Good News, Bad News - Pacific Division: Re: I'm in agreement!

» jprufrock - Re: I'm in agreement!

In response to message posted by thebattwoman:

Thanks battwoman, I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

As for the Kings, I think you're right that they are more focused this year. They've always struck me as a team that has a little too much fun playing, to the point that it affected their intensity. One thing that's bothered me about the Kings is that their bench players were always standing up, clapping and falling all over each other and joking with the players on the court. I mean, it's great that the team gets along so well and enjoys the game so much, but it gives me an NCAA tournament kind of vibe, and I thought they would benefit from a more serious demeanor. They seem to have toned it down this year, which facilitates the determination you noted towards the end of games.

The Lakers are a strange team - beyond the big 4, they have only one or two players who would get any playing time for the other Western powers. Like you observed, the Lakers are a horrible team without Shaq, and Malone to a lesser extent, and the prospect of an injury to any of their stars has to scare the Lakers.

I can never really decide if I like Shaq - I think overall he's a decent guy, but some of his choices, like his surgery at the beginning of last season and the one you mentioned, are very hard to justify.

I really hope the Lakers and Kings meet in the playoffs this year. It's the best matchup in basketball, and it added some levels of animosity with the new arrivals on each team. Malone and Webber have their own rivalry from when the Kings were trying to get past Utah in the playoffs, and Brad Miller annoys Shaq about as much as anyone in the league (remember the famous missed punch). Between Divac and Miller, Shaq is likely to completely lose his mind by the end of a 7-games series. And Shaq's comments about Bibby making the Olympic team hasn't won him any fans in Sacramento.

Have you voted for Peja, Bibby or Miller on the All-Star team yet?

- Greg

-- posted by jprufrock