Discuss the LA Lakers.

Hopefully Kobe has been watching these last couple of games and saying "That Odom guy is pretty good. Maybe I should pass to him more often." I don't think he knew that last season. And I'm not a Kobe hater. I love the Black Mamba.

And btw, there's actually a chance that Odom's good play is actually his way of auditioning for other clubs. As in, "Hey look! When I get the ball every now and then I'm one of the top players in league! Someone please trade for me and get me out of here!" I think there's at least a 25% chance thats what's going on.

I think Kobe knows that he cant win without making Odom his Pippen. I just hope he allows it.

Kobe /= Jordan
Odom /= Pippen

Never make the comparison again.

obviously no one will ever be Jordan. But Kobe and Odom is as close as Jordan - Pippen there is today.

without Kobe Odom goes off and with Kobe he hasnt had a great game they need to get on the same page.. on a positive note i think Walton, Cook and Bynum have improved alot and Farmar is looking good

Let me know when Odom learns to play defense or is a all star on a regular basis. Until then he can't be mentioned in the same breath as Pippen's jock strap.

I know I'm way late on this, but why did Kobe change his number? I think its his old high school number or something, but I missed why he changed it.

And is he still calling himself the Black Mamba or has he changed that too? Even is he changed it, I would assume he would still keep it some deadly venomous snake. Although he could name himself after the Garter Snake to just confuse everyone.

I've heard various reasons why he changed his number, I never knew that the black mamba was an official nickname for him. That's a fairly retarded nickname.

12-5 and a game and half up on the Suns, but the Suns are streaking.

I really don't want to see a bunch of pro basketball players running down my street naked

Steve Nash is the new hotness.




















...Nope, not even a Suns fan can say that with a straight face.

You had to figure that Phoenix would right the ship. The slow start they got off to was no need for everyone to panic like they did.

Odom going down for a month right as they hit the road for 14 of 20. We'll see what this team is made up over the next 6 weeks.

Still playing well. A super tough back to back tonight and tommorow at San Antonio and at Dallas. Should be interesting.

Read some rumors that the Lakers might be interested in Kidd...

Kidd and Kobe would be sick.

I dont doubt they're interested in Kidd. But are they able to get him? Thats the real question.

Big win tonight. Kobe is playing better than ever.

a nonsense suspension cost the lakers a game yesterday. David Stern is out of control.

Yea, I'm with Mark Cuban on that.

Sidenote: Kobe's duck last night was pretty sick, so was the pull up 3 from just after halfcourt.

Lakers have lost 5 straight and sit at 30-24 going into the all-star break. They need to pick it up, and I am confident that they will.

Scottie Pippen is thinking about coming back and wants to play for a contender with warm weather. He made it known that Miami and San Antonio have some consideration, but I would think playing for his old coach with a superstar playing along side him would be perfect. Not to mention if they did that they could make room by trading Odom for someone like Kidd, most likely not a straight up deal, but it would make sense for the long term future of the Nets and they could also unload Carter on another team for some youth, maybe a team like the Clippers and grab Maggette and a draft pick. that would leave them with Jefferson as a building piece or they could even unload him or have him packaged in a deal with the Lakers and try to get Bynum or Walton and draft picks.

I'm not much of a Lakers fan, but from a fan of the game getting Pippen and trading Odom for another player makes perfect sense for them. Obviously Scottie knows how to play the triangle also.

If this is a joke and I missed it, then I apologize.

First, I find it hard to believe Pippen is coming back. He's 41 years old and hasnt played in 2 years.

Second, the idea of getting Pippen so that you can trade Odom is pure insanity. I dont even know how to discuss this further.

I have a hard time seeing a team wanting Pippen in the first place much less giving him the significant minutes he surely wants.

EDIT: I just looked it up. It's no joke. Pippen is thinking about a come back. I actually feel back for him thats he's going senile in his old age.

Lamar Odom's production is so much lower when Kobe Bryant is playing its sad to watch, hes no superstar, but he would greatly benifit from a team that was willing to let him use his talents more openly. I don't think Scottie Pippen would be a savior for this team, I think it would allow them more flexability. Most importantly a player whether its Pippen or someone else that would take Odoms spot on the floor would be a great benifit, someone like Vince Carter would obviously be a better choice. I just don't think the lakers could take on a salary as high as Carters, Kidd's contract is much more managable and the obvious bonus of Pippen knowing the triangle offense would be a nice lift.

So to clarify I don't think Pippen will be a huge signing, but he would be an excellent 3rd or 4th option in the offense not to mention he would be one of their top defenders immediately (if he's in basketball shape) So really if they get Pippen and get a PG, PF or C in return for Odom I think it would be a step i the right direction for the Lakers to make a run. I mostly put this on the Lakers thread, because I don't think Pippen is a great fit for the Spurs, he would just be another aging vetren who came in during the end of games in their system. Also, he might make a descent fit in Miami, but that would basically force their hand to deal one of their top defenders in Posey, it could happen and Riley is a guy who might take that risk.

These are just my opinions and I have little to go by aside from what was writting on www.espn.com as well as my knowledge of Pippen/Jackson's past relationship. Six championships worth.

3rd or 4th option?

I think the game is too fast for Scotty to even start on any team. Maybe he's been running his butt off in the gym but I'd be surprised if he could walk into a locker room full of young athletes in mid-season shape and outlast/outplay half of them.

Pippen would be at best a 6th man. If he proves himself he might move up in order but no contender is going to mess with the starting line-up. He DEFINITELY won't crack the Spurs or Mavs starting five by the time playoffs roll around.

Scottie Pippen is a workout freak. I heard that he is at 5% bodyfat right now, so I don't think that's a problem. Obviously he will have lost a step or two, but he said he sees himself as a role player that gets 15-20 minutes a game. I'm sure he could help a contender and I think the Lakers would be a good fit.

There are also rumors of Kidd going to the Lakers or Cavs. Kidd and Kobe would be a fantastic duo.

When did the Lakers become contenders?

I think their goal was just to make the playoffs. A championship seems a bit out of reach with or without Pippen.

these guys better win tonight!

im in a gambling mood right now so i just threw 250$ on them @ +350(vs milwakee)...i also bet a 100 with lakers to the over.(+741)

wish me luck!

ISASB

You didnt know that Kobe was suspended?

And the Lakers are really sucking right now.

ya, i knew kobe was suspended.(obv)

there is no way they would be +9 /+350 with kobe...i just didnt know that there were other guys not playing as well...oh well.

We need a fuckin win tonight. Badly. Kobe needs to break off about 55 points, remind everyone who the best in the game really is.

goddammit.

maybe we'll beat the mavs 2night

there always hope. right?

LOL is right. That was *** whippin.

Hopefully the ship is fully righted now that everyone is back healthy. Need to put together a nice run here for hte last twenty games.

I'm not a huge Laker fan, but I'm rooting for them. They need to get on a winning streak and take the 6th seed.

Here's why: if they grab the 6th seed, then the Nuggets will get the 7th seed. That means that the Suns (with the best offense in the game) and the Nuggets (with 2 of the best scorers in the game) will face off in the 1st round. Combined with the fact that neither team plays defense, this series has to happen. I'm talking playoff scoring records are going down in that series. Teams combining for 300 points in game. Iverson and Carmelo each scoring 50 in the same game. You name it. Anything could happen.

I'm only rooting for the Lakers so that I can see the Suns-Nuggets series, and I've been severely ticked off at their recent troubles. I dont give a damn about the injuries. If this series doesnt happen, I will hold the Lakers personally responsible for robbing basketball fans of potentially one of the greatest 1st round treats in playoff history.

Kobe Bryant = MVP.


I dont care what the records are, Kobe deserves it.

Why cause he can chuck up 35-40 shots a game and score 50+? Or maybe doing that snapped a seven game losing streak, which if he was really mvp material his team never would have went on in the first place.

I can think of a few players who could score more on fewer shots...

You need to stop drinkin that haterade (It causes cancer you know).

I don't hate kobe, but chucking up 35+ shots a game does not make you the mvp, it makes you a ball hog.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I know Kobe isnt the MVP this year. I'm just too biased to care.

In Kobe's defense, he is shooting a high percentage in those games. He extended his streak to 4. In those game he has shot 59%, 48%, 54%, and 55%. He's also only missed 4 free throws in that stretch and hit a high percentage from the 3point line. When a guy is that hot, hell yea you let him throw up a ton of shots. Its called milking the hot hand, and right now no one is hotter.

And no, someone else else couldnt do this with fewer shots (ok maybe 2 other guys in NBA history). If they could, they would be getting the shots. Coaches arent stupid. If a guys can shoot around 55% in front a defense totally tuned to stopping him, they arent going to tell him to stop shooting. The fact that only Kobe and Wilt have pulled this off should tell everyone that its more than just ball hogging. Its damn hard to do. Personally, I think this is awsome.

Oh, and Kobe is NOT the MVP. Dirk should win that barring a complete collapse by the Mavs.

Kobe is the best player in the NBA. Period. What ever wierd standard you want to make for MVP, and not give it to Kobe is fine, but always remember. Kobe is the best player in the league.


DO you haters realize what Kobe just did? Who exactly should be kobe dishing the ball too, who's going ot be making shots at a higher percentage than kobe?

Also, most importantly, the lakers are 4-0 over that stretch.


I want you guys to know, I've been thinking... blasphemous thoughts these last couple days. I'm not going to say what I've been thinking outloud yet. But I've been thinking it. I know you have too, Suited. And that says something, something huge, that I'd even think this blasphemy. I assure you, I'm not a laker fan. At all. I'm a bulls fan. Which makes my thoughts all the more blasphemous.

Just when I think you cant get any dumber, you go and do something like this....................................AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!

I thought you'd feel this way.. you should also check out that art link, it's insane lol.


and, tell the truth. Have you been thinking blasphemous thoughts about Kobe?

I'm not sure exactly what you're thoughts are, but I'm sure that I would agree. I think Kobe may be the best ever.

Don't say that outloud.. God ( and we all know who I mean, when I say God) will strike you down!

The truth shall set you free, brother McGee. Say it with me now.