 35 year old Shaq who is clearly on a downsilde and who has only played 4 of the last 18 games for the Heat. Not to mention he doesn't fit with the way the suns like to play; a fast pace, up and down kinda team who likes to score before their playclock hits the 20 second mark. Oh and they give up shawn marion. Although it would be sick seeing the Kobe vs Shaq matchups and having shaq come back to west and playing at the staples center more often ( i guess in the playoffs??)
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steve
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Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 1:09:52 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 6, 2008 1:09:52 GMT -5
that would be the worst thing the suns could do. that would catapult the lakers leaps and bounds ahead of them.
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 1:48:16 GMT -5
Post by Dan on Feb 6, 2008 1:48:16 GMT -5
I agree that the Lakers are the better team but you can not come out and tell me that all the suns have is barbosa. They are a very talented team with a lot of depth, and when you have steve nash running the point, its very dangerous. Amare will dominate Gasol in the paint for one thing, Shaq vs Bynum would be cool to watch for, Andrew should destroy shaq. All I am saying is you can not say the suns have nothing.
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steve
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Oakland Athletics
Posts: 424
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 1:57:51 GMT -5
Post by steve on Feb 6, 2008 1:57:51 GMT -5
ok the suns just blew it. what is the purpose of getting shaq? other than ooooooh kobe vs. shaq. sounds good but it will be ugly.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 10:50:45 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 6, 2008 10:50:45 GMT -5
I agree that the Lakers are the better team but you can not come out and tell me that all the suns have is barbosa. They are a very talented team with a lot of depth, and when you have steve nash running the point, its very dangerous. Amare will dominate Gasol in the paint for one thing, Shaq vs Bynum would be cool to watch for, Andrew should destroy shaq. All I am saying is you can not say the suns have nothing. Are you comparing the laker bench to the suns? After the Barbosa and Diaw the suns have nothing while the lakers have one of the best benches in the the league. I'm not saying the suns aren't talented I'm just saying they suns don't have as much depth as the lakers by far. So speaking in terms of their benches i can say the suns have nothing compared to the lakers.
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 13:17:04 GMT -5
Post by Dan on Feb 6, 2008 13:17:04 GMT -5
Barbosa, Raja Bell, Diaw, Hill. I said before the Lakers have the better team and more depth, but what I am referring to is the fact that you said the Suns have no depth. They have depth, and they do have some one that can stop Gasol/Bynum. Is name is Amare. But I am not arguing who is the better team, I am arguing what you said before.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 14:01:20 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 6, 2008 14:01:20 GMT -5
Why are you naming 2 of their starters??? We are talking about depth and thier benches, and you go ahead and name two of thier starters? that makes no sense. Like i said before after barbosa and diaw they have noone that can come off the bench and make a difference. Amara can stop Bynum ok then who guards Gasol or even Odom?? Ok Amare guards Gasol then who gets Bynum and Odom. The lakers have to much and i think it was a bad idea getting Shaq but that niether here or there.
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 14:59:01 GMT -5
Post by aaronjh on Feb 6, 2008 14:59:01 GMT -5
Amare doesn't defend. I think the Suns will go with two different rotations for all but 5-8 mins of the game:
Nash-Bell-Hill-Amare-Shaq
This is the lineup that can thrive with halfcourt passing (Nash, Hill and Shaq are top 3 in passing at their position), can defend a little better because they have size, and can utilize the pick-and-roll more often, perhaps running the offense through Shaq a bit.
And:
Nash-Barbosa-Hill-Diaw-Amare
A more conventional Suns lineup. Sure, it's a bit depleted without Marion, but these guys can still run, and Diaw has played the 4/5 in their system before.
I know Nash needs his rest, so Barbosa will get his time at the 1. Bell, Diaw and Hill will split minutes at 2 and 3 if they stray from that, and I expect Shaq to play 25-30 mins for them, and play major second half minutes against the likes of LA, San Antonio, maybe even Utah.
It gives them a second style of play, but I'm not sure it will be too beneficial. Still, I know Shaq is still most definitely an elite center. He needs to get healthy, but I wouldn't balk at 15 and 8 out of the center spot when he's been injured all year. We'll see what kinda production he brings.
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Nanz
Starter
Arizona Diamondbacks
Posts: 1,296
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Lakers
Feb 6, 2008 15:49:49 GMT -5
Post by Nanz on Feb 6, 2008 15:49:49 GMT -5
I agree. At the end of the day it all comes down to Shaq, Nash and Hill staying healthy. Nash has always gone into the playoffs banged up with back problems. Shaq has been hurt pretty much the past 2 seasons. Hill, well its grant hill, i hope he can stay healthy this time just becuase im a big fan of him.
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