although recognized as a top 50 player by the league, I still think James is the most underrated player in NBA history. He went up against probably the best defensive team ever in the Pistons in 88' and completely destroyed them.
"The Dive" hellz yeah, that was a play of anxiety! that was THE play that hooked me as a kid to the Purple and Gold. And to see it after all these years, historic!
They were very entertaining from 94/95 to the 99 lockout season, but when playoff time rolled around, things usually got UGLY. They melted down every year from 96-99. The 97 and 98 teams had about as much overall talent as the current team. The teams from 91/92 - 92/93 were older and inconsistent, but showed a lot of pride making the playoffs each time. 1994 was a rough lottery season, but the next year was a rebirth, strangely enough. A lot of fans are fond of 1995 (NVE, Ced, Ed, etc).
Yup, personally I still feel that '97 team was the most exciting (if not talented) Laker team of that decade. Most of the Laker games I went to were during that timeframe. When Shaq came over and later Horry halfway through, it was like they could do whatever they pretty much wanted. Only thing they really lacked was a coach who could get that particular bunch of guys to play together come playoff time. That veteran Jazz team almost always put them in their place, lol.
I consider myself a Laker fan, and you always hear about the great Laker dynasties -- Showtime etc., Shaq & Kobe, now Kobe/Gasol/Bynum/Odom/Fisher, etc., etc., -- and I have to say, I have never heard anything about the mid-late 90's Laker teams. Did they just suck or what?
HAD HE NOT GOTTEN HURT AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON IN 1983 DR. J NEVER WOULD HAVE GOT HIS RING. BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING DR.J COULD DO WITH THOSE YOUNG LEGS OF WORTHY !!!!!
Interesting that tanking is more suspect today than it was when only the first two picks were decided by chance (even then 50/50 odds). No one accuses the Rockets of being worse than they actually were in 83 & 84 (Sampson & Akeem). However, Ewing and Duncan are widely thought to be scams as well as Orlando getting the 1st pick in 93, right after Shaq. Even when those things don't happen, people gripe about teams like Port getting the 1st pick over 20-win wonders.
They got it in a trade in 79 with Cleveland. The Cavs gave up a 1982 1st rounder which eventually became LA's pick. At the time, the worst two teams in the league flipped a coin for the 1st and 2nd picks. Clev wound up w/ the worst record in 81/82 and LA got their pick. They won the flip against the SD Clippers, who chose Terry Cummings 2nd. They didn't have protected picks back then, obviously. LA got the Magic pick in similar fashion a few yrs earlier. BOS got the 1st pick in 80 the same way.
Hey nonplayerzealot4, how did the lakers get the number one pick in the '82 draft to get Big Game James since they won the championship the previous season?
I would imagine teams would want a 1st rounder especially if they turned out to be a superstar. It would put more people in the seats thus more money for the owners. But that was before rookies had a set pay scale. Remember Glenn Robinson wanting that big 100 million dollar 13 year deal before he ever played a NBA game?
No, teams today can protect their picks, couldn't back then. There would be a stipulation saying, [If the pick turns out to be in the lottery, we keep it.] They can keep doing this for a few yrs. The next year, it would be, [If the pick turns out to be top 5, we keep it.] Etc. CLEV struggled financially for yrs. Multiple owners didn't want to pay big $ to high 1st rounders every yr. EX: UTA sold Nique to ATL for $1 mill in 82. Lot of owners trying to stay in the black, concerned w/ bottom line.
Wow. I bet Cleveland regreted that trade. For example in 2008 if the Lakers traded Lamar to the Thunder for a 1st round pick and if OKC won the lottery, the lakers wouldn't get the pick?
I'm not joking. I didn't say HOU didn't tank, I just said that no one accuses them of it, especially 30 yrs on after most fans have forgotten. Whenever you hear about a team accused of tanking, do you ever hear the 83 Rockets mentioned? No. Credit to you for actually knowing the circumstances from then, but these days even the sports commentators are youngish twats who don't know anything that happened pre-MJ.
although recognized as a top 50 player by the league, I still think James is the most underrated player in NBA history. He went up against probably the best defensive team ever in the Pistons in 88' and completely destroyed them.
Most underappreciated Laker ever.
Glad to share. Quickest guy 6'9" or more in history. Never seen a baseline spin that fast by anyone since and never will.
although recognized as a top 50 player by the league, I still think James is the most underrated player in NBA history.
Thnx for sharing us your Laker videos you have collected over the years!!
"The Dive"
hellz yeah, that was a play of anxiety! that was THE play that hooked me as a kid to the Purple and Gold. And to see it after all these years, historic!
he should have been on the original dream team
This is true, HRE. It is refreshing to see relatively young fans like bigmike and Javier who appreciate previous eras of Laker ball.
They were very entertaining from 94/95 to the 99 lockout season, but when playoff time rolled around, things usually got UGLY. They melted down every year from 96-99.
The 97 and 98 teams had about as much overall talent as the current team.
The teams from 91/92 - 92/93 were older and inconsistent, but showed a lot of pride making the playoffs each time. 1994 was a rough lottery season, but the next year was a rebirth, strangely enough. A lot of fans are fond of 1995 (NVE, Ced, Ed, etc).
Yup, personally I still feel that '97 team was the most exciting (if not talented) Laker team of that decade. Most of the Laker games I went to were during that timeframe. When Shaq came over and later Horry halfway through, it was like they could do whatever they pretty much wanted. Only thing they really lacked was a coach who could get that particular bunch of guys to play together come playoff time. That veteran Jazz team almost always put them in their place, lol.
I consider myself a Laker fan, and you always hear about the great Laker dynasties -- Showtime etc., Shaq & Kobe, now Kobe/Gasol/Bynum/Odom/Fisher, etc., etc., -- and I have to say, I have never heard anything about the mid-late 90's Laker teams. Did they just suck or what?
7-time first-team All-Pro...a legend at small forward...
1987 WCF, Gm4 - Lakers 133 @ Sonics 102 (Lakers sweep)
Yep, have it.
HAD HE NOT GOTTEN HURT AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON IN 1983 DR. J NEVER WOULD HAVE GOT HIS RING. BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING DR.J COULD DO WITH THOSE YOUNG LEGS OF WORTHY !!!!!
i love the theme satrting @ 1:11
dose anybody know what's the name of the theme?
Interesting that tanking is more suspect today than it was when only the first two picks were decided by chance (even then 50/50 odds). No one accuses the Rockets of being worse than they actually were in 83 & 84 (Sampson & Akeem). However, Ewing and Duncan are widely thought to be scams as well as Orlando getting the 1st pick in 93, right after Shaq. Even when those things don't happen, people gripe about teams like Port getting the 1st pick over 20-win wonders.
They got it in a trade in 79 with Cleveland. The Cavs gave up a 1982 1st rounder which eventually became LA's pick. At the time, the worst two teams in the league flipped a coin for the 1st and 2nd picks. Clev wound up w/ the worst record in 81/82 and LA got their pick. They won the flip against the SD Clippers, who chose Terry Cummings 2nd.
They didn't have protected picks back then, obviously. LA got the Magic pick in similar fashion a few yrs earlier. BOS got the 1st pick in 80 the same way.
Hey nonplayerzealot4, how did the lakers get the number one pick in the '82 draft to get Big Game James since they won the championship the previous season?
I would imagine teams would want a 1st rounder especially if they turned out to be a superstar. It would put more people in the seats thus more money for the owners. But that was before rookies had a set pay scale. Remember Glenn Robinson wanting that big 100 million dollar 13 year deal before he ever played a NBA game?
No, teams today can protect their picks, couldn't back then. There would be a stipulation saying, [If the pick turns out to be in the lottery, we keep it.] They can keep doing this for a few yrs. The next year, it would be, [If the pick turns out to be top 5, we keep it.] Etc.
CLEV struggled financially for yrs. Multiple owners didn't want to pay big $ to high 1st rounders every yr. EX: UTA sold Nique to ATL for $1 mill in 82. Lot of owners trying to stay in the black, concerned w/ bottom line.
Wow. I bet Cleveland regreted that trade. For example in 2008 if the Lakers traded Lamar to the Thunder for a 1st round pick and if OKC won the lottery, the lakers wouldn't get the pick?
Yeah NPZ is a true NBA historian.
I have Gm3 as well.
I'm not joking. I didn't say HOU didn't tank, I just said that no one accuses them of it, especially 30 yrs on after most fans have forgotten. Whenever you hear about a team accused of tanking, do you ever hear the 83 Rockets mentioned? No. Credit to you for actually knowing the circumstances from then, but these days even the sports commentators are youngish twats who don't know anything that happened pre-MJ.
hope it doesnt.
Wish they just traded him for Charles Barkley back in 1992.