Who is dreading the "ultimate ewing theory" with the Lakers?

[LarBrd33]

Their biggest advantage has always been size... whether it be Shaq, Pau, Pau + Bynum... or this year Pau + Dwight.   Kobe's a sensational player, but I've found it shocking they didn't just destroy teams by force-feeding it inside constantly.  Last year I felt like they could have won it all... that's why I felt like firing Mike Brown was warranted.  As good as Kobe is... how do you not just ride your twin towers?  There's only like one team in the league that can match up with that size. Once again this year they should have won it all on paper.

I think there's a good possibility that if Nash is healthy, the Lakers are still a threat to come out of the West.  Nash is the deadliest shooter in the league... Dwight's pretty much back to being Dwight... Pau is back.  I sure as hell wouldn't want to play that team if they suddenly "clicked".

Some thoughts:

#1 - Dwight Howard is a top 5 player.  People forget he took a crap Orlando team to the Finals.  He was less than 100% for most of the year, but he's averaged 37 minutes, 18 points, 13 boards 2.6 blocks on 58% shooting post-allstar... and that's despite the fact Kobe was averaging 29 points during that period.

#2 - Is it any surprise to anyone that the Laker's recent success coincides with the resurgence of 2009 and 2010 true playoff MVP, Pau Gasol?   They've won 7 of their last 8.  Pau Gasol this month is averaging 37 minutes 18 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.1 blocks on 53% shooting.  Dude is 4 years younger than Kevin Garnett... did you really believe he was that washed up?

#3 - Speaking of Pau... there should be a strong Eff-You streak here.  I'm completely convinced Gasol hates Kobe Bryant for undermining him despite Pau carrying Kobe to two championships.  Winning without Kobe has to a big motivator for the big man.

#4 - Steve Nash never really got it going.  He struggled with injuries and I imagine it was a real jolt having to play with Kobe.  He hasn't been playing... assuming he's going to be healthy for the playoffs.  At the end of the day, Nash is still one of the best playmakers in the game... and shot 50% FG, 43% from three and 92% from the line this year.  Come playoff time, there's nothing really stopping D'Antoni from giving Nash full reign over the offense. 

I pity whoever has to play the Lakers in the first round.  You think the Spurs lost intentionally to them tonight so they'd move down to the 2nd seed?

Lakers vs Heat in the Finals. 

/Reverse Jinx

[BballTim]

  We'll see if they put a scare into the Thunder. They should have played better than they did this year but "on paper" they should be around where the Clips are, not really the cream of the crop. DH had major health concerns and the rest of the roster was pretty old. Gasol's had a nice 5-6 game stretch, not sure that really cancels out the last few years. Nash struggled somewhat when he played with Shaq so it wasn't a foregone conclusion that he'd play great with DH even if he wasn't so old.

  And I hate Kobe, but he averaged like 30/6/6 the two title years. Claiming that anyone "carried" him to those titles is just plain nonsense.

[Celtics4ever]

I never thought about it but with Stern that kind of nonsense is possible.  Trouble is there is no "Ewing" in this draft.

[CelticConcourse]

Swept in first round (0-4)

[Mr Green]

Lakers have no depth plus Nash can't guard a closed door, if they make the playoffs I expect to see them get bounced out in the first round.

[Who]

The Lakers need the Spurs in the first round. They are banged up. Ginobili out of action. Tony Parker has returned but isn't playing anywhere near the level he was at earlier in the season. They are ripe for an upset.

However, with the win last night against San Antonio ... it looks like LA will have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. A terrible matchup for LA. If this happens, LAL are going to get bounced in the first round.

[SHAQATTACK]

replace Nash with CP3 , add a few healthy bench players and with or without Kobe ,  the Lakers are contenders again.


they always have the top players waiting to walk though their doors.    they don't need a draft pick, , other teams draft good players and they run for the Lakers......Lakers own all the lottery picks by default.   they look around and build their team from pretty much who they want.

I'm praying for the Clips to be good and keep CP3 happy and resign him.

[pearljammer10]

Not gonna lie, with Kobe I could have seen the Lakers coming out of the West in a shocking media driven headline filled comeback story of the year.

Without Kobe, there's not a chance.

[Snakehead]

I agree with the OP's premise about Lakers teams never using their size.

I could see some success, but not enough to get past the 2nd at most.  Their bench is just terrible.  You also put forth Nash as "the deadliest shooter", and he has never been a big enough scorer on this Lakers team to support that claim.

I'm okay with this happening though because as I said I don't think it's at all possible they win a title and anything to diminish Kobe is fine with me.

[Moranis]

I agree with the OP's premise about Lakers teams never using their size.

I could see some success, but not enough to get past the 2nd at most.  Their bench is just terrible.  You also put forth Nash as "the deadliest shooter", and he has never been a big enough scorer on this Lakers team to support that claim.

I'm okay with this happening though because as I said I don't think it's at all possible they win a title and anything to diminish Kobe is fine with me.

Their bench isn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be.  Earl Clark, Antawn Jamison, and Steve Blake aren't that bad.  Of course with Jodie Meeks going to the starting line up, the bench took a big blow.

[Fafnir]

The Lakers need the Spurs in the first round. They are banged up. Ginobili out of action. Tony Parker has returned but isn't playing anywhere near the level he was at earlier in the season. They are ripe for an upset.

However, with the win last night against San Antonio ... it looks like LA will have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. A terrible matchup for LA. If this happens, LAL are going to get bounced in the first round.

Agreed, which is why I'll be shocked if the Rockets don't lay down to the Lakers in an attempt to face the Spurs, same with GSW.

Actually Denver is just as banged up as the Spurs and controls their own fate for the 3 seed. I'm not sure whom they'd rather face, probably the sure thing of the Spurs. You'd rather not get the Clippers or Memphis at the 6 seed if they pass Denver.

[Clench123]

No bench, no championship

[Fafnir]

No bench, no championship

No defense no championship either.

I don't see how LA can win a series against high caliber offensive team. They just don't defend worth a [dang].

[Finkelskyhook]

Lakers have no depth plus Nash can't guard a closed door, if they make the playoffs I expect to see them get bounced out in the first round.

I think you're giving Los Nash far too much credit for his defensive prowess.

[ManUp]

I think the Thunder and Spurs have the size to neutralize the Lakers size enough to have the guard play be the difference.

I never thought about it but with Stern that kind of nonsense is possible.  Trouble is there is no "Ewing" in this draft.

Someone didn't read the original post  .