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Since you didn't give their exact quotes, I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing Mitch was simply saying the team has all the pieces necessary to get to the finals for the next few years, which is an accurate statement. Assuming the can keep one of Odom and Ariza, this team will basically be the same team that made it to the finals the last 2 years. Simple logic should tell you that if they made it the last two years, and their roster doesn't face any drastic changes, they should be serious contenders for at least a couple of more years. I really doubt he was making any Pat Riley type guarantees, rather he was simply saying they should be a serious contender for the foreseeable future with a nucleus of Kobe, Pau, Bynum and Ariza/Odom.

As for the getting lucky and "what ifs", you can point to almost any champion and say the same. For example, what if LA went into the finals last year with a healthy Bynum and Ariza? It's easy to look at the Bynum that showed up in the players this year and write off that theory, but don't forget, prior to both knee injuries, Bynum was playing very well. And we saw what a healthy Ariza can do in this year's playoff run.

Hell, look at Jordan's first championship, if Magic doesn't pull a hamstring after Game 1 (which the Lakers won), then maybe MJ has 5 rings right now instead of 6. Or if Magic and Byron Scott aren't injured in 88, maybe the Lakers win that Championship instead of the Pistons.

You can't deal with maybe's and what if's. Like perfect said you could say what if about damn near any championship team in any sport in any year. What if Lebron had more help in Cleveland? Then it wouldn't have been Orlando in the finals. It to easy to diminish what these Laker's did playing the what if game. This team is young enough and talented enough to be around the finals and championship contenders for a couple of years. Hell Detroit just showed it can be done with very little turnover from their teams, up untill this year, for what 6 or 7 years in a row?

And, as for LA having a tough time with Houston and Denver, I seem to recall Boston being pushed to Game 7 in the first two rounds by Atlanta and Cleveland during their championship run, however everyone still thinks they're a serious contender. And let's not forget, that was before Lebron had any help.

I understand what both of you guys are saying . The what if's card can be used everywhere.
But I just feel that the Lakers really lucked out this post-season.
I think last season we knew that best team Won...
But this past season , I dont feel the best team won the championship. I think the healthiest team won the championship.

And also on the Bynum referance, Andrew and Paul Gasoft are no match for Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins

Point is LAKERS WON!!! Every champion gets some lucky breaks, now LA has the confidence and know how to go on another run! GO LAKERS!!!

Yes the Lakers did win.. And I'm not trying to rain on there parade but to say they are the best team when everybody is healthy is not accurate. They did not play a team that was ready for the finals

I'm curious what exactly it is you would have Kupchak say? "Our young team just won a championship, but there is no way in he** we can think about competing for a Championship next year?" Nonsense. The Lakers beat the teams that were placed in front of them. Leave out the tired "lucky" argument and say what you really mean - "I hate the Lakers and can't stand that they have won 4 Championships in the last 10 seasons, 9 within the last 30." The Lakers were simply the best team in the NBA this year. Get over it.

And trust me, Boston should send thank you notes to the each and every person in the Magic organization. The Celtics would have fared no better than the Magic against these Lakers.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:13 PM ET  06.17 by back*slide2

I'm curious what exactly it is you would have Kupchak say? "Our young team just won a championship, but there is no way in he** we can think about competing for a Championship next year?" Nonsense. The Lakers beat the teams that were placed in front of them. Leave out the tired "lucky" argument and say what you really mean - "I hate the Lakers and can't stand that they have won 4 Championships in the last 10 seasons, 9 within the last 30." The Lakers were simply the best team in the NBA this year. Get over it. And trust me, Boston should send thank you notes to the each and every person in the Magic organization. The Celtics would have fared no better than the Magic against these Lakers.

Really??? The Celtics would have faired no different than the Magic??? WOW!!!! This is the same Lakers that have Paul Gasol and Derek Fisher??? The same Lakers that the Celtics Defense owned right??? Im saying if KG didnt not get hurt the Lakers would have not won a championship

Now with that said, I do not hate the Lakers. Im actually a Kobe Bryant fan and I have his jersey. I rooted for them when I was young during there dynasty, when they had Shaq.. Rick Fox.. Rice..Horry.. George..Lue..Grant.... And when they had classic series agaisnt Sacramento.. Webber.. Bibby.. Divac..Cristie.. Peja.. Turkalou.. and The Spurs

And I will stand by my arguement that the Lakers were not the best team they were the "Healthiest Team in the NBA" and that they are not a dynasty waiting to happen

There key opponets All had injuries except Magic and Jazz..

I understand what you're saying. You need to understand that I'm saying you're wrong. Those same Lakers you deride beat the Celtics in both regular season match ups this season and would have had home court in the Finals this time around . And if "What Ifs" played a part in deciding Championships, the Lakers would have beat the Pistons in '04 with a healthy Malone and would have fared much better last year if Bynum and Ariza were not injured.

Whether you like it or not, the Lakers have a strong young team and will certainly challenge for the title again next year.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 07:25 PM ET  06.18 by back*slide2

I understand what you're saying. You need to understand that I'm saying you're wrong. Those same Lakers you deride beat the Celtics in both regular season match ups this season and would have had home court in the Finals this time around . And if "What Ifs" played a part in deciding Championships, the Lakers would have beat the Pistons in '04 with a healthy Malone and would have fared much better last year if Bynum and Ariza were not injured. Whether you like it or not, the Lakers have a strong young team and will certainly challenge for the title again next year.

And the we all know they will challenge for a championship next season because one guy.... KOBE BRYANT. But to lable them a future dynasty is idiotic

You cant compare the 04 championship because on paper the Lakers had far more talent . But the Pistons (even though I hate them) were a better team on the court. They were a team with great chemistry and had a better coach in Larry Brown. Phil Jackson may have rings but Brown is a better teacher of the game when given time.

And if you want to throw that card of The Lakers beat the Celts in the seaon series... So did the Magic.
They beat the Magic in L.A and in Orlando.. So Season series really doesn't matter.. Its about who wants it more in the playoffs.

Your telling me that a healthy Bynum,Gasoft, Odom and Ariza are going to shut down Garnett/Perkins and Allen/Pierce??

The only reason I may agree that the Lakers will go Seven with the Celts in a finals is because James Posey is no longer on the Celtics.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 05:47 PM ET  06.17 by MIAfan23

I understand what both of you guys are saying . The what if's card can be used everywhere. But I just feel that the Lakers really lucked out this post-season. I think last season we knew that best team Won...But this past season , I dont feel the best team won the championship. I think the healthiest team won the championship.And also on the Bynum referance, Andrew and Paul Gasoft are no match for Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins

While the injuries to Bynum and Ariza last year may not equal the star factor of the injury to KG this year, this year's finals showed that LA is a different team than the team that lost to Boston last year. Ariza gives LA the perimeter defender that was sorely missed and needed against Pierce and Allen, giving Kobe a break on defensive assignments, and Bynum gives LA another big body and last line of defense that would have been very helpful against Rondo's penetration. And, Ariza also gave LA a serious threat from beyond the 3, hitting close to 50% of his 3s in the playoffs this year. They didn't have that last year either, as Sasha for the most part disappeared in the finals. As for Gasol and KG not matching up with KG and Perkins, look at their success against Howard this year. And that's with a still recovering Bynum. You give LA a completely healthy Bynum, and I'll be more than happy to take LAs bigs against KG and Perkins.

And oh yeah, these two being healthy also makes LA's second unit much stronger, as Odom is coming off the bench rather than starting.

The bottom line is, it's naive to say LA was lucky by having health this year and then to say Boston WAS the better team when they had the same advantage of being healthy when LA was not in Boston's title run.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 06:59 AM ET  06.19 by perfect360

While the injuries to Bynum and Ariza last year may not equal the star factor of the injury to KG this year, this year's finals showed that LA is a different team than the team that lost to Boston last year. Ariza gives LA the perimeter defender that was sorely missed and needed against Pierce and Allen, giving Kobe a break on defensive assignments, and Bynum gives LA another big body and last line of defense that would have been very helpful against Rondo's penetration. And, Ariza also gave LA a serious threat from beyond the 3, hitting close to 50% of his 3s in the playoffs this year. They didn't have that last year either, as Sasha for the most part disappeared in the finals. As for Gasol and KG not matching up with KG and Perkins, look at their success against Howard this year. And that's with a still recovering Bynum. You give LA a completely healthy Bynum, and I'll be more than happy to take LAs bigs against KG and Perkins. And oh yeah, these two being healthy also makes LA's second unit much stronger, as Odom is coming off the bench rather than starting. The bottom line is, it's naive to say LA was lucky by having health this year and then to say Boston WAS the better team when they had the same advantage of being healthy when LA was not in Boston's title run.

Maybe I am naive and by looks of it I'm by myself in this opinion

But the celtics went against one team that had injuered players. And who are we to say that Ariza would of had the impact last season. When I first heard of him , I thought we just a scrub going from the Magic to the Lakers. No one could tell that this kid was going to blossom the way he did.. Don't for get that he was a 2nd round pick. So not much was expected

And did you for get that Gasoft and Odom looked horrible last season. A healthy Bynum doesn't make those guys elevate his play. Those three men only had to handle two legit bigmen in the finals in Lewis and Howard. The Celtics when healthy.. Have KG, Perkins, Davis, Moore. I would take those four men over the Lakers .

MIAfan23, I'll agree that there were a number of key injuries and bad coaching decisions during the playoffs. But to say that the Lakers won this championship on a fluke is REALLY off the wall to me. REALLY.

You argue that the Lakers shouldn't have struggled with the Rockets or the Nuggets. That same argument could be made for the Celtics last year when bottom-runged Atlanta and the Cavs each took them 7 games. I don't like that LA struggled as much as they did either, but you can't write any team off.

ANY TEAM can beat ANY TEAM on ANY GIVEN NIGHT. I mean, the Bobcats beat LA both times when they met during the regular season, and they weren't even close to making the playoffs. As far as the Rockets were concerned, when you back a cat into a corner, you can't do anything but expect it to come out clawin' and scratchin'. It's not that unusual for a team to put up a good fight even after 1 or 2 of there star players goes down. Remember Magic Johnson's rookie year when Kareem went down with injury, but the Lakers still managed to beat Dr. J and the Sixers? Case and point. As for the Nuggets, it's never easy to beat a team as young and talented as they are. They created matchup problems for LA, plain and simple, just like Atlanta did for Boston last year.

Bad coaching played a factor also in the Lakers' victory. Can't argue with that. But bad coaching for opposing teams doesn't equal good luck for the Lakers; bad coaching = bad coaching. Phil Jackson didn't exactly coach a perfect championship run - he just coached smarter than a lot of the other coaches. And the team simply took advantage of other teams' bad judgement calls. That's what basketball is all about - strategy, and outmanuvering your opponent.

And I have to say, I really agree with back*slide2 - even if KG were present, I still don't think Boston would have been able to beat LA. You're basing your case for Boston on the Lakers team you saw last year. That was NOT the same Lakers team that went into the playoffs this year. Last year's team got pushed around physically by Boston. This year's team pushed back - or did you miss their second meeting during the regular season when LA went into Boston and fought it out with them through overtime. And that was WITHOUT Bynum.

You said it yourself, "The only thing the Lakers had better than thier opponets in the playoffs, were that they were Stronger Mentaly. They wanted it more than the other teams."

Isn't that the mark of every championship team?

Bottom line, Kupchak wasn't all that far-fetched in saying that LA is a dynasty waiting to happen. Not saying that it's guaranteed to happen, but with the team they have now, it's certainly not IDIOTIC to think so.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 03:50 PM ET  06.19 by pennwjr

MIAfan23, I'll agree that there were a number of key injuries and bad coaching decisions during the playoffs. But to say that the Lakers won this championship on a fluke is REALLY off the wall to me. REALLY. You argue that the Lakers shouldn't have struggled with the Rockets or the Nuggets. That same argument could be made for the Celtics last year when bottom-runged Atlanta and the Cavs each took them 7 games. I don't like that LA struggled as much as they did either, but you can't write any team off. ANY TEAM can beat ANY TEAM on ANY GIVEN NIGHT. I mean, the Bobcats beat LA both times when they met during the regular season, and they weren't even close to making the playoffs. As far as the Rockets were concerned, when you back a cat into a corner, you can't do anything but expect it to come out clawin' and scratchin'. It's not that unusual for a team to put up a good fight even after 1 or 2 of there star players goes down. Remember Magic Johnson's rookie year when Kareem went down with injury, but the Lakers still managed to beat Dr. J and the Sixers? Case and point. As for the Nuggets, it's never easy to beat a team as young and talented as they are. They created matchup problems for LA, plain and simple, just like Atlanta did for Boston last year.Bad coaching played a factor also in the Lakers' victory. Can't argue with that. But bad coaching for opposing teams doesn't equal good luck for the Lakers; bad coaching = bad coaching. Phil Jackson didn't exactly coach a perfect championship run - he just coached smarter than a lot of the other coaches. And the team simply took advantage of other teams' bad judgement calls. That's what basketball is all about - strategy, and outmanuvering your opponent.And I have to say, I really agree with back*slide2 - even if KG were present, I still don't think Boston would have been able to beat LA. You're basing your case for Boston on the Lakers team you saw last year. That was NOT the same Lakers team that went into the playoffs this year. Last year's team got pushed around physically by Boston. This year's team pushed back - or did you miss their second meeting during the regular season when LA went into Boston and fought it out with them through overtime. And that was WITHOUT Bynum. You said it yourself, "The only thing the Lakers had better than thier opponets in the playoffs, were that they were Stronger Mentaly. They wanted it more than the other teams." Isn't that the mark of every championship team?Bottom line, Kupchak wasn't all that far-fetched in saying that LA is a dynasty waiting to happen. Not saying that it's guaranteed to happen, but with the team they have now, it's certainly not IDIOTIC to think so.

I dont think its fluke ....they are a championship caliber team with out no doubt.. A fluke would have been the Bulls, Hawks, Pistons ...kind of team

With that said.. my arguement is ...are they a dynasty team.. And they are not.. Everybody who have opposed me on this blog bring great arguements. But I want everybody to know I dont think that they can repeat because they lucked out on thier opponets' health and bad coaching decisions.

As far as the Magic Johnson referance.. Im not old enough to know what happened( im only 16 lol) So i cant counter on that arguement.

But with the OT game that you brought up.. About they beat the Celtics twice, The Magic beat the Lakers twice and we saw how that faired out. Regualr season has no impact on the Post-season.
I completely agree with you about a team can win on any given day.. Thats proven
But the Lakers lost games... its just the other teams shot themselves in the foot.
They have about three to four games where they should of lost. My theory is that the oppsing team just havent had that same expirence.
I think if they played a team with expirence in those situations.. They would of lost those games instead of finding a way to win

Okay, okay. You cleared up a few things for me. Mainly the "fluke" thing. Still don't agree with everything, but we can agree to disagree.

By the way, I'm not THAT much older than you are (only 23, lol). I didn't watch the original Magic - Dr. J series, just happened to catch it on ESPN classic.

I will say this though - when LA beat Boston like they did in that regular season overtime "brawl", it shook up their confidence for a while. Boston dropped their next two or three games after that. I watched the press conferences too. They tried to play it off, but you could tell they were kinda shaken.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 02:07 PM ET  06.20 by pennwjr

Okay, okay. You cleared up a few things for me. Mainly the "fluke" thing. Still don't agree with everything, but we can agree to disagree. By the way, I'm not THAT much older than you are (only 23, lol). I didn't watch the original Magic - Dr. J series, just happened to catch it on ESPN classic. I will say this though - when LA beat Boston like they did in that regular season overtime "brawl", it shook up their confidence for a while. Boston dropped their next two or three games after that. I watched the press conferences too. They tried to play it off, but you could tell they were kinda shaken.

So I emailed Stephen A . Smith and he clarified my thinking process. He told me that because they were the Healthiest and stronger team , that made them the best. I think now that I process it out .. James Posey was there MVP???????

Every team will go into next season targeting the Lakers because they are the champs. Hopefully the Heat are healthier down the strecth so we can make a run instead of losing your 2 best defesive players in the playoffs!!!!!! xD
(Jamario Moon and J.O)

I'm playing "What if the Lakers" win oh say two more championships with the core of the same line up they won with this year? Or how about they beat Boston in the finals next year? We can all remember this conversation and say MIAfan23 now what do you think? Fact is only time will tell if they can be compared to a Dynasty. It will take a little luck and no major injuries but then again what champion in the past hasn't had either of those?

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 01:42 PM ET  06.22 by Gman27

I'm playing "What if the Lakers" win oh say two more championships with the core of the same line up they won with this year? Or how about they beat Boston in the finals next year? We can all remember this conversation and say MIAfan23 now what do you think? Fact is only time will tell if they can be compared to a Dynasty. It will take a little luck and no major injuries but then again what champion in the past hasn't had either of those?

OK, we will do that... But to me its hard to look at this team and say they have the pieces of a dynasty...Every team is building up to beat them

These "IF" comments are ludicrous! IF Bynum and Ariza had played last year ... enough said. The Lakers are the best team in the NBA period. They proved it all year in all venues.

All this Boston talk is a joke. They won't be anywhere near the finals next year or any time soon.