Lakers - The Greatest NBA Franchise!

It happens anywhere NBA fans congregate.  My team is better than your team.  Eventually, the discourse evolves into the past successes of the teams involved.  However, when the discussion involves to the greatest franchise the NBA has seen, there are only two teams that can be considered:  The Los Angeles Lakers and The Boston Celtics.

So how do we define the greatest franchise in NBA history?  Titles?  Playoff appearances?  Rivalries?  Overall win/loss records?  There are no standards for this sort of thing.  No guidelines that indicate what should and should not be considered in the discussion of the greatest of all time.  I think it would be best if all were considered.  Disclaimer:  I am an avid Lakers fan.

Most NBA fans are aware that the Celtics hold 17 NBA titles while the Lakers organization sits at 14 titles.  At first glance, the edge here would go to the Celtics with three more championship rings.  However, if you take a closer look, the bulk of their championships came in one fantastic time period with 8 in row in the sixties.  There is one crucial point that is often overlooked.  Winning the initial NBA Finals championship -- which was also their third straight title counting the two previous years in the NBL and BAA -- began a run in which the Lakers would win five of the first six NBA championships.  The Lakers franchise dynasty actually began before the Celtics dynasty emerged, contrary to popular (and reported) belief.

Including this season, the Lakers and Celtics have been staples in the postseason. The Celtics have made the playoffs 46 times in 63 seasons, an amazing 73% postseason appearance rate. They have been division champions 26 times, won 20 of the 31 Conference Finals they’ve appeared in, and currently rock a 17 – 3 finals record.

In comparison, the Lakers have made the playoffs in 56 of their 60 seasons, a 93% clip! The Lakers history (including the Minneapolis years) includes 28 division championships, 29 of 37 Conference Finals won, and a underwhelming 14-15 Finals record.

So with all these numbers crunched, it looks like we may still be knee deep in indecision. I think the final leverage comes in the definition of the word dynasty. As defined by dictionary.com: dynasty – a family or group that maintains power for several generations. The Celts have maintained power at several different stages in their NBA history. The Lakers have maintained power at all stages in their NBA history. Every twenty years or so, the Celtics seem to have a re-emergence – the 60’s, 80’s, and possibly the 2000’s. However, the Los Angeles Lakers were winning titles in the 40’s, 50’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 2000’s. Granted the Celts did win titles in ’74 and ’76 but they were hardly considered the dominant team of the decade. In fact, the only decade for which they can claim dominance is the 60’s. On the other hand, the Lakers can claim the 50’s, 80’s, and arguably the 2000’s as ‘their decade’.

With two teams so close in every way, it is definitely an argument that can go either way. In this author’s eyes, the Lakers are the greatest franchise in NBA history.

Xpinionated Sports Recap

As some of you may have noticed if you've looked at the tags, my Redskins, Hokies, and Lakers blogs are now residing here.  My time and effort to those blogs had become minimal, not to say I've been a workhorse on this blog either but whatever.

Up first, we'll go with the Lakers.  The Lakers had three games this weekend with double digit wins over Phoenix (thurs), Denver..again (fri), and Sacramento (Sun).  At 11 - 1, there's a feeling that something special is a-brewin'.   Everyone knows their role, and does it well.  A coming out party for Trevor Ariza this season has been an unexpected surprise.  I am still looking for a bit more from Sasha Vujachic but Farmar is showing signs as being the successor to Derek Fisher.  Luke Walton has spiralled to a position on the end of the bench.  I'm not even sure he has trade value at this point.

The Hokies squeaked by the Blue Devils of formidable Duke.  As this game wasn't televised, there's not a whole lot I can say about the actual game.  Turnovers seemed to be what made it a tighter affair than what was expected with four turnovers from T-squared in the first half.  That still doesn't explain the inability to score against Duke in the second half save for a pick six.  A win next week and the Hokies have managed to limp into the ACC game.  Still not so sure that's a good thing.  I never want to wish bad luck on the Hokies, but part of me needs Bryan Stinespring fired.  And success does not act as a catalyst for severance.

The Redskins finally won a game in Seattle.  I believe Seattle has put the 'Skins out of the playoffs in 2 of their last 3 meetings and beat them in a regular season matchup as well.  The 'Skins were able to move the ball well 30 - 30 but had trouble translating that success into touchdowns.

Round 1 of the LPG Tournament - Complete

After a long layoff, I have returned to complete this here tournament. However, I will not be tracking stats and such as that is what killed my momentum over the summer. So check it out, the first round results are complete.

LPG First Round Results

Deja Vu

Can it possibly happen two years in a row?  At around this time last year, the Lakers were rolling along nicely.  Surprising the NBA by getting off to a pretty quick start.  And then the injury bug.  Fast forward to 2008, Lakers are in everyone's top 5 power rankings.  Things are looking on the up and up.  And then last night, the magnificent season for Andrew Bynum comes to a halt....at least for eight weeks.....as he suffers a knee injury landing on Lamar Odom's foot.

 

Andrew Bynum's impact on this Lakers team has been huge.  He transformed seemingly over the summer into a bonafide threat -- defensively and offensively.  When the season began, many thought it was just a matter of time before Chris Mihm or Kwame Brown reassumed their role as the starting center.  NOT SO Fast said the young Mr. Bynum.  And now this??