Does Sessions (and Hill off the bench) make the Lakers legit contenders now?

[Celts Fan 92]

that'll have em contend into a 2nd round exit at best still havent solved their bench issues nor weak small forward scoring

[LarBrd33]

Lakers were never NOT legit contenders.  Any time you have two of the top 5 big men in the game (both legit 7 feet) and Kobe Bryant... you're a contender to win in the playoffs. 

Size matters in the playoffs... which is why Boston lacking a center is going to be a disaster.

[MosheP]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

Yep.  In the only game against each other this year, both Kobe and Bynum shot under 40%.

Sefolosha didn't play that game. I think Harden is just as good defending Kobe. Did an excellent job in that game.

----

I thin the Lakers weak points were:

- transition game: this was partially solved. 15 to 25% depending on how much Hill gets to play.

- spacing: partially solved, no more than 20% though (Sessions  improvement over Fisher - I think Session's shooting accuracy so far is a bit of an oddity). However, if Hill takes Murphy minutes, there's not much of an improvement.

- dribble penetration: solved to a large extent.

- defending perimeter bigs: Hill is a small improvement over what they have (which is basically nothing). 10% improvement.

- overall defensive quickness (pick'n'rolls, help defense, etc): Sessions isn't Fisher but he isn't exactly a stalwart defender. Hill is far quicker than their current bigs, but nothing to write home about either and again, who knows how much he gets to play. Another small improvement in the best case scenario.

So, they went from a flawed team with some serious weaknesses to a flawed team with some still serious weaknesses. They still improved though - and at least now they have an outside shot at the title.

[OmarSekou]

I don't think it was a great move but we'll see. The Lakers really are the anti-Celtics. They've made the types of moves a lot of people on here have been clamoring for.

[OmarSekou]

Just heard Kobe's take: http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7700594/los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-offers-somber-response-derek-fisher-departure

[gar]

Hill is the part of this deal that makes the biggest difference. He replaces Odom's size and paired with Sessions will make their second unit much more effective. Remains to be seen if Sessions will be a big upgrade over Fisher; but together no question they got better.

[celtiberian]

Yes, they already were before the trade. Slowly climbed to the 3rd place in WC, they won their game yesterday, didn't seem to feel traded guys absence, and even the new guard was able to contribute in his first night in LA.

[thestackshow]

Contend for what? Thunder are clearly better, as well as Chicago and Miami.

Lakers dont have the strenght or the stamina to get out of the west and then face a very tough and physical Miami and Chicago.

They are too old and unathletic, also Bynum is slow and has no stamina.

[celtiberian]

And since this discussion approaches the WC via Lakers, I will extend the subject stating that there is a chance of soon happening a realignment of powers in the West.

The way the Spurs have been playing and the way the defeated last night the young Thunders super stars, make no mistake, last night game wasn't just another game for two teams that seem comfortably placed for playoffs time. That was a train collision, a challenge of two superpowers to define supremacy and the Lakers seem to be headed right into that fight.

This week there have been a couple of games of that sort. First the Magic beating the Heat, it was probably what made DH to stay in Orlando, the game was proof that they have enough talent to beat Miami and get into the finals two years after their last incursion.

After that, Miami beat again, this time by Rose-less Bulls. This wasn't either just another game. I don´t remember having seen Noah to dunk so wildly as he did against Miami that night.

[Dante]

Contend for what? Thunder are clearly better, as well as Chicago and Miami.

Lakers dont have the strenght or the stamina to get out of the west and then face a very tough and physical Miami and Chicago.

They are too old and unathletic, also Bynum is slow and has no stamina.

I appreciate your take on the lakers. You think the Celtics now have a better chance of winning it all this year.