The Lakers are by far the best team in the NBA with or without Bynum

[Tektonik]

Discuss :D

[trumad]

1. Perhaps in regular season---which means squat.

[Tektonik]

4. Sustained excellence i nthe regular season is generally a good sign

Especially when they are missing Bynum again.

[erpowers]

5. Garnett was Sick

It was good that the Lakers beat both Cleveland and Boston; however, we do have to take into account the fact that Kevin Garnett was coming off of having the flu and fouled out before overtime. It is very possible that if doc Rivers can get his team to play defense on every play they are the best team in the NBA. It is; however, also possible that if Phil Jackson can keep the Lakers playing tough they could be the best team in the NBA. However, we need to see how the Lakers play against the Celtics in the playoffs with Kevin Garnett healthy and the Celtics, as a team, playing hard defense.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Beating Boston and Cleveland on the road was certainly impressive...

We'll see if Kobe can win a title solo. The clock is running out on him.

[Tektonik]

3. Not really, he can play for another 8 years

[BlooInBloo]

6. He won't be playing at a level where a solo title is a serious goal for more than 3 more years...

He never learned the team-ball skills that Jordan did.

Sure, he might *be in the league* longer than 3 years, but that doesn't address what I initially said.

EDIT: Oh - and they're only the "by far the best team" if "by far" means "by 1 game".

[Tektonik]

9. You're a joke

Anyhow, Kobe is a good team player. I am not saying he's Magic or anything, but he is not Vince Carter. He's an amazing perimeter defender and one of the best scorers in the league, if not the best.

Kobe's title chances depends on the team around him, and as long as Gasol is by his side, I like LA's chances.

Kobe should last decently long because he doesn't solely depend on driving to the basket like a freight train (Lebron is gonna have to change his game unless he wants to play only 60 games a season in a couple of years), and we'll likely see more fadeaways, turn around jump shots in the future.

I think Kobe will be in the league for at least 7 more years, because it will take him that long to beat Kareem's scoring record.

[Onceuponalife]

7. agreed

Look how they handled Boston. That Christmas game was amazing. Too bad I'm not that into B-ball anymore or I'd actually be enjoying the Laker's season.

[cboy4]

8. "By far"?

Wrong.

I was pulling for them against Boston last year, and they choked.

I expect them to repeat.

[Tektonik]

10. They choked hard, but this is a better team than last year

Even with Morrison on our roster. :P