A word on the Agent Zero rumor
I love rumors as much as the next guy. They're fun, allow people like me to play Fantasy GM, and otherwise pretend to be productive while there's real work to be done. But even by that standard, the rumor that the Lakers are interested in bringing in Gilbert Arenas this offseason seems particularly dubious, and makes so little sense it's actually worth commenting on.
"A high-ranking Western Conference executive with knowledge of the situation has told Pro Basketball News that both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers plan to "strongly pursue" Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas this summer. Arenas is signed through 2009, but has said he will exercise the early termination option in his contract and become a free agent... if the Lakers and Clippers push for him as much as expected, it's likely to result in a sign-and-trade."
If that's the case, the Lakers may be willing to part with forward Lamar Odom and guard Derek Fisher, and/or a few bench players, according to the source (Odom's contract expires at the end of next season)."
Right.
The Clippers I get. That works for them, and given
the potential turnover in their roster the Arenas-in-red-white-and-blue
rumors will be flying this summer. There could be some meat on that bone. But the Lakers? Beyond the idea that I can't
imagine Jerry Buss (or any owner, really) would shell out for a fourth
max/near max player, from a basketball standpoint, does this sound at all plausible? Unless Arenas is going to truly become a pass first PG, is he
really the guy the Lakers need? How many basketballs will they be
allowed to play with? (By the way, if the answer is more than one, they should probably do the deal. Huge, huge advantage offensively.)
There's just too much redundancy between Kobe and Arenas in their respective skill sets for this to make sense. The idea is to build a great team, not put together a video game squad. With a core of Kobe, Bynum, and Gasol, the Lakers will have plenty of star power. They'll need to find the right mix of role guys to make the rest work. Maybe Odom is a part of that long term. He certainly seems to like life with Gasol in the lineup, and there's no reason to think he'll be any worse once Bynum comes back. Either way, swapping him out for Agent Zero isn't the right way to go.
I say this, of course, despite knowing how much easier my life would get by having Arenas available for quotes on a daily basis, so you know I must be serious.
BK
Fish is currently enjoying the best season of his career in terms of scoring, shooting, three pt %, and people actually think he is a bad player. How fickle fans can be.
Hey Mamba,
I think it's time for my first official bandwagon request. I'd like to start the "Andrew Bynum will be referred to as simply THE BEAST from now on" bandwagon. Maybe I'll get some hangers on. Maybe not. That's what I'm calling him from now on.
He is a Beast. I can't wait to get him back, and oh man . . . next season is really gonna be fun.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 18, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I'd rather get Ron Artest in the off season than Agent Zero.
Posted by: xtro | March 18, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Arenas is not a clown or a punk. Hes just having fun being an NBA player, which sorry people is not life or death. Its a game. Second...how many athletes you know take time to write a blog?? Something that takes some skill or ability to write???
Im tired of some people who just run their mouths attacking athlets. Just like people who diss Vince Carter. Did you guys know that Carter chose to attend his college graduation even though it meant barely making to Game 7 of the eastern conference playoffs? People say he has a bad attitude or he's whack or whatever...but im sorry thats the biggest coolest thing any NBA player has done in the decade. In my book and it should be your book too...nothing Kobe has done will ever top the move made by Vince Carter.
Posted by: The Lake Show | March 18, 2008 at 01:21 PM
best video game squad ever:
PG kobe.
SG caron butler (via trade of odom to washington)
SF Ariza
PF gasol
C bynum.
Posted by: KOBYKARL.COM | March 18, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Mamba...
What's up wit that... I'm not on the "roll call" anymore??
Posted by: cdub0512 | March 18, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I sort of now agree with the blogger who noted that Mitch has developed an M.O. of sorts wherein he has been practicing the element of surprise in terms of personnel changes.So it truly would be out of character to hear rumblings about Arenas and the LAKERs, like now... I have got to believe right now the suits are more so focused on THIS YEAR and getting our guys back healthy so we can truly compete in the playoffs....
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 18, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I love the Lakers so much, but when we lose I tell you, I, for one, cannot stand to come on to the blog and read anything about the team, especially negative. That's including the blog and def no Sportscenter or NBATV..No way..I am too heated and then I get madd that I have stayed up sooo late (I am on the East Coast) to watch and only have them lose! But yeah, I will wait a day or so or until the next game & try and get revved up for that one, but I seriously cannot stomach all the back&forth when we lose..I just be like, lets move on and not talk about it..I guess i am a sore loser..But hell, it hurts to lose..I can just imagine how the players feel as they are the ones on payroll! lol
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 18, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Jump to Philly for a few, and the whole thing comes pretty near unglued --- wtf?
I'm just glad it was not Lamar's foot that took down Pau or we'd have the pitch forks out.
Damn these games are important ... we need this in the worst way. Can anyone voodoo Dirk into a pretzel?
4 games separate 1st and 8th ... I'm a reck over here!
Posted by: HmrHed | March 18, 2008 at 01:36 PM
lotecq, I suspect Brand will still be a Clipper next year. Unless Stirling loses his mind again.
Posted by: Michael A | March 18, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I'd rather they go after Brand.
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Ooops... I spoke too soon... forget Brand, they already have Pau. Arenas just does not fit in with the team they're trying to build... he's not a pass-first PG. I'm satisfied with Farmar at the moment. After all, he's only in his second year. If they could upgrade at the SF position, that would round out the team.
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Mamba... add me to the - WE DON’T NEED AGENT ZERO BANDWAGON!
Posted by: keifo | March 18, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Hoping the Clippers can get him. Hoping the Lakers can stay away from him.
Posted by: Johnson | March 18, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Check One Check Two!
Charles in this motha! Sorry guys for the late afternoon post.
Pig all good man...
Mamba24, Thanks always for the roll call.
As far as the Agent 0 pick up. it would be more of a glamor move that chemistry move. If you take a look at an older Iverson trying to blend with Mello, it hasn't resulted well in the playoffs. I would be scared of the lack of ball movement.
If they were to trade Fish, I would hope that DC some facilities can accommodate Tatum's condition, unless she would be in remission. Otherwise, this is a business.
I would love to sign an athletic defensive minded 3 that can shoot on the perimeter. But we would have a crowded bunch of tweeners for the 3-4 spots. (Walton, Vlad, & Lamar)
Have a good one brothers and sisters...
Posted by: Charles | March 18, 2008 at 02:06 PM
http://tinyurl.com/2w64kf
Sorry if you guys have read it already!
Posted by: Charles | March 18, 2008 at 02:08 PM
smush got a shout out in todays daily dime on espn.com....as the worst performer last night. hahahaha
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | March 18, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Gilbert is great, but he's a gimpy playa. Don't sign him and keep Fisher. Agent Zero can make shots but he can't make a complete season!
As for Kobe, I've never seen anyone play such effective D on him as shane battier. Can the lakers sign him? They need some defensive help.
Is anyone else seeing the irony of Gasol? Kobe apparently wanted to run his own team so Shack had to go...Kobe then had no success running his own team, while Shack won a title with the closest thing to MJ, Dwade.. So now Gasol (and maybe bynum) are giving the lakers a viable center to run the offense through, instead of kobe.
Chris Paul is the MVP, with Nash a close 2nd. In terms of pure worth to the team, as they are both distributors.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2008 at 02:13 PM
mamba24 - hey, we've been missing you on azcentral. You were on all the time it seems, when your team was on a roll. You kept saying that the parade route was already planned for downtown LA. C'mon back!
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Mamba24 - I'm with Pig - put me on the "Bynum will now and forever more be known as THE BEAST" bandwagon. I'll bring the liquid sea minerals and dit da jow just in case of any future mishaps.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 18, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Present for the roll call today and present when it returns at playoff time.
And, Mamba, I don't know if you listen to Dan Patrick ever but you can add Reginald Aloicious Miller to the Lakers championship bandwagon.
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 18, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Pig Miller,
I think they gave the Beast name to Dwight Howard. Would you consider Baby Beast for our Baby Bynum? LOL
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 02:33 PM
HAS LOS ANGELES BECOME THE BALL HOG CITY?
GOT ONE BALL HOG IN KOBE AND NOW WE ARE TRYING TO GET ANOTHER ONE?
BYNUM, GASOL, AND OTHERS WILL NEVER SEE THE ROCK IF WE HAVE TWO HOGS RUNNING WILD IN STAPLES.
Just ask Denver how they are doing with Melo and A.I. ball hogging every night. May not even make the playoffs!
Posted by: Gunner | March 18, 2008 at 02:36 PM
BK,
No! this is no rumor!
I saw Jerry Buss riding the tea cups at disneyland yesterday, and he told me that "it was definite" that Arenas is coming to La La Land. He then proceded to finish his cotton candy, gave his number to the 19 year old chick working the popcorn machines. He then said "greek dude, let the public know what I have told you, they must know."
That is my recollection. There might be one or maybe two slight exaggerations, but for the most part, it is all true.
Posted by: greek dude | March 18, 2008 at 02:44 PM
BK: "How many basketballs will they be allowed to play with? (By the way, if the answer is more than one, they should probably do the deal...)
You know, until you said that, I never really gave it a thought, but can you imagine how entertaining that would be, even if it was just a charity game? If Team 1 had the ball, imagine the Globetrotter-esque weaves it could do with two balls. Then think of the chaos when both teams have the ball. Who's the designated defender(s). This would be amazing. Then, I now I'm just getting giddy and selfish, picture Medvedenko and Wafer in the mix.
Sign me up for a sizable donation to the charity that can sponsor such a game.
Posted by: Marty | March 18, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Michael A,
You can forget Elton Brand! He already has his bags packed for Miami. Guaranteed!
Posted by: zen | March 18, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Yummy! Arizona troll meat. I love locally grown livestock.
"the closest thing to MJ, Dwade"
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! That might be the smartest thing anyo...wait no it's the SILLIEST thing I've ever read on any blog ever! The next time DWade leads the league in scoring while taking a team of D-Leaguers to the playoffs, he might begin to approach maybe being in the same conversation as Kobe, and is certainly a long way from being in any convo considering MJ.
"Chris Paul is the MVP, with Nash a close 2nd. In terms of pure worth to the team, as they are both distributors."
I'll concede that Paul is a candidate, but your statement about Nash is as purely homer as it can get. You must have only local stations available under the bridge you live beneath. Perhaps your troll cable only tunes into Fox Sports AZ? Steve Nash is averaging the worst turnover to assist ratio in his career, and his team is currently 5th in the conference. There are at least four other candidates in just his CONFERENCE that deserve it more, let alone the entire league.
Go back to AzCentral blog and play with NEJey and all of the other Funs trolls over there.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM . . . . . . Tasty!
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 18, 2008 at 02:46 PM
It is hard to develop a basketball player and turn them into Arenas, Kobe or Gasol. They are a dime in a dozen. Once you find a good shooter, it is easy to teach him how to defend because he is aware immediately of his responsibilities. Judging Arenas on his superstar at Wizzards is a wrong premise because if he joins the Lakers, he shares the ball with Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and/or a nimble PG not named Farmar (Farmar is a mere 2nd stringer at this time), I believe that is the dream of any coaching staff. You can devise multiple strategies with talented players. This like possesing the USMC Elite Force, Navy Seal or the US Army Delta Force. They are the creme de la creme' of NBA players. This is an OLYMPIC line-up. Defense will come by natural instincts and learn during the preseason.
Secondly, Arenas is local Southern Claifornia product. This blog will just have to reintroduce with our local talents. With regards to the concern of him as a ball hog, shoot first before pass, not in sync with Kobe -- forget those intrigues, you're jumping to conclusions and playing as an armchairCoach. Leave those minutiae to their coach, PJ. He can easily teach them the mission but he can't teach basketball ability to effectively score a point. Showtime Lakers are back with that line up
1 Arenas/Farmar or Karl
2 Kobe/Sasha
3 Ariza/Vlad
4 Gasol/Turiaf
5 Bynum/Mihm or Mbenga
Mamba24, no need of bandwagon to separate the believers from non-believers. The non-believers will just watch the parade on TV. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 18, 2008 at 02:46 PM
I really like Agent Zero, but I think BK makes a very valid point. Redundancy of skills does breed a great team. It kind of sucks that this rumor came out as it did in the sense that it cannot improve Lakers team chemistry. Few people perform better with the Sword of Damocles hanging over their head.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 18, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Dwight Howard's nickname changed when he put on that cape during the dunk contest.
Look . . . Up in the air . . . it's a bird . . . it's a plane . . . no . . . it's SUUUPPPPPPPEEEERRRRMMMMMAAAAANNNNNN!!!
That's Dwight Howard.
Young Andrew on the other hand . . . will be dominating like THE BEAST that he is whence he returns.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 18, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I think the Wiz have realized that they play better as a team without one guy dominating the offense - Id have to think the Wiz would want a PG in any trade not Odom but since Odom can run the offense why not.
And there is no reason to think Kobe couldnt play with Arenas or vice versa, unless one or both of those players are selfish players and not willing to play team basketball. On the other hand, does this mean the Lakers arent convinced that Kobe will opt out?
Posted by: | March 18, 2008 at 02:51 PM
hahahaha where was gunner during the first half of the season. pops out of nowhere...haha
Posted by: greek dude | March 18, 2008 at 02:52 PM
BK- He certainly seems to like life with Gasol in the lineup, and there's no reason to think he'll be any worse once Bynum comes back
Actually there is reason to think Odom will be worse if Bynum and Gasol are starting and he has to move to SF, that experiment failed earlier this year and Odom was moved back to PF. Granted you can argue Odom was injured but Odom has been more successful in recent years playing PF not SF.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 18, 2008 at 02:54 PM
AK/BK,
did you guys ever get a response from Cuban?
How will you cover the game tonight with the ban in effect?
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | March 18, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Luke
Again, I love D-fish, he's a players -player!
I like your loyalty but if Dr. Buss put Kobe on the trading block why and the heck would you think that Derek Fisher is un-touchable? True the Lakers have always taken care of their own. Mitch, Magic, finally Kareem (after years) but in the end you make money from winning. You can not run a business and continue to be productive with the stance of emotion. D-Fish isn't broke, you make me want to believe that he can't afford health care making millions per year. As I remember he left to Golden State to make somewhere close to 14 mil a year? More than we've ever paid him... I'd love to see him retire a Lakers but the fact is that may not happen, it definitely won't be a decision made on issues away from basketball.
Posted by: LakerFaze | March 18, 2008 at 03:08 PM
zen - on 9 rings winning philosophy,
If what you say is true, why does 9 rings only seem to call timeouts on defensive mistakes?
Personally I dont think there is one formular to winning- the lakers 3 peat team was an average at best defensive team with a major inside presense on offense.
Part of that depends on how "defense" is defined. There are only a handful of lock down defensive players who can contain a great offensive player. Rebounding is just as important, if not more, part of "defense" as well as team defense. Kobe is a good man on man defender but his help defense has been poor lately and its hurt the lakers.
By the same toke, it iritates me when an announcer says 59 points is too many to give up and it was due to poor defense. Maybe it was better offense and hustle plays by the other team. The best a defender can do is make it tough for the offensive player shooting, short of blocking the shot or fouling, so the offense has the advantage over the defense.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 18, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Laker Lover-
In my mind, I think with Odom it has less to do with where he plays and much more with what's expected of him. With those guys in the high and low post, he can attack, hang back, run the floor, crash the boards, whatever. The one thing he won't have to do is shoot with regularity. He might, but it's that he doesn't have to that matters. Like in Butch Cassidy, when Sundance says to the poker playing cowboy that thinks he's cheating that he'll go, as long as he asks him to stay. As long as you don't ask LO to provide a lot of O, he might do it anyway.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 18, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Hey there Laker Nation! Another great Lakers game tonight. This one we will win. Kobe and the rest of the team are probably a little pissed off now. Gonna watch on the big screen tonight!! GO LAKERS!!!
IT'S TIME TO WATCH THE LAKERS AND DRINK A BEER, TOKE A BOWL AND SCREAM AND CHEER!!!!!!!!!!
LAKERS 4 LIFE BABY!!!!!!!
LakerMan 420
Posted by: LakerMan 420 | March 18, 2008 at 03:34 PM
THE BEAST it is! Sign me up for that bandwagon! lol
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Just say NO to Agent 0
Posted by: LakerMan 420 | March 18, 2008 at 03:35 PM
BK- He certainly seems to like life with Gasol in the lineup, and there's no reason to think he'll be any worse once Bynum comes back
Actually there is reason to think Odom will be worse if Bynum and Gasol are starting and he has to move to SF, that experiment failed earlier this year and Odom was moved back to PF. Granted you can argue Odom was injured but Odom has been more successful in recent years playing PF not SF.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 18, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I think that i a misconception. He played fine but HAD to move back to PF because of our injuries at the 4 at the time.
At the 3 LO can dive more and get easy baskets and create a mismatch for opposing 3.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 18, 2008 at 04:48 PM
If the lakers lose tonite, and the Suns win, we're looking at even steven. Shack is reportedly licking his chops at the prospect of facing the lakers, and with Amare exploding right now...well, home court will be very important. Very important.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I don't know about cred of rumor on GA but if true I have open mind. At 3 I like LO Odom but at 1 GA would be great. Toss up. Kobe played on Olympic team and health permitting will play during Olympics.
Kobe has shown he can share the ball with a court of all stars. No reason he can't do so in NBA. Another thing to look at is it would create less predictable player who can take the last shot. Or when you need a shot. Double Kobe and leave Pau, Bynum or GA open. Double team any of the others who do you leave open? Tough decision and will make interesting off season. But I also was the one who said Mitch plays his cards close to the vest and we usually don't hear about these things until after.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 18, 2008 at 04:56 PM
how could people NOT want Agent 0?
Farmar needs to play back up still. I love the guy, but let's face it: Arenas is a superstar already. Ray Allen moved to the Celtics to have a diminished role as well, why can't Arenas? Championship fever will hit LA and with yet another viable 3 point threat (and off the dribble, and a great penetrating point guard), this will be the triangle on Crack.
If Dr. Buss is willing to pay, who are we to say otherwise?
Posted by: Alec | March 18, 2008 at 05:50 PM
NO TO 0. We don't need a chucker.
Posted by: cvlfan | March 18, 2008 at 09:10 PM
This trade does no good for the Lakers... We need a quick defensive guard and an defensive minded small forward... that's what will complete us for a long haul of championship runs...
Arenas does not solve our point guard need.
Posted by: | March 18, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Agent Zero ain't gonna happen for LA, because everyone knows you don't do dumb stuff like trade away a Pau Gasol for a Kwame Brown. (or a Caron Butler for a Kwame Brown - ha ha)
Hey- wait a minute - bright idea!
If Mitch can pull this one off - he should. Superstars win championships in the NBA. PJ is the best coach at getting superstars to play together - heck he even managed the Shaq-Kobe feud to 3 championships! (And almost got a 4th if Malone had not gotten injured in the 04 playoffs)
Lakers s/d trade any combo of 2 players not named Kobe, Bynum, Gasol and Fish for Agent Zero. So it means LO plus probably a perimeter player like Sasha or Farmar (I doubt if they'll take Coby Karl instead, GMs may be dumb, but not that dumb!).
So the starting lineup next year could be:
PG-Fish
SG-Agent Zero (Arenas plays more like a 2 than a 1)
SF-Kobe (24 loves playing SF)
PF-Gasol
C-Bynum
If opponents are now scared of us having LO as our 4th best player, they'll be pissing in their pants at the thought of that lineup.
Bench:
PG-Farmar or Sasha (remember Sasha was drafted as a PG)
SG-Ariza
SF-Radman
PF-Ronny Turiaf
C-Mihm
11th man - Luke
12th man - Sun Yue (for the Chinese market dollars so Buss can afford to pay for the luxury tax)
13th man - Coby Karl
14th man - Mbenga
Posted by: LakerinBC | March 19, 2008 at 12:43 AM
I say no to this Agent Zero...if we are going to do any kind of sign and trade, it should be with the Hawks to get Josh Smith.
Posted by: 90s Laker Fan | March 19, 2008 at 05:26 AM