Lakers!!!!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

Lamar never wanted to leave. He wanted to retire as a Laker. He only asked for a trade once he found out in the media instead of the organization that they wanted to trade him. He felt side swiped.

Yeah, that's my feeling as well.

The dude just won the 6th Man Award and Lakers management wanted to off him... Pretty low, IMO.

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Yeah, that's my feeling as well.

The dude just won the 6th Man Award and Lakers management wanted to off him... Pretty low, IMO.

Lets not forget that trade was for cp3, it's not like they were trying to trade him to free up cap space. The trade being declined is what messed everything up.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by Bingobimmer

Your definitely right that they need to improve their bench, but they need young players to build around. Kobe and Pau are too old to build around. Kobe has already said he only has a few more years.

I think Kobe could be like Jordan and be effective until he's 40. That being said, he may want to leave sooner. Pau is old, but I still think his struggles aren't his age, it's operating under a non-triangle offense. Pau isn't getting the touches he was getting under Phil Jackson. D'Antoni's offense is even worse for Pau since it requires fast, young, athletic players to operate. That's why the entire Lakers team was in the hospital for the Spurs series, D'Antoni literally grinded these old men into the ground, especially Kobe.

If Kobe and Pau stay, D'Antoni needs to leave, and Phil needs to come back. Otherwise, I could see Kobe and Pau fighting injuries against and the lakers getting wiped out in the 1st round.

[Bingobimmer]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

I think Kobe could be like Jordan and be effective until he's 40. That being said, he may want to leave sooner. Pau is old, but I still think his struggles aren't his age, it's operating under a non-triangle offense. Pau isn't getting the touches he was getting under Phil Jackson. D'Antoni's offense is even worse for Pau since it requires fast, young, athletic players to operate. That's why the entire Lakers team was in the hospital for the Spurs series, D'Antoni literally grinded these old men into the ground, especially Kobe.

If Kobe and Pau stay, D'Antoni needs to leave, and Phil needs to come back. Otherwise, I could see Kobe and Pau fighting injuries against and the lakers getting wiped out in the 1st round.

I definitely agree. Kobe could stand out and shoot 3s until he turned 50 especially for a team like the heat, but that's not kobe he has to be a part of the core. I think D'Antoni is a problem, but not the biggest one. I would like to see them bring Phil back next year, but after the way they treated him I don't know if he'd return.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

Lets not forget that trade was for cp3, it's not like they were trying to trade him to free up cap space. The trade being declined is what messed everything up.

Yeah, David Stern helped contribute to this current mess as well... Hopefully someone is jabbing needles into a voodoo doll of Stern.

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by Bingobimmer

I definitely agree. Kobe could stand out and shoot 3s until he turned 50 especially for a team like the heat, but that's not kobe he has to be a part of the core. I think D'Antoni is a problem, but not the biggest one. I would like to see them bring Phil back next year, but after the way they treated him I don't know if he'd return.

No Phil won't be back.

Kobe's wheels have a lot miles on them, he's a hard working guy and a fierce competitor, but after his Injury he will never be the same, I say this because of the way he plays, and his age.

[Bingobimmer]

^^^Agreed! Need to rebuild NOW!

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Bingobimmer

^^^Agreed! Need to rebuild NOW!

Hard to rebuild with Kobe being the center peace with a 30 million dollar contract

If Lakers want to rebuild, they need to do what Celtics did. Blow up the whole team and leave only young talent, which I don't think the Lakers has any.

[Bingobimmer]

Originally Posted by Inspired

Hard to rebuild with Kobe being the center peace with a 30 million dollar contract

If Lakers want to rebuild, they need to do what Celtics did. Blow up the whole team and leave only young talent, which I don't think the Lakers has any.

His contract runs out next year. If he wants to make a run at a championship he will take a lot less money.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Bingobimmer

If he wants to make a run at a championship he will take a lot less money.

Yeah, let's see how important a championship is in relation to money... It's not like the guy is hurting in that department.

[M3forMe]

I am guessing he will take less money and a lesser role ( in terms of minutes). Phil will be back after this year unless Mike does something spectacular (guessing not). I predict Lakers have a frustrating season because we will see some flashes of brilliance that get us all excited and then they will lose a bunch.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Lakers then get one of the top 3 free agents in 14. I would not even put it past them to land Lebrick. Just when Laker fans are ready to kill Kupcake, he pulls something ridiculously good off. Just my opinion.

[MediaArtist]

Lakers will probably not make the playoffs this season. If you live in SoCal and want to see an L.A team move deep into the post-season, you have to get onto the Lob City bandwagon.

[Litos]

lol @ Lakers

what a disaster of a team....

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by Litos

lol @ Lakers

what a disaster of a team....

Yep. What a disaster. 16 (17 if you go back) championships. They are such a disaster.

[petener999]

Originally Posted by UMBC2015

I love it how people claim the Lakers suck, or are a disaster, etc., when they themselves are clearly ignorant to the Lakers' 65 years of NBA dominance and greatness, and many more years to come.

[Bingobimmer]

Wouldn't be surprised if both the celtics and lakers make the playoffs this year. At the end of the day winners get the job done. In 3 years both organizations will be back in contention w/o lebron. I'm not a laker or kobe fan, but at the end of the day kobe one with a wide variety of people. Lebron had to go to Miami and get help...

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

[CODE]you have to get onto the Lob City bandwagon.

Not a chance in hell.

[NemesisX]

The scary part is that the Lakers aren't even really guaranteed a playoff spot next year. That's how stacked the West is.

OKC, San Antonio, Clippers, Houston, Memphis, Golden State are pretty much guaranteed to get seeds (likely the top 6, in no particular order).

So that leaves 2 seeds up for grabs.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Not a chance in hell.

Why? I don't understand the Lob City hate. They are really fun to watch.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Why? I don't understand the Lob City hate. They are really fun to watch.

I guess I'm too much of a traditionalist.

Same goes for the Angels... They'll always be Los Angeles' second baseball team in my book.

[lastMleft]

Not sure if LA makes the playoffs, it all depends on Kobe, but the clips landed a great coach the Clips and GS will represent the West coast next year

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

Yep. What a disaster. 16 (17 if you go back) championships. They are such a disaster.

Originally Posted by UMBC2015

I love it how people claim the Lakers suck, or are a disaster, etc., when they themselves are clearly ignorant to the Lakers' 65 years of NBA dominance and greatness, and many more years to come.

I'm pretty sure he is talking about the present. And I agree with Litos, the Lakers team is a disaster right now.