Do the Lakers need Kobe?

[PlatinumGold]

They seem to be playing very well right now. Malone, Payton and Shaq seem to complement each other very well.

Will Kobe coming back Help them or hurt them?

Edit

I was wrong


watching the lakers play the spurs (duncan is out) and i have to say, the lakers need kobe.

 

[Dragnov]

Sure, hes still the best guy to take the clutch shot when the clock is running down. Adds another major threat also that you have to guard extensively.

Not to mention hes the only youngin sans George.

 

[TheBDB]

He will help them, because he plays good defense and he will draw attention on offense. And he averaged 30 points a game last year.

 

[RagingBITCH]

As amazing as Payton and Malone are, combined they != Kobe. The Lakers won those championships b/c of Kobe and b/c of Shaq standing under the basket. Payton and Malone don't meet the needs/fill the shoes of Kobe.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
He will help them, because he plays good defense and he will draw attention on offense. And he averaged 30 points a game last year.

Not including the 30 points a game last year, it sounds like you are outlining Kobe's defense TheBDB

 

[prontospyder]

Kobe will help the Lakers go 82-0 this year.

 

[jagr10]

Kobe will draw more viewers and increase NBA ratings.

 

[Bad Dude]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
He will help them, because he plays good defense and he will draw attention on offense. And he averaged 30 points a game last year.

That b/c he was the only biggest offensive dude. He will have to share those points this year.

 

[Ranger X]

Yes, they need him. This allows GP and Malone to rest on the bench more if need be. Last year, the Lakers were horrendous when Shaq and Kobe were either in foul trouble, hurt and not playing, or resting. With 4 solid scorers and bunch of role players, I think the Lakers will be hard to beat.

The Lakers don't need another scorer .. that's for sure.

 

[hdeck]

let's decide after 2 games whether or not they need him.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: hdeck
let's decide after 2 games whether or not they need him.

ok. lets.

 

[EXman]

not next year Kobe's gone me thinks

 

[Bad Dude]

Originally posted by: EXman
not next year Kobe's gone me thinks

Kobe is just being shelfish when he does this. He cannot win championships by himself. He just want to be the one all the time and lately Payton and Malone had more attentions, he feels the Lakers is not the place to be. It's a big mistake to leave. He can do what he does b/c his teammates set it up for him. You cannot win without the team. So if he goes, he loses the championship team and coach.

 

[Alex]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
He will help them, because he plays good defense and he will draw attention on offense. And he averaged 30 points a game last year.

yeah but i dont think hes gonna avg more than 25 this year

 

[First]

Yes, the Lakers definitely need Kobe. One example was today's game against the Suns where Kobe hit a clutch field goal with a couple minutes to go in the 4th and then 3 FT's in a row to clinch the game. Karl hit 4 FT's in a row, but if Kobe wasn't fouled it would have been some other Laker taking the clutch shots, and any other Laker is simply not as clutch as Kobe.

In addition, Kobe is absolutely no where near the same player he was 5-6 months ago in the regular season/playoffs. He needs another one or two months right now to rehabilitate his knee and get back in 2003 shape before he shows how he is truly needed by the Lakers.

Besides, I'd think it'd be obvious the Lakers need a 100% healthy and conditioned Kobe considering the Lakers won by a mere 4 points today against the Suns who, while certainly a very elite team, are hardly difficult with a healthy and conditioned Shaq, Payton and Malone.

 

[Miramonti]

There are only a couple players in the league imo that can constantly be ridden for points in the 4th quarter of a playoff game against a solid defense - Kobe is one of them, Duncan the other.

Payton and Malone aren't half as reliable when it really counts. And Shaq's often iffy as well with his unreliable free throw shooting and injuries and fat slowing him down.

And when it comes to taking the last shot, Kobe's king right now.

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: Bad_Dude

Originally posted by: EXman
not next year Kobe's gone me thinks

Kobe is just being shelfish when he does this. He cannot win championships by himself. He just want to be the one all the time and lately Payton and Malone had more attentions, he feels the Lakers is not the place to be. It's a big mistake to leave. He can do what he does b/c his teammates set it up for him. You cannot win without the team. So if he goes, he loses the championship team and coach.

but kobe talked about opting out since last season.

 

[First]

Kobe just recently said that his opting out next summer will be more out of curiously than anything else. He said he'll probably stay with the Lakers and that the feud between him and Shaq has been put behind them. In other words, he's still going to opt out, but it's more "academic" than anything else.

That's good news for Laker fans, though I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind between now and then. We'll see.

 

[iamme]

i don't think it'll hurt them. payton seems to be pushing the ball more and i think Kobe will feed off of that. imagine a 3 on 2 break with payton running the middle and kobe and malone running the wings :Q

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Bad_Dude

Originally posted by: EXman
not next year Kobe's gone me thinks

Kobe is just being shelfish when he does this. He cannot win championships by himself. He just want to be the one all the time and lately Payton and Malone had more attentions, he feels the Lakers is not the place to be. It's a big mistake to leave. He can do what he does b/c his teammates set it up for him. You cannot win without the team. So if he goes, he loses the championship team and coach.

Kobe can go to a diff team that has a solid build and win a championship there **Cougnets**

 

[iamme]

to answer the question: Could the Lakers win a championship this year without Kobe?

i think so.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: iamme
to answer the question: Could the Lakers win a championship this year without Kobe?

i think so.

Of course, but it would be damn difficult. With Kobe, things are so much easier. As you just said, can you even imagine a 3-man fastbreak with Malone and Kobe on the wings and Payton pushing the ball? :Q

 

[Dacalo]

I wouldn't say that the Lakers need Kobe but he greatly makes them much much better.

However, the Lakers do need Shaq

 

[Siddhartha]

I would want Kobe on my team.

 

[RaymondY]

the Lakers don't need Kobe, trade him to the Knicks