Blackfoot wrote:8th ave wrote:People were saying that about San Antonio the last 2 or 3 years. Don't know the exact ages but I would assume that lakers are younger.
The comparison doesn't work because the Spurs have an elite bench. They get a lot of production from both units.
Looking at last year Lakers team they were probably the sixth best team in the western conference. Point differential is the best indicator of team strength and future success. They added Nash and Dwight. Dwight is better than Bynum, by a full one point on PER last year. And Steve Nash is better by four points on PER over Ramon. So, they are definitely better than sixth best, but I am not sure that pushes them over the Thunder. I am not convinced they are better than the Spurs in terms of standings next year. They definitely match up well and would beat them in the playoffs, but in terms of standings I am thinking
Thunder
Spurs
Lakers
With Lakers and Thunder meeting in the finals. Thunder probably beating us, Nuggets, or Grizzlies in the second round.
Definitely only best all time if you go back to 06 with all these names. Lots of mileage on everyone besides Dwight.
I think the Lakers added a few good players to their bench and they have solid backups in Jamison, JHill, Duhon, Meeks and Clark, that's a pretty good bench.
As I said before, Nash makes others around him so much better and Dwight is among the best ever bigs defensively and with rebounding. They should be great.