ruruland:

Wow, even in irony, insufferable.

So if I want you to suffer, I should post more often. I will make sure to do that.

johnno: THCJ is screaming about what an “inefficient” scorer he is. And, for a change, I agree with him…

Spoke too soon — on the other thread, THCJ is talking about how efficient the guy was. I guess I don’t agree with him this time…

yellowboy90: Wow kid score 138 pts. Went 27-71 from 3. How do you shoot 71 3s in one game?

I loved his comment after the game — “It felt like everything that I threw up was going in.” Whaaaa?? He shot 52 for 108 for the game, which is well under 50%! THCJ is screaming about what an “inefficient” scorer he is. And, for a change, I agree with him…

I probably planting seed disappointed in near future. Amare seem to possible wildcard that could make this team become dysfunctional.

jon abbey: I think the difference is that the 2003 Lakers’ collapse in the Finals wasn’t a playing style issue, it was mostly a ‘two main players have grown to hate each other’ issue. I don’t think this year’s version will have that problem, it’s just possible their pieces don’t fit together quite right.

I agree with that. But if you reduce Steve Nash’s touches by 30-40% how effective is he really? his inability to come close to defending opposing point guard, especially pg centric teams, is a big problem.

He’s consistently been absolutely torched in the playoffs.

I just think while you have some very good passing ability, all four of the Lakers best players are most effective with the ball in their hands creating for teammates or creating shots.

ruruland: I see them as being one of the greatest front-running teams of all-time, but the parts and system are so disparate I think they’ll have major diminishing returns problems. I don’t think their defense will ever elevate to anything more than good under MDA.

And I don’t believe they’ll be able to maximize their incredible offensive pieces very consistently, and with what should be a pretty weak supporting cast, they can be defeated.

But, yeah they’re going to go on some incredible runs this year and mow teams down for weeks.

One thing about once-in-a-decade talented teams is that they are rarely forced to buckle down to get wins, and I think as a team you’re not able to build up the continuity and toughness in situations that ultimately defines the championship teams.
In that sense, they remind me a lot of the 2003 Lakers with Malone and Payton, both of whom were still very servicable players alongside in-prime Shaq, in-prime Kobe, and some other good role players.

the 2003 Pistons were not nearly as talented as the 2003 lakers.

I don’t think they can beat the Spurs in a 7 game series. Popovich basically owns D’Antoni, and Tim Duncan is playing like it’s 2003 again.

ruruland:
In that sense, they remind me a lot of the 2003 Lakers with Malone and Payton, both of whom were still very servicable players alongside in-prime Shaq, in-prime Kobe, and some other good role players.

the 2003 Pistons were not nearly as talented as the 2003 lakers.

I think the difference is that the 2003 Lakers’ collapse in the Finals wasn’t a playing style issue, it was mostly a ‘two main players have grown to hate each other’ issue. I don’t think this year’s version will have that problem, it’s just possible their pieces don’t fit together quite right.