NBA Lakers Rumors 2012: Dwight Howard & Current LA Roster Better than 2003 ... - Gather.com

by Matt Clark

Member since:
August 22, 2007

As the NBA Lakers rumors 2012 rumors keep on coming, the latest includes drawing a comparison between a previous super team assembled in Los Angeles. That team was back in 2003-04 and featured another "Superman" center in Shaquille O'Neal. Now fast forward to 2012-13 and the team has Dwight Howard at the position. So which team is better overall?

According to a Bleacher Report article, it's not so simple as choosing one or the other. For example, comparing Steve Nash to Gary Payton, Dwight Howard to Shaq, and Kobe Bryant to his previous self are tough because they are different components. All of them are Hall of Famers, a few of them are MVP's, and a few more are part of the all-time greats. It could be argued Nash is a better passer and shooter than Gary Payton, but Payton was also a better defender. Some might argue Kobe was better then versus now, but he's yet to play in the new season. Same goes for D-Howard who has yet to set foot on court. Is he a better overall player than Shaq? Not quite yet, but he could be.

The true measuring stick might come based on the team record, and then if they meet the lofty expectations placed on them this season. LA fans expect a title for this Lakers squad. That previous 2003-04 team didn't deliver, and it was certainly a letdown. If bringing in one of the all-time best point guards and top center in the league today don't provide a title in their first season, it's going to be a letdown as well.

However, the difference could be that an already well known, established team of stars such as Miami or Oklahoma City could be the team to knock them out, rather than a surprise underdog like the Detroit Pistons, who thwarted LA's title hopes back in the 2003-04 Finals. With that said, the Lakers should be able to see their opponents coming and at least be prepared ahead of time, unless there's another surprise team waiting to pounce this coming postseason.

Do you think this 2012-13 Lakers team is a better overall team than the 2003-04 one, or is it better to wait and see this new team play some games first?

(Image Source: Wikimedia)

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