Comments on: Misunderstood Lakers Teams: 2003-04

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:46:53 +0000

Kurt,
I doubt I am misremembering Ariza from game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals because I re watched the game recently. Ariza was injured but came back in the 3rd round of the playoffs. Phil Jackson played him maybe a couple times for 1 minute increments and thats it… until the first half of game 4 of the Finals. In that first half Trevor changed the game with his hustle and athleticism. He was one of the big reasons the Lakers took a 20 point lead. He then only played something like 30 seconds in the 2nd half. I never said his lack of playing time cost the Lakers a championship, however I find it likely his lack of run in the final 24 minutes jeopardized the Lakers chances to tie the series at 2 games a piece.

I don’t think Ariza is a good one on one defender either and I view him as only a below average starting SF but we are not comparing him to average SF’s that would be playing in his stead. Luke and Vlad played instead of Trevor… those are two of the worst players at that position who play significant minutes in the NBA. It wasn’t his stats that year or even last year that made such a big impact. It was the athleticism Trevor brought to the court that Luke and Vlad just couldn’t come close to matching.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:52:19 +0000

Aaron, you misremember Ariza from the 2008 Finals. First, he was injured. Second, he played about five good minutes on PP in that half then totally fell apart and was abused like everyone else. He was benched for good reason, not for loyalty. The Lakers winning that game was independent of Ariza. He simply came back too early and was not able to help the team (and we can question if he really would have helped much over the long term as he is somebody you can be physical with, and the Celtics were/are very physical). Simply, that Lakers team was not ready to win the finals. No one thing would have changed that.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:25:29 +0000

Chris (54),
Derek’s intangibles are what hurt this Laker team the most. His lack of foot speed on defense, his needless double teams, and his poor shot selection. Of course Fisher’s awful shooting the last 3 months of the year including the playoffs also really hurt.

The reason Phil stayed with him is plain loyalty and also Phil’s aversion to making a lineup change late in the season risking team chemistry. The same reason Phil didn’t play Ariza in the Finals in favor of Vlad and Walton. Ariza only played one half (the first half of game 4) and the Lakers blew out the Celtics. Ariza sat out the 2nd half and the Celts came back and one the game and basically the series. That was an example of Phil’s loyalty hurting the team.

I would be very surprised to see Derek Fisher make it to the All Star break as the Lakers starting PG. I could easily see him as sort of a player coach who didn’t get much playing time at all. That might be his best role at this stage in his career. FYI… if you thought he was bad last year… he will be a year older this year. Lets hope he doesn’t age too much this offseason.

By: Gabriel R.

Gabriel R. — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:54:08 +0000

That 2004 team just wasn’t a team. It was like a team of mercenaries. There never was enough time for cohesion. You brought in two pivotal players that have never played in such a system as the triangle. I believe Shaq, Kobe and the rest did what they did and Malone and Payton played more or less like the triangle didn’t exist or was an afterthought.

That’s what happens when you bring in people to our team with this system that no one else plays. It takes time to adjust and sometimes years….hence my feeling that they weren’t a team.

Don’t get me wrong, I thought we were locks to win the title that year and especially against a Detroit team that had good defense but routinely couldn’t get past 90 or 100 points a game.

Between the officials, defense, and all the breaks going the Pistons way, the Lakers made them look like a team for the ages compared to what should have happened…the Pistons losing in 5 games.

But that’s why you play the games.

Bye.

By: chris h

chris h — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:48:04 +0000

I hope we don’t have to hear another year’s worth of Fisher bashing, I know you quote facts/stats and claim he’s the worst PG in the league… I’ve heard you spout that many times.
it’s like you only want to see the negative, the guy was our starting PG on a team that won a ring, he brought intangibles, and leadership, and toughness, and if guys like Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant are happy with him, then so should we be.
I know I am. The guys had a great career, and is a decent human being.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:25:49 +0000

42)
Haha… well played. The difference is that Payton had a good regular season and had a guy who couldn’t play any defense (Fisher) behind him. Last year Fisher had been just awful the entier 2nd half of the year and had a guy who was hooting better and could play better defense (Brown) behind him. But a funny point indeed.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:54:53 +0000

There may be some temporary issues signing on to FB&G as I am about to do a server move. Also, it is possible a few recent comments will be lost. I will try not to let that happen but it is possible.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:26:56 +0000

Kaveh – “I’m telling you guys, Aaron = favorite poster on forumblueandgold! I like the way he thinks.”

This does not surprise me.

By: Sun Yue

Sun Yue — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:37:58 +0000

Sun Yue just got signed by the Knicks to a partially guaranteed contract…interested to see how the Chinese Magic does with D’Antoni

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/basketball/13sportsbriefs-knicks.html?_r=1

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:27:08 +0000

Craig,
There had to have been tremendous pressure on Buss to trade Kobe.
His head coach-who had won him 3 titles,as well as sleeping w/his daughter-and his popular star Center were asking for Kobe to be traded. The team was going thru a rough stretch in Jan. There was the horrific possiblity Kobe would be playing in a prison league for the rest of the decade.

Deciding to pin his fortune to Kobe was a huge risk and Dr Buss took it.

And if the Lakers win the title and then trade Shaq and Phil leaves-sorry,but the bad PR Kobe got that yr would have been nothing to what would have come his way in that event.