I see Health as being the greatest obstacle for the Lakers.

Followed by adjusting Ron Artest into the team (thankfully there’s training camp for that)

Followed by either the Spurs or the Blazers in the Western Conference getting in their way

Followed by the Magic or the Celtics getting in their way

Honestly, besides the Spurs or the Blazers, no one can compete against us, but hopefully the Nuggets or the Spurs will knock the Blazers out for us before they play us :)

I want to say boredom or lack of focus will be the issue, but, really? Kobe doesn’t just want to stop at 4 rings. And Artest wants one badly. Pau, LO, still have a certain label on them and they’ll probably want to prove everyone wrong. The media won’t let them forget if those to the Bobcats. I mean, the players will hear those accusations of boredom or lack of focus, and I doubt they’ll let that be the problem.

They’ll probably have to need a different motivation than last year (which was purging the negative emotions they felt after losing in the Finals), but this year, it should still be the same feeling of having a target on their back and defending the title.

I think that only the Lakers themselves will be their worst enemy, as was seen not only last year but in most of Phils reign that while he lets the guys work out the problems they are facing on court and all that, when they are struggling or are not up to their A game that night, he just lets them keep sinking and sinking until they get so far out of it that it’s almost impossible to come back in the 4th….thankfully doesn’t happen alot though, LAKERS IN 2010

once again, Pierce seems to think that a “healthy” Celtic team can take down anyone. And there is definitely truth in that.

But honestly, did you think you can sign KG, Ray Ray, and all those old guys for cheap with no downside? Of course there’s a downside- it’s called injuries. Older athletes get injured easier. That’s the law of nature, and no arrogant loudmouth is gonna change that.

So on paper, yes, Beantown is a threat. But in reality? I doubt they’ll survive the grueling 82 game season unscathed. And once again, they can hide behind the injury excuse as usual.

First off, unlike Golf or horseracing, you only have to beat the teams you play, not every other team out there. Realistically we will only have 2 series against a top team from either league (Finals and WCF). I think we will play the Spurs in the WCF, (a great matchup for us) and the Celtics in the Finals (a so-so matchup for us). I don’t think the Spurs can beat us, we can only beat ourselves. The Celtics on the other hand might be able to beat us without us beating ourselves. Therefor I will say that as far as teams go, I think only the Celtics would be an obstacle.

I refuse to discuss uncontrollable variables regarding sports in general or our chances of winning. In other words you can’t control injuries, bad calls, etc. any more than you can control a gust of wind in golf so there is no point discussing it.

Given Artest’s desire to win a chip, his relationship with Kobe and Lamar, his probable desire to stay around Hollywood for a while, and the influence of Phil Jackson, I seriously doubt he will be a distraction/detriment to the team. I think on the court he gives us most of what Ariza did, plus more. Unless he simply can’t understand the system or gets injured (see paragraph above), I don’t see him being an obstacle in any way.

That leaves focus/effort which is almost always my biggest worry. Again I don’t see anyone on this team (especially Kobe) being satisfied with one ring. I don’t suspect Phil Jackson is hanging around to end his career as a loser. While I fully expect the usual amount of complacency in the regular season (see Bobcats, Charlotte), I suspect they will have no trouble with focus and effort when it counts, just like last season.

Conclusion…………..Celtics.

aftear hearing pierce talk smack again. i want the celtics. it has to be them in the finals. and i want a sweep.

The Blazers never had a parade, it was a rally.The fans in this town are rabid & after missing the playoffs for several years in a row wanted to show their support to the team.

I can take it as well as dish. Look forward to this year as both our teams will be very good. Good luck ya’ll.

And I still don’t get why Kobe didn’t get the pinky fixed.

because injuries can be the kill all to a season and I don’t fear not one team in the west against the Lakers in the playoffs then we only play one eastern power so I like the Lakers chances a lot. The only thing bad I can see holding them back is a injury or two.