And:
Stop it. It's not about him being healthy or not. He was certainly healthy enough to play the series out. Plain and simple, Dallas defensively did a great job on Kobe. You cannot deny this. Bringing up health isn't an excuse, considering Kobe played the series.
Anyway, it's all history now. If I was a Laker fan, I'd be more worried about the future on the organization more than anything else. You guys are seriously in BIG trouble in the next 2-3 years. Nash is 39 and the wheels will fall off within the next year or so. Pau is losing his confidence and his game as the year goes by. Kobe isn't going to be around forever and Father Time catches up to EVERYONE sooner or later. Kobe is just lucky to be playing in an era where medical advances are so far ahead, he's able to play at the level he is now.
Earl Clark, Jodie Meeks and Robert Sacre aren't going to save the Lakers. Mitch Kuchack needs to take a real hard look with the roster and figure out what to do. If I was LA, I'd go after OJ since he's going to opt out and then try to get a younger point guard like Jennings.
Waiting for 2014 might be a possibility too, considering the Heat will lose out on Bosh, Wade or LeBron due to cap restrictions and luxury tax. It's the real deal and owners aren't going to spend that kind of money. Remember, the luxury tax is $3 for every $1 the team is over. Owners are now currently hedging this for the future as well. We're seeing it with our very own eyes. The days of a "super team" are over and it'll only happen if teams get lucky and draft stars playing under their rookie contracts.
Now, as for the Dwight Howard situation. Dwight isn't a "franchise" player nor does he have the attitude or desire to be one. He will never be the second coming of Shaq, and will suffer when he gets older due to injuries and age. He has no post moves and heavily relies on his athleticism and get him points. He should give a call to Amare. Dude will let him know what's up
At least Amare developed some sort of midrange game and put the time into developing a post game as well. It's just unfortunate that he can't stay healthy. Dwight Howard seems to be headed down the same path.
I mean, if you want me to keep throwing numbers at you, I will.
2009-2010: @ DAL Feb 24: 9/23, 39%, 20 points, Loss. @ DAL. Jan 13: 5/11, 45%, 10 points, Win. Jan 3: 6/12, 50%, 15 points, Win. Oct 30: 6/19, 32%, 20 points, Loss.
2009-2010 Averages: 26/65, 40%, 18.75 PPG, 2 wins, 2 losses.
2010-2011: VS DAL Mar 31: 8/21, 38%, 28 points, Win. @ DAL Mar 12: 6/20, 30%, 16 points, Win. @ DAL Jan 19: 10/18, 55% 21 points, Loss.
2010-2011 Averages: 24/59, 41%, 14.6 PPG, 2 wins, 1 loss.
2011-2012: @ DAL Mar 21: 11/18, 61%, 30 points, win***. @ DAL Feb 22: 4/15, 26%, 15 points, win. VS DAL Jan 16: 7/22, 31%, 14 points, win.
2011-2012 Averages: 22/55, 40%, 19.6 PPG, 3 wins.
***Marion didn't play in that game, easily his best shooting performance over that three year span,
2012-2013: Oct 30 VS DAL: 11/14, 78%, 22 points, loss. Nov 24 @ DAL: 6/11, 54%, 19 points, win. Feb 24 @ DAL: 13/21, 62%, 38 points, win.
2012-2013 Averages: 30/46, 65%, 26.3 PPG, 2 wins, 1 loss.
I'll give you this, Kobe has had our number this year. Kudos. But saying that Shwan Marion hasn't been doing a great job on Kobe....
never seen Wall shoot so many jumpers
I mean we almost beat them the last time like that, I doubt he does it again though, simply because it would bring too much negative attention to the team. The streak ends on Sunday though BELEE DAT^you got an idea if Pop is resting players this Sunday against the Heat? (nationally televised game) That would be so awesome if Pop rested TD, TP, Manu and still ended the heat's streak if it makes to Sunday. Want to see some Nando and Mills.
That last game was quite some time ago. Don't think they'll have a problem getting up to play the Spurs (with their main guys as usual).
Last time pop did that I think only Manu played and they got ran out the arena while the spurs were trying to get their 50th win.....think pop knows better
True that! And it sucks big time...You want to know whats so stupid about Wall's career night? Tony Allen probably only guarded him for 5% of his possessions
Everybody knows Conley struggles against bigger guards, except Lionel Hollins stubborn ***. They just stuck Wall on TA so he wouldn't have to do anything on the defensive end and put TA on ****** like Cartier Martin
Then y would Tony guard temple who didn't take a shoot and hasn't done anything since his days at LSU. Don't know a dude for when he onYou want to know whats so stupid about Wall's career night? Tony Allen probably only guarded him for 5% of his possessions
Everybody knows Conley struggles against bigger guards, except Lionel Hollins stubborn ***. They just stuck Wall on TA so he wouldn't have to do anything on the defensive end and put TA on ****** like Cartier Martin
I dont doubt that they'll be coming to play, however I still think that we'll win. We have the size to deal with Miami and can switch to a smaller lineup if necessary and still be just as effective defensively, but suffer on the rebounding end, which wont matter as much because Miami is a horrendous rebounding team.
Last time we did that we only lost by 5 and it was due to a LeBron takeover in the last minute and a half and Gary Neal trying to play hero ball.
Those younger players got better that the key of having another season and last season was the lock out. Spur got depth and don't think capt jack can't still get buckets.... then u have to look at the many rotation the spurs have
They did get better, Danny Green, Kawhi, and Tiago are ALL better players than they were last year and now that they have the playoff experience under their belts so its less likely they will come up small the next time around. They've also gotten significantly better defensively, its a huge leap forward and makes the team the only team that has a chance agianst Miami. We match up well, can play small or big, and have a competent coach who will make adjustments if needed. There would be no murder believe me.
Gary Neal is a no, I expect his minutes to drop come playoff time in place of Nando, but Danny Green and Tiago will play big during the playoffs. Theyre not average defensively, theyre actually a top defensive team this year. This isnt an opinion, that is a fact. We dont rebound well because we ignore rebounding in our defensive philosophy, the same way Miami does. We shoot a lot of jumpers but we also have 4 competent inside scorers so in the even that the jumpers stop falling we have options, we arent a team like the Knicks who needed them all to fall or else.
