Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread

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Originally posted by skyracer3
This season, the Lakers have been playing to their opponents level. If they are playing a last place team, they themselves will play like a last place team. But if they are facing the Spurs (last years champs), the lakers will play like champs.

Lakers can go ahead an add another hall of famer, but they will never win more than 72 games because shaq doesnt play 100% every day.

I can't remember the last time Shaq played 90% or better.

If he were a student, he'd never get an A on any test

Lots of folks criticize Kobe (too much ball hogging; taking crazy-™™™ shots; not passing)....but no one has ever criticized Kobe for not playing hard every game.

I hear people talking all the time about how Shaq is one of the most dominant NBA players in history, and even though I am a Lakers fan, I often laugh.

How can he be the most dominant when he's bigger and stronger than everyone else? It's not like he has an opponent to compare to. Put me up against smaller guys, and I'll do good too!

Shaq has so many flaws, it's not even funny. He can't shoot free throws for the life of him. He can't shoot outside of 10 feet. He barely plays defense unless it's the playoffs.

How can Shaq be the most dominant when, in close games in the playoffs, Kobe gets the ball all the time? The ball doesn't touch Shaq's hand in the last minute of close games b/c the other team is looking to foul Shaq whenever possible.

[skyracer3]

I agree with you, Pod. I respect Kobe because he plays hard EVERY game.

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12/28/03 update: Lakers 103, Celtics 82

Lakers won all 4 quarters, and in a surprising twist, actually out-scored the opponent in the 4th quarter.

Kobe had a miserable game, going 5-18, but managed 6 assists and about 5 boards.

Shaq had a pretty good game, with 22 points....but he was pretty much triple-covered all game, and that led to 7 Lakers in double figures

Brian Cook, Lakers #1 draft pick, finally played his first game after breaking his wrist preseason - he scored on his first shot attempt

Lakers still tied with Kings for #1 in West Division

next game is Friday (I forget who they play)....

why the heck do they have such a light schedule in Dec??

March is gonna be a killer!

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1/3/04 update: Lakers lose by 2 to the Supersonics

In Payton's return to his hometown, the Lakers played without an injured Shaq for most of the game (out with a calf injury).

Lakers actually were tied 109-109 as Kobe and Ray Allen hit 3-pointers....but the Sonics scored the last basket, and with 5 seconds remaining, Kobe missed a closely contested 3-pointer.

No Lakers could score in the last 4 minutes except for Kobe, who got 29 overall.

Not a good game..but I suppose if the Lakers are going to be injured, now's a good time as any.

Lakers now have 1 more loss than the Kings

next up: a "road" game vs the Clippers at Staples Center Sunday

Lakers are skidding right now, with an average offense, and terrible defense.

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1/3/04 update: Without Shaq, without Malone, Lakers lose to the Clippers by 3

but not without effort by Kobe, who scored an amazing 44 points, and didn't have to take more than about 25 shots to score those.

Devean George and Slava threw up enough bricks to build Shaq's mansion....

and the Lakers just didn't execute down the stretch.

Lakers now 1 game behind the Kings....

[stalking_WOLF_21]

the king are first heck ya

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Kings are a great team

but, NBA-caliber championship teams win on the road and at home in the playoffs

I just hope the Lakers are healthy for the stretch run

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1/6/03: Lakers lose by 16 or so points.

Without Shaq, without Karl, the game was over by halftime, as the Lakers had no defense for KG, Latrell, and Cassell

Kobe had 20 points, but Latrell did a great job on him

these past 2 games should give Kobe an idea of what life is like if he leaves (unless he goes to San Antonio)....plenty of chances to rack up points, but losses galore

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things are in absolute disarray in Lakers-land

1/7/03 update: Lakers get dominated by the Nuggets, by 20+ points, in a game that was never close from the opening tip

Kobe had 27 points..but Devean missed all his shots; Slava didn't do jack.

and the defense was as good as Afghanistan's defense against the U.S. soldiers -- i.e. absolutely pathetic!

[stalking_WOLF_21]

OKAY THE KINGS ARE SECOND WIN THE LAKERS ARE HEALTHY I WANT TO SEE THE LAKERS WIN WITH OUT THERE BEST PLAYER and the king are with out there best playa webber the king are champions for good no stoping them execpt the t-wolves will win