Good enough for me and Kobe's knee
It's fun to play games with hypothetical questions. If you had to eat a crayon, what color would it be? How would the world be different if run by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood? Could the Lakers win without Kobe Bryant? Fortunately, for the time being, we'll never have to learn the answer to the third. After a scary hyperextension of his right knee during Tuesday night's exhibition win over Charlotte forced Bryant out of the game and into civilian clothes, many a congregant in the Church of Purple and Gold was on pins and needles. Turns out, everything's fine. Bryant said today at practice that he'll certainly be good to go for Tuesday's opener at Staples Center against Portland, and might even get a little more running in the hpreseason. Of course, if there's even the slightest threat of more damage, Phil Jackson should duct tape him to the bench in Thursday and Friday's fake games, but the point is that Kobe seems to be just fine.
Exhale.
Coby Karl is still holding his breath, though, despite roster moves announced by the Lakers today. Second round pick Joe Crawford and free-agent signee C.J. Giles are gone, leaving L.A.'s roster at 15 and Karl seemingly safe ... but then again, maybe not, since PJ noted after practice that another cut may be coming. You do the math, there.
In other news... fabulous.
BK
. And Carl Wilson's kids and Dennis Wilson's son for good measure. It was a blast.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 23, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING I LIKED ABOUT YOU. LOL!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Xoodus'
I too will respond in order if BK lets it go through for length. That is how my other debate got so long. Both sides responding.
JustaLakerFan,
Here are my responses to you, in order.
"[Kobe had a long string of injuries but I would say he was worth every penny.]"
Kobe didn't have a long list of injuries prior to signing his long-term deal. Kobe was already an all-star in his second season and one of the premier players in the NBA by his fourth. Kobe has never suffered a serious knee injury, much less two. These are two completely different situations and a terrible example for your argument.
[Who cares about when he signed or what he was. An All Star can get injured too. Big money contracts come with big risks. The bottom line is that do you, Lakers and AB's agent think AB will be a franchise player? If so then he should be paid. If not let him walk. No talking about we will keep him anyways as that would be demeaning to AB. Then lets see who is right about AB wqlking. Want to take that risk?]
"[Same goes for Kobe if he opts out]"
Another bad comparison. Kobe is opting out to get another long-term deal where he would be paid more per year because of the NBA's sliding salary scale. The more years you are in the league, the higher a contract you can command. This is an important point that I will re-address later.
[Last year he wanted out bad and was under contract. He demanded to be traded. Think that can't happen again. Also who says what the length of his contract will be. Say 3 year contract or 5 year contract with option to opt out in 3 years. Where does that put your argument?]
"[ OK now what if Team A offers $130 million. Do Lakers match that or let him walk? Would have been cheaper to sign for $80 Million( $80 million for sake of debate.] What is the smarter move? Think Rony Turiaff.]"
Team A CAN'T offer Bynum 130 million because Bynum hasn't been in the league long enough for his sliding scale to reach that point. Kobe signed a 7-year 130(ish) million dollar contract in 2004 and that was as an 8-year veteran. Bynum's max is going to be roughly 88 million next summer. Once again, another faulty argument.
[Actually I just pulled a figure out of the air for debate puposes. As we know salaries escalate upwards yearly and whatever the amount it will be more than what is going to be the offer now. And AB can feel slighted and move on. Also the fact remains he can get more then and it will cost the Lakers more to sign him then than now. All this is just for debate purposes as my position has always been that I hope the Lakers sign him to a contract that BOTH sides find acceptable. Now then with that in mind it is all about the amount both sides will accept. But that is my hope but don't mean it will happen that way.]
"[Pay is worth the risk and AB and his agent know as the FO does that AB is fully recovered.]"
No it's not because he could suffer a new knee injury. Bynum will likely be offered the max next summer by LA or another team. If the Lakers don't offer it someone else will and LA will match it. There's no way he's accepting a QO with huge deals on the table. It's not that his knee isn't back to full strength, it's that he could suffer another injury. He's already torn an ACL in high school and dislocated his knee cap last season, the last thing Bynum will do is turn down a big offer to reach free agency next summer.
[Therin lies the issue of contention as you or myself or for that matter anyone can predict what will happen. No one can assume the future and say no way. I debate on what could happen. Look again at Turiaff, did you see the size of the contract he got? Don't count on AB not getting huge contract offer elsewhere. You also ignored the fact that injuries happen to every one. Kobe has a long string of known injuries and how many does he have that you don't know about? Remember he was in Colorado to have surgery on his knee and no one would have known had the incident not happened. Als he signed big contract right after that surgery. Bottom line All Star calibur does not guarantee injury free. Ask Malone.]
[Not really, just for now but that can come back and bite them. And then to deal with Kobe. You think Kobe will be happy if FO lets AB walk. In Kobes words. With Pau Lakers can compete and with AB Lakers ARE championship calibur team. Want to risk losing Kobe too?]
The earliest Andrew Bynum could possibly walk is 2010, by which time Kobe would already be signed to a new deal. I'll guarantee right now that Bynum isn't going to walk. He may or may not sign in the next week, but between the Lakers and other suitors next summer there's no way he's not locked up with a long-term deal next summer. Once again, a bad argument and hence why the Lakers have all the leverage.
"[But he walked didn't he? AB would just have to wait 1 more year to walk away for free or this summer for more money than $80 million. Is there a risk of losing both. Of course there is so risk is not all on AB's side."
Brand walked because he was going to a better team in an easier conference for more money. Bynum is on the best team in the NBA with a team willing to pay him the max once he proves himself. Once again, apples and oranges. Secondly, Bynum is not a fool. He's not going to take a QO. If he's not happy with what LA offers another team will throw the max at him and he'll accept that, LA will match it and it will be done. Anyone who says he's going to take the QO next summer is being an alarmist and unrealistic. Bynum is taking all the risk by not signing a big deal and taking a QO. He could hurt himself again, he could have a down season, the Lakers meanwhile are saving themselves money on the luxury tax. So, yes, Bynum is taking all the risk if he signs a QO.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 09:30 AM
FORGET ABOUT THE NICKNAMES ALREADY !!!!
Let's talk about the important stuff, does anyone know if the free taco promo is on for this year if the Lakers break 100 and hold the other team to less than 100?
Posted by: tomK | October 23, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 23, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Brand walked because he was going to a better team in an easier conference for more money. Bynum is on the best team in the NBA with a team willing to pay him the max once he proves himself. Once again, apples and oranges. Secondly, Bynum is not a fool. He's not going to take a QO. If he's not happy with what LA offers another team will throw the max at him and he'll accept that, LA will match it and it will be done. Anyone who says he's going to take the QO next summer is being an alarmist and unrealistic. Bynum is taking all the risk by not signing a big deal and taking a QO. He could hurt himself again, he could have a down season, the Lakers meanwhile are saving themselves money on the luxury tax. So, yes, Bynum is taking all the risk if he signs a QO.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 09:30 AM
====================
Xodus
I missed this part.
It does not matter why Brand left. He did. The Lakers are the best right now IMHO. But lets for sake of argument say AB opts out when he can. If he goes to say Hornets that would make then a lot better and championship player. Don't argue what salaries they have now because it does not matter. Remember the Lakers traded away players for draft picks (gave away) to be able to sign Shaq. Miami was over salary cap and dumped Shaq in trade for expiring contract. Salary restrictions can be dealt with.
Now say he goes to Rockets or Utah or heaven forbid the Suns or Celtics. Where does that leve the Lakers now and Kobe possibly leaving also? No signing QO is not all AB's risk as the Lakers have a lot to lose also.
Not an alarmist perspective but looking at whole picture of possibilities and not buring my head in the sand and say it won't happen.]
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 23, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Speaking of, where's Hugo Boss since Hugo from Spain just appeared briefly?
Posted by: Multi Posting Stormer | October 23, 2008 at 10:19 AM
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He's masqurading as Hugo Blitz hehe
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 23, 2008 at 01:12 PM
At this point, a realistic assessment of the Bynum contract situation would put a much higher likelihood on the chance of additional knee problems than on the chance that Bynum will end up taking a qualifying offer and going eslewhere in a couple of years.
There is also, at this point, a much higher likelihood that Bynum will not improve as much as hoped, thus not warranting a max deal, than there is that he will end up taking a qualifying offer and going eslewhere in a couple of years.
So, at this point, the driving factors for the Lakers should be his level of play and his health, not the fear that he might go somewhere else.
Those factors can both be mitigated, in Bynum's favor, in a realtively short amount of time (i.e. by the end of the season) or through an incentive-based contract.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 23, 2008 at 01:44 PM