who improved the most in the off-season?

[aka50cent]

who is the most improved

[bdrr]

why arent the nets and option, just curious, the lakers stole the show though

[studin]

The Lakers were good before these 2 signings and adding these 2 players just makes them that much stronger.

[podstock]

oh, without a doubt, the Lakers sealed up the title, barring injuries and a jail sentence by Kobe.

First, Karl Malone and Horace Grant are more than enough to keep in check Webber, Duncan, Garnett, Wallace. They may not stop Duncan, but they'll keep him in check. If you look at Duncan's stats vs. the Lakers last year, they were sub-par.

So, how did SA beat the Lakers? great guard plays by Parker and Ginobili, which prevented the Lakers from doubling down on Duncan.

So, what did the Lakers do? Get Payton, who will contain (but not stop) Parker....and a healthy Devean George will stick to Ginobili like glue.

Now, how does SA play the Lakers?

If they double team Shaq, there are 3 Spurs left to deal with Kobe, Malone, Payton, and George.

You cannot play Kobe one-on-one. But if 2 of the 3 spurs double up Kobe, Malone or Payton are left wide open.

If you single cover Shaq with Duncan or Rose, Shaq will destroy them.

Same problem for the Kings, who don't even have a Duncan-like force in the middle.

Lakers shored up their weaknesses; and barring injuries at the end of the season and/or Kobe in jail, no one can stop the Lakers.

[skyracer3]

even without kobe, the lakers will win it this year with their great additions.