Smorgasbord of talk
More on Andrew Bynum's extension in the works (or maybe not) before the Oct. 31 deadline: As I mentioned in yesterday's practice report, Andrew Bynum is putting out considerably fewer signals of discontent than his agent over what's being currently reported as a negotiation impasse. Come Halloween (the last day for terms to be agreed upon), Drew will either be donning a costume or a suit sewn together from hundred-dollar bills, since a new deal undoubedtly affords him the freedom to use a few bucks in such frivolous fashion. Thinking biggest, a max deal would round out to anywhere from $80 million to $90 million, depending on how the cap ceiling gets ironed out. Reportedly, the Lakers are hoping an offer around $78 million or so is enough to call it a happy day. But should Team Bynum dig in their heels and insist upon top dollar, the Orange County Register's Kevin Ding recommends the Lakers revisit talks this summer. By then, the kid will have provided a more solid idea of what he can do, his health and may have actually earned the dough, as opposed to receiving it almost purely on potential. As Ding puts it...
"Even with justifiably massive projections for Bynum, not yet 21, it’s insane to ask the Lakers to pay what is truly top dollar for what right now remains mere potential -– and maybe injury-prone potential, at that."
I would agree.
It's not a matter of worrying that last season is a fluke, as I've believed him in his prospects since his rookie season. There's no real reason to think that play won't be sustained. But when given the option of test driving a Ferrari or plunking down the sticker price, no questions asked, wouldn't you choose the former? Along those metaphorical automobile lines, the Lakers remain in the driver's seat, so there's no need to volunteer to ride shotgun and make a panic move. If nothing gets agreed upon before trick or treat time, Bynum becomes a restricted free agent, which gives the Lakers matching rights to any offer. If Drew plays well enough to merit a max deal, the Lakers will give it to him, end of story. If another team offers him their highest deal, the Lakers will simply match it, end of story (and bully for them, because no team can offer Drew as much, meaning they'll have saved themselves a few bucks in the process). Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see a potential disaster lurking if this doesn't get worked out before November.
Seriously, what could happen? Drew gets so pissed off over the denied extension that he shines a max deal offer (from the Lakers or another team) next summer to play out a one-year tender as an unrestricted 2010 free agent in the works? It's a serious toss up whether that's more colossally risky or colossally stupid. I can't picture Andrew acting such the fool, but honestly, if he's actually petulant and spiteful enough to do that because the Lakers wouldn't max him out after an injury-plagued half season (albeit one featuring some high caliber play), then he's probably not the right guy to hand the franchise's proverbial egg basket. Mind you, that doesn't strike me as Drew's character or make up, which brings me back to the idea that worrying about improbable worst case scenarios is a waste of energy.
And if Drew doesn't play well enough, gets hurt again, etc., the Lakers will have dodged a bullet by allowing the ink to remain undried.
As for David Lee spouting off about "being disappointed," that's simply a guy looking to play hardball on behalf of his client. He's doing his job, just as the Lakers are doing theirs by trying to avoid spending unnecessary dollars. Nothing more, nothing less. Could this grow ugly? Obviously, it could. But for now, this strikes me as standard negotiation fodder and nothing to sleep over. Lee isn't the first agent to take his client's team to task while trying to iron out a deal and won't be the last.
In other news...
Hoopsworld's list of players least likely to get dealt. I thought it was worth posting because it's considerably similar to ESPN's recent list of players MOST likely to relocate, with Lamar Odom a high profile guy on both counts. Just goes to show how most of us media types are spit balling to begin with, given how the NBA trade bidness will always remain largely a crap shoot.
Via TrueHoop, Tex Winter talks LO with Roland Lazenby. The Triangle guru is pleased with Lamar's efforts of late (likely simpatico with the urgency Derek Fisher is seeking from all his mates) and has a hunch that, when it's all said and done, #7 will be back in the starting lineup. He also expresses concerns over the Bynum-Gasol pairing and the freshness of Kobe's well-run legs.
Futurama! And speaking of looking down the road, Charley Rosen sees one potentially paved with gold for the Lakers.
Between the presences of O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley Jr. and Kyle Lowry, it's been tough for ex-Laker Javaris Crittenton to carve out a defined role. Still, it appears Memphis would rather keep seeking out a spot for the Critter than deal him.
AK
I'VE GOT IT.
I've come up with a plan how the Lakers can keep Lamar Odom
and still not go over 100 million in salaries...
Trade Bynum.
The Lakers made it to the finals without him, his knee is a huge
question mark, and his agent is insisting on more money than
he's worth. Trade him to some bottom feeding team that
can have a good center for cheap for 2 years and give the
Lakers some lottery action for quality backup players at
low salary.
How `bout Bynum for Michael Beasley & a couple of draft picks.
Or maybe Bynum for Al Horford and a draft pick.
Or Bynum and Farmar for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose
Only I'd mention the trade to Andrew and his agent first
and ask if they'd like to reconsider this malarkey about
wanting max dollars for a damaged body that hasn't even
shown max contract potential when he was healthy.
Posted by: Laker Tom's evil nemesis | October 17, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Mark my word!
Mark my word!
Laker Tom
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Pay the "Beast"!
Posted by: Lakerfan24 | October 17, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Robin Lopez is the next Tim Duncan!
Robin Lopez is the next Tim Duncan!
BUTLER
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 01:15 PM
$78 million is already too high. David Lee must be insane to turn that down. That's guaranteed money for his injury prone player. I think $65 million + incentives (# of games played, All-Star nomination, statistical measures, etc.) would have been fair. For Lee to throw a fit and say there will be "consequences" if he doesn't get his deal is just inane. If the $78 mil number is accurate, the Lakers have been more than generous.
Posted by: puddle | October 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Can anyone say kwame brown? We've seen this script before. byenumb is currently not matching Robin Lopez' numbers in PHX, and Robin only makes a few bucks.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 17, 2008 at 01:23 PM
"Shack and Lopez the best 1-2 in the league"??????
What "league" are you talking about?
The Sun City over 70 Division?
Posted by: Fatty | October 17, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Would You Rather: Andrew Bynum/Jordan Farmar
Mike Trudell
Lakers Reporter | October 17, 2008
We played a game of “Would You Rather” with Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar, with names like Kimbo Slice, James Bond, Jessica Alba and Mr. Belding coming into play.
If you can figure out whose answers are better, let us know. I’m undecided.
MT: ... Would you rather fight Chuck Norris in a cage match or Kimbo Slice on the street?
Bynum: Chuck Norris. He’s a little bit smaller than Kimbo. I’m going to be able to stay away from Chuck a little bit, and I don’t want Kimbo to be touching me.
Farmar: Chuck Norris, because I like organized sports. I don’t play basketball in the streets really anymore … I like being in a gym with refs. I’ll take my chances with Chuck.
MT: ... Be James Bond for a day ... Or Hugh Hefner for a day?
Bynum: James Bond. All day. You get the cars, you can shoot very well, you’re an ace, you’re a ladies’ man … You have the total package.
Farmar: James Bond. Come on, he’s a highly-trained assassin/double-agent. He does his thing, and he still gets girls. He drives the hot car, he’s young, he’s fly, athletic, coordinated … Plus I’m not a Playmate kind of guy.
MT: ... Be able to communicate with animals, or be able to read women's minds?
Bynum: Communicate with animals, actually. I think you already know what’s on a woman’s mind, so definitely the animals ... I love lions, they’re my favorite animal; I just think they’re cool. I’d just want to see what was on their mind. If I’m walking through the jungle, I don’t want to get bit by a lion or a cheetah or anything, so I’d be able to talk to them and calm them down.
Farmar: Animals. I can already read women’s minds. I like dolphins – they’re my favorite creatures. They’re smooth, athletic, and agile. I just like them. If I could understand them they’d probably be saying, “Come take a couple laps around the ocean with me.”
MT: ... Be able to see the future or know all the secrets of the past?
Bynum: That’s a good one. Probably know everything that happened in the past, because in some ways you could predict the future. I’d never want to know exactly what’s going to happen in advance anyway, because if you know something crazy, you’re going to feel like you don’t ever really want to get there.
Farmar: The past, because I don’t want to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I like the spontaneity of life, I love making each day my masterpiece and enjoying it for what it is. It would be like watching the same movie over and over again. And I’d want to learn about everything: my family, history, big-time events … I’d want to see what kind of preparation a great athlete did before a great event, like Muhammad Ali before a big fight or Michael Jordan before a big game.
MT: ... Star in a romantic comedy with Jessica Alba or Eva Mendez.
Bynum: Eva Mendez, definitely. I love Hispanic women. I actually talked to Pau about traveling to Spain in the offseason.
Farmar: Jessica Alba, because of my man Cash (Warren). I know his father real well – UCLA, Mike Warren – and Cash is a good guy. They came to UCLA games to support us all the time, but I’m not going to knock Eva. She does her thing too.
MT: ... Have Mr. Belding as your principal or Kelly Taylor as your guidance counselor?
Bynum: I don’t know. I’m too young for “Saved By the Bell” or “90210.” My brother would turn them on but I wasn’t really into it. I watch “Entourage” and “True Blood” right now, but I’d have to go with “Entourage.” I like Ari and Turtle.
Farmar: I don’t watch “90210,” but I like Mr. Belding. Plus, I don’t need a guidance counselor. My guidance is pretty good. I have Derek Fisher, my family and I’ve been doing a good job. I’d rather be Zach than Slater, because Slater’s a meathead and Zach’s cool, the ladies’ man.
MT: ... Have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom on your side for a 2-on-2 tournament?
Bynum: Probably Pau. We’d have a big advantage. If one of us got beat, the other could come over and block the shot. You feel me? And they have to stop us offensively. The toughest matchup for us would be Kobe and L.O., obviously. They’re also very talented.
Farmar: Kobe. I think he’s the best player in the world, he’s one of the most competitive individuals I’ve ever been around, and I’m the same way in terms of competitive nature. I want somebody who has that dog in them all the time. If we’re going against bigs, we’re going to make them come out and play some defense on the perimeter, and just keep fouling them underneath.
MT: ... Have an unlimited gift card to your favorite restaurants or to Best Buy?
Bynum: Best Buy, most definitely. I’d probably get a nice theatre set up with a projector and widescreen to start.
Farmar: Restaurants, all day. I could eat for life, and I don’t drink but I could buy up the bar for everybody who wants to drink and have a good time. Play the host. I like Katsuya, Spago, Junior Cattle in South Bay…
MT: Would you rather jump off a two-story building or eat a scorpion?
Bynum: Actually I’d rather jump off a two-story building because if I hang off the edge, it cuts it by a story. You didn’t think about that. Now if it was three stories, I’d eat the scorpion.
Farmar: Two-story building because I’d land it and roll and be real smooth. No injuries, not nothing. James Bond. But if it were three stories, that might hurt a little bit, so I’d go with the scorpion.
Posted by: The Big Fence Defense | October 17, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Fatty -
If there were a league with more talent than the NBA, SHACK and LOPEZ would rule there too.
BTW, the NBA world is still waiting for byenum to complement the lakers. When is it time to say this experiment isn't working like the "experts" predicted?
Just askin...how many games do fans give the lakers before hitting the panic button?
Posted by: BUTLER | October 17, 2008 at 01:37 PM
If an agent goes public and criticizes the management that is just plain stupid.
Few agents go public and talk that way. Its a sign of a poor negotiator and probably the are new to the business.
You keep it in house and you keep it private. To say ALL agents do it is flat wrong and not truthful. . Hundreds of deals are made every year and we seldom hear them negotiate in public. Especially denigrating the management the way Lee does.
Only the stupid ones do it, ones that let their pride get in the way and only an idiot would defend that action.
Posted by: Fatty | October 17, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Nice "Would you rather post".
I hope I can sense sarcasm in the post suggesting the Lakers
trade Bynum. Obviously they're not going to do that.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 17, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Butler,
>>> Bill Maher had a line that went something like, "I don't advocate heroin use but it's never hurt the quality of my record collection."
TOUCHE!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 17, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Seems to be a little agitation around these parts. My guess is that it has more to do with fans getting antsy for some game action than it has to do with real differences of opinion on salary negotiations. At least I hope that's the case.
Let's get real here. We should all be hoping that Drew is fully loaded and ready to rock this season. If he is, there will probably be a deal. David Lee has to work withiin certain economic realities... every single GM out there is going to looking hard at numbers and that comes straight from the owners. It's a tough economy right now. Each one of us knows that.
It's easy to throw trade scenarios out there, but I'd think that when it comes down to it, most of us would want to see our nucleus remain intact - that means Bynum, Odom, Kobe, Pau, Fish, etc.. I got no problem with somebody feeling a different way - if you really have a problem with a player and have a way to improve the team, great. But when bloggers start throwing grenades at each other over dollar signs, then I start to scratch my head.
Posted by: dave m | October 17, 2008 at 02:01 PM
You are all dumb!
You are all dumb!
ElitistTom
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Vujachamps,
I was wondering if you saw my post in the Good Times Fantasy League? The draft is set for Oct.26 @ 10am, which is fine. But the problem is that it is eastern time. Are you gonna be changing that to pacific? Or am I gonna have to make plans to get up early next Sunday morning? Because I plan on winning.
Posted by: Rocky | October 17, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Tex Winter saying that Kobe's leg might be dead sent a chill down my spines. Why would he say that about the best player in the league, except if it is true. Watching Kobe so far in the preseason does seem like his legs are tired not dead. However, Kobe has been winning the drills in practice and hes the second oldest player on our team.
Kobe shots also looks way off. He is also not finishing well around the rim. I saw both in the olympics way too much, and I've seen it so far this preseason. There is to be a time when it was a guarantee that Kobe was money in the paint, I wont say so anymore.
The next preseason games will let us know if this team is ready to go get the prize. You usually can't tell which teams are going to be the elite (top 8) until Jan and Feb. But its important this team start so early, because our conference is so tough. The urgency that Fisher was talking about should start tomorrow, not in Feb, because we are such a young team.
Posted by: wow | October 17, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Like I said before, all of this talk about the future contracts of LO, Kobe and Bynum all have to be tempered against playing for a contender.
In LOs case, who knows if he'll even be offered a new contract by the Lakers this off-season. In Kobe's case, playing in Greece gives him literally no shot at winning another Championship, even if they win every game. In Drew's case, if he accepts the qualifying offer, plays one more season and becomes a free agent two years from now, what teams will he have to choose from that have the cap space to give him a better offer than the Lakers?
I have no idea what's more important to these - the ultimate prize or the ultimate paycheck. My guess is it's not entirely one or the other. Most players would want both. Regardless for these guys, it's a good conundrum to be faced with. Everyone should be that lucky.
And no matter what happens, I'm convinced the Lakers will be just fine. They've given me more to cheer for in my lifetime than any other sports franchise would've and I have no reason to believe that'll change moving forward.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 17, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Butler,
"BTW, the NBA world is still waiting for byenum to complement the lakers. When is it time to say this experiment isn't working like the "experts" predicted?
Just askin...how many games do fans give the lakers before hitting the panic button?"
Dude just cuz we're all saying the lakers should wait doesn't mean u get to come mouth of about bynum ... for sure the suns would gladly pay bynum the ridiculous salary shaq is earning now but hey we aint the suns ... we know how to build a dynasty, and we're just trying to make sure the center we've picked to defend that dynasty understands that in order for us to be a dynasty there will be no free rides ... and if bynum delivers like we all hope he does, trust that this blog will be screaming pay him in unison ...
yeah go chew on that word yo, dynasty. That's what we be thinking over hurr, and over thurr u all be thinking how nasty it is y'all aint ever 1 a single championship in ya entire history ... seriously go mouth off on a toronto blog or something ... matter of fact u should kiss the ground laker fans walk on, price of admission for being allowed to bear witness to purple and gold fans spitting knowledge gained from years following the legendary lakers
Posted by: Taliq | October 17, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Dissention in the ranks!! Time to become a Fenix Fan!
Dissention in the ranks!! Time to become a Fenix Fan!
lakerfanBUTLER
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Faith,
"it bears repeating that two of the "contending" teams in the league are under the cap: spurs and pistons."
Unless the cap is lower than I'm aware or the figures I'm reading for SA and DET's payroll are wrong, both teams are over the cap. Basically, every team is.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 17, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Butler,
Remember, Shaq spelled backwards is still fat.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 17, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Fatty,
"Few agents go public and talk that way. Its a sign of a poor negotiator and probably the are new to the business."
I absolutely agree.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Hit the Laker panic button: get Pau Gasol, get to the finals. Get Bynum back, who scored 28 on Suns and dunked on Amare with no regard for human life!!
Hit the Suns Panic button: get Nash-hating Shack, and Amare got dunked on by Gasol AND Bynum (and no retaliation by his teammates!!! SOFTEST "TEAM" EVER!!).
BUTLER<------------------owned
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Oh noes, Lakers fans are taking it to me, time to become a multi-poster!!
Oh noes, Lakers fans are taking it to me, time to become a multi-poster!!
SNORT OINK BUTLER CHICKEN LITTLE
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 17, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Dr. Jon
"I love elitists. Joe Six Pack can kiss my chiseled derriere."
Of course you do! lol
If you had your way, you would of already tried to beat up 1/2 the people on the blog for daring to cross you.
P.S. It must be hard being an elitist in Cleveland.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 17, 2008 at 03:02 PM
LakerTom,
"Wrong. The Lakers have already offered $78M for 6 years. Lee wants $88M. Drew and Lakers will compromise and sign an extension before October 31, 2008."
I said should, not WILL.
Posted by: Xodus | October 17, 2008 at 03:04 PM
The whole Bynum thing will work out, I'm not the least bit worried about that.
Its too bad Critt isn't getting more playing time. I really liked him last year and think he has a lot of talent. Just needs to get a little more in control.
However I think OJ Mayo is going to run away with the rookie of the year. He has been NBA ready for a long time and has a real nice J. He dropped 26 points in a preseason game already (but so did Von Wafer..). Anyways, I just think Oden will have too much going on after injury, Rose will have too much competition in Chi town with Gordon and Deng, and Beasly just doesn't strike me as someone who will win ROY, he will be big on defense and on rebounds.
Who do you all think will win ROY?
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 17, 2008 at 03:09 PM
If every contending team is over the salary cap, then the salary cap should be raised.
It seems pretty simple to me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Preach, Taliq.
...but perhaps your words fall on deaf, sun blistered, ears.
Posted by: EHomp, sick of the BUTler | October 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Just for the record Tom, Andrew's birthday is the same as mine - October 27th - not the 31st. Just puttin that out there...
Posted by: J_Luv | October 17, 2008 at 03:13 PM
I've got a great trade: Sun Yue for Javaris Crittenton.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Not more than 50 million for Bynum, please. Anything more than that and we're kissing Lamar goodbye.
Wes
Posted by: | October 17, 2008 at 03:21 PM
SHUT UP BUTT-LER YOU'RE SUCH AN EYE SORE IN THIS RATHER WONDERFUL LAKERS BLOG.
Posted by: dacsila | October 17, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Rocky,
>>>I was wondering if you saw my post in the Good Times
>>>Fantasy League? The draft is set for Oct.26 @ 10am,
>>>which is fine. But the problem is that it is eastern time.
>>>Are you gonna be changing that to pacific? Or am I
>>>gonna have to make plans to get up early next Sunday
>>>morning? Because I plan on winning.
ACK!!! I'll go change it and send out an email...
Okay, it's changed.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 17, 2008 at 04:15 PM
"Remember, Shaq spelled backwards is still fat.
Posted by: exhelodrvr"
Exhelodrvr, isn't it kcahs?
It's interesting to note that while the lakers are scrambling to make a decent team out of a disjointed roster and disgruntled playas, the SUNS are quietly building the best frontcourt they've ever had.
SHACK is going to mentor LOPEZ all season. This will allow Shacka the Hut to rest until spring and Lopez to hone his game. By the playoffs, Shack will likely play fewer minutes than Lopez, but play crucial stretches much like PJ Brown did for the Celtics in the playoffs.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 17, 2008 at 04:18 PM
AK
>>>Basically, every team is.
Every team except Memphis.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 17, 2008 at 04:20 PM
wow
I hate to be pessimistic but I also have been noticing kobe kind of tired. His shots are definatly off, and he has trouble around the rim. For instance when he missed that dunk in the last game. Maybe im looking too much into it, hopefully. I also see that bynum isn't as explosive as he used to be, although that could be due to him not playing for 7 months. Hopefully everything turns out ok.
Go Lakers
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | October 17, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Just curious with all the agent talk... given that David Lee has basically two clients total and hasn't done any max contracts yet... if you were managment would you rather be negotiating with him or say an Arn Tellem or a Rob Pelinka... or even David Falk (don't forget his recent screw job with the Clips over Brand)?
If I'm negotiating on behalf of the team, I think I'll put up with Lee's press statements... I rather have to deal with that than an agent who's got a great client list and lots of leverage (or in Falk's case, the long scorched earth history).
Posted by: dave m | October 17, 2008 at 04:32 PM
video from today's practice is up:
http://www.nba.com/lakers/multimedia/0708video.html
interviews with PJ and Kobe.
Plenty of international talk from Kobe but not about international offers. Discussing how basketball is a global game, the Lakers playing overseas and what kind of adjustment it'll be for Barcelona. PJ mainly fielded questions about line-ups. He brought up they may have to see how the first 3 season games go and spend the following week (where they have only one game in the middle of the week) actually soldifying what's going to work.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 17, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Shaq on fouling him intentionally:
"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it. That's a coward move and (Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich) knows that and I'll make them pay for it."
Yeah, Shaq - I know what you mean -- hahaha -- you sure showed them in the playo.... Oh wait .... sorry.
Posted by: HmrHed | October 17, 2008 at 05:26 PM
AK/BK
Where did the posts go from 2:54 PM till 4:32 PM?
Since the comments were coming in apx. 1 every 1 to 2 minutes before that, I can't believe we went 40 minutes with no posts.
Lost into the IT black hole?
Posted by: Eric M. | October 17, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Eric M,
Both of us were away from computers doing stuff related to the blog and the comments need to be cleared. Unfortunately, that sometimes leads to a backup.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 17, 2008 at 05:43 PM
I cannot speak to the remaining life in Kobe's legs, but if you stayed late at the Open practice on Wednesday (like I and maybe laker_sth did) you would have seen Kobe shoot about 85% from every spot on the floor. This was for about 25 minutes straight, not just a few shots. I am sure his shot will be just fine this season.
pslakerfan
Posted by: pslakerfan | October 17, 2008 at 05:52 PM
kcahs means "fat" in Coptic.
No matter how you spell it, it comes out "The Big Mistake!"
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 05:52 PM
this is from that article about this coming seasons predictions...
David Berri David Berri, Economist, Author, Statistics Expert:
"The Boston Celtics are expected to make the Finals, likely against the Lakers. I think the Lakers with Andrew Bynum, though, are likely to prove better. This means that Phil Jackson is likely to win his 10th title against Red Auerbach's Celtics. To make it even more interesting, if the Lakers win the title in four or five games -- and the Lakers have home-court advantage -- Jackson will get his tenth title in Boston. Given the age of the players on the Lakers, this could be the beginning of another Jackson-led dynasty. In fact, this could be the beginning of Jackson's fourth three-peat (or first four-peat). If this is the beginning of another Laker dynasty, then Kobe Bryant is going to become part of the conversation when people discuss the greatest players ever. In my view, the numbers don't support Kobe being part of that conversation. But if he is part of another three titles, that is where he will be."
Posted by: ajax | October 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Eric M.,
It certainly is easier being an elitist in Los Angeles than it is Cleveland.
Out here any discussion beyond sports teams (that I don't like), food, your job, crude analyses of women, or how people who express optimism in their worldview are idiots is considered unwise and boorish.
Urgh.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 05:59 PM
With the whole contract thing with Bynum I say blame the league. I don't understand how a guy in his second contract can demand max money. This are guys that have been in league for 2-3 seasons. Bynum does not deserve 16 mil a year. The league needs to have a max a player can get on there second contract, which I say should be 12 million. After a good 5-7 years in the league, you can pay the guy whatever he wants after that, even 80 million a year.
Truelakerfan,
The best I've ever seen Kobe played in the NBA was this past playoff run, until the finals. I think individually he mush have had the best playoff postseason next to Micheal in one of 10 playoff appearance. I don't see Kobe dropping off more, but I need to see that playoff Kobe again. Time will tell. I Think we'll get when our lakers tip off.
Posted by: wow | October 17, 2008 at 06:01 PM
ajax,
that opinion proves why he is an economist, not a basketball-savvy citizen.
kobey has yet to match the greatness of Nash and Shack, but if he works hard at his game (and resurrects those dead legs) he may someday be mentioned in the distant vicinity of those two members of the all-time NBA team.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 17, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Eric M.,
Anyhow, I've tried to manage my temper and I think I've managed it fairly well over the last couple years. I haven't gone volcanic on a legitimate blog member for some time now.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 06:10 PM
ajax-
I like how David Berri is thinking. A four-peat? Man, that would be nice! That's a whole lot of parades. Lets focus on this one though. It won't be easy, but as long as we are injury free, the jello is jigglin.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 17, 2008 at 06:19 PM