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Reactions: Great Lakers Users predict an emerging dynasty in Los AngelesPosted: Tuesday June 20, 2000 02:40 PM
CNNSI.com asked users to tell us whether they believed that the L.A. Lakers had what it takes to become a dynasty. Based on the responses we received, the team has made some believers. This is the first year of the "Triangle" offense for the Lakers and look at the result! Imagine what will happen when they finally get it down pat!
Rice is gone, so is Salley. AC and Shaw are in their last days. Nevertheless, the stars and the role players are still in mix. Jackson knows who he wants to come to the glitz and glamour that LA offers, and players will want to be with the team as it makes its future runs. Jackson knows how to mesh winning products and make them a success. Just ask Malone and Barkley who doesn't want to be the last standing in June. Lastly, Kobe and Shaq are in L.A. until they retire and they are just getting better as they have finally found their balance together as you can see from those great assists last night. This Laker team will give the Bulls dynasty a run for their money. Congrats, Lakers!
The Lakers made a great regular-season run. They hung on through the playoffs, beating teams by close margins one night, blowing them out another, and still another night, absorbing similar abuse themselves. It remains to be seen. however, if a team that struggled mightily at times through the playoffs, particularly against strong teams like Portland, can repeat an achievement that many believed would not come. Dynasty? It's simply too soon to tell. Enjoy the championship while it lasts.
This could truly be a Laker dynasty, if they can find a solid role player. Glen Rice doesn't fit the bill. Phil Jackson wanted Scottie Pippen because he knows how to be that role player that contributes to winning a championship. If they are able to fill that hole and let Glen go, then there's a great chance for these Lakers to pencil in their name as a "DYNASTY".
The Lakers has a greater chance than anyone to create a dynasty. Shaq is 28. Kobe is 21. At least the next eight years should provide L.A. with another 4-5 rings. This is probably the weakest this L.A. team will be. They are thin at power forward. Their '3' position is inconsistent, and they have no constant threat from behind the arc. I expect that over the next 2 years these issues will be addressed and the Lakers will only get better. Barring an injury, Los Angeles should be celebrating for many years to come.
I hasten to crown the Lakers a dynasty due to them not having to face the only team they know they cannot beat. GO SPURS! I think that they were one injury away from a first-round exit.
I believe the Lakers are a couple of players away from starting a dynasty. With a number of NBA teams looking to upgrade in the offseason, the Lakers must make sound personnel decisions to address their shortcomings. If they can add a solid power forward, a more compatible small forward, and a decent backup center, the Lakers should challenge for the title for at least the next five years.
The Lakers are only kings in a very weak and disappointing Finals. The championship seems based on fluke -- whichever team is shooting well that night -- as opposed to consistent, high-level play. What kind of champion gets blown out by 33 points in the previous game? Hollywood produced stars, not champions.
What is with all the fascination of a "dynasty?" I mean, the Lakers finally win a championship with Shaq and company, and before the champagne bottles are even opened, every reporter and analyst in town is asking, "Can the Lakers build a dynasty?" Give it a rest! Let them enjoy the moment. As a fan, I sure am. What? Are these guys going to be considered failures if they don't win two or three more rings? What a shame.
This Lakers team has all the right makings of a dynasty. With Shaq and Kobe still so young and now knowing how to win all the Lakers really have to do to continue winning titles is to ship off Glen Rice for another scorer and sign Brian Grant in the offseason. They do those two things and this team will win for years to come.
The real question is: Which role players will be retained by the Lakers? Shaq and Kobe are unstoppable, but they could not have done it without an incredible support group.
The Lakers have all of the tools they need to win a few more championships, particularly since they have the second greatest dynasty-building coach in the history of the NBA (Red Auerbach being the best, of course). Bryant is only going to get better and if someone out there can finally teach O'Neal the proper way to shoot a free throw (thereby neutralizing the hack-a-Shaq defense), the Lakers will be unstoppable for many seasons to come. Now, in the tradition of the Laker dynasty of the 80s, isn't it time for Boston to step it up? Too bad Bird is done coaching... I'd love to see him on the green team again.
I don't think that this will be a regular occurrence. The Lakers had a very tough time closing out series that the teams they were playing should have no business taking them to 5 or 7 anyway (Sacramento?) There is widespread belief among the commoners that if there was a healthy Tim Duncan they might not even be there (the Lakers themselves admitted that) and we all know Portland can not surpass even themselves in stupidity again. The Lakers were lucky to get there-and without the "hunger" shown by putting people away. Where is that "drive" going to be next year? Portland.
I don't think that there is a Laker dynasty. It seems as if everyone has forgotten about the best big man in the game -- Tim Duncan. Yes, the same Tim Duncan of the Spurs that swept the Lakers last year. A healthy Tim and the Lakers would have watched the Fianls from home.
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