Lakers Dynasty

[Power And Proud]

sorry bout no updates lately.

Friday I had work then I was running around getting myself ready for my basketball game, then yesterday I had a wedding to go to.

[Power And Proud]

Just played game's 3 and 4.

Game 3- (Lakers wearing blue 'Los Angeles retro uni's)
From the tip, Kevin Garnett was determined to get his team back into the series, but Shaquille O'Neal had other idea's. Having quiet game's back in Los Angeles, Shaq took it right to the Timberwolves, hitting for 40 points and 19 rebounds, to go with 4 assists.

"Shaq was just being Shaq out there tonight, we had no answer's for him." Said Wolves coach Flip Saunders. Even though Shaq was having a big night, Kobe Bryant quietly had a big game too, scoring 33 points while grabbing 8 boards and dishing out 7 assists. The Lakers riding their two superstars to a 113-98 victory.

Game 4-
Minnesota jumped out to an early 12-5 advantage, but then Shaquille O'Neal asserted his dominance again, having 10 points and 7 rebounds at quarter time, and those numbers went up to 20 points and 9 rebounds at the half. Kevin Garnett was playing tough, even with Karl Malone all over him like stains on a matress. Before the game, Karl Malone asked Lakers coach Phil Jackson if he could have a bigger role in helping the Lakers reach the NBA Finals. Jackson agreed, and told his troops to look for Malone more often, and that they did, but Garnett's defense made Malone give the ball back out to his teammates. But while Malone was being contained by KG, Shaq couldn't be stopped by either Michael Olowokandi and Earvin Johnson. The Lakers let their lead slip down to 1 point in the 4th, and the Wolves eventually had a 3 point lead, but the Lakers were determined to get this series over and done with, as Shaq was killing the Wolves at both ends in the final minute, leading the Lakers to a 113-110 win, and a series sweep of the Western Conference Finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

LAKERS ARE BACK IN THE FINALS!!!!!!!!!! There opponent.......................................................




The New York Knicks, who defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1. Congratulations to New York, I look forward to kickin your ass!!!

[Power And Proud]

NBA Finals

Game 1-
The media and the NBA fans (even Knicks fans) expected the Lakers to assert their dominance from tip off, but it didn't work out that way, with the Lakers appearing rusty after sweeping the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing the Knicks to get the lead at quarter time, 28-20. But the Lakers found Shaq more often in the paint, and they started their comeback, taking a 58-50 lead at half time. Shaq continued to dominate while Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant started raising their games, helping the Lakers hold onto a slim lead at 3 quarter time, 89-86. In the 4th quarter, it was a tense, back and forward battle, the Knicks even taking a 7 point lead half way through the final period, but the Lakers refused to quit, and kept on letting Shaq do his thing. In the final minute, the Knicks completely blew for themselves, missing open jumpshots, not getting rebounds, as the Lakers hit their free throws to get the 108-102 win.

POG- Shaq, 32 points, 16 rebounds

Game 2-
It was on from the beginning, the Lakers beginning to dominate the Knicks, with their defense the biggest factor, as they got off to a 32-14 lead at quarter time. Karl Malone was easily having his best offensive game of the playoffs, having 16 at the half, as the Lakers got the lead even higher at half time, 72-48. Kobe Bryant was huge in the 3rd quarter, as the Knicks attempted a comeback, but again the Lakers defense was too good, seeing the Lakers up 98-72 at the end of the 3rd. The 4th quarter was all LA, as they rode Shaq and Malone's huge shoulders to pull away for the 124-86 victory.

POG-
Shaq, 30 points, 18 rebounds

Other top performers:
Kobe Bryant, 31 points, 7 assists
Karl Malone, 29 points, 6 rebounds

[Power And Proud]

Game 3-
The Lakers got off to another sluggish start, but picked themselves up a few minutes into the game, as they seemed set to take a commanding lead in the Finals. And that they did. Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers with 28 points and 13 rebounds and go with 5 blocks as the Lakers coasted onto a 98-89 Game 3 victory. Kobe Bryant chipped in with 31 points and 9 assists in his Player of the Game effort.

Game 4-
The Knicks gonna let the Lakers win the title without a fight. The Knicks jumping out to a 6 point lead at quarter time, and it went up again to 14 points at the half. The Lakers seemed discouraged by their poor first half, but the defense of Shaq and Gary Payton sparked a Lakers charge, and tied the ball game up at 73 at the end of the 3rd. The 4th quarter was a struggle for both teams, but Shaq and Kobe managed to get the Lakers over the line to sweep the New York Knicks and reclaim the NBA throne after being knocked off by the San Antonio Spurs the previous season. Shaquille O'Neal was named player of the game with 38 points and 17 rebounds.

After going through so much effort to win the NBA title, all I get is a lame ass celebration. Live 2003 wasn't all that crash hot but that was still better than Live 2004.

Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP averaging 26ppg, 14rpg, 3.5bpg.

[Power And Proud]

OK, now after winning the NBA title, it's time for the off-season. I want your opinions and what I should do to make this team better.

I'm assuming Karl Malone will retire, along with Horace Grant, and I'm hoping Kobe Bryant wants to resign with the Lakers.

Any suggestions???

[Jackal]

If Malone does decide to retire, start Medvedenko...it's pretty realistic + he compliments Shaq pretty well. (Atleast he does so for me.)

If you can re-sign Kobe, do it. If not..try drafting a young SG &/or giving the starting job to Rush.

Trust me, you want to keep it as realistic as possible...

Oh, what you could also do, is draft a PG with good potential & trade Payton for a Shooting Guard* or a Power Forward.

*(Shooting Guard if Bryant declines the offer.)

Oh, give the starting job to George, let him try & become better.

Just my thoughts, you dont have to do it.

[Power And Proud]

George was starting at SF anywayz. We'll see how things go.

[Power And Proud]

Would it be wrong for me to trade for a guy like Carmelo (rated 63), or Amare (73)?

[Power And Proud]

OK, here is all the off-season activities

Retirements:
Karl Malone
Horace Grant

Draft:
29th pick- Norbert Dent, 6'6, SG, 213lbs, La Salle

Strengths:
Excellent end to end speed
Ankle breaking freak
Always a step ahead of the D

Weaknesses:
Struggles when guarding good scorers
Not a threat from downtown
Is turnover prone

2nd Round- I let the CPU do it and got a center named A. Strickland

Re-Sign Players:
Kobe Bryant- 7 years, 293,700
Bryon Russell- 1 year, 95,000
Jamal Sampson- did not re-sign

Sign FA's:
none

Trades:
none

Training Camp:
Players worked on offense

Season Signings:
K-Mart- min
Starbury- min
C. Mihm- min
B. Barry- min
J. McInnis- min

Season Trades:
K-Mart, Starbury and Russell to Kings for C. Webber
B. Barry and L. Walton to Heat for E. Jones and M. Dickerson (later released)
C. Webber, B. Cook and D. Fisher to Wolves for K. Garnett and R. Fielding.

Team Roster:
C- Shaq
PF- KG
SF- George
SG- Kobe
PG- Payton

Bench:
E. Jones
J. McInnis
C. Mihm
R. Fox
K. Rush
S. Medvedenko
N. Dent

IR:
R. Fielding
A. Strickland

New Team Rating: 99

[Power And Proud]

OK, I can either keep all 3 superstars (Shaq, Kobe, KG) and dominate the NBA, or I trade one of the 3 for a lesser player. If so, who?

First Game of the NBA Season:
vs. Minnesota Timberwolves @ Staples Center.

[Power And Proud]

What I'm thinking of doing is trading KG back to Minny for Webber, Webber back to Sac-Town for K-Mart, and K-Mart to the Nets for someone like Rodney Rogers. What do you guys think?

[Power And Proud]

Well, Minnesota rejected my Garnett (96) for Webbber (87) offer, so I dealt KG to Cleveland to help out my boy LeBron James. I got young improving Carlos Boozer (68) for KG.

[Power And Proud]

Lakers Beat Wolves In Opener
Lakers 113- Wolves 87

Fresh off last year's NBA Championship, the Lakers came into the 2004-05 season rejuvenated at power forward and on the bench. But the team still belongs to Shaq and Kobe. Their first hurdle for the new season was Chris Webber and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

From the tip, it seemed as though this game would go right down the wire, as both teams struggled to find a rythm, especially Shaquille O'Neal who missed 5 lay-ups/dunks to open the game, but connected on 4 of his next 5 attempts. The Lakers out to a 3 point lead at quarter time. By the half, Kobe Bryant had taken the scoring lead, with 19 points as the Lakers had pushed the lead up to 10. The third quarter saw the Lakers pull away just that little bit more, pushing the lead up to 15 at 3 quarter time, with Shaq really starting to turn it on. In the 4th, the Wolves had no answer for the Lakers, as the D started to collapse on Shaq who found the open guy for an easy jumper. The Lakers completely blew out the Wolves in the 4th, getting the lead up to as many as 33 points.

POG-
Shaq- 26pts, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 assists

Other Top Performers:
Kobe Bryant- 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Carlos Boozer- 8 points, 8 rebounds

[rEdHoBBeS]

i would have traded shaq or kobe.. but anywyz nice dynasty u got here :]

[Power And Proud]

After my win against Minnesota, I realised that I should be playing Kareem Rush as the back-up SG. So I traded Eddie Jones and Rick Fox to Milwaukee for Toni Kukoc and Brian Skinner.

[Power And Proud]

Lakers take down Wolves again, this time in OT
Lakers 113, Wolves 105

The Lakers started horribly, the Wolves beating the Lakers at their own game. Shaq and Kobe were struggling, which meant the whole team would struggle. The Lakers were down 29-15 at the end of the first, and just themselves a deeper hole in the 2nd quarter, falling behind at the half, 56-37.

Come the 2nd half, the Lakers refused to fold and made up over half the deficit in the 3rd quarter, with Shaq and Kobe of coarse leading the way. By 3 quarter time, the Lakers had cut the lead to 73-65. The 4th quarter was a war, with the Lakers even taking a 5 point lead at one stage, including in the final 2 minutes, but then Latrell Sprewell scored the next 8 points, including a 3 pointer with 5 seconds remaining to put the Wolves up by 3. Phil Jackson calling timeout and putting in his 3 point shooting line-up. He brought in Chris Mihm and Brian Skinner at the C and PF spots, he put Toni Kukoc at SG, Kobe at PG, and Jeff McInnis at SF so he could inbound the ball.
McInnis got the ball into Kukoc, who takes a few dribbles, fires the 3...........................SWISH!!!!! Kukoc ties the game at 91 with 0.8 seconds remaining!.

Overtime- The Lakers started the OT period strong and never looked back, as Shaq and Kobe got the Lakers out to a 8 point lead, which would be the final margin. The Lakers home again 113-105 against Minnesota.

The Lakers now go on their first road game of the season, as they head off to San Antonio to face the 2-0 Spurs.

[Macca]

Great games,Especially against KG and the TWolves. Looking foward to the Spurs macthup with TD, should be interesting. You're looking good for the title, again.
Just one word of advice, maybe you should count to 10 before trading. Instead of Kukoc and Skinner, (nothing against them) maybe Amare, Gooden or what about Miles or Murray?? I'm jut wondering where all your players went, Payton etc. But I'm not criticizing you man, I'm just asking. Other than that, this thing is looking pretty damn sweet.
And also, it doesn't matter if you have a few good players on your team, like the real Lakers, they had 4 on their team. You don't have to fill them with F/A's just to feel good. Anyway, I got to go, so keep up the good work man. Proud of you son....? (what the )

Macca

[Power And Proud]

Gary Payton is still around, just that he doesn't put up very good numbers. And the reason I went for Kukoc is because I've always wanted him on my team, but I just never went and got him. So now I'm glad I've got a tall SF who can start if the other team has a tall starting SF. Coz it'll seem rediculous to start Devean George on Dirk Nowitzki, Peja, guys like them.

[Power And Proud]

Duncan Contained, Lakers Win
Spurs 88, Lakers 95

Tim Duncan was some how contained in the first half by Lakers forward Carlos Boozer, and it was enough to get the Lakers a victory in their first road game of the season, 99-85.

"Containing TD in the first half really helped us alot, otherwise we would've had a huge battle on our hands." Boozer said. "All Phil told me to do on Duncan was just play my game, and get a hand up when he goes to score. I did that and it worked."

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant combined to score 67 of the Lakers 95, Shaq getting 35, along with 16 rebounds and 4 assists, and Kobe getting 32, with 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Both players shot over 50% from the field.

Toni Kukoc was huge again for the Lakers off the bench, scoring 15 points, also grabbing 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Tim Duncan may of been contained in the first half (4 points and 1 rebound) but he lead his team in a fight back scoring 20 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the 2nd half. But it wasn't enough.

POG- Shaq, 35pts, 16reb, 4ast
Kobe- 32pts, 4reb, 7ast
Payton- 12pts, 1reb, 4ast

Next Game: Lakers (3-0) @ Detroit (2-0)

[Power And Proud]

Lakers Continue Dominance
Lakers 99, Piston 79

Against a team that has possibly the best defense in the league, the Lakers showed they can play some D as well. The defence of Shaq, Kobe and Payton was huge for the Lakers as they cruised to a 99-79 win over the Pistons in Detroit.

"Defense was key tonight. We knew they would try to hold down Shaq and myself, so we gave them a taste of their own medicince, and it worked. Now we just have to do this every game." Kobe told the media.

The Lakers defense may of been turned on, but their offense was on as well. The Lakers had jumped out to a 17 point lead at 3 quarter time, and they never looked back.

But the Lakers suffered a blow mid-way through the 3rd quarter. Starting point guard Gary Payton took a hard drive to the basket, and hand his right arm pulled back which caused an injury. TV commentator Marv Albert later revealed that it was in fact the right arm that got hurt, and Payton would not return to the game. Exact details of the injury are not yet known.

POG- Shaq, 34pts, 18reb, 5 ast
Kobe- 22pts, 7reb, 9ast

Next Game- Lakers (4-0) @ Warriors (2-0)