What's going on with the lakers? Is it because Phil is already retired, or what? I don't buy all this talk that the Lakers "got old".

I really don't get it.

probably not get along with artest at all because he's a head case and pretty much the reason they are sucking right now

Pop would prolly also teach Gasol to not get bullied in the post

They have won back-to-back championships. My guess is that the fire isn't there and they are cocky enough to think that they can turn it on at play-off time. Which hopefully isn't the case. Go Spurs Go!!

Win win win no matter what...

agwin12 has it right though...they are fat, happy and disinterested in general...they can't be that way 6 days a week then try to turn it on against the Heat/Celtics/Spurs of the world and expect it to be there when they need it...until they start giving better effort they're going to keep 'losing' (they're still winning 2/3 of their games)

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They have won back-to-back championships. My guess is that the fire isn't there and they are cocky enough to think that they can turn it on at play-off time.

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Bingo.

I do not understand why the media is trying to make it appear as if the Lakers are terrible this year. Here is their record as of Feb 3rd from their last 3 seasons. Their record this year is also included at the end.

07-08: 30-16 (Lost in NBA finals)
08-09: 38-9 (NBA Champions)
09-10: 38-12 (NBA Champions)
10-11: 34-15 (???)

Even in the past they have lost marquee match-ups; including the Christmas day games. Phil Jackson's Christams day record with the Lakers: 4-7.

LAs offensive and defensive numbers this year are better or similar to last year's. So, it is not as if LA has regressed from last year.

I believe that people thought LA will just roll over their opponents in the regular season and probably take it up a notch come playoff. Since they are not meeting these expectations the media is creating a sense of panic within the team. However, I think this season is going to be no different than their past seasons. They are still on track to achieve a W-L of 65-17 (best case) or 55-27 (worst case) according to Hollinger's playoff odds. I am not a great fan of Hollinger's number crunching system but it still gives us a reasonable idea. My guess, they will end up somewhere in between the two extreme prediction.

Unlike last couple of years Spurs have emerged as a major title contender in the West and it will be interesting to see if the Spurs can continue their league wise dominance over LA also. The Spurs are capable of dealing with LAs length and have advantage over them in quickness.

Go Spurs!

I agree that people are blowing this way out of proportion. But one concerning thing for the Lakers is that they have had the weakest SOS out of anyone in the league up to this point.

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07-08: 30-16 (Lost in NBA finals)
08-09: 38-9 (NBA Champions)
09-10: 38-12 (NBA Champions)
10-11: 34-15 (???)

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You can throw out 07-08 as Pau had not been traded until about right now.

My problem is that they've had a favorable schedule but they've regressed. Also, the may have lost some of the marquee games in the past, but they haven't had terrible records against the best teams. Their record against the NBA's best teams is easily the worst among the top 5.

Throw out the numbers. Look at the product on the court. They are not playing well.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 2/3/2011 9:35a).]

agree with Mass and pjguru.

that being said, i fully expect the Lakers to make the finals over the Spurs. if they have to play Boston, Boston wins due to revenge factor.

Here's hoping to a Heat/Lakers finals. just because.

I'm certainly not here saying the Lakers won't return to the finals. But they need to flip the switch soon. San Antonio will be a much more formidable obstacle than anyone expected.

After Kobe's call to Pau to get more involved I'll be interested to see what tonight looks like. I expect a very competitive game tonight, particularly given the Spurs are coming off a loss to a lesser team.

agreed. i think the lakers don't let down tonight. they know this is a big game for turning it.

however that being said...it's still before the all star break. i could see the spurs winning by 10+ easy.

I think the reason people are down on the Lakers is that they've been relatively healthy and they've played the easiest schedule in the league. They quite possibly have the worst division in the league, too. While they are still doing "good", you'd expect them to do better as 2 time reigning champs. They've lost some big games against the other contenders, too.