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What's the best ice-cream flavor?
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Gotta be chocolate. |
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60% |
[ 3 ] |
Strawberry is my fave. |
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20% |
[ 1 ] |
Can't go wrong with Vanilla. |
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20% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 5 |
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worthychamp
Prospect
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 10
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 Posted: 9/1/2007, 11:54 am Post subject: My NBA Surprise Pick: LA Lakers |
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| I'm picking the Lakers to surprise a lot of people this year and play for a championship. I know they missed out on KG and don't look too desperate to get O'neal, either; but there is no way that they'll have the injuries they had last year. At one point Odom, Walton, Brown and Radmanovic were hurt at the same time (about 2 months). There are several reasons for this. First off, some of these weren't really as hurt as they led on. I personally believe Walton and Brown could've played but didn't want to be traded at the deadline, hence the convenient injuries. That won't happen this season. Walton is under a new contract, Brown is in the final year of his. And then there is Radman. I see him as the eventual starter at the 3. He couldn't possibly have had a worse season than last year. I didn't include Mihm in the injuries from last year, he's back and can only help the Lakers interior defense. Even with the top 2 picks coming west, the balance of the league is slowly shifting east. The Spurs, Mavs, Suns, and Jazz have all basically stood still this off-season. Houston made a move by getting Francis back but there's not much else to write about. One other thing that is not being discussed is the fact that Marion won't be in Phoenix much longer. I really think the Lakers will have an "Us Against the World" mentality and play nasty this season. My prediction? The league needs a dream matchup, right now so I'll say........Lakers vs. Celtics in the Finals, with the Celtics winning a 7 game series that returns the league to prominence and respectability. Wadda ya think? |
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shamedog18
Moderator
Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 2433
Location: Long Island
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| Posted: 9/3/2007, 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Thing is, the Spurs, Mavs and Suns have stood still but they are the cream of the crop and the Lakers didn't really do much, either. Sure, they had injuries last year but even when they were healthy they were probably good enough for a #5 or 6 seed in the west. They still lack chemistry more than any team in the league (and that's coming from a Knicks fan) and they could probably advance a round or two into the playoffs, but I don't see them as a championship contender. |
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Tru Playa
Hall of Famer
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 1326
Location: Tha Hood
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| Posted: 9/4/2007, 3:17 am Post subject: |
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i have to agree.......the suns, spurs, mavs, jazz and rockets are still better then the lakers in my opinion
yes their guys are back healthy but i see them no higher then a #6 seed...............and i see them MAYBE getting out of the first round but thats pushing it
i see one of those 5 teams making it to the nba finals
_________________
NHL = Nashville Predators
MLB = Chicago White Sox
NFL = Atlanta Falcons
NBA = Phoenix Suns |
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worthychamp
Prospect
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: 9/4/2007, 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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| shamedog18 wrote: |
| Thing is, the Spurs, Mavs and Suns have stood still but they are the cream of the crop and the Lakers didn't really do much, either. Sure, they had injuries last year but even when they were healthy they were probably good enough for a #5 or 6 seed in the west. They still lack chemistry more than any team in the league (and that's coming from a Knicks fan) and they could probably advance a round or two into the playoffs, but I don't see them as a championship contender. |
i can totally see why you'd think that way. on paper, the lakers haven't done much. no argument there. what i'm thinking (hoping) is that these guys will not all drop like flies this year. fisher taking smush's spot will add AT LEAST 5 wins. wouldn't go as far as comparing them the knicks, though. the knicks have been out of the playoff picture for years-IN THE EAST??!!
_________________
The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused. |
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netsown
Prospect
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 18
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| Posted: 9/4/2007, 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| actully the lakers will be worst since kobe played for team usa. he won't be able to play as much minutes or games. they have unproven players and inexperienceed no chemistry at all since kobe is ripping his teamates in national TV. farmar still to young to handle the point and i you give it to kobe he will do it himself. odom needs to stand up to kobe. they might make the plyoff as a 8 seed maybe. |
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worthychamp
Prospect
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: 9/4/2007, 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| netsown wrote: |
| actully the lakers will be worst since kobe played for team usa. he won't be able to play as much minutes or games. they have unproven players and inexperienceed no chemistry at all since kobe is ripping his teamates in national TV. farmar still to young to handle the point and i you give it to kobe he will do it himself. odom needs to stand up to kobe. they might make the plyoff as a 8 seed maybe. |
i personally think 24 playing for USA basketball will HELP not hurt the lakers. in fact, it's just what the doctor ordered. the lakers will definitely not win if 24 has to score over 30 ppg, so i think a little less from him might be more for the team. look at how he played for team USA, his defense was impeccable. these are the things the lakers need from him. i think this will be the year that odom stands up to 24. odom has already stated that he doesn't want to go anywhere so if 24 starts bashing teammates during the season, odom won't feel like he's nailing his coffin shut anymore if he bites down on kobe. there's not a logical explanation to predicting the lakers to finish worse than lastthey did last year, unless you're also predicting the same injury issues that struck last season. i say they'll finish in the top 4 and make a run in the playoffs.
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The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused. |
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Arrowhead-Red
Moderator
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 1771
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| Posted: 9/5/2007, 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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I don't see playing for Team USA as a disadvantage for Kobe. However, I don't see the Lakers being much better than last season, especially with all of the off-season chatter.
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www.chiefswarpath.com |
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netsown
Prospect
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 18
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| Posted: 9/6/2007, 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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| worthychamp wrote: |
| netsown wrote: |
| actully the lakers will be worst since kobe played for team usa. he won't be able to play as much minutes or games. they have unproven players and inexperienceed no chemistry at all since kobe is ripping his teamates in national TV. farmar still to young to handle the point and i you give it to kobe he will do it himself. odom needs to stand up to kobe. they might make the plyoff as a 8 seed maybe. |
i personally think 24 playing for USA basketball will HELP not hurt the lakers. in fact, it's just what the doctor ordered. the lakers will definitely not win if 24 has to score over 30 ppg, so i think a little less from him might be more for the team. look at how he played for team USA, his defense was impeccable. these are the things the lakers need from him. i think this will be the year that odom stands up to 24. odom has already stated that he doesn't want to go anywhere so if 24 starts bashing teammates during the season, odom won't feel like he's nailing his coffin shut anymore if he bites down on kobe. there's not a logical explanation to predicting the lakers to finish worse than lastthey did last year, unless you're also predicting the same injury issues that struck last season. i say they'll finish in the top 4 and make a run in the playoffs. |
less 24 equals good for laker i don't beleve so when kobe was suspended agaisnt knicks and bucks the lakers lost both games. i'm talking about the KNICK and BUCKS common add to that they both play on the east. TOP 4
so your saying they are i the same league as dalla, san antonio, phonix, and houston. fiba will defetnely hurt the lakers because kobe is going to have a slow start just like lebron, wade and elton brand which he got injured during the season. expect less time for kobe and a drop in numbers. lakers an 8th seed will get bounced in the first round of playoff
if they make it. |
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worthychamp
Prospect
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: 9/7/2007, 8:36 am Post subject: |
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| netsown wrote: |
| worthychamp wrote: |
| netsown wrote: |
| actully the lakers will be worst since kobe played for team usa. he won't be able to play as much minutes or games. they have unproven players and inexperienceed no chemistry at all since kobe is ripping his teamates in national TV. farmar still to young to handle the point and i you give it to kobe he will do it himself. odom needs to stand up to kobe. they might make the plyoff as a 8 seed maybe. |
i personally think 24 playing for USA basketball will HELP not hurt the lakers. in fact, it's just what the doctor ordered. the lakers will definitely not win if 24 has to score over 30 ppg, so i think a little less from him might be more for the team. look at how he played for team USA, his defense was impeccable. these are the things the lakers need from him. i think this will be the year that odom stands up to 24. odom has already stated that he doesn't want to go anywhere so if 24 starts bashing teammates during the season, odom won't feel like he's nailing his coffin shut anymore if he bites down on kobe. there's not a logical explanation to predicting the lakers to finish worse than lastthey did last year, unless you're also predicting the same injury issues that struck last season. i say they'll finish in the top 4 and make a run in the playoffs. |
less 24 equals good for laker i don't beleve so when kobe was suspended agaisnt knicks and bucks the lakers lost both games. i'm talking about the KNICK and BUCKS common add to that they both play on the east. TOP 4
so your saying they are i the same league as dalla, san antonio, phonix, and houston. fiba will defetnely hurt the lakers because kobe is going to have a slow start just like lebron, wade and elton brand which he got injured during the season. expect less time for kobe and a drop in numbers. lakers an 8th seed will get bounced in the first round of playoff
if they make it. |
maybe i wasn't clear enough when i said "less" kobe. what i meant was him dominating the ball and the attention of opposing defenses. you remembered the knicks and bucks games (when we also had half the team out with injuries), but forgot the wins against PHO and SA when he didn't have to be the ONLY focus. it doesn't matter much if kobe has a big game (unless it's 63 in 3/4 or 81), but if odom, bynum, fisher or walton has a good game, the lakers usually win. i like the lakers chances, still.
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The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused. |
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netsown
Prospect
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 18
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| Posted: 9/7/2007, 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| we'll see when the season starts but i don't see a team with odom bynum fisher and walton been better than (tim duncan, parker ginobli) or (t mac YAO) also utah with boozer and deron williams and phonix with amare, nash. they all happen to have post player. bynum still young but he will develop but i don't know if he is ready yet to compete with proven players. |
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