Poll: Have the Lakers' improved since July 2004?

KA_2 · Star Player Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 1883

Just wondering if anyone here thinks the Lakers have become a better overall team since July 2004 when they traded Shaq. 34 wins last season, barely 8th seed this year with little to no major injuries (last year we were 6th seed before the injury to Kobe). Parker instead of Aktins (good), Kwame instead of Butler (good for D, horrible for O, so a bad move so far), and basically everything else is the same except that now Kobe is playing out of his mind.

All things considered, will the Lakers have improved at all through 2 years of rebuilding?
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Westside

lakerfan4life · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:34 pm Post subject:

Nope not at all.
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14 till 17

tgf5 · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject:

I voted yes, but I actually change my mind since last season was a complete disaster.

KA_2 · Star Player Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 1883

Please explain why if you can. I'm honestly trying to come up with reasons for how the Lakers have improved since this date, but it looks like they will have accomplished nothing but the hiring of Phil Jackson since July 2004.
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Westside

drzucchini · Franchise Player Joined: 28 Sep 2002 Posts: 16327

Given the strength of schedules for the first half of this season versus the first half of last season, I'd say that this team has improved considerably. While the defense still isn't great, it's a lot better than it was a year ago. Now, if you ask whether or not they've improved enough, the answer is a definite no, with most of the blame falling on Odom, who still struggles with his role.

iml84myd8s · Starting Rotation Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 598

The Lakers were in their fourth Championship series after only five years. Last year the Lakers were in the Lottery. This year the Lakers are fighting to stay out of the Lottery, again.

Is there really a need for a poll? The answer is as obvious as snow is white.

Showtime_Returns · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

You know the saying take one step back to take steps forward?

Well the Shaq trade took as one GIANT leap back. Last offseason we took 2 steps back. Now with the trade deadline we pretty much have our backs up against a wall.

slavavov · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

This year we've gotten better by bringing back Phil, and by having a slightly more balanced roster. Kobe is also playing not only much better than last year, but some of his best ball ever.

Otherwise, I don't see any real improvement, both on and off the court. On the court, they still have many of the same problems as they had in the fall of 2004 - constantly blowing leads, losing more close games than they should, lack of intelligent play at both ends, lack of composure, etc. I know a young team like this will blow some leads and lose some close games, but these guys the last 1.5 years don't seem to learn from their mistakes. They'll just run up a bigger lead in the next game - and blow that one as well.

Off the court, I don't think Mitch is as bad as some think, but the Kwame trade was horrible in terms of what we gave up for him, and I'm starting to wonder why Mitch can't close out all these rumored deals. The Lakers have just been treading water since July 2004, and I don't know if they know how to swim.
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Lakers 49ers Chargers Dodgers

Charles · Star Player Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 4525

Kobe has improved, and Kobe is the Lakers - therefore the Lakers have improved.

Mark_in_Tulsa · Franchise Player Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 12977

We are definitly a more balanced team with PJ at the helm, and with Parker over Atkins, and Browns D over Butlers O.

Keep in my mind, we are still learning the Tri. We are tho playing better D by far.

Last year we were to heavy at the 3 postion. Yeah Butler is a good player, but having him here is like having Francs, Marbury, and Crawford on the same team. That would be stupid, no one in their right mind would do that.....................oh wait......