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the Lakers still need a dominant defensive role player. for them to be successful.. they'd need someone like caron butler to step up... but i dont see the defensive focus w/i him.
you always need a solid defensive roleplayer to win the title... when the lakers won it... it was fish and fox when they had fresh legs. Detroit had Ben wallace. Spurs had the twin towers + bruce bowen.
The problem for the lakers will not be the KGs, or TDs ... Grant will match up well against them; the problem for the last few years has always been the quick guards. Tony Parker, Chauncy ... there is nothing worst for a defending team.. then being unable to stop a penetrating guard. It will be even more important this year b'cuz no longer will they have the big defensive presence inside (even though Shaq was no where near the Defensive Monster he once was in Orlando.... you'd still have to respect his presence)
overall, Shaq asked for it... demanding 30mil .. when he clearly isnt worth it. he should've realized how thin the team was beyond him and kobe. ... but i'm sure he's not thinking title anymore.. he's gotten those already... it's all about the $$$ for him at this point.
Kobe, at least still has the hunger and desire to get better and win more titles. the success of this year's squad ... will depend on whether Lamar steps up or not... as kobe will surely get triple teamed day after day.
i've always been a big kobe fan... it'll be fun to watch how he deals with the challenge he faces now. MJ was never a team player until he realized he couldnt do it all... Kobe's never been in that position.. b'cuz he's always had to share the load with shaq.
this years lakers = doug collins + MJ bulls
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