Lakers to Aim Higher Next Season

[BAMAPHIN 22]

he Phil & Kobe reunion worked out well, with no apparent glitches. And outside of an ugly finish, so did the Los Angeles Lakers' season.

As for the future, Lakers fans probably shouldn't expect much roster shuffling or a championship contender very soon. The hope is, a title shot isn't too far away.

``We were all about getting to the playoffs and make some noise in the playoffs. We met our goal,'' coach Phil Jackson said Monday during a break from conducting exit interviews with his players.

The Lakers went 45-37 for an 11-game improvement over the previous season, and took a 3-1 lead over the Phoenix Suns before losing the last three games to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

``We're pleased. We maintained from day one that was achievable,'' general manager Mitch Kupchak said of a return to the postseason.

But Game 7 was ugly from start to finish - a 121-90 victory by the Suns.
``They're holding themselves responsible,'' Jackson said of his players. ``I have to make them let go of that. The first four games were pretty good.''
And the last three weren't.

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[MARINO1384]

You mean KOBE to aim higher next season lol

 

[Kobe]

You mean KOBE to aim higher next season lol

You mean the Nets to not choke next year in the playoffs? Oh wait, they havnt done that yet this year, but they will.

 

[Ferretsquig]

How many more pathetic trades and FA signings does Kupchak get to make before hes fired? The guy hasnt done a single thing that worked out with the exception of resigning Kobe....and that didnt take too much intelligence. Every FA signing from Lindsey Hunter to Smush Parker has been a failure. And who else but him could trade Shaq for Odom and Kwame Brown? The only thing he has ever done right in his career is ride West's coattails.

 

[Roman529]

They need a decent big man for the Lakers...Kwame will never be confused for Shaq.

 

[MARINO1384]

They need a decent big man for the Lakers...Kwame will never be confused for Shaq.

It's impossible to find good centers that are avaliable. The only one i could think of that would greatly improve the post play is KG but they'd have to give away a draft pick or 2 and a player

 

[Roman529]

It's impossible to find good centers that are avaliable. The only one i could think of that would greatly improve the post play is KG but they'd have to give away a draft pick or 2 and a player

There are some decent Centers in Europe...that is how the Cavs got Ilgauskis....but most of the good centers will get snapped up before the Lakers pick in the draft.

 

[Samphin]

Their hope for the Center spot rests on Andrew Bynum's shoulders. If Bynum can become ocmfortable with himself and grow into his body a little bit more by year three, they should have a gem on their hands. However, the scary part is that by the time Bynum starts to figure things out, Kobe will be past his prime and their window may be closed.

Lamar needs to continue his play into next season, as well as Kwame. The Triangle offense takes a while to get comfortable in and this year was no different. L.A. really played well down the stretch. Hopefully, that is a sign of things to come rather than a flash in the pan.

The best bet may be to build around Kobe, Lamar and Kwame. Keep Luke Walton around for spot starting and sixth man duties. Develop both Turiaf and Bynum and find a veteran point guard that can play defense and pass the ball off the drive.

They stick to that and they have a shot of getting further into the playoffs next year.

 

[Amars]

How many more pathetic trades and FA signings does Kupchak get to make before hes fired? The guy hasnt done a single thing that worked out with the exception of resigning Kobe....and that didnt take too much intelligence. Every FA signing from Lindsey Hunter to Smush Parker has been a failure. And who else but him could trade Shaq for Odom and Kwame Brown? The only thing he has ever done right in his career is ride West's coattails.

couldnt say it any better myself.