Lakers Thread

[NovU]

To think about it now, Grant Hill would have been real good. Wonder what was the factor in his decision to choose Sterling instead.

[_Steve_]

To think about it now, Grant Hill would have been real good. Wonder what was the factor in his decision to choose Sterling instead.

Metta and Antawn Jamison in the rotation. IIRC Hill signed with the Clips after Lakers got Jamison...

[Andrew]

Yeah, I'm guessing the bigger role/playing time that'll likely be the case with the Clippers.

[Bruce]

T-Mac with the veteran minimum.

This seems like an idea that could become a possibility. T-Mac as a veteran has pratically seen in all, but I am not sure he can provide stability coming off the bench.

I was thinking maybe the Lakers needs a gritty defender rather than a shooter. But looking at the performance of the Lakers young players in the summer league, well, they stunk. I was placing a lot of hope on Eyenga developing more into a supporting role. I think he has the physical tools to be a great defender, but his offense still isn't quite there. He could have easily replace the void Shannon Brown left, but maybe there is still a little time for him to do that. But I was thinking too, since the Lakers already re-signed Hill and has Jamison signing soon, McRoberts becomes the odd man out. Maybe the Lakers can trade him for a guard forward that can rough it out with the quicker guard forwards of the opposing team. I was thinking maybe the Lakers can trade away McRoberts for somebody like Marquis Daniels or CJ Miles.

[shadowgrin]

T-Mac as a veteran has pratically seen in all.

Except past the 1st round of the playoffs lolololol

[NovU]

Yeah, I'm guessing the bigger role/playing time that'll likely be the case with the Clippers.

At age of 40, it's surprising.

[Andrew]

He's still posting respectable numbers given his role, and has remained healthy the past few years. Still a bit left in the tank, he's still finding ways to contribute.

[Bruce]

Yeah, I'm guessing the bigger role/playing time that'll likely be the case with the Clippers.

At age of 40, it's surprising.

When men make strange decisions, it is usually the fault of the wife or girlfriend. I'm thinking, his wife wants to be in LA (previously it was stated she wanted to go to NY), but does not want her husband to be paid min $$$.

T-Mac as a veteran has pratically seen in all.

Except past the 1st round of the playoffs lolololol

[koberulz]

When men make strange decisions, it is usually the fault of the wife or girlfriend.

This is quite obviously sensible, grounded in fact, and in no way some absurd generalisation you just pulled out of your ass.

[NovU]

Kobe Bryant dropped 16 pounds for the Olympics and beyond

In 2008, Bryant led Team USA to the gold medal in part by setting an intense tone in practices and games, particularly on the defensive end.

Now try that with goofball LeBawn in the lead pack. x3 harder

Anyways, wow. Kobe really really looks skinny. More speed? Resurrected explosiveness? I can't wait to see him on court.

[Patr1ck]

I hope it's conditioning and not just weight loss. Getting lighter can make you quicker, however the drawback is it could be more injury prone when faced with more physical play if you aren't well conditioned physically, regardless of weight.

[Andrew]

And perhaps a little easier to push around in the post, though it's not like he's suddenly obtained a Manute Bol-type physique.

[Bruce]

Eddie Jordan to the Lakers as assistant, read about it here.

I like this move, for me Eddie installed a great up tempo game in Washington and Philadelphia coupled with Mike Brown's emphasis on defense. I think it was also Jordan who installed the up tempo game too in the years where Kidd and Martin made the finals with the Nets. The two coaches could potentially be perfect complements of each other.

[Spree#8]

Jordan's tenure in Philadelphia was nowhere near great on either end of the court and they didn't play up-tempo at all (23rd pace in the league). Either way, they were terrible. Injuries definitely contributed to that, but the fact remains. He might be alright as an assistant, but don't expect anything big from him.

[shadowgrin]

I like this move, for me Eddie installed a great up tempo game in Washington and Philadelphia...I think it was also Jordan who installed the up tempo game too in the years where Kidd and Martin made the finals with the Nets.

lol nope.
Sixers offense/tempo under Jordan was ugly that players wanted him to concentrate on defense instead of offense.
With the Wizards he let Arenas, Jamison, Hughes, and Butler freedom to run what they want on offense. If those players strictly followed Jordan's offense they would have ended up like the Sixers and revolted.
As for the Nets, Jason Kidd. Just ask Byron Scott.

[stereoxide]

I like this move, for me Eddie installed a great up tempo game in Washington and Philadelphia coupled with Mike Brown's emphasis on defense. I think it was also Jordan who installed the up tempo game too in the years where Kidd and Martin made the finals with the Nets. The two coaches could potentially be perfect complements of each other.

If they want uptempo game they should have just hired D'Antoni as assistant coach.

[Jayson Silverio]

Barbosa to the lakers? lets wait and see
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_t ... rbosa.nba/

[Its_asdf]

C.J Miles signed with the Lakers... I personally like him more as an acquisition than Barbosa.

Edit: Oops, for some reason I thought he went to Los Angeles. Anyway, Barbosa is garbage. I think there are better options out there if you want an energy scorer off the bench.

[Lamrock]

Miles signed with the Cavs, actually.

[NovU]

So where do you think the Lakers stand now? Do you guys think their offseason movements put the Lakers over the top to become one of the elites in the league? Say, are they in the same class with the Heat, Thunder, Spurs?

[Fresh8]

So where do you think the Lakers stand now? Do you guys think their offseason movements put the Lakers over the top to become one of the elites in the league? Say, are they in the same class with the Heat, Thunder, Spurs?

Same class but not at the top. If they get favorable match ups, they can make WCF and push OKC to the brink. I do believe we are 1-2 athletic wing players away from really competing for the title. Nash and Jamison are HUGE pick ups. But they only help us offensively. Hopefully, defense will be strong if Nash passing to Bynum and Gasol will motivate them on the other end of the floor. There's no reason why this team cannot win it all even with Nash at the helm because we have 2 of the best 7 footers in the world.

All comes down to how much each and every player on this team wants it. I have the gravest concern for our small forward position. I am coming to reality that MWP is not the answer as our starting small forward.

[NovU]

Last season, I remember saying that the Lakers weren't relevant anymore mainly because the team fared pretty bad despite having better roster/coach in the previous season. This offseason, I thought the Lakers did a pretty damn good job adding some great players. They possibly belong to the top contenders once again. My concern would be young talented Thunder with high energy though. Even aged yet great Spurs couldn't keep up. Going to be interesting to see how aged key additions like Nash and Jamison will make a difference against the Thunder for the Lakers.

[Andrew]

Nash makes them an even more dangerous offensive team with his passing and his shooting, the latter of which is probably overlooked because the former is so impressive. That may put them over the top but defensively speaking, he's not going to be a lot of help against someone like Russell Westbrook.

[Jackal]

Adrian Wojnarowski: Orlando and the L.A. Lakers are engaged in 4-way talks with Denver and Philadelphia on a Dwight Howard blockbuster, league sources tell Y!

There are multiple moving parts in the fluid talks, but the framework of a possible deal includes Howard and Denver forward Al Harrington going to the Lakers, Philadelphia guard Andre Iguodala going to the Nuggets, Los Angeles center Andrew Bynum moving to the 76ers, and Los Angeles forward Pau Gasol and Denver guard Arron Affalo going to the Magic, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Whut? Bynum AND Gasol?

[_Steve_]

Giving away Pau and Bynum to get Howard and Al Harrington? I wouldn't like that move...