Chilly weather, chilly team

Yep!

Edwin Gueco

"AK/BK,

Automated robots always appear whenever I post. How can I avoid them? Please advise and thanks."

Aren't you happy it ain't zombies? But I guess you know all 'bout avoiding zombies! 8-D

BD -- you hit the nail on the head with the youth movement theory. Nothing else makes sense. This team is exactly what most of us thought we'd see (i.e., one that embraces mediocrity).

--The "big wins" have come against teams that were injured or on the 2nd night of back-to-backs or both.
--The patterns of weak defense and the inability to hold a lead are back in full force.
--Kobe's lack of intensity (he's playing great but the 40 pt. games are there for the taking and he's not biting) and lack of complaining further suggest that SOMETHING IS UP.
--If a full-force youth movement is not pending, then SOMETHING IS STILL UP.
--Dec. 15 should be interesting.

______________________________________________________
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO BANDWAGON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) DRIVER NEEDED

EDWIN GUECO SAID , "Automated robots always appear whenever I post. How can I avoid them? Please advise and thanks."

EDWIN don't worry about those automated robots we'll take of them. We defeated the BORG we Defeated the REPLICATORS and we'll defeat these
automated robots. But then Edwin you must promise to get us a KWAME
BROWN autograph. He's our Leader.

Yes, it is time to trade Lamar Odom, and has been for a while.

We need to get rid of players with no heart (we traded Cook, but we still got Kwame... and others)
And we need to get players that are hungry for glory, the ones that play with some sense of urgency. Kobe plays that way, Fisher and Farmar too... Bynum is begginning to get there, I hope...

"You're not a good team until you can play the same way all the time," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "Even when you're not scoring the ball, you still have to play defense ... we've yet to have that throughout the whole game."

Gee... ya think????

TO HELL WITH THIS SHARE THE BALL NONSENSE LET KOBE BE KOBE.
9RINGS YOUR DAY HAS COME AND GONE, BRING BACK BYRON SCOTT

"We've had October and all of November to work on some things, to cut down on our mistakes. That's something that we're just not doing — particularly on our home court — so it's very disappointing."

Gee... ya think???

Was there anyway we could have went after this guy?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In need of a big man, the Charlotte Bobcats reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year offer sheet with Cleveland restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, giving the Cavaliers a week to match the deal or lose him.

ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported the offer sheet is worth $17.4 million, which would fit the Bobcats' mid-level salary cap exception.

This is the tough guy Phil wants and it's a kwame brown insurance policy.
Salaries don't match with ODOM.

I think moving Odom for less talent might be as good a move as this "pie in the sky idea" of moving him for a consistent #2 guy.

If they are scared to get ARTEST then go for a lower talent guy like some of the following even though you have to take a bad contract back to match up with Odom:

All are less talented but so what, this could allow Crittenton, Farmar, Bynum, and Luke to fill in the scoring blanks while Kobe and Fisher lead. Kobe can go back to being the 2nd best 2 guard of all time that he is and get 32 a game.

DeSagana Diop $2,146,000 1 - BIGGER
Antonio McDyess $6,373,900 2 - More heart and consistent
Jason Maxiell $1,041,360 2 - Much tougher
Mike Miller $8,376,194 3 - shoots way better
Channing Frye $2,487,240 2 - younger and shoots better
Ron Artest $7,400,000 2 - perfect replacement/risk
Shareef Abdur-Rahim $5,800,000 3 - would come with Artest, good size
Chris Wilcox $6,500,000 2 - Explosive athleticism and finisher
Rasho Nesterovic$7,840,000 1 - BIGGER, allow others to take on bigger responsibilties on Lakers
Jorge Garbajosa $4,000,000 2 - Savvy international vet
Anderson Varejao - banger like Nene with more energy

It's all a dream, we're not going to do anything but wait for Kwame to return and keep playing ball.

"If I could put my finger on it, they don't feel like they are together," Jackson said. "They are not pulling together the same way. I think sometimes that's a problem."

Gee... ya think???

TO HELL WITH THIS SHARE THE BALL NONSENSE LET KOBE BE KOBE.
9RINGS YOUR DAY HAS COME AND GONE, BRING BACK BYRON SCOTT

I agree on let KOBE be KOBE , Triangle man.

I think he would share it anyway cause he's tired of losing.
This FACILITATOR nonsense is stupid.

Byron would be nice but forgetaboutit

KEIFO, ""You're not a good team until you can play the same way all the time," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said:"

KEIFO!!! And LO ought to know because he's been playing the same all his
life. Close to being a superstar but never getting over the hump. I'm sorry
I've always been a Lamar supporter but I'm getting real close to saying
it's time to ship his ass for Artest.

______________________________________________________
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO BANDWAGON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER

Why doesn't LO tell us why HE doesn't play the same way every night?

Ted Green's analysis of why Lamar should go is on the money. The trouble is, what NBA team would want such an inconsistent player, and what would we get in return. I have to believe the other NBA teams would like the Lakers to stay just as they are. Right now, no team should be afraid to come to Staples Center and face the Lakers on their home floor. When the Lakers are on the road, they're just cannon fodder.

The team needs both Kwame and Ronny to be healthy, J-Crit and Ariza to earn their way into the rotation, and for the chemistry to return.

No one should be surprised or disheartened that it is a work in progress. I still think that by Christmas, the team will get its groove back.

Lamar doesn't make all star decisions. His skill set is lacking a mid range jumper but it's his choices, especially in the end game, that really come up short.

Would there be equal value in a trade? Not enough to suit the blog.

Why do we hate Kwame Brown, if you are a Laker fan, you would be happy to have K.Brown at this point. Not may teams have Big men that can play Defense and as you can see, Bynam is Good but he is still learning and if you trade Kwame or let him go. What happen's if he goes to the Clippers or any good team in the WEST, then the Lakers will have nobody to stop other teams Bigs, We can't STOP them now.... We have no INSIDE POST DEFENSE. WIDE OPEN LANES. POOR SPACING, GUARDS MAKE LAY UP??
Go Lakers!! if they wear the Lakers uniform then they are My Man Go Lakers !!

The comment about LO being a square peg in a round hole in his current role is something I know AK and I have both felt and written about for a long time. LO's best season, in Miami, was when he didn't have to be a scorer. He could, but that wasn't his role with the Heat. It's not something that comes naturally to him, and at this point in his basketball career, it won't.

Unfortunately, the Lakers likely don't have the personnel to get that #2 guy to stick in between L.O. and Kobe without giving up L.O. It's a shame, because if they did, it would improve not just the team b/c of the addition of skill, but also LO's game.

Caron Butler, anyone?

BK

Mamba 24 -
"I'm sorry, I've always been a Lamar supporter but I'm getting real close to saying it's time to ship his ass for Artest."

I'm with you, my brother!!!

Okay... my prediction for tonights game... Lakers will win... but barely, as the T-wolves will be scratching for a victory. Lakers by 6.

GO LAKE SHOW

We traded the wrong guy for Kwame. We should have traded Lamar
and kept Caron.

______________________________________________________
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO BANDWAGON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24

BK

Caron would be great if Kwame plays PF. hmm, I've having deja vu.

Salaries that match but will opposing teams be interested? Likely not: Pal Gasol, Joe Johnson, AK47, Marion, Ron Artest/Kenny Thomas, Ron Artest/Shareef.

And if your looking for a contributor-scorer: Nocioni/Joe Smith.

I reluctantly agree with Green's article. I love LO but we gotta get something going here. 9-8 is not what I had in mind after the start we had. Somethings gotta give and I think it may be Lamar. Unless maybe Washington will take Kwame back for Caron Butler, but that is a long shot.

Artest still scares in excites me on a NBA level.

Any thoughts on Pau, word is Memphis is ready to trade him now. We get him and his little bro, they at least should be able to muster some level of chemistry. That along with Kobe could be a sparkler for us.

Im not sure I believe all that, but it is a thought.

T-Woody

We should expect a huge game from Andrew Bynum tonight against the T-Wolves. Consider all the injuries to the other centers: Kwame (knee), Mihm (foot), Turiaf (concussion), Ratliff (knee) and Jefferson (knee). That only leaves Mark Madsen and Michael Doleac. This could be a major breakout night for Drew!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3141032

It's not too late to make a run at him. He is the perfect head-banger Phil wanted.

Cavs still have the rights to him for a week and his price just got halved. Cavs keep saying they need shooters. Vlad Rad for him would be AWESOME.

" the Lakers have shown they can beat anyone"

The San Antonio and Boston losses seemed fairly convincing.

K George,
"WIDE OPEN LANES. POOR SPACING, GUARDS MAKE LAY UP??"

That happens with Kwame, as well. He is not good at coming over to stop a guard who has penetrated. He plays good post-up defense on bigs, and mediocre defense on bigs who have an outside game, and that's it.

WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO BANDWAGON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY

TRADE LAMAR?

All you guys have to do is look at the history of Lamar Odom. He always plays bad in the beginning of the year and plays like an all-star AFTER the all-star break. This is mainly because the past 2 summers he didn't work out. One more year to evaluate before trading him. Maybe he will actually have a summer where he can work on his game.

BK,

I watched LO a ton when he played for Miami and I think the big difference is that he's never had a defined role in LA. His role is constantly changing in LA and LO also had the ball in his hands a ton in Miami. Dwyane Wade didn't really start to blossom until the second half of the year and even then LO still had the ball in his hands a ton and a lot of the offense was run through him.

So even though Riley didn't say "hey go out and score, Lamar" he allowed Odom to play with the ball in his hands a ton. Personally, I'm not sure if LO would have continued his success had he stayed with Miami. Wade's gotten so good that the entire offense is run through him (and let's not forget Butler's progress had he remained with the Heat).

Who would have thought we traded the wrong small forward to the Wizards for Kwame?

Why not Lamar for Antawn Jamison?

LO for Artest and SAR or Kenny Thomas?

LO for Udonis Haslem and Jason Williams?

LO for Mike Miller and Stro Swift?

LO for Richard Jefferson?

I'd for any of these right now to be honest. Each give us something that would provide a chemistry change.

Either that or move Kobe out and build for the future. It's obvious the two just don't work together.

Lakers basketball, where .500 records happen.

BK,

I'll take Caron Butler and Darius Songaila (spelling) or Butler/Thomas for LO + a pick....

Xodus,
I think it's obvious why. Odom doesn't have the energy some nights. He doesn't have the energy because he's working hard on his game in practice to make up for his lack of summer conditioning. He's playing loose at home and looks tired on the road. He did the same thing last year. He's working real hard on his game right now and he's too tired to play well in games. Just like last year, he will turn it up after the all-star break.

Twoody,
"Any thoughts on Pau, word is Memphis is ready to trade him now. We get him and his little bro, they at least should be able to muster some level of chemistry."

The K brothers and the G brothers could play a 2 on 2 game for charity!

How about trading LO to Chicago straight up for Ben Wallace. He can start at center, then move to PF when Bynum is in the game. At 6'9" he'd be great at PF for us too. He could be the "tough guy" we need.

As for Kwame, that would make him expendable. Maybe package him for anyone who might be able to score. Start with the Chicago trade and include JCritt and Kwame and ask for Noccioni.

Kwame and JCritt for Artest? WOW! Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Wallace, Bynum!

Maybe to GState w/Jcritt for Al Harrington?

Or for an underused Marquis Daniels from Indiana? He could start at the three or spell Luke Walton and provide some lift off the bench

Maybe for Quinten Richardson from NY?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO BANDWAGON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.

It's not how you start. It's how you finish.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONE MORE YEAR TO EVALUATE LAMAR BEFORE TRADING
HIM BANDWAGON
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) ZEN - DRIVER AND PRESIDENT

Don't get me started on the Butler trade. If nothing else, for BK's sake. The poor guy's had to listen to me bitch about it 24/7 since approximately 30 seconds after it was announced. haha

AK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TUESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL RIGHT IT’S GAME DAY SO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS RIGHT?….. RIGHT!

ROLL CALL::
(1) FAITH, MIKE T. TALIQ, Edwin Gueco,, KEIFO, WOLF, Q WUOR, CLEON, EASTCOASTJESSIE
MAMBA24Fan4Life, Fan of MAMBA, WhiteMAMBA24, BlackMAMBA24, AFRO_JOE, LAKERTRUTH,
KIWI, Wow, Peace, J_CooL, DAVID WHANG, AdamKiley, LakersryDeordie, ANGRYLAKER, TSIRY
TIM-4-SHOW, THA_ SHOW, TheLakeShow, WESJOENIXON, BAYWOOD, The_D, SBPIMP, DAXMDD
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, CaliKing, Rick Friedman,Thirty2, ExheloDrVr, ) JANAYA,CBUCK
GENERIC_ONE, TWOODY, JJ, Ajax, MITCHELL., LAKERTOM, Charles, BZAR, JUNO, NEVER
JOREMA, VMAN, Korey, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Gugy, GDChild, Laker4Life, BLKTHGHT06, WONDAHBAB
KL BEAST, FearlessWhackJob, MARTY, JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, PhxLkrFAN, PRINCE, AKRASIAN
TexasLaker, BOB, EagleBoy, JR., Zakee, KOBE’S T., ZEN, Purple & Gold, TSPHERE, t_sensei
Tully Moxness, KobeRocks, David Peterson, centralk, FKILLAH, CYRUS(Ventrilquist), BOYSOY
Swettual, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Brandon C., Kinglakernidas, HUBBIT, GREEK DUDE,
RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, LAKER_STH, KobeFromManilas, RAY RAY, HOBBITMAGE
SARCOCOP,Staples24, Bobby, COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO, MAN, KSANDHER
TUKLAW, CDUB0512, MRBARNEYDANGLES, BENJAMIN, MJCMAN32, PFUNK36,
SOCALIFE, HAL9000, Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., ALEXINH017, VIOLATER
Gunner24, GINO, FATTY, LAKERGURL, CRITICAL BEATDOWN, LEELO, BLAZE1BX
PAUL LEE, Jay EL, SocalSpider , WEAVE MAN, JON KAVULIC, Tajluck,
Caesar, BERKLEYLAKER, Dice8Up DION, KARL, CRAIG, MITCHELL, B4HOOPS, RYAN
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitis, Nik Kannan, GABE, SEAN P., HanSoulFood, HollywoodJack,
RICO TICO, DREW, NESTROSSBISTRO, LAKERAHOLIC, LAKOBER, SLO GAL
Jay Jay, TaosHum, DEREK, Caeser, Obel, CHITOWNLAKER, RealityCheckTime
wiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, OSCAR, RDLEE, RealityBites, LakerLarry, Bucky, Guy
LakerLifer, C.S. Jova, Tripgame3, SIXONEZERO, HOUSTON LAKER, Todd BATTLES
JONINJAPAN(INCANADA), LT Laker Fan, , KATE, TROY, Mainor, East Nyboer
JEFF, ANDY B., SwanWorld, PUPLE&GOLD_4EVA, Benny Blanca, CS in Virgina
TIM IN SYDNEY LakerBake, JMan, Mfeige, Jennifer, Chris H. Lincoln Laker, Reggie
Any_One_mouse, 10milliondollarZen, Shiva, Laker_Hopeful, LakerDawg, RDANEEL,
PHIL JACKSON, KOBE BRYANT, Marc Gasol, Sun Yue, Shamond, Williams,
Ronny Turiaf, V. Radmanovic, Maurice Evans, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher,
Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Coby Karl, Mihm,
Jordan Farmar, Jarvis Critterton, Larry Fulcher, SASHA VUJACIC, Linda Pineda
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, JERRY WEST, PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, SILK
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON AND
NO ONE WILL EVER CONQUER OR DIVIDE US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER

Exhelodrver,

"The K brothers and the G brothers could play a 2 on 2 game for charity!"

The charity would have to come in the buckets spotted for the K Brothers. haha

AK

Zen: We Must Battle

"One more year to evaluate before trading him. Maybe he will actually have a summer where he can work on his game."

EVERY FRIGGIN YEAR since Lamar got here, we've heard the "One More Year" argument. It's a daggone broken record now. The position where we are right now, we don't have time to wait One More Year before the light bulb clicks on in dude's head. LO is the poster child for INCONSISTENCY. He had no business being #2 on this team.

We've got a golden opportunity to make a splash with the dudes we have now. It's time to get rid of all the cpmplacent, lethargic players.

Put ODOM/KWAME/MIHM in a trade package and let's see what we can come up with.

zen,

LO hasn't worked on his game since he entered the league. So excusing the last two or three seasons because of injuries and family crises ignores the first 6 or 7 years of his career where he's added nothing to his game. Look at his stats from his rookie year. They look exactly like his stats from his past couple of years.

He's the exact same player he was when he entered the league. He's all right handed, an average to below average midrange shooter, an average to below average three point shooter, a pretty good rebounder and a pretty good passer, average defender, average post moves (and he's never added a good fadeaway or up and under moves.).

Good call exhelodrvr, That would be something to see.

TWoody

BK:

In general, I agree with you about extrapolating numbers. Phil is definitely taking considerable care to make sure that Drew is not given too many minutes right now in order to protect him. He is also giving Mihm time on the floor in the hopes that he can regain his skills in time to help us later in the year. As to Kwame, I still think he may be traded if Mihm can pick it up a little. I don’t see the Aziza trade as the end of the deals that we will see before the trade deadline. If Mihm does not improve fast, however, we may see a re-signing of Kwame, which will thrill Mike and dismay others. It all depends on how Mihm does and what Kwame is willing to re-sign for. Without a doubt, we need both guys right now. It’s hard to win without a good backup center.

Truth be told, however, Drew may be our best number two option on offense right now and I expect to see him play more minutes as the season progresses. You are right that I don’t expect to see him play 40 minutes per game but I don’t think it is unrealistic to see him in the low 30’s. There is also no way that Drew will be traded right now. As was brought up by many of us, there are no more KG’s out there. Bynum right now is untouchable. Lakersville will end up being the Kobe and Drew dynasty. And Drew will be right up there with Dwight Howard and Greg Oden as the premiere centers in the league – maybe even the best. Time will tell but there is no question that the future of the Los Angeles Lakers includes Andrew Bynum as a cornerstone or core player.

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.
(5) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER

Andy L & Kwame Brown Steward,

I am running out of letters and numbers, I need a bot buster. HELP Where is our Zombie guy when we need him? The bots don't want me mentioning "trade Sasha", he is the new lord of the rings. They say, don't trade Sasha, it will give you bad luck for 7 years and the team in hiatus too for 7 years.

Lord Kwame, can we just trade you? not Sasha.....

* OK, as soon I hit post the bots will appear arghhh!....they follow me everywhere.

HAB,

Actually, it is too late to make a run at Varajao. Now that he signed Charlotte's offer sheet, he's either gonna end up a Bobcat (if Cleveland doesn't match) or a Cav (if they do).

But the reported figures (3 years/17 mil) are something the Lakers couldn't have put on the table to begin with. The Cats likely used their Mid-level exception to make the offer. The Lakers are over the cap and used most of their MLE to sign Fish.

AK

Hey y'all. As a reminder, the chat on LATimes.com (chat.latimes.com/eve) is starting up. Hope to see you there.

LT-

Yeah, I agree with you about Bynum being a great second option (actually writing something along those lines as we speak- they have to get the ball in the post for a variety of reasons...). And I know that even with a healthy Kwame, AK and I both think Drew will start to suck up more minutes as the season goes along, assuming he continues to play well.

Don't know if anyone is truly untouchable, but it'll certainly take a top quality player in return for the Lakers to move him. As it should.

BK

HAB,

>>>It's not too late to make a run at him. He is the perfect head-banger
>>>Phil wanted.

Unfortunately, yes it is.

If he has signed an offer sheet with the Bobcats, then he will play for that
amount the next few years either with the Bobcats or the Cadavaliers.

Mamba,

Add me to the trade LO list.

Andrew Z,
But they aren't as versatile as Lamar!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.
(5) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(6) BSULI

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.
(5) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(6) BSULI
(7) XODUS

Don't get me started on the Butler trade. If nothing else, for BK's sake. The poor guy's had to listen to me bitch about it 24/7 since approximately 30 seconds after it was announced. haha

AK

It took u that long? a full 30 sec count to start bitchin bout that? Kwame brown ...for Caron and Chucky atkins? lol Maybe straight up for chucky LOL

I chided them about their energy this morning just 12 hours later after a ballgame."
This the NBA today, Players with big money and no drive except 24 he has always put forth his best effort. I mean i don't know about the rest of you but i put my 50+ in retail and i feel it the next two days, but these players maybe put in around 3-5 hrs a day oh my god those pour guys will they ever make it to the bank.

ZEN IS DEAD

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.
(5) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(6) BSULI
(7) XODUS
(8) NEW JTIMES
(9) ALEC
(10) RICK FRIEDMAN

on Varejao, can't Cleveland match and do a sign and trade with the Lakers? you would think Radmanovic's contract would come close on this and Cleveland would at least get SOMETHING for the guy instead of losing him for nothing - like Boozer before him...

Is Radmanovic in the Laker plans or not? If not, what better way to put him to use than to get us a PF? I'm not an expert on matching salaries and all that but you would think Cleveland would do a Radmanovic for Varejao and a 2nd round pick? to match salaries? with us vs. getting nothing and losing him to Charlotte...

Re: LO, perhaps we had better start with the other question: What team presently believes it desperately NEEDS an LO-type player to get to the next level?

Lamar isn't going anywhere. That's my final word on the matter.

We wait until Kwame is healthy. Then we watch to see how the team flows. If we don't get it together then...then we talk trades.

Adrew Bynum improve? LOL! That's a laugh. The only thing holding Bynum back is his lack of leg strength. That isn't going to come for another 1-3 years. And even if he had leg strength he still doesn't have the footspeed to seal the middle.

If anyone is going to get traded it'll be Bynum because he's what teams want. They don't want Odom. As far as I'm concerned teams can have Bynum because as of right now he's fools gold. And he will continue to be fools gold for another 1-3 years.

A team rebuilding would love to have Bynum as he is right now. Then they'll have a couple of years, while he develops his legs, to add other pieces around him.

As of right now...no way he gets big minutes as the season goes on. That's a laugh! As the season goes on Bynum will get weaker.

mike

Mamba 24 -

PUH _ LEEEEEZE put me on the trade LO bandwagon!
Let me drive too!
I have been saying this for 2 years!

And let me ask.
Why in the world would Washington help us out?
The only way they would is if they felt EXTREMELY guilty for giving us that waste product of a number one pick, Kwame "the warrior" Brown.
Getting Caron back is a ridiculous thought. Why would they want to give up an all star, with their number one player out indefinitely for an inconsistent LO and/or an always hurt, overpaid big in KB?
Some people are just flat out crazy!

AK,

I realize we had no cap space to go after Varejao directly. But if the Cavs do match Charlotte's offer (and why in the world would they not?) doesn't he become Cav's property for them to play him or trade him as they wish? Unless there is some rule involving an offer sheet from another team that prevents the original rights holder from doing so. I have no idea about that.

Bottom line - Cavs can get him for 17M for 3 years, now that he signed Bobcat's offer sheet. Instead of 6 year/50 mil he was asking before. No other team can outbid the Cavs. He said the relationship with Cav's FO is beyond repair and he wants a sign and trade.

What am I missing in thinking Cavs can trade him to any team if they match Bobcats' offer sheet?

AK, I know you got that chat thingy going on, but this is way more important.

MIKE T,
"Lamar isn't going anywhere. That's my final word on the matter."

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MAMB24
(3) TWOODY
(4) ANDREW Z.
(5) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(6) BSULI
(7) XODUS
(8) NEW JTIMES
(9) ALEC
(10) RICK FRIEDMAN

Ohhhhhh, put me on the LO's gotta go bandwagon... actually, I was a stowaway for the last 2 years, I just got up the courage to let people know that I've been on the boat the whole time... LOL!

but... how could they trade Lamar last year after his son died and all? This year, Lamar said everything was going to be different, that he wanted to be an allstar, then he went out, scored 25 points and disappeared for the next few games... just like he will disappear when we need him most on this roadtrip...

I think he still has trade value, he's just in the wrong system and EVERYBODY can see that except apparently... the Lakers...

"We traded the wrong guy for Kwame. We should have traded Lamar
and kept Caron."

I kind of think that's what Kobe was referring to when he made his comments this summer.

I mean Caron Butler isn't going to make a difference with these Lakers without Kwame.

Having a defensive center to protect the rim is essential for winning. When you don't have a defensive center to protect the rim all you have is an up and down game. That's why Caron is doing well in Washington but you don't see the Wizards winning, now do you?

Caron Butler is like what Andrew Bynum is doing right now. Just putting up numbers. But like Bynum...Butler can't protect the rim.

You would think after watching the Lakers over the last 2 season you would understand that when Kwame starts the Lakers win. When he doesn't play the Lakers lose. This game is all about defense and you just can't replace that with a scoring SF.

That is absolutely crazy! If we did that we might as well go in the way of the Suns and the Warriors. The Suns and the Warriors go that way because it's so hard to get a big man who can actually protect the rim. It's so hard to find that they basically abandoned the idea and have committed to the run and gun style of basketball. Not because it's sound basketball but because it's so hard to find a big man who can actually protect the rim.

mike

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MJCMAN32 - CO OWNER AND DRIVER
(3) MAMB24
(4) TWOODY
(5) ANDREW Z.
(6) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(7) BSULI
(8) XODUS
(9) NEW JTIMES
(10) ALEC
(11) RICK FRIEDMAN
(12) TAOSHUM

Lamar just lost his L.A. privilege; let's trade him outta here. No more talks of potential after 9 years in the NBA and little proof of reliability and gutsy plays in clutch moments. Put me on that bandwagon, Mamba24.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MJCMAN32 - CO OWNER AND DRIVER
(3) MAMB24
(4) TWOODY
(5) ANDREW Z.
(6) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(7) BSULI
(8) XODUS
(9) NEW JTIMES
(10) ALEC
(11) RICK FRIEDMAN
(12) TAOSHUM
(13) ROLLO

Mamba-

Put me on the -
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON

I'm riding SHOTGUN!!

mamba24,

After all this time...when have these people ever been right about anything concerning what happens on the court?

NEVER!

Now you start a lets trade LO bandwagon? Again, when have you guys ever been right about the game of basketball?

As a matter of fact these people are wrong so often that if there is a bandwagon you can put money the opposite will happen.

Take that to the BANK!

mike

Before I join the LO bandwagon, may I know the particulars:

1. Who do we get in exchange of LO?

2. Are there any future draft picks included?

3. Will this be like trading the rights of Gail Goodrich to get Magic Johnson or trading Caron Butler to obtain Kwame Brown?

4. Is it too late to forgive the sins of LO, if he assures the he will be a double/double player, just put him on as Sub w/ trevor and javaman.

If someone in the bandwagon can provide some light on this trade based on potential player on hand, then I will hitch that wagon and invite some to fill the wagon.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP THE CHOCOLATE REIGN...WE'RE DROWNING BANDWAGON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonnybelfast

Mike T -

I totally agree with you about what teams want from LA. Bynum is our most desireable player, but he has not fully developed. Don't you think were stuck...

Everyone wants Bynum, but he isn't going anywhere. Jim Buss is way too stubborn to even think about trading him.
Everyone would love to have Kobe but noone can put together a package that the Lakers and Kobe would agree to.
Some may want Farmar.
Some may want Turiaf.

No team wants LO, Vlad, Kwame, Mihm or Sasha.

The verdict is still out on Critt and Ariza.

That is why this team is and will continue to be a .500 team.
They are just way too inconsistent.

KEIFO,
"Okay... my prediction for tonights game... Lakers will win... but barely, as the T-wolves will be scratching for a victory. Lakers by 6."

WELL I'M GOING BET THE RENT AGAIN KEIFO. As a matter of fact I predict this game will be the start of a long winning streak. Go Lakers!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MJCMAN32 - CO OWNER AND DRIVER
(3) MAMB24
(4) KEIFO
(5) TWOODY
(6) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(7) BSULI
(8) XODUS
(9) NEW JTIMES
(10) ANDREW Z
(11) RICK FRIEDMAN
(12) TAOSHUM
(13) ALEC

"As a matter of fact these people are wrong so often that if there is a bandwagon you can put money the opposite will happen."

Yep! I remember someone crowing about a sixty win bandwagon before last season!

The smart ones here put money on the opposite!

Taos,

If you and I got the Varejao situation right, Cavs can be fielding offers from a bunch of teams the next week (or really, indefinitely, assuming they match the offer sheet, but he refuses to play for them). If that's the case, they can pick and choose what they take in return. They want a PG first and foremost. Then, a 3 point shooter.

With Mihm looking more and more like it's time to retire, and Kwame's continuing lack of health, all of a sudden we're really shorthanded at Bigs.

Rad and perhaps Sasha for Anderson would be great. Perhaps the Sasha Showcasing was intended for this.

Mike T -
"You would think after watching the Lakers over the last 2 season you would understand that when Kwame starts the Lakers win."

Mike this statement is crazy! You are better than this!

Kwame started and played in the past 2 playoff series and we LOST!!!
BOTTOM LINE!!!

Of course, you won't address this though.

You would think that just because you think and say it, you can make it true. That is just not the case.
WE LOST to Phoenix, TWICE. And your Boy, started in all 12 games!!!

Mamba... BET THE RENT AND THE CAR!!!

GO LAKESHOW!!!

"Having a defensive center to protect the rim is essential for winning."

Absolutely! Protecting the rim means making it difficult for the opposition penetrators when they get through. Unfortunately, the Lakers have lacked that the last several years, which is why they exited after the first round. BYnum is showing great promise in that area.

mamba24 -

I have your back!!!

Mike T. has been wrong about Kwame forever and ever and ever and ever.

HE STARTED IN ALL 12 GAMES AGAINST THE SUNS IN THE PLAYOFFS AND THE LAKERS LOST BOTH SERIES!

He claims that when Kwame starts, the Lakers win.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN...REPEAT...IT DID NOT HAPPEN...

Given all the struggles of the Lakers these days, maybe the front office needs to consider a strategy that corporate America has been experimenting with -- outsource some of their operations to India? I mean, does anyone think some guy in Mumbai will do worse than Kupchak?

I'm not sure why everyone believes a major trade is likely to happen after the Lakers signed PJ for another 2 years. The Lakers clearly signaled they can't stomach the prospect of major changes when they inked that deal.

MIKE T.,
"mamba24, After all this time...when have these people ever been right about anything concerning what happens
on the court? NEVER! Now you start a lets trade LO bandwagon? Again, when have you guys ever been right
about the game of basketball?"

Mike, Mike, I just give the bloggers the Bandwagons they ask for. As I stated I am one
of Lamar's strongest supporters. But it just did'nt seem to be working. I had forgot about
the fact that Lamar had been injured and for that reason I'll jump off the Bandwagon
and join Zen in seeing what Lamar will do this year. Damn am I wishy washy.

MJCMAN,

He'll never acknowledge that. Just like he doesn't acknowledge that we're simply a bad defense with Kwame, instead of a horrendous one. We need more help than what Kwame provides.

KEIFO,
"Mamba... BET THE RENT AND THE CAR!!!

UH, UH, UH OK. Bet the car also. You got it. But this is one game I will be
watching as if my life depends on it because it will. LOL!

I wonder if Lamar flourished in Miami because he received better guidance (and more structure) under Stan Van Gundy? At any rate Lamar's style just seems like it would tend to fit much better with D-Wade than with Kobe. I have a suspicion that a straight-up trade of Lamar for Haslem (probably not feasible) would be a very profitable move for both teams...

I bet Lamar will play pretty good tonight. One of the less tangible benefits provided by the up-and-coming Farmar and Bynum is that gray-zone players like Lamar can see the examples Farmar and Bynum are setting and feel them (and the rising expectations they bring with them) breathing down his neck, and I think this can become very motivational. Kind of like, Farmar and Bynum are getting better by the day, they are not going to be turned away, and Lamar can either play well and stay with them, or he can just get out of the way...

It's sink or swim for Lamar, and if he swims the Lakers should benefit quite a bit.

Like I've said many times in the past. This Lakers team is losing with or without Kwame Brown. It doesn't make a difference.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH SINCERE RESPECT, LO YOU GOT TO GO
TRADE LAMAR BANDWAGON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) J. WALTER WEATHERMAN OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) MJCMAN32 - CO Owner and Driver
(3) MAMB24 - Thinking about jumping off.
(4) KEIFO - Riding ShotGun
(5) TWOODY
(6) utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
(7) BSULI
(8) XODUS
(9) NEW JTIMES
(10) ANDREW Z
(11) RICK FRIEDMAN
(12) TAOSHUM
(13) ALEC

exhelodrvr-

I would rather Andrew start every game this year and "wait for his legs to develop" and finish at .500 than to start that no talent ass clown Kwame Brown and not make it out of the first round AGAIN!

The reason why is that Drew works on his game, has improved immensley, plays with passion, admits mistakes and has heart!

I would rather lose with a guy like this than continue to try and use the same formula that doesn't work...

That is why LO and Kwame need to go!

zen -
Like I've said many times in the past. This Lakers team is losing with or without Kwame Brown. It doesn't make a difference.
You couldn't have said it better, my friend!

For the record, our "Rim Protector" averaged a whopping 0.8 and 0.9 blocks per game in the 2 playoff series we lost to Phoenix when Kwame started.

Phoenix looked REAL scared of Kwame as Nash got into the paint and STAT and Marion dunk all over us!

MAMBA24 put me on the LO SHOULD GO BANDWAGON. Great article by Green right on the money. Agree with Rick, unless SAC will go completely insane trade for Artest should be explored, hovewer I have my doubts, unless we take something of their hands, like bad contract and give them first round pick. Even after that I'm pretty sure they are not going to trade Artest.
Who else we can get for LO? It's big question...

>>>Why not Lamar for Antawn Jamison?

Has potential - Tawn's contract expires after this season, so if he didn't work out, the
Lakers would have a big chunk of cap space for next summer.

>>>LO for Artest and SAR or Kenny Thomas?

I don't think the Maloofs want to deal with the Lakers at all, but it would take more
than Odom to get Artest from them. Maybe Odom + Crittendon for Artest & Thomas.

>>>LO for Udonis Haslem and Jason Williams?

Don't you wish. Haslem doesn't score as much as Lamar, but he's a very good
defender, and Williams would be some expiring cheddar.

>>>LO for Mike Miller and Stro Swift?

Might be able to get Gasol, though it would take more than just Lamar.

>>>LO for Richard Jefferson?

The way Jefferson has been playing this season, that would be kickass, but NJ
would never do it.

>>>I'll take Caron Butler and Darius Songaila (spelling) or Butler/Thomas for
>>>LO + a pick....

So you'll settle for letting Washington give the Lakers an all star playing the best
he's ever played in exchange for Lamar the underachiever. That's mighty generous
of you. No chance Washington will do that. They'd be as likely to take Kwame back.
Maybe more likely since they're so thin at center.

-------------------------------------------------

Think about this - what teams would want Lamar the most? I'd say you can rule
out any team in the top four of either conference, as they won't want to mess up
their chemistry. Teams at the bottom of each conference are much more likely,
as they'd be more inclined to "shake things up". Also, teams that have a lot of
"shoot first" players would value a "pass first" point forward like Lamar.

Here is my suggestion: The Knicks

It seems like practically every player on the Knicks is a shoot first player (Curry,
Randolph, Marbury, Crawford, Nate, Q). A pass first SF who defends pretty well
and rebounds could be a real asset for them. The problem is, picking players from
their roster is like picking dishes at a spoiled food buffet. There is only one that
I'd definitely want - David Lee, and a couple of others that might be okay, but I
wouldn't be overjoyed to get (Zach Randolph, Jamal Crawford). There
are four ways I could see it working:

1. Lamar for Zach Randolph straight up. Lakers get a strong post scorer and so-so
defender, Knicks get someone who's more than willing to pass the ball once in
awhile (and who isn't redundant with Eddy Curry).

2. Lamar for David Lee - Doesn't even come close on salary, but Lee would be the
most desirable player to get back - young PF who would fill the greatest need on the
Lakers and is young, so he'd be around as long as Bynum & Farmar & Critter &
Turiaf. Several problems here - Isaiah is reluctant to give Lee up, and you'd have
to make salaries match and come close to making number of players match. So
the Lakers would have to take back some dead weight to make it work. Maybe
Lamar + Coby Karl for David Lee, Mailk Rose, and Fred Jones. Or Lamar + Coby
for Jerome James (TOTAL dead weight) + David Lee + Fred Jones.

3. Three way trade with Chicago - Lamar to the Knicks, Zach Randolph to the Bulls,
some package of players to the Lakers. Bulls get a post scorer, Lakers get a couple
of front court players (Noc & Thomas? Noc & Noah?) or maybe a combination
including Gordon (Gordon + Smith + Noah or Thomas). The big problem here is
that if the Kobe trade demand resurfaces, you've reduced the set of pieces that
Chicago has available for trade.

4. Take the cancer off of the Knicks hands. They want to get rid of Stephon? There's
a couple of ways it could work:

4a. Lamar + Radmanovic for David Lee + Stephon Marbury.
Stephon could back up Kobe at SG. David Lee becomes the PF of the future.
Lakers pay big salaries for the next two years, but get out of Rad's longer contract.

4b. Lamar + Kwame for Stephon Marbury + David Lee + Randolph Morris + their unprotected 2008 draft pick. Knicks get a big salary dump in Kwame (which they
could really use), they get Lamar, and they get rid of Stephon. The Lakers get
David Lee, a big body in Morris to fill in until next summer, and a potential lottery
pick for next summer.

>>>Why not Lamar for Antawn Jamison?

Has potential - Tawn's contract expires after this season, so if he didn't work out, the
Lakers would have a big chunk of cap space for next summer.

>>>LO for Artest and SAR or Kenny Thomas?

I don't think the Maloofs want to deal with the Lakers at all, but it would take more
than Odom to get Artest from them. Maybe Odom + Crittendon for Artest & Thomas.

>>>LO for Udonis Haslem and Jason Williams?

Don't you wish. Haslem doesn't score as much as Lamar, but he's a very good
defender, and Williams would be some expiring cheddar.

>>>LO for Mike Miller and Stro Swift?

Might be able to get Gasol, though it would take more than just Lamar.

>>>LO for Richard Jefferson?

The way Jefferson has been playing this season, that would be kickass, but NJ
would never do it.

>>>I'll take Caron Butler and Darius Songaila (spelling) or Butler/Thomas for
>>>LO + a pick....

So you'll settle for letting Washington give the Lakers an all star playing the best
he's ever played in exchange for Lamar the underachiever. That's mighty generous
of you. No chance Washington will do that. They'd be as likely to take Kwame back.
Maybe more likely since they're so thin at center.

-------------------------------------------------

Think about this - what teams would want Lamar the most? I'd say you can rule
out any team in the top four of either conference, as they won't want to mess up
their chemistry. Teams at the bottom of each conference are much more likely,
as they'd be more inclined to "shake things up". Also, teams that have a lot of
"shoot first" players would value a "pass first" point forward like Lamar.

Here is my suggestion: The Knicks

It seems like practically every player on the Knicks is a shoot first player (Curry,
Randolph, Marbury, Crawford, Nate, Q). A pass first SF who defends pretty well
and rebounds could be a real asset for them. The problem is, picking players from
their roster is like picking dishes at a spoiled food buffet. There is only one that
I'd definitely want - David Lee, and a couple of others that might be okay, but I
wouldn't be overjoyed to get (Zach Randolph, Jamal Crawford). There
are four ways I could see it working:

1. Lamar for Zach Randolph straight up. Lakers get a strong post scorer and so-so
defender, Knicks get someone who's more than willing to pass the ball once in
awhile (and who isn't redundant with Eddy Curry).

2. Lamar for David Lee - Doesn't even come close on salary, but Lee would be the
most desirable player to get back - young PF who would fill the greatest need on the
Lakers and is young, so he'd be around as long as Bynum & Farmar & Critter &
Turiaf. Several problems here - Isaiah is reluctant to give Lee up, and you'd have
to make salaries match and come close to making number of players match. So
the Lakers would have to take back some dead weight to make it work. Maybe
Lamar + Coby Karl for David Lee, Mailk Rose, and Fred Jones. Or Lamar + Coby
for Jerome James (TOTAL dead weight) + David Lee + Fred Jones.

3. Three way trade with Chicago - Lamar to the Knicks, Zach Randolph to the Bulls,
some package of players to the Lakers. Bulls get a post scorer, Lakers get a couple
of front court players (Noc & Thomas? Noc & Noah?) or maybe a combination
including Gordon (Gordon + Smith + Noah or Thomas). The big problem here is
that if the Kobe trade demand resurfaces, you've reduced the set of pieces that
Chicago has available for trade.

4. Take the cancer off of the Knicks hands. They want to get rid of Stephon? There's
a couple of ways it could work:

4a. Lamar + Radmanovic for David Lee + Stephon Marbury.
Stephon could back up Kobe at SG. David Lee becomes the PF of the future.
Lakers pay big salaries for the next two years, but get out of Rad's longer contract.

4b. Lamar + Kwame for Stephon Marbury + David Lee + Randolph Morris + their unprotected 2008 draft pick. Knicks get a big salary dump in Kwame (which they
could really use), they get Lamar, and they get rid of Stephon. The Lakers get
David Lee, a big body in Morris to fill in until next summer, and a potential lottery
pick for next summer.

Tough loss to Orlando. It was a good game though.

TaosHum,

>>>on Varejao, can't Cleveland match and do a sign and trade with the Lakers?

Yes, but the $$ of the contract is much more reasonable than what Varejao was asking
from the Cavaliers. He wanted almost 10 million a year from them, this deal is less than
6 million a year, which is about what Cleveland was offering. I'll wager they match the
offer and keep him.

Since we are talking about trading LO.... How about Marion for Lamar?

He is the SF that we need and Lamar gives Phoenix another big.

Plus Marion wants to come here.

>>>Now you start a lets trade LO bandwagon? Again, when have you guys ever been
>>> right about the game of basketball?
>>>
>>>As a matter of fact these people are wrong so often that if there is a bandwagon you
>>>can put money the opposite will happen.

THUMP THUMP.

That was the sound of the Trade Lamar Bandwagon running over Mike T.

wow i read this blog daily i also watch every laker game and i gotta say alotta of you bloggers obviously dont have a clue lamar has been hurt since last year really didnt practice in training camp comes out bad and what happens you people are calling for his head, im starting to appreciate what mike t says a lot look at pj and his horrible substitutions he puts on the floor he didnt play ronny enough last year he wont play ariza who to me is worlds better than walton who i notice no matter what la fans wont critisize walton when we all know this guy suks even worse than kwame you wouldnt be able to tell it just by reading this blog though i'm starting to believe it must be a race thing or something cause pj sucks to his play calls out of timeouts never works he doesnt play young players which in todays nba is plain stupid because crit,farmar,and bynum would make noise he doesnt play his best players the lakers actually have a pretty good roster it's the coach trust me

Mike T.......would you consider Elson to be a defensive center who protects the rim?

Zydrunas IIgauskas......?

Regarding any possible sign and trade for Varejao, I think there are salary cap rules? Maybe somebody who knows more about this can clarify but I think it goes something like this: The Cavs are already in the luxury tax. They can sign Varejao and go further beyond the cap without paying the dollar-for-dollar penalty under the Bird rules as long as they keep him. I'm not sure that they can match Charlotte's offer sheet and then trade him without paying the penalty. Does anyone know for sure on this?

Long Time-

Now that was funny!!! Thank you!!!

Laker Dan -

That trade is the most logical thing that has ever been written anywhere, ever.

Marion is AWESOME! Great Job!

Still waiting for a rebuttal about how when Kwame starts we win, but not in the playoffs. ( No asterisks, please!)
cricket...cricket...

Long Time Laker Fan, ah but there's the rub. What if... I know... "if"... ok, but what if the situation between Varejao and Cleveland is so bad that Varejao will refuse to report if Cleveland matches? Then Cleveland will have to go out and find some takers and I'm thinking Cleveland would want Varejao out of their conference entirely.

We need to gamble on a young PF anyway so unless Mitch sees something else out there? The money on Varejao seems reasonable compared to what other PFs are making.

Long Time -

Say it ain't so...You cannot really want Stephon Marbury on this team?!?!?
And in a backup role...He would never go for it...Plus we just got rid of Cook, we do not need any more help in keeping this team at .500!!!

Now David Lee, I like! If there was a way to get him! Wow!

Lamar isn't going anywhere. Like I said before...you're WRONG, again.

As always!

You guys always set yourselves up to be fools. When Kwame comes back and the Lakers start winning again...then what will you say?

This is working out too perfect. Scream and yell all you want. When we start winning again it'll be because of Kwame Brown. And all the Kwame bashing you've beening for 2 years now is just going to prove all of you wrong.

Just like I said that a lay-up parade is coming when Kwame went down, the Lakers are going to win when he comes back. The more you resist that thought...the more foolish you're going to look when it comes to pass.

I guess you have been reading the L.A. Times over the last week. THE LAKERS ARE SOFT IN THE MIDDLE. SOFT LIKE "DAIRY "QUEEN" ICE CREAM."

Did you catch yesterday's L.A. Times? Here's a quote:

"The Lakers haven't played a quarter of the 2007-08 season but it's clear that a major weakness for them is a lack of toughness when center Kwame Brown is not in the lineup."

Did you see the part that reads: "A MAJOR WEAKNESS..." I think the writer is referring to Bynum and Mihm.

And when we start winning when Brown returns...it'll be because of his defensive presence. And then you'll have nothing to say at all.

mike

Thirty2,

"Elson to be a defensive center who protects the rim? Zydrunas IIgauskas"

I've actually been thinking about that question. Not really about Elson but Zydrunas IIgauskas for sure.

No way Elson protects the rim. Zydrunas IIgauskas is another story.

I'm going to finish writing the Big Body Theory when Brown returns. About 10 games after. Then I'll be addressing the whole idea of protecting the rim and I will be bring up the like of Elson and Zydrunas IIgauskas to prove my points.

Right now is not the time. It's going to be very detailed and I want to do it when we're winning of which I'm sure we will be doing when Brown returns.

mike

Long time Laker Fan,

Honestly, I thought about the Knicks and the Bulls but know that you're way better at making up trades than I am.

I would prefer not to take Marbury, but it could be beneficial on a couple fronts. One, his huge contract would expire at the same time as a potential Kobe opt out (mucho cap space). We could also ask for David Lee and that would be great getting him. Third, we could ask for a first rounder, which would be awesome since it would be a lottery pick.

Ultimately I think we are going to have to take back something less than desirable (i.e. a Marbury or Randolph contract) in order to fill a need or move LO for a player that might fit better. I hope the front office is willing to take that risk, although they've been so risk adverse I can't see it happening.

LTLF,

>>>I'll take Caron Butler and Darius Songaila (spelling) or Butler/Thomas for
>>>LO + a pick....

So you'll settle for letting Washington give the Lakers an all star playing the best
he's ever played in exchange for Lamar the underachiever. That's mighty generous
of you. No chance Washington will do that. They'd be as likely to take Kwame back.
Maybe more likely since they're so thin at center.

That was a reaction from Bk asking "Caron anyone?"

Here's what I put in Repost:
"Salaries that match but will opposing teams be interested? Likely not: Pal Gasol, Joe Johnson, AK47, Marion, Ron Artest/Kenny Thomas, Ron Artest/Shareef.

And if your looking for a contributor-scorer: Nocioni/Joe Smith."

thing is, when Kwame starts, he has a serviceable backup in Andrew yet... Kwame misses so many games that when Andrew starts... there really isn't a backup... so your whole "Kwame" thing, which is wonderful in it's own wacky, yet still wonderful way... is a bit skewed to say the least.

Oh yeah, Odom is a goner, if not during this season then during the offseason. The ballboy knows Odom is not a 2nd option, the dudes who scalp tickets know Odom is not a 2nd option, Elton John knows Odom is not a 2nd option...

We have a lot to say, unlike you Mike. You will not respond to the fact that the lakers lost the last 2 playoff series with Kwame Brown starting.

Why do you continue to ignore all of the blog? Why are you on a Kwame crusade? Are you his agent or something? What basis are you using for your argument?

You have said when Kwame brown starts, the Lakers win. Where do you come up with this? It is simply not true. Do you not address b/c you are choosing to ignore the facts or are you trying to get a rise out of these earthlings who have far less basketball knowledge than you?

You must like to dance Mike because whenever someone on this blog proves you wrong, you never address the issue with an intelligent response, you dance around the issues with speculation and what you think might happen.
I have seen your arguments with many people and I cannot recall you ever winning an argument with any one of the bloggers. You either ignore the posts or come back with some long winded answer that tries to belittle other people's opinions and/or factual arguments. Just because you can requote some idiot sportswriter, that does not make you superior.

Enough of your frivolity!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go on skipping over your posts! Good Day!

Im really looking forward to that....Like i said before you make a very valid point....very valid ....But....The reason i asked you that question was because teams like the spurs and the cavs got to the finals without that type of player..........The reason your point is valid .....just look at the teams like the suns,warriors, and the pistons without wallace....The wizards might have 3 great players but no stopper....The reason that the spurs get away with it is because they play solid perimeter defense...The pistons to a lesser extent..

My thinking is that if that body isnt big enough or isnt the best stopper then your perimeter defense has to be top notch....Thats why the spurs are so good ..yes they have Duncan and Parker but they know how to defend the perimeter so well......

Im off to work......Lets hope we destroy the wolves.......Go Lakers

Been smoking that LA sewer weed again, or are you just plain nuts?

Ron Artest is a superstar; arguably the best two way player in the NBA. Get it?

Unless you want to package Bynum, Farmar and a first rounder, plus take Kenny Thomas and Shareef off our hands, your chances or signing Testes are about as good as "Stopping the Mudslides", coming to your area soon.

Fantasy League: Hasn't shown up on the grid just yet, but watch Spencer Hawes, dynamic and rising fast, as are the Kings of basketball. You saw it here.

Sonnybelfast

And when we start winning when Brown returns...it'll be because of his defensive presence. And then you'll have nothing to say at all.

mike

OK, what happens when Kwame gets hurt again later? The guy is made of glass, how can you build any plans around this guy? Same goes for LO and Mihm. Too many chronically injured players on this team.

Sonny - I hear ya. Artest is a warrior for Sac. There's no way they're gonna package him with another piece for L.O. and there's no way we're going to give up Bynum. For that matter, we're probably not going to get any signifigant player for Odom. Long Time has it right when he suggests that our only real shot is with losing teams and perhaps some bad contracts. Forget about David Lee though - NY isn't going to let that guy go. And uh, nooo on Starbury. Please no.

TaosHum,

>>>but what if the situation between Varejao and Cleveland is so bad that Varejao
>>>will refuse to report if Cleveland matches?

In that case, they fine him his salary for each game he misses and he doesn't get to play
in the NBA for two years, if he's stubborn enough to hold out that long. They've played
hardball with him thus far, I think they'd be willing to let him stew another month to get
him back.

MJCMAN32,

>>>Say it ain't so...You cannot really want Stephon Marbury on this team?!?!?

Not particularly. But I'd be willing to give up Lamar and suffer Marbury for a year if it
would get the Lakers David Lee and a lottery pick next summer. Marbury would be
better than Sasha as a backup SG, and that way he wouldn't disturb the PG
rotation, which has been pretty good for the Lakers. Next season, they could buy
Marbury out, send him packing and they'd end up getting David Lee and a lottery
pick for Lamar and Kwame or Rad.

>>>Now David Lee, I like! If there was a way to get him! Wow!

Exactly - he'd step right in and be the starting PF for the Lakers. He's a hustle player
like Turiaf, but a better rebounder.

dave m,

>>>Long Time has it right when he suggests that our only real shot is with losing
>>>teams and perhaps some bad contracts. Forget about David Lee though - NY
>>>isn't going to let that guy go. And uh, nooo on Starbury. Please no.

It's ironic that they won't start David Lee, but Isaiah is reluctant to trade him, even
in the Ron Artest discussion.

I forgot to mention one other facet of trading Lamar to New York. He's from New York,
and he lives there in the off-season, so it would kinda be going home for him. Close
to that would be New Jersey or Philadelphia, so let's consider those for a minute:

New Jersey - during the summer, they might have done Odom for Jefferson straight
up, but I doubt they would now. And Jersey doesn't have a lot of contracts they
could combine to add up to match Lamar's salary.

Philadelphia - they're talking about trading Andre Miller, which would make a nice
salary match, and they need better forwards, but adding a 5th point guard to the
Lakers isn't exactly ideal. Maybe they could work it with a third team that needs a
PG more than the Lakers do. Atlanta? Clippers? Cleveland? Miami?

dave m,

>>>Long Time has it right when he suggests that our only real shot is with losing
>>>teams and perhaps some bad contracts. Forget about David Lee though - NY
>>>isn't going to let that guy go. And uh, nooo on Starbury. Please no.

It's ironic that they won't start David Lee, but Isaiah is reluctant to trade him, even
in the Ron Artest discussion.

I forgot to mention one other facet of trading Lamar to New York. He's from New York,
and he lives there in the off-season, so it would kinda be going home for him. Close
to that would be New Jersey or Philadelphia, so let's consider those for a minute:

New Jersey - during the summer, they might have done Odom for Jefferson straight
up, but I doubt they would now. And Jersey doesn't have a lot of contracts they
could combine to add up to match Lamar's salary.

Philadelphia - they're talking about trading Andre Miller, which would make a nice
salary match, and they need better forwards, but adding a 5th point guard to the
Lakers isn't exactly ideal. Maybe they could work it with a third team that needs a
PG more than the Lakers do. Atlanta? Clippers? Cleveland? Miami?

I think a lot of the trades that y'all have mentioned would be useful to us. I just can't see many other teams going for it given the way LO is playing.

I do think that one trade that would have a shot of going through and would possibly help us would be sending LO to Memphis for Mike Miller and Brian Cardinal.

Memphis gets a longer, stronger, more athletic and more versatile F in LO while dumping their worst contract and save about $16 mil in salary in '09-'10. This would definitely make more sense than dumping your young quality big man for 50 cents.

Meanwhile, the Lakers gain a player who probably would be a better fit for Kobe in Mike Miller, who is a true perimeter 3 and is a more consistent scorer than LO (.494fg% & .443 3fg% this year, 18.5 ppg last year) but still provides some versatility (7.5 rpg & 3.8 apg this year). The bottom line is that T-Mac loved this guy, and T-Mac's game ain't all that different than Kobe's.

I think that Cardinal could even be useful to us as a less talented but harder working and tougher Brian Cook (dude is a career .401 from 3), although his contract would still be just plain bad (3 years- $18 mil)- nevertheless we have to pay some kind of price to get a #2 scorer.

Long Time reader- And that pretty much sums up the Artist at work. Don't expect a reply, he doesn't do that much.

Trade Lamar? If we can get someone better for him, yeah. If not, no. there's a substantial part of this blog that likes to make moves just to do it, based on whatever frustration they're feeling at the time. It's entirely possible he'll get traded, but don't expect it soon, and don't expect it to be for garbage. Personally, I want to see what he's playing like as we get closer to the trade deadline.

In a funny way, the better Andrew plays, the better it will be for Lamar, I think. He'll feel less pressure to score, and he'll do all the other things that he does so well.

AK, I think I beat your 30 second time on that trade. I thought that was just awful, still do. Just a horrible brain cramp from management.