He's Mitchtastic! Part I

Is it just me or does anyone else just get sick of the vanilla answers Mitch gives? I know he has to, but damn, it would be great to get a few drinks in that guy and let him really speak his mind. I think Mitch Kupchak is a very good GM who seems to be great at the business side of things, but I would love to have someone with fire in that office.

As for his comments on Kwame, I know I feel a whole lot better knowing that he's worried about the work ethic of one of our "core" guys. I'm glad we traded for a guy who has a reputation of not working hard at all. And what makes me feel even better is that we gave him a nice, bug guaranteed contract so he doesn't have to work and that everyone seems to be publicly ripping the guy so his trade value goes in the crapper.

If you hire Bryan Scott, he will take Lakers to the playoff, but we have 10 mil coach, so make to the playoff is not our goal, our goal is winning many games as we can. Phil takes it easy in the first few months, it costs Lakers some games. Next season, teams will get stronger, so i don't see how Lakers can get to secound round with laid-back attitude coach. Lakers have young players, but if a coach don't want or don't know to develope them, i don't see how Lakers get much better, with salary cap problem. Bynum has to play more, if he can't, that's the coach's fault. Next season, if Lakers draft any players, i hope Lakers sign players who quick, can shoot the ball.

Bluesky sorry to be the one to tell you but Phil has been known for not playing rookies. This being said everyone expected for all his rookies and young players to get very very limited playing time. The only times he lets them play is when there is foul trouble in the posisitons or just when we are ahead by a large margin and game is almost over. If we keep the same roster we will get to see more of players like Bynum and Turiaf.
Still that being said Mitch needs to step up and say that he wasnt satisfied with this season. The lakers need better players. He knows that and we know that. You cant expect the lakers to win more games then this season if he's not gonnna go out there and get a better pg and center. Go get a Jason Terry. We can do better but not if they stay satisified with a season where we barely got into the playoffs in the last 4 games of the season.

We traded for a guy who is 6'11". Big guys always come at a premium in this league. The contract is to give him confidence. Gamble? yeah. big upside if it works though.

I think Mitch is the ultimate poker face GM! I'm big on subtext & I think that with LO's statements about wanting to stay, Mitch acknowledging the trade rumors of LO before the All Star break, & the talk about KG being traded for LO on Collin Cowherd this morning, something is up!!!

Mitch has taken a lot of heat these past few years & while I'm not ready to nominate him for GM of the year, he did a credible job. I hope he can do his best Jerry West impression & pull off a mega deal nobody saw coming!

Chris,

That's an expensive confidence booster. Someone probably could have just told him they liked his hair or that Kwame is a really cool name. That probably would have helped his confidence.

Kwame Brown's agent should take his rightful place in the Pantheon of Sports Agents.

@Andrew Z

Kwame only has 2 years left on his contract right now. He doesn't have a "fat" extension. The Lakers brought him in as an experiment until Bynum is ready to play. If Kwame isn't ready to contribute 15pts-10rbs like what Mitch and Phil expect, than we'll probably see him go and Drew take over.

Great read as usual, thanks.
I hope Mitch really spends judicious. Not like in past years...

I think that the Lakers will be very good next year we should win as many games as phoenix did this year going on the fact that we have the same group of players and our chemistry will be better. And about the Charles Barkley things IF I WAS KOBE I WOULD JUST INGNORE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE LAKERS DO SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING BAD ABOUT ONE OF OUR PLAYERS KOBE HAS THREE RINGS ALREADY AND HAS 6 YEARS LEFT ON CONTRACT HOW MANY DOES BARKLEY HAVE? EXACTLY

Cupcakes anyone? That's what Mitch's responses were, a bunch of sweet BS. Seems like good old Mitch is going to be content sitting pat. Finley, Tim Thomas, their new teams got them Cheap, why weren't the lakers in the running?

Also how come Mitch has to read the newspaper to find out what's going on with his star player and coach? Shouldn't he know firsthand, or is cupcake really that clueless?

"I've read a couple articles in the last couple of days and it seems like there's even a better relationship there than there ever was"

RAJA BELL IS A GOOD PLAYER HE HAS DEFENSE BUT HE CANNNOT I REPEAT HE CANNNOT HOLD KOBE HE CAN BUMP HIM AROUND AND MAKE HIM OFF BALANCE WHILE SHOOTING AND HOW CAN U COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMEBODY BUMPING U AND U PLAY THE SAME WAY EVERYNIGHT AND IF KOBE DOES THROW AN ELBOW SO HARD I UNDERSTAND WHY U MAY NOT LIKE THAT BUT FACE IT BELL ITS BASKETBALL AND ALSO IN THE NBA YOU ARE SUPPPOSE TO BE AN EXAMPLE WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE U CLOTHESLINING A PLAYER BECAUSE HE BUMPS U THE WRONG WAY GROW UP

I would not put any credence on what Mitch Kupchak has said, actually he didn't say anything except that he's happy with the achievement made by the young Lakers. He made a big deal about his trades in the past and our 1st round in the playoffs was his shinning achievement this year. Then, he conditions everyone that nothing can be done this year because of salary cap. "Well for God's sake, that's what happens when you trade Big Diesel for nothing." Forgive me if I'm bias on this topic, this guy should be our ambassador in Iran rather than be a GM of the Lakers!

i dont want kg on this laker team for kobe's sake..

it will just add to the "but kobe had KG with him" arguments

1) "Mitchtastic". Awesome.

2) AK/BK, whoever wrote this into. Also awesome.

3) I'm starting to consider the benefits of Phil Jackson nurturing a group of rookies into his personal Triangle Machine over three to four years. It could produce something spectacular.

4) I trust Kobe's evaluation more than certain unnamed blog members regarding Phil's quality as a coach. Phil is the man!

dxter,
I hope your joking! To tell you the truth no matter who the Lakers have the media will always say "but Kobe had ... with him.". Obviously you have to have great talent with Kobe in order to win it all because one guy can't do it. Another proven all-star is required and therefore those statements about Kobe will probably always come up.

dxter,

I rather be at the parade watching Kobe and KG passing the trophy back and forth "kiss, kiss, give...you're effing up the rotation!" and have to read twenty-two TJ Simers articles saying Kobe needed KG to win than to be sitting through another first round exit in the playoffs.

Taliq,

Players like Tim Thomas and Michael Finley were still getting paid about $14 million this year from their old teams so they each picked a team they thought could win and signed for peanutes. The reason other players like that don't come to the Lakers is because we are rebuilding and have no chance of winning a title.

The success of LeBron in the playoffs because Cleveland have quality veteran players around him, i like their attitude "win-now", not making noise in the playoff. Lakers have "potential" good young players around Kobe. In the West, Lakers only can beat Denver. I hope Lakers can draft player who is quick around the basket, has mid range game, don't draft any European player who is 18,19 year old and slow. With salary cap problem, Lakers only hope Profit, and Von Wafer, Bynum playing better.

The Lakers organization keeps harping about the salary cap, but in reality I thought you just got penalized for being over the cap by paying a luxury tax. Therefore, I do not understand why they can not just get a good PG even if they are going to be over by a few million. The Lakers pull in so much revenue and the Buss family really does not need the money the Lakers generate anyway. I am not suggesting doing something stupid like the Knicks, but the Lakers could go over by a little in order to pick up a quality player. This would greatly benefit the current team.

Has anyone heard why the Lakers organization has not done this?

-phantom

Looking at serviceable big men around the league, Kwame's contract isn't huge. This team wouldn't have been any better (and probably would lose to the suns in five, assuming we made the playoffs)with one more swingman, (albeit a good one in butler) and lil' chucky at point. It is a gamble the lakers had to take... and at this point... its still up in the air. If he picks up his game, he could end being a bargain, or a nice bargaining chip. I, for one, expect a solid year out of Kwame next year. He'll still bobble passes and make questionable decisions, but I think he'll improve his overall game as well. The thing is: he's younger than his years. The Lakers knew that going in and seem to be prepared to put the time and effort in. There really doesn't seem to be any other option.

In the 1993-94 season, the Jordan-less Bulls notched a surprising 55-27 record (only two fewer wins than the prior championship season, and the 3rd-best in the Eastern Conference). However, the team would ultimately lose to the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. This was Scottie Pippen's team. The second best player on the Bulls three peat teams.

And the lakers after losing their most dominant force. Two time NBA MVP. three time finals MVP, Shaquille O'Neal?

2004-2005 Los Angeles Lakers 34 wins 48 losses. No playoffs.

That was Kobe's team the second best player on the Lakers three peat dynasty. So please do Kobe a favor and never, ever, ever compare him to MJ.

He may one day be the next Scottie Pippen. He's just gonna need to win a few more rings first.

wanna see scottie's supporting cast.

steve kerr, b.j. armstrong, horace grant, toni kukoc, bill wennington, luc longley, pete myers, will purdue, john paxson.

any of those future hall of famers have you shakin in your boots?

who coached that team? oh yeah triangle offense, phil jackson.

so who took the lakers to the playoffs this year? kobe or phil?

This Kobe Hatin' just keeps getting easier and easier.

i was shocked when barkley appologised, contrary to what AK felt. AK felt barkley wasn't remorse b'cos, he said he shouldn't have made it public, duh! that is what he is paid for, to analyse. when he was dissing the mavericks and allthe others, he shouldn't have made it public, ehn? you forget that he was hired for his harsh remarks, he says what we think, never scared, that's why all the awards for the show.

i feel the lakers just need a defensive guard/shooter, and a slasher, and they would be fine. and those of you comparing kwame to mihm should just stop it. kwame is not as good as mihm, on offense or defense(he is just a better 1 on 1 defender). but they believe kwame has a better upside. frankly they should keep everybody, except the free agents and the none-core players, the only way they can trade mihm, which i wouldn't like, is to bring in a major point guard. lakers would definitely win 50+ next season with or without a trade. but what i really want is a championship. if the lakers have three guys who can give 20 any night, they would be fine.

Emman,

Just to clarify something (because you brought me up), I wasn't saying I personally think Barkley should have kept his thoughts to himself. I was repeating what Barkley himself said. I just wanna make sure the distinction is there.

AK

kwame is trying too hard to impress on offense, that's why all the bobbling. when he gets much more comfortable, knowing he is still going to get his, regardless, just by playing hard, he would catch those passes. it takes confidence and comfort. once he starts feeling like he can't be stop, he would start making less mistakes, and stop making moves in head before catching the ball.and then the inner beast would surface. the major thing he needs to work on, is dunking around the basket. dunks are hardly blocked, either the refs call a foul or you score most of the time. wilcox doesn't have better moves than kwame in the post, but he sure knows how to finish emphatically, so when he goes up, people get out of the way before they make a poster, those who didn't , made his poster.

I've been a Mitch Kupchak supporter since he took over for Jerry West. My thinking was always this: anyone who works under Jerry West for almost fifteen years knows more about basketball than most anybody else. I'm amused by bloggers who think Kupchak isn't aware of the Lakers' deficiencies and that he isn't working day and night trying to keep them afloat until next summer, when they have cap space. Kupchak is a good GM and he made a lot of people eat a lot of crow this season.

Anyone who posits the argument that the Lakers can't get better with this team last year probably doesn’t remember the same argument being made last summer. This team will be better by virtue of their experience together for 82 games and their experience in the playoffs. Plus, Bynum and Turiaf will be more able to contribute to the regular rotation, Odom will be more effective in the triangle, Kwame and Mihm can create a formidable center rotation and I have to believe that their is at least one decent point guard in the world somewhere who would love to play with this roster.

The Lakers will be fine and I'm looking forward to next season.

If I were GM:

1) Trade Chris Mihm and give Andrew Bynum some playing time as back up center to Kwame so that he can develop.

2) Find a "Sam Cassell-esque" point guard who can run the offense and has veteran leadership skills.

3) Let Deaven George walk (love you Deaven but your time here is up!).

4) Give more playing time to Ronny Turiaf and Sasha V., who should continue to develop. Teach Brian Cook to play defense or else have him ride the pine.

5) Continue to watch the improvement of Kwame, Luke and Lamar playing alongside Kobe as they master the triangle.

6) Have patience. This is a process.

i understand AK! we all know barkley only said what he said, because people felt he was a little harsh, and he probably hates kobe. i know in barkley's heart, he stands by what he said. if they turn off the cameras, he would tell kobe he still thinks he was selfish.

Emman,

I don't think Barkley was ever trying to create the impression that he didn't stand by his original statement about Kobe being selfish. He simply said that he shouldn't have stated it publicly (presumably without first getting Kobe's take, I guess). But he never hedged on the original statement at any point.

AK

THEY JJUST KEEP POPPING UP!!!!!!!!!
KANTOTASO!!! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? kobe vs mj arguement again? please find something better to do with your weak arguements? "kobe needs a few more rings to be the next pippen". i laugh at you, matter of fact pippen laughs at you. you mentioned jordan's teammates, like they were weak, did you know they were the best defenders, best shooters and best rebounders in the league? they were no scrubs. for your information, team wins championships. a few years from now, people would ask about the pistons, frankly are the pistons scary individually? nope. so please, while we laker fans are having our wishful thinkings, dreams, and virtual GM going on for the lakers, you need to go somewhere else, so we can focus. get a team, or better still get a life.

emman,

That's my Kwame thought, too. He is just trying too hard to impress. He wants to justify being the number 1 pick and the anxiety gets the best of him. He trying to circumvent the process of getting there, being a star.

mike

SMUSH PARKER SUCKS! SHIP HIM TO BOBCATS

Some article from Chicago (Got it from Foxsports Trade Rumors)

Since Kobe is becoming the bad guy in LA nowadays, do you see him reconsidering thinking about joining the Bulls again? Would be a perfect fit for him of sorts. You trade for Kobe and still might be able to sign a solid big post player in free agency. After that Game 7 and what the media is doing to him do you see him staying? --David, Monterey, Cal.

I've actually heard this speculation from L.A. and Kobe still insists he was serious about the Bulls when he re-signed with the Lakers. I am a supporter of Kobe as a player, though he does produce mixed feelings. But forget it. Lakers owner Jerry Buss is all about entertainment and chose Kobe over Shaq. He's not about to take some package of prospects for Kobe or just about anyone in the NBA other than LeBron.

I never knew KOBE was interested in the Bulls. HE STAYS IN LA! GO LAKERS!

com'on AK, since when did Barkley start consulting first, before analysing or should i say dissing? name one character he consulted first, then critisized later? i watch strictly hear his funny remarks!let's just let it go, and focus on what the lakers might do this summer. i don't blame cupcake for anything, i think all his decisions or non-decisions have been money related, and that would have to involve buss. i don't want any veteran older than 33, not even cassell, i'm tired of all these injuries, we need athletes. if only wafer would settle down, and not force it. kid can play, i watched him at florida, he can slash and create his own shot, downside is,he is another gun for hire, doesn't know when to quit firing. sometimes a good thing, not when you are learning.

One thing comes to mind,

With Detroit's lack of a bench they could very well use a guy like Devean George. Even San Antonio could drop Barry, Van Exel and pick up George. I think George is going to be getting a lot of play.

mike

Emman,

Again, that wasn't my opinion of what Chuck should be required to do as a broadcaster. All I was saying was that Barkley never said that his original statements (Kobe was being selfish) were incorrect. He basically stood by them by not retracting them. That was my ony point. I think we more or less agree.

AK

Bucky!
kobe would never go to the bulls, that is just another platform for a jordan comparison. if he the lakers had kept shaq, he would have been a clipper, secondly a sun, but his decision took too long, so the suns got nervous, and signed nash and quinton instead. kobe would retire laker. in as much as they love the game, these athletes are business men, sometimes testing free agency isn't thesame as leaving, but upping the ante.

ok AK! men you're stubborn and resilient, lol. i can be too, it's ok though. i still commend you and Brian, for keeping this going, giving me my daily fix, hopefull i don't get fired. can't stop saying this, GREAT JOB!

Andrew,
By the way, yeah Kwame's confidence booster is expensive. Like I said though, its a gamble. It says to him "calm down, don't worry, you're not going anywhere, we're gonna let you develop". Hopefully, it works. He has shown flashes (of reliability, if not brilliance), and for that kind of money, reliable will suffice. So, to sum up, maybe a little overpaid at this point in his career, but its by no means a Knicks deal. Just a calculated risk.

sorry, that one's to Andrew Z, not AK

It's diffinately going to be tougher next year. Sac will have Artest a whole year, Houston could be healthy, and Denver maybe with Nene back (but Martin could be gone). The Suns have a lot of talent even with Amare out. And if they do get a post player, watch out.

I would love to see Jason Terry in a Laker uniform. Even though you don't need that kind of guard in the triangle, a slasher/shooter when things break down would be excellent. The Lakers have not had someone like that in a long time (Sedale Threat?).

Isn't Caron Butler a free agent? If we could afford him, I'd take him over George.

I'd like to hear Kupchek mention making defense a priority. That's the only way they will win 50+ games.

emman and Michael T,

I agree that Kwame shouldn't be a first or second option on offense, that's LO and Kobe's job, but one of the knocks on Kwame is that he gets disinterested in the game if he doesn't have the ball thrown to him. That his lack of competitiveness causes him to end up going through the motions. If Kwame was an energy guy, with those physical gifts, he'd be incredible. I've watched many a game where he basically looks like he could care less out there when he doesn't get the ball. The guy could get 12 and 10 by just crashing the boards and running the floor. If he goes hard for 35 minutes a game we have a 15-10 guy on our hands. I like Kwame's potential, but he's such a wild care between the ears, and has shown to be weak in the same spot, that it scares me to have so much invested in this risk.

This offseason should give us a pretty good idea of what he's all about. He's run out of excuses.

Andy B.

"I'd like to hear Kupchek mention making defense a priority. That's the only way they will win 50+ games."

That's what it's all about. We don't need another superstar if we play defense.

mike

Chris,

My only problem is that every sign points to Kwame cashing the check and then not showing up. There are people you watch and you can see the energy and passion they have, like Kobe and Turiaf. I agree that it is a calculated risk and if he does show up to play his salary is going to look cheap. Hopefully something clicks because we have a lot tied up in this guy. He's one of our big three (that's scary).

I think Kantotaso is Steven. The use of the phrase "their most dominant force" is Steven's M.O. Anyway, retards aside...

Mitch is the typical GM playing the blame game. It isn't his stupid trade that cost us Caron Butler and got us a big stiff, it is Kwame not working on his game. Rigghhttt...

Of course, all will be forgiven after Mitch lands us KG. After that, we need a PG, maybe Marcus Banks involved in the same trade. If not trade Mihm for Duhon. Duhon works perfectly because he is more of a passer than shooter. He can open up the floor for others when the Lakers run those new illegal pick and rolls with the athletic KG picking Duhon's defender twice with his quickness and length.

I don't know how they calculate the votes for 1st team nba, but i think kobe and nash should have identical numbers with lebron, or atleast a +/- 2, give or take. meaning somebody actually left kobe and nash out of their 1st team ballot, wow! i know it is not easy, b'cos if i had the power, i would force wade and brand in there too, and make it the first seven man starting roster. but then again, who the f**k am I?

Andy B and Michael T,

Couldn't agree more. I feel a defensive-minded starting PG would work wonders for us. I think a line-up of Kobe, LO, Mihm, Kwame, and PG of choice could get us to 48-50 wins. Problem is we would probably have to give up Mihm to get anybody worth anything.

Maybe there's a PG in the draft who would fit what we need.

Emman,

No worries. I wasn't really trying to debate as much as I wasn't sure I was making my own point clearly, but that works.

Thanks for the nice words,

AK

Andrew Z!!!!!!!!!
i second your motion. you're indeed right, that is another problem altogether. he doesn't have that zeal, all we can do is hope and pray. i can't keep making excuses for him. this is a business, and i know kwame is a business man. he is not a child, this is his job, this is not college or high school, he should be earning his money, but then again, the kwame at the beginning of the season is nothing close to the one at the end of the season, that to me is progress. we can only hope.

Out of the lakers Devon George is one of my favorites. Just as was Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones and Robert Horry. What the Mitch and lakers organization need to do is get rid of some of the young guys. Do we want to win now or in 5 years? Come on ppl out of all these current lakers how many can really make it in the NBA? George has proven himself and is one of the most productive players off the bench just like Horry was. Trade the younger guys for some proven players instead of waiting 5yrs for these guys to develop. Im not saying get rid of all of tehm but u need to figure out which one will develop into a good Nba player that can score,rebound,steal and get you some assists. Dont waste your time on all of them to later say "damn we should have traded him insted of wasting these years trying to develop a guy who hanst learned anythign".

mike T. our defense is not terrible. the suns average over 100 against everybody. but if we can up the defense at the pg position, then we would be fine. i know you wouldn't like this but, when mihm was healthy, dating back to the beginning of the season, the lakers were pretty good on d, then they just couldn't put the ball in the basket. something you have to know as well is, good offense breeds good d. too. when you score it motivates you to run back and play with some emotion, also good offense gets the other team in foul trouble, which leads to lesser offensive threats. the team is fine, they just ned to improve that backcourt.

emman,

I agree, the progress Kwame made does put my mind at ease, at least temporarily. I hope he realizes that he could really be one of the best in the league if he gets it together. Not only for his sake, but for all of us Laker fans!!

AK! i got your point the second time, i was just messing with you, btw you're welcome.

dxter:

On the contrary, if KG comes to the Lakers and wins a ring or two, this would further solidify Kobe's greatness. It would change the argument that says "Kobe needs player x" to win a ring to "player x needs Kobe" to win. In other words, Kobe would become the common denominator in winning a ring. He would be the given in the championship eqaution.

phantom:

The luxury tax is a 100% tax. This means it's dollar for dollar. For example, if the Lakers are $10 mill over the cap, they also pay $10 mill in taxes. From what I've read, Jerry Buss despises being over the salary cap.

kantotaso:

You're comparing apples to oranges. Maybe you have a short memory, but last year's Laker team was in the 6th spot before everything, and I mean, everything went bad. First, Rudy T resigned and then the squad suffered multiple injuries. Among those was Vlade and Brian Grant being out for practically the whole year. But more importantly, Kobe had that bad ankle sprain in Cleveland and was out for a month and LO also missed the last month of the season due to injury. The Lakers would have made the playoffs had it not been for these setbacks. I mean, what do expect when your coach resigns midway during the year and your two best players are out for one month each?

lakersin08 i think somebody in the organization should mention this to M.Kupchek, they should "ONLY" work to get that specific deal ( KG,Marcus Banks)

we need K.G, we will win more championships with K.G and Kobe then ever before

go lakers

Mike T. and Emman:

When you're playing the triangle, you cannot say you're the second or third option. When Kobe or Lamar is doubled, they will always pass to the guy who is open and take it to the hoop. While Kwame was effective on this strategy on the first and second game during the playoffs, he became flatfooted when the Suns adjusted their play by crowding him. They distracted his attention by Nash's continues penetration to the center coming from multiple screens, while Kwame lost his focus on guarding the post Diaw, Thomas and Marion took advantage of the openings. A good pivot man should know how to react on any adjustments made. See Kaman and Brand how they check on Marion.

***One last correction Mike T. on your previous blog, now that you're cool and collected again, Los Angeles is the 2nd (not 3rd) biggest city in the United States, it surpassed Chicago in the 90's. LA is also the 2nd biggest media next to NY. Well, Lakermania is not only confined to Los Angeles I believed during the time of Chique baby, they mentioned that Laker radio and telecast is being fed from San Luis Obispo(north) to San Diego(south) or Palm Springs(east)...from Catalina Island(west) to Barstow(northeast), so that makes us the biggest team-following in terms of square miles.

hey mitch, I know you want to be the GM of a championship team, that would be great for you.

Now we need to make a couple moves though

first, trade Mihm (as much as I would love for him to stay) and george along with our first Draft Pick over to West in memphis, he needs a center and some change after thier disappointments. In return we get shane and bobby jackson. with miller wanting a starting job and stoudemire coming back healthy with atkins, it would be a great.

then we let jim jackson go and bring in toni kukoc, to hang out on the bench bring some experience and confidence. you will then need to bring in another center for depth reasons so bring in a guy like pape sow or somethig like that, you know just in case.

thanks mitch, your the best

if you think about it we are also sending three guys to the olympics. im sure that could only be a positive thing for them playing with each other against the world. who knows, maybe we'll bring home the gold-ring, as well as the gold medal

Taliq....

Good point about Kupchak and what he said about Kobe and Phil. It also occured to me that he should have firsthand knowledge of how their relationship is progressing, rather than forming an opinion based on reading something in the papers "recently".

Also, Finley made his choice to go to SA in pursuit of a ring, much like when Karl and GP came aboard with the Lake Show. As far as Tim Thomas goes, the Lakers had the misfortune of running into this guy during a salary drive. Next year, he'll go back to his underachieving self.

emman - I know that (Kobe made teams wait until he signed with the Lakers for that phat contract)

What if our Mitch pulls of a sweet trade this summer landing KG in LA LA land... if only he can get KG without giving up 24, LO and Socks...

Lakerville - would you trade Socks, and a bunch of our players (except for 24 and LO), draft picks for KG?

I would. GO LAKERS!

PeaCE!

kantotaso, Lakers didn't make the playoffs because Kobe was injured the last 20 games or so of the Regular season 2004-2005 and they lost their head coach in the middle of the season, which caused them to not make the playoffs because they were 6 games over 500. and were looking to make the playoffs that year. so... your arguments are neglected from here on.

KWAME IS A WALKING DISASTER, SHIP HIS ASS TO THE BOBCATS!

Why do so many of you keep going on about a PG? Do you know nothing about the Triangle Offense? Do you have no memories? Phil Jackson's teams have relied on a traditional PG only once, ONCE, and that was with Payton at the helm, the same big mouth who disrupted the team constantly.

Who was the PG on the Bulls teams? There wasn't one, because the point of the Triangle is motion and general ball-handling skills from everyone involved. The Laker championship teams also did not have a traditional PG (Fish was a SG who could handle the ball). The point is to have multiple threats, good ball handlers, a flexible defense and strong rebounding. A PG is not a necessity, fellas.

My advice would be to give Kwame one more year to develop, get rid of Mihm (he is not an above average passer or a very good defender), dump Smush and get a shooter to keep teams honest. LO needs to work on his D as do all the Lakers, save Kobe. A good low post rebounder (unlike LO, who swoops in from the weak side) would also be handy.

This isn't rocket science.

Before I respond to the "the Kwam costs too much" (Andrew Z, lol)...am I the only one worried the consequences, or the motivation of putting that workout thing out there? I mean say it to the man inside a room, don't get it published. I mean this is the same man we were coddling all season long!

Now back to the debate of the day lol. I don't think he's overpaid. Actually I think pretty soon we'll see he's underpaid. And in the first place, I've always felt as if we got him to warm up a spot, though it's looking more and more (at least it did before game 5-7) that he created his own spot. Kwame's still young, built, and yes somewhat talented, he will pay off for us. It's just a matter of how soon. (Of course I am optimistic so that's how I feel lol). Nevertheless, like I said, we're not asking him to be great, just not to be a bust. Working hard this off-season goes a long way toward making that happen.

Regarding Mitch's comments, I know it's not done yet but....dude he didn't say anything about our holes at PF and PG. The whole country knows we have those needs, hell the whole world (with lakerfans all over the world in this blog as proof) knows. What is he going to do about it. Don't sit there and criticize a player, make something happen!

P.S. sorry for the long post guys.

Does anybody else have the feeling that this year's draft will be like last year's? As in we'll pass on good players again, for european players or the Vonnanators...I look for us to skip through a Dee Brown, a Rajon Rondo...heck anybody good (come on Mitch!) Granted we don't have high picks, but good players can still be had.

And that ladies and gentlemen is my vent of the day lol

Caron already signed an extension with Washington.

Andrew Z,

Yeah, the defense is the problem in my mind. This past season was really disappointing in that regard. The Lakers didn't really get into the idea of playing with a defensive first mentality until they beat Detroit. After that game I remember Odom saying: We play defense like that and we can beat anyone. Before that it was a forgein concept to them. Like going on that super easy 7 game road trip and dropping, I think 6 of those games. A depleted Indiana team, the Hornets, Bobcats, I mean, those games weren't even close. Then dropping games to the likes of Portland, Hawks, and Celtics. With the proper defensive mind-set all those games are wins. Yet, when we started playing defense we beat all those teams pretty easy. My point is that if we coming into camp thinking thinking defense first, we're in for a lot of wins next season.

The good think about it is that Kobe Bryant seems to understand that, along with Odom and Brown being on the same page. Watch out!

mike

Yeah, a decent point guard would do a lot for our defense. But even without one we beat those weak teams with Smush Parker because we focused on defense. I think we can win a lot of games with Parker in there, too. But against elite teams Parker just isn't the answer.

mike

Mitch needs to focus on two words: perimeter defense. At a minumum, we need 2 players who can defend on the edge, one point guard and one swingman. If we had the ability to even bother a player like Nash or Parker, we take a big step towards the elite. Looking at the FA list, I think the best fit is Speedy Claxton at PG. He is a low-ego player who can be happy with a low shot total, but is quick enough to defend.

For a swingman, we probably need to dangle Mihm. I like Mihm, but he is not going to be the future center, he has one year left on his deal, and his contract is tradeable. As a bonus, his stock around the league is pretty good and this might be the optimum time to trade him. A good pickup for the Lakers might be Mikael Pietrus from the Warriors. They have a logjam at the 2 & 3 spots, they need size, and the deal can work under the cap. Pietrus is a strong defender who has bothered Kobe a time or two and can get to the basket. He could be next year's Boris Diaw.

Laker Seth,

I agree with what you wrote, but I think we should keep Devean if we can get a decent deal on him.

I've gone a bit sour on Smush. I just think that Sasha has the potential to be a smarter player. It's wrong to blame Smush for the losses in games five, six and seven (okay, maybe Smush AND Kwame), but he needed to step up in those games and didn't.

It will take a lot to erase that bad taste for me.

Andrew Z,

Your right, a Mihm-LO-Kwame frontcourt would be very dangerous if they can get it all together. What we need in this offseason is a reliable/veteran PG. If we would draft a PG from the draft(say, he's a good one..), it would take time for that PG to earn his time. Remember Phil doesn't play rookies much? So, how about Kupcake makin' a move to sign a veteran PG..

And about the KG rumors, I am a KG fan and would love to see him in a Lakers Uni. So what if we give up Mihm/Kwame,George(sign and trade..to fill up some salary cap holes..),Mckie, and a draft pick?

What do you guys think?

brylle

Go Lakers! Can't till next season when KG comes!

brylle

Guys,

Jordan Farmar is working out for the Lakers, pre-draft.

I'll take Jordan Farmar over Smush Parker any day.

GO LAKERS!

I think the team, as currently assembled could win 50 games. We won 45 this year, and that included at least 5 losses in the middle of the season to teams we should have beaten. In the beginning of the year, our inexperience with the triangle and the defense probably cost us a around 5 games against teams we could have beaten towards the end of the year. And then there were the bad last second losses. I'm sure we'll still lose some close games and some games to bad teams, but if we improve a little in those areas, AND the team is confident and familiar with each other, why couldn't we win 5 more than we did this year.

I realize the main point against this improvement is that several western conference teams will be better, but there's always at least one team that unexpectedly falls off (hopefully not us), plus who knows what free agency will do to some teams (what will Sacto and Denver look like next year. The T-Wolves?). For the west to get harder, the east would actually have to get worse (by definition).

So while I don't expect championship parades, I'm guardedly optimistic that we an achieve 50 games even without a great off-season pickup.

I SMELL A GAME 7

BK,

Your MVP's looking good.

The Eye of the Kwam

It doesn't make for a classic rock track. No Rocky movies planned around that image. The man's loaded but rarely fires. His head and heart aren't wired for basketball at this level. I think that's what Washington said, I said, we've all said, Tex said, MJ said, Mitch just said... why aren't we listening?

Potential? It's a dangling carrot. "If we could just get him to [Kwame complaint goes here]" I've spent more time trying to figure him out than my own sons. We're not family, we just want to see him swat every shot and grab every board, preferably while wailing like a wild man for effect.

Could this flower bloom? Do we even need it to? It would be nice but let's face it, the league isn't as much about power big men anymore. That's about to become extinct with the passing of the Shaqasaurus. Howard in Orlando is a beast I'd love to have [impossible] but after him and Yao, the Kwam ain't all that bad for the future. Amare's knee might not make it back to where it was, Duncan's slowing down, how good does Kwam need to be to stick Dampier?

Now I'm not saying he's a bargain, or that I wouldn't love to get somebody good for him, but that won't happen. Maybe he's the state of the present big man, NBA art. Not great, but not all that bad. It's amazing that job description pays so well these days.

V

A point guard to run the offense is not a necessity, but a point guard who can defend the elite point guards is an absolute must. To win the west in the near future, we must go through Nash, Parker, Harris/Terry and possibly Cassell. In the west, we also face Chris Paul, Baron Davis and Mike Bibby. Right now, we can't defend any of these guys. Phil Jackson must make an adjustment to the Triangle that accomodates a small, quick point guard, because of defense, not offense.

I think we went off on the pg position (mostly smush) too much. Lets be honest we only blame the pg position cuz Nash killed us in the postseason. I dont think we can have Kg in L.A. (would be great). Most teams only have 1-2 superstars(Kobe and LO). Plus why would the Wolves take Mihm and Kwame for their superstar and franchise player? I know i wouldnt. Most ppl say that we dont need a pure pg which is true under the triangle but we do need a pg that can shoot when Kobe and LO slash into the paint. Like i said earlier we need to get rid of some of these young guys. We DONT need more rookies next season from teh draft we already ahve too many young guys. By the way even if we get a good player from the draft i gurantee 100% that Phil will not play him(unless EVERYONE in that position get injured). Phil is known for benching the rookies and not playing them. Be realistic and get a pg that can shoot and a decent post player in a center. Kwame wouldnt be bad as a PF but we need a better center. Even when Shaq was in L.A. we never really had a good backup center.

Almost forgot to mention that Sam Cassel is a free agent next season and said he wouldnt mind staying in L.A. He really didnt say if it was the Lakers or the Clippers as long as he got paid(someting bout 10mil a year). Not a bad veteran player but dont sign him for more then 4yrs cuz he is getting pretty old. Just another candidate for the pg posision. We really should start one and send it to Mitch so he can get started NOW!!!!

When KG demands a trade this offseason, Mitch should study things to get KG in the LA..Kupcake should not waste the prime years of my man Kobe..I think to make the trade happen kupcake should do a 3 or 4 team trade..

My trade would look like this one..

Nuggets-Twolves-Lakers

Lakers Give:
C/PF Kwame Brown
C Chris Mihm
PG Aaron Mckie
SG/SF Devean George(Sign&Trade)

Lakers Get:
Kevin Garnett
Dermarr Johnson
Draft Picks from Twolves

Twolves Give:
Kevin Garnett
Marcus Banks
Draft Picks

Twolves Get:
Kenyon Martin
Aaron Mckie
Chris Mihm

Nuggets Give:
Kenyon Martin
Dermarr Johnson

Nuggets Get:
Devean George
Kwame Brown
Marcus Banks

Thoughts guys..

Heck, for KG I'll be perfectly willing to give up Lamar Odom. Yeah, KG has got a lot of mileage on his odometer, but short of Kobe, I'd give up everybody on the Lakers' roster. So what if KG's got 5 superstar years left? If we go deep into the playoffs every time, we'll attract more quality players.

The only problem is, why would the Wolves give up KG for anybody but Kobe? Yeah, Odom's good, but I just don't see the Wolves giving up their franchise player for him, Kwame, Bynum, and the Laker girls... hey, waitaminnit, let's see if the Laker girls will be good trade bait!

Trade scenario for the day:

Trade Mihm + Cookie monster + Mckie to Atlanta for Al Harrington [sing and trade]. Al would get a deal starting at ~9mil/year.

Why would Atlanta do it?
All three players are in positions the Hawks need to fill. Plus each of them is a FA next year, so there is no long-term contract. Essentially, they are getting a couple of guys motivated to play their best for Harrington, who is probably a goner anyways.

That would give us Kwame, Al, LO, Kobe and PG-filler. Yes, we lose depth at Center and PF, but we get a solid player in return who is a good defender and prover scorer who will provide the team the third scoring option it so desperately needs.

Now, with 6.67 million left to sign FAs, I would first re-sign Profit to sub for Kobe and then sign either Mike James or Monta Ellis to a 3 year deal.

C - Kwame/Bynum/Turiaf
PF - LO/Turiaf
SF - Al, Luke
SG - Kobe/Profit/Wafer
PG - MikeJ[or Monta Ellis]/Smush/Sasha

I would then use the draft picks we have this year to add more depth at the 4/5 positions.

Brylle,

Why would the TWolves want to get Martin [bloated contract/bum knee] for KG? I'm sure they could do much better than that.

You will not get KG without giving up Lamar Odom plus some (say Mihm or Brown and picks). It wasn't that long ago that KG ranked with Kobe, and in many minds he still does. Would you give up Kobe if someone offered you Brown, Mihm, McKie, and George?

Emman and AK,

Think you both missed what Barkely said. When he apologised for going public, he wasn't referring to his critic of Kobe. Rather he was referring to letting the world know that they'd exchanged a series of text messages the next day. So nah, Barkley didn't back down from his harsh criticism.

Taliq

Brylle,

Other than the Lakers, no1 else gets anything much on that deal, esp the Nuggets would get better deals to unload KMart's contract.

I am actually concerned abt next year. The West is only going to get stronger. Houston will be back. Sacto is actually better than 8th. Utah finished the season like a strong playoff team. NOK - C.Paul could realistically make them and himself better this year than last. The other top teams are going to stay. We need to get something to get over this 'average' hump.

I just dont get that 'championship winning' vibe from LO and Kwame. Probably vibes and all are fool's gold but from past experience, you can only guess. KG is not a game-winner but we dont need 1 right now. What we need is legitimate big-time talent and some1 who wouldnt exactly crumble under pressure (games 5-7 of a playoff series for example).

The first step is KG has to be interested in a trade. Its a realistic possiblity because he knows adding Marbury would make them a playoff team but a c'ship? I dont think so.
There are lot of teams out there contending for KG like NJ, Bulls who've really got great talent to offer. If we have to one-up them, LO has to be in the deal. Add Kwame though Minny might not want. If they dont want him, add Mihm. The problem is this may not seal the deal. Minny may not be that stupid since they'd get still better stuff from other teams. They'd probably demand Bynum who's been sufficiently hyped(good job Lakers!). This is the tough part. I would trade LO and Kwam/Mihm for KG in a heart-beat. But Bynum is a tough one. Prob they'd offer McCants also if they want Bynum.

For all this to happen, Kobe/Phil need to talk to KG. Now.

Laker Fans stop dreaming. The Logo ain't here no more and if you think cupcake can pull of the KG deal then you obviously haven't seen the roster he's presented us with the past couple of years.

If the Lakers field Kobe and KG next year, I'll eat my shoe.

I do hope Mitch K. is reading this blog. There may be a lot of suggestions how to improve the Lakers next year, but the AK/BK blog becomes an instant scout with wisdom in it. Can you imagine almost all free agents, restricted agents and especially KG are being evaluated on their pros and cons, upside or downside - gosh, what more can you ask if you're an attentive GM? Hey Mitch, if you can get KG to the Lakers, you're forgiven and you can take a vacation for the whole 2007 season. Kobe and PJ will be take over from there. If you can hold on Lamar, then you're really a great GM.

Congratulations to the Clippers for extending the series to the 7th game. If only Kwame, Smush and Cook showed heart and efforts on their defense, like the efforts being exhibited by Kaman, Ross and Livingston - these are also new guys in the playoffs, win or lose on the 7th game, you won't hear a single critic from the Laker fans. But when you see them standing around (the triangle became a concave cuz' they're a bunch of tourists in the perimeter) eyes of Smush & Cook rolling around, Kwame & Luke helpless and waiting for Kobe to bail them out - your very fans praising you before will chew you into pieces starting from Magic Johnson who covered his head in game 6 out of frustration, for he could not stand watching a hapless sight.

You guys, can't just quit defending when you are down, always remember the story of Ron Turiaf who just had a major heart surgery in '05 yet, he was there diving for every loose ball, blocking every layup in front of him, basically this guy is risking his life for the Lakers. That's our MAN.

Ravi,
"For all this to happen, Kobe/Phil need to talk to KG. Now."

You have to very careful with that; I'm pretty sure that is against the rules (considered tampering) and would bring a huge penalty against the Lakers (look at what happened to Minnesota with Joe Smith) if it was found out. At least as far as Phil; I don't know if the same restrictions apply to players.

First off, I think Kwame is a waste of skin. I agree with the statement that there have been countless times when the dude looked scared, confused, and even uninterested. As for a pg, we don't need one as much as we need a credible big man. KG would be great, but I can't see a trade scenario that won't have to involve LO. The numbers won't work. It's nice to have dgeorge, a player who knows the triangle and provides spark off the bench as well as playoff mettle, but the dude's not only looking to get paid, he wants PT. With LO and Luke in the same position, I guess it's hard to split the minutes. I see a sign-and-trade, hopefully to a team who can offer a big. Out of all the current big men we got, I'm most excited about Turiaf. The dude plays with a lot of zest and energy.

I disagree with those who are commenting that Kupchak needed to have first hand knowledge of Kobe and Phil's relationship. He is the GM and it is by no means his job to get involved in the interpersonal relationships of the players and coaching staff. More importantly, Kobe and Phil are grown men and it is solely their responsibility to find a way to have open and honest communication with one another (like any other two adults). To expect Mitch to sit there and monitor them all year undermines his role in the organization (he is the GM and not a babysitter), and more so it undermines the interpersonal ability of Kobe and Phil.

I'll take it a step further: Mitch did nothing while Shaq and Kobe were acting like children because, again, it was not his job! I for one think he was justifed in standing back and letting them either figure it out or tear each other to bits (which they did a bit of both).

If you are a multi-million dollar PROFESSIONAL athlete and an adult and you can't figure out to relate with the people around you then there is no single idividual who is going to save you (or whose job it is to save you for that matter). It is up to you to figure out how to maintain respectful and mature relationships with the other adults around you!

exhelodrvr,

Thanks for letting me know that. Probably, that last line of mine was an emotional rant.
I just dont feel that sense of urgency from the Lakers front office, going by Kupchak's interview.

BTW, the Spurs-Mavs series is unbelievable. Real good stuff.

Anyone watched that show on espn yesterday regarding winning basketball championships and how it's changed? they interviewed a lot of players including kobe on what makes up a championship team.

basically they are saying before in the 80s, there ususally 3 hall of famer on 1 championship team. example.... Magic, Kareem, Big Game James. then we started to add new teams and the talent is not much more spread out. There are a lot of "all star" type players but maybe only 15 hall of fame players and that's being generious. So in the 90s and early 2000, teams needed 2 hall of famers to win a championship. example... jordan and scottie, kobe and shaq. but because no one can match up with a player like shaq or kobe, teams only chance to win a championship is evolving into having better overall team talent instead. example detriot (2 best players on team are 2 first time all stars), spurs (1 hall of famer with some all stars)

so they were just talking about how teams today cant win with 2 hall of famers anymore. meaning even if we get KG, our chances are still slim because ouir supporting casts suck ass. just something to think about.

the Lamar Show,

That is an excellent post. I'll go even further and say that the way the league structured the Collective Bargaining Agreement teams can't have all those superstars because they can't pay them. Right now you still have teams like the Knicks who are way over the cap, but in the next four or five years you'll start to see things level out. The game is structed where you get two top players and then guys to fill in around them. In that regard I really like our 1-2 combo of Kobe and LO and think it's probably in the Top 3 in the league (Shaq/Wade and Nash/Marion-Stoudamire being the other...damn that three in Phoenix looks good). Anyway, thanks for the good post.

SantaMonica4Ever,

Nobody is asking Mitch to baby sit anyone. But he should be aware of how his players are getting along with each other and their coaches. That way he can make an informed decision regarding trades. E.g. If McKie is constantly sulking and griping in the locker room, it affects team chemistry and could play a part in Mitch deciding to buy him out of his contract. Matter of fact, not only is it Mitch's job to how the lakers are getting along with each other, it's his job to know how the bulls are getting along with each other. E.g. word is Ben gordon is disgruntled in Chicago, Mitch put's in a call to his agent early on and starts the kissing ass game in order to lure him to come to LA where he'll be treated better.

So pls, dnt make excuses for cupcake. His ignorance is not part of the job description.

Taliq,

I think Kupchak has done a good job by not making moves just for the sake of making moves. I feel horrible doing it, but I'll quote Donald Sterling when he said in a recent article when asked about his refusal to pay people. He said "I have no problem paying All-Stars, All-Star money, but I'm not going to pay someone a lot of money who doesn't deserve it." I couldn't agree with that anymore. There's a reason we passed on giving a big contract to Antonio Daniels, Jerome James, Brian Scalabrine, etc. Let some other idiot make that mistake. Mitch has done a good job with what has been available. I think we'll be alright.

thanks for the Love andrew Z.

want to correct my mistake... i meant to say the talents are much more spread out... instead of "not" much more lol. my brain glitched for a sec there.

SantaMonica4Ever...

I disagree completely with what you said concerning Mitch and his responsibiity concerning the team. I absolutely feel it is a big part of his job to know the pulse of his team along with monitoring relationships among them. I may be reading too much into his statement, but it struck me as odd that he would mention recieving information about Kobe and Phil's relationship through the media. It IS his job to at least know how the two are getting along, even if he can't do anything about it. I think that his statements point to a lack of connectedness between coach and GM and that can't be good for the Lakers.

Monta Ellis
I hope people in the Lakers camp other than Rambis are hip to how well this first year 19 year old played and I am talking on both sides of the court. Young tough D and makes shots, if not him steal Mikael Pietrus both guys are a huge improvement over Smush, Sasha, JJ, or McKie- We can only hope Von Wafer, Bynum evolve and begin to share Ronny Turiaf's enthusiasm and passion for the game.
Just have to put that name up there, be a witness, this kid can play and Golden State knows he defends better than Baron - Do you Mr. Kupchak?
GS needs a big man bad- KBrown, Mihm, Cook? -I doubt it and we can pick up Cabark-..And Ellis or Pietrus both of these players or either make us a way better team. Turiaf can be Kwame next year with better hands and Bynum better start getting minutes or this project is a joke.

Now, KG is a dream come true and even swapping out Kwame for Boozer would make me happy but KG and a contract he would need has got to be out of our range. Unless Kobe24 has a change of heart and goes long term Eddie DeBartolo negotiating and saves us some salary in order to win. You know what they say "you gotta pay to play sometimes" - just ask Barkley!

I hate seeing the replay of Lamar missing that damn rebound, 6 years in the league and he isn't thinkiing about screening out or keeping his periferal vision on the ball. Ouch, lots of potential...potetially a lot more stupid plays too. Basketball IQ and LO just don't seem to be getting it done. Nice guy off the bench if he knows he has to come in and boost the offense but man he's no KG, and KG looked old this year. His boss is an ex-Celtic (McHale)too and all Celtics do their best to keep the Lakers down.One rebound away, and we could've been spanking the Clippers. Walking into the Western Div Championships, talk about getting carried away- there's always next year.

Pete,

Glad to know that I'm not the only one on Ellis' bandwagon. You forgot to mention one thing - the boy is *quick*. Not Devin Harris quick, but quick enough to give Tony Parker, AI fits.

One other thing - hoopshype does not show him as having a contract for next year. He's essentially a FA that hasn't had much exposure. I say we lock him up for 5 years at 3-4 mil per year - and we won't have to trade anyone away for that. Key is to act soon - though I doubt if GS would be willing to pay him that much with BDavis, JRich and DFish already on the books.

On the KG front, he's only got 3 years more on his present contract - at 20, 22 and 24. I don't think that's much of a problem - LO and Kwame make more than that combined for the next two years !

glad to hear some sense.I am confident this team will be a force to be reckoned with..we have the core intact..we will be wiser..lets hope kobe gets EVERYONE in there doing summer training..if everyone prepared like him..we would still be playing right now.

oh a side note.
THIS IS THE WORSE NIGHT EVER..the MAVS have advanced..it is funny how people here in DALLAS celebrate a freaking berth in the conference finals..*like the won the freakin title*...dumb.

Nothing short of a championship in cali is a failure for my lakers....i will be wearing my lakers jersey tomorrow here in dallas more proudly..knowing that i am NOT part of the Dallas bandwagon here.

anyway!

go purple and gold!!

You go Lakerfanintx...wearing your colors proud!

Phantom please note:
The Salary Cap is a hard cap! In other words you can't just decide to go over it and pay the luxury tax. If your team salary exceeds the number then the only way to sign players is to use the exceptions: Mid level(around 5mil) Low level (1.75mil) so to go over the cap a star player would have to agree to take less money for at least the first year. (See: Karl Malone) The way that the Knicks get around this is by constantly making trades of players in the last or next to last year of their deals. This is the proven path to cap hell and paying 5mil per win. lol.

Also note: Roster spots! The Lakers will only have 2 available roster spots next season. (3 if they waive/retire McKie) So expect them to draft an overseas player who can contribute down the road but should play overseas for now. And maybe one rookie who would actually join the team.

My point? When Mitch says "I think we need to stay together and keep the group together.", it's because the team is stuck together for at least next season!

Good interview, too bad "Asleep At The Switch Mitch Kupcake" doesn't mean any of it. He's just a $875,000 a year figure head while Jim Buss is training on the job. Mitch is always explaining why he can't do his job because of the cap. He must have nightmares of the "Cap Monster" chasing him with unsigned contracts like Ron artest etc.
My dream is Mitch trades himself to the Spurs for two gym towels and a basketball. Then I wake-up realizing that can't happen. Good gym towels are hard to come bye.

Mitch Kupchak has been doing his job, which oh by the way is "keeping his job". A cool $875,000 for doing nothing but lamenting how the salary cap makes it impossible to change the stationary in the front office. Mitch should find a more suitable job in the organization. Maybe getting coffee and sandwiches for the exec meetings or fresh towels for the mens rooms. Something to utilize his unique abilities he showed in the Shaq trade (unloading the most dominate center for a couple of stiffs. no cap relief and a 9 million dollar error on the Lamar Odom trade clause):0)