Kobe speaks!
Oh, wait. It's actually Ric Bucher talking. Typing, if you want to get technical. But given how things have operated with #24 of late, that's about as close as it gets. Bucher's written a new piece describing the New Jack Bauer's mood of late and the gist is ...
1) Balling with Jason Kidd during Team USA practices hasn't exactly made Kobe second-guess his earlier contention that the Lakers should have shipped Andrew Bynum's ass out to land the point guard.
2) Since nobody's counting on Boston flipping KG the Lakers' way, the commonly proposed formula for reassuring the New Jack Bauer is now off the table.
3) Luke Walton, Chris Mihm, Javarris Crittenton and D. Fish (all sentiment and friendship aside) aren't likely enough to make Kobe buy in.
4) Kobe took the Lakers adding Coby Karl as a mockery of him, a team basically daring him to leave. "There's a million other cats with your name we can replace you with, pal. Oh, look! Here's one now. Spelled different, but close enough. Nobody will ever notice the difference, hot shot!"
OK, that last part I made up. But even if Kobe did have a "this town ain't big enough for two variations of my name" attitude, Bucher thinks he'll keep it to himself. For that matter, he predicts Bryant won't say much publicly about anything and simply let what he sees as inevitable front-office inaction speak for itself. But if it means anything to Kobe, there are some fans echoing his sentiments.
-- AK
Kobe will stay.
Lakers will make the 2nd round Playoffs and eventually get eliminated again.
Kobe will opt out.
Posted by: Kev | August 04, 2007 at 09:24 AM
Eddie Jones just signed with the Mavs - the latest in players leaving Miami. They are getting stretched thin, and turning to Smush Parker to save them. Ouch!
As much as I hate what's happening to the Lakers this summer, I'm sure glad we ain't the Heat.
Posted by: Jay Jay | August 04, 2007 at 09:48 AM
I still think he'll show up at training camp... but I'm not convinced he'll be happy about it.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | August 04, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Also, I wanted to repost this from the last section - slightly enhanced. It got swallowed by a couple of monster long Mamba roll call posts - which I love by the way (when they don't obscure my own). Its my assement of our current roster and I wanted to see who agrees and who disagrees.
************************************************************************************
KOBE is one of the top 3 players in the game today. Maybe THE top.
LAMAR has superb skills but has never been a great team player or contributed to a real winning team. He just doesn't integtare his skills well with others, be it D-Wade and Caron or Kobe and the Lakers.
KWAME is an awesome physical specimen but can't shoot or catch the ball in the post and mentally takes himself out of the game whenever calls go against him.
LUKE is the anti-Lamar. Plays team ball superbly but has very limited skills both offensively and defensively.
FISH has a lot of heart and takes a charge better than anyone, but he's an inconsistent shooter that's well past his prime.
Those are our starters. As for our bench:
VLAD - lost, except when on a snowboard
FARMAR - lacks experience
CRITT - ditto
BYNUM - long on potential but short on performance
MIHM - wasn't that great even before he got hurt
TURIAF - great heart, very limited skills
EVANS - semi-decent role player
COOK & SACHA - do I have to say anything??
Nash has Amare and Marion
Duncan has Parker and Genobli
now Garnett has Pierce and Allen
NO WAY the Kobe does anything with this crew other than barely make the first round and go out. We need a SERIOUS trade for some All-Star support for Kobe!!!!! Which means JO, unless anyone can come up with a viable alternative.
Posted by: Jay Jay | August 04, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I wonder why we didn't go after Eddie? He's still a solid player. I think we could have fit in a 2year $4million contract.
What the hell?
Posted by: Rocky | August 04, 2007 at 10:12 AM
My thoughts on the Ric Buchler column.
Why can't we find out who the insider was? He or she needs to be
exposed and confronted. If possible, that person should be fired. I'd opt for
the guillotine, but that may not be legal anymore.
In the article, it states that Kobe is upset because Jerry Buss didn't leap to
his defense. While I cannot get inside JB's head, the reason that he didn't,
is because he had already done so, at least a dozen times.
Lastly, while I admire Jason Kidd, let's not kid ourselves. He getting along in
years, has had numerous injuries the last few years, and has yet to prove he can put a team over the top. How many NBA crowns has he won?
How many conference championships has he even played in? And not because he hasn't played on good teams, most of them better than the current Lakers.
Maybe Kobe is willing to sacrifice the Lakers future for a quick fix, but I'd
rather build a team that can compete for years to come.
Roger
Posted by: Roger B | August 04, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Once again no need to panic. Kobe won't sit out because of his competitive nature and another hit on his image.
Although I'd love to win a championship every year we're only a few years past of those back-to-back-to back seasons. Its not like another Nba teams is becoming a dynasty ! Unless Indiana or Sacramento comes to their senses we stand pat and see what a healthy team can do !
Posted by: lalakerlover | August 04, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I think Kobe is just being quiet. All this latest stuff is nothing but selling papers or getting hits to their sites. Everything is based on what Bucher had heard from Kobe before Kobe stopped talking. Bucher then sees what the Lakers have done and is putting the logical two and two together. But he's getting nothing from Kobe right now as no one else is.
I think the whole Lakers squad is on quiet. With the posting of the Lakers schedule on the Kobe's web site...that tells me he'll be in camp. I honestly think that management has convinced Kobe that this squad when healthy can compete. And I also think management has assured Kobe that they will keep Phil Jackson on a short leash. That's what I think.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | August 04, 2007 at 10:46 AM
yay Ric Bucher out to ruin kobe's image again!
O wow that dude just amazes me, Kobe says NOTHING and he named it QUIET ANGER....i am glad he is making up crap so he can sell more papers and get more hits on the site. Last time he was the one that always said having KG won't appease kobe, and then reports came out that KG is the only one that can pacify kobe. I mean yea i agree Kobe should shut his mouth, but its journalist that makes up crap even when nothing is happening that hurts kobe the most and alienate lakers fan from each other.
Damn the espn
Posted by: PurpleMamba | August 04, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Ric Bucher,
Was he ever on anyone's radar? He started to get major TV face time when he started talkin' Kobe. He's the new Jim Gray.
When Kobe shows up in camp after nothing happens this summer, Ric is gonna lose something of the top of his national profile.
Kobe will be forgiven everything with the first jumper that goes down. Sportswriters don't have that kind of Teflon outer layer.
Posted by: Vman | August 04, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Is it me or did Ric Bucker have more credibility? Now it's like he's a gossip columnist...out to tell us the next gossipy thing about Brangelina.
Kobe is not a idiot. If it's true that he's devious enough for all the things he's accused of...then he should be smart enough to know how dumb it would be to sit out or continue on this "trade me" barrage publicly. Even my goldfish knows!
The real issue isn't even him anymore...but what the heck are we gonna do to improve this roster.
Posted by: Faith | August 04, 2007 at 11:36 AM
What's up all my West Coast insiders?
Let me say this... Kobe may be considered many things but he sure as hell will not be unprofessional. He will show up at training camp...the man has character.
I share in his frustrations with the front office once again. The KG trade to my hometown just made me sick to my stomach (as crazy as that may sound). I haven't even been online, or watched tv since the trade to avoid reading all of the ridiculous "Celtics will be champs" rantings all over the net, newspapers, and tv. I'm just sick of it. I actually saw the bastard on his way out of the Boston Harbor Hotel to the now "infamous" press conference. I wanted to take off my heels, tear off my business suit, and tear him a new a**hole...needless to say I wasn't happy.
But now that the KG saga is over and done with,it's time for the Lakers FO to step up and make some moves. I understand the salary cap limitations but if the Knicks and Celtics can operate over the luxury tax threshold, why not L.A. Isn't L.A. known as the "larger-than-life" city. You've got some of the wealthiest people, some of the most faithful b-bal fans, a sold-out Staples center at almost every Lakers game and you can't afford to pay a few mill in luxury tax????
Comeo on man...this is just getting ridiculous. I wouldn't blame Kobe is he chose to opt out next year (which he'll do anyway to get the most money).
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | August 04, 2007 at 11:44 AM
It seems like the FO is giving this team another year to see how they do. Everyone was talking about how the lakers were getting close to the elite last year until the injuries. I saw things differently last year. I saw a team with little passion or energy when out of the floor. Going through the motions so to speak. The main culprits were Smush, Cook, Bynum. Seems to me the 3 that were giving Phil Jackson LIP SERVICE. To me, effort is key. Jackson needs to start employing an Effort team like Chicago. I would rather have effort than talent. All players in the NBA have talent or wouldn't be there, but not all of them have the desire or effot. With that, I was disappointed that we didn't get Garnett because he brings it every nite.
BUT!!!.. Everyone is annointing Boston, but Piece, Garnett, and Allen all missed the playoffs last year. Which one has made it to the finals or even conference finals except Garnett (1 YEAR with help). I don't see what makes this treo so special. Both Piece and Allen are getting up in age and both injuried. And signing Garnett for another 5 years???!!! $60 million in 3 players???!!! NO THANKS!!
Posted by: LA JOKERS | August 04, 2007 at 12:16 PM
As I was reading hoopshype, I came across the deal of Wizzards on Carlos Navarro to the Grizzlies for future draft picks. Wow, we lost in acquiring the best SG in the Euroleague for a future draft pick and to the Grizzlies, the last place of the Western Conference. What a travesty to be a Laker fan nowadays, a semi-new franchise bypassing an old traditional one with histories of acquiring the best players in the 2nd largest market of the nation. Had we offered cook & sasha or sasha & farmar? I think Wizzards would gladly accept that offer, or perhaps invest by footing that $2M buyout from F C Barcelona that could improve the Lakers shooters. Why don't we listen to Euro bloggers like Alexinho17 or even Tsphere on what Carlos Navarro can do for the Lakers. We kept on harboring excess "china eggs with cobwebs" for future use. This F/O is blatantly inept, only GHF people feel comfortable with Mitch Kupchak's moves.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_5658873,00.html
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 04, 2007 at 12:17 PM
i havent posted in a while...but did that guy just ask how many conference championships has Jason Kidd been to or won? ummmi dont know how long uve been watchin the NBA but Kidd took the sorry nets from the bottom to back to back NBA Finals and was robbed of the MVP by Tim "stretch marks" Duncan.
Posted by: prince | August 04, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Aloha Edwin
I really do not know how hard we went after Navarro. We have eight guards on the roster and in J-Crit a guy who can play SG as well as PG. And since Gasol and Navarro are best friends, if all offers are close, they probably sent him to the Grizzlies thinking that at least for a while their draft picks will be higher. There is a lot one can dump on Mitch, I just dont see this as one of them.
MH
Posted by: michael h | August 04, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Why is it everytime I hear Bucher's name, I hear a horse whinny in the background?
Posted by: Marty | August 04, 2007 at 12:46 PM
J-KIDD has made the Nets a playoff team every year he's been there- he's taken them to two finals, and the second round every other year except for one ----(also, remember this Lakers fans, 2004, second round, Jersey leads the Pistons 3-2 going back to home, and Kidd hurts knee, so much so that they lose a game 7 in which he scores 0 points, first time that's ever happened - if that knee didn't get messed up in that series (which hasn't slowed him after his surgery since, btw) things could be different all over the NBA.....
Anyway, a total career of success, and Prince is correct, Kidd's coming #2 in the MVP race of 2002 to Duncan was a horribe rip off- he took a twenty something team and turned them into a 50 win team that made the NBA finals...
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | August 04, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Repost from last thread:
Since some of y'all seem determined to see Kobe go, what do you think about this:
Chicago gets:
Kwame
Kobe
Crittenton
Lakers get:
Ty Thomas
Ben Gordon
Chris Duhon
Ben Wallace
1st round pick
Yeah the FO loses the best player in the league, but at least they only lose a center they don't want, and an unproven PG. You add these guys and the roster looks like this:
Fisher-Duhon-Farmar
Gordon-Mo Evans-Sasha
Luke-Radmanovic
LO-Thomas-Turiaf
Wallace-Bynum-Mihm
That lineup could win some games.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 04, 2007 at 12:55 PM
"Why can't we find out who the insider was? "
I thought it was pretty much assumed fact by this point that the "insider" was
Jimmy Buss. He's the only guy in the Lakers FO who's incompetent enough to
say something like that to the press.
While Jerry ain't going to fire his son, I'll wager he's told him to shut his pie hole and
get out of Mitch's way for awhile.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Prince,
You are right. I should have checked the record books before posting. As to how
long I have been watching the NBA - since the mid 1950s. I have to admit, however,
that I watched very little of the Nets in their championship runs. The outcome was
never in doubt, as the weak Eastern Conference was no match for the Western
Conference. Heck, if the Lakers were in the East, we'd probably be a top 4 team.
Roger
Posted by: Roger B | August 04, 2007 at 12:57 PM
"Why can't we find out who the insider was?", somebody is enquiring in regards to Ric Buchler's column.
There is no insider. He wants to play games with your mind. It is Buchler's fantasy and imaginatiion.
I will usually help when I see facts are being distorted or people are confused.
Posted by: Confucious - The Wisest of All | August 04, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Wow AK,
Quite a little hornet's nest you stirred up. I guess I'll weigh in, too.
1. Kobe will play for the Lakers this season. He needs the endorsement money, the merchandise money, and the salary. He's not walking away from any of the above. The Lakers will not move him, this season. Too many ticket holders will demand their money back. Dr. Buss likes his cut of the merchandise sales, too.
2. Mitch should not blink on the JO deal. The Lakers need Kobe, O'Neal, and Lamar if anything good is going to happen. Add Jermaine and lose Lamar and it's pretty much net even in terms of games the team will win.
3. That said, I believe O'Neal will be a Laker no later than the All-Star break. I think it will be sooner, but the Pacers WILL blink either sooner or later.
4. There will be smaller deals before the start of the season. If no one will take Cook or Sasha, at least one of them will be dropped. It is troubling that we've not moved more quickly on the free agent market, but prices for some of these guys will drop or other teams making pickups will be ready for some swaps.
5. As far as Ric Bucher goes, the way I read the quotes he has no new information and is just trying to get face time on the networks and on the web.
6. None of my comments above should be taken as an endorsement of the front office. Speaking of short leashes! If the Lakers don't advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, Kupchak will be gone. That is absolutely the first card Buss will play in an effort to placate Kobe.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 04, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
I'm responding to your post from the last thread:
I think that deal is good for both teams. As far as Crittenton goes, I agree with you, but I just threw him in because I thought Chicago would like his potential. Him or Farmar would work though, and it would probably be the FO's decision on which guy they would rather give up.
I've studied most of the other teams rosters, and I don't see too many teams that have what the Lakers would want in exchange for Kobe. I know a lot of people on the blog think Kobe is being unreasonable by having a short list of teams he would be willing to get traded to, but in reality there are only a short list of teams that would have what the Lakers want anyway. Whether they keep Kobe and bring in another star, or decide to trade him this is gonna be a very hard process. It's definitely not gonna be any easier when you've got 3 people (Both Busses, and Mitch) doing a job that is made for 1.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 04, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Ric Bucher is a moron who was never an important journalists at ESPN until he started covering Kobe.
But seriously, this column by Ric Bucher is nothing new, no new information. He is just making stuff up to save his ass because a month ago he said Kobe wanted to leave no matter what. Now that Kobe has changed his tune, Bucher doesnt want to look like hes lost credibility in the situation.
This article is nothing different than the one Ken Berger wrote for Newsday when the Garnett trade happened.
I think Bucher is making stuff up. He said the Lakers stopped an Odom for Artest trade?? When did that ever happen??
Sonnybellfast,
I can understand if he only knew about the Lakers trades (maybe) but somebody reporting from the Kings would have talked about this trade. All we hear about is the Knicks. Sonny Bellfast, can you help us out?? Or is Ric Bucher making that up???
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 04, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Secondly, I would actually trade Artest for Lamar Odom...but only if they traded for a power forward.. Im wondering if the Lakers keeping Odom is to get Jermaine O'neal instead.
Is there any other Power Forward we can acquire via-trade? Our roster has a bad problem. We have 3 point guards and 3 Centers, all of which who arent versatile enough to play another position
We could trade Odom for Artest
Farmar, Kwame for Drew Gooden???? (get cavs out of a contract to pursue big free agent next year)
Lakers lineup
PG Fisher/Crittenton
SG Kobe/Evans
SF Artest/Walton/Radman
PF Gooden/Turiaf
C Bynum/Mihm
not to bad.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 04, 2007 at 01:37 PM
here are ur options
BYNUM = reported potential (reported cuz i have yet to see it) that MAY develop into a solid post player. how many years it takes is up to him.
or
KIDD = guy who at even his old age (not too much older than steve nash btw) averaged a triple double for a playoff series. that would give the lakers 2 guys in da KIDD and LO who can potentially put up triple dubs any nite of the week.
listen i dont know bynum and im not one to bash. but most of the time work ethic is something developed very early in age. the difference is obvious between those who have it and those who are tryin to achieve it or appear as though they are.
forget kobe..as a fan im irritated that the lakers wouldnt jump at the shot to have 2 POTENTIAL triple doubles a nite next to KOBE instead of a potential post player who has yet to show even consistent glimpses of this potential that we've been told exsist
Posted by: Prince | August 04, 2007 at 01:49 PM
That Phil Jackson is an excellent coach cannot be questioned. He will leave his mark as one of the greatest of all coaches in professional sports. Ninety percent success rate at championship games understates his achievements. He won 9 out of 10 in champioship games he participated.
BUT. He won the championships with teams that other coaches COULD have fumbeld with. One glaring character of his teams was they were matured and the core of his teams were experienced players. Also, it did help him to have at onetime or the other the best player in the league at that period.
The current crop of the Lakers are not only un-talented but also not very experienced. Phil Jackson has proved to be not the right fit for such a team..
Andrew Bynum has not progressed in many people's eyes. Part of the lack of progress should be shouldered by the coaching staff. Has he been given the opportunity to be successful?. He will have to learn from failure.
Radmonvic's unsuccessful campaign last season puzzles me. He was a much sought after free agent, and the Lakers were lucky to have him. He came over and has become almost a bust.
Smush Parker was seen as a the worthy point guard to play along side Kobe two seasons ago. He performed miserably. He played without confidence,
Brian Cook was the big 10 player of the year when he played in his senior year. He was highly regarded when he was drafted. He had his contract extended. He has not had, to say the least, productive seasons two years in a row.
I am beginning to feel that the two recent additions in Farmar and jarvis may face the same fates of not living to their potential.
Maybe we have found the enemy, and the enemy is the system they play in.
Could it be the system why free agents and players who have had their contracts bought out refuse to consider playing for the Lakers.
Posted by: Confucious - The Wisest of All | August 04, 2007 at 02:49 PM
re Bynum
I certainly was his greatest fan last year, as many of us were. Hope looms eternal, but we have to grow up and face the facts.
Age is no excuse for determination. Bynum may not have the skills yet, but where is the fire? He has learned to go back some, but is it age that prevents to rumble back with anger and energy?
Am I being too hard on him? Am I wrong in saying that the future of a player is recognized from the first step. He my stumble and be outsmarted but a future Laker will not take it without trying twice as hard.
Only hope is that I will have to eat my words next year.
Go Bynum, fight. Otherwise we may or may not make the playoffs.
Baywood.
Notes;
1. I don't get riled up by Vlad because he is not going to help us now or tomorrow.
2. Odom is SO inconstitent. Love the guy but he will disapear sometimes.
3. Everybody else is a role player (except DFish who will make a slight dent into our lameness)
That Leaves Bynum. He either gets going or next season will be deja-vu-again.
Posted by: Baywood | August 04, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Weave-Man Paxson is not as stupid as Mitch!!!
He will never take Kwame and Kobe will probably stop any deal with having to work with 'Butter Fingers'
Please refrain from fantasy trades!!!!
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | August 04, 2007 at 02:58 PM
jay jay -
Odom is a GREAT team player. He's such a team player that it's almost a negative. He lead Caron Butler, Rasual Butler, and Dwayne Wade into the eastern conference playoffs (4 years ago?) and they were rolling. He's a guy that will always look to run and share the ball.
He doesn't have a great outside shot and can be too much of a team guy (passive) instead of looking to take the game into his own hands.
Oh, and he almost never goes to his right hand.
Posted by: B$ | August 04, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Is there really a chance that Kobe could sit out? Has that ever happened in pro basketball? I'm not talking about a coach or owner sitting a player out. And I don't mean a guy sitting out one play, like when Pippen wouldn't go in. I know it happens all the time in football. Baseball? No idea...does anybody really still watch baseball?
If he sits out, it'd be like cutting his own throat. Sure, the Lakers would suffer. But they'd still be respectable. Kobe, on the other hand, would be reviled, and not just by LA fans.
Pro athletes don't stand for the same things they used to when I was a dumb, naive kid. Back in the days before huge TV contracts, and ESPN highlights. I remember when an offensive lineman walked into Vince Lombardi's office with an agent. The guy was canned the next day. Not that that was a good thing. Players were abused, and deserved a bigger piece of the pie. But today, a lot of them are so spoiled and privileged, it's hard to really get behind them.
I used to be a big Kobe fan. I know KLBeast likes to go on and on about Kobe bad-mouthing Shaq, but Shaq did the same thing to Kobe for the first 4 1/2 years. Innuendos, little daggers in the press, and Kobe just shut up about it. So I gravitated toward Bryant because I thought he was different: no tattoos, no partying with the team, family guy, just did his thing and played great.
But little by little, I started hearing things, from reliable sources. And I realized I was wrong. There are some great guys in the NBA. But since it's almost impossible to know who the real good guys are, it's a lot easier to root for the home colors.
I don't care who's on the court come October. I'll still be pulling for the purple and gold. That's one you can put in the refrigerator.
Posted by: Marty | August 04, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Wow, dig this.
Navarro is taking a 540,000 contract to sign with the Griz. That means he has to
pay 2 and a half million out of his own pocket for his first year in the NBA.
I have a feeling that Pau Gasol is throwing him a little sum-sum on the side
to get him to join the Los Grizzlies.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Marty,
"Why is it everytime I hear Bucher's name, I hear a horse whinny in the background?"
-----
That wouldn't be Marty Feldman would it?
:-)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Confucious,
The system to question is the one that took on this sorry lot of players. They all lack character to play at a higher level.
Baby Bynum received the gift of the greatest personal coach anyone might want.The lack of self-confidence and maturity is on him. Other 19 year olds had the character and swagger to enter the NBA and make an impact. He is simply childish and not willing to make the effort required.
VladRad has never fit in, wherever he was, and except for occasional brilliance has always disappointed. The guy not only went snowboarding in violation of his contract, he lied about it. Is this a guy you would ever want for a team mate? He also was incapable of the effort required to learn the offense.
Smush Parker knew how to play in the Lakers system. The coach gave him more rope as a starter than any other coach would just to maintain his confidence. Smush's problem was overconfidence. You'll notice he hasn't been able to stick with any of the teams he played on. The Heat will find out why very quickly.
Brian Cook has been given multiple opportunities. The Big 10 isn't the NBA. He is too stupid to remember his defensive assignments most of the time, and when he remembers them, he still doesn't play effective D. Doesn't say much about his college coaching.
Famar and J-Crit will be fine.
Jackson is the greatest coach of the modern era. Let me know the first time you see another coach with 9 rings.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 04, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Rick Friedman-
i agree with your all your points.........and i to belive thoughs events will unfold....i to have been saying a "jo" trade works if we only get to keep "lamar" a trio of kobe, lamar, jo is a definate roster improvment......great post!
Posted by: pruple&gold 4 eva | August 04, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Weave-Man
"I know a lot of people on the blog think Kobe is being unreasonable by having a short list of teams he would be willing to get traded to, but in reality there are only a short list of teams that would have what the Lakers want anyway."
----------------
I definitely think that's right. In fact, they not only have to have players the Lakers
want, but they also have to have enough good players that they can give away
2 or 3 and still have 5 to 7 good players left. Kobe isn't going to want to go into
a situation where there's him and two other good non-allstar players and not
much else.
As I see it, here is the complete list of teams that could swing a trade, assuming
both they and Kobe were willing:
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Milwaukee,
New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, and Utah
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Aloha Rick
I agree with 100% I think Indy will blink. Remember, at 1st they wanted both Kwame and Lamar and we take Murphy. Now it looks like they backed off that and its down to Kwame or Lamar. You are absolutely right, we need both Lamar and Oneil to become a true contender. And I think Indy is under more pressure then us because JO can walk NEXT year. So I think we wait, Kwame, Andrew, A choice of young PGs and picks is fair for JO. Mitch has my support in this poker game.
Aloha Weaveman
Just thinking about your Chicago trade and while I understand that Wallace has to be included due to salary matching, man 16 mil for 4 more years is a bad contract for him. What do you think about trying a 3 way with say Atlanta or Charrlotte, both lack real centers. In Atlanta, Josh Smith is becoming upset because Atlanta will not extened him( Atlanta's FO makes Mitch look like West) I just dont want to be saddled with Wallace that long at that salary. and I dont think we need to even include one of our PG's for incentive this year. We are talking Kobe freakin Bryant here. Next year if it still looks like Kobe will walk, then you might have to add incentives but at this point, Bostons upgrades should be incentive enough for Paxton to re-examine what he needs to do to keep up.
Hey Prince
You never saw ANY poetential in Andrew? Did you watch? That was the whole point, Andrew did demonstrate potential. It was consistancy that was lacking but at 18/19 that was to be expected. 5.9 boards, 8 points and 1.6 blocks per 20 minutes played is not bad for someone his age. The guy is now 7" 1 with a 7' 6 wingspan, in 2 more years he will be 300 pounds, with soft hands. Thats potential. And if hes working hard like its been reported then maybe he is growing up mentally as well. What were you like at 18/19? I know I wasnt exactly Mr responsibility. Now I am not saying I wouldnt include him in the right deal, I would. All I am saying is the potential HAS BEEN demonstrated.
MH
Posted by: michael h | August 04, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Lake-Show
"have 3 point guards and 3 Centers, all of which who arent versatile enough to play another position"
-----
Critter is fine at SG - at least he was in summer league - though Jackson
probably won't play him much at all. I think Mihm is also capable of playing
some PF, but his health is still a question mark.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 03:37 PM
The "Wisest" of all,
"Andrew Bynum has not progressed in many people's eyes."
---
Maybe in blind people's eyes. Bynum made a HUGE improvement from his first
year to his second year at both ends of the court. If he improves as much this
year, then the Lakers won't need to go fishing for a low post player, because
Socks will be the man.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2007 at 03:41 PM
The best move we could make would be to trade Bynum, Odom and fill in the blank (Radmonovic, Walton or Cook) to Indiana for JO and Granger. JO would give us the best power forward in franchise history, add attitude and swagger, provide better structure to our offense, improve us defensively, and he would be able to use his athleticism while Kobe draws the double teams. Granger gives us a tall, athletic small forward who can score and rebound. In just his second year in the league - he averaged 14 points and 5 boards a game - and he will get better. He would be the steal in that trade. Our line up would look like this:
PG D-Fish, Farmar, Crittendon
SG Kobe, Evans
SF Granger, Radmonovic or Walton (whichever one stays)
PF JO, Turiaf
C Brown, Mihm
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | August 04, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Long Time Laker Fan: "That wouldn't be Marty Feldman would it?"
Nice one! Actually, growing up, it seemed like every celebrity named Marty was really strange: Feldman, Martin & Rossi, Rowan and Martin, among others ... So yeah, I grew up deranged. Of course, there was Dean Martin... that one wasn't so bad.
About Bynum: How much basketball did this guy play before turning pro? My understanding is, it wasn't that many games. His first season, he looked confused, and often didn't run down the court. Second season--he was maybe three times as good, made huge strides... but still wasn't starter material. And didn't have the stamina to finish out the season hard.
I think he's going to surprise some people this year. With a good year of experience, better conditioning, and a better understanding of the game, this could be his breakout year. When he was drafted, everybody knew he was a project -- 3 or 4 years away from contributing. With as little basketball as he played before coming to L.A., it's amazing he's been as good as he was.
Plus, this season he's got something to prove: Not everybody gets a nation-wide, humiliating kick in the pants splattered all over the internet.
Posted by: Marty | August 04, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Laker Tom/Marty,
Sign me up for the 55-win bandwagon. I am sick of the negativity and hate on this blog. My expectation is for the Lakers to win every time they tip off. At the end of the game I will be either happy or depressed. This cheering for my team has continued uninterrupted since 1962. How many games will they win this year? Who knows, to many variables? If I am wrong like last year, what is the worst thing that can happen? The GHE guys saying we told you so, or Ireland calling us wack-jobs.
That is not so bad, I rather watch each game with optimistic anticipation.
Roky
Posted by: Roky | August 04, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Kobe is not going anywhere!
He will stay here for another 2 years and secure more scoring titles!
Then his scoring title legacy will be secured! Then after 2 years, we will finally become a true team again.
We will have cap space for DWADE in 2009!
Posted by: Gunner | August 04, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Bad AK. Bad.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | August 04, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Rick Friedman
1. Kobe does not need the money. That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. The money is secondary. It's GUARANTEED. The guy blew up because he's a sore loser. He'll come back because of competitive nature and the fact that the LAKERS own his rights.
Posted by: LakerBake | August 04, 2007 at 04:13 PM
And Kobiatch feels good playing with Jason Kidd because he sees now how a true #1 should play.
And he's starting regret running Shaq out of here. He sees that the #2 spot (ala Pippen, Robin) is where he would excel the most. Not trying to be the #1 (Batman, M Jordan)
Posted by: Gunner | August 04, 2007 at 04:14 PM
If the LAKERS would act like the big DOGS they are they could handle situations like Shaq's trade and the Kobe situation better.
They own KOBE's rights. He has to play for 2 yrs. That's the way it is and I'd play him for 2 yrs.
As for Shaq, if they had utilized the entire LEAGUE to solicit trades as oppose to just the Eastern conference they would have gotten a better deal.
Why fear Shaq or Kobe?
Shaq would not have won in Dallas yet the Lakers would win with Nowitzki and Nash with Kobe.
Kobe might or might not win in the West but why not try to get talent from the talent rich West as oppose to just taking deals from the EAST.
If Jerry Buss is really a poker player then he'll act like one someday.
Jim Buss is the insider. That's why the insider has not been chastized publicly.
Posted by: LakerBake | August 04, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Not a bad idea if the numbers work Lake Show.
We need something.
Posted by: LakerBake | August 04, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Wes,
What did I do this time?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 04, 2007 at 04:19 PM