9 Days Until Tipoff - Where will the Lakers finish?

[Tomlinson21RB]

In my opinion, one of the interesting stories for this upcoming season is what will the Lakers do. We've seen them miss on Chris Paul, and Orlando doesn't seem to be interested in moving Howard at the moment. After getting worked over by Stern, the Lakers were forced to move an unhappy Lamar Odom and didn't get much in return.

They were already a top heavy team and now face some more question marks. Kobe is another year older, and the question of if or when he'll start to break down is still there. Gasol is another year older, and is coming off a poor playoff showing. Bynum will have to sit out a few games from a suspension during the playoffs last season, and who knows if his injuries will come back with the compressed schedule.

On the other hand, Kobe is still one of the best in the game and when Gasol and Bynum are playing their best they can contend with anyone offensively and defensively.

The Lakers have finished 57-25 the last two years. Last year their won their division and were #2 in the West.

They could play out the season with what they have or make a blockbuster deal for Howard. How do you see the season playing out and where do they finish the year in the Western Conference?

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

I still have all the respect in the world for Kobe's talents on the floor, and could see him lasting like MJ and not really having injury problems even with the amount of miles on his legs.

I do see some concerns with Bynum staying healthy. Bad knees are a problem in the NBA, especially with the compressed schedule. I do think Gasol bounces back from his playoff performance, but he needs to keep his hamstrings healthy.

The depth of this team is really the problem. Odom was great because he could do everything well on the court whether he was in the backcourt or down low. If there is an injury to the stars, I don't see who fills in. I also think there are quite a few teams in the West that got better or should pass the Lakers:

Spurs
Mavs
Thunder
Memphis
LAC

I also think Portland, Utah or GS could make a jump.

I picked 6th seed in the west.

 

[Rickzcards]

Unless they can trade for Howard, they are a 5th or 6th place finisher. Thanks to Stern and a host of crybaby bitch owners. Funny how none of them objected to an even worse trade made with the Clippers.

 

[boomets]

I honestly think this year Kobe will be Kobe, and he will have a great year. Gasol had a terrible playoffs, but i think he will be back , just as he was last regular season. If Bynum can stay healthy he is easily a top 3 center in the NBA.
Alot of IFS but i think Kobe will take the lakers to a top 3 seed, and he dosent need another SUPERstar to help him.

 

[Anthony K.]

Unless they can trade for Howard, they are a 5th or 6th place finisher. Thanks to Stern and a host of crybaby bitch owners. Funny how none of them objected to an even worse trade made with the Clippers.

Lakers fans have turned into the biggest crybabies into the NBA, so kind of pot meets kettle there.

I predict the Lakers to end up in the 6th-8th seed area.

MJ held up throughout his career WITHOUT having to deal with a season like this, with tons of back to backs, a few back to back to backs plus a full playoffs.

Bynum WILL get hurt at some point in time. If he doesn't, it is more of an outlier than anything else (and would be INCREDIBLY lucky). But they will be starting possibly the worst PG/SG combo in the league, are thin in the front court and, outside of packaging Bynum/Gasol to get Howard/Hedo, have no real trade assets or moves whatsoever.

I honestly think this will be the worst Lakers club in recent memory. Will most likely make Lakers fans even more unbearable than they already are.