Metta World Peace: "We definitely want to beat the Bulls record and go 73-9"

[url]http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/17/metta-world-peace-boasts-lakers-want-to-get-73-wins/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter[/url]

[QUOTE]

Jordan never played with anyone as dominant as Dwight so it should be possible.

[QUOTE=The_Yearning]Jordan never played with anyone as dominant as Dwight so it should be possible.[/QUOTE]

This. If Lakers don't beat the Bulls record Kobe needs to be dropped out of the top 20 on all time lists.

[COLOR="White"]trololololo lololo lololo[/COLOR]

[IMG]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0816/play_mettaworldpeace_576.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=crisoner][IMG]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0816/play_mettaworldpeace_576.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
:biggums:

[QUOTE=The_Yearning]Jordan never played with anyone as dominant as Dwight so it should be possible.[/QUOTE]

The logic in this place is mind boggling.

[QUOTE=The_Yearning]Jordan never played with anyone as dominant as Dwight so it should be possible.[/QUOTE]

I guess Pippen one of the top 50 players of all time is chump change?
Oh and the greatest rebounder and fellow HOF member Dennis Rodman???

I don't see it happening. This team is OLD.

[QUOTE=crisoner]I guess Pippen one of the top 50 players of all time is chump change?
Oh and the greatest rebounder and fellow HOF member Dennis Rodman???[/QUOTE]
Not to mention Pippen is better than Dwight... Even if you say Dwight is an all time great defender (which he is), Pippen is at minimum top 5, and I don't see Dwight that far up there considering the "competition" he has faced at the "center" position in his career.

Pippen > Howard

Never take what MWP says with any serious reaction. They like no other team would even try chasing it.

This is one of the possible hurdles for this team; believing they are great before they prove it.

[QUOTE=Mr Know It All]The logic in this place is mind boggling.[/QUOTE]

What logic?

[QUOTE=Mr. I'm So Rad]What logic?[/QUOTE]

Point taken.

I love me some Metta, but this is a dumb move. That is, talking about it openly before any games or practices have happened.

Had he said this if the team was 55-4, then I can kinda get it.

But nobody in the entire Lakers organization needs to be thinking about regular season wins, and especially not 70 wins. Its the race to 16 thats begins in April is what is important.

I don't think they care at all. Players like Kobe and Nash aren't affected by these kinds of remarks/rumors/talks.

I like it. People need to stop being so PC all the time. What's wrong with chasing the record when you actually become a better team because you worked hard for it?

I remember reading a quote from Larry Bird here about chasing a triple double or a 40/50 pt game.

I always felt that record would be broken sooner rather than later. But the last couple of years I've noticed the amount of focus that a team needs to break it. It's not just a matter of having a really talented team on paper, but more of a mental consistency. Can Mike Brown keep them focus. Can Kobe be as consistent as Jordan? Can Howard be more mature?

[QUOTE=Heavincent]Pippen > Howard[/QUOTE]
Howard > Kobe and PIppen.

:lol

Does he realize that Mike Brown is coaching :facepalm

[QUOTE=BEAST Griffin]This. If Lakers don't beat the Bulls record Kobe needs to be dropped out of the top 2000 on all time lists.
[/QUOTE]

Fixed that for you.

[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]Not to mention Pippen is better than Dwight... Even if you say Dwight is an all time great defender (which he is), Pippen is at minimum top 5, and I don't see Dwight that far up there considering the "competition" he has faced at the "center" position in his career.[/QUOTE]

LOL at Pippen being better than Dwight. He doesn't nearly impact the game as much as Dwight.

20 points and 15 rebounds with elite paint defense, or 20 points with elite perimeter defense? Its not close.

[IMG]https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404103_510840765611119_2012086702_n.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Heavincent]Pippen > Howard[/QUOTE]
:facepalm

The goal is to get to the top of the Western Conference, then win 16 playoff games. Even if they only go 60-22, going 73-9 is not necessary. No one cares that the 1995 Rockets only won 47 games or that the 2006 Heat only won 52 games.

[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]Not to mention Pippen is better than Dwight... Even if you say Dwight is an all time great defender (which he is), Pippen is at minimum top 5, and I don't see Dwight that far up there considering the "competition" he has faced at the "center" position in his career.[/QUOTE]

You have to take it into context of league talent. Sure Dwight will barely even be a top 5 center in the 90's, but right now he's by far the best option you have at the most important position. It's like if Mikan theoretically couldn't hack it in today's league. He was still the most dominant of his time. You compare him to who he played against.

Having Dwight in today's league >>>>>>>>>>>>> having Pippen in the 90's because I would have taken pretty much any top 5 center from the 90's over him. And yes, I do realize how good Pippen was... center is just too important of a position.

[QUOTE=j3lademaster]center is just too important of a position.[/QUOTE]


The Bulls put that to rest. Bill Cartwright and Luc Longley weren't exactly elite. Two great defensive-minded forwards and an average center will get you a lot further than a great center and two average forwards.

[QUOTE=D.J.]The Bulls put that to rest. Bill Cartwright and Luc Longley weren't exactly elite. Two great defensive-minded forwards and an average center will get you a lot further than a great center and two average forwards.[/QUOTE]

Good job listing pretty much the only exception in NBA history. You can't tell me the Bulls wouldn't have improved with Olajuwon at C and a Longley/ Cartwright calibur 3 instead of Pip. Center is the most important position. Even with all these rule changes that help quick faceup forwards and superathletic scoring guards dominate, a threat in the paint that can also anchor a defense at the rim is still the most important piece to a championship team.

[QUOTE=j3lademaster]Good job listing pretty much the only exception in NBA history[/QUOTE]


Robert Parish, Bill Laimbeer, Kendrick Perkins, Tyson Chandler. Obviously above average(calling Perkins above average might be a bit of a stretch) and very good defenders, but certainly no Olajuwon, Shaq, or Robinson/Duncan.


[QUOTE]You can't tell me the Bulls wouldn't have improved with Olajuwon at C and a Longley/ Cartwright calibur 3 instead of Pip.[/QUOTE]


That's assuming Olajuwon would be able to play with Jordan. How are they going to improve more? They won multiple titles with two great forwards in both 3-peats and average centers.


[QUOTE]Center is the most important position. Even with all these rule changes that help quick faceup forwards and superathletic scoring guards dominate, a threat in the paint that can also anchor a defense at the rim is still the most important piece to a championship team.[/QUOTE]


20-25 years ago, you'd be right. The game is too perimeter-oriented today to make a center your most important position. You need to be able to have your perimeter players able to slash and create. The rules favor perimeter players more than ever. Defense still wins championships, but the center position is not as in demand as it was.

Howard has a bad back and their starting five is like 200 years old. The Lakers won

[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]Not to mention Pippen is better than Dwight... Even if you say Dwight is an all time great defender (which he is), Pippen is at minimum top 5, and I don't see Dwight that far up there considering the "competition" he has faced at the "center" position in his career.[/QUOTE]

Dwight Howard is a better defender than Pippen or Jordan ever were, and it's not all that close. To say otherwise, would be to downplay just how much more valuable a defensive center is than a defensive guard.

sadly, in order for the Lakers to do that, they need to get rid of Artest garbage ass

[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]Not to mention Pippen is better than Dwight...[B] Even if you say Dwight is an all time great defender (which he is), Pippen is at minimum top 5,[/B] and I don't see Dwight that far up there considering the "competition" he has faced at the "center" position in his career.[/QUOTE]

I hope you mean top 5 perimeter defender ever because if you combine perimeter defenders and frontcourt defenders Pippen isn't top 5 all-time.

They have the talent to do so if they get hot out the gates and stay focused.

[QUOTE]Metta World Peace: "We definitely want to beat the Bulls record and go 73-9"[/QUOTE]

[IMG]http://gifs.gifbin.com/052012/1336405435_fat_guy_trampoline_dunk_fail.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE=JohnnySic][IMG]http://gifs.gifbin.com/052012/1336405435_fat_guy_trampoline_dunk_fail.gif[/IMG][/QUOTE]

Quality trampoline. :applause:

[QUOTE=R.I.P.]Quality trampoline. :applause:[/QUOTE]


Quality athlete. :oldlol:

I wonder what other idiot said something prematurely before playing "even one game"....

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c[/url]

[QUOTE=The_Yearning]Jordan never played with anyone as dominant as Dwight so it should be possible.[/QUOTE]


Pippen is a better player and had a bigger effect on games than Dwight.