"Tee-hee!  Who exactly on the Heat is going to be drawing Howard out from the painted area?  "

Jefe, the Heat has beaten the Lakers 3/4 the last 2 years when matching up to the Lakers playing a tradition type center . Where does your new found confience come from?

The one game you won, Bosh didn't play.


There are many lineupe that the Heat can put on the floor which would require Howard to go out and defend a shooter, or are you just going to let Bosh/Lewis stand 15 ft from the basket and shoot, for example?      

Or, let Howard stand under the basket with the floor spread and make the refs make calls. Howard is known for foul trouble. The Heat has the players who can force the action/calls.  


Anyway, chances are we will split the 2 regular season games. Who really cares?

Only time your team would ever become a concern to me is if they make the finals, and trust me, that is the matchup I am hoping for. Big time.   


"combined with a slimmed-down Metta World Peace"

Really Jefe? You think Heat fans are concerned about World Hate?  He's gonna guard James?  HAHAHAHAHA!!!! 


 "not to mention a revitalized offense that will see a lot less ball handling by Kobe as Nash takes over the quarterbacking duties"


Maybe , maybe not. we ARE talking about Kobe.    


" Listen turnip, the league simply got better this season. "


I agree, but so did the Heat, and most important, so did LeBron James. He simply IS the difference maker. I know the reality of it pains you, but there are alot of great players, and then there is James, a step ahead.   


"I wouldn't sleep on the Pacers or Knicks, and the Celtics are actually arguably better by the addition by subtraction of Allen, allowing Avery Bradley and opportunity to really flourish."


Once again, I agree. Nobody said it will/would be easy. As good as those teams are though, a better case can be made for the Heat .

There are a few teams that CAN win, but te Heat IS the team to beat. There is no logical way to argue that.


As far as your argument against the Heat in the East, wouldn;t you say the road through the West will be tougher?

You guys have a great chance, but so do a few other teams.Getting through the West could come down to who is most healthy. The competition level is that close IMO.          


    

Tee-hee!  Who exactly on the Heat is going to be drawing Howard out from the painted area?

So he's going to stay in the paint while Bosh is open for his money mid range shot? Heat fans will love that because it will be just like practice for Bosh as he will be shooting open mid range shots all game long.

If you don't think Bosh will draw Howard out of the paint then you clearly do not know basketball.

BTW Jefe if Howard is just planning on sitting under the rim and being a protector while Bosh or Lewis is sitting out on the perimeter, he will set a record for most defensive 3 second calls in NBA history.

If you don't think Bosh will draw Howard out of the paint then you clearly do not know basketball.

BTW Jefe if Howard is just planning on sitting under the rim and being a protector while Bosh or Lewis is sitting out on the perimeter, he will set a record for most defensive 3 second calls in NBA history.

< < y a w n ! > >

Pau checks Bosh, Jamison checks Lewis...Howard checks whichever one of your chump centers you care to throw into the game, which means Howard remains the Lakers last line of defense and left to deal with whoever may dare to penetrate into the painted area.

so Turnip's STILL stinking up the Heat haters club with his unedning pom-pom waving. ok, MORE deodorizer...






EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- This is where we found Dwight Howard, running      gracefully up and down the court, getting to his bread-and-butter spot      on the low block, passing out of imaginary double teams -- and finding      time to smile. It's been a few months since Howard made himself the most      loathed man in the NBA since LeBron James broke up with Cleveland on       national television, and it's striking that the early signs point to a       much swifter recovery.   

      For the limited time the media have been allowed to watch the Lakers       conduct five-on-oh drills in training camp this week, Howard has been      involved and engaged. There have been no ill effects evident from his       April back surgery or the far more invasive rehab needed on his public      image. The concentration is there, a desire to get it right and please      his coaches and new teammates as the Lakers learn a new Princeton-style      offense that, in theory, will get Howard a potent diet of one-on-one       scoring opportunities in the post

      But the biggest opportunity in Howard's first official work days as a       Laker has nothing to do with his game, his jump hook, or his footwork on       the block. It has to do with a new beginning, and by all accounts,       Howard is handling this much better than he handled the bitter end in       Orlando.   

      "I take the game very serious, but I'm going to have fun," Howard said      this week as the Lakers took the first steps of what will be a       fascinating journey. "I don't think just because I play for the Lakers      means I have to walk around and not smile and have fun. I think Magic       played with a smile on his face, but at the same time he got the job       done. I've been playing this game for a long time. I've been very      successful at the way I play. But I do understand, at times, that I'm       going to need to smile. Why not have fun?"   

      Well, because that has been the knock on Howard -- even during the good      old days in Orlando, when everyone was content and he wasn't awkwardly      trying, failing, and then trying again to escape. He was a kid trapped      in a giant's body; an almost mythical, Zeus-like figure who lacked the       seriousness of purpose to fully apply his outlandish physical gifts. To       the extent this was possible, he made a mockery of his impending free      agency in a clumsy way that eclipsed even LeBron's awkward and       polarizing exit from Cleveland. It took James nearly two full years to       recover from his mistakes, and his free-agent dance lasted barely an       hour on national TV. Howard's lasted months -- so many long, loathsome      months.   

      To all of this -- complaints about Howard's fun-loving, seemingly      careless approach to the game he has somehow not dominated enough, and       to the unsavory nature of his long, awkward good-bye to Orlando --       Howard's highly decorated new teammate is mounting a vigorous defense.       In an interview with CBSSports.com Wednesday, Kobe Bryant lampooned      those who think Howard's clownish past will clash with the dignified      cocoon of the Lakers and called out Howard's critics for what he       described as "double standards."   

      "I've heard that," Bryant said of Howard's reputation for immaturity,       "but I think that people confuse that with his effectiveness. He's had       an incredible career. Lack of focus is what, because he hasn't won a       championship? He went against teams that were just better. He's won,       what, three defensive player of the year awards? That's kind of tough to       say a person lacks focus when he has three defensive player of the year      awards. That sounds a little silly."   

      Indeed, Howard is the most dominant defender in the game, having led the       league in defensive rebounds for five straight years and total rebounds      in six of his eight seasons. He's 26 years old; who among us was       clear-eyed and mature at that age? As for the Dwightmare that gripped      the NBA for the entirety of last year's lockout-shortened season -- on       the heels of LeBron's "Decision" and Carmelo Anthony's drama-filled      departure from Denver to New York? It was the NBA's superstar, superteam      culture at its absolute worst. But Howard didn't create that culture,       and his was only one name on a long list of those who deserved blame.   

      "There's a lot of double standards going on in professional sports, and       basketball in particular," Bryant said. "Because when it's a player's       opportunity to make a business decision, they pull out the loyalty card.       When it's ownership's or management's turn to make a business decision,       it's a business decision. You can't have it both ways. And as a player,       I've always just stuck to my guns. And when it's on me to make a       business decision, I will make that business decision. And if you have      to be criticized for it, you have to be criticized for it. But you must      set a precedent for those coming after you that it's OK to make business      decisions. Because management, at the end of the day, will do that      themselves.   

      "I think it's kind of turned into more than it should've been because I       think both Dwight and Melo wanted to try to do the right thing      publicly," Bryant said. "'We are loyal to our teams, but nothing's       getting done here and we want to win.' So it's kind of a line that they      had to toe, and it kind of turned out to be a little more drama than      necessary, I think."   

      So while it isn't surprising for Bryant to have Howard's back in these      early days of their improbable pairing, it's nonetheless an important      piece of the fabric that was quilted so stunningly in July. Just when      the Lakers seemed poised to go oh-for-free agency and leave Bryant      unflanked in perhaps his last, best chance to chase his sixth      championship, GM Mitch Kupchak pulled Steve Nash and then Howard out of       some mystical, purple-and-gold wizard's cap. Poof, just like that,       Bryant was back in business -- and the Lakers had what appeared to be,       on paper, an unbeatable combination of talent and star power.   

      "We'll be ready when it counts," coach Mike Brown said. "We'll be in the       playoffs, and we'll be ready for that."   

      Of course, the Lakers' biggest and boldest acquisition also happens to       be their biggest unknown. Yet so far, in the infancy of this experiment       in talent, ego and maturity, reports of the Lakers' demise appear to       have been greatly exaggerated.   

      "The things that you have to understand are that the expectations are       high, all eyes are on you, and there's going to be pressure to deliver,"      said Pau Gasol, who even more so than Bryant will have to develop a       comfort level with Howard in the Lakers' new offensive scheme. "It's       obviously a big responsibility. You're wearing a shirt that you have to       carry yourself with class, elegance and responsibility and respect."   

      There they are, four words one right after another that Howard did not       exhibit at all during his escape from Orlando. But thus far, Gasol has       not seen the Howard he's heard about or competed against in the past.       He's seen a new teammate with a thousand-watt smile who finally seems      willing to match it with 100 percent commitment. "As far as I know so       far, the work that we've done together, he works very hard and there's       not many jokes on the floor," Gasol said. "So I think that's a positive      thing. He understands. He wants to win as much as anybody, and he wants      to win championships. So that's the right mindset to have from Day One."   

      And there, Gasol used the word that cures all: winning. Ultimately, that      is what ended LeBron's long public relations nightmare -- winning,       contributing mightily to winning and conducting himself in a dignified      manner while doing it. Perhaps no one in the sport understands that      better than the man who coached and lost LeBron, who also happens to be       the man who now coaches Howard.   

      "He just needs to be himself," Brown said. "And when he wins, all the       criticism is going to go away to a certain degree -- kind of like with      LeBron."   

      After emulating LeBron's mistakes, the only cure for Howard is to       replicate his triumph.





there we go. and no, Turnip. don't thank me... 















CL67

"there we go. and no, Turnip. don't thank me."


First of all CL, everyone thinks and expects the Lakers to be good, so what's your point?


Second, you proved my point of all of last year by jumpingon the bandwagon.


PLAYERS will determine who wins. Last I looked, Brown was still your coach.  You had no faith last year but this year you feel confident.


The only difference to change a mindset is PLAYERS.



         

CL, I see your copy/paste and raise you this:

Barkley thinks LeBron can be better than Jordan

<!-- T20453947 --> <!-- Sesame Modified: 10/04/2012 14:07:38 --> <!-- sversion: 2 $Updated: mpwhite$ -->

      NEW YORK -- Charles Barkley thinks LeBron James can be better than      Michael Jordan.   

      Jordan is considered by many the best player in NBA history, but Barkley      believes his teammate with the Dream Team can be surpassed by James.   

      "I do think he can be better than Michael," Barkley said. "I thought I       would never compare somebody to Michael Jordan. But this guy, LeBron      James, he does everything well. Michael did everything well. LeBron      James is just bigger, stronger, faster. That's the only difference."   

      Barkley makes his comments on the first episode of NBA TV's Open Court,       to debut Tuesday at 11 p.m. EDT. The series features a round-table      discussion of NBA TV and TNT commentators. They include Shaquille      O'Neal, Reggie Miller, Kenny Smith, Steve Smith, Chris Webber, Steve      Kerr and Ernie Johnson.   

      James won his first NBA title and third MVP award last season, joining      Jordan as the only players to win the NBA title, regular-season MVP, NBA       Finals MVP and Olympic gold medal in the same year.   

      Jordan won six championships during his Hall of Fame career.   

      "Unfortunately for LeBron, now that the monkey is off his back, he is       going to be compared to two people: Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan,"      O'Neal said. "So now the question is how many championships can he get?       We all know he is a competitor."

Pau checks Bosh, Jamison checks Lewis...Howard checks whichever one of your chump centers you care to throw into the game, which means Howard remains the Lakers last line of defense and left to deal with whoever may dare to penetrate into the painted area.

BOSH IS THE Heat CENTER THIS YEAR. What don't you understand

So if Pau is guarding Bosh while Jamison is guarding Lewis, I'm guessing this means Howard would be guarding James right?

I can't see the Heat using much of Joel if at all vs the Lakers.

So if Pau is guarding Bosh while Jamison is guarding Lewis, I'm guessing this means Howard would be guarding James right?

Works for me, punchline!

Wouldn't work for the Lakers

How so?  Metta checks LeBron initially, then Howard is there if James gets past MWP...what doesn't work?

"then Howard is there if James gets past MWP...what doesn't work?"


How could Howard be by the basket if he is guarding Bosh 15 ft away or a I saw last night, out beyond the 3 point line?


Bosh, for his size, is ABOUT as good as they get. Yes, I know Dirk is a better shooter, but overall, Bosh is pretty smooth.     

Turnup he lost me with that comment.

As I said 2 hours ago, if Howard wants to stay in the paint protecting the rim when the Heat have a lineup of Chalmers, Wade/Allen, James, Battier/Lewis, and Bosh out there he will set a record for most defensive 3 second calls in NBA history.

I saw last night, out beyond the 3 point line?

Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post said that at practice today Bosh was working on his 3 point shot and making them.

"Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post said that at practice today Bosh was working on his 3 point shot and making them."

From what I have seen and heard, it is now part of the offense.

If you think about it, it is brilliant.   First and foremost, he can make the shots.

Then, you could say we are taking our biggest player away from the basket which is true, but reality is that Bosh is not that great of a rebounder, so if we are drawing the oppents big away from the basket, that weakens their rebounding.  


    

Metta checks LeBron initially, then Howard is there if James gets past MWP...what doesn't work?

You ever heard of defensive 3 seconds? What don't you understand that Bosh is now the Heat starting Center? There is no more playing 4 on 5 on offense due to having Joel Anthony starting. Howard wouldn't be there soon enough if LBJ get past Ron Artest because he will be out on the perimeter guarding Bosh.

You ever heard of defensive 3 seconds?

No offense, but if you're depending on defensive 3 seconds and 3's from Bosh to beat the Lakers, it will be a short series. Also, last I checked, Howard is a pretty mobile big man.  

Never said he wasn't mobile man.

Point is it is basically impossible for him to guard Bosh out on the perimeter and still be expected to protect the paint when the Heat have Bosh out there as C which will be often.

And I'm also not depending on defensive 3 second calls.....I was making a point to Jefe that since Bosh is the Heat starting C and he plays out on the perimeter, it is impossible for Howard to be in the paint protecting the rim because the NBA rules doesn't allow that and also because quite frankly it will be stupid to leave one of the best shooting big man in the league open all day long because you're so worried about protecting the rim

Never said he wasn't mobile man.

Point is it is basically impossible for him to guard Bosh out on the perimeter and still be expected to protect the paint when the Heat have Bosh out there as C which will be often.

And I'm also not depending on defensive 3 second calls.....I was making a point to Jefe that since Bosh is the Heat starting C and he plays out on the perimeter, it is impossible for Howard to be in the paint protecting the rim because the NBA rules doesn't allow that and also because quite frankly it will be stupid to leave one of the best shooting big man in the league open all day long because you're so worried about protecting the rim

Right, but it appears that you are saying that all 5 Heat players will be 15+ feet away from the basket shooting outside shots to try to neutralize Howards defense. The Lakers would pay the Heat players to try that. As long as someone on the Heat is in the paint, Howard will be right there with them.

Even if it worked and the Heat do effectively neutralize Howard on defense this way. How are the Heat going to stop Howard on the other end? When you give up size on offense in order to play "small ball", you also give up size on defense. Over the course of a game, the Lakers advantage inside means higher percentage shots than the Heat shooting outside. Eventually, this catches up as the outside shots stop falling.

Remember, the Lakers have the best center in the league in Howard and then they have another All-Star caliber 7 footer in Gasol. So, if the Heat go small, the Lakers will pound it inside.

Bosh may be a great shooter for a big from 15+ feet, but I'll take Howard at the rim over a 15 footer from Bosh all day, everyday.

Right, but it appears that you are saying that all 5 Heat players will be 15+ feet away from the basket shooting outside shots to try to neutralize Howards defense.

Not at all. I'm saying Howard would be at least 15 feet away from the rim which would make it easier for James and Wade to drive because unlike his Orlando days, he won't just be in the paint camping out guarding Joel Anthony.

How are the Heat going to stop Howard on the other end? When you give up size on offense in order to play "small ball",

The Heat are not giving up on size on offense to play small ball. Joel Anthony who used to guard Centers is 6'8 maybe 6'9. With Kobe still saying it is his team, I can't see Howard getting more then 13-15 shots per game. Nothing changes for the Heat on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to Lakers Centers. You can make the case that Bynum have better post moves then Howard.

Over the course of a game, the Lakers advantage inside means higher percentage shots than the Heat shooting outside. Eventually, this catches up as the outside shots stop falling.

It depends how those outside shots are coming. If it coming on Wade/James penetrations leading to Chalmers, Miller, Allen, Battier, and Lewis open looks why should it stop falling? Contested shots yeah but the Heat get their open looks usually due to Wade/James breaking down the defense.

Remember, the Lakers have the best center in the league in Howard and then they have another All-Star caliber 7 footer in Gasol. So, if the Heat go small, the Lakers will pound it inside.

I don't think the Heat would be able to use the Battier/Bosh lineup against the lakers much but I can see them being just fine using a frontcourt of Bosh/Lewis or Bosh/Haslem. James also proved already that he can guard Gasol.

Not at all. I'm saying Howard would be at least 15 feet away from the rim which would make it easier for James and Wade to drive because unlike his Orlando days, he won't just be in the paint camping out guarding Joel Anthony.

That's just it though, unless the Heat have all 5 players 15 feet from the basket, Howard doesn't have to be 15 feet from the basket. The Lakers have 2 mobile 7 footers. Also, James and Wade aren't just going to blow past Laker players to get to the rim uncontested. They will have to make a move or 2 to get there which allows the Laker defense time to react.

The Heat are not giving up on size on offense to play small ball. Joel Anthony who used to guard Centers is 6'8 maybe 6'9. With Kobe still saying it is his team, I can't see Howard getting more then 13-15 shots per game. Nothing changes for the Heat on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to Lakers Centers. You can make the case that Bynum have better post moves then Howard.

So, they already have no size. Who exactly is going to stop Howard and Gasol then? As for the Kobe comment: that is more of the "Kobe as ballhog" crap that people need to drop. It is Kobe's team in the sense that he is the leader of that team. It does not mean that he automatically gets the most shots. Steve Nash will be the one deciding who gets the ball and when.

Kobe is the leader which is what he meant when he said it's "his team". He is the face of the franchise and the one that will take the most criticism if this does not work. Therefore, it's his team. When he retires, it will become Howards team.

As for Bynum having better post moves, maybe. But Bynum also wanted to play more like Pau or Bosh. It doesn't matter how many post moves a player has if he's not in the post to use them. We don't have to worry about Howard wanting to be a 3 point shooter.

It depends how those outside shots are coming. If it coming on Wade/James penetrations leading to Chalmers, Miller, Allen, Battier, and Lewis open looks why should it stop falling?

Because it is still a lower percantage shot than a shot in the paint. Even left wide open, a player is going to miss a higher percentage of outside shots than inside shots. Ray Allen is arguably the best pure shooter in league history, but there have been many games where he has missed wide open shot after wide open shot. It's the nature of the beast when it comes to outside shots.

I don't think the Heat would be able to use the Battier/Bosh lineup against the lakers much but I can see them being just fine using a frontcourt of Bosh/Lewis or Bosh/Haslem. James also proved already that he can guard Gasol.

Here is the problem that the Heat will have vs. the Lakers. The Lakers have 4 players that in order to defend effectively, you have to double team them, Kobe, Pau, Nash and Howard. How do you double them when the only player that you can double off of is MWP? Yes, the Heat are athletic enough to be able to move with the ball and move their double team from player to player for awhile. But the ball moves faster than the player, so if the Lakers have decent ball movement, they will get open shots.

Who, on the Heat, besides Lebron and Wade require a double team?

Lebron can guard Gasol in spurts. However, Gasol is too big and too skilled for Lebron to be able to guard him for long stretches and as well as Gasol passes, he will find the open player.

One thing for certain. Both teams are going to be very formidable and a series between them would likely be epic. They both have unique ways in which each can hurt the other. We are probably talking 7 great games in one of the best championship series ever.

“Teams are going to have to decide if they’re going to double me in the post or stay at home with our shooters,” James said “It’s almost like how Orlando was with Dwight. They surrounded him with so many shooters, it was very difficult and you didn’t know what to do.”

One in and four out with James as the man in, Howard style? It’s not something James has ever done before in his career on a regular basis. But it’s what he’s talking about as he projects toward the regular season, in which it looks like James will play a "big man" role more often than at any time in his past.

“I didn’t think I’ve ever see it,” James said about the possibility. “But we’re looking forward to it.”

It’s not going to be the Heat’s base offense. But with Bosh, who will be the teams’s primary center, attempting to become a legit 3-point option the Heat may indeed find themselves running in lineups where James is the weakest 3-point shooter and best post player on the floor. Which is going to lead to 3-point attempts by default.

Maybe not as much as the Magic of the Howard heyday, who set an NBA record for 3-pointers made in 2010-11, but not a look they’ve trusted before.

“For us, we’re going to take those looks if they’re given to us,” said James, who had 15 points and five rebounds Wednesday. “We have so many guys who can spread the floor and we don’t want none of our shooters to turn down shots because it creates so much space for our attackers.”

"Who, on the Heat, besides Lebron and Wade require a double team?"

Newsflash. If you have to double 2 of 5 players, that leavs you only one to guard the other 3.

The Lakers DO NOT have 4 guys that need doubled.


Reality is Wade can guard Kobe 1 on 1. The Heat has never doubled Nash and, and  they don't double Howard. They do their best to front and back him, and then if they find themself in a situation where Howard beats them for position, they try to foul him..



"We are probably talking 7 great games in one of the best championship series ever."

Dream come true if the Heat are celebrating in the AAA after game 7!! 

Newsflash. If you have to double 2 of 5 players, that leavs you only one to guard the other 3.

Newsflash!! Unless there has been a rule change, there is only one basketball. So the Lakers only have to worry about doubling switching between Lebron and D-Wade!!

The Lakers DO NOT have 4 guys that need doubled.

The explanation of this ought to be good!! Here it comes........

Reality is Wade can guard Kobe 1 on 1.   

Good luck with that!!

The Heat has never doubled Nash and, and  they don't double Howard.

Good, I hope they don't. Nash is only the one of the highest percentage shooters in the league and I'm sure Howard would love nothing more than to be guarded one on one by one of the Heats 6'8" players or Bosh. 


So, based on what you say. The only Laker that the Heat have to double team is GASOL?? Wow!! And to think I almost didn't include him.


Quick prayer: Dear Basketball Gods......Please make sure that the Heat only double team Pau Gasol everytime they play the Lakers. This will all but guarantee that the Lakers will get that 17th championship!! Amen!!      


      
  

      


     

The explanation of this ought to be good!! Here it comes........

No explanation is needed. Go back and watch Heat/Suns game and showed me where the Heat ever doubled Nash. The Heat never doubled Kobe or Gasol either. The Heat did double Howard before but that was when Joel was our Center not Bosh who has much more height.

Good luck with that!!

Wade been guarding Kobe his entire career 1 on 1. Wade or James will be guarding Kobe 1 on 1....No double will be needed.

I'm sure Howard would love nothing more than to be guarded one on one by one of the Heats 6'8" players or Bosh.

You really did not watch much if any Orlando/Miami games in the past few years....It is very obvious.

"Remember, the Lakers have the best center in the league in Howard and then they have another All-Star caliber 7 footer in Gasol. So, if the Heat go small, the Lakers will pound it inside"


You would think, but the past 2 years, the Lakers had Bynum/Gasol and that formula didn't dominate. It didn't even win.

I remember 2 years ago, Kobe was still shooting jumpers in the AAA for 1.5 hours after the game because he missed so many shots.

You Laker fans seem pretty certain that he will now be more willing to even out the shots. That is really based on nothing but hope.    


When it comes to Kobe's ego, I will just say that I need to see it to believe it.


"Remember, the Lakers have the best center in the league in Howard and then they have another All-Star caliber 7 footer in Gasol. So, if the Heat go small, the Lakers will pound it inside."


They also have a man coming off of major back surgery. To stay in the paint night after night fighting with other 7 footers will be a challenge.

I think the Lakers should be glad that they have Howard as a 1 year rental with a probable option to buy.     


" Bosh may be a great shooter for a big from 15+ feet, but I'll take Howard at the rim over a 15 footer from Bosh all day, everyday "

Bosh shooting 15 footers wasn't entirely the point.


The point was that if Howard has to be out 15 feet guarding Bosh, the path t the basket would be much more clear for the other Heat players.     




         

The point was that if Howard has to be out 15 feet guarding Bosh, the path t the basket would be much more clear for the other Heat players.     

---

No more flopping for fouls! Or pay the fine. 

And like Pau Gasol is short guy.  

You would think, but the past 2 years, the Lakers had Bynum/Gasol and that formula didn't dominate. It didn't even win.

Bynum is a good center, he is not, however, Dwight Howard. That is a big difference. Also, with Nash distributing the ball, it means better looks for everyone. The last 2 seasons Kobe had to be the main ballhandler which is not his role. Teams won't be able to clog the lane and we have a better center.

I remember 2 years ago, Kobe was still shooting jumpers in the AAA for 1.5 hours after the game because he missed so many shots.

So, a guy working on his game because he didn't play well is a bad thing?

You Laker fans seem pretty certain that he will now be more willing to even out the shots. That is really based on nothing but hope.

No, it's based on what he has said and done. Kobe isn't stupid, he knows that he has a very small window in which to get his 6th ring. He'll do what is necessary. Bill Plaschke from the L.A. Times has been as critical of Kobe throughout his career as any writer I have seen. In a recent interview, he said that he is convinced Kobe will do what he has to in order to get that ring. He is completely focused on that.

They also have a man coming off of major back surgery. To stay in the paint night after night fighting with other 7 footers will be a challenge.

You mean the guy who is ahead of schedule on his recovery, has been fully participating in practice for the last 2 days and is saying that he wants to play in some pre-season games? The guy that other Laker players are saying that they are amazed at his conditioning? Is that the guy you're talking about?

The point was that if Howard has to be out 15 feet guarding Bosh, the path t the basket would be much more clear for the other Heat players.  

Why do you assume that the Lakers won't switch or react on defense. You act like they will just stand out on the perimeter and let James and Wade drive to the basket and concede the points.   
  

   


      


      
  

Apparently, Heat fans have never heard of the concept of defensive switching...it's hilarious!

Hey Jefe, your man Shaq, the man who brought you to your knees with retirement and cause you to not honor an avi bet is saying IHO that Bynum and Lopez are better centers then Howard.

"On Wednesday, O'Neal got particularly foolish, [telling ESPNNY.com] that Howard, clearly the NBA's best center for years, is actually only the third-best in his book.

"We as players, we always watch people before us. When I came in it was Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, guys who played like true centers who played inside. What we have now are centers that are going to the European style, which is a lot of pick-and-roll. Dwight Howard, who's a pick-and-roll player, some people say he's the best center in the league, but me being an old-school center, I'm going to go with [Brook] Lopez and Andrew Bynum because they play with their back to the basket."

"Listen to what I'm saying. I'm not talking about dunking, I'm talking about playing like a big man with the moves. My man, before he had the foot injury, was putting up nice, solid big man numbers. He don't have a lot of flash, a la Tim Duncan, but he can play. If you put him with a nice team around him, you can get a lot from this big man. Like if you want to go to flash and dunking and the pick and roll, you gotta go with Dwight Howard. But me, the last true original dundaughta (slang for big timer), I'm going with Andrew Bynum and which Lopez? Brook. Brook Lopez.""




What is your respnse to him?