Contract Shtuff
August 8, 2006 | 1:02
pm
Thought y'all might find this article interesting for a few reasons.
1) Well, it's interesting.
2) It mentions Kobe (in a positive light) and Kwame (not so much) by name.
3) It makes you think about both the contracts of newest Lakers player Vlad Radmanovic and the non-contracts of players such as Antonio Daniels, Marcus Banks and even Caron Butler, all of whom would have liked to have been Lakers, but were deemed unworthy of the theoretical price, length of stay, or both. And given that it'll be a piece of time before the Lakers are well under the cap, it's a topic that will probably end up heavily discussed for a few seasons.
—AK
Faith
Sasha as enforcer, now thats something I would want to see.
"he could be all like insulting their mothers and whatever...but smiling."
ROFL....that hilarious. Maybe if he adds about 15lbs worth of muscle he could do the same to players. Nothings scary about a skinny 6'7" guy. Unless he's holding something in his had and I dont mean a ball.
Posted by: Shady | August 10, 2006 at 09:44 PM
KB8th wonder,
Welcome back, you have not posted much since the playoffs. Well, good you remind everyone what you think where the Lakers are? Since you are one of the oldtimers of this blog, what do you recommend to this team in order to pass the teams you mentioned? Some people think the Lakers are the team to beat, because we have the best player, the best coach, the best general manager lol!
PS. Be careful with your reply, you might open a Pandora's box. This blog is deadly....
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 10, 2006 at 09:45 PM
Faith,
Who knows? You may be onto something. While I have my serious doubts as to Sasha's effectiveness as an "enforcer," if he does manage to somehow intimidate another player, the ensuing pyschological ramifications are 100X worse than getting intimidated by Fortson. Even if the fear lasted just a second, that player will be up for days on end thinking, "I got punked by Sasha Vujacic? Dude, kill me now!" haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 10, 2006 at 09:47 PM
Faith,
I could not find their email address but try searching it on Lakers.com and kindly share it to everyone or let's ask our webmaster, Lakofan to get it for us. Thanks
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 10, 2006 at 09:49 PM
Shady,
Just understand what I am saying. I just don't think Kaman is that good, I've seen enough of him. I can say Brand is probably the best PF in the league but, that doesn't matter to me. Kaman is more established but at best he is slightly better than Mihm. I just think Bynum is better. The only way we would find out for sure is when Bynum actually gets the opportunity. Would you have thought that Smush would turn out to be better that Mckie when he signed last year? I wouldn't because Mckie was an established player. Again, I'm not trying to convice anyone, I just said what I believed.
Ken
Posted by: Ken | August 10, 2006 at 10:01 PM
"Nothings scary about a skinny 6'7" guy. Unless he's holding something in his hand and I dont mean a ball."-Shady
Haha! I wonder what that something is?? Maybe it's just me, but that statement is making me laugh!
Now that's some contract shtuff!
'nuff said!
Posted by: Rocky | August 10, 2006 at 10:24 PM
Ken,
I think that right now Kaman is better than Socks. But that dosn't mean Socks won't get his against Kaman. It is a match up that I can't WAIT to see. When it's all said and done, Socks BETTER turn out to be way more successful than Kaman, but at this present time, Kaman has had too much nba experience to even compare him to Socks.
Hopefully this year Phil will play him more, but until Bynum gets at least some-what comfortable playing with nba level ballers, it's all pipe dreams coming from his end.
dan
Posted by: dan the man aka smushcalade | August 10, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Bynum is the perfect player for the d-fenders. He needs game experience and he probably won ;t get it this year under Phill. Now that at our d-league team is here in L.A. and not in Texas, he can sill practice with the team and with k.a.j..
I can se Bynum coming back in January and relieving players like Mihm &Brown, who will probabaly need the rest. I look forward to Socks playung more and more towards the end of the year.
Posted by: dan the man aka smushcalade | August 10, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Dan,
That's all I'm saying. He will get his chance. I like Bynum, i'd rather they threw him into the fire, asap. Its basketball, not Law School or Medical school. I think he will get his chance this year though.
Posted by: Ken | August 10, 2006 at 10:49 PM
Laker Tom
I'm not a Clippers fan and I KNOW Brand is a great player. Haven't you seen him play?
And I'm sorry but Kaman would be a big upgrade to Kwame. How could you not see that?? Maybe Kwame will be better next season than Kaman, but we haven't played any games for next season yet.
You can't just judge by what could happen.
That said, I hope the Lakers have a terrific year!
Posted by: Andy B | August 10, 2006 at 10:51 PM
Hello Guys,
Please Guys, don't lose much energy on this "Lakers-Clippers Fever" debates. In 2006, the clippers were ahead of us in regular season and played the West playoffs finals. STOP. Now, we must focus on our improvements to reach this level and perhaps more. If our players work hard this summer, there're still many hot places in our 55 victories bandwagon!!
Bynum did not show his potentiel like Kaman. This young guy needs some PT, to be consistent, and to gain confidence. Talk to PJ. If he creates a rotation with AB, then, in june 2007, you will be free to re-open this comparaison with many arguments. Currently, I do think there no debate. Kaman won...just because Bynum did not prove his value yet. You said a project. Wait and see.
Right now, there's no enforcer in this team. It's only a bunch of nice guys. An enforcer must be a wise beast with skills because he must help his team by annoying his opponent and being very smart with referees. Rodman was a master in this game. Find a "Rodman" is another debate.
Just a fan.
GO
Posted by: Guy Owanlele | August 10, 2006 at 10:54 PM
RG Gaznabi,
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed your post. It was refreshing getting away from the Clipper debate for those few moments... and even though it was long, I read through it quickly as it was clear and well written. I actually can spend twice the amount of time on some posts 1/5 as long as every 7 seconds you have to pause and think "what!?" "come on now." "you gotta be kidding!" etc etc.
Over the years I have argued with many a person how good and valuable Rodman (and Pippen too) were. Pip and Rod were 2 of the greatest defenders ever. and Rodman while gets acknowledged for his rebounding, is many times underated as he was also an amazing perimeter defender. Also, Rodman never really got credit for being such a smart defender/rebounder. As crazy as he is, he really was a student of the game.
Lakertom & dan,
I have to agree with Tom. I too, wouldnt really want to see a Lamar package for KG. Like Tom pointed out, it cant be a 1 for 1 trade. So for all the points Tom mentioned (salary, players, age, etc) I agree. Because Odom has played 7 years, people forget the guy is 26! AK has a point in that after that many years, the term "upside" loses its meaning. However, I think Lamar is an exception. Its not in question that Lamar has not reached near his potential yet. Although Brand has improved, his improvement from now on will be very limited. what aspect of his game can get significantly better? shoot 3's? play pg? not likely. Brand is the epitome of a blue collar tough gritty consistent player. its what makes him great. you cant help but to appreciate a guy like Brand. but really in terms of potential, lamar really does blow him away. im telling you if lamar gets a right hand and works on his midrange game....unstoppable! talk about your mismatch nightmare. they say dirk is a nightmare to matchup with. Lamar's POTENTIAL is actually higher than dirk's IMO. dirk is a nightmare cuz hes a 7ftr that can also drive and/or hit the 3. and while LO will never really come close to dirks shooting ability, his size/length, ball handling, passing, and versatility really makes him stand out as a very unique player in the league. (plus he rebounds just as well as dirk if not better, and plays much better defense).
Of course, he is not that player yet. Maybe he will never be. A good majority of the problem being his mental makeup. (again...getting sad.) However, at 26 and the ridiculous skills he has...I dont think you can say that upside for lamar is irrelevant at this point. I dont question anyones love for the Lakers or Lamar. Even tho you may disagree at what Lamars value is now, you really cant deny what kind of talent and potential he has, and i'm sure not one person here doesnt want to see lamar reach his full potential. ....well, except maybe steven...who actually HATES the lakers.
Ken,
I'm a little surprised that you have seen that much of Kaman. I hate having to give any props to the Clippers as much as the next guy (well, excluding AK of course =) ) (Tom, I like your comment that the fact that they play in the same building has no bearing on you and that they are just another team in the way of the Lakers.). But, I (along with everyone else in the world) am having trouble seeing your point of view. At this point Kaman is a good, legit, top 10 nba C. Im not saying hes an all star. But , he has nice post moves, can score with either hand, can dribble exceptionally well for a C (lets not forget his incredible coast to coast that was really one of the more amazing feats ive seen from a C), plays decent defense, and lastly , he plays hard. (i forget if it was his rookie yr or soph yr, but in the rookie/soph game i was amused at how hard he was playing...like almost embarrasingly toooo hard for a game like that haha). He's not an all-star...but you cant say he sucks. He's good.
On the flip side... you cant even say, "lets see with bynum." first off, the argument was for right now...so if bynum is better than kaman 8 months from now, its irrelevant. Now, there are players in summerleague that dominate the summerleague...yet amount to nothing in the nba. (ie Skita). so we know that that is no guarantee for nba success. however, what we can tell from summerleague is, if you cant do well (and i mean, you better do really well since youre playing agasint a lot of stiffs) in summerleague, then you are NOT READY to play big mins in the nba. i bet there is not one player that sucked in summerleague but had great success in the nba that same year (of course barring some sort of injury or return from injury or something like that in S.L.). Just curious, but I am assuming you did not watch the summerleague games. because its is pretty clear...Bynum isnt ready yet.
This topic is actually really odd...cuz its SOOO obvious to me that Kaman is SOOOO much better than Bynum at this stage. To me it is almost like hearing someone say Devin Green can beat Kobe 1 on 1. Its just so off, I cant even conceptualize how bad the beating will be.
Sorry for the length of the post.....its late and I'm rambling......
Posted by: wiZo | August 11, 2006 at 12:29 AM
Wizo,
I am saying I would not take Kaman over Bynum for the 06'-07' season. I am making a projection that he will be a better player than Kaman over the long haul. Kaman is good but he is the # 5 piece like I stated before. I think Kaman uses his size well against most players but looking at Bynum, with the muscle he has added and the development from last year, to me he is better now. When that chance comes is up to Phil as you know, but we will see. If you disagree, thats fine, but its what I believe. To clarify even more, I am saying that when he is given the chance I will happen, the only way it won't is that Phil doesn't put him in. So time will tell.
Its been fun, I'll argue with you guys later. ;)
Posted by: Ken | August 11, 2006 at 12:59 AM
Labron is coming to LA in 2010 that's only 4 more years people!! Trust me, my gut knows it to be destiny.
Posted by: lakerschamps07 | August 11, 2006 at 01:32 AM
wiZo,
I wouldn't want to see Lamar go by any means, but if in the near future, KG demands a trade, this topic might come up again. I admit that it's a longshot, to say the least that KG might don the purple and gold one day, but it's not impossible. KG is in prime right now and if he would take a paycut for a dynasty, that is exactly what would happen with him & the lakers.
dan
Posted by: dan the man aka smushcalade | August 11, 2006 at 01:34 AM
Ken
If Bynum has trouble holding his own against summer league competition, what makes you think he's ready for steady minutes in the NBA?
Blue sky, man, blue sky.
Posted by: Michael A | August 11, 2006 at 04:17 AM
The Lakers would do the right thing by putting Bynum in the D league. He needs minutes on the floor and to be criticized along with developing his quickness and coordination. Nothing can give you that more than playing time - at half the year bring him up and give him some minutes against the NBA real world.
I keep hoping Bonzi or Harrington somehow make it to the Lake Show but I guess it is a pipe dream - just like KG or Le Bron who are way out of our range, this year or anytime soon.
Ronny Turiaf might be our big energy and motivationg defensive and rebounding enforcer. He has a great attitude and with Rambis and Phil pushing him he could be our biggest surprise this year. Danny Fortson is an animal but ofeten gets injured or his head can't hold up to any amount of coaching- plus his contract is and has been to big for years- thanks again to Golden State. Great player and a huge body down low but a head case and very inconsistent.
This season will be about development and hopefully everyone exceeds expectations including our tough Sasha guy- now that is a joke. I am hoping a few guys play over their heads before the trade deadline and we can package a few to get on more quality player.
Mitch should be getting a ton of mail now that address has been posted- I wonder if anyone can get his email too!
Tough reality but the Clippers are and were a better team than the Lakers. It is a new season and with what transpired in the playoffs this team could easily be a top 4 team next season. Good luck Lakers- Keep up the great work all you all stars on this Blog Team!
Posted by: Pete Maguire | August 11, 2006 at 09:25 AM
Michael A,
I think you might be talking about yourself, my friend. You must have heard "blue sky, blue sky" after you go around saying how the the clipper organization is. I understand, but it doesn't apply to me.
Posted by: Ken | August 11, 2006 at 10:23 AM
AK:
Thanks for your response. Time will tell which of us is correct regarding the Lakers and Clippers and the various players. You are correct that I never watch the Clippers so the fact that you see them constantly probably gives you a better basis to evaluate them and to give the team a higher standing than I do.
To me, though, they're the same loser team with the same loser owner they have always been. Finally, with twenty million top 10 draft picks, they have reached a form of cheap parity with the Lakers. I never respected them and never will. They're just in the Lakers way now.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 11, 2006 at 12:30 PM
dan:
I believe that the problem with sending Bynum or Farmar to play for the D-fenders is that very competitive players get better by playing against players who are better rather than not as good as they are. I didn't see any of the summer league games in person but from what I have heard both Bynum and Farmar were better than most of the players they played against.
I understand that Bynum has played relatively few games and that that the Lakers might consider sending him to the D-Fenders to get "game" experience, but based on the way he responded to Shaq and the glimpses I have seen of him in other games, I think Andrew will do better playing against Kwame and Mihm in practice and getting 10 quality minutes a game against Shaq, Duncan, Wallace, and other "real" NBA players who will challenge him and force him to improve.
As for Farmar, NO way will he play any time as a D-Fender. The guy thrives on competition and is biting his leash right now to get the chance to show Phil and everyone on the Lakers that he is a better player than Smush, Sasha, Williams, or anybody else the Lakers might contemplate starting at point guard.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 11, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Edwin Gueco,
I heard the rumor that Atlanta was interested in Mihm last Sunday on 570. This guy (who's name I dont remember)that was on was the beat writer for the local Atlanta newspaper. He was saying that the Lakers had a very good shot at him. He was saying that the top team was Indiana but called the Lakers a "dark horse" and that the Hawks were very much interested in Chris. Since it would be a sign and trade alot would depend on how much $$$ Tellem is asking for Harrington. He's 26 years old and in his prime so I'm sure he's looking for a big payday.
Posted by: LakerKev | August 11, 2006 at 02:40 PM
Laker Kev,
I wonder if you read what I posted in the succeeding thread to JM. Well, right now all the speculations, hearsay and innuendos being circulated by reporters, broadcasters are not true but they are painting only a scenario that is close to reality. The ultimate decision would come from Al Harrington in close consultation of his agent Arn Tellem after submitting all offers from all teams. However, if it is a sign and trade deal, then Atlanta Hawks could offer some inputs and help them clear any difficulties. As I said in the succeeding thread when they stopped the negotiation Pacers was offering the Hawks a sign and trade deal of $7.5M (MLE & BAE) + $3M signing bonus + 1st round draft pick in exchange for Al Harrington and James Edwards.
Therefore, if it is a sign and trade deal, it's possible that Atlanta would go for Mihm, Bynum and the rest of the Lakers who have short contracts. Again, these are all hypothetical offers not a factual one.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 11, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Re: Atlanta/Indiana deal for Harrington.
The $7.5 mil is a trade exception which Indiana received as compensation for a sign and trade of Stojakovic not a combination of the MLE & BAE.
All signs point to Harrington being sent to Indy.
In other words: I wouldn't hold my breath.
Posted by: akr_68 | August 14, 2006 at 04:57 PM
AKR 68,
Did the Hornets paid the Pacers for signing Peja? I think the Peja salary became a vacuum because he was grabbed as a free agent without any compensation in return. I may be wrong but please clarify. Did the Pacers use their MLE and BAE this year?
If you are definite that AH will go to Pacer how come the sign and trade had passed the deadline last Monday morning. Al Harrington is a free agent, he will go for the best deal and if the Pacers has the best deal then he goes with the Pacers. One reason why he fired his former agent is to go all over again on all the contract offers of other teams with Super Agent Arn Tellem, so why hurry signing with Indiana?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 16, 2006 at 10:03 PM