Jordan Farmar: World Series of Poker Update
(Update: My knowledge may not have been "best." According to the Press-Enterprise's Jefferey Eisenberg, Jordan Farmar actually didn't survive Day 3. I could have misunderstood the chip count chart or it didn't reflect the day's end when I linked it, but at any rate, the dream is over. But quite the solid showing for the Laker point guard.)
To the best of my knowledge, still alive after Day 3.
Although perhaps not for too much longer.
Assuming it's up to date and I'm understanding this correctly, the World Series of Poker's website most recent update has Jordan Farmar's chip count at 75,000. That may sound like a lot, but when chip leader Amir Levahot boasts a honkin' 580,000, it's pretty apparent Jordan's seat ain't of the cat bird variety. Kid's gonna need to make an "all in" move at his first solid hand (a few more times), otherwise he's either gonna get bled down to the felt.
Whenever the last hurrah comes, however, I doubt Farmar's melon will be hanging. Who would have expected him to even last this long (besting four thousand or so), considering he's not even a regular player? And by regular player, I mean, "somebody who even plays." As ESPN.com's Gary Wise shares, Farmar didn't know his big blind from a hole in the ground.
For Jordan Farmar, the journey to Day 3 has been an unusual one. Although the WSOP is the dream for so many, the former UCLA Bruin and current Los Angeles Laker had never played Texas hold 'em until his agent was contacted by online poker room Pokerstars.net with an offer to put Farmar in the series in exchange for representing it in the tournament. Now, as one of 2,044 players remaining in a field that started with 6,494, Farmar is getting a fast education at the tables with a little hands-on training.
"I'd never played poker before," said Farmar in a phone interview prior to Day 3. "I went to the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles and played to get the hang of the game. I didn't know anything about what kind of poker they played here. I just knew what hand beat the next one."
That kind of inexperience usually makes for a short venture at the
poker tables, but Farmar took a cautious approach. "I've been learning
a lot. You sit there for 10 hours straight and you'll learn a lot
playing against the best in the world. I didn't play a lot of hands
early, but I got the hang of it. I watched the other players play,
learned from their mistakes and started to get what was going on."
While undoubtedly impressive, Farmar's run is also, on some level, not altogether shocking. You hear professional poker players talk/complain all the time about how the influx of amateurs in the WSOP has made life miserable for folks like Doyle Brunson, (who, oddly enough, was actually on the Minneapolis Lakers' radar back in the day). Amateurs often don't play "smart," which makes game-planning them difficult. Sometimes, they collect chips through pure luck after hitting on hands they had no business playing and it drives pros insane. Plus, the lack of familiarity and table image works to the amateurs' advantage. For an NBA comparison, think back to 2001, when an unknown Mike Penberthy tore things up for a month or two until he actually ended up part of a scouting report. Thus endeth that feel good tale.
Still, you can't last this long in the tourney without a legitimately good move or two. Farmar likely has some degree of instinctual feel for the game and it sounds like he's been paying a lot of attention. In any event, best of luck to #5. I'm sure he'd be pretty stoked to spark a comeback and walk away with the whole enchilada. $8,546,435 can buy an awful lot of Mexican food.
Oh, and speaking of money, I thought y'all might find this tidbit interesting. I've noticed a decent amount of blog chatter about Anderson Varejao's new contract. Specifically, how it relates to the negotiations between the Lakers and Lamar Odom. It's been talked up as 6yr/50 mil, which has many a Laker fan chapped, After all, LO is a better player than Sideshow Bob. If the latter is worth 8+ each year, shouldn't LO get at least the same? Well, putting aside that truly accurate comparisons don't come easy when payrolls and situations are different, the reality is only 37-38 mil of Anderson's is guaranteed. The other thirteen comes through incentives. Plus, the sixth season is Cleveland's option, not Varejao's. Thus, you're looking at 7-ish mil per season, which is closer (even a bit lower) to the numbers typically floated as a potential compromise with Odom.
Just wanted to set the record straight.
AK
cardplayer.com generally has the best updates on this. They only give top 10 players' chip counts periodically, notable players' big hands and notable eliminations.
Jordan could make the longer notable elimination list.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 10, 2009 at 03:59 PM
sooooo...
The Lakers should do the same thing. Add some incentives
to their offer to Lamar.
+ bonus for Lakers making the finals
+ bonus for each championship
+ bonus for each All-Star appearance
+ bonus for some rebounding goal
Net result, he'd get 7 million a year just for being there, and
could make it 10 million per if he becomes the player everyone
wishes he was.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | July 10, 2009 at 04:05 PM
everyone go watch the new artest on the lakers site! haha its awesomeeeeeee
Posted by: jacqueline | July 10, 2009 at 04:08 PM
More signing and No LO...
Hill to Suns, Frye to Suns, Bass to Magic, Millsap offer from Blazers, Marion to Mavs, Boozer , Heinrich and more!
No teams are talking to LO.
One more week and Lakers can get LO for real cheap. SHOULD LAKERS CHANGE THEIR OFFER TO SMALLER DEAL, AND HOW MUCH?
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 10, 2009 at 04:25 PM
yup, i'm just blipping through most the posts these days. The pro/con Luke thing is pretty much down to politics and religion sort of debating, but I did notice that on the summer blog, where we seem to have a lot more 'serious' posters and a lot fewer casual rubber neckers, Luke has a pretty solid following. Go figure
Yeah, I do throw a pretty solid pool party, if I can find a pool, a barbq and the sun. I have occasionally even thrown a decent 'giant cooler and foreman grill' party. These days, it's mostly 'take out and what's in the back of the fridge' party.
But as always, the host's effervescent personality and the quality of the guests make for a respectable shindig.
Posted by: phred | July 10, 2009 at 04:30 PM
oddly, of course, the fact that the 'luke kool aid apologists' outnumber the 'guys who have not have the wool pulled over their eyes by the pro luke media' is a definite sign of some kind of blog wide conspiracy, instead of, you know, more people taking the common sense approach and eschewing hysterical denunciations.
Posted by: phred | July 10, 2009 at 04:33 PM
born in , raised, played Varsity LAUSD, Magic Johnson camp 4 years..., its nothing special since there are so many like me in L.A. league scene. I love Basketball..., Love the L.A. Lakers.
Bottom line - Famar is a trade out now. Maybe down the line he improves, but for now D. Fish and Brown.
I would ike Famar to stay and show he has what it takes.., but I that's not this story line.
As for as all the in favor of talk above.., look I support him in finding the next level, but for now its strictly business...
Artest, the stage is yours. Make it happen.
Posted by: MilliionaireCafeLA | July 10, 2009 at 04:42 PM
he's still in decent shape, with about 30 big bets left. don't compare his chip stack to the leader, compare it to the blinds, which are at 800/1600 right now. start worrying if he gets under 20 big bets.
Posted by: Chris | July 10, 2009 at 04:46 PM
That's why they call amateurs "landmines."
Posted by: Mark | July 10, 2009 at 04:50 PM
How about giving Lamar a bonus if he wins the WSOP? Is it too late for that?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 10, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Staples 24 -
No, the Lakers should NOT reduce whatever offer they have already offered. that would truly be insulting. Instead, if the market continues the way it does and the money well dries up entirely, they should just wait for Lamar to come down to their offer. I'm sure they surveyed the market at the start of the FA period and figured this would be the scenario.
Posted by: puddle | July 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM
What incentive will Lamar have to get in shape or to work on his game this summer? I predict he does nothing again, coming into camp out-of-shape, something I am sure the Lakers are at least considering. Which is less incentive to pay him 8M +
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM
3rd day as a rookie? That is damn impressive. If he somehow wins it all, he will have two world championships in one year. How sweet would that be?
Hopefully, Farmar will apply some newly learned poker principles to his basketball game this summer. Pick and choose your spots, be patient, you can't play every hand, read the situation before deciding to make a play at the pot, don't go on tilt when you are annoyed at another player (i.e. Sasha), don't be one dimensional.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | July 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM
World Champion Boston Celtics :
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
It`s GuaranSHEED!!!!
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | July 10, 2009 at 06:02 PM
How much flexibility do teams have in terms of structuring annual salaries under a contract?
Take the case of Lamar: The Lakers will be way over the Luxury Tax threshold this coming season, but in 2010-2011, they'll have some contracts coming off the books. Can't they offer Lamar $5 million this year and maybe $11 million the next (it evens out to $8 million per)?
Posted by: the don miguel | July 10, 2009 at 06:26 PM
are we still posting about EX-Lakers?!
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 10, 2009 at 06:36 PM
On Farmar and Gambling...
Lots of bloggers (like MilliionaireCafeLA above) are ready to
hand over the keys of the PG position to Shannon Brown and
trade Jordan off for two tickets to wrestlefest and a turkey burger.
But there's a huge gamble in that. Actually, a couple of gambles:
Gamble #1: Was Shannon Brown's performance a sign of
good things to come? Or playing way out of his head by
a guy trying to earn another contract?
(for reference, see the re-signings of Luke Walton in 2007
and Sasha Vujacic in 2008).
If Brown falls back to the level he played at his whole
career prior to joining the Lakers, then they'll need a
backup point guard, and they've got nothing to spend. If
Jordan's gone, they'd have to bring in someone at the
Smush Parker skill level, and we all know how well that
goes.
Gamble # 2: Even if Shannon does take over the reins and
play well, Fish is getting old
(for reference, see Kevin Garnett from 2008-09 season).
If Fish were to get injured, as long as they have both Brown
and Farmar, they'll be fine. If you throw Jordan away, then
Sasha is your next backup PG. Unless of course you feel
that Sun Yue is ready to step up and play 15-20 minutes a
game. Do you feel your confidence overflowing when thinking
of the Monkey King running the bench mob?
Gamble #3: You might be giving up a productive asset
(for reference, see Von Wafer from 2008-09 season)
If Von (who was basically the butt of jokes for the Lakers
squads) could be a productive player for a good team like
Houston, Jordan might become a quality starter for a team. I could easily see him playing at the level of Aaron Brooks
or Rafer Alston (I'm not talking CP3 level play, but legit NBA
starter level play).
How would you feel if Jordan led the Knicks into their first
playoff birth in awhile? How would you feel if that happened,
and at the same time, Shannon Brown fell back to his career
averages of 41% shooting and more turnovers than assists?
--------------------------
Here's why the best bet is to keep Jordan Farmar:
+ at less than 2 million for a decent backup PG, he's a bargain
+ with Brown, Farmar, and Fish, you have insurance in case
one of the three gets injured
+ with Brown and Farmar both thinking they have a chance
to be the future starter, they'll both raise their levels of play
to compete for the role
+ This is a contract year for Farmar, so he's got a DOUBLE
incentive to play up to his highest capability
+ Jordan is still better than Shannon or Derek at defending
small, fast PGs.
+ Jordan and Shannon are like ketchup and mustard. They
offer different strengths which allows Phil flexibility to adapt
to different situational needs.
Forget about trading away any players from the rotation,
even the deep rotation (MBenga, Powell). Keep the guys
that got a ring in 2009 (with the one Ariza to Artest upgrade)
and they'll get another ring in 2010.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | July 10, 2009 at 06:53 PM
if Millsap goes to Portland
and boozer goes to Chicago
will LO go to UTAH? kinda jazzy there
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 10, 2009 at 06:56 PM
r the Boston Geriatrics a new poker team?
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 10, 2009 at 06:59 PM
World Champion Boston Celtics :
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
It`s GuaranSHEED!!!!"
Yiou never heard of the LA LAKERS?
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 10, 2009 at 07:00 PM
>>>Take the case of Lamar: The Lakers will be way over the
>>> Luxury Tax threshold this coming season, but in
>>>2010-2011, they'll have some contracts coming off the
>>>books. Can't they offer Lamar $5 million this year and
>>>maybe $11 million the next (it evens out to $8 million per)?
Actually, in Lamar's case, I believe they could do something like
that. But are you assuming the Lakers won't be re-signing Kobe
and Pau in 2011? Those are the big contracts coming off the
books.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | July 10, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Red's Love Child,
how old is your core? 45yrs avg?
eddie house you're best scoring threat off the bench? 30 something.
no fat baby davis, no leon powtheregomyknees
garnot's knees??
??
crippled celtics
Posted by: zach | July 10, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Sheed is no steed.
Pierce is not fierce.
Allen has no Talon.
Darn it, we have Garnett
Rondo is no Hondo
Perkins plays like gherkins
Kobe is the finals MVP - I should know, I presented him the trophy.
Posted by: William Felton Russell | July 10, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Morrison dropped 24 against the competition tonite -- albeit Summer League..But good sign....
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | July 10, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Puddle
"No, the Lakers should NOT reduce whatever offer they have already offered. that would truly be insulting."
I undertsand. Players always say this is about business.
But is the risk Lamar has to take as well. When he got the offer he shoold have taken it right away. Now the level of play has changed.
3 yrs - 25 Mil ... That's still 8 mil per year for somebody who has no other offer, EQUALS 16 MIL with luxury taxes. He obviuosly waited to see what is on the market. He would have left if he got any thing higher. His gamble lost.
I am just saying how much is he really worth right now? Next week? Next year? Numbers please and why? Let's forget the Lakers already has an offer on the table. With the current situation, how much are you willing to offer LO? How much is he worth with no NBA teams around to take him.
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 10, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Lots of Lakers in Vegas right now. So, what's to stop Dr. Buss from buying a couple hundred G in chips, meeting Lamar at the bar and slipping him an early b-day present? Just sayin'.
Posted by: dave m | July 10, 2009 at 08:18 PM
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
It`s GuaranSHEED!!!!
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | July 10, 2009 at 06:02 PM
SHEED....A 3 POINT SHOOTING BIG. BWAHAHAHA!!!! YA THAT'S TOUGH!! BWAHAHAHA!!!
HEY, YOU HAVE THE BLACK ILGAUSKAS!! THAT'S WHO SHEED IS, THE LOUD, BLACK ILGAUSKAS!! BWAHAHA!!!!
BWAHAHA, KEEP POSTING THAT THOSE FUNNY GUARANTEES, I COMMAND YOU!!!
Posted by: Celtics, BWAHAHAHAHA | July 10, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Who is this David Monds of Oklahoma State? He played with the Lakers for only 14 mins. and made 17 pts. and also Ben McCauley of North Carolina State 6'8" had 15 rebounds. and aveages 12 pts at NC State. If Adam Morrison can average 12 pts per game w/ limited minutes, we're baaack! Chinmalu Ebola 2pts. no way man, first game, poor impression.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 10, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I actually don't care about the Celtics nor the east. They have a lot to figure out over there. Celtics are probably the class of that conference, but I don't think any of those contenders have the coaching to beat a Western Conference foe in 7 games.
Pop, Jackson, even George Karl can out think and out smart Doc, Van Panic, and Mike Brown. The only way they can win is with talent, athleticism, and skill against the West team, which is a tough proposition considering Shaq, Pierce, Allen, KG, Sheed, are all well over 30 and Dwight doesn't have enough game to be a real threat.
The Lakers core are at their peak ages, the Spurs have older role players, but Manu and Parker are peaking as well, and Denver's not even close to being old. By virtue of these facts, the West is going to have a stronger contender.
The mistake the Lakers won't make is the one the Celtics did however. The Celtics were at full throttle trying to keep up with the Cavs this year, and KG's knees were the victim. Blame Doc, blame them for buying into the final game of a series that went 6 games. The Lakers will win games, but not at the expense of their players health.
Posted by: #4 | July 10, 2009 at 10:49 PM
131-92, RLC,
You guys are a gas, nothing short of air:)
Here's are a few intelligent facts for you 131 that definitely need no correction on your part:
* MVP (Regular Season and Finals) 24 has 4 rings
* The Los Angeles Lakers are the 2009 NBA Champions!
* What Celtics 2008-2009 repeat?
* Of course, the Celtics are going to make the playoffs in 2009-2010. With four all-stars, they'd better or else.....
RLC, did you mean "GuaranSHEEP?" Just wondering.
Always nice to hear from you guys.
Laker pride through ALL and ANY ADVERSITY!
Posted by: Let's Go L's! | July 10, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Red's Love Child -
"World Champion Boston Celtics :
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
It`s GuaranSHEED!!!!""
Care to place a friendly wager on that prediction?
Posted by: SBPimp | July 10, 2009 at 11:26 PM
131-92
Oops! I meant "Here are some intelligent facts..."
I would have added more but was mindful of your "sensitivity," especially when "emotionally" correcting others (facts, grammar, etc.) and facing the "reality" of the Lakers championship pedigree.
Have a nice Lakers day!
Laker pride through ALL and ANY ADVERSITY!
Posted by: Let's Go L's! | July 10, 2009 at 11:40 PM
AK/BK
Do you know if the Lakers picked up Sun Yue's option?
Posted by: cinz | July 11, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Stache' looked good in summer league. His jumper is pretty but his defense was a little iffy. McCauley looked goood too but he was being guarded by Patrick Obryant most of the game so I dont know how legit his performance was. Both score 20 points.
Chances that we sign McCauley to a rookie contract? That is given of course that he consistently continues to play well during summer league. II like how he plays and he actively goes for the boards and boxes out. His jumper is good too.
Posted by: cinz | July 11, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Oh and Smush Parker was playing for Toronto's summer league team.... yuck
Posted by: cinz | July 11, 2009 at 12:16 AM
I checked out the highlights from the first summer league game.
Good to see Adam Morrison have a solid game..Not spectacular but solid...If Mitch does have plans to trade him then this wont hurt .....You put the car on the lot then wait for the customers to inquire ....
I still think at his best he has more to offer than Sasha...Im not hating,its just an opinion.....
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 11, 2009 at 01:54 AM
LTLF,
Sun Yue can run the benhc mob, he has already played in some important games in his young career, not in the NBA but for his national team. Remember his light bulb is 1 year behind the rest of the team, and the team's bulb only turned on during the end of the Denver seriers. He has alot to adjust to, but give him the same amount of patience that we gave the "Machine"......and we may have a player who will totally disrupt the opponent in matchups. Versatility is the key attribute to this Laker team. Let's keep it that way. Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen, your student is waiting.(I know Pippen's probably too hooked into the Bulls to give anymore coaching ti Laker players, like the time I saw him in the Hawaii training camp, Kwame and Smush's first years....Pippen was coaching Lamar......It's too bad he wasn't offered a permaanent position with the Lakers back then......
Posted by: humanomaly (aka "The Anti-Crust") | July 11, 2009 at 02:22 AM
sorry about typos, tired.....
Posted by: humanomaly (aka "The Anti-Crust") | July 11, 2009 at 02:23 AM
I think a delegate from this blog needs to talk to Lamar.
On another note, with the score 54-33 in Game 7 against Houston with 9:27 left on the clock, Ariza gets the ball at the top of the key right at the 3 point line, and drives the ball past his defender, stops, does a stutter step move that I had to drool over, and lays it in at the rim! Then, also in the 3rd quarter, with 5:56 left on the clock he gets a pass from Bryant in the corner (after Kobe works a priceless block on Scola at the rim!). Ariza does a head fake, half drives to the rim, and then delivers a perfect lob pass to Bynum for a dunk.
OH MY !! I was off the couch yelling and doing victory laps all over my living room!! Sleepers be damned, neighbors be damned!
Anyhoo, the game film begs to differ with this stuff about Ariza not creating his own shot nor creating assists for other players.
In my extreme Laker jones, been watching the games over and over. Which I highly recommend! You learn a lot each time through the games.
Hurray for THE LAKERS! Champs baybe Champs!!
doug
Posted by: Doug | July 11, 2009 at 02:28 AM
LTLF,
As usual you make good points about Farmar. And AK's Mike Penberthy stroy applies here too.
The thing we have to remember about Shannon Brown's performance in those early playoff rounds: Utah and Houston and Denver spent very little time scoutng and preparing for Shannon Brown. They focused on Kobe and the Bigs and Lamar. Secondarily on starters Fish and Ariza. Maybe a shooter like Sasha, a vet like Luke who plays regular minutes. I would think the idea would be "hey - make Shannon Brown beat us. I'll take that poison."
As a starting PG all his strengths and weaknesses would be known, and countered and exploited. We won't know how good Shannon is until he has played through the league a couple of times. I hope he will be very good. We just don't know yet who he is over the long haul of a season.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | July 11, 2009 at 07:32 AM
Is anyone worried about how silently the Spurs are Loading their roster. They picked up Antonio McDyse, and Jefferson to go along with Timmy, Manu, Parker, Gooden, Mason and Bonner. Boy the spurs are what their name implies. They are a pain in our side. Any thoughts. I woas hoping they would fade into the sunset like Phoenix with age creeping up on them. I guess from when I can remember the spurs have always been competitive.
CrzyFan
Posted by: CRZYFAN | July 11, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I don't think our Team Salary for next year really looks that bad. If we are able to sign Lamar this year (which looks likely) then this years team salary will be $94 Mil (assuming $8 mil a year for Lamar). That of course is SERIOUSLY over the luxury cap.
NEXT year however, the committed team salary would be in the range of $76,781,000. That's assuming we renounce the rights to Morrison. The only hole this leaves is Fisher, who will be an unrestricted free agent. I'm not sure what the Lakers would want to do with Fisher next year. Alot depends on this year's guard play.
We have a qualifying offer with Farmar which may up the price for him and an early termination clause with Brown.
This doesn't look like Salary cap hell to me. This looks like one year of biting a huge bullet and then things moderate next year. If the Lakers sign Lamar, then we win the championship. If we don't sign Lamar, it brings us back to the pack and our chances then are as good as anyones to win it all.
Here's a nugget for next year; Sasha will be playing with an expiring contract next year (2010/2011). If he doesn't show up this year, we can do a salary dump of some kind in 2010/2011.
This isn't salary cap hell. Yes, we will still be over the cap for the next couple of years but after this upcoming season, it doesn't look so bad.
If the Lakers sign Lamar, I wouldn't want to be any of the other NBA teams going through a whole season or two KNOWING you cannot beat the Lakers. It was bad enough as it was!
No wonder the Boston homers are here all the time. There's nothing else going on except "DAMN, How good are the Lakers gonna be!?"
Posted by: JohnnyV | July 11, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Red's "Child" of the Lower Intestinal Variety,
>>>2009-2010
>>>2010-2011
>>>2011-2012
>>>
>>>It`s GuaranSHEED!!!!
That's awesome news, RCotLIV. Because, you know what
happened the last time Sheed guaranteed something? His
team lost by two to Cleveland.
So I guess we won't be seeing the Celtics in the finals for
the next three years. We'll have to settle for beating Orlando
and Cleveland (and who knows, maybe Washington) to add
three more titles.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 11, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Where did the rumor that Lamar was offered 3 years 24 mil start? Is this true?
Because, when Millsap is re-signed by Utah and Lee isn't traded to Portland, that will still leave Portland 8 million under the cap to go for Lamar, which they will do, BTW, starting in about a week.
So Lamar is holding out knowing Portland still has that 8 million. And if he's doing this, it makes me think the Lakers offer was more around the mid level, say 6 million a year and not 8 million per.
Why else hold out for Port's 8 mil? Doesn't make sense. Lakers must be lowballing, which is wise. I hate to say it. Wise if we keep Lamar at a discount price, dumb if we lose him over 1-2 million.
Come on Lamar.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 11, 2009 at 09:07 AM
>>>if Millsap goes to Portland
>>>and boozer goes to Chicago
>>>will LO go to UTAH? kinda jazzy there
Not likely. Utah is borderline luxury tax (I don't recall if they're
just a bit over the line or a bit under the line). They were trying
to trade Boozer to free up some cap space so they could re-sign
Millsap and not go too deep into luxury tax.
First of all, the most they could offer Lamar would be MLE.
Maybe if Utah wanted to trade Boozer for a signed and traded
Lamar at 9 million, that would help their ability to keep Millsap,
but I doubt Boozer would be as helpful to the Lakers as Lamar
was.
But your post gave me an idea for a trade - the whole idea
of the Boozer-Hinrich deal was for Portland to absorb some
cap space for Utah so they could re-sign Millsap.
The Lakers can't offer quite as much cap space as Portland,
but, they could offer a little cap space if it means an upgrade
at the point...
Lakers send Farmar and Sun Yue to Chicago
Lakers send Adam Morrison to Utah
Utah sends Boozer to Chicago
Chicago sends Tyrus Thomas to Utah
and...
Chicago sends Kirk Hinrich to the Lakers.
Chicago gets the scoring PF they want in Boozer, and also
get a replacement PG for Hinrich
Utah gets a replacement backup PF (Thomas), an expiring
contract (Morrison), and 2.6 million in cap space toward
re-signing Millsap.
The Lakers get an upgrade at the PG spot, and only give
up one player from the core rotation of players (e.g. this
trade is effectively Farmar for Hinrich to them).
The caveat for the Lakers is that it puts them 2 million MORE
over the luxury tax. BUT (and it's a big but), Hinrich's contract
is structured to go down year over year. So while the salaries
of Kobe and Pau and Bynum (and Luke and whoever) are
increasing, Hinrich would go down in salary for the next
couple of years to balance things out.
And then after re-signing Lamar, the Lakers would look like this:
PG: Hinrich, Fisher, Brown
SG: Kobe, Brown, MACHINE
SF: Artest, Luke, MACHINE
PF: Pau, Odom, Powell
C: Bynum, Pau, MBenga
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 11, 2009 at 09:13 AM
>>>Lots of Lakers in Vegas right now. So, what's to stop Dr.
>>>Buss from buying a couple hundred G in chips, meeting
>>>Lamar at the bar and slipping him an early b-day present?
>>>Just sayin'.
I didn't know Dr Buss swung that way... or Lamar for that matter.
(sorry, the setup line was just tooooo easy)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 11, 2009 at 09:17 AM
but dave m...
Good point. You know Dr Buss is a big gambler. What if he
and Lamar made a bet on something. Like Buss could bet
Lamar 6 million dollars that he wouldn't re-sign for a contract
averaging 7 million a year for 3 years (with a player option for
a fourth year maybe).
That money wouldn't be contract money, noooooo. It would
just be a bet between two gentlemen. And I'm sure Dr Buss
would pay off his gambling debt when Lamar signed the next
day. :-)
The NBA would NEVER notice something like that.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 11, 2009 at 09:21 AM
I agree with longtimelakerfan about Odom offer. $7M plus incenstives up to 9-10 mil
who cares about this pokerstuff? lol
Posted by: drturk | July 11, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Jordan Farmar was eliminated during day 3 and thus did not cash in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.
I looked at the results end of day 3, a few other Jordans, but no Farmar (no MJ either).
Posted by: Benjamin | July 11, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Artest for Ariza, I hate to say as I like Trevor so much, but is closer to the signing of Gasol as far as impact. Artest is capable of putting a team on his back, as he did when Yao went down. Trevor has had his best, as so much of his game was a result of Kobe being double and trippled.Counseling must work, because Ron has become a man.
My question is: will we see Lamar at the point, Kobe, Ron, Pau and Drew in the same lineup ever?
Posted by: IHearnedthat | July 11, 2009 at 10:09 AM