Originally posted by YungAce:
Lee and our next two first rounders for Aldridge/filler
goldenstate just needs to bulk up downlow with a beastly center/power-forward
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Originally posted by YungAce:
Lee and our next two first rounders for Aldridge/filler
Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Imagine the word on the street...Buss Jr. took over and after his first year in complete charge - a top 5 FA left $20M+ on the table to join another team. That's a slap in the face and he's tryin' everything he can to avoid this humiliation, IMHO.
Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. They can play out a year, clear up the locker room and get 'Melo and another top FA next year and quickly contend.
Originally posted by sacniner:
f**k Dwight Howard. Such a prima donna. If the Lakers are unable to sign him, they will just sign some other sick FAs in the near future.
A lot of Laker fans and media are suprised by the billboards. I'm sure Dwight loves it. He loves having his ego stroked.
Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
I can't fault Dwight Howard in this. He didn't ask for billboards. He asked for a different coach and a different system and who can blame him? D'Antoni doesn't really know how to use Howard.
He's a free agent. Players shouldn't be expected to re-sign with a team even though it's not in their best interest. If Lakers don't fire D'Antoni and he signs elsewhere, I commend him for leaving money on the table (and millions more from sponsors) and signing with a team where he can be used properly.
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Imagine the word on the street...Buss Jr. took over and after his first year in complete charge - a top 5 FA left $20M+ on the table to join another team. That's a slap in the face and he's tryin' everything he can to avoid this humiliation, IMHO.
Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. They can play out a year, clear up the locker room and get 'Melo and another top FA next year and quickly contend.
This is a recipe for perennial 2nd Round exits, like the Knicks.
The appeal of Los Angeles & the Lakers will always be there to free agents. The good, young players on cheap, rookie contracts will not be. The Lakers haven't had a rookie 1st Round pick play for them since 2007-08. (Javaris Crittenton) It's time for the Lakers to put their big girl panties on and legitimately rebuild.
Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Originally posted by sacniner:
f**k Dwight Howard. Such a prima donna. If the Lakers are unable to sign him, they will just sign some other sick FAs in the near future.
A lot of Laker fans and media are suprised by the billboards. I'm sure Dwight loves it. He loves having his ego stroked.
I can't fault Dwight Howard in this. He didn't ask for billboards. He asked for a different coach and a different system and who can blame him? D'Antoni doesn't really know how to use Howard.
He's a free agent. Players shouldn't be expected to re-sign with a team even though it's not in their best interest. If Lakers don't fire D'Antoni and he signs elsewhere, I commend him for leaving money on the table (and millions more from sponsors) and signing with a team where he can be used properly.
Originally posted by sacniner:
How restless would the fanbase be though? The Front Office will have so much pressure to sign FAs and rebuild to a contender immediately. I think you're right, but don't most Laker fans not have this mindset?
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Who gives a s**t? Forgive the curt response and it isn't directed toward you, but we'd be goddamn idiots to base our strategy on the fans. Fans are short sighted, reactionary, and they'll get over things once we start winning again. The fans were furious when Shaq got traded, and that was absolutely formative in the Lakers' ability to form the next championship squad that they formed. The Lakers have a 20 year, $4 BILLION contract with Time Warner, and are making money hand over fist. It's not like fans being pissed off is going to send the Buss family into bankruptcy.
Pretty much the only way we can f**k this up is by being short-sighted. It took the Lakers 4 years to get back to championship contention after Shaq got traded, and that was with a bonafide superstar on the roster, which we don't have now. This is going to take a few years. But we have 1 year to liquidate the assets that we have (mainly Kobe & Pau), and after that they're gone.
The Lakers have the INCREDIBLE advantage of being a prime FA destination, which is EXACTLY why it would be idiotic for them to formulate their re-building strategy around it. ALL the Lakers have to worry about is getting good players on rookie contracts, because FA will take care of itself. And the fans need to get over it, because getting back to title contention is gonna take a few years. f**k 'em.
Originally posted by vrabbit:Dwight Howard will never win an NBA championship
Originally posted by sacniner:
Solid post. I agree. Do you think they should let Kobe go after this year?
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I'd even go a step further and say that the Lakers should try to trade Kobe this year. It's never gonna happen, but it's what the Lakers should do.
Assuming he's not traded, whether or not we let him go after this year is going to depend on what we do this offseason, and what he'd be willing to re-sign for. But if we're in rebuilding mode, you gotta let Kobe walk.
Originally posted by sacniner:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I'd even go a step further and say that the Lakers should try to trade Kobe this year. It's never gonna happen, but it's what the Lakers should do.
Assuming he's not traded, whether or not we let him go after this year is going to depend on what we do this offseason, and what he'd be willing to re-sign for. But if we're in rebuilding mode, you gotta let Kobe walk.
No way in hell he is traded... After hearing Kupchak's remarks about Kobe yesterday, it sounds like they are ready for life without Kobe after next year. Of course, those comments were probably made in order to make Dwight happy. I'm sure it didn't sit well with Kobe though... didn't he just say that he wants to play for three more years?