NBA Offseason 2012 - Page 19

On July 05 2012 22:27 seanisgrand wrote:


That OKC series was as close to being 3-1 Lakers as it was to 3-1 OKC. The Lakers made some terrible mistakes late in 2 of the losses and OKC capitalized. I think the gap is much closer right now than people believe, although it would have widened in the coming years. That widening has probably been delayed a year because of the acquisition of Nash.

On Nash's defense, it's not like anybody will be staying in front of the Westbrooks or Parkers of the NBA. No one really can consistently. The Lakers, and by extension the league, will have to deal with that for the foreseeable future because of the apparent no-touch rules in the current NBA. The Lakers are at no more of a disadvantage than anybody else. What every SHOULD be worried about is how you stop LeBron James with the way the game is officiated because the road to the rings runs through Miami, and will for a while.

Another interesting possibility, although probably pipe, is that with the addition of Nash, Dwight may be more interested in playing with the Lakers. Once upon a time the Magic wanted to acquire Nash and Dwight was on board with it. I'm not convinced Bynum's plodding pace fits with Nash (it doesn't actually), or that Drew will adapt to it (he won't, Shaq didn't). I think Howard, if healthy, fits much better with the Lakers+Nash than Bynum ever will, and gives the Lakers a more consistent watchdog near the rim when those speedy guards and LBJ's get past our 70+ year old backcourt.

On July 06 2012 00:45 FlaShFTW wrote:

I've been ranting on that series for a long time now. People say "oh OKC ez 4-1, Lakers suck". Lakers lost games 2 and 4 late in the 4th with leads. God I hate Bynum for saying "Oh closing out games is ez derp". I somehow KNEW instant karma would come and bite us in the ass.

Agree with the faster paced game though. I think we need Howard, someone who puts effort into his game to help others, while Bynum is just too immature and does what he wants.