Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread

[minew_m]

Also wanted to add in Rudy Tomjanovich is interested in the vacant Lakers coaching job.

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Kobe definitely is selfish, and that's why he did the things he did this year.

He is looking to take control of the team, and part of doing that is usurping the authority (being late to games, cussing out Jackson, etc)

and yes, he did the surgery without letting the Lakers know.

But, at this point in time, given the choice b/t a healthy, going into his prime Kobe at age 26

or

an aging, oft-injured, out-of-shape, slow Shaq who's gonna be 33 when the NBA season starts again

I choose Kobe.

More importantly, Jerry Buss chooses Kobe

lolol...Dirk gets more rebounds than Kobe? Dirk is a center, a 6'11" player, so naturally, you'd expect someone who's taller to get more rebounds. Same for block shots

As for steals, lolol...Kobe doesn't steal the ball on defense?

that's weak, man. Dirk plays nary a defense...there's no way you can tell me he plays defense.

[minew_m]

Just look at the stats. It will show he does play defense if you don't catch many Mavs games.

[minew_m]

Speaking of Dirk........ according to Chad Ford of ESPN a Dirk/Shaq trade may happen. Just read it on ESPN. I guess Dallas is also looking to get Shaq.

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that would be a shame.

We don't need Dirk

We need a center who can play dominant defense and score a few points; Shaq is ideal,

but if he insists on getting the maximum $30M+ for the next 5-7 years (which is what he wants), then trade him

Kevin Garnett took a pay cut from his $30M a year once he signed the new contract. He's now making $20M, and this frees up money for the Timberwolves to get better players.

KG is still in the prime of his career.

Why pay Shaq $30M+ for the next 5-7 years, when the last 2 years, he's not done well enough to deserve $30M

if KG can take a pay cut (he was paid a 5-7 year, $120M contract that just expired and signed a new one at about $20 that will go as high as $25M at the end of this contract),

why can't Shaq take a paycut?

it's not like Shaq is setting the world on fire these past 2 years, what with his coming to NBA season out of shape, his drop in free throw % from 55% to now below 49%, his drop in rebounds, etc.

[minew_m]

The reason Shaq wants so much is because he doesn't want to stay in LA. He's obeying Kobes wishes. I guess Kobe is a little selfish and is getting what he wants. He wanted Phil and Shaq out so it could be his team. I just hope this backfires on him.

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Originally posted by minew_m
The reason Shaq wants so much is because he doesn't want to stay in LA. He's obeying Kobes wishes. I guess Kobe is a little selfish and is getting what he wants. He wanted Phil and Shaq out so it could be his team. I just hope this backfires on him.

actually, that incorrect.

Shaq wants the maximum (i.e. $30M+ for the next 5-7 year, or over $150M), and most lilkely wants a big market -- like LA or NY

yes, Kobe is selfish

but surely you are not trying to say that Shaq isn't selfish?

what about his famous quote 2 years ago, when he waited all summer, then had toe surgery in September, and missed about 2 months, then used the rest of the season to get healthy, and the Lakers lost to the Spurs, when he said "...I got hurt on company time, I'll have surgery and rehab on company time..."

or what about Shaq coming to training camp out of shape for the past 3 years? Yes, he came into camp in better shape this year than the previous 2 years.

How come Kevin Garnett, coming off a monster 5-6 year contract that paid him a whopping $140M, then re-signed a brand new contract that averages $25M for the next 5 years, can take a paycut while in his prime, but Shaq doesn't??

KG is in the prime of his career, and you can pretty much count on him (and Duncan and Elton Brand) to get 10+ rebounds, 10+ points every game?

Why can't Shaq take a pay cut? It's not like he's performing at the highest level 90% of the time

[minew_m]

And why doesn't Kobe want Phil or Shaq there. It's because he wants the spotlight and want the ball every damn time they have a possession. He'll soon realize that he can't do it on his own. He isn't even, by far, the best player in the league. Even KG couldn't get past the first round on his own. The reason he took a paycut was to bring other guys in once he realized this. It looks like Kobe is headed in the opposite direction.

[stalking_WOLF_21]

minew_m
you were absolutly right about garnett not be able to be a one man team.
THERE IS NO ONE MAN TEAM! it jsut can't happen. every superstar HAS TO HAVE HELP. The biggest reason i think kg got a paycut.
he wanted a champioship or just out of the first round. He knows that he can't win it by himself.

[minew_m]

Originally posted by stalking_WOLF_21
minew_m
you were absolutly right about garnett not be able to be a one man team.
THERE IS NO ONE MAN TEAM! it jsut can't happen. every superstar HAS TO HAVE HELP. The biggest reason i think kg got a paycut.
he wanted a champioship or just out of the first round. He knows that he can't win it by himself.

And he got the help and look where it got him this year. A lot closer to another championship than in past years. This year they'll will have an even better chance. If they can overcome the injuries they had this year, they will be in contension. I really don't see the Lakers being a factor this year. The only trade talks are just for Amare or Dirk. Amare is still too young to take a leadership role with LA and Dirk is really just an outside shooter on offense. They still would need a big man in the middle. Maybe just the Spurs, Kings, and Mavs (depending on who they get and lose; T-mac and Shaq both want to go there) will have a chace alone with the T-wolves.