Of course substituting that bench for any other bench is an open question. So answer it. Do you believe the ’96 Bulls win the NBA championship if that bench is substituted for, say, Miami’s current bench? Or the Lakers’ current bench? Or any bench in the history of the league? Is there a bench that has ever been so inept that it would stop the ’96 Bulls from winning the title?

Precisely and exactly and quite simply wrong. When the team is so dominant on both ends of the floor, including many defensive categories, the opportunity to block shots decreases, which would then lead to fewer blocked shots. It is not like their is a statistical category “opportunity to block a shot missed”.

Teams that lead the league in blocked shots can just as likely be the worst defensive teams at that given time, in that they are a team that sees their opposition breaking down perimeter defense and taking shots in the paint too many times down the floor.

As far as how well Chicago might have done without Kukoc, Kerr, and Longley is an open question, whether you choose to believe it or not. You have to evaluate what the individuals mean to the entire team over the course of the season AND in crucial moments in crucial games. The top seven mentioned from that entire team were crucial–each to the other: Crucial minutes played, crucial bench production, crucial clutch shots, the list goes on.

That the opposing teams couldn’t ignore Kerr or Kukoc in defensive schemes was crucial to several victories. Quite simply: the ’96 Bulls bench was a significant contributing factor to a record breaking season. But remember also: The only won the finals 4-2. Take away the bench and all that they did with and without certain starters on the floor, and you got a whole different ballgame.

Second, my issue is not good benches versus bad benches. A bench is a bench. If we’re ranking causes of a championship in 1996, bench comes in near or at the bottom. They did perform adequately, I acknowledge that. But does anyone think that the ’96 Bulls would be ringless without Steve Kerr? Or Luc Longley? Or even Toni Kukoc? It’s the same with the Lakers (or any other elite squad). A bench simply can’t be terrible, which their bench is not. The Lakers will be able to survive in increments with Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol playing along side the likes of Blake, Jamison, and Meeks.

Everyone is talking so much about how D’Antoni’s system will affect Howard and the starters. I think his impact on the second unit will be far more important. The starters have shown that they can play together even when making it up as they go since Brown was fired. It’s the bench that needs some direction. They’ve got some young players that can run, they just need to figure out how to use them better. I tend to think the new Mike will improve the bench a bit. Whether or not he can improve them enough to get passed the first round, that’s the big question.

I’m going to leave you to tour delusions.
Read up on that Bulls team. The bench played a big part in that 87-13 season.

A good bench is a must for a title team. For you to state otherwise is showing willful ignorance.

I’ve seen this argument from you before, so I’m going to let you have the last word, you’re being obtuse and I’m not going to waste anymore time showing you how very wrong you are. Flame on, flamer.

The ’96 Bulls had a great bench. First, they had the Sixth Man of the Year in ’96. Steve Kerr just happens to have the best career 3pt. percentage in the history of the NBA. As far as Luc Longley goes, he averaged 26.5 minutes a game as a starter and shared minutes with two, sometimes three other centers.

I Want Phil Jackson for Laker Coach!!!

And “real” Laker fans tend to be shortsighted idiots. I can say that, cause I’m apparently a fake Laker fan.

Amare isn”t as good, smart, or skilled as Pau. He’s been in the league about 10 years and just decided that he needed to work on his post moves? You may be frustrated with Pau, but he is awesome.

I’d take Pau all day over Amare.

Saying the Lakers suck because their bench is terrible is a bit like saying the ’96 Bulls sucked because they were last in the league in blocked shots. It’s true, they were a terrible shot-blocking squad, but they made up for it by having three of the greatest players in the history of the f*cking game. When M.J. needed a rest, Scottie and Rodman were able to keep it afloat surrounded by the likes of Luc Longley, Ron Harper, and Steve Kerr. Not exactly world beaters. Even better, ask the current Bulls how depth has worked out for them. When Chris Bosh went down, the Heat were able to absorb that loss not based on Ronnie Turiaf’s ten minutes per game, but by relying on what got them there: LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. This isn’t that difficult. And you know it.

Teams go 9 deep in the playoffs. You aren’t watching if you think otherwise.

Of course the stars will carry those teams, that’s not my argument.
You need players on the bench that are going to maintain the lead and play quality minutes. It’s common sense.

When 4/5 starters are 32-39 years old and your center is recovering from back surgery and you’re playing them 33-38mpg 10 games in, well good luck.

The lakers bench sucks, plain and simple. If you think they can just ride the starters, well you’re about as smart as lakerluver.

Barrier, Norris, Turiaf etc. all saw quality minutes in the playoffs.
The Celtics went 10 deep for Gods sake.

You aren’t very smart saying a bench doesn’t matter, not smart at all.

The Heat won the championship with the third worst scoring bench in the NBA last year. It was second worst in the East behind only the Celtics. The teams with the two worst benches in the Eastern conference played for the right to go to the finals last year. Bench does not matter. If the Lakers are going to win, it’s going to be on the backs of Bryant, Howard, Nash, and Gasol. If the Celtics win, it is going to be on the backs of Rondo, Garnett, and Pierce. If the Clippers win, it is going to be on the backs of Paul and Griffin. Why is this so damn difficult to acknowledge?

If anyone watched the interview with Mikey pre Spurs he basically said that “Kobe is the reason I got the job”. Despicable freaking despicable.

The FO is a mess, the team is a mess. Nuff said.

It’s been their achilles heel 2 years running and will continue to be. Starters averaging 33-38 minutes a game = early exit again.

Lakerslurper can’t wait, his buttplug has been in for 3 days now, hasn’t it sweetie?

If you don’t go 8-2 the next 10 I’m firmly entrenched in the belief that Kobe will become the next coach. Only after you have been pepper sprayed & had your life threatened via twitter

Signed,
Magic Johnson