"Lamar Odom Watch" distractions for ya!
Tense times a-brewin' for the Laker Nation, what with Lamar Odom Watch growing more haywire with every passing minute (although, for what it's worth, Fox Sports analyst/longtime Phil Jackson confidant Charley Rosen thinks mutual interest will eventually cement a deal. Ditto Hoopsworld's Eric Pincus). Teeth gritted. Forehead veins popping. Screaming at the computer and SportsCenter updates. You feel like Rachael Leigh Cook in that classic anti-drug PSA, except with the ability to act.
But it is important, even on the worst of days, that we remember to
relax. To breathe. To even smile, if at all possible. Thus, I toss a
few items for that specific purpose, news that thoroughly falls into
the category of "overwhelmingly positive," "amusing," or just plain "frivolous." If I can manage to coax even ten minutes worth of "sigh!" from most of you, my work here is done.
And... go...
- With four double digit outings in as many Summer Pro League contests, True Hoop's Kevin Arnowitz is declaring Adam Morrison's Vegas sessions "a solid stepping stone back to respectability. Obviously, this success must be taken with a grain of salt. 17 recent points against OKC-Lite required eighteen shots, and the remaining 20+ efforts were notched against players ranging from "hella inexperienced" to "decidedly NBA fringe."
But grounded reality doesn't eliminate the biggest positive, which is that all assessments- including his own- describe Morrison as moving with more physical comfort and fluidity. If Ammo can continue getting his legs under him (in particular, the one with the recovering ACL), he gains at least a fighting chance at cracking next season's rotation. His calling card creates a theoretical demand for services. Until Sasha Vujacic proves 2008 was a breakthrough season rather than a blip, "dead-eye shooter off the bench" is a role up for grabs.
- Despite the down housing market, I can think of at least one person who would move heaven and earth to purchase this former Laker's casa.
- Ron Ron gets a tour tour of the Laker facilities, entering places BK and I don't get to go go.
- Even Lakers fans that have soured on Shaq like seven week expired milk may be amused by this rather odd tribute to Michael Jackson. Hard to believe Damon Jones found time in his busy schedule to film this.
- Here's a (hopefully amusing) IM exchange between BK and me about Allen Iverson potentially joining the Clippers. If you enjoy punchlines involving Tim Thomas, Mike Dunleavy Sr. or Obi Wan Kenobi, perhaps you'll get a chuckle or two.
- Having alienated American and Chinese roundball enthusiasts, Smush Parker now has a chance to piss off some Canadians!
- A look at some wacky NBA contract incentives. Should Luke Ridnour win Defensive Player of the Year, he nets a cool 1.5 mil. About as likely as Nick Collison snagging 100K for being named League MVP.
- The Times' Bill Plaschke shares a touching look at Tex Winter's recovery from a stroke last April. As one might expect, basketball has played a role in raising the triangle guru's spirits. This probably won't make anyone laugh, but it could prompt a smile.
- If you're truly looking for a way to feel good, bid on a pair of sweet Laker collector's items and help out the ESPYs V Foundation auction. With the exception of "I have a dream," this grabs my vote for best... speech... ever.
Finally, a note for the blogosphere. I'm hardly naive enough to assume my efforts will cease all thought over the LO situation or a potential "Plan B." Hell, I'd be lying if I claimed not to be pondering reasonable- if generally unappealing- alternatives. But if I may, a request:
Let's please stop with the "Just sign and trade Lamar's ass to ________" scenarios.
Sign and trade deals are by nature very complicated. The set up requires two owners to be on the same page. Two general managers. Sometimes two or more agents (depending on the clout of the players involved). And in this particular case, at least one free agent, who ultimately holds the best cards. You can't just "sign and trade" Lamar Odom without his consent or as "payback." He must approve the deal, or it doesn't happen. Period. With that in mind, for example, putting aside that Chicago has demonstrated zero desire to get into the Lamar Odom business, unless you have reason to believe LO actually wants to play there- which doesn't appear to be the case- don't bother with Bulls-centric suggestions. Nor any other team not rumored to be on Lamar's radar. You're just wasting creative brain power.
Even sign and trades involving Miami and Dallas (reported hot bed destinations for LO) don't strike me as locks. Why do the Lakers any favors and part with talent, particularly with LO staring down few options beyond the MLE? Why allow him to bump his quote while fairly squeezed? Plus, that bumps up whatever salary the Lakers inherit, and unless those contracts are either largely expiring or purchase a stud, looking over those rosters, I'm not sure where the appeal lies for L.A. Maybe if the Lakers can swap out with Dallas for Shawn Marion, I could see it. Maybe. But otherwise, it's hard for me to picture a deal both sides would like.
I still think a happy resolution will emerge, but this has definitely grown more twisty than seemingly need be. Hang onto your hats and stay thirsty, my friends.
AK
Pistons and Jazz are back in talks for a Boozer/Rip trade..
Bleacher report....That would mean Millsap stays and the Blazers are back at square 1......
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 15, 2009 at 02:45 PM
How would any of you feel if you were a critical part of your company having a great year in which it turned a big profit and your boss said Ok we want you to take a big pay cut?
I don't understand why so many fair weather fans are being so hard on Lamar Odom.
How many of you would be happy to be underpaid? He just wants to make what hes worth.
Posted by: BobbieT | July 15, 2009 at 02:46 PM
I think there should be more incentives in these contracts... it would vastly improve the league
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 15, 2009 at 02:47 PM
After reading the post, the biggest question now on my mind isn't "Is Lamar going to resign?" but...
We get to say "ass"?!
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2009 at 02:49 PM
"How many of you would be happy to be underpaid? He just wants to make what hes worth."
ha ha ha ha ha ha ROTHFLMAO
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 15, 2009 at 02:50 PM
AK. The biggest problem with a S&T is finding balance.
For example, Miami wouldn't give up Beasley (as some here
hope) to get Odom. I just wouldn't believe that.
But they might give up Udonis Haslem.
Lamar is definitely an upgrade over Haslem, but Haslem as a
backup PF would be a huge improvement over Powell.
So I think it's possible a S&T could happen, but I agree it's
not likely.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | July 15, 2009 at 02:52 PM
AK.... LO for Matrix sounds great right about now!!!... i think that could be a real possibility.... though i'm a bit emotional right now, since july we've lost TA and MJ... now LO too..... geez.....
Posted by: xyz | July 15, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Fans have to remember Lamar is a big part of this team, a scorer and rebounder, as well as a match-up problem for the opposing team. So stop saying Good Bye unless we get a replacement. And that will be hard to do.
Posted by: Wiggles | July 15, 2009 at 02:53 PM
BobbieT -
No, he wants to get paid what he THINKS he's worth, not what he's actually worth.
Big difference.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Bobby T -
And what, exactly, is he worth? The Lakers have given him by far the best (and only?) offer he's received this offseason. He's only worth what the market will pay him ...
Posted by: Mike Penberthy | July 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM
The problem is Lamar isn't worth 10 mil for 5 years...if he doesn't take the 3 years 9 mil per than let him leave. He's taking a paycut because he is backup and inconsistent..he was overpaid in his previous contract, thus he is actually receiving the money he does deserve. Lakers will still dominate in the West, Bynum will progress and if he is healthy in the playoffs we have a repeat coming and Kobe will ask Lebron "Hey Lebron have you seen my 5th Championship Ring"
LA LAKERS FOR LIFE!!!
Posted by: Mark | July 15, 2009 at 02:56 PM
It's not over, folks.
Lamar is meeting Dr. Buss in Hawaii tomorrow. Mano y Mano.
I think a deal gets done.
Posted by: The Camper | July 15, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Lamar, How about the extra money a player like you will make in endorsements for being on the Defending Champions, so stop the nonsense and sign, you need the Lakers, and the Lakers need you.
Posted by: Pro Active | July 15, 2009 at 02:58 PM
So that's why my sign and trade posts from the last thread didnt make it on.
AK,
what's horribly wrong with a Josh Howard + filler for odom and morrison trade? I see it as beneficial to both teams and odom. Lakers get talent back that will help, plus Howard is an expiring contract. Dallas gets odom to run 6th/7th man to form a very good bench with terry and backs up dampier/dirk. dallas picked up marion to run with kidd and they have an improved dallas morrison (dirk lite) to back up marion at the 3. odom gets his 42-50m contract over 5 years, and howard gets a chance to shine in a new place.
It sounds really reasonable, at least more reasonable then lets sign and trade him to new york for david lee, or go get randolph from gsw.
Posted by: Darksider | July 15, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Bobbie T --
While Lamar did have an important role with the Championship Lakers, He did earn only 11 last year, the rest was because of his signing bonus, which was spread out over the course of his contract. . .
Anyways, Lamar, was paid 63 million over the course of his last contract, meaning . . .he was OVERPAID by a considerable amount. But the Lakers won one title, so was it worth it? Who knows?
But considering, a capitalistic economy, and that a player's worth is determined by how much a player can get on the open market. Entertainment salaries are exorbitant because of how much we the consumer all pay. Lamar was given an above fair market contract, straining the resources of his employer trying to make him happy.
Personally i think the lakers should offer one of the following contracts, with player options whenever he wants, to re-up if the economy rebounds.
3 years - 27 mill
4 years - 32 mill
5 years - 36 million
and that way, lamar can either pick years or money, both of which, the lakers can offer more than anyone else
Posted by: SA | July 15, 2009 at 03:05 PM
The dog-days of summer, endless "articles" re: LO that are really the same article, 100+ degrees and my AC at home broke this morning - AND HERE COMES AK TO SAVE THE DAY! Great read, thanks again.
Posted by: J_Luv | July 15, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Folks, let's care less about bonehead Odumb , show some love for the legendary Mr. Tex " triangle " Winter, get well soon Mr. Triangle, come to LA to pick up the championship ring in Nov.
With warmest regards shum
His address : 32100 SW French Prairie Rd #228
Wilsonville ORE 97070
Posted by: shum | July 15, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Darksider,
Your comments did go through on the previous thread. I checked.
I don't know if the Mavs would do that, because deal, because they may need Howard at the guard spot (unless they wanna move Terry into the starting lineup, but he's been a fantastic 6th man). Plus, they end up taking on two long term deals with Marion and LO. Not sure that would appeal to them. Particularly with LO and Marion semi-redundant and LO and Dirk semi-redundant.
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | July 15, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Unbelievable greed on the part of both sides. Jerry Buss forgetting his club has appeciated in value about 20 mil a year since he bought them (not to mention the yearly operating profit) and Lamar forgetting all those nights he played like a 3 mil player instead of the 14 mil he was paid.
All very disappointing. Lakers lose Ariza & Odom while gaining only Artest means trouble getting out of the west let alone beating Boston.
Posted by: BoBk | July 15, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Man that Jimmy V speech made me cry.
Posted by: THI | July 15, 2009 at 03:20 PM
LO & Buss meeting in Hawaii??
True or false??
Posted by: justanothermambafan | July 15, 2009 at 03:21 PM
AK,
My bad. i guess it didnt post for a really long time on the last thread. I see your point about redundancy on dallas, but they would of cornered most of the dirk stoppers in the league. it'd be crazy if they would be willing to pay Odom 10mil over the full MLE though.
Haslem seems like the best choice behind odom not taking the money already offered. I want odom, but if he doesnt take that money, then we have to explore other possibilities.
Posted by: Darksider | July 15, 2009 at 03:21 PM
>>>what's horribly wrong with a Josh Howard + filler for
>>>odom and morrison trade?
It's not completely utterly horrible, but...
Josh Howard is a shooting guard. The Lakers have the best
SG in the league and two guys (Brown & Vujacic) who can
reasonably fill in the few minutes when he's not on the court.
Why pay someone 10.9 million to back up Kobe?
And they'd be spending all that extra money, but they still
wouldn't solve the problem that Lamar leaving creates. Their
backup at the PF position wouldn't be good enough.
One of the main reasons the Lakers were so effective last season
was because of the Bynum-Gasol-Odom rotation at PF-C. They'd
almost be better off taking Dampier back in a trade than Howard.
You mentioned that Josh Howard is an expiring contract.
If what you want is expiring, then not paying Lamar right
now is effectively an expired contract.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | July 15, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Give Lamar 5 years at $10M --- IF he repays all the money he stole all the years he was overpaid and underperformed. Dr. Buss still gets a refund.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 15, 2009 at 03:24 PM
BobbieT-
Gotta agree with your assesment of some of our fellow Bloggers.
BK-
Amen on no more silly "trade him for X, dump his contract, etc" type posts. they are quite inane, although if one posts such things how creative are their braisn anyhoo?
Hey Blog...in the Bill Plaschke LAT article there is an address to wriet Tex Winter. For those who are unsure of who this man is, he basically invented the modern application of the triangle, or triple post, offence.
No championships in this decade without him. Phil is probably stuck well behind Red A. in terms of rings won.
He had a stroke near the end of the season and not too much was spoken about him during the Finals, we needed to hear about Kobe winning without Shaq ALOT.
He may never grace the sidelines of Staples Center (as a coach) again, but wish him well, thank him for helping our team on this journey, or whatever you think is proper.
I'd also like to give props to Bill Plaschke, generally I find him slightly less distasteful than TJ Simers, but when he write moving pieces such as this and doesn't jump on and off bandwagons, I truly think he's a good writer.
Simers just sucks.
The timing was strange, however, Lakers pull offer for popular player, hey, howzabout a human interest story!
I guess I'll always be a cynic deep down.
Good luck and get better Tex.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 15, 2009 at 03:26 PM
TO SA
"3 years - 27 mill
4 years - 32 mill
5 years - 36 million
and that way, lamar can either pick years or money, both of which, the lakers can offer more than anyone else"
ok First I'll address the last part of your post:
The 5 year contract you are mentioning is worse than an MLE from Florida or Texas due to taxes. I think just that point alone demonstrates a kind of bad way of looking at things from the "h8 Lamar" camp.
Lamar wasn't overpayed. He was payed based on his extraordinary value compared to a normal person. He is exploring the market to help determine his current value and so far he is winning. His best contract offers have already gone up 10 million.
Finally, the Lakers don't have a plan B. Part of being a fan of a team is suggesting trades that could never happen. Sure. We all play that game but there really aren't any sign and trade possibilities on the table and it's unlikely there will be one.
If the Lakers fail to resign him they lose one of the most valuable (by statistical measures) players in the game with no replacement. Lamar has the chips and he's playing them well so far.
". Lamar was given an above fair market contract, straining the resources of his employer trying to make him happy. "
There was/would be absolutely no strain. The Lakers can easily afford Lamars 10 per but don't want to pay it.
Posted by: BobbieT | July 15, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Make it work guys. Lamar, how much money can you spend anyway? You don't want to go play in a crappy town just for a couple of bucks. Please don't go. You do want another ring, right? Where else are you going to get one? Dallas is a nice city with great people, but its not LA and its a long way from the beach. Listen to your heart not your wallet.
Posted by: Frankie B | July 15, 2009 at 03:31 PM
BobbieT living in a land of delusion. Ok, he wants to be paid what he's worth? So go out on the market and get what you're worth. What is that? Huh? All the other teams in the league are willing to go up to the midlevel?
I guess that's what he's worth then? The Lakers offered a contract VASTLY over what the market was offering and Lamar thumbed his nose at it. If I were Buss, I'd tell Lamar to stick it as well. Buss was going to be paying close to $20m/season under that offer and Lamar thumbs his nose at him. If I were Buss, I'd go out and sign Drew Gooden and tell Lamar good luck on the free agent market.
Posted by: Dallas Raines' Hair | July 15, 2009 at 03:32 PM
LO to meet Dr. Buss?????
How does anyone know this here? Are you flying the plane? Post a link if this is actual internet supposition or if it's just persoanl supposition...well you'll definitely get a response here.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 15, 2009 at 03:32 PM
May I offer my services to the fray. Both Lamar and the Lakers need someone like me who not only can think outside of the box, but burn the box to the ground if need be.
respectfully yours
Posted by: Minorkle | July 15, 2009 at 03:32 PM
'so that's why my comment didn't make it through?'
Hahahaha. if the K bros insisted that in order to be cleared, a post had to be logical, reasonable and have the slightest chance of being written by a non crazy person, there'd be about two comments on every thread.
Thanks for the link to the Jimmy V speech. Maybe a bit over sold, but nevertheless, a great speech. We all need a bit of his spirit, to say nothing of his example. I think i'm a little bit inspired.
Posted by: phred | July 15, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I really should do more proof-reading.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 15, 2009 at 03:34 PM
The link for the "wacky NBA contract incentives" doesn't work for me. Well, it takes me to the Plaschke column on Tex Winter (which I enjoyed), but I'd like read about 'bout them wacky incentives!
Posted by: E | July 15, 2009 at 03:34 PM
E,
It's been fixed. Thanks
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | July 15, 2009 at 03:37 PM
Appreciation of the team is meaningless - or next to meaningless.
He wants his family to keep the team, and therefore it is not for sale and he does not plan on selling.
It's like saying your house is worth X, but who cares unless you plan on selling it and living.... nowhere.
He's not Mark Cuban or Paul Allen. This is it. This is his income and his family's income. He needs to not only keep it profitable, but he wants to keep it competitive for years to come, and a long term contract to LO hurts the odds of that
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 15, 2009 at 03:39 PM
wow, it has been a long time since i have posted. so far this offseason has sucked. we lost TA and now LO's contract is taking forever.
i also have something to get off my chest, other fans constantly make fun of laker fans b/c we are actually the disloyal fans. look at how many people have turned their backs on lamar. guys he helped us win a championship. i don't care how you put it lamar did his part and so did trevor. it seems now we are all downplaying their importance. we lost trevor, let's not lose lamar.
also ron artest is not the answer to all our problems. he is a great player but don't think he can give us what lo gives us. lamar is long, fast, and can handle the ball well. he also is unselfish. also why is everyone saying ron artest gave up so much money to play for la. from what i understand houston didn't even make an offer to ron and the only other team that wanted him besides us was cleveland (which also offered mle). so basically it's not like he turned down $12 million to play for the lakers. correct me if i am wrong.
also let's stop the fighting. i still consider lamar a laker till he signs to another team.
get better tex
Posted by: laila | July 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQtRXQpZHHg
Well you never know what you might get for 14 million dollars?
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | July 15, 2009 at 03:41 PM
"The Lakers can easily afford Lamars 10 per but don't want to pay it. "
What about easily staying competitive?
You're diminishing the ability to: make prudent trades, extend Gasol, and extend Kobe... among other important factor. You're further assuming to know the balance sheet of the Lakers and their projected income in these hard times - and that's assuming the hard times don't get worse (and they very well may)
And on top of that, the market value for LO is around 5.8....
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | July 15, 2009 at 03:43 PM
So LO and his "not so smart" agent would like to test a market? Or this is what they doing for the past week, while Lakers presented very fair offer? As was mentioned here, I doubt Portland will pay any comparable money, they have tons of free agents next year, stalled negotiations with Brandon Roy, and beraing in mind a lot of team gearing up for next season free agents class, I think it'll be in Portland best interests avoid spending money on backup PF, they already have a pretty damn good one in LaMarcus Aldridge.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | July 15, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Justa~
A source who would definitely know says it is true.
Remember when Kobe met Dr. Buss in Spain during that infamous summer? Everyone said nothing was resolved, yet Kobe stayed quiet from that moment on.
(Buss didn't, but Kobe did.)
Lamar is stubborn. Hopefully not too stubborn.
I remain optimistic.
Posted by: The Camper | July 15, 2009 at 03:46 PM
I watched the Jimmy V speech in its entirety for the first time eariler on the Mike and Mike show.
A ridiculously good and inspiring speech
And great exchance between you and BK on AI, AK. Read the whole thing, quite entertaining.
Also, if Nick Collison wins MVP, don't you think he's getting a little jaded by only receiving $100k in incentives? Dude should get a max contract if he could pull something like that off.
Posted by: Rob | July 15, 2009 at 03:47 PM
I can definitely see the Lakers point of view pursuant to the Lamar Odom negotiations. From a business standpoint the Lakers don't want the length of the contract to extend past 3 years and from Lamar's standpoint he wants guaranteed money on what will probably be his last big contract to extend to probably 5 years.
I see the length of the contract is probably more important than the amount of money per se.
My question is......Where were these negotiations procedures when LUKE WALTON was signed to count 'em 6yrs @ $30 Mil???????
This contract signed by Walton who at the time had NO OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.......has set a dangerous precedent and is worthy of careful analysis.
Why did Luke Walton get a contract for such a lengthy period of time? 6 freakin years!!! This contract will take Luke Walton (who will be 30 next season) into his mid-thirties and guarantees he will retire a Laker......mainly because no other team will trade for him (not even Utah or Indiana) or pay for his lack of skills.
When you examine the approach used in the Luke Walton negotiations and apply them to this current negotiation with Lamar the questioned must be raised.......Why can't Lamar get a contract for at least 4 more years when Luke has 4 more left on his 6 year contract?
Especially when you consider Lamar and Luke are a few months apart in age.
The Luke Walton contract negotiation is the time that Jerry Buss should have taken a hard line..........If the Lakers had offered Luke at the time say 3 yrs @ $9Mil (which is still too much......but for arguments sake) He would have HAD to take it. Why you ask? BECAUSE NO OTHER TEAMS WERE INTERESTED IN LUKE WALTON!!!
If Luke Walton's contract was bought out tomorrow for $12 mil (which is too much....but I digress) He would slide down the same slide into oblivion as Smush Parker, Chris Mihm (this is the guy AK/BK wanted to have more minutes), Brian Cook, Devean George, Slava Medvedenko, Mark Madsen, Kwame Brown,..........it's staggering to remember that these were the guys surrounding Kobe post-Shaq........These are the players Phil and Mitch wasted time and money on and Luke Walton is their crown n glory.
Freakin' Luke Walton......sigh.........I'm sorry I didn't even want to mention Luke this is about Lamar's negotiations.........but then again can you mention one without the other?
Can the Lakers afford to pay Lamar let's say 5yrs @ $9 MiL? If not.......why not? They signed Ron Artest on the cheap and Kobe didn't opt out and has essentially left money on the table. Using the Luke Walton formula for negotiating Laker contracts..........Why can't we sign Lamar Odom?
Posted by: pfunk36 | July 15, 2009 at 03:49 PM
also you could have this great pass to a wide open Sasha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_R5j5zcr0s
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | July 15, 2009 at 03:52 PM
laila
You can only imagine what Ron Artest will give us or not, he never played in Lakers uniform as far as I know. We're pretty much aware what LO can give us, I'm pretty sure Dr Buss and Mitch well aware about it, so trust they know what they doing now
Posted by: LAL_Fan | July 15, 2009 at 03:53 PM
AK/BK,
Is LO meeting Buss in Hawaii?
Posted by: Laker Kev | July 15, 2009 at 03:54 PM
First no Michael Jackson posts, now no more sign and trade posts.
I say we eliminate topics one a week and see where we are in 4 months.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 15, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Ak et'al. Signing and trading Lamar for X has sparked some interesting thought. Let us also not forget that Dr Buss paid Shaq more money after Shaq's famous "Pay Me' scream. Dr Buss may indeed pay Lamar, but payback is also a possibility down the line. Bus is a man of principal, yet is a realist. I do not think he will jeopardize another two to three rings. A sign and trade is possible too, this is business and all NBA teams have cap and Cap x to protect.
Posted by: Tony F | July 15, 2009 at 03:58 PM
anybody who claims Lamar is being underpaid when the best offer he can get is the MLE and we are offering $9 to $10m/year has to be a suspicious poster.
I remember Bynum's agent was working the message boards pretty hard when he was developing his remarkable ability to not notice what was happening in the marketplace eventually creating a masterpiece of the meaning of HUH? with the Ariza negotiations. Ariza took less money to move to Houston, man... he sure showed the Lakers a thing or two, didn't he?
There's no sympathy for Lamar around here, $9 to $10m/year for 3 years and a fourth year at $6m - GUARANTEED???
That's a hell of an offer for a guy that can't get anything more than the MLE from anybody else. Lamar better not play the "respect" card, people might just burst out laughing before he even gets the word out...
Posted by: Dallas Raines' Hair | July 15, 2009 at 04:01 PM
laila -
I don't think any "real" Laker fan is downplaying Lamar's importance to winning the 'ship last year. He was instrumental in the playoffs and his skillset is irreplaceable. And I think the Lakers' chance of repeating next year are seriously in jeopardy if he doesn't re-sign.
The problem is the stance he's taking in his negotiations. No one can say Buss didn't step up to the plate. He made him more than a reasonable offer, i.e. way, way more than any other team offered, yet he refused to take it. This, after he said he's willing to take a paycut to stay in LA. That kinda stuff rubs people the wrong way.
Posted by: Mike Penberthy | July 15, 2009 at 04:01 PM
In response to Laila's post i would say that Laker fans are the most loyal fans you can find anywhere in the world. Lamar did play a key role in winning the title but Lakers also helped him get that ring. Lakers still could have wont he title without Lamar but Lamar would not have won the title without Kobe & Gesol. At best LO is an average player and he should be paid accordingly. Lakers showed their loyalty by offering him such a great contract specially when no one has offered him anything close. It is LO's turn now to show how loyal he is to the Lakers. I think Lakers have made a very fair offer and they should not make another offer. If Lamar really wants to be a Laker then he needs to step up and start the negotiations again.
Posted by: Eternity | July 15, 2009 at 04:04 PM