Yeah, I know you guys are lurking around here. 
I've got some questions and an opinion for you.
1) Bynum. Best case scenario, what do you think of this guy's potential? My opinion, he is Kendrick Perkins with much better offense. Is that accurate? Have you considered the possibility that his injury might have caused permanent damage to his mobility?
2) Let's say Kobe gets hurt in the series. Who would take up the leadership and carry the team to victory? Who can step up and get the job done for the Lakers?
Ok, here is where I believe Boston has the advantage. And yes, honestly, I believe the Lakers are the best team in the NBA right now. They are the team to most likely win the Championship, I admit that. I make an effort to be objective, because I appreciate good basketball more than I am a team fan. A fan of basketball first, and then secondly, a Boston fan describes what I am. But Boston has one big advantage that no one has mentioned, that I know of. If Kobe were to go down, the Lakers will not win the Championship. He is the undisputed leader of that team. Gasol and Odom are stars in their own right, but they seem to be the types who would need a leader, rather than be the leader. On the other hand, Boston's roster have guys who have the maturity and experience to be able to take up the leadership role, should anything happen to Paul Pierce. Ofcourse, that is a "contingent" advantage and will only play out if Kobe or Pierce were to get hurt during the series.
Your thoughts?
Not a great "lurker" myself - I will make my presence known when the occasion is worthwhile.
Bynum. In my opinion, a very high untapped potential to learn and develop. Health permitting he could be the dominant classical Center in the League, Howard or no Howard. This guy is real young, and apparently a quick study from all I gather. Yes, there are endless conversations in Lakerland about whether or not this injury situation is just a blip, or the harbinger of constant knee problems. It would seem that there is something not exactly right in the structural kinetics of his knees ever since a young'n. So, we will just have to see. My take, if he comes back in good shape, then some tough decisions will have to be made. I have my doubts that we might see anything like the fabulous Celtic frontlines of Maxwell/McHale-Parrish-Bird, but I am sure that experimentations will be made with Gasol-Bynum-Odom - if that worked it would be pretty formidable. My sense is that there will probably be compatibility problems, and that they may form two starting units according to whoever the opponent is on a given night, or alternatively, Bynum starts, and Gasol is the centerpiece of a rather potent second unit. Who knows - all conjecture at this point without knowing Bynum's medical state. Certainly, there are quite a few fans of other fanbases coming on the Laker sites, to help us out apparently, suggesting that he should be traded, and that we don't have any use for him. Bless their hearts for thinking of us!
If Kobe goes down, Boston wins. There is no use of going into any type of in-depth analysis. There is much fear on Laker blogs that past historic events may rear their ugly heads again, against Kobe.
You are very kind to say you think that Los Angeles is the better. I am such an old-time basketball fan that I like to see things played out. Barring incompetent arbitration, barring injuries to key players, then we just have to see this thing played out. Both these squads have their strengths and weaknesses. I would not be surprised at the victory of either of them. It all depends on who is able with more continuity to execute their defensive, and offensive game plans. These two teams are pretty obviously the cream of their respective conferences. It is only fitting the renewal of the rivalry of our two historic franchises.
"Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more"
As a sportman I wish good luck to both camps. The better team will be determined on the court, and not in any of the flights of hyperbolic fantasy that is now swirling around this series by the media outlets of occasional fandom.
