Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread

[minew_m]

Originally posted by podstock
I think the Lakers management was stuck in b/t the proverbial "rock and a hard place"

Shaq and Kobe obviously cannot get along

so, they were forced to choose

if you were the owner of the Lakers, who do you choose?

1. a player who is 32, out of shape, doesn't work out in the summer time, uses the season to get into shape, and really only starts to play well in the playoffs and esp. in the Finals (if the team gets that far

2. a player who is 26, heading into his prime, works out religiously in the offseason, and is determined to be the best ever to play in the NBA?

which of the above players would you give a 7 year, $145M contract to?

not on an emotional basis, but on a business-decision.

I would give the 32 year old dominant center a contract. How many big men are there like Shaq in the league? I rather have him than Kobe on the team. Kobe wants everything his way. He takes too many shots and definitely will never be the best in the NBA. Hell, even MJ passed every once and a while. Until he learns to play with his teammates, I wouldn't take him. Just look at how much his teammates support him. Once Shaq wanted out, so did Fisher. Malone will also probably retire. Phil was never happy with him and I can see why. Seems like the only one who is sticking with Kobe is Payton and that's only because no other team in their right mind would sign a guard who can't play defense or shoot anymore.

[podstock]

lolol

best of luck to you in your business endeavors in the real world.

You choose Shaq

I choose Kobe

we shall see what happens 5-10 years from now

[minew_m]

Yeah will see. Kobe will continue to try to surround himself with "nobodies" so he can have the spotlight. You can't win like that.

[podstock]

Well,

after all the bullsh*t, Kobe announces he will stay

welllllllll, as Homer Simpson would say:

DOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Shaq is gone
Phil Jackson is gone
Kobe gets a 7-year, $136M contract
Kobe gets his ™™™™™ kissed by the owner, by the GM, and any other Lakers employee

Kobe wants a legacy like that of his idol Jordan

Let's see what happens


I hate the fact that 2 athletes who'll make over $250M in their career can't get along - fark both fo these pieces of sh*t!!!

Unless we get an adequate center, my Lakers are no better than the 7th or 8th place team, barely making the playoffs and out in the 1st round next year.

fark!!

[minew_m]

Originally posted by podstock
Well,

after all the bullsh*t, Kobe announces he will stay

welllllllll, as Homer Simpson would say:

DOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Shaq is gone
Phil Jackson is gone
Kobe gets a 7-year, $136M contract
Kobe gets his ™™™™™ kissed by the owner, by the GM, and any other Lakers employee

Kobe wants a legacy like that of his idol Jordan

Let's see what happens


I hate the fact that 2 athletes who'll make over $250M in their career can't get along - fark both fo these pieces of sh*t!!!

Unless we get an adequate center, my Lakers are no better than the 7th or 8th place team, barely making the playoffs and out in the 1st round next year.

fark!!

I think it's one of the first times we actually agree on something, lol. Shaq and Kobe had something special together. They were probably the greatest duo, statistically that is, to play the game in the past few decades. It was almost becomming automatic that the Lakers would make the Finals with these two running the team. Now over a stupid feud on who's team it is, that all has been broken.

I agree with you that the Lakers are no better than a 7th or 8th place team. How can they be? There are no legitimate centers left for them to grab. In the West, Brian Grant won't cut it. The Mavs, Kings, T-wolves, Spurs are all better than them. Along with that, Denver may be better than them if they can land Kenyon. They already were an 8th place team this year. Memphis will also probably be better than them. They have a young group of players that may explode this year.

As for the Heat....they probably improve to third in the East behind the Pistons and Pacers. Shaq could have career numbers in the East because there is no challenge. Hell he may even average 30 points and 15 boards a game. Who's going to challenge on a nightly basis? Magloire or Ilgauskas won't do the job. It looks like they have room for another player or two. Horry or Kukoc are the front runners. I have even heard rumors about Fisher or Malone. They will contend in the East. Who knows how far they will get in the playoffs. The playoffs are where Shaq decides it's time to give it his all. They definitely won't win a title though. The West is still far too dominant.

I think it's safe to say that this move could have ruined both of their careers!

[podstock]

a few things:

In his best years statistically-speaking, Shaq did the following:

1999-2000: 30.7 points and 15.4 boards
2000-2001: 30.4 points and 15.4 boards

In the East, he definitely could average that - but, we shall see whether or not Shaq comes to play and is motivated. He has gone on the record as saying that he is good enough for 55 wins


Not sure where Malone / Fisher will go. I hope both stay, esp. Karl, b/c we need him when we play Duncan, Webber, and KG

I can't wait for the NBA season to start - Kobe got what he wanted.......

and there's a saying:

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR..................................

[minew_m]

I think Fisher is as good as gone in LA. I think Houston is first in line over any team. Who would pass up the opportunity to play with Yao (a big man; Lakers don't have a big man) and T-mac. They are legitimate contenders. He might even be able to start. As in LA it will probably be Kobe and Caron Buttler.

There is an interesting situation with Karl. He is great friends with Payton. He may stay in LA. But then I believe Shaq was one of the main factors in recruiting Malone. He obviously has a relationship with both. But hell, he may even retire. It's going to be fun to see how this all unfolds.

[podstock]

Gary Payton is a hoot

He was ridiculously TORCHED by NBA Finals MVP and former journeyman Chauncey Billups, to the tune of 121 points (Billups) to 25 or so for Payton.

Now, it's one thing for Payton not to score, given that Shaq and Kobe basically take all the shots....but those 121 points were scored mostly on Payton

Now, Payton opts to re-sign the contract to stay with the Lakers?

hahahahahaha....the only reason is he staying is because no other team is stupid enough to pay $5.7M to a washed-up former superstar who's just as egotistical and selfish as Shaq and Kobe (the biggest difference is Shaq and Kobe can still play)

I wish the Lakers would buy out Payton's contract, sign Fisher, and hopefully, Kobe can convince Karl to stay

I hope we get Greg Ostertag; we don't need Vlade - he's slow, can't jump, and is probably only good for 30 minutes. In the playoffs, he'll get torched by Duncan, KG, etc.....

[podstock]

well, more news is out:

Derek Fisher has just signed a 6-year, $37M contract with the Golden State Warriors

lolol...oh well, I can't blame him for running after the money

I can understand if he went to a team with a chance to go to the playoffs....but to choose Golden State??!?!?!

one reason: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[stalking_WOLF_21]

37M
for fisher! man he got a deal or what!
you guys think the laker are going to be good? well hopefully i'll have my two favorite teams in the playoffs.

T-wolves
Suns