Lakers are 0-3! Armageddon is near

quote:

Originally posted by CALBuccaneer:
Tschmack,

But, realistically, you have to consider Nash has not essentially played yet and Gasol is Mr. Tendinitis in both knees.

So, older players miss more games? Got it!

When have D'Antoni teams ever played defense? People forget that even in the NBA the really good teams can do that. Certainly Memphis and San Antonio can play some D. OKC not as much but they have such a dynamic offense it really doesn't matter.

Age might have something to do with their issues, but perhaps the main problem is that they're just not as good as people think? Gasol gets a lot of heat (maybe rightfully so) but Dwight Howard hasn't exactly played like the dominant player like some people think he is.

I think it's going to be a long year for the Lakers and they have an uphill climb.

Another loss by the Lakers

Allowing 117 to the Jazz?

As I've mentioned earlier if LA doesn't start to play better defense they are in serious trouble. Kobe is putting up big stats but it really doesn't matter because the opposition is putting up more points.

9-12?!?!

9-13.


Lottery bound.

"you're starting to piss me off"

Mike D'Antoni to a reporter

Well the good news is that they held the 5-win Cavs to 100 points. The D'Antoni hiring just doesn't look good yet - the Lakers do not have the type of team that is going to outrun and outscore other teams.

Wow... Lakers have hit rock bottom. No Gasol for the last five games...

Nash won't be back for two weeks...

They have dug themselves a huge hole. Okay, so a quarter of the way in, things are all crazy. The key guys here are Nash and Gasol. Nash is the conductor and he has played what...five games?? I am not pushing the panic button until I see what our record is with him for 25 games. Heat went through this their first year too...

Why didn't they be patient and hire Phil again?

It's typical owner arrogance, that's why

Phil isn't in good standing with the entire Buss family and much like Jerry Jones they think that because they own the team they are infallible and above reproach

Personally, I think it's hillarious because it just shows that because you have a lot of money that doesn't necessarily guarantee success or good decision making

The best think for the Lakers IMO would be for them to tank this season and then it may force an entire culture change but I doubt it. Jerry Jones still thinks he's qualified to be CEO, President, and GM and we all know that hasn't done much

quote:

Originally posted by Tschmack:
Zen silent killer

Tschmack,

How much better relationship do you need than to be in bed nightly with the owner's daughter...who by the way is a top exec with the team? Jerry Buss has stepped aside for his son to take over. THAT is a bigger reason why they did not hire Phil. Phil wanted too much control and supposedly asked for some degree of ownership as well...

The problem is not that they are paying too much, it's that they did NOT want to pay Phil's rate with the ownership issue involved...

Jim Buss is basically running the team and making most of the business decisions, not Jeannie Buss.

If I were Jerry Buss I'd probably give Phil whatever he's asking for at this point because the Lakers look like a lottery team right about now.

3rd best team in their state, on their way to 4th best.

Its so nice to watch this meltdown. I think they will eventually gel and put arun together, but this is sure fun to watch!

Kobe: "I wish we had the Washington Generals on the schedule."

You know, I am not sure if they will pull it together

Kobe is really their only big time threat offensively, and they do not have one lockdown defender on that team

They also don't feature a lot of spring chickens on that team

Good to see that Dwight Howard move working out

Laker BFI off the charts

I think Howard is just marking time so he can go to Brooklyn next season. I doubt the Lakers hang onto him which is why I think they still have Gasol on the team. He should have been traded ages ago, but with no commitment from Howard they can't really give him up.

D'Antoni's style may not mesh with this team. Nash may not even be able to bring these guys together at this point.....So fun to watch. Cal Buc????

Okinawa Marine,

You rang?

As usual, your timing is impeccable. Hahaha... five game winning streak and Nash is back and Gasol is back. I mean Darius Morris vs. Steve Nash at PG makes a little difference, no?

Look, I am not saying the Lakers are world beaters yet. They have a long way to go but we are finally seeing a sliver of hope in terms of what this team COULD be and SHOULD be.

Stay tuned...

They just got trounced by Denver CalBuc.....and Howard looks a little frazzled at the moment. If this team doesn't pick it up, they may implode...and THAT would be a lot of fun to watch!

Okinawa,

5 of 6 since Gasol returned and 4 of 5 since Nash returned. I'll take those percentages for the rest of the year...

Lakers are not where they need to be yet. We get a great test against the Clippers this Friday. I don't expect to win that game yet. Maybe by year end, but not yet...

Have you seen their schedule over the next 5-6 weeks? It's not getting any easier. They play OKC twice, SA, Memphis, Miami twice, Clippers twice, Chicago, and Houston. A number of those games are on the road, and the Lakers are horrendous away from Staples Center.

Good luck with that

Yeah well, we have to compete. We are a ten seed right now. That misses the cut. Time to man up as we did against NY.

quote:

We are a ten seed right now

DREAM TEAM!

The Lakers went all in with Howard and now they are talking they are old! LOL This team may not even make the playoffs? Classic!!! Problem is, who do they draft next season? There is no Kobe, Shaq or Michael to draft. Whats Stern going to do in order for the Lakers to make it back on top???????

Okinawa,

Really?? did you just say what is Stern going to do??

Were you asleep when Stern hosed the Lakers in the Chris Paul deal?

Considering the Lakers benefitted from the biggest hose job in NBA history (game 6 vs Kings) its about time they got hosed for a change.

Nice effort against the Clippers

And again last night against the Nuggets!

OMG! Howard has a torn labrum in his shoulder and Gasol has a concussion. Both out indefinitely...

This is the season from Hell....

It is going to take a significant turnaround for the Lakers to make the playoffs at this point. Kobe is on record saying they are old and slow and he's right.

It's also clear the Dwight Howard trade has been nothing short of a disaster to this point.

I don't think Howard ever had the intention of signing a long term deal with the Lakers...and after watching this team impload to start the season I think there is even less of a chance to sign there. Howard wants to go to Brooklyn IMO. He'll play out the season and move on.

Tschmack,

Lakers are older and slower. But, in reality, it is the lack of playing time together due to injuries that has hurt them the most. The change in coaches, while needed, hit the reset button and injuries have devastated the chemistry building process.

Dwight Howard is an immature guy not willing to do what it takes to be champion.

Brooklyn can have him.

I think Jim Buss did not want his sister's boyfriend calling the shots in LakerLand and he may have forced The DAntoni hiring leaving Phil hanging out to dry...

Another huge mistake because if ever a coach knew how to handle multiple superstars on a team, it was Phil.

This season is .

It's more than just the fact the team is old and slow

They play horrific defense. In fact, this might be one of the worst defensive teams I've ever seen.

It's one thing to give up 116 to OKC. It's another to give up 108 to the Spurs. In fact, in a third of their games they've given up 110+ points. That's incredibly bad.

I do agree the ownership messed up by letting personal emotion get in the way of making a good hire. Jackson is/was their guy, but the Buss family didn't want to give in to Jackson's demands and now they are paying the price. The shame of it is D'Antoni is a good coach but much like George Karl you know what you are getting. Those guys do not stress defense and it only works if you have the talent around you to fit the system. Right now that aint LA.

Nice effort on the road in Toronto

It is about time to call Dwight Howard a total bust. Mentally, he's so incredibly weak it's sad. I would not want this guy on my team ever.

So what do they do? Who would trade for the guy? It looks like he's mailed it in.

This Lakers season might go down as one of the most overhyped and underperforming teams in NBA history. Keep it going guys this is classic.

quote:

Originally posted by Tschmack:
So what do they do? Who would trade for the guy? It looks like he's mailed it in.

This Lakers season might go down as one of the most overhyped and underperforming teams in NBA history. Keep it going guys this is classic.

This has become ridiculous. There is no reason for a team that talented to miss the playoffs, much less be below .500. Gasol is probably on the trading block. He is the only one that has any value for a trade on the team.

Good God, I never dreamed it would get this bad.

Music City,

I for once agree with you about Howard. I knew he was immature but I never thought he would be smiling and playing pranks on teammates while 6 games under .500. Mental midget is right.

I still feel that they hired the wrong person. Jackson knows how to mesh superstars and he knows how to motivate them. Bad defense is a lack of motivation...

I might be in the minority but I have always felt Pau Gasol was overrated ever since he came to LA. I thought he was a very solid in Memphis but he's never really built on that with the Lakers. Howard has been nothing short of a disaster.

For as good as Kobe is he can't carry that team and barring a miracle turnaround or trade this looks like a lottery team.

Tschmack,

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you about the Lakers missing the playoffs. However, I have to disagree with you about Pau Gasol. Lakers never win two championships without him. In the Finals against Orlando, he played tough (for once). I was shocked to see him hold his own against Howard and even outplay him to some extent in that series. Now I know why... Howard is not committed to championships... Just too immature.

17-25 now after getting curb stomped by Memphis

Stick a fork in 'em because they are done

Whoa! Hold on a minute... What is going on here? Kobe playing facilitator and double digit assists in last two games? And Lakers win both? Gasol of the bench and scoring more than when he starts?? The team is turned upside down an they are winning?

Is this the formula or just a temporary bright point? Beating the Thunder is no easy matter either way you slice it...

Is there hope yet? Just need to catch the eighth seed 3-4 games ahead of us....

Uh-oh, dont look noe but some team is getting warmed up and has just won 8 of 10 including a win over the Thunder. There is hope yet...