Howard, Paul, Other?

[King Glorious]

Bynum's health is a huge factor. A couple of the injuries were just freak things that weren't his fault but yeah, overall, it is a concern. I just think that we've seen Howard's ceiling. He's very limited offensively and if he doesn't have a band of shooters around him, he becomes pretty ineffective down there and he remains a liability in the clutch because he can't make a free throw. I just wonder how much he'd give you as a third option, a second post option? I think we'd be looking at 16-17 points and 12-13 boards a game. I feel like with Gasol gone, Bynum can get you those numbers too right now and I think he's got more potential to grow. It's all on his health though but if he stays healthy and is able to keep a rhythm going, I think his offensive advantage over Howard overcomes Howard's defensive one.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Bynum's health is a huge factor. A couple of the injuries were just freak things that weren't his fault but yeah, overall, it is a concern. I just think that we've seen Howard's ceiling. He's very limited offensively and if he doesn't have a band of shooters around him, he becomes pretty ineffective down there and he remains a liability in the clutch because he can't make a free throw. I just wonder how much he'd give you as a third option, a second post option? I think we'd be looking at 16-17 points and 12-13 boards a game. I feel like with Gasol gone, Bynum can get you those numbers too right now and I think he's got more potential to grow. It's all on his health though but if he stays healthy and is able to keep a rhythm going, I think his offensive advantage over Howard overcomes Howard's defensive one.

mighty big IF there. IF Tyson never went to jail.....IF Shaq could shoot free throws.....IF my aunt had balls.....ah well, you get the point..

[Cannon Shell]

How are the Lakers going to be able to afford Howard or Paul under a potential hard cap without giving up 3 major salaries?

Howard was an improved offensive player this year. He is the best rebounder in the league and the best post defender and basket protector. The fact that he shoots 59% from the line is tempered by the sheer number of fouls he draws against the opposition. He is so far better than any other center/post player that it isn't even debatable.

There is no Bynum versus Howard debate. It is simply a mismatch. Lets not forget that Bynum has been in the league 5 years now (Howard has 6 years) he isn't some young guy with potential. He shot 66% from the line this year. Howard consistently shoots better from the field. The durability concerns aside Howard is a better player than Bynum and it isnt that close.

As for Chris Paul, great player but are you really going to want a physically suspect Paul, a physically suspect Bynum and an aging Kobe as the nucleus of your team going forward?

[ateamstupid]

I'm no big fan of Howard, but there's just no way you can justify calling Bynum as good as him, let alone better.

[King Glorious]

I know it's not fair to completely judge this since Bynum hasn't played yet but everything I'm seeing from Howard makes me feel I was right in what I was saying we'd see if he was in LA. He's not a dominant player. He has zero offense. Chicago single covered him with Taj Gibson at times tonight. He's a liability because of his free throws. Howard doesn't give you as much as Bynum was giving you last year.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I know it's not fair to completely judge this since Bynum hasn't played yet but everything I'm seeing from Howard makes me feel I was right in what I was saying we'd see if he was in LA. He's not a dominant player. He has zero offense. Chicago single covered him with Taj Gibson at times tonight. He's a liability because of his free throws. Howard doesn't give you as much as Bynum was giving you last year.

Really? Maybe its not really fair to judge Howard because he is coming off of back surgery and has only been back for about 90 days (he wasnt even cleared to run till the end of the preseason) or because he is playing with a torn labrum? He has no offense but somehow managed to score 19 points a game while shooting 58% from the floor for his career? His foul shooting is certainly a big issue but that isnt something new. Plus Howard is giving the Lakers ALOT more than Bynum is giving the Sixers which would be zero.

[Cannon Shell]

Not much has been said about Steve Nash who is setting all kinds of records as possibly the worst defender in the league. The Lakers bigger problem than the controversy over the offense/coach is that they are a horrible defensive team with no speed and an inability to stay healthy.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Not much has been said about Steve Nash who is setting all kinds of records as possibly the worst defender in the league. The Lakers bigger problem than the controversy over the offense/coach is that they are a horrible defensive team with no speed and an inability to stay healthy.

.....and old

Nash 38
Kobe 34
Gasol 32
MWP 33

They are painful to watch.