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Kung Pau!

Non-sensical title, I know.  But forgive me for feeling a little giddy and carefree, because I think the Lakers just did themselves quite right in this Gasol-for-Kwame/The Critter/two first rounders/Marc Gasol/Aaron McKie in name only swap.  (By the way, how random is the "Marc for Pau" element?  Is there something to this?  Do irreconcilable differences exist between the brothers?  Is Juan Carlos Navarro buddies with the entire Sly and the Family Gasol, so GM Chris Wallace is hoping that lil' bro can keep the Spanish guard happy, similar to how they brought the dude in specifically to make Pau happy?)

In my opinion, this is a great trade for the Lakers, considerably better than the play for Jason Kidd many fans clamored for.  Great a player as Kidd is, the D.Fish and Farmar combo is doing a more than adequate job, making that theoretical swap totally unnecessary.  Not to mention impractical, considering the Lakers are already down bigs (Andrew Bynum, Chris Mihm) and forwards (Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza), with Vlad Rad hardly 100% (or playing particularly well).  To trade Lamar Odom and Kwame for Kidd does more to make the Lakers even thinner up front than actually address a legit need, even if adding a theoretical Jason Collins (who, ironically, is heading to NJ for the perennially disappointing Stromille Swift, ending a local "Worst #2 pick ever" competition).  This deal, however, makes perfect sense.  The Lakers pick up some seriously needed size to pick up the slack in Bynum's absence.  And some highly skilled size, I might add.

For the time being, Gasol will be the Lakers starting center until Drew returns (which may be later rather than sooner, according to Ric Bucher).  Yeah, he's not a huge defensive presence, but frankly, the defense has kinda sucked since Bynum has been out, so to some degree, what difference does it make?  They were bound to suffer along these lines no matter who was in, so you might as well go with the better player (and I don't think it's going out on a limb to declare Pau a mite better than Kwame).  Gasol can at least provide some inside scoring, a commodity desperately missed since (ironically enough) Andrew got hurt playing against Memphis at Staples on Dec. 15. Fisher told me after the Cavs loss how lacking a traditional big has thrown the offense out of whack, a matter Gasol can hopefully alleviate.  He's also an upgrade over Kwame in the rebounding and passing departments, the latter making me think he'll do well in the triangle.  The Spaniard on board also allows Lamar Odom to once again operate as a #3/do-it-all guy, decidedly more his comfort zone.  I realize that might strike some fans as a frustrating cop out, but putting aside any "bigger and better" dreams and just dealing with reality, as we saw once Drew broke out, you can do considerably worse than LO as a third banana. 

Once Bynum returns, he and Gasol become quite possibly the NBA's best frontline, at least on paper.  Any shortcomings guarding the paint on Gasol's part are well covered by Drew's improved ability as a rim protector.  You have a classic back-to-the-basket center and a power forward who can work down low or hit a jumper.  Both require a ton of attention.  Both see the floor well and can move the ball out of the post, meaning wide open jumpers from outside.  And say whatever you want about LO's shortcomings as an aggressive scorer, but the dude (now playing SF) clearly has skills hitting the glass.  When you're now looking at a situation where he could become the team's third best rebounder, it's safe to say loose balls could land often in Laker paws.  The trio combines with Kobe (very big by shooting guard standards) to create one hell of a tall lineup.  And in a perfect world with everyone healthy, Jordan Farmar, Sasha "Starting to make a believer of the K Brothers" Vujacic, Luke Walton (now in a bench role where he's better suited), Trevor Ariza, Vlad Rad (should he ever start hitting shots again), Ronny Turiaf and Chris Mihm (should he ever regain semi-form) represent some legit depth, size and versatility off the bench.  If everything rounds out to form, the Lakers have a roster that could make a nice playoff run.      

Any downside?  I guess, but not much.  Yeah, Gasol's long contract (through 2011) is expensive and he's had injuries, so it could be a long, bumpy ride if things go sour.  But there are risks with any trade and the Lakers will be in cap hell for a couple seasons, anyway.  If you're gonna go full speed ahead with little flexibility, it might as well be with a young, All-Star caliber PF in the fold.   And yeah, Javaris Crittenton could end up a very good player.  I happen to think he will.  His brief court stints revealed flashes of great athletic ability and skills, plus he's a bright kid with a solid attitude.  But as they say, you gotta give to get.  And unless the Lakers planned on eventually playing Kobe at the 3 with a Farmar/Critter backcourt, they'd be deciding between the two at some point, anyway.  I think they made the right one for now.  Could the Critter end up the better player?  Sure.  But there's no question that Farmar is light years ahead when it comes helping right this second, and the Lakers are playing for the "right this second."  If come 2012, they wouldn't mind having Javaris back but have a 15th banner to show for his absence, any retroactive pining is more than worth it.

As for Kwame, on a personal level, I'll miss the guy.  He's one of the nicer dudes in the NBA, much less (formerly) on the Laker roster.  Very good sense of humor, too.  And to some degree, his play went occasionally under-appreciated, in terms of people not always recognizing the importance of his one-on-one post D.  But to a considerably larger degree, Kwame was mostly disappointing (or exactly what you expected, depending on your cynicism).  In three seasons, he may have improved a bit, but considering this is the level reached, that's not saying much.  His offense remained completely unreliable (I doubt I'll ever see another 6'11" cat with less ability to make a layup), his rebounding remained ridiculously spotty, his hands remained stone-like and his feel for the game remained in neutral.  Most importantly, Kwame's desire to reach greater heights remained seemingly non-existent.  BK and I have always suspected Kwame's awful experience in Washington's spotlight created a desire to blend in before standing out.  Maybe that's the case, maybe not.  But whether seeking a low profile, blessed with more inherent athletic ability than internal motor or simply not as talented as predicted, Kwame was given a lot of opportunity in L.A. and didn't make it happen.  I wish him well, because like I said, he's a very good dude.  But to be honest, I'm expecting Kwame to enjoy more barbecue than increased success in Graceland.      

Finally, Mom's thoughts on the deal.  BK called our Laker lovin' mama and told her the news.  Her reaction?  She doesn't know who Pau is, but when informed Kwame was being moved, she responded with a matter of fact, "that makes sense."  Gotta love Mom's ability to sum things up.

AK

Comments

THE NEW ERA HAS BEGUN!

WELCOME PAU GASOL!

LONG LIVE THE UNION!

GO LAKERS!

Ric Bucher doesn't know what he's talking about. Bynum was all grins at the Knicks game.

GO LAKERS!

I just can't stop smiling. No matter how hard I try.

I!
JUST!
CAN'T!
STOP!
SMIIIILIIIING!!!

SHOCKED and AWED =)

GREAT JOB MITCH!!!!


LAKER NATION FTW!!!!!!

GREAT NEWS CONFERENCE ON NBA TV
MEMPHIS GM TALKING TRADE AND STATEGY
VERY INSIGHTFUL

Mitch said that it was really hard to trade J-Crit, didn’t say that about Kwame. Also said that when he talked to Kwame after the trade Kwame was somewhat apologetic that he didn’t play as well as the Lakers thought he should or as well as he though he could play.

Laker Nation wished you could have played better also Kwame – ho hard feelings, good luck in Memphis.

"PAU!" **Adam West-Batman Style**

We're back! Best line up in the West? I think so. Talk about a rebuild. Good isht Mitch, good isht!

#4

Does anyone think that Bucher's assessment of Bynum's timetable has anything to do with Gasol's signing?

This takes the Laker's ceiling from decent chance of making Western conference finals to better than decent chance of hanging another gold tapestry from the rafters.
The only thing standing in the way from my perspective is Bynum not getting back in time to gel for the playoffs. But after seeing what the Spanish Sensation is bringing, Bynum will likely be extra motivated to rejoin what will be the NBA's most talented starting five.
Kupchak- Lakerland stands corrected- you knew what you were doing all along, errrr, simply well-played my friend.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is not a news, this is a dream!!!!! it doesn't matter how well Gasol is playing nowadays. As long as you get rid of those two Mr: Can't handle the ball and can't pass well it is a A- move by the Lakers officials. Trust me guys, trust me on this one.... Other than the Mavericks, there is no other team in the West that go toe to toe with this "wait 'til you see Bynum, Gasol, L.Odom, Kobe and D.fish" lineup. Other than Lamar Odom, everyone will be able to make a 19ft jumpshot from anywhere on the court and this will open up Bryant to do what he does best. Who are you going to guard now? when you have two beast in the middle.... I am just... speechless!

AK, you have an astute mom there.

There's a paradigm shift in the NBA and the balance of power has shifted to that basketball mecca on Figueroa street - aka Staples Center home of the championship-contending Lakers. Just love to say that because the Lakers and their fervent fans are no longer pretenders but rather contenders.

Finally, in Pau we finally have a vaible "numero dos" option to the Kobe. More importantly, a deep inside threat with high field goal percentage working in our favor to augment Kobe's game, especially in crunch time like last night's Detroit disappointment with an airball with 4 seconds left.

Don't want to sound hackneyed but this is just a major coup engineered by Mitch and his posse. I underestimated this guy's basketall business acume. Memo to Mitch: Finally, that MBA from UCLA Andersen School is paying dividends.

Rollo

WE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THE LAST OF KWAME!!!!

Rumors out of Memphis are saying the Grizzlies are going to buy out Kwame. At first I thought that it would be impossible for the Lakers to resign him, but I was wrong. Check this out:

Gary Payton Rule: Players will have to wait 30 days in the regular season (20 days in the offseason) before being allowed to sign with the team that traded them away.

Considering Kwame's been bitching and moaning about not being healthy, I bet he could rehab for 30 days and come back to sign with the Lakers. Give him a couple bucks and he's not a bad backup.

Frankly, it's the only thing Mike T has to help him through this rough time.

Any word on Kobe's reaction?

As much as the FO was criticized for putting short term business needs over basketball needs, Gasol has a shot at attracting and expanding the sizable Latino fan base for both the Lakers and hoops generally. This can only be a good thing.

Well played!

GO LAKERS! I haven't felt like this since we signed GP and Malone on the same day. Truly, truly a blessed day for all us here in Laker Nation.

Viva Pau! Arriba Lakers! NBA Campeones del mundo 2008!

amazing. we better make the western conference championship. we will, when bynum returns healthy and 100%.

Mitch Kupchak has done an amazing job assembling this team so quickly from the ahses of the Shaq/Kobe/Malone Payton team. This is the fastest move from title contender to rebuiding back to title contender I have ever seen in NBA.

A long, atheltic starting 5 in Drew, Pau, Lamar, Kobe and Fish.

A young, energetic and talented bench with Turiaf, Sasha, Farmar, Vlad, Trevor and Luke.

Not only can they contend if they get everyone healthy for the layoffs, they can contend for years. Only Fish will decline quickly due to mileage, and he and Farmar can swap roles at some point.

This is a great deal. I hope Drew is back in time for him to get his game back and the team to gel, because this is going to be fun.

Good post AK

took you long enough, i was waiting for this post for awhile and my laptop battery is going to die. You hit some great points and i'm so glad ths trade was made. Hate to see the critter go but i'm very glad neither jordan nor L.O. had to go. I wish i had more battery though, a great day in laker blog and my battery is going to die, aint that a...

Go Lakers...

Mitch Kupchak just made a Jerry West style steal!!! The student has now become the master.

great move by the Lakers. Doesn't solve things on the defensive end a whole lot but I think that can be made up for on the offensive end.

I'll agree that Kwame was probably a well liked dude by the club and others. However, he never helped himself by working on his game. Kwame could have pushed himself to be a better rebounder , better defender, better free throw shooter etc etc.

But he didn't

This resulted in a 6'11'' dude that looked like he did not belong on a basketball court. Which is not something that helps the Lakers (or any other team).

I hope he works on his game and turns it around to show that he can be productive and he can contribute to a ball club.

All the terrible things I said about MItch Kupchak, I take back.

Of course, the only thing that mattersis how Kobe feels about this.

What an amazing and unexpected surprise for me when I woke up. I had to reread it a few times, check that it wasn't April Fool's Day, then I reread it a few more times.

Holy crap this is great news!

As happy as we are, I don't think anyone is as happy as David Stern.

BOSTON VS. LA: THE NEXT GENERATION

COMING THIS JUNE TO ABC!!!

Suddenly, this Writers Strike ain't so bad for TV!

In Pau We Trust

Would you agree with me that this is a much better deal than giving up both Bynum and Odom for Garnett.
Gasol may not be a Garnett but he will still be a solid and we still keeping both Bynum and Odom..
What do you think?

Serious props to Mitch K for being patient and maneuvering for the right deal rather than jumping to the demands of the mob.

Sorry to see Crit go. The dude has serious skills and upside at both the 1 and the 2, but the Lakers have been so thin up front for a long time. Even when Shaq was here ... I mean how many times did Shaq plead for a "thuggish" power forward to help him out up front? Yep, Gasol is the right move at the right time.

Gasol can help right away until Bynum returns. He'll have a learning curve, but he's always struck me as an intelligent man. It's a better temporary solution than the Kwame debacle. I agree with AK, Kwame's a decent guy, but he is not a starting center. He's a big body who can clog up a position. He has no hops since his injuries and can barely make it to the rim these days. Sorry to see him go, but Gasol is an immense upgrade, even in the short term.

Long term - meaning after the next couple of months - is the real upside. With both Bynum and Ariza returning in March (hopefully), we'll have a serious upgrade in defense AND offense and rebounding. Seeing a starting lineup with Bynum AND Gasol AND Odom AND Kobe has got to be a scary prospect for just about any opposing team.And with a bench that might just be the deepest in the NBA, who would WANT to play the Lakers?

Kobe's gotta be doing a little happy dance right now. Maybe a jig with Phil ...

I'm writing this entry from a little place I staked out on Figueroa St for the upcoming parades... that's right, I said parades. And I'm not talking about the Doo Da Parade either.

The news of this move just about floored me.... I don't know about you, but I could've sworn I heard the entire Western Conference just let out a loud sigh in unison. Particularly the folks over in Phoenix and Dallas.... They had their window to succeed, but failed miserably at their best chance of bringing a championship to their clubs. It was their opportunity to seize the title whilst the Laker Organization regrouped.

Unfortunately for all of them, this Laker organization is looking really good right now and are now ready to make some serious noise come play off time. Talk about a shot in the arm during a time of disarray and malcontent in the ball club ... this is more like a morphine shot of excitement than anything...


Ahlayn

Now if Kobe can"t play with this team,i give up.1 problem the last few games are the missed freethrows(including Kobe last night late in the game ) Play as a team and we can DO it!!!!

Check this out, this is the trade ESPN was suggesting in January of last year between the Lakers and Grizz:

"You seldom see a team part with two bigs in a trade, but you could imagine Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum being expendable in exchange for Gasol.
It wasn't so long ago, remember, when we saw what Phil Jackson could do when he had a dominant post player to pair with Kobe Bryant.
So, Brown, Bynum, Jordan Farmar, Aaron McKie and a No. 1 for Gasol and Atkins, anybody?"

So yes, I'd say Mitch is the man and just stole Pau Gasol!!!! You go Mitch!!!

Andrew Z

Don't EVEN kid about that!

UM...I totally forgot something. This is Deja Vu all over again.

Remember back in the 80's when Magic made a trade demand, Dr. Buss got on the horn and then the Dynasty began?

Over 25 years later, Kobe does the same thing which has brought us to today's events.

Coincidence?

WOW - This is incredible. In a previous thread, I had commented how Kupchak ( I believe he has lost the Cupcake moniker now) is a legitimate candidate for GM of the year by virtue of the Ariza and Fisher deal, and from the deals he did not make (some that I wanted him to). This may lock it up for him if things turn out. This one is a stroke if genius. When Bynum comes back, we have the best line-up in the West. LO can now slide over to the three and become an offensive presence again. Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Bryant and Fisher has Western Conference champion written all over it. The only thing that concerns me is whether Gasol can play in the triangle - I have no idea what the Griz run.

This is great.

Great trade for my heart-burn quotient: a lot LESS fumbles, dropped passes, ricocheting balls off the backboards from simple layups; a lot MORE defensive contested shots; a HELL OF A LOT MORE made freethrows; and a GIGANTIC REDUCTION is the number of TUMS I chew per game.

JJ

Kobe still seems tired and realized -2 player for tonight's game. But he did catch himself grin a few times. Says it shows committment (to winning now i assume). He and Gasol know each other from the summer in Barcalona and I assume that they probably wished to play with each other.

Also it was kind of nice to see Kobe miss Crittenton, but also Kwame because he liked their personalities. Kobe also had the look of "ohhhhhh k. This is going to be different" I think Kobe actually showed a flinch of pressure. Basically he knows that Buss and Kupchake did what he wanted..and now its up to him and Phil..but Phil also has no problem laying Kobe to blame either...so really the pressure is on KB24 to deliver. Easier said than done right?

It will be an interesting road trip

Why am I seeing another version of the BULLS....so many similarities in their roster. A good balance of white and black dudes too!!

One thing I definitely want to see, a THREE-PEAT again!

GO LAKERS!!!

I just got back to read the Scoop. Well, that's great. We lost the Java man but got the Pau. We have now a legitimate post player. Finally, got out of the 3 years nightmare with Kwame. I pity him for being booed but he was a gentleman, never shown any kind of attitude despite the rude treatment he got from Laker fans. Well, without Critter we cannot get Pau so that was his services to the Lakers. The same way with short time MO, who gave us Ariza. I give Mitch Kupchak props for those trade, he deserves clap clap clap! I think we will win 7 out of the remaining 8 games we have on this trip. Why we have accomplished the needs of the triangle? Kobe GAsol Fisher on starters; Kobe Farmar Turiaf on the 2nd string. Lamar and DJ become extra flavor, can't depend on them except their moods of the day.

Gasol is a great team player too....he will set his team mates up. If he plays anything like he did on the 06 World Champion Spanish National Team, this offense is going to go up a notch. That 18 and 10 that Mike T thinks is going to come from somewhere, instead is going to be replacing Kwame's lack of offense. He'll also get shots for his teammates. And here's a hunch: his D will be better than Kwame's. Easily. He's taller and smarter. 2 legit shot changers in there.

Now that we have 3 legit ballers (Kobe, Bynum, Gasol), its easy to see how this could possibly work. The offense will be much more effective, because Gasol will screen, pass, and shoot with a savviness only champions play with. He's not as soft on D as people think....we may see more Euroflops, but as long as they're in our favor I don't mind. But the brilliance of the move comes from the fact that he will FIT. Plays from 15 ft and in, has the length to play effective D, and is not afraid to make the right pass (like most Euros do).

I hope we can make a run for it this year, and if not, be the leading contenders next.

Mr. Gray
"Any word on Kobe's reaction?"

Heard him on AM570 with Spero. He dowmplayed it. He said on paper it looks good but we have a lot of work.

Don't quote me.

Deep inside Kobe's going "Hell yeah Mo fo!:"

As Steve Winwood sez:

"WE'LL BE BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN!
All the doors that closed one time will open up again...
We'll be back in the high life again...
All the eyes that watched us once,
Will smile and take us in...

And we'll drink and dance with one hand free,
And have the world so easily,
Oh we'll be a sight to see,
Back in the high life again!"

My Daughter just caught me to tell me the news!!!!!! Awesome. No Downside.

I always believed that a Farmar/Bynum joining Kobe/Fish/Lamar had a Championship potential.

With Pau we have found the Spanish Mother Gold Lode

Thanks Mitch, and Jerry...

Happy Baywood

WOW! I just heard the news. Now I do have to say, I will miss Kwame. Not for his play. I don't think anyone will really miss his play all that much. But he did seem like a likable guy. I wish him all the success in the world. Now back to the trade. WOW. Can you imagine when Bynum and Ariza get back!?!? The Lakers are a beast of a team!!!!

Kobe Bryant as apparently not available for comment as he is busy jumping over the moon in joy. He is expected to shortly reenter the Earth's atmosphere over Eastern Canada, just in time for this evening's tipoff.

Jon K,

Your 6-3 roadie prediction may now be possible -- not for same reasons of course -- lol

Forgiveness is in the air...

In my eyes, Mitch's job is only half done. He needs to deal Lamar, because we just can't have players who freeze up under pressure and cost us games. I've seen it too many times this year and years before. He's been in the league too long for that. If he hasn't learned by now, it's never gonna happen. Championship banners aren't won with potential. Plus, LO's got BAD, BAD karma. He's the reason Baby B is sitting on the sideline. Screw bad luck, that injury was nothing but bad life karma.

Next Step: Jerry and Kobe Kiss and Make Up!

Kobe must be just as happy as we are.

Baywood

Celts have a monster lineup.
Now Lakers got one.
The rivary is baaaaaaaaack!!!

I KNOW THE EIGHTIES ARE IN FASHION, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

Mitch, you fashion victim

What a roller coaster ride this season has been. First the panic button with Kobe Watch 2007. Then the surprise upset and coming out party of Andrew Bynum. Then the hope crushing injuries bringing us back to dark days. Now a surprise move out of nowhere to give us arguably the best starting five and deepest bench.

We can win it all, but we'll need Bynum back in shape and in rhythm for the playoffs. If Derek/Kobe/Lamar/Pau/Bynum are ready to go in June, there's no team that should stop us.

All we need now to secure the 15th banner is Bynum back.

Assist by Jerry West!!!! (who drafted Gasol).

Somewhat like McHale's valuable assist to Boston (Garnett), West gives Lakers a belated gift!

Thanks, Mr. Logo!

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Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky are contributing writers to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, and co-authored Fishing on the Edge, the autobiography of 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli, bass fishing's bad boy. While both grew up in St. Louis without NBA basketball, Andrew became a die hard Lakers fanatic after moving to L.A. to attend USC. That he managed to find a job requiring him to obsess over his favorite team, the same activity that prompted him to waste time while working other jobs, is pretty incredible. As for Brian, his baptism into pro hoops fandom has been provided by the "All Lakers, All The Time" citizens of Los Angeles. Beats the hell out of covering the Bucks.
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