Lakers 03-04

[thegame]

Looked very good last night against a top notch team in Dallas. (Supposidly top notch, anyway).

Payton and Malone were solid, Shaq did not have to do it alone.

Question is: Are they the best of the West? I think it will come down to the Lakers and Spurs in the West finals this year... I have to say that I'd pick the Lakers in that scenario, with a healthy Payton, Malone, and Shaq. I don't think not having Kobe will mean as much as some do, since Payton is there to pick up a lot of the backcourt scoring, passing, and defence.

[Snarf]

I was shocked that the Lakers beat the Mavs that bad. I thought Dallas would win the NBA title (which they still could), but I was disappointed in the offense of the Mavs. So either the Lakers have one heck of a defense or the Mavs offense is overrated. As for the Lakers, this whole Kobe thing could be a problem, espacially if he goes to trial during the season or playoffs. Actually the feud between Shaq and Kobe may have helped so people are not focusing on the upcoming trial so much. Also don't forget about the T-Wolves, they had some big improvements in the offseason with Spree and Olowokandi.

[Bellowing4DaBills]

Lakers looked great last night. Adding Kobe in there with his tendancy to hog the ball would ruin the offense I saw last night. They still need Kobe on defense and if Phil J. can get Kobe to not be such a hog on O, they'll be unbeatable.

[RockStar36]

they still have to play 81 more games.