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posted By JR, 31 July 2009 1:14:06 PM
Are you serious? Why would you post the Spurs as the number 1 team. Most NBA analysts say the champs are the best team until they are dethroned. In my sincere opinion I think you just ranked the teams in this fashion to stir up controversy with the fans. Maybe you are so bored with the Thunder that it helps to hate on one of the most successful franchises in history by bringing up "chemistry." HMMMM! If that is the case than let's bring up old age in the case of the Spurs. It is true they are quality veterans but can they withstand a run through June with enough gas?
posted By Obervation, 31 July 2009 1:25:34 PM
Doesn't the additions of McDyess and Jefferson also affect "chemistry"? 2 new "important" players would seem to affect San Antonio's chemistry more than one new player -- and Artest hasn't had any real complaints since his days in Sacramento.
posted By JROCK, 31 July 2009 1:28:45 PM
Sigh...just trying to stir up more controversy by not putting the Lakers at #1. These articles are annoying so please stop. Chemistry? The only person lost was Trevor. Please find something better to write about. The Lakers healthy and fully loaded can definitely handle the Celts and the Cavs are mismatched so the outcome of the finals would've been the same regardless. A healthy Lakers squad is too much for every team in this league.
posted By D from LA, 31 July 2009 1:35:04 PM
If "chemistry" is such a big deal...let me see. The Lakers have one guy to mix into their championship system and the Spurs have Two guys, one, which is older than Tim Duncan, the other, a injury prone wingman that Artest will eat for lunch. HMMMM! I'm quite sure you don't even believe the Spurs arn number one.
posted By Laura, 31 July 2009 1:36:31 PM
Why is it so difficult to believe that a team other than the Lakers could win a championship? It's happened before and it'll happen again!!! Don't let the nay-sayers bring you down, Susan !!! Great Job !!!
posted By Championship in LA, 31 July 2009 1:37:15 PM
i really hope Memphis makes some noise and scraps to some wins. Also i hope the Clips could put it together and take the Jazz's spot @ 7 or 8. NOTE: L.A. should be #1, they're the defending Champs...
posted By REACTION REACTION REACTION, 31 July 2009 1:44:21 PM
who is susan Bible? First Artest and Odom go back 16 years.Second it is well documented Kobe and Ron Respect the hell out of each other, and third Fish and Gasol get along with and are respected by everyone on the team. Thats the top 4 dogs on the team everyone else will fall in line.Do you really believe this non-sense, if so would you be willing to make a friendly wager on it?
posted By Masood, 31 July 2009 1:44:47 PM
Furthest thing from a Lakers fan here, but I agree with the others. When I saw the Spurs at number 1, I just rolled my eyes, and scanned the rest of the article. But have your fun. Preseason rankings aren't worth the pixels they're written with, anyway.
posted By Brian - Claremont, CA, 31 July 2009 1:45:29 PM
Ok, You are ranking the Lakers #2 because you think they lack chemistry??? The Spurs traded 3 of their best defensive players (Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Oberto) in order to get Richard Jefferson. What will the affect of adding Jefferson, McDyess, Blair, and Ratliff have on their chemistry? I guess one Artest is more disruptive to chemistry to four integral players added to San Antonio are.
As for the East "Big" teams (Boston and Cleveland), an incomplete Laker team in 2008-2009 swept both of them. Did you forget Bynum missed a significant portion of last year and Kobe played with four fingers on his right hand? And there was no Artest on those teams. Are you serious? Do you really think that a more potent Laker team will lose in a series to any of the Eastern powers? Get real! You need to re-think some of what you have written.
Also for the Lakers, Phil Jackson won 3 rings with a "troubled" Dennis Rodman...I think Artest will be just fine ;)
Oh and don't forget, Boston and Cleveland have aging veteran stars, whereas as the Lakers have rising stars who are peaking!
posted By CL, 31 July 2009 1:45:39 PM
Is this a joke? Spurs as top pick? I agree with the fan comments...Lakers are tops by a huge margin...maybe not as big as last year but still a big margin this year...you are underestimating the blazers...they will be a top 3 team...the addition of miller will help them tremendously...
posted By Crazy talk, 31 July 2009 1:55:02 PM
Its not that we don't think another team can win, in fact there are three teams in each conference that are capable of taking the title, but in all honesty if you were forced to take money out of your bank account would you put it on the Lakers or the Spurs. I remind you that the Lakers killed the Spurs in the playoffs two years ago, and the addition of RJ is supposed to trump the addition of Artest? Seriously?
posted By Nick, 31 July 2009 1:55:25 PM
Finally someone who knows what they are talking about. Bad luck with some injuries the last two years, the Spurs are ready to roll this year. The team looks so deep, with 4 scary scoring options and a team defence that only got better despite the loss of Bruce Bowen. Lakers vs. Spurs full strength will be quite a show!
posted By Curtis, 31 July 2009 2:00:16 PM
You have the Blazers 5th! they were 4th last year with the youngest rotation in the league. Mavericks 3rd is a joke as well (Drew Gooden has always been a knumbskull, and they have no center)!
posted By Murray, 31 July 2009 2:00:59 PM
LOL at the Laker fans outraged at the Lakers not being placed first. Listen guys, your team is good, they are the defending champs, but San Antonio has won the same number of titles this decade as LA (4) and just massively upgraded themselves. Ranking them ahead of LA is not necessarily an insult to LA, but a statement of the huge advance SA made.
That being said, the Homer in me comes out with hackles up at the idea of Portland being 5th. That team finished 4th last year, added a major piece, and had major contributions last year from 3 rookies, all of whom will be much better this year. They are far more likely to leapfrog Denver--with whom they finished in a virtual tie last year, than for Denver, which stood still, to make ground on them. Dallas hasn't shown that the collection they just amassed will win on the court. I place Portland 3rd.
posted By YA, 31 July 2009 2:02:03 PM
Go position by position and the only advantage the spurs have over LA is the point, and you're telling me thats enough to put them over the top? Crazy Talk is exactl what this is
posted By Ron A,, 31 July 2009 2:11:40 PM
Are you crazy? The Lakers at #2? Have you forgotten that Ginoboli and Duncan are on their last legs! I see Denver and Portland with a better record that San Antonio. Also, I don't see San Antonio getting past Dallas in the playoffs if they meet! How can San Antonio's starting 5 match up with Kobe,Fisher, Artest, Gasol, and Bynum with Odom, Brown, and Farmar off the bench! Don't forget that Adam Morrison will be reborn this season!
posted By Les, 31 July 2009 2:16:34 PM
Being a Spurs fan, i still believe that the Lakers are number 1, and while gaining Artest may be a big gamble espcially for 5 long years he is still a solid player but to the person who said position by poistion except the point the lakers are better, im pretty sure thats not correct.
Parker/Fisher + Spurs
Manu/whoever the spurs start/kobe= Lakers
RJ/Artest pretty equal
Tim/Pau, = spurs
Mcdyess/Bynum=Lakers but both centers have a tough time staying injury free.
Seems pretty equal to me, it all depends on how both benches perform.
posted By sjc, 31 July 2009 2:27:08 PM
listen you idiots this is her opinion, did u guys forgot that the current spurs core has 3 rings compared to the lakers core which has 1! the nba season is unpredictable and can play out any which ways, mcdyss and rj are team 1st guys and with tim duncan they will fall in line, artest is a very unpredictable player so its up and down with him also for you idiot lakers fans there are other teams and you guys were handed the championship last year because everyone got hurt if yao or kg didnt get hurt no wayyy in hell would u guys have won a ring you do remember boston whooped your ass last year
posted By YA, 31 July 2009 2:27:27 PM
I said advantage and are you sure you want McDyess over Bynum? RJ and Artest cancel out each others offense but are you saying RJ is anywhere close to Artest on D?
posted By ST, 31 July 2009 2:30:02 PM
BD, EG, AT, BG, MC starting 5 = top 5 rank for the Clippers the other LA Team.
posted By @sjc, 31 July 2009 2:34:30 PM
listen you idiot do you remember the lakers crushing the spurs two years ago 4-1 in the playoffs. Wasn't that the same core that looked old and tired.
posted By Les, 31 July 2009 2:34:58 PM
I didnt say i would want McDyess over Bynum, obviuosly Bynum is a good player, will be strong, but both players are constantly injured, and while i would choose bynum over mcdyess, i believe with the Spurs lineup and team makeup that Mcdyess will fit in great and with the Spurs big man depth he should be able to get enough rest over the course of the year, and as far as RJ and Artest goes, i believe artest is a better defender, but RJ is more efficient on offense, i.e. needs less shots to get his points as does an artest or kobe for that matter.
posted By inuries, 31 July 2009 2:35:03 PM
the spurs know all about winning the title with luck and inuries.
99" lockout year and ewing out
03 webber hurt and dirk hurt after game 2
05 joe johnson tore a eye and rashad lewis misses all the games after game 2 and it goes 6
07 the amare and diaw susepensions in the pivital game 5 and the warriors taking out the team with the best record who had the spurs number that year
so i agree lakers had some luck in this title. but the spurs have had their share of luck too in fact much more.
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 2:37:15 PM
Laker fans are silly!
So the defending champion has to be the favorite? The Lakers were the favorites of all the analysts this year even though the Celtics were the defending Champions?
The Lakers are better position by position? You're smoking. Tim Duncan 4 time champ and MVP multiple times, is and always will be better than Gasol. Parker was and always will be better than Fisher.
Lakers Fans: You can't always expect to repeat! Just be happy that the dirty back-door Gasol trade brought you an undeserved championship!
P.S. You got lucky this year too! You would not have beat the Celtics! You barely beat the ming-less Rockets!
What if the Spurs improve even more? Get a grip!
Ken
posted By rp, 31 July 2009 2:38:00 PM
how can you put spurs #1. do u even watch basketball? spurs are getting old. duncan got bad knees, gonibili got bad ankles. mcdyess is old. ya, 9.8 rpg. do u think he will get that playing behind duncan? pleaseeee.
posted By unbiased, 31 July 2009 2:38:50 PM
but rj is going to have a hard time against the lakers. he is going to end up guarding kobe to protect manu and kobe has always enjoyed big time success on rj. he will compeltely domanite the d of jefferson. and both kobe and artest are capable of limiting rj more than he can either kobe or artest. and ill give you duncan over gasol clearly but head to head they pretty much play to a draw. duncan absolute can not shut down gasol not one bit and vice versa for gasol guarding duncan
posted By Laker Marc, 31 July 2009 2:40:30 PM
IDIOTIC i wish everyone would stop making excuses for the celtics and the cavs and the spurs. Part of this game is the scenario and circumstances each team MUST deal with when the time comes. Every team had injuries, and the Lakers dealt with them best. When someone was injured, someone else was carry the burden. They were successful in dealing with their losses. Garnett being out was a tough break but let me remind everyone that the lakers had beaten every top team in the regular season, and concincingly, except Orlando. All of these what if's???? Ridiculous.
posted By the rj trade., 31 July 2009 2:41:29 PM
the spurs lost the right to dish the gasol trade the moment rj to the spurs for bowne oberto and thomas happened. thats the worst package of garbage ever recevived for a guy who is no all star at all but a very good player. at least the grizz got the other gasol who is solid and a pick that got darrell arthur who can play and the lakers pick this year ( which how knows could be lottery right if other teams dont get hurt right? )
posted By mike, 31 July 2009 2:41:45 PM
My list:
1. San Antonio, with Jefferson new and Ginnobili back they are strong and deep.
2. La Lakers, odom back and Artest new very strong, but reserves are weaker then Spurs.
3. New Orleans, CP will be MVP, healthy team and with Okafor better inside, good rookis.
4. Dallas, With Dirk alls center and Marion als 4 they will run.
5. Portland, They are 1 year older.
6. Denver, Good team but i dont think they will come so strong like last year.
7. Oklahoma, young and young, will run alot,
8. La Clippers,
9. Utah, depends on Boozer how long he will stay can go upp ore done.
10. Golden State, run and no defence.
11. Houston, sorry without Yao no playofs.
12. Phoenix, no defence, nash getting older, Stoudmire broken.
13. Memphis, alot of ballholders in the team.
14. Minnesota
15. Sacramento
posted By YA, 31 July 2009 2:41:58 PM
I'm not saying the Spurs can't win it all, I think they are very capable of beating anyone in the league, i'm disagreeing with her rankings. To me on paper the champs should be ranked first.
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 2:42:29 PM
Laker Fans should be sending gifts to Yao Ming's foot and Kevin Garnett's knee, if not for that luck you would have been whining and crying again this year!
Don't hate because Susan is objective!
Ken
posted By Highly Amused, 31 July 2009 2:45:14 PM
You guys seem to be missing the point about the Spurs being ranked ahead of the Lakers. Simply via the addition of Jefferson to the team Tim Duncan has magically gotten younger and more spry in the paint. Parker has turned into a lock down defender, especially in the post against bigger point guards. Trading Bowen just increased Ginobili's chance at his first injury free season since everyone knows Bowen was a health hex to Manu. Dice is rumored to have grown seven inches over the summer and should be easily able to dominate the paint from the center position against the likes of much smaller players such as Bynum, Oden, Nene, and Amare. The Lakers on the other hand have severely weakened themselves by bringing in an aging and washed up Artest. This is compounded by the chemistry issues that Artest will undoubtedly bring with him. Unless the Lakers can regain the team synergy and love for each other that got them their first three championships this decade they are doomed to get swept out of the first round by the Mavs. Excellent ranking, couldn't agree more!
posted By artest the same age as rj, 31 July 2009 2:47:28 PM
artest is 29 this year the same age as rj. so their both old and washed up then.
posted By Really, 31 July 2009 2:48:48 PM
Really Ken you can see into the hypothetical future? What a joke
posted By what deep spurs bench ?, 31 July 2009 2:50:00 PM
take away manu by him being hurt or starting and the spurs bench is garbage as they say in french. blair is a rookie so who knows what he does. but george hill plz spurs fans love him other teams arent impressed he wouldnt play ahead of any of the 3 lakers pgs fisher, farmar, or brown. who else matt bonner ? theo ratliff i know what is the nba going to do . haslip , finley, that french big guy, thats all star right there. take manu away and the spurs bench is garbage just like the lakers without odom.
posted By SG, 31 July 2009 2:52:00 PM
@Lee...Bynum is not injury prone. The guy was hurt by someone falling on his knee both years in a row.
posted By h vino, 31 July 2009 2:52:08 PM
how does she put the Mavs over the Nuggz?????
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 2:59:12 PM
Dear Really: All future is hypothetical, but in this case we are talking about the hypothetical past. The lakers got blown out twice by the Rockets with no Ming. Nothing hypothetical about that... Thanks for your attention though! By the way, what did you pick out for Yao Ming's foot? Something nice, I hope! Maybe a cute toe ring? Kevin Garnett's knee deserves a card at the very least...and don't forget you Lakers owe the Grizzlies a favor...watch out for when they collect! Never disrespect the Godfather!
posted By Dee, 31 July 2009 3:00:39 PM
Geez are all Laker fans such little girls?I mean you guys KNOW youre going to be the best in the west again so why even entertain the idea of SA being #1?Another thing,Im Sooooo tired of you guys wishing and wanting to sign everybody and their mother,I swear,you would think that LA pulled a Cavs and tanked in the WC finals instead of winning the whole damn thing.And last but not least you guys wont win the trophy again this year...while I said that SA wont be #1 in the west they will BEAT the Lakes(and I hate the Spurts BTW).None on the top 5 teams east or West(LA,SA,BOS,CLE,ORL) will win the finals.Expect the unexpected.
posted By Derek, 31 July 2009 3:05:36 PM
Agreed, how can the nuggets, who absolutely destroyed the mavs, be ranked lower than the mavs? Top three in the west should be lakers spurs and nuggets
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 3:07:48 PM
Dee, please don't insult little girls by comparing Laker fans to them.
posted By nuggcity, 31 July 2009 3:09:00 PM
Really???? the nuggets 4th? the nuggets r the second best team in the west by far...they r leaps and bounds ahead of the spurs..just because San Antonio added 2 players all of a sudden they r the best? Its Lakers first then Denver (who will beat LA this year in th wcf) then portland and then the spurs....
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 3:11:08 PM
Derek, the Nuggets did not destroy the Mavericks. They even got lucky with the non-foul call which changed the whole complexion of the series, did you forget? And now the Mavericks have added Shawn Marion. Did the Nuggets get any better? No, they didn't. Try a little hard please.
posted By lakers match up well with the spurs., 31 July 2009 3:11:55 PM
the match up excellent with them. even though they have no match up for parker they still do a ok job on him by clogging the lane with height. if you watch lakers vs spurs games you would see parker gets only to the rim a few times a game. and without bowen at his best guarding kobe . kobe is going to go off on the spurs. rj on d is no match at all
posted By Lakerfan-tastic, 31 July 2009 3:13:52 PM
It is funny how everyone says the Lakers are lucking that Yao went down. Obviously those saying that didn't watch the games. The Lakers love slowing the game down and playing a half court set. Which was how it was playing out when Yao went down. When Yao went down, the Lakers started having their difficulties.
This is why the lakers have trouble with the Blazers, (pre-Shaq) Suns, Jazz, and the Bobcats.
Slow it down and the Lakers beat anyone in a best of 7.
posted By D in LA, 31 July 2009 3:28:54 PM
Laker Haters are so funny...they forget that Bynum didnt play in the 2008 finals and Ariza hardly so the floor because he was recovering from a broken foot. Bynum in that series would have killed Perkins and he wouldn't have been in foul trouble guarding him either. A healhty Aria would have been to quick for Perice or Allen just like during the 2009 season. See, we can all make excuses to fit our needs. Honestly, I hope the Lakers think the Spurs are the best so that they remain focus and hungery. I don't agree with the rank, but we all know the truth...remenber the Lakers beat the Spurs w/o Bynum & Ariza two years ago and Bynum has always played well against Tim Duncan. I didn't say he was better...I said he plays well against him because Duncan is not a banger that gets bull***t calls. I think it would be a good matchup, but without someone making Kobe's life hell, I don't see the Spurs beating them.
posted By Joe, 31 July 2009 3:45:43 PM
Wow you should probably be fired, because this take of yours is one of the worst ever. A team who just won the whole thing brings back everyone contributor but one and the person they brought in to replace that one is a better all around player and you drop them to #2. Then you ask how they well stack up against the top two seeds in the east well let me tell you they were 4-0 against them last season.
posted By David, 31 July 2009 3:47:32 PM
What a blatant attempt to generate controversy. *****IF**** the Spurs are healthy, they are a legit no.2, behind the (in case you missed it) DEFENDING CHAMPION Lakers, returning virtually the same squad that won the title.
Chemistry concerns around Artest? I like the Lakers without EITHER Artest OR Ariza over the Spurs come May, given the high degree of probability some combination of the Spurs' 'Big 4' is in street clothes nursing yet another injury.
Get real.
posted By Omar the bull, 31 July 2009 4:23:14 PM
You guys are making a big deal over nothing. It doesn't matter who wins the Western Conference,because in the end whoever wins the Western Conference will lose to the Magic in the NBA Finals.
posted By Mo, 31 July 2009 4:54:16 PM
Can i take out my sword real quick. wow man lakers not #1? the only difference is ariza and artest and artest is by far a way superior player. he accepted less money to play with kobe,lamar, phil, he's shown that he's a team player. what chemistry? they build that during preseason, and the start of the season. they have an identity so it wont take long. how bout the spurs, they're adding 2 important pieces plus blair, and ginobili is better? is he? i think spurs are 3rd behind nuggs. ill put my sword back now.
posted By LSO, 31 July 2009 5:10:13 PM
Idiotic?? Ridiculous?? Garbage?? Little girls?? ####-stirrer? If, in fact, (some) sports fans have a bad rap, it's comments like a lot of these that earn that rap. What about the word "opinion" cannot be understood? An opinion cannot be wrong. An opinion is just that: an opinion. Geez. This writer did a fine job backing up her comments. Print it, guys, and we'll recheck next spring.
posted By Really, 31 July 2009 5:26:58 PM
"This writer did a fine job backing up her comments" ya with ifs and chemistry speculation. We as readers are also allowed our oipnions, and thats what our comments are.
posted By Jason Fleming, 31 July 2009 5:33:00 PM
Your comments are not allowed to degrade - just keep that in mind.
posted By BB, 31 July 2009 5:49:59 PM
Maybe the Lakers will win the West and maybe they won't. There is no argument that the Lakers were/are good and should be at least #2, if not #1, but the posts suggests that Lakers fans are as arrogant as their star. Laker Mark says regarding injuries, "the Lakers dealt with them best." Or maybe they were at the right time of the season or not as severe. Not a realistic statement at all. Luck has a lot to do with it. Ask any coach in any sport. And if you think Odom signed the with the Lakers again because he's a team player, ya gotta be breathing the L.A. smog. He knows he wouldn't be as good anywhere else. As for watching basketball, look at the history of the game. Very few repeat titles. Beyond that, looks like a fair ranking except I personally think the Thunder will not finish that high. And I'd probably switch the Hornets with the Jazz, IF Boozer stays.
posted By LSO, 31 July 2009 5:50:35 PM
Thanks, Jason, for reminding "Really" to keep the comments from degrading. I, myself, do not have a problem with dissenting views; it's when they get personal and - dare I say it - rude, that I see the issue. Just keep them civil.
posted By SJT, 31 July 2009 5:54:37 PM
Sure, not picking the Lakers is a little different given their the defending champs, but I think there are some pretty good points in this article. Let me start by saying that I'm a Kobe guy in the LeBron vs. Kobe debate, but let's face it, there's nobody in the league right now with Tim Duncan's resume for consistent winning. OK, Shaq & Kobe have four rings, too, but Duncan's done it more consistently and with less drama (not to mention Shaq & Kobe were on the same team for 3 of theirs). You have to admit that a HEALTHY Spurs team fits nicely into any pre-season discussion. It's not a stretch at all in my opinion. After all, Duncan is the best power forward of all-time. You can't say the same for Kobe, Shaq, Garnett, Lebron, etc. at their positions.
posted By Brian, 31 July 2009 6:20:50 PM
It seems to me that Portland should be ranked higher.
They were tied for second best record in the conference last year, despite missing one starter (Martell Webster) and playing 4 rookies at least 50 games (three of them significant minutes). Now, those guys are all more experienced, Greg Oden will be in better shape, and they've added Andre Miller. How are they are behind Dallas, who barely made the playoffs and are still led by an aging Jason Kidd?
posted By Brian, 31 July 2009 6:23:05 PM
I also think the Spurs are ranked too high. Adding Jefferson and McDyess essentially staves off old age, but doesn't necessarily make them significantly better than they were last year. And they didn't win the conference last year, or even come close to winning 60, let alone 65 games.I would put them behind the Lakers and maybe even behind Portland.
posted By Don, 31 July 2009 7:06:10 PM
Are you crazy? Tastes great! Who cares about less filling! This is nuts! How could you possibly drink something because it was less filling? We all know that how it tastes is the important thing.
posted By Really, 31 July 2009 7:26:47 PM
Jason If you were to pick a 4 for your team and your choices were Pau and Duncan who would you pick? and we are making the picks based on the up coming year. To me Pau would be the safer pick
posted By Lakers Fan-tastic, 31 July 2009 7:45:52 PM
Omar the bull, your comment is bull.
posted By 7r@cy, 31 July 2009 8:02:10 PM
Were you watching a different playoffs than us? Because, as much as I love him and wanted him back, Trevor got HANDLED in the playoffs. Trevor did not play strong D in the playoffs. It was decent at best. And you talk about chemistry... Wouldn' the Spurs have chemistry issues as well? At least for the Lakers, you have Phil(handled Rodman, so that helps), Kobe(good friends, knew each other since HS), and Lamar(best and childhood friends). So you can just throw that chemistry mess away. Health is the only thing LA has to worry about.
posted By Dave K, 31 July 2009 9:31:58 PM
Since when are Manu/whoever the spurs start = kobe? That, is an insane statement. Kobe is top 5 of all time, easily. I love the Spurs and the way they play, as a Piston fan, they play team ball. However, even a casual observer would rather have the Lakers lineup, including Gasol over TD at this point in their respective careers. Worn out Pistons (McDyess & Sheed) will not put SA or Boston back over the hump.
posted By MLA, 31 July 2009 9:49:30 PM
Next season will definitely be very interesting. Now i gotta go do my CHEMISTRY homework
posted By Shawn, 31 July 2009 10:33:29 PM
I am a huge Wolves fan, but I cannot argue much with #15. Kahn is doing a complete rebuild and the team will be weak until at least fall 2010.
However, the coaching process cheapshots seem unnecessary. Kahn is a Walsh devotee. Both work slowly and methodically. I certainly rather he did that than hire the first re-tread willing to say Yes.
posted By A.R, 31 July 2009 11:02:07 PM
Lakers not #1 is a joke.
posted By Kaveh, 31 July 2009 11:02:57 PM
Laura at 1:36pm
It's not that no other team can win anything besides the lakers, but who is MOST LIKELY to win. And to put a geriatric Spurs team who was knocked out of the playoffs in the 1st round with major question marks ---Tim Duncan is old, past his prime and has knee issues, Manu is injury prone and not even effective last year against the lakers when he was healthy, new addition grandpa Mckdyss and Richard Jefferson who is an average NBA player at best when lookin at +- or PER. So I'm not discounting the Spurs chance to win ---they are the co team of the decade with the Lakers as both have 4 championships (i'm counting '99) --i'm just saying putting them ahead of the Lakers cannot be an actual choice at this point. Unless you don't know much about basketball, are a crazy homer and won't look at reason, or are purposefully doing it in order to gain attention.
Time will tell as they say.
posted By Ken, 31 July 2009 11:14:14 PM
Dave K, where did the writer say that anyone equaled Kobe? You just have to make stuff up? Classic Laker Fan. And Kobe is not top 5 of all time to anybody who has ever watched the NBA. Maybe he is a top 5 Laker, Behind Magic, Shaq, West, and Kareem, maybe Baylor too. Kobe is not as good as Duncan either, that's why Duncan has 4 championships as the main man, Kobe has 3 of his 4 as a sidekick. More players Kobe is behind: Jordan, Duncan, Chamberlain, Russell, Bird, Shaq. He'll end up behind LeBron too. I put Kobe at about the same level as Wade, we'll see Wade is younger. These Laker fans need to get a grip! You get one championship due to a dirty trade and a couple of lucky breaks with injury to Garnett and Ming and you think you are so great. Talk to me when the Ming-less Rockets don't push you to 7.
posted By kaveh, 31 July 2009 11:18:22 PM
I have to agree with nuggcity.
As a die hard lakers fan, the only team that i thought had a chance against the lakers last year were the Nuggets. We lost game 1 against Houston, but easily won the next 2. No worries at all. Plus, Houston actually played BETTER without Yao (i'm not sure why, but look at their stats). But us laker fans knew every time that if the lakers needed a win against Houston, it was an easy victory. As you saw by game 5 and 7, when the lakers absolutely destroyed Houston.
However, against the Nuggets, it was a different story. Melo is amazing, Billups is a bit over-rated, but their toughness and physical play had me worried. After we lost game 2, going into game 3 i just didn't know. More scared 1/1 after 2 games against Denver than 1/1 after 2 games against Houston. In fact, i still think that if we had just a normal star instead of Kobe, we would have lost game 3. Who can forget Kobe and game 3? Who can forget being down by 2 with 1 minute left, and Kobe pulls up right in JR's grill and sinks the 3? Absolutely CLUTCH. Insanely CLUTCH. If Kobe isn't Kobe, we lose that game. I think we even lose with LBJ!
So I agree, Lakers #1, Denver #2, Portland/Spurs tied for #3 and the rest really doesn't matter.
posted By Kaveh, 31 July 2009 11:23:11 PM
SJT, great post.
Of course Duncan never had to be measured up against Jordan, lol. It's much easier for Duncan to be the best at his position than it is Kobe, lol.
Nevertheless i think Kobe is still better than Lebron as well. 1 on 1, it is no question that LBJ is much better. If there is one possession, then I give it to Lebron because he is physically a beast. He'll drive and get a foul or a layup/dunk. However, the game of basketball is more complex than 1 on 1 isolation. Kobe understands the game far better than LBJ and Kobe is much better at making his teammates better. Also Kobe is still more clutch. A 3 point shot with 1 min remaining is more important than a 3 point shot in the first quarter.
Kobe understands the game like Jordan understands the game. Psychology has a lot to do with it as well, as does preparation. Kobe is known for countless hours in the gym and preparation.
posted By PY, 31 July 2009 11:31:58 PM
I've love Susan's stuff in the past, yet I can't agree with her on a few of these picks. The Spurs made great improvements, but to say they've overtaken the Lakers? I know Artest can at times bog down the offense with his domination of the ball and forced shots, but I really think people are making way too much of this "chemistry" thing. In the last few years, not only has Artest behaved off the court, but he hasn't had any "chemistry" issues with the Kings or Rockets on the court either. Considering his recent play the last couple of years, he's no more of a chemistry risk than RJ with the Spurs, Shaq with the Cavs, or Marion with the Mavs. The absolute one knock against the Lakers was that they needed to get tougher. The best team in the league fills one of their biggest weaknesses, yet they're downgraded to second in the west? The chemistry issue, although real(just not to a high degree, in my opinion)does not overcome the Lakers getting tougher. If Artest has a positive influence on the Lakers overall defense, the entire league is in trouble for the next 5 years. Also, Dallas at number 3? No way! The Nuggets are a team that truly found themselves last season and believe they should have beaten the Lakers in the playoffs. They could very well finish 1, 2, or 3, but I can't see them finishing in the 4th spot BEHIND Dallas, nope. And with Portland coming on strong, the Mavs will be lucky to get the 4th seed. And do the Suns even make the Playoffs next season? Don't the Thunder & the Clippers make a run at that 8th spot? Assuming all teams are healthy, will Golden State really finish ahead of the Clippers? Well, at least I agree with the last three. GO LAKERS!!!!
posted By Matt, 1 August 2009 12:51:47 AM
Ok! I don't get it? My only changed would be the #1 and #2 spots... besides that, it is an excellent job... Dallas did not get killed by the Nuggets... It would've been a 7 game series if there wasn't a blown call... And now they have actually gotten alot better and the Nuggets have done nothing... and those who argue that Portland will be better than Dallas... Look at their season record against them last year... Dallas swept them 4-0... I see Dallas being in the third spot behind the Lakers and Spurs. However, the Lakers are clearly #1.
posted By sid, 1 August 2009 12:56:16 AM
cavs are gonna beat the hell out of any a these teams BOOK IT!!!
posted By SJT, 1 August 2009 1:16:16 AM
Really: Pau over Duncan? What's next...Fisher over Nash? How about Nancy Pelosi over Megan Fox?
posted By Spurs will miss their kobe stopper, 1 August 2009 2:23:58 AM
The Spurs are a great team, but people tend to give them credit because of things they have done in the past without looking at the present. The Spurs don't have a Kobe Stopper and that is crucial to beating the lakers, just ask the nuggets how much that hurt. Also the Lakers are the team of the decade because they have been to the finals 6 times while the spurs have been 3 (can't count 99 different decade). To the people who believe the lakers lucked out this year because of injuries check out the lakers results vs. the cavs, boston, and spurs during the regular season, and don't bring up the magic results because those two games came on the second night of back to back vs. playoff teams on the road. I don't how a team that can match up with any style of basketball not be #1. In closing I like to pose two questions to those who mentioned that Duncan is the greatest PF of all time, name a great PF other than Duncan that is a top 20 player of all time? Why does Duncan refuse to be a center when he played center for his last two championships when the games were on the line? Is he a top 5 center of all time, NO?
posted By Fizzle, 1 August 2009 2:24:23 AM
Your argument is weak...at best for putting Lakers #2. You bring up the Lakers chemistry yet the Spurs have more new pieces. Also health is a big concern that every team worries about. So when was the last time Tim Duncan and Ginobili were healthy? The Lakers had a great year last year without Bynum for most of the year. As far as how the Lakers would of done against the Celtics or Cavs is irrelevant because they LOST to the Eastern Conference Champions Orlando Magic.
posted By Pig, 1 August 2009 7:53:58 AM
Melo 2010 MVP and Nuggets 2010 nba champs and i'm drunk
posted By Scott, 1 August 2009 8:05:04 AM
Oh man, I love that everyone is freaking out about the Lakers not being # 1. THERE WILL BE CHEMISTRY ISSUES IN LA. And I can't understand why everyone has such a crush on Andrew Bynum...he has never shown anything but "potential"...and he is a walking injury. If you want a guy who has 10 good games per year, and only plays 40 out of 82, then rah rah, he is your man!
posted By WD_in_NYC, 1 August 2009 8:18:24 AM
All,
The writer said one of her aims was to get the debate started and that she did and I respect that...
Two things to mention---I have seen mentioned here is with the Lakers being "lucky" that Boston, San Antonio, and Orlando had injuries and I will grant you your point....Just as a reminder that in the 2008 NBA Finals, the Lakers were missing Bynum and Ariza had BARELY returned from his foot injury which caused him to miss a huge portion of the season...
Two---the Spurs have won THREE titles this decade, not FOUR...Their first title was in the shortened season of 1998-1999...Their first title of the 2000s was in 2003...The Lakers DO have 4 titles this decade including 3 consecutive....
I look forward to EVERYONE hopefully being healthy and the WCF being LA versus SA and the ECF being Boston versus Cleveland with all teams being at full strength...That will settle any debates...
Welcome to Hoopsworld, Susan and good luck to you!
posted By Alex F, 1 August 2009 8:24:44 AM
Reading these rankings you get the feeling it was written by a very stupid 15 year old kid who watches a few games and thinks he knows everything. The Lakers probably would have had to play seven games agaist the Celtics to win it all (if Garnet was there, But if Ariza and Bynum played the year before the Lakers probably would have won). But if my granda had you know what she would have been my granpa; but they would have swept the Cavs with maybe one or two games being close. Watch the 2 games during the regular season. The Lakers toyed with the Cavs. Orland won the east because they were much better than Cleveland. They gave away a game and still won. As far as the Celtics go. Yes Orlando won because Garnett was injured but they won on the road despite giving away not one but two games to the Celtics. As far as the Lakers go They are clearly the best team in the league going into this season. I would put the spurs at 4 in the west at best. They were smoked in the first round by Dallas who was smoked by Denver who lost to the Lakers. So they added RJ. You would think they added Michael Jordan. RJ is nice player. Not even an all star. He's not even half the player Ron Artest is. Artest took the lakers to seven games with role players around him. Granted he never won a title but look at the winning percentage of the teams he played for before and after he left. He adds about fifteen percent in wins. It's a fact. RJ put up big numbers offensively on losing team. It means close to nothing. As far as defense goes Artest is one of the best and RJ doesn't play defense. As far as injuries go, yes it could happen to anyone, but the spurs are relying on Ginobli and Duncan who are clearly breaking down. Even if they don't suffer injuries they will lose to the Lakers in five, and most likely to the Nuggets in six in the Semis. Take that to the bank Yahoo sports writer who is trying to be controversial but instead coming across very silly.
posted By Funny, 1 August 2009 9:04:18 AM
If Hoopsworld wants to continue to have any sense of credibility they will get rid of this lady. Did she forget that the Lakers just won the title a month and a half ago? Or that San Antonio got booted in the first round? If Richard Jefferson and a really old Mcdyess is what passes for a championship prediction this site is going down
posted By Ken, 1 August 2009 9:36:35 AM
Oh yeah, and wanna talk about injuries some more? How about this, Jameer Nelson who was the leading scorer against the Magic when they beat the Lakers twice during the regular season played his first games in 3 months when he suited up for the finals and was clearly not himself. Yet another gift for you Faker fans! Ming, Garnett, Nelson. Get a grip & count your lucky stars!Stop hating on the writer because she is objective. -- Bowen will be back on the Spurs, and look for them to land a nice backup PG to further their ascendancy to better than the Lakers in 2009 -2010!
posted By Waterboy, 1 August 2009 9:39:39 AM
posted By Pig, 1 August 2009 7:53:58 AM
Melo 2010 MVP and Nuggets 2010 nba champs and i'm drunk
Hey Pig, I'd love some of what you're having
posted By Pig, 1 August 2009 10:00:28 AM
Vodka with little bit vodka did it
posted By observer, 1 August 2009 11:11:32 AM
Let's talk chemistry - Artest can't fit with the Lakers because of what? He is tight with LO (childhood friend) and Kobe. Artest respects Phil. But somehow there's a chemistry problem.
Susan Bible is way off base. What makes the writer think Jefferson will mesh with Manu/Duncan? Do they even know each other?
posted By Shaun, 1 August 2009 11:21:46 AM
It's such a disservice to call the Magic a break for the Lakers. They may have beaten an injury riddled Celtics, but that Cavs team they beat were full strength. Take that awesome Lebron shot away and that series is a rout. Give credit where credit is due.
posted By .........., 1 August 2009 12:20:21 PM
why the hell was my comment deleted? It wasn't offensive
posted By KB, 1 August 2009 1:51:25 PM
Wow, does she have a clue what she's talking about. What does she mean did they catch a break facing the magic in the finals? The lakers beat the cavaliers twice in the regular season easily. The celtics were more of competetive but they still beat them twice too. I think they would have beat both but definitely the cavs. Chemistry problems? THE SAME TEAM IS PRETTY MUCH COMING BACK EXCEPT FOR ARIZA AND THEIRS GONNA BE CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS? That doesn't seem very obvious to me. Plus him and odom are good friends so they already know each other and he respects Kobe. CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS! PLEASE!
posted By Graig, 1 August 2009 2:50:45 PM
The article made a lot of sense, is Lakers and Spurs are both healthy Spurs take it for sure. If the Spurs are healthy.
Lakers fans are children, sad ---s whose self-esteem is linked to their team. The Lakers have two more years to compete before the Nuggets and Blazers run the show in the West.
posted By Lakers, 1 August 2009 3:15:50 PM
rasheed is a hot head wat about that chemistry..how do we kno shaq is gonna be so great in cleveland and for those that wanna say lakers are lucky first of all the lakers toyed with the rockets wen they decided they wanted to play lakers destroyed them..the spurs are 2nd best team in the NBA give the magic ther credit they killed cavs without nelson
posted By jerry buss, 1 August 2009 3:18:58 PM
the clippers will be a playoff team.....and not even the eastern confrence allstars can beat the lakers in a 7 game series
posted By jerry, 1 August 2009 3:31:34 PM
Being from Oklahoma, it's hard to get behind the Lakers when the Clippers have taken our focus with the No. 1 draft pick!!!! Good article, Susan; seems to have gotten the controversy everyone needed in August.
posted By Don, 1 August 2009 3:39:56 PM
I still say, "tastes great" is more important than "less filling".
Blazer fan here. Everyone should just calm down a little. It's not like Susan is handing out the trophy. She has an opinion. If your team does better than she projected, good for them! How did her opinion damage you or your team?
That said, Blazers should be ranked #1! Are you crazy? Nah, actually, I think #4 fits them, until they can prove that they belong in that upper tier. I personally think it's very posssible this year. We'll see.
And Susan, you cover OKC. How do they NOT make the playoffs this year. That's one scary young group. Personally I think they get past Utah AND Phoenix this year...maybe New Orleans too.
posted By Luis, 1 August 2009 3:52:08 PM
Its funny how the Editors Note says that "We do not produce materials to "generate pageviews" or to "see if we can get 80 comments"...hahaha then what are you doing running a website? Listen everybody is not necessarily gonna agree with you but don't try to sway the obvious. This choice, while ridiculous, got you exactly what you wanted more page views and more comments...well done now maybe you can write a logical piece of journalism...
posted By Mike M, 1 August 2009 5:24:50 PM
pretty good trolling
posted By Dany, 1 August 2009 5:49:34 PM
Wow, Just read a couple of the comments, it seems that people just cant disagree with U, they have 2 go balls out like U offended their Mother. anyways, Susan I have to say that that I dont understand how the Spurs are ranked #1. Im a celtic fan so none of these teams matter 2 me, (except Blazers, who i also love and believe they should be higher then mavs) but the lakers just won a championship, kept most of their team intact, and maybe got better. Spurs did 2, but also lost in the 1st round, thats a big Jump they got.
posted By vee, 1 August 2009 5:50:14 PM
this article completely loses its legitimacy by ranking the spurs ahead of the lakers
posted By Logan, 1 August 2009 6:18:28 PM
We'll see how much junk you Slurs fans are talking next June when the Lakers (fresh from destroying your geriatric Slurs in the WCF) are mopping the floor with Queen Lames and Slaq, the Smeltics, or Tragic in the Finals.Know your place buffoons.
posted By LSO, 1 August 2009 6:33:08 PM
As I said earlier, I have NO problem with people presenting dissenting views and I'm sure HOOPSWORLD knew both these pieces wuld do just that. What does present a problem to me is people like Alex F. comparing this writer to a "15 year old kid, etc." Does he/she think this kind of talk represents an intelligent argument? It's just name calling and should be beneath an adult to make such comments. Alex F., try to use mature words in offering your views, not the immaturity of a 7 yr. old. I CANNOT be the only fan whom this offends!
posted By Rumble, 1 August 2009 6:53:30 PM
I don't like the Lakers but I think they have the upper hand with their experience, obviously the West is so tight this year I think that neither San Antonio or LA will make it. I see Blazers and Nuggets in the WCF. OKC should be 7th or 8th because of KD. All in All Great Read!!
posted By SORRY, 1 August 2009 8:29:24 PM
Blazers are number 2, Mavs still suck and the Suns are a joke. An absolute joke. They'll probably take number 12.
posted By Akbar, 1 August 2009 8:40:00 PM
OK...so the only reason why you're downgrading the Lakers to the Spurs' benefit is alleged "chemistry issues" on the part of Los Angeles. The loss of ONE player - Trevor Ariza - is your support for that opinion.
YET YOU MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO MENTION OF THE POTENTIAL CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS THAT ARISE FROM THE LOSS BRUCE BOWEN, KURT THOMAS, AND FABRICIO OBERTO - three solid role-players in their own right who together accounted for ~45 minutes of playing time for San Antonio/game. Trevor Ariza averaged just 24 min./game for LA, nevermind the fact that objectively speaking San Antonio has to work harder to remake itself after losing three role-players than LA has to work after losing just one role-player.
posted By jon, 1 August 2009 8:51:00 PM
kick the suns out bump lakers up and we're good.
posted By jc,, 1 August 2009 9:14:52 PM
The nuggets get know respect,
the core of nene melo and jr are an average age of 24. They will be better than last year. Plus The mavs and spurs did not improve to beat the lakers or the nuggets. Becasue you here a name doesn't mean there are the same talent they once worth. The moves the Lakers made theis summer are for the NUGGETS, PERIOD!!!!!!!!
posted By PY, 1 August 2009 9:35:52 PM
The name calling and insults are really getting old. I believe the Lakers should be number 1 and will win the next 10 championships but that's just my opinion. Let's grow up a bit and be more respectful. Oh yeah...GO LAKERS!!!!
posted By V, 1 August 2009 9:38:43 PM
I also think the Lakers should be number one but not for the reasons mentioned here by Laker fans. Looking at the Spurs side, the Spurs' Big 3 (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) will have their minutes limited by Pop. I think they'll still aim for home court advantage for the first round, but they don't seem to care much about getting the top seed. It's more about getting healthy for them (as they are aging) going to the playoffs. I remember there were stretches last year that Duncan would sit out just because, and they'd lose to a lowly team. The Lakers on the other hand would try to maintain and show-off their dominance and aim for that top seed. But if it was head to head, I'd say the Spurs aren't too far from the Lakers. They'd even probably be evenly matched.
posted By Da Slammer, 1 August 2009 10:55:39 PM
Get a grip people, the author got you suckers to read her article and now you're sweating her. Whose the fool? Laker fans, you better go eat some kfc with Magic.
You just got slammed!
posted By Susan Bible, 1 August 2009 10:56:42 PM
I expected this article to generate some lively talk about the West teams...fans expressing why their team ahould be placed higher, why others lower, etc. The name-calling and personal insults have reached a level of absurdity. In any case, it's just my opinion of rankings, and I'm not wavering. When I thought about the Lakers, what came to mind was Ron Artest/chemistry, the departure of Trevor Ariza, potential complacency, etc. Since the majority of objections here center on the audacity of my questioning chemistry, I googled the subject to see if I was truly alone in this view. I immediately found five articles from respected sources (including two from the Los Angeles Times) on potential problems with chemistry and Artest. Check it out:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke-lakers3-2009jul03,0,1013056.column
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/31717536/ns/sports-nba/
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2008/07/ron-ron-or-lo.html
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/14/still-not-sold-on-artest-and-lakers/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/212081-lakers-take-step-backwards-with-artest-acquisition
Wow -- so I'm not the only one! Listen, the Lakers are the defending champions...they have awesome pieces...Kobe is an unbelievable player...they could repeat...we all know that. I happen to think that Buford implemented changes to make a run this year. OK? And to those who engaged in friendly disagreements without resorting to personal attacks, thank you.
posted By Carter, 1 August 2009 11:59:48 PM
Well said. People are crazy here, the other guys don't even address it anymore.
posted By Kristi, 2 August 2009 12:03:30 AM
Thank God they HW has a female writer(and a tough one too!). I've been drowning in the ignorance and testosterone on this site. I just like basketball, but some of these "men" are discouraging to any discussion at all. Keep up the good work Susan.
posted By LLM, 2 August 2009 1:06:23 AM
Here's how the writer started this article--->>> "As HOOPSWORLD's newest writer, I offer my opinion knowing some readers may be compelled to rip my rankings to shreds….but I can take it. I think. I know how personally diehard fans like us take criticism or what appears to be lack of respect toward our teams. Just understand that this is not a prediction of how the season's going to end up, simply a fun list as I see it right now, to spark some spirited debate. Remember, the goal here is to have fun!" Many people must not have read that part of this fine article...Why are you lambasting the writer for having an opinion? I'm proud of HOOPSWORLD for allowing Susan to express her opinion....That's what it is...an OPINION !!! And look, Susan's not calling all of you names for expressing your opinions !!! Get over yourselves !!! Keep up the great work, Susan!!! There's lots of people out here that love you and your opinions !!!
posted By Akbar, 2 August 2009 2:24:00 AM
Susan: You posted three different articles from other sources and that's supposed to prove...what? If I wanted to read what the LA Times had to say about this I'd be on a different website.
Ron Artest hasn't proven himself to be a workable cog in the Laker machine. Fine. Granted. But if you took the time to notice, you'd see that none of those articles predicts anything like what you're saying about LA vis-a-vis SA. Now that you've chosen to lean on what rival journalists say and write, you can't pick the pieces of information you want to support your analysis and ignore where and how YOUR piece comes off the tracks. You are alone in your "opinion" here; you would have done better for yourself if you had found someone who actually believes that the Lakers aren't alone in the top-tier of the West. You didn't do that. You didn't even understand the criticisms lofted your way regarding your "chemistry" allegations...what about Bowen, Thomas, and Oberto? What about SA's chemistry?
For those of you crying "OPINIONS, WAAAHHH!" in defense of a professional journalist: She isn't just an average Joe with a 9-5 job opining in her free time like the rest of us. She's getting paid to do this, and that ultimately means that she's held to a higher standard.
posted By puro spurs, 2 August 2009 3:21:27 AM
c,mon guys everybody here is just all shaken up because sa is in #1 lets all face the reality everybody is forgetting that sa stll has their four champmps in the last ten years without anybody that was added on to the roster but all you insecure fans of your teams are just afraid of facing the facts that with the additions of the frontcourt and the experience is gonna knock you all back to reality with the 5th championship of your socks so stop hating come back to earth and lets get this party started.
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 11:01:21 AM
To Akbar and the rest of you Faker fans who simply don't understand NBA basketball, let me explain why the Spurs' chemistry hasn't been brought up: None of the players in the core of SA have been known for chemistry issues! Add Mcdyess who has never had chemistry issues anywhere, and makes a perfect complementary piece to Duncan! Add Jefferson who has always behaved well through out his career and makes another perfect complementary piece to Parker and Duncan! Add Blair who is another perfect complement! Meanwhile, Kobe is FAMOUS for locking horns with his teammates! Artest (Who I love) is FAMOUS for locking horns with his team overall! By the way, Odom, Bynum, and Gasol have injury history, Fisher is obviously getting old and Kobe's pinky finger is about to fall off.
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 11:06:09 AM
I'M GOING TO LAUGH MY ASS OFF AT ALL OF YOU FAKER FANS WHEN SAN ANTONIO HAS BETTER PLAYOFF POSITION THAN YOUR SQUAD! BWAHAHAHAHA! You are so arrogant that you think that because you won last year you have to be the favorite or have the best record this year? Guess what? You were the favorites this past season and the Celtics had a better record and beat your tails the year before. So you see, if you win it once it doesn't mean that you are the best and/or will win it the next year. Or else there will have only been 1 NBA champion since the beginning. So wipe your tears and inject some more botox so we can't see how upset you are and just go back to being the least knowledgeable, fair-weather fans in the world, M'kay?
posted By ItWorked, 2 August 2009 4:58:00 PM
What Susan did was got 117 post from her opinions Lakers should be #1, with Portland, then SA or Denver. But thats why they play the game, and people like Susan gets paid for us reading and responding to their opinion.
posted By Lakerpassion, 2 August 2009 6:25:51 PM
When the owners of the Spurs or Nuggets or whoever pay $20 Plus million in luxury tax and $12 million to their coach, then I'll take them seriously. Until then they don't match the Lakers' commitment to winning.
For 09-10, no other team is as well balanced, as deep, can play either in the paint or on the perimeter and all points in between.
posted By Akbar, 2 August 2009 7:20:00 PM
Ken: What a moron. You go down the list of LA's squadmembers to prove that the Lakers are injury prone...UM HELLO?!! Tony Parker was just called back to the States to receive tests on his ankle. Manu Ginobili just came off of a season that was basically lost due to injury. Are you obvlivious to all that?
What's so hard to understand about this? Nobody's saying that LA doesn't have to reestablish chemistry or that LA doesn't have potential injury problems, but now that you've made the same mistake as Susan let me say, again: the issue here is people like you and Susan applying differing standards to the same teams in anticipation of next season. I'm not saying that Bynum isn't injury-prone...we're both saying that it's a potential trouble point, yet you're completely ignoring the potential injury issues that accompany an overplayed Tony Parker, a waning Ginobili, and a fast-becoming-over-the-hill Tim Duncan. Like Susan's one-sided emphasis on chemistry issues, your one-sided emphasis on injury issues demonstrates either a complete lack of analytical abilities or sheer ignorance. Take your pick.
And as for this idiotic "chemistry" debate, NO ONE EVER SAID THAT LA DOESN'T HAVE TO ESTABLISH A NEW CHEMISTRY. That's granted. The point of contention between the rest of us and Susan is the fact that "chemistry issues" were only brought to bear on the defending champs, not the Spurs...yet the Spurs have completely revamped their bench by removing three roleplayers and adding McDyess and Jefferson. You can speculate all you want about the "proven" lack of adaptation on Artest's part - it simply isn't true considering how well Houston could gel even without T-Mac last year - as it relates to McDyess and Jefferson's geniality. At the end of the day SA has sent three of its key bench players to other teams in order to acquire another superstar who may or may not gel with his new team. Any attempt to dismiss the potential chemistry problems there while highlighting potential chemistry problems in LA is sheer ignorance and/or myopia. Again, take your pick.
posted By Akbar, 2 August 2009 7:29:40 PM
lol...Ken, my Lord...it is so obvious that nobody should be listening to you. Your first post after mine may as well have said, "SPURZ R TEH BEST LAKERS DROOL LALALALALALLALALALALA CANT HEAR YOU!"
I wish I had realized that before taking the time to respond to you.
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 7:38:38 PM
Akbar: I'm not going to call you a moron because I don't need to point out the obvious. I'm beginning to wonder if you are Paula Abdul. Anyway, no I am not ignoring anything nor is Susan. We are expressing our opinions based on analysis. San Antonio replacing 3 role players with big-time contributors is an obvious plus. Ron Artest is an obvious plus but he is a wild card that can bring a team down just as he can uplift that team. INjuries can benefit or cut down any team, just as the Lakers benefited from injuries to their rivals this playoffs as well as having the refs in their pocket. Just the fact that you cannot accept the possibility that SA can VERY EASILY HAVE BETTER REGULAR SEASON THAN THE LAKERS is proof that you have no objectivity like Susan Bible. And that is as you pointed out, why she is paid to analyze basketball and you collect cans.
posted By Akbar, 2 August 2009 8:01:00 PM
lol. Talk about a vapid post. You mitigated everything you said prior about Artest, agreed with what I said about injuries being a two-way street after insisting that only the Lakers can possibly suffer from injuries, and then continued to pretend like I'm completely unreasonable. Talk about ureasonable and desperate.
Not all opinions are created equal. Don't you dare put yourself on the same tier as Susan. you're just deluded...lol. As for me not accepting the possbility that SA might have a better regular season than the Lakers: the OKC Thunder may have a better season than the Lakers too. The point was that downgrading the Lakers requires justification. If that justification is one-sided, as both Susan's and yours are, then it suggests bias or ignorance. In short, I can easily accept an argument that the Lakers aren't favored to win the West...I just need, y'know, A GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE IT! You didn't provide one and neither did Susan. Every other major media source (including the one's Susan posted) and every major gambling website agrees with me. You have more to prove than anyone, that's why the standard of proof Susan bears is so very heavy. She didn't fulfill it, and she should know that.
This. Isn't. Hard. To. Understand.
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 8:19:23 PM
Akbar: At what point did I insist that only the Lakers can have injuries? Point it out and I will Paypal you $1,000. Now that you have admitted that the Thunder could have a better season than the Lakers, then it is obvious that predicting that the Spurs who have the best player in the league since Jordan, could easily have a better season, it pretty much paints you as a guy(?) who just can't take it that somebody may think he poor widdle team may not have the best record. It makes you look like a fool. Sorry sis! By the way, you need a good reason to beleive it? Tim Duncan is a superior player to Kobe Bryant that is a good one! That's why he anchored 4 championships and has 2 MVP's and Kobe has Anchored one lucky championship and one MVP. And the Spurs have have a better starting 5. And a much better PG. And 2 star level wingmen. And a resurgent McDyess, and one of the steals of the draft. As a matter of fact, the Lakers better hope the Spurs have injuries, that is their best strategy! Now begone fair-weather fan, you know you rooted For the Celtics the year before, and Miami the year before that. Just sad really.
posted By Akbar, 2 August 2009 11:06:00 PM
Haha...ok. You've gone off the deep end.
2 August 2009, 11:02:21 AM: "By the way, Odom, Bynum, and Gasol have injury history, Fisher is obviously getting old and Kobe's pinky finger is about to fall off."
Now a rational, even-handed analysis would immediately include a caveat as to the disposition of the Spurs' own injury problems. Aside from the fact that EVERY VETERAN IN THE LEAGUE HAS AN "INJURY HISTORY" you moron, you made no attempt to apply the same injury-potential analysis to the Spurs. Obviously you were trying to frame a cursory summary of the Lakers' injury problems in an attempt to make it seem like the Lakers have injury problems that discount their strentgh; but when the same things can be said of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker, it makes you look like a stunted dumbass.
What do you think you've added to the discussion? Yeah, if Kobe, Ron-Ron, Odom, Gasol, and Bynum go down to injuries, the Spurs will win the WC. If Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker go down to injuries, the Lakers will probably take it. No **** Sherlock, you obviously don't understand how inane that sort of argument is...but that was already clear when the point of my OKC example flew over your head.
Again the fact that you're insisting that I'm an intransigent homer who can't accept the possibility that the Lakers will not have the best conference in the WC is demonstrative of how little you've brought to this discussion. The stuff about Tim Duncan being the best since Jordan is just icing on the cake.
posted By LakersFan-tastic, 2 August 2009 11:12:03 PM
Ken, you point out that the Spurs have a better starting 5, but I would like to point out that the Lakers have no clear starting 5, and that is what makes them a scary team. PJ has Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Artest, Walton (not a greater shooter but an excellent passer who knows how to read the floor), Fisher, and Shannon Brown to work into the starting until. At any given point, LA can have 3 guys over 6'10" on the floor. Only Portland and Orlando can match up with that (height-wise). I would also like to point out that the Lakers do a lot better playing half court games (which San Antonio plays). The Lakers can easily grind it out when playing that style (over a 7 games series). Only fast break teams (Portland, Utah [when they use a smaller line-up], Houston [when they use a smaller line-up], Charlotte, etc.) cause real trouble for the Lakers.
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 11:19:00 PM
Poor poor Akbar, you need to make things up in order to have a point. The injuries are just an additional factor for you to consider, you sad person. You can try to read into and rewrite my comments as much as you like, try to draw new meaning from them as much as you like, but you don 't have the mental goods to argue with me so you have to blow your top and straight up make things up. You said, and I quote: "insisting that only the Lakers can possibly suffer from injuries". No I did not. Sorry Charlie! And yes, Duncan is the best since Jordan. Sorry to burst your bubble. He has the 4 rings as the main man to prove it. The only other person in that class is Shaq if you want to make an argument. Kobe is nowhere near those 2...that is why he had to have this championship without shaq, because he was Manu Ginobli for the first 3! Yes, Duncan is the best since Jordan, the best ever at his position. Kobe is not even the best ever on the Lakers! Lebron will overtake Kobe very soon. Lebron is better at every step of his career. Back to the original argument that you are now running from, all things being equal, injuries etc. the Spurs have a better team. You know it. That is why you wet yourself. Just denying it doesn't make it not true sis. So keep rooting for injuries to the Spurs. I can see how scared you are of them...
posted By Ken, 2 August 2009 11:23:48 PM
Finally an adult to speak with! Lakers Fantastic: Just the fact that you say the Lakers have no clear starting 5 speaks to the point of chemistry to cement as Susan cogently pointed out. Hey, the Lakers could be the best, no doubt about it. They could win it all again. But if the Spurs stay healthy and the Lakers stay healthy, it is one hell of a dogfight and I give the Spurs the edge!
posted By Spurs will miss their kobe stopper, 3 August 2009 12:30:00 AM
Ken you are misguided in your thoughts in this spurs lakers debate. 1st off Pop doesn't care if he has the best record in the regular season and u know that if you are a true spurs fan. The spurs are content to win 55-60 games and be healthy come playoff time. As far as the spurs having a better starting 5 why do you feel that way. If you look at Tim Duncan's history going against Pau the last two seasons you might be humbled to know that they have a wash. The Lakers don't need to double Duncan, and a lot of what the spurs works off of doubling him. Even if your a spurs fan you can
posted By spurs will miss their kobe stopper, 3 August 2009 12:46:14 AM
can't deny that the lakers have two players in kobe and artest that can play excellent D while your team just lost the one of the few players in the nba that gives kobe a hard time. You can say that fact isn't important but take a look at the playoffs reults of the last two seasons for LA. If you can't guard Kobe defeating the lakers becomes very difficult. Also you guys still don't have anyone that can defend odom. Lamar Odom makes a playing ratliff and duncan or Dice and Duncan become a disadvantage for the spurs becasue they would lack the lateral movement to guard him. If you play small ball the Lakers would destroy you inside with their length. Tony Parker is the one player that should give the lakers fit, but four some reason he doesn't very often. Parker is the Spurs key; can he hurt the lakers more than Kobe and Odom hurt the spurs? If you say yes then you need to ask yourself are a blind fan or an honest one. I'm honest, I think Duncan doesn't get the props he deserves for being the best player on 3 of his 4 championships (Parker was the mvp in 07). He also impacts games on D in ways that his stats don't implicate. In clsoing I have one question 4 u if the lakers and spurs lose one of their main players which team would be most affected?
posted By PY, 3 August 2009 4:21:15 AM
@Ken, I must admit there was a time when the Spurs would put fear in my Laker heart, but those days are long gone. While the Spurs have made some great moves, with 3 great additions, I still don't see them beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. I know you have talked yourself into believing otherwise, but thankfully I'm here with some simple basketball knowledge to awaken you from this dream state you're in. First off, the Spurs are still a team of "nice" guys. They've been pushed and punked the last couple of years in the playoffs. The Mavs did it this year (4-1) and surely you haven't forgotten how the Lakers outclassed them the year before (4-1). The key to beating the Lakers lies in giving more hustle and being tougher then they are, which the Spurs are not. What the Celtics, Nuggets, and Rockets can do, the Spurs can't. Gasol, Odom, and Bynum are simply too big, skilled & yes, physical for the Spurs bigs. I finally realized this when in a game this season Bynum, of all people, pushed Duncan around and Popovich had to rush Matt Bonner back into the game. Say what you will about Bynum but oddly enough, he's had some pretty good games against the Spurs. Hmmmm, I wonder why that is. Duncan may be one of the greatest PF's ever but what about the position he has spent his career running from? Face facts, Duncan is a center that doesn't play center. Although he'd still be great, his ranking would drop had he spent more time as a center. That brings me to another one of your points "Duncan has won 4 titles as the main man, while Kobe has 1". Dude, are you serious? What are we, six yr olds? OK, I got one, hows this: "Kobe has 4 REAL titles while Duncan only has 3 plus a half of one from a strike shortened season with an astrix next to it, that really doesn't count." Silly huh, now you know how you sound. You're probably the same guy who was saying "Kobe hasn't even won one without Shaq" just two months ago, now you've moved on to this "main man theory". Just like Kobe couldn't have won his without Shaq & Gasol, Duncan couldn't have won his without Robinson & Parker. To debate who won more as the "main man" is childish and indicates the level of intelligence we're dealing with here. Anyway, back to the teams, the reason why so many bring up injuries when talking about the Spurs is because it seems to be an issue with them EVERY YEAR, but I won't go there. Do you really feel RJ's offense is a factor when matched up against Artest's defense? Nice guy RJ will fade when pressured, believe me on this one. Also, this overblown "chemistry" thing is just getting way out of hand and you have elevated it to wishful thinking. Artest has had his problems in the past but you like many others are HOPING that he returns to the person he was 5 yrs ago. The truth is he has actually shown growth and maturity with the Kings & Rockets
and for the most part played well & within their systems. He played second & third wheel with McGrady and Yao, why couldn't he do the same with the Lakers? Is there potential for chemistry issues? Sure, but nowhere near the degree you're trying to make it. Personally I think for what we got him for it's well worth the risk. Finally, if the two teams remain healthy they're pretty evenly matched with the exception of one thing: Kobe Bryant. The Spurs have no answer for Kobe and that is what really separates the two teams. The aging Bowen made Kobe work a little bit, what happens now? Don't hide from the truth, we both know what's going to happen now. One last thing, how can a Spurs fan talk about the Celtics manhandling the Lakers in the final(4-2), when the Spurs were the team the Lakers punked and totally dominated(4-1) in the WCF to get to the finals? I'm sure this time next year you'll be here telling us why the Spurs lost 4-1 in the playoffs...again. GO LAKERS!!!!
posted By niceman, 3 August 2009 5:12:30 AM
uhm.. the lakers should be on the top seed. simply because they're the defending champs and san antonio's health is not guaranteed. even if they are 100% healthy. the lakers will swallow them!
posted By LakersFan-tastic, 3 August 2009 10:05:40 AM
I would also like to point out that Ariza was not a great ball handler. He could not facilitate the ball movement, but he was good at making the right shots. This made him great as a starter (w/ Kobe facilitating the ball movement), but this also meant not so great ball movement with the second unit. Artest is better at facilitating (then Trevor). So you now have the potential (in certain instances) to put Artest in the second unit and let him (and potentially Odom) punish the other teams second unit. If that happens (and works) you will either have coaches leave the second unit in and have the Lakers drive up the point, or force the others teams starters back in without rest. All the options (with all the depth) is what makes the Lakers, in my opinion (and yes it is a biased opinion because I am a Lakers fan) is what makes the Lakers the team to beat. Also, I know no one will believe this, but two years ago, I did believe the Celtics were the team to beat (NO I AM NOT A CELTICS FAN [AS A TRUE LAKERS FAN I HATE THEM] BUT I KNOW TALENT WHEN I SEE IT).
posted By Bingo t Klown, 3 August 2009 11:16:00 AM
Umm yeah the spurs??? to even expect a rookie, choosen in he second round, to have a real impact is ridiculous.
look, reigning champs, especially when they go out and add an all-star to the roster, never get replaced as the favorite or top-ranked team. you just can't do that until it happens.
Boston was the favorite last year entering the season and there was no reason they shouldn't have been. And LA should be the top ranked team (de facto) heading into this year.
The Spurs have serious health issues! It was like picking the Rockets last year, knowing T-Mac and Yao's injury history.
i think your article was just a way to get comments/readers because you know - those crazy Laker fans are easy to rile.
posted By frank,, 3 August 2009 11:29:07 AM
This is a joke right? spurs the number one team? Lat I checked they were eliminated by the great dallas mavericks. Mcdyess is washed up and Jefferson has bloated numbers cause he was on a bad team.
and the record of the lakers vs the cavs and the celtics was 3-1 last year. fyi
posted By Not Lakers Fanatical, 3 August 2009 11:45:51 AM
Bingo - You are so right about one thing..."Those crazy Laker fans are easy to rile" I have never seen a truer statement than that !!! You people need to get a life !!!! Need I remind you all that it is JUST A GAME - Games are supposed to be fun, but most of you are just rude, crude, and socially unacceptable !!!
posted By LALO, 3 August 2009 11:58:28 AM
Oklahoma didn't "steal" anything....Seattle didn't want to support their team and gave it away!! Seems to me that Susan Bible is smarter than all of you as she's getting paid for her opinions. If it makes you feel like Big (little) men to call her names, go for it ! I know she can handle anything you're low enough to hand out !!! Way to go, Susan !!!!
posted By KB, 3 August 2009 1:21:55 PM
There once was a time where kobe had trouble against those spurs. He tried and tried with all his might but couldn't score a basket against them. Then bowen got old and the spurs defense dropped, now Kobe could drop 50 when ever he wanted!
posted By MAvsNAtion, 3 August 2009 10:38:11 PM
all i'm gonna say is..GO MAVS!! they still need a friggin Center, but otherwise, I'd put them in the third spot anyway with the addition of MArion, gooden,and Thomas..hoping to trade JJ barea, G green, Singleton for Ramon Sesions..for more info abou the mavs go to dallasbasketballl.com
posted By MAvsNAtion, 3 August 2009 10:39:01 PM
all i'm gonna say is..GO MAVS!! they still need a friggin Center, but otherwise, I'd put them in the third spot anyway with the addition of MArion, gooden,and Thomas..hoping to trade JJ barea, G green, Singleton for Ramon Sesions..for more info abou the mavs go to dallasbasketballl.com
posted By the little o, 4 August 2009 1:53:16 AM
a woman that sees the great offseason moves by the spurs and also acknowledges the chemistry issues that Artest will create for the Lakers offense. Susan can you marry me?
In all honesty, the Lakers will most likely have a better regular season record, but the Spurs don't care about that, just about being healthy for the post season. The Spurs have filled up holes that they exposed last season. Offensive rebounding (Blair), front court toughness and defense (Dice and Ratliff) another offensive weapon god forbid manu goes down again (RJ). As far as the Lakers, last season it was: first option kobe, second option Pau, third Odom, fourth Ariza or Fisher (whoever was open). This season you can be that Artest will try to force himself to be the third option resulting in two things. First, he'll take contested shots, and disrupt the offense. Two, he'll make Odom sulk and disappear more throughout games.
Still, respect should be given to the Lakers for winning (not that most of their annoying fans would do the same). They'll get the first seed, but the Spurs don't care. And because they are the champs (although they got a lot of help from injured teams this past year), they should be placed as the team to beat. If the Spurs meet them in the post season though, it'll be close, but i'm leaning on the spurs.
Seriously, marry me.
posted By puro sa spurs, 4 August 2009 3:52:10 AM
have yall heard of get ready for this ,? exactly go spurs go baby give it one more time for me and my boy timmy which is gonna make yall cry again 99, 03 ,05, and 07 alright thanks again for another and thank u sir can i have another??????? u sure can !!!!!!!!!!!
posted By tp, 4 August 2009 10:39:33 AM
i agree with thelist!spurs number 1!!!!!all the way!!!go spurs go!!!GREAT JOB!
posted By NBA FAN, 5 August 2009 4:58:36 AM
As an NBA fan i say this arguement sure is getting heated... Sorry to the LA fans but i do give the Spurs an edge.. Health is an issue for all teams.... I got the San Antonio Spurs winning another NBA title this year..They have a strong group of guys this year, they boosted their offense, they finally got a big man to help Tim, and they have THE BEST COACH in Gregg Popovich...he is a great defensive minded coach.. Coach Jackson seems to always have aka studs on his team..Jordan,Scottie Pip, Kobe...And Coach Pop rebuilt with Tim Duncan...
posted By Mozo, 5 August 2009 12:40:20 PM
Spurs have noone who can stay in front of their man on D. The only advantage they have over the Lakes is @ PG and Kobe more than makes up for that - in fact Kobe can stick TP on D now. And remember that McDyess is about 40 - he's shot.
posted By rsk2009, 6 August 2009 10:23:08 PM
I think Spurs health is the main issue here. If Manu, Duncan are 100% healthy come playoffs, even if they dont have top seed in the west, its goin to be very difficult to beat them in a 7 game series. If lakers put up the same kind of effort like against houston and denver in last yr palyoffs, spurs will beat them up in 6 games....... ultimately whichever team has luck(bouncing of loose ball or a rebound or makinga last second shot) on their side will win a 7 game series
posted By RS, 17 August 2009 5:47:47 PM
Spurs over the Lakers huh? Last year's champ being ranked below a team knocked out of the first round ... hummmm. Well, at least I know now to not waste my time reading anything written by Susan Bible. This article just goes to show how little you (women) know about basketball.
posted By I'm right, you're wrong, and that's how it is, 19 August 2009 12:50:27 PM
I don't have a problem with anyone listing their opinions, but I strongly disagree with Susan's. I see the top 10 more like:
1. LA Lakers
2. Portland
3. San Antonio
4. Denver
5. Dallas
6. New Orleans
7. Utah
8. Houston
9. LA Clippers
10.Golden State or OKC
posted By Tata, 20 August 2009 10:20:45 PM
That's why they kept women in the kitchen all these years. This one is obviously detached from reality. The LAKERS SWEPT Boston and Cleveland last season. And the reason they didn't make the NBA Finals was because Orlando beat both teams in the playoffs. If Phil Jackson could coach Rodman to the best single season in history then Artest should be a walk to the repeat too.
posted By llm, 22 August 2009 12:28:16 PM
Hey RS and Tata: So now not only does Susan Bible have no business having an opinion about your beloved basketball, but all women have no business here??? That's what it sounds like you're both saying. "HOOPSWORLD, A PLACE FOR MEN"!!! Talk about a couple of morons!! I've so enjoyed reading all these comments and find it so funny that one little woman can ruffle the feathers of so many big ole men - Keep it up, guys!!! You make yourselves look more idiotic by the minute !!
posted By RS, 25 August 2009 1:32:36 AM
OK llm! Do you have an opinion on basketball or just here to prove that you know nothing about hoops and waste pixles just like Susan Bible?
posted By Laker fans(not all of em-Thank God) are Delirious, 25 August 2009 4:46:44 PM
Enough of these fans who say their fave team was slighted, Fact is Sa Spurs were the NBa champs two years ago. Even if legions are non-believers of this incredible Dynastic Team since D-Rob's and Timmy-Ds draft selection and also of Coach Pop's astute leadership, how would you dispute the 99,03,05,07 Championships. The Finals of 2008,was to me a mismatch of sort, Lakers was a poor opponent against the powerhouse KG-led Celtics. Losing by 37 points in game six in the NBA Finals, -- ridiculous and unheard of. Lakers were simply not ready. They were helped greatly by Manu Ginobili's nagging ankle injuries that year, and Tim Duncan's Tendonosis and (again) Ginobili's pletora of injuries this past season. All that said, all indications of an aging team who's become prone to injuries that addressed their shortcomings thru trades and free agency this summer. So, don't be irked or angered Laker die-hards that the Spurs are your primary Western Conference Challenger. Take comfort that your team is still the team to beat in the West.However, acknowledge that gap between 1 and 1a has been less widened by the Spurs extreme, expensive Summer makeover. Cheers!
posted By jp, 26 August 2009 1:49:05 AM
here it is 1-lakers (its obvious even to a laker hater like myself) 2-blazers(its going to happen)3-spurs 4-denver 5-dallas 6-hornets 7- jazz 8-thunder(risky pick put they show promise)
first round laker kill thunder 4-1 maybe a sweep
blazers beat jazz in 7
spurs beat hornets 4-2
denver beats dallas 4-1
second round
lakers take denver in 7
blazers beat spurs in 6
wcf-lakers take blazers in 7(lakers cant win in portland, i would like to see blazers take la in la but i just dont see that happening yet, maybe next year). i dont really give a crap who wins in the east the west will dominate regardless.
posted By Yani, 27 August 2009 5:25:56 AM
spurs will be the champ next year.here are some of the reasons why..
1.the starting five is so strong
parker,mason,RJ,TD and mcdyess.combinations of veterans,defensive minded players.a shooter,slasher and a scorer
2.spurs bench is deep coming off the bench is ginobili,blair,hill,finley,ratliff,bonner,mahinmi,hairston compare it to the bench of lakers.vuyajic?odom?walton?powell?brown?they are not as effective as the bench of spurs.odom is inconsistent manu is much better than odom.
3.Health is an issue to all the teams.spurs is intelligent enough they know what they are going to do they would limit the playing time of manu and TD to make them fresh be4 the start of playoffs.RJ and mcdyess will provide quality minutes even the two guys is on the bench.that's the reason why they brought in dice and RJ to alamo.be warned!manu is a playoff man he is a clutch machine he can match up kobe on both ends of the floor.he wud not be an olympic MVP for nothing.
4.parker will kill fisher.kobe and manu is as good when it comes to crucial games like playoffs.RJ and artest,the two is good on defense and offense.artest edge for defense but RJ has the edge for offense.TP and Gasol both players are that good but DUncan is a more experienced player he has an edge against gasol.MCdyess and bynum both of the two can give a team 10-10 per game.so the only way to know who is better bet.the two is the bench mason,finley,blair,bonner,hill,mahinmi,haislip vs odom plus his inconsistent co players of the bench.this is the reason why i agree with miss susan. i tell you guys the bench of spurs wil perform well than lakers bench.
4.the coaching staff phil and Pop.briliant coaches.the team's success is on thier hands.
5.many says Lakers is the team to beat and beating lakers is enough to prove that spurs would be the NBA Champ next season.I dont think celtics is much better than lakers rondo is underrated and sheed is a technical foul machine.KG,pierce and Allen the BIg 3 is not enough to beat the spurs or the lakers.Fantastic 5 vs F 5 vs F 5.this would likely be the scenario.come and think of it guys the only superior to their matches is kobe vs MANU but we all know that manu can do it all when it comes to playoffs like kobe does.
And lastly, a healthy MANU can give the spurs an NBA title next year.POINT IT OUT GUYS.
posted By jp, 27 August 2009 9:50:42 AM
sorry, but there is no way spurs are going to do it. tim duncan may break a hip this year haha jk... kind of. if... IF.. the spurs can stay healthy all year long, which i highly doubt they can, they have a chance, but i dont see that happening. personally i think the spurs will be lucky to be top 3 in the west. portland is going to be 2. and i think its a toss up between dallas and spurs; both are old. i would have put denver ahead of both but they didnt do anything this off season... to be honest i think they got worse.
posted By RS, 27 August 2009 1:35:23 PM
1.the starting five is so strong parker,mason,RJ,TD and mcdyess.combinations of veterans,defensive minded players.a shooter,slasher and a scorer
Response:
Spurs have 1 all star in TD.
Lakers have 2 all stars in KB and Pau. 1 former DPY in Artest.
2.spurs bench is deep coming off the bench is ginobili,blair,hill,finley,ratliff,bonner,mahinmi,hairston compare it to the bench of lakers.vuyajic?odom?walton?powell?brown?they are not as effective as the bench of spurs.odom is inconsistent manu is much better than odom.
RESPONSE:
blair?,hill?,mahinmi?,hairston?,bonner?,finley(washed up),ratliff(washed up). BTW, if they are so deep then why don't they have the best record in the west?
3.Health is an issue to all the teams.spurs is intelligent enough they know what they are going to do they would limit the playing time of manu and TD to make them fresh be4 the start of playoffs.
RESPONSE:
Really? Then why do they have health issues in both of last 2 seasons? TD and manu is only getting older.
RJ and mcdyess will provide quality minutes even the two guys is on the bench.that's the reason why they brought in dice and RJ to alamo.be warned!manu is a playoff man he is a clutch machine he can match up kobe on both ends of the floor.he wud not be an olympic MVP for nothing.
RESPONSE:
Can't believe you are comparing manu (injury prone bench warmer) to kobe (best clutch and top 2 scorer of the entire league)
4.parker will kill fisher.kobe and manu is as good when it comes to crucial games like playoffs. (Are you kidding me?) RJ and artest,the two is good on defense and offense.artest edge for defense but RJ has the edge for offense.TP and Gasol both players are that good but DUncan is a more experienced player he has an edge against gasol.MCdyess and bynum both of the two can give a team 10-10 per game. (One player is getting better while the other is getting older) so the only way to know who is better bet.the two is the bench mason,finley,blair,bonner,hill,mahinmi,haislip vs odom plus his inconsistent co players of the bench.this is the reason why i agree with miss susan. i tell you guys the bench of spurs wil perform well than lakers bench.
4.the coaching staff phil and Pop.briliant coaches.the team's success is on thier hands.
RESPONSE:
Can you count up to 10?
5.many says Lakers is the team to beat and beating lakers is enough to prove that spurs would be the NBA Champ next season.I dont think celtics is much better than lakers rondo is underrated and sheed is a technical foul machine.KG,pierce and Allen the BIg 3 is not enough to beat the spurs or the lakers.Fantastic 5 vs F 5 vs F 5.this would likely be the scenario.come and think of it guys the only superior to their matches is kobe vs MANU but we all know that manu can do it all when it comes to playoffs like kobe does.
RESPONSE: Manu is not KB24.
posted By yani, 27 August 2009 1:46:12 PM
The only way to beat the spurs is to pray that the big three will not be healthy heading to next season but i doubt haha spurs BIG three will be healthy.OH! common Guys with the big 3 of ALamo the spurs won 3 titles and im darn pretty sure that they will do it again.NO Other big three except the BOston's BIG three to won a title this decade.AGE doesnt matter to the spurs for now DUNCAN is only 33 and manu is 32.an aging player will gain more experiences that could destroy a team with young core take note.basketball is not only about athleticisms and strength .BASKETBALL IS ABOUT BRAIN TACTICS ALSO AND WE COULD ONLY ATTAIN THIS FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF A PLAYER.AND I KNOW THAT THE SPURS POSSESSES THAT SIGNIFICANT FACTOR Coz they have TD,DYESS AND MANU plus a young and athletic players in the place of PArker and RJ.
I BELIEVE THAT THE SPURS CAN WIN IT ALL THIS UPCOMING SEASON.THEY ARE THE GREATEST TEAM IN THIS DECADE AND THEY WILL GOING TO GET MORE TITLES TO HOLD AND SECURE WELL THAT HONOR.
MANU YOUR THE BEST
posted By yani, 27 August 2009 2:07:12 PM
HEY DUDE RS.spurs has two all star players TP AND TD.KOBE WAS NOT AN OLYMPIC MVP HE IS ONLY A ONE TIME MVP AND HE was third in scoring last season behind wade and lebron not second.DUDE i ask you?what was the reason why the LAKERS was devastated by CELTICS LAST 2007?its bec. BYNUM IS INJURED and health of BYNUM still unquestionable at this point.ARTEST doesnt have dicipline and odom is inconsistent.let me tell you the lakers went to finals bec. manu was injured during the last two seasons.KOBE is proven as clutch shooter but manu proved it many times during playoffs.ARTEST WILL DESTROY THE CHEMISTRY OF THE LAKERS DUDE HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER HE IS A DAMN SELFISH.he had done poorshots during the playoffs last season.Do you think PAU is better than duncan?haha DUNCAN IS THE BEST POWER FORWARD OF ALL TIME.AGE is not a factor for duncan ryt now.he has more left in his tank.LIKE, SHAQ he is 37 but still he is an effective player.Im PRETTY SURE SPURS WILL BEAT LAKERS NEXT SEASON.KOBE IS SELFISH HE HITS so damn many attempts while manu is a team player .better f/g percentage than KOBE.KOBE WILL TAKE 12 out of 40attempts while manu will take 15 out 20 attempts.
posted By yani, 27 August 2009 2:15:44 PM
i mean bynum's health is questionable until now
posted By RS, 29 August 2009 12:54:03 PM
OK DUDE you question Bynum's health and claims Manu is as good as KB24 while Manu's health is more questionable IMO. If he is not 100%, look for a first round exit again next year. What does Olympic MVP has anything to do with the NBA playoff 2010? Different rules and different players. It's like saying you are MVP and leading scorer of your local weekend league and therefore you're as good as KB24. It is absurd. Whenever anyone mention the top 5 players of the league, I have never ever and I mean never ever heard anyone mention MANU GINOBLI, he is not even an all star for crying out loud. Your opinions are bias and baseless. It's only your wishful thinking that the Spurs will be crown champions next year.
posted By yani, 30 August 2009 4:49:39 AM
DUDE be cool.haha ..SPURS WILL WIN THE TITLE NEXT SEASON. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED IN PAIN.ouch!MANU IS MANU .KOBE IS KOBE.I BELIEVE THE SPURS WILL BE THE CHAMP AND BY THAT TIME MANU WILL BE A MUCH BETTER PLAYER THAN KOBE.KOBE IS SELFISH .GO TO GUY RIGHT? BUT HE IS A DAMN CROCODILE FOR THE BALL.I STAND ON IT HOLY MANU. AS WHAT MAGIC JOHNSON AND CHARLES BARKLEY SAID THEY WOULD RATHER CHOOSE MANU THAN ANYONE IN THE LEAGUE TODAY.MANU IS MY FAV. EUROPEAN PLAYER AND HE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE.I LOVE TO SEE HIM PLAYING,FROM BARKLEY.HE IS THE MOST EXCITING EUROPEAN PLAYER, NO OTHER INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS COULD DUNK THE WAY HE DOES.HE IS NOT SELFISH, A TEAM PLAYER from MAGIC.IT DOESNT MATTER IF HE IS NO. SIX, NO.4 OR NO.3 MANU IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE NBA TODAY AND IN THE WORLD from D'ANTONI.MANU IS MANU from POP.I STAND ON IT SPURS WILL BE THE CHAMP> GO SPURS YEAH HAHAHA
posted By RS, 31 August 2009 3:00:34 AM
I will be shock in pain if, perhaps, maybe, possibly, perchance, conceivably, pausibly, imaginably that the Spurs win next year. However, I will enjoy my summer and the time until next year's playoff knowing the trophy is here in LALA land. Meanwhile you can keep trying to convince yourself that the Spurs have a chance to beat the Lakers next year because Susan Babble (LOL) said they do. Manu is a good player but only a bias Spurs fan would agree with you that he is a better player than Kobe. I can guarantee you that none of those people you quoted would trade Kobe for Manu straight up if they own the Lakers.
posted By Sa Spurs r not Chopped Liver., 2 September 2009 3:41:20 PM
Spurs are going to give the Lakers a run for their money.Match-ups is what it is all about in the Playoffs. Spurs can now match favorably against the Lakers.Case in point: Theo/Mcdyess guards Gasol as he also has to worry about either one on offense. HallofFamer TD will check Bynum. Arjay will challenge Kobe.Manu, at full strenghth will guard Artest.Big ? Fisher/Brown/Farmar on French Blur TP9--Pleeeasse!!! George,Blair,Haislip,Mason,Finley,Bonner,Mahinmi,Hairston off the Bench vs Odom,Walton,Vujacic,Powell,Morrison from the Lakers. Seven games series in WCf with Spurs winning @ Staples in game 7.If Everyone on both teams stay healthy and has the full complementary of players come in May, if not any other team in the west can win it all besides these two powerhouses ---Laker and Spurs.
posted By RS, 10 November 2009 3:11:56 PM
Whahahaahaaaaaa...
Who's laughing now? Spurs suck!!!
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