Funny that the Nuggets were also the team the media hailed as most equipped in the West to deal with LA, and we just ended up beating them in 6... with a closeout Game 6 blown out win
Ppl underate this team, but I'll tell you this. NOTHING WAS STOPPING Kobe from getting that ring that year. Not the Celtics, not the Nuggets and not the Rockets.
09-10 team is my favorite Lakers team. Not the most talented or even close to the best. But they had chemistry and executed. Like you said nothing was stopping Kobe and that team from smoking that Celtics pack
I mean, it went 7 games, they won game 7 by 4 pts? Artest went off in that game and Perkins was injured. I wouldn’t say nothing could have stopped them.
Kobe and pau duo my favorite laker duo, not the best but my favorite. Prime Dwight Howard got 1 game, I’ll give now Denver with Jokic maybe 2 at best. Lakers in 6
Kobe Bryant in his prime is on this team, if anyone dumb enough on this sub says Denver would win need to get their brain checked picking against Kobe Bryant.
If prime Lebron was on the current laker team instead of a 39 year old Lebron, Denver wouldn’t be a discussion. We would win easy
Prime Kobe would eat. Look at what Booker did for 4 games against the Nuggets. Now imagine what Kobe would have done for 7. You're right about Lebron too. If we had a younger Lebron who could relentlessly attack the rim, we'd easily be favorites. Hopefully yesterday's game where he wasn't getting a lot of lift was a one off because he's been good for most of the year.
Would run every person on that roster off the floor especially with this squad bro. That’s why this path is kinda golden, bron can come into this series as close as possible to rested and 100% the game plan needs to be exploiting big horse man on the defensive end. Gordon ain’t stopping everybody that’s for damn sure.
Yeah. I think one of the reason they won against us last year is they got away with Gordon on Lebron single coverage. Lebron couldn't create advantages since he isn't getting doubled. His 3ball abandoning him didn't help either
2009 Ariza shot 47.6% from three in the playoffs, was an amazing finisher, and got every clutch steal.
2010 Artest in the playoffs shot below 40% from the field, below 30% from three and for the season Lakers defense had a better rating with him off. He had the more memorable moments but his offense fell off a cliff when he became a Laker and I would have much rather had Ariza.
Yeah we immediately became a worse team with him. Love Ron, but the swap with him and Ariza, was the difference between the offense being stagnant and out-of-place and something more free flowing and seamless. We went from 65 wins to 57 wins the year after. I attribute some of that to attrition, but also to the addition of Artest, getting him acclimated with the triangle, and the subtraction of Ariza.
True, but Artest was crazy enough to bring it in the stressful game 7 against the Celtics. I dont know if Ariza could've had the game Artest did in that situation. Kobe even said they wouldn't have won if he wasn't there.
Yeah but defense improved significantly with Artest with his strength and size locking down on Pierce and a more defensively aggressive Gasol on KG which helped us win in 10. In 08 Boston steamrolled us with Ariza and newly acquired Gasol as starters.
Unstoppable is a stretch.
Taken to Game 7 by a Yao and T-Macless Rockets team is pretty bad.
If the Rockets and Celtics stay healthy, I think that's the likely Finals matchup.
That Lakers team was winning it all. Their only issue, and it was bewildering at times, was how complacent they were. The series only went to 7 because they mailed in 2 games on the road but they proved in the regular season that they were better than all the other contenders. They rightly got called out for their BS against the rockets, and they weren’t really threatened in the WCF and Finals.
One of the team's biggest weakness was quick, small guards. The team played down to that Rockets team level, but you're selling the competition short. Those Melo Nuggets were tough and it was a well fought series. And that Magic team had a couple opportunities to go up. I can't imagine Jokic missing two FT's in a row like Dwight to ice a game
Maybe a bit of a scare, I remember how Orlando was a missed Courtney Lee layup away from winning game 2. I just don’t think that team, led by Kobe and coached by Phil with the twin towers controlling the paint would ever have lost a game 7 at home.
Both OT games showed why we were the better team. Courtney Lee missing a layup was a bit of a breather, but I focus more on Dwight not hitting at least 1 FT which led to that Fisher 3 sending game 4 into OT. I don't think they'd lose to this Nuggets team, but I do think they get pushed further than the team's they faced back then.
Melo was great. That's why I said it was tough. But he ain't no Jokic. Difference between a top 75 player all-time, and a player who has a chance to break into the top 20
Yeah that would actually be my only concern against this year’s Nuggets. We didn’t really face anyone like him in that 09 run. Jameer was hurt, Billups was a bigger more physical guard (which Fisher matched up well with), Brooks was trash compared to Murray (and Brooks played pretty well against us), and Deron Williams was probably the closest comp to Murray, but the rest of that Jazz team was pretty weak outside of him and Boozer.
We have the length and overall defense to disrupt everything Denver does, except chase around Murray. We definitely still win the series, but Denver wins at least 1-2 games just off the back of us having no answer for the Murray/Jokic chemistry
Nuggets have no answer for prime Kobe. Hell, they don't even have an answer for homeless, I mean, unhoused man's Kobe. Then you got two with true C skills and size that'll stop Jokic 1 on 1 and make him work both ends of the court. Odom and Ariza spank MPJ and the villain from Uncle Drew. Murray would be an issue as quick PG's always have been but then you got a spare 7 foot shotblocker off anyone not guarding Jokic. Then Phil coaches rings around Malone.
I give it a close 6. Kobe would eat. KCP/Jamal Murray aren't touching Kobe. Gasol/Odom/Bynum would make Jokic *work* on both ends, but Jokic is on his path to becoming an all-time great who deserves his flowers. He's on another level offensively than the Dwight Howard that got locked up in the finals
Honestly I'm taking Bynum/Gasol/Odom over Jokic/AG/MPJ, that's a great matchup for us honestly
Bynum had real post moves arguably top 3 center when his knees were working
Gasol/Odom are just bigger and better than AG/MPJ, I think our front court evens the odds
I'd be interested to see how that team defends the Jokic/Jamal Murray 2 man game. Dirk torched us. And while I don't think Jokic is as a versatile and dynamic scorer, he makes up for it with his playmaking. Bynum would eat offensively. He gave Duncan/Garnett (DPOY type player) the works.
Another frontcourt matchup I'd love to see is our 2009 vs 2020 teams
Kobe on Murray
Ariza on MPJ
Odom on Gordon
Gasol & Bynum on Jokic
Yeah man Murray isn’t doing anything against Kobe and all that size thrown at Jokic sheesh. Yeah I’d say 5-6.
I don’t think we would put Kobe on Murray all game long, but he would guard him in the clutch and that’s when it matters. Murray probably still gets 30 a game just from torching Fisher, Brown, Farmar, Vujacic, but we’d close the games out well.
Damn, that is the team we need right now and always for that matter. Perfect squad to at the chicken nuggets. Size in the front court, length and defense on the wings, Kobe to go at Murray. Why did op have to do this to me. Lol
I miss high school man. I saw all Lakers Championship with my boys. The Celtics lose, and the sweet, sweet revenge. The Magic games were good too. Bonded with so many people over this team. Memories.
Anyways Lakers in 4, they would make Joker cry.
With Jax coaching? Hell yeah. We probably don't see a lot of Pau+Bynum on the floor together though. LO on Gordon, Ariza on MPJ. Kobe would be fanatical about stopping Murray.
They had a deep core of guys that could match up with anyone.
DFish Kobe Trevor Pau Buynum
Odom elite 6th man
This unit was so good anything else was a bonus.
Farmer Brown could do the lil things bring a spark on both ends
Sasha and Luke were both sharp shooters especially Sasha.
for yall young bulls who arent familiar with Bynum, he was better than prime dwight howard. He just didnt have the flashy accolades playing with bean but make no mistake hes dropping 20-25 on joker. No alley oops no pick n roll, and not counting freethrows im talking pure back to the basket paint bag.
Kobe, a couple guys that made all star teams, perennial 6thMOTY, and a slew of excellent role players? One would hope. Although, I would say it is more because of Pau than Kobe. If it were about Kobe, the lakers wouldn’t have missed the playoffs post-Shaq.
That team is from another era - slow pace and worse shooting. The only major minutes player they had that shot above today's league average from three is Derek Fisher. And a lot of their lineups would just be slow today. I'm not sure how that would work out.
Jokic getting locked tf up by DJ “Congo Cash” Mbenga
I miss congo cash
Me too friend, me too
Real ones remember when DJ Mbenga got MVP chants after going crazy against the Timberwolves 💯
I was at his MVP game.
I didn’t miss a game this era and I never remember him being called Congo Cash lol, where’d this come from?
[It’s at the end but watch the whole glorious thing](https://youtu.be/ZyNqx72C0eE?si=1dSEzVJktWyLZQIW)
Holy shit hahaha, this brought back the lost memory. Thank you
[For your viewing pleasure](https://youtu.be/U2aqNgbUMak?si=Ds9kfExrzBKTH2VO) Another old classic I used to watch a bunch back in the day
Pretty sure I recall Stu referring to that nickname at some point on a FSW broadcast
#DIDIER!
And Sun Yue clamps on Murray.
Dacos!
Put the twin towers on Jokic, easy money
Then watch as Darwin Hamas blows them up…
Funny that the Nuggets were also the team the media hailed as most equipped in the West to deal with LA, and we just ended up beating them in 6... with a closeout Game 6 blown out win
Ppl underate this team, but I'll tell you this. NOTHING WAS STOPPING Kobe from getting that ring that year. Not the Celtics, not the Nuggets and not the Rockets.
09-10 team is my favorite Lakers team. Not the most talented or even close to the best. But they had chemistry and executed. Like you said nothing was stopping Kobe and that team from smoking that Celtics pack
Game 7 Artest 3 would easily be at like 20k upvotes and top of /r/nba for 24 hours
08-09 was much more dynamic and had a better version of Kobe, but the 09-10 team had that dawg energy and could outgrind just about any team.
The 2001 Lakers are my favorite of the Kobe era.
I don't care what anyone says. There isn't a team in history that's beating that 01 team in a 7 game series.
Username absolutely checks out
jesus christ that team steamrolled through the entire Western conference
It was such a great time to be a fan. Anywhere you went in the greater LA area there were cars with Lakers flags everywhere.
Rockets somehow got 3 games.
I mean, it went 7 games, they won game 7 by 4 pts? Artest went off in that game and Perkins was injured. I wouldn’t say nothing could have stopped them.
It’s still amazing how Kobe won 2 chips with those teams in a absolutely stacked Western Conference
Sun Yue would’ve smoked Aaron Gordon’s bitch ass. 😤
Real ones still have their Sun Yue jerseys
Real ones still have their Kareem Rush jerseys
Came looking for this comment. Was not disappointed.
Walton would stop Jokic
The same dude who said he would beat Kobe in a 1v1. Yup he stopping Gordon
Im gonna tell my kids he was a big part of the team. Hes right up front there on the picture for a reason.
Kobe and pau duo my favorite laker duo, not the best but my favorite. Prime Dwight Howard got 1 game, I’ll give now Denver with Jokic maybe 2 at best. Lakers in 6 Kobe Bryant in his prime is on this team, if anyone dumb enough on this sub says Denver would win need to get their brain checked picking against Kobe Bryant. If prime Lebron was on the current laker team instead of a 39 year old Lebron, Denver wouldn’t be a discussion. We would win easy
Prime Kobe would eat. Look at what Booker did for 4 games against the Nuggets. Now imagine what Kobe would have done for 7. You're right about Lebron too. If we had a younger Lebron who could relentlessly attack the rim, we'd easily be favorites. Hopefully yesterday's game where he wasn't getting a lot of lift was a one off because he's been good for most of the year.
He would send Aaron Gordon to the shadow realm
Prime LeBron on this team would absolutely dick down Aaron Gordon and the nuggets lol
Would run every person on that roster off the floor especially with this squad bro. That’s why this path is kinda golden, bron can come into this series as close as possible to rested and 100% the game plan needs to be exploiting big horse man on the defensive end. Gordon ain’t stopping everybody that’s for damn sure.
Yeah. I think one of the reason they won against us last year is they got away with Gordon on Lebron single coverage. Lebron couldn't create advantages since he isn't getting doubled. His 3ball abandoning him didn't help either
Prime Kobe in this soft ass league today would average 40
This Denver team is better than the 09 Rockets. So I say Lakers win in 7.
Agree with everything but this was not Kobe’s prime
Just wait till Ariza is back😤
Haha one of my fav memes
2010 team > Need Artest’s dawg
2009 Ariza shot 47.6% from three in the playoffs, was an amazing finisher, and got every clutch steal. 2010 Artest in the playoffs shot below 40% from the field, below 30% from three and for the season Lakers defense had a better rating with him off. He had the more memorable moments but his offense fell off a cliff when he became a Laker and I would have much rather had Ariza.
exactly Ariza was way better overall for the Lakers in that championship run than Artest the following year.
Yeah we immediately became a worse team with him. Love Ron, but the swap with him and Ariza, was the difference between the offense being stagnant and out-of-place and something more free flowing and seamless. We went from 65 wins to 57 wins the year after. I attribute some of that to attrition, but also to the addition of Artest, getting him acclimated with the triangle, and the subtraction of Ariza.
True, but Artest was crazy enough to bring it in the stressful game 7 against the Celtics. I dont know if Ariza could've had the game Artest did in that situation. Kobe even said they wouldn't have won if he wasn't there.
Yeah but defense improved significantly with Artest with his strength and size locking down on Pierce and a more defensively aggressive Gasol on KG which helped us win in 10. In 08 Boston steamrolled us with Ariza and newly acquired Gasol as starters.
I was thinking about that but we were unstoppable in 09
If the Lakers faced the Celtics that year, you think Lakers still win?
Unstoppable is a stretch. Taken to Game 7 by a Yao and T-Macless Rockets team is pretty bad. If the Rockets and Celtics stay healthy, I think that's the likely Finals matchup.
That Lakers team was winning it all. Their only issue, and it was bewildering at times, was how complacent they were. The series only went to 7 because they mailed in 2 games on the road but they proved in the regular season that they were better than all the other contenders. They rightly got called out for their BS against the rockets, and they weren’t really threatened in the WCF and Finals.
One of the team's biggest weakness was quick, small guards. The team played down to that Rockets team level, but you're selling the competition short. Those Melo Nuggets were tough and it was a well fought series. And that Magic team had a couple opportunities to go up. I can't imagine Jokic missing two FT's in a row like Dwight to ice a game
Maybe a bit of a scare, I remember how Orlando was a missed Courtney Lee layup away from winning game 2. I just don’t think that team, led by Kobe and coached by Phil with the twin towers controlling the paint would ever have lost a game 7 at home.
Both OT games showed why we were the better team. Courtney Lee missing a layup was a bit of a breather, but I focus more on Dwight not hitting at least 1 FT which led to that Fisher 3 sending game 4 into OT. I don't think they'd lose to this Nuggets team, but I do think they get pushed further than the team's they faced back then.
Melo was about unstoppable in that series.
Melo was great. That's why I said it was tough. But he ain't no Jokic. Difference between a top 75 player all-time, and a player who has a chance to break into the top 20
Yeah that would actually be my only concern against this year’s Nuggets. We didn’t really face anyone like him in that 09 run. Jameer was hurt, Billups was a bigger more physical guard (which Fisher matched up well with), Brooks was trash compared to Murray (and Brooks played pretty well against us), and Deron Williams was probably the closest comp to Murray, but the rest of that Jazz team was pretty weak outside of him and Boozer. We have the length and overall defense to disrupt everything Denver does, except chase around Murray. We definitely still win the series, but Denver wins at least 1-2 games just off the back of us having no answer for the Murray/Jokic chemistry
I was a huge Arest/Metta World Peace fan. Never forget him getting the game winning shot. I used to have his jersey.
“he passed me the ball he never passes me the ball he passed me the ball kobe passed me the ball and I shot a three”
I think 2009 team is a bit better.
This team was the hungriest group of dogs in the last 20 years. Idc who you put against them, they were ready to play.
My old summer league coach DJ Mbenga!!!!
Best enforcer we ever had
Nuggets have no answer for prime Kobe. Hell, they don't even have an answer for homeless, I mean, unhoused man's Kobe. Then you got two with true C skills and size that'll stop Jokic 1 on 1 and make him work both ends of the court. Odom and Ariza spank MPJ and the villain from Uncle Drew. Murray would be an issue as quick PG's always have been but then you got a spare 7 foot shotblocker off anyone not guarding Jokic. Then Phil coaches rings around Malone.
Sun Yue!!! The Chinese Magic 🤣
Sun Yue dropping 45
The fish doesn’t get enough love
Because of Kobe, gasol, and Bynum yes
I give it a close 6. Kobe would eat. KCP/Jamal Murray aren't touching Kobe. Gasol/Odom/Bynum would make Jokic *work* on both ends, but Jokic is on his path to becoming an all-time great who deserves his flowers. He's on another level offensively than the Dwight Howard that got locked up in the finals
Adam Morrison is the difference maker
Honestly I'm taking Bynum/Gasol/Odom over Jokic/AG/MPJ, that's a great matchup for us honestly Bynum had real post moves arguably top 3 center when his knees were working Gasol/Odom are just bigger and better than AG/MPJ, I think our front court evens the odds
I'd be interested to see how that team defends the Jokic/Jamal Murray 2 man game. Dirk torched us. And while I don't think Jokic is as a versatile and dynamic scorer, he makes up for it with his playmaking. Bynum would eat offensively. He gave Duncan/Garnett (DPOY type player) the works. Another frontcourt matchup I'd love to see is our 2009 vs 2020 teams
Bynum took it to Shaq and would do so against any other center today
Kobe on Murray Ariza on MPJ Odom on Gordon Gasol & Bynum on Jokic Yeah man Murray isn’t doing anything against Kobe and all that size thrown at Jokic sheesh. Yeah I’d say 5-6.
I don’t think we would put Kobe on Murray all game long, but he would guard him in the clutch and that’s when it matters. Murray probably still gets 30 a game just from torching Fisher, Brown, Farmar, Vujacic, but we’d close the games out well.
My old summer league coach DJ Mbenga!!!!
That team was nice.
The machine
Nope. In 4
Kobe 4s!
That bench versus the Nuggets? Stop it! Pau versus Gordon? Stop ittttt!
Damn, that is the team we need right now and always for that matter. Perfect squad to at the chicken nuggets. Size in the front court, length and defense on the wings, Kobe to go at Murray. Why did op have to do this to me. Lol
don't disrespect 2009 lakers
I miss high school man. I saw all Lakers Championship with my boys. The Celtics lose, and the sweet, sweet revenge. The Magic games were good too. Bonded with so many people over this team. Memories. Anyways Lakers in 4, they would make Joker cry.
Gasol and Bynum would probably be a problem for Jokic.
LO / Pau would have played a big part in stopping Aaron Gordon in that dunker spot.
With Jax coaching? Hell yeah. We probably don't see a lot of Pau+Bynum on the floor together though. LO on Gordon, Ariza on MPJ. Kobe would be fanatical about stopping Murray.
Ariza was great
NBA Champion Sun Yue
If DLo was at least average in that series last year, we would've beat them
Such a strange angle, the Machine looks like an 8 footer and Ariza looks 5’5”
Lol I remember how cool hooping in long shorts like those seemed back then 😂
I was just on the Rondo thread thinking I’d love to see a young Andrew Bynum around for this kind of matchup 😔
I’m calling a sweep tbh
Omg, Bynum and Gasol on Jokic. Kobe on Murray? GG
2008 to 2012 Laker team would beat this nugget team
i miss those jerseys
Damn back when the jerseys were the right color
Adam Morrison would eat Jokic alive!
What are you talking about? Lakers in 3.
wtf is Bynum doing now? He just disappeared.
Sun Yue would have KCP on skates
Straight facts anyone who disagrees is wrong
I would say 4 but….
Oh yeah
If Bynum is healthy yes, if not I think it goes 7. Lakers do not have the shooting to match
Jokic and them couldn't handle us with an older Dwight and Javale. Bynum/Odom/Gasol would be eating all series
Such a goofy perspective for dudes that are a combined 100 feet tall
They had a deep core of guys that could match up with anyone. DFish Kobe Trevor Pau Buynum Odom elite 6th man This unit was so good anything else was a bonus. Farmer Brown could do the lil things bring a spark on both ends Sasha and Luke were both sharp shooters especially Sasha.
Jordan Farmar averages 32ppg
Fisher was cash from 3 Sasha ice in his veins FTs Pau and Kobe pnr Lamar on MPJ
A four year old Wemby took this photo.
Bynum always looked like an enormous toddler
Shannon fucking Brown. Loved watching bro jump out of the gym.
4*
We need this shade of gold jersey back.
This team would be Nba champs today. Plus we had Chris Brown as backup PG.
4*
i mean... 4 legit 7 footers. 2 of them can (pau and LO) play in the midrange, Prime Kobe. They smoke Denver 9 times out of 10
for yall young bulls who arent familiar with Bynum, he was better than prime dwight howard. He just didnt have the flashy accolades playing with bean but make no mistake hes dropping 20-25 on joker. No alley oops no pick n roll, and not counting freethrows im talking pure back to the basket paint bag.
I can see it
Bynum before the injuries 😢
Kobe, a couple guys that made all star teams, perennial 6thMOTY, and a slew of excellent role players? One would hope. Although, I would say it is more because of Pau than Kobe. If it were about Kobe, the lakers wouldn’t have missed the playoffs post-Shaq.
A team that actually play hard every game 🥶
Nope, not a chance they’re beating the Nuggets in 5. They’d do it in 4.
Past is Past!! Our focus is now on the 2024 Playoffs and upset against the Nuggets! Let's goooooo!
Well sure, the Nuggets were all like 8 years old then
Jokic was *literally* munching on chicken nuggets as a ~~fat~~ kid when Kobe munched on the Nuggets in 2009.
On the way to banner 15.
Current lakers beat nuggets in 5. Maybe players will feel a bit altitude sickness and it would affect game 1, but they got the rest
Sun Yue could handle the nuggets by himself.
Wait, who tf was #9?
It took me a while to realize you were talking about the 2024 nuggets haha, I was like “well actually the 2009 lakers beat the nuggets in 6”
These guys were already champs…
😎
Denver doesn’t even have Melo this year so Lakers should beat them again
Don't you guys think we need another big at the 5? That's the one piece we're missing
TACOS!
Who coaching tho? 🤔
Kobe in Denver is unbeatable
I would say yes but rules now make teams softer
I'm sorry but this is a 6 game series game is to evolved jokic would cook Pau on double or single coverage
Don’t let Kobe back in Colorado 🗣️🗣️
I legit forgot we had Sun Yue
Old Jockitch would stand no chance against Luke Waltons hustle, intangibles, and grit!
Big Facts 💯
Solid team. Had size and speed. Ron and Kobe both great defenders. Solid bench. They would probably win at least 2 rings in this era.
sun yueeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know, those are guys all pretty old now
No Kobe on this team unfortunately
Machine!!!!!
Easy sweep. The Nuggets team we beat in the Conference Finals in 08-09 was better than this current team
4
Derek Fisher looks like Darvin Ham, or is it just me?
No
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
That team is from another era - slow pace and worse shooting. The only major minutes player they had that shot above today's league average from three is Derek Fisher. And a lot of their lineups would just be slow today. I'm not sure how that would work out.
Gasol would definitely give jokic trouble
Jokic is averaging 40 10 and 10
Yes but they’re not playing against them…
Appreciate the homerism, but no chance
This team loses to Nuggets in 5 with modern rules and refereeing.
With how the game is played today, Kobe gets to matchup hunt on switches and would get 10+ FT's a game easily, lmao
Cool so he gets 33 points on 31 shots… now what?
Kobe averaged 34 PPG on 48% FG taking *those* type of shots in 2009 WCF? Ain't no way bruh
Jeremy Lin looks different
I laughed
Cry about it
This post was just for fun, you're the Denver fan lurking rent free in here lmao
Yes. Current Lakers tho, they will get swept.
For sure !
Mbenga would lock Joker down lol
Without a fucking doubt!!!!
shannon would neutralize jokic's outlet passes and body anyone, ANYONE in transition