massive: You really think D12 (who won 3 of the past 4 DPOYs) for Bynum is a lateral move. Dwight Howard had an off-year, and still led the league in rebounding. I’m not sure how you can call trading Bynum for a top 5 NBA player a lateral move. The Lakers added the league’s best offensive and defensive players in free agency.

But yes, Denver got the most bang for their buck.

It’s funny I just wrote a blog article that actually came to the same conclusion. When you put the players side by side their numbers are almost identical across the board. I’m sure that Howard will probably be a bigger force on the defensive side than Bynum is, but it’s still not a quantum leap forward. At the end of the day the second best center got traded for the best center. And the while Howard edges Bynum on most of the numbers slightly, Bynum is more efficient than Howard. And a team that has Kobe Bryant needs all the efficiency it can find because there is going to be less opportunities. I think for the most part it is definitely just a lateral move. The real move for them was Nash. If the Lakers end up in the finals it’s going to be because Nash took them there, not Howard.

flossy:
So… how long until Phil Jackson comes out of retirement again?

Best comment I’ve read in a while. I say he calls and the Lakers’ front office ego says no.

flossy:
Also, would you rather have a core of Nash/Kobe/Gasol/Howard or CP3/Kobe/Bynum?Even when the Lakers lose, they win.

I know you were just talking about the next 2 years, but I would much rather have CP3 and Bynum locked up long term than Howard alone (who isn’t even a guarantee to stay, although he probably will). Not to mention that the Howard trade was still there even if the Lakers got CP3.

slovene knick: I say no title for Lakers!!!

I wouldn’t favor them for a title either, but mostly because, barring major injuries, I think Miami is here to stay.
I think this LA team could be considerably better than the 2004 squad though, even if they don’t add Barbosa. Pau and Malone aren’t at similar points in their careers. Neither are Nash and Payton, despite Nash’s age. Kobe’s definitely in decline. But Howard now and Shaq then are pretty much a wash. I’d give a slight edge to Howard on D and a slight edge to Shaq on offense mostly because of his passing.
Even with all that, I doubt they’ll beat the Heat if they face each other in the finals. I’d be rooting for both to lose but it’ll probably be some memorable hoops anyhow.

BigBlueAL:

I just dont see how the hell the Wizards score any points.

Their starting five should avg double digits each, and the bench is Singleton, Vesley, AJ Price I guess. Not too shabby.