If Lamar Odom doesn't come off the bench, does the Lakers have one of the worst benches in the NBA?

From the first 4 games the Lakers bench is not getting it done, Vujacic is bricking everything, Farmar and Brown can't get worked into the rotation because there isn't one for PG, Powell and MBenga isn't consistent enough to give u a stable presence. If Odom doesn't come off the bench like he isn't now, the Lakers for sure have the worst bench among contenders by far. What do you guys think?

BQ: Mavs huge comeback, thoughts or tell me what happened if you watched the game.

BQ2: Celtics is cruising right now, can ORL and CLE challenge them for the #1 seed? If so which one has the better chance.

BQ3: Are the Suns been overlooked this year? I didn't think they'd start the season this way.

BQ4: What are the chances Melo will dethrone LBJ from the MVP trophy? Keep in mind the season is still early, and give me ur thoughts on how he has performed so far this season.


STAR if you think the Rockets actually has a legit shot at making the playoff! Remember they might get T-mac back sometime this season.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091103201950AAR6kh8

Just early in the season, no need to panic nowm when everything gets settled and Gasol comes back they'll have a more stable consistent bench with Odom there. They dont have the worst bench by far, the Cavs do their bench is very thin and inconsistent also.

BQ: Didn't watch the whole game, but we already know Dallas is better then Jazz so it was a matter of time in taking the lead. Dirk beasted tonight with 40/11/5/5.

BQ2: No, Clevland wont challenge boston, thier not good enough. If anyone is going to challenge the Celtics in the east Orlando is the best bet. With all their guys back and healthy their a big threat to Boston.

BQ3: Damnn i was surprised also, but give them time. If they continue this up they may make the playoffs.

BQ4: Melo is beastin right now, hes improved allot, if he keeps this up he may dethrone Lebron, but still i think Kobe is going to win MVP.

STAR!!!??!?!?!?!

dude is Gasol is out for 6 weeks then Lakers might have trouble even winning the West let alone the NBA, so he better get his ass back soon!

I think so. Odom has been the only consistent and reliable player off the bench for LAL. If they didn't resign him in the offseason(good thing they did) they'd be in serious trouble with their bench depth. It seems like last year the Lakers bench was a key peice to winning the title and this year it's a major concern. They will need to get better outside of Odom as the season goes on or else they won't finish with the Top Seed in a tough West. When the Mavericks blew out the Lakers it was evident their bench needed help.

BQ: I watched this game. Dirk had a big 40 point game and in the 4th Quarter he exploded in a big way and the rest of the Mavs offense got going. Once Dirk got in rythm the whole Mavs offense began to click as Kidd and Marion were connecting as well. They outscored the Jazz 44-18 in that 4th Quarter.

BQ2: Nope. I think Cleveland. Despite the 1st 2 losses I still think they're a deeper and better team than Orlando. The Magic don't have such a deep bench and we've yet to see how Vince Carter fits in with the full rotation since Rashard Lewis isn't back yet. The Cavs are starting to gain some momentum. People panicked the first 2 games but they'll be okay and they're only getting better

BQ3: Of course. Steve Nash is a 2-time MVP for a reason and Amare Stoudemire is a perrenial All-Star. When healthy those 2 alone can carry you to the playoffs. Throw in Jason Richardson,and Grant Hill who've been solid players in the league for years. They've got the run and gun offense back and are going to put up points like the old Suns teams.

BQ4: Great chances. Carmelo Anthony has been the best player in the NBA up to this point. Melo has shown the league he's hungry after losing in last years Western Conference Finals. I think the Nuggets have a great chance at the #1 seed and that should greatly help his chances. On defense he's become vastly improved as well and can defend the other teams #1 scorer which will help give him some votes

dman hes out for 6 weeks!?!?!?!?!

Celtics are on fire. Not just winning but blowing teams out of the water. I don't see anyway unless they get a major injury they won't finish with the best regular season record

well word on the street is he has a torn hamstring which might cost him 6 weeks, so keep ur finger crossed abdi.

Without a doubt. They have absolutely nothing coming off the bench except maybe Shannon Brown. I would probably put their bench in the worst 5 in the NBA, competing with teams like the Kings and Bucks. The only reason hes effective at all is because of the difference in style from Fisher, who needs the breaks badly. Mbenga and Powell are scrubs, and are forcing LO and Bynum to play huge minutes right now. If Gasol doesn't get back quick, this is going to damage the Lakers. Bynum is coming off two straight injury shortened season, and after 4 games, is averaging nearly 40 minutes a game. I know hes young, but when you have a guy coming off major knee surgeries like he is, you don't want to ride him right out of the gate. The Lakers NEED to get Pau back to avoid excessive minutes from taking a toll on Bynum's legs.

I don't think the #1 seed is an issue here. They are by far the best team in the East, but they're gonna be careful with even small injuries this year. I still think the Cavs will end up with the league's best record. Probably somewhere in the 63-65 win range. Either way, if the Celtics are healthy going into the playoffs, home court isn't going to matter for anyone in the East. They'd cruise over either the Magic or Cavs, even if they were the lower seed.

I didn't overlook them, but many have. In my pre-season projections, I had them as my 6 seed in the West. They're back to run and gun, which is their bread and butter, and Steve Nash is back to his old self because of it. They have solid depth in the front court, so they can just keep running by other teams and tiring them out, like they did against Miami tonight. They won't really compete with the league's best teams in the playoffs, but I think if they can draw either the Mavericks or Nuggets in the first round, that they could get into the second round on match ups.

Melo is not going to win the NBA MVP unless the Nuggets have the best record in the NBA. Its that simple. He doesn't put up the big defensive, or assist and rebound numbers that Lebron and Wade do. I can easily see him winning the league scoring title this season, but unless the Nuggets are the league's best regular season team, he really won't even get consideration for the MVP unless his scoring numbers are 35+ for the entire season.

NO STAR. The Rockets have heart, and have started the season off hot, but they're undersized and will struggle to find an identity this season, especially if McGrady does return. Not to say McGrady isn't still a great player, but his return would probably hurt the young Rockets, who would have to change everything to get him back into the rotation. I just don't think they have the talent to get to the postseason. If they do, Rick Adelman is a genius.

damn Ryan I didn't ask for an essay

You asked in Y!A form. Thats all I used to do over there. But here, I keep stuff short for the most part.

Nobody ever reads it if my posts are too long.

I copied and pasted my Y!A answer haha

My answer still hasn't changed. Then again I didn't watch tonights game, I don't know who they played against, I didn't check the boxscore and I don't know who won.... but my answer hasn't changed.


BQ: Didn't watch the game.
BQ2: Only if KG gets injured again.
BQ3: No.
BQ4: Only if Denver has a great record, they don't have to have the best record for that to happen. Kobe got his mvp award while the Lakers had the second best record in the league so if The Nuggets can manage to get the second or MAYBE even third best record, then sure... Melo for MVP.

LOL

but seriously, if Gasol has a hamstring tear, its going to be really bad. they need him back. not only is it going to have an effect on Bynum's legs, but also on the mindset of Kobe. he'll likely get into a scoring mindset, where he feels he needs to take over games. that's not what the Lakers are going to need from him this season, especially upon Pau's return. that could affect their play as a team, since not everyone would be on the same page. Gasol is a huge part of this team, and playing for six weeks without him could take a serious toll on this Lakers team.

Bynum is like 21, but Lakers won't get best record is Gasol misses 6 weeks.

nooooooooooo 6 weeks

David wrote:

Bynum is like 21, but Lakers won't get best record is Gasol misses 6 weeks.

hes 21, but is coming off multiple knee surgeries. thats taking a big risk in playing him so many minutes.

Derek Fisher wrote:

David wrote:

Bynum is like 21, but Lakers won't get best record is Gasol misses 6 weeks.

hes 21, but is coming off multiple knee surgeries. thats taking a big risk in playing him so many minutes.

Nice point

Who needs a bench when u have Kobe?

There are couple of players who can stop Kobe easily

Shane Battier could stop him.

Spurs Raptors Fan wrote:

Shane Battier could stop him.

He sure couldn't a few nights ago. Hakeem-style post game, anyone?

CAguystukinNC wrote:

Spurs Raptors Fan wrote:

Shane Battier could stop him.

He sure couldn't a few nights ago. Hakeem-style post game, anyone?

Hahaha, true.
Kobe just went off in that game, haha.

Oh well, next time he may do a better job containing Kobe.

Spurs Raptors Fan wrote:

CAguystukinNC wrote:

Spurs Raptors Fan wrote:

Shane Battier could stop him.

He sure couldn't a few nights ago. Hakeem-style post game, anyone?

Hahaha, true.
Kobe just went off in that game, haha.

Oh well, next time he may do a better job containing Kobe.

Lol...unfortunately, he probably will. I hope Battier wins DPOY. He deserves it. Well, him or Duncan. Both are overdue to take it.

I didn't answer the question.Let me do it

If Odom doesn't get in to play from the bench then the Lakers bench suck.

BQ:Dirk Nowitzki is killing,what a game for him

BQ2:Celtics are going to be #1 seed in the East

BQ3:The Suns are overlooked now

BQ4:No,LeBron will win back to back MVPs

Spurs Raptors Fan wrote:

Shane Battier could stop him.

I have to add Tayshon Prince,Raja Bell,LeBron James,Dwayne Wade,Paul Pierce