Will the Lakers..

[DKClassic]

I know this one may sting a bit at the moment, but for some reason I can't stop thinking about the question.  Will the Lakers go back to the Finals next season with the way the West is looking next season?  I guess only the offseason will tell.

[aporel#18]

I know this one may sting a bit at the moment, but for some reason I can't stop thinking about the question.  Will the Lakers go back to the Finals next season with the way the West is looking next season?  I guess only the offseason will tell.

I hope someone finds the Kobe's portrait where he doesn't get all the calls and I'm all for burning it.

I'm not worried about the Lakers, I think it was the Celtics, if they'd played their game, this wouldn't have been a series. I blame the refs for the cheap shots (Artest to Ray and Kobe to Perk) and not only for the FT disparity. Anyway, had the Celtics played better, they could have won it all. So I don't mind Lakers, Blazers, Rockets... it's all about the Celtics.

Danny is going to have a great draft night.

[ManUp]

I think so. I think this core had it's run and we're not going to be there to stop them next year. Who's going to stop them? The Magic and Howard? Lebron and his new team (going back to the Cavs he has no chance)?

[Who]

I know this one may sting a bit at the moment, but for some reason I can't stop thinking about the question.  Will the Lakers go back to the Finals next season with the way the West is looking next season?  I guess only the offseason will tell.

I have Portland as the frontrunner in the West and for the league heading into next season. Lakers are in second place on both counts and very much a legitimate contender.

I think Houston, Dallas and Oklahoma are all one move away from giving them serious competition. All have the flexibility to make that move too. San Antonio is still a salvageable situation but I'm not optimistic about their front office making the right decisions. Phoenix, Denver and Utah look like they're going to continue to fail to improve their rosters.

In the East, outside of Orlando, the landscape is incredibly difficult to read due to free agency. Boston could have a great chance to get out of the Conference or a so-so shot ... too difficult to tell at this point in time. Have to wait for some clarity on some of these free agents (Wade/LeBron/Bosh/Amare/JJ/Boozer/Lee/Gay).

[Bynum4MVP]

The Lakers are strong enough to get out of the West.  Most teams in the West are a mess right now.  Blazers in massive turmoil and looking for a GM replacement so I don't think they're doing anything.  Mavs/Spurs have an aging core.  Thunda are too young.  Amare says he's "done" in Phoenix.

The East still has 3 of the best 4 NBA teams in the Celtics, Magic, Cavs.  What happens to Lebron may tip the scales a bit in the East.

A 3-peat would be nice but the East is powerful enough to have a say in it.

[FallGuy]

I think so. I think this core had it's run and we're not going to be there to stop them next year. Who's going to stop them? The Magic and Howard? Lebron and his new team (going back to the Cavs he has no chance)?

This season's free agent bonanza may shift the balance of power in the east.

There is a whole lot of change coming this summer.

[LakerPete]

I believe that if these playoffs illustrated anything, it's the importance of mental toughness. The Celtics and the Lakers were heads and shoulders above the rest of the league in this respect, which is why they (especially the Celtics) were able to beat mentally fragile teams that were supposedly superior. This aspect was fought to a draw in the Finals.

So if this was the Celtics' last hurrah...who's going to beat the Lakers? Who's going to be able to hang with the Lakers from a mental/will standpoint? The Lakers were HORRIBLE last night in every aspect that required skill, but won the game with sheer determination. Who's going to TAKE the title from the Lakers? Because that's what someone's going to have to do. It won't be given.

I believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the next team that rises up to challenge the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy.

 

[PosImpos]

If some team in the West can add a big piece this summer (e.g. Houston S+T for Bosh), then perhaps.  The Thunder or the Blazers might seriously challenge the Lakers if they remain healthy and continue to improve.

In the East, I expect that whichever team does the best in free agency will be at the top of the conference, right up there with the Magic

[Bahku]

If the NBA and it's Officials have their way, (and they always have), then of course the Lakers will be back.

[ACF]

A 3-peat would be nice but the East is powerful enough to have a say in it.

Nice? Nice?! Man, you guys are spoiled 

[GEE]

you lost because your team ran out of GAS!, not the refs, not David Stern, NOT some imaginary cheap shot or missed calls.

[dark_lord]

two things:

1.  who cares about the lakers 
2.  there should be some significant changes coming this offseason to the rosters of teams, so until everything is done, it is tough to say.  this is a question that is best asked when the season is about to start

[jarufu]

1.  who cares about the lakers 

TP!

[dark_lord]

1.  who cares about the lakers 

TP!

thx...back at u