Ron Ron for LO? Or both? Or stand pat?
Some of y'all have been discussing Kurt's recent Forum Blue And Gold post about the notion of swapping Lamar Odom for Ron Artest, a plan of attack he's not particularly down to follow. Kurt breaks down the stats that, in his opinion, make the Lakers better off sticking with Lamar Odom, but there's another angle that dawned on me after perusing his nitty-gritty. Given that Ron Ron is, to put it kindly, something of a flake, and at his unpredictable worst is capable of, to put it kindly, wrapping up his team in a considerable amount of drama, it would behoove the Lakers to surround the small forward with as many positive influences as possible.
Ironically, their #1 available asset might be Lamar Odom, who grew up with Artest and probably knows him better than anyone else with the franchise. That background might help LO reach his old pal, or at the very least, keep him from going goony bird and messing up a rather unified locker room (with all due respect to the combined presences of Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, don't even pretend it can't happen). Along those lines, it could make sense for the Lakers to go out of their way to keep Lamar in the mix, assuming such wishes are even possible.
Thus, I began wracking my brain (and ESPN's trade machine) to come up
with a scenario to retain LO while dealing for Artest. I immediately skipped the
solution most fans would drum up, dealing/packaging either Vlad Radmanovic or
Luke Walton, since there's no logical reason the Kings would take on either's salary. I don't care how disgruntled Artest may grow in Cow Town; Sacto would be better off buying him out or even suspending him for the entire season and watching him walk "for nothing" than screwing up their looming cap flexibility with role players. On the flip side, the Lakers ain't offering Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Fisher (or, in this scenario, Odom) and have no other matching salaries, so here was the one deal I could come up with that might (and I emphasize "might") entice the Lakers' divisional rival.
Trevor Ariza, Chris Mihm and Jordan Farmar for Artest.
Every outgoing Laker contract is expiring (always a plus), and in Ariza and Farmar, the Kings get to take a look at two young players, the former a super athlete who showed some promise last season and the latter who could, at worst, make a nice backup to Beno Udrih and, at best, possibly take over if he ends up a one season wonder. But here's the problem. The Lakers would be left with just seven players under contract, meaning they can't do this unless Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf are resigned (as the replacements would either be guys like Joe Crawford and DJ Mbenga or dudes on a split up MLE, likely not a powerhouse lot). Even with those two in the fold, losing Ariza (increased backup minutes for Vlad and/or Walton, both of whom struggled last season), Farmar (who doesn't really have a replacement) and even Mihm (if theoretically healthy) could hurt the rotation more than Artest helps it.
Thus, after all the brainstorming, we're back to the original drawing board proposal: Artest (and probably Kenny Thomas) for LO, valuable in his own right, great for team chemistry and perhaps a stabilizer to prevent Artest from destroying it. So between that notion and the points brought up by Kurt, would you stillmake the swap? As I already said in LO's report card, I'm of the opinion that Odom should be retained until we see what's doing with the NBA's longest front court. I'd have been willing to add Ron Ron as a free agent (had he pulled the opt out), but under the current circumstances, I'd likely pass.
But I'm wondering what you think.
AK
Benjamin,
In all seriousness (actually my lol, jk was valid)...I also don't forsee LO "finally getting it." And yes it has been painful to me as well.
Let's face it, when we really needed him to, he "didn't get it." Now that we don't need him to as much, well it's like all that much more frustrating. Also keep in mind that he has been in the league almost as long as Kobe. And throughout all this time he has never been able to embrace his true potential. Rather he has never really shown desire to reach his true potential. And so I've come to accept LO for what he is.
What he is is a good "role player." What that means is someone you can't sanely count on night in and night out...but can win you games here and there. He is a good rebounder, he is a good ball handler, and he can do little things that make a difference here and there. That's it.
I continue to have faith that for LO that lightbulb will go on, even then I know he probably won't. But that's the thing about faith...sometimes it means believing in something when logic and reason tells you it's hopeless lol.
Still as the 3rd/4th option...without the teams wins and losses no longer on his shoulders as much, maybe he will indeed flourish. Not "get it" flourish, but enough for us to reconsider scratching this experiment as nothing but costly. Role player flourish.
And don't forget that he gave us his all even after all the tragedy of the offseason for years past. He very could have retired. That's not the end all and be all of course, but it is something to think kindly on him about.
Have faith :-) Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | July 08, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Peter,
YOu don't need to have stars at every position - to be a title contender a team needs 2-3 "stars" and the rest can be complementary players. THe Lakers have that - Kobe and Gasol are the "stars". If Bynum is healthy and plays like he did before he got injured, he is at that level, as well. Odom - not consistently. The Lakers were legitimate last season.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Just curious:
Does anyone here think that the Celtics roster, at the time of the finals, was not better than the Lakers roster? And if so, would you please list a position-by-position comparison?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 06:10 PM
GameFaceON,
I'm looking for an aswer to your question.
I believe I heard either the Hornets or the Magic were interesting in snagging Sasha.
I think I read that Mo Peterson was getting resigned by the Hornets.
So now maybe Sasha has no publicly rumored suitors or it's the Magic.
He could obviously have other teams that we haven't heard about.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Damnit, Mo Peterson is under contract for another 3 years. I must have confused him with someone else.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 06:13 PM
PsychedLakerGirl,
Where in The City do you live?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Correction. It’s confirmed. No more “if,” “ands,” or “buts” about it. Brand is gone already;
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers9-2008jul09,
0,7626268.story
Nothing more to say.... :(
Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | July 08, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Oh yeah, and with Pietrus signing with the Magic, who out there wants Sasha at his price now?
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 06:27 PM
here's my favorite unpopular trade idea. and yes, it works on ESPN's trade machine.
Pau Gasol to the Chicago Bulls.
Kirk Hinrich and Drew Gooden to the Sacramento Kings.
Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas (cap filler), and Thabo Sefolosha to the Lakers.
i know what you're all thinking. no i'm not drunk. here's why.
at the end of the day, we have 2 starting PFs on the roster in Pau and LO. i personally feel Lamar will compliment Bynum's return better than Pau will, for many of the reasons AK/BK pointed out in his report card.
Lamar is a better rebounder and defender than Pau. Lamar is more athletic and does a lot more damage in transition than Pau. Obviously Pau is ten times better in the half court set. DUH. but to get something you gotta give something. and i only make this recommendation b/c i think Bynum will be a force down low and will offset losing Gasol in a trade. and we don't need 2 starting PFs on the roster.
this way the starting front line is Bynum, Odom, Artest. A defensive, rebounding juggernaut. they're not going to be attending many menza meetings, well maybe andrew, but they'll clean glass and get stops like nobody's business.
so we take on a silly 2 year contract like kenny thomas, but we also pick up thabo sefolosha from the bulls, who is a stud on D at the 2 spot to back up kobe, assuming sasha leaves for more money.
it works for me.
Posted by: jack ross thomas iii | July 08, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Dang...Clippers can't win for losing. Donald Sterling must have done something to really get under God's skin. Wow...amazing!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | July 08, 2008 at 06:41 PM
I can't wait to hear Brand say, "It had nothing to do with the money"
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Faith,
Let's hope Lamar gets it. Otherwise, maybe we should just not play him in the last 6 minutes of a game? I think pressure gets to him some which is why we get those horribly timed smiles after he makes a big mistake. I think that action is also Odom resisting self-criticism. That could be a good thing or a bad thing depending upon his personality.
Faith is always nice. :)
I agree it's worth noting he didn't retire after the tragic death of his son. He played through it and I respect him for that and appreciate it. Everyone says there's nothing worse that can happen to a person than to lose a child.
Your view on Odom makes sense to me. The way he stepped up when Pau came in certainly showed he could fluorish in the 3rd/4th option role.
I suspect our risk averse front office will not trade for Artest.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 06:48 PM
ok buddies so if magette goes to goldenst then boston will most likely sign posey and then the lakers will be more serios about sascha. my friends this offseason will get very serios tomorow. i know becaus i can see it cominng. wow thanks for letting me come in to your blog family. i am very like this blog. ok
Posted by: ding how in prattville | July 08, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Maggette is going to the Warriors.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9404
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Jon K,
Don't worry yet. The Clipps are going after Josh Smith now. That might keep Baron with the Clipps.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 08, 2008 at 07:00 PM
ex,
>>>>>Just curious:
>>>>>Does anyone here think that the Celtics roster, at the time of the finals,
>>>>>was not better than the Lakers roster?
>>>>>And if so, would you please list a position-by-position comparison?
Actually, I thought the Lakers had a better roster at the time of the Finals and I still do. Had Andrew Bynum been available, the Lakers would have won the NBA championship. But without Bynum, I still thought the Lakers had a better roster and I still believe that. Before the series start, however, I did worry that the Lakers had become too complacent and satisfied with their Western Conference championship and with the fact they were the big favorites. I also worried that we had not yet beaten the Celtics this year and that their starting lineup and bench were older and more experienced than the Lakers.
Both of those factors turned out to be key to the Celtic winning the series in 6 games, none of which were blowouts except for the last game in Boston, when the Lakers quit, further proof that they had lost their fire before the series started. So why did the Celtics win? They simply were able to make more big plays and have more players step up than the Lakers did, in good part due to their better defensive strategy and effort. In this case, the better team just got outplayed. It happens but next year will confirm the truth.
I’m not going to list any matchups because there is no way to add up or tally the results. Bottom line, Paul Pierce stole the show from Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins were able to physically slow down Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and the older veterans on the Celtics bench came up bigger than the less experienced Lakers bench. Two extraordinary events also fueled the outcome of the series, with the Celtics saving Game 1 with Paul Pierce’s theatrical return from injury and stealing Game 4 with their improbably 24-point comeback win to take a 3-1 lead.
Next year, the Lakers players will have another year under their belt and Andrew Bynum and the Celtics players will be another year older and not as hungry to win the title again. After the Lakers win in 2009, there won’t be anymore talk about the Lakers being soft.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 07:04 PM
LakerTom,
>>"I don’t think Andrew Bynum is worth the max."
I'm confused. Last week you were saying that if we don't offer AB the max, that we would Insult him, or hurt his feelings.
Why the change? Is this a change?
Posted by: Eric M. | July 08, 2008 at 07:06 PM
if Brand goes to Philly he will be a scumbag on the level of Boozer. The ONLY reason the Clippers were going to sign Baron Davis was because THAT WAS WHAT BRAND WANTED. If Brand leaves, what do they need Baron Davis for?
Can the Clips rescend their offer if Brand leaves?
Man, Brand must HATE the Clippers to screw them this bad.
Posted by: Kwammus the Clownus of the Clan McBrownus | July 08, 2008 at 07:10 PM
BRAND AGREES WITH 76ERS – MAGGETTE WITH WARRIORS
ESPN is reporting that Elton Brand has reached a verbal deal for a 5-year $82M contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and KNBR in the Bay Area is reporting that Corey Maggette has reached a verbal deal for a 5-year $50M contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Reports are that the Clippers are going after Atlanta restricted free agent Josh Smith, hoping to make an offer that the Hawks unsettled ownership will ultimately not match.
If the Clippers end up with nobody to replace Brand or Maggette, you have to wonder if Baron Davis might also bolt back to the Warriors, who still have lots of open cap space.
For the Lakers, this is good news. The Clippers will not be playoff contenders without Brand and Maggette and the Warriors will be weaker without Baron even with Maggette and another piece. Of course, if Baron returns to the Warriors, they will look better. What a crazy situation that Baron Davis and Elton Brand have wrought on the NBA.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 07:16 PM
John Vallefuoco do you even watch laker games? i love what sasha does (shoot) but youre suggesting that he become a PG??? are you seriously gonna say the only guard on the lakers who CANT pass or CANT handle the ball to be the point?? if he doesnt catch and shoot or pass it back to an OPEN player that isnt in the lane, i start to panic as with every other fan who knows what sasha is good for.
Posted by: REAL LAKER FAN | July 08, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Clips need a power forward.
Will they make a play for Ronny?
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2008 at 07:26 PM
AK
Has any team expressed any interest in Luke Walton in a sign and trade deal? And if so has Luke been made aware of it yet?
P.S I hope they just put him on waviers!
Posted by: chuck23 | July 08, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Rick Friedman
I agree with you on the wait and see approach with Lamar Odom.
I guess most of the blog feels that way.
I'd embrace and like Artest but I think around Christmas is a better time to decide.
I WOULD MOVE ODOM FOR GERALD WALLACE TODAY probably though.
The athleticism, the defense (a blocks and steals) type of guy who would excel with a great defensive scheme (that's another topic and a short coming of OUR team).
Wallace would finish at the basket better than ODOM.
Wallace would out rebound ODOM from the SMALL FORWARD position.
No more of those missed layups from Odom, Wallace would make those dunks.
Wallace shares the ball too and he is a HIGH ENERGY and hustle guy. None of the laid back tendencies of ODOM.
Wallace because of his stature would stand up to the Paul Pierces and other big small forwards around the league and out quick them too.
I'd be hard pressed to wait on that.
When Jordan's ready I would be.
Wallace now is better than a re-sign of ODOM at 29 with no pressure on ODOM anymore. When ODOM gets 50 million he's gonna begin to decline.
WALLACE is working towards another contract!!!
We gotta think about past this yr with ODOM.
Why hold him past All Star break and sign him for 10 million a yr when he's questionably not the ideal Small Forward. (Lateral quickness questionable, can't shoot well from outside???)
Heaven forbid we have to overpay to keep Odom, after the all star break if ODOM is still a Laker he can DEMAND 12-13 million a yr or we have to let him walk and we're still OVER THE CAP.
Guys, At the break we might have to get rid of ODOM and if a GERALD WALLACE is there, I pull the trigger TODAY!
Love ya ODOM but.....
Posted by: LakerBake | July 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Lakers Summer League roster?
http://tinyurl.com/5q63vr
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
exhelodrvr
I thought the LAKERS bench was better than the Celtics bench before the FINALS.
The Celtics are the same team that was ridiculed before the season as the big 3, plus James Posey and NOTHING ELSE.
IT was said that depth would kill them.
Now everyone wants to act like Danny Ainge built the best roster known to man kind.
It's an ok roster that the COACHING and the BIG 3 molded into something very productive. The vets helped out some too in there less than 20 minute stints.
As for the starters, LAMAR ODOM and PAU GASOL tricked me into thinking our big 3 could stand up to theirs.
The strong personalities of the BOSTON BIG 3 was the REAL difference outside of the obvious COACHING advantage the Celtics had.
Gasol and Lamar's personalities were not quick STRONG enough to combat Paul and Ray nor Kevin.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Hey LakerTom who I credit for being positive all last summer during the LAKERNATION summer of hell.
Here is the genie out of the bottle, quiet as it's kept, KENDRICK PERKINS outplayed ANDREW BYNUM both times last yr in the regular season.
I hope that Bynum works himself back with a vengeance and commands a Celtic and League wide Double team.
That along with more defense will make us CHAMPIONS at last.
He needs to make Gasol and Odom CLEAR after thoughts.
The DOUBLE TEAM he commands will make that clear.
We would be a game planning nightmare for coaches.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
LakerTom,
Don't see how you can say that; sorry, but you have a tendency to overvalue anybody wearing a Lakers jersey.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Eric,
>>>>>I'm confused. Last week you were saying that
>>>>>if we don't offer AB the max, that we would
>>>>> Insult him, or hurt his feelings.
>>>>>Why the change? Is this a change?
I think the Laker would pay Drew the max if they had to because the alternative is that he could just play out and become an unrestricted free agent in 2 years with the Lakers having no sure way to prevent it. Because we are agreeing to the extension a year ahead of time, Drew would be expected to give some reduction for getting security earlier and probably just to help the team for having so much faith in him. Mitch does a great job of dealing with player egos and as a result, players have only good will for him and the team right now. The fact that Gilbert Arenas took a pay cut and what he said also works to help the Lakers get Drew for under market since he is worth the max. It will be a factor down the road with Kobe and Lamar, too. And maybe even with Sasha and Ronny this season. Chemistry is a very powerful factor in the success of a team and right now all is looking pretty bright in Lakersville as the rest of the NBA struggles to catch up. Now the Celtics have to give up on Maggette and concentrate on Posey. We should offer the full MLE for three years just to make the Celtics tie him up for four or five. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Faith,
Thank you for capturing the essence of that certain long-standing conundrum otherwise known as Lamar Odom.
Posted by: Rollo | July 08, 2008 at 08:00 PM
chuck23,
Uhh...how are teams going to offer a sign-and-trade for Luke if he's still under contract with the Lakers.
Posted by: Xodus | July 08, 2008 at 08:06 PM
LAKERS MUST SIGN BYNUM TO EXTENSION…
What we are seeing in the free agency market is exactly why the Lakers will sign Andrew Bynum to an extension before October 31, 2008. The Clippers thought they were pretty clever putting together the secret deal with Brand and Davis to pull of a free agency win, only they were too smart for themselves and now may well end up literally with nothing, losing Brand and Maggette to free agency with no compensation.
Only a fool would leave their best players’ future to the whimsical and unpredictable danger of free agency. That is why the Lakers will sign Drew to an extension this summer and Kobe to a new contract by the end of next year, when he can opt out. The Lakers are not going to ever let Andrew Bynum or Kobe Bryant become free agents. They will sign both to deals to prevent that from happening because once it does you really do not any control over what is going to happen – as the Clippers are learning now.
Donald Sterling has to be shaking in his boots right now, hoping that Baron Davis doesn’t get cold feet or the Warriors don’t now go for the ultimate revenge move and offer Baron more to return to Golden State now with Maggette. Too smart for your own good, DS.
You get no sympathy from me, Clippers fans. Decades of top draft picks and stupid moves and the franchise is still a loser and minor league – and not even close to being a cheap version of the Los Angeles Lakers. Time to leave Staples and move to Seattle.
2009 – Lakers begin the Era of the Beast. Clippers begin to think about Seattle. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 08:15 PM
If life gets you down, don't fret , for it always could be worse. You could be the Clippers
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | July 08, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Elton Brand = Liar.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 08, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Jon K
Where the hell was that in Brand's Bio Chrono? I'm not even a CLip fan and I'm disgusted.
The franchise is cursed. Sterling was finally willing to spend.
Maggette, Brand and B Davis would have been scary.
Posted by: Vman | July 08, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Seriously though. Why do these players even open their mouths about taking less money and blah blah blah. Very few of them are so altruistic that they'll actually follow through.
Elton Brand, meet Carlos Boozer.
The Clippers are cursed. They'll always find a way to suck.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 08, 2008 at 08:26 PM
The NBA salary cap for the 2008-09 season will be $58.68 million, ESPN.com has learned.
The figure was arrived at after daylong consultations between lawyers for the NBA and the players' union.
The luxury tax threshold will be $71.15 million, and the value of the mid-level exception will be $5.585 million.
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Eric M., I don't want to speak for LakerTom, but I'm responding because my sentiments are that I personally don't think Bynum is worth the max, and the Lakers don't think he's worth a max contract, but unfortunately for the Lakers, there are teams that will pay him the max, so the Lakers will have to pay him what others are willing to pay, not what they think he's worth, which is probably about $10-$12 million a year.
As far as who I think had the better team in the finals, I thought that the Celtics had the better team on paper and was very surprised to see the Lakers favored. You can't really compare one position to another, but the Celtics have three all stars in Pierce, Allen, and Garnett as well as 2 very good starting role players in Rondo and Perkins, as well as good bench help in Posey and PJ Brown. Kobe may be the best player in the league, but other than Gasol, I would not say anyone else is even close to being an all star let alone a potential hall of famer.
Posted by: sclakerfan | July 08, 2008 at 08:48 PM
ex,
You are right that I do overvalue Lakers players compared to most of the fans or probably the rest of the general managers in the NBA. However, that is exactly the same opinion as Jerry Buss, Mitch Kupchak, Phil Jackson, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant have about this roster, which puts me in pretty good company in my opinion, no disrespect to you, ex.
We’ll have to wait until next year when this same roster but with Andrew dominates the Celtics, wins the championship, and shows the world what really would have happened this year if Drew had not been injured. Meanwhile, we’ll just have to disagree. After all, in the end it’s just two fans blowing smoke in the wind and reading the tea leaves. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 08:53 PM
You can argue that Elton Brand has the best chance to win in LA with BD. But he chose to play with Igoudala instead.
Then yes, it's definitely all about the Benjamins!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | July 08, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Lakerbake,
>>>>>Hey LakerTom who I credit for being positive all last summer
>>>>>during the LAKERNATION summer of hell.
>>>>>Here is the genie out of the bottle, quiet as it's kept,
>>>>>KENDRICK PERKINS outplayed ANDREW BYNUM
>>>>>both times last yr in the regular season.
>>>>>I hope that Bynum works himself back with a vengeance and
>>>>>commands a Celtic and League wide Double team.
>>>>>That along with more defense will make us CHAMPIONS at last.
>>>>>He needs to make Gasol and Odom CLEAR after thoughts.
>>>>>The DOUBLE TEAM he commands will make that clear.
>>>>>We would be a game planning nightmare for coaches.
I think I told you earlier that the two Lakers games I missed all year were the two against the Celtics – family and business obligations. Did Perkins really outplay Bynum? Or was it more of the same that saw the Celtics team outplay the Lakers team? Or was it Tom Thibodeau’s defense using the refs and the rules to defend against the Lakers?
At any rate, I am confident Andrew is not only going to just come back as good as he that he is going to come back even better after sitting and watching and yearning to play for half of the year and all of the playoffs. He will come back as an unstoppable beast on offense, defense, and the boards.
In the games I saw during the two months before Drew was injured, there was no doubt in my mind that Drew was the physically dominant force on offense and defense in every game, whether we won or lost. He had learned how to stay on the court, how to block shots, and how he could soar above the rim to grab any rebound or lob pass he touched.
And nobody in the league, including Shaquille O’Neal finished with more power or authority or physicality than Drew did. Not Amare, Duncan, Jermaine, Kaman, Camby, Chandler, or any of the other NBA centers and power forwards he abused and dominated. So you will have to forgive me when I hear that the Lakers are soft and need help. I would love to take a bet on how Perkins does against Drew this year. How about it? jk.
To me, that’s just the story du jour by the idiot sports center newsmakers and analysts who never played the game and don’t really know what they are talking about – a simple answer to a much more complex question. A couple of plays or breaks here or there or one more player and one less having a good series and it would be the Celtics hearing the questions and listening to the overreactions that always follow championship series.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 09:26 PM
LakerTom,
"erry Buss, Mitch Kupchak, Phil Jackson, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant"
You think that they think that the Lakers roster, at the time of the Finals, was better than the Celtics roster?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Faith,
I disagree that Brand had a better chance to win with the Clips. Yes, Baron is better than Iggy, but the Sixers are in the East and that alone makes an easier path for Brand. The Clips likely would have been fighting for the 6, 7 or 8th seed, while the Sixers are now a top-3 team in the east.
Dalembert, Brand, Young, Iggy and Miller make up a very good lineup that can get up and down and with Brand score in the halfcourt. It was a jerk-off move on Brand's part, but financially and in basketball terms (they won 40 games w/o him, Brand adds 10 more wins to that total), I think he made a good choice.
Posted by: Xodus | July 08, 2008 at 09:36 PM
sclakerfan,
For Bynum to be able to leave the Lakers, he would have to play out his contract next season, then play for the Lakers on a 1 year contract for 125% of next year's salary, which would be about 4.5M. What is the likelihood that Bynum, with his history of injuries, is likely to take that chance? Virtually non-existent.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 09:38 PM
LAKERS MUST SIGN BYNUM TO EXTENSION…
What we are seeing in the free agency market is exactly why the Lakers will sign Andrew Bynum to an extension before October 31, 2008. The Clippers thought they were pretty clever putting together the secret deal with Brand and Davis to pull of a free agency win, only they were too smart for themselves and now may well end up literally with nothing, losing Brand and Maggette to free agency with no compensation.
Only a fool would leave their best players’ future to the whimsical and unpredictable danger of free agency. That is why the Lakers will sign Drew to an extension this summer and Kobe to a new contract by the end of next year, when he can opt out. The Lakers are not going to ever let Andrew Bynum or Kobe Bryant become free agents. They will sign both to deals to prevent that from happening because once it does you really do not any control over what is going to happen – as the Clippers are learning now.
Donald Sterling has to be shaking in his boots right now, hoping that Baron Davis doesn’t get cold feet or the Warriors don’t now go for the ultimate revenge move and offer Baron more to return to Golden State now with Maggette. Too smart for your own good, DS.
You get no sympathy from me, Clippers fans. Decades of top draft picks and stupid moves and the franchise is still a loser and minor league – and not even close to being a cheap version of the Los Angeles Lakers. Time to leave Staples and move to Seattle.
2009 – Lakers begin the Era of the Beast. Clippers begin to think about Seattle. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Laker Tom
You beat me to the punch. LOL. Could not agree more with you.
Those were the arguments I was going to use.
Yes I think we have to sign AB as soon as possible. I have stated several times we should sign him to whatever size contract both sides are mutually happy with. No matter how much or how little it is. As long as both sides mutually agree to the contract and happy with it, who cares about the amount? Yes even if that means the max contract.
Now for those of you that said don’t sign him, no problem, just let him become restricted FA we can match offer. Well there is a problem in first if we have to match offer then the cost may be more. For arguments sake let’s say max at 80 million now. Next year a team as restricted FA may offer 100 million. If the Lakers match then that is 20 million more because we did not offer him 80 million dollar contract.
Now worse yet he may just sign one year qualifying contract and become unrestricted FA the following year, the Lakers would have to bid against all the other teams and not have the right to match offer. This then means risk of losing him for no compensation.
You can’t easily trade him as what team will trade valuable players for when they can bid for him and lose nothing?
If teams want him they can create cap space, just ask Clippers, Brand and 76s about that one.
And also ask Maggette to Warriors while you are at it.
Make no mistake I hope we can sign him for less keeping the Arenas trade of thought in mind but that has to be negotiated. Hope it works out for the best for both sides.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 08, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I'm as surprised as anybody about Brand but it can't be about the money... the Times article says that the Clips matched the 76'ers $80 mil offer by renouncing rights to certain players.... and Brand still said no. What's that about anyway? I don't get it. Seems very messed up.
Kwaminus Chitty-chitty Charoesque - any truth to the rumors that you're joining 'Dancing With the Stars' next season? That would be fierce.
Posted by: dave m | July 08, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Xodus,
Valid point. It is indeed tough in the West. And yes it's true the East is weak. But also remember that the Celts came from the east. And so did Detroit in 04. At the end of the day, the better team wins (or in our case one that is full strength haha).
Now you can argue that the Celts won because they had home court...something easy to do in the east for sure. But if you look at the "young" emphasis on young...and the not-so-talented roster that is the 76ers (with some exception fo course I like Carney, and Young). I think he came for the money. If he really wanted to win in the East, I think he'd have sign with someone like Chicago (granted he's been there before lol). Big buckeroos or not.
But interesting point for sure.
Posted by: Faith | July 08, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Don't be surprised if Baron Davis has second thoughts now. And may look to contritely return to Golden State or something.
Just a never ending sad saga for this franchise…
Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | July 08, 2008 at 06:01 PM
----------------
Forever the optimist I now hope BD will now want to join Lakers at full MLE. LOL
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 08, 2008 at 10:12 PM
sclakerfan,
For Bynum to be able to leave the Lakers, he would have to play out his contract next season, then play for the Lakers on a 1 year contract for 125% of next year's salary, which would be about 4.5M. What is the likelihood that Bynum, with his history of injuries, is likely to take that chance? Virtually non-existent.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Ex,
I don't think so as Brand has history of injuries and played only 8 games last year. He got paid. And jumping ahead I think AB is better than Brand and would not trade straight up for him.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 08, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Memo to Mitch:
TIME TO GET SASHA SIGNED. DON'T BLOW IT.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 08, 2008 at 10:36 PM
ron artest....
worst.......idea.......ever.
Posted by: jandro | July 08, 2008 at 10:38 PM