Will the Lakers be dethroned?

Craig S. · 10-01-2002, 09:07 PM

With the NBA season getting ready to go, I'm curious as to whether anyone believes the Lakers can be knocked off.

To me, the team with the best chance is still the Kings. Only Divac from their squad may have lost a step, and they were close to beating L.A. last year. And they got an absolute gem in Keon Clark, who will provide another important inside presence.

Shaq (when he's back) and Kobe still make the Lakers the team to beat, but I definitely think they're vulnerable. If they are knocked off, though, it will not be by any Eastern squad.

tortured angel · 10-01-2002, 10:16 PM

The Kings had their chance and didn't get it done.How much can Webber help from cell block G?

Craig S. · 10-01-2002, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tortured angel
The Kings had their chance and didn't get it done.How much can Webber help from cell block G?

You know Webber would never be convicted of any jail offense - he's a pro athlete! It's against some kind of rule.

VNV Nation · 10-01-2002, 11:55 PM

In a word: no. There's no way anyone can stop Shaquille O'Neal. Mutombo was defensive player of the year, and frankly played as well as he could have, and O'Neal ate his lunch for him. The Robinson/Duncan combo obviously can't handle him. You'd need Bill Russell to find the fountain of youth to get someone to stop him.

JamesI · 10-02-2002, 12:47 AM

I think with better bounces the Kings can beat them. Probably only the Kings, but it is possible.

gyb13 · 10-02-2002, 09:47 AM

No way....Lakers in 02/03!

rcartman28 · 10-02-2002, 10:19 AM

Nobody from the East has a chance against the Lakers, and I would say the Kings have a chance only if Webber's uniform number doesn't have six digits in it next year. The other possibility is if Bryant or Shaq get hurt.

poorme · 10-02-2002, 10:23 AM

a more interesting question may be "how many more years will the lakers be champions?"

how old is shaq? 30? he's probably got at least 5 more years as the dominant center in the league.

Craig S. · 10-02-2002, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poorme
how old is shaq? 30? he's probably got at least 5 more years as the dominant center in the league.

It's really scary that someone so dominant as Shaq would also be teamed with maybe the next-best player in the league in Kobe. In a league watered down by over-expansion, getting 2 guys like this on one squad likely means domination for as long as they want to paly together.

Injuries or serious lack of support from the other starters is the only hope for other teams.

qtlaw · 10-02-2002, 01:43 PM

Keon Clark and C-Webb will not be the difference. Did you see how C-Webb lost the ball out of bounds with 4 seconds left in Game 7 but got bailed out by the refs and the ball went back to the Kings and Bibby hit the jumper? Bibby, Peja and Hedu improving will be the key in seeing if they can dethrone the Lakers. I think they can if the Lakers do not get a better supporting cast. Samaki Walker is not the answer and Horry has got to get older (right?) If Bibby plays like the silent killer he showed last year, look out.

Fuzzy Bear · 10-02-2002, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig S.
With the NBA season getting ready to go, I'm curious as to whether anyone believes the Lakers can be knocked off.

The Nets will dethrone the Lakers in the finals!

NOT!

10-02-2002, 07:43 PM

Kings have a definite chance, they were missing Peja nearly the whole series. So I wouldn't discount them. Dallas should be in the mix, and San Antonio should be in the hunt also with Tony Parker getting another year of experience.

If Shaq is hurting next year, the door opens.

VNV Nation · 10-02-2002, 07:56 PM

I see the Kings as the Trail Blazers of a few years ago...a much deeper team than the Lakers who had their shot and blew it. I am not sure everything will fall their way again.

LeGrandOrange · 10-02-2002, 08:40 PM

I think the Lakers already have their 4th title in a row. Dallas and Sacramento are the closest to them, but they've each got their problems, yes even Mark Cuban's club has problems other then Cuban's self-deprication, and unfortunately, the Lakers are not able to be stopped at this moment, unless there is actual proof of course that someone CAN do it.

The only thing I really care about this NBA season is if the Sonics suck badly enough to get LeBron James.

sweaver · 10-03-2002, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whohangs
If Shaq is hurting next year, the door opens.

That's the only way the Lakers don't win, if Shaq is so badly hurt he can't play, or is only a shadow of himself.

10-01-2002, 09:07 PM	#1
Craig S. Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,330	Will the Lakers be dethroned? With the NBA season getting ready to go, I'm curious as to whether anyone believes the Lakers can be knocked off. To me, the team with the best chance is still the Kings. Only Divac from their squad may have lost a step, and they were close to beating L.A. last year. And they got an absolute gem in Keon Clark, who will provide another important inside presence. Shaq (when he's back) and Kobe still make the Lakers the team to beat, but I definitely think they're vulnerable. If they are knocked off, though, it will not be by any Eastern squad.

10-02-2002, 09:47 AM	#6
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	No way....Lakers in 02/03! __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

10-02-2002, 10:19 AM	#7
rcartman28 NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 1,408	Nobody from the East has a chance against the Lakers, and I would say the Kings have a chance only if Webber's uniform number doesn't have six digits in it next year. The other possibility is if Bryant or Shaq get hurt. __________________ I would have looked out for the water main. But that's just me..... Brett Favre

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10-01-2002, 10:16 PM	#2
tortured angel Guest Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: middle east Posts: 573	The Kings had their chance and didn't get it done.How much can Webber help from cell block G?

10-01-2002, 11:55 PM	#4
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	In a word: no. There's no way anyone can stop Shaquille O'Neal. Mutombo was defensive player of the year, and frankly played as well as he could have, and O'Neal ate his lunch for him. The Robinson/Duncan combo obviously can't handle him. You'd need Bill Russell to find the fountain of youth to get someone to stop him.

10-02-2002, 12:47 AM	#5
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	I think with better bounces the Kings can beat them. Probably only the Kings, but it is possible.

10-02-2002, 10:23 AM	#8
poorme Guest Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 2,625	a more interesting question may be "how many more years will the lakers be champions?" how old is shaq? 30? he's probably got at least 5 more years as the dominant center in the league.

10-02-2002, 01:43 PM	#10
qtlaw Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: El Cerrito, CA Posts: 668	Keon Clark and C-Webb will not be the difference. Did you see how C-Webb lost the ball out of bounds with 4 seconds left in Game 7 but got bailed out by the refs and the ball went back to the Kings and Bibby hit the jumper? Bibby, Peja and Hedu improving will be the key in seeing if they can dethrone the Lakers. I think they can if the Lakers do not get a better supporting cast. Samaki Walker is not the answer and Horry has got to get older (right?) If Bibby plays like the silent killer he showed last year, look out.

10-02-2002, 07:43 PM	#12
Whohangs Posts: n/a	Kings have a definite chance, they were missing Peja nearly the whole series. So I wouldn't discount them. Dallas should be in the mix, and San Antonio should be in the hunt also with Tony Parker getting another year of experience. If Shaq is hurting next year, the door opens.

10-02-2002, 07:56 PM	#13
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	I see the Kings as the Trail Blazers of a few years ago...a much deeper team than the Lakers who had their shot and blew it. I am not sure everything will fall their way again.

10-02-2002, 08:40 PM	#14
LeGrandOrange Membership Suspended 4/11/04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,783	I think the Lakers already have their 4th title in a row. Dallas and Sacramento are the closest to them, but they've each got their problems, yes even Mark Cuban's club has problems other then Cuban's self-deprication, and unfortunately, the Lakers are not able to be stopped at this moment, unless there is actual proof of course that someone CAN do it. The only thing I really care about this NBA season is if the Sonics suck badly enough to get LeBron James.

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