Who do you NOT want?

Right now..if their's a trade deal that is not that good for the team (Lakers). I think its better not put the risk on it. Let them gel guys..i think right now, if Odom will be consistent as well as the other role players, we'll be okay. =)

Its kinda impossible to have KG, Jurmaine, K-Mart..so we just let it flow what we have right now. I rather like it...we're the underdogs guys. =) And we'll be in the playoffs and we will come from behind and they we'll be in SHOCK!!!

ITS SHOWTIME!

It goes almost without saying, and it would be very unlikely to happen, but one guy I would NEVER want in a Laker jerz is Marbury. No one has a better history of making teams better by LEAVING than Starburst. The guy is the poster boy for everything wrong with 21st century athletes.

Others: Wally World (Soft), Kenyon (Injuries), Vinsanity (No Heart), Baron Davis (No desire to improve).

Don't trade for Arvydas Macijauskas, because he's too good of a shooter and it makes too much sense, plus he'll be too cheap and easy to get.

Why would we want Boozer? He's undersized first of all. Duncan would kill him down low. Amare would kill him down low. He's been hurt for 2-3 years. If we give up our starting Center and best bench player for him I'm not going to be a happy Laker fan.

Among those I wouldn't want on the Lakers:

Jerome James: Bad contract
Latrell Sprewell: Bad attitude
Chucky Atkins: Bad defense
Mark Blount: Bad rebounder
Kenyon Martin: Bad knees & Bad contract
Grant Hill: Bad luck
Antonio Davis: Bad wife
Chris Kamem: Bad hair
Sam Cassell: Bad face
Damon Jones: Bad suit
Mark Madsen: Bad feet
Chris Anderson: Bad drugs
Allen Iverson: Bad practice
Eddy Curry: Bad heart
Boniface N'Dong: Bad name
Darko Milicic: Bad choice

Changed Mind

I have changed my mind as to looking and sometimes hoping for the Lakers to make a trade before the deadline. I honestly believe that they have quality players right now that may only need time and development to make it to the next level. Although, the possibilities of bringing in 1 or 2 new players who can greatly impact the team in a positive way is very intriguing, part of me, likes the thought of simply becoming better with what you already have. I relish the thought of exceeding expectations. The greatest challenges are also the most rewarding.

That being said, I hope the Lakers don’t make any changes at this point. They have grown as a team this season (not totally reflective by their record). They have no turmoil of any kind on the team. The potential for improvements to continue grows with each passing day. The thing about the Lakers is that everything involving them being a successful team is directly tied to both time and development. The Triangle Offense is a structured offense directly dependent on time and development. The more time a specific group spends together, the more fluent they are projected to become in the offense. That is why, the worse thing that can be done is making a lot of changes especially too soon. Kobe and Shaq won their first title because they played under control and had a singular focus. They won the second title because of their increased knowledge of both the system and each other. They won the third title simply because they knew they could and would. In time, I believe Kobe and Lamar will have a similar growth process. Imagine if they ever master the art of playing together, with both taking turns at being the focal point. They could become a very impressive and strong tandem. No one denies the fact that with both Kobe and Odom on the floor, the Lakers have a clear matchup problem for every other team. No team has a set of players who can structural matchup with them. The key, though, is how they manage to function together. It’s one thing to have an advantage, yet another to exploit it successfully. One area that is crucial involves Kobe’s ability to knock down the 3-pointer. I disagree with those saying that he needs to constantly attack. When he does that, it decreases the size of the court, limits the spacing for the team, and causes Lamar and Kobe to overlap each other. Instead, only one can be downlow at a time…..and Lamar is not nearly as efficient from the perimeter as Kobe. That is not to say that Kobe should shoot constant 3-pointers. I disagree with that thought as well. However, he needs to shoot enough to make the defense remain honest to him on the perimeter. If they attempt to double team him on the perimeter that will open up even more down low with the right passing.

In conclusion, I believe as I have stated several times recently, that the Lakers are one hot streak away from being a real threat in the playoffs. There is no team in the league that they can’t hang with on a give night. There are only a couple teams; I wouldn’t give them a reasonable shot against in a 7-game series. In a series, with matchups being crucial, they have the right pieces to cause many problems. As I have predicted before, I believe that the Laker will reach the 6th spot and find themselves in a first round matchup against the Nuggets.

A. Bogut.

He oozes with attitude, and he's really not all -that- great. Bynum's a little cocky, I suppose, but he's more bubbly than arrogant. I was rooting for M. Williams to be the #1 draft pick rather than A. Fatgut.

Bryant wouldn't be able to stand him. He'd probably jam the ball on his head =)

Eric Snow.

I can't stand him. First of all, he looks kind of like a lost dog, with a swollen nose. Then he makes it look worse by always trying to look mean and intense.

He kind of has that smush swagger, times 10. He thinks he's waaaaay better than he ever has been, or ever will be. And honestly, he gets streaky once in a while, but he's a sub par player.

I would have to cut myself a few times if the Lakers traded for him. Granted, not the least likeable person to be a laker, but the first one to pop to my mind.

Here's my "HECK NO" List for 2006:
1. Antwone Walker- Do I REALLY need to explain?? Aside from being over-rated, UGLY, and posibly the worst player in the league?!
2. Jalen Rose- Horrible attitude and just a bad teammate as far as chemisty, plus he fits so well with the knicks(rejects of the league!)
3. Mike Dunleavy- I hear he's on the trading block now, but he's just way too soft and inconsistant.
4. Jamal Crawful- Another self-explanatory one, erratic as they come, no D.

Players we really should look into and try to aquire:
1. Al Harrington
2. Ben Gordan
3. Carlos Boozer
4. Earl Watson
Honarable mention: T. Prince, Bobby Jackson, Juan Dixon,& Danny Granger (I like the pippen omparisons)

Oh and antoine walker.

Don't EVER trade for him. I'd have to say not to ever pick up Marbury like the guy above too, but at least he has star power. If we ever got antoine walker, I'd riot at Staples.

Don't know anything about Bogut.

Don't see why we'd trade our starting/developing center, for a guy who's been out for 1.5 years and may not end up being that good without Lebron. Didn't he cut out on the Cavs when they gave him an opportunity to re-up? What a loser. No boozer for me.

I definitively have to go with Antoine Walker And Jason Williams... these guys are bad, bad team players... Jason Williams can do spectacular things sometimes... but he is inconsistant.

I posted this before but it bears repeating. LeBron would need a 12 step program to kick the nail biting jones he's got goin' in every closeup. The Lakers can't have that on the Jumbotron or after a star watch pan of Staples. Basketball wise, he and Kobe could coexist but as far as "random" reasons to pass on a non "random" player, that would have to rank up there.

I want someone who has been an ACTUAL All-star in the past three years, not "All-Star quality" or "All-Star potential". Now, I know someone will come up with some example of a sucky All-Star in the three years, but my point is, I want someone who plays consistently at that All-Star level - there's a reason these people on the cusp (Odom, for example) have not made it to the All-Star game. And that is not good enough for the Laker's needs.

hey rdlee
Don't mock my boy Boniface, he is from my home country! bad name :)
The guy is good, he just needs a chance to "showcase his talent" (I hate this phrase, but that self proclaimed king bron has been over-using it so much recently!)
It was just to tell you not to make mr Boniface mad! He will play TeamUSA this summer with Senegal that will motivate him. That's gonna be the only game in which I will not root for Kobe's team :)

You have to go with C-Webb and his monster contract, right? That's like a black hole for the next few years.

I like to group the guys I wouldn't trade for into specific categories. My list is limited only to people we could trade for that would have a measureable impact. Bringin Mark Madson back might be a crowd pleaser but it isn't going to change anything for the team.

Category 1: Talented but Malignant Tumors - Players who have a lot of personal talent but destroy the chemistry any team that they land on and therefore are undesireable
1. Antoine Walker
2. Stephon Marbury
3. Steve Francis
4. Most anyone on the Portland Trailblazers
5. Latrelle Sprewell
6. Jamal Crawford
7. Eddy Curry
8. Jason Williams
9. Gary Payton

Category 2: "Ouchie! I broke a nail!" - Players that cannot, and will not, ever stay off the injury list for extended periods of time and are therefore undesireable
1. Grant Hill
2. Marcus Camby
3. Kenyon Martin
4. Carlos Boozer
5. Raef LaFrentz
6. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
7. T.J. Ford
8. Vince Carter
9. Troy Hudson

Category 3: "Players who would smoke a winning lottery ticket" - These players have substance abuse problems and should never, ever, be allowed to come to the Lakers.
1. Any Portland Trailblazer
2. Chris Anderson
3. Vin Baker
4. Shawn Kemp

Category 4: "I'm ready to play coach! Just let me get my walker out..." - Players who you're amazed haven't calcified yet and have no skills left. Bonus points if they were once marquee players who can't realize that they are done and still expect to play the role of, and be paid like, a superstar. (Call it the Hakeem rule.)
1. Gary Payton
2. Antonio Davis
3. Dikembe Mutumbo
4. P.J. Brown
5. Aaron Williams
6. Chris Webber

My other two categories include players who only play hard in a contract year and players who have bloated contracts.

Everyone else is on the table. They may have weaknesses in some areas (for example, poor defense or poor shooting or poor passing or whatever) but roleplayers are brought in to play a SPECIFIC role and therefore aren't necessarily required to be good at everything. What IS important is that the roles fit together.

The Knicks are a train wreck because Thomas seems utterly focused on stockpiling every single shoot-first guard he can find. All the roleplayers he has are ballhandler/scorers. If he had ONE shoot-first guard, one hard-nosed rebounder, one lock-down defender etc. the Knicks might just work. You get the idea.

I don't mind if the Lakers acquire a player with some achilles heal issues (provided they aren't in one of my six categories), but just make sure that they FIT TOGETHER.

Lets not make any trade. Its no use. I was saying since all star break that we got no chance at playoffs. Its not inpossible but its very difficult. But we still have chance. If we can beat Sac town Queens tonight then we are on the race with pace for 8th spot.

TONIGHT's GAME IS VERY BIG GAME FOR LAKERS. ITS THE LAST CHANCE FOR LAKERS. DO OR DIE.

i say the lakers should do everything in their power to make sure they have the personel or capspace to land kg in the offseason or when he decides to opt out of his last year. and he WILL opt out.

any trade that will better our position to get KG in the next year or 2 will be gravy.

you guys think vlade's in peja's ear right now trying to convince him to sign with the lakers for less than hes worth?

no jermaine oneal:soft
no kenyon martin:injury prone
no earl watson:just dont like the guy!
no carlos boozer:injury prone

i wouldnt mind jalen rose coming to LA for the vet minimum though.

I wouldnt want LeBron to be in the same team as Kobe.
LeBron's too image-conscious and wants to be the center of a team (Not that its bad). Also, he seems to be taking way more shots now (and hence scoring more points) and looks like he wants to win the scoring race and MVP. All this while he replied to a question on scoring 81 that he dint see himself that way and would do more than just score. Talk about a guy I used to like a lot becoming more and more dishonest in his talk!

And yeah, Bogut's got some attitude!

I like D.Wade though. D.Wade and Kobe would be crazy!

I think K-Mart is the most undesirable out of the guy's you named. He's an average power forward who always acts as if he is an all-star and too often has injury problems. Isn't it kind of ironic that his nickname is also the name of a place that sells cheaply made second tier items.

I'd actually like it if Boozer came, yes he's been injured recently but I think he can help the Lakers. He knows what his role is and has no problem fulfilling it. When he's healthy he can give you a quality 14 and 9, which the Lakers could definitely use.

One thing I just remembered is that Boozer was grossly overpaid by Utah, so that would make me a little hesitant about bringing him in. That wouldnt necesarily make me want to call the trade off because I think a team with Kobe Bryant, an aggressive Odom and Boozer can be a pretty dangerous team. But I would be a bit hesitant about Boozer because of the combination of his contract and injury problems.

NOT SHAQ, anything would be better than that. Unless we can get him straight up for Kwame. We could then get him one of those Jabba the Hutt hover things and sit him for every game. Oh wait, Kobe and him made up? Never mind.

rlee,
"Sam Cassell: Bad face" LOL.

WE WANT KG!!! KG...KG...KG!!!! Trade the whole freaking team except Kobe for KG. 2 vs the World!!

Ravi,

I doubt Kobe and QWade would work, he doesnt seem to like Kobe much now. Which sucks because when he was coming in I remember him saying Kobe was his favorite player when he came into the league in 2003. I guess hearing Shaq talk crap about Kobe for a year and a half can change a guy's mind.

hmm...let's see
I don't want anybody from the Miami team...they're all haters (yes including DWade...remember those comments about Kobe in the beginning of the season?)
I don't want Vince Carter cause he ain't a winner...or Marbury because he has no defense...
Actually now that I think about it...I wouldn't want the whole NY team either =)
Other than that can't think of any...come back later...i'll prob have more
And I know this isn't the topic...but who do I really want on the team aside from a pg....Tayshaun Prince...kid can play D...maybe he can be our Pippen (not that I'm for trading LO....LO rocks!)

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks. Reasons why I wouldn't want him. Obviously he has his priorities screwed up. He would rather be the best player on a team that won't see the playoffs anytime soon than be the 3rd or 4th best player on a team (Suns) that will make the playoffs and possibly more if Amare can stay healthy. I love KG but I would rather have a healthy Amare Stoudamire. Amare and Kobe would be sick, completely unstoppable.

Faith,

What comments did DWade make about Kobe in the beginning of the season I must have missed it. My reasons for thinking he doesnt like Kobe is his attitude towads Kobe whenever they play against each other. Like at the all-star game Kobe fouled him at one point and Kobe held on to him and joked around with him and Wade just looked stonefaced.

Xodus,
I thought so too at the beginning of the season that D.Wade dint really like Kobe. But I guess they are getting along now better than before. And more than anything, D.Wade seems like a nice guy.

Would be Heat build around Wade once Shaq's done? I feel Wade's a bit like Tony Parker, a solid player but needs another superstar with him. I guess we're seeing Shaq's last few seasons which is why Riley thought he would step in and better make it worth it!

And yeah, adding to the list of players I wouldnt want, tough as it sounds, Tim Duncan. I would be bored to death!

And yeah, add Vince Carter to the list. I have a sick feeling about the LAL-NJN game. Kobe would want to shut Vince up and make sure he doesnt talk too much the next time he scores 81 !

Ravi,

I definitely think the Heat can and will build around DWade after Shaq is done, he's a great player with or without Shaq.I'd take DWade over Parker anyday. He's proven how great he was when he led the Heat's charge into the playoffs 2 years ago. And carried the Heat in the playoffs last year when Shaq missed virtually every game in the first 2 rounds. Wade single-handedly slaughtered the Nets and Wizards last year. Neither of those teams are great but Wade was the reason they were able to sweep them.

Also lets not forget his big games against the Pistons in the playoffs. He carried them in that series as well. Even dropped 40 on the mighty Pistons D in game 2 to tie the series up.

Xodus,
I just feel that this season, his jump-shots arent as consistent/falling well as his last season. He seems to be driving to the hoop more, which is why I compared him to Tony. But yeah, I too think he's more explosive than Tony.

I doubt the Heat, in a playoff game, can beat the Pacers/Nets, leave alone the Pistons.

Coming to the Lakers, big game. Watch out for this Martin kid. Looks like Peja Version II.

PUKIN CHIT! Just get Danny Granger to assist numero otso! Get my drip....

No Shaq!

The circus he brings is so team disruptive. Without Kobe he'll never win another ring. Wade's great but it took a whole team of clutch players to carry Shaq (and his incredible foulshooting) in tight ballgames (Kobe, Horry, DFish and Fox). Stick him with losers (Malone, Payton, Walker) and see the results.

I would not want to trade for Brian Grant. If you are paying his contract, why actually have him on your team? That would make too much sense...

I STILL THINK THE LAKERS SHOULD MAKE A RUN AT BONZIE WELLS. HE'D FIT PERFECTLY INTO DEVEAN GEORGE'S ROSTER AND SALARY SLOT. THE GUY PLAYS OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY WITH HEART AND ATTITUDE. THE LAKERS NEED THAT.

Need info:????

I heard Shaq said some smaclk about Kobe again. Does anybody have an article on that?

I hate the Maverix, why am I pulling for them to win the Championship?

I FOR ONE LIKE LAKERS THE PLAYERS THAT AER ON THE TEAM KNOW HOW EVER I DO SEE THAT THE LAKERS NEED A #1 GUY AND I THINK MIKE JAME WOOLD BE A NICE ADDITON THIS WOULD GIVE THE LAKESHOW A PLAYER WHO IS NOT SHY OF TAKE SHOT.

I think the Lakers are close to advancing out of the first round after the diaster they went through this year. I think Sasha should be the starting point gaurd. He plays hard, give good effort on defense and if his shooting becomes more consistent he will be a dangerous 3rd or 4th option. I also believe Kobe should call his teammates to play 5 on 5 for the summer so went they start this season they would had gelled together. We still in need of a true defensive point guard and we need to see some more of Andrew Bynum since we drafted him really earlier in the first round. It would had been good to see him in the Phoenix game so he can get the feel of a playoff game (some experience). We are close. Watch out for the Laker nation next we will be hungry.

My wishes for the Lakers - #1. KG, #2. Big Ben Wallace ... or simply leave them alone. They showed that they can play together. Lamar is a big key, and since he showed that he has learned the offense, he will and can be a dominate player in that offense at that position. He can dribble, shoot fairly well (3-point) included - I personally think he will give teams a lot of match-up problems in the future. All they need is one (or 2) more players - ones that are defensive minded (Ben Wallace) to better the team. Offensively, they are fairly solid. They just need a little more help (another offensive threat - KG) - better defensive performance or give them time to develop what they have.