33 replies to this topic

[MDI]

http://sportsillustr...able/index.html

Roundtable: 70 wins a possibility?

1. The 1995-96 Bulls (72-10) are the only team in NBA history to win at least 70 regular-season games. What's your early read on the Lakers' chances of reaching that milestone? How about the Celtics'?

Marty Burns: It's about as likely to happen as, say, your Thanksgiving turkey getting up and walking off the table. The Lakers have the size and depth to make a good run at it, but not the mental toughness (other than Kobe) to get all the way to 70. The Celtics have the mental toughness, but not the size and depth.

The NBA season is just too long for any team not led by Michael Jordan to win every game night in and night out in the dog days of February and March. We should know this by now. We've seen the Suns, Pistons and Celtics get off to similar red-hot starts in recent years only to fall way short of that magic 70 barrier.

There's more in that link with 4 other writers giving their thoughts on the Lakers reaching 70 wins

Edited by MDI, November 26, 2008 - 10:42 AM.

[We Believe]

I think its possible but its going to be really tough. Just like the guy in the article said the lakers need to keep that mental stature up at all times. They need to be sharp at all times and not take any games off.

[lyk13]

1 game at a time.

[daco_inc]

1 game at a time.

The team can worry about "1 game at a time." No harm in fans not doing it.

I wouldn't say it's impossible like some of those writers insinuated, but it definitely won't be easy. It's definitely possible though. But i think there's no way to truly put this situation under consideration until we see where we are at at the all-star break.

[We Believe]

There are also many factors to consider in this though.

What if one of our main guys gets injured?

or

What if someone is traded?

Im not saying these thing will happen just factors that have to be taken under consideration.

[lyk13]

The team can worry about "1 game at a time." No harm in fans not doing it.

I wouldn't say it's impossible like some of those writers insinuated, but it definitely won't be easy. It's definitely possible though. But i think there's no way to truly put this situation under consideration until we see where we are at at the all-star break.

I for one just dun wanna put pressure on the team, it's meaningless and non existent for my worry, but...I'd just take it how the team eventually goes on to. Being 60-64 wins, might be a better probability, 65 and above, a mile....70 and above is near impossible, but if the team is consistent and dedicated, they can do it.

I'd rather let them handle it, and us just ride along and hope they be consistent. Every game, I pushed them to play good D, force miss shots, score above 100, make opp score below 90 etc. etc. Just have to go 1 game at a time. That's my opinion.

=)

[Real Deal]

No injuries all season long? Yes. Otherwise, not a chance.

[Aceis²FresH]

The team can worry about "1 game at a time." No harm in fans not doing it.

Lol.
True

[magicmoment]

it's possible for sure.... if we keep up good defense, stay healthy, and not underestimate our opponents.

[Game]

barring injury, i think we'll do it

[King West]

The Lakers Will Win More Than 70 Games They 2 Deep 2 Go 60 We Got 2 Starting Lineups Got The Best Player In The League In Kobe Bryant Yea They'll Win More Than 70 Games

[fido]

The Lakers can win 41 games - as long as they bring the trophy home, I don't care.

[JavierLakerFan16]

73-9 73-9 73-9 73-9 73-9 73-9 !!!!

[UKUGA]

I'm most concerned with how we fare against the likes of Cleveland, Boston, and Detroit, in the regular season.

We'll see one of those 2 teams in June, and if they push us around and we don't respond with a victory when we face them in the regular season, then we'll have a very depressing summer, no matter how many regular season wins we get.


All that said, I don't think that "mental weakness" will prevent us from winning 70 games in the regular season, as Burns insinuated. The only teams, IMO, that may beat us in the mental toughness game, are the three teams I mentioned above, a total of 6 games.

[popo]

If they can stay on there current pace, and keep winning 7 or 8 straight then easily.

[Aztek Lakerfan]

I believe this Laker team is capable enough to win 70+ games this season if everyone is healthy and playing their A-game.

[kobynum]

its obvious that we can barring injury. Lack of toughness is bullsh** created by the media and the fans needing something to cling on agreed. but realistically we showed much mental toughness last year by:
Players maintaining composure during the Kobe trade saga
winning the West in a airtight race
Sweeping the Nuggets" a tough team" with no D, but still dangerous
beating the Jazz in Utah, and Kobe's feat with the bad back
Coming back from down 20 on the spurs in game 1 of WCF and beating them 4-1(the champs)
Playing a better, more talented, hungrier more experienced boston team as hard as they could, with the exception of the last game

And dont say Phil got outcoached, I think Doc got outcoached giving up two games to a team that wasnt nearly BIG enough to compete with them in a physical contest

[GCMD]

Possible? Yes.
Probable? No.

I'm going with 67-15. That's enough wins for homecourt (hopefully) throughout the playoffs. That's all that matters once we hit the playoffs.


If we win no less than 7 games in a row, we can beat the 72-10 record. Like someone else said, we have 2 different lineups we can throw at people...there aren't going to be many nights where BOTH of those lineups are off or ineffective. Less than 60 wins would be disappointing, ceteris paribus....

[insert coin here]

I doubt it...

Even Shaq-Kobe dynasty can't get it done... Heck, MJ/Pippen/Rodman only did it ONCE...

[Base]

If we win no less than 7 games in a row, we can beat the 72-10 record. Like someone else said, we have 2 different lineups we can throw at people...there aren't going to be many nights where BOTH of those lineups are off or ineffective. Less than 60 wins would be disappointing, ceteris paribus....

Offense will come naturally, If Lakers can continue holding their opponents to under 100 they will win 71-72 games (check the equation in my sig)