Bleacher report: Are the Lakers the next legendary team?

[NJNJ]

After the Lakers' less-than-stellar 7-3 start, the expectations surrounding this team had substantially lowered. But as they've shown in the past, that's when the Lakers function at their best.

 

The fact that they dropped their second game of the season to Dallas? Proof of how critical Pau Gasol's absence can be. The fact that Phoenix had the best record in the West until as recently as yesterday? A pesky, short-term technicality.

 

Since the return of Pau Gasol, no team the Lakers has faced has been capable of remaining within 10 digits of their final score, never mind beating them. Now the Lakers are starting to show the tip of what could very well be an insurmountable iceberg.

 

After all, several of the greatest teams in NBA history have gotten off to relatively slow starts. The 1996 Bulls started off at 10-2 before capturing the NBA's best-ever record of 72-10. Two years later the Bulls started off at 12-9 before winning 50 of their next 61 games. The 1972 33-straight-win Lakers started off at 6-3 before finishing at 69-13. The 2001 Lakers finished with a record of 56-26 -- 11 fewer victories than they had earned in their previous regular season -- before going undefeated until the Finals.

 

Phil Jackson has been quoted as saying that the Lakers are “on the brink.” There has been much speculation over what he meant, but given the Lakers' play as of late, it's becoming more and more clear.

 

A champion can be made in a year and forgotten the next; ask Miami. Becoming a legend, however, is something entirely different. Legendary teams are never forgotten. Their triumphs define their generation and echo throughout the course of history. Usually, this is not a feat that can be accomplished in a single season.

 

Legendary teams, be it those of Jordan's Bulls, Russell's Celtics, Magic's Lakers or Laimbeer's Pistons, have forged their place in history by undergoing multiple championship runs. Already reigning champions, the Lakers now have the opportunity to do just that.

 

And I wouldn't bet against them.

 

The Lakers' road will be far from easy. The season is still very young, and as every champion will tell you, defending the title is always more difficult than winning in the first place. But then if it weren't, such teams wouldn't be legends.

 

Source

[kingfish]

Yep were blowin out everyone right now. I know their crappy teams but since we got Pau back nobody has even put up a fight.

[AboveLegit]

Yep were blowin out everyone right now. I know their crappy teams but since we got Pau back nobody has even put up a fight.

You just said they are facing crappy teams...Blowing them out isn't that impressive.

 

I'm not downplaying their win streak as I do believe we are in for another great Laker season, but they way you're complimenting them is ridiculous.

[Kobe24]

These bad teams they are beating arent even putting up a fight, the lakers dont look like they are trying.. Doesnt look like they are breaking a sweat out there.

[kingfish]

You just said they are facing crappy teams...Blowing them out isn't that impressive.

 

I'm not downplaying their win streak as I do believe we are in for another great Laker season, but they way you're complimenting them is ridiculous.

Since we got Pau back

 

Bulls - pretty good young team, won by 23

Thunder - pretty good young team, won by 16

Knicks - they just beat the Magic the other night, won by 10 (was at one point a 20+ lead)

@Golden State - won by 40, held a high scoring team under 99 at home.

Nets - won by 19

Hornets - won by 21

 

Like I said, while all of these teams are not contenders, some of them arent exactly scrubs. The Bulls beat the Spurs and Cavs, and are a playoff team, and they looked completely lost against us. The Thunder also beat the Spurs in San Antonio, and beat the Magic by 20+. I dont think I gave the Lakers too much credit, however I dont think you are giving them ENOUGH credit.

[Harvester Of Sorrow]

I would hope this team could be great, but not when you have smush farmar and sasha on the team.

 

its like farmar wants a contract, LA clearly told him it wont happen.

 

sasha says hes there, but no playing time. but he has shown thats BS.

 

at times benga looks more hungry then bynum with defense.

 

i just fear all this winning with no real problems are getting to their heads and they think they can do it all the time, and then hit a brick wall and go....well we just didnt execute our execution.