Report Card - Vlad Radmanovic
The good news about Vladimir Radmanovic's 2008? It was better than 2007. Granted, without landing in the slammer, getting injured in a freak bull-riding mishap, or just retiring at 27, last year was almost impossible not to improve upon. But still, Vlad was better, and not just compared against a season lost to a snowboarding accident and playoff inactivity. He established a career-high FG% (45%) and was within a personal top-three for 3-PT%, FT% and assists. But those marks hardly establish this year as a great one for Vlad. Not really even a good one. Much remained missing during Vlad's season, continuing a perpetual cycle of wondering what it'll take for Radmanovic to discover that extra gear and finally bust out at a level that many still feel he's capable of.
Among the coaching staff, Vlad Radmanovic is considered an enigma of sorts. By his own admission, he's never been as consistent as preferred. Phil Jackson has tried (and failed) to arrange chats with a sports psychologist, the middle ground apparently being tweaks through the media. But it's all done with the goal of discovering a pathway towards yet to be unlocked potential. Maybe a formula can be discovered. I'm neither a motivational speaker nor a fortune teller. But unlike Lamar Odom, whom I always knew could bust out when used in a different role, I think the issue with Vlad is much simpler: Dude is who he is. BK and I have a running observation that Radmanovic is the NBA's biggest "all or nothing" player. And while that take is often prompted by this shooting specialist launching one bairballed three per game almost like clockwork, in some ways, I think it sums up the essence of Vlad. When his hand is hot, he can bury an opponent and will sometimes add contributions beyond the expected. When the mitt goes cold, he typically brings little to the table. Thus, if you count on either "big" or "invisible/shaky" with no middle ground, the "Mystery of Radmanovic" is solved.
That may sound harsh, but the numbers pretty much support it. Vlad's per-48 stats place him among the least productive Lakers when it comes to rebounding, assists, shot blocking, or defending without fouling and mostly middle of the road everywhere else unless it involved shooting. Throw in his occasionally solid (most memorably against 'Melo in the first round) but mostly turnstile defense (most memorably against just about everyone else he guarded) and a penchant for odd decisions and it's no mystery why he rode the fourth quarter pine more than any starter. But having said all that, he'll occasionally come through with a huge game. As a player, Radmanovic mirrors himself off the court. He's got a quirky personality (I mean that in a good way) and things quirky are often tough to pin down. Or very easy, depending on how you view his particular situation.
In any event, I'm counting on more of the same from Vlad next season, although that could lead to one possible difference. As I predicted with Luke Walton, unless Vlad steps up his game, I picture him losing a fair amount of PT to Trevor Ariza. Throw in the amount of time Kobe (and perhaps now Odom) spends at the 3, those minutes drop even further. Obviously, bigger chunks of play will come when the Lakers need him at PF or some outside shooting. But all in all, without a sea change, I think Vlad may end up somewhere between 10-12th in the rotation. Ball's in his court, so to speak.
Final Grade: C-
AK
I will give Andrew Bynum an extension before I give any Laker player and Coaching staff another extension. BYNUM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET/PLAYER THE LAKERS HAS RIGHT NOW. Period!
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 02, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Completely agree and with the subsequent posts regarding the value of AB.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 08:39 AM
I can remember Bill Walton talking about the Kandi Man during a broadcast once. I think it was the WCF the year that the Lakers and Wolves played. '04 I guess? Anyway, Walton said this and I'll never forget it:
"I'm not even sure that Michael OIowokandi knows how to play basketball at this level!"
I laughed so hard.
Justa,
No way is Drew going to be on that level. He's shown his work ethic in the first couple of seasons, and I have a good feeling about how he'll progress over the next three months and training camp. I can't wait for him to bust out the skyhook in a game. It's his favorite shot.
"You think he's the chosen one? The one that the prophecies said would bring balance to the force?"
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 03, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Eric M,
Kwame is NOT great on defense - at best he is adequate. He is above average in post-up defense, but below average rebounding, shot blocking, and help defense.
And to those who think Kwame would have helped defensively against the Celtics, his one area of strength was not in one of the areas where the Celtics beat the Lakers.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 03, 2008 at 09:10 AM
JALF,
Bynum is definitely better than Olowokandi.
But will he be as good as Shaq? Kareem? Wilt?
To this point he hasn't given me any reason to believe so. Those
players had all shown a much more dominating game (in college)
by his age. But then again, there are also players like Jermaine
O'Neal who have several "growing years" and then bloom into
a perennial All-star. And Bynum certainly has the potential to
do that.
So far, Bynum's performance has put him in the category of "good
starting center" - with guys like Vlade Divac and Sam Perkins.
Not in the category of superstars like Kareem and Wilt and Shaq, or even in the category of "likely hall-of-famers" like
Jermaine O'Neal.
I think that max contracts are reserved for those latter categories
of players. That's just my opinions. And you know what they
say about opinions...
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Whats up all? Good morning. We need to stop bashing our Lakers. Plain and simple.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | July 03, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Laker hopeful,
Sorry - there are some people who didn't pay attention to what Mbenga and Newble showed when they did play, don't ask themselves why these guys were available for 10-day contracts in the middle of the season, and think that the coaching staff should "try something radically different" in the middle of the playoffs, even though they are barely losing the games they lost, and even though there is no reason to think that "trying something radically different" has a better chance of succeeding than what is currently being done.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 03, 2008 at 09:23 AM
If you'll recall, Bynum also missed most of his senior year of college
with an injury. But you are correct, he did play all 82 the year before,
which shows promise that he could stay healthy and that the injuries
are anomalies.
[ HS was a long time ago]
Nene had one season where he played 80 games and another where
he played in 77. K-Mart has had several seasons where he
played in more than 70 games. But I think you would agree that
neither one of those players is worth more than 10 million a season.
They are poster children for why it's not wise to just throw down
max dollars before you know what you're getting. Denver's financial
situation is now screwed for years to come, but when they signed
on both of those guys to huge contracts they thought their future
was rosey.
[ As with any sports injuries are not predictable and is a risk factor in signing players. Kobe has consoistantly been injured in his career and played through it. So by your logic we should not have given Kobe big $$$ because he was injury prone?]
When you go to a car dealership, do you look at one car and
say "I really like how that one looks, I'll take it right now! And I'll
pay full MSRP!"
You know, there is a chance that while you're looking at other
cars on the lot, someone else could come and buy that one
that you liked. So you really should spend full sticker price,
even if you could get it for 20 percent less just for asking.
Obviously, that's not the way you buy a car. You check out
the inside. You take it for a test drive. If it's a used car, you
have your mechanic give it a once over. You take the time to
figure out how much the dealer will actually take for the car
and you offer that amount. You don't just blithely overpay for
it.
[ I agree with this but it is still an educated guess after all the research. You still have to buy and better to buy now than when the price is jacked up. Think hybrid cars for what they were selling for and what they are going for now.]
It's the same thing with NBA players. Barring a career ending
injury, Bynum will be playing with the Lakers for a long long time.
There is absolutely positively no way that they can lose him by
not offering a maximum contract this summer. None. Zero. Zilch.
But there IS a chance that if they give him a max contract, he could
turn out to be another Nene/K-Mart and hurt their chances of
extending or acquiring other players.
[ Again there is a flaw in you argument in that AB is human where as cars are machines. Cars don't have emotions. People can feel slighted. Think Baron Davis and the Warriors. ]
I agree that they should make a contract extension offer this
summer. If the Lakers' doctors check out Drew's knee and say
it is fine, and if he gets in some workouts for the club showing
that he's back in good health and will be ready to contribute again
next season, then yes, make him an offer.
{ I agree with this]
But right now there's no way that offer is 80 million.
So my strategy would be this:
1. watch what Deng and Igoudala and Josh Smith sign for. That
is your absolute ceiling for what you would offer Bynum right
now.
[ Why not? You said in earlier post to me that you don't know what max contract will be because CBA ceilings have not been set. You suggested could be 175-180 million probably as a hypothectical amount I am assuming. But do the math is 75-80 million cheaper to pay than 175 or so million? If other teams offer that in FA market then we are paying more for what we could have had for less.]
I wouldn't even consider making an offer to Bynum until I see
what this summer's dilettante free agents sign for. If Deng and
Gordon and Igoudala and Okafor are getting 65 and 70 million
dollar deals, then that sets a ceiling on what Bynum should be
offered. ALL of those players have produced a lot more than
Bynum in their careers. I think eventually, Bynum will be better
than all of them, but by the end of each of their third years, they
had shown a lot more progress than Bynum.
[ I would say wait alsdo but there is a flaw in this logic. Would you trade Drew straight up for any of the players you mentioned? So what does it matter what they sign for as Drew desrves more? I also believe Drew would have developed more and had better stats if PJ would have played him more over Kwame.
2. Keep up to date with Bynum's summer workouts and how his
knee is recovering. All the swelling gone? Any pain?
[ Yes I agree]
3. Look at the financial situations of other teams for next summer.
How many of them will have cap space? How much cap space
will they have. If no team in the league could POSSIBLY offer
Bynum a max contract next season, and if the best players from
the year before him are not getting max contracts, then why
overpay him. And even if some team's cap situation does change
and they make Bynum a max offer, then so what. The Lakers are
free to match it.
[ And pay more when he could have been signed already for less and showing good will that you want him]
4. Make an extension offer a little before training camp. The amount
will depend on how well he AB recovered and what those other
guys made.
[Yes I agree}
a. Sit Andrew and his agent down and point out to him
that every team in the league is tapped out and that the best
players from the draft class before him are making X and they
have all produced better statistics than him to this point and
blah blah blah.
{ I am sure that is agent is aware of these things but his job is to represent AB not the Lakers.]
b. Make him an offer that is similar to what the Deng/Smith/
Gordon/Igoudala group got. The base offer should be 10-20
percent below what those guys are paid.
[ Again low balling could result in perception of not wanting him and setting up the possibility to walk. Yes when he is unrestrited FA his contract can be matched. But if he waits one more year he is unrestricted FA and can walk for free. Do you really want to see that happen?]
c. Add a bunch of performance incentives to the contract, like
playing in 75 of the 82 regular season games or playing in 10
or more playoff games in a season. The ideal incentive would
be that if the Lakers won a championship in any year of the
deal and Andrew played in the finals, then the remainder of the
contract will be become a full maximum contract.
[ Many variables to look at but good idea on incentives, Just make sure they are presented in way as not to appear as a slight to AB or the respect thing is in play again.]
d. Tell Andrew that you definitely want to keep him, and if he
wants a max contract with no incentives required to get the
max money, then he needs to show that he is worth that much
this season. Don't make the team project how good he MIGHT
be... SHOW that he is better than Deng and Josh Smith and
Igoudala.
[ Respect again, don't slight him by comparing him to lesser players.]
e. Point out the actions of Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis, Elton Brand,
(and Gilbert Arenas if he does this), who took less than the maximum
they could make in order to allow the team to keep other good
players around them. Suggest that it would be easier to sign
Jordan Farmar and Lamar Odom and possibly free agents to
play with him in the future if he's willing to take less than the
max.
[ yes but I am sure he is aware of this. but it is his really first big payday and his mentality is not win championship at all costs even if that is what he wants, but to take care of his family first.]
That approach shows Bynum that you still want him, and that
you are willing to pay him the max, but that you have expectaions
{ Yes with considering the inputs I made. JLF]
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 09:30 AM
well... my posts aren't appearing for some reason but yesterday I asked where somebody had heard Sasha was offered the full MLE by Houston and I don't see any kind of answer here so... I'll post it again, if... it gets posted...
If so, sign and trade for Luther Head and Joey Dorsey for his muscle...
Posted by: Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime Calves | July 03, 2008 at 09:30 AM
AB
What is the cutoff date for your one week off?
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Why is everyone talking about mid level or max contracts right now? Shouldn't we be talking about what swimming trunks Kobes gonna be wearing at the beach today?
Posted by: Fire32 | July 03, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I can remember Bill Walton talking about the Kandi Man during a broadcast once. I think it was the WCF the year that the Lakers and Wolves played. '04 I guess? Anyway, Walton said this and I'll never forget it:
"I'm not even sure that Michael OIowokandi knows how to play basketball at this level!"
I laughed so hard.
Justa,
No way is Drew going to be on that level. He's shown his work ethic in the first couple of seasons, and I have a good feeling about how he'll progress over the next three months and training camp. I can't wait for him to bust out the skyhook in a game. It's his favorite shot.
"You think he's the chosen one? The one that the prophecies said would bring balance to the force?"
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 03, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Thanks for the reply and walk down memory lane. I did not hear Walton say that but sure is funny.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 09:36 AM
I can remember Bill Walton talking about the Kandi Man during a broadcast once. I think it was the WCF the year that the Lakers and Wolves played. '04 I guess? Anyway, Walton said this and I'll never forget it:
"I'm not even sure that Michael OIowokandi knows how to play basketball at this level!"
I laughed so hard.
Justa,
No way is Drew going to be on that level. He's shown his work ethic in the first couple of seasons, and I have a good feeling about how he'll progress over the next three months and training camp. I can't wait for him to bust out the skyhook in a game. It's his favorite shot.
"You think he's the chosen one? The one that the prophecies said would bring balance to the force?"
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 03, 2008 at 08:46 AM
----------------------------------------
No arguments from me Pig. Chosen one? Oh that is too deep for me! Ha HA
Have a good one.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 09:51 AM
JALF,
Bynum is definitely better than Olowokandi.
But will he be as good as Shaq? Kareem? Wilt?
To this point he hasn't given me any reason to believe so. Those
players had all shown a much more dominating game (in college)
by his age. But then again, there are also players like Jermaine
O'Neal who have several "growing years" and then bloom into
a perennial All-star. And Bynum certainly has the potential to
do that.
So far, Bynum's performance has put him in the category of "good
starting center" - with guys like Vlade Divac and Sam Perkins.
Not in the category of superstars like Kareem and Wilt and Shaq, or even in the category of "likely hall-of-famers" like
Jermaine O'Neal.
I think that max contracts are reserved for those latter categories
of players. That's just my opinions. And you know what they
say about opinions...
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 09:13 AM
LTLF
I think we disagree on what it is worth to re sign AB for but I totally agree about what they say about opinions1 Ha ha .
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Good chance Posey will be a Laker
Posey And The C's : The Celtics are denying that they made an offer to Corey Maggette, but they are not denying contact with Maggette, who has already confirmed discussions with the Celtics. Why are the C's distancing themselves from Maggette? It did not sit well with James Posey, who was labeled the Celtics top off-season priority. The Celtics did make an offer to Posey that was far less than the full boat median exception he has been offered from other teams, leaving Posey feeling unwanted. Add the Maggette commentary and Posey wants to talk with other teams. Sources close to the situation contend James Posey would love to be a Laker and that the Lakers are willing to go the full exception to land him. The Hornets are also expressing interest, as are the Cavaliers and Rockets, giving Posey a number of suitors who are offering longer-term deals. The Celtics still hold the best trump card of them all - the chance at another NBA championship - but Posey's camp has been pretty adamant James wants and deserves a full exception deal. Unless Boston comes off the stance of not offering that, Posey could be gone.
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA24 | July 03, 2008 at 09:57 AM
ExHelo,
Agree.
I was just trying to make the point to the Kwame lovers that EVEN IF you like his defense, his offense is SO bad that you CANNOT have him on the floor.
STOP THE KWAME MADNESS!
Posted by: Eric M. | July 03, 2008 at 10:10 AM
JB - Nice post, and a welcome one.
To bloggers in general... I'm browsing through posts and I see ones spanning late night to early morning.... it's crazy... when I look back to the earliest days of the blog until now.... it's turned from some sleepy little newstand into a 24 hour mega-store (or at least a 7-11).
K bros - do you have little elves helping you? Do you blog on your blackberrys while you're stuck in gridlock? Are you perfecting your fluorescent tans?
I'm getting a wee bit tired of all the Posey/Magette/Artest talk. I say we just sign Chris Anderson. The birdman cometh!
Posted by: dave m | July 03, 2008 at 10:16 AM
passionate Lakers fan,
Dude, why are you such a jerk?
You don't know the first thing about "passion". You confuse it with an excuse for being a wholesale jerk.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 03, 2008 at 10:23 AM
One more thing.....
I will predict with 100% certainty that Kwame Brown will NEVER again wear the purple and gold. Not for 2 million, not for free, not even if he PAID US.
The Lakers are not that stupid, and won't reopen that wound.
Posted by: Eric M. | July 03, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Eric M, your obsessive hate of Kwame is not rational... you must secretly desire him... those... those CALVES... calves of a GREEK GOD! dare I say... and those hands... so useless, yet so powerful... and that patented slapping of the hands and laughing after the ball slips through those magnificent hands on an easy entry pass and goes out of bounds, yes... yes, I see your secret desires...
Posted by: Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime Calves | July 03, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Kwaminus, that last post was downright hilarious. Where do you get your material?
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | July 03, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Long Time Laker Fan,
It will probably be useless asking Bynum "Is the pain gone?" or "How do you feel?" because he's due an extension.. Just ask Chris Mihm. Oh yea his ankle is fine until he signed the dotted line.
Posted by: zen | July 03, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I find it real hard to believe that the Celtics would let Posey walk.
It would be the perfect situation for Posey to become a Laker though. Lamar can remain the starter, and Posey can remain in the shadows until playoff time. He'd be our new Robert Horry.
Plus it would equal a Laker championship. I'm all for that.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | July 03, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Elton Brand: Please stay with the "C's" of LA.
Don't be a jerk and leave for $$ to Golden State.
Still lauging.
haaahhahahahahahhahaahah
Faker's suck and Faker Fans suck more.
"Kobe can't do without me, hehe" --Shaq circa the Lakers' 40-point wallop at The Baahstan Gaahdaan.
hahahhh
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 03, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Personally, I'd give Bynum a max deal if that's what he wants.
Realistically, it'll be best to wait until next year since there is no risk of losing him either way.
My opinion is that holding out on Bynum is delaying the inevitable. He's a max type of player when healthy.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | July 03, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime
You have got to be the funniest blogger on this channel. Keep 'em coming. Seriously, keep 'em coming.
I picked up the only known jersey of KB54 about 4 months ago on Ebay.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | July 03, 2008 at 11:18 AM
zen
After Mihm signed, he was like: "Though my foot is a little SCREWY."
Pun intended...
Posted by: Charles | July 03, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Eric M.,
You got to admit that Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime Calves, is onto something.
Respect the calves.
Respect the calves.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 03, 2008 at 11:25 AM
JALF
>>>Kobe has consoistantly been injured in his career and
>>>played through it. So by your logic we should not have
>>>given Kobe big $$$ because he was injury prone?
1. Kobe played through it. I didn't see Bynum on the floor for the
finals when the team needed him.
2. Kobe was already an All-Star and a 3rd team All-NBA by the
time the Lakers offered him his second contract. Bynum has
never been seriously considered for the All-Star game. If he'd
have stayed healthy this season, there probably would have
been some buzz for him as the backup center over Amare, and
he might even have gotten picked.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Rollo, the material is endless, start with Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux, then the greatest conspiracy book of all time, The Spear of Destiny by Trevor Ravenscroft and polish it off with the lastest James Bond novel and you'll have enough material to spin the tales of Kwaminus until the dude retires... or goes to Europe... LOL!
anyway... guess the guy who said Sasha got the full MLE offer from Houston was making it up? I haven't seen anything to verify this and nobody's saying anything...
Posted by: Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime Calves | July 03, 2008 at 11:40 AM
JALF,
>>>People can feel slighted. Think Baron Davis and the Warriors.
Baron Davis had an option to opt out. Bynum does not. If someone
offers more than the Lakers, then they can match it and still
keep Bynum. I don't think it will come to that, but if it does,
I'm almost certain the Lakers will match.
The warriors lowballed Baron Davis. They wouldn't offer him
a contract for more than 2 years. The Lakers will not lowball
Andrew Bynum.
And BTW, if Bynum's feelings get hurt, Mitch can remind him
that the team stood by him when Kobe wanted them to trade him
for Jason Kidd.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Whaz up with the "Ads by Google?
Kobe Bryant: Is he the greatest NBA Player?
"Kobe Bryant Vs. M. Jordan"?
Whos the dude that made comments about me railing on Starlet Bryant? You Fakers don't realize that most NBA fans don't like your Starlet. Yous fools think that jus cuz you like Kobeef, everyone likes Kobe.
Fools.
Still laughing.
The answer to the Google ads is: "no" and "hell no"
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 03, 2008 at 11:48 AM
passionate Lakers fan
"The all you idiots who continue to love:
Lamar/Luke/Vladimir."
Call me an idiot if you will, it's a mistake to get rid of Odom --And the Lakers won't do it. I will support that position until let's go c's/butler gets a life.
As to the others. I admit it -- I love the name Lukamir Waltmanovich and would be disappointed if that left my vocabulary. But it won’t break my heart if the players were replaced by something better.
p.s.: Just because your name is such and we disagree with you doesn't make us any less passionate or Laker fans. So unless you want to match IQ scores -- keep your name calling to yourself.
Posted by: HmrHed | July 03, 2008 at 11:51 AM
JALF,
>>>Yes when he is unrestrited FA his contract can be
>>>matched. But if he waits one more year he is
>>>unrestricted FA and can walk for free.
There's a subtle logical fallacy in that.
If Bynum refuses to accept a huge offer (say 55 million over 6
years, with incentives that can take it up to 80) and is insulted
by that offer, then he's all about the benjamins. He doesn't really
care about what team he plays for. He cares about money.
But if he really only cares about "the most money", then taking
a one year qualifying offer to opt out actually makes him LESS
money overall. Yes, his contract the year after that MIGHT
be bigger (and it might not, depending on how much money
teams have to spend.
I don't think we're that far apart in our thinking actually.
We both think the Lakers should make Bynum an offer. All
we disagree on is what is a fair amount to offer him right now.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Long Time,
>>>>> There is absolutely positively no way that they can lose him by
>>>>>not offering a maximum contract this summer. None. Zero. Zilch.
While you made several excellent points in your post about negotiating with Andrew, the above statement represents the type of arrogant and inflexible position that cause general managers to carelessly insult a player and end up losing them. One of the main reasons why teams make offers to extend rookie contracts a year before they expire is to lock the player up so there is no chance of losing them. Thee only thing that could prevent the Lakers from doing so this summer would be Andrew’s injury not completely healing.
>>>>> I wouldn't even consider making an offer to Bynum until I see
>>>>>what this summer's dilettante free agents sign for. If Deng and
>>>>>Gordon and Igoudala and Okafor are getting 65 and 70 million
>>>>>dollar deals, then that sets a ceiling on what Bynum should be
>>>>>offered. ALL of those players have produced a lot more than
>>>>>Bynum in their careers. I think eventually, Bynum will be better
>>>>>than all of them, but by the end of each of their third years, they
>>>>>had shown a lot more progress than Bynum.
I believe you seriously misjudge the value of the three players you selected to compare to Andrew. In fact, comparing Andrew’s value to Deng, Gordon, or Iguodala is an insult that could easily lead to hard feelings and bad blood. Andrew Bynum is by any general manager’s measure a franchise player whereas your other three players are barely star players. The Lakers wouldn’t trade Drew for all three of your players straight up.
>>>>>Point out the actions of Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis, Elton Brand,
>>>>> (and Gilbert Arenas if he does this), who took less than the maximum
>>>>>they could make in order to allow the team to keep other good
>>>>>players around them. Suggest that it would be easier to sign
>>>>>Jordan Farmar and Lamar Odom and possibly free agents to
>>>>>play with him in the future if he's willing to take less than the max.
That is obviously the strategy of today, as I have long suggested that the Lakers will do exactly that with Kobe opting out after next year. As for Drew, I don’t think the Lakers will have to pay him the max if they reach an agreement with him this summer. That’s why teams sign players to extensions early: save money and eliminate risk. The trade off is for Drew to take a little less money but get the security that the contracts extension would provide. Drew’s agent has to start at the max because his client is Andrew Bynum, the 3rd best center in the NBA at 20-years old. Otherwise, he would be a fool.
Mitch has proven to be very good at handling delicate negotiations. I am sure you feel he grossly overpaid for certain players but you have to understand that today’s athletes – including superstars like Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum – have to have giant sized egos to succeed in today’s NBA. You can see the disaster caused when players get their feelings hurt and insulted
Here is a statement that every Laker fan should be able to agree with: Assuming that the doctors all agree that his knee is fine and will not be a problem going forward, the Lakers should lock up Drew in purple and gold as soon as possible for as long as possible for as less money as possible without affronting Andrew or causing him to want to leave.
Would you agree with that statement? Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 03, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Rocky: Dude's smokin herbs.
Lamar Odom is the key to a Faker "championship"?
What happed this year? Dude didn't show up but for one game.
Heck, your whole team didn't show up but for Game 3.
"Championship"?
Wha't a foolish thing to say.
C'mon Rock, get real dudetee.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 03, 2008 at 12:11 PM
And now for something completely different:
"FRANKFURT, Germany -- Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has received German citizenship and will team up with Dirk Nowitzki for Germany at an Olympic qualifying tournament later this month."
Posted by: HmrHed | July 03, 2008 at 12:12 PM
YOU GUYS ARE TALKING FROM YOUR REAR:
TRADE BYNUM AS HE IS DURABLE
I will give Andrew Bynum an extension before I give any Laker player and Coaching staff another extension. BYNUM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET/PLAYER THE LAKERS HAS RIGHT NOW. Period!
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 02, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Completely agree and with the subsequent posts regarding the value of AB.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Posted by: TRADER JOE | July 03, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Before it was trade him he is a project with a high potential but we want to win it all now. He may turn out to be another Olowacadi (SP). And other things were said like being lazy etc (I am glad FO did not go for that BS).
Now it is a variation of AB has not shown enough and is injury prone. Don't give him huge contract, let him earn it. (Hope FO sees through that BS too).
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 03, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Obviously Bynum is nothing like Olowakandi. He's not a bust. His injury, while not career-ending, could change his on court performance. That's important and we need to see what happens. His recovery has been less than wonderful. We need to see how it affects his physical ability on court as well as his confidence.
Phil Jackson himself suggested Bynum was lazy and the reason for his elevated play this season was the potential for a big payday.
What's wrong with the idea of a player earning a huge payday? You think we should just give him 25 percent of the salary cap based on what we've seen? If Bynum only ended up being as good as Zadrunus Ilgauskus is now we'd end up looking (and being) pretty stupid for doing that, right?
Posted by: | July 03, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Rocky,
I don't see Posey as the new Robert Horry. I see him as the new
Rick Fox.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 03, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Can someone PLEASE tell me what the hell Chris Kaman is doing playing for the German national team?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 03, 2008 at 12:21 PM
JustaLakerFan,
Props on your excellent rebuttal to Long Time. The Lakers definitely do not want to do anything that Drew or his camp might take as an insult or affront. You did a great job of drawing attention to that. Going into any negotiation loaded for bear as Long Time would do is a sure fire way of creating ill will. Long Time’s problem is that he does not think that Andrew deserves a max contract because the market is inflated. In his mind, only Kareem and Kobe would be paid max salaries. Wake up, Long Time, There are probably 50 players in the NBA right now who received max contracts. Satisfaction that you were right about inflated salaries will not make up for losing a franchise player.
The reason for offering an extension this summer is threefold: save money, remove distraction of contract from next season, and guarantee that Drew will be in purple and gold. For Drew, motivation is that he gets his big contract out of the way and focuses on just playing basketball and not wondering where he was going to be the next year.
Waiting until after next year is the first step that teams take on the way to losing key players. You don’t want to take any chances of losing as valuable a player as Drew. Franchise players come along once every couple of decades. You treat them with kid gloves because they ARE the franchise. Give the Beast his extension.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 03, 2008 at 12:23 PM
JonK: er, Kayman is German?
duh!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 03, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Long Time,
>>>>>“So far, Bynum's performance has put him in the category of "good
>>>>>starting center" - with guys like Vlade Divac and Sam Perkins.
>>>>>Not in the category of superstars like Kareem and Wilt and Shaq, or even in the >>>>>category of "likely hall-of-famers" like
>>>>>Jermaine O'Neal.
I see now that you just do NOT believe that Andrew Bynum is the next great Lakers center. I trust Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, or Phil Jackson who KNOW Andrew is a franchise player. What are you going to say when the extension for $70M or $80M is signed? Hopefully, you won’t become a Celtics fan. JK.
>>>>>I think that max contracts are reserved for those latter categories
>>>>>of players. That's just my opinions. And you know what they
>>>>>say about opinions...
You need to realize that there are probably over 50 guys in the NBA who have received max or near-max contracts, most of whom will never be superstars. You need to be more realistic about current salaries in the NBA, which are going to go even higher when the next CBA is signed in 2011. It may not be fair but it’s real and you have to pay it.
Glad you know about opinions because it really applies right here. Drew is a franchise player.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 03, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Jon K. -
Kaman's Great-Grandparents were German citizens. Hope that helps.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | July 03, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Rocky,
I disagree with Long Time. I think that Robert Horry is the perfect comparison to what Posey would bring to the team: tough man-on-man defense and clutch 3-point shooting. In his day, Robert Horry was a superb defender and often covered players like Duncan in the fourth quarter. Rick Fox was a superb defender but nowhere near a clutch 3-point shooter as Robert Horry was or James Posey is. Your comparison is better.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 03, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Jon K., Laker Tom,
What do you think about the Lake Show going after Kurt Thomas? I think that it would be a fantastic addition, especially since VladRad wouldn't have to play the 4. He's willing to play center too - something that would be beneficial if we had a "small" lineup (Pau, LO, Jordan, Sasha and Him). He also hits a 15ft jumper pretty well.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | July 03, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Tom,
You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. I would, however, never ask you to negotiate anything for me. If the Lakers give Drew an extension based simply on his potential, they would surely be remiss. Drew has no negotiating leverage right now. He has approximately one month of quality NBA performance under his belt. Yes, there are a lot of GM's out there right now that would value him as a franchise level PROSPECT. He's not that player YET. We believe he'll become one eventually, but isn't one right now, and hence, doesn't deserve to be paid like one. If he proves it, either with a healthy offseason training regimen or a nice pre and early season, then he can have his money.
He won't be insulted. If he is, too bad. This is a business as they say.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 03, 2008 at 12:54 PM
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I'm really starting to feel sorry for Let's go C's. The dude is posting in reply to the Google Ad's for crying out loud. Someone - quick - get a towel. He's slobbering all over himself.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | July 03, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Jon K, the German team told Chris "the Beautiful People" Kaman, he could grow his hair long and they would also provide the shin guards Marilyn Manson wore on his last tour... Chris promised to watch the original Die Hard and study the part of "Karl".
If I was your Vampire...
Posted by: Kwaminus Brownicas, Keeper of the Stone Hands, Protector of the Sublime Calves | July 03, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Long Time,
>>>>>“If Bynum refuses to accept a huge offer (say 55 million over 6
>>>>>years, with incentives that can take it up to 80) and is insulted
>>>>>by that offer, then he's all about the benjamins. He doesn't really
>>>>>care about what team he plays for. He cares about money.
The problem with your statement and logic is that $55M over 6 years ($9M/year) is not a huge NBA contract and Drew is worth somewhere between $70M - $80M over 5 years. Oft injured Baron Davis just accepted a $65M 5-year deal from the Clippers despite a horrendous injury and attitude history. Agent Zero has two offers for more than $100M. We will probably give Sasha Vujacic half of that just to shoot 3-pointers off the bench.
You remind me of a friend’s aging mother who cannot figure out how much things cost due to her senility. Last week, she gave her gardener a check for $4.50 for the month and couldn’t understand why he was so pissed. After all, that’s what she used to give him when he first started working for her 40 years ago. He’s all about the benjamins.
Come on, Long Time. You have to pay players what they expect in today’s market –
not what you think they deserve. It’s all just entertainment. Pay Drew his due or be sorry. The Lakers know that and will pay. You will see. Get ready to deal with it.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 03, 2008 at 01:02 PM