Yeah, the Lakers have played a BUNCH of sub .500 teams thus far and it seems they haven't left LA.

The telling stat to me, is that LA is 1-3 against the 4 best teams they've played. Their only win was against the Hawks.

Just because this team won it last season doesn't mean they will again. I'm not saying this as a "Laker hater" because I'm not a hater of any team. I'm a die hard Cavs fan, but I love the NBA in general.

With that said, LA is VERY THIN at guard. Hell, JVG, Mark Jackson, and Mike Breen admitted as much during the telecast.

I also agree with what JVG said that when you have SO much money invested into your starting 5, it's hard to get a solid bench. There is no denying that the bench play of the Lakers has been piss poor this year. To deny that, is straight up bias.

Derek Fisher isn't getting younger, Kobe is a beast, then what? Farmar? Brown? Vujacic? Lamar Odom is the best player to come off the bench, and he has been pretty inconsistent this year too. As I said, the bench played spectacular last year. WAY above their heads. Too expect that again, well, that would be somewhat foolish. There is a reason these guys are still bench players at the end of the day. They aren't capable of bringing it on a consistent year to year basis. You can kind of compare them to relief pitchers in baseball. 1 year they may be great, but the next the bench falls off...

Again, great records mean very little. As a Cavs fan I would know that

Cavs outscored the Rockets 52-16 in the paint. RIDICULOUS. Houston averages 46 a game from inside.

See what a big front line can do?

Also loved seeing LeBron continue to go to the paint. He started it in the Kings game and has done it more and more since. He completely bullied Battier down there.

This team is really beginning to gel. Powe is ahead of schedule (though they're still keeping him out until the break for extra rest) and that could be a BIG addition.

More and more rumors are flying that JJ Hickson will more than likely be traded and even some talk of Z being shopped around with a buy out.

32 games in and the Cavs have a 10 game lead in the Central

Boston also lost to the Clippers last night, which allowed Cleveland to creep within a half game of the #1 seed.

nice W for da Cavs I think it starting to come together

I think getting rid of Z is a mistake at this point. I know he is not the best player in the world but he means a ton to "this" team and getting rid of him could really upset the chemistry of the TEAM. If they were going to trade him or buy out his contract then it should have been done before the season started. Right now he is putting it together and giving us quality minutes. He is getting his points and giving Shaq his rest. Having Shaq and Z on the floor at the same time didn't work too good at the beginning of the season but on this past road trip it worked quite well. I hope it isn't true. We know what we are going to get with Z. Sometimes you go with what you know.

just_a_swimmer wrote: I think getting rid of Z is a mistake at this point. I know he is not the best player in the world but he means a ton to "this" team and getting rid of him could really upset the chemistry of the TEAM. If they were going to trade him or buy out his contract then it should have been done before the season started. Right now he is putting it together and giving us quality minutes. He is getting his points and giving Shaq his rest. Having Shaq and Z on the floor at the same time didn't work too good at the beginning of the season but on this past road trip it worked quite well. I hope it isn't true. We know what we are going to get with Z. Sometimes you go with what you know.

Leave it to a New Philadelphian to not understand this

The Cavs are saying we will only trade Z to a team that will then buyout his contract, so we can then resign him. I think there is a time period that must pass until that can happen, around a month. Very much like Antonio McDyess situation when he was included in the Iverson/Billups trade last year.

oh..... well alrighty then. I have to admit. I did not understand that. Doesn't make sense to me but if that is the way it is then I am ok with that.

LTrain23 wrote:
Boston also lost to the Clippers last night, which allowed Cleveland to creep within a half game of the #1 seed.

Miracle win by the Clippers last night. Rondo...with a huge choke job at the line.

Z ain't goin nowhere.

Footwedge wrote: Z ain't goin nowhere.

If Cleveland makes a trade, yes he will go somewhere (just not for that long).

Buyout along with JJ.

Don't undervalue the fact that Boobie may be traded as well.

He's a good 3pt shooter, but doesn't quite fit our system like I thought he would this year.

He's not getting any playing time either.

Footwedge wrote:

LTrain23 wrote:
Boston also lost to the Clippers last night, which allowed Cleveland to creep within a half game of the #1 seed.

Rondo...with a huge choke job at the line.

This makes me happy......he is my least favorite NBA player.....Vince Carter is #2

Boston lost AGAIN tonight.

Cavs now tied for best overall record in the East!

LTrain23 wrote: Don't undervalue the fact that Boobie may be traded as well.

He's a good 3pt shooter, but doesn't quite fit our system like I thought he would this year.

He's not getting any playing time either.

I don't think Boobie gets shipped unless we are bringing in a top tier talent. Hickson and Z are the trading pieces, but like its been said, Z will have to be bought out or the trade won't happen, and Hickson isn't good enough to net anything more than a role player.

I think we stay put, but I've been shocked before.

The telling thing to me, was when Danny Ferry was asked about trade scenarios, he said "Anything is possible"...

LTrain23 wrote: The telling thing to me, was when Danny Ferry was asked about trade scenarios, he said "Anything is possible"...

Besides Lebron and Mo, anyone is expendable.