2014-15 Los Angeles Lakers Thread

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
But, for example, is Dwight Howard a loser because he didnt like playing with Kobe and wanted out? He gave up a lot of money to do so in exchange for being out of the drama and being on a contending team. I just dont see how anyone is a loser for wanting to be happy to be honest with you. Did that mean that Howard didnt have the balls to stay in LA or that he just wanted a title and to have a better situation for himself.

I don't think Howard is a loser for wanting to go to Houston. It was a better situation. I think he's a loser for other reasons, but not because he doesn't like Kobe. But I think those other reasons are a fundamental reason why the two of them didn't get along.

I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

I think Howard just wants to have fun.

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:

I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

Creating his own legacy getting annually bounced in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

I think Howard just wants to have fun.

And not face pressure and intense scrutiny when his team loses...or be held accountable.

He'll get away with failing in Houston.

Originally posted by kray28:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

I think Howard just wants to have fun.

And not face pressure and intense scrutiny when his team loses...or be held accountable.

He'll get away with failing in Houston.

Or be miserable playing with Kobe and an offense that wasnt right for his skill set? OR see an opportunity to possibly win a title with Harden that he had no chance to do in LA?

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

Everything you need to know about Dwight is there for you to see in the immediate aftermath of Kobe's Achilles injury.

The Laker got into the playoffs as 7th seed....mainly on the strength of Kobe's heroics, but got swept by the Spurs by the most lopsided margin in NBA playoff history.
Dwight got clowned by Duncan on national TV and left the game in huff after being tossed out.

Most of LA at that point was like "good riddance".

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Or be miserable playing with Kobe and an offense that wasnt right for his skill set? OR see an opportunity to possibly win a title with Harden that he had no chance to do in LA?

Again, I have no problem with Howard leaving. The fact that I think he's a loser that's content with just having fun is aside from that, although I think it's foundational to why he and Kobe didn't get along.

I don't think Pau's a loser for leaving for a better situation.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by kray28:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
I'm one of the rare Lakers fans that doesn't hate Howard in anyway possible. In fact, I think I respect him more for trying to create his own legacy

I think Howard just wants to have fun.

And not face pressure and intense scrutiny when his team loses...or be held accountable.

He'll get away with failing in Houston.

Or be miserable playing with Kobe and an offense that wasnt right for his skill set? OR see an opportunity to possibly win a title with Harden that he had no chance to do in LA?

Ask Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher or Trevor Ariza and plenty of others how it was playing with Kobe.

That punk buster was miserable for sure....it all started with his attitude

Originally posted by LA9erFan
I don't think Pau's a loser for leaving for a better situation.

Pau is completely on the record about why he left....and the one reason he might have stayed.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Or be miserable playing with Kobe and an offense that wasnt right for his skill set? OR see an opportunity to possibly win a title with Harden that he had no chance to do in LA?

Again, I have no problem with Howard leaving. The fact that I think he's a loser that's content with just having fun is aside from that, although I think it's foundational to why he and Kobe didn't get along.

I don't think Pau's a loser for leaving for a better situation.

Agree about Pau. My feeling on free agency is that no one is a loser for choosing where they want to go and play especially if they are taking a pay cut to do it. Life in the NBA is short and playing where you feel comfortable and happy is a good thing.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by kray28:
Jed needs to find the mole in his organization as well...whoever it is will bring down the franchise after what we just saw happen to Harbaugh.

The Harbaugh stuff brought down the Niners? Please. The only thing hurting the Niners right now are major injuries and suspensions to their best defensive players. The only thing bringing down the Lakers right now is paying Kobe a stupid contact and bad front office decisions.

Whoever is leaking stuff in the Niners front office is going to cause more problems down the line.

Keeping Kobe, even at the "Thank you" contract price is something that Jerry Buss wanted done. Most non-fans like you just wouldn't understand. Even the Niners treat their legends like dirt....toss them in the dust heap when they are used up. That you get Montana finishing in a Chefs jersey and Rice last playing ofr the Seahawks. The Lakers just wouldn't allow that with Kobe.

Originally posted by kray28:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by kray28:
Jed needs to find the mole in his organization as well...whoever it is will bring down the franchise after what we just saw happen to Harbaugh.

The Harbaugh stuff brought down the Niners? Please. The only thing hurting the Niners right now are major injuries and suspensions to their best defensive players. The only thing bringing down the Lakers right now is paying Kobe a stupid contact and bad front office decisions.

Whoever is leaking stuff in the Niners front office is going to cause more problems down the line.

Keeping Kobe, even at the "Thank you" contract price is something that Jerry Buss wanted done. Most non-fans like you just wouldn't understand. Even the Niners treat their legends like dirt....toss them in the dust heap when they are used up. That you get Montana finishing in a Chefs jersey and Rice last playing ofr the Seahawks. The Lakers just wouldn't allow that with Kobe.

The Niners would have one less SB win if they had kept Montana and let Young go. That was a no brainer move. Maybe the Lakers are happy with the contract they gave Kobe and taking care of their own. Personally, I think they gave him TONS of money over the years and would have been smart to not overpay him and basically make it a given that they wont be competitive.

Kray, you seem bitter though. Perhaps you should become a Warriors fan and root for a winner this year. Or the Clippers. The Lakers time has come and passed. No more Shaq or Kareem deals. No more ripping off other teams to get Magic and Worthy in the draft. No more young Kobe. Its going to be a long time before this organization is competitive again I think.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by kray28:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by kray28:
Jed needs to find the mole in his organization as well...whoever it is will bring down the franchise after what we just saw happen to Harbaugh.

The Harbaugh stuff brought down the Niners? Please. The only thing hurting the Niners right now are major injuries and suspensions to their best defensive players. The only thing bringing down the Lakers right now is paying Kobe a stupid contact and bad front office decisions.

Whoever is leaking stuff in the Niners front office is going to cause more problems down the line.

Keeping Kobe, even at the "Thank you" contract price is something that Jerry Buss wanted done. Most non-fans like you just wouldn't understand. Even the Niners treat their legends like dirt....toss them in the dust heap when they are used up. That you get Montana finishing in a Chefs jersey and Rice last playing ofr the Seahawks. The Lakers just wouldn't allow that with Kobe.

The Niners would have one less SB win if they had kept Montana and let Young go. That was a no brainer move. Maybe the Lakers are happy with the contract they gave Kobe and taking care of their own. Personally, I think they gave him TONS of money over the years and would have been smart to not overpay him and basically make it a given that they wont be competitive.

Yeah, I'm in this line of thinking. I'm fine with going to bat for your guy when he's badmouthed in the press but overpaying him for absolutely no reason at the expense of your franchise is just stupid. It's a business, and if you're in the business of winning you don't make a decision like that.