Just a friendly game of ping pong

I really don't think Gasol answers the Lakers' #1 problem: defense! When I watch the Spurs I realize how far our Lakers have to go.The Lakers virtually only have 2 decent defensive players, Kobe and Odom with Turiaf, Kwame and Bynum having some potential on D.
To be a championship contender the Lakers need upgrades at Center, point guard and small forward. They have so many mismatched parts that only if Dr. Frankenstein were their GM could they be assembled into a few decent players
ie. Mihm's offense, Kwame's one-on-one post defense, Turiaf's heart and energy and Bynum's height. Also, Walton's passing, Evan's strength and Radman's shooting (when healthy).

quetion outside of the topic:

where in the world is kareem rush?

Oscar,

Kareem Rush got waived by Seattle in the preseason and he's been playing in Europe, I believe.

AK

I'm just hoping suns won't get the high pick. Which means Atlanta needs to get at least a 3rd pick.

for info:
http://www.realgm.com/src_lottosim.php

I'm interested in Charlotte and New Orleans. Charlotte does have talent in Wallace and Okafur. Furthermore New Orleans was plagued with injuries, and I would like to see how they would build their organization. Chris Paul and Okafur will have their contracts expire after the season and those are guys the Lakers should be recruiting imo.

I also believe our priority should be at the point guard position. I hope we don't release Smush. As much as people hate his game, he's the most decent pg we can afford. He doesn't necessarily have to be the starter as that title could be delegated to Farmar. However if we release Smush, who will be our backup, Sasha?!

Anyway, I still believe Smush will still be in Los Angeles, regardless. If Smush and the Lakers part ways, I think the Clippers would pick him up. With Livingston injured and Sam injury prone, they'll need some stability. Let's not forget, they did give Wafer a ten day contract.

Is there any way we can get Mike Conley Jr. ?

As much as I respect Farmar, you think anyone would trade their high pick for our 19th and Farmar?

We need Conley..

GO LAKERS!!

David Whang,

I can't conceive of any GM pulling that trigger. Or why. I just heard someone today projecting Conley as a possible top 5 pick. Unless Bynum's in the discussion, there's no way that's happening in a (more or less) straight up trade.

AK

I would like to be interested in this year's lottery process. Unfortunately, this could only occur if the Lakers trade possibilities were to be affected by this. The only real option I can see is if Memphis gets 1 or 2 and can get their hands on Oden, therefore leading to the possibilty of a trade for Gasol not including Bynum (but probably Odom, who I would rather keep). Other that this, however, there isn't too much that could happen that would affect the Lakers.

Personally, I am increasingly getting to see that if the Lakers make some real noise this summer, it will be in the free agent market. Here are my current top prospects:

1) Gerald Wallace - under-rated, and widely unknown do to to fact that he plays in the no-man's land known as charlotte. He quitely had a season similar, or better than, shawn marion. All of their major stats were very similar. He would start at the 3, and immediate upgrade over walton. The team would be significantly better with wallace not only offensively, but more importantly, defensively. As much as I like walton, he is simply not a good defender.

2) Chauncey Billups - Hey... I can dream, right?

There are some other trades that are real possibilties (not like the KG fantasy) which I feel the Lakers need to seriously look at:

1) Mike Bibby - The Laker killer is available, and could be had, I believe, for a resonable price, as it's seems more and more like the kings are having a fire sale up north. We would immidiately get one of the top 10, maybe top 5, PGs in the league. He is a great offensive player, and decent to good on defense. And, I believe he would play even better not having to be the main man on offense. He would be made better by being on the court next to Kobe. Also, he could help groom Farmar as his successor, if Farmar were not included (which he very well could be, as it would make sense for the kings to get a replacement PG, and a young one, fitting in perfectly in the re-building process which they seem to be in).

2) Jason KIdd - I include Kidd because it was so close to happening before (or so I've been told), so we know it's at least plausible that this trade could occur. Kidd would provide what Bibby could, but even more so. Better offensively, better defensively in every way. Instead of getting a top 10 (or 5) PG, you would get THEE best PG in the league. (No nash lovers, that's not a typo). Also with this trade, I don't think Farmar would be required, as the nets already have a young PG (Marcus Williams) for the future, so having a second "PG of the future" wouldn't make sense. Ture, Kidd is 34, with a few years left. This fits the present and future of the team. He can obviously still play, so he would the Lakers the win now. It would also provide a golden opportuinty for Farmar (who seems like a willing student) to learn from the best PG in the league. In a few years, Kidd retires, Farmar takes over. Of course, this would include Bynum or Odom, either of which would help to resolve the Nets blackhole down low. As much as I would like to see Odom retire a Laker, I believe you would have to trade him before Bynum. Bynum is a true center, and even if he doesn't turn out to be a HOF, he has shown he can be, at the very least, effective in the league, and he is done this early. I believe he is going to continue to get better faster than what most people think.

Free agency is the obvious choice, as the Lakers could get something for nothing. But, if the right, AND SMART, trade comes along, the Lakers should do it.

CALI KING

Also, since the idea seems to be picking up steam again, let me say again what I've said since last summer:

TRADING FOR ARTEST WOULD BE A HORRIBLE MOVE.

He is obviously a cancer. Why would any GM in his right mind introduce this to his team? His skills do not, DO NOT, outway his shortfalls and troubles on and off the court. Any of you who even consider this trade as a good thing need to re-assess your basketball IQ.

CALI KING

Aloha Cali King

Of your list of possible aquistions Gerald Wallace makes the most sense. This will be a buyers market this year so he will come rather cheaply. He still would demand more then our mid leval exception but would be obtainable in a sign and trade if he wants to be a Laker. As for your other suggestins, your right Billups is a dream. I could kinda of see the Maloof bros. giving us artest on the cheap hoping he would blow up on us but not Bibby. I read where they went ballistic when they found out their GM was talking to us about him at the last trade deadline. And Kidd? I believe it would be disasterous. We get one of the best PGs in the league that is true but because of salary it would cost much more then just Odom or Bynum. It would probably be both and Kwame thrown in to make the numbers work. So now you fill your pg slot but need a power forward , a center and a back up center. All for a guy with maybe 2 good yrs left. I wouldnt give up Bynum or Odom for a 34 yr old. I would be willing to trade Andrew but they would have to have a little more milage left. Mo Williams is another young up and coming guarde who is a free agent, maybe we could find a sign and trade deal for him. If we are going to trade part of our future, lets at least get a guy with some future left in return.

MH

if anybody can handle Ron Artest in the locker room, it's Phil Jackson.

anybody that can get 3 straight rings with "The Worm" holding down the defensive fort for Scottie & MJ can get lucky once with Artest, Odom & Kobe.

if Artest could be had for Kwame or less ( ie- on the cheap), then GET HIM.

but i'm not so worried about the SF position if that trade happens or not. Luke played a solid rode when healthy. and what did we get Radmonovic for?

our biggest NEED is at point guard. Farmar's great. i think he can play in this league one day. but Right Now is not that day. Smush is gone, and maybe he's icy enough to cooperate in a sign and trade, but i'm not holding my breathe.

Any favorites for the 19th pick out there? Byars, Young, trade?

This is the move I would make. Trade Bynum and Kwame to Indiana for Jermaine. Then do a sign and trade with Luke with the Queens for Ron Ron. They have to want him out, and he definitely wants out. Did everyone see him at Laker games when he was not playing for anyone? It was not just one game. It was numerous. This is the best situation. You get Jermaine, who came in the league with Kobe, as a player that will play center. Lamar gets to stay. Kobe, Lamar, Artest, and Jermaine would be a great defensive foursome. Three good players revolving around one superstar. Sounds like a team that is being built for chips. There will be stability. Then continue to work throughout the season to build a bench. They are players that can score and defend the bucket. There is a chance that three of those playerscould be on the defensive 1st and 2nd team. This is the move.

I agree Cali King - Artest is a cancer and every team he plays with ultimately becomes a LOSER that can't make the playoffs.

But if we're looking to swap Kwame to Sacto, how about an even up swap for Bibby? Kobe and Bibby would immediately become the best backcourt in the NBA - bar none. Then if we could maneuver to get either Wallace from Charlotte or Gasol from Memphis with a combination of Vlad, Cook,Sacha, draft picks, or even Bynum if necessary (but only for Gasol cause we'd need a big) we'd have 4 great players (including Lamar of course) in the starting lineup.
PG - Biiby
SG-Kobe
PF- Lamar, plus

SF- Wallace
C-Bynum

or SF - Vlad/Luke
C-Gasol

All this WITHOUT having to count on McHale to let KG go and WITHOUT taking on the cancer called Ron-Ron. THAT would be a team Phil could coach to the finals!

I will be focused on two teams in the lottery. First, Memphis, for the same reasons stated by AK. So all of us Laker fans are hoping Memphis doesn't get the #1 pick.
The other team I think Laker fans have to watch is Atlanta. They absolutely must get a top 3 draft pick. If they don't get into the top 3, they will end up with the #4 pick....which will go to the SUNS! (argh). If they get the #4 pick, this will allow the Suns to trade either Marion or Amare, get a good player back, as well as likely pick up extra draft picks. Its just a bad year for the Suns to get the #4.
Most people have Brandan Wright or Al Horford or Joakim Noah going #4. That's fine, but there are two guys who I DO NOT want Phoenix to get, who I think will be great in the Suns system. Corey Brewer is a Josh Howard type player, but could be even better. He's 6'9 and athletic, can shoot, and a great defender. The other guy is Yi Jianlian, a 7ftr with nice athletcism, polished game, good fundamentals, and range out to the 3pt line. The reason the Suns can't get these guys is that I think depending on which guy they take, I think these two guys can step in and allow the Suns, who are tight on $ these days, to trade away Marion or Amare. Thus I think the Suns only take a half step back while shoring up their finances and future.
Another scary scenario though is that should the Suns get the #4 pick, there is some talk that the Suns could be looking to trade up to the #2 spot and take Durant. And the Suns might be the only team with the ammo to do it....they have 2 more picks in the first round and could offer Marion. Now as great as Durant can be....if you are a bad team, an offer of Marion, the #4, and two more 1st rounders starts looking pretty tempting.
So....Memphis NO #1! , and Atlanta get in the Top 3 !

CaliKing...whilst i agree with you that the Lakers perhaps dont need Artests distracting influence off the court. however trading for a former defensive player of the year and a widely recognised lock down defender is probably not such a dumb thing to do. Between kobe, lamar and phil...maybe we could just reign him in and get the best out of his talents.

The Lakers need to take gambles like this if they want to build a chamionship team...look at detroit and Rasheed Wallace?? Granted its not the same scenario but they took a chance with a hothead and it worked.

As for Bibby, I certainly wouldn't mind him as he is a proven scorer in the NBA. However, trading for him would mean losing Lamar...so unless you are willing to take a Bibby + Artest for Lamar and filler? Even then, im not sure the Kings are tripping over themselves to help the Lakers, esp not with sending proven Laker killer Bibby to lakerland. I think Steve Blake is more likely in all honesty...

Gerald Wallace would be excellent and im surprised his name is not being mentioned more. However, Charlotte are building a nice core for the future and the have acres of cap space...im not sure the Lakers will be able to compete with the money they can offer. However, The bobcats need to pay Emeka this season - a sure max contract. So maybe a trade with Kwame's expiring contract would interest them - or maybe not considering who is their GM.

Never- Phil has already said on several occasions Smush will not be invited back.

Who would trade Bynum for the 4th-5th pick?

I would consider it if it could land us one of the top 2 point gaurds in the draft.

Also, I'll be making a deal with ol' sparky to assure the hawks pick is top three. Turns out, all I have to do is fill out one of those dianetics personality tests at my local taco stand and all my dreams for this draft come true. This may be wort the price of my soul; after all, I'll finally get to know the history of psychiatry...do YOU know the history of psychiatry?

Wes

Wesjoenixon, "all I have to do is fill out one of those dianetics personality tests at my local taco stand "
Easy there Wesjoenixon don't let Tom Cruise hear you talk like that or
he's liable to come over there and jump up and down on your couch. LOL

I really don't care how many picks the Suns have in the draft, as long as
they play that same style they will never go far in the playoffs. Plus teams
now know how to play the Suns. I hear this is not a very deep draft at
all and after the first 8 picks it is really one of the worst in the last ten
years. Other than Oden and Durant none of these players are franchise
types. Joakim Noah if he had come out last year would have been the
number one or two pick and now is being compared to Anderson Varejo
of Cleveland what does that tell you?.

Well, seeing how conservative Kupchack has been with trades in the past few years, i can bet that what he will do in the offseason will be this:

1) Offer a PG the MLE, hopefully Mo Williams.
2) Trade for Artest. There are three important facts that most people dont realize, first and the most important one, Kobe wants Artest, he said it before he went to Sacto and Im preatty sure hes telling Mitch to go get him asap, secondly, he will not cost much (prolly Kwame's expiring contract or sing and trade with luke, but highly unlikely) and finally, he has only 2 years left in his contract, if the experiment goes wrong, we can dump him after this upcomming season, via trade or buyout.
3) Sign Mihn for a vet minimum for one year.

Think about it, Mitch will have the better of both worlds. He will address the PG position, revamp our defense in the SF postition and still give Bynum one more year to develop. Lakers will have three real offensives options in KB, LO and Ron Ron. IF things go wrong, he still has an ace up his sleeve and could trade Bynum before February's trade deadline. Lakers would be serious contenders in the west with these team. Chapionship material? Maybe, depends if the Lakers get a couple of veterans that will be free agents that could help polish the team to chapionship form, like Grant Hill, Webber, McDysse, ect. Those little things that people like Fox, Horace Grant, AC Green, Shaw and Ron Harper did in our last championship run. Think about it, if this moves are done, this team could improve enormously without touching its core.

Add to this the possibility that we will get KG as a free agent after this season. And I bet you that THIS WILL REALLY HAPPEN, KG walking to LA for a MLE or Vet minimum. You can count on it. People inside the Timberwolves organization are strating to link KG with the Lakers. Question is, how soon and how he actually becomes a Laker? Via trade? Hopefully not, KG's 18M + KB's 17M (35M of the projected 60-65M cap for this year) will eat a larget chunk of our cap, crippling our ability to sign an decent PG for the MLE and veterants.

If this really goes down, Mitch can redeem himself. I may actually think he did learned something of the Logo after all those years being his assistant.

What you guys think? AK/BK?

Go Lakers!

If you listen to the Cleveland talk Lebron James is being taken to task for involving his teamates TOO much. I don't agree with that. While some players are better at making big shots than others everybody on an NBA roster needs to be able to shoot and play defense. Other than "Z" in the middle Lebron's cast of players is equal to the Lakers. He's not crying about the "lack of help" he's just about winning. Who cares what Kobie does if LA wins? You'd have thought he'd have got it thru his head when the Pistons (team) defeated the Shaq-Kobie soap opera. No-we're still worried about Kobies shots and pretending he is a leader. He has yet to make any of his teamates better which is why he isn't Jordon or Lebron.

CALI KING

I think you have a few ping pong balls loose in your head. jk

Could you explain how we can bring in such quality players when we are limited to just one MLE of perhaps 5.5 mil?

Trading for Kidd?

Salary match of 21 mil to get Kidd. It would take 5 of our players to match salary which has increased since this last year. Who would he pass to, the Laker cheerleaders? That trade would mortgage our future talent pool and limit any future trade possibilties.

These are fine players, but I think they may be out our reach.

Atrest:
"TRADING FOR ARTEST WOULD BE A HORRIBLE MOVE."
Risky for sure, but not horrible, unless he runs up into the stands and punches out AK. Then it would be horrible.(AK, this is why you always wear your sneakers to the game. So you can run away)

"Any of you who even consider this trade as a good thing need to re-assess your basketball IQ."

Kobe and Odom have expressed interest in him. The Lakers tried to get him from Indy when he was available. Are you saying they have a low BB IQ?
To me, if Kobe, Lamar, and Phil think they can handle him, then I would be willing to take that risk. Espeacially if he don't cost much.

Never

PJ said publickly they won't resign Smush

David Whang

If the gap was close in the draft pick, like we had the seven and he was going 6th, I think your idea could work. But the gap and level of talent is way too great.. Moving up in the draft is an interesting thought. That's how we originally got Kobe. I thought about it also, but haven't come up with any ideas that another team would want. Fans in other cities that have high draft picks are really excited about its teams picks, and if you trade your pick away, you have to explain it. A Farmar and #19 wouldn't make me happy for a #5 or #6 if that was my team.

Fatty

Mamba24,
I have heard just the opposite about this draft. Some are saying this is one of the deepest drafts in recent memory.

PhxLkrfan, "I have heard just the opposite about that draft."
Yeah PhxLrfan everyone has heard just the opposite, but I was listening
to Dr Jack Ramsey and Bill Walton last week on some radio show and they
were enumerating alll the reasons why the common wisdom that
this is a very deep draft just might be wrong. They broke down all the players
after Durant Oden and Conley and described the weakness in
eacjh player and suddenly it was not looking so deep to me. They were
describing why some teams might be better off trying to trade their picks if
they had multiple first round picks for a steady established player. I don't
know, I won't even pretend to be an expert in these things but their logic made a whole lot of sense to me.

Obel that was a great post.
That is a very interesting scenario you paint and one of the more
cost effective. Kg after all has made over 150 million over his career
so far and from what I hear he is very, very frugal with his money.
One of his main pasttimes is playing Playstation. A chance to have
Artest, KG on the same team with LO and KOBE would not only make
Mitch executive of the year, but looks like a championship team to me.

AK:

"especially when you consider that Memphis isn't particularly cap-strapped, so extra cash off the books courtesy of Kwame may not prove irresistible"

I think I had brought this up in an earlier thread; while Memphis isn't hurting in relation to the cap, they're not exactly bringing in the mega bucks, either. They're dead last in game attendence and 25th in percentage of seats filled at home games.

rdlee:

"I really don't think Gasol answers the Lakers' #1 problem: defense!"

As it's been pointed out a few times, Gasol was on a Memphis team that had one of the best defenses in the league. Granted, he wasn't the main defensive presence (that'd go to Battier), but he's no slouch and definitely underrated.

Caesar:

"Gerald Wallace would be excellent and im surprised his name is not being mentioned more."

Wallace gets a lot of mention, actually. At least as far as I can tell. The reason that he doesn't get mentioned more is just as you said: they're building a nice core for the future and they'll be likely to sign Wallace to the maximum that they can. They'll be one of the few teams in the league that will actually be able to offer him that, as most others will be over the cap.

Wes:

"Turns out, all I have to do is fill out one of those dianetics personality tests at my local taco stand and all my dreams for this draft come true."

Oh, buddy... I don't think I could be convinced to become a Scientologist even if the Lakers would get a top pick, get KG at the MLE next season when he opts out, trade Sasha for Deron Williams, and a lifetime of dates with Salma Hayek. Wait, screw that. Sign me up, Tom!

Fatty:

"Salary match of 21 mil to get Kidd. It would take 5 of our players to match salary which has increased since this last year. Who would he pass to, the Laker cheerleaders? That trade would mortgage our future talent pool and limit any future trade possibilties. "

And that right there, my friend, is exactly why I've been against a trade for KG, Kidd, or even JO. Gasol? Miller? I could deal with either of those, as they make substantially less. As Andrew Z and I were talking about yesterday, we'll really need three good players to compete. Two ain't gonna get it done.

I CAN'T BELIEVE that some people here are still saying things like "trading for (Artest) is not such a dumb thing to do."
It IS. Dumb Dumb DUMB!

Look what he did to the Pacers - as a result of fallout from his charge into the stands and "do it my way or trade me" rants, the team lost its all-for-one mentality, was decimated by a series of resulting bad trades, and failed to make the playoffs after more than a decade of doing so.

Look what he did to the Kings - since his arrival there's bickering in the locker room, people pointing fingers at each other, the longtime winning coach fired, and the team has imploded and failed to make the playoffs after more than a decade of doing so.

THIS is what you want for the Lakers??? THIS is "not dumb???"
I don't care if he can pass like Magic and defend like Coop, he doesn't have one-tenth the character of either of them and sooner or later would drag our team into the gutter with him. NO-NO to Ron-Ron!

robert baker,

First of before you start talking bad about the greatest player in the game, (admitted by Lebron, KG, Jordan,Magic). You should first learn how to spell their name, it's just a matter of respect ( it's Kobe and Jordan). And second, I don't know why I'm even answering to your idiocies while i have a pre-draft to focus on?

Mamba from the eastcoast

Here's a question:

If Chicago get's the Knicks pick and it's 4-7 or so, and a player like Mike Conley, Jr. or Corey Brewer are available, players who are noted as being great on defense at the 1 and the 3, would you trade Andrew Bynum straight up for their rights? Both are proven at the highest level in college and scouts feel they are more than ready to come in as rookies and make an impact (a la Brandon Roy), would it be worth it to move Bynum (who would have been our third string center last season if Mihm was healthy) for either one?

And on another matter -

We don't need a "young point guard with potential." Already got one! We need someone like Kidd or Bibby or Andre Miller to mentor the one we've got. I truly believe Farmar will blossom into the next Steve Nash (or at least the next Baron Davis) if he's brought along slowly and mentored properly.

Probably the ONLY thing I agree with Mitch K on is that we don't need new promising young players in general - we have enough already. We need to trade our draft picks NOT for better draft picks but in a package with Kwame, Cook, Vlad etc for some veterans who will help this team NOW.

mamba24 - I agree that this draft isn't as deep as some would lead us to believe. however, compared to last year perhaps?

Having said this, there is still talent available lower down, namely Daequan Cook and Rudy Fernandez. Im not sure how much eurobasket you guys watch (probs not a lot), but this guy is a real offensive talent. Great spot up shooter and excellent slasher with good court vision.

Daequan Cook is a guy that can jump out the buliding and real explosive first step. Also very strong for a guy his size 6- 5. Has the attributes to be a top defensive as well as offensive player. Nice jumpshot, excellent midrange game - something that a lot of athletically gifted players lack.

Others who come to mind lower down in the projections include Acie Law - undersized at the point but a real leader. A guy who is clutch and wants the ball in crunch time. Its a real surprise that he is dropping in many mock drafts.

The one im hoping for is Thaddeus Young - Incredible incredible athlete who has loong arms and excellent footspeed. Also has a nice jumper and has the advantage of being left handed. He is currently projected to go mid 10s but im hoping that he will drop for some reason like Jordan Farmar last year.

Dont forget that unless you have a lottery pick, you are not expected to greatly improve your team in the short term. However, abit of luck and you land yourself a Paul Millsap type of steady contributer lower down. Huge element of luck involved in these things and lets hope for some next week.

lakers should draft big baby from lsu in case they trade away bynum.
Grant Hill to the Lakers: The Lakers will likely go through a serious offseason makeover, with the primary objective is improving the post play and the point guard position. If they can grab Hill at a minimum price, it would be an upgrade from Luke Walton, would allow someone else to create plays other than Kobe Bryant and would give Hill another legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run, which a class act like himself clearly deserves

Mamba,
I feel you on the not being an expert thing. I think the coaches are the ones with the reality of the draft. I heard D'Antoni talking about on the radio here yesterday. He said that you never know. That's the truth of it all. Look at Kwame!! I bet the Wizards would love to have that pick back. Even though that was a pretty sparse draft.

HOSTAGE UPDATE: DAY (17)
DAY 17 GARNETT HELD HOSTAGE BY MINNESOTA FOR RANSOM BY LAKERS.
ATTENTION BLOGGERS : LOTTERY DAY
NOW THE NEWS TODAY

No news today just an excuse to give a roll call shout out to new and omitted Bloggers
The Season Finale of Kevin Garnett Held Hostage will be Thursday. If you think the
24 and Heroes finals were great don’t miss it.

ROLL CALL:

Faith, Cyrus aka (Ventriliquist), KEIFO, FATTY, MITCHELL, KIWI, RespectMyAuthorith, Edwin Gueco, TIM-4-SHOW,
SBPimp, NEVER, CALI KING, RICK FRIEDMAN,THIRTY2, FAN OF MAMBA, WESOJOENIXON, TALIQ, BAYWOOD,
JJ, EXHELODRVR, AJAX, WOW, MIKE T. LAKERTOM, LAKERFAN, DAVID WHANG, VMAN, KOREY, XTRO, Tha Show,
KL BEAST, Jorema, FearlessWhackJob, MARTY, JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, MCGARNAGLE, PhxLkrFAN,
TexasLaker, BOB, TreacherousBalloons, EagleBoy, TWOODY, EASTCOASTJESSIE, GUGY,
Zakee, Swettual, Utzworld, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, BRANDON C., Kinglakernidas, Mamba24Fan 4 Life,
Fan of Mamba, Black Mamba24, FKILLAH, GENERIC_ONE, GDCHILD, ANDREW Z, GINO, CBUCK,LAKERGURL,
JR, Waterboy, Hariyahu, ADAM KILEY,Bynum=The BigLazy, ZEN, SARCOCOP,COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO,
J.Walter Weatherman, SOCALIFE, Greekdude, Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., Rick Friedman, Gunner24,
CRITICAL BEATDOWN, PFUNK36, PAUL LEE, WEAVE MAN, JON KAVULIC, Lakers4Life, JimBussIsAMoron,
Tajluck, James da Kingpin, Cyrus aka (Ventriliquist) JR., BERKLEYLAKER ,DION, KARL, CRAIG, MITCHELL,
GABE, SEAN P., HanSoulFood, HollywoodJack, TheKobeShow, Jay Jay, Caeser, Obel
CHITOWNLAKER, ANGRYLAKER LAKER FANS, wiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, OSCAR, RDLEE, RealityBites,
LakerLarry, Bucky, LEELO, BikBlonde,Dacsilla

ALL TOGETHER NOW:

LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER

This message is really a response for all those that cut my plan to shreds yesterday......

This is why I am getting so sick and tired of this blog. You criticize everything...nothing is ever decent enough to get by you. NONE of you work for the NBA yet you think you know everything about it. I'm sick of it.

I have posted 5 different plans on here and you have shredded each one. Basically, every single one has been unrealistic by your standards. Newsflash.....nothing will ever be realistic by your standards. In one instance you say that the players we have are worthless, but then in another instance you come up with trades that you think will work. Plus, how do you figure tha the Lakers are going to become a championship team next season if they make all of these changes this summer? Has ANY team every tunred around so fast?

By the way....when did Gasol become such a high prospect? It is baffling to me how so many are so interested in getting him. Does he fill the needs for the Lakers? Do the Lakers need a player like him? Here's another question....does he even look like a Laker?

I'm sorry...no I'm not......I am just sick and tired of all of this mess!!!! I think it's time I take my ideas somewhere else. Maybe to another cite where people don't claim to know so much.

It is ironic though that I am always being criticized as being the one that cuts down others ideas and I am being criticized as knowing so much yet......you all are the ones always doing it to me!

Jason Kidd lovers,

Personally, I don't think Jason Kidd to the Lakers would be a great trade. I believe he's the second best point guard in the league, but when you look at Phil Jackson's track record (when it comes to him winning nine championships), all the point guards have one thing in common:

They don't make a lot of stupid mistakes and they can all shoot.
BJ Armstrong, John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher, etc.

In other words, we just need a point guard who knows the game and won't make dumb mistakes which lead to turnovers. As long as he can do that and shoot, we'll be fine.

As far as I'm concerned, Jason Kidd is not that great of an outside shooter. Just my opinion though. Please don't hate me. :)

Bryan

who will I have my eye on for the lottery?....its gotta be the suns...the fact they have a reaonable statistical chance of getting Oden or Durant makes me shiver.

If memphis wins does that make it more or less likely Gasol gets traded? same boat for KG...Id say if the wolves get one of the top two picks KG goes nowhere.He signs on with the wolves for less money and they build a TEAM.In fact I think that might be the most likely course of action for him anyway.

The crystal ball is showing Milwaukee and Boston get the top 2 picks but I cant make out the order.I also see Seattle coming through but its slightly blurry...

The suns and griz will not be lucky.

Caeser, PhxLkrfan I bow to your superior wisdom in this. I really didn't pay
to much attention to college BBall the past couple of years so I just
take what knowledge I can get where I can get it. Hopefully it is a deep
draft and the Lakers can pull out a gem like San Antonio always seems to
do. Though 9Rings, never had much use for the draft with either the
Lakers or the Bulls. Other than Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant with the
Bulls I can't think of any draft picks that ever had extended playing time
with 9rings until Bynum and Farmar.

GW, "I'm so sick and tired of this mess"
I feel your pain GW. Now take a deep breath and say
to yourself "It's just a kids game". A lot of us may well
have liked your ideas and so felt no need to comment.
So naturally you got reponses in which the bloggers
who responded felt strongly. Jjust be assured that your
ideas are just as valuable as anyone elses. By the way
I might catch some flack but I liked a couple of your ideas.
Now straighten up soldier and send us some more ideas.

Bryan Im with you mate...

oh ...and Bryan...let them hate...but one small tip when someone pushes you over the edge. Use code for your expletives.For example w£$%&r becomes w£$%&r.

GW, "I'm so sick and tired of this mess"
I feel your pain GW. Now take a deep breath and say
to yourself "It's just a kids game". A lot of us may well
have liked your ideas and so felt no need to comment.
So naturally you got reponses in which the bloggers
who responded felt strongly. Jjust be assured that your
ideas are just as valuable as anyone elses. By the way
I might catch some flack but I liked a couple of your ideas.
Now straighten up soldier and send us some more ideas.

REPOST

Faith,
"If anything I think we'd be doing ourselves a great disservice if we put all our eggs in one basket."

duh..........kobe bryant. we put the entire franchise in one basket when we let shaq go. BTW, i know you read my blogs, so i'll say that i went overboard with my comment over the weekend. for that, i apologize. please don't respond.

T-Rock,
“Did you say trade Kobe? Your don't trade Kobe... that would be like trading M.J. in his prime. I can see it now, the Red Sox with their curse of the Bambino and the Lakers with their curse of the Black Mamba!”

Wassup Rock Star!? We are already cursed with the “snake” Bryant. 3 years and counting. BTW, kobe’s reaching his prime. soon, all you so-called kobe-lovers will jump ship when he starts getting hurt and being "lazy" and not working out the entire offseason……….wait wasn’t that what happed to shaq……the dude got older, a lot more miles with all of the post season play and punk-a$$ kobe calls out shaq by saying he’s lazy. strange things happen when you reach 30…………believe me I know. I play ball once a week and I’m tired as hell. kobe’s time will come and I’ll be laughing at kid kobe when he becomes old-man kobe jacking up 30 shots a night and missing 20 of them. his day will come.

“Picture this, Kobe, Amare, The Matrix, Boris Diaw, and Barbosa... how could they not go to the finals”

my problem with kobe isn’t his individual ability, it’s his ability to get along with teammates. I’ve made this comment before, trade kobe for nash, kobe will piss off Amare, Matrix, Diaw and Barbosa, those guys will ask to be traded or sign with the Steve Nash (LBJ, Dwade too) of the world. then PHX will be a 42-40 team with kobe winning the scoring title again.

Fatty,

thanks for sharing. I appreciate it. I’m a Rams fan also…..before the Rams were the “best show on turf”. I still have a old gym bag with the LA Rams logo. I’m an old guy huh??

BTW, I admitted multiple times that I went too far with my joke, but I disagree that Faith has more b-ball knowledge than other bloggers. do you know if she even plays organize ball?? I bet she doesn’t and hasn’t. if she did (other bloggers too), she wouldn't bag on the likes of Nash and Shaq. also, she'd understand that the criticism of those real MVPs are not warranted. I’ve always said that I appreciate kobe’s (as well as all NBA players) individual games, but what matters more to me is playing as a team. case in point, LBJ is a great teammate, LBJ needs to be a great performer and winner…….i believe over the years, LBJ will prove to be closer to MJ, Magic, Bird, etc. than kobe will ever be …………..unless……..drum role…….kobe realizes that b-ball is a team sport and one can’t do it alone. this won’t happen if all kobe hears is that he’s the “greatest player on the planet”? ya dig.

“Kobe is not only one of the greatest players of our time, but one of the most solid team players.”

BTW, this is the kind of crap that drives guys like me and Exiled nuts. kobe HASN’T done jack shizzle, shaq won those championships by being a good leader, good teammate, good recruiter and good player. kobe can’t even take his team out of the first round. whenever guys like me call guys like you out, we get attacked personally. I’ll say again, when one can’t argue facts, one makes personal attacks.

LAL_Fan,
“Nash, what? 2 times MVP? 0 rings? I bet he would trade both of those for one ring so stop spitting your hate for Kobe around here. When Nash, having a team he has will get at least one ring you can start arguing about 'GREAT STEVE NASH'. Last time I checked - Suns out of playoffs, same as Lakers. First or second round - does not matter. Just remeber, Great Steve Nash - 0 rings.”

Agreed. But I’ll say Nash is a lot more closer than kobe is as the #1.

michael h,
“I am not saying we are anywhere near an elite leval, i am just saying were not that bad………...So KL please make mine a cheeseburger, with fries.”

uuuummmmmm………cheeseburgers! would you like catsup or ranch? You’ve made my point about injuries, etc affecting the performance of a TEAM. my problem with kobe is that we HAD a great TEAM with a great HOF center and kobe decided he didn’t need it, he wants to be the “man”, solidify his “greatness”, so far, he’s failed miserably. winning titles is a very difficult thing to do. I waited over 10 years before the lakers were back to the elite status and I’m not happy at all that a selfish punk-a$$ put himself above winning championships. it’s that simple for alleged “kobe-haters”

“During the three peat when we had Shaq, Fox, Horry, Grant, Harper, Shaw, Fish etc See we had a lot of good players and Kobe played within the team system.”

you don’t get my point (exiled’s too?) that kobe had no choice. those guys would have biatched slapped kobe’s skinny a$$.

“The thing about Kobe is his desire to win is at a MJ leval. If there was a Most Driven award he would win.”

being driven to win and learning HOW to win is ENTIRELY different concepts.

“My point is with more talent on the team he hasnt shown me any reason not to believe he will play within the framework of the offense.”

my point is that kobe has a bad reputation among players and nobody of real significance will want to play alongside kobe. let’s see if kobe lobbies to get Vince to play in LA. if vince comes, Kidd might come as well.

hari,
“Shaq would vote for Kobe as MVP for this season. Hmmm..wonder why?”

right, you mean all-star MVP right? fools gold my friend. kobe will not win a championship as the #1, I’m willing to put money on it. if kobe keeps this up, he’ll be banished like Dwilkins was (remember to the LAC and Spurs) after Atlanta was done with the “human highlight reel”.

dice8up,
“What the laker haters or KOBE haters do not understand about kobe is that, #24 is such a greatest and fierceiest competitor today, as players would acknowledge.”

diceman, being a competitor and winner is two different things.

Second prize is makiing the playoffs.

How sweet would it be to have a top 10 pick to deal now? San Antonio is still getting dividends from the season they tanked to get Duncan. With a hobbled lineup, and limited offseason options, an early vacation would have helped about now. We don't need another rook but our 19th isn 't worth much as trade bait. Even with a top 10 this is near impossible. Mitch is going to have to be brilliant and stupid lucky... maybe divine intervention. Chick?

GW,

while i was one of the posters who criticized your trade possibilities yesterday, i must agree that this blog is an cynical as ever.

part of it can be attributed to the current status of the lakers. many question marks plague our beloved franchise right now.

part of it also has to do with having kobe bryant on our team. as long as you have kobe bryant on your team - there will be plenty of cynicism - win or lose.

and while i enjoy reading critiques, i also believe that if you plan on criticizing something - you should also have an alternate solution.

it is really easy to say "no" or "that's wrong" or "that's stupid" or " that will never happen."

however, to say these things WHILE providing alternate solutions makes more sense to me. it is not only a more intelligent way to debate, it also could provide some insight for the rest of us on this blog. sometimes we all need to look at things from different angles to gain perspective.

so please, instead of just knocking somebody's hypothetical trade/idea - be original and come up with some alternate trades/ideas that you may think are more probable/realistic.

keep up the good work GW (by the way, those initials really arem't associated with intelligence, you may want to think of a new moniker).

tha Show, "by the way, those initials really arem't associated with
intelligence, you may want to think of a new moniker)."
Come on now show, If the President wants to send ideas to the Blog
don't question his intelligence, just salute and say yes sir LOL.

KL

Thats your opinon based on the facts as you interpret them.Everyone else has theirs based on the shreds of information they have read or seen over the years.Its fair to say theres alot more to the story than Kobe being selfish.He wouldnt have been here had the owners/management not wanted him.The team hadnt won in two years and it was a logical moment to change things before the lakers were left in an even worse position.The point is you have your opinon which is fine...others can have theirs because at the end of the day nobody knows what happened but it seems logical to assume there is more to the story than Kobes selfishness.we will never know what the outcome would have been but it is likely the championship team as we knew it were done.The lakers simply made the most logical and lowest risk choice moving forward given the circumstances they found themselves in (regardless of whos fault it might have been).There is no need to BLAME anyone in particular.Its just the way it was.

However on specific points you made

- when you get older it is even more reason to keep yourself in shape its harder to bounce back and play yourself into shape.

- I think there is alot of evidence (threepeat,begining of last season) that kobe will mesh with the team when other players are there to step up.I am sure this would be the case if surrounded by the suns talent.They would not necessarily be better than with Nash but I doubt he would be winning scoring titles and annoying everyone.

-How can you be SO SURE you are right in a situation that was so complex and you have about 1% of the information?

-How can you so completely disregard the roles/opinions/actions of the owner,Shaq,and the multitude of other people involved in the situation?

GW,

"By the way....when did Gasol become such a high prospect? It is baffling to me how so many are so interested in getting him. Does he fill the needs for the Lakers? Do the Lakers need a player like him? Here's another question....does he even look like a Laker?"

Look like a Laker? I don't know what that means. If being one of the best young centers in the league is what it looks like to be a Laker, then yes, he definitely looks like one.

The guy is an All-Star and a World Champion. Those are nice credentials. As for the needs of the Lakers, there are almost too many to count. A major issue, IN MY OPINION, was a lack of a post scorer. I thought we were most effective when LO played down there, but if there is a guy who can score in the post or demand a double team, that will make Kobe's life much easier. Look at what the Spurs do with Duncan, Gasol could bring that to LA.

I think we need a major upgrade at the PG position, and a better, more athletic defender at the SF position. So basically I'm thinking we need to upgrade 60% of our starting line-up. That's where I'm coming from.

We do agree however that there is NO WAY the team changes into a contender overnight, that's one reason why I like the $6 million a year less Gasol makes as opposed to JO. Any flexibility would help us out.

I think this is going to be a 2-3 process, but it's extremely important that we make a major step in the right direction next season, especially since we took a step back this year.

KL,

i am not trying to change you into a kobe lover. kobe could cure cancer, and it wouldn't be soon enough for you. and that's fine.

a lot of your points are valid.

valid for players like carmelo anthony, lebron james, ray allen, gilbert arenas, jason kidd, vince carter, tracy mcgrady, steve nash, dirk nowitzski, paul pierce, allen iverson, jermaine o'neal, lamar odom, kevin garnett, and elton brand (among others).

because kobe bryant does not apply to some of your arguments:

1. BEING DRIVEN TO WIN AND LEARNING TO WIN ARE TWO DIFFERENT CONCEPTS
2. BEING A COMPETITOR AND A WINNER IS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS
3. HE HASN'T DONE JACK SHIZZLE
4. HE ISN'T A GOOD ENOUGH TEAMMATE

all 4 of these points ARE EXTREMELY VALID with the list of players above.

while the reasons why they are not valid with kobe bryant ARE EXTREMELY OBVIOUS, i will still point them out for you.

1. um, kobe has 3 nba titles to his credit. so that point is wrong/invalid. i think kobe was pretty driven during that 3 peat. and i think he learned how to win as well, as evident by 3 consecutive nba titles.
2. let me think, does having 3 nba titles make you a winner? i would have to say yes.
3. winning 3 nba titles + all-star appearances + all nba defense + scoring titles DOES NOT EQUAL jack shizzle. just a fact KL. please face it.
4. when/if kobe is surrounded by BETTER TEAMMATES, this point is not applicable. put any one of those elite players listed above in kobe's place - and let's see how well they would do. if management brings in better talent and kobe still can't make it happen - your point may prove to be true.

i am just as frustrated as you are with the current state of the lakers. i am bitter to see miami carbon copy the lakers and win a title. it sucks, mistakes were made, but they are in the past. we need to let that bitterness go and seek improvement immediately. it's easy to point what went wrong and what's wrong - we need to point out how to make it right.

and i know you hate kobe like no other.

however, he is our best shot at winning right now. if we can add a couple of quality pieces around him - we CAN contend for a title.

the best players of all time needed quality teammates around them to succeed.

so until this current roster ADDS those quality pieces, reserve judgment on kobe's ability to win a title sans shaq. it's not like shaq won that title last year on his own. a certain superstar named dwayne wade had PLENTY to do with it.

after all, kobe already helped us win 3...in a row (only 3.5 years ago as you reminded me yesterday).

like i said before, i am not trying to convert you into a kobe lover. i am lil smarter than that. if kobe gets the pieces he needs and can't make it happen, then you can rant & rave all you want.

until then, you should reserve judgment.

because if he does get those pieces, and wins a title or two - what will you able to say then? THAT HE DIDN'T DO IT SOON ENOUGH? OR THAT HE COULDN'T DO IT WITH A CAST OF SCRUBS?

i know it's tough to do, but reserve that judgment until kobe has a fair (legitimate) shot at contending for a title.

KL,
Get real. Are you saying Kobe with Amare and Marian would be a 40-42 team!? Are you serious!? Actually in all honesty, Phoenix would have won the series against the Spurs if they had Kobe and not Nash. Bowen totally shut down Nash, and he wouldn't have been able to do that against Kobe. Stopping Kobe takes 2 or 3 people and your going to leave marian and Amare open?

Sorry but Phoenix would be NBA champs this year if they had Kobe.

Your analyzing Kobe with the pathetic Laker teammates he has. Kobe already proved if he has great teammates around him that he can win. Or did you forget the 3 titles? Yes, he had Shaq with him. Who cares? Every team needs at least 3 really good players. He would have had that at Phoenix. The Lakers only have 1 really good player and another very good inconsistent player. Please get real!

GW stands for Ghost Writer......

KL,

and as i've stated before, i am not pro kobe - just pro laker.

peace.

just having some fun dubya (GW).

Andrew Z & wesjoenixon:

You raised an interesting question. If Bynum were in the draft, I have heard some reference that he might be the #3 pick. Trading him for Conley or Brewer is an interesting idea, even though I hate ever to give up big for small. I know Brewer looks like a great potential defender but have not seen Conley. Can he really play great defense? Is he really as good a point guard prospect as Deron Williams and Chris Paul were? If so, would such a trade be something the Lakers should pursue? It all depends on the quality of those guards. I would need to know more about Conley, since he is really a 1 and Brewer is probably too big to play against most 1’s. Anybody out there have strong feelings about Conley or Brewer for Bynum? One problem that is solved by trading Bynum for a draft pick is that you don’t have to throw in a bunch of other players just to make the salaries match. Anyway, very interesting idea.

Tom

GW , "GW stands for Ghost Writer......"
We were just having a lil fun GW. You got to loosen up. especially
if you follow a team like the Lakers with all the intrigue that's
involved. I'm just glad you are not the real GW or all
our a** would be shaipped to Iraq by now. LOL

KL,

All of your post ar garbage, I didn't know you played ball in the Fat Boys league. Stop hating in Kobe and get a real perspective. Without Kobe, the Lakers would not have won the three championships in a row.

RB

LakerTom,

I saw Conley play about 3-4 games last year and then the tourney. He's 6'1" but is super quick and has long arms. He's got a bit of a nasty streak too and has no problem challenging the ball full court. I was always impressed with him.

As for Brewer, I'm completely sold on him helping in the short term and being a perenial All-Star level player in the league. He's 6'8" has a HUGE wingspan and is fast. He's regarded as one of the best defenders in the league, and that often overshadows his solid offense. If you're truly looking for a guy who could guard the premier scorers in the league like McGrady, Lebron, and Wade, taking some of the load off Kobe, he's your guy.

I just think the Kwame-Mihm combo is good enough at the 5 if the other four on the court are solid.

However, we need to address the issue of having someone who can score inside. We lacked that quite a bit last year and it put too much pressure on taking jump shots and Kobe creating off the dribble.

GW:

"This message is really a response for all those that cut my plan to shreds yesterday......

This is why I am getting so sick and tired of this blog. You criticize everything...nothing is ever decent enough to get by you. NONE of you work for the NBA yet you think you know everything about it. I'm sick of it."

I think that I've mentioned a couple things to you about the propositions (I know Grant Hill from yesterday's), but I've always said that I thought the stuff you were coming up with was nothing short of phenomenal, seeing as how it was definitely outside the box thinking. I'll often comment just briefly on a variety of things if I see something that I've looked at before and found some interesting information, but sometimes I won't give an alternate solution just because of time constraints.

If that irks you, then I apologize, but I'm sincerely just trying to spread the information so that it's known by all. Sometimes I've been wrong, and I like being corrected so that I know what's really goin down. It's all about communication, ya know?

LakerTom,

How about this one for changing the way things look around here:

Boston's odds are best for landing the fourth pick in the draft. Unless they get a franchise guy like Oden or Durant, they will more than likely want a veteran to pair with Pierce.

We trade LO and the No. 19 pick to Boston for Theo Ratliff and the No. 4.

Draft Al Horford with the No. 4 pick.

Send Theo Ratliff, Andrew Bynum, Brian Cook, and 2008 1st rounder to Indiana for JO.

Trade Kwame Brown, Mo Evans, and our two second rounders this year to Sacramento for Ron Artest and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Use MLE or fraction on a veteran PG like Steve Blake or whoever.

PG MLE/Farmar
SG Kobe
C JO
PF Horford
SF Artest

Bench: SAR, Walton, Mihm, Sasha, Turiaf

Crazy but it looks different for those who want to see something done.

Andrew Z I'm with you about the changes that need to be made... You hit it right on the dot 60% of our current roster needs to go or be moved to the 2nd or 3rd unit....

Recall
People that need to leave

Kwame - No desire
Smush - long gone
Cook - one dimensional crap
Sasha - does not belong in the NBA
Vrad - so far a space cadet
Bynum - too raw and to lazy
Mckie- retire already
Shammond - best as a 3rd string PG
Luke - bench player, no defenese

That leaves us with only 4 players from last years team that I really liked
and thats of course Kobe, Lamar, Turiaf and Farmar......

I think eveyone at least should be traded or sent packing, Luke is the odd man out if he demands more than 3.5M a year....

Buss, the above mentioned players can not be in a Laker uniform for next season, if we want to win a championship.....

Andrew Z.....I watched Conley play in just about all his games...I live in Ohio......he is a great young talent but he will need a year or two to really start to show some real good basketball in the pros. Plus, he and Oden are trying to get on the same team. The word is that Oden will probably make a quiet demand for whoever drafts him to work a trade to also get Conley.

If for instance Memphis is the team, that will be when Gasol will be traded.

GW,

I agree that Conley wouldn't be on par with Nash, Parker, or Paul right out of the gate, but defensively you have to like what he would bring right away.

As for Oden saying he wants to play with Conley, I don't blame him, they've been together for six years. However, I don't think things work like that in the NBA. What is he going to do hold out? It isn't the NFL.

I guess we'll just have to get Oden if we want Conley that bad, HA!!!

generic_one,

Did I say your name? Did I address that message to you? Go back to yesterday and look at the guy that criticized every single step!

LakerTom, Chris Paul is a phenom and I dont think Conley will ever be as good as him. I seem to remember Deron wasnt as sought after as CP3 but he was still regarded as an excellent floor general. I think the only judgement I can make now is that CP3 had 4 years and DW 3 years of college. We know that to be an effective point guard in the NBA, experience is def needed. Look at how DW struggled in his rookie year at times, in what would have been his senior year. I think trading for Conley is not complementary to the Lakers focus right now, which is building a team for the present. However, I have no doubt that Conley wil be a nice player in years to come.

Andrew Z - im with you that Brewer would be an excellent defender...and something that the Lakers really lack. However, his offense is average by college standards and esp poor considering how athletic he is. He is also only 185 at 6 8 - another Sasha lol. I think his lack of strength will impact his effectiveness, and this guy would be another 2 - 3 year project.

Just because he is regarded as the premier perimeter defender in college doesnt mean this will translate in the NBA. If you put him on LeBron or T Mac now, they will just over power him on the block. DWade will fall over and get his freethrows like he usually does. Remember that strength is a major factor on D - look at how players like Bowen, Artest and Wallace play.

Im thinking Kobe isnt gonna be particularly thrilled if the Lakers trade Bynum for another project.

Ramses - not sure what the fat boys league is, but keep em coming lol

Tha Show - you would think KL would get it by now.

Im not totally sure on who we need this off season, but I am waiting with baited breath none the less. I do know a few things though:

1. We need to keep Kobe, Lamar, Ronny, Luke, Mo and Jordan. Everyone else is on my chopping block this year. I love the idea of Jordan being tutored by Kidd still and wish we could turn the clock back or at least find a good likeness of Karl Malone or the next Rodman (less the bad attitude).

2. I also know the league needs to relax some of this foul crap they have brought into the game the last few years. Give us fans the physical play we want. We don't want big men hitting three's, we want them hitting other big men and short canadian point guards.

3. Bynum and Brown sounds like a candy bar with soft insides.

TWoody
24/7

GW

Why Gasol? Because we maybe able to afford him without giving up Lamar. He is only 26 and is a more efficiant offensive player then 19 million dollor man j oniel. Lakers need a few better players, it really doesnt matter where they play. You add Gasol to the front line with Lamar and now we have 3 strong scoring options and another guy that is a good rebounder.And the real upside we would have enough trading pieces left to maybe add at least a decent guard and still be able to add a player with the MLE. Now we could work on a trade for a big star but that would probably cost Lamar, and we have nothing left to trade for a guard. I just think it makes more sense.

MH

Andrew Z,

You were one of the ones that criticized my message yesterday. I believe you said....whatever I'm smoking must be really good.

Well, how can you criticize my suggestions so harshly and then post what you did?

The worse thing the Lakers could do is make changes for the sake of making changes. In looking at your changes, I'm sorry but outside of maybe 1 or 2 moves, the rest looks highly complicated and unnecessary.

If you are willing to draft a point guard that is going to take 2 years to fully develop, why are you so hard on Bynum? Andrew was in his second season and folks were saying time is running out on him. Does that not sound ridiculous?

Things are so messed up in the mind of people that they are expecting rookies to enter the league now and be all-star performers the first season. What happened to players taking a few years to develop?

Hey Andrew Z

I thought the goal was to win ASAP? LAmar for a #4 drafte pick and Theo?

MH

michael h,

First off you are assuming that Lamar will be needed to make a trade work. If Indiana traded away Harrington, Jackson, Jasikevicis, and Powell for Dunleavy, Murphy, Diogu and Armstrong, what makes you think that they wouldn't trade O'Neal for Brown, Radmanovic, Cook and the 19th pick?

You have missed the fact that they currently don't even have a 1st round pick. A team wishing to rebuild needs draft picks. Plus, they are most likely going to attempt to honor the wishes of O'Neal and send him where he wants to go. Besides, what role would Lamar fill for them? They are not the type of team that would work for him. However, if they are looking to rebuild, would they really want a high salary like Lamar's? That's 12mil for 3 or 4 more years.

The Lakers would be giving them an expiring contract for $8mil, Vlade's 5mil for 4 more years, Cook's 2mil for 2 or 3 more years. They can work with all of those. It's not as bad of a trade as you all are making it sound. Besides, with the 19th pick, they could in turn possibly package that pick and one or two of their contracts to possibly move up to a lottery pick. You never know.

Here is a simple trade that would work based on needs and salaries.

Lakers trade Lamar, Maurice and Sasha to the Rockets for Snyder, Battier and Howard.

T-Mac just said last week that the Rockets need a more athletic forward. he also mentioned about them needing some guard help.

They get Lamar and Maurice added to the starting lineup. Sasha becomes the backup point guard. T-Mac moves to small forward. Look at this lineup.

Alston, Evans, McGrady, Odom, Ming

The Lakers also upgrade their team. The Lakers would insert 2 new starters into the lineup and still have Radmanovic, Brown or Cook to use as part of a trade for a point guard. Without that, the Lakers would have this lineup.

Farmar, Bryant, Battier, Howard, Brown. This would be a better defensive lineup as well as possibly a more cohesive lineup.

GW - nice...but you just made Houston a championship team...and a team from the same conference?

kiwi,
“we will never know what the outcome would have been but it is likely the championship team as we knew it were done.”

I disagree. The top two players working together with solid role players (which shaq would have recruited) would put us in the position to be a contender…..i don’t necessarily mean a championship. Look at Miami, an instant contender with Shaq, Wade and the supporting cast in 2005, NBA title in 2006 (beating the best team in the league that year Detroit).

“The lakers simply made the most logical and lowest risk choice moving forward given the circumstances they found themselves in (regardless of whos fault it might have been).There is no need to BLAME anyone in particular.Its just the way it was.”

I agree the lakers made the correct choice in keeping kobe, but I blame kobe for putting shaq in a position where he was so pissed that he wanted kobe out. kobe’s desire to be “great” and to be the “man” undermined shaq’s leadership and kobe didn’t give shaq an out to retire in LA gracefully. so given the choice, if I were shaq, I’d ask to leave too. so end of the day, we’re here banking the entire farm on kid kobe to deliver a championship. the “greatest show on earth” has delivered nothing but scoring titles and other tremendous INDIVDUAL accomplishments. now, kobe won’t have the salary cap excuse anymore. if the lakers can’t convince anybody of significance to come play alongside kobe, my conclusion is that kobe’s not well liked and others would rather play alongside shaq, nash, dirk, LBJ, Wade, Melo, etc. just my humble opinion.

“I think there is alot of evidence (threepeat,begining of last season) that kobe will mesh with the team when other players are there to step up.”

I’ve made the point repeatedly that it’s easy to “mesh” and be lovey-dovey when things are going right. I’ve noticed that when things go wrong, kobe’s true self comes out. kobe calling out shaq in CO when he was in trouble, kobe giving the stupid glare at his guys during the losing streak, kobe calling out his guys “lacking talent” during the playoffs. This is suppose to instill confidence in your guys to live and die for you?? i doubt it. I sure as hell would never support the likes of a kobe in my lifetime. I stay as far away from those individuals, but’ll complement them by saying “kobe’s a great guy with great abilities, I would love to play with him, but………..”

Let see if kobe can convince carter to play in LA. If carter comes, Kidd will follow.

“How can you be SO SURE you are right in a situation that was so complex and you have about 1% of the information?”

I’m not “sure”, I have my hypothesis. I’m a stupid fan who talks out of my a$$. I look at the evidence, 3 years and name one person of significance willing to play with kobe. this will be the 4th season post shaq, let’s see the outcome.

“How can you so completely disregard the roles/opinions/actions of the owner,Shaq,and the multitude of other people involved in the situation?”

it’s easy, the laker management, shaq, kobe need to put the “spin” on these matters. I look at the evidence, where are the players so eager to play alongside “the greatest player on the planet”? that’s all the evidence I need.

tha show,

first off, I appreciate your POV and cordialness with me. I have much respect for you eventhough we disagree.

“1. um, kobe has 3 nba titles to his credit. so that point is wrong/invalid. i think kobe was pretty driven during that 3 peat. and i think he learned how to win as well, as evident by 3 consecutive nba titles.”

I’ll give you this one, but kobe shows his appreciation for the main reason he’s got 3 rings by making shaq’s life miserable eventually pushing him out. instead of celebrating a HOF center, LA fans remember shaq as being a lazy bum…….check out this blog……du-masses like Faith call out shaq as being lazy……..on top of that people like Faith probably have never played the game. I think kobe had no choice but follow the leaders (emphasis on plural), but the key to winning wasn’t kobe, it was shaq and shaq’s leadership. kobe wanted to take credit, but we all know it’s shaq who brought LA the championship. I recall an interview with kobe about the 3-peat and he would not acknowledge that shaq was the leader, kobe actually thought he was the leader……how pathetic…….kobe’s the unquestioned leader now and were not even close to competing, let a alone winning a title. shaq has one and counting. if Shaq can persuade Carter to join Miami, kidd will follow, then Miami will have enough to compete again. I’ll guarantee it.

“2. let me think, does having 3 nba titles make you a winner? i would have to say yes. 3. winning 3 nba titles + all-star appearances + all nba defense + scoring titles DOES NOT EQUAL jack shizzle. just a fact KL. please face it.”

I should qualify my “jack shizzle” comment. I’m referring to kobe’s reign as the #1. I will make that clarification going forward. my bad.

“when/if kobe is surrounded by BETTER TEAMMATES, this point is not applicable. put any one of those elite players listed above in kobe's place - and let's see how well they would do. if management brings in better talent and kobe still can't make it happen - your point may prove to be true.”

I’ve said before, I will rescind my comment if [emphasis on “if”] it happens. let’s see year 4 post shaq.

“i am just as frustrated as you are with the current state of the lakers. i am bitter to see miami carbon copy the lakers and win a title. it sucks, mistakes were made, but they are in the past. we need to let that bitterness go and seek improvement immediately. it's easy to point what went wrong and what's wrong - we need to point out how to make it right”

you and I agree on this, but I again say that if kobe only hears that he’s the greatest and that the losing is management’s fault, kobe will not change just enough to get guys to play here? can kobe convince an all-star free agent (Carter) to play in LA. what excuses will kobe make if the “Carter’s” of the world decide to play elsewhere?? let’s see how the offseason plays out.

“and i know you hate kobe like no other.”

actually, I could have a change of mind if I see kobe be a good teammate and a good leader. maybe if kobe owns up for pushing shaq out. the dude doesn’t even have to win a title, I’ll settle for competing. I can live with that.

“because if he does get those pieces, and wins a title or two - what will you able to say then?”

believe it or not, I will admit that I was wrong and that I’m happy the lakers are back to where the lakers should be. winning cures all sins in professional sports…….not fair, but it’s the way it is.

“i know it's tough to do, but reserve that judgment until kobe has a fair (legitimate) shot at contending for a title.”

this offseason is a good time to start. Carter-Kidd-Kobe!

zen,
“Are you saying Kobe with Amare and Marian would be a 40-42 team!? “

I’m saying that kobe will piss off Amare and Marion and they’ll ask to be traded.

“Kobe already proved if he has great teammates around him that he can win. Or did you forget the 3 titles? Yes, he had Shaq with him. Who cares? “

who won the Finals MVP?? you better not look that up, you might blow a wad zen master.

Ramses
“All of your post ar garbage, I didn't know you played ball in the Fat Boys league. Stop hating in Kobe and get a real perspective. Without Kobe, the Lakers would not have won the three championships in a row.”

LOL. pretty funny. I’m not quite at the Fat Boys League, but every year I get a little closer. LOL. keep em coming.

Caesar
“Tha Show - you would think KL would get it by now.”

Que Tal!? tha show’s a cool guy, we disagree, but he’s cool. BTW, I will get it when the lakers are playing in the west finals kobe shooting 15 shot, scoring 29 points with 7 assist and 7 rebounds and the other starting 5 in double figues and someone other than kobe making a dramatic late game shot (like Walton). Then I’ll get it and bow down to king kobe.

Caesar,

I realize that, but do you really think that the Lakers are going to trade away Lamar to any team and that team is not going to become much better?

That is my whole point in not trading Lamar away. I have a feeling that right after we trade him, the next season Laker fans will be complaining that we let him go.

GW
are you really a Laker fan? What happen with your trade proposal with Houston... That's the worst trade and one sided trade the Lakers can make

Juwon Howard if I'm not mistaken is in the same cataagory as Jalen Rose, maybe a little more productive, and Kirk Snyder who did not get off the bench for a team that had the worst bench in this year's playoffs... I believe they scored a total of 40pts in that Utah series that went to 7 games... I love Battier as well as Snyder, but not for Odom...

No more youth. Trade the pics for anything. We need vets not rooks.

Robert Baker,
Lebron isn't taking heat for involving his teamates too much....he's taking heat cuz his team was down 2 and he drove and instead of taking what would've been a 5ftr, passed up the ball. Now I'm all about being unselfish....but if your star player is in that situation...he HAS to take that shot. This isn't the first time Lebron has shied away from taking big shots...which is why he's getting heat right now too.
Lebron is more about winning than Kobe? I'll take the guy that wakes up at 6am in the offseason to workout and practice and gotten better every year, than the guy who has stated in the past that his main goal is to be the first billionaire athlete. Lebron's work ethic and selfishness were issues when he was on the Olympic team as well.
Lastly, I'm pretty sick of people complaining about Kobe not making his teamates better. You have to realize its a two way street. Kobe has tried to trust his teamates and get them involved but most just aren't good enough. Kobe still avg'd over 5 assists and he'd have more if his teamates were better. I think Kobe passes more than MJ did, and he doesn't have the same talent around him.

Mamba24,
I also think this is a fairly deep draft. I think your problem is that radiocast was Bill Walton haha. I do agree with you that this draft class might be overhyped...maybe due to Oden/Durant...but there are a lot of other good players in the draft as well. (I especially like Brewer and Yi Jianliang and Conley).

Ceasar,
I've had my eye on Thaddeus Young as well. It'll be close though as were picking a little later than I hoped and he's projected to go a little earlier than our pick. Someone projected to go later though is the other Young, Nick Young from USC who is a nice player. Also really like Acie Law, he's such a gamer. A player I really have my eye on also is Rodney Stuckey, he's a combo type guard in the mold of Wade, Gordon, Foye etc. This guy can flat out score! If we were to solve our problem at SF with Artest. I think Stuckey would be great. I think Phil would go for it as he's a bigger guard, but has the athletcism to be a good defender. He can knock down 3s....but what we haven't had since Van Exel is a PG that can take it off the dribble and break down defenses. Perhaps Farmar/Stuckey could be our version of Hinrich/Gordon. =) Right now Stuckey is projected late first, but I think had he gone to a major program like Duke/UNC/etc he would be projected higher.....but I have a feeling he will impress in workouts and will likely move up the board though.

Kiwi,
I hope your crystal ball is working. Cept I don't want Boston to get into the top 2. They have a ton of young talent and getting Oden or Durant gives them an incredibly bright future. I still hate the Celtics since the 80s. Yeah, I hold grudges....another reason I'd be a terrible boss. =)

GW,
I agree with Mamba24. Most responses to any post are somewhat critical, and thats why they respond in the first place. But just keep posting. Who cares if noone likes your idea? I took some heat last year for wanting to draft Rondo....and now he looks great. But this is a forum to discuss ideas and I'm glad to see different perspectives (except KL's) than my own and welcome any feedback (except from KL) whether its positive or critical.

Zen,
I agree, the second I hear a Kobe for Nash trade I'm heading to the bank to put half my savings on the Suns to win it all. Knowing my luck Kobe, Amare, and Marion get injured or something like that. But yeah, I think every expert would have to put them as the favorites to win it all.

Lakertom,
I also don't like the idea of giving up that much size. It also depends on if we were to get Artest. ...I probably should think about it more....but as of right now....I think I would trade Bynum to get Brewer. He's ready to contribute right away, has great length for a SF (which still helps our overall size), and he's already a great defender. So we lose size in Bynum, but gain more offense, more athleticism, and better defense. It sucks that we give up a potential inside scorer, but Bynum is still a couple years away from being a real threat and really, scoring points isn't the Lakers problem (and adding Brewer and getting Vlad back should make it even less), but it was our defense. (Also, every team needs an inside threat as well, but I've always thought Lamar was underated in this department.) I'm not sure I do it for Conley though. I really like Conley's game as well....but we might be giving up too much size on that one. Conley definitely has Chris Paul potential....but it is always more difficult to predict PG success in the NBA. So Conley is a little riskier than Brewer in that sense as well. For me to pull a trade for Conley, I'd want a player with some size in return and another draft pick as well. Despite who I think will be the better player, Bynum has more value at this point and so I'd want to get fair value in return.

why are people shiiiiiiiing on farmar by saying we need a new point,like he didn't play well against nash (WHEN GIVING A CHANCE 2) I think giving a chance he'll be a good starting point.
That is if phil get off his high horse an give rookie's a chance to play,You ever wonder why phil does'nt play rookies because he's not the greatest coach people think he is,he dont coach rookie's an develop them.
Look at how POP develop TONY PARKER which was a late 1st round 2 round pick an molded him to an ALLSTAR that's what u call a head coach.
Name 1 player phil took under his wing an made that person a star anybody ? u cant.
I think if phil take the hand-cuffs off of FARMAR an RONNY T an develop them,instead of having them at the end of the bench wow, that right there would've prove are team by 110% intsead he rather play the likes of brain cook an smush parker fluccccing wowwwwwwwww i'll let you guys feel in the blanks

GL,
"Waaaaaa, He hurt my feelings"
Dude, suck it up. We're not discussing the WNBA here. This blog is about sharing ideas. If people don't like your ideas or point out that you are wrong, that's just part of the discussion process. Those that respond to you might be wrong themselves, or they might have more knowledge about that particualr subject. No big deal. I personally like hearing your creative trade proposals, although quite a few of them seem unrealistic. But regardless, just stop the pouting and keep your ideas comin'.

Everyone keeps saying that they want realistic trades. Here is a realistic trade with a team in another conference, that will improve the Lakers, but is also favorable to the new team. How do you like this???

Lakers trade Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Brian Cook and 19th draft pick to the Philadelphia Sixers for Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert.

Sixers Fan: Entering the draft, the Sixers have 3 first round picks 1 of which is a lottery pick. Through this trade, they would obtain a fourth pick at 19th. With 4 picks it is highly possible that the Sixers could orchestrate a trade to insure that they get both Oden and Conley in the draft. With 4 picks in the first round they are probably the only team able to do that. Secondly, they would be getting Lamar Odom. Third they would be getting a reliable reserve perimeter shooting forward. Fourth they would be getting a backup power forward/center with an expiring contract. The Sixers could end up with the following starting lineup for next season.

Conley, Iguodala, Korver, Odom, Oden ~ That is a solid lineup for them to begin building upon.

Lakers fan: The Lakers need help at point guard, center and at least 1 forward position. They don't need any more young players, they need older more experienced players. They also need a defensive presence in the middle. They would get Miller and Dalembert while losing Odom. I recommend that they sign Joe Smith as a free agent. He could replace Lamar. The Lakers could have the following starting lineup next season.

Miller, Bryant, Evans, Smith, Dalembert ~ That is a better lineup than they had this past year.

This would be highly possible.

Aloha KL

Who are these guys Shaq would have recruited to L.A if he had stayed? This is one of your reacurring themes but who did he bring to Miami other then Gary" I dont get the triangle" Payton? That is such a total myth. Any player in there prime will not give up millions to play with Shaq or anyone else. And incase you havent noticed, there hasnt been any Carl Malones looking for a ring the last 3 yrs. Oh by the way, I'll take mayo on the cheeseburger.

MH

Gino,

Different ones complained that my other suggestions were not too likely so I went with one that would be easier to work out. Is there any doubt that Houston would be in favor of a trade like this?

Isn't this what all of you critics want!!!!

michael h,

"I thought the goal was to win ASAP? LAmar for a #4 drafte pick and Theo?"

DId you not see the part where I turned Theo's expiring deal into Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest? How does a trio of Kobe-JO-Artest come off as worse than a trio of Kobe-LO-Walton?

Seriously

KL

go back and watch the end of game 5 again. Look at Lamar and Luke saying goodbye to kobe. They were looking to their leader and saying "I did all I could" Lamar killed himself down the stretch and Luke played hurt as well. They did this FOR kobe, FOR the lakers, FOR LA. Unfortunately the cooks, smush's and kwame's of the world just dont care enough.

Why do we knock kobe for not being able to make kwame care?? Jordan couldn't do it, arenas couldnt do it, phil and kobe have actually had more success making kwame look ALMOST more interested in basketball than cake!

Im not saying Kobe is a great leader yet. I think he's got a ways to go. But how can you knock him for "glares" during the losing streak. MJ would have knocked somebody out. He would have spit in his own guys face and demanded them traded immediately if they showed the disresect and for the game and overall lack of energy, will, and heart. Kobe's glares weren't a sign of bad leadership, they were a sign of a winner not accepting sh***y play. He should be applauded for this not knocked.

And you'll note, the only winners on this team did respond to kobe's glares and outrageous perfomances to end the losing streak--Lamar, Luke (though he didnt play great he at least gutted it out), Turiaf and farmar. The LOSERS on our team were just too many, and the guys in between like sasha just arent good enough to make a difference.

Phil saw all this, and that why I think he threw game two in the second quarter, hoping that management would see it too.

Give Kobe a break, hes not out there to hold guys hands, and build fragile egos--hes out there to play ball, and accept nothing but a soldiers' perfomance on the court with him. The fact that so few of our guys responded is a testament to a poor roster of misfit, undertalented, overentitled players that would rather snowboard and collect NBA millions than get down in the d*mn trenches with our guys.

Dont trade Odom, farmar and turiaf because HEART CANNOT BE TAUGHT.

Lakers forever.

GW, you seem to be SUPER sensitive so... I don't know if you can handle this or not but... you are posting the same thing again?

"The Lakers would be giving them an expiring contract for $8mil, Vlade's 5mil for 4 more years, Cook's 2mil for 2 or 3 more years"

Indiana doesn't give us O'Neal unless we give them Bynum. Can you imagine their fan base saying ok... Kwame Brown... hmmm, Vlad Rad... hmmm...., Cook? hmmmm.... and a not so great 1st round pick.... and... what is there to look forward to? No exciting young player? for our young allstar?

If you keep posting this, Eric Pincus will post it as a real trade possibility from a confirmed source and everybody will get all upset when it doesn't happen and Mitch will throw his hands in the air because the deal was never a possibility in the first place! LOL!

Poor Mitch... fans expect impossible trades to happen and then when reality hits home and they don't happen... they get pissed at Mitch!!! LOL! Ouch!

What ever happened to Kobe's look-alike, Laron Profit?

KL,

right on, thanks for the respect. the respect goes both ways.

i think we both want the same thing (lakers winning titles), we just might have different opinions on where the lakers are now and how they need to improve.

i see how you want more from kobe, in terms of being a better leader, communicator on the floor, and a laker salesman for potential offseason acquisitions.

and i would like to see more of that from kobe as well. however it may be possible that kobe is a mediocre leader, an average communicator, and not very good at selling the prospect of playing in la. and maybe, just maybe playing basketball is the only kobe knows how to do superbly well.

and if that is the case, then having the likes of phil jackson/lamar odom/another quality player to help lead & communicate with the team is a possible solution. and having a capable gm to make trades & sell playing for the lakers is another solution.

and the kobe you refer to WAS an immature kid who believed he knew all there was to know.

trials and tribulations have obviously proved kobe very wrong and humiliated him on several occasions. life has a way of doing that sometimes.

he WAS a kid who wanted it all. nobody ever told the young kobe to be careful what he wished for. and NOW he is a man who has to deal with the choices he made as a kid.

and i will give kobe the benefit of the doubt. i think he has realized he has made mistakes and that he can't do it solo. he even said it after the phoenix series.

kobe is all but screaming for some help this offseason.

and if that help is given to him, i think he can help bring this team back to the elite group of teams in the nba.

peace KL.

JJ,

"You were one of the ones that criticized my message yesterday. I believe you said....whatever I'm smoking must be really good."

I didn't say that, it was someone else.

"The worse thing the Lakers could do is make changes for the sake of making changes. In looking at your changes, I'm sorry but outside of maybe 1 or 2 moves, the rest looks highly complicated and unnecessary."

I don't understand how getting Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest could be seen as making changes for the sake of making changes. We need defensive help in the middle (JO) and on the wing (Artest). We would add a veteran post presence off the bench and a blue chip prospect at power forward.

That's changes for the sake of becoming a much better team.

GW,

keep the trades coming, hopefully kupchak reads the blog - and those slow, tiny wheels in his brain start moving.

we all know smush was an avid reader of the blog.

zakee single handedly crushed the little confidence/hope smush had in himself.

well, i like to think so...

while reading the blog lately, i noticed the comments posted by KL. i dont know why i was drawn to his comments, it seemed at that time that its out there just to rile up the others to make something out of nothing. or a shaq fan, who wasn't happy with the way he was sent out of town.

anyway, it got me thinking of reasons why this so much hate for a player, the best player at that, of a team he, KL, passionately roots for. i could not. i dont undertand it.

so i did, what some would do if face with this problem, i placed myself in KL's shoes. i said to myself, if i was KL, why would i hate kobe, even if i root for the team he plays for? why?

i went back to those championship years. i would be so happy because my team was winning, everyone was playing well, playing as a team. my main man, shaq, was winning the championships, the finals mvps, and he'd finally silenced all those critics who said he cant win the big one. im in basketball heaven during those years.

then everything went south since then. they should've kept the bi