Comments on: Ballin’: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Portland All Got Eliminated

By: jthussler

jthussler — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:55:20 +0000

The competition from the West the Lakers have had to face recently is much tougher than the West of the 80′s. It’s not even close.

This is 100% true, but the opposite is true of when they made the Finals. The East has been abhorrent for the last decade. Hence, more Finals losses for Magic’s Lakers, but more overall Finals appearances.

When comparing Kobe Era Lakers to Magic Era Lakers it’s kind of pointless. The best teams were stacked in the 80s – the league was smaller and the best teams were loaded with superstars. It’s a completely different NBA now. It cuts both ways: Kobe’s never faced a team as loaded as the 80s Celts/Pistons in the Finals, but he’s never played on a team as loaded as Magic’s Lakers.

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:36:00 +0000

But we were comparing it to Magic’s teams. That’s all I’m getting at.

Fair enough.

By: Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah!

Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:59:03 +0000

The competition from the West the Lakers have had to face recently is much tougher than the West of the 80′s. It’s not even close.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:58:58 +0000

LLW, you make good points and yes, Kobe has had a good supporting cast in this era. But we were comparing it to Magic’s teams. That’s all I’m getting at.

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:55:13 +0000

hasn’t had*

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:50:47 +0000

And I’m not one of those guys to say LeBron’s cast was complete shit either. They won 60+ back to back seasons. His cast was good enough. But there’s no chance in hell Kobe carries either of those teams to 60 wins. Wade last year literally would have murdered someone for Kobe’s cast. Please don’t act like Kobe has a stacked cast for this day and age.

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:48:34 +0000

I’m even more impressed with the last three finals appearances and two titles for Kobe now than when I started commenting today.

That’s because you’re a nut. I’m not saying the talent level was the SAME as those 80′s teams, but in THIS era, hell yes Kobe’s teams have been stacked. Other than Pierce/Garnett, what other superstar has had a cast like Kobe? I hate LeBron and think he’s a huge douche, but he would have loved to play with what Kobe has now compared to those Cleveland teams.

By: José

José — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:30:48 +0000

Obviously he has, but not nearly on the same level as Magic. Which should be just as obvious

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:30:45 +0000

I’m even more impressed with the last three finals appearances and two titles for Kobe now than when I started commenting today.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:29:55 +0000

Not to mention, Derek Fisher has been past his prime for this entire title run, Bynum has been young/injured throughout, Odom has always been an enigma, Artest is past his prime…

Let’s not make it seem like these Lakers are some great collection of talent that would rival those Celtics/Lakers teams in the 80′s.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:25:11 +0000

LL, almsot every title team has at least two elite guys. So take the fact that he played with Shaq and Pau out of the equation and compare the rest. Yes, Shaq was as dominant as they come on those three Laker teams, but look at the rest of the team.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:23:21 +0000

Do you guys really want to compare those stacked 80′s Lakers teams with the ones Kobe has played on? It’s not even a contest. Kobe and Shaq carried some pedestrian teams (Rick Fox, Ron Harper and Horace Grant started..and we’re way past their primes).

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:21:21 +0000

I know it’s easy for Kobe fans to call Gasol soft and point out Bynum’s injuries, but a lot of other stars in this league would have KILLED for the cast Kobe has had the past for years. Not to mention playing with Shaq in his prime…But yeah, poor Kobe. Having to carry all these sub-par teams year after year. What a player!

By: jthussler

jthussler — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:17:20 +0000

And Kobe hasn’t??
No, he really hasn’t.

I hope you get paid for this shilling.

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:13:54 +0000

No, he really hasn’t.

You are so cute.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:05:43 +0000

And Kobe hasn’t??

No, he really hasn’t.

By: Diesel

Diesel — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:56:34 +0000

Rusty, Kobe isn’t done yet. And yes, Diesel, Magic’s competition was tougher, but Magic also played on some pretty stacked teams.

Yes, this is obvious.

By: LongLiveWeaponX

LongLiveWeaponX — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:51:24 +0000

Rusty, Kobe isn’t done yet. And yes, Diesel, Magic’s competition was tougher, but Magic also played on some pretty stacked teams.

And Kobe hasn’t??

By: José

José — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:49:38 +0000

I’m concerned about Hinrich. If he can be 100% I think ATL has a real shot.

By: cursedcleveland.com

cursedcleveland.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:45:50 +0000

Rusty, Kobe isn’t done yet. And yes, Diesel, Magic’s competition was tougher, but Magic also played on some pretty stacked teams.