Lakers Thread

You know what, let's just say this: Michael Jordan was dead wrong when he drafted Kwame. Any other GM would have gotten fired for that pick. But nobody thought Jordan could be THAT wrong, so they just thought Kwame must have some kind of potential, when in reality, all signs pointed towards him being very very mediocre.

Kwame Brown does do some things well. He's a decent rebounder, athletic and strong, holda good position on the ball. But he's more lost on offense than Walt (the kid from the show "Lost"). He has no idea how to play help side defense. So at this point, he is what he is: an athletic big who can play solid minutes rebounding and giving up fouls to Duncan.

If he shows any progress, he'll be overachieving.

And O'neal comparison everyone loves to make is a joke, 'cuz O'neal played like 30 seconds a game in Portland. The reports were, though, that he was killing people in practices.

You know what, let's just say this: Michael Jordan was dead wrong when he drafted Kwame. Any other GM would have gotten fired for that pick. But nobody thought Jordan could be THAT wrong, so they just thought Kwame must have some kind of potential, when in reality, all signs pointed towards him being very very mediocre.

Perhaps, but if Krause can survive Marcus Fizer at number four, GMs would seem to have fairly reasonable job security.

if Krause can survive Marcus Fizer at number four, GMs would seem to have fairly reasonable job security.

I do believe winning all those titles provide him with a relative security blanket.

Perhaps. But the blunders he made in the post-1998 era led to the exact thing he was trying to avoid. His role in assembling the championship teams has become underrated by the way he handled the rebuilding phase but at the same time the Bulls' success in the 90s cannot excuse the bad decisions he made either.

Perhaps. But the blunders he made in the post-1998 era led to the exact thing he was trying to avoid. His role in assembling the championship teams has become underrated by the way he handled the rebuilding phase but at the same time the Bulls' success in the 90s cannot excuse the bad decisions he made either.

Most people blame Krause and Krause alone for the post-1998 Chicago struggles. Why isn't Reinsdorf getting any bad talk?

Krause's choice to dismantle and rebuild was in part brought upon by financial reasons, and I have read many Chicago papers' articles about JR's pressure into making these changes happen.

I agree that the aura of 6 rings can sustain a barrage of poor choices, and that it can only do so for a limited amount of time. Thing is, Krause is as permanent a fixture in Chicago as the wind itself, and I don't see things changing anytime soon.

Anyway, back to the Lakers...

Lakers game about to start and I'm hoping tonight is the night the Lakers finally win one against the Heat.

For those interested in the Kobe/Shaq interaction part of it, Mr. Diesel went and shook his hand during warmups and they had a pretty quick chat.

Perhaps. But the blunders he made in the post-1998 era led to the exact thing he was trying to avoid. His role in assembling the championship teams has become underrated by the way he handled the rebuilding phase but at the same time the Bulls' success in the 90s cannot excuse the bad decisions he made either.

Most people blame Krause and Krause alone for the post-1998 Chicago struggles. Why isn't Reinsdorf getting any bad talk?

Krause's choice to dismantle and rebuild was in part brought upon by financial reasons, and I have read many Chicago papers' articles about JR's pressure into making these changes happen.

I agree that the aura of 6 rings can sustain a barrage of poor choices, and that it can only do so for a limited amount of time. Thing is, Krause is as permanent a fixture in Chicago as the wind itself, and I don't see things changing anytime soon.

Anyway, back to the Lakers...

that is a false assumption that only Krause gets the blame. Krause was an easy target for his appearance and ego, but Reinsdorf was criticized for sticking with Krause as long as he did.

Reinsdorf is not a basketball guy. He's a businessman who's basically hired by the wealthy investors to keep them... well wealthy. Chicago remained one of the most profitable teams and was still amongst the league leaders in attendance after the Jordan-Era despite the team's terrible play. I could see why Reinsdorf kept Krause around as long as he did. But hey the Jerry's both fucked up

What articles were you reading regarding the financial reasons? And exactly what financial reasons/pressures do you speak of? The Chicago Bulls franchise is a cash cow so if you're implying lack of profit was a reason for the break up...

Bynum seems to be getting a little too excited tonight, Shaq nearly cleaned this guys head off and he's kinda lucky to still be in the game after that one. Pretty nice move Bynum put on him though.

What articles were you reading regarding the financial reasons? And exactly what financial reasons/pressures do you speak of? The Chicago Bulls franchise is a cash cow so if you're implying lack of profit was a reason for the break up...

I'll be damned if i remember... I think it was a barrage of Chicago tribune articles around 2001-2003... And it was not about lack of profit... it was about MORE profit.

heh whats the point of mentioning articles you read about it if you can't remember them?

More profit? heh the franchise stood to make more $ if they brought back everyone for one more year.

I always thought the reason behind the Bulls breakup was Pippen wanting to get what he deserved (120+ million over 7 years) and Phil Jackson's discontempt with management. Both those guys were huge parts to the bulls dynasty, and without them it was gone. That pretty much forced MJ into retirment when it was clear they wouldnt be back.

And the bulls at the height of their run were the most recognisable team in the world, everyone knew about them and their merchandise was everywhere. That suddenly stopped in 99 and only their ticket sales kept them as a profitable franchise.

the breakup was pretty much everyone's fault- players, coach, management. Pippen indeed wanted that big contract, Krause and Jackson couldn't get along, Reinsdorf was backing up Krause, and the players were backing up their coach

Reinsdorf wasn't even supposed to bring them back in for the 3rd leg of the 2nd 3peat. And when he did, he said something along the lines "this is the last year for sure". So more or less that set the tone for the season and Phil Jacskon wisely came up with the "Last Dance" rallying cry for the year

It's pretty strange how the franchise has remained quite profitable. It was understandable for the 1st few years after the big breakup the United Center would remain sold out since there was a humongous waiting list for tickets. But when the skybox suites contracts expired 2yrs back, surprisingly the big businesses renewed and the franchise was more or less set for another few years. Plus only until now were the ticket prices raised

heh whats the point of mentioning articles you read about it if you can't remember them?

Ow, shut up already. As if you would remember the exact articles 3-5 years afterwards..

More profit? heh the franchise stood to make more $ if they brought back everyone for one more year.

[quote]It was understandable for the 1st few years after the big breakup the United Center would remain sold out since there was a humongous waiting list for tickets.[.quote]

My point exactly. Steady ticket income + deflated salary = MORE profit.

Lakers/Kings tonight on TNT. Just making sure people know so they can watch.


edit: Nice start for Kobe. 21 first quarter points.

we had this conversation about snide comments, dweaver. I expect better from you...

I don't expect you to remember the exact articles but the least you can do is put some effort and search for the ones you were talking about. IIRC there wasn't any financial pressure on Reinsdorf to change the roster. I'll gladly change my opinion of this matter if you can bring some proof of your argument

You're overlooking and underrating the revenue they would have generated again from being one of the most popular teams worldwide

OT now, thanks to a miraculous 3 from Brad Miller. Kobe has 46 pts and has hit 46 straight foul shots. I think he'll probably hit 50 again tonight.

Looking bad as the Lakers drop back.. Kobe's missed 3 and turnover... and damn Lamar Odom!!!

O well, we lost. Game kinda unravelled for us there at the end. Lamar went kinda quick at the end of the 4th and also the refs gave Sacramento a couple freebie free-throws after Sacramento had already been caling for a timeout.


On to the next one.

Well.. this proves Kobe can't do it by himself. Also proves to Kobe he shouldn't take so many three point shots... he took a hell lot of them today. It's good to see that Kwame is actually playing quite solid basketball... from what I've read though, he's been helpful on D... The Lakers still lack that second option and I doubt it's going to be Lamar even in the future. I hope scorer number 2 comes along soon...

Go Kings.

What do you mean "this proves kobe cant do it by himself"? It was Odom's retartedness that cost the Lakers this game, not Kobe jacking up shots left and right. If it wasnt for Kobe's big game, the Lakers would have never been close. Odom should be deactivated

He cant do it by himself, he needs support. U contradicted urself. Lamar Odom foulled out in the first minute of OT... hence explaining why LA needs that second option.

He cant do it by himself, he needs support. U contradicted urself. Lamar Odom foulled out in the first minute of OT... hence explaining why LA needs that second option.

I think when you said this

Well.. this proves Kobe can't do it by himself. Also proves to Kobe he shouldn't take so many three point shots... he took a hell lot of them today.

you kinda sounded like your saying it was more on Kobe why they lost. They had that game wrapped up in the final minutes with excellent shots from Bryant but Odom's fuck-up gave it away.

Odom is a fuck up.

He cant do it by himself, he needs support. U contradicted urself. Lamar Odom foulled out in the first minute of OT... hence explaining why LA needs that second option.

How is that a contradiction? Open your eyes (if you can ). It wasn't kobes fault they lost, they wouldnt have even been comptetive if it wasnt for kobe. It was Odom's inexcusable fuck up that cost LA the game, and thats Kobes second option? Yeah I guess he needs someone to lose the game for him...